The council adjourned and Alissa, as she walked away from the talon with her bristling companions behind her, was faced with the dilemma of informing her father about the happenings of the council as well as her own decision to partake in the Fellowship.
It was not likely that he would not be pleased…
…But she hoped that he would understand.
Her father was not a fool and he was also not there. It was apparent that there was concern lining Elronds face, a darkness hanging over the elvish city. A summons for all free peoples had not happened in an age.
All free peoples at that council had been armed and taken in by the ring as they were, it was foolish to think that an entity with that level of power would simply leave their people in peace.
And Alissa remembered, as if from a dream, a story from who she had been informed was her brother, his face lost to the ravages of time of the times of Darkness. When the Deceiver had overthrown his master and enslaved the races in a war that had no songs, only sad laments. Her father had lost his father in that fight and he had not mentioned it to her since. But there were hints in the trees of Fangorn forest, a deep, unsettling level of anger and hate. Emotions that should never have been taught to trees.
Alissa shivered at the memory of one ancient tree, wild and grieving and alone in its vigil on the edge of the forest.
No… the shifters needed to have a presence in the war that was as imminent as the dark shadows that had lengthened in this elven city. The ring was ancient, an evil that had time to grow to the force that had attempted to turn the delegates of the council against each other.
It was terrifying and she would do something about it. Something called from deep within her. A determination to not be prey to fear.
They had barely closed the door to her quarters when Tyro whirled around and hissed at her. "What in the name of the Goddess do you think you are doing?"
Alissa sighed, "You saw what happened at the council. I gave my word Tyro and nothing you say can change it."
"You are the daughter of the King, you cannot gallivant off on a whim when the mood strikes you!" The shifter continued, teeth lengthening into a feral grimace and his hands waving about as if to punctuate his point.
"How do you expect us to inform his Majesty about this?" Tyro continued when Alissa did not reply.
Alissa flicked her eyed to his, "As one befitting of your station, you will inform him that I saw it as my duty to pledge myself to ensuring that the youngling fulfills his mission."
"Exactly! A youngling! They are fools for sending him. He is barely out of cub-hood." Gin snarled, breaking his silence. His voice was not loud but it rang in the silence that followed.
"Youngling or not," Alissa said after the silence grew uncomfortable, "He was the only one brave enough to volunteer," She took both their hands and held them in a tight grip, imploring them to understand, "That speaks of a strength that none else in that council possessed. You saw what happened in the council, how quickly it was that we all turned on each other..."
"He will be able to do this my friends. But he will need help. I can only trust that you can inform my father of the circumstances and ensure that our people are ready to provide support should it be required."
"You would sentence our people to a war that does not belong to us." Tyro said, but there was little heat in his words now, only a weariness and Alissa pressed her advantage. If she pushed her point strong enough, then perhaps it would reach her father in its entirety.
"The moment that ring was placed on that stone, all free peoples became a part of war." Alissa dropped their hands. "My father will understand when you tell him what you have seen. He will remember what happened and recognise the signs. He will see the necessity of my involvement."
"He will, but he will also not appreciate the thought of his last remaining child falling victim to a mission that is suicide!" Gin said ruefully.
"It is not suicide." Alissa replied and with an attempt at a cocky grin said, "I do not intend to die."
"I'm sure he will appreciate that thought as well." Gin replied before sighing.
She made her way to the door. "If you will excuse me, I must see in what manner of preparation the elves can assist me with. I imagine that time is of the essence and there is likely little left."