Hey everyone,
Chapter three and this one will consist of James discovering the last bit of intel that his mother has kept from him; the reason she and Hendros made their change of plans. But how will 17 year old Lady's Man James Potter respond when he comes in contact with 18 year old War-Veteran Harry Potter for the first time?
Also, I decided on a little something else regarding James and the one thing most important to high society; image. I do plan to have James still love Quidditch, be loyal to his friends and play Pranks, but when it comes to his behavior, he will be OC, just not in a way that you usually see when reading about Good-old Prongs.
Exciting, no?

Venquine1990
PS. Inspiration comes from Leonette, check out their stories.

Chapter 03
How Ariador Works

23rd of December 1976
Realm Of The Elves, Ariador
Jaurion's POV

"So all this is mine by birthright?" I ask while gazing around at the gigantic trees, the lustrous grassy field, the almost intimidating mountains and the small peaks of castle towers and turrets that can be seen over the tips of the trees and my mother, who is apparently human unlike myself, nods before she says:
"Yes, Jaurion, all of it. Though because your father was not the first of the High Rulers of the Valivial line to spend most of his life in the Mundane World, have minor kingdoms been set up which are ruled by the different kind of Elves that live here. The four Elemental Elves, Time, Guardian, Empathy and Music Elves.
They are loyal and answer to you, but they do demand their own respect from you as they rule all of Ariador together when the Royal Line of Valivial is not in this world." At this I nod, but then get tapped on the arm by someone. I look to my side and see Sirius looking at me, his grey blue eyes asking me an important question.

I take a deep breath as I contemplate my best mate's idea and question and then nod at him, the both of us smiling at each other over our silent communication while Remus and Peter smile at us from the background and then Lily – my beloved – asks: "Anything you boys want to share with the rest of us here, Potter?"
And while I can't wait till the day that she starts calling me by my first name, as I still believe with heart and soul that we are meant for each other, do I say: "When exactly did you start noticing that I was growing an ego, Evans?" The girl raises her eyebrow at me, but Sirius keeps his hand on my arm as she says:
"Around the second month of second year, I think. Why?" Yet before I can answer, does Sirius take my place and say: "Because that was one month after James got into a detention for something a bunch of Fourth year Gryffindors had done and had exaggerated about when they made it sound as if James had been the culprit.
And because by that time McGonagall already knew that James helped whoever he could and that he loved pranks, did she believe them over him and put him on a fortnight detention with that creep we had for a Defense Teacher that year. You remember him, right?" Lily shivers, making me want to hug her as Sirius goes on:

"Yes him. Well, when James came back on the last night of that detention, did those fourth years make it even worse by pushing him out of the common room and laughing at him as they actually cast a spell to take his clothes off. Remus, Peter and I took revenge for that and after that did I decide to teach James what my mum taught me.
How to put up an image, make a persona for the world and have that be used to defend your family's honor. It was the only good lesson my mother ever taught me and because James was majorly inventive with spells and pranks, did we decide to not have one persona, but four. And thus, the Marauders were born."
The girl looks shocked and I personally try not to remember how I felt that night as the fact that my own house turned against me like that still hurts after five years before Lily asks: "So all those times that you act like a lazy bum with no common sense and with too big of an ego to be accounted for – you were acting?"

I nod and mum asks: "Then why continue it at home, dear?" And Sirius answers: "Because we were both a little worried that James wouldn't be able to throw that persona back up in time if he were to have a two month break from it. We tried it in the summer before Third, but it took James halfway through the trainride on September 1st that year before he could get back into character and seeing our foes – that was a risk."
Mum nods, while Lily's eyes have widened greatly and while I can clearly see that mum is hurting over the fact that I got hurt and used like that without her knowing, do I say: "I won't say that dropping that persona is going to be easy, I've been using it for five years straight, but – I don't want to be that kind of prince."
This makes mum smile at me in pride and Sirius slaps me on the back as he says: "No worries, mate. It took you, what, two weeks to get that persona down pat. I'd say, give it a month and you're back to your old self – though it might take a little longer for people like Evans to be used to the real James Potter. Huh, no matter."

