2 YEARS OLD
.-.
Impossible emerald eyes stared down at pale hands. They were soaked red with blood. He looked at them with an unreadable expression. The blood pooled in all the palms as it adorned the fingers and nails. It splashed all the way up his arms, and across his chest. Small droplets ran down his cheeks and hung from his lashes. His hair dripped it in a slow steady stream.
As he stared at the blood something in him died. That small piece of innocence he always carried faded away leaving the weary tired man. Not even a man. Just a skinny, innocent, teen with raven locks and emerald eyes.
.-.
He watched the body of Voldemort burn in the torn up grounds of Hogwarts. No funeral for the dark lord. Just a Latin word and wave of a stick and he was burning to ash. Bodies of the fallen were carried off as people wept from sorrow, weariness, and joy. It was over. The war was over and the light had won.
His eyes move to the huddle figures of his friends. Hermione with her quick wit was sobbing on Ron, who for all his knowledge of strategies couldn't comfort her. Neville sat on the blood stained ground, his large brown eyes half lidded as he gazed at the lake blankly. The body of Bellatrix beside him was barely recognizable through the damage of numerous slashing charms.
Luna Lovegood stood silently to the side, the dreamy expression on her face, but now it was even more empty. Fred Weasely was sobbing over his dead twin, wailing in grief. No one could tear him from the corpse. Molly Weasely sobbed by her dead son Percy, and Arthur Weasely stared blankly at his sons. Ginny Weasely sobbed into Bill's shoulder, Bill just trying to calm her as the medic tried to stop the werewolf bite from bleeding too much. Hagrid was uncharacteristically serious as he let Pomfrey bandaged his wounds.
McGonagall was walking through the groups of people trying to check on everyone. Draco Malfoy lay on the ground, his head in his mother's lap as she sobbed. He tried to calm her but barely moved through his blood loss. The bite mark on his neck as clear and the slow changes in appearance showed he had been changed. Lucius Malfoy lay dead in front of them, having shielded them from the final blow of a spell. As Harry looked over them all he felt a cold calm replace anything else he felt.
.-.
Harry watched as the death eaters were dragged off in chains screaming. The dead were dragged off like trash. He saw an Auror start to drag Severus Snape's body off with a look of grim disgust. Harry surged forwards grasping the man's arm. The man looked at him, surprise replaced by a deep respect.
"Yes, Mr. Potter?" He asked.
"Leave him. He's to be buried with the heroes." Harry rasped.
"But sir, he's a death eater! He killed Dumbledore!"
Harry felt much older then he was as the man twice his age called him sir.
"No. He was a double agent." Harry said simply.
The man nodded once and hurried off. Harry gazed at the body of Snape as he was dragged towards the make shift morgue, and bowed his head in thanks one last time before he turned and set off to help everyone else.
.-.
Remus's hand grasped Harry's tightly as glazed eyes looked up at him. Remus nuzzled his hand sobbing.
"Harry, Harry, Harry." He repeated. "You're parents would be proud. Sirius would be proud."
Harry felt tears prickle his eyes.
"Will you watch after Tonks for me?"
He didn't have the heart to tell the dieing man his wife was already dead.
"Yes."
"And Teddy too?"
"Yes."
The man gave one last smile as he sighed in a content way and relaxed back into the cot, eyes closing as his hand went limp, letting Harry's hand go. Harry moved away and scooped the six month year old Teddy Lupin up. The boy wrapped his arms around Harry and cuddled into him. Harry wondered if he deserved to have the innocent child hugging him after he had killed.
.-.
Harry gazed at the fire with half lidded eyes as he thought sadly of his life. Voldemort was gone and he was finished school, but he was no longer apart of the world. He couldn't be. It had been ten years since the final battle and he still looked seventeen, not a day older. Though, his eyes were much more mature. Hermione and Ron were married, living happily together. Ginny was single and making a fortune as a broom designer and quidditch player. Teddy lived with Luna Lovegood now. Harry, his godfather, simply visited often. The world had moved on, but Harry was still in the same body. He was immortal. And it was a curse.
.-.
.-.
Harry gazed at the gargoyle to the headmaster's office and it stared back with stone eyes.
"Please open." He said simply.
It sprang aside and he climbed the stairs, remembering a time years ago when he had done the same thing. As he entered the Headmaster's office he spotted half of the portraits empty for the summer, the rest dozing or chatting. He looked to the shelves that had once been filled with large books and magical devices, looking exactly like the fantasy magic room. Now they were filled with plain books. The perch Fawkes had sat on was gone, replaced by a globe. The sorting hat, nestled between books watched him silently.
Harry glided past the headmaster's desk and came to face three painting. Dumbledore slept silently in his. McGonagall, a headmistress for a large amount of time, had slipped into another frame as was chatting silently with another man; Severus Snape.
Harry had been the one to get the potion masters frame moved to the headmaster's office. When he had defeated the dark lord he had been at the top. They had believed everything he had ever said and he had said Snape was a hero. Harry smiled sadly inwards and cleared his throat. McGonagall turned to him and her face bloomed into shock. Snape also turned, getting the same expression. She quickly leapt to Dumbledore's portrait and shook him. The three gazed at him with open mouths and large eyes.
"Harry?" Dumbledore asked slowly.
"Yes." Harry said quietly,
"H-how can you look so young?" McGonagall asked. "It has to have been two hundred years since you were seventeen."
"It's been two hundred and fifty."
They stared in shock as Harry sat in the chair.
"How can you be immortal?" Dumbledore asked. "Even Vampires only last two hundred years."
Harry smiled sadly.
"Voldemort, in the end, found the key to immortality. By unfortunate luck I attacked during his spell. He was thrown back by one of my spells and aimed wrong. I was hit and the Horcrux in me was destroyed, and replaced by true immortality."
Silence.
"I tried to kill myself a few times but I couldn't." Harry laughed bitterly.
"…Why come now Harry, why not sooner?" Dumbledore asked after a moment.
Harry looked off.
"I lost track of time."
More silence.
