Chapter 8 Preparation and Songs

Three weeks after the council of Elrond, the Fellowship has been preparing for their long and arduous journey to Mordor.

During one day of reading the many maps of the continent of Arda, Frodo looked around and saw no sign of Aragorn the noble ranger and heir to Gondor.

"He's gone off to pay his mother a visit." Aranthis said as he cut apart a apple.

"Oh I didn't know his mother is she here. What is she like?" Pippin asked as he stopped reading one of the many books in the library

"She was a sweet woman who had accepted me as her own when she married our father, before they got together she would watch me while my father went out to fight the forces of darkness. She now rests in the cemetary where all of the dunedain chieftains and their wives lay." Aranthis said somberly causing the hobbits to frown.

In a small forest Aragorn stops at one of the small statue and removed the moss and leaves revealing the face of a beautiful young woman dressed in a simple dress with a cowl over her head. Written into the statue was a small inscrition written in Quenyan the tongue of the Noldor elves: "Onen i-Estel Edain, chebin estel abim." Which meant in the common tongue: "I gave Hope to the Dunedain, I have kept no hope for myself." He stares sadly at the statue as someone enters the sacred ground with him.

"She wanted to protect her children. She thought that in Rivendell you would be safe." Elrond said as Aragorn wipes away some leaves from the statue. "In her heart she knew that the both of you would be hunted all your lives." He said as he stood behind the heir of Gondor's throne.

"But you'd would never escape your fate. The skill of the elves can reforge the sword of Kings but only you can wild it's power." The elven king said once more as his student and kin breathed deeply and replied. "I did not want that power. I had never wanted it. But now I must wield it and reclaim the throne of Isildur." He said as he turned to his foster father.

Elrond was rarely surprised by anything in his long life since he had the gift of foresight and now was one of those few times. His visions saw that Aragorn would keep on denying his birthright even at the cost of never marrying his love and Elrond's daughter Arwen until he was forced to take up his ancestors blade at Dunharrow. Yet the quiet fire that now burned in his charge's eyes now seemed to burn brightly causing the half elven king to give a small smile.

"So it shall be. The smiths shall gather the shards of Narsil and reforge it." He said.

Elsewhere Bilbo Baggins now seemingly having his age catch upto him was with his nephew as he picked up a object wrapped in a fine cloth and set it on a table. He unwraps it to reveal a small sword of elven make with runes on either side of the blade.

"My old sword Sting. I shall have no use for it you take it." He told his heir as Frodo picked it up.

"It's so light!" exclaimed Frodo as he gave it a few swings while Bilbo thought that it fit with the boy.

"Yes yes. Made by the elves you now. the blade glows blue when orcs are nearby and it's times like that my lad, when you be extra careful." He cautioned his boy as he grabbed a chain shirt and handed it to Frodo also.

"Here's a pretty thing. Mithril! as light as a feather and as hard as dragon scales. Let me see you put it on, go on." Bilbo said as his nephew began to unbutton his shirt only to reveal the Ring around his necklace.

"Oh...my old ring..." Bilbo said as he began to look at it longingly "I would so much like to hold it...One last time." He said hungrily as Frodo rebuttoned his shirt causing the mostly calm and gentle hobbit to snarl like a bloodthirsty being and make to grab at is nephew! his look transformed into a creature of demonic visage for that moment causing the younger hobbit to take a step back quickly as his uncle soon regained himself as he feels shock at what he was trying to do.

"I'm sorry brought this on you My Boy... I'm sorry for everything." Bilbo said as he began to cry in shame and regret before sitting down. "I'm sorry for placing this burden on you." He said tearfully as his nephew placed a hand on his shoulder comforting him.

That evening.

In the hall of stories the Fellowship, emissaries, and elves of Rivendell gathered together for tomorrow the Fellowship shall begin their quest. The elves sang many songs and told the stories of the ancient heroes of the past: Of Fingolfin the heroic high king of the elves, the romance or Beren and Luthien, the tragedy of Turin Turambar and the voyage of Earendil the Mariner and the war of Wrath.

Cynder who with a majority of the Fellowship sat in the hall listening to the stories saw that neither Spyro nor Flame or Ember with them and grew concerned.

"Easy Cynder, Spyro is simply having a chat with the Guardian and his mate." Gimli said gruffly still not pleased with the decision to have dragons in the fellowship... Or an elf for that matter.

