NOTE: I still love all my reviewers! You're the one reason why this chapter
exists. I love Tolkien too. but his characters just keep getting harder!!
Well, here we go anyway. Enter the Hobbits.
Oh yes, one more thing. I award one thousand Galleons to Ravenclaw42. You guessed right! Well, halfway at least! And thanks for reading my fic! I'm still very honoured that you like it!
Okay, no more delays.
All of them whirled around to see two little boys running towards them. At least, they looked like boys to Harry at first. On a second glance he saw that one of them was dressed like a guard of the citadel - in black and silver, with a tree in flower on the front. The other was in green and white, the livery of guards of, apparently, another kingdom. He also noticed that their faces looked much too old to be boys, whatever their stature.
"Merry! Pippin!" cried the Elf and Dwarf.
Harry, Ron and Hermione had to leap out of the way as the two small beings slammed into their guides to embrace them.
"What are you two doing here?" asked the one in white and green.
"We could ask the same of you!" replied Gimli.
"We're visiting Strider, of course!" replied the one in black and silver. "We." he trailed off, looking behind Legolas at the strangers, who looked right back at him with equal curiosity.
"What are you?" they all asked at the same time.
"We're Hobbits!" replied the small men as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"You're what?" asked Harry. He was becoming increasingly aware of how strange he and his friends really were to this land. It was something that hadn't really sunk in yet- that they were in a whole other world.
"Hobbits! Halflings then!" said the citadel guard pleasantly, "I'm Peregrin Took, Pippin if you please, son of Paladin. Surely you know that the Tooks are a very prominent family in the Shire, after all, Bandobras the Bullroarer-"
The other little- thing- Hobbit- bonked Pippin on the head. "Quiet, Pip!"
Pippin rubbed his head and shot him a rueful look. "This is Merry Brandybuck" he added.
"I'm Harry Potter," said Harry. "These are my best friends Ron Weasley and- "
"Hermione Granger." Interrupted Hermione excitedly. "Now you two could pass off as elves if you wanted to."
Merry and Pippin burst out laughing, "Elves?" cried Merry, "I know we're tall for our age, but I don't think we look at all like Elves!"
"Anyway, what are you three?" asked Pippin, recovering.
"They are children of Men," said Legolas.
Pippin walked up to Harry. "Men? I'm almost as tall as he is! I've seen boys a lot taller!" He looked at Ron. "He could almost be a man, but she's too short too!"
"I am not!" glowered Hermione, while Ron beamed. "I am at a perfectly normal height for any fifteen year old!"
"Fifteen?" asked Merry. "You certainly don't look it!"
"Well I am!"
"But-"
"Can we talk about this later?" asked Pippin, "I'm hungry!"
"For once I agree with you," said Gimli.
Pippin lead the way across a courtyard, at the center of which was a fountain, and a beautiful tree in full bloom. Its leaves were long, dark above and glittered silver beneath. Flowers it held, pure white and shining in the sun. It was unlike any tree Harry had ever seen, and the feeling that they did not belong grew.
"What species of tree is that?" asked Hermione curiously.
"Hermione, d'you honestly think these people know what a species is?" asked Ron.
"That is a likeness of Nimloth the Fair, " said Legolas, "Brought by Elendil the Tall from NĂºmenor before its downfall."
"What?" asked Ron in a whisper.
"An important tree" muttered Gimli, making sure Legolas heard him. The tall supposed Elf only chuckled to himself.
The Hobbits came to a halt before a great door.
"I'd better go see if Strider will see you," said Pippin importantly, and slipped inside.
"Um.Legolas?" asked Harry, "Who exactly is 'Strider'?"
"He is the King, Elessar Telcontar, Lord of the lands West of the Great Sea."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Peregrin Took entered into the Hall of The King with a little fear. When he'd arrived a day ago, Strider had met him and Merry in the courtyard, and there had been no need to enter the Hall, which was all well and good, in his opinion. The last time he'd been inside was with Gandalf, in the days when Denethor was Steward and the Darkness was spreading. The Hall had changed since then- it was not so cold and forbidding, and the fear left Pippin quite quickly.
