The Council

I woke up in my room due to a beam of light shining on my face. It was still pretty early in the morning, but I didn't go back to sleep. I loved getting up before most people, it seemed the world was still asleep. It's always so peaceful.

I drew myself a bath, working quietly to not wake my maids- Tama and Quea- as I did prefer to do most of my chores myself.

I washed my hair and body, before hopping out and draining the bath. I dried myself quickly and slipped on a pair of black, ankle-length pants, and a comfortable-fitting dark blue shirt that had sleeves stopping at my elbows.

Lastly, I tugged on my favorite boots, that were easy to run and move in. Grabbing my bow and quiver, I opened my bedroom door and ran down my steps to the courtyard. My bedroom was on the very edges of Rivendell, so I had to walk for a while before even reaching the courtyard.

I never minded walking or running, but it was a bit chilly this morning, so I hurried as much as possible. When I got in sight of the courtyard, I was surprised to see elves running around doing something. I didn't investigate, but I would ask Lord Elrond later about it. I moved slightly to the right and kept walking, making sure nobody saw me.

It wasn't like I'm not allowed out here this early, I just prefer to keep to myself. At least until later in the day. The morning was my training time. I did target practice and occasionally spared if I had Roanne or Saydra with me. But today, it was target practice. Other elves might think that practicing shooting a bow and arrow, or throwing knives every morning would get boring. But it never did to me. I don't know why, but it was always my goal to improve my aim and my technique. I think it had something to do with knowing my parents had died being defenseless. I tried not to think about their death, but I did almost every day.

I am seventeen years old(A/N: In human years. I'm not an expert at human-elf years translation, so this is human years. back to the story), but it still haunts me, knowing they could have prevented it, if they knew how to fight. So, I intend on knowing just that. I do not want my fate to be the same as my parents.

Reaching my training space, I looked around to see no one. As usual. I reached back and tied my bangs up, to keep them out of my face. If they are not tied up, they tend to flop into my left eye, so I like to keep them out of the way. I moved over to a target that was around 50 meters away. "Just for warm-up, than I will get farther away" I told myself. Drawing one of my 35 tan arrows, I took aim.

I breathed in. Than out. I focused on the target as if it was a Warg. I let my arrow fly, and watched it sail over to the target, hitting the target perfectly in the center. Satisfied, I shot another arrow, than another, than another, all hitting the target in the center. I didn't fire all of my arrows, so after ten, I jogged over to the target to retrieve them. Fitting them into my quiver and making my way back, I decided to practice with my throwing knives.

I was a little out of practice with my knives, as I hadn't practiced with them in over a week. I drew one of them and studied it. The knife was about seven inches long, the blade being three and the handle being four. The handle was black with finger grips I had made myself after using them for so long. The blade was sharp and smooth and, if held in the light, would tint blood red. They were a gift from Lord Elrond, and I don't know what I would do without them. Setting my bow and quiver aside, I turned to a target 20 meters away. I turned my back on the target, as I breathed in and out, calming myself. Than, quick as lightning, I drew one of my knives, swiveled around and threw it. As soon as that knife left my hand, I drew my second one, throwing it in the same path as my first.

I straightened and looked at the target. Both knives were right next to each other. Both were directly on the center of the target. "You are too good for your own good Ry!" A voice said behind me. I knew instantly who that was. Not many people could come up behind me like that without me knowing. "What is that supposed to mean?" I questioned her, turning around. Saydra smiled. "When are you going to use these skills? We are not in the midst of a war, and if we were, you would not be fighting it." I sighed. She was right. I wouldn't be. "That doesn't mean I still can't be good." She than laughed. "No it doesn't. But you do show up some of our men warriors, who practice just as much as you!" I laughed with her and nodded my head. She was right again. She was always right.

"So, what brings you up this early?" I asked her. Saydra was the latest riser I ever knew. And it was still only a few hours past dawn. "Lord Elrond asked me to tell you to meet him in the castle." "I swear I didn't do it!" I told her quickly. She laughed. "I don't think you are in trouble Ry!" That makes things better then. "Do you know why?" I asked, picking up my quiver and slinging it over my back. Saydra shook her head as she handed me my bow. "I don't. But I doubt it's anything serious. He didn't look troubled in the slightest when he asked me. But than again, you can never know with Lord Elrond." I had to agree with that. I jogged over to my knives and yanked them out of the target, and jogged back to where my friend was standing.

I motioned towards the target with my head and held out my knives. "Do you want to try?" Saydra shook her head. "You know I'm no good." I shrugged. "You can always get better. I was no better than you a few years ago. Look where I am now." "Ryanne, you have to meet Lord Elrond, now, give me your bow, I will return it to your room. But you have to hurry!" I placed my bow and quiver in her hands. I appreciated the fact that she let me keep my knives. She knew me too well.

