"Albus, I do not like this," Frodo said, pacing the floor.
"We have taken your warning seriously," Albus said, "We are risking a great deal because of you."
"Because of what I carry," Frodo clarified. "The danger grows with every day. Even now I do not know which thoughts are my own, and which ones have been placed on me. You thought once that I was safe at your school, yet disaster struck from an unexpected direction."
"We will do what we can," Albus assured the hobbit. "Before, we tried to hide you, now you are in a fortress."
"And trapped, should the enemy come," Frodo added, thinking of the tales of Minas Tirith.
Albus said nothing. This discussion had played itself out, once again. The hobbit would not be appeased. They finished eating, and Albus looked around the Great Hall. Many of the students had returned, and all were excited about the change of circumstance. He watched as Colin Creevey talked with his friends. The boy was a hero to many of them, and none could see how badly he hurt. Yet no word came from his brother or from the Weasley boy.
Frodo watched the students as well, and saw a different tale. He saw innocent children isolated from the armies that marched, even now, in the folded lands that existed around them. Armies as in the days of legend, his own age, and the ages before him. Elvin hosts and Dwarven hordes marched to fight a new, yet ancient foe. Other races joined them, including a small group of goblins, who sought to 'protect their investment.'. Even hobbits would march, a thing unheard of in his own time.
*
Harry Potter sat alone. Since his return, he was a hard person to approach. He had changed more than he had thought, and sat there thinking many of the same thoughts as Frodo. The hardest part was that his friends were gone. Ron was missing. The Lady had gone off with the armies. Ginny was gone as well. She would go with the elf, Galdor, and she might also fight. And he, the Great Harry Potter, would sit at his desk in the meantime, and study potions and spells.
Harry looked over at Cho Chang, and sighed. She was once the object of his daydreams, and now she seemed shallow, concerned with mundane matters and unimportant things. Then she looked up, and his heart raced. She smiled, and he smiled weakly in return. Sadness overwhelmed him, and he left the hall to be alone with his thoughts.
"We bore you," Neville said, as he passed by.
Harry stopped and stared. He couldn't believe that anyone would talk to him like that. He thought of some retort to make, then walked off, not bothering to say anything. Neville followed him out of the hall.
"Harry," Neville called out, "It's too bad you can't play quidditch any more."
Harry stopped and turned, saying, "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Quidditch," Neville said, "or do you want to play at war, again?"
"What do you know about wars?" Harry asked angrily.
"I know people get hurt," Neville said, lowering his head.
Harry remembered Neville's parents, and replied, "That was a cheap shot, Longbottom. Even for you."
"Are we using last names, now, Harry?" Neville said in anger, "Your friends aren't here, I understand that. But your enemies aren't here either. Do you want me to take Malfoy's place to make you feel better? Well, I won't. I won't take Ron's place either. Or Hermione's. Your friends aren't here, Harry, but your friends are here. Or am I not good enough to be your friend, any more?"
Harry sputtered at the thought that Neville would yell at him, but the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat. Neville had reminded him of something, that Hogwarts had always been his home, but he still couldn't let go of what had happened to him. "You just don't understand, Neville. I had to flee for my life."
"I know," said Neville, "I saw the broken windows."
"Do you know that I spent two weeks running only to find myself facing an army of spiders?" Harry asked angrily.
"Good thing Ron wasn't there," Neville said, catching Harry by surprise.
Harry laughed at the thought before he could stop himself. He looked at Neville, as a sense of relief flowed through him. He realized he hadn't really thought about Ron in a long time. Sitting down on a nearby step, he looked up at his friend, quizzically, nodding when Neville asked him if he felt better.
"How did you know to talk to me like that?" Harry asked.
"You know about my parents," Neville said. It was a statement, not a question. "Did you ever wonder how I felt when I found out what happened to them?" Neville paused, and asked, "What happened with the spiders?"
Harry found himself telling about how he, The Lady and Frodo came to the Mark. Before long, he was caught up with telling the story, as other students gathered around to listen. At one point, somebody asked, "Who is this Lady, Elvellon, you keep mentioning."
Harry paused and looked up to see Cho. He smiled warmly, and said, "I'm sorry, I've been calling her that for the past few weeks, I should have said Hermione."
Cho pushed her way into the crowd, and sat next to Harry, "You have to explain that, Harry Potter."
As Harry started to tell them about Baralas, a pleasant thought entered the back of his mind. He was home.
*
Charley Weasley sat on the outcropping eating his lunch. It was a sunny day, and he was close enough to the dragons, that the rocks they had heated for themselves kept him warm as well. He heard footprints behind him, and looked up to see an old friend approaching.
