Chapter 2: Rivendell
(Six days later)
"Where am I?" Frodo groaned.
"You are in the house of Elrond," an old, yet calm voice answered. "And it 10:00 in the morning on October 24th, if you want to know."
The Hobbit opened his eyes to see a familiar face smoking a pipe in front of him. "Gandalf!"
The old wizard nodded. "Yes, I am here. And you're lucky to be here too. A few more hours and would have been beyond our aid." A smile appeared on his lips. "But you have some strength in you, my dear Hobbit."
Frodo sat up as best he could, wincing from his wounded shoulder. "What happened, Gandalf? Why didn't you meet us?"
The wizard bowed his head. "I am sorry, Frodo. I was…delayed."
The Hobbit noticed sorrow in his eyes. "Gandalf, what is it?"
"Nothing, Frodo," he lied, putting on a fake smile.
"Frodo!" another voice exclaimed.
They saw Sam practically lunge at the bed to Frodo's side.
"Sam!" Frodo replied, grinning.
"Bless you, you're awake!"
Gandalf began to laugh. "Sam has hardly left your side."
"We were that worried about you, weren't we, Mr. Gandalf?"
He nodded. "By the skills of Lord Elrond, you're beginning to mend."
At that moment, a regal Elf entered the room with a welcoming smile.
"Welcome to Rivendell, Frodo Baggins!" Elrond welcomed.
Frodo returned the smile, but then a thought occurred to him. "Sam, I thought I was dreaming at the time, but I thought we were saved by strange Men wielding swords of light."
Sam shook his head. "You weren't dreaming, Mr. Frodo. They are real! And the stories they have to tell would fill your imaginations twenty times over."
Gandalf raised a curious eyebrow. "I am interested in these warriors to say the least. Where can I find them, Samwise?"
"Um, last I checked, they went hunting for food."
Elrond turned to the Hobbit confused. "Does our hospitality not meet their standards?"
"No, no, no, my Lord!" he quickly exclaimed. "It's the female, Lady Ahsoka. You see, her species cannot digest greens, so in order to survive, she must eat meat."
The Elf nodded in understanding. "I see. Well, when they return, I will speak to them."
"You need not wait long, my Lord," Gandalf noted, looking out the window.
Sure enough, the warriors accompanied by Strider were walking up the stairs, carrying something in a sack. It was most likely the meat that they had hunted. They were in the middle of a very deep discussion that could save the lives of a majestic creature.
"So, horses are not to be eaten?" Ahsoka asked.
"Never," Strider confirmed. "That poor animal did not deserve such treatment."
When they went on their hunting expedition, Rex and Ahsoka were chasing down a wild mare trying to kill it via blasters and lightsabers. It was only by Strider's intervention that the creature's life was spared, but it was already emotionally scarred.
"I'll prepare the meat outside the city," Rex assured, taking the carcass. "By your leave, Generals, Commander."
They nodded, granting him his dismissal.
Anakin had a feeling of déjà vu when it came to Rivendell. The beautiful waterfalls, the green plants, the lack of sand, and the simple city reminded him of one place:
"You're thinking of Naboo, aren't you?" Obi-Wan mused.
He nodded. "This place is so beautiful, yet closed off from the rest of world. The cliffs shouldn't block this beauty. The rest of the world deserves to see this place."
Strider smiled sadly. "Sadly, there are people who would want to destroy such beauty, Anakin. Sometimes, it is best keep such places secret to ensure their survival."
Master! Ahsoka interrupted through their Force bond. Doesn't he remind you of Obi-Wan?
In a more pleasant way, yes. He answered.
Obi-Wan glared at him. "I heard that."
Anakin had the mock innocent look on his face. "What could you possibly mean, Master?"
Strider raised his eyebrows. "You can read thoughts?"
"It's a common trait among us Jedi," Obi-Wan explained. "Especially those who have bonds with each other."
For the first time, Strider looked concerned, but Obi-Wan allayed his fears.
"To read the thoughts of our allies would be an invasion of privacy, Strider. The only time we did that to you was when we first met. We had to make sure you wouldn't be a danger to us."
"What exactly did you read?" he asked, pressing the point.
