Chapter 8

The next morning, as soon as breakfast was done, a procession of elves made its way to the brand-new bathhouse, with Harry and Bilbo leading the way, followed closely by Elrond, Gandalf, Glorfindel, Erestor and the twins. Pretty much every other elf in Rivendell trailed after them, leaving their work for what it was for a bit.

"Lord Elrond," Harry said with a little bow as they arrived in front of the bathhouse. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to create this bathhouse for the whole of Rivendell. I hope you will all enjoy it a lot."

"Thank you," Elrond said and opened the doors when Harry gestured at him to do so. Elrond, who was usually quite a composed elf, inhaled a sharp breath while his eyes widened as he stepped into the jungle-themed entrance way. "This is truly astonishing."

"Isn't it?" Bilbo agreed before glancing up at Gandalf with a sly smile. "It's certainly a bigger feat than setting pinecones ablaze."

Gandalf shook his head before giving Bilbo a fond smile. "Perhaps, perhaps. But is it more useful at repelling orcs, I wonder?"

Elrond had entered the main bathing hall and was standing in the middle of it, taking in everything while he slowly turned on the spot. "I do believe I have underestimated your magical talents, Mr Potter."

"It's Harry." Shrugging, Harry stepped up to him. "And all the magic I did here is pretty standard stuff in my world."

"Truly?" Gandalf asked as he inspected the walls with their photographic woods and creatures. "Even painting walls in such a realistic fashion?"

"Ah, no." Harry shook his head before smiling at the others. "I did not paint that. I copied it from a book and enlarged it onto the walls using magic."

"Still quite impressive," Elrond said. More and more elves were trickling in after them, exclaiming in wonder at what they were seeing. Glorfindel stood to the side, keeping a quiet eye on Harry, though his relaxed expression indicated there was no suspicion or malice behind his behaviour anymore.

That puzzled Harry a bit, how Glorfindel had done a complete turnabout in his attitude to Harry, starting last night when he'd snuck into the bathhouse when Harry was cleaning up. Harry understood that Glorfindel had wanted to make sure Harry wasn't a threat to the people of Rivendell and had therefore pushed Harry around a bit, putting him to the test. But that still didn't explain Glorfindel's sudden personality transplant. Whenever Harry glanced at him, Glorfindel would offer him a warm smile, his expression open and welcoming. It was very different from all the frowns and glares Harry had received over the past few weeks.

Harry was more than happy to forgive Glorfindel for his previous bullying, even if it was just to keep the peace in Rivendell. But he truly wasn't sure what to make of this friendly elf who seemed determined to get Harry to like him all of a sudden. So Harry avoided him a bit, didn't really talk to him while he showed everyone around, though he couldn't help glancing at Glorfindel from time to time. Somehow the elf always drew Harry's gaze, though he wasn't sure why.

"I'm sure the gardeners will be happy to learn that their missing plants have found new homes," Elrond said in obvious amusement as he noticed all the planters. "I don't think any of us would have thought to place plants indoors, but it certainly makes for a pleasant picture combined with these magical walls."

Bilbo beamed up at Harry. "It seems our hard work was worth it."

"I think I shall put this room to use," Elrond said when Harry showed him the desert room upstairs, with its many cacti in the foreground and red, rocky mountains in the distance. Numerous tiny hummingbirds flew across the walls in search of nectar while various species of lizards and snakes sunned themselves on the many rocks. "It is such a unique scenery that I am sure merely observing these walls will keep me entertained for a long time."

Harry looked at Elrond in surprise. "You don't have such dry landscapes here?" He wasn't sure what the Westron word for desert was, so he made do.

"Very, very far to the south," Gandalf said from the doorway. Then he frowned and seemed lost in thought for a moment. "And very far to the east as well, if I recall correctly."

"It was the same in my world," Harry said with an agreeable smile. "These plants can only be found in very dry and hot regions. Though people also kept small ones in their homes, called house plants."

"Curious," Gandalf mumbled, though he didn't sound disapproving. Just interested to learn such small facts about a different world.

