AN: If it seems too boring or movie based, let me know!

I woke up early the following morning, determined not to be late to the council. Getting dressed quickly in another annoying dress, I walked toward the kitchens, intent on getting food before making my way to the council room. Who knew how long the council would take? I certainly didn't want my stomach to start growling randomly during it. That would be embarrassing.

The elves in the kitchen nodded to me as I entered. I smiled, then snatched an apple and some bread. "Morning everyone." This breakfast would have to do. Luckily I didn't get hungry too easily and what I had should get me through until dinner.

Humming an old tale to myself, I headed in the direction of the council room. Really it was just a bunch of stone chairs in a semi circle outside, but I still called it a room. There were quite a few people there already and I waved in greeting, then took a seat near Gandalf. The wizard smiled at me. "Hello Ara. Glad to see you made it on time."

I pretended to pout, though I did have a bad habit of being late to things. "Well, can't be late to this. Though the bed begged me not to leave it this morning."

Gandalf laughed and patted my shoulder, then turned back to his conversation with Frodo. I took the time to look around. Many faces were familiar to me. Elrond took his seat and the room quieted down. We were all anticipating what he was going to say. Some more than others. Let the inner commentary begin.

Elrond cleared his throat, then began in a solemn voice. "Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate–this one doom." He paused, motioning toward the table in front of him. "Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."

Frodo stood up slowly, walking almost reluctantly forward, and placed the Ring gently down on the table. Whispers erupted around me as everyone looked at it. Frodo returned to his seat.

One of the men stood up and I recognized him as Boromir. It had been so long since I had seen the Gondorian man it was quite a shock to see him here. Though if I thought about it, it made sense. "So it is true…" He looked around, a light glinting in his eye. "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!" His voice rose until he was almost shouting at the end. I suppressed a groan. Leave it to Boromir to say something like that.

Aragorn spoke up, looking slightly disturbed by the words. "You cannot wield it! None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."

Boromir looked over at Aragorn, raising an eyebrow. His tone of voice became rude and I rolled my eyes. "And what would a ranger know of this matter?"

One of the elves jumped up and glared at Boromir. He looked rather angry. Crazy elf. I mean, I know Boromir was rude, but honestly? The elf did not need to get that mad at him. "This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."

Boromir looked at Aragorn, disbelief in his eyes. Yup, don't think he saw that one coming. "Aragorn? This… is Isildur's heir?"

The elf smirked and opened his mouth. Again "And heir to the throne of Gondor." Yeah, as if giving away Aragorn's name didn't already explain that. So much for his efforts to keep that a secret. Way to go elf.

Aragorn sighed. "Havo dad Legolas."

Ah. That was the elf's name. Prince Legolas of Mirkwood. I'd been to Mirkwood before many times and was even kept prisoner in their dungeons when I travelled to Erebor with Thorin Oakenshield and company, but I'd never met the prince. He had been away all the times I'd been there, but I had heard him spoke of. Aragorn had even mentioned the elf a few times.

Boromir looked at Aragorn again. "Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king." With that, he returned to his seat. I shot him a glare for being rude to Aragorn. What was it with people being rude today?

Gandalf piped up, trying to get us back on track. "Aragorn is right. We cannot use it."

Elrond nodded, speaking again, still very solemn. Could it kill the guy to smile? Then again, we were speaking about something important. "You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed."

"What are we waiting for?" One of the dwarves stood up, raising his axe. He ran at the table. "Argh!" The dwarf slammed his axe down on the Ring, but fell back at the impact. I winced, as did Frodo. The Ring remained intact, but the same could not be said for the axe.

"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin by any craft that we here possess. The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came." Elrond spoke again and I raised an eyebrow. Of course I knew that, but I hadn't known the dwarf was Gloin's son. I'd have to ask him how his father was doing later. "One of you must do this."

Silence ensued for a few minutes, then Boromir uttered quietly, though his voice rose until it was clear. "One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. And the great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly!"

I stood up, feeling all eyes on me. I was the only female there and though I was respected by most, the dwarves and a few of the men looked surprised and angry that I had dared to stand up. "It is folly, yes, but it must be done. We cannot allow the Ring to remain in existence. Its power causes havoc and Sauron cannot be allowed to have it again. Mordor is as you said to some extent, but it is penetrable. This quest is not impossible."

One of the men snorted, shaking his head. "Let's not be bothered with her words. Give the Ring to Boromir and let that be the end of it. You elves are giving Sauron too much credit."

I opened my mouth to speak again, angry at the man's ignorance, but Legolas jumped up before I could. "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed!"

Gimli leapt to his feet, glaring distrustfully at Legolas. "And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?"

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

Gimli spoke again, still addressing the elf. "I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!"

The elves stood and so did the dwarves, arguments breaking out between them. I shook my head, hearing Gimli's voice rise above the others. "Never trust an elf!" Now that was hurtful. After a few seconds everyone except Frodo was standing and fighting with their neighbor. I watched him, knowing what he was going to do. Frodo rose to his feet, calling out. "I will take it! I will take it!"

The arguments tapered off quickly, everyone else turning to look at the hobbit. I doubt everyone else saw that coming. "I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though," he paused, almost unsure. "I do not know the way."

Gandalf walked toward Frodo, placing a hand on Frodo's shoulder. "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, so long as it is yours to bear."

Aragorn also walked toward frodo. "If by my life or death, I can protect you, I will." He kneeled down, looking Frodo in the eyes. "You have my sword."

"And you have my bow." Legolas made his way and stood behind Frodo. Gimli joined him, glaring at Legolas. "And my axe!"

Boromir approached Frodo slowly, looking not at all pleased at what had been decided. "You carry the fates of us all little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done."

A voice rang out from the bushes nearby. "Heh!" Same jumped out from the bushes and ran to Frodo's side, looking very determined. "Mr. Frodo is not goin' anywhere without me!"

Elrond attempted to look stern, but the corners of his mouth were upturned. I could tell he was amused. "No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not."

Pippin and Merry emerged from behind pillars, running toward Frodo as well. "Wait! We are coming too!"

Merry grinned, looking at Elrond. "You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!"

Pippin nodded, adding, "Anyway you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest… thing."

Merry looked at Pippin and I stifled a laugh. "Well that rules you out Pip."

Elrond looked between all of them. "Nine companions… So be it! You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!"

I shook my head, walking over to the others. "Ten. I am going with them." I smiled at Frodo. "That is, if you shall have me." Frodo nodded, smiling slightly. He looked relieved that he would not be going to Mordor alone. I didn't blame him. Elrond nodded and I avoided the looks of the other members of the Fellowship. I knew most would not be pleased I was going, but I had made up my mind.

Pippin looked at all of us. "Great! Where are we going?"

I laughed.