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The White Council

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The_Necromancer0:
Perhaps it was time for Saruman to stand and enter this meeting, he had not brought a contribution to the meeting yet since he yet only saw it as a waste of time, but that had all changed. Since he now had the possibility to rein in the power of Wise to do is bidding, as long as he played his game well. At the moment he was scanning the mind of the people around the table, looking through their minds to be able to better seduce them and convince them.

Now was the time for him to intervene. He rose his head slowly and began. "It seems this assembly has come to a stalemate, not knowing where to go next because for lack of a leader. Now, both Lady Galadriel and Lord Elrond have suggested members who seem to have no interest in guiding this meeting, I would like to propose my candidature for the honorable position. While it may not always seem to be the case, my interest lie in the survival of Middle-Earth."

Then the Wise Wizard sat back down, he did not have the wish to debate his position. Either they would accept him or they would find another. Controlling the Wise would be helpful, but it would require more effort which Saruman was not ready to fight for since it would take time away from his... project.

As he rested his hand back onto the table the looked around and saw many different expressions. This was an opportunity for the White Wizard but not at the cost of time, so he would either succeed with little effort or not, not matter the result all his effort would be put into his project, not this trivial matter.

Walküre:
So, was it all destined to end that way? The situation wasn't clearly boding so well for all those who had hoped to rely on the Grey Pilgrim's will to accept; needless to say, the Lady of Light was immersed even more in the vast depths of her mind, trying to discern and understand whether the future events would revolt against the whole project or not. She needed to know that. She sensed that the outcome to be would eventually compel the fate of many to take a different course. Her sight was kind of obscured by uncertainty and different riddles.

But Gandalf's refusal was not the only happening to face in those heated moments. The eventuality of Saruman's coronation seemed to worry her significantly. Yet she was alone in her own thoughts; very little could have others done to help her get through that mist of different premonitions. The other guests' minds were conveying their benevolence to the White Istar's candidacy. The final result was very near then and much clearer to fathom. The emissaries from Lindon and Círdan himself gave their positive response, followed by the assent of the envoy from Mirkwood. Galadriel knew that Thranduil would not have minded the appointment of someone less interested in the green vastness of the World in the East, provided that the king's rule had remained unquestionable; unless the Shadow had presented itself in front of his borders (or, worse, within his realm), forcing him to rely on outer support. But his isolationism was more and more resembling a real gaol. An Istar as the chief of the Wise? Surely he didn't mind very much. 'Wizards are like winter thunders on a wild wind which rolls in from a distance', he said once, adding 'Always keen on detecting threats, and very eager to unveil the arcane secrets of the World that ought remain buried and to undergo quests that they deem suitable for their purposes'.

Meanwhile, the fair court of the wise nobility of Rivendell was too shifting to the sole option that looked viable and consistent. Elrond was following the process very carefully. Gandalf was still very quiet and reserved; he was probably not to have any kind of objections against the highest of his order to lead that council. Galadriel felt that the last response to make would be hers. As Gandalf and Elrond, almost innocently and with the most well-intentioned spirit, were ready to grant Saruman their full trust, the skilful and industrious Wizard was craving to know what would the Lady's answer be.

VectorMaximus:
As the council began to list its affirmations, Elrond sat in deep contemplation. Saruman would indeed be a wise choice; he was wise, deeply intelligent and his understanding of the ways of the Enemy were second to none. While he had a slight reluctance to nominate an Istari, due to their at times unpredictable nature, he could come up with no better option for the head of the Council. Saruman was already the first of his Order, surely he could be entrusted with this task.

After hearing the affirmation of the Emissary of Thrandiul, he spoke. "I too support the appointment of Saruman as head of this council, and he shall be the first among the wise upon Arda. May he lead us well with all of his most deep insight and wisdom." He lifted his wine glass, and with a small smile upon his face, the white wizard responded in kind. With his piece said, Elrond's mind moved to other matters.

Walküre:
The Lady seemed to lean on the marble-made table of the council for a moment and towards the Grey Wizard who was standing in front of her, just to go back to her normal and imperturbable composure immediately after. It was by then very clear what the outcome would be, and someone's dismay could have changed very little at that point. Saruman's candidacy had to submit itself to the judgement of the Wise, and that it had exactly done. She should consequently get to grips with the inevitable conclusion and so try to figure how the voluble thread of time would evolve in the events to come. But before letting everyone know her final word, Galadriel wanted to comfort the worried mind of Gandalf, as the Istar was to announce his public endorsement. Inaudible words were thus spoken again.

Don't be burdened by the weight of your refusal, Mithrandir, for there is no guilt in it. Speak your mind freely and with the sincerest heart. Whether it be a wandering pilgrim, loved by anyone whom he visits, or the authoritative chief of a noble order, skilful in several arts and acquainted with arcane secrets, the troubles of the World will continue to create turmoil in any land interested by dreadful phenomena or perilous threats. It is therefore of the utmost importance that those willing to undergo such tough challenges be ever aware of their duty and ready to act. The Evil shall always find a way to return. We must maintain our guard very high and firm, as the safeguard of Middle-earth depends on us still. The time in which Men shall eventually bear this responsibility is yet to manifest itself, nor have I been able yet to divine it precisely.

Walküre:
And so Gandalf gave way for the election of the chief of his noble order as the chief of the whole White Council. The Wise were then to be guided by the skilful arts of Saruman the Wise, whose many-sided words symbolised surely a great authority to be reckoned with, yet they would also be destined to get more obscure and riddle-like in the years ahead.

The Lady then spoke her final words. Words that the new head of that mighty assembly was not pleased to hear.

''After having paid careful attention to your thoughts hitherto, gentle participants of this meeting, my ultimate decision won't differ from the previous opinion of mine that envisaged Mithrandir as the potential leader of our joint force. But what I deem is not the sole theme of the multicoloured melody, which our thorough debate has given life to. If this is the will of the majority, then be it. The greatest of the Istari now holds in his industrious hands the hope of the Free People of this grey Middle-earth. May his judgement lead us towards the right path and never falter among the shadows.''

Elrond thus declared the first meeting of the White Council concluded and paid homage to its newly-appointed leader. The guests greeted each other and headed to their way home. Never did Saruman forget that the Lady of Light had not supported his candidacy and resentment due to her choice grew slowly yet unceasingly in his heart.


The first meeting of the White Council ends.

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