They left Elrond to enjoy the private bath, and Gandalf opted to use the meadow room, with its swaying fields of flowers, so they left him as well.

"Erestor," Glorfindel said and gestured at the door to the mountain room. "You should try this room. I used it last night and it brought back many precious memories."

Erestor took a few hesitant steps towards the door, opened it carefully and then peered inside around the doorsill. "Oh." The emotion was clear in his voice as he gazed upon the mountain scene. It seemed that Erestor had also once lived in Gondolin, the hidden city between the high, snowy mountains.

Harry vowed there and then that now that the bathhouse was ready he was going to use his extra time to learn Sindarin as quickly as he could, because he had so many questions about the history of the elves and the people of Rivendell. He was sure there were plenty of books in the library which would give him the answers he was looking for.

"It was without a doubt the most comfortable bath I have ever had," Glorfindel said as he fell into step with Harry now that everyone else was making use of the private baths. "I especially enjoyed the water bubbling."

"I'm glad to hear that," Harry said, giving Glorfindel a bit of an uncertain glance, wondering if the elf had actually fallen off Asfaloth and hit his head or something. As it turned out, Glorfindel being charming and giving you his undivided attention was a force to be reckoned with, and Harry really wasn't sure what to do with this sudden interest Glorfindel was showing him. "I'm going to make sure everyone is comfortable downstairs."

Many elves were using the main baths downstairs and Elladan and Elrohir had taken it upon themselves to show everyone how things worked. Harry received words of gratitude from all directions, which he answered with quick nods and short bows. Just as he was wondering what else he could create with his magic that would make the lives of the people of Rivendell just a bit more comfortable, Gaeven unwittingly gave Harry the perfect idea.

"Harry." Gaeven looked over his shoulder to make sure they weren't overheard, and then spoke in quick Westron. "Could you also install hot water taps in the kitchens?"

"Of course!" Harry grinned at Gaeven and then looked around for Glorfindel, to tell him he was starting a new magical project, but for once the elf wasn't lurking in the shadows anywhere that Harry could see. Harry shrugged and figured that it wasn't really a new project anyway with new kinds of magic. It was just installing more hot water around Rivendell. "I'll start on it this afternoon."

For the next few hours, Harry remained in the bathhouse, making sure everything went smoothly. Thankfully, there were no issues and everything worked like it should and Harry quickly became everyone's favourite person for his amazing creation.

During the midday meal, Harry made a real effort to listen to the conversation in Sindarin between Bilbo and Gandalf and he could make out large parts of it. Bilbo was talking about gardening for the most part, and Gandalf asked him questions about his land in the Shire. Harry still didn't know enough Sindarin to really join the conversation, but he was already very happy he could now follow along with what was being said for the most part.

Installing hot water in the kitchens was quite simple. There already existed a row of large, stone sinks with pipes providing cold water straight from a nearby waterfall. Harry transfigured stone taps out of some rocks he picked up on his walk to the kitchens, connected them to the pipes, added the necessary runes and two simple levers, and now the kitchens had hot water on demand.

Gaeven actually gave Harry a one-armed hug in sheer gratitude. "This will make washing dishes so much quicker, now that we don't have to heat water in the kettles. It will save a lot of wood as well."

"Glad to help," Harry said easily. He was so used to living with hot and cold running water that he'd never really given it much thought what life would be like without such luxury.

Gaeven leaned a little closer to Harry. "Could you install something like that in my room as well? It would be a wonderful surprise for Naniel once she returns from Lothlórien."

"Yeah, that shouldn't be a problem," Harry said and then frowned. Perhaps he should run this by Glorfindel first, lest he anger the elf and accidentally turn him into a grumpy bully again. Harry did not want to go back to that. "Tomorrow, sometime in the afternoon."

"Thank you, Harry." Gaeven offered him a deep bow, which Harry answered with a solemn nod.

Harry went in search of Glorfindel, to make sure the elf knew about Harry's next project. But he ran into Bilbo first in one of the kitchen gardens he passed where the hobbit was picking chamomile flowers to use in tea. "Have you seen Glorfindel?"

