authors note:enjoy kids

Harry caught up to Elrohir easily and took the lead using his acute sense of smell to track Hedwig. The feeling of the earth beneath his paws calmed Harry's raging thoughts. In his lion form Harry felt free, but at the same time he had used this form to kill. The only way to describe the way he 'disposed' of anyone in this form was viciously. ' Murderer' his human consciousness accused. 'Survivor' his animalistic side spontaneously shot back.

The lion let out a low growl in displeasure, trying his hardest to concentrate on where he was going. But the memories would not let go of his mind. Harry was suddenly at the Department of Mysteries watching as Sirius fell and feeling the helplessness of the situation. Then he was in Dumbledore's office listening as the old man revealed his destiny to him. With another jerk at his mind he was in his old room at the Dursley's tearing Vernon limb from limb. The look of shock and fear was imprinted on Harry's mind forever. And the expression upon the orcs he slaughtered, Harry felt pity even for them.

"Malrendil slow down"!

The wizard came to an abrupt stop and looked back at the elf that was struggling to keep up on his horse. The lion directed his attention back to the forest around them and sniffed. They were still following Hedwig's scent. He huffed and then continued but at a more sedate pace.

(Elrohir POV)

Malrendil is distracted. I could see the shadows drift in his eyes as he sped up his rate of haste. The soft growl was not lost to my sensitive ears either. He is running from his own pain instead of toward the enemy. Now I see what Melian was saying. Malrendil the black son of Earendil and begotten of Melian was far from healed from whatever he suffered during his previous life. I still have a hard time believing the wizard is really elf kin. The idea the he is the son of Earendil the bearer of the light of Silmaril and Melian mother of Luthien was still hard to swallow.

" Malrendil slow down" he stopped and stared at me.

I don't know whether or not Malrendil is glaring but he turns away and sniffs the air. I myself touch the forest with my own magic feeling the mood of the living things around us. There was life here. The fresh smell of tall pine trees reached my nose. The sound of the creatures of this forest filled my ears. The feel of our horses walking on top of the autumn leaves and the sight of a wide path in the midst of them, but there was also fear here. The animals were frightened I could feel their anxiety. The trees speak to me but unlike those of the Mirkwood elves I know not their exact words but rather the feeling behind them.

Malrendil begins to run again but at a slowed pace. We need to move quickly if we are to lure the orcs into the trap but at the same time we need to conserve energy for the confrontation ahead. I just hope I will be able to keep Malrendil and the young Aragorn safe.

(Harry's POV)

Hedwig isn't far. We should find the orcs if we keep going after nightfall. But knowing Elrohir he will object all the way. I can't blame him though, in a way his thinking is logical. We'll need all the energy we can get. But if I sleep I know I will have nightmares. I had become accustomed to them, but when I came to middle earth it was like a fresh start no nightmares visited my dreams. That was, until just now. There are too many parallels in this situation and that of my former life. Am I a cowered? The human in me thinks so, while the animal in me doesn't care as long as I'm alive, and the wizard in me is silent as a grave. ' Turn left', there is no more time to deliberate on my own thoughts we are getting closer.

(General POV)

Harry followed Hedwig's scent, trying his best to focus on the task of finding her and the orcs. Elrohir rode behind him with an extra horse at his side. Neither the wizard nor the elf so much as looked at each other. The tense atmosphere of the forest didn't help either. It was like everything around them was frozen in time and they were moving at break neck speeds. The night couldn't come fast enough for Elrohir who wanted make sure Malrendil was well rested for the next day. And when the sun did come to its twilight he called an end to the chase.

" We must stop, lest neither us have the strength to even wield our weapons".

The black wizard transformed back into his human form. It was obvious that he was exhausted, but he still tried to argue.

" If we stop now they will be upon us ere morning come".

The elf shook his head; " It is better to be full of capacity and fighting tomorrow than to have no vitality and fighting them now".

Harry cursed under his breath but sat against a tree nonetheless. Elrohir held back a smile and tended to the horses instead. Using his magic, Harry gathered loose pieces of dead wood and made a small fire. He stared into the flames hoping to scathe away any of his body's need to sleep.

" Trying to sleep like an elf I see".

Harry looked up to see Elrohir watching him. The horses were wondering a little away from their make shift camp, grazing.

" I wasn't aware elves slept with their eyes open," he said quietly.

Elrohir threw him a blanket from the pack he carried.

