Chapter 10: Elves
Harry felt his soul being torn from his body as the curse hit him. The experience was the most painful that Harry could have ever imagined, far worse than the cruatious curse, but it didn't last nearly as long. However, the magic that he had called upon before the battle prevented his soul from escaping. He felt as though he was being pulled along a path, where he was going, he didn't know. Suddenly the pulling sensation stopped and he look around. He was in the middle of a forest, a forest that he felt that he recognized.
"Harry." Harry spun around and had his hands pointed at the speaker, ready to blow them into oblivion should they attack him, but what he saw startled him greatly, and recognizing who the speaker was cause him to put down his hands.
"Hello Nel'shira," said Harry bowing to his teacher.
"Hello Harry, I am so glad that you made the journey safely," said his mentor as he threw his arms around Harry in a joyous embrace. "You have done it Harry, I almost thought that you would fail, but you did it."
"Did what Nel'shira?"
"Conquer death Harry, you conquered the last hurtle before you can master all of your powers as a death elemental."
Harry's jaw dropped at this news. "You mean, I'm - you're not dead?"
"That is exactly what I mean lad," replied Nel'shira smiling. "In fact, far from it. The magic that I had you cast was a rare mixture of death and nature magic. The death part allowed you to control your own death, and the nature part sent your body here, well, it sent your real body here and made a dead clone to leave behind." "Here? Where is here?"
"Welcome Harry Potter, to the land of the elves." With this statement Nel'shira waved his hand and the trees in front of him disappeared, leaving a vast city revealed, a city of elves. Harry couldn't help but marvel at the city, so beautiful was it. The buildings were made of wood coaxed into forming itself into shapes by nature magic and rose marble. The result was beauty so stunning that Harry couldn't hold back a whistle.
"You are an elf? Why did you tell me that you were a druid?"
"I could not reveal myself as such because of the tensions it would cause if you had told someone. You see, elves are not well liked where you come from."
"Why not? Your cities are beautiful, and I've heard wonders about your people's arts and crafts."
"I hoped that you would understand," said Nel'shira calmly, "and that you would like the city, for this is where you will finish your training. This land is another world Harry. Mortals cannot easily access it, which is why your people dislike and distrust us. We will rarely allow them into our lands. I have allowed you access because the danger is great. Voldemort seeks a way to enter our lands, and he must be stopped."
"Nel'shira - but my friends."
"Hush Harry, your friends will be fine. You must finish your training and become a war mage so that you may defeat the darkness that is overpowering your lands and threatening ours. You will age while you are here Harry, but very little time will pass in your lands. I will warn you now, your people will be hard pressed to believe that you are alive, yet alone many years more knowledgeable." "I understand Nel'shira, please teach me."
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[4 years later]
(A/N: sorry about the time skip, but I want to try to make this fic a little bit more realistic time-wise. Please forgive me ()
"Legoril! Wait up!" cried Harry as he jumped over a fallen log in pursuit of his friend. Harry had met Legoril not long after arriving in the elven kingdom. He had stood by Harry when most turned away from this 'stranger.' Harry and Legoril had become great friends over the course of their training together under Nel'shira and Harry was presently with his friend on the hunt.
"Shhh," came a voice from nearby as Harry moved through the underbrush.
"Legoril?" Harry whispered, "What is it?"
"There are a few dear up ahead in the clearing. Come with me, be quiet, and we'll see if we cannot come home with a catch tonight." Legoril smiled at his friend. Legoril and Harry silently crept through the forest up to the clearing that Legoril had mentioned. Sure enough there were five dear grazing.
"Should I trap them in there?" Harry asked his friend.
"No, I think we will only take one, and for that we just need our hunting skills, no magic involved." Legoril pulled his bow out from its holder on his back and then notched an arrow from his quiver. Harry did the same, and then he fired, hitting the largest male. The other four deer fled but the male was wounded too badly, Harry's arrow had taken it in the chest. As it clumsily tried to run off Legoril let loose his arrow, killing it instantly.
"Woo-hoo!" Harry cried and he gave Legoril a high five. Legoril accepted the high five awkwardly as it was a human custom he had yet to get used to. He smiled however, and started out to collect their kill. As the two skipped along ecstatically, it had been two months since their last kill, Harry asked, "How are we gonna get this thing back to the camp?"
Both stopped, "Damn," started Legoril, "I guess the biggest one wasn't the best choice eh?"
"Guess not," came the glum reply. "Oh well! I bet no one else got a stag this big!"
"You're right, and it shouldn't be too hard to get this thing back. We just need a little magic to assist us," Legoril added slyly. "I'm sure that you would be, more than willing, to help"
"Of course," came the ominous reply. Harry began to mumble under his breath, very quietly so that Legoril couldn't hear the words. Legoril had always tried to learn this spell, but Harry had yet to teach him, and it was out of the question to ask Nel'shira. He didn't even know Harry could cast it. It was a very dangerous spell, if one thing went wrong death was almost assured. Harry began to mumble faster and faster, and Legoril briefly wondered (for the millionth time) where Harry had learned the spell to begin with. The wind picked up around Harry and Legoril and Harry stopped mumbling. The wind continued to blow, faster and faster, until it lifted Harry, Legoril, and the dead stag off the ground and propelled them through the air towards their camp.
Legoril never ceased to be amazed at the view from the sky. He could only gape as he and Harry soared over the tops of the trees beneath them. Soon, the air began to slow, and the two were lowered to the earth a safe distance from the camp. As they gleefully unloaded their kill Legoril suddenly raised his hand in warning. Instantly the two of them became silent, Harry cast a couple of wandless shielding and protection charms on the both of them. Legoril brought out his bow and notched an arrow, Harry loosened his battle garb so that if need be he could grab his hidden daggers at a moments notice. The two became very still, looking around trying to discern where the intruder was, then Harry and Legoril heard a twig snap to their right and a second later a throwing knife and arrow were buried into a tree at that point.
Suddenly a female elf jumped out of the bush yelling 'RAHHH' and then falling to the ground laughing. "Man! You should have seen your faces! You two become WAY to serious when you sense any possible danger at all. Loosen up!"