"I saw him in the training yard not long ago," Bilbo called back, wiping his hands on his trousers and hauling his full basket of flowers towards one of the elves in charge.

Harry looked back and forth between the various buildings. "I've got no idea where that is."

"I'll show you," Bilbo said as he sauntered towards Harry. "I'm done with my work for today anyway."

"Gaeven asked me to add hot water to his rooms, so I want to inform the big, bad elf of what scary magic I'll be using," Harry said, unable to hide his grin.

Bilbo snorted in response. "If he's smart he'd ask you to add hot water to his room as well." Bilbo slowed his pace a little and then gave Harry an expectant look. "Any chance you could spoil your oldest friend as well with such a thing?"

"Sure." Harry shook his head in amusement, now very clear what his next big project was. Installing hot and cold water taps with sinks in every bedroom in Rivendell, probably.

The training yards were a few large, square swatches of sand, bordered by some benches and a small building that seemed to be predominantly used for storage. Glorfindel was indeed there, dressed in light trousers and a simple, blue tunic, swinging his metal sword around in a carefully constructed training routine. A few other elves were sparring with each other using wooden swords.

Harry swallowed as he stared at Glorfindel. He really did make a very striking picture, with his tall stature and his long, golden hair and his strong arms. Glorfindel spotted them and gave Harry a bright smile. Glancing over his shoulder to make sure there was no one standing behind him, Harry was forced to realize that smile actually was meant for him.

Wow.

That was some smile, all warm and cheerful, and it made Glorfindel's already ridiculously handsome face even more appealing.

Clearing his throat, Harry ignored Bilbo's snickering and approached the elf, who'd paused his routine.

"Harry," Glorfindel said before Harry could even open his mouth. "Mithrandir told me you aren't able to use your magic beyond our borders. I want to train you with the sword so you can still defend yourself out there."

"What, what?" Bilbo yelped, staring up at Glorfindel in shock. "Harry's not allowed to use his magic?"

"Outside of Rivendell," Harry quickly explained, which did nothing to calm Bilbo down. "Otherwise Sauron and his friends might take notice."

"But…but…" Bilbo looked genuinely upset as he glanced between Glorfindel and Harry. "What about your hunting? And your flying broomstick?" Then Bilbo's face paled in absolute horror. "What about your tent?" Before anyone else could say a thing, Bilbo shook his head over and over again. "Oh no. This won't do at all. I shall have a very firm word with Gandalf!" And with that, Bilbo took off, marching towards the main building while muttering under his breath about wizards who should let other wizards use their magic as they saw fit.

"Before I forget," Harry said, still staring after Bilbo. "I've added warm water to the kitchens and I'll be adding it to people's bedrooms as well, starting with Gaeven's, Bilbo's and my own." Harry turned to look up at Glorfindel. "You want some, too?"

Glorfindel replied to that with a regal nod. "I most certainly would appreciate that. And thank you for informing me." Then he swung his sword around a few times with practiced ease, causing Harry to take a cautious step back. "Have you any experience with a blade?"

For a moment Harry considered telling Glorfindel about that time he'd killed a basilisk with a sword but then he thought better of it. That whole incident had been more luck than skill and Harry didn't like bragging about his accomplishments anyway. "Not really," he said with a shrug. "I've always used magic to fight."

"I would love to see that someday." Glorfindel even looked like he meant it. "But it cannot hurt to know more than one way to defend yourself."

"That's certainly true." During Auror training they'd learned some simple hand-to-hand combat, just I case they ever lost their wand and couldn't summon it back. Harry didn't know a lot of wandless magic, but he sure as fuck had mastered a wandless summoning charm. Still, Harry had never officially learned to fight with any weapons outside of a wand.

Glorfindel walked over to one of the benches and placed his sword on top of it. Then he picked up a couple of wooden practice swords, made his way back to Harry and handed him one.

