Meeting of the Council (Invite Only)

Gandalf was sitting in the meeting hall, waiting for the meeting between the council to finally begin, he had hoped that he would have been able to be away by now, on the quest to get the ring to Mordor. It was weighing on his mind. The fact that it was now in the hands of Frodo did little to calm his nerves, although his resistance was high, there was no way that he could hope to take the ring to Mordor on his own, he needed companions to aid him along the way.

Hopefully this meeting would garner these companions.

Already here was Elrond, they were in the house of Rivendell of course, so he would naturally be attending the meeting. They were waiting for the representatives from the Dwarves, Elves, man and of course, the Wizard that he had asked to accompany them to the council meeting today.

A part of him was already regretting his decision to ask her, but, he needed all the help he could get young Frodo, and although she did use black magic occasionally the Wizard in question was going to be able to give Frodo serious help when they got closer to Mordor. With the best understanding of dark magic besides Saruman the White, Elentari the Black was key to get on board.

Casting a long glance to Frodo, who sat next to him, Gandalf chuckled softly and took a deep puff from his pipe, it was going to be a long few hours that was for sure, there was a reason that all these sort of creatures had not combined efforts lightly before. Quite simply, they didn't get along. Having a meeting with all of them was not going to be a fun occasion.

Legolas arrived in a timely fashion to the meeting that Lord Elrond was holding in the House of Rivendell, jumping off of his horse as it was lead away by the elves in the Rivendell house. It was much different to the realm of Galadriel and he was glad of the change, it was a magical place he could tell and there was a different feeling in the air, it wasn't as cloaked and clouded as the woods with other beings of magic.

Apart from two.

Unable to stop himself from sensing it, Legolas picked up the magic signal of what could only be the one ring. It sent shivers through him to think that it was so close to him, he could take it to Mordor himself, attain glory for the Elvish race! Although...he was sure that it would fall to him anyway, who could be as smart, as skilled to take it to it's final place of rest than he? The representative of the Elves.

He had not taken rest at Rivendell before the meeting, rather aiming to get there just in time for it, Legolas was directed to the patio that the meeting was being held in and carefully himself and his party assessed the others there. There was the second magical signal, that of Gandalf the Grey, a rather wisened old wizard who Legolas had heard of with prior dealings with the Elves.

"Greetings my Lord Elrond." Legolas greeted, with a low bow, before turning to the others, Gandalf, and the small creature he had with him "Greetings to you too Gandalf the Grey, and also to you." he smiled very swiftly, but very gently before taking up his seat.

Aragorn, having followed with the Halflings from the Prancing Pony that night, had decided to take refuge at Rivendell with Elrond and, more importantly, Arwen. It had been many years since he had been in her company and as such, he had worried it would be awkward between them, however, her appearing in the wood that night was not only the best thing that could have happened for Frodo, but was plenty reward for helping the Halflings this far.

Already, he knew that he would be following them for the rest of their mission. It was such an immense burden and, it was the fault of his forefather that had meant that this evil continued to exist, and destroy the Middle Earth as much as it had done. Aragorn relished the chance to try and abolish the sins of his past and try to help in the destruction of this ring.

Frodo had no hope of making it on his own, both he, Gandalf and Elrond knew this. This was why this meeting had been called, to gather support.

Having been staying at Rivendell for a while, Aragorn merely filtered down from his room to the area that the meeting was being held in, enjoying the chance to walk in the soft sunlight, the gentle warmth and enjoy the sense of calm and peace while he was able to. As soon as they left this hidden place, it would grow far more dark, more dark than he could even live with comfortably.

Nodding at all those present, Aragorn took a seat next to Gandalf the Grey, having travelled with him longer, feeling that bond more keenly, in a soft voice they began to converse about the issue at hand, much to Frodo's annoyance as they kept it from him.

