Merida's eyes widened with shock as she continued to stare at the painting. She only realized that she was walking backwards when she hit the statue behind her and sent the sword fragment in her hand clattering to the ground.
Startled, she scrambled to pick it up and put it back in its place along with the other shards.

It was only then that she noticed the light of a few lanterns below from the corner of her eye. She turned around and headed towards the balcony railing and looked on with Arwen at the scene below them.

A handful of elven attendants were carrying lanterns to light the way for their mistress, who followed closely behind and was dressed completely in white. Her iridescent cloak trailed behind her as she walked. Her golden tresses spilled out of her hood and easily reached her waist as a silver diadem rested upon her head. Her gown was made from the most intricate lace Merida had ever seen. She could have sworn she could see tiny pearls and crystals that glistened like dew drops sewn into the fine fabric.

Merida turned to Arwen.

"Who is she?"

"The Lady Galadriel. She came here from Lothlorien."

"Why is she here?"

"Most likely to speak with my father."

"About what?"

"The war."

This time, Merida knew exactly what she meant.

...

The first thing Merida did when she awoke the next morning was to run in and check on her father. She hadn't seen him since dinner the night before. For a few brief moments, she forgot about Arwen and Galadriel and what had transpired late that night.

The morning rays spilled through the windows and open architecture as she made her way to the quarters that the healers had placed her father in.

She knocked on the door softly. When no one answered, she pushed it open only to find her father sitting outside in the neighboring balcony, his face buried in some elvish book and his brows furrowed in confusion. Despite his distraction, Merida's face lit up.

"Da!"

Fergus immediately looked up and grinned ear to ear.

"Merida! It's so good to see you, lass!"

"You know you saw me last night."

"Aye, I know. Agh - I've got to count our stars for these healers; they said that I should be good as new in no time!"

Fergus looked again at the book in his hand and cracked it open as he comically held it sideways.

"Although this book's been a head-splitter! It might as well be written in Entish!" he continued.

"What's it about?"

"I have no idea."

They both bursted into laughter before Elrond entered the room.

"I'm glad to see that you're on the mend, King Fergus. You seem to be quite resilient."

"Well, as I was saying to my daughter, I've got your healers to thank for that!"

Elrond smiled briefly before continuing on.

"I'd like for you both to meet me in the council room as soon as possible in order to discuss some important issues - including the information that you came here for."

"Consider it done," Fergus replied.

The events from the night before suddenly flooded Merida's mind as Elrond left the room. Suddenly, an image of the monstrous armored figure in the painting with his fiery golden ring on his finger flashed before her.

"Are you all right, lass?"

"I'm fine."

...

The council room that Elrond had referred to looked more like the love child of a garden courtyard and a royal table reserved for a king and his knights.

A canopy of trees and elven statues surrounded the place. Merida found it to be the most beautiful council room that she had ever seen. Arwen was already there, quietly sitting in one of the chairs reading a book. Judging from what she had seen of her so far, she decided that her mother would have admired her at first dark blue gown spilled from the carved wooden chair she sat in. The gold belt cinched about her waist and the golden trim on her sleeves glinted in the late morning sunlight. A simple matching diadem was woven into her flowing tresses.

Merida slipped into the chair next to her and waited for the council to begin. Unsure of what to do, she turned to Arwen.

"Are you here for the council too?"

Arwen looked up from her book.

"Yes."

"Do you know when the others will get here?"

"Look up."

When she did, Merida noticed Elrond and Galadriel walking through the hallway to join them. Her father Fergus followed closely behind, along with a male elf that she didn't recognize. His long straight blonde hair hung well past his shoulders, and his garb was similar to Galadriel's. Merida leaned in towards Arwen again.

"Who is he?" she asked in a whisper.

"Which one?"

"The blond elf next to my da?"

"That is Celeborn, husband of Galadriel."

"Thank you."

"It's nothing."

The small procession made their way down to the council room and took their seats, with Elrond in a golden throne positioned directly in front of the small table at its center.

Naturally, Fergus sat next to his daughter, with Arwen at Merida's other side. Galadriel took one across from the three of them, her movements as silent as a ghost's. Elrond waited for the rustling to stop, his face hard as stone. As soon as it stopped, Elrond rose, his eyes scanning everyone as he spoke.