I said goodbye to her and turned in the direction of Lord Elrond's office, where he would most likely be.

As I walked, I thought about what he would want to see me about. I hadn't done anything that would have made him upset. All I hoped is that nothing bad had happened.

After walking for around ten minutes, I reached the castle. The castle was huge and most of it was open to the sky, and had small rivers and waterfalls either in or around it. There were small sections here and there that also had flowers growing and blooming. It was all very beautiful. I walked up the steps and entered the castle. I turned down a hallway, seeing Lord Elrond's office, where I stopped and knocked on the door. It was opened almost instantly. I smiled at Lord Elrond as he welcomed me in and closed the door. I sat down in a chair and looked at him, waiting for him to say something.

After a while, he did. "Ryanne, we have guests in Rivendell." I nodded. I had no clue where he was going with this. "Our guests are Hobbits, a ranger, and a wizard." "Gandalf!?" I ask excitedly. Gandalf was an old friend of mine that met me at a young age. Elrond nodded. "They come from the Shire, and they are on a mission. A mission that can and will lead to death." I stared at him. This wasn't really what I was expecting. "What's their mission?" I asked. "What are they trying to accomplish?" "One Hobbit in particular carries something of great importance. The ring of Sauron." I gasped, surprised. "How did that Hobbit come across it? What is it doing in Rivendell?" I was scared and very shocked. I knew what the ring could do to people and felt a little sorry for the Hobbit who had to bear the weight of it.

"I do not know how he came across it. That is not important. I brought you here to ask something of you." I waited, a little tense about why was going to come next. "There will be a council held in a matter of hours. I would like you to attend it and hear what has to be said." I sighed slightly, relieved that that was all. I nodded my head. "I will, my Lord. Where will it be held?" "It will be held in the courtyard at noon." So that's what the elves were doing when I saw them! Preparing for this council!

"I will my Lord. Is that all?" Lord Elrond nodded. "That is all Ryanne." I stood up and walked to the door. I opened it and was about to walk out when I headed "Oh! And Ryanne?" I turned back. "Good work with your bow." I smiled at Lord Elrond. "Thank you my Lord." He smiled back at me as I stepped out of his office, gently shutting the door.

{~~a few hours later~~}

I was by the courtyard, waiting for the council to start, sharpening my knives on a piece of stone. I concentrated on making them sharp as possible, as they were easier to throw that way. All of a sudden, I headed someone running up to me. "Annie!!" They shrieked. I stopped moving the stone up and down my knife. I lifted my head looking at the speaker, even though I already knew who it was. I sighed, frustrated. "Ro!" I said, in a tone that revealed my emotions. "I have told you countless times to not call me that!" She smiled. She knew all right. She just did it to annoy me. "I don't even know where you get that name from. 'Annie' is not in my name. It's Ry-ann. Not Ry-annie." I continued. She laughed. "I know, I know. But it's funny to see you get upset." I pulled a face and went back to my knives.

"What are so excited about?" I asked her. "I saw Mirkwood elves riding up on horses. I wasn't too excited about the elves themselves, but why they are here." She spoke quickly as usual, and it took me time to catch everything she was saying. "I thought maybe they were here to visit, or maybe talk to Lord Elrond, but there were only a few of them. Than I saw dwarves and got really confused because dwarves and Elves don't come together like this.." She was about to go on but I cut her off. "I know why they are here Ro." she stopped. "You do?" I nodded than told her everything Lord Elrond had told me.

She seemed fascinated at all of this. "When is this council?" she asked. "Pretty soon." I said. I turned and looked behind me at the courtyard, and at the circle of chairs that were there. Lord Elrond was talking to a man with shoulder-length, brown hair and a slight beard. I drew in a breath quickly, surprised to see him here, but not surprised at the same time. I wondered if Arwen knew? I turned back to Roanne who was looking at all the people arrive. "I have to go now, actually." I told her, dropping the stone in my hand and putting my knifes back in their place. She nodded and walked off, probably to go find Saydra.

I stood up and bolted over to Aragorn, so happy to see him after eight years! Lord Elrond saw me before Aragorn did. He looked at me and said "Ah! Ryanne! There you are!" Aragorn swiveled his head around and saw me running towards him. His reaction was the same as mine: surprised and happy. I got to him and hugged him tightly around the middle, smiling like crazy. He laughed into my hair, holding me tightly. He than swung me in the air, making me laugh. When he set me down, I noticed a blonde elf looking at us with an expression that held amusement and confusion. I looked away when he looked at me, feeling weird.