It was lit by deep windows in the wide aisles at either side, beyond the rows of tall pillars that upheld the roof. Single huge stones of black marble, they rose to great capitals carved in many strange figures of beasts and leaves. The hall was lined with great statues of the Kings of old, and they awed Pippin as much as they had the last time.
At the end of the Hall, upon a great throne, behind which was carved an image of the White tree, sat the King of Gondor, Aragorn, son of Arathorn; the Winged Crown upon his brow, and the scepter of AnnĂºminas in his hand. Pippin could scarcely believe that this was the same weather beaten Ranger who had asked to join Frodo, Sam, Merry and himself that night in Bree- he looked more of the king he was now, stern and noble.
He was glancing over a pile of manuscripts when the Hobbit entered, and didn't look up until Pippin was standing right at the foot of the stairs to the dais upon which the throne sat.
When he did look up, however, his keen grey eyes lit up.
"Master Peregrin, " he said, smiling, "Do you come to tell me of the strangers Legolas and Gimli seem to have in their company, or to tell me that you and Meriadoc Brandybuck have been playing tricks on the Guards again?"
Pippin grinned. Of course, he'd not been planning on telling Aragorn about the latter, but it was too late anyway.
"That was just a small misunderstanding, you understand." he explained, "but the matter of Legolas and Gimli- they do have strangers with them- three of them, in fact- they're right outside. Very queer folk, Sam would say, and I would agree, although I may not be the best of judges."
"Well then, I suggest you leave the judging to me, and invite them in." said Aragorn, "it is part of your duties as a knight of Gondor, you know."
~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"The.King?" repeated Harry, looking at his stained black robes and those of his friends, feeling they certainly didn't look fit to be brought before anyone, much less a King.
"I don't think we're properly dressed, do you?" asked Hermione nervously, trying to restore some order to her bushy brown hair as Harry tried to flatten his. Ron still had mud in his red locks.
"Hermione, you wouldn't happen to know any spells- " began Harry, but Legolas interrupted.
"Do not worry, for what King would be deceived by looks?" He said. Just then, Pippin came out again.
"And Strider is one person who would appreciate the mud stained look" added Merry with a smile.
"Why do you." Ron began, meaning to ask why the Hobbits were on a first name basis with the King, but he was interrupted when the huge doors swung open and they looked into the enormous Hall of the King.
It was all Harry could do to stop his mouth from dropping open like Ron's had. He didn't remember having been as overwhelmed as he was when looked into that huge chamber. The fading light that shone from the windows made the statues that lined the hall seemed look more imposing. Harry wondered if he'd ever felt so small before in his life, and decided it wasn't possible. The feeling of wonder didn't leave him when they approached the dais upon which the throne sat.
The King himself rose and descended to meet them. He had grey eyes that had a look that reminded Harry of Dumbledore; they gave an impression of great hidden strength and power that almost frightened him. At the same time, Harry felt ready to accept this man as his king. It was like he couldn't help but trust him. In fact, his smile of greeting relaxed him to a great extent.
"Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion" he said, embracing their companion like a brother.
"It has been long, Aranya," replied Legolas.
"Greetings to you as well, Gimli son of Gloin. I have heard that the beauty of the Glittering Caves has grown with the coming of your folk there."
"Then you have heard true, King Elessar," replied Gimli gruffly. " They are indeed more fair now than I would have imagined possible. But," he began, getting to business "We must first discuss another matter- these three children-"
The King nodded and said, "News travels quickly through the City, and the rumour of the Elven Prince and his friend the Dwarf arriving with three strange folk reached me by the time you entered the Citadel."
He turned toward the three, and Harry didn't know whether he should bow or something, so he just lowered his head respectfully, and perceived Ron and Hermione do the same.
"They seem to be from another world, Aragorn," said Legolas softly, "And their speech and clothing are truly not of any land I have ever seen.but I feel they are worthy of our trust."
"I agree with you, Legolas. Both about the fact that they are not of this world, and that they can be trusted." He looked at them and spoke, "You look weary, and I do not doubt that you are hungry. I have asked for rooms and baths to be prepared for you all, and I would be pleased if you would dine with us tonight."
