It didn't take long for things to get out of hand. Ginny listened to Ron and Hermione as they badgered Harry into going to the infirmary. Trust Ron to mention how important it was to the quidditch team. They marched off, most likely trying to get out of classes. It must have worked, because Neville and Dean both asked her if she knew what happened to the Trio.
She returned to the common room to see Harry Potter reading a book. She thought nothing of it, until Ron walked by, carrying the same book. Ginny decided to play it safe, and went to talk to Hermione. Hermione was also reading the same book. The only difference was that she reading faster.
"What's up," Ginny asked, "The three of you are all reading the same book. What's going on."
"Extra credit for muggle studies," Hermione said, "Harry and Ron are helping me."
Ginny let her go back to reading. Walking back to the common room, she walked by Harry and sat down. "What are you reading?" she asked.
"It's a book," Harry answered.
"Harry, if you were Ron, that would be an informative answer. What is it? I'm curious."
Harry showed her the title, The Hobbit, and went back to reading.
"Looks interesting," Ginny said, "Can I borrow it when you're done? Unless you have to return it, of course."
"Uh, sure," said Harry, "when I'm done."
"Oh good," Ginny said, "I was afraid the book was for class or something."
"No. just something Dumbledore thought I might be interested in."
"Thanks, see you later," Ginny said, and left. She thought of talking to Ron, but he would be too clever. Rather than make up some excuse he might forget, he would tell her to get lost, and leave it at that.
*
Three days later, Ginny overslept. She had been up late the night before. reading the books that Hermione had given her. The Hobbit was an easy book to read, but the sequel was very different, and it came in three volumes. She fell asleep when she was almost to the end of the first volume..
Ginny heard Harry in the common room, talking. She saw two small figures, and some food, as she rushed though, and assumed they were house elves. She was half right. She stopped to look, because they were dressed funny, for house elves. One elf was wearing a robe, and the other was dressed in normal clothes, except that he was barefoot, and the feet were hairy.
"Harry," she said nervously, "What's going on? That's a hobbit."
"That isn't proper English," Harry answered, "You should say, 'He's a hobbit.'"
"Why is he here?" she asked, ignoring the smart remark. Her curiosity overcame her fear of being late for class.
The hobbit and Harry looked at each other and started laughing, at some private joke. Even the elf had a wry smile on his face. "Frodo Baggins," the hobbit said, bowing. "I am here because I am not very popular."
"You must be related to Ron," she said.
After being possessed by a book in her first year at school, Ginny was quick to accept things as they appeared. Since a Hobbit appeared, she accepted it. That it should be the hero of the story she was reading made it plausible. "Harry," she said, excitedly, "You were reading the books because he showed up." Then she paused and asked carefully, "It was only him that showed up, wasn't it? I mean, nothing else, right?"
No one answered, but the looks on their faces told her the answer. As confirmation, she noticed the chain around Frodo's neck. "I'm going to class, now. Goodbye." she said, and rushed out of the room.
Ginny was glad for once that she had hand-me-down robes. They used to belong to George, and had large deep pockets on the inside. She had brought the books with her, to show them to a friend, but now she decided on a different plan. She went to her favorite spot, a large empty room, with plenty of light. It was used mostly as storage for odd bits of furniture, and Ginny had never been bothered by anyone whenever she was there. It also had the benefit of being two levels below Gryffindor Tower. She had the feeling that reading The Lord Of The Rings was more important than classes. Besides, she was a Weasley. They would accept, and not believe, any excuse she gave.
She sat by the window, and opened the book, finishing the last few pages. She put it back in her pocket, and pulled out the second volume. She read swiftly, only looking up when she heard glass breaking somewhere above her.
Ginny peered out the window to see Harry, on his broom, flying toward the Forbidden Forest. Shortly, Ron flew by, with what looked to be the hobbit. Glass shattered again, and Ginny watched the shards fall past and to the ground. He eyes bulged when she noticed dementors down there, as well as men. She looked for her brother again, to see Dennis Creevey on his broom. He and Hermione were holding on to each other for dear life.
