Chapter Twelve
The Council Gets Hijacked

At the gate, the two strong looking guards were waiting for trespassers. I tried the invisible approach, but evidently I looked like a trespasser because they called, "Halt. Ladies are not allowed at this event." Okay, so pretending to be invisible didn't work. Next try. I brushed my hair back.

"Well, I was looking for my, uh, lord?" The wounded voice got to them.

"Which one is he?"Hadn't expected that.

"Uh, Lord Qtjbwjegbj?" They froze.

"That's not a valid name."Grr! Nervous laughs exploded in my stomach. They were really scary. Each one of them was armed with fine elven double-ended swords and armor. That could probably chop me in half. Nice! But before my mind could register, they had me at sword point to the door.

"We shall repeat. Leave the Council alone elleth." Tantrums of anger welled up in me. That's not fair! I need to give them- The Ring in my pocket felt like a ton of gold bricks.

"I must go in!" A flash of green light erupted from my hands briefly. What the heck was that? Can I do it again? The guards saw it though and began to look intimidated. Elves can't do that. But they can't know my secret. What a mess this was turning out to be! Again they rushed forward, this time pinning me into the wall.

"What are you?" The one in front growled.

"Yes what? Are you a spy?"hissed the other.

"My name is Nienna, and you'd better unhand me."

"Or what elleth can you do?" What happened next I'm not really sure was not my doing. Somehow the ground started shaking and nearby trees grappled at the elves,

"I know what you are Fayeth!" he screamed. I grabbed his neck, he struggled choking, and I said,

"You will not know what I am."

He then lost consciousness, and the oak tree that had entered the brawl had whipped the other elf into submission. Cool! Maybe I should feel weirded out that a tree came to life and listened to my command (and could've killed somebody) but I kinda… felt exhilarated. I guess my powers were over the Earth!

And so, wings folded elegantly back and cloak adjusted again, and hair tucked behind the hood, I walked into the Council, stepping over the twisted gate.

The once peaceful courtyard was now a place of melancholy and panic. The tension in the air was so thick I could cut it with a knife. Plus, it was drop-a-pin quiet. Not to mention all eyes adjusted to the new figure in the room (me). I know what it must look like. Strange black cloaked figure just beats up two armed guards, busts up the gate, and now, demands to sit at the Council. But, there wasn't any seats left, so I just stood there, looking straight ahead at Lord Elrond. He said, "guest did the guards let you through?"

Even though it obviously wasn't true. How could I answer? Be like "Yeah, Johnny was totally cool with it" or "No, I smothered one and the other was knocked out cold by a tree." Hmm, which one sounded more realistic? Neither. Um does anybody say choice three? I think Elrond already knew who I was anyway.

"May I have a seat Lord Elrond? I have much to discuss pertaining to this matter." I hadn't even bothered to use a man's voice.

"Reveal yourself to us first. Are you trustworthy?"

I bowed my head, then removed the cloak, wings unfurled. Gasps erupted from the chairs' occupants. Elrond's eyes twinkled as if he knew who I was all along. Then strangely said, "Yes. Sit down."

A serving elf came over with a new chair for me next to him.

"Thank you, gracious host."

Whispers ensued. Before I sat down, a man with reddish brown hair and hazel eyes stood up and yelled,

"Lord Elrond you cannot be serious! Having a woman in the Council may have disastrous effects! And what even is that thing?"

"Boromir son of Denethor I am quite serious. This Council was directed to all of the Races, and she is one of the last of the Fay."

Dead silence, as twenty or so people react in different ways. The dwarfs were angry, Aragorn's face was lined with thought, Gandalf stayed quiet, Frodo sat there, the elves looked down at me. Even Legolas had paled when I spread my wings. Aragorn stood up.

"My lord, I believe she should stay. There must be an explanation for her intrusion." Well, thank you? I think.

"This is preposterous! I should have known you elves would do something like this, just to confuse us!" Gimli roared, ax in hand.

I turned to look with pleading eyes at Legolas, who held my gaze. He was about to speak when Haldiar said snobbily,

"We don't mean to discourse with your sex or your kind, Fayeth." It sounded like he was cursing at me. Legolas glared at Haldiar.

