Author's Note
So thing's are going to heat up in this chapter. So bear with me guys. Initially, this chapter was going to have a large timeskip, but I decided to cut the length of the chapter.
Now, on another note, one of you asked if Draco and Harry would adopt. While I won't say it's impossible, it's very unlikely. They are effectively immortal.
I think it would be cruel if they adopted a human child, for obvious reasons. As for an elfling, there really are no such thing as elven orphans and orphanages, owing to how rare elflings are. Hope you aren't disapointed.
There was so much to do in so little time. Unfortunately, the previous King of Arnor had died and the new one had never met us. That meant that one of us would personally have to go ask for aid.
In the end, Draco chose to go. He left three days after we saw on the Palantír what was happening in the East. It was decided that he would head to Imladris, first and ask Lord Elrond for his help.
That left me to rally our other allies. The day after Draco left, I went to speak with the elves that live in Caras i-Ngelaidh to inform them of what was happening.
I speak to Beleg, who is their chief of sorts. " Beleg, trouble brews once again. I must ask a favour of you. Draco has taught many of you, the arts of healing. "
" The conflict we head towards will need your skill. Would you help us ? " Since they've settled here, they haven't left. Other than to wander in the valley and in Fangorn Forest.
I'm happy that he doesn't even need to think on it. " Of course we shall help Eladar. The very reason that we learnt was so that we could help others. "
During the conversation, a number of the other elves have joined us. They all nod as he finishes. I smile. We decide that they shall set out in a couple of days, as soon as everything was ready.
During the time it takes them to get ready, I contact the new King of Khazad-dûm, Thrain. His father, Bain died nearly a decade ago. The news saddened me. Bain was our friend.
Once again, the grim reminder of mortality. I had met Thrain a number of times already though. He agrees to send a host to aid Gondor. Not that I doubted they would. He goes further and assures me that he will lead his army himself.
Next I contact Celeborn and Galadriel to inform them of developments. Galadriel especially looks pensive. " These are grave tidings that you bring to us, Eladar the Red. "
"There has been peace for some time now. To hear that trouble is brewing in the East is disheartening. There is an unseen hand working the will of evil, at play here. "
" The Wainriders have long been nomadic and yet now they suddenly prepare for war. Nay. Someone has riled them and filled their ears with poison. We must be wary of the stirrings of danger from the East. "
" You shall have the aid of our people however. We shall no doubt meet upon the field of battle I fear. " Celeborn looked pensive as his wife spoke but didn't gainsay her. I bowed my head and bid them farewell.
After that, I packed provisions and set off on a horse, headed towards Gondor. Our elven healers left before me. With them went a number of wagons, carrying potions and cauldrons.
They will head north, towards the bridge over the Anduin that we had built years ago. Once there, they are to make for the southernmost parts of Greenwood the Great. Draco will meet them there in a few months.
My journey, will be a lonely one however. Nearly five months I travel on the road, stopping at inns when I find them. By the time I reach the Pelennor, I'm weary of travel. Unfortunately, there won't be much rest here.
I veer off the road that leads to Minas Anor and head instead, towards Osgilliath. The guards let me through with little fuss. As I ride, I'm struck by the differences in the city over the centuries.
When Draco and I first came here, the city still bore the marks of the Kin-strife. Some of the grandest buildings lay in ruins. Contrast that to now. The Dome of The Stars has been rebuilt as well as the great bridge that it stood upon.
It was once the pride of Gondor and indeed, the most beautiful structure built by men in Middle Earth. It was destroyed during the Kin-strife and the Palantír inside was lost forever.
Now it has been restored to its former glory. It used to be the royal palace and I have no doubt that it once again serves that purpose.
The people around me act like they don't have a care in the world. It's likely then, that they aren't aware of the threat posed to Gondor.
At the gates to the Dome, my staff and appearance is quickly taken note of and I'm ushered inside. As we're moving, I muse to myself. The Dome of the Stars is so named for the throne room, but this building vaguely reminds me of a muggle church that I saw in a book.