"I only came now to say goodbye."
Dumbledore blinked.
"I'm leaving." Harry said simply. "I can not live in this world any longer. I have to hide too much. Hermione and I researched a way to send me to another world and I'm going to test it."
Dumbledore blinked in shock but was silent. There was a moment of silence.
"How long ago did your friends die Harry?" He asked softly.
"Ron died at eighty when a fool tried to become another dark lord. He was a moron, though he did gather a few other morons and launch a few attacks. Ron died talking a hit for another family. Hermione died of old age at a hundred and fifty."
"Why wait a hundred years then?" McGonagall asked.
"My last friend died recently."
"Who?"
"Draco."
He got startled looks from them all.
"In the final battle he was changed into a vampire. We stuck together for most of the last hundred years, but his vampire life span ended and he died. I've spent the last few years getting everything sorted and the ritual started."
They stared at him a moment.
"So you're leaving?" McGonagall asked softly.
"Yes." He smiled.
More silence.
"Goodbye Harry." Snape said quietly.
They all stared at him making him sneer and turn away. Harry's face softened into a smile.
"Goodbye Severus."
Dumbledore gave a chuckle.
"Goodbye my boy."
McGonagall just smiled and nodded to him.
"Goodbye Albus, Minerva."
Then he was leaping out the window, broom in hand.
.-.
He looked at the small pouch in his hand and tilted his head. Such a small item, and it carried everything of his. He had long ago hidden from the world, not wanting them to know of his immortality. His properties and funds had been split between Fred Weasely's family, Ginny's family, and Ron and Hermione's family. Teddy's family had also gotten some. He laughed softly. In the pouch was a large amount of gold, books, potion ingredients, and treasures. He had, when he had turned eighteen, inherited the black fortune, the Potter fortune, the Gryffindor Fortune, the Slytherin fortune, the Ravenclaw fortune, and the Hufflepuff fortune.
He had been the last heir of Gryffindor and Riddle had been the last heir of Slytherin. The Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw lines had died out. The founders had been close though and it had been written in their wills that when a line died out the fortune would be divided between the other lines. Harry was the last of the four lines and gained everything. He had of course thrown a large amount into a vault to be strictly used on Hogwarts. He had divided the rest, keeping some for himself, and giving the rest to his friends.
He had also found large weapon, potion, and book collections in the various vaults. The small pouch held all of his. The pouch itself was of his and Hermione's design. It held more then ten trunks together and had charms to make sure if it was ever lost or stolen no one would be able to get anything from it and it would immediately return to him. On his death it would go to closets person to him. He doubted he would die anytime soon though. He gave a bitter laugh and trailed off into a sigh. He looked up once more at Hogwarts and a sad smile graced his lips.
"Goodbye." He whispered.
Then he stepped into the large circle made of runes he had drawn on the ground. It was made with his own blood. As he stepped in he brought his magic to the surface and the runes flared a bright red, lighting up the evening. Then they swirled and he left the world.
.-.
.-.
Harry gazed at the small house happily. Finally it was finished to his liking. It was made out of strong wood and layered in spells. It stood in a small clearing in the middle of a patch of woods on a hilly grassland area. The house had a kitchen, a sitting room, two bedrooms and a bathroom. He had made a plumbing system of sort s with his magic and had made some muggle appliances run by magic. The clearing the house sat in was nice, getting a large amount of sun. He had cut the grass so it was short and started a bunch of gardens. He had also set up a well. He had arrived in this world five years ago. He had searched for the perfect place to live while also learning of the world. When he and Hermione had made the spell to send him to another world they had come across an interesting flaw.
The spell would not just dump him off at a random time. It would either make him appear at the beginning of the world or the end of it. But that didn't mean he would appear the second it was made or the second it ended. No there was about a two hundred year time range. Either around two hundred years before it was destroyed or two hundred years when it started. It wasn't very exact. He had landed when it had been built luckily, well maybe not luckily. He had landed in a world newly built empty of all except the very first creatures and plants and the gods, or the Valar as they were called here.
Luckily it appeared some greater power had made this world and plants and land were already built and shaped. There were a few odd animals too. No intelligent creatures as of yet though, except the Valar. The Valar, though quite interested with him, were busy with their new world and keeping peace with their own (Melkor). That would mean he would be alone until they evolved or were created. That could take thousands of years. He sighed once but soon became content. He had some peace now though. And time to read all his books.
.-.
Harry hummed to himself as he picked the flowers gently, snapping each stem off near the base, careful not to rip the leaves of petals. A man watched from the shadows of the trees. His appearance seemed to change the longer you stared at him. First you were sure he had black hair then a moment later you were sure he had blonde. One moment he was seven feet, the next three. One moment he was twenty, the next a hundred. Luckily he always appeared as a man. He liked that gender best it appeared.
'You seem lonely.' The man whispered.
The words were not said aloud though. Harry heard them echo in his mind, in the earth, in the trees, in the sky. But nothing was said aloud.
"I guess." Harry said in English.
The man would understand him in any language he spoke. Because the man wasn't really a man.
'Lonely, but as pretty as the lily you are picking.'
Harry shuddered with sorrow a moment and then smiled at the man who had stepped closer. Close enough to pull a lily from the air and tuck it in his hair. It was a deep shade of blue like water and seemed to flow like water also.
'A Lonely Lily.'
Harry smiled softly at him. The man brushed his cheek then paused and looked to the west.
'My Kin call. Melkor is stirring trouble. I will see you again Lonely Lily.'
"Goodbye Ulmo." Harry said softly, sighing.
The man bent over (or reached up?) to brush his lips across Harry's forehead.
'Do not worry Lonely Lily. I shall watch over you.'
"I'm not worried." Harry said honestly. "Just, as you said; lonely."
The man gave a soft smile.
'Elves and men are venturing further and coming into power and wisdom. Soon you shall not be alone.'
Harry gave a soft smile as the man vanished like ash on the wind.
.-.
