Late Night Confessions

Late Night Confessions

Late Night Confessions
Aralynn Evenstar
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Guess what?!? Still don’t own ‘em…that Peter Jackson is a hard cookie to crack. No matter how many enticing letters I send it him he wont give in. I mean, he’d have a whole $2.47 if he’d just give me Viggo! Oh well, try and try again I always say!
Summary: The first part of the flashback…pretty much has to do with the Counsel of Elrond.
Chapter 2 – Flash of Ancient Reality
Thranduil stood proudly at the entrance of Mirkwood, a beautiful elven city that was kept with the utmost pride. The trees were thick and dark, hard to travel by during the day and impossible to travel by at night. Only one who knew the forests could maneuver their way to the kingdom of Thranduil Greenleaf. It was one of the few things he was proud of; the other was walking away from him. It was still hard to grasp that his pride was now torn in two. On one hand he had his beautiful city of which was glorious and hidden from marred hands for centuries. A city that he would leave to his most valiant son. On the other hand, that son was walking away on a mission that could not be stopped.
But he knew it was important that the boy did this, for the entire elven race and for his father’s kingdom. So without uttering a word, Thranduil watched his own trot off into the realm of men and danger.
A thin, blonde, and handsome elf turned back one last time before he turned the corner.
"Good bye Ada." He mouthed.
"Good bye Legolas, my son." And as soon as the boy was out of sight he let a single tear fall. Thranduil knew that with his departure he woulver ver return the same. In fact, this quest may have been the origin of death for the immortal.
~~~~~The Council of Elrond~~~~~
The company had arrived, and Legolas scanned profiles and searched his memory for any recognition of them. He recognized a wizard, dressed in all gray as Mirthandir, or as others called him, Gandalf the Gray. The old one had visited Legolas when he was young, very young actually. He had told him tales of the out side world and given him gifts. This, of course, upset his ada. "You’re only fueling to the boy’s impatience to leave." He had said. The elf smiled at the memory.
He also recognized Elrond, ruler of Rivendell. The elf had aged since Legolas had last seen him in Mirkwood, but he was still one of the wisest he had ever met. All sorts of men and elves sought the advice of Elrond. But soon the elder would pass onto the undying lands, leaving only his twin sons to lead the few remaining elves in Rivendell. Legolas noted that his sons were on either side of him, proudly sitting in perfect conformity.
Among the company was also a group of dwarves. Why they were called here, he did not know. He’d only met one dwarf throughout his entire life, as his father never spoke highly of their race, and that was one called Gloin. He was very respectable and kind as far as he could remember. His ada told him Gloin was the only dwarf worth the company, so Mirkwood’s dealings extended no further. Thwas was a fair share of older dwarves sitting in chairs that occupied the circle, but Legolas could not tell if any of them were his dwarf. [AN: I have no clue if Gloin and Thranduil were friends, but it makes the story a bit more interesting!]
Next in the circle were men. From what he remembered in his teachings, they were from the West, maybe even Minas Tirith. The race of men had always fascinated Legolas so he had read many books on their customs and cities. Not one of them in front of him could he name, though. His father never spoke well of men, either.
But there was one man in the circle that was different from the others. He had his back to Legolas and was speaking with Elrond, so his features were hidden. To some he could have been an elf, but there was something about him that made Legolas think differently. This man had wavy, dark auburn locks, his hands, when not held in front of him, were rough and callused, and his stance was strong and sometimes awkward. Definitely not the stance of an elf. And his clothes were proud, maybe even made of elven fabric, but they were worn in different style then he’d ever seen. ‘Who is the being?’ He wondered. And as if Valor had heard his question, the mysterious human turned around and it only took Legolas a few seconds to recognize him. He was Estel, Elrond’s foster son. But he was more than that; he was Aragorn and descendant of Isildur. This man had full right to the throne of Gondor. The other men either ignored him or had no idea the ranger was their rightful ruler. ‘A very handsome man at that.’ He thought. But then he blushed and looked over to his father’s counsel members.
Most of them were only slightly informed on the importance of the council when they were asked to attend. Thranduil had told Legolas that an old threat had resurfaced, but he never knew the extent of the danger. Sure, he had heard the stories of the one ring from Elrond when he was only a thousand years old, but that was a long time ago…he was young and naïve then. Now he only knew that the elders were carrying on like the future of Middle Earth was at stake…
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate--this one doom." Elrond sure knew how to get the attention of a group of people, just talk about the end of the world. The brown haired and slightly aged elf glanced around the circle of beings. Legolas held his head proud as the wise orbs fell upon him. But it was a moment and the elder glanced over to a boy sitting next to Gandalf.
