Chapter 21 – Lessons Learned
Lord Celeborn signalled for his men to check the clearing before knelt next to Harry who still sat cradling Luna's head casting wandless healing charms on her.
"What happened?"
Harry took a deep breath trying to remain calm "Short version I was an arrogant idiot so I disregarded my training and charged straight in and got stomped, Luna saved me."
"Is she badly hurt?" asked Lord Celeborn.
"No I don't think so but she could have been" whispered Harry.
"But she isn't, but come let us get moving this is not the place to have this discussion." Lord Celeborn squeezed Harry's shoulder.
"Harry?" murmured Luna as her eye lids fluttered.
"I'm here"
"I thought they were…." Luna began with tears in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry Luna, this is my fault." Harry pulled Luna in to a gentle embrace.
"Ohhh watch my arm Harry"
"Oh Merlin sorry, I'm still not much good with healing spells" apologised Harry.
"If you both are well enough to travel we should get moving. We still have a long way to travel."
The ride to Lord Éomund's fort was slow but untroubled by any further incidents. Lord Celeborn led the party and Harry rode double with Luna sitting and often sleeping as he held her. While Luna slept Harry brooded; he was incredibly angry with what he saw as his failure to protect Luna. He had disregarded his training and acted with unforgiveable rashness and may well have perished had Luna not been in a position to save him, he had underestimated an unknown enemy and nearly lost everything because of his foolishness.
"No more" swore Harry under his breath "no more." It was time to grow up and he knew a couple of people that may be able to help.
Éomund's Fort
They arrived at dusk on the second day. Luna was whisked away for bed rest by Lady Théodwyn and Ayrica. Lord Éomund and Lord Celeborn were exchanging pleasantries by the fire so Harry took the opportunity to seek out Horvath.
"Young Harry, Come join me in a mug!" greeted the veteran Rider.
"Horvath do you have a few moments?" asked Harry.
Horvath studied Harry's serious expression and nodded "Walk with me Harry."
The two of them walked outside to the torch lit courtyard silently as Harry pondered what to say.
"Horvath I nearly got Luna and myself killed, I need…I need to learn to think and not just rush in. I'm trained to fight, to hunt and use magic but when it comes to it I bloody rush in and this time it nearly cost me everything."
Horvath was silent for a few more steps "Harry when I was first given command of other men I led a raid on the hiding place of some bandits. They had been raiding farms and herds and my Lord wanted them dealt with. I rode straight in to an ambush, leading my men with me. I survived because one of my friends put me on a horse and then led the lads out of the fight. Half of us were dead and most of the rest wounded." Horvath paused for a moment lost in his memories.
"Harry I went to Lord Éomund's father and begged him to appoint my friend to command, I told him how I had failed, of my arrogance and stupidity and stood there waiting for him to dismiss me from service."
"What happened?" asked Harry.
"He told me what I am about to tell you, learn from your mistakes, if you learn from them they have value."
"But Luna could have died, when I got my wits back they were about to……to rape her."
"She didn't die Harry, she lived and you lived. Did you make the bastards pay?"
"They are dead, so yes I made them pay."
"Then move on Harry, but first tell me what you learned?"
"I should have scouted and observed, I up and left my allies behind and attacked when I knew nothing about my enemy I just assumed I was more powerful, more skilled."
"Harry from what you have told me about your skills you are a powerful individual but you have seen that it doesn't mean you are indestructible. If you want my advice" Harry nodded "Then I suggest that you get yourself equipped correctly, wear your blade, carry your bow and practice your skills. A warrior never stops learning and never stops honing their skills."
The two of them walked the length of the courtyard before Harry spoke again.
"Thank you Horvath, at least I have another perspective. I think it will be a while before I forgive myself but I think you may be right."
Lord Celeborn watched as Harry left with Lord Éomund's Captain Horvath. He hoped that the veteran could help the young man see past his near disaster. After a short time the two returned and he was relieved to see that Harry looked less tense and brooding. The Elven Lord turned back to his human host and was unsurprised to see him also watching Harry.
Harry cursed and shook his right hand trying to take some of the sting out of it as he bent down to pick up the blunted practice blade. This was the third time Horvath had disarmed or defeated him in the last 15 minutes. Initially Harry had used his training in Valinor and his natural reflexes to good advantage pushing the skilled warrior in to defending himself. Then Horvath countered and used his greater strength to drive Harry backwards before he caught Harry's sword hand. The second time Harry was more cautious but still ended up with the point of Horvath's blunted blade at his throat. The third saw Horvath smashing his blade across Harry's sword hand.
"Bloody Hell Horvath that last one hurt."
"Then stop mucking about and come at me."
"I'm not mucking about!"
"Harry the last time I saw you fight you were vicious, quick and deadly now you are barely half as fast, why?"