Harry watched from the edge of cliff as the group of men worked tirelessly at the stone carved palace. They were carving right into a mountain to make their home. Elves and dwarves were helping them in a show of unity. The elves sung to the stone and plants to make both softer and stronger. The dwarves carved with great precision while the men dug crudely. Just as Ulmo had said, the beings of Middle Earth had ventured forth and claimed many lands. It had taken four hundred years but they had spread and grown.
Harry watched them and wondered if this is how his world had been made; with teamwork and unity of all creatures.
"Hey!"
Harry looked over towards the voice. A child of twelve or so stood frowning at him.
"What are you doing up here?"
Harry found the language of men to be very similar to English. He gave the kid a small smile.
"I'm watching. What are you doing up here?"
The kid blushed slightly.
"I'm hiding from my mother." He muttered. "She thinks I should be helping at the house instead of building with everyone or watching them."
Harry glanced to the crude houses spread across the forest that surrounded the mountain the men worked on. The ones who did not work on the mountain city lived in the forest, cooking, cleaning, cutting lumber, making tools, and such. It was a mixture of humans and elves that lived in the woods. The dwarves had just started to live in the parts of the city already carved out. Harry looked to the child again who was studying him intently.
"Who are you anyways? You don't look like any dwarf or man. But you're not an elf either. I thought you were an elf because you're really pretty but elves all have blonde hair or really light brown hair and pointed ears." The kid said in a bemused way.
"And what make you think I'm not a man?"
"You don't have the same eyes. I've never seen anyone with eyes the color of those green stones the adults like so much."
Harry gave a chuckle.
"Well you are correct. I am not a man or elf or dwarf."
The kid looked a bit nervous now.
"Then what are you?" He asked taking a cautious step back.
"I guess you could call me…" Harry pondered this a moment.
Ulmo had visited him a while back and told him of the Valar's plan to create a powerful being who looked like a human but had immortality and magic. They had said they were fashioning it after him.
"An Istari."
"An Istari?' The boy frowned, curiosity destroying fear.
"Yes. I'm immortal like the elves but I am closer to nature of a man. And I can do magic." He smiled.
"Magic?" The boy asked suspiciously.
Harry smiled and picked up a rock. He covered it with both hands and when he opened them the rock had grown and changed into a puppy. The boy gasped in surprise as the puppy gave a weak yip and licked Harry's hand. Harry held it out to the boy. The boy took it gently staring at it with an open mouth and wide eyes as it licked his hands. Harry knew the puppy would always be a puppy. It would never be a rock again. He loved his ability to do complete and permanent transfiguration. The boy was staring at him with awe now. He tucked the puppy in his loose shirt and grabbed Harry's hand dragging him back along the path. Harry followed both amused and content.
The boy dragged him down the mountain path and into the currently building city, dragging him past men, elves, and dwarves. Harry noticed most of the men didn't give him a second glance. But the elves and dwarves had better senses. They all paused to stare at him. Harry followed the boy deep into the carved rooms until they came to a room filled with men, dwarves, and elves all bent over some large sheets of parchment. Harry rightly guessed that these were the people in charge of the whole building operation and perhaps even in charge of the groups outside.
They all paused as he and the child entered the room. One of the human men frowned. The other men just shrugged and looked back at the maps. The elves and dwarves watched him closely not returning to their work.
"What are you doing here Caraedry?" The frowning man asked.
"Look father!" The boy said excitedly holding up the puppy.
"Where did you find it Caraedry?" The man, now identified as the boy's father, asked.
"This man gave him to me! He changed a rock into the puppy."
One of the men snorted but the elves and dwarves could sense the truth in the words and in Harry's power. One of the elves stepped forwards seriously.
"Are you one of the Valar?" The elf asked almost cautiously
Harry gave a soft chuckle.
"No. I am an Istari?"
"…May I ask what an Istari is?" a Dwarf asked.
"An Istari is a being that is immortal like an elf but has the nature of a man. But Istari also have magic. I am the first Istari."
"Magic?" one of the men scoffed.
Harry snapped his fingers. In an instant everyone in the room except Harry and Caraedry were floating five feet in the air. Almost everyone cried out in shock. Harry snapped his fingers again and they all dropped to the ground as the rock around them seemed to recede and smooth making a perfectly square room with smooth stone walls. Everyone, even the always-in-control elves, were gapping at him. Caraedry just laughed and the puppy in his arms yipped.
.-.
Harry waved his arms in a wide arc and watched as the large stones lifted into the air and set upon the wall. A great cheer rose as he did. The last stone had been placed upon the wall. It was the last piece to the city. Men, elves, and dwarves cheered as the last stone slid into place. Harry gazed at the large stone city. The grey stone made it look dreary for all its beauty.
Harry walked towards the wall and everyone grew silent, waiting.
He'd helped them all build the city. He'd helped the dwarves carve the stone and create plans. He'd helped the elves with the appearance and the plants and gardens. He'd helped the men with the designs and digging.
Harry stepped up to the city and placed a hand on the stone wall. He focused the magic he needed and released it into the stone. The result was an invisible shockwave that raced through the entire city, dyeing the stone a brilliant white. When he pulled his hand away the entire city was made of beautiful white stone, standing proud against the grey and brown mountain.
Cheers rose again and everyone flooded in the magnificent gates to view the new city; their new home. A band of elves walked towards the top 'floor' a sapling in their arms as they sang a beautiful song. The dwarves rolled in large kegs and carried platters of food on their shoulders. The men and women carried their children and bundles of belongings.
Caraedry bound up to Harry and hugged him tightly around the waist. The large brown dog, now full grown at four years old followed the boy faithfully as he released Harry and bound off. Harry smiled after him but turned to look at the boy's father. The man watched him with an odd look. An Elf and Dwarf also watched him. They were all the leaders of their groups.
"You know, you never did tell us your name." He said.
Harry gave a small smile. He'd just had them all call him Istari.
"No I didn't."
He offered no name once again. The man gave a laugh. Then he went to one knee and grabbed Harry's hand kissing it gently.
"Thank you for helping build this city. It shall be from now on named Minis Tiris, the White City."
