Chapter 23
At Council the next morning, Natasha was relieved to see she wasn't the only one who'd gotten little sleep the night before. The dwarves had barely made it to their seats before their chins had fallen to their chests in a bid to get a few more minutes sleep before Council started. And the men of Gondor, slouching in their chairs, tried valiantly to stifle their yawns but without much success, looked no better off, some all ready having nodded off. One of the older delegates from Gondor had slumped so far down in his seat, he was one loud crash from ending up on the floor.
((Come on, Natasha. I dare you.)) Nigel goaded impishly from within her head and making Natasha hide a snicker behind her hand. ((Ten bucks says you won't get caught.))
((That same ten bucks says I'll get a nasty bump on the head if Gandalf even I had something to do with something like that.)) Natasha winced remembering the last time she'd done something similar to Nigel's suggestion. Gandalf had whacked her upside the head with his staff. Her ears had been ringing for hours afterwards.
Te rest of the delegates had taken their seats now, the elves from the Grey Havens, Lothlorien and Mirkwood all looking enviously rested, as though the topics under discussion here did not truly touch them as they did men and dwarves. Legolas took the seat to her left, giving her hand a quick comforting squeeze as his companions sat themselves. Lord Elrond soon followed the other elves, followed closely by his twin sons, Elladan and Elrohir , Strider and Lords Glorfindel and Erestor.
"Did you let him get any sleep last night?" Natasha teased Legolas in a whisper, nodding at Strider's exhausted face.
"He refused to sleep." Legolas replied rolling his eyes. "Insisted on trying to find the right words to tell you about his heritage."
"Ah. And didn't sleep afterwards either, I take it." Natasha shook her head.
This had been the other reason she hadn't gotten much sleep. It had only been an hour or so since Council had been adjourned, and Natasha had been nice and cozy in her bed, at the very edges of sleep, when a knock on the door brought her back to full consciousness. Strider and Legolas, both dressed for bed, had insisted on speaking with her then and there, claiming it was important enough to forego sleep for another few hours. Not believing that she was agreeing to this, she'd let them in and waited in silence while Strider had gathered his thoughts before launching into his tale.
He told of Isildur and how the Ring was lost, of how Isildur's heirs and their loyal followers had then had to go into hiding until the day when it would be safe for the King to return to Gondor. Finally, he spoke of how the heir of Isildur had come to be fostered by Lord Elrond upon the death of his father. The heir had been two years old. HI smother had left, consumed by her grief, to die in the Wilds and her body had never been found.
Natasha had then guessed what it was that Strider was not saying. That he, Estel of the elves, Strider the Ranger, was Isildur's heir, and thus the heir to the throne of Gondor: Aragorn, son of Arathorn and Gilraen. Amazingly enough, Natasha hadn't been all that surprised to learn that Strider was royalty. It only made sense after all, given that Legolas was a prince, Strider would have to at least have been a nobleman. And besides, there was just something about Strider…Aragorn that screamed royalty. She'd also guessed why they were telling her now. Aragorn would be revealing himself at Council the next day. He'd felt that she should know before hand. They'd spent the next couple hours talking before Strider…Aragorn had said they all needed to get some rest. That today would require a great deal of strength from them. But apparently, he hadn't taken his own advice, as testified by the dark circles under his eyes and the worn down look Natasha had seen when they'd met in Bree.
"I say we spike his tea after Council." Natasha quipped, earning a chuckle from the passing Lord Elrond, who was making his way around the Council speaking to all the delegates and basically taking care of host business.
"I know just the tea you need to get my son to sleep." he whispered conspiratorially to her and Legolas, who grinned with impish delight. "Come by my study afterwards and I'll make some up for you."
Natasha and Legolas winked at each other and then the Council was ready to proceed with today's session. Again, the proceedings seemed to drag on, but today, all crucial details were covered by noon. Finally, Lord Elrond called Frodo up to reveal the One Ring to all gathered, and then studied everyone carefully as the Ring reached out in an attempt to gain a new bearer.
