Chapter 4

Less than an hour later, they were all gathered together in one room. Éponine, Gavroche, Enjolras, Combeferre, Courfeyrac, Feuilly, Bahorel, Grantaire, Joly, Bossuet, and Jehan Prouvaire. Marius, as it turned out, appeared to have survived the barricade. Éponine felt a twinge of disappointment that she would likely never see him again, but she pushed the thought aside in order to focus on Elrond's words.

"So, what exactly is going on here?" Combeferre asked. Aside from Jehan, he appeared to be the most curious of all of Enjolras' friends about their situation. He had listened very intently through the beginning of Elrond's explanation on how they were in another world, and seemed to be quite interested in the fact that in a few short days they would be setting off on what would likely be a very long and dangerous adventure. "What's the full back story on this magic ring?"

"That is a very long and important piece of the history of Middle-Earth," Elrond began. "Which you will need to know to understand the full seriousness of the quest that Gandalf has decided you will take part in. This is why I wanted you all together before explaining it." He looked at each of them for a moment before beginning.

"It began with the forging of the great rings. Three were given to the elves, immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings."

"That's a bit conceited," Grantaire muttered under his breath. If Elrond heard him, he didn't show it.

"Seven to the dwarf lords, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls. And nine, nine rings were gifted to the race of men, who above all else desire power."

"Not necessarily," Grantaire muttered again, "all I want is a good drink; I think I deserve one after all of this nonsense." Again, Elrond ignored him.

"For within these rings was bound the strength and will to govern each race, for another ring was made. In the land of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret a master ring, to control all others. And into this Ring, he poured his cruelty, his malice, and his will to dominate all life. One Ring to rule them all."

Elrond paused a took a breath before continuing. "One by one, the free lands of Middle-Earth fell to the power of the Ring. But there were some who resisted. A last alliance of men and elves marched against the armies of Mordor, and on the slopes of Mount Doom they fought for the freedom of Middle-Earth. Victory was near, but the power of the Ring could not be undone. It was in this moment, when all hope had faded, that Isildur, son of the King, took up his father's sword. Sauron, the enemy of the free peoples of Middle-Earth, was defeated..." Elrond sighed and looked down.

"Then why is the Ring such a problem?" Enjolras asked. "If he was defeated, it shouldn't matter, right?"

"Sauron's life force was bound to the Ring," Elrond replied. "The Ring survived, so his spirit endured. I was there three thousand years ago. Isildur took the Ring. The strength of men failed. I led Isildur into the heart of Mount Doom, where the Ring was forged, the one place it could be destroyed. It should have ended that day, but evil was allowed to endure." Elrond's eyes were dark as he spoke, and it was clear after all of that time he still carried some sort of grudge. Of course, if the Ring was that horrible, Éponine couldn't really blame him for it. "Isildur kept the Ring."

"You're three thousand years old?" Elrond's gaze turned sharply to Gavroche, who had asked the question. Éponine was hardly surprised that that was what her little brother had gotten out of the long explanation.

"As an elf, I am immortal," Elrond replied.

"Wow." Gavroche was fascinated.

"And Sauron, was he some sort of elf as well?" Combeferre asked. "How was he so powerful?"

"Sauron was not an elf," Elrond replied. "He was one of the Maiar, servants of the Valar."

"And what are they?" Combeferre was possibly even more fascinated than Gavroche. Éponine vaguely recalled that he was a medical student who was obsessed with learning about everything that there was to know, and this topic seemed to be no exception.

"The Valar are the servants of Eru Iluvatar," Elrond replied. "Iluvatar is the one who created the world, with the help of the Valar, who were sent to watch over it. The Valar are served and assisted by the Maiar. Morgoth, formerly known as Melkor, fell to darkness. Sauron was one of his servants, but he disguised himself and deceived us all."

"And there are other Maiar as well?" Combeferre asked.

"Yes," Gandalf replied before Elrond had the chance. "Myself and the other Istari, or wizards as we're more commonly known, are of the Maiar."

"A wizard?" Combeferre seemed even more fascinated now.

"I think that's enough background information for now, Combeferre," Enjolras quickly interrupted. "When do we leave? Will we have a chance to train with the weapons used in this world first?"

"You have five days before you set out, and if you would like a chance to train, you will have it," Elrond told him.

"Good," Enjolras replied with a nod.

"For now though, you should rest. It's a lot of information to take in, and you'll need your strength for the coming journey," Gandalf suggested.

Enjolras nodded dismissively in response, and Gandalf and Elrond left the eleven companions alone.

"Well," Courfeyrac commented. "This is an unexpected turn of events. I guess there's no chance of us getting back to Paris any time soon?"

"If we can get back at all," Feuilly added. "We got here by dying, I doubt that dying here would send us back since we're already dead there."