Harry looking disgusted went to retrieve his knife and Legoril's arrow while Legoril took up the chastising. "ALOHMA! You could have been killed! Do you realize that if Harry and I had been trying to hit you back there instead of trying to scare you out you would be dead right now?! Never sneak up on us like that again! I saw Harry reaching for his second knife when you jumped out and I already had another arrow notched! Dammit Alhoma, we could have killed you so easily there. Please don't do that again, I care too much about you." At this Alhoma went silent and Harry added his agreement.
"I'm sorry, just trying to have a bit of fun." "I know," started Harry, "but please don't do that to us again, you have no idea how badly I would have felt if anything happened to you."
"Okay."
"But," began Legoril, "now that the lecture is over, as your punishment you can help us carry this stag to camp." He began smiling. "Don't worry, we won't mention it to the masters," she looked up and grinned, "provided you help us with that," he gestured to the stag and her grin faded. Both Harry and Legoril laughed at Alhoma's dismal expression.
Soon the three had lugged the heavy elk carcass to the border of the camp and Nel'shira greeted them. "Hello my apprentices. It is well that you have returned - and with such a catch! Well, we shall not have to worry about food for a while to come now shall we?"
The three bowed to him and answered in the affirmative and Nel'shira continued. "I have been in slight contact with the outside world," at this Harry's eyes lit up, "and have found that the forces of light there are in much trouble. There are few safe havens anymore and it seems that the people have lost much hope. Harry, even with your friends leading them, the forces of light need all of you, and I must admit, however hesitantly, that you have all been exceptional in your training. I think, that it may be time. You must all return, however, you must keep a low profile at the same time.
"Legoril - your mastery of weapons has passed many of the teacher's masteries of the same weapons. You know how to handle many weapons that most would not even touch. Your archery is enviable and your knowledge of elven and dwarven war magic is more than formidable.
"Alhoma - your mastery of healing has surpassed mine. No, don't be surprised; I was not trained to be a healer. I believe these two will require your aid on many occasions in the times ahead. Your mastery of defensive spells, of all races is amazing; I know that with your help, the last vestiges of hope in the human lands will be safe.
"And you Harry - you have finished your training in your elemental powers. You are quite strong. You have mastered wandless magic and I believe you have stopped carrying your wand long ago." At this Harry smiled. "Yes - I know that you are ready to face the challenges ahead. You have also mastered smaller weapons to be used for your defense, I for one would not want to be the target of one of your throwing knives. With your dearest friends to help you," Nel'shira gestured to Alhoma and Legoril, "you will overcome all challenges. I have faith in you all remember that. You will not fail in this I can feel it.
"All three of you must embark on one last quest before I may deem you ready to leave back for the human lands. You must recover for me an egg of a forest wyvern. I will not tell you where a nest is - you must discover that yourselves. After this quest you will all truly be ready for what is to come."
The three bowed to Nel'shira answering, "Yes master." All three however, were feeling far more excitement than any showed. As they went to their dorm to retrieve the necessary supplies and equipment they began to talk about what may be in store for them, and how each felt a desire to go to the human lands, or to return in Harry's case. As they entered the dorm each went to their respective rooms and began to gather their stuff.
As Harry entered his room he sank down onto his bed with a blissful sigh. 'I am going to go home - I am going to go home,' kept running through his head as he slowly got off of his bed and grabbed his equipment. First he grabbed his war bow. The shaft of this bow was made of dragon bone set in gold and platinum, the string made from the mane of a black unicorn. It was modeled after old Egyptian composite bows, and stood at three-and-a- half feet tall. The arrows were specially made from arbutus wood, the hardest wood that could be found. The arrowheads made from diamond so that they could be charmed with different spells: accuracy, explosion, poison, and freezing were the favorites of Harry. Harry shrunk both the bow and arrows and put them in their holder along his back. Then he picked up his sword. It was a deep silver, the color which it took from the metal of a fallen star, a meteor which Harry had seen fall from the sky in his first year of being in the elven lands. He had quickly apparated into the general area of the landing and searched for a full day before he found the meteor. It had still been hot and was a bright reddish-silver. He had transported it with the help of his magic. This however, was not as easy as it had seemed it would be because of the meteor's natural resistance to the magical forces that Harry was using on it. It had taken Harry two days to get the meteor back to the elven city, where he had been based with Nel'shira and Legoril at the time. The sword had been fashioned by an admired elven smith for Harry and was strengthened, sharpened, and otherwise enchanted by Harry, Nel'shira, and the smith himself. Its blade was harder than diamond and much sharper, and its hilt was made of blackrock ore. The pitch-black hilt contrasted sharply with the silver hue of the blade itself. He strapped the blade across his back under his shrunken bow. Then he donned his battle garb. This was the same outfit that he had worn that fateful day four long years ago. He slipped his knives, which he had newly poisoned, into their sheaths inside his battle garb, and strapped a belt on, into which he slipped various potions. Finally, Harry lifted his staff. This object was his pride and joy. He had created it himself one year ago after achieving journeyman status. It was made of a compressed and polished piece of driftwood. It was black in color and was so hard that many mistook it for being made of metal. Into the shaft of the staff there were carved elven runes of power. These runes contained the secrets of the staff, which could be used to channel magic from one object or person to another. The staff could hold spells that one would not normally be able to cast because of the enormous amounts of power required. Roughly halfway up the shaft small diamonds were placed in random positions, first far apart, then slowly getting closer together, so as to give the impression of space, an area of few stars and an area of a high concentration. The top of the staff was emblazoned by a large piece of Fire Opal. This bright reddish-orange gemstone was professionally cut into a skull, and finely complimented the rich black shaft of the staff. Harry turned it over in his hands before putting it with his other equipment.
After readying himself he stepped in front of a mirror to see himself. The four years spent away from home had not been kind to him. He bore many scars from the various missions that he had been sent on, including a particularly nasty set on his back from being raked by a griffin two years back. His face had been hardened and was no longer the helpless little boy he had been in his fourth year. His eyes had lost a little of their gleam, they were not their bright emerald green anymore, the years of training had turned them dull. But in those eyes power could be seen, and many who looked into them felt a slight chill travel up their spines.