It was quite famous. St Peter's Basilica in Rome. But this, the pinnacle of Númenorian grandeur is in a league of its own. That thought solidifies as I'm led into the throne room.
I can't help but look up. I gasp slightly. The guards give me knowing looks. The interior of the dome is pure onyx but tiny holes have been made in the dome to correspond with the placement of all the stars.
The holes are covered with precious gems the colour of each individual star. The visual effect is breathtaking. As incredible a sight as it is, I don't let my eyes linger any longer.
For upon a throne of marble, sits the King of Gondor. Narmacil ll. I walk towards him and just before I reach the dais I bow. " Hail Narmacil, son of Telumehtar, King of Gondor. "
The King is middle aged, though it barely shows. His face is smooth, but for faint crows feet and his hair is still jet black. He sits straighter then and gives me a piercing look.
" Greetings to you as well, Eladar the Red. You and Tuilalcaron are well known to the people of my realm. What brings you to Osgilliath? "
I want to sigh but I hold it in. " Grave tidings, Your Majesty, though I'm unsure if you know it yourself by now. The Wainriders who have long been nomadic, have grouped together, creating a mighty host on the shores of the Sea of Rhûn. "
He frowns then. " While it's true that lately there has been silence from my northern subjects, no word has reached me of any such host. How do you know? "
A wry smile touches my lips. " The Palantír of Orthanc. With it, I have seen what they are doing. What's more, it appears as if someone is aiding them. "
" They now use weapons of steel and they are building chariots of war. I have no doubt that they intend on wresting Rhovanion from the grasp of Gondor. "
He gasped as I mentioned the Palantír. Now he's frowning. He seems to be thinking. Abruptly, he turns towards one of the guards inside the throne room.
" Captain Forlong, prepare a retinue for me at once. I ride for Minas Anor. Also inform the Steward, Lord Faramir that I wish for him to accompany me. "
The captain rushes to comply. I don't say anything yet. For I can guess why he would want to go there. The Palantír that's kept in the Citadel, so that he could see for himself.
I'm surprised when Narmacil speaks then. " You are look exactly like your statue Eladar the Red. The sculptors truly did you justice. " My eyebrows raise.
" I'm not sure I understand what you're saying Your Majesty. Which statue do you speak of ? " To my surprise, he laughs then.
" Ah, it seems that you haven't been there in centuries. I'm speaking of Pelargir. There's a statue of you and Tuilalcaron alongside my great- great grandfather, Minardil, right as you enter the gates of the city. "
I can't conceal my slight grimace. He doesn't take offence though. On the contrary. He looks amused. Before we can continue though, footsteps sound near the entrance and I turn slightly.
A tall dark haired man, with a noble face and bearing walks into the throne room. Judging by his apparent age and the way that the guards salute him, this can be no other than Lord Faramir, Steward of Gondor.
He bows his head to the King and then turns to me. I incline my head to which he does the same, then he refocusess on Narmacil.
" Your Majesty, I came immediately for it sounded urgent. What trouble has befallen us? " The King sighs. " Grave news my friend. Delivered by Eladar the Red. "
" I do not doubt his word, but it would be wise if I saw it with my own eyes. We must make haste to Minas Anor and look upon the Palantír. "
" Something that I have not done for the entirety of my reign. A miscalculation on my part. I am rarely in Minas Anor though. Perhaps, once this crisis has been dealt with, the seeing stone should be housed here, as the Chief Stone once was. "
Faramir seems surprised at the stones being mentioned. Likely, it's not something that's thought about often. An idea strikes me then.
