July 3023 T.A. - Imladris
It took a while for the council to take form for Elrond would not start without Gandalf, who had not been present when the rest of the Company had arrived. This gave Eldarion and the hobbits time to explore Rivendell. The hobbits met up with a relative of theirs living in Imladris, Bilbo Baggins, and spent many hours with the old hobbit poring over maps and telling of their adventures. This left Eldarion mostly to his own devices and after gaining Elrond's permission to roam the surroundings of Imladris, so long he did not cross its borders, he did so on his own. For a couple of days he explored the mountainous region to the north and the deepest parts of the valley in the south before returning to Elrond's house. Rivendell wasn't a large settlement. You could best compare it to a large estate with Elrond's House as its centerpoint with some Elves living in the Last Homely House itself while others preferred to live in solitude in the valley. All in all Imladris' population was fairly small and mostly inhabited by Ñoldor Elves. Imladris was, in Elrond's words, a refuge and a place of learning and knowledge and peace, a last stronghold where the Elder Days still lived in Middle Earth.
Once returned from his roamings Eldarion started exploring Elrond's home itself: the Hall of Fire where on special occassions Elves could be found singing and reciting poetry and reminiscing the past, admiring the many tapestries depicting deeds from ancient past that were hung all around but the most important discovery the Prince made was Elrond's library, containing priceless scrolls and tomes on subjects like the history of Elves and Man going back to the First Age. While Eldarion waited for Gandalf to return he would spent countless hours in this library poring over old tomes, further extending his knowledge. A week flew by and the old wizard found his former ward fully immersed in the book he was studying.
“Elrond said I would find you here, said you hardly leave the place save for dinner.” Gandalf said slightly amused when Eldarion's head jerked up in surprise. He hadn't heard anyone enter but when he saw who it was he smiled. He made sure to remember on which page he was and closed the book before putting it back on the shelf.
“Has noone ever taught you it's rude to barge in unannounced? And when did you arrive anyway” Eldarion joked. Gandalf laughed heartily.
“A couple of hours ago.” the wizard replied. Eldarion could see Gandalf hadn't even had time to dust off his clothes yet. Eldarion wanted to ask him about the Nazgûl, how he had fared against them, where he had been but Gandalf, seeing the questions in the man's eyes, halted him raising his hand.
“Those things will have to be discussed some other time. For now Elrond wants to begin the Council. We assemble when the midday bell rings. I'll now be paying a visit to our little friends and then prepare myself for what is to come.” and with that Gandalf walked away leaving the Prince alone. Eldarion assessed that the bell wouldn't ring for at least two hours. He rejoined with his book and resumed his reading. It might be the last chance he had to do so.
Eldarion entered a room with the seats all facing Elrond who sat opposite of a couple of chairs in the form of a crescent moon. Of those already present Eldarion knew three of the four, Elrond, Glorfindel and Gandalf. There was one Elf, sitting on Elrond's right that he didn't know. During Eldarion's round of greetings Elrond introduced him as Erestor, an important advisor to Elrond. He seated himself next to Gandalf. Then the hobbits arrived and with them was the old Bilbo accompanying them. They too greeted all those present, though with less familiarity than Eldarion had save for Bilbo. Once they were seated Elrond rose and openend the Council.
“Strangers, friends and kin alike, welcome to this most important meeting. Each and everyone of you is here today because you are in some way bound to this errand. Now I would like to give Gandalf a chance to explain the situation a bit clearer for those that don't know the entire story.” Elrond said taking back his seat while the wizard rose leaning on his staff. Gandalf cleared his throat.
“It all began a long time ago with a hobbit of the Shire.” Gandalf began. Gandalf recited all that had befallen during the Quest for Erebor, the involvment of Bilbo Baggins and the finding of a magic ring in a cavern deep in the Misty Mountains.
“I let the matter slide and did not think this was any ring of importance though I did press caution into the young Bilbo, not to use it.” he said glancing at the old hobbit who merely shrugged.
He then spoke of the many years that passed that the ring lay, unknown to the world, in the Shire at Bag End. In the year of Aragorn's coronation as king of Arnor new information was brought by the Rohirrim. After the fall of Saruman, Rohan had taken command of Orthanc and had found precious documents concerning the Ring, amongst other things, and sent them North as a gift to the new king. These documents told that the Ring had been lost near the Gladden Fields. With new information Gandalf had resumed his travels in search for answers. He taled of his travels around Middle-Earth to find the creature called Gollum, the previous owner of the ring. Gandalf started to connect Bilbo's ring to the One Ring or he thought at least that it had to be investigated.
“So I found Gollum and after a long, uncomfortable conversation I finally got some answers.” Gollum confirmed that he had found the Ring in the Great River, near the Gladden Fields where he and his kin had dwelt.
“But I still did not know if this was the One.” For this information he went to Gondor where he searched for any account concerning the Ring. And he did find one such account. Now he had enough information to test if Bilbo's ring was indeed the One.