Harry tried out he weight of the sword in his hand. It felt quite heavy, and this was only a wooden training sword. "I hope you don't expect me to become as good as elves who have literally thousands of years of practice," Harry mumbled, worried he was about to make a giant fool of himself.

"Not at all," Glorfindel said at once, giving Harry a reassuring smile. "I expect you to learn how to defend yourself against one or two orcs. I don't expect you to lead armies and go to war."

"Yeah, all right, I can probably do that." Harry was happy to know Glorfindel understood that much. Harry would be lying if he said he didn't want to learn sword fighting, because it was both useful and incredibly cool. But Harry in his old age was well aware of his own limitations, especially when comparing himself to very old elves who'd been alive for millennia.

"We start with posture," Glorfindel said in such a way that it became clear he'd trained many, many people before. That did put Harry at ease somewhat, that Glorfindel knew what he was doing, not just with sword fighting, but also with teaching.

Harry had been a teacher at Hogwarts for a few decades. He knew how important it was that you knew what you were doing when trying to impart wisdom onto others.

Glorfindel lectured Harry on how to put his feet, how straight to keep his back, how to use the muscles in his stomach and finally, how to hold his sword. Then he made Harry preform a few very simple swings while keeping his posture perfect, which was easier said than done. Glorfindel possessed endless amounts of patience, though, and he gave Harry all the time he needed to adjust his body.

It was hard and sometimes tedious work, but Harry honestly didn't mind it, because it was part of learning a new skill. And Harry had always been a curious guy, and he'd spent much of his free time as an adult learning different kinds of magical skills, like warding and enchanting. Not to mention some muggle skills as well, like learning how to drive a car and getting his driver's license. And now he was learning sword fighting from an experienced warrior and Harry found himself enjoying the lesson very much, not in the least bit because Glorfindel kept smiling at him with approval at Harry's efforts.

"Harry!" Bilbo came storming towards the training yard, Gandalf not far behind. "Harry, lad, get your tent!"

Lowering his wooden sword, Harry glanced from Glorfindel to Bilbo. The hobbit was red-faced and huffed and puffed as he finally reached them.

"Show Gandalf how amazing your tent is and that you can easily use it without drawing the attention of the enemy," Bilbo said, eyes blazing as he stared up at Harry.

"All right," Harry said, since he recognized it would make any travelling he might be doing in the future, such as visiting Bilbo in the Shire, much more comfortable if he could use his tent. He'd left his backpack in his bedroom, but the door to the veranda was opened, so Harry simply held out his hand and silently summoned his backpack.

Glorfindel gave him a curious look, probably wondering why Harry was standing there like a fool with his arm outstretched like that, but before long his backpack came sailing through the air, almost knocking Gandalf in the head. The old wizard could duck just in time before the backpack smacked into Harry's hand.

"It's a magical tent," Harry told Gandalf as he pulled his tent out of his backpack. "I use very little magic to set it up, and it is protected from people sensing the magic inside."

"I would certainly appreciate a demonstration," Gandalf said with a gesture.

Harry popped up his tent right there on the sand with a quick swish of his wand. "That's it. That's all the magic it needs."

Gandalf nodded while Bilbo opened the flap and urged the old wizard to enter. "Look, Gandalf! We need this for when we travel to the Shire next spring."

Harry blinked in surprise for a moment. Apparently Bilbo had been planning Harry's life out in ways he'd yet to mention to Harry himself. Not that it wasn't a good idea. If Harry accompanied Bilbo to the Shire next year, he could help to keep the hobbit safe on the road and visit his home in Hobbiton at the same time. And Harry could easily fly back to Rivendell on his broomstick, which would take him a few days of travel at the most.

Somehow, Glorfindel must be reading Harry's mind, because he followed Bilbo and Gandalf inside the tent. "What of Harry's ability to fly? It draws a lot of attention, but it is a very useful skill."

Gandalf stepped around the tent, taking in the whole area before turning towards Glorfindel with a chuckle. "It draws so much attention that the Dúnedain are already whispering about a strange new creature in the sky. Some were even talking of trying to shoot it out of the sky next they see it."

