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The White Council

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VectorMaximus:
It was late in the day when the council at last was reconvened, all the parties having completed their reunions and meeting for the day. It was over cast, with the light barely visible over the horizon, slightly peaking through the clouds as if a foreboding of things yet to be.

"I hope you have all enjoyed your free time today, but the time has come for the council to be reconvened." Elrond said in a neutral tone, surveying the gathered members. "An important particular was brought to my attention over the course of the day; that is the need for a leader, for a head of this esteemed council."

He turned around and moved to the edge of the gazebo, gazing out upon the valley, his form framed by the light of the dying sun. Without turning around to face the council members he continued, his hands folded behind his back.

"In arrangements such as these, it is likely that inevitably there will be arguments that evenly split the council. In such cases, we need someone who is able to determine what the action of the council will be, and to represent us as a unified body if necessary." Here he turned back around. Saruman had a indiscernible look upon his face, the gears of his minds obviously turning, Galadriel ethereal and unreadable, and Gandalf was earnest and contemplative.

He gave a small inclination of his head to Cirdan, "I personally am of the mind that Cirdan should serve as tiebreaker and de-facto leader for this council, due to his great wisdom and impartiality. However, he has told me that he desires no such role. Unless you have reconsidered my old friend?"

Cirdan gave a small smile. "No my old student, my answer remains the same as earlier. My place is with the ships, and at the seashore. The council chamber has never been my home, and I do not desire it ever to be. I get quite tired enough dealing with the Council of Lindon at times!" He finished with a deep chuckle, drawing a small smile from Galadriel and an amused and sardonic half-smirk for Elrond. They both understood all too well how... byzantine the politics of the Noldor could become; even if they had greatly mellowed in the last age, they were still headaches.

After the aged elf's laugh had died down, Elrond resumed, pacing around the table as he went. "So, with my choice for the leader of this council having decided to abstain from the running, I am without strong preference, and as such, open the floor to suggestions on who should be the leader of this most august council." He stopped behind his chair and sat back down, reaching for his wine glass. He was worried that he would need it before the night was done.

Walküre:
''The leader of this council will indeed bear the burden to take the ultimate decision among the diverse views of the Wise. An impressive grasp of the current issues we are about to face and a noble kind of wisdom are the qualities sought in leadership. The responsibility of Middle-earth's safety shall be his major concern. With the shadows growing ever bolder throughout the free territories of this continent and at the borders of our defended realms, this bounden duty is to shape the fate of all.''

Now turning to each of the guests of that assembly, she concluded her brief statement with a final remark, made of words that the others didn't manage to discern whether they were of well-wish or warning. When she finally revealed her preference, it was as if she were also trying to express what that supposed leader ought not to do. The delivery of these thoughts of hers was characterised by her usual subtlety. Nothing new to expect from the Lady of Lórien.

''It's not my wish to seek for that type of authority over the Wise, in any way. My days of ambition are by now almost a far memory of an even further past, and, if not on my hidden realm among the leaves of the Golden Wood, my sight is increasingly focused on Eressëa and beyond, where the Sun descends and none of life withers.''

As she recalled her ancient will of power and the desire for the return to her motherland, it seemed that Nenya's influence had suddenly got much more prominent, though Elrond only was able to sense it directly.



''Not only does the task demand firmness and resolution in action, but the appointed candidate should also set out the noblest and greatest kindness. The sort of disinterested affection for the World and for the multicoloured variety of the Free People which is very rare to find. A formidable quality totally unknown and thoroughly despised by the Evil, for no ill-side could be found in it (not even with the most malicious intent). You, Mithrandir, were endowed with these fundamental traits, and your pure gentleness is commonly held in great consideration by anyone you meet during your long journeys. My trust is thus put in you, so that you may lead us through such difficult times, as my heart knows that power ought to be granted to you indeed, due to the fact that you never desired it. A true leader is not to yearn what it can't have.''

Fine:
Gandalf rose reluctantly. He stood for a brief pause, returning Galadriel's gaze, but soon looked aside.
"This is not an easy decision to make," he spoke in a hushed tone. "I am honoured by your proposal, híril ó Lórien, but this is a momentous decision to make."

He fell silent for a short while, gathering his thoughs. Finally, he tautened, having made his choice.

"The task that was set before me by the High Lords and High Ladies of the Far West encompasses all the inhabitants of this Middle-earth, not just the Elves or the Wise. In order to properly come up to this duty, I must remain free and must set down no roots, maintaining my independence within this world. Now, do not mistake my intentions! I care deeply about the fate of the Elves and of the Wise, but I cannot solely focus on them. This position of authority you offer me is not mine to take. Indeed, I am more fond of giving counsel and comfort instead of issueing commands. Alas! I cannot comply to your wish, my Lady. Surely, there are others here who are more suited, more grounded in this world, and able to wield the authority you wish to bestow upon me with better understanding and knowledge."

Having spoken his mind, Gandalf sat down again. He felt confident for a while, but a small portion of doubt still lingered in the back of his mind. He had made his choice, and he deemed it the correct one, but what if he had chosen wrong? But before he could ponder more over that thought, he was distracted by the reactions to his renunciation of Galadriel's proposal...

Walküre:
The response of the Grey Pilgrim was a true disillusionment for all the ones of that assembly that had felt confident in entrusting him with the burden of authority. Disappointment could not be concealed by the emissaries of Lindon and, in particular, by Círdan himself, who had been the first one to acknowledge the real identity of Gandalf and his natural predisposition in contesting any threat to the Free People with the purest good will, though the Shipwright had always known that the wizard's heart was one boundless and free.

Fact of which Galadriel was absolutely aware too. She had divined that he would be appointed to the greatest task of that grey Third Age, and so she had sincerely hoped to convince the Istar to take that fundamental office up for the sake of the Wise's mission. But not all her knowledge of what is to be often reveals itself in precise terms, and she, like she had always done whenever things didn't went as she had wished, accepted the reality of events: Gandalf was to wander across Middle-earth for some time still, before the final quest was about to eventually be manifest to all, as well as the duty it was to demand.

''If I said that your words, Mithrandir, are not cause of dismay for me, I would not tell the truth. But I would certainly be much more displeased if I knew that a bird was forced to dwell in a cage, while what the bird longs for the most is the blue vastness of the sky. May you always be sure that my trust nonetheless remains in you, and in you is indeed forever destined to be.''

Walküre:
She then sat down and remained silent. Her typical indecipherable silence which no one could have looked into. But some of the Wise knew that her silence, that kind of silence that leaves many as preys of pressing doubts, was not a well-wishing sign to rely on. If the Lady of Light's judgement doesn't find a way to be turned into practical measures, one would really find it difficult to foretell whether alternative judgements are likely to have akin favourable outcomes.

Very worried gazes were exchanged among many guests. Elrond was following the situation very carefully, though he wasn't willing yet to share the name of the candidate he thought he would serve well the council's purpose. Gandalf was deeply conscious of having just turned down a pivotal offer, but his long journeys would still lead him afar, busy with trying to unveil Middle-earth's riddles. Riddles that were by then more often clouded in creeping shadows.

Saruman stood, as always, unnaturally quiet. It was really hard for most of the attendees to discern what he was probably thinking about. Was he feeling relieved that his chances were getting continuously higher? Or was he recalling Galadriel's sincere endorsement for the Grey Wizard, coming to the relative conclusions?

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