"I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be." ― Charles Dickens
Chapter 2
The council of Elrond took much of the day, many sharing their reasons for being in Imladris at this time, seemingly coincidences, though undoubtedly by some design of fate.
Tidings were given from the South abd the East. Glóin the dwarf spoke a troubling tale of visitors to Erebor, requesting that they join the dark lord of Mordor in friendship. The dwarves had thankfully thus far resisted. Another troubling tale of the dwarf city of Moria, and no word for a long age.
Amber, the woman, then spoke of her family's flight to the northern mountains, so overrun were their lands by orcs and trolls from the misty mountains. Her family had fled to the north when their numbers had gotten too many to fight; and they had lost a brother to their defence. Now only 3 of her brothers survived; they and her mother living in caves in the far north. She spoke with anger, her disgust at the creatures now fouling her home lands, and sadness, her brother's loss felt keenly. Elrond seemed troubled to hear how great and powerful a race had been forced into flight by the creatures of the black lands. Sauron's beastly children were spreading far indeed.
Elrond told the tale of the forging of the elven rings and the one ring in the second age. Boromir, the man of Gondor, spoke of troubling dreams and the struggles of his people against the black lands. When Aragorn spoke, Boromir questioned his identity and when Elrond revealed it, finally the younger hobbit revealed his quest. He cried "Then it belongs to you, and not to me at all!". At this a ring was brought out from the hobbit's shirt on a thin chain, which he held aloft, and Legolas felt his heart suddenly filled with a dread so absolute, that he scarcely heard the next words spoken.
So it was revealed that the one ring, through a long and until now unknown history, had come to the hobbit via his uncle Bilbo, the same hobbit who had once stayed in the halls of Thranduil.
When Gandalf, who told much of the story of the ring's path from Isildur to the hobbit Frodo, spoke of leaving the treacherous Gollum with the Mirkwood elves, Legolas felt shame wash through him, although he did not yet speak of their loss of the captive.
It was only when, once again brought up, the fate of Gollum had to be told. "Alas! Alas!" Legolas cried, his despair over the tidings full in his heart and voice, "The tidings I was sent to bring must now be told". With a heavy heart, Legolas spoke of all he knew. That the elves had pitied Gollum, and begun to allow him small liberties, like an escorted trip into the woods. It was on one of these such trips that the creature escaped, helped by orcs who killed the elves set to guard him. It had been a dark day indeed for his kin.
Legolas himself had joined the party who followed the trail of their flight, deep into the dark forest until they drew too near to the evil place, Dol Guldur, where they dared not venture. Once his tale was told, Legolas cast down his eyes, sorrow and shame filling them.
Gandalf seemed resigned to the unknown whereabouts of their once-captive and turned the talk to the betrayal of Saruman, the white wizard. The ill news did nothing to lift Legolas' spirit as yet more dark tidings were shared.
Late into the morning, the topic turned to the fate of the one ring, now in their midst. It was decided, against the pleas of Boromir, that the ring must be destroyed, and some brave soul at this council would be the one to do it.
At first, the aged hobbit, who Legolas now knew to be Bilbo, stood and spoke of taking the ring himself, as if it were his duty to do so. This announcement stunned the gathered group. Gandalf denied him, saying that this task was beyond his strength and must be now for another. The council fell silent, eyes downcast as no one dared speak, so great was this task to be.
Finally, a small voice spoke "I will take the ring". Legolas looked up, aghast at the younger hobbit, who now offered his life for all their fates. "Though I do not know the way" this spoken, almost timidly, as if he had not just shown courage beyond all of the gathered great men, elves and dwarves. When another hobbit, with lighter hair and a rounder face suddenly jumped from a shadowed corner where it seemed no one had seen him until now, and announced his plans to join his master on the quest; Legolas felt that though he had known them less than a day, he had greatly underestimated these wondrous creatures, so great was their bravery and so much they humbled him.
It was for this, as well as his now desperate desire for adventure, however risky it may be, that led Legolas to volunteer for the journey when further companions were sought. Besides him would walk Aragorn, Gandalf, the dwarf Gimli (to Legolas' distaste) and the man Boromir (to the elf's surprise). When Amber, the Beorning rose and told that she would join, there was another murmur. Boromir in particular seemed against her joining them, saying that such a journey was no place for a woman.
"Perhaps you fear that your place is on my plate?" she retorted, baring unnervingly sharp teeth with a grimace. Elrond raised his hand at her, at which she closed her mouth, looking chided. Aragon, again, seemed amused at the exchange and came to her defence, "Amber's ability to understand birds and beasts would serve us well as to keeping up with the goings on of lands we pass through. As her superior sense of smell may benefit us if any of our party are waylaid".
That seemed to give pause to any misgivings by the elf Lord who nodded his ascent. "So be it" Elrond said, Gandalf nodding thoughtfully beside him. Amber smiled at the party, seeming glad to be among them, despite Boromir's clear dislike towards her. She knelt then at the hobbit Frodo's feet sk that she could look him eye to eye and placed her hand over her heart, swearing "I will protect you, small one, as long as our paths lay together". Frodo, seeming less afraid of her than many of the others, smiled and nodded. "Thank you" he said, looking then at Elrond, "I hope with such a party, the deed can be done".
"That is the hope of us all" was Elrond's reply, echoed in the hearts of all those gathered.
Later that evening, a feast was held to honour the deeds of the day which would not be forgotten by any who were present, as long as they lived. It was not the last feast, for they were to set out on their journey in just short of two months time, once the scouts had returned with their reports.
Legolas' strongest memory of the council day feast was watching the woman, Amber, eat her way through hearty portions of meats and fruit, avoiding the bread and cheeses that others favoured. She even forewent the wine, seeming to prefer water with her meal. Each time she looked up, and on a few occasions saw the elf watching her; she would meet his eyes, not allowing him to break the contact easily, for her gaze seemed to him, magnetic somehow. At the end of the meal, when many were drifting towards the 'Hall of fire' as was known the hall in Imladris were tales and songs were often shared; Amber rose from her seat and once more catching Legolas' eye, as her movement had drawn his attention, inclined her head to him, as a farewell he reciprocated, his slightly more of a bow, and she left the feasting Hall through opposite doors to the way many were now going.
Legolas knew not to follow, he had no invitation to attend her, and followed his fellow elves (as well as the dwarves, men, and now five hobbits) to the halls of fire for the evening's entertainment.
He found, as he listened to the long and sad tale of Beren and Luthién, that his sympathy for their plight seemed somehow clearer in his mind. He wished to speak with Aragorn if he could, curious to hear about the clear friendship between the ranger and the Beorning woman, but Aragorn was preoccupied with his betrothed, the lady Arwen, daughter of Elrond. For once, as he had seldom wished for such a companion, Legolas found himself watching them with wistful eyes; their love clear to all who saw them.