Chapter 20

The head pat is the end of our conversation apparently, as when I turn around both elf and wizard are gone. Sighing in annoyance, I make my way to dinner, followed by story time, and finally bed. It's been a full day and I'm too tired to even place the twins in their own beds when I wake more than once in the night, overheated. In the morning, I feel groggy and irritable, leaving my group to finish packing for our departure while I attend the council meeting.

Nori sharpens his knives as if he hasn't a care in the world, even as his beady little eyes follow me out the makeshift community room. 'Twat.' Half way down the hall, I hear someone running up behind me and turn to greet them.

"M'lady, please wait!" A huffing Gimli stumbles up to my side, wheezing for breath. His dusty red hair is tousled from either sleep or the run, matching his ruddy cheeks "It would be... huff... an honor if ye would allow... huff... me to accompany ye, my Queen."

"An honor?" I question, skeptically before sighing "You'd be more like a glorified babysitter."

"No, m'lady! I offer not only out of duty but also amazement." I search his face for any BS but only find genuine wonder "To walk beside she who single handedly defeated the great and terrible Smaug is not an opportunity I'd easily miss."

"I technically didn't-"

"And she who tore out Azog the Defiler's eye balls with nothing but a spoon!"

"I did what now?"

"The stories may be embellished but they are incredible. Allow me to escort ye."

"..."

"Please?"

"Well... Alright."

"Very good!"

"I don't mind. Not to mention I knew one of you would show up sooner or later, but I honestly thought you'd be there already." He tilts his head to the side in slight confusion as I shake my own at his unasked question. I hope Bard doesn't fall into history, forgotten. The guy slew a dragon for goodness sake. Give him some credit, dead or not "It doesn't matter. You need to be there and I apparently need someone to watch me."

"Ye do." I smirk at him and continue to walk as he trumps back up to my side "I mean, of course ye don't! But thank ye for allowing me to."

"Riiiight."

We walk unhurried to our destination; the only sounds are our footsteps and the chirping of birds outside. A seemingly peaceful place but where there is light, shadows often hide. I can 'feel' both Nori and Longarm following me, which in itself isn't strange. In fact, it's become all too familiar in the past month. What is strange however, is their closeness in proximity. Surely Nori should have spotted his nemesis by now, as it feels as though they are right on top of each other. Yet he keeps a steady pace as if unperturbed. Either they are making out and walking at the same time, or Longarm is even more talented than I thought.

"… Yer highness?" Gimli quietly asks after a few silent minutes, suddenly nervous "May I ask ye a question?"

"You can ask, but I can't promise I'll answer."

"A just response." Looking around the halls as if expecting someone to jump out, which is highly likely, he whispers hurriedly "Are ye one of the Dùnedain? Is that why ye have lived so long?"

"Not that I know of, I'm pretty sure I do not share any blood with them." I'll live to be about 80 if I'm lucky. Though that number probably drops with the middle earth health plan "Still, my country of origin is most surely a western society."

"... Are ye part elf?" his nose scrunches up in obvious distaste before smoothing out "No, that cannae be it. King Thorin wouldn't have ye if ye were."

"Oh?" I say cryptically

"Not that there'd be anything wrong with ye if ye did!" he attempts to backtrack on his words but his true colors are as obvious as his hair "Ye aren't part elf… are ye?"

"No." I giggle at his obvious relief "I'm a daughter of everyday men and the almighty God."

"God!?"

"Yup." I nod at his shocked face "He made me therefore I am his child, correct?"

"…Indeed." he eyes me curiously, not sure how to continue, most likely over thinking it "Which one?"

"I sure that I couldn't say."

"Then... Let us speak of this no more."

"Uh... ok."

"We are here."

"I do hope it will be ok." I murmur, as we near the open room. I'm hoping upon hope that everything will work out despite my interference all those years ago. Too much of the success in this world relies on chance factors. Entering the arena, I gaze around at the milling groups and spot a cluster of empty chairs "Let's take a seat."

"Take it where?" I spin on my heel to come face to chest with Legolas. I break into a smile and hug him tightly as he laughs at my childishness, returning the gesture "It has been many years; I had not thought I would see you again. This is a wonderful surprise."