"Randy," he called out, "Welcome back. Haven't seen you in over a year. What brings you to Dragon country in winter?"
Radagast sat down next to his friend and said, "Business, Charley. I hate to be abrupt but I need to talk to you about your brother. Strong magic is hiding him even from my eyes, and I've traced it to you."
"Randy," Charley said in all innocence, "I don't know what you're talking about."
Radagast laughed, "You make that sound so believable. Too bad I know better."
Charley looked at the man in a new light. Randy had always been a tourist type. He would show up every now and then, claiming he wanted to see how things were. Occasionally, one of the dragons would sicken, and the bearded man always knew a cure that would work. As a result he was an unofficial member of the group. What Randy had just said was completely out of character.
"Charley, I know what you are thinking, and I will explain as much as I can, but we need to find your brother and his friend. I know that you know where they are."
"I don't, Randy, and that is the truth."
"I believe you, Charley," Radagast said after a pause, "but that doesn't help. I need to know what you know."
Then the wizard let out a short whistle, attracting the attention of one of the dragons in the valley below them. The dragon flew up, and blasted his flame at a nearby boulder. The heat felt like sitting by a Franklin Stove. "It was a little too cold for me," Radagast said.
Charley stared, and listened as his friend told him what he really was, and what was going on. Charley let out a low whistle when he was done. "That was too strange not to be true, Randy, but I can't help you. I'm not Ron's secret keeper, or anything like that. All I did was give Ron a shielding charm. A couple of years ago, there was a scare about an escaped criminal, and Ron was afraid that the man was after him for some reason. The matter was cleared up, but that Christmas I gave Ron a Charm to use. He never had to until this happened.
"It's a very simple masking charm. No one is able to recognize him, and he can't be found by a search spell or any other magic. It can be broken very easily as well. If he tells anyone where he is, or if he uses any magic, or if magic is used on him, the charm is broken. Another way is if he comes in contact with anyone he knows well, such as his family or close friends. That's all there is to it."
"And is this the charm, by any chance," Radagast said, holding up a small disk. "We found it in his robes."
Charley looked at the disk in disbelief. "That's his Christmas present. I guess that puts you back at square one, Randy."
Radagast smiled, and said, "Maybe not. Did you know that they thought they had found the boy, Dennis, but someone said it was a blond boy with a similar build? What do you think?"
Charley smiled widely. "Muggle hair dye. I've used some myself, not on me of course, and don't tell my mom. I'm willing to bet you've found them." He looked down and added, "I'm taking some time off because of the holidays. I can leave early, if you want company."
Radagast understood the unspoken words. Ron was family, and that was what Charley was concerned about. "Of course, I can always use help. But I can't go to find them just yet. I have things to do, first." He looked down at the dozing dragons below them and said, "If you want to help, I have an idea."
Charley looked down at the dragons, then back at his friend, and smiled.
*
"What shall we do?" Elinor Took asked her husband.
"We have time to talk," her husband, The Took, said as he looked at the map on the table. "If we decide to go, and I fear we will, we have a week to make a three day journey."
"Not about that," Elinor said, almost in tears.
Peregrine Took hugged his wife to calm her. "I know how you feel about the young rascal. He's probably at some inn stuffing himself, because he doesn't have his pony. It got loose somehow and came here, thinking of it as home. I've sent out searchers. They'll find him."
"That pony didn't run off, and you know it," Elinor said, miserably.
"Yes I do," Peregrine said, scolding his wife, "But I can't do anything about it. If Faramir is fine, then he will stay fine, and if he isn't, then . . . there is nothing I can do, Elinor. Whatever happened, he sent his pony on with the messages and maps, because that was important. I think of him, and I know he may never come back, but I have things to do, terrible things, and I will be making other families feel what we are feeling right know."
Elinor dried her eyes, saying, "I know you are right, dearest. I think I just had to hear you say it. I needed to know I wasn't alone."
Peregrine kissed his wife, saying, "You are never alone, my love. I am always there with you."
They hugged, and Elinor left to see to dinner. Peregrine, The Took, turned back to the table and stared at the detailed map. Runners carried the messages already, that they would be there to fight.
*
Bren stood before the Council. He had delivered the messages from the place of the elves, and was met with a hostile reception. Several centaurs had pointed out that the stars do not support his statements. Nowhere in the heavens was there anything about a great evil approaching. He was also reminded that, since centaurs are recognized as beasts, they are under no obligation to help anyone.
