Chapter 4
Bilbo and Harry were soon shown to a pair of guest rooms in a different wing of the main building by a chatty elf named Raithon who spoke perfect Westron and spent their trek through the building pointing out where everything was and how everything worked. They would be served a late dinner in their rooms now but in the morning they were expected to come to the great hall at the sound of the bells for breakfast.
Harry couldn't help but ask about their bathing facilities and Raithon eagerly explained that cold water was available in all buildings through a system of copper pipes that brought water from the waterfalls to several main points in various buildings. For hot water there were the kitchens, where they always had large copper kettles on the fire for boiling water. And once a week the public bathhouse fired up their huge copper kettles so hot water was available there as well for bathing. If you wanted to bathe on any other day you had to use cold water.
The toilets in Rivendell used no water at all and were basically composting toilets that were situated a bit away from any of the main buildings. Chamber pots were provided in each room for emergencies.
Harry shared a quick, knowing glance with Bilbo at hearing all of these details. So this was something Harry could help the elves with quite easily.
Their rooms were situated across from one another and moments after Harry stepped inside his suite an elf brought him a plate of warm food with a metal lid covering it. Harry thanked the elf with a short bow and then examined the food. There was an assortment of roasted vegetables, some raw leafy greens, and something that looked like lambchops. All in all a fine meal and Harry sat down at the small table in the corner of the room to eat.
The room was quite big, with a large, four poster bed against one wall, a set of floor to ceiling lattice windows with intricate floral and leafy patterns which were works of art in their own right, and on the other wall was a beautifully decorated wardrobe and a commode which held a large bowl for washing and a jug of cold water. Harry suspected that inside he'd find soap and towels and the likes. Not the most luxurious of facilities but they certainly sufficed to keep one clean if one washed themselves top to bottom every day, even if the water was cold.
That certainly explained why Glorfindel and the twins had all eagerly used Harry's bathtub with its running hot water every single night during their journey.
Finally there was a small table with a few dining chairs, and a separate leather lounge chair. The lattice windows actually held a door, Harry noticed after looking at them more closely, that opened up to a small terrace that overlooked a beautiful garden with mature trees, various bushes and an assortment of flowers. A stone path crossed through it from left to right. That was all Harry could make out in the darkness but he was sure that in daylight the view would be stunning as he could hear several waterfalls nearby.
The floors and walls were all solid light stone, and a small, unlit fireplace sat against the wall that held the door. The bed was made with soft, white sheets, with a blanket folded on the wooden bench that stood as a footrest against the end of the bed.
Harry undressed slowly and didn't even bother putting on some pyjamas. He blew out the candles that burned around the room lest he accidentally start a fire. He was exhausted as he crawled into the bed, the last few days of hard travel now catching up with him.
Actually, the whole time he'd now spent in Middle-Earth was catching up with him as he lay on his back and stared straight up into the darkness.
There was no going back.
Hermione had been very clear about that when she'd explained the ritual to him. The destination was always random, you couldn't choose which exact world you ended up in. The only thing you could do was add some parameters to the ritual, like that it had to be a world with immortal people in it. But that was all. So even if Harry choose to use the ritual again, he would almost certainly not end up back in the wizarding world.
Heaving a deep sigh, Harry squeezed his eyes shut and rested his arm over his face. He'd truly left all he'd ever known behind and now he found himself in a beautiful place where most people openly distrusted him.
Except for one person. Harry once again realized how lucky he was that he'd met Bilbo Baggins because his life would have been infinitely more complicated if he hadn't. He doubted he'd have found the elves and Rivendell so soon.
His exhaustion did claim him before long and Harry fell into a fitful sleep.
In the morning, the bells woke Harry up. He made use of the cold water to wash up and brush his teeth, and then he dug around in his backpack for some clean clothes. Just a simple t-shirt and some jeans, since the weather was looking to get quite warm that day. He made a mental note to do some laundry soon because he was running out of clean clothes and cleaning charms could only do so much before his clothes started smelling like dirty clothes permanently.
A knock on his door announced Bilbo's arrival.
"Come along, Harry," Bilbo said, looking up at Harry with a wide smile when Harry opened the door. "I'm starving and the elves do offer a good spread."
"Morning," Harry said, unable to hold back a grin. Thankfully his melancholic mood of the previous night had disappeared and Harry was eager to see Rivendell by daylight.
