Chapter 5
The golden light of a clear autumn morning was now glowing throughout the valley. For Tauriel, the peace that which surrounded her made the threat of the darkness growing across Middle earth seem like only a troublesome dream. It would be a while until the council would be meeting; Legolas, Aragorn, and the twins elected to give Tauriel the grand tour of Rivendell. The beauty of the House of Elrond was breathtaking. It was elegant and tranquil, making her feel like it was a perfect place for learning and meditation. In this place, there was no threat of the invasion of evil. It was a safe haven and the last homely house east of the sea. It was going to be very difficult to leave this place to return to Mirkwood when the time came. She assumed Legolas would want to stay for a while and visit with his friends since they had made the long journey. She would happily join him, for she greatly enjoyed the twins, and Aragorn's company.
At this time, the group of friends were strolling alongside one of the many rivers in the lower valley. The twins were jesting and bickering with one another as usual while Aragorn, Legolas, and Tauriel walked together as they chatted. Hearing them before even seeing them, the elves soon encountered the group of Hobbits as they lounged upon the grass near the bank of the river. They were admiring the waterfall in the distance and making conversation amongst themselves. Upon hearing the twins arguing, the four hobbits turned their attention to the four elves and human approaching.
"Strider!" spoke the hobbit with a head of dark curls. Coming to a halt before them, Tauriel and the other elves were curious as to why hobbits were to be a part of something as important as the Council of Elrond.
"Frodo, I am glad to see that you are healing well. I trust your friends have been looking after you." Aragorn knelt next to the hobbits, making it apparent that he was acquainted with them.
"Aye. I am much better thanks to the hospitality of the elves and also due to your help as well. I fear that I would not be here now if you hadn't been there to aide us when we were in desperate need of it." The dark-haired hobbit, Frodo was his name, bowed his head in gratitude as he stood before Aragorn. The other three hobbits stood behind Frodo as the addressed the new company of the elves and human.
Placing his hand upon the hobbits small shoulder, Aragorn replied, "Think nothing of it Frodo. You have endured much already and it is all that we can do to repay you for your troubles. And please call me Aragorn. Strider is a mere nickname used by the rangers to hide my true identity."
Another hobbit with a head of hair that was equally as curly but shaded in dark golden red, pipped up, "And what exactly would that be…Aragorn?"
Aragorn gave a small smile, "In due time you shall know. As for now, I wish to introduce you to some dear friends of mine."
Aragorn motioned for the elves to come forth, "Those two squabbling jesters are my foster brothers, the sons of Elrond."
"Elladan." He introduced himself.
"Elrohir," followed his twin.
"Pleasure to meet you," they both said in unison.
Legolas approached the hobbits next; kneeling down to their level he shook their hands in noble greeting, "I am Legolas, son of Thranduil. I come from Mirkwood." Legolas noted how small they all were, he had to remind himself that these were not mere human children that they appeared to be, though they were still young.
One Hobbit appeared to be in complete shock as Tauriel approached to greet the hobbits. The shorter plump one with dark curly blonde hair seemed rooted at the spot as he greeted each elf.
"Hello, what is your name?" She recognized this hobbit as the one who had pointed her out while she was in the gardens earlier.
"S-Samwise. Gamgee. Samwise Gamgee…You can just call me Sam." The poor thing was pitifully shy she realized.
Shaking his small hand in her own, Tauriel responded, "It is a pleasure to meet you Sam, I have never met a Hobbit before."
A grin spread across his face, "And this is being my first time meeting elves. I have always wanted to meet them ever since Bilbo told us stories of his adventures and encounters with the elves on his journey with those dwarves."
Smiling gently she assumed the hobbit Bilbo was the elderly hobbit she saw back in the courtyard that was speaking with Gloin. After the rest of the introductions have been met, Tauriel learned the names of Frodo, Sam, Pippen, and Merry. She found them to be a cheerful folk who enjoyed the comforts of home and the companionship of friends.
The Hobbits were fascinated by the elves grace and appearance. They could not tell the difference between Elladan and Elrohir, so they opted to not address them by name, instead as 'mi lords'. Their long raven hair was braided back, and their eyes were like blue sapphires. Their darker appearance made their place skin seem to glow.
The blonde elf, Legolas, was more quite. He was taller and slim as a young tree. Like the twins, he was lithe and strong. However he appeared to be younger than the twins, if that was possible to tell. Keeping more to himself, he spoke when addressed or made a small comment here and there. Just by the way he spoke and stood, they could tell that he was from a royal upbringing. Frodo was reminded of the Elven King Bilbo had told him about, he imagined the young Prince standing before him would not be as cold as his father was portrayed out to be in Bilbo's retelling.