"We only read your emotions," Anakin assured. "We saw caution, determination, and a feeling of protectiveness."
Strider nodded, his anxiety dropping. "There are things in my past that are best left unsaid."
I know how you feel. Anakin thought, bringing up his mental shields.
His sudden rise of his shields did not go unnoticed by Ahsoka or Obi-Wan, but they did not press the matter.
"So you are the warriors from the sky," a voice noted.
Elrond and Gandalf were waiting for them at the top of the stairs.
Remembering their customs, all five of them bowed before Lord Elrond.
"Thank you for your generous hospitality, my Lord," Obi-Wan said.
"I believe we should be the ones thanking you, Master Kenobi," Gandalf corrected. "You saved the life of one most dear to many."
"It was our pleasure," Anakin stated. "No one should have to suffer such evil abominations."
"Indeed," Elrond agreed, a slight anger passing through his eyes.
"I am Gandalf the Grey," the wizard introduced. "Samwise Gamgee has already informed me of your names, but where is the fourth."
"He is outside the city preparing the food," Ahsoka answered with a guilty look.
The Elf raised his hand. "Peace to you, Ahsoka Tano. I am aware of your eating habits. You need not be ashamed for something you cannot control."
Gandalf's eyes stopped in front Anakin. "You carry a great burden, Master Skywalker."
Anakin's eyes widened, sharpening his defenses. "How did you-?"
"When you've walked 300 lives, you pick up on these sorts of things eventually."
"Anakin is the Chosen One from where we come from," Ahsoka stated.
He rolled his eyes. "Not this again."
"The Chosen One?" Strider, Gandalf, and Elrond asked.
Obi-Wan decided to explain without overcomplicating things. "There is a prophecy that one would be conceived by the Force and that one would be strong with it. He or she would become a Jedi and bring balance to the Force. Anakin fits that description perfectly. There was no father to conceive him to begin with."
While stranger things have happened in Middle-Earth, this fact still shocked them. Although, Gandalf paid attention to Anakin's expressions which showed neither pride nor happiness. Instead, they showed annoyance, sadness, and longing. Those feeling was never uncommon to one who bears such burden.
Anakin, noticing that Gandalf was studying him, decided to confront him. "Not to be rude, Gandalf, but what are you doing?"
"Forgive me, Master Skywalker," he apologized. "I am only trying to understand you."
"I'm not an easy person to understand," he replied, anger in his voice.
Both Obi-Wan and Ahsoka gave him a look of warning.
"I do not mean to intrude," Gandalf assured, paying no heed to the young man's anger. "A heavy burden such as yours, I can only imagine the hardship you would have to go through. When people look upon you as their savior, the burden takes its toll. You begin to wish the burden upon someone else, but not all of us can choose our destinies."
Obi-Wan noticed Strider avoiding Gandalf's gaze at that last part. It seemed that Anakin wasn't the only one with a predetermined fate.
Speaking of Anakin, he was completely amazed at how Gandalf could say what needed to be said. Sure, Chancellor Palpatine always encouraged him, but he never got down on such a level as Gandalf just did. He even lowered his mental shields slightly, indicating a feeling of trust.
The wizard went on. "That being said, look to your friends. They will help you bear this burden, Young Skywalker. They care about you and would give their lives up for you."
Anakin began to stutter. "I—I don't know what to say."
"Congratulations, Gandalf," Obi-Wan chuckled. "You have finally achieved something I haven't been able to do for thirteen years."
The old man laughed. "Now then, tell me how you came to this world."
They all proceeded to explain how the Force summoned them here for an unknown purpose, how they met Strider, and how they defeated the Nazgûl.
Elrond stared at them with disbelief. "What sort of weapons did you use to send the Nazgûl back into the darkness?"
Immediately, Anakin ignited his lightsaber. "With this. It's a lightsaber. We use it to keep the peace or make scrap metal out of our enemies back home."
"Skyguy here is known as the Hero With No Fear," Ahsoka added.
"Out of all the Jedi I have ever come across, he is the most reckless," Obi-Wan noted.
Gandalf laughed. "Going up against the Nazgûl would be considered foolish, Master Kenobi."
"How did you craft such a weapon?" Elrond asked, bewildered by the blade.