The guy ends laughing, making me shake my head before I look around as I suddenly notice something and ask: "Where's dad?" And while the others also look around, Peter having unhooked the bars on the owl cages for my Andros and Lily's Hazel, does mum smile at me before she piques my interest and says:
"Probably already on his way to Lotelle with Merden and Adeline. They are the Earth and Time Elf that work closest to your father and their families have served your father's for many generations. Hendros told me all about this after he courted me. Now, how about I call us a ride and we head to Lotelle ourselves, shall we?"
We all nod, but when mum has called for said ride, do all of our eyes widen as the carriage that arrives is gorgeously crafted and structured like those shown in Muggle Child Stories, while the horses themselves are large enough to give Hagrid a run for his money, their fur in colors bright enough to nearly blind us.

"These are Arasians. They are pretty much the Ancestors of the Arabian Horses known in the Mundane world, but the story of how those got there is a little – shall we say – hurtful. Ready to go?" Mum asks and we all take our seats, mum and Sirius sitting themselves besides me and Lily sitting opposite of me.
Mum then gives a simple hand wave to the rider, who bows his head to both her and – when he spots me – myself before he slaps the reigns and starts the ride. I then turn to mum and ask: "Lotelle? Is that our kingdom, mother?" But my mum shakes her head and softly says: "It's the most beautiful garden in all of Ariador.
I visited it with your father many times before you were born and we even came there during one of our anniversaries, when you were staying over with the McKinnons family." This shocks and intrigues me and then mum sighs and says: "It even has an amazing legend to one of the trees there. Anyone interested?"

We all nod and mum says: "According to legend, there is a tree that sprouts a special kind of flower called the Rental Rose. This flower only leaves its trees when it feels the presence of either one or two soul mates and if you were to blow it away from you in Summer, it might just float back to you and point you to your Soul Mate in Autumn."
By now all of us are intrigued and mum says: "You know, Elves are very strong believers in the Gods and Spirits, mostly because Legend has it that the Rental Rose was created by Meleniël, the Goddess of Love and Commitment. Like I said, the rose is very rare and most roses counted in year in the Lotelle Garden is five."
"Only five roses were ever counted?" Lily asks in shock, but mum shakes her head and says: "Sometimes the garden doesn't even have a single Rose. We just had one year, I believe the year before Jaurion was born, where the gardeners actually counted five Rental Roses growing on the trees and that was the only time since."

All of us look shocked, but then the carriage stops moving and the rider up front says: "We've arrived, Your Grace." Mother nods and when we get out, do my eyes widen again as the wall that surrounds the garden is at least 2 foot higher than the Astronomy Tower at Hogwarts, which is the largest of them all.
"Welcome to Lotelle, your Highness. The trees tell me that your father has already entered, but – wait, do you by any chance have a brother, your Highness?" At this I look at the man confused, amazed that this man must be an Earth Elf due to what he said earlier, but when I shake my head, does mum smile and say:
"It has to do with why we changed plans of when to come here, Arden, no need to worry." The Elf nods and says: "They all await you in the Center Tent, your Grace. Should I inform the Kingdom of your return?" Again mum shakes her head and says: "We will do that ourselves when we are ready, thank you Arden."
The Elf nods and turns the carriage around, the Arasians rearing up slightly before they, their rider and the carriage disappear between two gigantic trees and the shadows they cast upon the path between them before I turn to mum and ask the question that burns on my mind as I ask: "Mum, why are we here?"

At the same time
Harry's POV

It stupidly enough took us all the way to Lotelle before we realized that Adeline hadn't been the driver, but that the horses had actually ridden themselves to the garden and while Ron and the twins had wanted to pass through the doors stationed in the gigantic wall, had I told them cautiously to wait for Merden and Adeline's return.
The three had been slightly disappointed, but understood my fear for the unknown after everything that had happened and about ten minutes later had a new carriage arrived with Adeline as the rider and with Merden helping my grandfather out of the carriage, allowing me to have my first real look at the Elf that I am related to.

The man has incredible bulk in his arms, shoulders, chest and upper legs, his lower legs look much slimmer in comparison though, making the whole man look taller than he probably is. I also share his long black hair, while his has two streaks of pure grey and one streak of auburn red going through it, making the hair shine nicely.
The man himself has a pair of glasses that reminds me of my own old set, but then made of incredibly durable metal and with a slightly more oval shaped frame. He has a pointed chin to go with his pointed ears and wears a sword over his left shoulder, while two smaller blades are tied up on either side of his hips.
All in all, the man does resemble both me and my father as he has dark brown eyes that are slightly almond shaped and I suddenly realize that I share his pointed ears, his complexion and his forehead and nose, making me wonder if my dad inherited those as well before the man turns to all of us – and spots me instantly.

