One Geek to Rule Them All

The Council of Elrond (Part 1)

Devin woke early the next day, feeling refreshed and well. She considered waking Kitty to make sure she would be up in time for the Council, but figured her friend would probably appreciate a little more sleep since she was bound to wake up feeling hung-over after all the wine she consumed the previous evening. Devin walked along the terraces above the loud-flowing Bruinen, where she met Frodo and Sam; and watched the pale, cool sun rise above the far mountains with them, and shine down, slanting through the thin silver mist; the dew upon the yellow leaves was glimmering, and the woven nets of gossamer twinkled on every bush. Sam walked beside Devin and Frodo, saying nothing, but sniffing the air, and looking every now and again with wonder in his eyes at the great heights in the East. The snow was white upon their peaks.

On a seat cut in the stone beside a turn in the path they came upon Gandalf and Bilbo deep in talk. "Hullo! Good morning!" Bilbo said. "Feel ready for the great council?"

"I feel ready for anything," answered Frodo. "But most of all I should like to go walking today and explore the valley. I should like to get into those pine-woods up there." He pointed away far up the side of Rivendell to the north.

"Perhaps I'll go with you, if you do," said Devin, "and if you don't mind having some company."

"You may have your chance later," said Gandalf. "But we cannot make any plans yet. There is much to hear and decide today."

Suddenly as they were talking a single clear bell rang out. "That is the warning bell for the Council of Elrond," cried Gandalf. "Come along now! Both you and Bilbo are wanted. You, too, Miss Devin."

Frodo, Bilbo, and Devin followed the wizard quickly along the winding path back to the house; behind them, uninvited and for the moment forgotten, trotted Sam. Devin sent him a slight conspiratorial smile and held a finger to her lips. Sam nodded silently.

Gandalf led them to the porch where Frodo had found his friends the afternoon before. The light of the clear autumn morning was now glowing in the valley. The noise of bubbling waters came up from the foaming riverbed. Birds were singing,  and a wholesome peace lay on the land. To Frodo his dangerous flight, and the rumors of the darkness growing in the world outside, already seemed only the memories of a troubled dream; but the faces that were turned to meet them as they entered were grave.

Elrond was there, and several others were seated in silence about him. Devin was surprised to see that Kitty had already beaten her there, though her friend did not seem too happy about it. She had her eyes squeezed shut and was massaging her forehead with her fingers in an attempt to relieve her hangover headache. Elrond drew Frodo to a seat by his side, and presented him to the company, saying:

"Here, my friends, is the hobbit, Frodo son of Drogo. Few have come hither through greater peril or on an errand more urgent." He then pointed out and named those present whom Frodo had not met before while Bilbo, Gandalf, and Devin took the remaining seats between Frodo and Kitty. First Elrond introduced Glóin's son Gimli. There were also several other counselors of Elrond's household, of whom Erestor was the chief; and with him was Galdor, an Elf from the Grey Havens who had come on an errand from Círdan the Shipwright. Legolas was there as a messenger from his father, Thranduil, the King of the Elves of Northern Mirkwood. And seated a little apart was a tall man with a handsome and noble face, blue-eyed with light-brown hair, proud and stern of glance.

He was cloaked and booted as if for a journey on horseback; and indeed though his garments were rich, and his cloak was lined with fur, they were stained with long travel. He had a collar of silver in which a single white stone was set; his locks were shorn about his shoulders. On a baldric he wore a great horn tipped with silver that now was laid upon his knees. He gazed at Frodo and Bilbo with sudden wonder.