"As part of our training, we would build our lightsabers. They are so special that when we build our lightsabers, it feels…right."
"I think the Force was getting exasperated by the fourth lightsaber, Anakin," Obi-Wan zinged. "I've told Anakin that his weapon was life, and clearly it was, since his were getting destroyed on a regular basis."
He threw him a mock glare. "I've gotten better. I didn't lose this lightsaber, unlike some people."
"Hey!" Ahsoka exclaimed. "I was still young in the Force, Master! How was I supposed to know someone was going to steal it? Besides, I still have mine."
"Is it possible to build such weapons here?" Elrond asked.
"Unless you are attuned to the Force, no," Obi-Wan replied. "A lightsaber is very precise, very complicated. A Force user would have to open himself to Force in order to build his weapon. Even the slightest miscalculation could lead to their undoing."
"Interesting," Gandalf said. "Whatever you do, do not let Peregrin Took near those weapons. He's the greatest of all fools!"
"Duly noted," Ahsoka replied. "How's Frodo?"
"He's awake if you want to see him," the wizard answered.
"And he's healing?" Anakin asked.
"While the pain will lessen, he will carry it with him always," he answered, sadly.
"That's something we have in common," he mentioned.
Elrond looked at his face. "Your scar?"
"Worse," Anakin answered grimly, pulling of his glove.
"Your hand is mechanical!?" Strider exclaimed, astounded. "How is such a feat possible!?"
"Technology. I lost it in a lightsaber duel against someone who clearly outmatched me."
"We will keep that in mind," Elrond said, concerned. "For now, welcome to Rivendell!"
Obi-Wan bowed again. "Thank you, my Lord."
The warriors left, but not before Anakin gave Gandalf a nod of thanks. The wizard bowed his head in return.
"They are a most interesting group to say the least," Strider said, "but their compassion for others is astounding."
"Have you told them about the Ring?" Elrond asked.
"I felt that it would be safer to discuss it here," he answered.
"Discuss it with them," Gandalf urged. "Their help could prove to be useful in these trying times."
Strider nodded, leaving while Elrond and Gandalf returned to the house to watch Frodo. He was conversing with Sam about how that they completed their journey and couldn't wait to return home.
"To have come so far still bearing the Ring, the Hobbit has shown extraordinary resilience to its evil," Elrond stated.
"It is a burden he should ever have had to bear!" Gandalf shot back. "We can ask no more of Frodo."
The Elf turned to face him. "Gandalf, the enemy is moving. Sauron's forces are massing in the East. His Eye is fixed on Rivendell! And Saruman, you tell me, has betrayed us. Our list of allies grow thin!"
Gandalf's sorrowful look returned, but it was now accompanied by worry. "His treachery runs deeper than you know. By foul craft, Saruman has crossed Orcs with Goblin-men. He's breeding an army in the caverns of Isengard. An army that can move in sunlight and cover great distance at speed. Saruman is coming for the Ring."
"This evil cannot be concealed by the power of the Elves. We do not have the strength to fight Mordor and Isengard! Gandalf, the Ring cannot stay here."
Gandalf was about to reply when he noticed Men, Elves, and Dwarfs arriving in Rivendell.
"This peril belongs to all of Middle-Earth," Elrond explained. "They must decide now how to end it. The time of the Elves is over. My people are leaving these shores. Who will you look to when we're gone? The Dwarves? They hide in their mountains seeking riches. They care not for the trouble of others." He said that with such disdain.
"It is Men that we must place our hope," Gandalf replied.
Elrond look like he swallowed a lemon. "Men!? Men are weak! The race of Men is failing. The blood of Númenor is all but spent, its pride and dignity forgotten. It is because of Men the Ring survives. I was there, Gandalf. I was there 3000 years ago when Isildur took the Ring. I was there the day the strength of Men failed. I led Isildur into the heart of Mount Doom where the Ring was forged, the one place it could be destroyed. It should have ended that day, but evil was allowed to endure. Isildur kept the Ring. The line of kings is broken. There's no strength left in the world of Men. They're scattered, divided, leaderless."
"There is one who could unite them," Gandalf pointed out. "One who could reclaim the throne of Gondor."
Elrond sighed. "He turned from that path long ago. He has chosen exile."