The verdict? Stunning. Absolutely stunning.
Harry glimpsed some of it as they passed a window and he had to stop and gape, his mouth hanging open as he took in the many waterfalls and the unique architecture that flowed like the river that ran through the valley.
"It is quite something, isn't it?" Bilbo said with a proud nod, looking as though he himself had designed every last speck of it. "Of course, it's not quite the Shire."
"I'm going to visit you in the Shire," Harry told his friend with a stern look. "You can only mention the beauty of your home so many times before people actually want to see it."
Chuckling, Bilbo gave Harry a cheeky wink. "Why do you think I talk about my home so often? I adore having friends visit."
They made their way to the great hall, meanwhile admiring the many tapestries and paintings that adorned the walls. There were also plenty of statues inside and outside the building, and Harry spotted a few murals in the distance he vowed to study up close when he had the chance. The hall was quite busy with elves standing in line for the buffet style breakfast that was served, while others were seated at some of the long tables to eat. Though there were plenty of elves present it was clear the hall was built to house many more people. Harry wondered if they were too early or too late, or if the hall was built like that with an eye on receiving large numbers of visitors or something.
Breakfast was quite varied, with slices of dark bread with lots of dried fruit and nuts in it. Harry got two of those because he hadn't had bread in a few weeks. The hot dishes were served in large metal bowls that stood over small candles to keep them warm. There were scrambled eggs and slices of ham, which Harry also got. There was also a hot vegetable stew of sorts, which people seemed to be eating with their eggs. Next was a bowl of what seemed like thick yoghurt with separate bowls of fresh fruit and mixed sweet nuts covered in honey syrup. Harry got a little bit of everything, as did Bilbo. Finally they poured themselves cups of herbal tea, which smelled like raspberry.
They found an empty spot at a table and sat down to enjoy the excellent food. Harry studied the elves around them. All had gorgeous long hair, but they were varied in their hair colour. Some had very dark hair, some a light blond and some had hair that looked silver. And all were ridiculously good looking, both the males and the females. Their skin was flawless, their statures tall and lean and their gazes alert and glittering.
But none were so handsome as the one who just entered the hall. He was also the only one Harry had seen so far with truly golden hair.
Glorfindel quickly scanned the crowd and his shoulders seemed to relax a bit when he spotted Harry and Bilbo. Harry wanted to tell himself this was because Glorfindel was happy to see him, but in truth it was probably because Glorfindel didn't trust Harry one bit for whatever reason and was determined to keep an eye on him.
After filling his own plate with an assortment of foods, Glorfindel sat down next to Harry without any ceremony and gave him a penetrating look, eyes narrowed. Yeah, he was giving Harry a few very clear non-verbal warnings not to make trouble or else.
"Morning, my Lord," Bilbo said cheerfully.
"Morning," Glorfindel said with a short nod at them both. Then he tucked into his breakfast without saying another word.
Harry looked at him for a moment longer before shaking his head and returning to his own breakfast. Meanwhile, Bilbo was looking between them like he was seeing the funniest stage performance of his whole life. Food was one of the few things the could shut Bilbo up for any length of time so they enjoyed a quiet meal, at least for a while. Just as Bilbo got going again on the virtues of Rivendell's library, Raithon, the chatty elf they'd met the previous night, appeared behind Harry.
"Lord Elrond will see you now, Mr Harry Potter."
For a moment Harry was confused what to do with his dirty plate and bowl, but Bilbo waved him off. "I'll take care of those. Don't keep Lord Elrond waiting."
Glorfindel looked as though he was quietly debating whether to join Harry but apparently decided against it at the last moment and he relaxed in his seat again while Harry followed Raithon out of the hall. Raithon made his way outside, much to Harry's surprise, but he soon spotted Elrond standing near a mature tree while he was looking up into the sky, as though enjoying the feeling of the sun on his face.
"Ah, Mr Potter, there you are. Thank you, Raithon." Elrond gestured for Harry to fall into step with him, which Harry did willingly enough. "I figured I'd give you a tour of Imladris while we get to know each other."
"Thank you," Harry said with sincere gratitude and a small bow. "For the tour and for letting me stay."
Elrond stared at Harry, his gaze filled with kindness and patience, but there was an underlying hardness in his eyes as well. This man was generally a good guy, but Harry could tell at once that he was not someone to cross. This man had seen battle and could kill without a second thought if the situation required it, of that Harry had no doubt. "Tell me about your decision to come here," Elrond said, forgoing small-talk for which Harry was grateful.