The years of training had filled out Harry's muscles very nicely, and he doubted that any of his old friends, or even his teachers, would be able to match him in any form of combat, most of which he had mastered. He stood at 6'1" and his posture was well disciplined. He could be threatening, friendly, or plain dangerous if need be. All these details didn't matter for the moment however because Harry needed to change his appearance so that he would not be harassed by elves (he was as much of a celebrity in the elven lands as he was in his own land). So, using the powers he had inherited from his ancestor Godric Gryfindor he shape shifted into his favorite alternate ego, under which he was known as 'Nkari' (pronounced N? Car ?).
Quickly he changed his appearance and his face changed. His green eyes melted into gray with golden edges. His chin and cheekbones became less pronounced and his hair became short and spiked, frosted on the tips. Finally his scar disappeared. This was how he traveled, in anonymity. After changing his appearance he exited the dorms and waited outside for his friends.
Harry did not have to wait long less than five minutes later Legoril came out and waved at Harry who smiled back. "Hello - Nkari," said Legoril smiling.
"Legoril, I swear, if you ever call me that when it is not necessary again, I may have to kill you," answered Harry with a grin on his face. Legoril could only grin back as they waited for Alhoma to come out. "What is taking her so long do you think?"
"I don't know, she is a girl, they always like to do unnecessary things I think."
"True, true," said Harry softly. He was thinking about his friends at home, and how they must miss him. 'I wonder how long it has been for them?' he thought to himself. 'It's been far to long for me.'
"Hi guys!" Harry was snapped out of his thoughts as Alhoma came bounding out of the dorm, she had put some of her hair in a bun in the back and let the rest hand, so that it would not get in her way should she have to see peripherally. "You ready to go?"
"Of course," said Legoril brightly, "I am anxious to finish this last of missions and then go to defend the human lands with Harry here. I have long dreamt of visiting outside of our lands alone. I want to see other humans and help against Voldemort."
"Yes, agreed, except I want to see everybody again, I left so many friends when I came here. They are going to be so upset with me for leaving. I wonder if they will take me back?"
"You needn't worry Harry, if they really are your friends they will take you back, maybe with a little hesitation, but they will all the same. I can't wait to meet your friends either, especially this Angie you keep telling us about," encouraged Alhoma.
"Thanks Alhoma - well, lets go get our horses and go huh?"
"Yeppers!" exclaimed a hyperactive Alhoma as she sprinted off towards the stables, Legoril and Harry closely behind.
Harry was the last one to the stables (elves are quick) and when he finally got there he saw the other two with their horses, Legoril with his brown stallion Drake and Alhoma with her white Sunnhet. Then he saw his horse, Magisk. Magisk was a brown stallion of immense proportions, twin to Drake. He was trained to be a warhorse, and was an effective fighter by himself. With Harry on him, they made a near unstoppable team.
After putting his bow and staff into their respective spots on the saddle, Harry mounted Magisk. Legoril and Alhoma mounted their horses and the three tore off through the camp and entered the wilderness, heading towards the nearest elven town. They were roughly thirty minutes down the road when Harry decided to slow the pace and give the horses a rest; Magisk certainly didn't mind and slowed to a walk, Drake and Sunnhet followed suit.
"Harry?" started Legoril, "Do you have any idea where to find a forest wyvern's nest?"
"Nope, you?"
"No, how about you Alhoma?"
"I have absolutely no id- " she stopped abruptly as a bloodcurdling scream rang in the distance. Instantly the three had out their weapons, Harry his staff, Legoril his bow, and Alhoma had out her sword. There was a few moments of silence before the scream rang out again.
"Sounds like trouble. Should we investigate?" asked Alhoma tentatively.
"Yes," answered Legoril, "but go along quietly. Leave the horses here." The others nodded and they unsaddled and started off into the woods in the direction of the scream, bringing their full arsenals along with them. They did not have to travel far before they heard something come crashing through the thick underbrush directly at them, and all prepared to attack. What came out however, surprised them. It was a terrified elven female who had many wounds across her body.
At the sight of the four she murmured, "Please help me," and she fainted.
"Alhoma, check her out, help her in any way you can," barked Harry, "Legoril, lets find what did this to her."
Legoril nodded his agreement and silently crept after Harry. Both elf and man kept their senses strained to the limit to pick up any whiff of any creature, anything, when they heard it, flapping. They both looked into the air above them and genuine fear showed on both faces, a wyvern of massive proportions was flying directly above them, eyeing them.
"Well, I guess we found that wyvern -" said Harry dismally. Legoril immediately sprang into action and launched three arrows in succession up at the beast, the first two tore through the membrane of the wings and the third one struck the beast in its long neck. It roared its challenge to those who dared to harm it and swept down to crush the tiny beings.
As it came swooping down, Legoril and Harry jumped out of the way, and its jaws snapped on air. It began to rise again in order to make another decent and Legoril took the opportunity to fire a few more arrows, Harry on the other hand began an incantation, "Maeg khelek rip yassen naur," instantly shards of ice laced in flame shot up at the wyvern and punctured it in many places, the flame igniting its slimy skin. The wyvern screamed in pain and dove again towards the duo, but its strength was failing. The two dodged the wyvern's attack once again and took out their swords to finish it. The wyvern tried to pull up out of the dive, but its injured body could not provide the strength, so it was trapped upon the ground with his foes. Desperately, the wyvern tried to bite its opponents, but they were quick. Legoril and Harry ducked in and out of the wyvern's flailing claws, head, and tail, all the while stabbing it with their swords. The wyvern sensing defeat made one last-ditch effort to rid itself of its attackers, while distracting the two with its head it brought its tail around swinging. Harry did not have enough time to duck out of the way when he felt the spines of the tail pierce his flesh all along his side.
"No!" cried Legoril as he jumped up past the wyvern's tail and onto its neck. There with one mighty blow driven by adrenalin, he swept the mighty creature's head off in one blow. Seeing that the creature was dead he yelled, "Alhoma! We need your help!" within seconds she was at Harry's side mumbling.
"This does not look good. Wyvern poison is deadly and I must act quickly. Legoril, start a fire and boil water. Drop these leaves," she handed him two leaves that were star-shaped, "into the boiling water and stir. Then ask me what to do." Legoril instantly set about on his task. Alhoma lifted Harry's head and gazed into his eyes, they were beginning to glaze. "Come on Harry, hold on," she whispered. Soon she heard rustling and looked up to find the elven maiden that they had rescued standing next to her looking down at Harry.
