Chapter Text
Aris was uncommon for an Elf. Though she was the best archer in an age, many of her kind thought her strange, and although she was well aware, she didn’t care. Some even hated her, but this too, she brushed off.
This estrangement stemmed from her curious friendship with the Dwarves, even going so far as to consider some of them family, though few of her own kind could fathom why she would extend such loyalty to the supposed enemies of the elves. However, Aris did not see Dwarves as such. Rather, she sought to eventually bring peace to the two nations.
The Dwarves were not all accepting, but many couldn’t help but grow fond of her eventually. Among these friends was Gimli, son of Gloin. He had threatened her when they first met, upon realizing her race, but it was a typical reaction and she took no offense.
Aris did not look like one might expect an Elf to look, after all. She often passed as a human, in her dress and appearance, and her manners were closer to that of Dwarves than any other of the races of Middle Earth. She was quite good friends with Gloin, and that was what had led her to meeting Gimli, when he was just a young lad.
As it was, the two friends had not seen each other for quite some time, and Aris was quite happy to hear that Gimli would also be attending the Council of Elrond. Aris had worked hard to earn the respect of the council and to prove herself just as valuable as any of them, but Gimli often teased her that it was her Dwarf-like stubbornness more than anything else which had earned her a place among them.
Nearing Rivendell, Aris saw the other representatives arriving as well, including Legolas Greenleaf. As she dismounted, she heard a gravelly voice call out to her.
“Ah, there she is! The only tolerable pointy-ear!”
Aris turned, smiling brightly.
“Gimli, my friend! It has been far too long, even by Elvish standards.”
“Aye,” he nodded, “It’s regrettable that it took a Council meeting to bring us together again.”
“Indeed.”
She went to make another remark, but just then, another voice cut in.
“Lady Aris...”
It was Legolas. Aris was familiar with him. He was something of a wanderer, and their paths had crossed on more than one occasion.
“Hello Legolas,” she replied softly.
She was never certain how to conduct herself around him, uncertain as to whether or not he held her in the same regard as the majority of their kin.
“It is nearly time for the council to begin,” he said in Sindarin, glancing at Gimli.
Aris frowned, not sure what to make of his reaction.
“Then perhaps we should all take our seats.”
She responded in the Common Tongue, rather than in Elvish. In all the rumors surrounding her, one such point of curiosity was the notion that no one had ever heard her speak in the language of her blood kin. Though much speculation clouded this aspect of her life, none could ever quite discern the reasoning.
Gimli rolled his eyes, grumbling under his breath about uppity elves, and headed to the meeting place with a ‘hmph’.
Aris was not far behind.
When the young Hobbit volunteered to be the ringbearer, Aris’ heart went out to him. Of course, she volunteered to be a part of the Fellowship to help him, despite the protests of some.
“A female has no place on this quest!” scoffed one of the Men.
Gimli growled challengingly.
“Aris is more qualified than any other on this council who has yet to volunteer.” He looked each of the remaining members in the eye as he spoke, changing his tone to slightly lighthearted and joking to relieve the tension. “Besides, this quest has two Men, yet only one Elf and one Dwarf. Aris represents both the elves and the dwarves, therefore making her an invaluable part of this quest.”
Legolas tilted his head curiously, but didn’t comment on Gimli’s speech other than to say, “Lady Aris is the finest archer of our race.”
Unsure what to make of the strange reaction, Aris merely nodded to her kinsman respectfully, saying nothing herself. Her skill was more than adequate, and there was nothing they could do to stop her from going along in any case.
“Very well,” Elrond said after a moment of silence. “Ten companions…”
His eyes seemed to burn Aris’ soul, but she held his gaze resolutely. She would not be dissuaded, even by him.
She was a part of this Fellowship. The Fellowship of the Ring.
And so, the adventure began.