The Beginning of Darkness [LotR] [COMPLETED]

The Fellowship is Formed

A council had been called and Frodo was asked to attend. They were sitting in a semicircle with a large stone table in the centre. On one side sat Lord Elrond and on either side of him were Arwen and Mariliel looking very much like Elven princesses. Sitting with him on the other side were dwarves, elves and men, the only people he knew in the Council were Mariliel, Gandalf and Strider. Frodo frowned, why was Strider at the council? He was just a mere Ranger wasn’t he?

“Welcome strangers from distance lands, friends of old. You have all been summoned to answer the threat of Mordor. Our world is standing on the edge of destruction, no one can escape it. If we do not unite you will all fall. Bring forth the Ring Frodo” Elrond gestured to the table

Frodo felt all eyes on him as he walked up to the table and placed the Ring on top, he quickly sat back down eager to leave the spotlight. Sitting back down it felt like a massive weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The members of the Council leaned forward to get a closer look at the object that was supposedly to be their doom.

One man stood, “Isildur’s Bane has been found” he reached out to touch the Ring, Frodo noticed Lord Elrond and Gandalf share a worried look. The man was just about to touch it when Elrond jumped up,

“Boromir!” he cried

The man, Boromir, snapped his hand back and slowly sat back down in his seat. Gandalf started chanting in a strange language, the sky turned dark and stormy lighting flashed and thunder rumbled. Everyone looked up at the sky in confusion and fear. When Gandalf stopped the sky cleared and was once again cloudless and blue.

“Never had anyone spoken those words here in Imladris” Lord Elrond looked furious

“The Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West!” Gandalf rasped, like speaking the language physically hurt his throat.

Again Boromir stood up and started pacing, “It is a gift to the foes of Mordor. Why can’t we use this Ring?  My Father the Steward of Gondor has been keeping the forces of Mordor at bay, by the blood of our people your lands are kept safe! Let us use the weapon against Mordor!”

“The One Ring answers to no one except Sauron. It has no other master” Strider spoke up

Boromir spun around to look at him looking angry, “What would a Ranger know about the matter?”

This time an elf with white-blonde hair stood up and spoke, “He is Aragorn son of Arathorn. Isildur’s heir and the heir to the throne of Gondor. You owe him your alleigence”

Frodo’s eyes widened as he looked at Aragorn. He was supposed to be the King? Boromir sat down again still looking angry, “Gondor needs no King” he muttered.

“The Ring must be destroyed” stated Elrond

One of the dwarves jumped up and picked up his axe, “Then what are we waiting for?” he cried. Bringing his axe down with all his might he hit the Ring. The axe shattered when it struck the Ring and the dwarf fell to the ground. At the same time Frodo saw a giant red Eye in his mind and flinched as if the axe had struck him.

“The Ring can only be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom, Gimli son of Gloin” said Elrond sternly, “One of you here must do this”

“One does not simply walk into Mordor” Boromir spoke again, “There is evil there that does not sleep and the great Eye is ever watchful. Not with ten thousand men would this be possible”

“It must be destroyed!” said the elf, Legolas, that had recognised Strider

Gimli stood up, “And I suppose you think you’re the one to do it? I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf!”

At that comment the entire Council leapt from their seats and started arguing with each other. Frodo looked over to Mariliel, she had her head in her hands and was slowly massaging her temples as if the noise was too much for her. Beside her Lord Elrond looked at the commotion calmly as did Arwen. His gaze then turned to the Ring still sitting on the table, suddenly the surface of the Ring was engulfed with flame and he could hear a voice chanting in the strange language that Gandalf had spoken earlier.

The arguments seemed to increase in volume around Frodo, he then knew what he had to do,

“I will take it!” he cried trying to make his small voice heard among the others, “I will take it!” he said again and this time everyone heard him. They all turned to him with astonished looks on their faces, “Though I do not know the way”

Gandalf walked towards him putting a hand on his shoulder, “I will help you carry this burden Frodo Baggins”

Aragorn also came forward, “If by my life or death I can protect you I will. You have my sword”

“And my axe!” said Gimli

“And you have my bow” said Legolas glancing at Gimli

“And mine!” cried Mariliel walking over to the group of men

“Mariliel you will be doing no such thing!” Elrond also came over, the two glared at each other intensely as if having a mental conversation, until eventually he nodded and stepped back.

Boromir stepped forward next, “if this is the will of the Council then Gondor will see it done”

There was rustling behind Frodo, “Mister Frodo isn’t going anywhere without me!” Sam jumped from the bushes and stood by Frodo.

“And us too!” cried Merry and Pippin ran over from behind some pillars

Frodo was overwhelmed with happiness that his friends would want to come on this journey with him, even if it might be very dangerous.

“Ten companions, so be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!” Elrond declared

“Great, where are we going?”