Natasha could feel the evil residing in the Ring, oozing across the room as it touched first one person and then another, trying to entice them with empty promises it had no intention of keeping. Her tern came swiftly enough and she was surprised of the amount of force such a small thing could have impact-wise on one's mind. Frantically, she pushed the presence from her mind, sickened by the cold malice that seeped into her body and tried to override her control.
'You cannot withstand me, you pathetic little girl. I am too powerful for you. You will do my bidding.' the Ring's voice echoed throughout her being, a deep guttural sound that grated against both the ear and the mind.
'You underestimate me, as you underestimate all your enemies. You will have neither me, nor my powers to play with.' Natasha replied, gathering all her strength and forcing the Ring from her mind and then quickly building new defences around her mind to prevent It ever regaining access to her mind.
The Ring smashed against her mental barrier, again and again, trying to batter down her defences. But each time, It was repulsed. With one final attempt, the Ring was flung back into Its own vessel, a bright flash of white light startling everyone before the Ring pulsed angrily, red with the heat of Its outrage. How could a mere girl refuse Its power, resist Its influence? This was not to be borne! Another way to break her would have to be found. And such Power! Once Its master had that one beside Him, there would be no stopping Him.
Fortunately, no one had noticed the struggle Natasha had had in repulsing the Ring, all more concerned in dealing with the feelings the Ring had evoked within each of them. The white light had gained their attention, and then everyone had assumed that Gandalf had done something to save them from the Ring's influence, many murmuring thanks to the wizard, who sat regally in his chair watching his apprentice from the corner of his eye as she slowed her breathing.
((Very good, Natasha. A very good repulsion. Complete. And with new defences against further attack designed using information taken from the source of attack itself, while still keeping open links to friends as well. Excellent. And quickly done too. ))
Flushing at the praise, Natasha worried at the hem of her sleeve while Lord Elrond continued his speech, declaring that the Ring was evil and must be destroyed. Boromir then took it upon himself to challenge the wisdom of one who had seen so much more of the world than he. Claiming the Ring was a gift to the foes of Mordor, he suggested using the Ring to defeat Its master. Which, of course, brought Legolas to his feet in defence of the Lord of Imladris, famed for his wisdom and foresight. They bickered back and forth until finally Aragorn had had enough.
"You cannot wield it. Not of us can! The Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master!" Aragorn exclaimed, calmly remaining seated and imploring with his soul through his eyes for Boromir to see reason. Only to receive contempt in return for his concern on the other's behalf.
"And what would a ranger know of this matter?" he spat the word out as though it were the most vile creation under the sun.
((Now where have I heard that phrase before?)) Natasha asked Gandalf rhetorically, rolling her eyes for emphasis. ((Does this guy have an inferiority complex or something? That he has to belittle others in order to feel he has some worth?))
((Consider who his father is, my dear.)) Gandalf replied.
((Faramir didn't turn out to be that self-righteous.)) Natasha remembered the younger son of the Steward of Gondor quite well. He had helped her out on a number of occasions, helping her carry meals to Gandalf as they'd studied late into the night, finding materials that would further their investigation. He'd even taken her on a tour of the city so that she'd at least know some of the landmarks on her next visit. He hadn't treated her with the disdain his brother showed every time he looked at her. But then, he was so different from his brother, it shouldn't have surprised her that she would like one and not the other.
Legolas had jumped to reveal Aragorn for who he truly was and Natasha saw both Lord Elrond and Gandalf smirk at each other as they watched the captain of Gondor deflate ever so slightly before composing himself to spit:
"Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king."
"Aragorn is right. We can not use it." Gandalf said.
"But we must." Boromir continued and launched into a speech about the woes of Gondor, claiming that it was by the blood of Gondor that the lands further north were kept safe.