"You can't get rid of me that easily, Leggy."

"It would seem not, my old friend."

"That is all very nice but I'll be needing ye to kindly release my Queen, elf."

"Oh Gimli…" I say with a sigh but release the elf regardless "Sorry about this Legs."

"No need for apologies, your majesty." he replies swiftly, with a bright smile he never attempted in Mirkwood. Freedom from the forest has done him well. I roll my eyes at the title, knowing he is using it to bother me "Let us speak of times gone by at a later date."

"Sure, though more time will have gone by, by then." I chirp, as Gimli seats me in a chair as far away as possible from my elf friend "Don't be so rude, Gimli. He's a nice guy once you get to know him."

"I do not plan to know that GUY" he says with a snort "or any other elf for that matter."

"You never know." I respond elusively as Elrond enters "You never know."

"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." Except the elves, who apparently plan to move away and pawn the problem off to nearly pacifist hobbits but I can't say that "You will unite...or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate...this one doom..."

"I must admit, M'Lady, I was asked to attend this council beforehand." Gimli's voice reaches my ears and I nod in acceptance "I also apologize for my refusal to guess your lineage. I truly do not know where to start."

"I know, Gimli. I'm not angry." he grunts lightly and sits back in his chair as we continue to listen

"Bring forth the ring, Frodo."

The 30 or so gathered individuals watch with bated breath as the little hobbit steps forward to the podium. He looks scared, terrified even, as he drops the gold band on the platform and quickly returns to his seat. It tinkers softly as my eyes follow him until he is safely seated beside Gandalf. Looking at the wizard only leads to finding his scrutiny set firmly on me. He holds my gaze as if he's searching intently for something in it. 'Why is he looking at me and not the ring then?' My thoughts are interrupted by big mouth Boromir.

"So it is true!"

"Sauron's Ring!" Legolas stands from his seat to gain a better look at the object but is wise enough not to approach "The ring of power!"

"The doom of man!" Gimli looks from me to the ring and back again "Fear not, yer majesty. I will not let any harm come to ye!"

"I'm not afraid, Gimli-"

"It is a gift...a gift to the foes of Mordor!" Two sentences in and I already can't stand this guy and his outbursts "Why not use this Ring?"

"Because that worked out so well the last time?" I huff out. Boromir turns his head to me and rolls his eyes dismissively "You know? Isildur. Corruption. Death. Is this ringing ANY bells?"

"A wet nurse knows nothing of our trials. Long has my father, the Steward-"

"Wet nurse?!"

"-of Gondor, held the forces of Mordor at bay... By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe." Gimli's arms strain in the effort of keeping me in my seat and from pounding Boromir's offensive face in. I'll show him what a 'wet nurse' can do. It's even worse than Thorin calling Bilbo a grocer; it's sexist! "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..." Even as Strider/Aragorn speaks, I feel eyes on me and catch not only Gandalf this time but also Elrond staring at me as well. It's not like I can use the ring. It's all but useless in my hands "It has no other master."

"And what would a ranger know of this matter?" Bore sniffs, inclining his head in my direction giving me the impression that I'm being picked on "What are the likes of you and the nurse maid even doing in this council meeting?"

"She is no nurse maid. You speak of Thia Malcolmson, Dragonrider and Queen of Erebor." Thank heaven for Legolas. Defense at it's best. I silently thank him for leaving out the 'temporary princess of Mirkwood' bit of my resume "And this is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."

"Yeah!" I cheer "You tell him, Legs!"

"Dragon Queen? Aragorn?" For a moment, something other than power lust and disdain crosses Bore's face even if he mistakes me for the Queen of dragons instead of dwarves. Moron. I'm not hatching any drakes. His eyes shift to Aragorn "This is Isildur's heir?"

"And heir to the throne of Gondor."

"~Havo dad, Legolas...~" Aragorn says quietly

"What? What has he said?" Gimli whispers to me "I can't speak a word of that flower tongue."

"Sorry, I didn't notice he'd switched." the dwarf frowns slightly, not understanding my meaning and I wonder if he is aware of my gifts "He told Legolas to sit down."

"As he should." grumbles the dwarf "Elves. Humph"

"He started by defending me, if you remember."