"Bring forth the ring, Frodo." Elrond bowed his head in reassurance and the small creature stood up.
‘So this is a hobbit?’ Legolas wondered. ‘Very interesting crre, re, looks no more than a boy. Probably all look like that.’
Frodo stood, cautiously looked around, then walked over to the center platform and set the ring down.
It was when he saw it, he heard a whisper in his ear…a long, drawn out whisper.
"Legolassss…you want to help your father’s kingdom? The ring will give you strength…the glory and power of Mirkwood will be restored and the race of elves will be forever the dominate race…" A deep, slithering, voice spoke in his head and sent chills down his spine. He would have almost believed it had it not been for the fact that the elves no longer wanted dominance. They had loved their long time in Middle Earth, but chose to move on to a place where their beauty would forever shine and never diminish. So he ignored the voice and it faded out.
He shook his head and whatever power was held over him earlier tried again and, as clear as day, a vision came to him. It was of him sitting in a chair, his father’s chair, and he had on his father’s crown. And there before him was the entire realm of elves, bowing down to their rightful leader and king. Women wept at his beauty, as did some men, and even Galadriel, lady of the Light, had given her entire heart to him.
A frightened blink and he was able to see the surroundings of Rivendell once again. All of the men and dwarves around him looked frightened…had they too saw visions of their own? He scanned each race carefully, the same look in all of their eyes. It was frantic, power starved, terrified, and something more powerful than hope reigned in their depths. Even the noble Mirkwood Elders around him were over come with the power of the ring. This was too much for the young elf to handle. He braced himself to stand up and run but a voice stopped him.
"So it is true…" Legolas looked up to see one of the Western Men gazing at the ring, a very powerful lust in his eye, more so than anyone around him. He looked higher in rank than the other men did by the look of his dressings. Aragorn looked on him, an unidentifiable look in his eye.
From some where next to him another man spoke. "The doom of men…"
The first man stood and spoke again. "In a dream, I saw the eastern sky grow dark." He had begun pacing, but stopped to reminisce. "But in the west, a pale light lingered. A voice was crying: your doom is near at hand!" He turned and stared at the golden trinket in the center of the circle. He approached it slowly. "Isildur’s bane is found."
He slowly inched his fingers closer and closer to the ring until it hovered luminously over it. Legolas glanced at Elrond, who looked scared. Elrond actually looked scared…and Legolas almost lost himself. If this ring was powerful enough to frighten one of the most admirable elves he’d ever met, what made anyone think that it’s power could be over come?
"Isildur’s bane…" The man spoke again.
It was then that all hope returned as Elrond leapt up. "Boromir!" He cried.
Suddenly a loud harsh voice filled the counsel and starting chanting a clamor of words. Then a new voice chanted along with it and Legolas looked over to see Gandalf, raising his staff and barking along with it. All the while dark clouds filled the air and the true terror of the ring was unleashed.
"Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, Ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul." Was spoken and Gandalf took a step back, weary look on his face.
Terrified glances were passed around the circle. The usually proud faces were openly placing emotion.
"Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris!" Elrond sounded more upset than frightened.
"I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond, for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West!" Gandalf sounded as tired as he looked. "The Ring is altogether evil!" He gave the man, whose name was Boromir, Legolas learned, one last glance.
Boromir however, looked unfazed. He once again stood and began to pace.
‘Men, they never learn from their mistakes, do they? Perhaps Aragorn is the same way? Nay, he looks more respectable than the one before me now.’ Legolas sighed heavily.
"It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring?" He walked his way around the entire circle, trying to argue his point with all the members. When he looked at Legolas, the elf just stared at him. "Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe! Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him!"
Legolas was starting to get exasperated with the man when a different voice spoke.
"You can not wield it! None of us can! The one ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master!" The strong voice belonged to that of Aragorn and it was obvious to the elf he was wiser than any MAN here.
"And what would a ranger know of this matter?" Boromir haughtily asked. It was also obvious now that the group of men DIDN’T know who the ranger was.
Legolas took this as his turn to speak, so he stood. "This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
Boromir turned in shock. "Aragorn? This is Isildur’s heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor." The elf stated.
The hobbit looked to Aragorn in amazement. Had no one known who he was? Why would someone so wise hide his fate from everyone?
"Havo dad, Legolas." (Sit down, Legolas) Aragorn spoke pleadingly to him. Legolas looked in shock, how he knew his name was beyond him. But then again, he was probably told who was coming from Elrond. So Legolas did as he was told and ended the first conversing between him and Estel that had ever occurred.
