Chapter 2
Rivendell, the home of Lord Elrond, Half-Elven. Home to Arwen Undomiel the Elf who holds the heart of Isildur's heir. This place was now home to representatives of all the free people of Middle Earth. Dwarves, Hobbits, Men, and Elves alike gathered to decide the fate of the One Ring.
The Mirkwood Elves arrived a few hours before the council was set to take place. Iasbelin loved Rivendell and its people. She had found memories of her family visiting here and longed to return to those days.
The Elves dismounted and looked around at the beauty of Rivendell. Legolas helped Iasbelin off her horse and offered her his arm. She accepted and walked towards the grand entrance. She was always jealous of the beauty that surrounded Rivendell and this time was no different. She was a wood elf at heart, but the water always called to her. The sea called to her.
"Legolas and Iasbelin, welcome back my friends." Elrond greeted. Elrond embraced his friends and gestured to the stairs. "You must be very tired. Come and rest before the Council is called."
"Thank you, my Lord Elrond. I must say it is wonderful to make your acquaintance. I have not seen you since your last visit to Mirkwood." Iasbelin beamed. She did truly loved Elrond. He was always a calming presence in her life.
"Yes, my dear that was almost a hundred years ago by now. We must see each more often." Elrond told Iasbelin as he showed his guests to their suite in his home.
The four Elves that travelled with them fell into step behind the royal couple. Iasbelin felt a pit in her stomach when they came to the suite. One room. Of course, she expected this but seeing it made it more difficult. She sauntered into the room anyways and turned to face Elrond, leaving Legolas to stare.
"How is Arwen?" Iasbelin inquired.
"She is well. You should go pay her a visit while you are here."
"Oh, yes that would be simply-."
"When is the council to meet?" Legolas asked Elrond; cutting off Iasbelin.
She shut her mouth and glared at her husband. Her eyes bore into his chest. 'How could he be so rude?' She thought. This act did not go unnoticed by Elrond, but he dismissed it for the time.
"In two hours," answered Elrond "I have matters I must attend to. I bid you farewell" Elrond bowed and left the Elves in their room.
Isabelin walked away from Legolas and over to the desk where she sat down. Legolas unpacked his bag and focused on the papers that had been left on the bed for him to read over.
"What are those?" Iasbelin gestured to the bed.
"Papers." Legolas said as he sat down at the desk to examine them more closely.
"I know they are papers" she sighed "What are they about?" Iasbelin asked leaning over him. Legolas said nothing.
"They are about the council." Legolas answered
"I know what the council is about. There is no need to be so ambiguous." She told him. "I know we are here to decide the fate of the One Ring. I hate when you try to keep things from me. I know more about the history and impacts of the rings than you ever will." Iasbelin said.
"I am aware." Legolas sighed
"You once thought of me as the most trustworthy and smartest Elf in all of Middle Earth. Do not forget who actually did something with their life." Iasbelin grumbled as she walked towards the window. She briefly recalled one of the first times she met Legolas and how often she stared out windows then.
'She's right. You once did think of her as that, but then she threw that away.' Legolas thought
"You should stay here during the council. This is no place for you. Go visit Arwen." Legolas said dismissively. He did not even look up from his papers.
"But I thought you wanted me there." Iasbelin mumbled from across the room. She was hurt by his words. Things had been difficult for them as of late, but he was never overtly dismissive of her. They still respected each other greatly but Iasbelin knew she had a secret that would ruin them. However, Legolas saw what his words had done to her and sighed.
"I never said that, Iasbelin, I never said I did not want you." Legolas stated rising from his seat.
"You didn't have to." She said simply. Legolas crossed the room and stood across the bed from his wife.
"Look at me." Iasbelin averted her eyes "Look at me." Iasbelin looked at her husband.
"I married you and with that I gave my life to you. Never tell me that I don't want you. I know we aren't on the same page lately but try to bear with me." Legolas pleaded
Iasbelin was silent. She knew exactly why she could not speak to her husband nor return the promise of marriage. She had done something far from what she knew of herself. She was a liar, cheat, and alone.
The Council of Elrond had been summoned. Representatives from all of Middle Earth had come to decide what should be done about the One Ring. Legolas watched silently as a small Hobbit brought the ring forward and placed it on the pedestal. The ring called to him as it did the all the others in the circle. Elrond proposed the ring's destruction and all but the Son of Gondor agreed. A large fight broke out over the fate of the ring. The men believed they should keep it and wield its power but the Elves and Dwarves knew of its power and knew it would be better off destroyed.
The same small Hobbit that had brought the ring to the pedestal stood up bravely and told the council that he would take the ring to Mordor. They all looked at him in amazement until Aragorn spoke up.
"If, by my life or death, I can protect you I will. You have my sword." He pledged to Frodo. Legolas stepped forward and looked at his old friend, Aragorn. He knew this fellowship needed an Elf and he wanted to help this Hobbit in any way he could.
"And my bow." Legolas told Frodo.
"And my axe!" Gimil exclaimed. Frodo stared in awe at the greatest fighters in Middle Earth standing by his side.
"Wait!" a voice said from behind a bush "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me!" It was Sam, another Hobbit of the Shire.
Legolas looked at his companions after Merry and Pippin had joined the company. He was excited for this quest. Now he would somehow have to tell his wife he was leaving.