Harry released a deep sigh. He knew that this was the moment he had to be completely honest. Elrond had all the power in Rivendell and could easily kick him out if he wished. "In my world, I was born human. But because of an accident I had no control over, I stopped aging. I'm almost 150 years old but I still look like I'm 18." It took Harry quite a while to get the whole story out, since Westron still tripped him up more often than not. "All the people I loved died and I was left behind." Harry had to swallow a few times before he could continue. "My friend Hermione found a ritual that would send me to another world with immortal people, only I had no idea what that world looked like."
"It was our world," Elrond guessed with an understanding nod.
"Yes. I appeared right in front of Bilbo." Harry chuckled for a moment, unable to hold back a smile when talking about his new friend. "And what a good thing that was! Bilbo took me under his wing and taught me Westron. I am very lucky to be able to call him my friend."
"And Bilbo brought you here," Elrond said, face scrunched up in a thoughtful frown. "My sons tell me you can perform extraordinary feats of magic."
Harry shrugged helplessly. "In my world they are normal. We learn them as children in school and we use them every day."
Elrond narrowed his gaze while he gave Harry a calculating look. "Would you be able to teach us this magic?"
Blinking his eyes a few times, Harry slowed his pace, surprised by that question. "I had not thought about that, but I doubt it very much. In my world you have to have magic of your own to be able to use it. You cannot teach it to people without magic."
"And if you could use your magic in Imladris, what would you do?" Elrond almost made it sound like a challenge.
Harry perked up. He knew they answer to that question at once. "I'd build you a bathhouse with running hot water."
Elrond laughed outright at that. "My sons did mention your magical bathing room with its endless hot water. Very well." They stopped in front of a building that looked abandoned but had once probably served as a residential building with suites much like the one Harry was staying in. "This building is empty and we have no use for it anymore. Will this suit you to turn into bathing facilities?"
"Sure!" Harry could easily transfigure what he needed and make the most amazing bathhouse Middle-Earth had ever seen.
"Then you are allowed to work on it in the afternoons. In the mornings, you are expected to work in the kitchens." Elrond did not look apologetic at all while he basically ordered Harry to do manual labour.
"I'd be happy to work where ever you need me," Harry said and he meant that. Rivendell was an amazing place but it could only function if everyone did some hard work. And Harry was not opposed to hard work of any kind, especially when it helped others.
"Good. Bilbo already volunteered to work in the kitchen gardens, but I believe you can be put to better use in the kitchens." Elrond then pointed out a few buildings in the distance and started talking about the arts and crafts they produced in Rivendell.
Apparently they produced lots of items they sold or traded with outsiders for things they couldn't produce themselves. They had plenty of fruit and nut trees and lots of kitchen gardens dotted around the valley. Plus sheep and goats grazed around the valley and up above it for meat, milk and wool. They even fattened pigs on acorns and beechnuts in the woods above the valley. They also hunted and gathered things like wild mushrooms. And they fished in the river.
But the only thing Rivendell wasn't able to produce in large enough amounts was grains. Wheat, barley, oats and buckwheat were all things the elves enjoyed eating but had to bring in from outside. Another thing they bought was wine, since it was difficult to grow enough grapes in the valley. The weather wasn't quite right for it. Harry learned they did produce some alcoholic beverages in some amounts themselves, such as elderberry wine and blackberry liquor.
They produced pottery, leather, metal tools, musical instruments, paintings and more to sell and trade for those items they needed to bring in from the outside.
Elrond was an engaging story teller and Harry listened eagerly as they looped back to the main building. Finally, Elrond pointed him in the direction of the kitchens. "Ask for Gaeven," Elrond told him. "He speaks Westron."
"Thank you." Harry gave Elrond a deep bow before they parted ways. "For giving me a chance."
"You are most welcome." And with that, Elrond walked into the opposite direction, hands clasped behind his back.
Well, that had gone as good as could be expected, Harry figured. He was allowed to stay for the time being, he'd been given a job and a challenge, both which Harry promised himself he was going to excel at no matter what.
The kitchens were a separate building built partially into the sheer rock cliff behind it and connected to the main building by a large hallway.
