Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters named here from either Lord of the Rings nor Harry Potter. They all belong to the brilliant minds of J R R Tolkien and J K Rowling respectively. I have simply borrowed them for my pleasure.

Time setting - sometime at the beginning of Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts. I know he had a lot going on but I like to think he could squeeze a little adventure with a few Elves into his busy schedule.

Characters: So many but to name a few; Legolas, Haldir, Melpomaen, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Snape etc. You name them, they're probably going to be in here somewhere!

Ok, it's been a while since I last posted here - 2005 to be exact. Life just hasn't been kind and I've not had the time or motivation to write but I've finally managed to get back to the thing which keeps me sane.

To anyone who used to read my stories - yes, I know I have a story which is unfinished and I'm really sorry about that but I'll be writing more for The Journey at the same time as this one and hopefully posting chapters alternately.

Elves and Magic

Chapter 1 – In the beginning there were Elves.

King Elessar paced the Great Hall watched by a young Gondorian guard. The youth shifted nervously each time his Lord marched past him. Finally, Elessar came to a halt directly in front of the him and demanded to be told the message once again, word for word as relayed from the Captain of the Guard.

'My Liege,' began the young man, nervously, 'I was told to tell you that sightings have been made of a small band of Orcs travelling between the south of Ithilien and the Mountains of Mordor. Twice they have been followed and on each occasion they were seen to be entering a small cave deep inside the innermost range. The Captain is attempting to capture one of them in the hope of extracting information from him as to the exact number in his company and the reason they linger in our realm when all others followers of Sauron have long fled. He said he is reluctant to attack the group as it may resultant in counter-attacks and their number is unknown.'

'Indeed, it is most disturbing' said Elessar, more to himself than to the messenger.

At that moment, the large wooden entrance doors swung open to reveal an unlikely sight. Within the door-arch stood an Elf and a Dwarf. Both were embroiled in a furious exchange of words which left any observer in no doubt but that an altercation was in progress.

'I'm telling you for the final time, Legolas...I'll not travel again in the company of that infernal Elf...not as long as my name is Gimli, son of Gloin!' exclaimed the Dwarf and he folded his arms resolutely across his chest as though to strengthen his words.

'Gimli, you are insufferable!' rejoined the Elf who was obviously struggling to remain as calm as possible under the circumstances. 'I would never have believed a Dwarf could be so sensitive as to take offence to such a simple little comment as...'

'He called me a short, smelly, hairy troll!'

Gimli had interrupted Legolas' words so completely that Legolas fell silent whilst trying to think of yet another way to calm his friend's ire. As he tried to compose his thoughts, his eyes fell upon his great friend, the King, who was standing with his hand to his head, eyes tightly shut, his features set in a tight grimace.

'Ah, Elessar!' exclaimed the Elf who wasted not a moment in reaching the King's side. 'You are wise...compassionate...and know well the ways of the Elves.'

'Aye, that he does...and he is also a great friend of the Dwarves!' interjected Gimli who had jogged after Legolas and now stood looking into the troubled face of Gondor's ruler, smiling broadly and finishing his statement with a wink, quite obviously hoping to win Elessar to his side of the disagreement.

'Ai, Elbereth!' exclaimed Ellessar. 'Do I not have enough concerns in my life that I must become involved in your petty altercations?'

Legolas frowned. It was unlike his friend to be so abrupt. It was at that moment Gimli noticed the presence of the young man. He nodded in the direction of the youth;

'Who is he and why is he standing there?' demanded the Dwarf.

Elessar was too overwhelmed to consider Gimli's inappropriate curiosity and without thinking he offered an explanation for his presence. Gimli looked aghast.

'It's true then? I'd heard as much in the taverns but dismissed it as an old wive's tale.'

'You knew...and you did not think to tell us?' said Legolas, not a little irked.

'Do you think I'm daft?' demanded Gimli. 'Not enough that that oaf of an Elf attacks me at every opportunity but you want me to give him ammunition now! He would have made me a laughing stock and no mistake.'

Elessar looked confused.

'What Elf has attacked you, Gimli? And Legolas has a point...you should have told me.'

Gimli looked exasperated, 'Haldir, of course! Ever since he arrived he's been goading me at every opportunity. If I wasn't such a pleasant Dwarf I should have battered him into a pulp long before this day!'