Ginny stood there, stunned, as her brother and her friends were chased by man and monster alike. Shoving the book back in her pocket, she stood there for a time trying to figure out what to do. Then the door opened, and the strange elf entered.
"Follow me," he said, "there isn't much time."
Ginny could only ask, "What's going on?"
"Your brother and his friends have fled to the forest with Frodo Baggins," the elf said. "Your minister now wishes to seize any relatives they may have. The brother to the younger one has already been taken. They hunt for you. We must leave."
Ginny was confused. Frodo Baggins? The younger one's brother? They seized Colin?
Ginny stopped thinking and followed the elf. The two raced through the halls to the kitchen entrance, and into the kitchen itself.
"Block the door," the robed elf said to the other house elves, who began to throw anything the could in front of the entrance.
"Dobby," the elf said, "Have you decided? Someone must choose."
Dobby looked scared, shaking his head, "No, Dobby cannot choose. He is good elf."
Winky came walking up, with the same expression as the robed elf, "Winky listened, and made the choice. Already I remember my name, Henuin. I will remain, Baralas. You may go without fear."
Dobby looked at Winky with awe, saying solomnly, "If Winky chooses, then Dobby chooses."
The elf called Baralas gave his thanks, and summoned Ginny to the fireplace.
"Wait a minute," Ginny said, "I'm not going anywhere. This is too much for me."
"You may stay is you wish," Baralas said, "I am only trying to help you."
A loud noise was heard on the stairwell outside the door, and Ginny said, "Fine. Let's go."
Baralas threw floo powder into the fireplace, and named a place Ginny did not recognize. The two of them stepped in, together. They came out in a warehouse filled with bags and boxes of food. Baralas did not hesitate. He called out to the House elves who worked there and ordered them to douse the fire. Something about his tone made them obey. Sand was thrown into the fireplace until there were only embers, and these were snuffed out as quickly as possible.
A man who was the supervisor came running to see what was happening, and began to shout. Then he saw Ginny, and froze.
"What are you doing here, girl, and what did you do to the fireplace?," the man said in a distinct Irish accent. "We have deliveries to make."
Ginny began to stammer about dementors, when Baralas took over. "My master was being chased by dementors because of what her brother did. I helped her flee because I know her to be innocent."
"Them's Hogwarts robes." The man said. "What are dementors doing at Hogwarts?"
"They tried to seize Harry Potter, and his friends. One of them was my master's brother."
"Harry Potter?" The supervisor exclaimed, recognizing the famous name, "Why?"
"I cannot tell, Sir, and my master is still too shaken to explain"
The man paused as if making a decision. "You're not allowed in here, you have to leave. And I'll have to restart the fire." He looked Ginny in the eye, and added, "It may take a couple of hours."
"Thank you," Ginny said, then stopped to ask, "Where are we?"
The man gave a small laugh. "Go up those stairs and out the door. You'll be in Fenian Square. O'Connell street is to your right." When Ginny just stared at him, he added, with a smile, "You're in Dublin, lass. Welcome to Ireland."
*
As Ginny walked out into Fenian Square she gasped in surprise. It was Dublin's version of Diagon Alley. She could even see the local branch of Gringotts Bank. Baralas led her to a bench where she could catch her breath. He then tried to explain things.
"How familiar are you with the name, Frodo Baggins?" he asked.
Ginny nodded, "He's the main character in the book I'm reading. I've just started the second volume. What about the book? Did those things really happen?"
"Yes, and in the end the ring was destroyed. It seems that there was a division of some kind, before that happened, so that there were two hobbits and two rings. Our Frodo Baggins survived all of this time as a spirit, until he was called back into flesh."
Ginny digested the information, and said, "I can follow that. Too many strange things happen with magic to say it couldn't be true. Now, what about the Dementors?"
"It is a simple explanation," Baralas said, "The Minister of Magic learned about the ring, and tried to seize it, to use against his enemy."
