Ring Child
by Kiamii
Chapter Three "Rivendell"
Frodo opened his eyes to find himself upon a bed, soft and silk made he realized sleepily before his eyes shot open as he remembered last of his memories. The six of them had been on their way to Rivendell when Frodo had been stabbed and had awoken some hours later. They had traveled for many days.
"Where am I?" Frodo asked aloud, looking as his hands.
"In the House of Elrond and the time is ten o'clock in the morning of October the 24th, if you wish to know." A voice said to his right. Frodo turned his head to spy an old man grinning at him.
"Gandalf! You are here!" Frodo said with a glow.
"Yes I am indeed," Gandalf chuckled, smoking his pipe, "and young Archir was given quite a fright until you were finally away from peril. Bless the poor lad, he weeped needlessly, wanting confirmation that you were well. He would be here at this moment to see your eyes unclosed but, he had been drawn away by Aragorn who has taken quite a protective streak over the boy. You are very lucky to be alive Frodo. You were beginning to fade away and were being overcome by the poison, as the blade's intent. You have a strong will my dear hobbit!"
"Then it is well that I have recovered. Tell me Gandalf, where are the others and how is Archir holding up?" Frodo asked in wonder.
"Resting I presume, though Archir is with Aragorn who chooses to show him around. It distracts the lad as I hope. Now, you will know what you wish when the Council is held. If you must wish to find where I have been, I can only say that I was held captive."
"You!?" Frodo stuttered in disbelief.
"Yes, I, Gandalf the Grey," Gandalf said dramatically," for I am not a great god of a sort, I am able to be overpowered just as others have before me. News of the event of your own has been told to me. It seems that Nine Riders had been present to overpower our dear Glorfindel and Aragorn, though they are well now. " After the long talk, Frodo fell asleep murmuring about his miss for Bilbo.
Frodo was now in the Last Homely House east of the Sea, the house of Elrond. He awoke soon after, fully refreshed and dressed in clean garments of green. Looking in the mirror, Frodo was dismayed to find that he had lost more weight than he thought possible. A knock on the door alerted him as Sam entered the room and Sam's eyes lit up in delight before he squeaked happily.
"Mr. Frodo! You are up and at it once again, I am overjoyed!" Sam said with a grin. Frodo smiled back at the hobbit as Sam raved about the wonderful Elves everywhere.
"Tell me dear Sam, where is Archir?" Frodo asked curiously.
"He is sleeping away the exhaustion of a party held in his arrival. The elves seemed to be overwhelmed and horrified to know that no party had ever been made for Archir's birth." Sam chuckled.
"Must be because he is an Istari child," Frodo laughed and Sam agreed and led Frodo out to the steep bank of the river where the others had taken seats. They cheered upon seeing Frodo and the hobbits went inside to the feast. The food hall was occupied by Elves and many others. At the end of the long table was Elrdon and to his left sat Glorfindel, Gandalf to his right. One of the things that Frodo found amazing was that little Archir was sitting upon Elrond's lap, resting against the chest of the Elf, fast asleep.
In the middle of the table was a chair with a canopy and occupying the seat was the daughter of Elrond, Arwen, who had chosen to seat across from Aragorn who had decided to join the meal. They dinner was lively and the feast soon found itself at an end after Frodo had finished his own interesting conversation with Gluin, one of the twelve companions of Thorin who took along Bilbo.
"You were very fond of Bilbo were you not?" Gluin asked with a sly smile. Frodo sighed with happiness.
"I am indeed. I would rather be with him at this moment to talk than have all the riches of this world! I miss him dearly."
"Well then, perhaps you should go along with Gandalf at this time," Gluin said before exiting. Frodo cocked an eyebrow and indeed went along with Gandalf to the Hall of Fire. The hall was filling and Frodo studied the faces until he at last stumbled upon a dark figure who looked to be drunk or asleep. He looked confused as Elrond beckoned the stranger to awake. The figure raised his head and Frodo sprang forward, wrapping his arms around him with a cry of happiness.
"Bilbo!"
"Frodo, my dear boy. My you have grown in height but, shrunk in weight." Bilbo said kindly to the hobbit. The two hobbits settled down and swapped stories. Bilbo smoked his pipe and watched Elrond who was still carrying the very much asleep toddler in his arms.
"Gandalf has told me about the wizard child. Impossibly unique and one-of-a-kind. A child with magic and gifted by the Valar. Very interesting I must say." Bilbo whistled.