Gimli Son of Gloin was not happy to be here and under the prospect of having to work with men, let alone having to work with Elves. Never trust an elf! That had been one of the main lessons he had learnt as a Dwarf, their two races just did not mix and he was not keen to be working with them, there was no way he would allow an elf to take the ring to Mordor, so, he would have to come along with the elf to make sure that they didn't use it for mischief which he knew they would.

He had arrived in Rivendell the night before, and Gimli had made sure that he stayed away from the other members of the Council who had already arrived, he didn't want to influence himself with allegiances he had made the night before, instead he and his fellow dwarves had occupied themselves in their own private chambers they had been given.

It was safe to say that although Dwarvish food was much more tasty, the Elvish hospitality had not gone amiss, they had many tasty delicacies to give them and their wine was excellent as he himself had figured out last night after a particularly large barrel had been drunk between the three of them. Making their way down to the circle of the Council, Gimli's eyes narrowed when he saw the Elf representative already there, but bit his tongue. Being in an Elvish realm...insulting Elves was not a good idea.

Taking a seat next to one of the men in attendance, he nodded towards him before Gimli struck up a conversation about the tact they were going to take when the meeting finally began, there couldn't be many more people they were waiting upon after all.

Boromir was perhaps one of the last people to come in attendance of the meeting, he had been delayed in his riding by helping his father with some of the Orcs that had spilled over into the city before Gondor. Before he had left he wanted to know that his lands were as safe as they could be, and he had every confidence that his brother Faramir would be able to handle the situation while he was away.

This whole council meeting was a complete farce he thought, there was only one thing to be done with the ring, and that was to use the ring against the darkness that created it. To use the ring to protect his land, to protect Gondor and the rest of Middle Earth from the darkness that was Sauron. Anything else he would not agree with, he might get behind it, but Boromir would not agree completely.

Sighing softly he pinched the bridge of his nose as he hopped off his horse, his companions not far behind him as they strode towards the meeting. Of course they had held it until he had arrived and it seemed that there was one person who was even later than he was, frowning at the thought he took up the empty space that was left, next to Elrond himself.

As he sat he looked around the Council, there was a Wizard, Dwarves, Elves and men here, as well as the ring bearer, a Hobbit as he had been informed. Crossing his arms, Boromir wondered about who the last person could be, and why they were so late, it was now coming into the afternoon, the meeting was supposed to start a few hours ago. Trying to get a fleck of blood off his armour, Boromir allowed his mind to wander about the mysterious missing Council member.

Elentari had been asked to attend the meeting with the Council that was being held in Rivendell. She was attending but she was only doing so because it had been Gandalf who has asked her, she had a lot of respect for Gandalf and he for her, he was one of the only Wizards who hadn't shunned her when Sauron began to gain more power, many thought it was due to her practicing dark magics but...it most certainly wasn't.

She had nothing to do with the rise of the darkness, why would she want someone to rise who had powers that were so much better than her own? Elentari didn't want other beings with dark magic to return, she was at the top of that chain and now if Sauron was coming back, that spelt serious trouble for her if she didn't agree to join him. Which she wasn't going to.

Air flipped past her ears as she flew through the skies, on the back of her Fellbeast, one of the giant hellbeasts that the Nazgul liked to ride on so often. She was nearing Rivendell and was glad of that fact for she was certain that she was late, The Fellbeast was responding to her wishes without her even having to instruct it, it was a truly magnificent beast she was certain of that much.

However the large shriek that it let out did nothing for her, it hurt her ears and she was certain it would alert the council, ruining her chances of sneaking up on them and suprising them. Sighing softly she landed the Fellbeast and jabbed her staff at the chain she had been holding onto, immediately it snapped around it's neck hard, and stuck itself deep down into the roots of a tree.

"Stay," Elentari commanded in a silky soft voice.

Appearing at the gates of Rivendell, her pet, and her appearance did nothing to ease the guard elves suspicions yet they let her through and she arrived in the meeting swiftly, her black hair blown out behind her as she wandered exposing her bright vivid green eyes. Elentari's supple and curved body, entirely covered in black tight leather armour, sported a strong axe on her back, crossed with her sword, as she held her staff in her hand.

