Title: Princess of Mirkwood
Author: Zannna
Rating: PG-13 (For future violence, and romance)
Disclaimer: I *sniffle* do not own LOTR, the characters, or the plot. Middle Earth was the brilliant brain child of non other than the king of fantasy JRR Tolkien. I also do not own Harry Potter, the characters, or the plot. All that is Harry Potter belongs to the amazing JK Rowling. I do however, own Lithariel, Methelena, and Vialnen. Please do not use them without permission, I even made up their names. ^_^
AN: I would like to thank every one who reviewed: Tigerlily, krissy, Calli, and Neko Megami. Thank you sooooo much it help me want to write more. I'm sorry that I haven't posted in a while, my sister takes internet collage courses, so I can't get on the computer very often. The other reason is that I wanted to be one chapter ahead, before posting the next chapter. I totally got stuck on chapter 3. I actually still am, but I decided that my reviews were so nice that I had to post chapter 2 anyway. So, here it is! Hope you like! ;)
Chapter 2
Lithariel followed Hagrid out of the wood and onto a large grassy area. It was now night, but that didn't keep her from seeing even the most minor detail. Ahead, and off to her right was a little cottage. Far off to her left was a lake, she sensed something not quite right about it, but couldn't be sure exactly what it was. Straight ahead there was a very large castle. It wasn't as impressive as Mirkwood, or Rivendale, but it was impressive all the same. It had an energy about it. Something powerful, and almost tangible to her.
When they reached the front steps, she was glad that she had worn her cloak, even though it was summer. She quickly pulled the hood up over her head, and moved her hair so that it laid flowing over her right shoulder. Her cloak was long, white, and silken.
With her ears hidden, she continued to follow Hagrid into the school. There was a large entry hall, but she really didn't have time to notice it because Hagrid led her on through the winding halls very swiftly. They came to a brief halt at a statue, and Hagrid did something to it. Then all of the sudden, there was a staircase. Hagrid indicated the staircase politely, and said "After you, Milady." Hagrid called her 'Milady' because he didn't think 'miss' suited her. Lithariel nodded in recognition, and started up the staircase followed by Hagrid.
When they got to a door at the top of the staircase Lithariel stood aside to let Hagrid knock. He did so, and said " Professor Dumbledore sir, there is someone here to see you."
"Very well Hagrid send them in" Dumbledore replied.
Hagrid opened the door, and Lithariel glided in past him. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk looking at some parchment. He looked up, and froze.
"Would you like me to take your... uh.. cloak Milady?" said Hagrid. "I thank you, yes." replied Lithariel. She then pulled back her hood, and untied the laces about her neck. Hagrid slid it off of her shoulders, and hung it on the coat rack.
Through this entire exchange, Dumbledore just sat there staring, his eyes getting wider when she revealed her ears. He stood rather abruptly, and said " Thank you Hagrid. You may go now." Hagrid turned to leave, but stopped when Dumbledore said " And Hagrid speak of this to no one"
"Yes Dumbledore sir" replied Hagrid, and left shutting the door behind him.
Dumbledore walked around to the front of his desk, took Lithariel's hand, bowed over it deeply, and kissed it. Before he straitened he said "It is an honor to meet one of the Firstborn, how may I be of service Milady?"
"You know of the Firstborn, sir?"asked Lithariel.
"Yes, Milady, I have seen some very ancient scrolls concerning the Elves. Although, I must admit, I never thought that I would meet one."
"I am the last."
"May I ask your name?"
"I am Lithariel Greenleaf, of Mirkwood daughter of Aragorn, and Giladrien Greenleaf"
"My name is Albus Dumbledore, please sit."he said indicating a chair in front of his desk. Lithariel sat while Dumbledore went back around his desk, and took a seat himself.
"I have come to ask a favor of you, but first I must ask you to keep my confidence."said Lithariel.
"Of coarse. You have my word."
"Very well. As I said before I am the last. I was left here while my family, and kin Sailed West. The reason that I stayed behind, was to make sure that Middle Earth did not pass away entirely, and to make sure that evil does not rise again in these lands. It has been over 12,000 years since the last of the Elves Sailed West, and the Earth is replenished, yet with more evil in the hearts of men than I could have ever dreamed. Yet, I can do nothing for the hearts of men. The evil, hate, and pride that fill their very souls will lead many of them to ruin." As Lithariel was saying this her eyes became very dark, and haunted. She looked up at Dumbledore, and seemed to snap out of it.
"I have been isolated in my wood for far to long. I feel that I need to learn more about the world, although I do not wish to learn more of the common man. I wish to learn how magic has evolved since the Elves left." Lithariel paused, and looked directly into Dumbledore's eyes. She said, "What I would ask of you is that I may be allowed to attend this school, and learn the ways of modern magic, as one of your students."
Dumbledore looked slightly shocked for a moment. Then he smiled and said, "It would be my great honor to have you attend my school."
Lithariel smiled.
* * *
After several hours of discussing the details they decided on a course of action. Lithariel would start as a sixth year, they would say that she had transferred from Beauxbatons. Although she did not know French, Lithariel assured Dumbledore that she can learn any language by only hearing a few words spoken. She gave Dumbledore some gold for her tuition, and supplies, and asked him to convert some to the current form of currency. Dumbledore said he would have someone take her to get the things she would need for school some time soon.