"He is a very quiet boy and perceptionally bright. You would love him Bilbo." Frodo said with a fond smile as he gazed upon the child who was being studied by the many inhabitants, all giving greeting to Elrond who ran a hand through the black hair of Archir's. Frodo leaned against Bilbo who wrapped an arm around his adopted heir, grinning.
"He'll grow to be a very powerful man," Bilbo said to Frodo. The two shared a smile before continuing on to talk of other things they wished to discuss. Soon the night wore on and Bilbo walked Frodo to his room, where Sam also came to make sure Frodo was asleep as it had been the first in awhile that he had awaken. Elrond had yet to give up the sleeping bundle, finding Archir both a treasure and delight of his own. There were only few times that Archir stirred but, as quickly as made, he was back asleep.
"You are quite attached to the youngling, father," Arwen noted in amusement. Elrond smiled at his daughter and to Aragorn who sat beside her.
"He is a child of love. He seems to bring it out of us, yet I feel that he had been abused before Gandalf had brought him to the Shire," Elrond said, frowning lightly as he finally chose to rest the Istari child on the large cot in the room he had made for Archir. Aragorn took over and tucked the blanket of silk around Archir who smiled in his sleep and one of his tiny hands gripped the blanket while his other seemed to find his thumb addicting to suck on. Aragorn laughed at the site of such a childish action and turned his attention to Elrond and Arwen who had been watching him. Elrond excused himself after he rested a light kiss on the boy's forehead of where a lightning bolt scar was.
"A grand father you'll be Aragorn," Arwen told him, looping her arms around his neck as he did so to her waist. Aragorn gave her a smile and the two didn't realize that they were kissing until they parted lips.
"You do realize that we are doing this in a child's room?" Aragorn whispered, smiling. Arwen laughed softly and the two left the room after both placing a kiss of their own on the boy's cheeks. Archir rolled over in his sleep, peacefully dreaming away. He dreamt of nothing and everything.
Light beamed down on everyone the Next day, Frodo was outside yet again, watching Archir wrestle with Pippin who managed to pin him to the ground and tickle the little boy.
"N-No! I Give Pip!" Archir laughed as he giggled under the pressure of his sides. He looked up at the hobbit as Pippin released him.
"That tickled!" Archir giggled, sitting up and allowing Sam to pull him up and tug him over towards Frodo. Archir fell into Frodo's lap and cuddled up to the hobbit's chest.
"I thought you were gone Frodo," Archir admitted, taking in the scent of the hobbit.
"I thought so too Archir, I thought so too," Frodo murmured before he asked distractedly how the elves reacted to Archir.
"They don't leave me alone much ever since they saw me!" Archir laughed, "Honestly, this is the first I've been without an elf near me and even then I know they hide somewhere of the trees and lands!"
"Very protective of them." Frodo agreed. Archir hummed, smiling. Harry, to be truthful, enjoyed the attention and craved the indignant reactions he gave. They were coming so natural to him.
"Aragorn is really nice to me, though he is worse than elves of hundreds combined!" Archir joked towards the ending. Frodo laughed and the hobbits and child sat in silence.
"The council shall be starting soon," Frodo commented lightly.
"Am I to go?" Archir asked with wide eyes.
"You shall be present to discuss your current residence and status, youngling." Gandalf said, coming up behind Frodo and slipping the Istari child up into his own arms, "Come now, we must make time to get to the council."
Frodo and Bilbo followed Gandalf as he carried Archir towards the winding path back to the house, unknowing of Samwise Gamgee snooping behind. Merry and Pippin had gone off to pester the natures once again. Looking around, Archir could find Glorfindel and Gluin of whom he met last night; in a corner alone was Strider who smiled at Archir, though strained it seemed. Elrond beckoned Frodo to his right and was beaming when he rested Archir on his lap. So precious were young children to elves, and even more so was this certain young lad who sat quietly against the elf's chest. Next to Gluin was his own son Gimli, the two exchanging their own talk. About the area was counsellors of Elrond's house, Erestor being the chief; and with him was Galdor, an Elf of Grey Havens and was in place of Cnrdan the Shipwright. Another Elf happened to be a messanger of his father Thranduil, his name being Legolas, Prince of the Elves of Nothern Mirkwood. Off to the side of others was a noble face, dark-haired, and grey-eyed as he gazed fixedly on Archir. They found his name to be Boromir.