Harry smiled gently at the man. He leaned over and gently kissed the top of the man's head.
"May you lead you people to happiness and rule with fairness, Anarion." Harry said softly.
He grabbed a crown of flowers Caraedry's sister had made him from his own head. He ran his hand around it and the flowers changed to silver beneath his fingers. Soon a crown of silver, decorated with designs sat in his hands. He gently set it on Anarion's head. Then he looked up to the sky and in a gust of wind vanished back to his home, leaving behind a group of loyal and beloved friends.
.-.
(Underlined is Quenya (elvish))
Harry sat in the chair and puffed the pipe in his hand. His black hair blew gently in the breeze and his green eyes gazed at the forest across from him.
"You can come out." He said simply.
After a moment of peace and silence a tall willowy figure stepped from the trees. The man had long blonde hair that almost seemed white in the shadows but golden in the sun. His eyes were a deep water blue, his face was elegant yet soft and his body was lithe and willow. Instead of rounded ears he had pointed one. He was the picture of beauty. The man held a bow in hand as he looked at Harry cautiously.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"I am who I am." Harry answered with a small smirk.
"Why have we never encountered you before?"
Harry knew who the elf meant when he said 'we'. The small group of elves had moved into the forest about fifty years ago. Harry had not felt it safe or needed to approach them. Nor had he opened his wards for them to detect them. But this elf had sensed his wards. The wards would tell him if they were ever discovered. The elf had sensed them but never knew what they were, where they were, or why they were but he had an unconscious awareness of them. For that Harry had allowed him entrance.
"Because I did not wish you too."
The answer seemed to only confuse the elf. Harry's gaze softened as he looked at the elf. He had watched their arrival from the lands they had been created in and the creation of men and dwarves and orcs and goblins and eagles and dragon every other creature. They were still in their early age but they had flourished. Harry had been in this world for more then four thousand years now and still found it entertaining at points. He had travelled the world often, seeing the new changes and inhabitants. Gaining knowledge of them, but staying mostly in the shadows.
"Why did you wish me to now then?" The elf asked scowling at him as he cautiously took another step forwards.
Harry shrugged. He had no idea really. Perhaps he was lonely or bored.
"What are you? You look human." The elf said after a moment of silence.
Harry paused and blew out some smoke in the form a ring.
"I have no idea."
The elf blinked in surprise and opened his mouth before shutting it. Another moment of silence.
"How can you not know what you are?" He asked, curiously.
"Hmm. I was once a human, a man, but I was changed. I know not what you would call me now."
"So the Valar have changed you from human to something more?" The elf asked almost excitedly.
Harry smiled. The gods/power that had made this world. Real gods. They were still an interesting subject. They had come to him in various forms and at various times to tell him of the world, why it was made, who they were, and just to meet him or talk. They had told him he was not born to their world, but they accepted him. He smiled softly at the memory.
"No. I was here before the Valar thought of man or elf or dwarf."
The elf stared at him in mute shock. Then he frowned and peered at him. Harry gave a soft laugh. Elves were quite curious creatures and hated not knowing things. They stayed like that for about five minutes; the elf peering at him while he smiled softly. Finally the elf huffed and strode closer, sitting down on the wooden porch and glancing around him.
"I have never met a shelter that looked like this."
"I call it a house." Harry grinned.
The elf sent him a nasty look.
"What is your name?"
Harry paused a moment in thought.
"Eressea-indil." He replied softly.
"Lonely Lily?" The elf asked in surprise. "A girl's name."
Harry let out a soft laugh.
"Someone I met long ago called me that. He said I was lonely. He also said I was as beautiful as a lily, my favourite flower.
The elf tilted his head and nodded. Harry thought of the one Valar he had met. He'd thought it funny and fitting to give Harry that name.
"I am Ilmen."
"Heaven." Harry whispered smiling.
The elf nodded. For a while they sat in the silence.
"Why do you live here alone, not letting anyone see you?" The elf asked.
Harry blew softly on his pipe.
"I am unsure. I have felt no need to meet anyone. At first I was lonely, but then I grew used to solitude. I just let the years flow by."
The elf was silent. For about an hour they sat silently in one another's company. Finally the elf stood.
"May I visit you again?"
Harry looked at the elf.
"Yes."
The elf grinned and trotted back into the trees waving cheerfully. The wards around the place filed the elf's signature away so he would be recognized. Harry smiled just slightly.
.-.
'Do you like the elves in this valley?' a voice whispered from everywhere.
Harry hummed softly as he gazed unfocused at the scenery. His once small patch of woods on a hilly grassland had become a thick, old, forest nestled in a valley between towering mountains. The voice in everything was one Harry knew well.
"I am doing well Ulmo. Thank you for asking."
A tinkling laughter that sounded like rushing water echoed in his mind and the trees.
"And I do like the elves. Did you send them to this forest on purpose?"
'Yes. I thought you would like company.'
Harry pondered a moment.
"It is not unwelcome." He admitted.
Harry could almost feel the smile in everything.
.-.
"Surprise!"
Harry turned to face the elf, a smile playing on his lips. He had sensed the elf before he had gotten to close. He blinked though at what was shoved in his face. He gently took the bouquet of lilac lilies. He had been happy to find they had been created in Middle Earth even if they came in different colors and kinds then he was used to. Ilmen grinned at him as he looked them over.
"Thank you." Harry said honestly, smiling at the taller elf.
He was still short for his 'age', reaching only five seven, an inch under average height back in his world. Elves were tall by nature though so Ilmen towered over Harry by at least six inches. Harry scowled at that. He still had the body of an eighteen year old also and he knew his body wasn't going to grow anymore. Ilmen saw the frown and gave him a confused look.
"Have I said something wrong?"
Harry shook his head.
"No. It's just unfair you're so tall!"
Ilmen blinked then laughed merrily.
"No, you are just short Eressea-indil."
Harry gave him a fierce scowl but Ilmen just laughed
"Come, let me show you where I found them." The elf said trying to tug him along.