This makes me gulp without trying to make it look too openly as I suddenly realize that – other than through the use of Priori Incantatem, the Mirror of Erised and the Resurrection Stone, I have never really met any blood relative that could like or accept me as my only other relative is aunt Petunia and her feelings are crystal clear.
Yet the man only sweeps his gaze over me once before we lock gazes and the way that pain grows in his eyes as he looks at me makes me worried that I already screwed up before he says: "I see what you meant, Adeline. Yes, Lady Destiny has indeed not been a gentle mistress to my grandson." Before the man shakes his head in pain.
Realizing that the man must have seen the pain I have had to bear and burden all these years through my own gaze, do I feel stupid as I have always tried not to show this pain to anyone, wanting to be the one person people can lean on, at least those that also accept me for more than just their hero, such as my friends and Snuffles.

Then the man himself and Lupin move over from where we're all standing, Snuffles's hand touching and squeezing my shoulder in comfort shortly before he says: "Charlus, you have no idea how happy I am to see you again, my old friend. I hope I didn't change too much the last twenty something years." And my grandpa laughs as he says:
"Sirius Black, I would recognize that tone and kind of speech anywhere. Good to see you too, old chap." And the way the two embrace each other, like long lost brothers who have been living in different homes for most their lives, makes me feel both jealous of my godfather and relieved that he has someone so dear to him back.
Then suddenly do I feel two elbows nudging me in the back harshly, making me almost trip were it not for my quick Seeker reflexes and before I can turn around to see who did this, do the two elbows repeat their actions, decreasing the distance between me and my family and making my grandfather look back at me.
This seems to be exactly what the two wanted as they stop, allowing me to look behind me and not even feel surprised to see two happily smiling twins standing there, before suddenly a shadow meets me up front and when I turn around, do I again feel like a four year old starting his first day at primary school as grandpa is in front of me.

Hoping with all that I am that my gaze didn't make him feel any emotions that could push away our bond before it even began to grow, do I look up, shocked when grandpa responds to this by hugging me to him, his arms around me and his whole form surrounding me as if the man just wants to protect me from my own pains.
"You're safe here, my grandson. I will not allow any Mundane evil to harm you no more. You're safe here." And these words shock me as I had not expected for my grandfather to care for me after seeing my pain and weakness. Still, the way that the man holds me does make some of the pain I have been feeling be lifted off my heart.
Then the man lets go off me, only to put his hands on my shoulders and look me into the eye again, smiling widely before he says: "So I was right. your eyes prove that that little Evans girl really is my Jaurion's Niënna. I always said he talked too much good about her for it to be just some stupid little crush, I always did."

This makes me smile widely, the fact that my grandfather is approving of my parentage meaning the world to me before Snuffles moves over and says: "They were amazing together, Charlus. They fitted so brilliantly together and they took such good care of Hari when it mattered, you would have been proud beyond words."
Yet my grandfather seems to pick up on Snuffles's way of speech and asks: "What happened to them, Sirius?" The other man sighs and says: "First of all, Charlus, I got my name changed to Snuffles when I came here. And well, second of – heeh." The man sighs and I realize that being back here makes it hard for the man to speak the truth.
I then decide to do so instead and say: "They died, grandpa. Voldemort found them thanks to actions of others and they died trying their hardest to protect me. Were it not for them, I would not have been here today." The man whitens when he hears this first, but then smiles at me with pride and gratitude shining in his eyes.

Glad that the man isn't too sad by what I had to tell him, does Merden shock me slightly as he says: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, I believe it's best if we all head into the Lotelle Garden and wait for the arrival of the Queen, the Prince and his friends." My grandfather nods and while we all walk over to the doors, does Lupin say:
"Charlus, Snuffles and I both got new names when we were transported here because Merden already knew that our younger selves would be here as well. However, I never gave myself the chance to really get close to your grandson and so Destiny decided that I would be named Lupin until I am bonded to my new partner."
The man nods and when we pass a set of guard elves and a large set of doors, do my eyes widen as the trees in the Garden itself are at least double Hagrid's size, have branches sticking out everywhere, the branches of some trees even twisted around each other in amazing patterns and all of the leaves shine as if just touched by the rain.

