This is a rewritten version of chapter 6, because chapter 6 was crap. So here you go.
"Elvish" ' Thoughts' 'Mental conversation' "Dwarvish"
Chapter 6
"I am not wearing that."
"But, my lady –"
"No. I am not wearing that. I would sooner face a whole army of orcs."
"But it is only proper t –"
"I am not proper. I am the farthest thing from proper that you will ever encounter."
"Lord Elrond –"
"Has no say over what I do or what I can wear. I. Am. Not. Wearing. That. Dress."
Had the woman been any species other than elf, she likely would have thrown her hands up into the air and began shouting at me. As it were, she was an elf, and they considered themselves to be too prim, proper, and high society for that sort of thing. It was just as well, considering that any argument that was started with me usually ended up with the other person losing.
And I certainly didn't want to humiliate the poor woman.
The elf, whose name I probably couldn't have pronounced properly to save my life, had shown up at my door carrying a dress, some ridiculous looking shoes, and enough hair pins and what looked like makeup to barbie up a room full of women. Apparently she had been sent by "Lord Elrond" to help me get ready for the council. The council that was still three hours away. They wanted me to spend three hours getting ready for what was more or less a war council, and to top it all off, they wanted me in a dress for it.
It would be a cold day in hell before they managed that.
I had no doubt that if I let the woman stay any longer, we would end up in a full blown argument, complete with her attempting to force me into the dress and me getting in trouble for hurting her. So, to avoid the whole ordeal, I made up some terrible excuse about needing to talk to Gloín and ushered her out of my room. She didn't go without protest, but I managed to get her out without bloodshed, and that was the best that I could have asked for.
As soon as the door was shut behind her, I turned and slid down to the ground, drawing up my legs and resting my arms on them. Laying my head against my arm, I groaned. Rata glided over to me, landing on the ground near my feet. She made a few clucking sounds and I groaned again.
"Life sucks…"
"'And then you die.'"
"'Yeah, I should be so lucky.'" It was silent for a few moments.
"Why did we just quote that?" I asked Rata. "Didn't we hate those books?" She clucked again.
"We did." Rata agreed. I made a noise of disgruntlement in the back of my throat, letting my head fall back against the door. I picked it up and knocked it back against the door a few times, though not hard enough to cause any real pain. Rata watched me, and I had a feeling that if she'd been human, she would have had an eyebrow cocked and a hand on her hip. I groaned, muttering about finding one of the clean versions of my outfit from the dwarves as I pushed myself to my feet. Rata launched herself towards the bed post, settling and watching as I dug around in my bag for my clothes.
I changed quickly, tossing the dirty clothes onto my bed. I redid my high ponytail, tying the string around it to hold it in place. I shoved my feet into my boots and stood. Short of actually going to talk to Gloín or Gimli, I had nothing to do for three hours except avoid any dress wielding elves. I thought about going to the training fields, but decided that I didn't need to rush to look semi presentable before the council.
Sighing, I settled on fully exploring the city. Holding my arm out for Rata, she walked up to my shoulder before settling. I didn't bother grabbing anything, as I wouldn't need my sword and I had nothing else of value that I felt I should take. I walked to the door, poking my head out to check for any elves that would attempt to force me into a dress, before stepping out and shutting the door behind me.
I took the long way through the castle, if one would call it that. I weaved through back hallways, avoiding anywhere I knew would have a high concentration of elves. It was a lot slower and quite a bit less entertaining, but it kept me from getting into trouble, something I'm normally very good at. The few elves that I did pass didn't pay me any attention and for that I was thankful. Normally, I couldn't walk the halls without getting glares or at least distasteful looks. A result of traveling with the dwarves, I supposed.
When I finally made it outside of The Last Homely House, I cut down over the hill to the lower paths. Rata flew ahead, landing on a limb somewhere in front of me. She watched as I slid down the hill, no doubt getting dirt and grass all over my backside. Not that I really cared. So long as I was semi presentable for this council, and not in a dress, I couldn't have cared less. Standing up, I brushed myself off and looked around.