"I could have-"

"Gondor needs no king." Bore continues, eyeing me curiously before giving an exaggerated bow "Greetings, Dragon Queen. Current seat beside the firm but fair King Thorin of Erebor. I had heard news of your return but..."

"..."

"You are far from home."

"You have no idea."

"Does your husband not miss you?"

"Hn."

"Aragorn is right..." Gandalf cuts in before I let my tongue fly "We cannot use it."

"You have only one choice…" I hate the fact that Elrond uses the word 'you' rather than 'we' as if he has nothing to do with what's happening. I'm sure the darkness can cross an ocean if you can, buster "The ring must be destroyed."

Mommy, help me!

My eyes shoot to the ring at the distressed cry. The room erupts as the males scream and argue about how the situation should be handled, clearly not having heard the exclamation. Tearing my attention from the ring, I watch as Frodo covers his ears, trying to escape the whispers he hears. No one else can hear the words. I asked Bilbo about it the day it happened the first time in front of his house and he swears that he only heard a harsh whisper, no words. So why is it TALKING to me. Even worse, why is it calling me 'mommy'?

"Why me?" I whisper, to myself or the ring or no one at all. Gimli goes still at my side before excitedly leaping to his feet. I lean back in surprise "Gimli?"

"If it is so dangerous and even bothers my Queen to this extent, then…" he shakes his fist in the air "What are we waiting for?"

"Gimli you shouldn't-"

Before I can warn him of the uselessness of his actions he is already swinging his ax down onto the ring. As expected, the ax shatters and Gimli is blown backwards with the force of it. Though the band is unscathed by the ordeal, the pedestal is not so stable and rocks violently, pitching the ring off. It bounces on the hard floor before settling, much like it did in BagEnd, at my feet. Everyone watches it cautiously; the only sound is Gimli's heavy breathing.

Looking at Frodo, I'm surprised to find him scared to death, but not in pain. He should be withering due to the assault on his mind but he watches the ring just like everyone else does. Reaching down, I pick up the small band and nearly drop it again as it vibrates in… delight. Not allowing it to accidentally slip onto my finger, I hold it in the center of my hand. It warms my skin, all but nuzzling my palm in glee and settling into a quiet state. I stare in confusion before once more placing it on the platform.

"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."

"Are there any other evil mountains with boiling lava within them that can be utilized instead?" I ask, raising a hand like a student "Because I'd suggest that if there is."

"... No." Elrond has the patience of a saint "It must be taken deep into Mordor, and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came."

"But wouldn't any fiery chasm work? Even if its not destroyed, noone can actually go get it once we toss it in..."

"..."

"Its a just a suggestion..."

"Your suggestion is... noted but no. It must be Mordor."

"... Fine." Shrugging and stepping back I huff "Mordor. I get it."

"..." he waits to see if ill say anything more before continuing "One of you must do this."

I doubt Gimli would appreciate me helping him up, so I stand by his side once he is on his feet and follow him back to our chairs as the council remains silent at the knowledge set before them. Bore is the first to speak again; he frowns at me before addressing the group as a whole.

"One does not simply walk into Mordor."

"Of course not." I huff softly under my breath "You've got to cha cha."

"Its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs-"

"We all know that, Boromir." I drawl out slowly "It's been evil for long enough that it's common knowledge that going there isn't exactly safe."

"Safe? There is evil there that does not sleep and the Great Eye is ever watchful." the eye of Sauron flashes through my mind but I quickly banish it before I even have a chance to wonder if it's a memory, vision, or the actual eye "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."

"When one wants to sneak into an enemy camp, you can't bring an army." I offer, trying to get the creative juices flowing "A few would be enough."

"Dragon Queen, It is folly."

"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?" Legolas meets Boromir's defeatist rant with facts "We cannot use it. The ring must be destroyed."

"Maybe so but not just anyone may carry its weight." Bore continues, rubbing his chin as he addresses the men gathered "It would take a strong mind and spirit to resist its call."

"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?" Gimli growls "My Queen could do a better job."

"Should I be offended?"

"N-no, my lady."