"Welcome. As you all know, this is the very place where the Fellowship of the Ring was conceived. They are now well on their way to leading the One Ring into the Fires of Mount Doom."

"I have called you here today for several reasons," the elf lord continued, his gaze shifting to Fergus and Merida. "The first concerns some unlikely new allies. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you King Fergus and Princess Merida of Dunland." He gestured towards the two of them, and both automatically rose from their seats. Merida's eyes wandered nervously.

Galadriel sat as still as a statue, her eyes meeting Merida's. Suddenly the latter heard a voice in her head.

Mae govannen, Merida of Dunland.

Hello? Merida silently responded. Are you Galadriel?

Yes.

A moment of silence ensued. Galadriel's eyes peered intently into hers.

You seek to a chance to prove your quality...so that one day you can rule your kingdom in the manner of a king?

... Yes.

Your chance will come soon. Very, very soon...

Merida was swiftly brought back to reality by the sound of her father's voice.

"Merida-"

She jumped at the sound of her name.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes. I'm fine."

Merida's attention immediately shifted back to Elrond as they returned to their seats.

"King Fergus," began Elrond. "You told me previously that your land is wrought by civil war?"

"Yes. My daughter and I came to Rivendell for some advice on how to keep the rebels under control, as well as to learn about the current state of affairs."

"We all shall discuss the current state of affairs in just a few moments. How are your relations with Rohan?"

"They're fine with us. With the rebels - not good. In fact, they're not good at all."

"And I've heard that these rebels have come into contact with Saruman?"

"Yes. He has persuaded them to turn against us in favor of getting even with Rohan."

"I see. Did you know that Saruman is in league with Sauron?"

Fergus' eyes widened. For a moment, the words refused to come out of his mouth.

"No, my lord."

"Alas, it is true. It seems as though Saruman betrayed us long before we were informed of it in hopes of claiming the Ring for himself. Judging from what you've told me previously, it appears as though your people have taken the same course."

"As for dealing with the rebels," Elrond continued, "I would deem it very wise to seek an alliance with Rohan in order to end the violence and contain the rebels. The Rohirrim are among the greatest warriors the race of men has to offer."

"Thank you," Fergus replied. "I'll see to it that it is done."

Elrond nodded and gave a small, brief smile to Fergus and Merida before turning back to the rest of the council.

"Now, we must turn our attention to the mission that has befallen the Fellowship. As of now, the Ringbearer has set off for Mordor alone to cast the Ring into the fires of Mount Doom. He bears an extraordinary resilience to its evil - but alas, even so, what I have foreseen tells me that there is little chance of him succeeding before the quest claims his life. As of now, I have been informed that the members of the Fellowship have gone their separate ways in order to fulfill their duty to Middle Earth. One of the nine companions, Boromir of Gondor, has fallen in battle. Under these circumstances, I believe it necessary to send someone in his place. This person must accompany the Ringbearer and ensure that the Ring is destroyed at all costs."

Elrond paused, scanning the audience.

His gaze suddenly darted to his daughter Arwen.

No, not you.

"My duties lie with my people, Lord Elrond," stated Fergus.

"I understand. Are there any great warriors or men you know of that can fulfill this task?"

"I'm afraid not. I would recommend one of the sons of the clans that I rule, but I do not think that they could handle the nature of this mission."

Merida suddenly felt Galadriel's eyes on her again. Suddenly her heart leapt from her chest.

I only have one shot - now's my chance!

She took a deep breath and slowly rose from her seat.

She made direct eye contact with Elrond.

"I'll do it."

Her tone was set as though she were addressing the court back in Dunland under her mother's watchful eye. For a moment, she could have sworn she saw a twinge of shock color Elrond's uncannily calm countenance.

"You are accepting a grave responsibility, Merida. Should you carry this out, the entire fate of Middle Earth shall be in your hands."

"I understand."

Fergus stared in awe as he watched what was happening before him. He'd promised Elinor that he wouldn't let anything happen to her. The first thing that came to his mind was to stop her in her tracks. And yet - who else was there?

"Eru help us all...!" he muttered under his breath.