Everyone looks at the entire garden in pure shock, the trees towering over all of us without taking away most of the sunlight or looking like a threat and then grandfather says: "The trees of Lotelle are different from the trees growing everywhere else for two reasons. One being that they only require a certain amount of water.
The other being that there is a Legend actually tied to this very place, which speaks of the Goddess of Love and Commitment having given up her mortal form here, allowing some of her magic to seep into the very nature of this garden and blessing it with its beauty and the chance of growing a very special kind of flower.
The Rental Rose, as our people call it, is said to be able to connect two Soul Mates together, yet you are not allowed to pluck one. Only when the winds of the Gods blow one out of the trees and over to your person are you allowed to accept it. You are then to blow it away in Summer and in Autumn it will move itself to your Soul Mate."

This story intrigues and amazes me, but also for some reason makes me want to sneak a glance at Draco, the need to do so confusing me before grandpa takes us down a sturdy looking gravel path that consists of large sturdy rocks being embedded into the ground and smaller pebbles lying loosely around these rocks, creating a pattern.
The whole path leads up to a large, pyramid like structure that has a beautiful opal colored tent stuck to the very top and that has an amazing marble stone staircase leading straight down from the front opening, the staircase ending up at the end of our footpath and just when grandpa sets his first step on the staircase, do my hackles rise.
Wondering how there can be danger in a place that has such a peaceful legend attached to it, do I feel a strong wind blowing through the entire garden, the branches that are twisted around each other sliding against one another and almost sounding as if they are making some kind of music, which makes grandpa smile.

"It seems Meleniël is grateful that I told of her legend to you. She's about to bless one of us with a Rental Rose. Remember, don't grab it until the wind stops blowing." We all nod and then I spot something from the corner of my eye. A beautiful golden flower that softly dwells and floats upon the blowing wind moves our way.
All of us turn to look at the flower, a hopeful look in the eyes of Malfoy, Lupin, Sirius, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Bill and Fleur and I know that the last four are just wanting the flower to see if their love really is meant to be, something their bonds have been proving me quite often during the last two years that I have been around them.
However, the Rental Rose then shocks me silly as the wind blows it straight at me, the current making it twist and swirl on its axis for several moments before the whole current disappears, the sound of the trees making music falling silent and my seeker reflexes catching the delicate looking flower before it can drop to the ground.

"Now there is a well-deserved gift." Merden then says happily and while I see everyone else nod in agreement, do I silently study my new gift. The rose itself has a beautiful golden color on the petals, while the center itself is whiter than snow. The petals are slightly bend inwards and are shaped like crescent moons turned to the core.
I then bend my head sideways to look and to my shock, do two petals bend to each other look as if they form a heart. Turning the flower some more, do I see that this goes for all eight of the petals, the four pairs forming four hearts together and this alone makes me feel as if I am touched by the Goddess herself.
Smiling gratefully at the idea that the Gods are finally on my side, do I see grandpa motion for one of the gardening Elves and when the simple looking elf sees me holding the flower, do his eyes widen before he rummages through the carrier bag on his left side and from it does he pull a beautiful golden necklace with glass pendant.

"Until Autumn comes are all Rental Roses given to their new owners to be kept in these very special containers as the glass is charmed to provide the flower with the right amount of sunlight, water and nutrition's and the necklace is charmed so that once it hangs around someone's neck only that person can take it off.
Not even the Darkest of Mundane Magic can break these charmed cases, so I suggest you put it and wait till summer, lad." The Elf tells me and I nod, holding the flower gently with one hand and using my wand to open the case up, putting the flower in before I accept the necklace, yet the gardener seems shocked at seeing my wand.
"You're not from around here, are you lad?" To which Merden says: "He would have been had the situation in the Mundane world been different. This is the son of Prince Jaurion and the Second Heir to the Throne, Prince Hari Jaurion Valivial." The Gardener looks shocked to hear this and then bows as he says:

"Forgive me, Your Highness, I should have recognized the royal traits that are known only to the Valivial Line." But while I smile at the man, do I wave him off and say: "It's not your fault. I only heard a few hours ago that I was an Elf, let alone royal. The situation in the Mundane World just didn't allow otherwise."
The Elf nods and then asks: "If I may be so rude, your Highness, how is it that you seem older than our current Royal Prince?" And Merden is again the one to answer as he says: "That is due to me and my future self. Destiny was not kind to the young prince and so my future self was given the Destiny and Truth Scroll to be send to him."
The Gardener Elf looks shocked to hear this, but then smiles and says: "Your family was always lucky like that. If there was ever a Time Elf born in your line, you could bet Clovers on it that he or she would be send out to change the path of Lady Destiny into that of the Truth." Before he goes back and I ask:
"Why clovers?" To which, while grandfather again motions us up the staircase, does Merden say: "Clovers are the currency in the Elven World and I don't mean the kind of nature plants, it's just what we call our currency. Like how Wizards call their currency Galleons and Sickles and English Mundane call theirs Pounds."

I nod and while we ascend the staircase, do I often gaze over my shoulder, the beauty of my future kingdom showing itself a little more with every foot we reach higher up on the staircase and the way that the sky is blue enough it looks painted and how the entire kingdom seems covered by forests and mountains is just bedazzling.
"How is this kingdom so beautiful looking? I've never seen or read anything like this." Hermione then says as we get to the halfway point and grandfather answers: "The Kingdom is able to flourish the way it is, because it was originally founded by the 4 Elemental Elves, for who a special tower was build in the center of our world.
All of the Kingdoms of Ariador come there every year and we hold a great feast where we celebrate the bonds we have created between our kingdoms and how our kingdoms have fared over that year. At the end of this feast, we perform a special ritual where we call upon their spiritual magic and that sustains our world for another year."
Hermione looks amazed to hear this tale and I ask: "Has it taken place yet this year?" Grandpa nods and says: "It takes place just three days before Halloween. By doing so, the ritual has those three days to gather the energy of the spirits for three days – which is a much more powerful number for elves than it is for the Mundane – and then the magic of Halloween helps to keep the spiritual energy to this side of the Veil, so to say."

But the words the veil make me look at Snuffles in great pain, the man having apparently expected this as he sends me a warm smile in return and then we reach the top of the tower, the opal colored tent having two flaps that are being opened by yet another set of Elves, these two having soft silver colored hair and eyes.
We pass the two of them, the Elves bowing when they recognize grandfather and me and then Adeline turns around and says: "It would seem that her Grace and your son have just arrived, Your Majesty. They will probably be here soon, but it seems that Her Grace was a little cautious in calling for the group I requested."
We all look at her and she says: "I was visited by Merden's future self myself when he was traveling your way, Your Highness, and he told me to make certain that your parents, your father's friends and two others would come along on this journey. He also told me it would not matter instantly if the last two didn't come, but they were valuable."

This, for some reason makes me turn to Malfoy and while the boy looks at me strangely, do I ask: "Those two wouldn't by any chance be young Draco's parents, would they?" But Adeline answers: "Yes and no, your Majesty. Merden's future self did insist on one Lucius Malfoy being present, but also one Severus Snape."
"EXCUSE ME!" Most of the Weasleys shout and Lupin goes on: "That man is a murderer! He's a filthy, low-life traitor! He's –." But I already thought ahead and say: "A kid." Making everyone turn to me and I say: "Adeline was supposed to get present day Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape. The ones from 1977, not 1998."
Adeline nods and I turn to Lupin as I say: "And next to that, are we in 1977 right now and that means that your past selves are still friends with Peter. He is still four years too young to have done anything regarding Halloween and I say we judge him based on how he reacts to hearing that, not to the idea that he might do it in 4 years time."

"What do you mean, might? Harry, this is Peter we're talking about." Snuffles tries to reason with me, but I nod and say: "Exactly. Peter. Seventeen year old Peter Pettigrew. You said it yourself, Sirius. It was one year before my parents were betrayed that Peter handed out information from London to Riddle. One, not four."
The man looks shocked and I say: "All I can say is, Peter is no Riddle. Riddle was evil age 16, his actions regarding the Chamber of Secrets prove this, but Peter – Peter was your friend and I don't know about you, but I am getting mighty curious about why and when exactly he decided to turn tails – and if we can stop him or not."
"Wait, stop him?" Lupin asks and I nod as I say: "From turning tails. If we can prove to him what the future holds, maybe we can make him regret his future actions and prevent him from performing them. Regret is what killed him in the end, but maybe this time it can save his life. His and that of everybody else."