Glorfindel's eyes widened in alarm and he turned on his heels to stare at Harry in the doorway. "You mustn't fly again. It is too dangerous."

Finally, Harry entered the tent as well and snorted at Glorfindel. "If I'm flying at full speed there isn't an arrow in this world that can hit me. But I understand that seeing a man flying on a broomstick might be a worrying sight to the local population." Harry couldn't hold back an amused grin. There was something he knew that he hadn't yet told his new friends. "How about I fly in my animal shape instead?" There was no word for Animagus in Westron, obviously, so Harry used the closest words he could.

"Animal shape?" Bilbo asked, sounding positively delighted.

Still grinning, Harry nodded. "It is difficult magic to learn and you cannot choose what you turn into. The animal chooses you. My father turned into a stag, and my… uncle became a big dog." Harry had no clue how to say 'godfather', but uncle would do just fine. "One of my teachers was a cat, and one of my best friends, Hermione, became a marten once she learned the magic." Harry took a few steps back so he had enough room and concentrated for a moment before transforming into a golden eagle.

The sharp vision of an eagle always took some getting used to, especially when looking at objects up close. Harry spread his wings and clapped his beak while he tilted his head from right to left as he glanced up at the people around him. Harry was amused to note that he stood almost as tall as Bilbo, even as a bird.

"Oh, how magnificent," Bilbo said as he clapped his hands. "I do so love eagles."

Both Gandalf and Glorfindel were giving Harry very strange looks. There was surprise, certainly, but there was also something else. Harry thought it might be delight and genuine happiness at seeing Harry as an eagle, though he had no idea why. Yes, the magic was impressive, but Harry got the distinct impression there was more to it than that.

"Flying like an eagle is certainly a lot less conspicuous than flying on a broomstick," Gandalf said with obvious humour in his voice while he gave Harry an approving nod. "I see no problem with you using your animal shape to travel."

"Great!" Harry said the moment he transformed back.

"And using your tent also shouldn't be a problem, since its magic is hardly noticeable," Gandalf added, much to Bilbo's obvious satisfaction.

"Yes!" Bilbo looked like all of that day's meals were being served at once. "We'll be travelling in comfort after all, lad."

Glorfindel was still staring at Harry was if he was seeing him for the very first time, which puzzled Harry to no extent but he decided to ignore it because there was one more magical thing he wanted Gandalf's opinion on, now they were judging Harry's magical abilities anyway.

"Let me pack the tent away because there is one last thing I want to show you." They all trooped outside again and Harry quickly collapsed the tent and put it away in his backpack. "This is a way of travelling we used in our old world. It's very fast. Observe."

Harry had already examined the wards he'd felt around Rivendell when he'd just arrived and he'd felt nothing that would stop apparition. So he should be safe to do a quick demonstration without ending up splinching himself. Briefly closing his eyes, Harry focused his magic and apparated himself to the other end of the training yard.

"Oh no," Gandalf said at once with a few firm shakes of his head while Bilbo gasped in shock and Glorfindel looked as though he was seeing something he'd never seen before even in his very long life. "It is impressive magic, Harry, but it would draw the attention of everyone around the whole of Middle-Earth."

"Yeah, I had expected that might be the case," Harry said with a shrug as he walked back to his friends. Apparition basically involved pushing the very fabric of space apart temporarily to push yourself through it. It would be noticeable by others, Harry had no doubt of that.

"In a true emergency, by all means, use it," Gandalf said, his tone more reasonable and his gaze warm. "But otherwise just use a horse like everyone else."

Laughing, Harry gave the old wizard an agreeable nod. "If only I could properly ride a horse, I would certainly do it."

Glorfindel seemed to snap out of his shock of having seen Harry use some really impressive magic and he looked down at Harry with narrowed eyes. "Now that is a problem we can easily fix. We're done here for today, but I suggest we move to the stables."