"Haldiar speaks wrongly. Pardon him, Nienna. It is important you are here." More protests went up, and there were so many voices talking at once, I couldn't distinguish between the garble anymore.

"The very idea of a woman-!"

"Terrible creatures Fay, very manipulative…"

"Why doesn't Arwen join us then?"

I couldn't think, and the Ring was growing warmer and warmer in the pack on my shoulder. Dreamily, I reached in and took it out; holding it out for all to see. In a voice not really recognizably mine, I called out

"Silence! I have what you all seek! Behold the Ring of Power!

It took Elrond several seconds to get things under control again, but once they were he made me put it on the octagonal pedestal in the center. The more they stared at the ring, (especially Frodo) the more jealous I felt. When I had carried it for so long, why should they get to keep it? It was more like they had asked me to strip, exposing my bare skin. I hated that feeling. Elrond wanted to ask me where I got it, but I wouldn't answer that question directly.

"I don't remember, I've had it for a while now though. I say you all must take it, for I cannot bare it any longer." I must have said it forcefully, because he didn't press it further.

After Elrond explained that it must be taken and destroyed in Mount Doom, the active volcano whence the ring was forged. Frodo Baggins, the only hobbit in the courtyard now stood up and said, "I will take it," but I was getting cold feet about letting that little thing hold the ROMD, (Ring of Mass Destruction)I mean, why couldn't I do it?

Aragorn, son of Arathorn then got up and genuflected in front of Frodo and swore his allegiance. Legolas too, joined the group. Gimli, not to be outdone by the elven prince, did the same. It was time I stepped in. I kneeled down to Frodo's height, put my hand on his fragile shoulder and said,

"You have taken my ring Frodo Baggins. Please, allow me to assist you with my skills any way I can."

He nodded, and smiled grimly.

"I believe you."

With that, I joined Legolas' side, but he said nothing to me, a fact I dealt with nervously. Gandalf the Grey wizard joined, and that sexist jerk-human Boromir. Out of the bushes ran Merry, Pippin, and Sam, who demanded they come along too. Then out of the gate came my spying friends who cried,

"Vanessa you can't go! We won't let you!" Colyne, Aleyna, Lauren, Nick, Bryan, Mark and Delilah stood there.

"Well, you can't all go." Frodo said.

"Yeah we can, watch us," Colyne dared.

"Especially not a human girl. Or any of them for that matter." Boromir looked at us like we were poo he had stepped on.

"None of them look like they know how to fight, and they will slow us down."

"There's strength in numbers." Nick reasoned. Gandalf smiled, but said,

"Whoever does not wish to go must stay here."

Aleyna and Bryan both stepped forward. I was shocked they would want to stay with the elves, when they could barely understand them.

They looked ashamed, but said "We wish you guys luck, but we don't wanna die for this." I hugged them both. Nobody else came forward, so this was the Fellowship: Frodo, Gandalf, Legolas, Me, Gimli, Merry, Pippin, Sam, Boromir, Aragorn, Colyne, Lauren, Nick and Delilah.

After my friends changed their clothes and got weapons they went to the meeting spot to depart. I went through my Jansport, taking only what I could fit in my small carry case. I was so sad that I couldn't take my backpack with me, but I crammed an iPhone in my bag, along with a photo of my family, two knives, the Realm book, three period cloths, a bit of rope, and food for three days. So that was it.

I turned and looked at my room one last time. In a few days, I would miss that downy bed and gorgeous décor. With that thought, I walked out the door, and joined the Fellowship.

My friends were all outfitted in leggings and tunics for the journey, and stood nervously bunched together. They watched the actual members of the Lord of the Rings discuss amongst themselves in careful whispers. Boromir was talking to Aragorn, and the hobbits were staring at their furry feet, ants among elephants. Maybe ants among gazelles. I just can't see the elves as big, fat, grey animals. But gazelles are lean and graceful, and I think you can see why I picked it.