"While that may be true, son of the Steward," Natasha chose this moment to add her voice to the Council. "There are those within your ranks that are not of Gondor, those who are from the north and taking aliases to hide their true heritage to serve beside Gondor so that she will not fall. The north is very much aware of your contribution to their peace. We do not deny you your honour. But to use this Ring for anything, be it good or evil, would be to give up your very soul to darkness. It is not a gift, much rather a curse, for Sauron will not stop hunting any who bear it, more so any who should attempt to wield it against him. And he has forces that can tear a man to pieces. Pity the one who must carry it to Mount Doom, for it would be a miracle to get it there, destroy the Ring and return alive to tell the tale."
Boromir was silent for several moments, confusion and anger fighting behind his eyes until finally anger won out and he again approached the Ring, talking of a dream he had had, as though Natasha had not spoken.
"Oh that is so mature." Natasha muttered darkly and then cringed in her seat as a dark booming voice filled the Council area and the sky darkened. Gandalf was speaking in a tongue that sent fear crawling along her flesh and through her bones. And he seemed to grow taller, no longer walking with the aid of his staff as he frightened Boromir back into his seat.
"Ash nazg durbatuluk. Ash nazg gimbatul. Ash nazg thrakatuluk. As burzum-ishi krimpatul!"
As the last echoes of his words faded away, so did the towering Istari and the darkened skies, leaving only Gandalf the Grey, mentor to Natasha McGowan.
"The Ring is all together Evil!" he said with finality that brooked no argument as he turned to once again take his seat.
"Never before has that tongue been spoken here in Imladris, Gandalf." Elrond rebuked the wizard sharply, uncoiling himself from his own cringe as did the other elves.
"I do not beg your pardon, Master Elrond, for the Black Speech may be heard in all corners of the West by the time the end has come." Elrond said nothing to this but turned to the matter most pressing at hand.
"It is up to you to decide. The Ring must be destroyed. Who will carry it and do so?" with this, the elf-lord sat and waited for the Council to decide.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor." Boromir groaned. "It is a barren wasteland of fire and ash. The very air you breathe is a toxic fume. Not with a hundred men could you do this."
"And yet it is not a hundred men that we ask to do this." Natasha replied evenly. "But only one. Only one needs to get past the borders and to the fires of Mount Doom. Only one to cast it into the flame and It will be destroyed. Any who choose to go with the Ringbearer will have to provide a distraction for any who might seek to take the Ring for themselves."
"And what would you have us do when Sauron takes back what is his?" Boromir shouted, rising from his seat.
"Find another way, you moron!" Natasha also rose. "If the Ring can be taken from him once, it can be taken again. Sure he'll be more vigilant than last time, but a way will be found, even if it takes more than our own life times! As long as there is one person left who has the strength to think for themselves, there will always be a chance for our peoples!"
Other voices had joined her in the shouting match, but the others were discussing who would be best to send to destroy the Ring. Only Boromir seemed intent on keeping it whole and using it. The decision to destroy the Enemy's Ring had won. All the races gathered were arguing that their own would be the best to send.
'Send the eldest, for men cannot be trusted! Look what happened the last time the Ring was in their hands!' some of the elves shouted.
'Never trust an elf!' Gimli, son of Gloin the dwarf shouted above the others and thus starting a new argument as the elves all turned on the dwarves, despite Legolas and Aragorn trying to keep them apart.
Gandalf added his voice as well, trying to get everyone to see reason, to see that fighting was only giving the Dark Lord power over them, power in time. Time to get his forces ready while Free Peoples of Middle Earth bickered over age-old quarrels. Lord Elrond, through all of this, had remained seated, his head in his hands in dismay of the chaos around him. And then came the shout Natasha and Gandalf had been dreading to hear. The shout from the smallest member of the Council, who had carried the Ring this far and had felt pain in his left shoulder ever since that night on Amon Sul.
"I will take it! I will take it!" Frodo shouted, moving to a clear spot where everyone could see. It took a few shouts for it to get through to everyone that someone had volunteered in the midst of their bickering. Silence soon fell among the Council members, leaving some still holding the front of their adversaries tunics or in the middle of pointing to emphasize some point or other, to all stare at the tiny hobbit who would so bravely offer to risk his life when he saw that none of the so-called more noble races could decide amongst themselves who should do what.