Trying to remain calm, she then said, "Okay, the Minister tries to grab the ring, but Harry and Ron get away, with Frodo. I saw Hermione and, I think, Dennis Creevey."
"That is right," Baralas said, "It was his brother that the Minister took."
"Why Colin? What did he have to do with it?"
"He makes a perfect hostage," Baralas said calmly. "What would your brother do, if they had taken you?"
Ginny nodded grimly. "Where do we go now?"
"I do not know," said Baralas. "I thought to take you as far from their reach as I could. There are places of safety, but I do not know where they are."
"Places of safety?" Ginny asked, "as in elvish places, like Rivendell."
"Yes, that is it. I even remember hearing of Rivendell, but in the past tense. I am sure it is gone, but there must be others. Men would not know of them, unless elves chose to reveal themselves. In time I will remember things more clearly, but I made my decision only recently, and it takes time to recall my life."
Ginny decided to ask about that later, she had to think about what to do. Baralas had gotten her away, safely, but time was running out. "I have an idea," she said, "but I don't think I have enough money."
"Easily done," Baralas said proudly, "Dobby is paid, as you know. He let me have some of his wages. Is five galleons sufficient."
Ginny nodded, "Here's what we do. We go to the book store, and look for a book on weird places. If we find a likely place, we take the Knight Bus."
Ginny found the book she wanted very easily. With Hallowe'en so close, such books were very popular. She even found one called 'Places and Displacements in Ireland.' She bought the book, and a map of Ireland. As she was leaving, she admitted she was a stranger, and asked about the Knight Bus. The clerk told Ginny her accent gave her away. She added that in the Republic the bus was called the Express.
Ginny went to the spot where she was told to call the bus, and sat with Baralas, pouring through the book. They had to find something quickly. The man in the warehouse said they would have two hours, and one of those was gone already.
Baralas scanned the book. "Most of these chapters are about houses or other buildings. There are two possibilities, though. There is an area in County Antrim in the North, and another one in County Kerry in the West." He closed the book and said, "Which do you choose, the short mile, or the phantom fishing boat?"
Ginny laughed at his descriptions, "Let's make it easy, Antrim will put us back in the United Kingdom. Let's go to Kerry."
They figured out were they wanted to go, and Ginny put her hand up. Immediately, a green bus stopped in front of them, and the two boarded.
Where to, Miss?" The porter asked.
"County Kerry," Ginny answered, paying the fare. When the porter asked her to be more specific, she pulled out the map, and showed him a spot about twenty miles southeast of Dingle, carefully explaining that she was meeting friends for an outing. Satisfied, the porter gave her the change, and wished her a good holiday. Ginny figured he would tell his boss at the first chance, but they would hopefully be gone by then. She was praying for luck, because she did not know how far they would have to go, once the bus let them off..
As she settled onto a bed, she turned to Baralas, "Why did you say I was your master, Baralas. I thought elves couldn't lie?"
"I did not lie," Baralas said, "I merely implied. In one sense, you are the master of my fate, as I would have had to explain if asked. It was the same when the man in the warehouse asked why we were there. I said that I could not tell, not that I did not know."
Ginny smiled at the answer, then went on to her next question, "Why are you called Baralas? All the other house elves have names like Winky and Dobby and Iffy." Then she added, in a confused voice, "and what is this about a choice and Winky saying she had a different name."
Baralas looked at her and said, "It is something you should not be told. But if you return to your school you will guess, as others have already."
The elf made sure they were not overheard, and said, "We are immortal. When we die, our spirits are reborn in new bodies, with all of our memories lying dormant. We age almost as quickly as humans to a certain point. This is the point at which house elves now exist. It is difficult to understand the idea of remembering such a great past, and we are permitted a period of 'childhood,' to adjust to the world. When we are ready we make a conscious decision to mature. The first thing we remember is our name. Over the decades, as we mature, more of our memories return. When we are adults, we are as though we have always been."
Ginny stared in awe. She was looking at an elf child, one that was slowly growing up to be as Elrond and Legolas. "How long ago did you make the choice?" she asked.