" Yes elves can't bare to be parted from the stars," Elrohir said with a sigh.

Harry pulled his knees to his chest and wrapped the thick blanket around his body. He wasn't really all that cold but it felt good be warm.

" You never speak of where you come from Malrendil, why are you so quiet when it comes to your past" the elf asked.

At first Harry said nothing, Elrohir was afraid he wouldn't answer. But then the wizard spoke, his words carefully chosen to be unclear.

" My life before Gilraen and her people is not something I like to remember," he explained.

Elrohir watched as his eyes darkened into a swell of emotions.

" What happened to you mellonanin"? Harry stared at the flames once more, " Many things Elrohir and I have no intention of sharing".

The prince of Rivendell sighed Malrendil was very stubborn.

" At least get some sleep", " you first" Harry retorted childishly.

Elrohir laughed, " And how will you tell if I am sleep or not".

Harry shrugged, " I'll manage".

Elrohir rolled his eyes heavenward and stared at the night sky. After he was satisfied, Harry allowed his eyes to drop closed and fell asleep.

(Dream)

Harry was floating in a black abyss. He could hear water dripping.

"Your fear is misplaced my son".

Harry flinched, " Who is there"?

Blossoms of pink petals rained down upon him and swirled around his body like a storm. With each passing a petal touched his face like a caress of a loving mother.

" And that I am" a voice whispered into his ear.

The language that this voice spoke was unknown to Harry, but he could still understand it.

" Who are you?" he demanded once more.

The petals began to take form. They became soft white skin similar to his or they became robes of beautiful white and pink. Harry's head was now laying in the lap of a beautiful she elf. Her bleach blond hair reached to her waist in curly waves and her great blue eyes stared into his green eyes.

" I am Melian your mother by spirit".

Harry gritted his teeth for some reason he could not move.

" My mother is Lily Potter," he hissed.

A tear spilled from Melian's eye," Her love for you is everlasting, and your love for her is just as strong, I mourn her and your birth father".

Melian stroked Harry's forehead, tracing the lightening scar on his forehead.

Harry fought back the cold shiver that settled in his bones. Something was coming to hurt him Harry could feel it. As the she elf continued to stroke Harry's scar the anxiety that the boy who lived felt increased. A familiar evil was beginning to surface once more with searing pain.

"Stop please" he begged feebly, feeling the phantom pain that haunted his nightmares trying to overpower him.

" You must face your fear in order to overcome it, Malrendil you are no longer alone let us help you" said another voice.

Harry's eyes began to water. The lightening scar began to sting and red eyes peered at him from out of the darkness.

Melian looked up at the eyes in sorrow, "Such pain, and such anger, why do you haunt yourself with memories of hate"?

" Open your heart to me my son".

" YOU ARE NOT MY MOTHER!" Harry screamed.

(Dream end)

Harry started into wakefulness. His eyes were wide open and searching frantically around for the red eyes that had doomed his entire existence since he was one. But the only thing the wizard found was that he was back at the camp he and Elrohir set up for the night. Harry breathed heavily, trying to calm his rampant heart. He looked over at Elrohir to see the elf was staring blankly into space.

" Creepy" Harry muttered standing to his feet.

The horses stood next to a tree in the distance, seeming to be waiting for their masters to come. He sighed and looked up at the sky that was giving way to the dawn. It felt as if he hadn't slept at all.

" Are you alright Malrendil"?

Harry looked to see the elf suddenly alert and staring at him.

" I'm fine" he fibbed.

Before Elrohir could question him further, Harry went to get the horses. The Rivendell elf stared after him with a small amount of pity and annoyance. Why was the wizard so dead set against being confided in?

Meanwhile Harry took hold of the horses' reins and led them back to the camp. His limbs felt heavy and Harry wanted nothing more than to pass out. The stress of hunting the orcs combined with worry and nightmares were slowly draining him. His magic could only do but so much. And Harry was sure he would die if he transformed anytime soon. As he came closer to Elrohir, Harry noticed the elf had his head tilted to the side as if listening to something only he could hear.

" What is it"?

Elrohir didn't answer him. The wizard awkwardly approached him with grave concern.

" What do you hear Elrohir" Harry placed a hand on his shoulder.

Elrohir hastily snapped out of his reverie and grasped Harry's hand with his own.

" Evil approaches this place, the trees whispers of them, and I feel the chill of their malevolent presence" he replied.