The Council at last began and news was traded of each part of the world before Elrond spoke of Sauron and the Rings of Power, forging the Second Age long ago. He told of the One Ring that was to be the master of all the rings. This moved the topic towards the One Ring itself after the talk of Gil-galad and upon hearing of Isildur's adventure, he cried out, breaking their words.
"So that is what became of the Ring! Whatever has happened to it now?" He asked.
"Isildur took it and refused to destroy it at his chance. It was with his own karma that the ring escaped him, killing him as a traitor before falling unveiled." Elrond said. The conversation moved on before Strider stood up, bringing out the two broken pieces of the blade, "HEre is the Sword that was broken because of Isildur!"
"And who might you be and your reason for having such a thing!" Boromir said in disbelief.
"I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Descendant of Isildur Elendil's son of Minas Ithil! I am also Cheif of the Dunedain, must you know." Strider said calmly.
"Then it belongs to you, and not to me at all!" Frodo yelled, standing up on his feet. Elrond wrapped his arms around Archir as all was spoken. Gandalf requested Frodo to reveal the ring and Archir's small voice broke to Frodo first, in a whisper.
"Can I see the ring for a sec, Frodo?" Archir asked quietly, his eyes wide with curiousity. The council were quiet, watching the exchange and Elrond gazed at the boy in his lap. Upon the hush, all eyes were on them as Frodo nodded and very slowly pulled out the Ring of Power. He had a look of surprise as he felt no reluctance to hand it to Archir, though he did to show the council. Archir touched the ring and stiffened, alarming Elrond before the boy looked ever so daring and to all amazements of the council, he slipped the ring on his finger...
And nothing happened.
"It doesn't work," Archir couldn't help but pout. Frodo stared at the child.
"Tom Bombadill did the same thing and had such the same results, remember Archir?" Frodo said. Archir nodded, crossing his arms as he handed it back easily.
"My word," Aragorn breathed as he studied the lightly frowning toddler in the arms of the head Elf. It was afterwords that they began to tell of the stories. Starting with Bilbo who told the truth, the whole truth. Frodo was less than willing and told of how he started with little Archir and journeyed until they at last made to Rivendell. There were so many questions and considered remarks that it took much longer than expected. Wonder came from the inhabitants at hearing about Archir who blushed lightly.
"Archir the Emerald? An Istari Child?" Boromir asked in awe. Gandalf stood as Frodo sat down.
"Yes, Yes. Archir has been for three summers and has proved to be a valuable treasure that I wish for you all to protect. Now I think you may be wanting my tale of adventure now?" Gandalf spoke, waiting for Elrond who nodded. As he talked, Harry was reminded of how similar this world was to his. A hero, creatures, magic, an alliance of all kinds, battles, an evil doer, and a magical object that granted invisibility but, came from a long history. Archir rested his head against Elrond's chest, beginning to give each person around him a name. Gandalf certainly fit Albus. Gimli reminded him of a Hagrid. Sam was like a Ron, Merry like a Hermione, Frodo being his old self, and Pippin was like Neville. Aragorn reminded Archir of Sirius Black and possibly his dad before he died. Arwen was possibly like his mum, as he remembered seeing her loving nature around Aragorn. Elrond... Archir blinked. What was Elrond like? He spent most of that time to think of a name for Elrond when he finally caught one in his memories. Nicholas Flamel. They were both even immortal!
Archir blinked as Bilbo had suddenly stood up, claiming to take the ring back to finish it. He cocked his head to the side. He was even more surprised when Elrond told him that he should rest and not do so. There was bustling about and silence overwhelmed until Frodo looked into Archir's emerald eyes before standing up daringly.
"I will take the Ring," he told them all firmly, "though I do not know the way. It is but a heavy burden and that I do not wish it upon any. But, if you must, I give it to you freely at your own fate."
The words had seemed to be the ending of the meeting before Sam cried out and revealed himself an eavesdropper, wishing Frodo not to go alone. Elrond called end to their council and rested Archir's feet lightly on the ground. The little boy dearly wished to run off to do what he wished, or have a moment alone, but Aragorn had taken captive of his hand and was pulling him along to where Elrond and Gandalf now lay talking.
"Gandalf. Master Elrond. I do not wish for Archir to journey with the companions that you choose, it is unsafe for a youngling." Aragorn whispered quietly. Gandalf chuckled lightly.
"You know that you will be going I see. I am afraid that I must insist that young Archir the Emerald attend this adventure. His powers may not have expanded just this yet but, he shall be very valuable and helpful to you." Gandalf replied.