"He has taken very long. May it be that he has gone cold to the idea?" Boromir said to Aragorn. But Aragorn replied,

"Nay, he would not do such a thing," with such finality, that I believed him without a doubt. Mental note: Aragorn doesn't joke about his friends. I walked over to Colyne, as Legolas came striding down the steps. His eyes caught mine as he descended, and the group snickered at my obvious interest. I broke contact, feeling unworthy. To the elves, fay were the Untouchables of India.

"Waiiitt!"

Aleyna and Bryan came bounding after us. I smiled, because it had hurt me that they hadn't said goodbye. After many teary hugs and secret handshakes, Aleyna said,

"Lady Arwen asked me to give you this vial," holding a smokey glass out to me. It was filled with opaque lavender liquid.

"She gestured that it has to be given to our friends. She mimed 'mute' to me. Also, she said I think, 'hurry' with her fingers in a walking motion." Aleyna explained.

She slid the vial into my hand, and I held it firmly, knowing what a butterfingers I could be. It pulsed in my hand, like a living thing, fogging and curling around into itself. What liquid could do that?

"…then she mimed 'open eyes' said Aleyna making a mask around her eyes.

"Goodbye V. And don't worry, Arwen said I could be one of her lady in waiting and Bryan will work. You better not die, because then I don't know what to say to auntie. " She said at last, her eyes misting over.

Teary eyed, I left her. Bryan meanwhile was saying goodbye to his friends, his teammates.

"We'll see each other real soon bro, nah, don't worry." Bryan was acting so tough, but I could see his lip tremble from here. Calling the boys over, I told them

"This elixir will make you able to communicate." By now, I knew what it was, the same thing that had poisoned me. The Thornspell bush's poisonous nectar smelled addicting; it was sweet, but beneath that acidic, like a deadly sweet tart.

Surprisingly, the crafter of this vial was able to make it spray like a perfume bottle. Very nice.

"What is that?"

I looked up.

"It's so that you all can speak in different languages like I now can."

"I wanna do that!" Lauren said excited.

"Will it make me high?" Mark asked. Of course not. But instead of rolling my eyes like I wanted to do,

I shook my head up and down. Lauren of course, knew I was joking. Mark, not so much.

"Really? Sweet!"

"No. I lied." I snapped. Giggling, Lauren, Delilah, (who insisted Lauren sniff first) and Colyne all tilted their heads back and sniffed the poisonous puff, while the onlookers watch curiously. It immediately was absorbed in their bloodstreams. Colyne giggled and hiccupped. I next sprayed the boys down while the effects took hold.

"Ummm woooahhh."

Lauren clutched her forehead and swayed. I put out my hand to steady her, but found out I didn't need to. Pippin had come over and caught her in the nick of time. She smiled up at him for the first time. The first thing she ever said in elvish was

"Hi."

The little prankster hobbit gave Lauren one of the most polite nods I've ever seen.

"Hello there yourself."

They flirted a little bit longer, but when he called over his little curly haired big footed friends for intros' the whole fellowship came over as well, no longer weary of us "younglings," according to Gandalf. Aragorn inclined his head toward us, in greeting. Since he already knew me, there was no need for more introductions. Nervously I fluttered my wings, which produced a nice humming sound and cooling breeze. This was still the freakin' FELLOWSHIP! Then Colyne took over.

"Umm, everyone! Since we're going in this together, let's know each others names." Arargorn's head snapped up.

"You can talk our tongue now? How?" he demanded.

"Lady Arwen Undomiel gave us a cure."

"You must mean the Thornspell tonic?"

"Yes." Well that stuff worked fast.

Also, I suspect it was less concentrated, so they won't get the splitting fever I got. Gandalf LOM (aka Leader Old Man) introduced my friends to the other members. With all of us formally acquainted, (I also suspect Gimli dosen't like fay any better then elves) we all said our final goodbyes, and left Rivendell.

We walked out the stone gate, and I couldn't help feeling like a new chapter in our quest had begun. Leaving Rivendell meant leaving safety, and possibly a way back home. But also, I wondered if a guy would ever look at me with the intensity that Aragorn's goodbye said to Arwen. Like he secretly couldn't live without her.

I thought about that the most.