Boromir kept his eyes on Aragorn the whole time. "Gondor has no king." He headed back to his seat. "Gondor needs no king."
As he was sitting, Legolas was debating whether or not to just pump him full of arrows. But then he figured it not wise, as he would have many unhappy Gondorians to deal with. He could take on half of them, yes, but to kill the full lot? That would be impossible without back up, which he was sure he’d get none of…even from Aragorn, whom he just defended.
Aragorn…it seemed so easy to say his name. He couldn’t place why.
"Aragorn is right, we can not use it." The words of Gandalf jolted him out of his plotting and thinking.
"You have only one other choice. The ring must be destroyed." The elf wondered if Elrond realized his words were easier said than done.
"Then what are we waiting for?" The dwarf in which the gruff voice belonged to stood up, axe in hand, and strolled over to the plinth. With a grunt he lifted his axe and brought it down heavily on the ring.
A loud clang filled the elves ears and he visibly winced. When he opened his eyes, the ring remained in tact but there were shards of metal lying all around. The broken axe handle lay next to the dwarf, who had been flung off his feet and into the arms of his comrades.
It was rather amusing.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Glóin, by any craft that we here possess." Gloin? This dwarf was his son? Interesting… "The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came." Elrond spoke placidly.
‘Great, a romp through Mordor to destroy an evil ring and everyone’s done their good deeds for the day?’ He thought to himself.
The evil whisper spoke to him once more in a language he didn’t understand. "Ash Nazg" rang through everyone’s ears.
"One of you must do this." Elrond added.
‘Even better! Who’re they going to send? Hopefully not Boromir, that’d be too much like handing it to Sauron himself. Could the dwarves do it? Probably not, they’ve got a lot of pent up rage but a trip to Mordor to destroy Sauron’s ring would be pushing their limits. Maybe Aragorn and myself could go…I’ve already decided that I’ll do it, no question there…but perhaps a voice of sanity and wisdom could help.’
"One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleend tnd the great Eye is ever watchful." Boromir demonstrated the watchful eye with his hands, as though he was talking to a child versus a group of men. "It is a barren wasteland. Riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly!"
Ok, this guy was starting to upset Legolas a little bit. He didn’t seem to hear, or want to hear, that it was out of the question that he should even touch the ring. "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The ring must be destroyed!" He shouted.
Gimli leapt to his feet. "And I suppose you think you’re the one to do it?"
‘Well, that was unexpected…but yes!’ He thought silently all the while seething at the burly creature.
"And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" Boromir added to the tension.
"I’ll be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an elf!" The dwarf spat when he spoke, but still managed to get everyone out of their seats and yelling at one another. It was complete sanity. He looked over to see Aragorn trying to reason with some one, who, he couldn’t tell.
"No one trust an elf!" Gimli yelled. That was kind of pointless, seeming how he was in Rivendell, an elven town. Some creatures could be so ignorant.
The arguing continued for a moment before Legolas heard a small voice straining to be heard. "I WILL TAKE IT! I will take it…"
He tu to to see Frodo, as did the others. The hobbit’s bravery shocked him.
"I will take the ring to Mordor, though I do no know the way."
Gandalf approached him. "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear." The wizard put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will." Aragorn rose and knelt before the hobbit. "You have my sword."
Legolas smiled. "And you have my bow!"
"And my axe." Legolas looked at Gimli, amused. He never thought the dwarf would participate in the mission, but he had done a lot of things that surprised him.
They both rose and joined the side of the growing group of followers.
"You carry the fate of us all little one. If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done." Boromir had obviously been pulled out of his earlier trance to seal his fate with the counsel.
[AN: Skipping ahead, mainly because of exasperation of having to ite ite the entire Elrond Counsel scene…]
"Nine companions…so be it! You shall be the fellowship of the ring!"
"Right…where are we goin’?"

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Well, what’d you think? Worthy of review? I know it’s pretty boring, just stick in there…it’ll get interesting, I promise! Only a few more references to the books and movies and we’ve moved on to a whole new scene! So I’d estimate 2 more chapters of this…which will be interesting, of course! You know you just love my story!

Thanks to my reviewer!

Tamara: Thanks! Hope you like this chapter just as much! Be sure to review again…it’ll give me initiative to update just as quick as I did!

Kyra1: Of course I’ll keep on with the story…and I’m so flattered that you like it! I’ll be sure to keep it interesting…

MoroTheWolfGod : Perhaps Legolas got dumped…but maybe it was vice versa! Could that be why he feels guilty also? Hm…anyway, here’s your more! Thanks and hope you liked it!