"Not By Chance" by Linaewen

[lin4gondor.livejournal.com]

Title:  Not By Chance
Author Name:  Linaewen
Prompt:  Write a story or create art where the arrival of an unexpected messenger at any place in Middle-earth changes the course of events.
Summary:  Hours before the Council it set to convene, Elrond is told of the arrival of a messenger from afar.
Rating: G
Warnings:  None

Not By Chance

Dawn was not yet breaking, but the sky above the sharp line of mountains that towered over Rivendell was beginning to turn grey as night receded.  Elrond had been busy throughout the night in advance of the Council that was to be held later that day -- not so much with preparations for the gathering, but rather with contemplating all that had come to pass in recent days and how it might affect the outcome of the council and the future of the free peoples of Middle Earth.  There was much to consider and much that was still yet unknown, but even so, Elrond felt a thrill of anticipation -- even hope -- that something exceedingly important would result from the coming day's work.  It was not by chance that so many had gathered in Rivendell in recent days, each one bearing a tale that was somehow with the Enemy and the Ring of Power.  No, it was not by chance that they came, and chance would not govern the decisions they would make.

As Elrond watched the slowly lightening horizon, he found himself wondering what more might take place in the intervening time before the council meeting was set to begin.  What piece of news might yet come to him that would impact his counsel?  What messenger might appear in these final hours, with a report of some happening in the world that would be of significance to their decision-making?

At that moment, there came a knock at the door of his chamber.

"Come!" called Elrond.

An Elf entered, bowing his head to Elrond as he delivered his message.  "My lord Elrond, a messenger has just now arrived -- a Man from the South, requesting an audience with you."

"A Man from the South?" Elrond exclaimed.  "He has traveled far, then, to deliver his message!  Did he inform you of his name and what his business with me might be?"

"He was reluctant to share the details of his errand with anyone but you, but he did tell me some of what has brought him here.  He is Boromir, son of Denethor of Gondor, who comes with news of war in the South, and he seeks counsel and the wisdom of Elrond.  He claims to have been directed specifically to seek out Imladris.  He has been traveling some time, it would seem; his journey has been long and difficult, for the road was unknown to him."

"Has he eaten and rested as yet?" Elrond asked thoughtfully.

"Nay, he refused both food and drink, and will not rest until he has seen you and spoken to you of his errand."

"Very well," Elrond replied.  "Show him in at once, then go and bring wine and food, and see that a chamber is prepared for him.  I will hear what he has to say, and bid him be present at the Council.  It is not a coincidence that he has come so far, with so much difficulty, to arrive at our doorstep on this day of all days."

As the Elf hurried away to do his lord's bidding, Elrond again felt a sense of anticipation.

Indeed, he thought to himself.  His arrival on this day at such a time is by no means a matter of chance -- it is a portent of great things to come.  Boromir, son of Denethor, has been drawn here for a purpose, and therefore his errand must be of great significance.  Not lightly do the proud men of Gondor seek the counsel of others!  Perhaps Boromir's news is the last piece that is needed to form a complete picture of the task that is before us, that we might change the course of events and thwart the plan of the Enemy.  May it be so!

"You have come and are here met, in this very nick of time, by chance as it may seem.  Yet it is not so. Believe rather that it is so ordered that we, who sit here, and none others, must now find counsel for the peril of the world."
(Elrond in "The Council of Elrond," FotR)

Comments

[shirebound]

to arrive at our doorstep on this day of all days.

That really was quite amazing. I really like your gap filler for this event.

[tanis2014.livejournal.com]

You know, I've never considered what a burden Elrond must have carried, knowing that the fruit of his counsel would set in motion events over which they might have no control whatsoever.

Had he long been pondering what to do with the ring if it ever came into his possession? Did he know before hand that he would counsel that it be destroyed?

You've done a great job here of showing how that burden weighed upon him as he contemplates the puzzle pieces, shifting and rearranging until a clear picture emerges.

A lovely thought provoking little piece.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I liked this very much.

[binkaslibrary.livejournal.com]

This was a very enjoyable gap-filler :) Thank you for sharing!

[paranoidangel]

I liked seeing this moment before the Council and how Elrond reacted to Boromir's arival.

[jenn-calaelen.livejournal.com]

Lovely gapfiller. It is very interesting to see more of Elrond's thoughts and his reflections on everything that is going to happen.

[ladyelleth.livejournal.com]

What a nice look at Elrond "behind the scenes". This reads very much in-character.

[elliska.livejournal.com]

Great gap filler of Elrond's thoughts surrounding how this moment shaped up. It is amazing to imagine how he, who knew so much and so knew how to put all the signs together, would be perceiving these moments. Great job!

[hhimring]

A very convincingly written gapfiller! I can see how your imagination was working on that phrase "a man from the South".

[independence1776]

I like this!

[with-rainfall.livejournal.com]

This is an interesting glance at Elrond's own role as not just host but leader, organiser. You can really see his mind ticking over, processing what might happen, what this means for the future of his allies. In canon we get a lot of focus on the Ring and the hobbits, and Elrond only acts as a giver of information. This makes him seem more human.

[greatandgrey]

This is an awesome gapfiller before one of my favorite locations and scenes in FOTR, and I love Elrond's reaction to Boromir's arrival. What chance! :)

[ysilme]

How clever, to answer the prompt in this way, and to choose this event and scene! It works really well and fits perfectly into canon.

[pandemonium-213.livejournal.com]

Very neat little gap-filler here, and it's nice to "see" the importance of Boromir's arrival from Elrond's point-of-view.

[blslarner.livejournal.com]

One final arrival of so many, and as has been said by others, the final place is the place of honor. The one whose news and whose family's joint dream draws the Ringbearer south and east to affect the fate of this final war for this age between Good and Evil.