"Two days ago," the elf answered sadly, "I am forcing myself to remember things that would help, but I do not know enough, yet. I only know there is a place of safety. I do not know how, or why it is safe."
"What happened to the adults?" Ginny asked, a note of fear rising in her voice."
"I do not know," Baralas answered, and hid his eyes.
They said nothing for the rest of the trip.
*
"Where do we go from here?" Ginny asked.
"The phantom ship always appears and disappears somewhere between this point, and this spot here," Baralas said, pointing to a spot on the map that was two to three miles away.
There was no problem at first. Baralas led the way along the coastal side of the road, looking for anything familiar. He spoke of a feeling, that was slowly getting stronger. He said he should know when they were there.
Then a lady stopped her car, and called across the road, asking if they needed a lift. A boy, half Ginny's age popped his head out of the rear window, and looked Baralas straight in the face, when the elf looked up. "Mom," he shouted in glee, "It's one of them. One of the little people."
The boy blessed himself in the Catholic fashion, and smiled even wider when the elf was still there. His mother stared out the window, and did the same, muttering a prayer under her breath.
"We're fine, Missus," Ginny said, "Thank you for asking."
The boy hid in the back seat again when his mother told him to, and the woman quickly drove away, only to stop when a man suddenly appeared in front of the car. Ginny looked up to see a half dozen men apparating around her. Somehow, two dementors were there as well. The man in front of the car pulled out his wand, and a green light struck out at the woman in the car. Another man raised his wand and pointed it at Baralas, only to fall dead with an arrow sticking out of his neck As Ginny watched, man after man fell to the ground. Then each dementor was hit with a glowing arrow, one with magic attached to it, and they fell away into nothingness.
An elf, an adult elf, walked out of the trees near them. "Young one," he asked Baralas in Sindarin, "Are you unharmed?"
"Yes , I am," Baralas replied, "but the woman in the car?"
"She is dead," the elf answered, "We did not think to act, until we knew their intent. We acted too late."
"And her child?" Baralas asked.
The elf signaled, and two others separated from the trees, and ran to the car. They removed the child, and returned to the woods. Others took the bodies of the men and disappeared with them.
"I am Galdor," the elf said, turning to Ginny, "I must ask you to come with me. Others are trying to reach this place. We will take you to safety as it is your companion's wish."
*
"At least we made it," Baralas said. He and Ginny followed the elves, the adult elves, into a grove of trees which grew into a forested trail. With them was the boy, who was being carried. They followed the path down to the waters edge where the found a small harbor. A path led them to a house that seemed to stretch and blend into the trees. They walked up the steps, and were met by an another adult elf.
"What is this?" The elder elf asked in anger and surprise, "Why do you come here, and bring men's children as well?"
"They were in danger," said Galdor, "The girl is a witch, and was being led here by the young one."
"I am to blame," said Baralas, "I am young and knew no other safe place. I did not even know there would be any one here."
"He only made his decision two days ago," Ginny said. "There weren't any adult around to help him, so Baralas didn't know he was doing anything wrong."
The elf smiled as Ginny jumped to defend Baralas. He moved to reassure her. "I forget my manners," he said, "I am Cirdan. I welcome you to the Grey Havens. Enter as a friend."
*
Galdor entered Ginny's room after she had finished eatimg. "How are you, child?" he asked.
"Scared," Ginny answered, "four hours ago I was reading a book, and worrying that I'd get in trouble for missing class. This is a big change." Then she added, sadly, "I've never seen anyone killed before."
Galdor gave her a smile filled with compassion, "Death is never easy, even when you are immortal. The boy is sleeping, by the way. I know you will want to know. He will be fine. We have helped many like him before." To help Ginny relax, he asked, "If you like, I will show you the gardens. The flowers are always in bloom. You may find it refreshing."
As Ginny walked with the elf, she found herself easily answering his questions. Galdor had a manner about him that made her trust him completely. Part of it was the way he avoided talking about the main subject of why she had come to the Havens. As the subject finally came up, Ginny asked, "Do you know about Frodo Baggins?"