Slowly her eyes surveyed the group and she let a cat like smirk appeared on her lips as she took a seat next to a rather attractive male, from Gondor if she believed correctly, it was safe to say, her and Gandalf with the exception of the elf lord were the most powerful here, her body almost oozed her dark magic.

"Sorry I'm late." she purred "Thank you for waiting."

Gandalf had felt the coming of the representatives through his magic and his connection to the land around him but he had also felt the coming of his own representative; the representative for the darker sides who would also stand to lose should Sauron rise to full power once again. She was one of the few magic wielding humans, much like he was. But where he had chosen a middle ground between the light and dark, she had chosen to take control of darker powers.

But her purposes were often true enough that it could be said she was closer to being grey than even he was.

He heard the screams of her mount as she approached and he couldn't help but sigh, ending the conversation with Aragorn as he stood up to greet Elentari as she approached the council. She was still very young despite her age and she seemed keen to show off her youthful body.

Judging by the looks she was receiving from several elven guards and the representative from Gondor, she was being appreciated already. Although he had hoped they would appreciate her mostly for her power, intelligence and cunning.

Gandalf held his arms out wide in greeting before sketching a bow to the witch he had not seen in many years,

"My friend it has been too long since last we met." he told her with a small smile before chuckling and giving her a rueful smile, his eyes sparkling slightly as he took a puff on his pipe "Then again... perhaps not long enough if you are going to make screaming mounts a habit of yours."

Gimli was beginning to grow a little bit uncomfortable waiting for the last member of the council to arrive. He was being made to stay in the presence of insufferable elves for even longer than he had thought! It was enough to drive him to drink! Although a dwarf was never too far from being driven to drinking something cool, alcoholic and refreshing. The men were alright, he supposed. The one from Gondor seemed as annoyed as he was but the ranger was perhaps a bit too buddy-buddy with the elves.

Anyone who could speak elvish that good was probably in league with the treacherous pointy-eared bastards!

Of course the sound of something unearthly screaming at them, the sound echoing throughout the valley, was enough to make Gimli jump down from his seat, his axe in hand. It would be just like those damned elves to lure him here and use some horrible sound magics to defeat him because they knew they would never match an angry dwarf head on!

When the source of the noise was revealed to be the arrival of the last guest he had to admit that he suddenly felt rather foolish. He put his axe back away and couldn't help but admit that the human woman was wearing some rather impressive armour. He would say perhaps even good enough to be dwarf-made! That was something Gimli could respect...

Plus her entrance had scared the elven guards something fierce!

Anyone who scared some pointy-eared assholes, despite being a witch, was alright in his book! Even better if she had good taste in armour like this one! He laughed a little bit,

"Ha! A marvellous entrance my lady!" he declared with a grin, "I've not seen so many elves shaking since the first time I went outside the mines!"

Boromir was beginning to get a little bit annoyed. Already there were clicks and groups forming within this council! The ranger was obviously going to side with the grey wizard, as was the Halfling, and the grey wizard would likely agree to whatever the Elven king Elrond would say. The other elf would follow the king's example and that would leave only he and the dwarf to stand against whatever idea they dreamt up in their minds, twisted by endless life and magic as they were.

Sighing a little bit, he held his hands together in front of his face.

He could be back home in Gondor right now doing good for his kingdom. He could be fighting the continuous flow of Orcs who tested the borders at the river. But instead he had been selected to come here to negotiate for Gondor. What did he know of negotiation? He was a soldier, a Captain of Gondor. He knew war and he knew weapons; he was blissfully unaware of negotiation.

The arrival of the last member was easy enough to hear.