"Will - will he be alright?" she asked tentatively.
"I don't know, wyvern poison is very fast acting and very deadly."
The elven maiden took a potion out of her belt and handed it to Alhoma, "Here, this is a potion to slow the effects of poisons. It should help him while you brew the antidote." Alhoma nodded her thanks and after eyeing the potion to make sure that it really was a slow poison potion she dumped it down Harry's throat.
"Do you think that you could show us the location of the wyvern's nest? We need one of its eggs."
"Sure, I think I remember."
About thirty minutes later, "Alhoma! What do I do now?" cried Legoril from about twenty feet away. Alhoma rushed over to his side leaving Harry alone with the elf maiden. Minutes later Alhoma came back and dumped the concoction down Harry's throat and Harry started to look better almost instantly.
"That should do it. Thank you for the use of the potion, it may have saved his life. We will stay here overnight and then you can show us where the nest is."
"Alright."
Legoril set up camp and volunteered for first watch, the other two fell asleep quickly. Legoril sat with Harry, continually watching for his wakening. Within an hour Legoril's eyes were beginning to droop. His was starting to nod when he heard shifting next to him, he looked down and saw Harry looking up at him.
"Hello - my fried," said Harry in elvish, "good to see you again."
"Shhh Harry - don't waste your energy, sleep." Harry soon heeded the advice and was sound asleep again. Legoril awoke Alhoma for her watch and smiling told her that Harry had awoken.
"Sooner than he should have. that's for sure. But thank the gods he's alright." Alhoma took her watch and stood stoically by the fire for two hours before succumbing to sleep.
The next day the three elves awoke to find their human companion already up and making breakfast. His two friends hugged him and the even maiden gave a slight wave. "Harry, I'm so glad you are alright. That wyvern really gave you a nasty swipe there," commented Legoril.
"Yeah, just some more scars to add to my collection," said Harry with a smile. Can we find this thing's nest?" he asked.
"Yeah," Alhoma pointed to the maiden, Ezra told me that she'd show us the way.
"Good," came the reply, "lead on."
It was a good three hours later before the group finally reached the lair of the wyvern. It was a cave in the middle of the forest. Its mouth opened up in a small grove between the mighty trees and the group entered cautiously. As they ventured further and further inside, the stench of the place became worse and worse. Harry almost threw up at one point and began to gag.
"We better find the bottom of this place soon because if we don't, I don't know what I'm gonna do. I'll go crazy in this stench," supplied Harry.
"No kidding," said Legoril holding his nose, "you can't even stop the stench if you hold your nose, it come in right through your mouth."
"Listen you two - no use complaining about what we can't stop," yelled Alhoma getting fed up with the complaining, "I know that it stinks, but - see here is the bottom."
Harry looked around and seeing nothing conjured a ball of flame. This lit the room and the quartet looked around amazed. The cave had obviously once been inhabited by elves. There were weapons lining the walls and walls and doors. There were even elven emblems blazoned upon the crumbling walls. Harry's attention was caught however by the horrible sight in the center of the cave, it was obviously the wyvern's nest. It was decorated with the bones and skulls of elves and humans alike. It was covered, like everything else down there, with a green fluorescent slime. However, in the middle of the nest, two eggs could be seen, they were glowing gold. Harry slowly went over to them and levitated them out of the nest. The others came over as well.
"Stand together," Harry told them. They did without much hesitation. "Rip lye eph lu i' fela," he whispered and instantly the air around the group began to swirl and it lifted them and the eggs all out of the wretched cave. Very soon the four were standing on the main road where Legoril, Alhoma, and Harry had left their horses. It was here that they said good- bye to Ezra and mounting their horses set off back to their camp.
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They set off at a slow pace as to not aggravate their horses and arrived back at the camp in just about two hours. To their glee Nel'shira nearly fell off of his feet when he saw them returned so quickly.
"Wha - Ho - How did you get back so fast?" he asked them.
"Oh, we got lucky, about twenty miles down the road an elven woman had escaped from a wyvern's nest and after defeating the creature we were led to its nest. We brought these for you," said Harry floating the eggs over to Nel'shira.
"Uh, yes, just - just float them into my tent over there. Good job. Ummm - well I guess take the rest of the day off," said Nel'shira still looking at them incredulously. The three bowed to him and left him standing staring after them. As they reached their barracks they cracked into laughter.
"Did - did you see the look on his face?" Harry managed to get out.
"Yeah - that was so classic," added Angie through her laughter.
"No kidding - we could have sold tickets to that!" After their laughter had died down Harry asked if the others wanted to duel.
"No way, don't you remember last time. you almost killed me!" said Legoril waving his hands defensively.
"I did not!" announce Harry, "I merely knocked the wind out of you with the suffocating curse."
"Exactly, suffocating curse! Do you know how dangerous that is?!"
"Yes - I was controlling it well, you didn't have to worry."
"DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY?! You weren't letting me breathe!"
"Okay, okay, you win. We won't due -"
"Taur'ohtar," the three snapped to attention as Nel'shira came over. He never addressed them as such unless what he was going to tell them was very important. "You have successfully completed the quest that I have sent you upon, and what I have found I think brings even more haste to my decision. I have found the wyvern eggs to be corrupted by black magic. Voldemort has tainted the eggs of all naturally evil creatures so that they will become more powerful and bloodthirsty. We cannot allow him to continue in this. He grows too powerful and the human resistance too weak. You must all go - tonight." He turned and left.
Harry gave a leap of joy and began to smile uncontrollably. Four long years he had been away from his friends, his school, his very people. Now he would come to them again. But questions rang out in his head: What if they don't accept me back? How long has it been for them? What if they don't recognize me? How should we travel? How will humans react to Legoril and Alhoma, them being elves? How are we gonna defeat Voldemort? These questions plagued Harry as he readied himself for the journey. Soon he was packed, his sword, his staff, his bow, his daggers, his suit, rations, potion ingredients, and other gear, all in bags on Magisk. He mounted his faithful steed and with a reassuring pat said, "Don't worry boy, I am going home."
His friends chose this time to walk over and when they announced themselves ready Nel'shira muttered the incantation to transport them back to the realm of humans.
