Part 1: Flee of the Fallen

Chapter 17:The Council's Verdict

For the entire week, Rae avoided Legolas whenever he appeared. She skirted the dining hall, for she knew the prince would be there. She avoided her assigned chamber, preferring to sleep in the trees, as his room was not far from hers.

Your kind.

How dare he say that! That insufferable, arrogant prince, so full of himself, looking down on everyone else. The audacity he has to speak like that is infuriating. He walks around with his nose in the air, strutting like he owns the place, as if everyone else is beneath him. It's like he's a walking embodiment of everything wrong with entitled nobility. Just thinking about him makes her want to scream!

"What's with all the anger lately?"Lizard asked as its rider climbed to the top of a tree and began to clean her dagger.

"Nothing."Rae muttered, not even looking at her companion.

"Nothing is always something. Remember the last time you said 'nothing'? Nataya ended up in the trap you set and came out looking like a giant paintball."

"Please, don't remind me of the time dad spanked me for that,"Rae groaned. "I'm really not in the mood."

"Fine, just tell me what happened, or I'll—wait, is it about that Lego-with-an-'las'?"

Rae halted in her movements.

"That's a 'yes'! Did you two fight? Did he give you a Valentine's card?"Lizard teased.

"No, he's that arrogant fool who claimed to own the tree I was sitting on! Just how stupid is that? And he said I endangered his realm just by existing! My mere existence!"Rae scoffed, her frustration mounting.

"You're pretty scary when you're angry,"Lizard noted.

"Lizard! You're not helping!"

"I wasn't trying to help. I was aiming for a Valentine's card,"Lizard replied, unfazed.

Rae unsheathed her dagger with a sigh. "Well, thanks to him, the bracelet I was weaving is gone too."

"You could ask him to get you a new one as a Valentine's gift,"Lizard suggested with a smirk.

"Very helpful."

The next morning, Rae sensed the hobbits were up to something as they exchanged knowing glances over breakfast, gulping down food quicker than usual.

"What's happening?"she asked, curiosity piqued.

Merry scooted over and climbed onto the arm of his chair to whisper in her ear. "There's a council held by Lord Elrond. He invited Frodo but not us, so we're going to hide behind the bushes near the courtyard. Are you coming with us?"

Rae pondered this. Strangers had been arriving in Rivendell all week, fascinating species: men, dwarves, and more elves. "I'm too large to hide behind a bush, but I'll find another way to eavesdrop,"she said, gesturing to her ten-foot-tall frame.

It was unfortunate that the council was held in September when all the leaves turned auburn and golden, a stark contrast to Rae's vibrant blue skin. Reaching for her neural queue, she connected the tendrils to the branch, which then moved to cover her hiding spot in the tree.

Peeking through the gap, she saw Lord Elrond stand up to greet the strangers seated in a semi-circle in the courtyard. "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."

Gandalf gestured toward Frodo, who sat at his right-hand side. "Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."

The poor hobbit's body shook with nervousness. As he glanced up, Rae gave him a reassuring wink that made him smile back.

Their exchange did not go unnoticed by Legolas. Following Frodo's gaze, the elf scowled at her. Rae bared her teeth, the Na'vi way of showing a threat.

A murmur rippled through the council, and a dwarf named Gimli, son of Glóin, stood up, his axe gleaming. "Then what are we waiting for?" With a mighty swing, he brought his axe down upon the Ring, but it shattered upon impact, sending shards flying.

The Ring remained unscathed.

What kind of metal is that thing made of? Rae wondered. Nevertheless, she thought the dwarf was like Locke, her little brother—the part of him that would pick a fight with someone twice his size without a trace of fear.

Elrond's expression remained solemn. "The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Glóin, by any craft that we here possess. It 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. One of you must do this."

It was again the man from Gondor who broke the silence. "It is a gift,"he said, "a gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use the Ring?"

"You cannot wield it. None of us can. The Ring only answers to Sauron's calls,"Strider replied calmly. Rae could see why Arwen fancied him, even though he was not an elf.

"And what would a ranger know of this matter?"the man glowered loudly. Rae liked him less and less.

The most annoying elf of all, Legolas, happened to stand: "This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance, Boromir, son of the regent king."

Rae had to admit, that was quite smart, even venomous.

Boromir glanced at Aragorn. "That is Isildur's heir?"

"And heir to the throne of Gondor,"Legolas reinforced.

"Havo dad, Legolas. (Sit down, Legolas),"Aragorn said.

Boromir slumped into his chair, clearly not accepting his defeat as he glared at Legolas. "Gondor has no king, and Gondor needs no king."