Legolas opened his mouth to reply but Elessar raised his hand to stop him. The King felt he could not allow this petty bickering to continue any longer, especially when there were matters of far greater importance demanding his immediate attention.

'Cease and desist at once!' announced Elessar. 'Perhaps you would do better to turn your attention to the matter in hand - namely the re-appearance of followers of the Dark Lord. What say you concerning this, Legolas? I would value your thoughts,' and then as he noticed Gimli's raised eyebrows and quizzical look, 'oh, and yours too, Gimli, of course.'

Gimli appeared placated and offered, with a smile;

'Let me go after them. I'll have them all trussed and delivered on your doorstep in less than a day. Why, I'll rip them limb from limb, I'll flatten them like rats, I'll...'

Elessar looked shocked and not a little amazed. He had long suspected Gimli was become bored with the mundane day-to-day affairs of Gondor but that he should witness such an outpouring of apparent blood-lust left him almost speechless.

'Er, Gimli,' began the King but Legolas spared him further discomfort.

'Your noble valour is commendable, Gimli, dear friend and not least what I would expect from one so proven in battle. However,' added Legolas, gently 'perhaps we should err on the side of caution.'

He addressed both as he continued;

'Mayhap Lord Elrond might be informed, Lord Celeborn too. I am aware they are contemplating sailing to the Undying Lands shortly but surly since they both remain we should take advantage of their combined wisdom.'

'You are right, of course, Legolas' replied Elessar. We shall send word to them at once. Perhaps they might have some ideas to explain what has been seen.'

With no more delay the King sent for his fleetest messengers and sent word to both Elven Lords.

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In a manor house, deep in the English countryside, a small beady-eyed little man who appeared more rat-like than human in his actions stood with bent back, grovelling before a shrouded form. A pale hand protruded from the black covering and was engaged in stroking the head of a large snake. The snake hissed with delight, almost as a cat would display its enjoyment at being petted, but the eyes of the hunched minion darted from his master to the snake with unerring regularity. He knew this creature was deadly and he feared for his safety.

'My L'Lord,' stammered the man, fear and subservience tainting his tone. 'The orb is ready, the portal open.'

'Excellent!' replied his master, 'bring the orb to me and place it on the table. The time is nigh to strengthen our ranks. This will be my greatest hour, Wormtail. I have searched for one who is equal to me in power and now it is time; we shall be united.'

Wormtail shuffled from the room and returned carrying a large crystal orb. He placed it on the table directly in front of his master and hurried a safe distance from it. The cloaked form leant forward and two pale hands were extended to hover over the orb's surface. Within the crystal mist began to swirl. At first there were wispy white filaments but soon they changed to resemble the ominous greys of a dense storm cloud. Faster and faster they whirled within the orb as mysterious words filled the air, uttered by the hidden creature beneath the dark cloak. Wormtail cowered and covered his head with his arms, terrified to take his eyes off the orb for a moment as it now began to fill with blue lightening flashes which seemed to leap from the surface, arcing with the pale fingers which summoned them.

Suddenly, there was a flash and the room was filled with acrid smoke. Figures appeared to be forming within the dense grey fog, gradually becoming more solid and visible. Wormtail's eyes became focused on the largest of the forms and he gave a great gasp as the figure took its final solid form.

Before him stood an immense being. He was at least seven feet tall and very broad. His hair was black and fell in dirty tendrils over his shoulders. His face was pale and gaunt but what most caught Wormtail's attention and filled him with terror were the being's eyes - they were bright orange and glowed like fire.

The being looked about him and his eyes came to rest on the shrouded form sitting in the chair.

'Ah, Lord Sauron. Greetings! Finally you have arrived. Allow me to introduce myself. I am known by most as He Who Must Not Be Named...but you may call me Lord Voldemort!

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Within Elessar's council chamber the tension was palpable. A large wooden banquet table had been moved into the chamber to accommodate Gondor's latest guests. Several Gondorian guards stood at intervals around the room and despite their strict training which endowed them with immense self-control and dedication to duty, they could not help but allow their gaze to drift to the noble visitors now engaged in deep discussion with their King.