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Harry felt his soul being torn from his body as the curse hit him. The experience was the most painful that Harry could have ever imagined, far worse than the cruatious curse, but it didn't last nearly as long. However, the magic that he had called upon before the battle prevented his soul from escaping. He felt as though he was being pulled along a path, where he was going, he didn't know. Suddenly the pulling sensation stopped and he look around. He was in the middle of a forest, a forest that he felt that he recognized.
"Harry." Harry spun around and had his hands pointed at the speaker, ready to blow them into oblivion should they attack him, but what he saw startled him greatly, and recognizing who the speaker was cause him to put down his hands.
"Hello Nel'shira," said Harry bowing to his teacher.
"Hello Harry, I am so glad that you made the journey safely," said his mentor as he threw his arms around Harry in a joyous embrace. "You have done it Harry, I almost thought that you would fail, but you did it."
"Did what Nel'shira?"
"Conquer death Harry, you conquered the last hurtle before you can master all of your powers as a death elemental."
Harry's jaw dropped at this news. "You mean, I'm - you're not dead?"
"That is exactly what I mean lad," replied Nel'shira smiling. "In fact, far from it. The magic that I had you cast was a rare mixture of death and nature magic. The death part allowed you to control your own death, and the nature part sent your body here, well, it sent your real body here and made a dead clone to leave behind." "Here? Where is here?"
"Welcome Harry Potter, to the land of the elves." With this statement Nel'shira waved his hand and the trees in front of him disappeared, leaving a vast city revealed, a city of elves. Harry couldn't help but marvel at the city, so beautiful was it. The buildings were made of wood coaxed into forming itself into shapes by nature magic and rose marble. The result was beauty so stunning that Harry couldn't hold back a whistle.
"You are an elf? Why did you tell me that you were a druid?"
"I could not reveal myself as such because of the tensions it would cause if you had told someone. You see, elves are not well liked where you come from."
"Why not? Your cities are beautiful, and I've heard wonders about your people's arts and crafts."
"I hoped that you would understand," said Nel'shira calmly, "and that you would like the city, for this is where you will finish your training. This land is another world Harry. Mortals cannot easily access it, which is why your people dislike and distrust us. We will rarely allow them into our lands. I have allowed you access because the danger is great. Voldemort seeks a way to enter our lands, and he must be stopped."
"Nel'shira - but my friends."
"Hush Harry, your friends will be fine. You must finish your training and become a war mage so that you may defeat the darkness that is overpowering your lands and threatening ours. You will age while you are here Harry, but very little time will pass in your lands. I will warn you now, your people will be hard pressed to believe that you are alive, yet alone many years more knowledgeable." "I understand Nel'shira, please teach me."
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[4 years later]
(A/N: sorry about the time skip, but I want to try to make this fic a little bit more realistic time-wise. Please forgive me ()
"Legoril! Wait up!" cried Harry as he jumped over a fallen log in pursuit of his friend. Harry had met Legoril not long after arriving in the elven kingdom. He had stood by Harry when most turned away from this 'stranger.' Harry and Legoril had become great friends over the course of their training together under Nel'shira and Harry was presently with his friend on the hunt.
"Shhh," came a voice from nearby as Harry moved through the underbrush.
"Legoril?" Harry whispered, "What is it?"
"There are a few dear up ahead in the clearing. Come with me, be quiet, and we'll see if we cannot come home with a catch tonight." Legoril smiled at his friend. Legoril and Harry silently crept through the forest up to the clearing that Legoril had mentioned. Sure enough there were five dear grazing.
"Should I trap them in there?" Harry asked his friend.
"No, I think we will only take one, and for that we just need our hunting skills, no magic involved." Legoril pulled his bow out from its holder on his back and then notched an arrow from his quiver. Harry did the same, and then he fired, hitting the largest male. The other four deer fled but the male was wounded too badly, Harry's arrow had taken it in the chest. As it clumsily tried to run off Legoril let loose his arrow, killing it instantly.
"Woo-hoo!" Harry cried and he gave Legoril a high five. Legoril accepted the high five awkwardly as it was a human custom he had yet to get used to. He smiled however, and started out to collect their kill. As the two skipped along ecstatically, it had been two months since their last kill, Harry asked, "How are we gonna get this thing back to the camp?"
Both stopped, "Damn," started Legoril, "I guess the biggest one wasn't the best choice eh?"
"Guess not," came the glum reply. "Oh well! I bet no one else got a stag this big!"
"You're right, and it shouldn't be too hard to get this thing back. We just need a little magic to assist us," Legoril added slyly. "I'm sure that you would be, more than willing, to help"
"Of course," came the ominous reply. Harry began to mumble under his breath, very quietly so that Legoril couldn't hear the words. Legoril had always tried to learn this spell, but Harry had yet to teach him, and it was out of the question to ask Nel'shira. He didn't even know Harry could cast it. It was a very dangerous spell, if one thing went wrong death was almost assured. Harry began to mumble faster and faster, and Legoril briefly wondered (for the millionth time) where Harry had learned the spell to begin with. The wind picked up around Harry and Legoril and Harry stopped mumbling. The wind continued to blow, faster and faster, until it lifted Harry, Legoril, and the dead stag off the ground and propelled them through the air towards their camp.
Legoril never ceased to be amazed at the view from the sky. He could only gape as he and Harry soared over the tops of the trees beneath them. Soon, the air began to slow, and the two were lowered to the earth a safe distance from the camp. As they gleefully unloaded their kill Legoril suddenly raised his hand in warning. Instantly the two of them became silent, Harry cast a couple of wandless shielding and protection charms on the both of them. Legoril brought out his bow and notched an arrow, Harry loosened his battle garb so that if need be he could grab his hidden daggers at a moments notice. The two became very still, looking around trying to discern where the intruder was, then Harry and Legoril heard a twig snap to their right and a second later a throwing knife and arrow were buried into a tree at that point.
Suddenly a female elf jumped out of the bush yelling 'RAHHH' and then falling to the ground laughing. "Man! You should have seen your faces! You two become WAY to serious when you sense any possible danger at all. Loosen up!"