"I'm looking for Gaeven," Harry asked hesitantly as he walked inside the bustling kitchen. One elf looked up with raised eyebrows from a large pot she was stirring over one of the many cast iron stoves that stood around the kitchen. She pointed her hand at a dark-haired elf who seemed to be telling a few other elves what to do.
"Gaeven?" Harry slowly stepped up to the man. "I'm Harry. Lord Elrond sent me to work here."
"Ah yes, the human they had promised me," Gaeven said and then looked at Harry with something akin to pity. "Lord Glorfindel just left. He was adamant you'd be given prep work to do. So apologies in advance, but I have my orders and this needs to be done." Gaeven led Harry to a small, separate room where a mountain of onions awaited them. "All these need to be sliced." Gaeven gestured at a few very large, copper bowls. "Fill all those and that should be enough for the stew and soup we're serving today." With that, Gaeven hurried out of the closet, because that's what it was, really.
Harry got out his wand and got to work. First he cast a simple shield charm, to spare his eyes, and then he used basic charms to peel and slice the onions until he had enough to fill all the large bowls. He took his time, making sure no peels ended up with the onions, but it still only took him ten minutes at the most. Harry levitated the full bowls behind him as he walked back into the kitchen and placed them on the first empty surface he found.
The kitchens were large and busy, with plenty of stoves and in a room beyond the main area Harry could see various wood-fired ovens built into the wall. Another hallway led to what Harry assumed was cold storage built into the rock wall where the temperature would remain cool and stable year round. Another hallway led to what looked like a creamery, where cheese was made, and yet another part was clearly an area for butchering, if all the knives and thick, wooden blocks were any indication.
It was a well-appointed kitchen, considering they had no real technology to rely on.
Harry waved Gaeven over and gestured at the bowls. "I'm done. Was there anything else you needed doing?"
Gaeven looked from the bowls of sliced onions to Harry and back again. "I heard rumours a second born wizard had appeared but I hadn't believed those fanciful tales. But you really are a wizard, aren't you?"
"Yep," Harry said with a decisive nod. "I'm also a wizard who happens to enjoy cooking."
"Well, that's more than we can say for Mithrandir. He's certainly never sliced onions for us." Gaeven got a bit of shrewd look on his face. "What else can you do?"
Harry answered his look with a challenging one of his own. "Try me."
And Gaeven did. Harry peeled and chopped carrots, beets, turnips and parsnips with a few flicks of his wand. Then he sliced bread just as easily and even ground spices with a simple charm. Gaeven seemed to fall in love with Harry a little bit more with every little thing he did.
After Kreacher had died, twenty years after the war, and Harry was a staunch bachelor who refused to get into any long-term relationships because he didn't want that kind of heartbreak, he'd taken up cooking. He'd learned the basics at the Dursleys and he'd take both muggle and magical cooking classes, because he genuinely enjoyed cooking with and without magic.
"I am glad to have you with us in the kitchens, wizard," Gaeven said, patting Harry on the shoulder an hour later. "I've got nothing more to do for you right now, but we'll gladly welcome you back tomorrow morning."
"I'll be here," Harry promised him. He honestly hadn't minded the work and he enjoyed getting to know some more people, even if most of them didn't speak any Westron. All the elves had appeared happy enough to have him around once they realized how much work he could do in almost no time at all.
Harry hurried towards the empty residential building to check it out, figuring he had at least a few hours left before the midday meal. The bells would tell him when it was time to head back.
The residential building was clearly abandoned but everything was still in one piece. Harry strolled through it, taking in the layout and considering how he could best utilize the space to turn it into the most amazing bathhouse ever. The building had two stories, and Harry figured that he could open up a large space on the ground floor to turn it into a communal bathing room, almost like a swimming pool, and then keep the suites on the first floor as private bathing rooms if people wanted to bathe by themselves or in pairs. The whole building was made of the same white stone one saw all around Rivendell and it was easy enough to transfigure. Harry opened up the walls all around the ground floor, though he did leave columns in place so the whole structure would still be supported properly. He also created a clear entrance hall with double doors, so they could keep the heat in during the winter when people entered or left the building.
Harry considered the open space he'd created. The first thing he did was raise a wall right in the middle of it to separate the area for males and for females. Harry had seen in the bathhouse that this separation was expected. He had kept a few suites on each side which he turned into changing rooms, with little cubicles where people could leave their clothes and belongings. Then he created a large sloping pool on each side, plus a few smaller round pools which could function as places with water of different temperatures. He also turned all the lattice windows around the whole building opaque, so light could come in but no one could peek inside.