"I don't know"
"You need to release your power Harry" Luna instructed from where she stood near the training yard.
"What does that mean?" asked Harry grumpily, still shaking his hand.
"Harry we are for all intents and purposes Maia in human form that means that we can draw on that strength and use it to add power to your spells, strength and speed to your sword play. You have done it already in Dol Guldur but you haven't been practicing on doing it at will."
"I don't know how" responded Harry.
"Concentrate and feel your powers lying dormant within intertwined with your magic now open that door, release it Harry allow it to flow through you."
Harry closed his eyes and envisioned his magic coiling around him. After a few moments he could see what Luna meant, white strands flowed through him but didn't interact with his magic something was keeping them separate. Harry was now using Occlumency as he tried to blend his two magic's by finding the 'door' Luna spoke of. Following his magic Harry reached his magical core, the manifestation of his power and found the white strands frayed and disconnected the way forward blocked by something that he could only describe as 'not Harry', slowly Harry reached out pushing the otherness away and pulled the strands together.
Luna watched as Harry's body began to glow with a pale white light, then his eyes began to glow a burning emerald green. She could see power coursing around his body and then pure white light burst from his physical form causing Luna to blink and look away. When she finished blinking she saw Harry standing surrounded by an aura of white light.
Harry turned, his glowing eyes locked on Luna and winked before raising his sword to salute Horvath as he resumed his position opposite the veteran. Horvath strode forward bringing his blade around in a whistling arc only to have Harry effortlessly block and step inside his blade held to Horvath's neck. What was truly shocking for Horvath was the fact that the block and step inside was almost too fast to follow. Horvath stepped back and lowered his sword.
Horvath leant on his blade and stared at his young opponent "What was that? I could barely see you move."
"That Captain Horvath" answered Luna as she walked toward the two men "was Harry using his powers in the way they were intended, blending the magic and the Maia."
Luna walked straight to Harry and embraced him before kissing him.
"You are healed" it was not a question; Harry could sense that Luna had recovered from her injuries.
"We need to speak Harry, but first clean yourself up, you smell. I'll meet you for some breakfast afterwards." Luna ordered as she walked back to the main building.
"Harry" called Horvath "Come and see me later in the Armoury, Lord Celeborn asked that I look in to finding you some armour and perhaps a bow."
"I will" promised Harry as he made his way inside.
Rivendell – House of Elrond
"Mithrandir, welcome once more to Rivendell, I am sorry for the late summons, I know that you have but recently arrived but I needed to speak with you most urgently" Elrond gestured for the Istari to sit.
"I too seek your wisdom Lord Elrond for there has been a number of events of late that I fear may bode ill for the free people as well as some unexpected victories."
"You speak of the traitor Saruman no doubt, but what victories have we seen?'
"Dol Guldur has fallen" stated Mithrandir simply.
Elrond sat back stunned; he had seen smoke and felt great powers at work but Sauron's fortress of Dol Guldur was almost unassailable.
"How do you know?"
"Ah that old friend is the work of my comrade Radagast who sent his swift flying messengers to me this morning. I fear Radagast has done more talking and as he calls it interfering these past few days than he has for many a year. He also sent word from the Elves he is friendly with it would appear that Lord Celeborn rides to Rivendell along with two messengers or perhaps a better word is envoys of the Valar"
"Harry Potter" whispered Elrond
"My Lord Elrond?" questioned the Istari.
"In a moment, what else does our friend say?"
"It would seem that these envoys left Dol Guldur a smoking, lifeless ruin after they spirited away the prisoners and he spoke of the bones of some fell beast amongst the blackened stones although it was so blasted that he could not identify it." Mithrandir paused a moment before he asked "You spoke a name?"
"When Círdan sent the message naming Saruman a traitor he spoke of a messenger of the Valar who brought him those tidings a man named Harry Potter, although with this new wisdom I wonder if we have miscalled him."
"What are you suggesting?"
"Nothing yet" cautioned Elrond "but I fear Celeborn will bring us tidings that will shatter our current strategies"
Éomund's Fort
Harry spotted Anduial sitting with Luna as he entered Éomund's hall and made his way to sit with his fiancé and his Elven friend. The elf went to stand and excuse himself but Harry wave him back down.
"Please stay my friend, and my thanks for keeping Luna company."
"It was a pleasure" responded the Elf.
"Anduial was telling me more of the history of the Laiquendi, they are fascinating Harry."
"Oh how so?" asked Harry as he sat wishing for a cup of tea.
"They were known as great healers and herbalists and lived their lives as hunter gatherers in the vast forests of Middle Earth" explained Luna.
"Indeed" continued Anduial "They were masters of camouflage, it is said that they could disappear from sight by blending in to the woods and while many of us woodland folk have some of that skill it was said that the Laiquendi ability bordered on magical."