The sound of the mount of a Nazgul rang through the air and Boromir was on his feet, sword drawn, even as the woman dressed in black appeared. He gritted his teeth slightly, trying to ignore that the woman in black was a stunning specimen of human beauty,

"You rode here on the back of a fellbeast?" he asked her as he reluctantly sheathed his sword, "Such creatures are not to be trifled with... they are the beasts of the Nazgul. I hope you know what you have sent on your own trail miss...?"

Elentari smirked as Gandalf rose to greet her, she was glad to see that he was welcoming her the same way he had always done when they had met, although they had not done so for some time. When the rumours of Sauron returning began she decided to go into a sort of exile, she didn't want to draw attention to her dark magics more than she already had done, the Wizards might ask for something to be done about it.

Powerful as she was she couldn't battle the Wizard Council if they decided to arm against her and her efforts, it wouldn't be a surprise with Saruman at their head.

Embracing Gandalf in a large hug, Elentari smiled broadly at him before kissing both cheeks, very glad to see her old friend again; "It has been far far too long Gandalf, I am glad that we are able to meet each other under such amiable circumstances. Oh come now, surely you aren't afraid of a little fellbeast, they are such sweet creatures once trained." Elentari teased.

Turning to look at the Dwarf she couldn't help but send him one of her patented sexual smirks, oh so he was commenting on her ability to scare elves? That was interesting most men commented on other traits of hers before commenting on her ability to scare others witless on first glance. Taking her heavy axe and sword from her back she placed them against her chair as she came to sit.

"Why thank you, my lord." she teased "I only wish I was there on that day to see such a spectacle, I am sure it would have been very entertaining."

Elentari couldn't help but narrow her playful eyes at the man she had sat next to, so he drew a sword on her? Well she was surprised more hadn't tried it, although, she was certain that this man was going to be one of the ones she warmed up to, humans had a very pleasing knack of warming to those who used dark magic, they were tempted by the power.

Not that she would mind him dogging her, he was after all, very attractive.

"My name is Elentari the Black, may I ask what is yours?" she asked, an eyebrow delicately arched "I am quite aware of the Nazgul, I have fought them on many occasions besides, Fellbeasts are not specifically fixed to only be used by Nazgul, they just rarely serve others, nobody has the firm touch required." Elentari purred.

Gandalf was not surprised by the reactions that his old friend received from some of the members of the council. It wasn't hard to think that the son of the steward of Gondor would take offence to someone riding into the meeting astride the mount of their most feared enemies. The Nazgul and their fellbeasts had taken many men from Gondor over the years and were likely going to take many more before their time on this earth was done.

The reaction of Gimli, son of Gloin, was a little bit less expected but no less humorous. But then again, dwarves had always been a peoples that he had gotten along with very well. It was probably due to their sense of humour, something that Elves and men could lack rather strongly at times.

He chuckled a little bit and patted her on the back as he gave her a warm, friendly, hug in return to her more enthusiastic greeting,

"Oh my dear you never would have had to worry about us meeting as anything less than friends. You are one of the few friends I cherish very dearly." he assured her with a warm smile before laughing a little bit and nodding, "I agree! Animals just need the right hand. Many thought I was mad to attempt to control and work with the Eagles of the mountains but in the end I am stronger for it."

He became a little bit before serious and let go of her slowly,

"Saruman has joined forces with our enemy I am afraid." he told her gravely, "Our old friend cannot be trusted."

Elentari didn't know how much she had missed Gandalf while she had been away in exile, it had not been long in wizard terms but it had certainly been a good few years, she hoped that they would be able to see more of each other as they worked through this Ring issue together. Closing her eyes she sighed softly at the feeling that she still had allies in the wizarding circle, when she had thought she had none.

The hug that Gandalf gave her made Elentari smile warmly, she enjoyed his company very much and often she had turned to him for advice, he was a mentor figure to her and she was so very glad that he was still on her side. With the magic she chose to practice and with the beasts that she chose to tame and use for her own advantage.

