After the Council [COMPLETED]

[KC]

Now this was truly a turn of events that Aragorn had not foreseen. He stood in silence, a short distance from the now emptied place where the Council of Elrond had taken place. He always had known that the Ring must be destroyed. As tempting as it was, he knew that the thing could bring no aide to Gondor or any other place threatened by Mordor. Why was he surprised by the outcome of the Council, then? Had he thought that Elrond would simply destroy the Ring using his own elven magic? No, Aragorn had known that was not possible. Had he expected Gandalf to take the Ring itself and fly it to Mount Doom on the back of an eagle? Aragorn actually shook his head at this moment. The Nazgul on their Fell Beasts would be sure to foil such a plan. He had to admit to himself that he had become involved in Frodo and the Ring's fate blindly when he agreed to accompany the four little hobbits in Bree to Rivendell. He had not dared to think about what would happen with the Ring.

Frankly, it frightened him. Aragorn was not afraid of the Nazgul, of Orcs, of Saruman, or even of Sauron. He was terrified of himself, of what the Ring might seduce him into doing. He had been fine in the short distance from Bree to Rivendell, but now he was going to journey with the Fellowship all the way to Mount Doom.

It was an interesting group, this Fellowship of the Ring. A more mismatched band could not have been invented for a hobbit's joke, in all truth. An elf and a dwarf traveling together spelled trouble enough, and hobbits usually were not ideal for such quests. However, they had Gandalf to guide them which made things seem slightly more correct in a way. Also, he knew no better elf for such a feat than Legolas, and the hobbits seemed to be of an unusually brave nature.

It made sense, too, for Aragorn to be a part of this group. He had grown attached to Frodo, and he wanted to protect him. However, it was his ancestor that allowed the Ring to remain in the world. It was necessary for Aragorn now to see that it was destroyed, once and for all. The task would be far from easy, though. In all honesty, it was going to be nearly impossible.

Aragorn viewed a figure approaching and a smile crossed his face. "Greatings, mellon, member of the Fellowship," Aragorn called to Legolas when the elf was close enough to hear.

[KC]

Aragorn chuckled and shook his head. "You have no choice in the matter, mellonamin. Gimli would chop off his beard before he let an elf be unsupervised in the presence of the Ring." To have an elf and a dwarf in such close proximity should be an adventure in itself. Aragorn had grown up with the elves, and he knew the disdain that they carried for the dwarves. However, he also knew Legolas, and he trusted the elf's judgment and good head. He would not seek a quarrel with Gimli simply because of the fact that their kinds were far from friends. It was the dwarf that worried Aragorn. They were, in general, stubborn, hard-headed creatures. Aragorn mentally shrugged. Whatever would happen, it would probably be entertaining, the bit of brevity such a mission needs.

"For a dwarf," Aragorn continued, grinning slightly mischievously, "Gimli, son of Gloin, seems to be a rather decent one, wouldn't you say? It isn't often that you meet a dwarf who attempts to destroy gold, mellonamin."

[alatariel]

Gandalf watched Aragorn and Legolas talking; heard the sound of their friendly voices, and couldn't resist joining in the conversation.

'A wizard should know all of what is going on' he told himself 'and I should know what is going on in this dubious Fellowship.'

As Gandalf walked over to join the two friends, he thought about the outcome of the Council. Truth be told, he was rather pleased. It was fitting that Aragorn, Frodo, Sam, and himsef would go, and he was glad that the others had volunteered, though he was leery of the thought of an Elf and a Dwarf being together for such a time. Also, the man Boromir gave him pause. Gandalf sensed an unusual lust for the ring in the Man, and was determined to watch him.

"Gimli is a good dwarf" Gandalf broke in to the conversation "though I'm not sure that Prince Legolas would agree that there is any such thing as a good Dwarf." Gandalf's eyes twinkeled merrily. "A happy adventure we shall have, I think, with Legolas and Gimli together, don't ou agree, Aragorn?"

[gandalf]

((I got booted from the site momentarily, but its me!!))

His mind at ease about one prospective problem in the Fellowship, Gandalf decided to tackle the other.

"Aragorn..." he started "Watch yourself around the Man Boromir. He is proud and will not, I think, take kindly to you. Also, make sure that he is never alone with Frodo, for now at least, until we know that he is reliable." Gandalf paused. "I would have him prove worthy of trust soon, for I wish for no division in the Fellowship. It will be a long, hard road either way, but companionship and comraderie will help..."

With that, Gandalf turned to leave.

[KC]

((OOC: So sorry that it's taken me so long to respond. Le sigh... I feel like a failure all over again! Amin hiraetha!)

He had been standing in silence, but now Aragorn smiled at Legolas and Gandalf, glad that they were able to find the humor in such a dangerous quest. It was comforting to know that there was laughter in such a mission, and Aragorn knew that he'd would lean heavily on his friends for such moments when their road became dark. He could be certain, at least, that Gimli and Legolas would keep him entertained.

The hobbits, as well, had the ability to continuously find merriment. Aragorn chuckled at Legolas' comment on Pippin's mind and let out a full laugh at Gandalf's retort. The wizard could not hide his fondness for the Halflings to save himself. Aragorn let his eyes wander over to the group of hobbits. His face fell slightly as he saw how happy, how innocent they were. He would do whatever he could to ensure that they did not come to too much harm, but he had a sinking feeling that there would be only so much that he could do for them. There would come a time when at least a few of the little hobbits would have to take care of themselves.

Gandalf's and Legolas' worries about Boromir unsettled Aragorn. True, the man had been most hostile to the news that Aragorn was the heir to the throne of Gondor. However, Aragorn could very well see from where the man was coming. Boromir's father had ruled Gondor as Steward for years, and he in line to take over his father's position some day. Perhaps when Boromir learned that Aragorn had no wish to rule Gondor, the man would become more cordial. It was his concern for Gondor that sent off an alarm in Aragorn's head, however. If things became desperate enough for the city, and Boromir truly believed that the Ring could save it, Aragorn feared to think upon what the man might do. Such a fierce devotion to a cause was most often an invaluable asset to any person, but it might prove to be dangerous in the case of Boromir. "I will watch him closely," Aragorn assured Gandalf.

Aragorn nodded silently at Gandalf as he left and cracked a smile at Legolas as he departed. As usual, the elf's counsel was wise. Aragorn set off in search of his Lady Arwen.