"It's true that the Dragon Queen could hold it without wavering, but that was for but a moment." my eyes flicker to Gandalf, making sure he doesn't intend to out me. He returns the stare but closes it with a sigh and shake of his head. I nod my own gently, content that he isn't going to throw me under the bus. Boromir begins to pace, as if he owns the place. Elrond and Gandalf share a look but remain quiet to the proceedings "However, one of a stronger mind may succeed. Yet... if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"

"I doubt I should be used as an example in the case." I mutter in annoyance. Gandalf might be willing to keep my secret for now but I can't be too certain about later "And if Sauron gets his ring back, it's doomsday."

"I would not allow you to carry this burden, dear friend." Legolas reassures, patting my arm. He says it low enough that only we hear "I would shoulder it first."

"Hands off the Queen!" Gimli roars, brandishing his broken axe "I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!"

"GIMLI!" I call out, probably not helping the situation at all as everyone follows my lead and starts shouting again "Oh come on..."

"Should we trust it to a dwarf then?" Boromir scoffs angrily, looking Gimli up and down quickly "You'd run off with it the first chance you got!"

"The dwarves did way better with the rings than men did." Boromir's jaw clicks shut at that "It's more likely that you'd run off with it."

"How you forgotten where your blood lies, dwarf bride?"

"We need to remain calm-" Aragorn tries to help but is cut off by the hater, Boromir

"We don't need your input, RANGER." he leans right into Aragorn's face, all but spitting each word "Why don't you and the confused Queen go where you're needed!"

"And just what's that supposed to mean?" I haven't even done anything to him!

"It means that a woman who can't marry within her race, and a degenerate heir have no business deciding the fate of the world!"

"Now you see here-" I'm so angry that I nearly walk into a rogue elbow. Legolas grabs me just in time "Thank y-"

"Ye can't keep yer hands off the Queen!" Gimli, along with the other dwarfs in attendance gang up on the prince "Never trust an Elf!"

"Do you not understand? While we bicker among ourselves, Sauron's power grows! No one will escape it." Gandalf places a hand on my shoulder, squeezing tightly. Even the wizard cannot put an end to the shouting but I try not to add to it further. Instead, frowning at this strange attentiveness to me "You will all be destroyed, your homes burnt and your families put to the sword!"

"I will take it..."

"No… no…" Gandalf whispers, though no one hears it, adding to my confusion "Not you..."

"I will take it..." Frodo states again, just a little louder but much stronger as the room finally quiets to listen "I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though...I do not know the way."

"... I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins." Gandalf departs from my side and places a hand on the boy's shoulder before adding cryptically "as long as it is yours to bear."

"If, by my life or death, I can protect you, I will." I find Aragorn's pledge a tad bit strange, suicidal even, since he could probably just take the ring and throw it into Mordor if they were close enough and roughly save everyone. No need to die "...you have my sword."

"And you have my bow."

"Legolas is so awesome." I whisper to Gimli, just to give him the extra push "A hobbit, a man, and an elf. What a team."

"AND!" Gimli shoulders his way forward, clearly affected by my praise "And my axe."

"You carry the fate of us all, little one." Boromir never even pledged a weapon! What's he got? A staff? Nunchucks?! Boromir kneels before Frodo, looking all the part of a respectable knight before addressing the entire council "If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done." No one raises a voice in objection of course, all agreeing to send the young to defeat an old enemy "What say you, Dragon Queen? Would you try your hand at this quest?"

"Two men should be more than enough." I answer, not allowing him to ruffle my feathers again. His swirk ticks me off though "Especially since YOU aren't really doing anything. Your only goal should be not to kill your companions or die yourself."

"You-"

"Here!"

"Hey Sam!" I call as he pops out the bushes "Welcome to the party!"

"Ah, yes. Hello, Miss." he nods to me before addressing Elrond "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me."

"No, Indeed...it is hardly possible to separate you..." the elf raise an eyebrow in reprimand, chastising the hobbit gently even as I guide him towards his bestie "even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not."

"Oi! We're coming too!" Merry announces as he and Pippin appear from another bush. I wonder if all three were aware of the each other "You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us."

"That can be arranged." I hear a council member mutter and I almost laugh "A coin pouch, more like."

"Anyway...You need people of intelligence on this sort of mission... quest... thing..."

