An owl calls out inquisitively. A squirrel swiftly bounds across a small path, worn into the rich earth by many centuries of use. Somewhere in the night, a wolf laments the light that spoils his hunting. A quiet breeze stirs the trees, whispering countless untold secrets to whomever would listen. A lone figure, dressed in a light robe and tunic, meanders up this path. The squirrel pauses for an instant, but instead of scolding this newcomer, he greets him joyfully and then scurries off into the night, chirping happily along the way. The figure walks up the path, apparently deep in thought. He inhalesdeply the fresh, night air and then winces with pain from an unseen wound, remembering times when the air was not so. He stops when he reaches a small clearing, in the middle of which a spring bubbles out of the heath flowing over silvery stones and disappearing into a dense thicket. He concentrates on a statue in the center of the clearing. He kneels before it, beholding the glory of it, the perfect shapes. Then he bows his head and is lost in thought. He does not notice the woman approach the edge of the clearing.

"My Lord," says the lady, with a peaceful demeanor about her. The elf prince, kneeling at the gravestone, looks up sorrowfully into the sympathetic eyes of the beautiful elven maiden.

"My Lady! I did not know I was seen leaving." He quickly stands and offers his hand to her. She She smiles and takes it, gazing concerned into his eyes. "I too was restless," she says. "I saw you leave and, after a short time, followed you. How do you feel?" she speaks softly and places her delicate hand on his forehead.

"Not very well. I had another vision tonight. This time I was in a large cavern with tales of heroes of old painted upon its glittering walls. There was an obsidian stone in the middle of this cave, and, carved upon its surface, was a mark, a large, smoldering figure. As I put my hand against it, the very earth itsdelf shook, the walls and ceiling crumbled and I found myself in the middle of the Battle. It seems like many lifetimes ago when I fought in that war." Seeing the quietly questioning look on the woman's face, he continues "I drew my sword, watching the charging swarms of dark armies pouring over us, quenching us. I saw my father in the middle of the fray, fighting for his life, and for his world. An orc leapt on me and I slew him. Then I heard a cry of fear from both sides. Fingers everywhere pointed to the sky. There, written upon the sky, was a deep rent in the very fabric of space. They appeared everywhere and I saw my father and everyone I held dear slowly fall under the impending approach of Darkness. Then I awoke with a start. Do you suppose that those are my true memories? Or simply my unconscious mind's fancies?"

The girl who had been attentively listening up to now spoke. "I do not know. It could be that you truly beheld them. It was ages ago. You may have forgotten. Or it could simply be a sign, a way for the Valar to warn you of impending danger. Whatever the cause, I feel a chill tonight. The world grows ever darker and I feel it daily."

The young elf smiles and drapes his cloak about her shoulders. "This may help to warm you. As for the markings, I feel that my parents would have known what they mean." So saying his face softens sorrowfully again and he gazed at the statue once more before turning to her. "We should return now. Whatever the cause of these visions, I feel that the answer shall come soon, possibly even tomorrow." So saying, he led the maiden back up the path where they parted silently under an arch, him to one way and her to the other. The woods, once more, dozed off, awaiting the morning and whatever it may bring.

But they were disturbed early in the morning by a small group of mounted elven soldiers, possibly a scouting party. They had ridden long and hard for many days and now they slowly descended down the small path into the hidden valley. Looks of relief and safety made their way across their faces as they caught their first glimpses of the turrets over the treetops. They had come home. As they emerged from the woods into a large clearing, a deep, booming horn was sounded to announce their approach. A robed figure slowly descended a flght of stairs while a booming voice welcomed them. "Greetings noble elves! I trust your journey was a safe one."

The foremost rider saluted the figure, "Greetings Lord Lostalcarion! Our journey was safe but not uneventful."

