Footsteps echo on the stone floor. The man who arrived earlier enters and pauses in front of a battle-piece of Isildur, with broken sword raised against Sauron. He regards the painting intently, then, conscious of another presence, turns and sees Strider reading a book.

Boromir : "The shards of Narsil. The blade that cut the ring from Sauron's hand."
He cuts his finger on it.
Boromir : "Still sharp. But no more than a broken hierloom."

The sword falls when Boromir tries to replace it on the statue and leaves. Aragorn picks it up, and returns it to its place.

Arwen : "Why do you fear the past? You are Isildur's heir, not Isildur himself. You are not bound to his fate."
Strider : "The same blood flows in my veins, the same weakness."

Arwen : "Your time will come. You will face the same evil, and you will defeat it. The shadow does not yet hold sway. Not over you, not over me. Do you remember the first time we met?"

Strider : "I thought I had strayed into a dream."
Arwen : "Long years have passed since then. You did not have the cares you carry now. Do you remember what I told you?"
Strider :"You said you would bind yourself to me, and forsake the immortal life of your people."
Arwen : "And to that I hold. I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of the world alone. I choose a mortal life."

Arwen gives Aragorn the silver necklace she wears.
Strider : "You cannot give me this."
Arwen : "It is mine to give to whom I will. Like my heart."

A council is gathered of men and elves and dwarves and Frodo.
Elrond : "Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You are summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-Earth stands on the brink of destruction. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom."

Elrond : "Bring forth the ring, Frodo."
Frodo puts the Ring on the stand in the center of the council, and seems much relieved to be rid of it.

Boromir : "So it is true."
"The Ring of power."
"The doom of man."

Boromir : "It is a gift, a gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of my people are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him."

Strider : "You cannot wield it. None of us can. The ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."

Boromir : "What would a ranger know of this matter?"

Legolas : "He is no mere ranger. This is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
Boromir : "This is Isildur's heir?"
Legolas : "And heir to the throne of Gondor."

Strider : "Sit down, Legolas."
Boromir : "Gondor has no king, Gondor needs no king."

Gandalf : "Aragorn is right. We cannot control it."
Elrond :"We have but one choice. The ring must be destroyed."
The Ring murmurs its displeasure.

Gimli : "What are we waiting for?"
Gimli picks up his axe and hits the Ring. Frodo sees the eye, and the axe is shattered. Gimli is knocked to the ground.

Elrond : "The ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess. It 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 which it came. One of you must do this."

Silence.
Boromir : : "One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep, and the great eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire, ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. It is folly. Not with ten thousand men could you do this."

Legolas : "Have you heard nothing that Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed!"
Gimli : "And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?"

Boromir : "And what if we fail? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"
Gimli : "I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf! Never trust an elf!"

 

The Ring chants, telling its name, and its terrible purpose, in the language of its master. The council dissolves into arguing, flames spread across the ring as it feeds their distrust and anger.

Frodo : "I will take it."
Arguing continues.
Frodo : "I will take it!"

Gandalf hears, and it pains him that Frodo must continue to carry the Ring, but the rest of the council has just demonstrated how easily the Ring can influence most people. Silence returns.

Frodo : "I will take the ring to Mordor. Though I do not know the way."
Gandalf : "I will help you bear this burden for as long as it is yours to bear."
Strider : "If by my life or my death I can protect you, I will."
Aragorn kneels in front of Frodo.

Strider : "You have my sword."
Legolas : "And my bow."
Gimli : "And my axe."

Boromir : "You carry the fate of us all, little one. But if this is truly the will of the council, Gondor will see it done."

Sam runs in.
Sam : "Here! Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me."
Sam takes his place beside Frodo.

Elrond : "Indeed, it is hardly possible to separate the two of you, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not. Very well."

Merry and Pippin barge in.
Merry : "We're going, too! You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to keep us away."
Pippin : "Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission. Quest. Thing."
Merry : "Well, that rules you out, Pip."

Elrond : "Nine companions. So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
Pippin : "Great. Now, where are we going?

Bilbo gives Frodo his old sword and armor.
B: "My old sword, Sting. Take it, take it!"
F: "It's so light!"
B: "Yes. Made by the elves, you know. The blade glows blue when orcs are close. And it's times like those, dear boy, you have to be extra careful.

Bilbo : Here's a pretty thing."
Bilbo holds up a chainmail vest, sized for a hobbit.
Bilbo : "As light as a feather, and as hard as dragon scales. Let me see you put it on."
Frodo starts to take off his shirt.
Bilbo : "Oh, my old ring. I should very much like to hold it again, one last time."

Frodo knows better, and buttons up his shirt again. Bilbo has an evil moment, then recovers.

Bilbo : "I'm sorry I brought this upon you, my boy. I'm sorry you must carry this burden. I'm sorry for everything!"
Frodo comforts him.

The company leaves Rivendell, wanders past ruins, over mountains, through fields towards the Misty Mountains.

 

.....

 

 

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