This makes many of those around me look a little wary and unsure but then Ron says: "I agree with Hari." making me smile in relief as I had been worried about Ron and his easy temper the most, but when the twins ask: "Wait, what?" And then Percy goes on: "Ron? Why would you agree? Peter was our pet, he –."
And Ron interrupts him as he says: "Exactly and if we stop him from doing what he did, we won't have to feel bad about housing a criminal for 12 years anymore. If we can stop Peter from turning tails, Hari can keep his family, Snuffles won't spend twelve unfair years in Azkaban and we won't have a dangerous killer in our house.
I know part of that sounds selfish, but to me it's a win-win-win situation, so yes. I agree with Hari and I want to stop Peter from going Dark myself. I want to meet the boy that turned into the man that my family housed unknowingly for a good decade and I want to make sure that he doesn't resort to tricks like that anymore."
And while the whole Weasley family looks shocked to hear him speak with such vehemence, does Hermione hug him and kiss him on the cheek in her happy pride and do I just send him all of my gratitude through a warm smile, Ron having turned red from receiving the kiss, but smiling back at me nonetheless.

"They're coming." Adeline then says and with that do the nerves I felt when realizing I was about to meet my grandfather return full force, making my knees quiver for just a moment before a warm hand is on my shoulder and I hear Snuffles whisper: "You know I'm proud of you, so don't worry about them, kiddo."
Which calms some of the nerves in my form, but then I whisper back: "But what about everything I've been through. Everything I've done. Will – will they approve?" To which Snuffles mutters: "Will they approve? Perhaps. Will they worry? Yes. Will they care for you. Without a doubt." And that settles the last of my nerves.

Jaurion's POV

I don't know what it is, but the minute we passed the wall separating us from the gardens of Lotelle, did I feel as if a part of me that should not exist yet has just become one with me, making me feel even stronger in both form and heart than I have ever felt before and actually increasing the strength of my emotions.
I look around at the vast expanses of the garden, which looks like a forest that dense, yet like a garden that beautiful as most of the garden exists of trees, yet at the same time do almost a quarter of these trees all have flowers of different kinds and of extraordinarily beauty, all of the petals and leafs looking as if rain has just passed.
"Most Elves working here are Water and Earth Elves. The Elves at the gates are the most powerful and ruthless of Guardian Elves in all of Ariador and those, alongside their brethren can only be found at Lotelle and the Main Capital of Ariador; Eldorian City." Mother then explains to us as we move up the path to the tower.

The gigantic structure before us has a beautiful tent at the very top that is made – I can tell even from this distance – of some kind of material that looks both very weak in fabric, but very strong in structure and Lily asks: "Why would Guardian Elves be stationed here? Because of the legend attached to it?"
Mother nods and says: "Exactly. Lotelle is, together with Centura and Eldorian City, the most important place in all of Ariador and because of that do our enemies often try to gain access to it. Yes Jaurion dear, even here there are enemies. You will see for yourself when we have climbed a little higher up the tower."

I nod, while the idea that anyone here could be violent or trying anything wrongful seems almost impossible to imagine as this entire place looks like the epitome of peace and justice, but then suddenly do I hear loud shouts and screams, making all of us turn back to where the doors are actually being breached.
Everyone gasps at the sight of this and Mother says: "Orcs. They must have noticed how there were multiple carriages riding here and thought they could seize their chance." And while I wonder what Orcs are, do I follow Sirius' example of drawing my wand, sending several powerful stunners at the holes I can see appearing in the doors.
Screams of an unholy nature come from the other side of the door, but then one of Sirius' Stinging spells makes for a hiss to be heard before Mother says: "That must have been one of the guards. Just leave it to them. Those holes are far too small to make the doors break and those guards have been working there for 7 decades."

This shocks me as the two elves that we passed looked no older than late twenties and then Lily asks: "How can they be in their seventies already. They don't look older than 28 at max." And while I smile at how we were evenly matched in our beliefs of age, does mother smile at her and say: "Because time runs different in Ariador, dear.
That and Guardian Elves need to be sure that they can do their Life Duties for as long as possible, so in exchange for the training with which they start at age 14, do they get youthful looks, so that they can uphold their stamina and strength for longer times. Plus, when I said 7 decades, I meant 7 decades in Mundane years."

