This chapter contains the Council of Elrond nearly verbatim with the first theatrical release of the film. Almost all the dialogue in that part is copyrighted to Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Peter Jackson. You'll know when it splits off.

This may be the longest chapter in Wild Star. Just a warning.

-xHx

Hermione was actually in a good mood again. Her father had informed her that she, Luna, and Ginny would be attending a council to decide the fate of this world. They would be the only three women in attendance. Ginny was left a little worried by this information, but it really didn't matter; nothing could dampen Hermione's spirits. She'd been dancing a lot more than she had before their departure from Hogwarts.

Two of the Hobbits who had arrived alongside Aragorn had befriended the three young ladies. Merry and Pippin were quite taken with them, but Sam, shy as he was, would only talk to Luna. Of course, when the three Hobbits heard about the meeting, they were curious and anxious all at once. Apparently, their friend, the one who'd been brought into Rivendell before them, had been summoned to this meeting, too.

"You know, I have no clue why we were the only women invited to this meeting," Ginny said, combing through her hair. The redhead had been given a gown with a square-type neckline, a V-shape cut down in the center. It was a purplish-red color with silver and white beading on the empire-waisted body. As soon as she was satisfied with her hair, she placed the silver circlet on her browline, its sapphire cabochon at the center of her forhead. They'd each been given a new gown and a circlet, things Lord Elrond had had made for them.

"Because this world is filled with chauvanistic pigs who think that women are too weak to do anything more than wait at home and be left out of all world-changing decisions," Hermione said, adjusting the silver-and-ruby circlet on her brow. Her gown was made of rich black satin, with gold-and-red trim on the V-neck, underbust, and the tightening of the sleeves at her elbow.

"Sam's not like that at all," Luna said in that dreamy voice of hers. She was already dressed, the intricate silver-and-moonstone circlet just below her hairline. Her gown was ivory satin with glittering, diamond-like beads over the bodice and flowing sleeves.

"We know that, Luna," Ginny said. "None of the Hobbits are like that. Not even Bilbo."

"You went and talked to Bilbo?"

"Of course, Hermione; why wouldn't I? He's very insightful."

Hermione had to admit, her father had some very interesting friends. As she sat down at the edge of the semi-circle formed of so many chairs, she felt a little intimidated. Eighteen men, including the dark-haired elf next to her father's chair; he reminded her a little of Rita Skeeter, with his sharp gaze. Everyone seemed a bit unreasonably anxious at her presence.

While her father greeted everyone, though not directly by name, she watched the faces of those gathered. Aragorn and Legolas shared a glance as she watched them. Both looked anxious for other reasons. Another man, this one with red hair, seemed too confident, in her opinion.

"Bring forth the ring, Frodo."

At her father's words, she looked at the Hobbit, watching his every move as he placed a small golden band upon the stone in the center of the semi-circle. Then her eyes returned to the red-haired man.

"So it is true," he said. The ring began to whisper. She narrowed her eyes, looking at it. "It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him."

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"You cannot wield it," Aragorn stated "None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."

"And what would a Ranger know of this matter?"

Ginny almost stood up; her right hand was halfway up the sleeve of her dress. Hermione placed a hand on her shoulder, whispering in her ear, "Don't give us away, Gin. It would not be wise." The redhead nodded, folding her hands on her lap, while her expression remained angry.

"This is no mere Ranger," Legolas said, jumping out of his seat. "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."

The three girls looked at each other, eyebrows now raised. Arwen had said nothing of this. Aragorn said something to Legolas in Elvish, though which dialect Hermione couldn't discern, and their attention was grabbed once more.

"Gondor has no king," the red-haired man said. "Gondor needs no king."

"Aragorn is right. We cannot use it," Gandalf said.

Lord Elrond stated then, "You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed."

A red-haired Dwarf stood up then, shouting, "Then what are we waiting for?" He picked up an axe and swung at the ring. A loud crash, and the Dwarf fell to his back, the axe destroyed.

"The ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess," Lord Elrond said.

Hermione laughed softly, leaning forward now to speak. "This sounds too familiar. I spent a day, before I came hear, reading about objects it is nearly impossible to destroy. Only a very small number of things could destroy them."

"What would a woman know of battle?" the red-haired man said. "What business would a woman have with this council? What help can three women give?"

"Boromir, I would advise against that," Gandalf said. He looked a bit nervous, a bit worried

"What can they do to me?" Boromir said.

Just then, Ginny, Luna, and Hermione stood up, pulling their wands from the sleeves of their gowns, pointing them all at Boromir. Ginny's was aimed for his face, probably considering her specialty; the Bat-Bogey Hex. Luna's was aimed for his feet; lately she had shown preference for the Jelly-Legs Jinx. Hermione's wand, however, was aimed for his chest. She had only one idea in mind. The Full Body-Bind Curse.