There was one last obstacle though: her appearance. She already looked to be about 18 so that wasn't a problem, but her ears were. They debated this point for a while then Dumbledore said, "I have it! A potion won't work because it won't last long enough, and cannot be easily reversed. A charm won't work because it can be easily reversed, but cannot be recast quickly. So, what we need to do is combine a potion and a charm, along with the proper incantation. But I am afraid this is to much for me to handle right now I have school business to attend to. There is however a professor here who, I am sure, has the time and knowledge to attend to your needs. Now he will need a charm of some sort to work with. It will be better if it is something that you own...Do you own a bracelet or a ring?"
"Yes I do" replied Lithariel. "But it is back at the palace"
"Well, I think you should go back then, and wait until morning. Then bring back a ring or bracelet, or both I don't know which Professor Snape will prefer, and I will brief him on the situation. We will meet you on the front steps. At about ten?"said Dumbledore.
"Very well, I shall see you then."said Lithariel and stood. Dumbledore fetched her cloak, and wrapped it around her shoulders. She tied the strings, and pulled up her hood.
"Goodnight" said Dumbledore
"Goodnight" replied Lithariel.
On her way down the stairs she began chanting softly in Elvish, calling to Aratar. By the time she found her way to the front door, Aratar was there waiting patiently. She leapt onto Aratar's back and they rode back to the palace.
* * *
The next morning, shortly after sunrise, Dumbledore made his way to Snape's room.
He knocked firmly on the door, and waited for Snape to answer. After several minutes a rather rumpled looking Snape opened the door.
"Yes, Professor Dumbledore" said Snape groggily.
" I am sorry for disturbing you at this early hour, but I have something that needs your immediate attention." said Dumbledore.
"Alright, come in and have a seat." said Snape quite unenthusiastically.
"Thank you" said Dumbledore as he entered Snape's parlor, and sat down in a large, cushy, armchair. "Do you know anything of the Firstborn?"
Snape sat down across from him in a similarly, cushy accommodation, and said, " Do you mean The Elves?"
"Yes"
"But they are merely legend, you must know that?"
"I pretty much thought the same thing. Until last night, that is"
Snape's eyes widened, and he raised his right eyebrow questioningly. Dumbledore took the hint and continued. "I was visited by one of the Firstborn last night. Her name is Lithariel Greenleaf, she is the last of her kind, and came to ask a favor of me. I, of course, told her that I would be pleased to help her."
Snape broke in roughly, "You can't honestly tell me that you believe that this girl is a real elf?"
"Yes, actually I can. And you will believe too when you meet her, later this morning."
Snape got a yeah-right-like-whatever look on his face. Dumbledore continued "I need you to construct a glamour for her. We discussed it, and she is going to bring a piece, or two, of jewelry for you to enchant. We also need you to make a potion to use in conjunction with the charms. As you can see you will need a very complex incantation. I am fully confident that you have all the skills needed to accomplish this task. That is why I asked you and not someone else, like Professor Flitwick."
Professor Snape was still not entirely convinced, he said "What exactly does an elf need a glamour for, and why can't she do it for herself?"
"Because she is going to attend Hogwarts. And as for why she cannot do it herself, her people never had a need, or a desire, to mask their true appearance. That is until now. Will you help me or not?"
Snape thought about it for a moment. 'Well, what do I have to lose? If she is not who she says she is I can easily expose her, and this might actually be amusing.' He looked up at Dumbledore and said, out loud, "I will do as you ask, but I must first consult my books. When is she coming?"
"She will be here around ten."
"Then I should hurry"
* * *
At the same time that Dumbledore was walking down to wake up Snape, Lithariel was looking through a drawer that contained some of her most treasured possessions. She lifted up a necklace that was given to her by a dear friend. There was a ruby pendant hanging from it's long silver chain. She put it back, it would not do. She took out a dark blue velvet box, and opened it. She took out a bracelet. It was of Dwarven make and design. Her grandfather's good friend Gimli had made this bracelet, along with a matching ring, for her before he died. It was made of silver crafted to resemble tiny aspen leaves laid over and over one another forming a complete circle. She put the bracelet back, closed the box, and set it on her bed. It was perfect.
Lithariel bathed, and brushed her hair. She put on a light blue velvet dress. It was form fitted above the waist, and flowed freely to the floor. The sleeves of the dress cascaded down about six inches past her hands. It looked like it would be heavy, and uncomfortable, but it was actually very light. The neck of the dress scooped down to about three inches below her collar bone. There were bay leaves, and vines, embroidered along the neck line in silver thread. There was a sash, made of coarse woven ribbon around her waist. The sash was dark blue interwoven with silver, and fell from where it was fastened in the front to about a foot above the floor. She wore around her neck her immortal pendant. The pendant was shining silver with bright crystals. She pulled a section of hair from above each ear, and fastened it behind her head with a silver clip shaped like a bay leaf. She decided to put on some silver slippers, and did so.
Lithariel picked the jewelry box up off of the bed, and slipped it in a small white silk purse. She looked out the window and saw that it was time to leave. She strapped Aros (her dagger) to her right thigh, picked up Anduin(her sword), and headed to the stables, grabbing her white silk cloak on her way out of the door. She got Vialnen ready to go, mounted her, and rode off towards Hogwarts.