The next day, I was summoned to the council. I sat between Father and Fili, surrounded by the other dwarves. Lord Elrond sat down and did a quick head count before speaking.
"This is all who was summoned, with the exception of Skyrena of the Woods." Several men started to protest, but one stood and spoke.
"Be thankful that beast isn't here, my fellow humans. For all we know, she could have betrayed us by now with the dwarf not there to control her." I swallowed hard, trying to control myself, as he glared at us. Father didn't even bat an eye.
"She would never betray our races. Middle Earth is the only home she knows." The human shot me a stern look as he responded to Father.
"And, one more thing..." He pointed at me. "Who is she?" Aragorn spoke up before anyone else could.
"That is Era, daughter of King Thorin, you are addressing..." The human's jaw dropped as he looked from me to Aragorn and back.
"Impossible..." Crossing his arms, he glared at me. "Prove it!" I stood and shifted to an elf, feeling my heart drop before I shifted into a dwarf. His glare deepened as he stared at me. "This creature shouldn't be here either..." Drawing his sword, he started towards me.
Immediately, Father jumped up, his blade drawn. Several other dwarves joined him, all standing between the human and I. Even an elf jumped up to my defense. I caught Father's gaze and shook my head, but it went unnoticed.
"You will not touch my daughter..." Several of the dwarves grunted in agreement as he continued. "You touch her, and all the dwarves of Erebor will declare war!" The human simply glared in my direction as I finally spoke.
"Father, please..." He turned to face me, and I shook my head. "There will be no fighting. We have more important matters at hand than a simple minded human worrying about something he doesn't understand." The human started to speak, but Lord Elrond cut him off.
"Era is right." He turned towards the human. "It is agreed that, if you strike Era, you will have many enemies. Stand down, Boromir, son of Denethor." Something inside me snapped as he glanced around at those who stood between the both of us before sitting down. Around me, everyone seemed to relax, even the humans. "Era is only part shapeshifter, which makes her less dangerous. And, as any good warrior is taught, she would never harm anyone without purpose, just like her mother. Any more objections?" When no one responded as they reclaimed their seats, he continued.
"Now... We're all here because of the real threat: the rise of Sauron." Glancing at Frodo, he nodded. "Bring forth the ring." Frodo walked up and placed the ring on the pedestal in the center of the gathering. Boromir smirked.
"We finally have it... We could use it against Sauron! We could finally win!" Aragorn shook his head.
"No... You can't control it. No one can." Boromir started to say something, but I cut him off, tapping the armrest of my seat.
"He's right. The ring won't be controlled by anyone but Sauron. It would sooner betray you than cooperate with you." Lord Elrond nodded in agreement.
"It has to be destroyed." Without much of a word, Gimili stood, raising his axe. Smashing it to the ring, he shattered the blade and fell back, making Lord Elrond shake his head. "The only way it can be destroyed is by casting it into the fires of Mount Doom." One of the elves.
"Then a quest to Mordor is in order, right?" Lord Elrond nodded.
"I've already decided one to take it there..." He looked at me. "Era." My jaw dropped as everyone started to murmur amongst themselves. Suddenly, Boromir stood.
"Have you gone mad?!? Sending a young dwarf-shapeshifter on this journey?" He sneered at me. "I don't think she'd make it. She seems a little too small and weak for such a task..." I raised an eyebrow at him as Fili chuckled.
"Give her a blade, and she'll kill 5 Orcs with one swipe." Kili nodded in agreement as Boromir seemed unintimidated.
"Is that so? All the more reason we shouldn't trust her." I jumped up, glaring at him.
"Listen, human! I may not be considered the most qualified for such a task, but I didn't ask for it either!" He towered over me, glaring down at me.
"Oh, really? Then, if you won't, who will?" I matched his gaze.
"I never said I wouldn't go along with whoever chose to go..." He rolled his eyes and addressed the council.
"Some warrior you've chosen..." I colored, feeling my anger rise in me. Turning to the council, I spoke in a calm tone.
"I understand your reasoning behind choosing me, but I refuse to go alone. I will simply accompany whoever volunteers to go and destroy the one ring." For a brief moment, there was complete silence.
Then, there were the outbursts, and everyone was out of their seats with the exception of Frodo. Everyone was argueing over who was more qualified for such a journey. I stepped back, away from the fray, and watched the commotion. Right in the middle of it, Boromir started at me. I calmly stood there as he towered over me.
"I still don't trust you..." Noting the slightest movement in his tunic, I braced myself and caught his arm before he could draw the blade. He moved his other hand, reaching to pull his hand free. I caught the free hand and jumped up, pulling myself high enough to kick him in the chest and propell myself away from him. He stumbled back and glared at me, blade in one hand. I stood my ground, waiting for his move. However, before he could come after me, there was a shout that made everyone freeze.
"I will take the ring to Mordor!" I turned and looked around, trying to figure out who had spoken.
"FRODO?!?"
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Run It Back Again (Part 2)
FanfictionFor 45 years, Era has been alone. Upon reaching the Grayhavens, she found that she really was the last shapeshifter. When the elves leave her behind, Era decides that things were better long ago, when she had her mother and her friends. But, she...