I hadn't had time the day before to really explore the city. I knew where the Last Homely House was, of course, and I was fairly positive that I could find the stables. I had been to the Healing Houses, though I had not been paying as much attention then. I wanted to find the training grounds, but I knew that if I did that then I would end up sparring, and if I sparred then my semi presentable appearance would be gone. So despite my desire, I avoided searching for the training grounds.
Deciding that I would just wander until I found something, I started up the hill to my right. Rata flew from branch to branch, sometimes swooping down and sometimes disappearing among the leaves. I didn't say anything, just watched with a smile on my face as she played. It wasn't long before she had me playing, and by then we were both weaving in and out of trees, avoiding the other and hiding. It was a strange thing between a human and a bird, to see them playing tag as we were, but it passed time and though it likely took at least an hour and a half to make the circle around the city, it didn't feel like that long at all.
I ducked into the nearby garden, laughing as I hid among a clump of bushes. When Rata found me, I made a dash for a clump of trees diagonal to the bushes I had just been in, ending up instead on a bench, doubled over in laughter as Rata's talons grazed my shoulder in her tag. She circled around, landing on the bench beside me and stretching out her wings. My laughter died down, and I looked down at her with a smile.
I had learned several years ago that the best and most loyal companions weren't always human. Nine times out of ten, it was the animals that would stick by you no matter what you did or said. Time and time again that had proven true, as I lost friends in my human companions and sought the company of my animal ones instead. Even now, when Kijo and Suva weren't speaking to me, Rata was there, a small miracle among the ashes of our friendship.
I set my arm down on the bench, allowing Rata to walk up my arm to my shoulder. "Thanks girl." I whispered. "You're the best friend a girl could ever ask for." Rata made a few clucking noises that most anyone else wouldn't understand before settling down and leaning against my head in her equivalent of a hug.
We sat in silence for a while, content to just be with each other. I looked around the garden, finding some familiar plants and then those that were unique to Middle Earth. I let myself fall away from my normal observant activities, instead letting my mind wander to days past when I spent all of my time with my family. It hurt, to think that I might not see any of them again. I would miss them; my parents, my brothers, my grandparents, even my cousins and their parents that wanted nothing to with me. I would miss them all, and I only hoped that they would move on from my "death" and live fantastic lives. I didn't want them to forget me or the times we spent together, but I didn't want them to dwell on the past.
"Do you always look so sad, Miss?" I hadn't realized how deep in thought I was, or that Rata had dozed off, until the quiet voice of a familiar hobbit broke through the haze. Rata jostled slightly on my shoulder, having been abruptly brought from sleep and jerked slightly by my own jump. I blinked a few times, turning to my left to see the dark curly haired hobbit that would be the salvation of Middle Earth.
"Not always. Most days I am bright enough to smile, but everyone has bad days." I answered. The small hobbit cocked his head, looking at me carefully.
"You seem awfully sad today. A real bad day?" Frodo asked. I smiled gently.
"You could say that. I fear I have lost some friends. But this is no topic for those who have just met." I replied, brightening my tone and smiling at the hobbit. "Tell me, what is your name? I am Divan."
"Frodo. Frodo Baggins. Miss Divan." He replied shyly. Of course, I already knew that, but this little hobbit didn't need to know the extent of my knowledge about him and his future.
"Frodo Baggins. Not, by any chance, related to a Bilbo Baggins, are you?" I asked, the hints of a sly grin on my face. Frodo's mouth dropped open.
"You know my uncle?" he asked incredulously.
"I do not know him personally." I explained. "But I have heard stories from a few good dwarves." I grinned. "Gloín is quite the storyteller."
"You know Gloín?" Frodo asked with air of someone that wished to meet the dwarf. I nodded.
"I am here with Gloín and his fellows for the counsel. They have been gracious enough to invite me into their home, and have even become a family to me." I told him. "Perhaps I could introduce you."