"I suppose then that we are more alike than others could tell." she smirked "I'm going to say it was your bad influence that started me down that road." Elentari joked, of course, she had taken an example from Gandalf but, she was happy to say her choice of beast was a little more powerful and unique than his own.

Hearing what Gandalf had to say, Elentari bowed her head and gripped her staff tighter, so her knuckles turned a soft white from the force;

"A conversation for another meeting, Gandalf. Perhaps we should discuss that issue tonight, it needs to be addressed I do agree."

Gandalf was a wise man and he knew that Elentari had been lonely since her exile from the wizarding council. How could she not have been after all? Where Gandalf found friendship and happiness in guiding hobbits and dwarves, she was unable to do so. Elentari was considered evil by many of the peoples of Middle Earth simply due to the nature of the power she wielded. While it had been used for evil in the past, he had never known Elentari to act in an evil manner... at least without some much greater good on the horizon at least.

He chuckled a little bit and nodded a little bit, puffing on his pipe in a most amused manner as she joked around with him. For a moment it was like the oppressive weight of The Ring was gone from the room and he was having fun with the young witch again,

"I accept full responsibility for showing a fellow magic user the beauty and rush of flight." he told her with a smirk, "I accept it fully and easily."

And there, again, was the oppressive air. He nodded in agreement before beginning to remember himself it seemed,

"Now now, simmer down everyone." he instructed them all, his voice one of pure authority now, "We are here to discuss the fate of The One Ring of Power. Who should bare it and what is to be done with it. Do not choose lightly... the fate of our world hangs in the balance."

Aragorn heard the sound of the fellbeast and, like Boromir of Gondor, had assumed the worst. He had assumed that the Nazgul had somehow managed to worm their way past the defences of the elves and would soon be upon them. Though he had little experience with them, Aragorn had enough to know that they were creatures the like of which could not be bested in regular combat.

But when the rider was revealed to be a beautiful woman he relaxed a little bit.

Right up until Gandalf embraced her and spoke to her so informally. That suggested that she was a magic user like Gandalf was and that was something to be wary of. He had yet to find a magic-using woman who didn't use their powers to try and grab some male attention now and again. Even Arwen had used a little to make herself seem more enticing than she already was naturally. Of course he would just have to keep an eye out.

When the discussion was begun he raised the first point, looking at the Ring sat there on the pedestal. Even now he could feel it trying to work it's way into his mind. From across the room no less! He clenched his hands tightly for a moment,

"We cannot wield it's power... we should destroy it." he decided, "That way our enemy will be forever weakened, perhaps destroyed, by it's loss."

Legolas was not overly fond of any of the people here in the room right now he had to admit. Gandalf had gone down in his estimation since he was openly fraternising with a woman who not only rode a dark mount but practically reeked of dark magic! The dwarf was insufferable with his hatred of elves over some half-imagined slight hundreds of years ago.

But it was the human men that Legolas found himself to be at odds with the most right now. Both of them were feeling the effects of the Ring... his elvish senses could tell him that much. But they didn't have the proper training to receiving it or to take it to be destroyed.

When the ranger suggested that it be destroyed, because they couldn't control it, he could feel a certain amount of acceptance of this idea. That way no non-elves would be trusted with the task. And he could sense that the human was being honest in his intentions to see the Ring destroyed, despite his weak blood. He hummed a little bit though.

Even from here he could feel the Ring in his mind.

It was cold... it was dark... and it was influencing his thoughts!

Wrenching his thoughts away from the evil magic, he realised that he had been much more judgmental than he otherwise would have been. He coughed a little bit,

"Just because we can't wield it now doesn't mean that we couldn't learn to." he reasoned, "Keep it either here or with the elves of the woodland... we can study and protect it."

