Author's Note: Hey! I am so excited you're interested in my "fiction" and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I have writing it. Although, there are a few things that should be noted, understood and remembered as you read:

1) Is this a cross-over between Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter?

Answer: NO; however, I have taken the time to research and incorporate J.R.R. Tolkien's fascinating ideas as far as "Elves" are concerned.

2) Is this a "long" fanfiction story?

Answer: Yes; this will be a long project starting with "Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone" - ending with "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". Although, it should be noted that I will not be including EVERY LITTLE DETAIL within the Harry Potter series and it should be known that I will change and distort some facts along the way.

3) Will this story include spoilers? Character Deaths?

Answer: Yes; if you have not read and/or seen the movies, you will definitely be "spoiled"of surprises.

4) Will this story contain "lemon" and/or "smut"? Will it also include explicit and/or disturbing, otherwise offensive, materials?

Answer: Yes; there will be "sexual content" but that won't be until much further into the story. As far as "explicit, disturbing and offensive" material is concerned, I can already tell you that this is no way a "slash story" (sad really, I do enjoy reading those) but there are, hopefully if I execute it well-enough, explicit and disturbing things that will take place, however, I can't reveal that just yet; you'll have to read and see...

5) Are resources available, as guidance, to aid you as you read?

Answer: Yes; there is a link on my profile that you are more than welcome to use if you wish to read up on the background of this story. However, as detailed as it is, it will be edited and re-arranged frequently by me. I'm not going to lie, I'm have horrific spelling and grammar issues and that's why that resource will be continuously added, edited and corrected.

Author's Note (continued): Also, before you begin, it should be also noted and understood that: I DO NOT OWN, IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM, the HARRY POTTER OR the LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY. THOSE RIGHTS ARE STILL CONTAINED BY THOSE AUTHORS. THIS ALSO INCLUDES CHARACTERS, IDEAS AND SUCH. However, I do, in fact, own: Gisele Tobias-Cirelinneil Tsthasume' (Esmeralda Smith) and Cirelinniel Egleriel-Iellwen Gilraen Tsthasume' (Cirelinniel Riddle). They are both my characters that I have designed to write and share this story with you!

Now, that's all be said, I just want to thank-you again for deciding to take a "gander" at my works and I hope you continue to read, and enjoy future chapters! Have fun!

"

Home is behind,

The World ahead,

And there are many paths to tread.

Through shadow,

To the edge of night,

Until all the stars are alight.

Mist and shadow.

Cloud and shade.

All shall fade,

All shall fade.

"

- J.R.R Tolkien "All Shall Fade"

Oct 29th, 1981 – Northern "Industrial" England (Early Evening)

The rain was dripping heavily from the sky and the precipitation was gathering within Cirelinniel's golden locks. She tightly grappled her wand within the entanglement of her fingers, in the shape of the fear resonating within her mind and she prayed in low, enduring whispers. She clasped her pearl buttons tightly as she tightened her heavy, laced fringe hooded cloak and instantly hid behind a local dumpster; she could sense an ominous presence once more as she knelt in the dirt and darkness.

Her breath had instantly become shallow and she wiped her face with her cold, shaking and clammy hands. Cirelinniel remained perfectly still as a Death Eater revealed themselves from the flight they had previously taken and although she couldn't see their face, she could tell they who they were; Bellatrix crazed, curly haired woman lingered within the alleyway, only a few hundred feet away, from the dumpster Cirelinniel hid behind, and giggled manically.

"Where is the child, Cirelinniel? Don't try to hide, I know you're here," Bellatrix laughed with a smile lingering on her lips, "And when I do find you, I'll take great pleasure in peeling the skin from your bones."

Cirelinniel's breath halted fearfully in her throat as she kept quiet and finally she rendered her entire body under her Invisibility charm; she still knelt behind the dumpster, listening to each step the woman took towards her.

"A-ha!" Bellatrix trilled venomously as she overturned the dumpster with the wave of her wand and the horrific sound echoed throughout the silent city. The large, brown dumpster landed within the street and all it's contents scattered. However, the thunder of the approaching storm clapped loudly above, sending chills through Bellatrix's body. She stood panting from the excitement but was angrily mistaken when she could not find Cirelinniel.

