A/N: *Tip o' the hat* to all who've reviewed recently, and especially to 'Writer From Rivendell' - Glorfindel is getting his props now...and I know there has to be the elven version of Radagast's name floating around out there somewhere...well, I hope so, cos I wanted to use it.

Thanks, all...it is nice to know you're enjoying this. ^_^

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The Dream - Part 13

by Bex

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"This is insane."

It wasn't until I realized everyone was looking at me that I realized I'd spoken those words out loud. I closed my eyes.

"I beg your pardon?"

Glorfindel, by the sound of it, slightly off to my left. I opened my eyes again. Next to me I could feel Temeril staring at me. Oddly, the impression I 'got' from him was akin to someone on the verge of semi-hysterical laughter.

No, wait - maybe that was me.

"I'm sorry. I just am having trouble seeing this working..." I shook my head slightly as I struggled to formulate my distress into a coherent form. "You all seem...fixated on this going to Mount Doom....and in a small group traveling across country...it just..."

"How else would you have us get there? Even should the eagles agree to help us, we would not ask them to carry anyone all the way from here to Oroduin." Glorfindel seemed honestly puzzled, and I realized sheepishly that I'd reverted to thinking in terms of where I'd come from. Of course they had no choice but to travel in that manner...

In my mind's eye were arrayed before me the constant hazards of the road to Mordor. How to avoid; how to avoid?

Then I had it. "I've got it - we tell Saruman what he wants to hear - that a party of travelers is transporting the Ring to him!"

The air of skepticism in the room was... palpable. Gandalf blinked. Radagast stared at me wide-eyed. Elrond raised one finely-arched eyebrow.

"No need for him to attack us, we've not let on that we're on to him, so whoever goes can go by way of the Gap of Rohan. While not actually going to Isengard, of course..."

Anatuil nodded thoughtfully. "The idea has merit. However, what is to keep him from waylaying the Ringbearer even so?"

I deflated somewhat, then perked up again. "Decoys. Two or more groups of about the same size, each with hobbits in them....force them to thin their forces."

"Were we...still certain of Saruman's loyalties...we might indeed do as you have suggested..." Gandalf admitted slowly. "Transport the Ring to one as wise in lore as he. He would find that plausible." He looked up from his contemplation, eyes gleaming. "But even if he assumed us gulled, he would likely have us watched along the way. What he might do, once we deviated from our path to him...I cannot say for certain."

I nodded solemnly.

"Our only other recourse is to set out in the hopes of avoiding his spies and forces, such as you described them to us," Elrond muttered thoughtfully, fingers steepled.

"Forces?" Anatuil asked.

I answered, automatically. "He bred..is breeding...well, probably... a half-man half-orc combination. Can travel by day." Around me the faces of the elves in attendance took on what I can only describe as a 'nauseated' cast.

"If this is true, then he does indeed do Mordor's work." I glanced over. Legolas, his face twisted. It was then I was reminded of exactly where orcs had come from in the first place...and I repressed my own internal shudder.

"I shall be your eyes and ears in Isengard." Radagast looked grimly up at us all. "It has been many a year since I stepped foot there for I love it not; Curunir was obliged to send word to me by messenger in order to ask that I came here. But for our sake I shall go there, carry what words you wish him to know. And...confirm if I can... what he may hide there."

Gandalf looked warmly over at his colleague. "A dangerous errand, my friend...but of us all I think you may be the one to succeed at this particular task. You would also have to leave immediately, in order to act as a harbinger in time to allay his suspicions."

Radagast nodded. "I shall depart with the morn's light."

The discussion flowed on, and I sat back for a moment to glance around at the various delegates as the details were hammered out. Who was willing to travel as one of the two groups, who would return home to their people with the information gained during this visit, a journey almost as important as the Fellowships', how to balance out the parties in terms of skills, the exact route...

And I got that fuzzy optimistic feeling you get at the beginning of a great venture, when it all seems so clever, so possible. This was really starting to come together...this crazy scheme stood a chance.

We stood a chance.

*****

Finally, the two 'Fellowships' - though only one could perhaps be called the 'real' one...had been chosen.

One change from the original 'story' was that no-one objected to the inclusion of Sam, Pippin and Merry - who had been determined to go in any case, but had expected much more opposition from the 'big folk'. What Pippin and Merry were not thrilled about was being relegated to the status of 'decoys'...until Elrond explained how crucial their role might yet be. How it had to be two pairs of hobbits, as Sam refused to travel with anyone but Frodo.

After hearing that logic, the two younger hobbits shrugged and accepted their lot with good grace. Travel they'd wanted; travel they'd still get.

The 'decoy' group consisted mostly of those who were returning to lands to the South, along with Merry and Pippin. Anatuil and her retinue of three Galadhrim guards would offer ample protection, certainly until Lorien had been reached. Faramir would thereafter accompany the two hobbits on his way back to Minas Tirith in order to bring news to his father. Bale was accompanying Faramir and hobbits to Minas Tirith in the hopes of setting up diplomatic relations between Dale and Gondor.

Gimli had no intention of traveling to any Elven stronghold, especially that of a certain queen rumoured to be a sorceress, and thus insisted in being in the main party that was escorting Frodo and Sam, along with Gandalf, Aragorn, and Glorfindel. As in the original tale, Legolas had also felt moved to join in protecting Frodo, despite his ambivalence regarding dwarves.

Each group was rather 'elf-heavy'...for a very practical reason, something which had slipped my mind but which Elrond had pointed out during the deliberations: The Nazgul were still out there somewhere, waiting to do their master's bidding. The more elves in each group, especially those such as Glorfindel who'd in the past faced down the Dark Lord's servants, the better.

Halbeorn was one of those who had no intention of joining in any quest, and instead was returning to his people to bring back news of what had been learned during the Council. Gloin and his small retinue were similarly returning home over the Misty Mountains.

So there were actually three groups due to be setting out about the same time, though only two would contain the all-important hobbits.

And of course, none of the three groups contained me.

What, you assumed I'd insist on going with them?

Why?

I was a stranger to this world, I had no travel hardiness, and no skills with the native weapons.

And this was much too serious a situation for amateurs.

No, I'd done my bit - pumped my well of information dry for them, as much as I could remember, put forth my best strategic ideas, a few of which they'd actually found useful...and now, I was staying right here, where it was safe.

Well, least that was what I planned to do.

But you know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men...

~End Part 13~