" Your Majesty, if I may interject, perhaps a better idea would be to bring the Palantír of Minas Ithil here instead. Afterall, centuries ago, as I used it to see what was happening in Angmar, a thought struck me. "
" Minas Ithil is very isolated. It is dangerous to have such a potent weapon on the doorstep of the Enemy. Even though the Enemy is hidden, for now. "
They both look surprised by my words. When I finish however, the King has a look of agreement on his face. " An excellent idea. Yes. It would be better to have the stone here, instead of gathering dust at Minas Ithil. "
" Faramir, compose a letter authorising the move of the stone to Osgilliath. Send a company of cavalry to retrieve it. " The Steward looks surprised at the prompt orders but rushes to obey.
The King stands up and leaves the throne then. He leads me into the room next door and a large table is there, set with a small feast. The two of us then spend the next half hour eating our fill.
To me, it's very welcome indeed. Especially the fine wine. Not long after we finish, Captain Forlong enters the room, telling the King that his retinue is ready.
Because where we're going isn't far, only about a hundred mounted men will accompany us. As we leave the Dome of the Stars, Faramir waits for us, along with our horses.
It's midday still so everything goes easier. We mount our horses and then set off. The crowds cheer at the sight of the King and Steward.
It takes us an hour of riding, from the Dome of the Stars to reach the Citadel of Minas Anor. Once there, we dismount and head towards the Tower of the Citadel.
Inside, while clean, hangs a stale air. For while it's cleaned periodically, nobody has actually been in the tower proper, for over a century.
Once we've reached the very top, Faramir removes a key from his person and opens the iron door. Before he or the King can move forward, I do.
I point my staff at the interior and cast Ventus. I control the amount of power I put into it. A strong breeze flows into the room and banishes the stale smell and cloying air.
I turn then. Both men look slightly awed. They snap out of it fast though. The enter then. The King removes the cloth and then walks around the Palantír till he's facing north east.
Then he raises his hand over the stone. I look intently, as does Faramir. For a second, the stone remains blank, but then images start to appear. Mountains of red granite, vast grasslands, a shimmering inland sea, an ancient forest.
Strangely, when it reaches the forest, the images distorts slightly. I raise a brow, unseen by the other two men. That was interesting.
Before long however, a sea of tents appear. Everything after that is too indistinct to see without personal use of the Palantír.
We patiently wait for the King to finish. When he does, he lets out a deep sigh. He turns towards us then, face drawn in a grimace.
" Much as I wish it weren't so, the tidings brought are true. It's worse even than you said, for things must have changed while you travelled Eladar. "
" As much as I wish to travel there with all haste and crush them, it's best not to fight in terrain that they know better. Still, they are fools if they think that I will give away the northern part of my realm. "
" Faramir, see to it at once, when we return to Osgilliath. Have the generals muster the Northern Army. See that supplies are well in hand. We shall meet our foes in battle in Rhovanion. "
" Also, send word to Pelargir and all our settlements to the north, that they must prepare themselves, just in case they are attacked by raiding parties. "
The Steward bowed his head and then the three of us left. Faramir locking up behind us. The King decided not to stay in Minas Anor. We made again for Osgilliath.
I heard the muttering of the people as we left and also when we returned to Osgilliath. People were speculating about what trouble could be brewing.
When we dismounted in the courtyard, the Steward immediately left to begin preparations, while the King invited me to dine with him. He sent a guard to inform his family that he wouldn't be dining with them tonight.
In the end, it took about a month to marshall the Northern Army. Not surprising, considering it numbered around thirty thousand. The Southern Army numbered fifty thousand.
I was astonished at the numbers. Truly, the centuries of relative peace has been a boon to Gondor. During the wait, the soldiers sent to Minas Ithil returned.
With them, they brought the Palantír that was in that city. The King was glad to receive it. He used it daily, to observe the movements of the enemy.
It served us well. I had asked his permission to use it and he granted it. I didn't use it to watch our enemies however. I used it to see how our allies were faring.
To my relief, the King of Arnor must have agreed to aid us. I saw a large host, perhaps ten thousand strong, mustering. I then checked on the elves and dwarves.
In Imladris, it seemed like a thousand warriors, under the command of Elrond's sons was marshalled. The dwarves were sending a larger force however. Five thousand, from what I could gather.
