PLEASE READ THE NOTE AT THE END!

Chapter Ten

"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." ~ Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire

The buzz surrounding the trip to his previous world is annoying - for lack of a better word - but Hathier supposes he can understand the excitement. On more than one occasion, an elf has approached him to ask about how and when and who. The how is answered easily. Magic. The when is almost as easy. Soon. The who, surprisingly enough, seems to be the most difficult part because he wants to bring a pretty good size group - King Thranduil, Prince Legolas, Tauriel, Luthrin, and Galtara - and he's not quite sure how to go about bringing so many with him.

"You've sighed twice now, Hathier. What is the matter?"

Hathier's head snaps to the side. Prince Legolas is standing at the end of the table Hathier has taken a seat at when he entered the library earlier in the day for a bit of light reading.

"Traveling through dimensions is a lot more tedious than I anticipated." Hathier shrugs gracefully, long black locks spilling over his shoulder as he does. "But it's getting close to the anniversary and I feel..." He trails off.

How do I feel?

"Overwhelmed? Uncertain? Nervous? Afraid?"

Hathier rolls his eyes. "Any of those will do, Your Highness. Thank you."

Prince Legolas' eyes flash with amusement as he moves to take the seat across from Hathier. "What caught your interest today?"

"The war of," Hathier pauses to flip back to the first page, "Naumbegg*."

"Ah, yes. The war between men and dwarves. One of the more bloodied battles between the races. What section are you at?" The prince leans forward in an attempt to read upside down.

"The beheading of King Tri - Tri - Tritaski?"

"Very good," Prince Legolas praises. "Your pronunciation is getting better. As for the beheading of King Tritaski, it was a much-needed action." He reaches for the book and points at a random paragraph. "King Tritaski was a warmonger and, under his brief but terrifying rule, far too many lives were lost. Primarily the families of those who fought in the war. You will read this soon, but once his death was confirmed," Hathier watches the prince frown, "his kingdom fell soon after and his people scattered to the wind like the leaves of fall."

"I often find myself wondering what could have been done to prevent situations like these," Hathier replies - voice having gone soft - while he marks the page and closes the book. "And what can be done to avoid these situations in the future."

Prince Legolas nods solemnly. "Part of the reason these books are kept around is to remind us of our past while also allowing ask to analyze them to avoid tragedies in the future."

"War takes more than life."

"Indeed."

Hathier looks away. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be a downer."

"'Downer'?"

The prince tilts his head but Hathier just waves him off casually. "Make the air between us sad or tense."

"It is fine. I am the one who invited myself to sit with you."

Hathier pushes his seat back and stands up. "I don't mind the company, Prince Legolas - "

"Legolas."

"I'm sorry?"

The prince copies his actions and gets up. "We've known each other long enough. I'd liked you to refer to me by my given name, not the title attached to it." Hathier doesn't reply immediately. "If you are comfortable with using it...?"

"I - are you sure?"

Legolas laughs. "Absolutely."

"Legolas," Hathier tries out. "I'll have to get used to that."

"Take your time, Hathier." They grin at each other.

Let me explain something...

Dimension hopping is tedious.

But it will all work in the end.

Why?

Because you're with me. [1]

"I want to try something," Hathier states when he greets Galtara at the end of their final lesson before the trip. "If you're up to it, that is. And if you have time to spare."

Galtara blinks at his sudden eager appearance and beaming presentation. "I have free time. What would you like to try?"

"Side apparating," Hathier replies immediately. "I teleport us to a different location."

"And you feel confident enough to try?"

Hathier hesitates. "Um, yes."

"You don't sound very confident, Hathier. Are you sure you want to try this?"

"Well, to be honest, I've side apparated with two other people and I wasn't the one who did it. The last time it happened, my friend got splinched, but you're a healer so..." He shrugs.

"You want me to try out an activity that could possibly end with me injured because I'm a healer?"

"Um, yes?"

Galtara blinks before gracefully shrugging. "If anything, Luthrin is capable of looking after the Healing House should something happen to me."

"I appreciate your vote of confidence," Hathier replies a bit sarcastically.