"Let me put them inside first." Harry said.
The elf paused and grinned following him quickly. As they stepped inside the elf gazed at his house in awe. As Harry pulled a glass vase from the cupboard Ilmen explored everything.
"Your home is very…odd." The elf finally said as Harry set the lilies on the table.
Harry just chuckled.
"What is that?" The elf asked suddenly looking towards the water blue lily that lay on his window sill.
"That was a gift from someone long ago." Harry smiled as he led the elf back outside.
The elf quickly forgot about the lily that looked to be made of water and immediately dragged him back through the trees. Ten minutes later Ilmen covered his eyes and gently tugged him in one direction. When the hands were removed Harry gasped in surprise. They were in front of a small pool in a clearing. The water had many water lilies floating about and all the land between the pool and the trees was filled with beautiful flowers of every kind. Ilmen smiled at him softly and Harry smiled back.
"It's beautiful."
Ilmen smiled even wider and Harry swore to get out of his clearing more often.
.-.
Harry hummed softly as the elf braided his hair. He had long ago grown his hair past his shoulders. It now flowed down to his waist. Ilmen's favourite past time was playing with it and braiding flowers into it. As the last flower twined the braid at the end Ilmen moved beside him and flopped down on the grass. Harry chuckled. For a moment a silent peace reigned.
"I told some of the other elves about you. They seemed surprised."
Harry shrugged.
"What did they say?"
Ilmen blushed and looked away.
"My father thinks you have me under a spell."
"Why?"
Ilmen blushed again.
"Because he says when you're mentioned I never stop talking about you."
Harry grinned slyly.
"And why is that?
Ilmen turned even redder. The elf didn't answer though. Instead he rolled to sit up beside Harry. Then he grabbed the side of Harry's face and pulled him up to kiss him. Harry was stunned for a few seconds before he finally comprehended the elf was kissing him passionately. Then Ilmen pulled away, face flaming as he leapt to his feet and hurried off. Harry watched him go feeling oddly tranquil.
.-.
Harry found he enjoyed the quick shy kisses and glances he received. He liked the lingering touches and closer contact. He was content with the extra visits and longer stays from the blonde elf. But he was also conflicted. He would live long past Ilmen. Even though the elf was immortal he was not immune to death. Not like Harry.
Harry gave into the soft touch for a selfish moment though as he leaned back against the elf and inhaled the sweet smell of oak and honey. The elf whispered something sweet and Harry smiled. But he was still conflicted.
.-.
Harry nodded to himself and with one look around the house he locked it magically. As he stepped out of the house he found Ilmen standing at the edge of the clearing a frown heavy on his face. He saw the black cloak around Harry and frowned even more.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"I am off to travel again. Every hundred years or so I go back out into the world and learn of the changes."
The elf looked heartbroken.
"You're leaving."
"I will return in a few years."
The elf opened his mouth then snapped it shut.
"Let me come with you."
Harry gave him a sad smile.
"I'm afraid I can't. I go everywhere, not just the friendly places."
"Please!" Ilmen begged.
"No." Harry said softly but firmly at the same time. "If I let you come you will have the risk of getting hurt. Besides that I live amongst certain people once in a while and some are not kind towards elves. I will be hiding in the shadows very often."
Ilmen stepped forwards angrily.
"So you'll just leave me behind?! I won't let you! I-I'll follow you!"
Harry stepped up to him and brushed his blonde hair away from his face. The anger faded at his touch. Harry stood up and kissed the elf softly. Ilmen kissed back heatedly. The elf held him tight as they kissed, greedily taking in the warmth of the other. As Ilmen pulled back Harry smiled sadly.
"I'm sorry."
The elf looked confused. Harry wordlessly cast a spell, binding the elf to the forest and the other elves. He would not be able to leave unless the other elves did, and only if they were moving, not just travelling. Ilmen more then likely had a strong awareness of his own life force and gave Harry a devastated look, holding him tighter.
"Please." He whispered.
"I am sorry."
Then he knocked the elf out. He gazed sadly at the limp blonde in his arms and gently lowered him to the ground. He'd wake in a few hours. By then Harry would be long gone. Harry kissed him gently.
.-.
.-.
Harry gracefully drew the lines of ink on the parchments, careful not to make a mistake. He had worked at it for hours. He lifted the brush and dipped it in black ink before once again putting it to the paper and writing a word. When he was finished he pulled the brush away and gently set it down. He waved a hand and the ink on the parchment dried. He looked over his map of middle earth and nodded. He looked sadly down at the valley nested in a mountain range. He could spot the marking for his clearing and the marking for the elves home. He sighed sadly and rolled the parchment up. He slid it in a tube of and put it in his pouch. He stood from the desk he sat at and stretched idly. The room carved into the mountain side was one of many of the beautiful city of Gondor.
He slipped from the room, cloaking himself in a spell to make himself go unnoticed. He passed the many people who lived in the city watching as they moved to and fro. As he left the city and reached the edge of the new fields and the beginnings of the last parts of the once large forest he gazed at the white city. It was still beautiful.
He paused and waved his hand through the air, pointing it at the city. For a moment the city seemed to glow even whiter. Then the light faded and Harry nodded to himself. All evil would be much weaker if it entered the city and the mountain would never fall.
.-.
Harry gazed up at the large volcano frowning. He had an odd feeling about it. Like it would be an important part in the history of middle earth. Finally he just sighed and looked around the land surrounded by the mountains. It was pretty nice with tall trees and dark colored mountains. A small space between two of the mountains made an opening to enter the forest without climbing the mountains.
He hummed softly to himself and then sat down beside a large sticky web. The large intricate caves in the one mountain were home to Ungoliant. The elves had named her because of her spider form and dark nature. Said spider was standing close to him clacking at him. They had a peace of sorts. Harry gazed down at the large roll of silk in his hand. The spider had made it for him in return for casting spells around her for protection against orcs. The vile things had been scouting the area recently. He smiled at the 'evil' spider.
"Thank you." He said.