The wizard held back the onslaught of questions that burned in his throat. Obviously the elf could sense these wretched creatures much like he used to feel Voldemort.

Harry fought back the sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach; " We need a plan if we are to survive long enough to lure them to the trap".

Elrohir nodded, " Orcs travel only by night".

" They will be here by dawn, we must kill as many as we can while they sleep".

" They will track us by scent, dark or no, Malrendil we must get as far away as possible".

Harry stepped away from Elrohir and mounted one of the horses before giving the reins of the other to Elrohir.

" We stay within their sight but far enough for them to want to pursue us, Hedwig should be here soon and we need to keep close, do not worry so" he goaded his elven friend.

Elrohir mounted the other horse and scoffed at the wizard's light words.

" I will worry mellonanin as the situation befits it, your plan will most likely get us both killed".

Harry smiled half heartily and kicked his horse into a trot.

" Of course it will, I have no illusion of living forever" he looked back at Elrohir who followed after him, " do you"?

Elrohir gave an ungentlemanly snort, " A fool indeed, I am an elf Malrendil an immortal creature and I mean to sail to the undying lands once my time comes".

That made Harry laugh.

" Who is the bigger fool Elrohir, The fool or the fool who follows him"?

The prince of Rivendell fell silent not because of Malrendil's words but because he didn't want to disturb the sudden peace that was wrought over the wizard. He hadn't ever seen Malrendil so tranquil, almost as if the secret weight that he carried in his heart was ebbed.

Secretly Harry was reminded of all the dangerous situations he, Hermione, and Ron gotten themselves into. There was always time for a witty remark and sly joke to ease the tensions that weighed upon them. But now his two best friends were not here and neither were the rest of his friends. Harry sighed wistfully; he wondered what happened to them after his rather melodramatic death. Now that he thought about it the young wizard had to laugh. There he was so ready except his destiny but not the love and support of his surrogate family and it cost him his life. And here he was again with a new family and new destiny but the same problem.

Hearing Malrendil laugh, Elrohir looked at the wizard in concern. The laugh didn't match his composed and slightly cheerful countenance. It was a hollow and bitter sound reflecting the inner pain that Malrendil rarely let surface.

" I will ask you again Malrendil the black and please be honest, are you alright" Elrohir asked.

As they stopped just a few yards from where they had just been they turned to watch the horizon where they Elrohir heard the thunderous approach of their enemies. Harry closed his eyes with a sigh.

" No master elf I am not alright".

"But I will be" he whispered to himself, starting to feel the earth beneath them shake.

The horses nickered uneasily feeling the evil was too close for comfort. Hedwig came soaring from the sky with something clutched in her beak. She landed gracefully upon her master's outstretched arm and whistled in greeting.

Elrohir didn't know whether to laugh or be appalled by what token the bird brought her owner. Harry's smile turned into a wry grimace when he too noticed exactly what was in Hedwig's beak. A bloody blackened ear and Hedwig looked quite pleased with herself at that moment.

Harry shook his head, " Hedwig, drop it".

The bird cocked her head to the side in defiance. Harry glared at his feathered friend with annoyance glittering in his emerald eyes.

" Malrendil look" the wizard looked where Elrohir pointed and forgot all about his bird's disobedience.

Running from the dawn was a large band of orcs. Their snarls and charred appearance more sickening than Harry could remember. The numbers of them were painstakingly greater than of those Harry fought in lion form when he first arrived in Middle earth. But orcs were not the only dark creatures that were among their company. No, they were with what Harry was sure to be goblins atop what looked to be a combination of werewolves and hyenas on steroids. He could swear that the stench alone was enough to kill any man.

(Elrohir POV)

Malrendil isn't afraid. I can see it in the way he looks upon our enemy. The wizard seems more disgusted than frightened but he is not foolish and not very reckless. This child has seen orcs before; I'm sure and probably dealt away with the foul creatures on more than one occasion. But from the raised eyebrow I can tell he has not seen wargs before.

" I propose we leave as quickly as possible," I said feeling the chills go up my spine and not in a good way. Malrendil gives a mysterious smile, " I believe it is too late for that".

I turned my attention back to the orcs who have seemed to stop and sniff the air.

"MAN FLESH AND A ELF FIND THEM".

Now what was that charming phrase I've heard Malrendil use every time he, my brother, and I get caught playing a prank? Ah yes now I remember, " We are officially in deep shit".