The figure then was before him. His hair was long and brown, glistening in the morning light. He gazed with keen eyes at the long line of riders, each clad in light elven armor. Whisps of the morning fog passed around his head and face, giving the impression that he was the ghost of some warrior passed. "Please enter and rest while we discuss your findings." The commander swiftly dismounted and followed the figure up the stairs, into the forest. They came to a room, built into an elegant fortress that resembled part of the forest itself and yet was so different. The apparent elven architecture was at use everywhere in this structure. The room widened into an enormous hall with a long table in the center. Lord Lostalcarion took his place at the head of the table with a woman on his right side and motioned with his hand for the officer to speak. The captain cleared his throat and began. "We made our way, as planned, to the Anduin region. From there, we changed direction and rode through the Gap of Rohan. Everything there was in order. We continued into the realm of Gondor. There we saw very little activity in the eastern portion, which indicated that something was amiss in that region. We made our way there and then looked towards the mountains of the ancient land of Mordor. We saw nothing but dark clouds and flame above the land. Something is amiss there and we do not know what. We traveled to the many elven lands of course and notified them of this danger. They await your council." The commander leaned back as if to signal that he was finished.

The face of the elf prince, however, was lost in thought and his hand crept over his shoulder as if to cover the large scar hidden beneath his tunic. The woman soothed him and then spoke. "Commander, this is very troubling information. The Lord has had much on his mind as of late. He has had visions of these happenings. Also, you must understand that he fought against the forces of evil in the War of the Ring so this is something that he is very familiar with."

"I understand, Lady Nilephelien. I too am troubled by these tidings because of my experience with evil, but I was a mere archer on the wall while the Lord was in the midst of the fray, one of the only survivors of the infantry." Lostalcarion raised his eyes and the commander beheld an unearthly determination in them. "Commander, send your fastest riders to the many elf civilizations. We must ally to quench this evil. It may already be too late. Tell them that their Lord now calls them to his aid, and to the aid of man. Bring me word of their responses and if they agree to join, tell them to journey to my valley, to Rivendell, for a council of war."

The commander gave a small bow. "It shall be so, Lord Lostalcarion. I bid you and the Lady farewell until our next meeting." So saying, he saluted and then briskly strode out of the room, leaving the two elven rulers to mull over these revelations.

"I am troubled by this, Adusiriel," he spoke familiarly to the woman.

"As am I. But this I know and have seen: This evil is the greatest of all. Many elves and men shall die. However there is hope. Many elves shall ally with us. Men shall rise and fight together in their last hours. Even in death, there shall be peace."

"You have seen this?"

"It shall be so."

The prince turned to her and spoke, "You are the wisest of the living elves, possibly the wisest ever. As you have spoken, assuredly it shall be." The two troubled souls exchanged parting glances and then the prince strode out of the room, leaving the girl to her own thoughts.

A quiet breeze whistled through the trees. Slowly, a column of elves clad in light mail and tunics descended into Imladris. A faint singing was heard below and the quieting sounds of children laughing and playing. The leader of the caravan was a quiet yet rugged looking elf with a square jaw and a ruddy complexion. He half turned in his saddle to survey this band. They were the leaders of many of the eastern elven realms. At the beckon of Lord Lostalcarion, the Mysterious One who dwells in Imladris in utter secrecy and isolation, they traversed the many plains and forests to arrive here. This was no small task, for if they had been seen by even one man, then their realms could be in danger from the raiding parties of the Swarthy Men that frequently attacked their own towns and villages. Thus, they had to travel by forest roads only elves knew, and all plains and mountains were crossed after nightfall. Although most of their realms had faded and lost a great deal of their former beauty, Imladris had lost none of its potency and peace. His black charger strode under a wide, stone arch and into a large courtyard. There, the wall of trees was broken and the elves, some of which were still quite young, gazed upon the wonderful city before them. High above, they could see beautiful elf maidens with golden hair blowing in the wind, laughing and walking on balconies that gently sloped into the buildings themselves. A gust of cool wind caressed them and carried a voice to them. It spoke in Sindarin, one of the highest tongues of elvish still spoken. It said �Neledhia, gwedeir, i iaur ardh Imladris,� which translated reads �Enter, brethren, into the lost realm of Imladris.� Hearing these words, they perceived, as if for the first time, divers young maidens standing before them, leading their horses away to be fed and groomed. The grim leader led them up the stone steps and deep into a hallway. Suddenly the sun shone through and they were inside another massive court, this one lined by buildings and doorways. Before them, in a shadow, two elves stood. One of them lifted a hand in greeting but did not speak. The leader stepped forward and kneeled before the figure. �Lord Lostalcarion, I have brought to you the leaders of every eastern realm. They are-�

�I am well aware of not only your identities, Mithicoron, but also about every aspect of your histories.� He walked past Mithicoron toward the group that had arranged itself in a semi-circle about him. He surveyed every one of them, only his glowing green eyes and the blue ring upon his finger piercing the shadow about him. �Follow me,� he spoke and strode across the courtyard and through yet another archway.

