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Chapter VII:

The elves had hidden their only remaining homeland from the prying eyes of mortals for many thousands of years. They watched over their younger kin as best they could, fighting in their many conflicts and watching over the families of their most precious friends.

It was when they heard of the death of James and Lily Potter that they chose to take a more direct action when it came to protection. Voldemort was a threat to every living being on the planet not only the magical people of England.

Each was brought to Imladris in secret and alone, save for Balan and his sister Rodwen. Each was trained in secret honing the gifts given by their bloodlines. They had little to no contact with the others until that fateful day.

Amariel had woken early. The sun had barely risen over the high mountaintops. She sighed as she chose her gown for the day. It had been close to two years since she and her parents had been brought here. They had left their dental practice without a word and she didn't know what they were going to do if they ever went back.

Amariel pulled out a forest green gown and quickly did the buttons up with practiced ease. She was to meet her caretaker Elladan for breakfast and then training in archery and swordplay. At first she didn't understand why she was chosen but as time went on she started learning old magic and she understood. She was training for the war against Voldemort. When asked the kindly elf told her out right, though it didn't total quell the questions. Was she the only training? If she wasn't, where were the others? Better yet, where was Harry?

'Mae govannen, Amariel,' Elladan said as he sat next to her at breakfast. The people had taken to calling her that and she knew that it was only the elvish translation if her given name. 'How did you sleep?'

'Very well, Elladan,' she answered. While she often had difficulties with the language, she was inquisitive and a quick study. 'You?'

'Soundly,' he answered. 'I have some issues at the main house that I have to deal with this morning and if you promise not to hurt yourself…' she took a sideways glance at him at that. '… then I will leave you to your exercises. Is that all right?'

Imladris, even if it was just a portion of what it was in the old days, it still held much of its grandeur. There were several different homes around the valley while there was the main house. She had stayed there for a few days while they got her settled in.

She nodded and he smiled at him before they finished their meal in general silence. They did not talk all that much even during training. They were comfortable in their silence and it suited them.

Elladan eventually excused himself and she watched him walk from the hall wondering what could be going on. It was very rare that she was left on her own and it had never happened that she was left on her own to sword train. Other times he merely left a note and books on her desk for her to study from.

She finished her own breakfast and retreated to the courtyard. She nodded to her mother who sat reading in the shade of one of the many ancient trees that filled the valley and headed to the armory. She picked the blunt sword that she used for training and headed out into the middle of the courtyard. She took her stance and slowly went through the movement that now seemed ingrained in her memory. She went through this over and over each time gaining more speed. She could feel the sweat pouring off of her and she took a sharp turn and almost dropped her blade as it was stopped by another. She stared into the bright blue eyes of a man. He had dark red hair that fell to his shoulders and slightly tanned skin. He seemed familiar in some way, but this world changed people so much that if she had seen her own mother in a large group of people she wouldn't have recognized her.

'You have some skill with blade,' he said simply.

She disentangled her blade from his and held her stance her blade at his throat for a moment before dropping it. 'The women of my county learned long ago that those without blades can still die upon them.' She moved quickly from him and sheathed the blade before turning back to him. 'Forgive me, my lord. It has been a long time I have the company of someone other than my parents and Lord Elladan. It has made me bitter.'

'There is nothing to forgive for I have been the same save for my master, Lord Legolas Thranduilion.'

Amariel felt her eyes widen. 'I have read about him. He was one of the nine walkers. It is a great honor to be apprenticed to him.'

The man nodded and smiled at her. 'Forgive me but I don't think we have been introduced. I am Balanidhren. Balan for short.' He took her hand in the old world fashion and kissed her knuckles.

She smiled and bowed. 'I am Amariel.'

His smile broadened. 'Amariel. Certainly a beautiful name to compliment a beautiful girl.' If it had been only a year before she would have rolled her eyes at such a compliment, now she thought it sweet.

'Do you care to come in for some tea?' she asked, totally obvious to her mother watching them.

'It is nearly lunch but I would love to.'

They didn't notice her parents or their guardians as they left the courtyard.

… … … … …

As they watched the younglings leave Amariel's parents approached the two elven lords.

'The time is near at hand. The wizarding world falls more and more into chaos. We need to return soon or Vayna fears it may be too late,' Legolas said after knowing the two were out of earshot.

'When will you return?' Amariel's mother asked.

'In a months time,' Legolas answered. 'It will give the younglings chance to get know each other again.'

'Was it necessary to keep them apart like that?' Amariel's father asked.