"Would you?" Frodo asked, but then he looked down and blushed. "I am sorry. It is just… I have heard so many stories from my uncle about the dwarves he traveled with, and I have always wanted to meet them. I feel it would be such an honor."
"I will introduce you, but only if you introduce me to the great Bilbo Baggins. I must admit, hearing the stories, I cannot say I am much different from you in my desire to meet a leading character." I bargained. Frodo broke out into a wide grin and nodded exuberantly. "But enough about them. Tell me, what are you doing in Rivendell?" At that, Frodo grew somber.
I already knew why Frodo was here. I already knew the journey he had ahead of him, knew the struggles he would go through, and the pain he would suffer. I hated that I couldn't tell him, couldn't warn him, but I couldn't mess up the story line, so I would listen, and I would offer him all the support I could give him. I could only hope that it would be enough.
"The council." He murmured. "I am here for the council. I… I bear the ring." The surprise on my face wasn't because of the fact that he had the ring, but that he was telling me he had it.
"You… you have the ring? The One Ring?" I asked. Frodo nodded, shrinking down and into himself. "Why… why are you telling me this? Or perhaps, should you be telling me this?"
"Probably not." Frodo muttered. "Gandalf warned me against telling anyone, but you said you are headed for the council, and, perhaps it is foolish of me, but I trust you." Frodo looked up, meeting my green eyes with his blue. "Perhaps it is foolish, but I believe you have seen things, and know what it is like to hold secrets. If anyone should keep the one that I bear, I believe you would."
"You have only just met me, Frodo Baggins." I stated. "One cannot tell so much about a person in so short a time."
"Perhaps not. But one can see a person's heart if they know where to look." Frodo replied.
I was intrigued. This little hobbit had already put his trust in me, and he had only just met me minutes ago. I had always been told that I had an air of trustworthiness about me, but even still I had never been given so much faith within minutes of meeting. I wanted to know his reasoning, why he believed me so worthy.
"And where does one look, Master Baggins, to find a person's heart?" I questioned him. He looked up at me, meeting my eyes.
"The eyes, when a person is at their most vulnerable. You were lost in thought when I arrived, your gaze a thousand miles away. I could see your world, your pains, as they passed by. You've seen struggle, and pain, and loss. You've had to lie to protect people you care about, and you still have secrets that you hide from people you care about."
"If I have so many secrets, then why should I be trusted?" I retorted. "Should I not be distrusted for them?"
"Maybe. But why should I distrust you for your secrets, when I carry my own? Would that not make me a hypocrite?" Frodo countered. I blinked in surprise at his retort. He was smart. Very smart, and very well spoken.
"I concede." I smiled. "You make quite the case Master Baggins." Frodo smiled.
"I believe you to be trustworthy. And…" Frodo trailed off. I raised an eyebrow, but let the silence sit. He would answer when he was ready. "And perhaps I am a little frightened. I wish comfort, but people cannot know, and my friends cannot provide the comfort I desire. They do not understand…"
"Often times, the people we care about never do." I whispered. "Sometimes a complete stranger, who knows nothing of your problems, is the best listener you can get."
"I am afraid. I am afraid of what the ring means, and what I might have to do. I do not want it. I do not want what it might bring. I do not want to be its bearer…" he murmured. "I wish it had never come to me."
"But if it had not, where do you think it would be? Would it be here? Would there be a council, to decide its fate? Or would it be out in the world, waiting for its master to find it? Have you heard the stories of the ring you carry, Frodo?" I asked quietly. Frodo nodded. "And you know what could happen should its master find it?" Another nod. "Then why do you think the ring came to you?" Frodo looked up at me. I could see the beginnings of tears in his eyes, and knew that he was terrified. He had every right to be.
"…It came to me because I would bring it here…" he muttered. I smiled sadly.
"There are some burdens we bear not because we want to, but because we know the consequences for the people we care about if we do not. Had the ring not come to you, Frodo Baggins, it is hard to tell where it would have ended up. And should it have ended up in the wrong hands… You received the ring because it was known that you would bring it here, and that it would be dealt with. Middle Earth has a chance because of what you have done."