Galdor looked at the her in curiosity, "An odd question," he said, "To answer truthfully, yes. I have even met him. But I would ask how you know of him"
Ginny bowed her head, saying, "I met him, too."
"It is a difficult thing, Ginny Weasley, to surprise an elf, but you are coming very close. I saw Frodo Baggins board a ship and sail the straight path to the western lands. I must ask, of course, how old you really are." Galdor added the last line with a smile, and was pleased to see Ginny return it."
"I'm only fifteen," she said, "and I guess he must have sailed back, because I met him this morning." When Galdor said nothing, she added, "I was reading those books everyone started to read, when he showed up. I didn't know why, but..."
"Books?" asked Galdor suddenly.
In response, Ginny pulled out the first volume, called 'The Fellowship of the Ring,' and handed it to the elf. "I've finished reading that one already."
Looking at the book in wonder, Galdor said, "I do believe you have surprised me after all, Ginny Weasley. I must ask to borrow this, to read. I promise to return it to you when I am done, and I will tell you how much of it is true. But I must ask one important question."
"About the Ring." Ginny said, making an accurate guess. "I didn't see it, but Frodo had a chain around his neck, and he clutched at it when I asked. Baralas should know more, He was talking with Frodo when I met him."
Galdor showed none of his impatience to be gone. Although almost an adult, this girl was still young, and had been through a difficult time. Like the young boy, it was best to let her know she was safe and with friends. Even elves needed such reassurances on occasion. Instead of hurrying off, he spent time talking about Baralas. The young one was already in the library, reading. He would come into his maturity quickly, as elves measure time.
*
"Are you sure" Cirdan asked, "is there any possible doubt?"
"I am mentioned in the story as well. The book tells that I accompanied Legolas, son of Thranduil, to the meeting at Lost Rivendell," Galdor said. "I talked with young Baralas, as well. Frodo Baggins is here, in this time, and he has the ring."
"And the children?"
"Baralas said so. They are slaves, and they do not know better. He only made his decision as a child's dare."
Cirdan was dismayed. "We have remained to ourselves too long. We will make contact with the race of men, and begin to reclaim our brethren. We will start with the man Baralas told you of. This Dumbledore."
"What of the manchildren?" Galdor asked.
"Find out from the boy as much as you can, and try to return him to what family he has." Cirdan said, "As for the girl, we will look at her means of using magic. It may be something we can duplicate. Men have given us most of our machines of war. We have proof they have found uses for magic as well."
*
"How is Baralas?" Ginny asked, "I haven't seen him for days."
"He is spending his time in the library," Cirdan told her, "His thirst for knowledge is great, and will not easily be sated. If you like, I will take you to see him after we are done here today."
Ginny nodded, saying her thanks, and took the wand that the elf offered. "We have examined your wand, and have seen how it is used. We have designed this one for you, It is made from a branch of the Linden tree. It's core is a Kirinki feather. Please try this."
Ginny picked up the 12 inch wand, and felt a sense of power stronger than she had ever felt from her old wand. She thought about what spell to try. Then she thought of the feather core, and decided to try a spell she had once heard during her third year. She waved the wand in the proper manner, concentrating as strongly as she could. "Avis," Ginny called out, and several small birds with scarlet feathers appeared, and began flying around the room, then into the forest outside.
Elves came from everywhere and began to gather at the windows in wonder, as the birds sang in their high-pitched warbles. After an hour, however, the birds faded away. Cirdan looked down at Ginny, saying, "That was an excellent spell. I think that is the first time the Kirinki have sung their songs east of Aman."
Ginny blushed at the praise, knowing she had done much better than she could have hoped. Before her arrival, the elves had not concerned themselves with the race of men, paying little attention to the world around them. They were not ignorant, however, and knew that men had found a way to increase their skills in magic. Now, Cirdan was having the elves develop wands of their own. Ginny's new wand was the first attempt to make a wand specifically for one of the race of man. "Mr. Ollivander won't like the competition," She said.