Firenze gave what support he could, but his voice was small in the council. Bren, however, was not to be deterred. "By my request, the race of the centaurs has been raised to the status of intelligent beings."
An uproar ensued. "You have no right," the head of the Council decreed. "By the stars . . . "
"The stars lie," Bren shouted, "The times are upon us, and you cannot deny it, except to deny yourselves. I have seen the One Ring. I have heard the prophet speak of the return. I have heard him tell of the betrayal."
"Egotistical lies," The councillor said with vehemence, "You spread discord among us."
"Yes, I do," said Bren, standing tall, "Because that is the proof. If you doubt me, read the first prophecy."
"There is no need," Firenze said, "I know it by heart. 'The time will come when the stars will lie. Evil will approach unseen. And discord will be your only warning.'"
No one spoke for several minutes. Then the councillors moved apart to huddle in discussion. An argument broke out, and then, in a rage, one of the councillors struck at another. Shock filled everyone at this unheard of action. Never in their long memory had one centaur shown physical anger to another. Abashed, the councillors returned to the circle.
"We thank Firenze for his remark," the head councillor said. "But for him, we would have falsely condemned Bren for his actions." He finished speaking, and trotted off.
Bren was stunned. He had, with help, convinced the council of the truth of what he said. Now, all eyes were on him. He looked at Firenze who, though barely older than he, had been a mentor. He opened his mouth to speak, "Our fellow races, who rightfully considers us their equals, are engaged in a twofold threat, and seek aid wherever it can be found. I have promised them help, but I will not force my will upon anyone. All I can do is to humbly ask for your help."
Bren listened as the sound of clopping feet was heard. Then another set of feet added to the sound. Before long, what sounded like a stampede of horsemen was heard all around him, as his fellow centaurs sounded their approval.
*
Ginny closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of the night. She was filled with wonder at the delicacy and range of her hearing as it continued to sharpen.
Galdor always listened with joy as she described how she felt. He would listen as though he, too, were hearing the sounds for the first time. He had his doubts about taking Ginny into his heart but she quickly proved him wrong. Instead of indulging her whims, while she grew and matured, he found himself hanging onto her every word as she reminded him of those ancient times when all the world was night. He found himself learning from her, as she learned from him things that he considered mundane. He watched her, and knew how to add to the joy she felt. Softly, he began to sing a ballad, one she had not yet heard. He regretted the day to come, when he would not have something new to share with her. He had told her that, during the first days, and she laughed as though he had said something foolish, and somehow that made him happy.
Ginny remembered, not long before, when Galdor said he regretted that the day would come when he had nothing new to share with her. She laughed at his foolishness. Didn't he know that every day was something new that they would share?
*
Draco sat in his small room. The boat would sail shortly, but he would have to wait until the last minute to board. They had believed his lies when he spoke at the council, but since he spoke the truth, they had no choice. He would play their game, only because it suited him. If they believed that he really cared for their plans, so much the better. Telling them the whole truth would have helped them more, but not enough to make a difference, as far as he was concerned.
They would fall into the trap, but that was necessary. They would not believe him, but it would be better in the end. Draco was not concerned with saving everybody he could. Deep inside him, past the madness, was the desire. The desire controlled the madness. It drove him to find the best means to the end that he wished to achieve. He could choose several paths, but chose the one best suited to his personality. Now, he would do everything he had to, to achieve his goal.
He got up, and began walking briskly, pausing at times, then casually walking at others. At the last minute, he stepped seemingly out of nowhere onto the elvin ship. He said nothing, but walked to the bow, and stayed there, looking out to sea. The ship sailed with no one questioning him. He would arrive at the Grey Havens, and complete his plans. If he had to help save the entire world, so be it, but he would have his own way in the end. He knew all the paths of the future, and had chosen the one he would take.
*
Hrothchak spoke into the flames. "Yes, Master. They will come. But they are forcing the Potter boy and the hobbit to stay away. They are at the school, now."
The figure in the flame laughed. "I have plans made to draw the boy to my little battle. If it works, and it should, that idiot, Dumbledore, will even suggest it. I can deal with that hobbit later."
Hrothchak bowed and withdrew. His master's plans were old and deep. He should not worry, but the Malfoy child scared him. He volunteered to tell Hrothchak about the hobbit Faramir, and where to waylay him, thus stopping the hobbits from joining the fight. The Master was delighted at the news.
*
"It was an unusual message to intercept," Albus admitted, "but do you think I should act on it?"
Mr. Quigley looked down at the desk and shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. I am only the messenger. My specialty is Tolkien lore, not politics."