"But I am afraid. So very afraid." Frodo cried quietly.
"Fear is natural, Frodo." I told him. "Everyone fears, but it is what you do with those fears that define you. If you let fear win, then you are no better than the man who does evil, because you allow evil to happen. It is hard, Frodo, but you must be strong. Have courage, and fight your fears."
It was silent. Rata nudged me, and my gaze turned to her. The look in her eyes was sad, as if she knew exactly what was going through the little hobbit's mind. I sighed quietly, giving a small nod. She burrowed back down as her eyes went back to the hobbit. They never left.
"How do I fight them?" Frodo asked. I could hear the small strings of hope in his voice. A smile started on my face.
"You remember the people that you fight for. The friends and family that you love. You think of them, and then you think of what they would want. Do they want you to give up?" Frodo shook his head. "You fight for them. For all that they stand for. You fight for the next day, for the day after that, and eventually the day that you will see them again, whether it is tomorrow, or two years from now."
"You sound as if you have never been afraid." Frodo stated. I chuckled.
"On the contrary. I am always afraid, Frodo. But it is the memory of the people that I care about that keep me fighting, because I do not want to disappoint them. I do not want to let them down." I said. Another silence. This one continued for several minutes, and I watched the hobbit carefully. I could see that he was mulling over my words. I only hoped that I had said the right thing and that maybe I had given him some hope for his future. He didn't know about his quest yet, but he suspected that something more would be required of him. If only he knew just what lay ahead.
"They are proud." Frodo finally said. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"Who?"
"Your family. They are proud of you. You are a great person, and no doubt a great friend. I thank you for talking to me today." Frodo said. I let out a surprised half chuckle.
"T'was no problem, Frodo. And I do hope at the end of this, you will consider me among your friends. I find it hard not to think of you as one of mine already." I grinned. Frodo smiled back.
"A friend you have already become." Frodo answered. My smile widened. Such a trusting little hobbit. It could be a bad thing, but Frodo seemed to understand that even though he was trusting, not everyone could be trusted.
I heard the voice calling for Frodo long before I saw figure. Through the trees and plants, a figure emerged clothed in a grey robe. I could see the outline of a staff, and the hat that sat atop his head. Gandalf the Grey.
"Frodo, there you are. Come, boy, the council is about to begin." Gandalf grumbled. He spotted Rata and I and raised one bushy grey eyebrow. "And who are you, young lady?"
I stood, bowing my head in respect. "I am Divan." I stated. I saw the other bushy eyebrow raise and noted the slightly shocked look on his face.
"So you are the woman that arrived with the dwarves. I have heard much about you." Gandalf stated as he ushered Frodo back the way he had come. He gestured for me to follow.
"All good things, I hope." I said, even though I was almost positive that at least three fourths of what he had heard was no doubt nothing good.
"It was rather… interesting, to say the least." Gandalf answered. Well, that answered that question.
The rest of the journey was silent. Rata fluffed out on my shoulder, but I knew she was tense and nervous. The closer we got, the more my unease grew. This council would be different than what the book or movies portrayed, because there would be women there this time. I hoped our being there didn't change things too much from how they were supposed to be. Even more, I hoped that I could keep my temper under control. I remembered the council scene. I remembered Boromir's ignorance, and the argument sparked between the dwarves and elves.
The groups were already seated when Gandalf, Frodo and I arrived. Boromir, the Gondorian Captain, was eying Suva, Kixi, Kijo, and Tezo warily, but the moment I stepped within view his gaze shot to me. His eyes narrowed, and I wondered if it was simply because I had just showed up, or if it was because unlike the other two women, I was not in a dress. Boromir didn't think this was a woman's place as it was, but to see me dressed as a man really didn't help his view.
