EPIC: A Demigod's Tale by Frodo Baggins

Chapter 18

Gandalf hurried along the stone paths of Rivendell, searching for Lord Elrond. How come everyone looks so blasted peaceful? The galaxy was under attack by the most powerful villains, and yet here were the elves, calmly going about their business as though they hadn't a care in the universe. The waterfalls surrounding Rivendell murmured softly, as though to soothe the grouchy wizard. Having none of it, Gandalf stomped to the open-air pavilion where Lord Elrond was talking with several other people.

"Gandalf, you're looking better," Lord Elrond welcomed the wizard, either not noticing or choosing to ignore Gandalf's peeved expression. "I hope the care you received was adequate."

"It was fine," Gandalf said curtly. The waterbending healers had been excellent, in fact. The bruises and cuts he had suffered at the hands of Saruman had been healed, and he felt at least twenty years younger.

"We're glad you were able to escape," Ahsoka said. "It's difficult to believe that Saruman would turn on us."

"Not particularly," Snape sniffed. "The Ministry has always been full of idiots."

"How big of a setback is this going to be for the League of Heroes?" Toshinori, known by his hero name All Might, asked. Among the beauty of Rivendell, Toshinori looked even more gaunt and frail than usual. 

"Saruman is the Minister of Magic. As such, he has great influence over many of the wizards in the galaxy," Gandalf said. "He may sway many of them to support Sauron."

"Surely, the wizards will see through Saruman when he advises an alliance with Sauron?" Arwen said in a melodic voice.

"Never underestimate the stupidity of the masses," Snape stated.

"Not all wizards follow the Minister of Magic," Aragorn said. "Many of the wizarding guilds are independent and won't blindly follow the Ministry."

"Regardless, the Ring cannot stay in Rivendell. It's evil is too great for my people to suppress, and the eye of the enemy is turning towards Rivendell. My people cannot defend Rivendell from the League of Villains. This is a peril that belongs to all in the galaxy."

"Which is why we'll be leaving for the meeting of the League of Heroes tomorrow," Ahsoka said. "We'll take the Ring with us."

"The demigod who carried the Ring showed extraordinary resilience to its evil," Elrond commented.

"We've already asked too much of Frodo," Gandalf said. "He's carried a burden he should have never had to bear. We can ask no more of him."

"We can, and we will," Sasuke said. "If he is resistant to the power of the Ring, then we need to ask him if he'll take it further."

"But he's already done so much," Gandalf said. "He's just a kid!"

"I've seen children do amazing things," Toshinori murmured. "It's difficult letting them charge into danger, but sometimes there's no choice."

"If he does decide to take the Ring to the meeting, he'll be with us. He shouldn't be in much danger," Aragorn reasoned.

"We should at least ask Frodo if he would be willing to come along," Ahsoka said gently.

"Fine," Gandalf huffed, annoyed that everyone was siding against him. "If we're done here, may I have a word in private, Lord Elrond?"

"Of course," Elrond said, bowing before leaving the others at the pavilion. The pair walked in silence for some time before Gandalf spoke.

"They can't hear us anymore, can they?"

"Many of them have the ability to, if they so wish. However, I would assume that they would respect your request for privacy," Elrond said.

"Don't you have protections against that kind of thing?"

"For such a paranoid fellow, it's surprising you were so surprised by Saruman's betrayal," Elrond said.

Gandalf frowned, wondering if Elrond had insulted him on purpose, or if Elrond was just being his usual uppity elf self. Deciding to ignore the insult he said, "What do you think about the situation?"

"Which situation are you referring to?"

Gandalf barely managed to keep himself from rolling his eyes. "The Sauron-is-going-to-take-over-the-galaxy-if-we-don't-stop-him situation."

"I think the galaxy is in grave trouble and the League of Heroes must work together in order to defeat Sauron."

"Do you think they can do it?"

"It will take immense cooperation to defend against the armies and powers of Sauron, much less defeat him. I've seen far fewer people try to work together with limited success. It would be unprecedented for so many people to work together. Three thousand years ago, I watched as the alliance between elves and men failed. Isildur, King of Gondor, had the Ring within his grasp. After Isildur had cut the Ring from Sauron's hand, I took him to Mount Doom, where the Ring was forged and the one place it can be destroyed, but there he failed to destroy the Ring and instead kept it for his own. It should have ended that day, but evil was allowed to endure. Men are weak. The blood of Numenor is all but spent, its pride and dignity all but forgotten. The line of kings is broken. Men are divided, scattered, and leaderless."

"There is one who could unite them. One who could reclaim the throne of Gondor."

"Even if it were still possible to unite all humans under one banner, he turned from that path long ago. He has chosen exile."

Gandalf sighed. "Well, he could change his mind anytime, right?"

Elrond smiled tightly, as one might smile at a small child who couldn't grasp concepts that were too difficult to comprehend at a young age. "We will see."