"Where will you be taking us?" He steps closer to Hathier, shoulder barely brushing against Hathier's. "Somewhere with a lot of elves? Somewhere remote?"

Hathier rolls up his sleeves carefully and grins. "I was thinking I can try the library? I've spent plenty of time there reading up on Middle Earth's history."

"Onward then."

Eyes sparkling with something Galtara can't quite recognize, he blinks - sucking in a deep breath when a tightening in his stomach hits him at full force - and, with a loud crack, they're gone only to appear in the library moments later. In a nearly full library where several dozen elves are staring at him and Hathier with wide eyes, dropped jaws, and completely frozen in the moment.

"How unbecoming," he mumbles but then Hathier is on him not even a second after he breathes in to speak some more.

"Are you hurt?" Hathier demands. "All limbs attached? Good. Any blood? None? Good. How do you feel? Do you feel sick? Should you sit down? Do you need a drink? Should I get - "

Galtara shoves him away good-naturedly. "Breathe, Hathier. I am well."

And Hathier does breath. His nervous face relaxes into an easy smile. "Are you sure?"

"I am...sure."

"Good. I think, for a first try, I did pretty well. So, um, I'll leave you to answer the questions. I promised Tauriel I would spend the afternoon with her practicing swordplay. I think it's an excuse to beat me down, but she denied it. See you later."

The moment he apparates away, the surrounding elves gather around a shocked Galtara.

"Of course you would," the older elf mutters under his breath before greeting the different elves in the library. "He really is spectacular, isn't he?"

It's said with complete and utter sarcasm.

Come ye' children,

Let's play a game.

Pick up your swords,

And swing away. [2]

Hathier ducks out of the way of another attempt at his head. His head feels heavy with his sweat-damp hair and curly bangs annoyingly brushing at his temple adroppinging into his eyes. The sun is well on its way to set, but the air remains heavy - hot, even - and Tauriel refuses to hold back at all.

"Are you trying to kill me?" He calls out after creating some distance between them. "I thought you wanted to teach me the basic skills?!"

Tauriel grins - high off of adrenaline - and replies with, "Learning basic skills is useless if you can't demonstrate them in a battle!"

"We are sparring," Hathier cries. "You're not supposed to try and kill me!"

"Kill you?" Tauriel innocently tilts her head. "I'm not trying to kill you. I just want to take off a few inches." In one perfect leap, she's upon him again. Hathier has just enough time to block the blow and be pushed back a few feet.

In this moment, Hathier recalls Ginny and their time on the Quidditch pitch.

"It's like you're trying to break one of my bones!" Harry cries. "What did I ever do to you?"

Ginny grins, perfect white teeth showing. "You ate the last slice of pumpkin pie during mum's Christmas party."

Harry stares, mouth falling up. "That was three months ago!"

"But pumpkin pie is my favorite, Ha - "

" - thier, raise your sword!" Snapping out of his thoughts, Hathier lifts his sword and blocks a powerful blow from Tauriel before taking a swing at her. He missed her left ear by an inch.

"You're distracted. Remain focused. I don't want your sword to catch fire." There's a playful glint in her eyes. The 'setting the bow on fire' incident has become a sort of inside joke among himself, Tauriel, and Legolas. Now, it's applied to any case where Hathier is distracted.

"That comment stopped be funny the first 100 times."

Tauriel only grins in response.

I feel light on my feet,

The stars are blessing me.

Happiness is within my reach,

I sing a merry tune. [3]

"You teleported him to the library?" King Thranduil swirls the contents of his goblet. "And how did he fair after that?"

Hathier, having grown so much more comfortable in the presence of Mirkwood's king, swings his feet back and forth while sitting at the edge of the platform he is currently on. After his time with Tauriel, he sought out the king for some pleasant conversation and, maybe, discuss a small detail about the trip.

"I think he was impressed, but I couldn't give you a detailed description. I sort of left him to the curiosity of the other elves. I wouldn't have minded answering questions but there were so many of them. I didn't think the library would have been so packed today."