As it was, I held my head high. No stuck up Gondorian Captain would intimidate me. I refused to meet the eyes of Suva or Kijo, both of which were sitting among the elves they had stayed with. Suva was sitting beside Legolas among the Mirkwood elves, and Kijo beside one of the dark haired Rivendell elves. I saw Aragorn off to the side, and Gandalf and Frodo sat down along the edge. I squared my shoulders slightly as I walked to the open seat beside Gimli. As soon as I sat down, I resisted the urge to glower at everyone that was openly staring at me (basically everyone there). Instead, I clenched my jaw as Elrond started the meeting.
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old, you have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate, to this one doom. Bring forth the ring, Frodo." Frodo's gaze flittered around, landing on me for a second longer than the rest. I gave him a small smile, hoping to encourage him. He stood, walking forward slowly to place the gold ring on the stone table in the center of our semi-circle.
"So it is true." Boromir murmured and I heard someone else among within the council breathe out "the Doom of Man." I disregarded both, watching instead as Frodo returned to his seat, a strange look on his face as he sighed. I noticed that everyone around me shifted slightly, and my gaze cut across all of their faces, finding different levels of discomfort on them all. The ring was speaking to them.
"I know what you most desire…" a whisper in my head exclaimed. "You desire your home, and your family. I can give it to you, if you only bring the ring to me." My jaw clenched again. Tempting as the offer may have been, I would not be swayed so easily. I wanted my home and my family, but I would not forsake anyone to get it. 'Go to hell.' I snarled back at the voice in my head. I didn't know if it could hear me, but I sincerely hoped it could.
"In a dream…" Boromir said as he stood suddenly, looking over the council. "I saw the Eastern Sky grow dark," He touched his head, as if reliving the dream. "but in the West a pale light lingered, voices crying 'Doom is near at hand'." He approached the stone table and the ring. I gripped tightly to my upper arms, because even though I knew Boromir didn't get the ring, it was still unsettling to see him approach it. I could see the greed in his eyes, the desire, the madness that would drive him to the edge of sanity, and it was unsettling. "Isildur's Bane… is found." I could see Elrond glance sharply at Gandalf. I almost rolled my eyes. If they thought he wouldn't go for the ring, they weren't nearly as smart as they claimed to be.
Boromir went to pick the ring up, and my spine went stiff. It took all my restraint not to shout, and I suddenly wished I had brought my sword. "Boromir!" Elrond shouted as he bolted to his feet, Gandalf beginning to speak in the dark language at the same time. Shivers went up my spine, and I felt Rata shutter on my shoulder. The Black Speech was like verbal poison. Gandalf stood, still speaking in the dark language, and I ground my teeth together as the sound grated against my eardrums. My skull pounded, and I could hear the deep laughter of a voice far beyond evil. The malice rolling through the air was enough to put anyone on edge, and I could see Legolas and many of the other elves were highly affected, wincing against the onslaught. Even Gimli jumped beside me. But then Gandalf's voice trailed away, and the previously darkening sky became light once more.
"Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here, in Imladris." Elrond intoned. He had the stony look of someone immensely unhappy. I couldn't blame him. To have your home tainted by the Black Speech of Mordor would put a damper on anyone's mood.
"I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond, for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West. The Ring is altogether evil." Gandalf grumbled as he moved to sit down.
'Ain't that the understatement of the century.' I thought to myself. I shivered again, the last of the evil haze fading.
"Nay, it is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor." Boromir exclaimed as he rose once again. This time, I did roll my eyes. That man… He could not see what was right in front of him. The ring could not be used. Did he not know the chant? The ring was made for one purpose, and one purpose only, to rule over the rest of Middle Earth. It was Sauron's, and Sauron's alone.
"Why not use this ring?" he asked as he look around. "Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people, are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy! Let us use it against him!" Boromir was full of passion, and I suppose I could respect that. He wanted to keep his home and his people safe. But taking the ring would not solve his problems, and he could not see that. I wanted to say this, to tell him that he was being foolish.
"You cannot wield it." Aragorn piped in, beating me to the point as he sat forward. "None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."