Legolas sighed. 'It was needed,' he said simply before heading into the house. The elven lord found the two laughing and sharing stories over several cups of tea. He coughed to catch their attention and they looked up. 'You, Amariel, are invited to spend the next month at the main house,' he said before motioning for Balan to follow him.

Balan said a quick goodbye to Amariel before following. He paused for a moment at the door and watched her gather the dishes before he was called by his master. He sighed happily before following.

… … … … …

Locien Galad kicked forward and barely made a connection with his foot against his opponent. His opponent instead took hold of his foot and twisted making him fall face forward into the grass. He stilled for a moment and then slapped the ground before his opponent let him up. He stood and turned to see his brother Estel whipping the sweat from his face with a towel in one hand and a proffered towel clutched in his other hand. Locien took it, whipping the sweat form his face and neck.

'Either I am getting better or you are having an off day,' Estel said smiling.

'Off day,' Locien answered letting his body fall back onto the bench. Estel looked at him concerned. 'I didn't sleep well last night, but don't bother asking, I already talked to Naneth about it.'

Estel nodded as he leaned against the bench and drinking in the sunlight that came through the trees.

'I saw ada leave with his apprentice earlier,' Locien said after a moment. Despite them not knowing their ada's apprentice they knew that he existed. 'What do you think is going on?'

'Could be any number of things,' Estel answered. 'But I have a feeling that we will be returning soon.'

Locien turned so that he was lying on his side. 'Who were you? Before you came here I mean?'

Estel sighed but was saved from answering with Vayna Galad entered the courtyard. Almost two years before Vayna and her husband, using their mortal aliases, adopted Locien and saved him from the clutches of Voldemort. He had all but forgotten his life before he started living with them because it was not worth remembering. It was far too horrible for someone so young to go through. Locien still had nightmares every few months about it.

Estel on the other hand was under guardianship of Vayna and Legolas. His parents had died when he was a baby but they were only able to claim guardianship eight months after Locien. They had become close and were practically brothers. What Locien didn't know is that Estel was forbidden from telling anyone who he really was until the time was right. That would be right before they returned to the wizarding world.

The two of them lived at the Main house with their Naneth and Ada. Legolas' apprentice Balan lived with his family in the manor house that was near the main house. Balan's sister lived there as well and her and Estel had been dating for just under a year. Estel had just proposed the week before much to the surprise and annoyance of Balan but to the happiness of everyone else. Apparently Vayna was planning an engagement party for them before they left for home, or England. Estel wasn't sure if England was his home anymore. He had found peace among the elves, peace he never got while in England.

The two brothers followed their naneth into the dinning hall and sat for the midday meal. They sat in relative silence just enjoying the meal when Legolas walked in and quickly whispered in Vayna's ear. She nodded before standing and left the two without an explanation.

Estel stood slowly. 'Something is going on…' Locien was about to respond about the obviousness of that statement when the door to the dinning hall burst open. Through the open door walked Rodwen, Legolas' apprentice and a third person, a girl with brown hair and though Estel knew instantly who she was he waited to hear her elvish name. Estel then realized that the time was almost at hand. The only reason that the five of them would be reunited was they were going back.

'Ah, Estel! Locien! Good to see you are still here!' Legolas said. 'May I introduce Balanidhren and Amariel. They are guests in the Last Homely House.' The boy stood and bowed while their companions returned it. It was then that Estel was nearly bowled over by a girl with bright red hair.

Estel steadied himself and hugged her back before pulling her into a kiss. He heard Balan growl lowly but paid him no mind as Legolas explained to Amariel their relationship.

They soon retired to the study where Legolas and Vayna, who they found there, explained what was going on.

'The situation in the wizarding world is growing dire,' Legolas said leaning back in his seat. The other six were arranged in various chairs and lounges around the room. 'The Minister is failing to protect his citizens and Dumbledore is losing hope. Ever since Harry Potter disappeared the attacks have only gotten worse and Voldemort seems to think that he now has free rein. It is time to return.'

'But, my lord, if Harry Potter is dead as they say, what hope do they have?' Amariel asked from her place next to Balan.

Estel smirked, a skill he learned and perfect with help from Locien. 'What makes you think he is dead, Hermione?' he asked. She turned to him and the fog seemed to lift from her eyes. Legolas, Vayna, Rodwen, who learned the truth from Estel at the permission of Vayna, and Estel watched each of them carefully.

'H-Harry?' she said slowly. He merely nodded.

'What the hell?!'

…

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A/N: I didn't want to go back to the manuscript because the last chapter was really weak in my opinion. So I didn't have any ideas as to go to the future, so I decided to go to the past. The questions that this chapter gives will be answered as people realize who the mystery helpers really are. I hope you enjoyed this!

Always,

Vàna