Boromir had to respect the woman for her abilities to be honest. Witch or not, she had managed to wrestle control of a fellbeast from one of the dreaded Nazgul. The fellbeast on their own were fearsome when they attacked from the air but when riden by a Nazgul they were virtually unstoppable and everyone would know it before the battle they were in was over. He was actually rather interested in how she had assumed control of the fellbeast. He would be willing to bet that a legion of those riders for Gondor would tip the balance between Gondor and Mordor,

"Greetings miss Elentari the Black." he bowed his head to her as his father had instructed to do only to someone worthy of recognition from Gondor, "My name is Boromir. I am a Captain of Gondor and the first born son of it's current steward."

He frowned a little bit when the ranger suggested that they try to destroy the Ring. Sure it was dark and sure he could feel it attempting to worm it's way inside his mind but... surely it would be for the better to take the fight to Sauron using his own power against him? Gondor would be oh so safe with the power of the One Ring at it's back and call. Deciding that this needed to be explored, he put forwards his own suggestion,

"It is a gift... a gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this ring?" he asked, getting a little bit excited at the prospect of ending the long war so decisively, "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!"

Gimli was in awe of the woman for a moment when he noticed that she set down an axe in order to sit down. Rode on Fellbeasts, scared elves AND she used an axe? Well no she would have been an amazing catch if she had been a dwarf! She still would be if it were not for the fact that dwarves were rarely seen as attractive enough for men and elves to mate with them. But what caught his eye even more was the symbols on the axe itself.

They seemed familiar... almost like they were from... it clicked in his mind and he gasped as he looked at the axe in reverence,

"You carry the axe of Thorin Oakenshield!" he declared in surprise and no small amount of awe, "You are truly blessed by the gods to have such a possession... how did you come to obtain this axe?"

The discussion was under way and Gimli was definitely more on the side of the ranger than anyone else. It was something too powerful to understand and yet it could help their enemy. That way it should be destroyed, destroyed so that it would never possibly be used for evil. His eyes narrowed at the suggestion of the elf,

"I would soon choke myself on my own beard than see the Ring in the hands of an elf!" he growled as he took up his axe, "Let's destroy it and have done with it!"

Swinging his axe full strength, Gimli was thrown off his feet as the Ring magically repelled his attack. He groaned a little bit at the pain,

"Well... I didn't see anyone else trying!"

Elentari decided it would be best to sit back and listen to what the others had to say before giving her own view, now that it seemed that the pleasantries were disposed of and there was to be no more talk of introductions. Allowing herself to lean her chin on the handle of the axe she merely looked over the men as they spoke, each of them of course making compelling if not predictable arguments.

Aragorn, the rider, believed it should be destroyed. A rather unusual position for a man but giving who he was, it was a welcome change, no more pissing around like Isildur had done when the ring had first passed into the hands of men.

Legolas had a rather predictable argument, the elves were best and therefore they should handle the problem. Breaking from her thoughts on the matters at hand, she looked up at Boromir beside her as he spoke to her, he was polite and courteous, perhaps to make up for pulling a sword on her before she had any chance to introduce herself. Yet, she kept quiet, his introduction was noted, and Elentari kept her large black eyes trained on him a few beats longer.

It was then her attention was snapped up by Gimli, a rather amusing dwarf she had to admit and when he saw the axe that she carried seemed to be in awe of her. It was a rather amazing find for a non-dwarf, why would she be given this axe above all others? Well it was a tale that she would dearly enjoy telling him when the time was right.

"Perhaps when this dull meeting is done, and if you wish to stay on in the kingdom of Elves a while longer, I shall tell you how I have come to own this axe. Right now, I believe Gandalf would chide us if we interrupted his meeting for much longer." Elentari teased, sending a soft gaze up towards Gandalf.

Finally it was her time to state her opinion and she did so in a calm manner after a few moments to collect herself;

"The ring must be destroyed, be you man, dwarf, elf or wizard the ring will corrupt you- none can weild it but the Dark Lord himself." Elentari stated in a quiet, yet powerful voice "To give responsibility of this to one race alone is unwise, and so, it would be best if we can work together in order to get the ring to Mount Doom, the one place it can be destroyed. There is no other option."