The hobbits were very keen on speaking with Tauriel. They had never met a female elf that was also a warrior maiden before. Unlike the Prince, she was more amiable and jested easily with the hobbits. They enjoyed the way she would playfully banter with the Prince and the way her laugh sounded like beautiful music. She was a lively and outspoken elf, and she had charmed the hobbits instantly.
After they enjoyed a pleasant conversation with the hobbits, the elves and Aragon elected to return to the upper valley where they would prepare for the council. With promises to meet again, the hobbits also made their way to the upper valley, taking a different path.
A bell sounded throughout the valley, alerting those that the council would soon begin. The five friends emerged into the courtyard. Elrond was there, and so were a few others as they began making their way to their seats. Elladan and Elrohir quickly said a hasty farewell to their friends as they went to sit on either side of their Father. Elrond greeted his sons and began a private conversation with them.
Legolas and Tauriel joined their fellow Mirkwood elves, as was their duty to represent the woodland realm; they had Thranduil's council members on either side of them. Aragorn had taken a seat across the courtyard beside a longtime friend and advisor to Elrond, Glorfindel; a Gondolian elf with long blonde hair that he wore loosely and piercing blue eyes.
Tauriel was in awe at how there was such a diverse group of races gathered in one council. Hobbits, dwarves, elves, and men all united to discuss the growing darkness that threatened Middle Earth…their home. It made her heart swell with pride that she was witness to this glorious event. If only Thranduil could see this now, she would have been very satisfied. For here was proof that other lands were of their concern as well. This is their fight just as well as it is any others.
Beside her, Legolas observed the look of pride on her face. He admired the way she looked upon all those surrounding them with respect, regardless of racial quarrels or stations. Though she was silven in the presence of high elven lords and dwarven kings and noble men, she cared not what their station was, they all deserved respect and to be treated with such. These were qualities Legolas wished his father had. Tauriel acted more like a royal in regards to interracial communications. His stubborn father would forever hold ill thoughts towards the dwarves.
"Are you pleased with the gathering around us mellon nin?" He knew the answer, he asked her regardless.
In that moment Tauriel thought Legolas could read her mind. Smiling, she nodded her approval and gazed into his crystal blue eyes. "I am so honored to be a part of something this important. I am overjoyed to witness all the races of Middle earth uniting together. Though we may not all get along, I am glad to see that we can put aside our differences."
Legolas chuckled slightly, "I would not be so quick to assume that past grievances can be so easily let go. The dwarves of Dale are currently looking upon us with the upmost distrust."
Casting a quick glance towards Gloin and his company, she noted the red haired dwarves had a ferocious look about them as they glared at the elves of Mirkwood.
Shrugging, she remained optimistic, "We have no quarrel with the dwarves. Whatever it is that upsets them is their problem. Not ours, we have not even spoken to them yet."
"I suspect the problem is that my father imprisoned many of their kin and they still resent us for that." Legolas laughed lightly.
Tauriel returned a small smile of acknowledgement just as Gandalf entered the courtyard followed closely by the hobbit Frodo. Taking their seats near the end of the circle, all eyes were fixed upon Elrond as he rose to address the council.
"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–this one doom. Now therefore things shall be openly discussed that have been kept hidden from all but a few gathered here today. So that we all may understand what the source of this peril is, I shall begin this council with the Tale of the Ring. Though I start it from the beginning, others will end it."
They all listened intently as Elrond told the story of Sauron and the Rings of Power. Parts of the tale were known to some; to others it was entirely new. After Elrond concluded his tale about the rings of power he paused and turned to Frodo, "Bring forth the Ring, Frodo son of Drogo."
All eyes were upon the nervous Hobbit as he stood from his chair. Walking forward, he placed a golden ring on a stone pedestal in the center of the courtyard for all to see. After returning to his seat, a worried sigh escaped his lips. Members of the council murmured in hushed whispers. The words "the doom of man" were often heard.
"So it is true…" spoke a tall man with a fair and noble face, brown-hair, and proud and stern eyes of grey. All eyes were upon the first to openly speak, "It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring?" At this point the man had stood from his seat to address the council, "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!"
"You cannot wield it! None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master." Aragorn responded curtly.
The man looked back at Aragorn, challenging him, "And what would a ranger know of this matter?"
Legolas stood up immediately to come to his friend's aide, "This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
The man huffed, and then smiled in disbelief, "Aragorn? This….is Isildur's heir?"
Legolas continued, "And heir to the throne of Gondor."
Tension developed between the elf and the man from Gondor. Tauriel wished Legolas would have handled that a bit more…delicately.
