All Shall Fade

Chapter 9

Taking Council

“Alice! Alice wake up!”

“No…” I moaned, swatting at whoever was shaking me out of my blissful sleep. “Five more minutes.”

“Alice.”

“No.”

“Alice!”

“What?”

“You’re going to be late for the council!”

“Council?” I exclaimed, sitting bolt upright in bed and finding myself face-to-face with Arwen. “Since when was I going to the council?”

“Since this morning. My father as requested your presence.” She explained, sitting on the edge of my bed as I sleepily tousled my hair.

“How long ‘til it starts?” I yawned, and then wrinkled my nose at my delightful morning breath.

“A few minutes.”

“A few minutes?!” I squeaked, swinging my legs out of bed. “Aw crap…”

“Will you wear the dress I leant you?” She asked.

“No time!” I cried, jumping up and dashing to the large wooden chest in one corner of the room which contained my supply of borrowed tunics and shirts. I grabbed the nearest one – a long pale blue shirt – and pulled it on over my own vest top and leggings that I had been sleeping in. I glanced in the mirror and made a face as I saw that my hair looked like a haystack. I ruffled it a little before tying it back into a messy ponytail. It would do.

“Alice!” Arwen laughed as I tore my way towards the door.

“What?” I cried, stopping in my tracks.

“You’re not wearing shoes.”

“Oh.” I looked down at my bare toes and for a moment considered going to the council barefoot, before deciding against it. I glanced at my walking boots which were in total shreds after tramping through the wilderness and for a moment reconsidered my barefoot idea.

“Here,” Arwen smiled, “Wear these.” She handed me a pair of long leather boots and I fired her a grateful smile as I pulled them on.

“Thanks.” I breathed, “Are you coming?”

“I was not asked to attend.” She sighed.

“Oh, well, um, where is it being held?” I asked.

“Come, I’ll show you.” She smiled, walking to the door and out into the corridor. I followed her down a flight of stairs and through a maze of walkways before I found myself on a narrow path that wound through a garden. “Follow this path and you will find the council.” She instructed me and I nodded, suddenly feeling nervous.

“Thanks Arwen.” I mumbled, biting my lower lip anxiously, “See you later.” I began to quickly walk down the path, and as I turned a corner, I heard voices. I smiled and quickened my pace, but a rustling in a bush distracted me. I frowned and crouched down by the plant, and laughed as I found myself face to face with Sam. “Hi Sam!” I whispered.

“Miss Alice!” He exclaimed with wide eyes, “Are you going to the council?”

“Yep,” I grinned, “I assume you weren’t invited?” He shook his head vigorously.

“No…” He sighed, “You won’t tell anyone I’m here, will you Miss?”

“Of course not,” I assured him as I got to my feet, “I’ve gotta go, see you later!” I called back in a stage-whisper as I quickly made my way down the path, and suddenly found myself in a clearing surrounded by statues with a large ring of chairs running around the edge. Most of the chairs were already filled with Elves, men, and a few other creatures that I assumed to be dwarves. Legolas had told me about them, but I had not yet seen any. Elrond approached me and gestured towards a spare seat between Gandalf and an elf I did not recognise, although he sat close to Legolas. I smiled nervously and sat down, casting a glance around the circle to see who I recognised. On Gandalf’s other side sat Frodo, and then of course there was the wizard, and then me, a few elves, Legolas, those hairy beasties that were also known as Dwarves, a couple of men – I smiled when I spotted Boromir, he nodded in return as he noticed me looking at him – and then there were a few more elves and men I didn’t recognise, apart from Aragorn. I smiled at him too and he cast me a glance that I couldn’t interpret. I frowned and sat back in my chair as Elrond stood and called the council to attention.

“Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You've been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor.” He spoke in a voice that commanded attention, and the council fell silent, “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.” He said, turning to the only Hobbit who sat in the circle, “Bring forth the ring, Frodo.” My jaw dropped in amazement as I suddenly put two and two together in my mind. Frodo’s ring and the One Ring were one and the same – why hadn’t I figured this out before? I stared at the tiny gold object that Frodo had just placed on a small stone table in the middle of the circle. How did something so evil fall into the hands of an innocent Hobbit? The second the ring had left Frodo’s hand, the people around me started whispering, and I noticed Frodo seemed relieved to be rid of the thing. A few voices rose above the whispers as the council began to get restless.