Boromir spent only a second contemplating their statures, before he started to sit down. "Women are useless in battle," he muttered.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Hermione yelled, flourishing her wand very little. But that was all it took. Boromir went rigid as a plank and fell flat on his face. Hermione gave a smug smile and lowered her wand.

Everyone else was glancing, wide-eyed, between Boromir's frozen form and Hermione's smug expression. They knew now why these women had been allowed into the council. They were dangerous.

After about three minutes, Hermione glanced at her father. "I think he's learned not to mouth off about women in front of me, Father; don't you?" He nodded, and she lifted the enchantment.

Boromir stood up, shaking like a leaf as he dusted off his clothing and sat back down in his chair.

"As I was saying; these objects could be destroyed by a small number of things. Animalistic flames conjured by a dark spell one of them; the venom of a basilisk snake is another," Hermione said. "The first, I refuse to bring about, for the flames are untameable. The second, I have no access to."

"Then why bring it up?" Gandalf said.

"It felt pertinent."

Lord Elrond shook his head at his daughter's logic before continuing. "The ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. The ring must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this."

"One does not simply walk into Mordor." Boromir said. "Its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. The great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire, ash, and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten-thousand men could you do this. It is folly."

"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The ring must be destroyed!" Legolas seemed a little too eager to yell at Boromir.

"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?" Gimli said.

"And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"

"I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!" Gimli had stood up again. His words set aflame the dry kindling of the Elves' tempers. "Never trust an Elf!" Luna jumped into the arguement, which was surprising, for she usually avoided verbal conflict. Hermione was certain she was looking for Boromir as she got lost in the crowd, so she could punch him. Luna was surprisingly violent.

"I will take it," came a voice from across the circle. Hermione just barely heard him over the ruckus, but it seemed to be the second time he'd said it. "I will take the Ring to Mordor." It was Frodo who spoke.

The crowd dispersed, and Boromir could be seen rubbing his cheek as Luna returned to her seat. The brunette and the blonde shared a brief conspiritorial glance.

"Though," Frodo continued, "I do not know the way."

Gandalf walked over to him. "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins," he said, "as long as it is yours to bear."

"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will," Aragorn said. He, too, approached Frodo. "You have my sword."

"And you have my bow," Legolas said, crossing toward the group.

"And my axe," Gimli added. Legolas looked a bit disgruntled that the Dwarf would be going along.

The three witches stood, walking to Frodo. Hermione spoke. "You have taken upon your shoulders a great quest; if my father will allow it, you will have our magic and strength at your side."

Gandalf rolled his eyes. Frodo looked happy. Aragorn seemed pleased. Gimli's expression was just as disgruntled as Legolas's had been a moment ago. And Legolas was smiling, though only a little.

"You carry the fates of us all, little one," Boromir said. "If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done."

There came a shout from the foliage behind Frodo, and Samwise Gamgee came running into the group. "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me," he said, folding his arms.

"No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you, even when he is summoned to a secret Council and you are not," Lord Elrond said, looking oddly smug.

"Oi, we're coming too!" came another shout, this time from behind Lord Elrond. Hermione craned her neck to spot Merry and Pippin running from behind a pair of pillars. "You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us."

Lord Elrond did not look happy.

Pippin picked up where Merry left off. "Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of...mission. Quest. Thing."

"Well, that rules you out, Pip," Merry said. Ginny smacked him over the back of the head, leaving him rubbing where she'd connected.

"Twelve companions," Lord Elrond said. He now looked resigned. "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."

"Great!" Pippin said. "Where are we going?" Though he'd obviously said it in a joking manner, everyone stared at him like he was an idiot. He was just very light-hearted.

That afternoon, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna began picking out their weaponry. Hermione found a bow intricately crafted, just right for her. She smiled. Mr. Granger had kept his daughter in archery classes since her sixth birthday. He'd believed that it would come in handy for her, and now she knew it would. She tested the draw of the bow; it felt natural.

"Think I look good?" Ginny said. Hermione glanced over; she held a short sword in her left hand and her wand in her right.

"It's not about looking good; it's about functionality. If you think you can fight with magic and a blade at the same time, it might work."

Ginny swung the sword twice, slashing her wand through the air with each movement. "Thank god I'm ambidextrous," she said.

"Did you tell Mr. Ollivander about that?" Hermione said, tilting her head to the side. She laid the bow aside, caressing it lightly as she picked up a pair of very long knives, slashing and t wisting them as she took a few steps.

Luna was holding a long, silvery sword, looking it over before taking a couple of experimental swings. Hermione ducked.

"Watch where you're swinging that thing!" she shouted before dissolving into laughter. Ginny followed suit, and then Luna was laughing, too.

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