"The library has been rather popular these days," the king muses. "But I find it amusing that you simply...left him there. You're terrible."

Hathier scoffs. "He's the one that decided to go through with it!"

King Thranduil chuckles. "I commend you for your plan."

Glancing over the edge of the King's platform, Hathier sees the hustle and bustle of elves walking around with a variety of objects. Cloths, scrolls (and books), shiny plates, weapons, and whatnot. It's as if an event is about to take place and the arrangements are already set in motion.

"Are you hosting an event?" Hathier asks. "Everyone seems to have a task to complete."

"Next month is the beginning of the summer and I intend to have guests." King Thranduil places his goblet down and folds his hands in his lap, a perfect picture of relaxation. "Has Legolas not mentioned this to you?"

Hathier shakes his head. "I believe he is far too excited to be visiting my old world. We'll only be there for a week but it's most of what we discuss these days."

The king hums. "We look forward to it."

"There is one thing I've been meaning to tell you thought," Hathier bites his lips. "My old world has elves, but they aren't like the elves of Middle Earth."

"What are they like?"

Hathier turns away from the king. "Workers. Servants. They look nothing like you, any of you, and they are very small. Powerful," he throws in. "Very powerful and very loyal, but small with large ears. They are not dressed the best either. Typically rags or old clothing."

"I'm not so vain to feel embarrassed by elves that do not look like me, Hathier. No creature is absolutely the same. Elves of Middle Earth may share a likeness, but we are individuals whose only common factor, at it's barest form, is immortality. Our thoughts are different. Actions as well. We will not agree. In fact, we often disagree."

"But to each their own."

"Indeed."

It's time to go on an adventure!

Grab your bags and kick up the dirt!

Feel the wind in your hair.

Breathe in the new air! [4]

Hathier re-checks his backpack one final time before sitting on his bed to lace up his boots. His fingers tremble with anticipation, nerves fried beyond compare, and yet his heart feels lighter. The sky seems brighter. He's going back. Home wouldn't be the appropriate word now. No, but it's close.

Mirkwood is more like home.

In more ways than one and Hathier feels no regret when viewing it as such. His time with the royal family, with Tauriel, with Galtara and Luthrin, has been filled with its ups and downs, but he's so, so glad for the day he dealt with too many spiders.

There's a polite knock on the door.

"Hathier? Are you ready?" It's Tauriel.

"Come in," he calls. "I'm almost ready."

Tauriel opens the door and, along with Legolas, walks in with a beaming smile. Upon her shoulders in a pack of her own; the prince opting for a satchel.

"Nervous?" Legolas asks. His eyes gleam with mischief. "I suspect you are."

Hathier rolls his eyes. "Not in the slightest. I know I won't be greeted with all friendly faces. I've already mentally prepared myself for that."

"What does that mean?" Tauriel tilts her head to the side.

"It means I've taken the time to prepare myself for this visit. I've gotten over it. Mostly. I think a little nervousness remains because that's natural."

He stands up and stretches, grinning when he hears a satisfying 'pop' from his back.

"I look forward to meeting your friends and family," Legolas replies. "I wonder if they have any interesting stories to share about you?"

Grabbing his backpack, Hathier heads for the door. "Oh, I'm sure they will. Especially from the twins."

"Twins?"

Hathier only grins at the simultaneous question. He's out the door with them right on his trail. True, he isn't completely nervous. True, he may not know what to expect exactly. But Hathier will take what he can get at this point regardless of how he's perceived by his former world.

1, 2, 3, & 4 - I wrote the lyrics.

*The Battle of Naumbegg is of my own creation.

I apologize for a relatively short chapter. Thank you to everyone who has been patient and supportive of this story. I know things are slow (both story and updating) but I will not abandon this story.

Important: Please don't post this or any of my other stories on another website. Doing so doesn't benefit me as a writer and it only kills my motivation. My stories should only be found on this website (under the username: i-just-really-like-sakura) and Ao3 (under the username: ich_bin_ein_stern). Please inform me of reposts.

If you have the time, please review.

~i-just-really-sakura