“So it is true…” Boromir murmured.

“The doom of man.” Someone else whispered as I saw Boromir get to his feet.

“In a dream I saw the eastern sky grow dark but in the west a pale light lingered. A voice was crying: ‘Your doom is near at hand. Isildur's Bane is found.’” He said, never once taking his eyes off the ring as he slowly walked towards it and outstretched his hand, “Isildur’s bane…” He repeated as my skin pricked with anticipation.

“Boromir!” Elrond snapped just as Gandalf began to chant loudly beside me.

“Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatu!” His voice became menacing and powerful as I covered my ears to block out the harsh words, but they echoed in my mind as a shadow seemed to pass over the sun, and for a second, it was like the world stopped breathing. And suddenly, the shadow passed, Gandalf sat back, and the company took a deep breath.

“Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris.” Elrond turned to Gandalf, looking pretty furious. I shrank back in my seat a little as Gandalf sighed, suddenly seeming more aged than before.

“I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond, for the black speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West! The Ring is altogether evil.” The wizard stated, and a brief moment of silence fell.

“It is a gift, a gift to the foes of Mordor.” Boromir said thoughtfully as he stared at the object in question, “Why not use this Ring?” He asked as he once again rose to his feet.

“Boromir,” I surprised myself by the words that came from my own mouth, and the warning tone I used, “Don’t.” I shook my head at him as he stared at me.

“What do you know of it?” He asked, and I thought I may have only imagined his underlying harsh tone.

“Not much.” I admitted, leaning forward and resting my elbows on my knees. “I know that it’s powerful, but it’s pretty much concentrated evil, am I right?” I cast a glance at Elrond, who nodded very slightly, encouraging me. “This is just my opinion, but the way I see it is, you could use it, but over time it would corrupt you, and then we’d end up in a worse situation.” I shrugged, “I’m just saying, messing with powers far bigger than you are would be bad news.” Boromir’s expression hardened and he turned away from me to address the rest of the council.

“Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of my people are your lands kept safe.” He seemed to be ignoring my advice, so I sighed and sat back in my chair. “Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him.”

“You cannot wield it. None of us can.” I turned in surprise to see that Aragorn had spoken up, “The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master.” He finished in a softer tone and I thought I saw him cast a glance my way.

‘If he didn’t listen to me, he ain’t gonna listen to you.’ I thought to myself as Boromir turned on him.

“And what would a ranger know of this matter?” He asked, his voice dripping with venom. Honestly, what was up with him today? Man-Period much?

“This is no mere ranger.” I looked up to see that Legolas was now on his feet, defending Aragorn, “He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance.” Allegiance? What did he mean by that?

“Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?” Boromir frowned, glancing between the two.

‘Isildur? Like… The guy who defeated Sauron? Wasn’t he a king or something?’ My brain rattled through all the information I had absorbed over the past few days as Legolas defiantly stayed on his feet.

“And heir to the throne of Gondor.” The elf stated, causing Boromir’s stony expression to falter.

‘Heir to the throne? Honestly, is everyone connected to royalty here?’ I rolled my eyes as Aragorn rested his head on his hand.

“Havo dad, Legolas.” Aragorn murmured, gesturing towards the prince, who slowly sat down. I didn’t know what he’d said, but Legolas seemed to respect him enough to step down as Boromir walked back to his seat.

“Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king.” He spat.

‘Grumpy Bitch…’ I grumbled to myself, leaning forward and resting my head on my hands.

“Aragorn and Alice are right. We cannot use it.” Gandalf stated and I cheered silently for myself.

‘Yeah, I was right!’ I smiled a little smugly.

“You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed.” Elrond declared and a short moment of silence followed, before a dwarf got to his feet.

‘Oh my God… He’s more ginger than I am!’ I exclaimed inwardly as he drew a massive axe.

“Then what are we waiting for?” He asked, raising his axe high above his head and bringing it crashing down on the ring. I jumped as I saw a flash of fire, and the Dwarf was thrown backwards as the axe shattered. I frowned as I thought I heard the ring whisper something as out of the corner of my eye, I saw Frodo flinch.

“Did anyone else hear that?” I whispered, but no one answered.

“The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess.” Elrond explained as the Dwarf was helped back to his seat. No duh – I saw what it did to that axe!