"And does he have a name?" Cirdan asked.
"That is his name," Ginny said.
"It is a curious name, then," Cirdan said, "In our tongue it means 'keeper of the tree.' I thought it a strange title."
"I know he's not an elf," Ginny said, "He doesn't have the ears, for one."
"Let it pass, child," the elf said with a laugh, "It is one of those coincidences of language, one comes across. My own name, in one of the Dwarvish tongues, means 'small bread roll."
Ginny laughed with the elf, and prepared for her next task. "I've tried this before, but I could never do much more than get a soft glow. We call this the Patronus Charm."
Ginny cast the spell, and a patronus appeared. Cirdan examined it with interest saying, "I recognize the power you are evoking. It is the same as that which we place on our arrows. I believe you have seen what such magic does to the wraiths, the dementors."
Ginny blushed in embarrassment. What Cirdan did not mention was the form of the patronus. It was a ghostly duplicate of Galdor. She remembered how she felt when Harry Potter found out she had a crush on him. The patronus was an expression of her feelings about the first adult elf she had ever seen. She had fallen in love with his image, and now it appeared, to her discomfort.
Cirdan read the emotions on Ginny's face and gave her another one of his smiles. "I will not embarrass you," he assured her, "I understand the impact an elf makes on the unprepared human. I will see that you have no need for worry."
As the first of the elves came to test their wands with the new spells. Cirdan explained what Ginny had shown him, adding details that would make the spells more familiar. Then Ginny would perform the proper spell, and the elves would repeat it. When the time came to perform the Patronus Charm for the group, Cirdan prefaced it by explaining how the spell takes the form of trust, pointing out that for Ginny Weasley, it was the form of Galdor, who had saved her life when first they met.
Galdor did not seem surprised, saying he was pleased to have made such a positive impression. Nor did any elf present think it unusual. All were amazed at the familiarity of the magic they frequently used being put to a different form. As the elves performed the spell in turn, they would each pause. Ginny realized after the first two had performed the spell, that they were deciding what shape it should take, something she had not known could be done.
When Galdor's turn came, he smiled and said, "I wish to return the honor you have given me. Please tell me if I offend." He cast the spell, and the ghostly form of an elvin maiden appeared.
"She's beautiful," Ginny said, not understanding why she should be offended. Then the figure turned, and she was staring into her own face. She turned pale.
"Are you offended?" asked Galdor.
"NO," Ginny shouted, "I'm just surprised."
"Then I have returned the favor," Galdor said. The smile on his face could have come from Fred or George.
*
Ginny had been asked to play with the young boy, Cathal, to help him adjust to the change in his life. It was one of the best parts of her day. She had to run around, and act as childish as possible.
The boy came running through the halls, barefoot, forcing a smile on everyone he passed. Running up to Ginny, he gave her a quick hug. Then she took his hand as they went outside. As they approached the water's edge, she looked out over the Bay of Dingle. A storm was coming. but she did not have to worry. It would never touch the Havens, where the weather always seemed to be late spring.
"Are we swimming today?" Cathal asked. He had become avid about learning to swim, once he began to recover from his shock. Ginny encouraged him because it always made him smile, something he was learning to do again.
"Go on in," she told the boy, "I'll watch from here to see how you do. The boy removed his tunic and was in the water in a flash, swimming toward the dock. He had learned to dive the day before, and loved it. As she watched him climb the ladder to the pier, and make his first jump, she thought back to what Cirdan had asked her.
"Would you be willing to go back, knowing what may happen?"
"If I thought I could do some good, Yes," she answered.
"We will talk again in three weeks time, when we are ready," Cirdan told her, and that was three weeks ago.
*
"This council is ready," Cirdan said to those assembled, "We would like to welcome Ginny Weasley to this hall. It has been many generations of their race, since one of their number has attended a council."
"Then what the child says is true?" asked one elf, "If that is the case, there is no argument except as to what course to take. We are in ignorance of many things. Those of us that abide in our home are still adapting themselves to the uses of wands with magic. Never before has the need been such, and now our ways are changing within one passing of the moon."
