[ Breakfast was served early in the morning, as per elvish custom. Nearly all the guests attend, though it's told more are arriving just before the meeting. Alfor is a gracious host, a little friendlier than the elves are known for, and he seems to be on good terms with the Wizard Shiro. Allura is not there.
In the late morning, all gather on a large terrace, round and flowing from several open arches of the main building. The east side of the terrace remains open to the forests and cliffs of the land it sits on, the view of the waterfall that runs under the western portion of the residence easily visible. The sun is slowly climbing the sky and the air has warmed slightly, but fall is clearly settling in. Orange and yellow leaves dance about and crunch beneath boots as guests take their seats.
Alfor stands by his chair at the front, wooden and delicately carved. Men sit to his right, placed in two rows of chairs. The elves sit directly across from Alfor, settling into their chairs with silent grace. A small group of Dwarves has attended as well, flanking the elves begrudgingly, while Shiro and a Halfing sit on the far left.
Allura enters with the elves, chatting lightly with a tall man with bright orange hair--uncharacteristic, but hard to miss. She is dressed far more appropriately than she had been the night before and wears a golden circlet on her forehead. A squick glance is spared towards Lance, but she otherwise keeps to herself and her friend. ]
"Everyone, please be seated."
[ Alfor gestures to the crowd and takes a seat himself. All follow suit. ]
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate–this one doom. "
[ He gestures to a pedestal in the center of the terrace. ]
[ Keith came early to the council, in part because he wished to join the at the same time as his dear friend Shiro; in part that he could not sleep well even despite the legendary comfort of elvish beds. He watches as each new person enters the circle, eyes leery, almost distrustful of the new faces. At best, he gauges and mentally notes his trust levels based on how well each person is received by those he knows here; Shiro's opinion matters first most, then Corans, and lastly Allura's, who he has known the least of the three, but he can admit to himself that he was captured by her beauty and light at the ford where she saved him.
When the council settles, he listens, but doesn't move immediately when his name is called. HIs heart races unti he hears that soft voice from his friend: "Go on, Keith." So he stands, fingers fisted tight until he's at the pedestal between them all. From his neck, he draws a chain over his head and lays what hangs from it down on the granite. The ring of power.
He casts a brief look at Alfor as the group starts to murmur and finally returns to his seat, an empty burden weighing on his heart. ]
[ All eyes are on Keith--on the Ring. It isn't the first time that Allura has seen it--nor Alfor--but having it so simple and out in the open is a change. And looking upon it she can feel the weight of its power. All the Elves can.
But...she knows of a different reason. A potential weakness. And looks away.
Alfor leans forward slightly in his seat.
An elf on the other side of Allura pulls back, as if mildly disgusted. ]
[ Shiro watches Keith with silent support and approval, laying a hand on the Halfing's shoulder once he's returned. The silence across the council is expected, but the comment from the Elves quickly draws his attention. He's spent much time among them, especially in this place with it's wealth of knowledge and the reputation of a slightly eccentric Elven King. Here, he would expect more caution and understanding.
His brows hang heavier on his forehead. ]
Of us all, if we're not careful.
[ His hand tightens on his staff.
He's here not for Man--he's here for Middle Earth. ]
[ Pardon Lance as he utterly, miserably, pathetically Fails to Read The Goddamn Air. His eyebrow cocks, his lips purse, he stares at this ring that, for no particularly good reason in his honest opinion, is being made a huge deal out of. It should come to him, son of the Steward of Gondor and all, but it doesn't. He guffaws: ]
Seriously, guys? A ring? That's what all this is about? We all travelled miles upon miles to ooo and ahh over a ring? [ A laugh finally slips out of him, floored in many ways. ]
[ The Council goes silent. There is doubtlessly a grumble from the side of Men at such brash and uninformed talk. Alfor frowns as he shifts his attention to Lance. ]
"This is no simple piece of jewelry..."
[ It's Allura who speaks up, her gaze less friendly than it had been the night before. This is Work, after all. ]
This is the Ring. The One Ring to rule them all, Lance, Son of the Steward. And it should not be taken lightly.
"My daughter speaks the truth. This is that One Ring."
[ Do you know how called out Lance feels right now? "Lance, son of the steward"!!! The nerve!!! He flushes, folds his arms across his chest, and melts into the chair like maybe, MAYBE SOME HOW, that might make him disappear from this truly horrendous moment in his life.