"Er…" Harry wanted to protest, though he wasn't even sure why. Perhaps merely on principle. Though Harry also recognized that he really did need to know how to ride a horse properly if he was to live in a society that depended so much on them for travelling. "Yeah, fine. I would appreciate learning that skill as well," he said with a small nod at Glorfindel, because he did recognize that the elf was putting a lot of effort into teaching Harry skills he needed to know. "Thank you."

"It is no trouble at all," Glorfindel assured him as he gestured Harry to follow him. Bilbo and Gandalf took off back to the main building in search of some tea and a quiet place to smoke a pipe. Glorfindel walked into the opposite direction, though, where apparently the stables were. Harry hadn't yet had time to explore every single corner of Rivendell, so he hadn't seen them yet.

The stables were partially built into the cliff wall at the end of the valley, away from the residential buildings. There were also barns there for some of the livestock, and several paddocks fenced off with beautifully carved wooden fences.

"You will ride Gailthel," Glorfindel said before speaking to one of the elves working at the stable in quick Sindarin. "She is Elladan's old horse, still healthy and eager to get out but not suitable for long patrols anymore."

The stable hand brought out a beautiful mare with a coat so light grey it almost looked silver. Harry was happy to see she was wearing a normal saddle and bridle and that he wasn't expected to ride a horse without such things, like Glorfindel often did.

Gailthel gave Harry a curious look and a long sniff but deemed him acceptable as Harry took the reigns from the stable hand. Glorfindel had disappeared altogether while Harry waited beside the mare, gently petting her nose and neck. She seemed the patient sort, like Zilib had been, and thus a perfect horse for a beginner rider like Harry.

Glorfindel returned with Asfaloth and quickly mounted the stallion. "Come on, Harry. The best way to learn how to ride is to do it."

Harry managed to haul himself onto Gailthel with much less grace than Glorfindel, but thankfully the elf didn't comment on that and waited quietly until Harry was seated properly and got hold of the reigns.

"Back straight," Glorfindel said at once while Harry sagged in the saddle. "Knees tight against the horse and keep squeezing. That way you won't fall off."

Harry did as he was told and Gailthel took it all in stride as she slowly walked after Asfaloth towards the bridge. But instead of steering Asfaloth across the bridge first, Glorfindel held him back and gestured at Harry to go on.

"I want you to take the lead, just ride around the valley, steer Gailthel wherever you want to go." Glorfindel gave Harry an encouraging smile, which did things to Harry's body.

"Sure," Harry mumbled, heat rising to his cheeks though he wasn't even sure why. Glorfindel had been very pleasant company so far, Harry had to admit that, but he still wasn't sure what to make of the elf's new outlook on Harry. Then again, Harry didn't want to question it too much either. Perhaps he should just enjoy the time he got to spend with a handsome elf like Glorfindel. Harry urged Gailthel on while Glorfindel followed him, giving him some gentle corrections from time to time. Harry quickly learned how to sit on a horse, how to hold the reigns properly and how to tell the horse where to go. Apparently he'd been doing a very poor job of it thus far and poor Zilib deserved a fucking medal for having put up with him all that time, Harry privately thought.

Still, it was a fun couple of hours of riding a beautiful horse like Gailthel around an amazing place like Rivendell with a handsome elf following along. There were definitely worse ways to spend an afternoon. Plus Harry got to explore parts of Rivendell he hadn't seen before, like the orchard and several buildings where elves were hard at work weaving and creating pottery and blacksmithing.

On the way back to the stables, Glorfindel told Harry to urge Gailthel into a trot and then told him how to sit on the horse and move with her. Harry managed after a few tries and they reached the stables just as the bells for the final meal rang around the valley.

"Hey, Glorfindel!" a young voice shouted when they rode into the courtyard.

Harry eased Gailthel into a stop while he stared at the young man who sat on one of the fences and waved happily at the elf behind Harry. It was a human boy no older than thirteen or fourteen, dressed in elven clothes and speaking perfect Sindarin as he launched into an excited story while Glorfindel rode up to him.

What on earth was a human kid doing in Rivendell?