‘What are we gonna do then? Blow it up? Nuke it?’ I thought sarcastically.

“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’s voice rose in volume, “One of you must do this.” He finished dramatically as an awkward silence fell. So all the big manly men are ready to step up and claim the ring for themselves, but when someone mentions Mordor they all go hide behind their chairs? Pussies…

“One does not simply walk into Mordor.” Boromir spoke up from where he was slumped in his chair. “Its black gates are guarded by more than 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.”

‘Ok then, get more than ten thousand men.’ I rolled my eyes at his defeatist attitude and rested my chin on my palm as Legolas once again sprang to his feet.

“Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed!” The elf cried.

“And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?” Gimli shouted loudly as he got to his feet to face Legolas.

“And if we fail what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?” Boromir’s voice joined in with the yelling as elves stood to defend Legolas and Dwarves got to their feet.

“I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf! Never trust an elf!” Gimli growled as he spat at Legolas’s feet.

“Oh give over…” I muttered, “Honestly, men…” I trailed off as I heard a low whisper coming from the ring.

“Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatu!” No… That’s impossible, how could an inanimate object whisper? I stared at it as flames seemed to flicker across the surface of the metal. It was enjoying the arguing… It wanted us to turn against each other!

“Stop it! Stop fighting!” I cried, but my words were lost in the uproar. I sat back, watching the unfolding drama with wide eyes as more and more people jumped to their feet to add their opinions.

“I will take it!” I turned in alarm to see that Frodo was on his feet, but his small voice was quickly drowned by the yells of the men. “I will take it!” He cried again, and this time some people heard him, I noticed Aragorn glance up from where he had been sitting quietly, and Gandalf slowly turned as silence fell, and all eyes were on the Hobbit. “I will take the ring to Mordor.” He stated, suddenly seeming shy now that everyone was looking at him, “Though… I do not know the way.” My heart went out to him at that moment. The smallest person was stepping up to do the task that men twice his size and at least three times his strength were afraid to do. Gandalf slowly made his way over to the Hobbit.

“I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, for as long as it is yours to bear.” He sighed, resting his hand on Frodo’s shoulder as he went to stand behind him. I saw Aragorn get to his feet and walk up to Frodo.

“If by my life or death I can protect you, I will.” He murmured, kneeling before him. “You have my sword.”

‘That’s more like it!’ I smiled as I began to contemplate things, feeling on the spot for a reason I couldn’t quite understand.

“And you have my bow!” Legolas stood and made his way over, smiling at me as he passed by.

“And my axe!” Gimli added, clearly not wanting to be outdone. I looked up and made eye contact with Elrond as he gaze wandered over to me.

“If I leave Rivendell, is there I chance I’ll be able to find a way to get home?” I asked him and he turned to me.

“I…” He trailed off, seeming unsure.

“Is there a chance?” I repeated determinedly.

“There is.” He nodded solemnly.

“Alright,” I sighed as I got to my feet, “Then I’m coming too.” I smiled at Frodo as I walked over to him and stood behind him, brushing shoulders with Legolas. “Who knows, I might be able to help with the quest.” I shrugged as Boromir stood.

“You carry the fate of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done.” He smiled a little; although I might have imagined Frodo stiffen slightly. I smiled at my fellow red-head as he came and stood beside me, seeming to have gotten over his mood-swing.

“Hey!” I turned in alarm as I heard a bush rustling and suddenly Sam appeared, running to Frodo’s side. “Mister Frodo's not goin’ anywhere without me.” He stated, stubbornly folding his arms as I laughed a little.

“No, indeed, it is hardly possible to separate the two of you, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not.” Elrond’s stern lips twitched into a small smile as Sam relaxed his stance.

“Wait! We’re coming too!” Everyone turned in alarm to see Merry and Pippin barrelling towards us from behind to pillars. “You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us.” Merry determinedly announced as they dashed to Frodo’s side.

“Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission... Quest... Thing.” Pippin nodded and I had to stifle a giggle.

“Well, that rules you out, Pip.” Merry muttered.

“Ten companions. So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring.” Elrond smiled at our group as Pippin looked around.

“Great. Where are we going?”

I slapped my forehead with the palm of my hand. Oh Pip, what have you gotten yourself into?

Wait…

What have I gotten myself into?!