“And as it turned out it was.” Gandalf seated himself and Elrond beckoned Frodo to come forward and show them all the Ring. The hobbit stepped forward and took the ring from his pocket and placed it on a small table in the middle of the room. It was the same simple golden band Eldarion had seen in his home at Fornost and again he marvelled at the fact that something that looked so harmless could carry so much evil. They were all just staring at the small ring while Frodo returned to his seat next to Bilbo who put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Erestor rose and turned his back to the ring, facing Elrond.
“What are we to do with this my Lord?” he asked. Eldarion rose as well.
“Destroy it if we can. Gandalf has impressed on me that if we are to get rid of Sauron entirely we need to destroy his source of power. The One Ring.” Eldarion said.
“However we don't know how to accomplish this and that's why we set out to take counsel with Elrond.” Elrond beckoned Eldarion to sit.
“Please sit.” Elrond said, turning to Erestor. “He is right Erestor it is the only real way.” Erestor seemed not happy with this.
“But Imladris and everything the Elves have worked for these thousands of years?” Erestor said.
“Will as surely disappear when Sauron remains in power.” Elrond replied, it being clear this had been a discussion the two had had before but Eldarion did not understand what they were so concerned about. How could the destruction of the One Ring have negative repurcussions for the Elves. Erestor turned from Elrond to Glorfindel.
“Could we perhaps not send it to the West?” he asked. Glorfindel's face stood unsure, a thing Eldarion had never thought possible.
“That would be an option if we knew for certain the ship would be allowed to enter Aman with the Ring, if it would survive the journey.” Glorfindel said. It was clear to Eldarion the Elves were discussing asking the aid of the Valar to deal with Sauron but weren't sure if they would intervene. Meanwhile Gandalf had fallen surprisingly silent, his face not showing any emotion. Eldarion was not sure what Gandalf thought of the idea. Eldarion rose again, interrupting the Elves their discussion.
“Grandfather, do you know a way to destroy it?” Eldarion asked. The Elves fell silent and Erestor returned to his seat.
“There is one way I'm positive about.” Elrond said.
“The ring must be thrust in the fires of Mount Doom. It is the place it was created so it must hold the key in destroying it. I can't think of any other way.” Erestor rose once more.
“I would call it folly and madness were it not for the wisdom Elrond possesses.” Erestor exclaimed. “To enter the Dark Lords domain is to walk wide-eyed to your own death.” Eldarion's voice rose in anger.
“My father and my countrymen are fighting Sauron's hordes at this very moment! You would call that folly or madness? I don't see how hiding and running away will help!”
“You are proud son of Aragorn and so is your father and you and your people are brave but that does not mean you will succeed.” Erestor replied.
“Besides the Elves have other things to consider than the fate of Men alone.” he added. Eldarion opened his mouth but Elrond decided to intercede.
“Both of you be quiet and seat yourselves.” which both did reluctantly. Elrond continued.
“I agree with Eldarion that the Ring should be destroyed. Sauron is a problem of Middle-Earth and thus by extension so is the Ring. It is we who must deal with it as best as we can. An attempt to destroy it must be taken, however perilous it will be.” A long silence fell in the room, the hobbits looking unsure to each other, Elrond and Gandalf each staring in the distance, seemingly lost in their own thoughts. Erestor looked angry and reverted his gaze from Eldarion while Glorfindel had a painful expression on his face. They all knew what needed to be done.
“I will carry it.” Eldarion heard himself say. The room seemed to be as surprised as he was and the silence was tense. Did he just say that? He looked at Gandalf and saw fear and uncertainty in the old man's eyes. Eldarion turned his gaze towards Elrond and a strange aura of confidence and pride took hold of him.
“Isildur is responsible for the survival of the Ring and by my lineage to him I do acknowledge my part in his failure to destroy it yet, I am not only of the blood of Númenor but also of that of the Eldar. Therefore I lay my claim on this thing, not to keep it nor to use it but to destroy it by throwing it in the fires of the Orodruin and by doing so clear Isildur's failure and shame on my family. I swear this to Eru! May he take me should I fail.” This was the oath Eldarion swore. Elrond and Gandalf made brief eyecontact and Eldarion thought he saw the faintest of nods before Elrond addressed him. They knew there was no going back now.
“So be it grandson. Erestor was right when he said you were both proud and brave and I must warn you for both of them but we will discuss the journey in the coming days.” Elrond kept his gaze on Eldarion for a couple of seconds, the silence setting in for a brief moment.
"This concludes our meeting. I'm sure we're all anxious to join the banquet after such a trying time. Come.” Elrond rose an so did everyone else. As the people left to join the prepared banquet Eldarion could hear Pippin say under his breath.
“I thought it would never end! I'm starving.” to which Merry nodded in agreement.
Eldarion chuckled. Not even the end of the world could make these little fellows forget about food. |