Harry looking disgusted went to retrieve his knife and Legoril's arrow while Legoril took up the chastising. "ALOHMA! You could have been killed! Do you realize that if Harry and I had been trying to hit you back there instead of trying to scare you out you would be dead right now?! Never sneak up on us like that again! I saw Harry reaching for his second knife when you jumped out and I already had another arrow notched! Dammit Alhoma, we could have killed you so easily there. Please don't do that again, I care too much about you." At this Alhoma went silent and Harry added his agreement.
"I'm sorry, just trying to have a bit of fun." "I know," started Harry, "but please don't do that to us again, you have no idea how badly I would have felt if anything happened to you."
"Okay."
"But," began Legoril, "now that the lecture is over, as your punishment you can help us carry this stag to camp." He began smiling. "Don't worry, we won't mention it to the masters," she looked up and grinned, "provided you help us with that," he gestured to the stag and her grin faded. Both Harry and Legoril laughed at Alhoma's dismal expression.
Soon the three had lugged the heavy elk carcass to the border of the camp and Nel'shira greeted them. "Hello my apprentices. It is well that you have returned - and with such a catch! Well, we shall not have to worry about food for a while to come now shall we?"
The three bowed to him and answered in the affirmative and Nel'shira continued. "I have been in slight contact with the outside world," at this Harry's eyes lit up, "and have found that the forces of light there are in much trouble. There are few safe havens anymore and it seems that the people have lost much hope. Harry, even with your friends leading them, the forces of light need all of you, and I must admit, however hesitantly, that you have all been exceptional in your training. I think, that it may be time. You must all return, however, you must keep a low profile at the same time.
"Legoril - your mastery of weapons has passed many of the teacher's masteries of the same weapons. You know how to handle many weapons that most would not even touch. Your archery is enviable and your knowledge of elven and dwarven war magic is more than formidable.
"Alhoma - your mastery of healing has surpassed mine. No, don't be surprised; I was not trained to be a healer. I believe these two will require your aid on many occasions in the times ahead. Your mastery of defensive spells, of all races is amazing; I know that with your help, the last vestiges of hope in the human lands will be safe.
"And you Harry - you have finished your training in your elemental powers. You are quite strong. You have mastered wandless magic and I believe you have stopped carrying your wand long ago." At this Harry smiled. "Yes - I know that you are ready to face the challenges ahead. You have also mastered smaller weapons to be used for your defense, I for one would not want to be the target of one of your throwing knives. With your dearest friends to help you," Nel'shira gestured to Alhoma and Legoril, "you will overcome all challenges. I have faith in you all remember that. You will not fail in this I can feel it.
"All three of you must embark on one last quest before I may deem you ready to leave back for the human lands. You must recover for me an egg of a forest wyvern. I will not tell you where a nest is - you must discover that yourselves. After this quest you will all truly be ready for what is to come."
The three bowed to Nel'shira answering, "Yes master." All three however, were feeling far more excitement than any showed. As they went to their dorm to retrieve the necessary supplies and equipment they began to talk about what may be in store for them, and how each felt a desire to go to the human lands, or to return in Harry's case. As they entered the dorm each went to their respective rooms and began to gather their stuff.
As Harry entered his room he sank down onto his bed with a blissful sigh. 'I am going to go home - I am going to go home,' kept running through his head as he slowly got off of his bed and grabbed his equipment. First he grabbed his war bow. The shaft of this bow was made of dragon bone set in gold and platinum, the string made from the mane of a black unicorn. It was modeled after old Egyptian composite bows, and stood at three-and-a- half feet tall. The arrows were specially made from arbutus wood, the hardest wood that could be found. The arrowheads made from diamond so that they could be charmed with different spells: accuracy, explosion, poison, and freezing were the favorites of Harry. Harry shrunk both the bow and arrows and put them in their holder along his back. Then he picked up his sword. It was a deep silver, the color which it took from the metal of a fallen star, a meteor which Harry had seen fall from the sky in his first year of being in the elven lands. He had quickly apparated into the general area of the landing and searched for a full day before he found the meteor. It had still been hot and was a bright reddish-silver. He had transported it with the help of his magic. This however, was not as easy as it had seemed it would be because of the meteor's natural resistance to the magical forces that Harry was using on it. It had taken Harry two days to get the meteor back to the elven city, where he had been based with Nel'shira and Legoril at the time. The sword had been fashioned by an admired elven smith for Harry and was strengthened, sharpened, and otherwise enchanted by Harry, Nel'shira, and the smith himself. Its blade was harder than diamond and much sharper, and its hilt was made of blackrock ore. The pitch-black hilt contrasted sharply with the silver hue of the blade itself. He strapped the blade across his back under his shrunken bow. Then he donned his battle garb. This was the same outfit that he had worn that fateful day four long years ago. He slipped his knives, which he had newly poisoned, into their sheaths inside his battle garb, and strapped a belt on, into which he slipped various potions. Finally, Harry lifted his staff. This object was his pride and joy. He had created it himself one year ago after achieving journeyman status. It was made of a compressed and polished piece of driftwood. It was black in color and was so hard that many mistook it for being made of metal. Into the shaft of the staff there were carved elven runes of power. These runes contained the secrets of the staff, which could be used to channel magic from one object or person to another. The staff could hold spells that one would not normally be able to cast because of the enormous amounts of power required. Roughly halfway up the shaft small diamonds were placed in random positions, first far apart, then slowly getting closer together, so as to give the impression of space, an area of few stars and an area of a high concentration. The top of the staff was emblazoned by a large piece of Fire Opal. This bright reddish-orange gemstone was professionally cut into a skull, and finely complimented the rich black shaft of the staff. Harry turned it over in his hands before putting it with his other equipment.
After readying himself he stepped in front of a mirror to see himself. The four years spent away from home had not been kind to him. He bore many scars from the various missions that he had been sent on, including a particularly nasty set on his back from being raked by a griffin two years back. His face had been hardened and was no longer the helpless little boy he had been in his fourth year. His eyes had lost a little of their gleam, they were not their bright emerald green anymore, the years of training had turned them dull. But in those eyes power could be seen, and many who looked into them felt a slight chill travel up their spines.