It understood his words, intentions, and feelings even if it couldn't understand the English words. The spider chattered at him again before turning and scuttling off. Harry smiled softly and vanished with a soft, almost inaudible pop.
.-.
He gazed around the wide halls of Erebor and smiled at the merry dwarves as they laughed and told him tales. He ate a large mouthful of boar and the dwarf next to him slid a cup of ale to him. He downed it getting cheers and grins. One dwarf started to bellow a song and he laughed cheerfully with the others. The dwarves were as merry as the elves but in a different way. Where the elves were soft spoken and liked soft music and poetry the dwarves liked loud songs and cheerful laughter. They didn't mind being loud and open.
Harry laughed at a loud joke but silenced as a dwarf behind him whispered in his ear. He nodded to the dwarf and slipped away from the loud table to walk down the large stone halls. When he reached the room he was wanted in he stepped in. A dwarf sat at a stone table pouring over a map. When Harry entered the dwarf looked up.
"Ah, Eressea-indil, I am sorry for pulling you away from the feast but I have gotten what you asked for."
The language the dwarves used around people, that were not of their own, was the tongue of men. It was a language eerily similar to English (just a few different words and a different accent). So similar that Harry had the suspicion that the Valar had listened to English from him and incorporated it in man's speech. Harry grinned at the dwarf and a small stack of books was motioned to. Harry took them delicately and put them in his pouch. The dwarf paused to stare then shook himself. He knew Harry was a wizard. Then the dwarf motion him forwards Harry blinked and the dwarf gently pushed a bundle towards him. Harry looked at it in surprise then back at the dwarf who smirked. He pushed the material aside gently and found himself gazing at four items.
The first was a metal cylinder clasp about two inches tall and a half an inch in radius. It was a deep green to match his eyes with an etching of a snake on it. He picked it up gently and the dwarf motion to his hair. He snapped it around his braid and it held fast.
The second item was an axe. Its handle was about four feet long and divided in three. The first part near the top was a silver colored metal. The second part in the middle was a dark smoke-grey. The third part at the bottom was a deep black with what looked like a scale design carved in. A silver spear was at the very bottom and the top. The blade was a double edged axe, deep black in color. It looked very sharp. Two etched lilies twined around each blade with a snake wrapped around each lily. He lifted it and found it well balanced for himself. The third and fourth items were rings. They were both a deep green to match his eyes with black wings engraved around them, sprouting from a white lily. He looked back up at the dwarf.
"They are gifts."
"Two, Thráin?" Harry questioned.
"I have heard you say the name Ilmen often."
Harry scowled at the smirking dwarf king. Then his expression softened and he looked away.
"I left him behind."
The dwarf, Thráin, gave him a soft look.
"But you can return."
"I wonder if he shall forgive me though."
"Ask him."
Harry clutched the rings in a clenched fist.
"For now though, relax, sing, feast."
The dwarf stood and walked with Harry back to the feast.
"Thank you Thráin."
The dwarf clapped him on the back and Harry hefted the axe over his shoulder smiling.
.-.
Harry gazed at the large ice sheets and tilted his head slightly. He had traveled to the forests of elves and the few cities of men. He's been to the large plains and the small hilled area with the creatures called hobbits. He's seen the grey havens, the havens of Umbar, the misty mountains, the sea of Rhun, and the many rivers. He'd visited dwarves, men, hobbits, elves, spiders, and other creatures.
He'd visited the far corners of middle earth. He'd made maps, read books, learned tongues, rode horses, whispered to the shadows of the light. He'd been traveling for five years and he was ready to return home. The battle raging with the evil named Melkor didn't concern him. He did not wish to get engage in another war. All he wanted was to return him and sit in the wildflowers with Ilmen braiding his hair. He found himself smiling sadly though. Would Ilmen forgive him? Or perhaps the elf had found someone to marry. Harry sighed softly. It was time to return home to his clearing.
.-.
.-.
Harry stepped out of his house and into the sun. He had just finished unpacking. He sighed softly and sat down on his porch. He fingers a soft flower in his hand. His 'yard' had grass about two feet tall and wildflowers grew all around. His gardens had bloomed every year but wildflowers and weeds had grown with them giving his place an untamed look. Vines had started to creep up his walls and around the porch. His house though was spotless. He had kept charms inside to keep it dust free.
Harry sighed again and let the flower drift to the ground. He stood and slowly started across the clearing. He headed in the direction the pool he had visited with Ilmen was. He paused though and spun when he heard a choked sound. He gazed at the trees with wide eyes and saw Ilmen standing between two a look of shock on his face. Then it bloomed hopeful and the elf took a tentative step forwards.
"Eressea-indil?"
"Ilmen." He muttered.
The elf threw himself at Harry, arms wrapping around his neck and both bodies crashing into the knee deeper grass. The wildflowers around them shook and the grass was pushed down under them. The blonde elf kissed him demandingly and Harry complied allowing the kiss to dominate his senses. When the elf pulled back Harry didn't see the hand till it slapped him. He gave a slight wince. Then the elf kissed him again. When he pulled back a second time he noticed Ilmen's eyes were watery.
"Don't ever leave me again!" He hissed at Harry hugging him close.
The blonde elf sat up pulling Harry with him. The elf buried his face in Harry's hair and inhaled. Harry hugged him tight resting his face in the crook of the elf's neck. He decided he liked being selfish.
.-.
The trees swayed in the soft breeze and Harry stayed next to Ilmen as the other elves sat around them. One was singing softly while three others played various instruments. All the elves chatted softly, eating the large meal placed in front of them. Harry sat next to Ilmen who sat beside his father. His first meeting with the elves had gone well and now he came often with Ilmen.
He laughed softly as an elf whispered a humours tale. Ilmen gripped his hand under the table, their two identical dwarves rings pressed together. Harry gave a soft smile and Ilmen's eyes softened as they landed on him. The elf leaned over and brushed his lips as he whisper in Harry's ear. Harry's eyes lit as a smile bloomed even larger.
"I love you too." Harry whispered back laughing slightly.
.-.
