Twenty Eight - The Fellowship

“Don’t worry, Frodo,” I said as I sat next to him. “Gandalf and I will be at your side the entire time,” I assured him and he smiled. “Sleep well?” I asked Nikolas as he sat on the other side of me. “Fine,” He nodded. 

“Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor,” Elrond began. 

“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 paused and looked at Frodo.

“Bring forth the Ring, Frodo,” As asked, Frodo walked over to the stone plinth in the centre and carefully put the Ring down on it. Others started to whisper as he walked and sat down with a sigh.

A Man stood up, walking towards the ring “In a dream, I saw the Eastern sky grow dark. In the West, a pale light lingered. A voice was crying, ‘your doom is near at hand Isildur's bane is found’... Isildur's Bane,” He reached for the ring.“Boromir!” Elrond shouted. 

The sky darkened as Gandalf spoke in the Black Speech.

“Come on!” The girl version of myself giggled as she climbed. “Ver, slow down!” Nikolas said, but as a young boy. 

We were climbing a tree in the woods outside of the city, racing to the top. 

“Let’s just stay here. The three of us,” She panted and sat on the tree branch. “I’d like that,” Alek said and sat next to her.

 “Ver,” Nikolas shook me from the illusion and I was back in the meeting. 

The sky was bright again and I looked around carefully. 

The Man, Boromir, had sat back down and The Elves looked rather shaken. 

“Are you alright?” Nikolas asked. I looked back at the ring. “Yeah,” I nodded.

“Why not use this Ring?” Boromir began walking around. “Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy, let us use it against him,” He urged. 

“You cannot wield it. None of us can The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master,” Aragorn said. 

 “And what would a ranger know of this matter?” Bormir asked, scathingly. “This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn son of Arathorn You owe him your allegiance,” Legolas stood, defending him. 

“Aragorn. This is Isildur's heir,” Boromir said. “And heir to the throne of Gondor,” Legolas continued.

“Sit down, Legolas,” Aragorn asked in Elvish and he sat. “Gondor has no King. Gondor needs no King,” Bormir muttered as he sat back down.

“Aragorn is right. We cannot use it,” Gandalf said. 

“And what of the Tempests?” One of the Elves asked. “What of us, my friend?” Nik asked. “You are the blood of Sauron, are you not?” Whispers went around the circle. “We are. But we can not wield the Ring,” Nik answered. 

“And your allegiance?” A Dwarf asked. “Are you insinuating that we would stand with someone who wants everything good in this world dead?” I asked, harshly. “Verena,” Nikolas warned. 

“The only reason Sauron turned to dark magic was because he had no power of his own. He is called the Deceiver because he was overrun with jealousy and wished to control those with their own power, thus forging the Great Rings,” I continued. 

“And do you fight for him?” The Dwarf asked again. 

“I have protected Middle Earth as a Wanderer for more than a thousand years. Sauron wishes to rip daylight out of the sky and replace it with a darkness that can never be overcome. I would never wish that. My family would never wish that,” I answered. 

“You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed,” Elrond cut in. “Then what are we waiting for?” Another Dwarf stood and brought his axe down on it. The axe shattered as he was thrown to the floor. 

“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. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you… must do this,” The open room fell quiet. 

“One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its Black Gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is an evil there that does not sleep. 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,” Boromir shook his head.

“Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed,” Legolas stood again. 

“And I suppose you think you're the one to do it!” Gimli shouted. 

“And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?” Boromir questioned,

“I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!” Gimli shouted, jumping up, the Elves and other Dwarves jumping up to argue. Men followed them and soon, Gandalf did as well. 

I rolled my eyes and sat back as Nikolas shook his head. “You aren’t going to join them?” I asked, nodding to the group.

 “There will never be a peaceful gathering between all the races of Middle Earth,” He said. 

“I will take it,” Frodo said loudly but no one heard him. “I will take it!” He said louder. They quieted, turning to the Hobbit and Nik and I stood.

“I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though… I do not know the way,” Frodo admitted. 

“Then I will show you, Frodo Baggins. You have my word as well as my protection,” I promised, standing by him. 

“I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear,” Gandalf said and stood next to me, behind him. 

“If by my life or death I can protect you, I will,” Aragorn said, then walked over and knelt in front of him. “You have my sword,” 

“And you have my bow,” Legolas walked over and stood next to me. 

“And my axe,” Gimli said, making Legolas grimace as he joined us. I nudged him with my shoulder, trying to hide my smile.

“You carry the fate of us all, little one,” Boromir said as he walked over. “If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done,” Boromir nodded.

 “Here!” Sam shouted and ran out from the bushes, ducking under Aragorn’s arm. “Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me,” Sam said.

“No, indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not,” Elrond said, smiling a little.

 “Oi! we're coming too!” Merry shouted as he and Pippin ran out.

“You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us,” Merry said loudly.

“Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission… quest… thing,” Pippin stuttered. “Well, that rules you out Pip,” Merry nudged him

“Ten companions... So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring,” Elrond announced as we stood together.

“Great! Where are we going?” Pippin asked.

~~~

“If this is your way of getting Alek back-” “It is,” I cut Nikolas off as I continued to pack my bag. 

“This is the only way I see, Nikolas,” I explained. “There must be another where your life isn’t at risk,” He said. “There won’t be. Not where any of our siblings, uncles or Cleos aren’t at risk,” I said and walked over to him. He hugged me tightly and I hugged him. 

This is the first time I’ll leave and he’ll know I’m heading into danger.

I pulled away and rested my forehead against his.

“Go home, Nik. I will return, I promise,” I whispered and he nodded. “You are smart, use your head. You know every stick and stone of this world,” He whispered the last part and kissed my forehead.