By the time Harry was done with all that the bells started ringing and he made his way back to the main building for the midday meal. Harry had learned that morning that the midday meal was the main meal served in Imladris, and that the evening meal was made up of leftovers, bread, cold cuts and cheese and sometimes soup or salad, depending on the season.
Bilbo was already seated with a heaping plate in front of him, and Harry got in line with the other elves. He drew some curious looks here and there but most of the elves seemed to not care about him one way or another.
Who did seem to care about him in one very specific way was Glorfindel, who appeared behind Harry in line as though he apparated there.
"Did you enjoy your time in the kitchen?" Glorfindel asked with a smug little smile, clearly expecting Harry to give some kind of chagrined response.
"Oh yes, very much," Harry said honestly. "I love cooking, so I don't mind preparing food."
Glorfindel widened his eyes a bit before he harumphed and gestured Harry forwards with an impatient wave of his hand. "You're holding up the line, wizard."
"Now I'm working on a new bathhouse," Harry said, ridiculously pleased to see Glorfindel brought down maybe one tenth of a peg by Harry's genuinely enjoyment of Rivendell so far.
"Imladris has perfectly functional bathing facilities already," said the elf who'd spent every evening lounging in Harry's bathtub full of hot water for at least an hour when they travelled together.
"Certainly," Harry replied, barely able to hold back the laughter that wanted to bubble up. "But alas, there is no running hot water. I'm changing that."
The blonde elf lady in front of Harry turned around and gave Harry a look full of disbelief. In broken Westron she asked, "You giving us hot water?"
Harry nodded. "Once the new bathhouse is finished there will be running hot water all day and all night." Then he raised his hand and gave the elf lady a little wave. "Hi, I'm Harry."
The elf lady's smile was wide and full of obvious happiness. "I am Narthrien." She then leaned a little closer and whispered, "Is also for clothes washing? We now wash clothes in cold water. Not nice." Narthrien made a face that clearly indicated how she felt about that particular chore.
"Move." Glorfindel gave Harry a soft shove in his back. "Some of us want to eat within the next hour."
That elf. Harry took a very deliberate step forwards while Narthrien quickly did the same as she gave Glorfindel a look that sat somewhere between disbelief and serious concern for his mental wellbeing.
"I'll add something for clothes washing," Harry promised Narthrien easily as they shuffled forwards while Glorfindel huffed behind him.
"Thank you," Narthrien said with a bright little smile. "I am washing sheets all day. Is very cold on hands."
"I understand. I'll create the most amazing laundry facilities this world has ever seen." Harry received another shove in his back for that and he quickly shuffled forwards. Who knew an immortal elf who was probably older than dirt could be so petty about Harry's amazing magical gifts.
There was a stew with large chunks of meat that were perfectly cooked so they fell apart the moment you touched them with a spoon. There was also an assortment of roast vegetables and slices of dark bread with butter. Finally there was a simple salad of different greens and radishes. Harry got a bit of everything and quickly joined Bilbo at his table after saying goodbye to Narthrien.
"How were the kitchens?" Bilbo asked, already aware what Harry had been up to apparently. Then again, Bilbo seemed to be a magnet for gossip, which he'd told Harry was true for most hobbits. They simply liked to keep up with all the news around them concerning everyone they knew.
Glorfindel sat down beside Harry again, for reasons. Harry ignored him. His spine still ached where Glorfindel had abused it.
"They have great kitchens here," Harry said with genuine enthusiasm. "I was happy to help them." He stirred his spoon around in his stew and grinned at Bilbo. "I cut every vegetable in the stew."
"And I've seen where they were grown," Bilbo said, warming up to the subject at once. "They have magnificent gardens here, full of every kind of vegetable you can imagine. I have my own little plot in the Shire where I grow a few cabbages, some potatoes and onions, and a few other things, but that is nothing compared to what they grow here."
Harry ate and listened to Bilbo chatter about his new job in the gardens, which he seemed to genuinely enjoy. Just as Harry was done eating, Raithon appeared again.
"Lord Erestor will see you now, Mr Harry Potter," Raithon said, much to Harry's surprise. He had no idea who Erestor was or why Harry should see him.
Beside him, Glorfindel suddenly looked as though he'd received the best news in years and he gave Harry a smile that was full of dark pleasure at Harry's imminent demise.