Harry looked across at Luna who looked intrigued and considered Anduial's tale perhaps the Laiquendi had some skill or trick the others attributed to magic but maybe they did have abilities worth investigating. Perhaps this was why the Valar pushed their messengers to investigate.
"On another note Harry; Luna tells me you are honing your abilities perhaps you would like to spar and practice your archery as we travel?"
"Thanks I'll take you up on that I need to get back in to training."
"I understand Harry, and before I go to get ready a word of advice; should you decide to seek out any Laiquendi that still walk beneath the trees I would respectfully suggest you take elves with you. For many of the small Elven communities have oft proven distrustful of men."
"Well whatever else we plan I fear will have to wait until on our return from Rivendell" commented Luna.
"Indeed" agreed the voice of Celeborn "for now that Luna is well I would be off to Rivendell, for needs dictate that we soon speak to Lord Elrond."
Lord Éomund looked to Harry and Luna as he spoke "In fact the need is so clear that Horvath and I will join you on your journey, your deeds my friends have struck a blow for men and elves but now we must take wise council for our next moves are critical. Not the least of these will be how we deal with our troublesome neighbour Saruman."
"Now that he is a known traitor he may not be able to deceive us so simply but he remains a threat although unless I am quiet wrong he may be less of one for a while yet" said Lord Celeborn.
"Why?" asked Harry "Surely he would be angry and that may provoke him to move against you or other amongst our allies"
"Harry did anyone ever describe Saruman to you or to you Luna?" asked Lord Celeborn.
Harry shook his head but Luna looked puzzled by the question for a few moments and then looked sharply at Lord Celeborn.
"Surely not?" she exclaimed
"Harry's description was fairly good although in the future we might need to add that he's now wearing an eye patch and looking a bit worse for wear" answered Lord Éomund.
"You're joking?" said Harry "That was Saruman but Luna nearly tore his face off."
Isengard - Tower of Orthanc
One of Saruman's few remaining human servants used a clean cloth and brandy as he tried to clean the wounds on his unconscious master's face, gagging as he did. Claws had torn one eye out and one entire side of his face had been cut till bone was visible. The servant did his best and then took up his needle and thread and began sewing the flaps of skin together as neatly as he could. His master would not be happy when he awoke, not happy at all.
Far above in Saruman's chamber a globe of glass flickered and if anyone had been looking at it they would have seen flames burning in the globe but no one was.
Rivendell
Elladan and Elrohir met their foster brother Aragorn and Prince Legolas the son of King Thanduril at the gates after receiving word of their imminent arrival.
"Aragorn" greeted Elladan "it is good to see you safe my brother and welcome to you Legolas it has been too long since you last visited my fathers halls."
Elrohir ducked out of site for a moment as he signalled for a groom to take the horses and then joined the others "Come quickly my Father is in council and wishes you both to attend."
As they walked toward Elrond's halls Aragorn was aware of the usually jovial twin's serious faces, it would appear this council was to address weighty matters. As the four entered Lord Elrond's chambers they were waved to seats, as he sat Aragorn glanced at those around the table Glorfindel, Gandalf, the twins and their father Lord Elrond.
"Prince Legolas Greenleaf it is a pleasure to welcome you once more to Rivendell and Aragorn my foster son it is good to once more see you walking my halls I fear that any ceremony must wait for we have matters of grave importance to discuss." Elrond paused for a moment and picked up a letter from the documents spread out on the table.
"When Lord Círdan sent messages to the members of the White Council naming Saruman a traitor he spoke of a messenger of the Valar who had brought him those tidings. He described this envoy as a man named Harry Potter. This man came with a warning of Saruman's treachery and apparently had been given instructions to oppose the enemy to the best of his ability."
"Harry Potter?" mused Legolas "Aragorn the travelers we met!"
Aragorn inclined his head to his friend before turning to face Lord Elrond.
"Lord Elrond I believe we have met this Harry Potter and his female companion on the road to Dol Guldur, we did try to dissuade them but sadly they ignored our advice and continued on to that fell place."
Elrond sat forward on his chair "Oh they reached Dol Guldur Aragorn and apparently burnt the keep to the ground after slaying some nameless beast and freeing the prisoners."
"But how? No mortal man could enter that citadel of horror and prevail" asked Aragorn
"I have my suspicions, but that is all I will say till we meet with Lord Celeborn's company."
The Gap of Rohan
With twenty armed riders now acting as escorts it was a much larger company that rode on through the open grasslands and rolling hills flanked by snow capped mountains that marked the gap of Rohan. Harry could feel Luna's warm arms shift slightly as she adjusted her position and then gave him a reassuring squeeze around the middle. Yes, thought Harry we still have a long way to go but the path seemed a bit brighter right now.