Gandalf chose the perfect moment to interrupt. "Aragorn is right. We cannot use it."

"Aye, we must destroy the Ring,"Legolas agreed, along with the elves that sat beside him.

"And I suppose, you're the one to do it?"Gimli huffed.

The council erupted into chaos. It was like watching young Na'vi children bickering after a game of Pa'li Pacing.

"I will take the Ring. I will take the Ring to Mordor, though I don't know the way."It was Frodo. Of course, the brave little hobbit would choose to burden himself, Rae thought.

"But you won't send him off alone, surely, master?"Sam had popped up from the bush.

"No indeed,"Elrond said, as Rae smiled fondly at the pair.

Next was Aragorn: "You have my sword."

Then, to Rae's great annoyance, Legolas: "And you have my bow."

Gimli and Boromir followed, standing behind Frodo as Gandalf patted his shoulder like a grandfather.

"Don't forget us! Mr. Frodo isn't going anywhere without us!"Everyone jumped as Merry and Pippin sprinted from their bush and stood proudly beside Frodo.

"So be it, you shall be the Fellowship of the Ring,"Elrond declared.

"Now, that's enough," Rae thought.

The four hobbits certainly could not all march into the gates of death. Just the thought of their cheeky grins turning into despairing cries made her heart bleed. And Elrond—how could he let the four hobbits embark on this perilous journey?

Rae took a deep breath and swung herself from the branch she was perched on, landing precisely in front of the nine. "I volunteer to join the Fellowship," she declared.

The council members turned to face her, all stunned into silence. For most, it was their first time seeing a Na'vi, especially since Rae had hidden so well that not even the elves noticed her.

Gandalf sighed, and for a moment, it seemed he would agree, but he shook his head. "Rae, this is not your fight."

"The hobbits are my friends, and I cannot let them face this danger without me." Her heart sank as she looked down at the hobbits.

Aragorn stepped forward. "We will protect them, Rae. Your friends are in good hands."

Legolas chose that moment to meet her eyes, though he said nothing. What is that in his eyes? Amusement? Rae's grip on her dagger tightened.

Elrond, who had neither objected nor welcomed her place in the Fellowship, made a quick announcement. "Thus, our council is concluded. The Fellowship of the Ring is formed, bound by the strength and resolve of each member. You carry with you the hopes and fates of all free peoples of Middle-earth. Go forth with courage and unity, for the road ahead is fraught with peril. Yet, through your combined efforts, may light prevail over darkness. This council is adjourned. May the blessings of Elves, Dwarves, and Men guide you on your journey."

Then he turned to Rae. "May we speak in my study?"

Looking over her shoulder once more at the Fellowship, she found the four hobbits smiling at her. "Go, we'll save you a tray at lunch. You can have my pastry," Merry whispered.

Growing up in a Na'vi warrior family, Rae knew the taste of rejection well.

The time the mentor cook banished her from setting foot in her tent ever again. The time she failed to hunt down the Hexapede she had been stalking for days, and her family had to live on dry fruit and beans for the rest of the rainy season.

The time she accidentally led Locke into a trap of a Thanator, and they had to leap down a cliff to avoid being eaten, which resulted in his father locking both of them up for the rest of the month.

But none of these experiences had left her feeling as discouraged as she did today.

So, when Elrond poured her a cup of herbal tea which he claimed would calm her nerves, Rae finished it in one large gulp. "Well? What have you brought me here to talk about?" She knew she was not using her usual tone, but neitherof the elders seemed to mind.

Elrond began, after exchanging a glance with Gandalf. "Rae, we have discussed your sudden appearance in Middle-earth, and we believe that seeking the counsel of Lady Galadriel may provide the answers you seek."

Gandalf nodded in agreement. "The Lady of Lothlórien possesses the gift of foresight and unmatched wisdom. She may be able to shed light on your presence here and guide you in understanding your purpose."

"Though I do not possess the same skill as Lady Galadriel, I have looked into your future," Elrond continued. "You will find great worth in Lothlórien, and it is the right path." He paused. "More worth than joining the Fellowship."

"Take heart, Rae, and do not let your spirit falter. The path before you, though it may seem shrouded in uncertainty, is one destined for greatness. Trust in your inner strength and the journey that lies ahead." Gandalf looked at her with a gentle smile.

Rae was at the door when Elrond called out, "There will be a banquet tonight. It would please the hobbits greatly if you spent the night with them."

She nodded in acknowledgment.

Of course, she would do anything to make her friends happy tonight.

Tomorrow, she would be fleeing again.