Cirelinniel was still knelt and perfectly quiet as her invisibility charm sealed her fate for just another moment…

Bellatrix, staring along the darkness of the passageway became enraged as she took flight once more and disappeared within a cloud of black vapors; the Death Eater ascended within the stormy skies, brewing over London, England.

After long, silent moments, Cirelinniel started to shiver violently until she began to quake uncontrollably. The shivers felt like thousands of tiny knives, cutting and slicing into her stomach and her throat felt clogged from the unshed tears. She suddenly began to sob uncontrollably and her face wrinkled together in a terrible cringe as she internally tried to subside the persistent and prevalent fear that stripped her of her very existence. For a moment, she wished she had ceased to exist, or perhaps fall asleep in the streets until death found her…

Cirelinniel tried to breathe but found that she was overcome with sadness, crippling her Invisibility charm and dispersing it completely, as she was now visible to anyone who found her. The rain was falling harder when she pulled the black hooded cloak off her head and allowed the cold drops and air to cascade over her hot face. For moments, she lay in the alley and stared up at the sky, searching and begging for deliverance. But, for a moment, she found strength once more when she thought of the child she had given birth to, last year and then, fondly, she once more as remembered the man who had given her reason to keep living. But she had to turn herself in and he had to be the one to do it.

She wiped away her tears and quickly stood, rushing accordingly within the shadows of buildings until she stood forlornly within Spinner's End. Once she was there, standing in dark passageway and across the street, there was a silence that slithered around her as she waited for signs of his arrival home.

It wasn't until she had saw the faint glimmer of light, through a window, that shed through the sheer curtains of the townhouse, just across the street, that finally proceeded to her destination. She breathlessly ran across to door of the house.

She knocked several times upon the door and then noticed the light had turned completely out; Cirelinniel found it alarming and quickly suspended herself Invisible once more, with her wordless charm. She waited at the entrance until she could softly hear the patter of footsteps as they cautiously grew louder until the door was opened.

"…Who is it?" A man asked as he lingered in the darkness of the doorway and had not revealed himself yet.

"Show yourself." He commanded quietly as he searched outside his doorway.

Cirelinniel sighed in relief upon recognizing his voice, unveiling her Invisibility charm and suddenly was in plain view where she stood, drenched and cloaked in black. For a moment, not a word was exchanged between the two for several minutes until Severus Snape quickly extended his hand and pulled her, shoving her inside his home.

"Do you have any idea," He snapped in a menacing whisper as they walked along the darkness of the corridors, "just how dangerous it is for you to be wondering about? Especially during"—

"I came to just say good-bye." Cirelinniel whispered as she followed him into his private study, "I don't mean to put in you in any kind of danger. If you want," She paused as she halted herself abruptly at the entrance of the room and watched as he waved his wand, illuminating the room in candlelight, "I can just leave."

For long moments, Severus watched her silently as he stood and in a defeated manor, he lowered his wand and procured it on a nearby table. He silently pulled her inside and closed and locked the door behind them. He raised his hand, flickering his wrist and the shudders of the windows closed instantly.

Cirelinniel stood shivering under his gaze as she finally began unbuttoning her cloak and quietly sat on a crimson colored ottoman. She wore a completely all-black jeweled bodice that hung in beaded fringe over her thighs. Her warm black undershirt poured out in large, beautiful gathers over her arms and stopped just below her elbows. Her black pants were tight along her legs but covered in thigh-high leather boots and they were tied securely in ruffled trim.

"You never did like wearing the typical dressy gowns, did you?" Severus mused faintly as he began fixing himself a drink. He desperately needed one himself.

"You know I never liked that sort of filly-girly attire. Besides, the corsets in those things are bloody uncomfortable...Severus," She said as she watched him set out two glasses, "You shouldn't trouble yourself. It's isn't"—

"Well…" He interrupted her, shutting his eyes for a moment and gripping the jeweled and glass brandy bottle, "I need one, myself actually. And suspect you need one as well. Besides," He chuckled timidly and pulled another bottle out, revealing it to Cirelinniel where she sat, "I purchased that god awful muggle Whiskey you like; I had actually…I had a feeling you would come to tonight, anyway."