"I feel we should choose on the day of departure," Elrond sighed before he left them. Aragorn pulled Archir up into his arms and carried him to his nursery.
"I want to come. I want to help." Archir told Aragorn quietly as he was laid upon the large bed.
"It isn't safe for you, We'll talk about this later." Aragorn said firmly as Archir opened his mouth to protest. Archir reluctantly closed his eyes as Aragorn covered him up and tucked him into the bed, kissing his small cheek. Archir fell asleep shortly after.
"He is resting now I take it?" a voice called from the hallway and Aragorn turned to see Glorfindel.
"That he is," Aragorn said with a smile. Glorfindel nodded and studied the flushed cheeks of the little one that was daringly loved by the elves of Rivendell indeed.
"He may have to go with," Glorfindel pointed out and Aragorn's smile slipped off.
"I do not with to set danger anywhere upon him. He is more precious than that." Aragorn said firmly. The occupants continued their own conversation late into the eve, with Archir fast asleep. When months passed by in Rivendell of endless fun and healing for them all, the day came of 2 months later where they gathered about for the departure of the ring.
"I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though... I do not know the way as I've said before," Frodo said on that day of the eve.
"I will help you bear this burden, my dear Frodo Baggins, for as long as it is yours to bear." Gandalf told him kindly.
"If, by my life or death, I can protect you, I will. You have my sword, Frodo." Aragorn said firmly, standing next to Frodo who looked up at the man in relief and also trust. Aragorn smiled, frowning as he could not spot the small boy that.
"And you have my bow, to guide you and to represent the Elves," Legolas stated as he appeared, walking over to them with a smile. Aragorn shared a grin with the elf.
"And my axe for it carries a strength you have yet to find! I shall go to also represent the dwarves!" Gimli shouted, bulking his way to the group of four.
"You carry the fates of us all, Frodo Baggins of the Shire, son of Drogo. Even more so than just your own kind. If this is indeed the will of our Council, the beacon of light, then Gondor will see it done and I shall see it through for them." Boromir said with his own pride. Sam squeaked and came tumbling in indignantly.
"Mr. Frodo shall not leave without I!"
"And I!" Merry and Pippin shouted just as much, coming up behind then.
"Dare stop us only by tieing us in a sack and locking us away!" Merry said firmly. Frodo felt touched at their words before he looked around for the child.
"I wish to come, if only to prove my worth and to help. If not for that, then let me go to give you breath." A small voice came about. The many inhabitats gathered looked around wildly for the boy whose voice belonged.
"Here," Archir said softly, swarming into view right beside them all. He was smiling as innocently as he always did, this time a touch of plead in his eyes. Aragorn wished not to see the eyes, knowing he might give in.
"It is a danger," Aragorn said softly, not wanting his young charge to go with, to be hurt possibly.
"That I will take. I don't want to be without you all." Archir retorted. Gandalf was smiling like a fool.
"You've mastered a few select magic abilities of your own, I can see." Gandalf observed. Archir gave Gandalf a sheepish grin before holding out the little staff that belonged to him, now painted a deep black with emerald sparks around the holly wood. A bird flew out of the staff and suddenly burst into flames, turning into ashes.
"I can become invisible as well, since the ring does not want me," Archir said, pouting like always as he mentioned the rings hate of him. Gandalf knew this was because an Istari could not be influenced by the ring, and oddity in itself.
"So I will come," Archir said flatly.
"I do not see why not," Elrond told them and Aragorn sighed, flating in defeat. He did walk over to the child and pick Archir up though.
"You and me are going to have to talk you know. You will come, but you will listen to us all every step of the way Archir the Emerald, student of Gandalf and Istari child." Aragorn said. Archir grinned at him.
Author's Note: Archir is pronounced /Archer/ though you COULD say /Ark - Er/ if you wish too. This fic is a mention of both movie and book as it goes on. I wonder if you notice the ALMOST quote of the movie when they made the Fellowship of the Ring moment. I've reworded most of it and I feel accomplished. I'm updating quickly and having fun doing this. Yes Harry has his memory of his old self... The good memories. He does not remember the terrible memories as much as the others. He is still humbled down by his childhood with the Dursleys, for his manners and behavior never faded from that torment. Harry can do magic and will be seen struggling as his power grows. I gave you a little magic today so that you'll know. Not much but, alas I can not find a more touching way.