Malrendil let his bird fly the orc ear still humorously dangling from her beak.

" I think now would be a good time to go".

I roll my eyes heavenward in annoyance, how could he be so frustratingly calm at this moment. Humans are mysterious creatures to be sure, especially this one. As we kick our horses into a gallop intentionally drawing the foul beasts attention I watch Malrendil. The wizard who is not of the Istar rides very well and doesn't look back. His eyes are fixed upon the sky following his bird. Whatever has been distracting him when he woke has been forced into the back of his mind. This was what Gilraen was afraid of and what Melian and Earendil was trying to rid their surrogate son of.

I may not be able to save the life of his wife but I have every intention of saving Malrendil and Aragorn. ' You have hidden far too long my friend' my mind whispers to him. As if hearing my thought said wizard looks toward me with apprehensive eyes. The orcs are coming. I can hear them running right for us. " We must go faster". Malrendil nods and urges his horse into a break neck pace. I too urge my horse to go faster. The dawn is fast approaching but I know that the orcs won't stop. They will chase us till we are too tired to even move let alone ride.

(Harry POV)

The plan to kill as many orcs as possible before we reach camp was shot straight to hell when Hedwig showed up with that ear. The fact she got close enough to swipe it is very impressive. But without my magic at my full disposal I'm beginning to wonder if I will even survive. My wand had exploded the last time I used which was shortly after Gilraen and I were married. I don't know how I did it; I just attempted to do a locator charm and my wand exploded into golden dust. The book that Moody gave me said that I had out grown its magic. The question remained I out grew the magic of my wand than why is it every time I use my magic I'm drained considerably. I guess I'll just have to improvise.

(General POV)

The orcs chased after their prey. The wargs snarled and snapped at any and all that came in their way as they too gave chase. It took them little time even in their weakened state to track the elf and the young wizard. When Harry looked back to see their enemy in plain sight he knew that they could not keep this pace forever. The horses were becoming tired and his magic was reduced to the power of parlor tricks. Elrohir steadily looked forward unwilling to except defeat. Then Unexpectantly an orc appeared in front of their path. With a spear in hand the Urakai ruthlessly used its weapon to dismount Harry by killing the horse.

"MALRENDIL" Elrohir watched as Harry flew over the orc and landed head first at the roots of a tree.

He looked back to see the spawns of Sauron were upon them. Harry sluggishly got up as quickly as he could. The young wizard watched as the wargs attacked the Rivendell elf mercilessly. Elrohir jumped from his horse's back and strung his bow with rapid succession, killing one dark creature after the next.

But even weakened by the daylight the orcs still outnumbered them vastly. Harry soon found himself cornered by four orcs of his own. In a last ditch effort the wizard thought up a plan.

" Elrohir cover your eyes" he called out.

The younger twin son of Elrond did what he was told without question too desperate for a way out to argue. Focusing the last of his energy into his palms Harry too heeded his own words.

"AVITUS" Elrohir heard some kind of explosion and the screeching agony of their foes.

He could feel the warmth of Malrendil's magic upon his skin like a hot summer day.

" Elrohir run" the wizard's voice was so faint the elven prince could barely make out where he was.

But Elrohir found where Harry was nonetheless, " Not without you".

Without even opening his eyes, Elrohir managed to slip passed the orcs and wolves and carry the wayward wizard far beyond their reach. Once they got away Elrohir didn't stop running for the entire day. He followed the path Hedwig flew, only stopping when he found a good hiding place.

The elf found a hill over looking the trail to lay his burden down upon. Harry had slept the whole time Elrohir carried him. The use of his magic had taken what little strength he had.

" Oh Malrendil what have you done?" the elf whispered.

The guardian of the Dunedain just sighed in his sleep in answer. Elrohir sighed and examined the unaware human. Harry's braid had unraveled itself sometime during the earlier battle and lay about him wildly. His hands were scraped and his clothes filthy. His mouth bled as did his forehead and his obviously raw jaw line had seen better days. Without a second thought Elrohir tore of a piece of his sleeve and wiped away some of the blood on his face. Now Elrohir was faced with a very difficult decision. He could leave Harry here hidden on the hill. ' But the orcs might find him'. ' I could run all night with him on my back' Elrohir thought. But then there was the issue of time and how long the elf could run.

"What will I do with you?" he asked silently.

After a few moments Elrohir decided to carry the wizard, hoping that he would be fast enough to reach camp before the orcs did.