Lords Celeborn and Elrond sat at each side of King Elessar. Lord Elrond had brought with him his advisors, Masters Erestor and Melpomaen and both sat erect and alert, awaiting the slightest request from their Lord. The King leant on his hand so as to cover the small grin he could not suppress at the sight of the two advisors. Only too well he remembered growing up in Imladris, the Elven Realm of Lord Elrond and being witness to the many and fervent arguments which frequently erupted between Erestor and Melpomaen. Erestor was by far the eldest of the two and carried his office with sombre dignity. He was well known for his wisdom and stoic approach to matters of state. By contrast Melpomaen was younger and full of life. Although he too was wise he was known to temper his advice with humour and this rankled with Erestor. Melpomaen was also known for his love of wine and song and this also contrasted greatly with Erestor's view of what was dignified and what was not.

The meeting seemed interminable as both Elven lords offered their own explanations for the presence of the Orcs and possible solutions. Elessar was on the verge of suggesting they adjourned until the following day when a Gondorian Captain burst through the main door and hurried to kneel before his King. With head bowed he hurriedly delivered his news;

'My Liege, I have news on the Orcs. They are gone!'

'Then why so anxious, Captain? Surely we have no more cause for concern? Obviously the matter has found its own resolution.'

The Captain raised his head and Elessar saw his eyes were wide with fear as the captain continued, unbidden.

'My King, my men and I followed the Orcs again today at sundown. We trailed them across the mountains and to the cave in which we assume they have been living. My men were eager and wished to put an end to this farce so I...I led them into the cave. I know I should have awaited your orders but ...'

The captain faltered and appeared to sway a little so Elessar offered him a goblet of wine and gestured him to a nearby chair. The Captain hesitated, knowing it was not within the protocol of the Court for him to sit in the presence of the King but Elessar was insistent and the Captain sank gratefully into the seat. Once he had imbibed a fair amount of the wine his senses appeared to recover and he continued unbidden;

'The cave was narrow and the ceiling low so our passage was slow at the start but eventually it began to open up. After half a league or so we began to hear grunts and snarls which we assumed were being made by the Orcs and although we were no longer hampered by the encroaching walls of the cave, we progressed with stealth for fear of being heard. Suddenly, as we rounded a sharp turn in the path, we had them in sight and then...'

Here the Captain became pale and took a deep draught from his cup, draining the remaining wine in a few large gulps. Struggling to compose himself again, he continued;

'As I said, we saw them! They were right in front of us. There were at least eight or maybe ten of the beasts and behind them...' he paused again and stared Elessar in the eye earnestly, 'there stood the biggest, ugliest creature it has ever been my misfortune to see. The very sight of him struck terror into the hearts of every man. He was immense but the worst thing was...his eyes! They burned in his head like fire and he stared as us with a look of pure evil. As one we grasped our weapons tighter and readied for the attack which would surely come but before we could take a step...he and his minions disappeared! As I sit here before you, I swear they all just vanished before our eyes!'

The Captain continued to stare wide-eyed at the King as though imploring him to believe his words. Ellessar frowned but placed a comforting hand on the man's shoulder.

'I believe you, Captain, never fear, although it would appear the mystery deepens.'

Elessar turned to the Elven Lords;

'What say you to this?'

Celeborn and Elrond looked deep in thought and greatly troubled. Erestor gave a small cough and offered;

'Perhaps there is some dark force at work here. Perhaps some new evil of which we are ignorant has come to settle in Middle Earth once more!'

Beside Erestor, Melpomaen gave a little start and raised his hand slightly as though a thought had just come to him. Elrond inclined his head toward his young advisor and smiled slightly, despite the gravity of the situation. He was quite fond of Melpomaen and was of the habit of indulging his eccentric ideas. He had no reason to believe this time would be different to any other. Melpomaen needed no further bidding. Leaping to his feet he stated, excitedly;

'I have it! It is obvious! Do you not see...can you not guess?'

Celeborn was not quite as patient as Elrond and snapped, impatiently;

'I am not in the habit of guessing games, not least from and excited young Elf. State your theory and be done with it or else hold your tongue!'

Melpomaen's excitement was such that not even Lord Celeborn's intolerance could subdue him as he replied, enthusiastically;

'It is very simple, really...it is magic!'

Tbc

Ok, that's chapter one. I hope you enjoyed it. Chapter two will follow shortly, hopefully, tomorrow.

Please feel free to let me know your opinions as it's been a looooooong while since I've written anything.