Beyond the Fords of Isen

The Council

The council of Lord Elrond was a gathering that brought great and powerful people together. It was also the very council that would decide the fate of the world. At the long table were Elves, Dwarves, and Men. It was rather a tense atmosphere and the air was full of apprehension. Adalmaer stood beside Boromir with the other men, her arms folded across her chest.

"Here, my friends, is the Hobbit, Frodo son of Drogo. Few have ever come hither through greater peril or on an errand more urgent," Elrond spoke with clarity as he directed a small being to stand in front of him. "Now therefore, things shall be openly spoken that have ever been hidden from all but a few until this day. And first, so that all may understand what the peril is, the Tale of the Ring shall be told from the beginning even to this present.

Silence fell upon the council as the regal Elf lord spoke of terrible yet intriguing things regarding the golden trinket. Once this tale was finished, it took a while mind you, voices broke the silence and it wasn't long before Boromir started to rant and rave about this little ring. The council was in disarray, some voices rising above others. Adalmaer stayed quiet, her eyes shifting between the people and the ring.

That ring.. Very unassuming but dangerous nonetheless. Adalmaer watched the way it gleamed, its golden surface shining brightly. As the council continued to argue and quarrel the woman couldn't help but wonder how such a thing could cause this much grief. She had been too caught up in her thoughts and hadn't noticed the arguing had died down. The only voice that spoke was that of Aragorn.

This stalled Boromir and his rantings but only for a moment. She wasn't sure what happened but the Elves started in and so had every other party, save Frodo. "This ring must be brought to Mount Doom and thrown back into the fire from whence it came!" Elrond bellowed, his hands raising in protest. The meeting had gone from arguing about the ring itself and its power, to who would undertake such a task.

Adalmaer watched and listened. Everyone has something to say, everyone wanted a share their piece. Even the Dwarf, Gimli, had spoken up and not in a kind manner. She sighed inwardly and glanced to the Hobbit who had been the quietest. "I'll do it." Unfortunately his voice wasn't loud enough to pierce the bickering, "I will take the ring to Mordor!" Frodo raised his voice and this seemed to cease all voices.

Elrond and the others looked at Frodo with a look of surprise and astonishment. Aragorn then spoke, his voice firm yet soft. "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword." And he placed his hand upon Frodo's shoulder. The Elf, Legolas, spoke next, "You have my bow." The dwarf Gimli also piped up, his gruff voice filling the air, "And my axe!"

All eyes then went to her and Boromir. It wasn't as though she was part of the council, but she was here and hadn't yet spoken. The Gondorian captain walked to Frodo and bent down, placing a big hand on his shoulder, "You carry the fates of us all little one." He stood up and walked to where the others had stood. Adalmaer was the only person left and she met the gaze of Frodo. His eyes were alight with hope and youth, "I will come." The woman replied and walked past him with a small smile to the new group.

"You're not leaving without me!" Another voice called from somewhere hidden. Lord Elrond turned and seen a chestnut haired Hobbit bounding under the arch and across to Frodo. "Or me!" Another Hobbit? Adalmaer didn't know where they kept coming from and it seemed Lord Elrond didn't either as he had a look of bewilderment on his face, "Me too!"

Four Hobbits.. Three of which came from nowhere. Lord Elrond's look of bewilderment ceased and was replaced by a smile before turning to the party. "Ten of you.. So be it, from henceforth you will be known as The Fellowship of the Ring.