Thranduil was sending three thousand. It looked as if he would lead them personally. One thousand would be led by Celeborn, from what I saw. Satisfaction curled within me.
Our gathered forces would be enough. Through the Palantír, I checked on what, or rather who, I was most desperate to see.
I hungrily drank in the sight of Draco. He looked well. His image was distorted however. When he was in Caras Galadhon, I couldn't see him at all.
No doubt thanks to the magical protections of Galadriel on the city. The forest itself, distorts vision. The elves seem to have an innate magic.
While few of them could consciously use it, it had passive effects as well. Large concentrations of elves give the forest magical protection, that's not even counting the ents and Aiwendel .
Now that the forests are joined, if you count the elves living in Caras i-Ngelaidh, Caras Galadhon, Las Galen and Lothlórien together, there are over twenty thousand elves living in the forest.
With regular supplies of the potion, it's possible that number can grow tenfold, in the period of a thousand years. I smirk. My thoughts really like to wander.
Nevertheless, once the army was assembled, we set off. The Steward Faramir, was given the rule of Gondor while the King was at war.
That was despite the heir to the throne, Prince Calimehtar, being of age. The King felt that at this point, it was better that Gondor was in more experienced hands.
If Narmacil dies however, then it's a moot point. His son will immediately become King. With Draco and I with him, the chances are slim however.
I ride next to Narmacil, at the head of the army. Directly behind us, are the generals. From what I understand, the Northern Army consists of a number of different disciplines.
Seven thousand are cavalry. Seven thousand are spearmen. Fourteen thousand are swordsmen and two thousand are archers.
Archers are the least because they are the hardest to train. Atleast, that's my impression. Only the best archers are accepted into Gondor's army.
It takes about four months for us to reach the lands just due south of Greenwood the Great. The men gaze upon it with awe. It's immense size is breathtaking.
They don't stand idle for long however. The army immediately starts building a camp. A wry smile touches my lips, as I hear soldiers talking about large piles of dead trees that have been left just past the treeline of the forest.
The doing of the ents no doubt. I make my way to the edge of the camp and then hold out my arm. Some curious soldiers watch me.
An eagle soon alights upon my arm. He cocks his head at me and then, in the language of his kind, he tells me what he has seen. A vast army upon metal contraptions are heading towards us.
We were right in thinking that they would attack Rhovanion. The northernmost province of Gondor is large and sparsely populated. Poorly defended as well.
Only a handful of garrisons with a couple of hundred soldiers each. Easy pickings no doubt. Thing is, Gondor is strong. I don't overestimate the help that Draco and I gave, both, in successfully defending Pelargir, but also healing the victims of the Great Plague.
Gondor has recovered since then. I'm hoping that after this, the King will see that the east needs to be watched better. The Gondorian fortresses guarding Mordor must be reoccupied.
That's a problem for another day however. I move towards the Royal Pavillion and inform Narmacil of our approaching foes.
" Your Majesty, the enemy shall be upon us within two days. They have a vast host. Sixty thousand. All on war chariots. There are four to a chariot, from what my scout has told me. "
My words cause an uncomfortable silence to fall. The King and his generals were looking at maps of the area. Now, some of them look slightly fearful.
" Such massive numbers. I shudder to think of what would have happened if they caught us unawares. We would have rushed from Osgilliath to Rhovanion and here we would have been caught by surprise and possibly defeated. "
" You say they were scouted...by who? " I smirk slightly. " The birds Your Majesty. I have told them to watch over our enemy and they have. Do not despair however. Help will soon be at hand. "
" Tuilalcaron went to King Araval of Arnor, who pledged his help. No doubt in gratitude for the aid Gondor rendered to them. They shall arrive tomorrow. "
When I finish, conversations immediately break out. Several people try to talk at once. Narmacil silences them however. The frown on his face is gone now.