"I will take the Ring." Frodo said into the quiet. "Though I do not know the way."
He gathered the Ring from the pedestal upon which it sat and returned it to the chain around his neck, tucking it safely back under his shirt. With a brief look at Natasha, Gandalf moved to stand behind Frodo, laying a hand on his shoulder and vowing to help him bear the burden and guide him to his destination. Natasha stood and joined him, not saying a word but winking at Frodo as she too stopped behind him. Aragorn was next, offering his sword, and his life, to protect Frodo on the journey. Legolas pledged his bow, Gimli his axe and finally Boromir, not to be outdone, made a little speech about the will of the Council and Gondor seeing it done.
Elrond surveyed those that now stood with Frodo, a satisfied smile on his face. He was about to speak when a shout from the bushes interrupted him.
"Hey!" Sam leapt from his hiding place and came to stand beside Frodo. "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me."
"Indeed, for it is hardly possible to separate you." Elrond replied with a slight smile. "Even when he is summoned to a secret Council and you are not."
Sam blushed at the gentle reprimand but still held his ground. Another shout, this time from two sources, prevented Lord Elrond from speaking again, and Merry and Pippin soon joined the group around Frodo.
"Hang on now!"
"Yeah, we're coming too!"
"You'd have to send us home in a sack!"
Natasha could feel her mentor's suppressed laughter rippling along their bond as his eyes met with Lord Elrond's annoyed glare. But the elf-lord, having had many centuries of practice, quickly composed himself and surveyed the new group, no doubt weighing the pros and cons of having the hobbits along. And waiting to see if there would be anymore interruptions.
"Nine. Nine Riders, nine walkers." Lord Elrond sad softly, almost to himself before continuing in a louder voice. "Very well, you shall be the Fellowship of the Ring." he concluded with a nod.
"Great." Pippin replied, very satisfied. "where are we going?"
Natasha's jaw dropped, as did Merry's and Sam's as Gandalf choked his laughter down, leaning heavily on his staff, his face turning a brilliant shade of red against the grey of his beard.
((Can I hit him?)) Natasha begged, adding the power of puppy-dog eyes to her assault on her mentor but only succeeding in setting his bout of laughter free, his great voice booming throughout the room and making her fight to keep a straight face.
Lord Elrond and the other delegates left, some looking at the youngest hobbit in disbelief, others choosing to simply ignore his last comment, and disappeared down the halls of the Last Homely House. Boromir chose to leave with his companions, as did Gimli the dwarf. Gandalf led the hobbits away, no doubt to go visit Bilbo who had been unable to attend today's meeting as he had not been feeling up to the walk in the brisk morning air to get to the Council area. It wasn't long until Natasha, Aragorn and Legolas were the only ones left standing, enjoying the sun and the light breeze.
Aragorn's arms encircled her waist, pulling her back against his chest as Legolas embraced her from the front. They stood like this, simply enjoying the feel of their bodies pressed together and the birdsong around them, the tenseness of the Council draining from their backs and leaving them calm and relaxed.
"You know," Aragorn started, pulling away and striding quickly into the House. "We never got to have our picnic."
"Does he always think with his stomach?" Natasha laughed, following at a slower pace with Legolas at her side.
"Only at home. In the Wilds, he'll ignore hunger until he loses consciousness."
"Guess we'll have to knock him out every night then. I wonder if Lord Elrond can give us a supply of his tea."
Legolas only smiled and conversation turned to other matters. Lord Elrond peeked out of his study as they passed its door, handed them a bag of tea with a wink.
"Just a teaspoon should do. Anymore, and he'll be asleep all day." the elf-lord explained with a wink and disappeared back inside his study.
"I don't think we should go on a picnic today." Natasha said, hefting the bag slightly. "Do you?"
"Yes, tomorrow seems like a much better choice." Legolas grinned and they ran to catch up with Strider in the kitchens.