Harry was humming softly as Ilmen braided his hair, enjoying the peace, when it hit. It was a wave of pain, anger, and sorrow. He gasped, doubling over and clutching at his head as the world around him shattered.
Swirls of colors whipped around him. He heard shouts and cries. He saw familiar faces, none as familiar as Ilmen's. The blonde elf's face drifted through his vision looking up at him with a sad, pained smile, 'Eressea-indil'. His name sounded so precious from the elf's lips. Tears dripped down and he realized they were his.
Then the vision was gone as he was looking at the grass. Arms around him held him close.
"Are you okay Eressea-indil, Melda nin (my love)."
Harry shook slightly as he wiped the tears away.
"I am fine. It was just a…day dream."
The elf gave him a concerned look and Harry gave him a smile. The elf slowly relaxed.
"If you are sure."
Harry just leaned into his arms. The vision had terrified him.
.-.
Harry smiled softly to himself as he looked down at the crystal flower in his hand. It was a deep blue like Ilmen's eyes. It had been a water lily but with a little magic it had died deep blue and turned to crystal. He hurried through the trees intent on finding Ilmen, to give the present too. He hummed softly and slipped into the elving clearing where the elves lived.
His whole body froze though and he went rigid at the sight. Bodies lay everywhere. Elf, orc, goblin, and wolf. His eyes widened as his mind caught up with the facts. He felt his whole body go numb as he looked at the corpses and the carnage. He heard a grunt and saw a group of Orcs still alive. His magic rose with his anger and lashed out killing the small band of living orc. He was off running before their bodies hit the ground.
"Ilmen!" He cried looking over the faces of the bodies.
He couldn't find him. Hope bubbled as he thought perhaps his love had made it. The hope crashed and sunk into despair though as he reached the edge of the clearing. His feet slowed. He made his way towards the body before realized it and dropped to his knees in front of the elf. Five arrows stuck out of his chest and a knife was in his leg. Poisoned.
"I-Ilmen." He choked.
Eyes opened slowly and Harry's eyes widened. He was alive!
"Eressea-indil?" He rasped.
Blood poured from his mouth.
"Shush!" Harry said. "I'll heal you!"
But Harry knew he couldn't. He was strong but he mostly had raw magic. He knew the most powerful spells of his world, but had never been versed in healing. He gently set the elf's head on his lap as he cried softly.
"Eressea-indil." The elf breathed lovingly, blood dripping down his shin. "I could picture it. It would have been in spring when the flowers bloomed."
Harry had no idea what he was talking about but listened closely.
"My father would have preformed the ceremony and there would have been a rejoicing feast. The sun would have been shining and everyone would have been smiling and laughing. You would have been beautiful, dressed in a traditional outfit with lilies in your hair. You would have been smiling and happy… I wanted to bond with you Eressea-indil."
Harry's breath caught.
"Would you have bonded with me Eressea-indil?"
"Yes." Harry choked out sobbing. "Yes I would have bonded with you. I would have bonded with you and loved you forever!"
The elf smiled.
"Eressea-indil." He whispered again, eyes drifting shut.
"Don't close your eyes!" He screamed.
But the elf had.
"Please!" Harry cried.
No more breathing. No heart beat.
"Please." He sobbed.
No answer. No smile, except the one on his cooling lips.
"Please." He whimpered like a hurt animal.
No laugh. No whisper. No kiss.
Harry screamed.
.-.
His cold, hard, blank eyes looked at the spot where his house had once stood. It was gone now. Burnt to the ground, turned to ash. The wildflowers and gardens still grew though and more would grow where his house had been. A stone slab stood upright in the middle of the clearing. A unique water blue lily lay next to a crystallized white one.
He felt a lump form in his throat but no tears would rise. He wouldn't cry. He looked at the ring on his finger just to look away from the grave. Slowly he took it off. He gazed at it in his palm and then slipped it on a silver chain and tied it to his neck. He cloak was fastened and his pouch was tied. His house was gone. Most importantly Ilmen was gone.
Harry gave a shaky breath and looked to the grey sky. He'd buried the other elves and burned the orcs. He swallowed thickly. His fists clenched as Ilmen's last words echoed through his head. He turned on his heel and ran from the clearing. Wards still held firm but changed. None with evil intent would be able to enter the clearing they would only watch from the edges. Harry swore he'd train and learn. He; learn how to build, to heal, to destroy. He'd train his body, mind, and magic. He'd train till he'd drop. So he'd never feel so helpless again.
Loving someone hurt so much. It tore at his hear and his soul. He'd surround his heart in steel and ice and next time it wouldn't wound him so.
Ilmen would always hold his heart.
.-.
.-.
.-.
.-.
"Nine of the fellowship against the nine ring-wraiths." Elrond said as the nine stood.
Everyone whispered softly amongst themselves until Gandalf gave a soft cough and everyone (Elrond, the nine, and the council) turned to him.
"I believe there may be a tenth member."
Whispers broke out again as people frowned and looked about in question. Elrond gave Gandalf a frown.
"And who would this tenth member be?"
Gandalf looked to the sky a moment as if contemplating his choices.
"He's been called many things. I believe many have heard rumours of him. He's call the sixth Istari, Lord of Shadows, and many other names."
Many gave sharp intakes before noise burst out everyone yelling and arguing.
"He's just a legend!" Gloin barked over the noise.
Gandalf held up a hand and many quieted.
"He is correct Gandalf." Elrond said. "Many believe the sixth Istari is just a myth, a story."
Gandalf gave a soft sigh as if they had made a joke.
"I once believed that also, but I have found much evidence to say otherwise. In fact I believe I have seen him once."
A stunned silence. No one would want to outright say he was wrong.
"How do you know it was him?" A man asked.
"He had a magical signature."
No one bothered to ask what he had meant. Istari were secretive.
"Why has he never come to light then?" A man asked.
Gandalf stroked his beard as if thinking.
"I am unsure. All I have read on him suggests he is a loner."
"He can't be real." Another man scoffed. "There are legends saying he fought in the first age. No one has ever lived that long! Not even an elf."
