Disclaimer: Read the past couple chapters, I don't feel like saying anything.
A/N: Hello! Hello, hello, hello! Been a while, huh? Sorry 'bout that, I've been feeling really lazy lately. Plus, I've been trying to exterminate the extra plot bunnies that keep popping into my head for other stories. Like the one I mentioned last chapter. I ran into a few snags for that one, so it might be awhile. Now, I'd like to thank 3 for reviewing, you are awesome! Well then, let's get on with this.
Dumbledore pushed through the crowd of students. There weren't that many, since the holidays had begun and many of the children had gone home. Finally reaching the front, he froze. Professor Séregon was standing by the window, his eyes wide in surprise and his mouth slightly agape. The snake at his feet was still, its own eyes wide and its body completely limp. However, the only difference between the two was that the tiny serpent's eyes were bleeding. The elven professor wasn't moving. He had been petrified. The headmaster turned his head to Filch, who had pushed his way to him.
"Argus," the twinkle in his eyes had vanished, "Go and inform king Lithinduiel of what happened. No doubt that he would like to see this for himself." The caretaker nodded before pushing his way through the students once more and flying out of the entrance hall towards the Forbidden Forest. Dumbledore turned to McGonagall, who stood beside him in shock. "Minerva, let us take Professor Séregon to the Infirmary." The transfiguration professor nodded, before conjuring a stretcher.
Filch ran down the stone steps of Hogwarts castle, huffing and puffing. He wasn't really used to long-distance running. It took him a nice total of ten minutes and fifteen seconds to finally reach the edge of the forest, by which his stamina wasn't holding out. Breathing heavily, he made his way into the dark foliage, carefully stepping over any tree roots that might be in the way. Ducking under a loose branch, the caretaker of Hogwarts looked around warily. He had finally realized that he didn't know how to find the elves. Looking around, he soon found that he couldn't figure out where he was.
Swearing, Filch continued on. After a short while of wandering aimlessly, he gave a heavy sigh. He turned to go back, to tell Dumbledore about his failure (though it wasn't really his fault, the bloody elves were just too hard to find), only to freeze. An arrow was pointed right in his face, the cold, calculating silver eyes of an elven hunter trained on him from behind the bow. Soon, many more bows appeared from all around, in the trees above and several other hunters came out from the bushes. One hunter in particular, rather tall compared to Filch (then he realized that they were all like that) with haunting blue eyes and silvery-blond hair came to stand beside the elf whose arrow was pointed in his face. Placing a hand on the other elf's arm, he lowered the bow, the arrow tip now aimed at Filch's heart.
"Who are you, wandering within our borders," the hunter asked. Filch figured he was the leader. "My name is Filch. I was sent with a message from Dumbledore," he replied, gulping slightly as the elf gently moved the bow once more to rest at his throat. "To whom?" "King Lithinduiel," Filch replied nervously. The elf raised an elegant eyebrow. With a flick of his wrist, the others lowered their weapons, though they still remained cautious. The leader returned his gaze to the caretaker. Filch noticed that the arrow was still pointed at his throat. The leader would let the other elf kill him if he tried to escape. He gulped.
"I am Celeduil, Filch, captain of the elven hunters," the silver-haired elf said. "How important is this message? Does the headmaster require our aid?" Filch shook his head. "Dumbledore wanted to let the king know that there is a danger within Hogwarts," the caretaker replied. "A danger that has attacked one of the teachers, the elven professor to be exact." Celeduil moved quickly, pushing Filch to the ground. He grunted, struggling against the death grip that the captain had on his throat as the elf pinned him to the forest floor. "You will tell me what happened," he hissed, the blue eyes narrowed and hair falling over his shoulders to tickle Filch's face. The other elves had stiffened, their own eyes narrowed.
"A sixth year student found him looking out a window this morning," Filch wheezed, desperately sucking in air. "But he wasn't moving, not even to breathe. The kid asked if anything was wrong before going to get another professor. We don't know what exactly happened, or when." Celeduil let go, standing straight once more. Filch gulped in the forest air, struggling to stand. The captain was barking orders to the other elves in his native tongue, the language still sounding beautiful even though harsh. Several of the elves in the trees disappeared, no sound being made as they leapt deftly from branch to branch to quickly return to the king and inform him. Some of the rest disappeared also, to inform the other patrols. Only when a few remained, did Celeduil turn to Filch once more.
"We will be escorting you back to the castle," he said. "No doubt that the king will join us soon enough." Filch nodded, not commenting as the elves led him to the edge of the forest, nor when he led them up to the stone castle towering above all.
"King Lithinduiel! Your majesty!" Lithin looked up from one of his many councillors to the hunter, Tésinio, as he ran to greet his king. "Yes," he asked, raising an eyebrow. "What is it?" Tésinio went down on one knee, his expression worrisome. Many of the other elves that were present, for this level of the trees was considered a 'throne room' of sorts, hushed in their conversations and all attention was on the young hunter. Tésinio was among the younger elves of the forest, with his dark brown hair and grey eyes. He was a skilled hunter, though everyone knew he preferred the art of music, for he was skilled in many such instruments.
"A message came from Dumbledore, of Hogwarts," the elf replied. Many whispers were heard from the court before silence reined. "Well, what of it," Lithin asked, crossing his legs and tilting his head in a questioning manner. "There is a great evil up at the castle," Tésinio said quickly. "The messenger knew not what caused it, however, Huor son of Séregonin has been petrified." Lithin felt his breath catch, his eyes widening. More whispers broke out, cries of outrage and despair. Lithin uncrossed his legs, standing from the throne of tree roots. "How did this happen? How did you get this information?" Tésinio quickly explained how Filch, a rather haggard man from Huor's description of him, had come into the forest in search of the elves to inform them of the situation. Lithin felt his hands ball into fists, gritting his teeth.
Huor had told him of the last time this had occurred, approximately fifty years ago. Lithin and many of the other elves had spent a long time coaxing Huor out of his shell after that incident. It had taken five years, not long in an elf's life. The elven king stepped down from the throne.
"Inform prince Battresinduil and princess Vivrendella," Lithin commanded. One of the elven squires immediately gave a hurried bow and left. He turned to the councillors. "Do not let my siblings leave the talans, understood?" They nodded as Lithin moved. His gaze met Tésinio's. "Where is Celeduil?" "The captain left with Filch to return to the castle, your majesty." He nodded. "Tolo ar nin, Tésinio son of Dahlen." "Your majesty?"
Lithin walked past him, the blue eyes of his father narrowed determinedly. "A certain headmaster requires our presence."
Tolo ar nin means "Come with me".
Yeah, really short chapter this time around.