"And what would a ranger know of this matter?" Boromir asked snidely, turning towards Aragorn.
"This is no mere ranger." Legolas said, bursting to his feet in a bout of rage. I felt a similar emotion well up inside me as well, even though I didn't know Aragorn. Ranger or not, why would Aragorn not know about the ring? Even if he was not the heir of Isildur, that did not mean that he would be clueless. I glared at Boromir's back, wishing for the world that he would turn around.
Boromir turned to look at Legolas. "He is Aragorn. Son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance." Boromir and many others turned shocked faces towards Aragorn, who looked as if he had wished Legolas had not said anything. I understood, but I knew that it had to be done. These people needed to know who Aragorn was.
"Aragorn?" Boromir questioned. "This, is Isildur's heir?" He had a tone of disbelief, and had I not had as much control as I barely had, I would have been in the man's face by now. Aragorn was a great leader, and a great man. Boromir's attitude toward him only proved to spike my irritation higher.
Aragorn sat straighter as he met Boromir's gaze. "And heir to the throne of Gondor." Legolas added. I could see the surprised look on Frodo's face. No surprise to me. I knew he had not known about Aragorn's heritage. He only knew him as Strider, the ranger that had led him to Rivendell.
"Havo dad, Legolas." Aragorn instructed.
"Gondor has no king." Boromir said to Legolas. "Gondor needs no king." He turned towards Aragorn to look him in the eyes before returning to his seat. I bit my tongue against the snide comment that threatened to leave my mouth. If Gondor did not need a king, then they would not be in the mess that they were in.
"Aragorn is right. We cannot use it." Gandalf broke in. It did little to break the tension.
"You have only one choice." Elrond said as he stood again. "The ring must be destroyed." All went silent as the looks were passed around. I could see it on their faces. 'Destroyed? But how are we to do that?'
"Then what are we waiting for?" Gimli growled, standing and picking up his axe.
"Gimli, no!" I shouted, lunging for him as he took a few steps and swung the axe over his head to hit the ring. I cringed back as the axe head shattered, catching a glimpse of Frodo wincing. My heart went out to the poor hobbit as he cried out and grabbed his head. I wanted to go to him, but instead I knelt beside Gimli, quietly berating him on the stupidity of his actions. Gimli scowled at me, and I could only scowl back and mutter a few dwarvish curses that I had picked up at him as I helped him up.
"The ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloín, by any craft that we here possess. The ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade." Elrond said. I saw the light dawning in many people's eyes, including Kijo's, as she realized for the first time just how grave the situation was. "It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from which it came. One of you must do this." Elrond let the words trail off, and the disbelief on the faces of everyone almost made me laugh, because even I knew it was such a ludicrous idea. Enter Mordor? Hell, to even approach Mordor? Impossible. Even Suva, who knew well ahead of time that this was going to happen, seemed shocked by the words.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor." Boromir said his famous line, and for once I could agree with him. "Its Black Gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep, and the Great Eye is ever watchful." I saw Frodo react. If he was scared before, I knew that feeling had only tripled. He looked utterly terrified, and the image created itself in his head of the dangerous path ahead of him, even if he wasn't sure just what he would have to do. "It is a barren wasteland riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this." Boromir said as he shook his head. "It is folly."
"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?! The ring must be destroyed!" Legolas exclaimed as he jumped to his feet again. The bloody elf just couldn't sit still. I felt my upper lip threaten to curl.
"And I suppose you think you are the one to do it!" Gimli growled. I mumbled curses, dwarvish and otherwise, under my breath, because as much as I didn't like the elf, it didn't mean that Gimli needed to antagonize him. I hissed at Gimli to be quiet, but of course the stubborn dwarf didn't listen.
"And if we fail, what then?" Boromir asked as he rose once more. I mumbled more curses, silently telling the dumbass of a man to sit down and shut up. "What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" Gimli hopped to his feet, and I growled as I was too late to stop him.