"So, let me get this straight," Ahsoka started. "There is a really bad guy out there who is searching for a Ring and he is so desperate to retrieve that he corrupted nine kings into those Nazgûl in order to get it back?"
"The Ring would enable him to return to physical form and destroy Middle-Earth," Strider explained. "It is an evil weapon."
"That's what we have been sensing," Anakin realized. "So, why not destroy it?"
"It was forged in the fires of Mount Doom. It can only be destroyed there. That's why we are having a council tomorrow to convince these people of this fact. Unfortunately, many are easily swayed by its temptations."
"The Dark Side offers power," Anakin stated gravely. "It offers the easy way out, it whispers lies, but once you take hold of it, it will leave you empty and a shell of your former self."
"Wiser words have never been spoken," Strider said, impressed by the man's wisdom.
"Is this him?" Obi-Wan asked, pointing to a painting of Sauron.
"Unfortunately, yes."
"And this is the sword that defeated him?" Ahsoka asked, indicating the broken sword on the altar.
"And yet the wielder could not conquer the evil within himself," Strider mourned.
Footsteps were sounded down the hall. They saw another Man approaching them, curiosity etched on his face.
"None of you are Elves," he stated.
"Men of the South are welcome here," Strider replied.
His gaze face Ahsoka's. "And you? I don't recall meeting something quite like you."
"I come from far away," she sneered, getting a bad vibe off of this guy. "And I'm someone."
"Who are you?"
"We are friends of Gandalf the Grey," Strider answered.
"Then, we are here on common purpose…friends."
The man turned to the altar and gazed at the broken sword in wonder. "The shards of Narsil." He picked up the broken hilt. "The blade that cut the Ring from Sauron's hand." He touched the tip of the sword with his finger, cutting it. "It's still sharp." His face turned downcast. "But no more than a broken heirloom."
The Man sloppily put the sword on the edge of the altar, making it fall to the ground. He hesitated, but continued leaving.
"I already hate that guy," Ahsoka said, a frown evident on her face.
"Jedi don't hate," Obi-Wan rebuked. "But I'm not crazy about him either."
Strider was once against confused. "What does that mean, 'not crazy about him?'"
"He doesn't like him either," Anakin answered.
Suddenly, a blaster shot sounded in the distance. Taking their lightsabers, but not igniting them, the warriors and Strider ran into the courtyard to find Pippin holding a smoking blaster, horror etched on his face. The blast hit the wall harmlessly, but it did leave a smoking hole in it.
Rex, who adopted an Elvish cloak and tunic, was giving him the tongue-lashing of a lifetime. "Are you really that stupid, boy!? You find a strange weapon on the ground and then you decide instead of putting back, you decide to play with it!? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR KRIFFING MIND!? What if you injured somebody or worse, killed them!? You would be completely responsible because you just wanted to have a bit of fun!"
He yanked the blaster out of Pippin's hands. "This is a lethal weapon, boy! Hold on, let me dumb it down just in case you really are that stupid. This can kill people! Never touch my blaster again! Are we clear!?"
Pippin silently nodded, before walking off solemnly.
"Stupid kid," he muttered before stashing his blaster in the cloak. "He wouldn't last ten seconds in a real fight."
Rex turned around to see practically everyone watching the spectacle. Even Gandalf was surprised at the intensity. Without another word, he stalked off to his quarters.
And there you have it: the second chapter. Are there going to be any relationships in the story concerning Anakin, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan, or Rex. I'll never tell…for now. So far, the only relationships I've been going at are obvious.
Some of you may think that the whole thing with Pippin and the tongue-lashing might be overboard. Just to make it clear, Rex is a soldier. He's been bred for war. There is no such thing as stupidity. They get close when working with Anakin. Pippin is a fool. It's obvious throughout the entire trilogy. His curiosity gets him in trouble a lot. So, for right now, Rex will hold Pippin with contempt more than Gandalf, but it won't be exaggerated. And don't worry, the Sky Warriors won't be tagging along for the ride. They have major roles to play, but I'm saying nothing. Tune in next time for one of my favorite sections: The Council of Elrond!
BTW, thumbs up for Gandalf leaving Anakin speechless. Review, no flames, and vote.