Another chapter for you all. Thank you as always for reading, reviewing, liking and following for this story.

Things are about to enter the LoTR main storyline. I kindly remind everyone that this is based off the books and there will be some direct references and dialogue pulled from the book in parts, but I have tried to limit this and take my own spin on things.

Hope you enjoy x

Chapter 23

Year 3017

Gandalf had brought troubling news indeed. He had come flying into Rivendell on the back of a mare, and had immediately called a meeting with Elrond.

Gandalf had told Harry that he suspected that a ring that Bilbo had left behind before he had come to Rivendell had been the One Ring. He had said he had felt an ominous presence when he was last there and that he had not dared touch it to check. His journey to Gondor to read Isildur's scrolls had confirmed his suspicions.

Bilbo had been long-lived, even for a hobbit, and his ailing health even living in Rivendell, with a master healer like Elrond on hand only proved that the ring had cursed him with a longer life but had made the extended life hard and full of pains and aches.

Harry had been instructed to go to Hobbiton and to help guard the ring while Gandalf was to search for another who knew of a ring, one from Bilbo's tale and who Harry had met in Mordor, Gollum.

Before they left their separate ways, Gandalf had asked Harry to accompany him on part of his journey before he was to travel to Hobbiton. It had been a welcome trip, finally being able to catch up with his mentor and friend and to learn more magic and ways of the Maia.

Gandalf had been impressed with Harry and his growth since he had last seen his young progeny. He had been well impressed with Harry's warding and his new few tricks of learning to make food grow from small seeds he kept on his pouch. It had been handy when food was scarce when travelling and Harry said that he always gave back to the land with any scraps left and made sure never to introduce a new plant into areas where it would cause havoc by running wild and killing the local flora and fauna.

Harry asked about his adventures off travelling and his luck with recruiting and in turn Gandalf asked to hear about Gondor and Rohan and the friends he had made. When Harry was asked about his paramour when Gandalf had spied the ring on his necklace, Harry just had smiled wistfully and told of their letters and his loneliness and his wish to see his Gondorian again. Gandalf had only puffed his pipe, and had said that it may be sooner than expected with everything happening with the ring.

Harry made sure to tell Boromir in his next letter with Arnis of Gandalf's warning and to make sure Boromir was able to subtly guide his father's hand again to protect the people of Gondor and to be ready at any time.

Their final stop and their parting way was Lothlorian, the great forest city of elves. It was the first time Harry had ever visited and he had been awed by the towering trees and the sounds of the forest. It was so different from Rivendell, but so alike as well.

Harry has admired their beautiful homes, set in the hollows of the trees with winding stairs between each trunk and walkways connecting them high above the ground with bows and branches. Soft lights and candles hung in beautiful blown green glass lanterns which reflected emerald rainbows across the forest floor.

He drank from the water of the creek which flowed through their city and felt it invigorate him. He lay beneath the canopies of their trees at night and listened to the silence of the forest and the sounds of life starting and rising with the sunrise in the morning.

The most interesting thing had been meeting Galadriel and her husband. Harry knew she was one of the three holders of the rings of power, however, it was another thing to be confronted with her shining being and the beauty and light she radiated.

"Welcome to Lothlorian," Galadriel said, her voice melodic aloud but also echoing in his ears. Harry had stood back as Galadriel and her husband had each clasped hands with Gandalf in greeting.

"Thank you for allowing us passage and granting us leave to stay within your halls. I know it was a hasty message that I sent but I am grateful for your hospitality." Gandalf said as he stepped back, his arm coming around Harry. "This is my apprentice, Harry."

"Hello." Harry said with a polite nod, although just like with meeting Elrond, he felt a little out of place meeting these elves who were considered royalty. Galadriel was older than Elrond even and one of the first and oldest.

He felt his eyes meet hers and his body went rigid as he felt the brush against his mind, the familiar feelings of invasion and his mind was thrown back to being in Snape's dungeon classroom and his Occlumency lessons. But instead, this was gentle, unavasivs and the presence merely was there to whisper into his mind.

I see you, Harry Potter. I know your story and your journey here, for the Valar have chosen you. I see you and your fate, standing on the edge of a precipice that will ensure the survival of our world or the destruction of it should you fall to darkness.

In his mind, Harry could see himself standing in a darkened space, his hair wet and slicked back. The floor around him was red and glowing and his face and hands coated with blood as he laughed and laughed.

Harry jerked in her mental hold of him but the next image she showed him was one he knew and felt calm. Storm grey eyes and dark hair surrounded him, soft whispered words and comfort and the feeling of coming home.