For a few moments, in the flicker of light and shadow of the candlelight, Severus handed her a full glass of Whiskey and he stood, cradling his own glass brandy, watching her intently. Neither of them spoke but rather drank avidly, quietly, thinking and wishing in silent, unspoken prayer.

Finally, Severus sat beside her and watched her, as she simply stared into the space of the room. Her eyes were flickering madly and they no longer held the rich, lavender color but instead became grey with dark circles. Her lips were quivering and her body shook in unison. She clumsily drank her entire glass of Whiskey, quickly, before she fell against him and started to quietly cry.

Severus wrapped his arm around her shoulder and held her close, setting his drink aside and taking her empty glass from her unsteady hands. He wrapped both hands around her as she buried her face into his chest, heaving and sobbing on him.

He could feel her fear, unraveling into him and giving him quakes as well. They both hugged for a long time without speaking and he began to rock her back and fourth. He gently smoothed her blonde, curly wet hair behind her ears and he could feel her tiny hands digging into his backside.

"They're after me." She stated in a muffled sob.

"I know." He answered grimly in a low whisper.

They sat once more in silence and Severus began to shiver. He could vividly remember the last meeting he and the rest of Voldemort's followers, the Death Eaters, gathered to discuss.

It wasn't anymore than a few months ago, however, he could still remember the look of anger the Dark Lord repressed as he talked and described his fugitive wife, Cirelinniel Tsthasume or now known as, "Undesirable No. 5, Cirelinniel Riddle".

The Dark Lord issued a search and offered reward for of her capture, but request that she be apprehended alive; it was made so that he could kill her himself with his bear hands. Severus tightly closed his eyes at the horrified bounty that was held for her capture but he would never turn her in; she was, after all, his best friend.

"I'm going to die." Cirelinniel pronounced as she pulled away from him and she looked at him very seriously as tears gushed from her red eyes; she gently took his hand into her own.

"And before I do I"—

"No." He protested, "You won't! I won't let"—

"I have a child! Your child, for god-sake." She defied in a low, angered screech and she focused her tear-stricken gaze upon him.

"And I will not let him take her. As long as I am alive, I will do whatever deems necessary to protect her. Even if that means dying; you've done enough for my sake. I can no longer ask you to keep me hidden. No one else is going to die for me, Severus. No one." She said with a brief pause.

"You're my best-friend Severus," She smiled sadly as more hot tears spilled between her eye-lids, "I'd cheat fate or destiny, or…or whatever else just to be near you. When you found me that day, you remember?" She desperately tried to keep from sobbing as she tightened her grasp within his hand, "In the street? When we first met, as kids? I had no idea who you were and yet," She paused wiping her face as her lips curled together, over her teeth, and tears cascaded between the crease, "You made something beautiful of my soul. You're the reasons I keep living. You've always been so quiet, so afraid and you find doubt in your existence but I've always tried to show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being."

She took a deep breath as she watched him. His gaze was impenetrable and he looked as if he would retaliate with irrational words or actions but instead he just watched her. He squeezed her hand.

"I don't know if you've ever felt like you could sleep for a thousand years or to just simply not exist, or to just be unaware of your own existence or…something like that. Wanting…it's very morbid to desire such things but I want-I've wanted this for a long time and that's why I'm trying not to think about what's going to happen to me when I go back to Thomas. I just want it all to stop spinning into this never ending blur of nightmares and memories but I can't-I can't, Severus. I can't hide from him anymore. I have a daughter that deserves a better life than this…" She continued as she watched him now as her tears merely turned into a sticky, salty substance and stained her face.

"I've felt as if I have been buried under piles upon piles of sand. Suffocating. Forever drowning. Weighing down my skin and bones. I've been sinking. For a long time. Just simply sinking, not breathing, but falling instead. I've been running for years and I'm tired. I can't do this forever and I refuse to allow Gisele to grow up in that kind of fear."

"In the end," She continued to whisper, growing closer against him, "I only regret the chances I didn't take and the decision I waited too long to make. But I will never regret the kind of friendship you and I share. I know you've always loved Lily," She smiled as more tears built in her glass, translucent eyes and Severus, guilty and forlorn, only frowned when she continued.