Don't worry, he'll be back to make the Next Stupid Comment, rest assured. ]
"And why not!" [ cries an indignant dwarf. ] "Is this place not safe from his eye? Every other corner of middle earth is infested with his soldiers. We may as well be handing it to him taking it from this place.
"Stay your words, dwarf," [ retorts an elf, ] "The only promise your desires would bring is more darkness to this land!"
"Yes, a land your people are already abandoning!" [ A man near Lance adds. ]
Now now, everyone, no sense getting our tails tied up like Trollshaws boars. We came here for a civil discussion, hmm? Fate of Middle Earth rests on everyones shoulder's, not Man, Elf, or Dwarf. Ah, nor the little halfling here. No ring as unordinary as this can be just kept in these homely halls, but perhaps for twice the length it already has! I suppose that's still a decent chunk of time, but certainly not worth the risk....
We have but one option! To destroy the ring and be through with this darkness once at for all. And before the peanut gallery has more belligerence to offer, allow me to demonstrate!
[ Coran pulls out a massive axe out of seemingly nowhere. It comin'!!! ]
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THE COUNCIL OF ALFOR
In the late morning, all gather on a large terrace, round and flowing from several open arches of the main building. The east side of the terrace remains open to the forests and cliffs of the land it sits on, the view of the waterfall that runs under the western portion of the residence easily visible. The sun is slowly climbing the sky and the air has warmed slightly, but fall is clearly settling in. Orange and yellow leaves dance about and crunch beneath boots as guests take their seats.
Alfor stands by his chair at the front, wooden and delicately carved. Men sit to his right, placed in two rows of chairs. The elves sit directly across from Alfor, settling into their chairs with silent grace. A small group of Dwarves has attended as well, flanking the elves begrudgingly, while Shiro and a Halfing sit on the far left.
Allura enters with the elves, chatting lightly with a tall man with bright orange hair--uncharacteristic, but hard to miss. She is dressed far more appropriately than she had been the night before and wears a golden circlet on her forehead. A squick glance is spared towards Lance, but she otherwise keeps to herself and her friend. ]
"Everyone, please be seated."
[ Alfor gestures to the crowd and takes a seat himself. All follow suit. ]
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate–this one doom. "
[ He gestures to a pedestal in the center of the terrace. ]
"Bring forth the Ring, Keith."
no subject
When the council settles, he listens, but doesn't move immediately when his name is called. HIs heart races unti he hears that soft voice from his friend: "Go on, Keith." So he stands, fingers fisted tight until he's at the pedestal between them all. From his neck, he draws a chain over his head and lays what hangs from it down on the granite. The ring of power.
He casts a brief look at Alfor as the group starts to murmur and finally returns to his seat, an empty burden weighing on his heart. ]
no subject
But...she knows of a different reason. A potential weakness. And looks away.
Alfor leans forward slightly in his seat.
An elf on the other side of Allura pulls back, as if mildly disgusted. ]
"The Doom of Man."
no subject
His brows hang heavier on his forehead. ]
Of us all, if we're not careful.
[ His hand tightens on his staff.
He's here not for Man--he's here for Middle Earth. ]
no subject
Seriously, guys? A ring? That's what all this is about? We all travelled miles upon miles to ooo and ahh over a ring? [ A laugh finally slips out of him, floored in many ways. ]
no subject
"This is no simple piece of jewelry..."
[ It's Allura who speaks up, her gaze less friendly than it had been the night before. This is Work, after all. ]
This is the Ring. The One Ring to rule them all, Lance, Son of the Steward. And it should not be taken lightly.
"My daughter speaks the truth. This is that One Ring."
[ One of the Elves speaks up, ]
Such evil to be brought into our land...
"And it will not stay here."
no subject
Don't worry, he'll be back to make the Next Stupid Comment, rest assured. ]
"And why not!" [ cries an indignant dwarf. ] "Is this place not safe from his eye? Every other corner of middle earth is infested with his soldiers. We may as well be handing it to him taking it from this place.
"Stay your words, dwarf," [ retorts an elf, ] "The only promise your desires would bring is more darkness to this land!"
"Yes, a land your people are already abandoning!" [ A man near Lance adds. ]
no subject
We have but one option! To destroy the ring and be through with this darkness once at for all. And before the peanut gallery has more belligerence to offer, allow me to demonstrate!
[ Coran pulls out a massive axe out of seemingly nowhere. It comin'!!! ]