"Well, that rules you out, Pip." Merry quirks

"Nine companions ... so be it." the home owning elf raises his hand in finalization "You shall be the-

"Fellowship of the ring" I say in a really deep movie trailer voice before coughing as everyone turns to look at me like I'm crazy "Sorry…"

"I like it." Legolas tries to help "The Fellowship."

"Aye." Gimli adds, not to be left out "It is a wonderful name."

"Great." Pippin perks up, rocking on his feet "So! Um... Where are we going?"

"Aw Pippy Long Stockings." I mutter under my breath, not trying to draw attention to myself again "How you survived infancy is beyond me."

"On an adventure for 9." Gandalf grumbles at the airhead "Lest another may wish to join?"

Again, Gandalf stares at me as if expecting that I should perform some magical feat or at the very least VOLUNTEER for this trip. I stare back at him with just as much intensity, silently but loudly screaming NO. Other than taking us directly into Mordor to drop the ring directly into the fire, what am I supposed to- Ohhhhhhh. I could do exactly that, couldn't I?

I have a moment of stillness where I have no idea what I should do. Yes, I could just take the ring and end everything right now. It probably wouldn't go as smoothly as he's imagining it, but it'll be a lot quicker than the current plan. I could also just stop playing with fate and let it run its course. It didn't work as well as I had hoped last time, not to mention that this is so much more than just about the ring. Alliances will be made, minds will be freed, and lifelong lessons will be learned. This journey is much more about the climb than the summit. I shake my head in denial. No. I can't mix up with the ring anymore. It's time to go.

NO!

Maybe it was the wind. Or maybe it was the rumbling cheer from the council at having a scapegoat. Or maybe a fly grew sentience. Or maybe my eyes didn't play tricks on me and a small black shadow did knock the ring off the pedestal to come flying in my direction. It happens so quickly that I might have missed it if it wasn't for the searing pain in my stomach. The force surprises me and I drop to the ground with a cry of agony. I dont scream, i cant, but I hiss audibly while holding my belly as the ring burns through my clothes and attempts to burrow into my skin.

"Mama!" I distantly hear Theodore's voice and I know he must truly be afraid if he is speaking with such a large group present. Was he hiding in the bushes too? They need to be uprooted and brought with us as cover because damn "Leave Mama alone!"

Mommy!

"No! Go away!"

Thoria's voice announces her presence and I only have a moment to contemplate why, with all the adults around, this battle is being fought by children. How did they even get in here? Does this place have no guards? I can't contemplate it for long, as I feel my temperature spike and my vision starts to wobble. I find my voice ans scream bloody murder when my children touch me as the ring rips itself from my stomach with a violent screech of it's own. The heat doesn't dissipate but I'm within my right mind enough to notice Gandalf and Elrond quickly kneeling beside me.

"W-What was th-that." I ask between gasps "That's not... not supp-possed to ha-ha-appen."

"What HAS happened, Mithrandir?"

"It is as I feared." I blink slowly, trying to catch my breath and listen at the same time "The ring has taken a certain… liking to her."

"A liking?" I groan as Boromir's voice echoes in my head. Hes somewhere over my right shoulder, pacing "It is an object. It has no mind or body to 'like' with, Wizard."

"Which is why it attempted to settle itself within her, you foolish boy!"

"Give her space!" Legolas rings out "Privacy, please!"

"..." Someone, Gandalf Im guessing, pulls back the charred ends of the hole my dress. It feels... excruciatingly unpleasant. I have just enough strength to look down and see through a perfect circle in the material, the scorched writing surrounding my belly button. The grey pilgrim waves a hand over the letters before snatching it away "Much more than a simple mark has been left…"

"This... " Elrond's cool hands come to rest on my forehead. From how cool his hands feel, I imagine I must be on fire "This is unheard of. What could it mean?"

"It means, my old friend," inhaling, I catch the scent of Theodore and Thoria beside my head but I can't lift my tired hands to console them. I can't move anymore and I know I'm fading "that there is a tenth member to our fellowship."

"His majesty is not going to like this, Tharkûn." Gimli hums worriedly "Not at all."

"Will we have to throw her into Mount Doom as well?" Is the chilling question I hear before I'm lost to the darkness.