"So we're probably here forever then," Grantaire sighed. "Great. They'd better have decent alcohol."

"We're about to be caught up in the middle of a war," Enjolras snapped. "Shut up about your alcohol. Nobody cares about that but you."

Grantaire simply glared at him in response.

"I, personally, would like to see a map," Combeferre put in. "Have some sort of idea of where we are and where we're going."

"We're in Rivendell and going to Mordor," Gavroche told him. "That's what Elrond said."

"We're in a different world, until I see a map those are just meaningless words," Combeferre explained. "A map will give me a better sense of the distance and what the places are like."

Gavroche looked thoughtful for a moment. "That actually sounds like a good idea."

"Why don't you come with me to try and find one then?" Combeferre offered.

"And I'll go find a drink," Grantaire decided. "I need one."

Enjolras scoffed at Granaire's words but didn't say anything, choosing instead to judge silently before heading off with Combeferre and Gavroche.

"I'll join you, R," Courfeyrac said. "I could do with some food."

Bahorel, Joly, and Lesgles all nodded in agreement, and the five of them headed off as well.

"Éponine, you mentioned some sort of garden?" Jehan asked. She nodded.

"Yeah, the outside is beautiful."

"Could you show me? I'd love to see it," Jehan said excitedly. "I do love nature."

"You'll really love this place then," Éponine told him. "Let's go."

"I'll join you," Feuilly said, getting up. "Might be some good inspiration for a painting. If I'm able to get a chance to paint anything while we're here, at least. Which I probably won't."

"Great," Éponine replied. "Let's go."

The trio headed off down the hall, Éponine in the lead, and eventually the reached a balcony. Jehan and Feuilly looked out in amazement, both astounded by the beauty of where they were.

"The cliffs, the trees, the waterfalls..." Jehan murmured as he gazed out at the remarkable landscape. "I've never seen anything so beautiful in all my life."

Feuilly could only nod in agreement. Éponine smiled, glad that they were happy.

"It is very beautiful here," she agreed.

"If all of Middle-Earth looks like this, I don't think the journey will be so bad," Jehan stated.

Éponine nodded. She doubted that she could ever be anything but happy in a world that was so beautiful. Her life before had been dark and painful. This, she decided, was the perfect chance for her to start a new life and finally be happy.

Enjolras, meanwhile, was absolutely astounded by Combeferre's determination to gaze at map after map in utter fascination. It was as if nothing else in their world or in this one mattered to him. His friend's eyes searched the maps in excitement, their darting back and forth across the pages being the only movements he made, save for the occasional adjustment of his glasses.

After a while, Enjolras noticed a tall, rugged looking man with dark hair watching them. He looked at the man for a few moments before recognizing him as one of the men from the meeting earlier, the one that had been called Aragorn.

"Can we help you?" he asked dryly.

"I take it that you are some of the ones that will be accompanying us on our quest?" the man questioned in response.

Enjolras simply nodded.

"I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. And you are?"

"Enjolras. And this is Combeferre and Gavroche. Did you want something?" Enjolras asked.

"I was simply looking to offer any assistance you may need. I see that you're looking over the maps?"

Combeferre nodded, showing that he had been listening. "Yes, they're very fascinating. Although I am entirely unfamiliar with this world."

Aragorn joined them, and began pointing to locations. "Well, as you can see this is Imladris, or Rivendell, which is where we are. And this is Mordor, in the East, which is where we will be going."

Combeferre nodded, continuing to look at the map.

"The path we will likely take will lead us South, on the Eastern side of the Misty Mountains, here. This is assuming, of course, that the Gap of Rohan remains open. Gandalf says Saruman has been assembling an army in Isengard, which is close to it," Aragorn explained.

Combeferre nodded, paying close attention. "It sounds like it should be an interesting journey," he commented.

"It really should be," Aragorn replied. "Especially with eleven companions from a different world travelling with us."

"It will be fascinating to see a new world and learn about it," Combeferre agreed.

"And I would like to hear a bit about your world at some point," Aragorn told him. "I look forward to getting to know each of you on the journey."

"And we look forward to getting to know you, as well," Combeferre replied.

Enjolras was a little irked that Combeferre had spoken for him, but had to grudgingly admit that his friend was correct. The other man had made a comment about Aragorn being heir to a throne, yet the man before him seemed to have little to no interest in being royalty. Perhaps he wouldn't be so bad after all. With any luck, the other eight strangers he would be travelling with wouldn't be horrible either; after a look at the map, he had no doubt that the journey would be very long, and he was already dreading the horror that would come with Grantaire going into alcohol withdrawal.

More than one intolerable companion on such a long journey would be the death of him, and he was fairly confident that there would be no miracles if he died a second time.