First Encounters
Legolas
"What have you ever heard about the Black Wizard?"
Legolas paused, arrow in hand and target in sight. Elrond's twin sons continued their conversation, not knowing that they had successfully distracted the Prince of Mirkwood from their little archery competition.
"Only that his beauty rivals that of our Evenstar."
"I heard Father talking with Lord Glorfindel about the Istar coming to Rivendale for the Council."
Legolas shot the arrow, easily hitting the target despite his inattentiveness.
There were whispers within Mirkwood indicating that his father had once stumbled across the black wizard's pathway but his father had commented nothing of the sort. When the prince had enquired about the encounter, his father just mutely shook his head, face reflecting a mixture of confusion and awe, an expression that Legolas had never seen on his father's face before. Since his father deigned not to speak about the incident, the elven prince did not touch on the issue with his adar again.
However, for days, none in the palace could talk of anything except the renowned istar, of his beauty, his powers and his anonymity.
But the question that had circulated the palace for countless days, none could answer it, even those that had been in the same hunting expedition as his father:
'Who is the black wizard?'
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"His eyes are like the brightest emeralds that you can ever find in the deepest mines!" a dwarf muttered to his companion.
Legolas, who heard those words in passing, resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the clichéd metaphor. However, he had to admit to himself that he was extremely curious about this black wizard, whom even his father had revered, just as many others. Even by dwarves, who liked nothing except gems and mithril.
When he was finally introduced to the wizard by the two besotted Elladan and Elrohir, Legolas felt that he could understand his father's silence for there were no words that could ever define Hariel the Black.
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Aragorn
Beautiful as he may be, Aragorn only felt wariness when he approached the black wizard to formally greet the darkly-clad being. For an unknown reason, Aragorn could only discern that this wizard was far different from the Mithrandir that he knew. The moment their eyes met, he knew instinctively that Hariel the Black was more dangerous and lethal than any Istari he had ever met.
Soon, Aragorn would find that he was correct in his assumptions.
"It is prudent that you should tread so carefully, Master Aragorn," the wizard said, with the same indulging smile that he often smiled. Aragorn tensed, even more wary than before. Ignoring his audience's suspicion, the black-clad wizard continued.
"Often than not, others are so diverted by my looks that they overlook the fact that I am a wizard still," Hariel smiled wider, opening those blind green eyes that could see so much and yet none at all. Captivated by the endless orbs, Aragorn wondered what the ageless being could see within him.
The wizard reached out and caressed his face gently, almost sadly and emphatically.
"You'll face a long and hard journey. But that's alright, for your loved ones will be with you. All way through, till the very end."
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Gimli
They almost stumbled over each other when Gimli was making a racket about the elves and their lack of hospitality in providing guidance around their abodes. The lithe figure in black had appeared suddenly from the corner when Gimli was grumpily looking for his way to his room and stopped right before they bowled over each other.
"Uuh! Watch where ya going," he growled, before he had a good look at his would-be assailant.
At first, the dwarf wondered what this human child that had just reached maturity was doing here in Rivendale.
"I apologise, Master Gimli," the pale-faced child said.
The shorter being blinked, wondering for a moment on how this human knew his name when he had not even introduced himself yet, especially when he had not even opened his eyes to see who was in front of him. No wonder they collided against one another!
No matter. It was more important on finding out who this human was. Scrutinising the dark-haired child carefully, it was then that Gimli realised that this so-called child was actually a wizard. Provided, he did not look like one but he was wearing black robes similar to Gandalf's grey robes.
"Who might you be, Master wizard?" the dwarf finally asked.
The black wizard opened his eyes and Gimli widened his.
"I am Hariel the Black."
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Boromir
He remembered his father's opinion of the little known wizard who had visited the White City briefly mere moons ago. Denethor, steward of Gondor, had only uttered the black wizard's name with contempt.
"That being will spoil and rot your taste for anything beautiful," he had muttered darkly, then turned away from his sons' questioning eyes and would not answer anymore of his queries about the least known yet famed wizard.
Then, the moment came where he finally set his eyes upon the youngest wizard, his breathe was caught and he finally understood his father's words.
He would never again set eyes on another being more beautiful than Hariel the Black.
End of First Encounters
+ A little note:
Notice that not everyone is attracted to Harry the same way. Frodo and the Hobbits thought of Harry as striking, though not as beautiful as the elves. The elves themselves think that Harry is beautiful like one of the Eldar. Different Men and Maiar has different opinions of his beauty.
Here's the reason: Harry is the embodiment of Death. To the eldar, he is part of life, beautiful in his own right. To the Hobbits, who are peace-loving and especially life-loving (if that makes sense) Harry though fair in face is not exactly very attractive. The men, fickle as they are, some crave death and destruction (though not for themselves, selfish beings that humans are). In other words, those who crave for glory and battle, consciously or unconsciously, will be attracted to Harry because these desires will only bring, ultimately, the end of Life.
Now, I would like to end my little author's note by thanking all those that had reviewed for this story and for your patience. Since my exams are finished now, I should be able to update more frequently, including First Meetings and my other stories. ^____________^
P.S. there's a poll going in my profile on the next story that I'll be writing after I complete 'Reset'. Please vote. Thanks ^^