I turned back to Aragorn who hadn't noticed anything. "Does Arwen know you are here?!" I asked excitedly. He shook his head. "I have still to surprise her." I nodded. Yes he did. But by now, people were beginning to take their seats, so we couldn't talk anymore. I took one in between Aragorn and Lord Elrond. Lord Elrond started talking, but I was studying the people around the circle. I saw that blonde elf again. I wonder who he was. He seemed important. I also made note of a red-bearded dwarf who had his hands rested on an axe that looked like it could do some damage. I toned back in when I headed a man speaking that wasn't Lord Elrond. "No." He said. "This ring is a gift." He insisted. I shook my head. No it wasn't, he should know that. But before I could say anything, Aragorn did.

"This ring cannot be wielded by the likes of men or elves." He said. "It obeys it's one and only master, Sauron." The other man looked doubtful. "What would a mere Ranger know of this?" Oh no he didn't. That got me really angry! I shot up out of my seat, but so did that blonde elf. Aragorn motioned me to sit down, and I did, but angrily. The other elf had started speaking. "This is no mere Ranger! This is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Heir to the throne of Gondor! You owe him you allegiance!" Aragorn sighed. "Havo dad, Legolas." He said in elvish. Legolas! That was his name! I felt as if I had met him before, but I didn't know when or where.

The first man had started talking again. "Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king!" I was about to hop out of my seat again, but I controlled myself. "Aragorn is right." Lord Elrond said. "The ring must be destroyed." Than the red-bearded dwarf chipped in. "Than what are you waiting for?!" He stood up and ran towards the ring with his axe. I winced knowing this wasn't going to end well. He brought his axe down on the ring, but bounced off of it, with so much force it broke his axe. Lord Elrond looked at him. "The ring cannot be destroyed with the makes of men, Gimli, son of Gloin. It was forged in the mountains or Mordor, and only than could it be un-made."

The first man started talking again, and I hoped it wouldn't start another argument. "One does not simply walk into Mordor. It's black gates are guarded with orcs and much worse." I had to admit. He had a point. "Not with ten thousand men could you do that. It is folly." He continued. Legolas stood up again, angry. "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The ring must be destroyed!" "And you think you will be the one to do it? I would rather die than see the ring in the hands of an elf!!" Gimli shot back at him. Ok. This council was not going well. I got enraged for not the first time today and stood back up out of my chair. I wasn't the only one. Legolas and his men all stood up too, angrily shouting at the dwarves. Legolas shot out his arm to keep them back.

I realized shouting was only going to make the dwarves more angry, and that was never a good thing. Than I heard a small voice. "I will take the ring to Mordor!" People started to quiet down after that. "Although..I do not know the way." I looked down to see Frodo Baggins standing up looking at everybody with a determined face on.

Gandalf spoke next, speaking for the first time. "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear." He spoke wisely. Aragorn spoke next. "By my life or my death, I will protect you. You have my sword." Legolas than stood up. "You have my bow." I stood up next. "And my bow." I added, praying that someone wouldn't tell me I couldn't go. Nobody objected, which was fortunate. Gimli spoke next saying "You have my axe." He swung his axe around, but since it got destroyed by the ring, it didn't have the same effect he might have wanted.

The man(I had to find out his name!) with brown hair spoke after Gimli. "Our fate is in your hands little one. The ring must be destroyed and you are the one to do it." He moved to stand by Frodo. We were a standing together in a group and I began to feel a slight tremor of hope that we would actually accomplish this huge task.

Lord Elrond looked like he was about to say something to all of us when we heard a voice. "Wait!" It cried. Another small hobbit jumped out of the bushes nearby and ran over to Frodo's side. "Mr. Frodo isn't going nowhere without me!" He said in his small voice. I looked to Lord Elrond to see what he would do. "No indeed." He said. "Especially when he was invited to a secret council and you were not." I believe there was a hint of amusement in his voice. All of a sudden two more Hobbits came jumping out of bushes. I was shocked at how many there were. They ran over to Frodo as well. "Don't forget us!" They cried. "Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this...mission...quest.....thing." One said nodding his head. His partner looked at him. "Well that rules you out Pip." He deadpanned. I smiled. They were great.

Lord Elrond looked as if he was prepared for more Hobbits to came jumping out of the bushes, but none did. "Very well." He said. "Ten companions. You shall be known as the Fellowship of the Ring." Wow. We seemed so...official. "Right." The one called 'Pip' said. "Where are we going?" I sighed. It's going to be a loooong journey.

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A/N: How'd you guys like it???!!! was it good?? Ya? Ya? hopefully it was.

I tried. Literally it took FOREVER on this chapter. I have yet to edit it, but when it's published it will be. You should see a picture of her swords! there's only one though so you'll have to pretend

I want to thank all you lovelies!!! for reading my book!!! again, if you enjoyed, please comment with a smiley or a few words. Maybe even vote? I don't know. Only if you want to. I don't know when the next chapter will be up sooo pease be patient!!! I know you guys will. Y'all are awesome! Byeeeee!

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Bullseyes,XXbowandarrowsXX