"I will be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an elf!" Gimli spit. I saw Aragorn roll his eyes, and barely have time to acknowledge it before the rest of the Mirkwood elves were on their feet and shouting. Even Suva, who wasn't arguing, had an affronted look on her face. 'Not siding with the elves, my ass.' I thought to myself. I growled quietly, gripping my arms to stop myself from getting involved. The insults being hurled at my dwarf family had me grinding my teeth, and my protective urge kicking in.
And then suddenly everyone was up and arguing. Human, elf, and dwarf alike. Legolas was holding back the Mirkwood elves, and I saw one dwarf with his arms spread wide. It didn't matter to me in the end, because I pretty much hated them all at this point, because they were all idiots and I couldn't even get involved in the fight. I liked a good fight!
"Never trust an elf!" Gimli shouted, and I sighed to myself in exasperated irritation. Even Gandalf was shaking his head. But amid the commotion I saw Frodo glance back and forth between the arguing group and the ring. My irritation subsided some, as I knew he was making the decision that he had to make, even as Gandalf joined in the verbal battle. All my anger faded as it transformed into worry for Frodo, and I could see the pain in his eyes as he heard the voice of Sauron speaking to him. Then, I saw the determination set in, the fierce courage I knew him capable of. He burst to his feet, announcing to the group who could not hear him that he would take the ring. But when he was not heard, I saw some of the fight fall from his eyes. He glanced over at me.
He was pleading, whether for me to stop him or help him I didn't know, but I knew what he had to do. It was Frodo's quest. Frodo's journey to get the ring to Mordor. The ring came to Frodo, and it was his job. And it was at that moment, seeing the helplessness in his eyes as he pleaded silently with me to do something, anything, that I vowed, if only to myself, that I would do whatever it took to help the hobbit that sacrificed so much in the end for the entirety of Middle Earth. Maybe I didn't know him very well, maybe I was just a girl from small town Tennessee in a world that didn't exist to these people, maybe this was all moving too fast, too soon, but nothing worth it was ever slow and easy. The right path was always the fast, hard path; the one that put you in danger, threatened you, tested you, and made you chose in the blink of an eye. Maybe I shouldn't have, but I'd never been good at following rules anyway.
"ENOUGH!" I roared, drowning out everyone as I surged to my feet. I was thankful that Rata was sitting on the back of my chair, as I was now too worked up to care about being gentle. "While you quarrel like children, the smallest of you all has volunteered to take the ring to Mordor! Perhaps, instead of bantering like upset children, you will all listen to what he has to say!" I shouted, the anger that had left me earlier back at full force. I saw several embarrassed looks, and several glares as well. Many of the latter coming from the elves and Boromir. Gimli and the dwarves, at least, had the decency to look embarrassed by what they'd done. I turned to look at Frodo, giving him a small nod. I saw the gratefulness in his eyes, and my lips twitched up into a tiny smile to show my support.
"I will take the ring to Mordor." Frodo said with a strength that he didn't look capable of having. Everyone turned to him, looks of shock on their faces, because this little hobbit was volunteering to do what no one else would. "Though…" Frodo trailed as he looks around, and now I could see the fear was back in his eyes. "I do not know the way."
The council was silent, still shocked by the development. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Suva sigh sadly. She knew as well as I did what was to come. Kijo, still clueless as she always seemed to be, stared at Frodo with her mouth hanging open. Having never read the books or watched the movies, this was a surprise to her, much like it was to the elves, humans, and dwarves around us.
Gandalf was the first to step forward.
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear." Gandalf pledged as he laid his hand on Frodo's shoulder.
"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will." Aragorn pledged as he stood and walked to Frodo. "You have my sword." Aragorn said as he knelt in front of Frodo.
"And you have my bow." Legolas pledged proudly as he walked to the hobbit.
"And my axe." Gimli, not to be outdone by an elf, pledged, much to Legolas' displeasure. I almost grinned at the look on his face. Priceless. If only I had a video camera, because it was so much better in person.