The years of training had filled out Harry's muscles very nicely, and he doubted that any of his old friends, or even his teachers, would be able to match him in any form of combat, most of which he had mastered. He stood at 6'1" and his posture was well disciplined. He could be threatening, friendly, or plain dangerous if need be. All these details didn't matter for the moment however because Harry needed to change his appearance so that he would not be harassed by elves (he was as much of a celebrity in the elven lands as he was in his own land). So, using the powers he had inherited from his ancestor Godric Gryfindor he shape shifted into his favorite alternate ego, under which he was known as 'Nkari' (pronounced N? Car ?).
Quickly he changed his appearance and his face changed. His green eyes melted into gray with golden edges. His chin and cheekbones became less pronounced and his hair became short and spiked, frosted on the tips. Finally his scar disappeared. This was how he traveled, in anonymity. After changing his appearance he exited the dorms and waited outside for his friends.
Harry did not have to wait long less than five minutes later Legoril came out and waved at Harry who smiled back. "Hello - Nkari," said Legoril smiling.
"Legoril, I swear, if you ever call me that when it is not necessary again, I may have to kill you," answered Harry with a grin on his face. Legoril could only grin back as they waited for Alhoma to come out. "What is taking her so long do you think?"
"I don't know, she is a girl, they always like to do unnecessary things I think."
"True, true," said Harry softly. He was thinking about his friends at home, and how they must miss him. 'I wonder how long it has been for them?' he thought to himself. 'It's been far to long for me.'
"Hi guys!" Harry was snapped out of his thoughts as Alhoma came bounding out of the dorm, she had put some of her hair in a bun in the back and let the rest hand, so that it would not get in her way should she have to see peripherally. "You ready to go?"
"Of course," said Legoril brightly, "I am anxious to finish this last of missions and then go to defend the human lands with Harry here. I have long dreamt of visiting outside of our lands alone. I want to see other humans and help against Voldemort."
"Yes, agreed, except I want to see everybody again, I left so many friends when I came here. They are going to be so upset with me for leaving. I wonder if they will take me back?"
"You needn't worry Harry, if they really are your friends they will take you back, maybe with a little hesitation, but they will all the same. I can't wait to meet your friends either, especially this Angie you keep telling us about," encouraged Alhoma.
"Thanks Alhoma - well, lets go get our horses and go huh?"
"Yeppers!" exclaimed a hyperactive Alhoma as she sprinted off towards the stables, Legoril and Harry closely behind.
Harry was the last one to the stables (elves are quick) and when he finally got there he saw the other two with their horses, Legoril with his brown stallion Drake and Alhoma with her white Sunnhet. Then he saw his horse, Magisk. Magisk was a brown stallion of immense proportions, twin to Drake. He was trained to be a warhorse, and was an effective fighter by himself. With Harry on him, they made a near unstoppable team.
After putting his bow and staff into their respective spots on the saddle, Harry mounted Magisk. Legoril and Alhoma mounted their horses and the three tore off through the camp and entered the wilderness, heading towards the nearest elven town. They were roughly thirty minutes down the road when Harry decided to slow the pace and give the horses a rest; Magisk certainly didn't mind and slowed to a walk, Drake and Sunnhet followed suit.
"Harry?" started Legoril, "Do you have any idea where to find a forest wyvern's nest?"
"Nope, you?"
"No, how about you Alhoma?"
"I have absolutely no id- " she stopped abruptly as a bloodcurdling scream rang in the distance. Instantly the three had out their weapons, Harry his staff, Legoril his bow, and Alhoma had out her sword. There was a few moments of silence before the scream rang out again.
"Sounds like trouble. Should we investigate?" asked Alhoma tentatively.
"Yes," answered Legoril, "but go along quietly. Leave the horses here." The others nodded and they unsaddled and started off into the woods in the direction of the scream, bringing their full arsenals along with them. They did not have to travel far before they heard something come crashing through the thick underbrush directly at them, and all prepared to attack. What came out however, surprised them. It was a terrified elven female who had many wounds across her body.
At the sight of the four she murmured, "Please help me," and she fainted.
"Alhoma, check her out, help her in any way you can," barked Harry, "Legoril, lets find what did this to her."
Legoril nodded his agreement and silently crept after Harry. Both elf and man kept their senses strained to the limit to pick up any whiff of any creature, anything, when they heard it, flapping. They both looked into the air above them and genuine fear showed on both faces, a wyvern of massive proportions was flying directly above them, eyeing them.
"Well, I guess we found that wyvern -" said Harry dismally. Legoril immediately sprang into action and launched three arrows in succession up at the beast, the first two tore through the membrane of the wings and the third one struck the beast in its long neck. It roared its challenge to those who dared to harm it and swept down to crush the tiny beings.
As it came swooping down, Legoril and Harry jumped out of the way, and its jaws snapped on air. It began to rise again in order to make another decent and Legoril took the opportunity to fire a few more arrows, Harry on the other hand began an incantation, "Maeg khelek rip yassen naur," instantly shards of ice laced in flame shot up at the wyvern and punctured it in many places, the flame igniting its slimy skin. The wyvern screamed in pain and dove again towards the duo, but its strength was failing. The two dodged the wyvern's attack once again and took out their swords to finish it. The wyvern tried to pull up out of the dive, but its injured body could not provide the strength, so it was trapped upon the ground with his foes. Desperately, the wyvern tried to bite its opponents, but they were quick. Legoril and Harry ducked in and out of the wyvern's flailing claws, head, and tail, all the while stabbing it with their swords. The wyvern sensing defeat made one last-ditch effort to rid itself of its attackers, while distracting the two with its head it brought its tail around swinging. Harry did not have enough time to duck out of the way when he felt the spines of the tail pierce his flesh all along his side.
"No!" cried Legoril as he jumped up past the wyvern's tail and onto its neck. There with one mighty blow driven by adrenalin, he swept the mighty creature's head off in one blow. Seeing that the creature was dead he yelled, "Alhoma! We need your help!" within seconds she was at Harry's side mumbling.
"This does not look good. Wyvern poison is deadly and I must act quickly. Legoril, start a fire and boil water. Drop these leaves," she handed him two leaves that were star-shaped, "into the boiling water and stir. Then ask me what to do." Legoril instantly set about on his task. Alhoma lifted Harry's head and gazed into his eyes, they were beginning to glaze. "Come on Harry, hold on," she whispered. Soon she heard rustling and looked up to find the elven maiden that they had rescued standing next to her looking down at Harry.