"Ah about what?" She asked the tiny dwarf who sat on the ground drinking an ale. "Not my tale to tell Lass." He said as his father stood up and told of the misadventures that he and the dwarves that helped Thorin to reclaim the mountain when they stayed here... much to the embarrassment of the Elven king.

Atop a hill the now fully grown Purple dragon sat on his hind quarters as he watched the Guardian of fire and his mate landed next to him.

"Good you've come Spyro." Flame said as he and his mate sat down and looked at their child now fully grown and named Dragon Lord.

"I have so many questions...Why weren't you there at the temple when it was attacked or looked for me at all?" Spyro asked angrily causing his newly found father sighed sadly while his mother flinched softly at his anger, then Ember spoke first with tears in her eyes.

"We wanted to find you so badly but after laying you several females including myself were ambushed and captured by the apes led by Gaul's son Krillo. For what purpose we knew not as we were brought to one of the Dark Master's fortresses." Ember said as she remembered her captivity while Flame continued with the tale.

"I was busy routing a siege force attacking Wisdom's Tear when we received word that the temple of life was attacked and the eggs destroyed. In my anger I flew there only to find Ignitus your grandfather and the other Guardians burying the dead when suddenly I attacked him. I demanded what had happened and asked how they could of failed our egg and the countless of others when a survivor of the ape ambush on your mother and the dragonesses came back. I left searching for your mother along with some of my troops for many years only to find them and rescue the few that had survived the horrid tortures they received. Then we heard news of a purple dragon aiding the Manweresmall clan and quickly went there only to find out that out went missing." Flame said as he inwardly cursed himself for not trying to find his son harder.

"We were told by Ignitus to aid the defense of Warfang and we went defending the southern walls And had been the last ones into the Forbidden tunnels and did not see you leave to the Ring of Fire and when no one returned we sent out search parties...We understand that you may want to hate us but we just want you to know that we love you and we will never stop loving you Spyro." Ember said tearfully as the purple dragon listened before he stood on his hindquarters and embraces them.

"I don't blame either of you for what has happened. We know who's fault it was and they're dead. Once this is all over and we return to Avalar maybe we can rebuild our family together." Spyro said as he looked at his parents with tears in his eyes.

The guardian of fire and his mat smiled happily knowing that their family was together once more... at least partially as they decided to fly down and listen to the stories, once there they see Hunter performing an ancient cheetah shadow puppet story telling the captive audience how the Great warrior fell in love with the Maiden princess of a far off land. Spyro soon sat down next to his mate and rubbed his head against hers as the feline finished his story causing another applause from the crowd. Soon Aranthis stood up and stood infront of the crowds silently before waving his hand above the fire while muttering in a low voice for within the fire the forms of musicians began to play from within the flames as the dragonborn opened his mouth and begun to sing:

Alduin's Wings they did darkened the sky.

His roar fury's fire and scales sharp as scythes

Men ran and they cowered

And they fought

And they died

They burned and they bled as they issued their cries:

Dovahkiin!

Dovahkiin! naal ok los vahlriin

Wah dein vokuul mahfaeraak ahst vaal

Ahrk fin norok paal graan fod nust hon zindrozaan!

Dovahkiin fah hin kogaan mu draal!

We need saviours to free us from Alduin's rage

Heroes on the field of this new war we wage

And if Alduin wins man is gone from this world!

Lost in the shadow of the black wings unfurled!

But then came the Tongues on that terrible day

steadfast as winter they entered the fray

And all heard the music of Alduin's Doom

the sweet song of Skyrim: sky shattering thu'um.

And so the Tongues freed us from Alduin's rage.

Gave us the gift of the Voice, ushered in a new age!

If Alduin is eternal then eternity is done

for his story is now over and the dragons are gone.Aranthis sung the tale of the dragon war as the flames showed the silent crowd the battle between the nords their dragon overlords and the men who aided them, it showed how the Nord rebels were pushed back to the Throat of the World surrounded and awaiting genocide when suddenly like a icy wind signifying the start of Winter's reign the Tongues fell upon the dragons blasting them with the Thu'um and scattering the occultist army as the men of Skyrim rallied behind the three and defeated their foes while Alduin was cursed and banished by a Elder Scroll.