"I've known for a long time but you and I, we aren't in love, we're soul-mates. Over the years, I sometimes think a soul mate is simply someone who makes you want be the most "you" that you can possibly be. The platonic relationship between us, between you and I, is deeper than I expected. I couldn't…I couldn't ask for a better friend, than you, Sev, but I can't make you risk your life anymore. You and I, we walk a fragile line and I don't want to live to see it break. I came here tonight," She paused, leaning close to him now and gently kissed his cheek, "To ask a favor of you but I didn't want to leave without telling you how much you mean to me. Gisele was perhaps, the very best gift you've ever given me."

Cirelinniel stood now, within the shadows of the room and began to button her cloak once more. Severus lingered silently where he sat and merely watched her, trying to swallow the pain that was beginning to resurface in his stomach. He quietly stood as she turned to face him.

"What will you do next? Turn yourself in?" He asked.

"No," She answered simply, "You will testify against me and inform Thomas that you apprehended me."

"What?" Severus snapped, "No. I will not"—

"You will do as I ask. It will, undoubtedly, work in your favor and deplete any suspicions that He, or the other Death Eaters, may already have about your involvement with me. Besides," She whispered, "I want to be apprehended by a comrade, not an enemy."

Severus started to shiver and tightly shut his eyes, grinding and bawling his fist together in an internal fit. He was silent and distraught as he hung his head. He brought his hand to his face, covering his eyes and stood there, fearfully quiet.

"I…I," He struggled to articulate his fragile words and then very suddenly, he collapsed against the chair and stared at the floor, "Everyone that I've befriended or loved has somehow died because of me. If I had never revealed the prophecy, if I had only paid closer attention to you Cirel-I-I…none of this would've happened. None of it. It's my entire fault. It's all my fault."

Cirelinniel stared at him as he sat and briskly strode over to him and kneeled before him and watched as he stared through her. He was timidly shaking as his black hair covered his face in darkness and shadow. She bit her lips and took his hand again. She shook his hand for him to look at her. His dark eyes finally peered at her in repressed torment and anguish.

"Severus," Cirelinniel whispered, "In life, we all do things. Some, we wished we had never done but the mistakes, the horrible inaccuracies we gave life to are what makes us who we are and in the end they shape and detail us. If we were to reserve them or question the reasons of which they happened, we wouldn't be the person we are today; can you promise me something? I want you to promise me, you'll continue to live and make mistakes and continue to have wonderful memories but never, for a second forget who you are, where you've been and most importantly, where you're going. I want you to continue to live for yourself, for Gisele, for Lily… and for who ever else! Promise me, you'll never stop living." Cirelinniel felt her eyes water again when she thought of the words her Father died telling her and she shut her eyes for long moments, savoring the embrace of Severus' fingers that intertwined with her own, "My-my Father, he-he told me-and I am reminded, Severus, more than ever as I look at you now," She sniffled and heaved ecstatically, "That Death is neither permanent nor a punishment; it is merely liberation shrouded within darkness. And-And I firmly believe it now, more than ever. Please, I only ask of you," She begged quietly, "To please deliver me my liberation. Take me to Thomas so I can do my part and end this War, the best way I know how."

Severus watched her and for a moment, uplifted by her words, although, he had always been given some sort of inspiration when they shared the same presence together. It always been that way, as long as he could remember, ever since they were kids, Cirelinniel had always delivered encouraging company and somehow was able to make right of muddy, irrational emotions or scary situations. Her words were precious to him.

"What about Gisele? Have you spoken to Dumbledore in regards to your plight? Is he aware that the child is not the Dark Lord's?" Snape asked quietly as the flames of the candles flickered and splayed shadows against the walls of bookcases.

"He's well aware. The Order, however, is not; it's for my own protection. They believe me to be a traitor but…I suppose none of that matters anyway; I'm not risking my life for them anyway, I'm doing it because of Gisele. And you."

"Are you afraid?" He asked.

"Of course. Aren't you?"

"Terrified." He confessed as he stood up with her. They looked at each for long moments as Severus gathered his wand and cloak.

"Will they ever know? The Truth, I mean." He clarified.

"Eventually. But for now," She answered, "That doesn't matter. We must go. You must take me, now."

Severus extinguished the candlelight and linked arms with her as they disapparated together, in destination for Voldemort's location.

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed the "Prelude", don't forget to review!