You are here to find your purpose. Gandalf had guided you here, to a turning point. For the next time you return, you shall be alone and you will have to find your path for your feet to tread. You will have multiple paths laid out for you, choose wisely and true and you will be guided back home.

The presence had retreated and Harry had shivered and wrapped an arm around himself at her words, the sudden sickening realisation that this was coming to a head, this was really happening. He knew it was, from his travels and seeing Mordor come back to life, but the reality of it was another stark reminder of the impending war that would be upon them soon.

If Frodo carried the ring of power… Harry knew he would have to be there for his friend. It was a heavy burden to carry and not one Harry would wish on anyone. Gandalf had warned him of the ring and touching it, for with Harry's past and the wound on his soul from the Horcrux there was a high chance the ring of power would try to sway him and control him.

Galadriel had sought him out a few more times during their stay while Gandalf and Harry had perused their great library.

Harry had been adamant with Galadriel, like Elrond and Arwen as well, that he did not wish to know his fate or any future that they saw for him. He was content with the now, long since giving up on finding a way home. Middle Earth has become familiar and comforting for him, and his friends that he made along his travels reminded him that he was never alone in this world.

After their stay there, Gandalf had asked Harry to return to Hobbiton to keep a watch over the ring while Gandalf would approach the other Wizards to gain their support as well. He would venture north again to find Radagast the Brown and then journey to the Blue Wizards of the East before finally visiting Saruman the White again.

"Harry, you must keep Frodo and the Ring safe. I know I have asked you to keep your powers hidden but I fear that we must break our silence. You are a Maia, one of the great forces who will help shape this war. I trust your judgement and your strength." Gandalf had told him as he had stood by his saddled mare, his hat lopsided as usual and his staff in hand. "If anyone comes for you, you must flee the Shire with the ring."

Harry embraced his mentor. The tingling along his shoulders and neck was ominous indeed. "I promise Gandalf. I'll keep a low profile but I'll do what I need to do to keep Frodo and Hobbiton safe."

"I will come to see you in a few turns, when I have found what I need," Gandalf promised, smiling his usual gentle smile and then striding his horse, before he was off, galloping away from Lothlorian.

Harry had only stayed a few days more, gathering his scrolls that he had copied from their books, things he thought might be useful for himself or for Boromir or Faramir, before he left early in the morning, heading back to the Shire for the first time in many years.

/

Harry sat back against the side of Bag End, the soft breeze ruffling his long hair and the grassy top of the hobbit hole. He had been here now for over a year, staying in the comfort of Bag End and under Frodo's care.

He had his hand around a teacup, a pot next to him to top him up as he took in the view of the Shire.

He had to admit, this was one of his favourite places. The hobbits were just such a peaceful bunch, even if they did love a good party and drinking to the early hours of the morning.

"Harry? Want some second breakfast? I think Merry and Pippin will be stopping by soon as well. I heard they were heading to the creek today so hopefully they have caught some fish to share for tea." Frodo said as he ambled out, his usual green vest over his long sleeve shirt and his hairy feet bare.

"Second breakfast sounds delightful. Let me come help." Harry said. While the stay in the

Hobbit hole meant he had to stoop a lot of the time, by the time he was seated at the kitchen table he usual was okay, although he did have to fold his legs away to the side.

As they ate their breakfast and talked about what they would do this evening, they were interrupted by Arnis flying low through the open kitchen window and landing on the table.

"You're early," Harry said as he scratched Arnis under his beak and his chest, picking out some of his berries to feed him as a treat as he got the letter from his pouch. "You weren't supposed to be back for a few more days, at least."

"Is everything alright, Harry?" Frodo asked, his brow furrowed and his curls over his eyes swaying as the hobbit looked between the falcon and the letter Harry was reading.

"Gandalf is on his way here." Harry explained as he set the letter alight from the candle on the table between them.

"Why I never! It has been quite a few years since we last saw Gandalf. I feel like it might have been since Bilbo's one hundred and eleventh birthday even, when he had left to go travelling." Frodo exclaimed, excited for a visit from his old friend. "I'll have to make sure I still have the good snuff for his pipe…"

Harry let Frodo bustle about and be happy for the impending arrival of his old friend. Harry knew the contents of the letter spoke only of a dire situation and bad news which was too dangerous to write about so the Grey Wizard was coming to Hobbiton to meet them.

Harry was bracing himself for the worst and he knew it couldn't be anything good.