"Havo dad, Legolas." Aragorn appreciated his friend trying to defend him, but he also could see the tension developing and Legolas was not one to let people get off so easily after lashing out at those he cared about.
Respecting Aragorn's wishes, Legolas took his seat, but kept his keen eyes on the man from Gondor. After the suggestion he had made about using the ring's power, Tauriel suddenly felt skeptical about the man's character.
"Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king," The man spoke gruffly, daring anybody to challenge his claims. He took his seat and sighed in annoyance.
Trying to steer the conversation back to the matter at hand, Gandalf spoke, "Aragorn is right. We cannot use it."
Elrond nodded in agreement, "Then you have only one choice. The ring must be destroyed."
After a moment of silent consideration, the red haired son of Gloin spoke up, "Then what are we waiting for?" Rising from his chair, he charged towards the pedestal and bared his axe above his head, bringing it down upon the ring, "AARRGGHH!" Plan seemingly backfired, the axe shattered and the force threw the dwarf backwards on the round. Legolas shook his head at the dwarf's foolishness as Tauriel winced upon witnessing the scene.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin by any craft that we here possess. The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came." Elrond calmly explained to the hot headed dwarf who stood up from the ground, dusting himself off in the process.
Looking around all those gathered, Elrond spoke, "One of you must do this." The silence that followed could have been broken by a needle hitting the floor.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor. 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. 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. It is folly!" Spoke the man from Gondor.
For a second time, Legolas stood up once again, "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The ring must be destroyed!"
Gimli the dwarf was the next to stand, this time facing Legolas as he addressed the Elven prince with hostility, "And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?!"
The man from Gondor also stood, "And if we fail, what then?! What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?!"
Gimli the dwarf stood before Legolas in a challanging stance, "I will be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an elf. Never trust an elf!" At this comment the other Elves all rose and started shouting at Gimli and the other Dwarves. Legolas held out his hands to stop them from starting a fight, Tauriel was immediately at his back, ready to defend him should he need it.
Gandalf rose next trying to get them all to see reason, "Do you not understand that while we bicker among ourselves, Sauron's power grows?! None can escape it!"
As the argument became out of control and intensified, Frodo stood apart from them all and addressed them, "I will take it! I will take it!"
At the words of the young Hobbit, everyone ceased their shouting and stared at Frodo. Gandalf tried to conceal his fear for what they young hobbit had just agreed to.
"I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though…I do not know the way." Frodo spoke.
Gandalf strode over to Frodo, "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, so long as it is yours to bear." He said, placing a comforting hand upon the Hobbit's shoulder.
Aragorn followed next, "If by my life or death, I can protect you, I will." He kneeled in front of Frodo, "You have my sword."
Legolas felt a moment of fear upon seeing his best friend make the decision to embark on such a dangerous quest. He didn't hesitate to speak up next, "And you have my bow." He silently walked past Tauriel, her mouth was slightly parted in surprise. Never had she expected any this, "And mine too!" She quickly trailed after her Prince and stood beside him behind the Hobbit. Legolas nodded to Aragorn and then shared a glance with Tauriel. So much had been communicated in that once glance, but the rest of their conversation would be saved for later as another voice spoke up.
"And my axe!" the gruff voice of Gimli declared as he stood beside Gandalf…far away from the two elves. The dwarf shot Legolas a dark look, but Legolas looked away ignoring it.
The man from Gondor approached slowly, "You carry the fates of us all little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done."
"HEH!" came an exclamation from the bushes and shrubs. Sam had come scampering from his hiding place to stand beside Frodo, "Mr. Frodo is not goin' anywhere without me!"
Elrond smiled with a look of amusement on his face, "No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not."
From behind two pillars came the voices of Merry and Pippen, "Oi! Wait! We are comin' too!" They ran to join Sam and Frodo. Elrond at this point was surprised at how many uninvited eavesdroppers there were present.
"You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!" spoke Merry in a determined voice as he crossed his arms confidently.
Nodding eagerly, Pippen piped up, "Anyway you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest… thing."
Merry murmured quietly, "Well that rules you out Pip." which earned a few chuckles from the other Hobbits and Gandalf.
Elrond turned to face the group that had formed, "Ten companions… So be it! You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!"
"Great!...Where are we going?" Pippen asked, earning an eye roll from his comrades.
Legolas was amused by the hobbits display and commitment to each other; however he could feel the eyes of Tauriel watching him. He turned and faced her, she had a look of patience and support, but he could also tell she wanted to speak with him privately, away from the council and fellowship. He really wasn't surprised that she decided to follow him, but he knew that the news of his decision joining the fellowship would not bode well with his father.
Elvish Translations:
Mellon nin: my friend
Havo dad: Sit down