We all look at her intrigued and now mother giggles before she says: "This was a real shocker to me the first time I heard it, but apparently have the Time Elves altered the way time runs here and based it on how time runs for those going to Hogwarts. It's a little awkward, but it definitely works and we have grown used to it."
"How does it work?" Remus asks and mum says: "For the 10 months that Hogwarts is in session, 10 years pass in Ariador. However, for the 2 months that Hogwarts is not in session, 90 years pass here. I'm still not sure why they don't do it the other way around, but I believe it has to do with royal parents of Hogwarts students."
"Wait, hold on a second. One year in our world – is a century here? Those guards are 700 years old?" Sirius asks shocked and mum answers: "And they start training at age 14 Ariador time." Shocking me even more and making Remus mutter: "Talk about dedication." To which I nod before we pass the upper tree tops.

Mum turns around and so do we before she says: "See those dark grey mountains that don't have any snow on them but still look sleek and slippery?" And we all turn to the South West of the tower, the mountains now very clear in view and when we all nod, does mum say: "That is where the Orcs and Gwarves live."
"Gwarves?" Lily asks and mum answers: "The meaner, bigger brothers to Mundane Dwarves. Trust me, you only want to meet with those when you've had at least four years of Sword Fight Training or someone around you who's had that much training himself. Else, you can best use all the magic you have – just to escape them."

"Are they really that bad, your Grace?" Peter asks, fear very strong and clear in his voice, making me want to protect the man I dubbed my little brother 2 months into my 3rd Year and the woman sighs as she says: "When He became a real threat, did Hendros decide to stay and fight him. His last order that day was to keep him away from the Gwarves.
Vice versa were the Gwarves no longer allowed anywhere near the portals and was security on that front to be doubled if not tripled as Hendros knew Voldemort was a threat to society, but give him Gwarves and even Dumbledore would fall within a year." This last bit shocks us all and Lily sounds just as scared when she asks:
"How can Gwarves be that dangerous?" And mum answers: "Because they are ruthless. The best way we currently have to keep them sustained is by the fact that they can just as easily turn on each other as they would turn on an enemy. They don't allow themselves to grow in numbers really easily and that is our only advantage."

This makes me shiver as a being without loyalty to anyone is one I just don't ever want to meet and I ask: "Does the Valivial Line have any duties regarding these Gwarves, mother?" But mum seems to understand my problem with these beings as she smiles and says: "Only to keep check on them and their numbers, son.
And that, for now, is your father's duty. He's been doing a really good job of that since he was born and I have no doubt you will be no different. Then again, he was an Empathy Elf where you are a Wind Elf. Your speed may just come in handy though, were you ever to accidentally meet them. Which I hope stays accidentally."
She then ends, her tone half joking, half serious, but I raise my eyebrows and say: "Mum, I thought you knew me." Making her smile before Lily asks: "Just one question, your Grace. Was your partner, Pot – Valivial's father born here or on the Mundane world?" And the answer mum gives us shocks me as she smiles and says:
"Here, a good five and a half centuries ago. However, when a human stays in Ariador for more than one year and two months, their human age gets magically changed to Elven age, so I am now actually 570 years old instead of 57. Same will happen with the lot of you when you stay here for that time, but don't worry, your looks won't change."

And with that does she turn to Sirius with a smirk on her face, my best friend glaring at her half-heartedly before I ask yet again: "Mum, why are we here? You didn't answer me last time, remember?" Mum nods and says: "I didn't answer, dear, because my words wouldn't be righteous in comparison to seeing it yourself."
And with that, do we reach the top and do the two elves there, who have silver in their eyes and hair color open the flaps of the tent. Yet when we pass through, does that strange feeling intensify and make me stare at only one person. A boy who is one year older than me, has my Elven looks and a stunning pair of emerald green eyes.

Okay, that's it!
WOW, eleven pages! I never imagined things to grow to this extend and I haven't even reached the actual meeting. The whole explanation of how the Elven world works just took a life of its own and I just had to add this and had to add that and in the end, I just decided that I could either let Amyna tell James or have James see it himself.
The second idea sounded better, so I went with that. I do want to point out a few things though. Ariador, Lotelle and the Rental Rose are all ideas of Leonette. However, Eldorian City, Clovers for Currency and Centura are ideas I came up with myself. There will still be parts thanks to Leonette, but I am trying to make my own tale.
Hope you understand,

Venquine1990
PS. Inspiration comes from Leonette, check out their stories.