"That was an interesting tale Aranthis Dunadan." Elrond said to his foster son who nodded as he then looked to his fellow members of the Fellowship.

"Indeed and much like the Tongues we the Fellowship of the Ring shall lead the forces of Ea against Sauron and banish him from this fair world!" He said confidently before bringing forth a sword from under his cloak and steps towards his brother who stood up amazed at the sword.

"Aragorn son of Arathorn, Hope of the Dunedain do you swear to defend your people as their returning king of the West?" Aranthis asked Aragorn in ancient Quenyan

"I swear it on the house of my father." He answered to which Aranthis smiled and gives him the still sheathed sword, "Behold Anduril the flame of the west reforged from the shards of Narsil." Aranthis said as he gives the mighty weapon to his little brother.

"Sauron would not have forgotten the sword of Elendil." Aragorn said as he reaches for the hilt but hesitates just for a moment before quickly drawing the blade. The sword was a hand and a half sword thinner than most blades of it's type yet was just as deadly. Two inscriptions were found on this mighty blade the first around the pommel that read:

Narsil essenya, macil meltya; Telchar carneron Navarotesse: Narsil is my name, a mighty sword; Telchar made me in Nogrod. And down the blade itself was a new inscription:

Anar Nanye Anduril i ne Narsil i macil Elendillo. Lercuvanten i moli Mordoreo. IIsil. Sun I am Anduril who once was Narsil, sword of Elendil. the slaves of Mordor shall flee from me. Moon.

The guard and blade glowed with a harsh silver light while the blade glowed with an ethereal glow. While on the guard scratched in the language was the word: Hind.

""The Blade that was broken." Shall return to Minas Tirith." Aragorn swore to the audience.

"Anduril was reinforced with Skyforged steel. An ancient and rare metal older than men and elves. No weapon that was crafted by hands of darkness shall tarnish nor break it. It is also enchanted to drain the stamina and health of it's foes and deliver them to it's master along with a control Undead spell. Unlike most swords Anduril shall not need soul gems in order to recharge it's powers instead it empowers itself from the Ring of Barahir." Aranthis said as he pulled out the ring of their ancestors. It to glowed with power as Aragorn puts it on and gasps from the power it bestowed.

"The ring is enchanted with a reinforce stamina and a resist poisons and diseases enchantments. Not even the Black Breath nor the daggers of the Nine shall hinder you nor your heirs so long as they are yours to bear." Aranthis said as he embraced his brother.

"Now fellow brothers in oath come forth for I have reinforced all of your weapons and items for this grand quest." the dragonborn said as Merry and Pippin stood up and quickly rushed forth to know what happened to their blades.

"Merriadoc Brandybuck and Perregrin Took. Your Dunedain swords have been reinforced with Malachite: A strong metal from the lands of Orsinium and your blades have been enchanted with reinforce weapon and drain stamina spells. The first shall give you the fighting abilities of veteran swordsmen while you are yet novices and will grow as will your sword arms while the latter will drain your enemies strength and aid yours. Your blades also have the Wabbajack ability." Aranthis said as the two pranksters grew confused at the last bit.

"What's a Wabbajack?" Pippin asked as the older dunedain/nord grinned "Find a orc and you will see for yourselves." He said with a chuckle before handing them circlets each with three jewels in them that glowed with power.

"These circlets shall protect you from all but the greatest of attacks and will also refill the enchantments in your swords. Fitting gifts for the son of the Master of Buckland and the heir to the thaindom of the Shire." He said with a twinkle in his eye

Frodo Baggins step forward." He said to the Ring bearer next who then stood surprised to see Aranthis with Sting and a amulet in his hands as he stood infront of his friend who smiled.

"Frodo Baggins I've managed to enchant your sword with a drain stamina and hunters luck spells. The Hunter's Luck allows you to harm Spiders and other beasts with greater damage. And finally this amulet will weaken the pain that you will feel from the Morgul wound." Aranthis said as Frodo joined his friends.

"Samwise Gamgee step forward." Aranthis said to the slightly overweight gardener as he held out his dunedain dagger and a small buckler with a spike in the center.