All nodded in agreement, even the elves. They were immortal but no one had ever lived that long without being killed or attacked and driven to death. Elrond appeared thoughtful.
"Are you sure he is real?" He asked ignoring the man's comment.
Gandalf smiled softly.
"I believe he has been living in the misty mountains, at the dwarf stronghold, for a while now."
The dwarves gave sharp intakes and Gloin looked thoughtful. For a moment there was a soft silence. Gloin finally relaxed slightly appearing resigned and weary.
"It would explain it." He said aloud.
"Explain what, dwarf?" Legolas asked
"For a long while many dwarves have reported to have seen a shadow in one of the keeps. One that moves in the light and dark. They say they think it is a man or elf, but before they get a good look it is gone." Gloin said ignoring the elf.
He didn't sound like he wished to believe it was a sixth Istari. Silence for a moment.
"Why would he help though?" Boromir asked. "Assuming he is 'real'."
Gandalf shrugged. Someone scoffed.
"He's just a legend."
Many seemed to agree. Only Gandalf looked assured.
"We shall see then. I requested he meet us."
.-.
The fellowship had been travelling two weeks when they ran into the first living creature not an animal.
They had been travelling down a road when they had heard cheerful humming. The humming had caused them to calm instead of immediately drawing all their weapons. It was a soft peaceful sound, nothing evil could make. As the humming got closer they rounded a corner and found the maker of the sound.
He, at least they thought it was a he, sat on a boulder on the side of the road. Most of his body was covered with a black cloak, but the hood was pushed back. He had black hair, blacker then raven feathers, and blacker then the darkest starless night. It fell to his waits, done in a loose braid with a green metal cylinder clip holding it together. He had pale skin and a delicate face. In fact his whole build was short and delicate, almost feminine. The feature that caught their attention though was his eyes. They were a brilliant emerald color. Most men of the lands only had black or brown eyes while elves had pale grey or blue and dwarves had grey, black, or brown. This color of green definitely grabbed your attention.
Another thing about the figure that eased their tension was the brilliant white lily in his hair. It was tied in his braid. As they rounded the corner of the road the stranger pause his humming to look up at them. He tilted his head and blinked. Then he smiled kindly.
"May I ask where you're going stranger?" Gandalf asked.
"Towards Cadaras." The man said peacefully, smiling.
"Would you like to join us till we need to split ways?" Gandalf asked ignoring the frowns of the fellowship. "It is much safer to travel in a crowd these days."
The man gazed at them with his green eyes and some of them shuddered, not knowing why though. Gandalf just smiled slightly as if the green eyes didn't bother him, as if they didn't feel like they were searching his soul. The man finally smiled and slid from the rock.
"I believe I shall join you then."
Gandalf gave a soft smile and a nod.
"I'm Gandalf the grey or Mithrandir. These are my companions Boromir of Gondor, Aragorn a ranger, Legolas elf Prince of Mirkwood, Gimli of the Lonely Mountain, Peregrin, Merriodoc, Frodo, and Samwise of the Shire, and the pony Bill."
They all nodded to the stranger. The stranger smiled.
"I won't reveal my name." He said.
They were instantly on guard, except Gandalf who nodded cheerfully.
"It's not safe to give out names nowadays. Unless, of course, you have a wizard guarding it for you." The stranger said
Gandalf gave a slight chuckle.
"True."
They relaxed as they saw Gandalf was perfectly at ease.
"What shall we call you then?" Gimli huffed.
"How about Stranger?"
Gimli huffed again but slowly relaxed his hold on his axe. Legolas was the next to smile at the man and almost immediately they all relaxed. Gandalf had good senses on who to trust but elves could fell intent. Legolas smiling meant the man had no ill will towards any of them nor was his soul evil.
"Welcome then Stranger." Legolas said.
.-.
Aragorn watched the black haired man cautiously, watching his every step and move. Each move was graceful and silent like a predator and a dance. He was absolutely silence and hid his presence so well sometimes the ranger forgot where he was. Aragorn sat next to Gandalf on the fallen log as he watched his companions set up the small camp by starting a fire and unrolling the small bed rolls.
"He could be an enemy." Aragorn said softly enough none but Gandalf would hear.
"He's not." Gandalf smiled. "He is not, nor will he ever be an enemy."
"How can you be sure?"
"A wizard knows many things." Gandalf said quietly. "But heed this Aragorn. He is an ally or at least neutral. Never challenge him. He is more then he seems."
Aragorn fell silent eyes following the cloaked man as he hummed softly and helped Pippin get some water from the creek. Pippin had warmed to the man instantly and hadn't stopped talking or joking with him.
What scared the ranger was how empty the stranger's eyes were. His smiles never reached his eyes. Those emerald orbs were dead.
.-.
Aragorn laughed as he watched Pippin and Merry both tackle Boromir as he won the spar. He glanced over the others. Legolas was tending the fire as Sam was cooking. Frodo was also laughing, nibbling on his food. Gimli was sharpening his axe and Gandalf was smoking his pipe. Aragorn's eyes slid to Stranger. He was staring towards Cadaras frowning at the empty sky.
"I think we should hide." He said out loud.
Everyone slowly paused what they were doing and looked to him. Legolas frowned and looked were he was looking.
"Something is coming." He muttered.
"Tis nothing but a cloud." Gimli grumbled.
"We really should hide."
"Wait, it looks black." Legolas said startled.
"Hiding now?"
They ignored Stranger in order to all stand and glance where Legolas was looking.
"Spies!" he hissed.
"Hide." Gandalf said, his voice telling no one to argue.
Everyone gathered there things, doused the fire and leapt for cover within seconds.
.-.
.-.
.-.
So...absolutely no idea where I was going with this at all.
Eressea-indil
long for peace /míla-sére
heaven/ ilmen
Hannon le - Thank you
Melda nin – Beloved/My love
Istari - (a) wizard
Flint thumped me hard on the back (I do believe he was intending to incapacitate me before I managed to get on the Ravenclaw team),