"And so they leave it to me. Have you read the message?"
"I have read it. The Dark Lord wishes to insure that Harry Potter is not coming with the advancing troops that have gathered. It seems an odd thing."
"Yes, it is odd," Albus said, "and I will have to ask Mr. Potter to go. I think it is a trap, but I cannot be sure, so I will give him an edge. I will give him a sword to use."
"You don't mean . . . ?" Quigley exclaimed.
"No, not any sword from those books. This is the sword of Godric Gryffindor, which may be wielded only by his heirs. Harry happens to be one. If Voldemort wants him, he will get more than he planned."
*
Draco hummed to himself as the boat docked at the Grey Havens. The pieces were in place. Faramir Took had been lost, but the pony came through. Harry Potter was going to fight in the battle to come, as well. Now to seduce the girl.
Draco spotted the couple standing on the docks, arguing with Eamon Finn. He walked up in time to here Finn saying, "I know we are accepting volunteers, but you have no skills."
"I do," said Little Sean, "I can fight hand to hand and with a pole. I even learned fencing at school." He did not elaborate that fencing consisted of a one hour lecture from a guest speaker.
"He only wants to impress a girl," Draco said, "Mr. Finn, tell him about Ginny Weasley and he will go home peacefully."
"It's not about any girl," Sean said, "It's about a chance to do something. Cathal talks a bit more than he should, and a fair number of us know what is going on."
"How many," Finn asked in resignation.
"At least fifty from the docks, maybe two hundred all together."
"The entire village knows?"
"And only the village," Sean replied, "We've tied our futures to these people, the elves, and we'll keep them secret from outsiders, but we all know, and we all agreed to help."
Draco looked at the girl, his age, who was with Sean, and she returned his stare. As Sean and Finn talked, he introduced himself. She replied, saying, "I'm Fiona MacManus. I came with my brother to see the elves."
"They are pale things compared to you," Draco said smiling.
"Oh, a flatterer, are you," Fiona said with a small laugh, "and how many ports have you a girl in?"
Draco looked in the girl's eyes, thinking how beautiful she seemed. "Hundreds," he answered, "but I would forget them all, for one more smile from you."
Fiona gave her smile to the handsome boy facing her, wondering what type of person he was. She was smitten by him, and he clearly felt the same way. "You're not one of those magic folk?" she asked.
"I'm a very powerful wizard," Draco said.
"I've always dreamed of being a fisherman's wife," Fiona replied, letting him know that she didn't approve.
"That is why I'm here," Draco answered, "I have always thought fishing much more interesting."
"Do you have plans for tonight?" Fiona asked with great amusement..
"I would love to go to the dance," Draco said, watching Fiona's startled reaction. "I have to be honest," he added, "I am also a seer. I can see the future. I don't know why I should tell you this, but I can give up magic in a heartbeat, but I have no way of giving up my sight."
Fiona stopped to think, then heard Finn agree to let her brother go along. "Can you see Sean's future?" she asked.
"Yes," said Draco, faltering. Concern filled his face, as he looked at Fiona. "He will return, if I go with him." He smiled at Fiona, and said, "I'll ask you about the dance, after I talk to Finn."
Fiona looked with relief, as Draco walked away. His coming was a godsend. 'What are the chances,' she thought, 'that such a person should show up at this moment?' She also noticed something else. He had a wonderful walk, and a cute . . . smile.
"Be careful of that one," Sean said, "Finn warned me that he's touched."
"He is, at that," Fiona agreed, "He's taking me to the dance."
Sean looked at his sister in disbelief. He noticed she was still watching Draco as he walked off.
Draco found Eamon Finn and asked, "What time are we leaving?"
"We?" asked Finn.
"If Harry Potter is going to be there, then I will come as well," Draco said.
Finn started to ask how Draco knew, then remembered who he was talking to. "We leave tomorrow at Two. We meet on the docks."
"I'll be going to the village for tonight," Draco said, "I will be with Little Sean."
*
Draco and Fiona had a wonderful time at the dance, and then he walked her home. It was out of his way, but he lied about that. As they passed a store, he pulled her aside under the overhang. She began to protest, but the threatening rain began to fall, fast and hard.
"You knew about this," she said.
"That's why I came with you," he replied, "I didn't want you to get wet."
"You could have just told me," Fiona responded, looking Draco in the eye.
A couple of boys from the dance came running by, and started to duck in for cover, when they noticed the couple kissing. They decided the rain wasn't that cold or wet, and ran on to their homes. By the time the boats left, everyone would know about Fiona and her new boyfriend.