" Praise to the Valar then, for our deliverance. A well trained force, even a small one, will be enough to tip the balance in our favour. "
" We need to prepare however. We cannot allow them to overrun us with a massed assault. We must slow down or stop their chariots. Generals, tell the men to start digging trenches. "
" Not a single one. For we have not the time to create one long and deep enough, to stop their momentum entirely. Rather they must be placed irregularly and spaced apart. "
" That way, their large formations will be broken up into smaller, more manageable ones. We don't have time to waste gentlemen. See to it. "
They move out of the tent with purpose. I leave the tent with them. For something has occurred to me just now.
Once outside, I move towards the perimeter of the camp and then leave it. All the while, observing the landscape. The land here, is unfortunately flat for the most part. Perfect for cavalry, or chariots.
I can change that however, slightly. Create higher ground for the archers to be stationed on. I'm fortunate in that regard. On the outskirts of the camp, on each side, there is a fairly large outcropping of rock.
Perhaps a quarter wide, but only about three feet high. I grimace. What I'm about to do is relatively simple, however it will be magically taxing.
Fortunately, I'll have a some time to recover. The magic I'm going to use is the summoning charm. Remarkably versatile, though most wizards only use it for basic things.
What I have in mind is simple. I'm going to summon more of the rock formation from out of the ground. Creating a small hill. My lips twitch. This is going to exhaust me.
I get onto the rocks and then walk towards the centre. More soldiers are watching me now than before. Curious things they are.
When I reach my destination, I take a deep breath and then brace myself. I grasp my staff with both hands and raise it. With body tenses I intone " Accio ", while thinking of the stone beneath the surface.
For a moment, nothing happens. Then the entire rock formation shudders. Cries and gasps ring out from the onlookers. In my peripherals, I can see more soldiers rushing to see what's happening.
Soon, a faint tremor is running through the camp, all the while, the rock formation slowly rises. Sweat beads my forehead and my muscles start to shake. I don't let up though.
Eventually, as I feel my strength flagging, I release the magic. I quickly plant my staff against the ground to steady myself. All I can hear is the the blood rushing through my ears.
After a minute, I slowly turn towards the camp and start in surprise. Thousands of awestruck faces are staring back at me. At their head, is the King. As move back towards camp, he speaks.
" I have read accounts of your magical feats, Eladar the Red, but I'm still struck speechless. Truly, you are a great friend of Gondor. "
I laugh slightly then. The crowd slowly disperses but the King and I, head towards his tent. There we are served a veritable feast. His generals join us.
I don't speak much, merely content to listen to the sounds of a camp of soldiers. When we're finished eating, I head to my own tent. The moment my head hits the bedroll, I'm asleep.
The next morning, after breakfast, I head towards the rock formation on the other side of the camp and repeat my feat. This one was slightly larger and the surface was irregular, but in the end, I was successful.
I was exhausted, thankfully, I remembered this morning that I had an invigouration draught amongst my supplies. I gladly drank it and slowly felt my energy replenishing.
I climb down from the rocks and for the moment, I'm out of sight. I think of Draco then. Expecto Patronum. Prongs appears before me in all his glory. I concentrate and cast another spell.
Once finished, I speak. " I miss you so much. More than words could ever say. I love you. " Prongs bows and then speeds towards the forest. Towards Draco.
Feeling lighter, I head towards camp. It doesn't look as if anyone noticed anything out of the ordinary. I exhale.
For the next few hours, I wander around the camp. Watching the preparations of the soldiers. Surprisingly, none of them appear scared by what we're going to face.
Then again, I doubt they were informed in any real detail. Just after lunch, the entire camp rushes to arms as a horn sounds in the distance.
A single rider in the distance, wearing magnificent armour, crested the hill to the southwest of us. Soon another rider appeared behind him. He bore a sable banner. On that banner was seven stars, with a sceptre beneath it.
Soon, dozens, then hundreds of riders crested the hill. They all moved in our direction. After the cavalry came thousands of men marching in formation. Heading in our direction.