Passing through the archway, they strode up a staircase that smelled of moss and rich earth. Suddenly, they reached a part of the staircase made of stone. Seconds later, they emerged into the cool afternoon breeze on a large stone platform. In the center sat a ring of benches similar to chairs. Some of these were already occupied with various elves of noble appearance and demeanor. Lord Lostalcarion took his position in the stone bench farthest from the entrance and with a graceful wave of his hand, offered the remaining seats to the newcomers. As soon as all sat and all eyes rested on him, he spoke. �Welcome to the council of Rivendell. Many have come: Elves of many different origins. Welcome, elves of Lothlorien, Rivendell, Mirkwood, and the Elven Kingdom. Here, centuries ago, the fate of Middle Earth was decided. The council has not been held since that time. Now, the fate of Middle Earth rests once again upon our shoulders. This council now begins.�

A tall, dark elf stood and paced to kneel before him. �Lord Lostalcarion, I believe we all know of the threat that we are to deal with. Therefore, this council must only decide what to do to stop it. However, we know nothing of the one who has called us through many perils and trials to meet here. Long we have known that Rivendell did not pass to the West. Still, we have never known anything about its people, or its ruler. My lord, may I be so bold as to inquire as to how you came to be the Lord of this fair realm?� Standing, he turned and returned to his seat.

Lostalcarion gazed into his eyes and then replied, �Your words are fair, my friend, as are your intentions. My past I would not wish for you to know, as even I myself wish that I did not remain with these memories, this darkness that once filled my waking and sleeping hours. Know this then: Lord Elrond Half-Elven appointed me lord of Rivendell and the elves that live here have thus pledged their loyalty to me. I remain solely for the purpose of continuing the struggle against the darkness that would cover the world.� Pausing, he added, �I am a life that has fought so hard against evil that it has become crippled. Perhaps through defending man I may save another life from suffering my fate, even if it means that this spent life shall perish.�

Standing tall, his eyes flashing, he held aloft his left hand. A beam of brilliant blue light shone down from it as he called out, �If any doubt my lordship, behold Vilya, the lost elven ring of water, only not lost! Lord Elrond gave it to me as a sign of lordship upon his departure. Though its power has waned since the destruction of Isildur�s Bane, it nevertheless has retained enough power to prevent careless wanderers, elves and men alike, from entering this valley.�

�Hail Lord!� cried one elf and kneeled in honor. �Hail!� the others repeated as they too kneeled.

�Lord Lostalcarion, as the last elvish nobility left in Middle Earth, you are therefore the equal to our king!� cried out Mithicoron, �I show you my allegiance.�

�Your allegiance to me, I would have you give to my goal, that is, to defend the race of men with what breath we have left in our bodies, and to die for this cause. If you will swear to this mission, then you have forever fulfilled whatever allegiance you would owe to me. I desire not power nor fame, and I would feign your honor would be your monarch.�

�This oath will I take, my Lord,� pledged Mithicoron, �yet I would nevertheless have you as our ruler.�

�As your ruler I will indeed remain, yet I will name those of you I would have rule beside me and the Lady Nilephelien. They are Maltalygion; Lady Gayanoviel, Queen of the Silver Wood and Jeweled Lands; Lady Nefaratowen, Lady of the Emerald Forest; Lady Arafingel; and Lady Uruviel, Lady of Lothlorien. Together, as a council of lordship, we shall determine the fate of middle earth and spare the race of men. This council is ended for all save for those whom I have named.�

Grudgingly, Mithicoron stood and after a brief bow, strode out of the ring, followed by a trickle of murmuring elves.