"You carry the fate of us all, little one." Boromir said as he sauntered forward. "If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done."
'Then Gondor will see it done. You just think Gondor's at the top of the world, don't you?' I sneered silently. I still wanted to yell at him, maybe even get in a good punch too.
"Heh!" A new voice shouted as bushes rustled, and I snickered quietly as Elrond jumped. "Mr. Frodo's not goin' anywhere without me." Samwise Gamgee sprung forward, moving to stand beside Frodo and cross his arms over his chest.
"No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not." There was a slight smile on his face, and it was obvious that Elrond wasn't angry with Sam.
"Oi! We're coming too!" one of the remaining two hobbits shouted as they both darted forward to stand with the others. "You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!" Elrond didn't look quite as happy now, but I knew he wouldn't deny them.
"And anyway," the other hobbit said. "you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission… quest…thing."
"Well that rules you out, Pip." The other hobbit, Merry, whispered. I saw Frodo smile, but he also glanced in my direction. I could see he was still worried, and there was a question in his eyes. He wasn't pleading, or begging. He wasn't even really asking, but I knew he was wondering if I'd step forward like the others had. I asked a silent question of my own. 'Are you sure you want me to come? It will not be easy with me around.' I knew he had noticed how Boromir reacted when I walked in, and I knew that he knew with me around this quest would be even harder, but the little hobbit gave a small nod, and his eyes told me that yes, 'I want you to come. No matter the difficulties, a friend is always welcome.' I nodded as well. And I saw the tension in his shoulders relax.
"You approached me today and gave me your trust. I asked you why you thought I deserved it. You answered, but perhaps you will allow me to prove it to you. I will go with you, Frodo Baggins, should you allow it." I spoke up, cutting off Elrond as he readied to speak. All eyes turned to me, and I stood tall as I stepped forward. "I do not have much, but I have a sword and sound training. I will do all within my power to keep you from harm, and I hope to prove that I deserve the trust you have placed in me." Voices erupted from around the circle, saying that a woman on this quest was ridiculous. Even Gimli did not approve, shouting out his refusals, though I knew his objection was because I was like family and not because he doubted my skill. He knew well my skills with a blade, and knew that I could protect myself.
"A woman on this quest? You would not last a day." Boromir spat. I glared at him. My fingers twitched, and I slipped my hands behind my back to keep from assaulting the Gondorian Captain.
"You know nothing of me or of my skills. T'is not your place to decide anyhow. It is Frodo's quest, and it is his answer I seek, not yours." I stated evenly. Boromir glowered, opened his mouth to speak, but the glare that I threw him seemed enough to shut him up.
"I accept." Frodo said. Shocked faces turned to him, and I bit my tongue to keep from grinning smugly at Boromir and the others around. Rata, not to be left behind, launched off the chair to glide to my shoulder. I saw several glances towards her, some of confusion, but no one commented.
"I wish to come too!" Another female voice exclaimed. Kijo appeared off to my left, Tezo at her heels. "I'm good with knives, and Tezo's got great hearing." I groaned silently to myself, because I couldn't believe that Kijo would volunteer herself. Not because she wasn't a capable fighter, because she was (when she could stay on her feet), but because she knew nothing of Middle Earth. How could you help a world you knew literally nothing about?
"I know the land. Kixi is a fierce fighter, and a good watch." Suva stated as she stood and walked to Kijo's side. I watched her, wondering why she was volunteering. Because Kijo and I were?
I could see Frodo hesitate this time, not knowing these two. He looked to me, and even though I was still upset with them, I gave him a nod. They could help. They wouldn't slow us down. Frodo nodded to them, and I saw Kijo smile hugely, and even Suva gave a small grin. I hoped that I hadn't just made a huge mistake, but there wasn't anything I could do about it now.
"Twelve companions…" Elrond trailed, but I could see a look of unhappiness in his eyes, especially as he looked at Kijo. "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
"Right." Pippin said. "Where are we going?"