Hello! Sorry it took so long. Last week was Homecoming so I was wrapped up in that.

Thank you to all the people who have reviewed and followed.

To answer a frequent question, I will be pairing Harry with Aragorn. I have always liked that pairing.

The responses so far on the poll for Severus' pairing:

Farimir/Severus/Eomer- 2

Severus/Haldir-4

Severus/Elrohir/Elladan-3

Severus/Legolas-1

Severus/Eomer-1

Keep Voting!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Lord Of The Rings.

Through The Veil- A Different World

Chapter 4- Stories Exchanged

Healing Halls- Rivendell

Harry POV

"Who are you?"

I sigh knowing this will be a long day. I'm silent for a moment as I think about what I am going to say. I decide to trust Elrond with the truth, for from what I can see, there is magic in this world.

"My name is Harry Potter," I start, Elrond shifts but stills quickly. "I am seventeen years old, and I am a wizard."

"You are really Harry Potter?" Elrond asks quickly. I nod wondering how he knows my name. "A little over two years ago three men fell through the same archway as yourself."

I sat up quickly and dropped the fork that I had been twiddling between my fingers.

"Remus, Sirius and Severus?" I ask hopefully. Elrond nods with a small smile.

"They were in much better condition than you were though, so I assume the injuries you arrived with were sustained before you stepped through?"

"Yes," I say sadly, looking back down at my food. "Did any of them tell you the circumstances of the world we are from?"

"Yes," he nods slowly, recalling what he was told. "They told me about a war that had recently started, a continuation of one that had happened nearly fifteen years ago. They said how you were a main target against your Dark Lord, how they had been training you to fight. How they came to be in this world. I assume ether the war is over and you chose to follow you mentors, or you were forced through."

I sigh as he looks at me expectantly. I really do not wish to relive it so soon, but I realize he probably won't let it go till I tell him.

"I will not force you to tell me now young one," Elrond says shocking me. "But I will have that story eventually, but not because I want the information, but because it looks like you just finished fighting a very deadly war, everyone needs a good ear after such encounters."

I just sit silently for a moment and look at the kind man…er…elf…. before me and I think of how cliché that sounded, but also how right it is.

"After the three of them fell through the arch the war became a nightmare," I say quietly. Elrond doesn't say anything but he moves to the chair next to mine instead of across. He realizes I may need more than just a good ear for this story, but maybe a shoulder as well. "A few days after the whole incident that led to them being thrown thru a friend of mine who I had been friends with for years stopped talking to me, claiming I was 'a danger to all those I got close to'. Him and his younger sister, who at the time I fancied, started to ignore me. The rest of their family did not agree and continued to still be friends with me. But I cannot help but feel that they were right, one by one they slowly were killed."

I take a deep shuddering breath as tears run down my face as I recall the faces of Bill, Charlie, Fred George, Arthur, Percy and Molly all looking at me with haunted eyes as their life left their bodies. Each one of them having died to protect me, to make sure I fought Voldemort; that I won. I feel a pair of strong arms wrap around me as I let my grief out. I had not cried since that night in the Ministry. That was the last time I let myself feel.

"Nearly two years of open war took place," I continue as I manage to pull myself together a bit, but I was still leaning against the regel elf Lord. "So many people died, and not just those who fought, children and old men, as well as Muggles. Everywhere you went in the Wizarding World you were always looking over your shoulder, never knowing what breath would be your last."

I stop talking for a moment and look at Elrond. He is still wrapped around me and is looking at me with compassion and understanding. He knows what it is like to be in this situation. I take a deep breath as I prepare to finish my story, well a shortened, less bloody version.

"Then finally it all came to an end, only about four days ago. The finial battle took place at Hogwarts, there was really no other place that it could have happened. Even in the time of war was it still the strong hold of the light, of innocence. The battle started about just before sunset and lasted for nearly 36 hours. It only ended when Voldemort cast a spell that was beyond his ability to control. It… it killed everyone. It would have killed me to if it had not been for my abnormally large magical core. My magic acted of its own accord and placed me in a shield of pure energy. It only lasted about 20 seconds, but it saved my life, and drained my core. I passed out about a minute later. I woke up yesterday afternoon and saw that everyone else was dead. The spell affected any magical person within a 200 mile radius. When I woke Fawkes came to me and brought me to the Veil. I didn't have anything left so I took the risk and stepped through. I passed out when I felt the cloth tough my skin. I woke for a moment yesterday when you were carrying me, and then I feel into a healing sleep. "

I end my story there as I gently pull away from Lord Elrond.

Elrond POV

I let Harry pull back as he finished his story. It really struck a chord with me how similar his war sounded to the first war against Sauron. This young man has been through many trials and deserves a peaceful life; I am loath to tell him that he may have to fight for it if he wishes to stay with his family.

"I am sorry that one as young as yourself has experienced so much," I say softly as I watch him pick at his food. He looks up at me with pain filled eyes and it takes all my self-control not to pull the young man into my lap and smother him. He reminds me so much of young Estel after the first time he had faced against Orcs. I hope I can help heal this young man as I had Estel.

"Do you know where my Uncles are?" His question is so quiet that I almost missed it in my musings.

"The last I had gotten word of them was that they had taken home in Rohan, home of the Horse Lords," I respond after a moment of thought. "It is a good four months travel from here, in the open plans between the woods of Lothlorien and the realm of Gondor."

"Is there any way to send word that I am here, or perhaps for me to go there?"

"I could send a messenger, but I doubt it would be given to them, and it is a very dangerous time to be traveling in small groups, especially escorts," I say reluctantly, already knowing what it is he will ask.

"Dangerous how?" he asks with narrowed eyes. I sigh and stand and walk to a nearby window to contemplate and answer. A moment later I turn back to him.

"This world is on the brink of war. If the war broke out all kingdoms and races would be affected. ….

I am not going to type out the whole history of the ring and everything that Elrond and men did. Just pretend I did, the story is the same. Pretend Harry listened without interrupting like Elrond did with him.

And now the nine ride toward the Shire. It is believed the one ring is in the possession of a Hobbit."

I sigh as I finish the long and complicated history of the Rings. Harry is looking at the maps of Middle Earth I had provided for him.

"The Shire is offly close to Rivendell is it not?" I nod knowing what he is implying.

"Yes, the young Hobbit that has possession of the Ring is making his way towards Bree and will be escorted to Rivendell by Aragorn."

"I know this is a bit forward but," Harry starts hesitantly. "I wish to lend my services in the upcoming war."

I open my mouth to object but he continues before I could say anything.

"This world is my home now; it also holds the only family I have left. I am trained in hand to hand combat, with a sword, as well as battle and medical magic. I can be useful."

I nod, but before I can give my opinion I am interrupted again as the door to the dining hall is thrown open by one of my sons, Elrohir. Harry jumps to his feet as I start to walk over to my son.

"Adar!" He calls franticly.

"Elrohir?" I question. "What is wrong?"

"Estel and four young Hobbits were seen leaving Bree this morning," he gasps as he tries to catch his breath. It is obvious that he has just run all the way from the stables, probably just returning from his shift on the border. "But that's not all, the nine were seen riding through there last night as well."

"So close on the Rings tail," I mummer; I make a hasty decision, but one I am sure will work. "Go to your sister, she is our faster rider. Tell her to go out and find the ring bearer and bring him here directly. Estel can escort the other three on foot without the nine on his trail."

Elrohir nods and leaves the room at a sprint. I turn back to Harry and say;

"I do believe your help may be needed young wizard. I am going to call a council of all free peoples of Middle Earth to discuss what is needed to be done. I wish for you to be there."

"I will be."

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