"Yet in our hearts we do not change," Cirdan said, "It is that which is most important. I propose two tasks, that each enclave set out watchers, at great range if need be. We must find, and aid, the Ringbearer and his companions, as we have of old. The enfolded spaces are no longer secure except for places such as this Haven, where we are here to protect it. We know he has not yet been found, but his enemies search for him now.
"The second task is the more difficult. We must again search for allies. We do not know where the trail of the Ringbearer lies, nor I suspect do we have much time to find out. In ages long past, our friend, Dal Dagda, would have made his journey in the space of a week. Even without the means of magic, a man can travel that same distance in an afternoon. Time is our greatest enemy."
Ginny looked around at the handful of elves, and said, "I guess it's not for me to say. . ."
"Speak always your mind, child," Cirdan said with a smile, "If it is wise, we will listen, and if it is foolish, we will but it down to your youth and forgive you. But to say nothing would be the worst thing you could do."
Heartened, Ginny spoke. "I know that we're divided on this, the race of men, but if there is a way to contact my school, I know Professor Dumbledore will help. He knows a lot of people, including the centaurs in the Forbidden Forest."
"We may not ask the centaurs for help," Dal Dagda said, "It is not our place to ask, and I fear that they are too proud and ashamed to offer."
"That is true," Cirdan replied, "it is no longer our place to judge that race. But the child is correct. The headmaster is a leader among his people, and he would be a strong ally. Once the Ringbearer is known to be safe, we will make overtures to him."
"May I object," Galdor said, "If Ginny is correct, the school has been overrun. We know we have the means, should we choose to use them, to travel such a distance. Ginny is familiar with the area, and can guarantee a safe arrival, if not a safe stay."
"Travel light and fast," Dal Dagda said. "Take only a handful. If conditions are good, act. If not, observe. Then return to tell us what we need. Our numbers are few but we can still command an army if needs be."
"If Ginny Weasley is willing, I suggest you make your plans," Cirdan said, noting the exchange of smiles between the two. "We must risk contacting the dwarves. They will be intractable."
"We could offer them Moria," suggested a dark-haired elf.
Several elves laughed at the suggestion, but the dark elf persisted. "I know the history of the dwarves. If they know where Khazad Dhum is, they will try to rebuild. Even today, it is the legendary lost city. It is true, it has fallen beneath the waters, but there are paths, through caves that lead to the old entrance."
The laughter stopped, to be replaced with serious thought. "How do we convince them to take the gift of a city filled with water."
"We offer to help," the elf said. "When these troubles are over, we work with the dwarves to rebuild, if they choose to do so. It is another change for us, but then, today, I have traveled further in a single minute, than I have ever before traveled in less than a fortnight."
"You might even ask the mer-people for help," Ginny suggested.
"That is impossible, child," Dal Dagda said, "Or is it, Cirdan?"
"I have dwelt by the sea too long, not to make some friends," Cirdan said. "It may not be to their liking, but I will bring the subject to them, if the time comes. I have already talked with them about our needs. They are willing to help, but doubt that there is little if anything that they can do to aid us."
Suggestions were made as to other races known to the elves. The giants had been approached already by the wizard, Dumbledore. He, it was decided, would be their link to men.
"What of the Istari?" Someone asked.
"Little is known of him in many years," Cirdan said, "He spends his time in the Great Wood, consorting with the 'beasts.' If he chooses, he will contact us."
The meeting concluded, with most of the elves disapparating. Ginny commented that she had never read anything in the book about elves using magic like that. Galdor assured her that, except for great need, they would not.
"For an elf, the journey is as much a part as the arrival," he said, "Why appear instantly when you have the chance to travel through all the spaces between hear and there."
"Yes," Ginny agreed, "but you have time enough to travel the world. I don't."
"The Bane and Gift of Man," mused Galdor, "It limits you, yet gives you such a passion. But enough. We have plans to make, you and I."