"Will - will he be alright?" she asked tentatively.
"I don't know, wyvern poison is very fast acting and very deadly."
The elven maiden took a potion out of her belt and handed it to Alhoma, "Here, this is a potion to slow the effects of poisons. It should help him while you brew the antidote." Alhoma nodded her thanks and after eyeing the potion to make sure that it really was a slow poison potion she dumped it down Harry's throat.
"Do you think that you could show us the location of the wyvern's nest? We need one of its eggs."
"Sure, I think I remember."
About thirty minutes later, "Alhoma! What do I do now?" cried Legoril from about twenty feet away. Alhoma rushed over to his side leaving Harry alone with the elf maiden. Minutes later Alhoma came back and dumped the concoction down Harry's throat and Harry started to look better almost instantly.
"That should do it. Thank you for the use of the potion, it may have saved his life. We will stay here overnight and then you can show us where the nest is."
"Alright."
Legoril set up camp and volunteered for first watch, the other two fell asleep quickly. Legoril sat with Harry, continually watching for his wakening. Within an hour Legoril's eyes were beginning to droop. His was starting to nod when he heard shifting next to him, he looked down and saw Harry looking up at him.
"Hello - my fried," said Harry in elvish, "good to see you again."
"Shhh Harry - don't waste your energy, sleep." Harry soon heeded the advice and was sound asleep again. Legoril awoke Alhoma for her watch and smiling told her that Harry had awoken.
"Sooner than he should have. that's for sure. But thank the gods he's alright." Alhoma took her watch and stood stoically by the fire for two hours before succumbing to sleep.
The next day the three elves awoke to find their human companion already up and making breakfast. His two friends hugged him and the even maiden gave a slight wave. "Harry, I'm so glad you are alright. That wyvern really gave you a nasty swipe there," commented Legoril.
"Yeah, just some more scars to add to my collection," said Harry with a smile. Can we find this thing's nest?" he asked.
"Yeah," Alhoma pointed to the maiden, Ezra told me that she'd show us the way.
"Good," came the reply, "lead on."
It was a good three hours later before the group finally reached the lair of the wyvern. It was a cave in the middle of the forest. Its mouth opened up in a small grove between the mighty trees and the group entered cautiously. As they ventured further and further inside, the stench of the place became worse and worse. Harry almost threw up at one point and began to gag.
"We better find the bottom of this place soon because if we don't, I don't know what I'm gonna do. I'll go crazy in this stench," supplied Harry.
"No kidding," said Legoril holding his nose, "you can't even stop the stench if you hold your nose, it come in right through your mouth."
"Listen you two - no use complaining about what we can't stop," yelled Alhoma getting fed up with the complaining, "I know that it stinks, but - see here is the bottom."
Harry looked around and seeing nothing conjured a ball of flame. This lit the room and the quartet looked around amazed. The cave had obviously once been inhabited by elves. There were weapons lining the walls and walls and doors. There were even elven emblems blazoned upon the crumbling walls. Harry's attention was caught however by the horrible sight in the center of the cave, it was obviously the wyvern's nest. It was decorated with the bones and skulls of elves and humans alike. It was covered, like everything else down there, with a green fluorescent slime. However, in the middle of the nest, two eggs could be seen, they were glowing gold. Harry slowly went over to them and levitated them out of the nest. The others came over as well.
"Stand together," Harry told them. They did without much hesitation. "Rip lye eph lu i' fela," he whispered and instantly the air around the group began to swirl and it lifted them and the eggs all out of the wretched cave. Very soon the four were standing on the main road where Legoril, Alhoma, and Harry had left their horses. It was here that they said good- bye to Ezra and mounting their horses set off back to their camp.
***********
They set off at a slow pace as to not aggravate their horses and arrived back at the camp in just about two hours. To their glee Nel'shira nearly fell off of his feet when he saw them returned so quickly.
"Wha - Ho - How did you get back so fast?" he asked them.
"Oh, we got lucky, about twenty miles down the road an elven woman had escaped from a wyvern's nest and after defeating the creature we were led to its nest. We brought these for you," said Harry floating the eggs over to Nel'shira.
"Uh, yes, just - just float them into my tent over there. Good job. Ummm - well I guess take the rest of the day off," said Nel'shira still looking at them incredulously. The three bowed to him and left him standing staring after them. As they reached their barracks they cracked into laughter.
"Did - did you see the look on his face?" Harry managed to get out.
"Yeah - that was so classic," added Angie through her laughter.
"No kidding - we could have sold tickets to that!" After their laughter had died down Harry asked if the others wanted to duel.
"No way, don't you remember last time. you almost killed me!" said Legoril waving his hands defensively.
"I did not!" announce Harry, "I merely knocked the wind out of you with the suffocating curse."
"Exactly, suffocating curse! Do you know how dangerous that is?!"
"Yes - I was controlling it well, you didn't have to worry."
"DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY?! You weren't letting me breathe!"
"Okay, okay, you win. We won't due -"
"Taur'ohtar," the three snapped to attention as Nel'shira came over. He never addressed them as such unless what he was going to tell them was very important. "You have successfully completed the quest that I have sent you upon, and what I have found I think brings even more haste to my decision. I have found the wyvern eggs to be corrupted by black magic. Voldemort has tainted the eggs of all naturally evil creatures so that they will become more powerful and bloodthirsty. We cannot allow him to continue in this. He grows too powerful and the human resistance too weak. You must all go - tonight." He turned and left.
Harry gave a leap of joy and began to smile uncontrollably. Four long years he had been away from his friends, his school, his very people. Now he would come to them again. But questions rang out in his head: What if they don't accept me back? How long has it been for them? What if they don't recognize me? How should we travel? How will humans react to Legoril and Alhoma, them being elves? How are we gonna defeat Voldemort? These questions plagued Harry as he readied himself for the journey. Soon he was packed, his sword, his staff, his bow, his daggers, his suit, rations, potion ingredients, and other gear, all in bags on Magisk. He mounted his faithful steed and with a reassuring pat said, "Don't worry boy, I am going home."
His friends chose this time to walk over and when they announced themselves ready Nel'shira muttered the incantation to transport them back to the realm of humans.
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