The next day, the four companions attended the council of Elrond. There were many there, mostly elves, but some humans, dwarves and hobbits too. Fayre sat next to the three girls and told them who everyone was.
"And that's Legolas, my brother," she finished with, gesturing to the fair-haired elf sitting across from them. He hadn't seen her yet.
Elrond called for a start to the council. "We have two matters to speak of today," he said gravely. "First, a situation that was only revealed to me yesterday. Fayre of Mirkwood, you may speak."
"Fayre!" said Legolas, startled. "Why are you here?"
"I'm not a child, brother," Fayre said firmly. "These three girls beside me were brought into this world by my magic. I am looking for counsel and help to return them to their homes."
The gathered council began to murmur amongst themselves. Legolas looked angry. "Sister, there are more pressing issues that we must discuss today. Cannot your problems be dismissed for now?"
Elrond frowned at him. "These three girls coming here, at this time – it cannot be just a coincidence. This matter is one of importance, Legolas of Mirkwood. Your sister was right to come to us."
He turned back to the three girls. "I have read the spell that Fayre cast to bring you here, and I fear that I have grave news." He looked down. "It appears that your transportation here is permanent; no sorcery that I have heard of can return you to you worlds. How were brought here in the first place is mysterious – I have never heard of any Spellweaver doing magic such as that."
He looked up. "But all is not lost. Fayre told me about your circumstances – the spell saved your lives, you have another chance to live, here. But if you wish to return to your home worlds, then we will assist you in trying to find a way. However we cannot assure you of success. I am sorry."
The four girls looked at each other. Fayre felt guilty. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, a tear sliding down her cheek. "I never meant for this to happen."
Layla patted her shoulder gently. "It's alright," she said softly, and Saige and Kadira nodded. "You saved our lives, after all. Maybe some good will come out of this."
"We'll think about it," said Saige.
Elrond stood up. "It is now time to move on to the second part of this council: The matter of the One Ring."
He began an explanation of the history of the Ring, and then the council began to discuss what to do about it.
"We must destroy it now!" shouted Gimli, and hit it with an axe, but the axe just broke.
Fayre concentrated on the Ring with her magic, but she couldn't cast any spells on it.
"It must be thrown in the fires of Mount Doom, that is the only way to destroy it," announced Elround.
"I will take the Ring to Mordor," said Frodo, "but I do not know the way."
Soon eight more people from the council were selected to go to Mordor with Frodo: Aragorn, Legolas, Gandalf, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Boromir, and Gimli.
"Nine," Elrond muttered, "So few."
"I will go also," Fayre said firmly, rising to her feet. "As a Spellweaver, I can provide protection for you."
"Then I will go also!" said Kadira. "I do not fear pain, and I can hunt."
"We will go as well," said Layla and Saige in unison.
Legolas looked as though he was about to protest, but Elrond silenced him with a slight wave of his hand. "I thought that it would be so, when you arrived here," he said solemnly.
He turned to face the council again. "So it shall be; these will be the Thirteen, the Fellowship of the Ring!"
Soon after, preparations began for the journey. Legolas had protested Fayre and the girls' inclusion in the company, but Elrond was adamant that they would be going.
Fayre packed her bags with her spell books – even though she knew most of the spells in them by heart. She also packed her small elven bow and quiver of arrows, as well as a slender sword. She was a competent fighter, though she preferred to use magic.
Saige knocked on her door. "Fayre, I need to talk to you," she said, entering the room. "It's about magic – I had magic in my world, but my wand broke – do you think I still have it here?"
Fayre pulled her over to the bed. "Here." She put a hand on Saige's forehead and concentrated, probing her with her magic. "Yes, you've got magic – but it's like mine now, I think. Maybe it changed when you came to this world." She looked Saige in the eye. "I'll teach you, then. Maybe Gandalf will help too."
"Thanks." Saige hugged her, tears in her eyes. "I was just so worried that I had lost it."
"Take these." Fayre dug out her basic spell books. "Read them, and we'll try some tomorrow night, before we leave."
Saige took the books with a grateful smile and hurried off to start reading.
Meanwhile, Layla and Kadira had gone to the armoury, to equip themselves for the journey. The elf in charge gave them both an elven bow and quiver, plus a dagger, with an extra set for Saige. They both refused swords at first, having never used them, but when they felt how light they were, they took them.
"We'll learn on the journey," Layla said confidently. "I heard them talking about it – it might take months, so we've plently of time."
"Do these swords have names?" Kadira asked.
"In the common tongue, they are Fireclaw, Farsmiter, and Dawncleaver," the elf said, pointing at Kadira's sword, then Layla's, then the one they had chosen for Saige. "I believe that the Princess of Mirkwood's blade is known as Starsabre. All four are ancient blades, forged when this world was a younger place. Take them with our blessing, and use them well."
Kadira and Layla bundled up the equipment and returned to their rooms.
Legolas was still unhappy about the girls being on the trip, but the day before they left he showed them how to use their weapons. Kadira was the best archer, as Saige and Layla had never tried before. However all three girls were new to fighting with swords, so Legolas bought in some elves to help them practise. They were exhausted by the end of the day, but Legolas said that they were beginning to get an idea of what to do.
Saige went up to Fayre's room later that night, to try some spells. To her surprise, she managed to create a small flame that flickered in her hands for a short while before going out. Fayre looked pleased. "I thought that it would work!" she said happily. "Now go off to sleep, we'll be leaving early tomorrow morning."
Saige smiled at her and went off to her room. On the way she peeked into Layla and Kadira's rooms, unsurprised to see them already asleep. It had been an exhausting few days for them all.
A/N: So the rest of the story will continue in the new year! Thanks to all of the people who have reviewed and followed this 3 And thanks to everyone for reading!