"Your blade has also been enhanced with the enchantments of Hunter's luck and prowess of a warrior. As you fight you will become stronger with you sword. This shield is both a defensive and offensive tool. Strike an enemy and they shall bleed far greater than your sword had cut them. It also has an enchantment: If you protect yourself and anyone else you will be able to heal small wounds." Aranthis told Sam who gave him a clumsy bow.

"I thank you Mr. Ysmir." He said clumsily as he took his items and sat down.

"Gandalf Greyhame step forward." He said to the maiar who saw him give his sword "Glamdring has been enchanted more so. Now it will drain the stamina and magika of any foe and a Metal destruction enchantment: Any item made of metal whether the most rustiest of swords to even the crown of Morgoth shall break against this mighty blade." Aranthis said as he pulled out the Ring of Fire causing Gandalf and the elves look shocked as thy see it off of it's chosen bearer's finger while the Nevarine laughed loudly.

"Never underestimate a Nightingale." He said as he nodded to his fellow thief.

"I've managed to give the Ring a greater enchantment towards fire. Not only will you be able to wield all forms of fire but also will protect you from the fire magics of any foes." Aranthis said as he gave the ring back to it's true master.

"Gimli son of Gloin step forward." the dragonborn said to the dwarrow as he held his helmet and axes. "Your axes have been strengthened with the metal of the Dwemer and shall never break nor melt not even against the fire of a dragon. Their enchantments are: The Chaos spell. Each time you hit an enemy the spell shall burn,freeze or electrocute them. Along with Chaos enchantments your throwing axes have a return to hand enchantments: each time they hit an enemy thy shall return to your hand or belt. Your helmet shall protect you from many strikes as well as give you the ability to sense where good ore veins are when mining." Aranthis told his shorter and bearded companion who nodded amazed with the gifts.

"Boromir son of Denethor step forward." Aranthis said to the lesser dunedain as he held his sword and shield

"Your sword has been given the standard Stormcloak strengthening of Stalthrim ice and the enchantments of Dismay and weaken weapon: Any foe who parries your sword shall feel the need to run. The more times they parry the more they shall wish to flee. Weaken weapon shall begin to crack and fall apart. While your shield has also been given stalthrim ice along with a enchantment that shall greatly strengthen you when ever you wield it." Aranthis said as he presented the items to the captain of Gondor.

"Legolas Thrandulion step forward." He said as the blonde prince stepped forward receiving his daggers and quiver.

"Your daggers have been strengthened with moonstone and quicksilver while their enchantments are hunter's prowess and paralysis while your quiver has been enchanted so it shall never empty of arrows" Aranthis said as the elf gave him a warrior's handshake.

"Spyro and Cynder come forward." He said to the dragons who stepped towards him while elves carted in a gold and ebony suits of armor into the building.

"These I have made with my own hands They will protect you from dragon fire and weapons and they are symbols of stature amongst dragons" Aranthis said as he first helped Spyro put his on. Starting at his head was a dark steel helm covered with gold and with four spikes much like a crown each with an element of the Avalarean dragons embedded in the metal while holes in it were for the young dragon's horns that went down to the tip of his snout while a lower half protected his jaw. His shoulders down to his front legs were covered in plate armor while his wings were covered in dragon scale armor. His back was also covered steel armor given a golden paint as were the back legs and tail.

Spyro looked as if he was made out of gold and jewels that would put even the mighty Smaug the Terrible into a fit of envy.

Cynder's armor was made of ebony and gave her a ferocious appearance. Much like Spyro's her head was protected by a helmet that went from the top of her snout to where her horns came out while a lower jaw guard was hooked to the bottom of her helm. the body was decked with evil looking spikes along the shoulder,elbows and knees while her under belly was covered in a mail of a strange blue crystal. Her wings also had a hide of dragon skin to protect them while her back half of her body was protected by ebony chainmail and plates decked with spikes as they went to her tailblade.

"gifts fit for a dragonlord and his mate. May they strike fear into thy enemies and strength to your allies." Flame said as he and Ember were amazed art the artistry made within the armor.

"Indeed these gifts shall prove useful to the Fellowship. But now the time of song is over for at dawn's first rays you shall begin your journey to Mnt. Doom." Elrond said as the people began to turn in for the night.

(Whew and there's chapter eight. I hope you all will read and enjoy it, remember to like, review and favorite. Also what shall Galadriel's gifts be to the dragons and dragonborn?)