Harry didn't know what to say- he'd never been invited to dinner by a king before. Apparently, neither had Ron and Hermione.
"And what about us?" demanded Gimli in a jesting tone, "Don't old friends get to eat as well?"
King Elessar laughed. "Hardly! I expected you to invite yourself, Master Dwarf!"
A servant appeared to lead Harry and his friends off to the room prepared for them, and they left, wondering how the two they'd crashed into were on such good terms with the King. More importantly, they wondered how on earth they got there.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Can you believe this?" asked Ron, as he pulled his robe over his head. The mud was gone from his hair, since he'd taken a bath, but the robes were still rather filthy. Harry's were little different.
"Do you feel stupid too?" he asked his roommate.
Harry and Ron had to share one gigantic room, but Hermione had one all to herself. The servant who'd led them there had promised that there would be new clothes for them in the morning, but for the time being they'd have to make do with what they had.
They'd been rubbing at their robes for about fifteen minutes when Hermione showed up, all clean and perfectly ready for anything.
"How'd you manage that?" asked Harry. He and Ron had had no success with their clothes.
"Oh come on!" said Hermione exasperatedly, "Have you lost all your senses, or just forgotten about those?" She pointed at the wands the two boys had left on their beds.
Harry felt himself turning red. Of course he'd forgotten those. He glanced at the Invisibility Cloak he'd left on his bed as well. He hadn't even given it a second thought.
"Well we are in a different world, you know, Hermione," he said, " You can't expect us to have our thoughts so ordered and all that!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I think your thoughts ought to be the most ordered now, more than ever. We might have to think very fast if we're going to get anywhere! Anyway, I came to tell you not to-"
Harry knew she was probably going to tell them the perfect charm for the occasion, but he really didn't want her to gloat. Instead, he picked up his wand to perform the spell he needed.
"WAIT!" cried Hermione suddenly, "Not like that!"
Harry gave her a blank look, which Ron paralleled.
"What do you mean not like that?"
"You don't honestly think magic here is the same as it is on earth, do you?" she asked disbelievingly.
" No?" offered Ron.
"No." said Hermione, "I suspected as much- just around the time we saw that tree in the courtyard. That's what I was going to tell you! You'd better put the wands somewhere safe. The fact is, I have a feeling the very land itself has magic here."
"Come again?" asked Harry.
"The land! The air, the water, everything! They all have magic within them- each of a different kind, but it's there. if you use your wand, Harry, to perform even a simple charm, I think the magic here would magnify it to humungous proportions!"
Harry blinked.
Ron still hadn't lost the blank look. "You mean if I performed a Cheering Charm, it would affect everyone for miles?"
"I.I think so" said Hermione. "Either that or it might make you go crazy with happiness or something!"
"Cool" said Ron with a smile.
"Put the wands where no one can get at them, we wouldn't want a servant using them for firewood and causing an explosion or anything!"
"So how did you get your robes cleaned anyway, Hermione?" asked Harry, picking up the potentially lethal wands and wrapping them in the Invisibility cloak. He carried the bundle to a cupboard and locked it.
"Yeah, how'd you do that without magic?" asked Ron.
"The old fashioned way" replied Hermione with a grin, "Scrub."
No suspense this time 'round, it can be very irritating, don't you agree. I risked it all by bringing Aragorn into this, considering he's one of the most mysterious characters in the book, and so difficult to decipher! He's so cool! Sorry, he's one of my favourite characters.
Well, thus ends chapter 3. Well, it can only get worse, right? I hope not!
Oh yes, one more thing. I award one thousand Galleons to Ravenclaw42. You guessed right! Well, halfway at least! And thanks for reading my fic! I'm still very honoured that you like it!
Okay, no more delays.
All of them whirled around to see two little boys running towards them. At least, they looked like boys to Harry at first. On a second glance he saw that one of them was dressed like a guard of the citadel - in black and silver, with a tree in flower on the front. The other was in green and white, the livery of guards of, apparently, another kingdom. He also noticed that their faces looked much too old to be boys, whatever their stature.
"Merry! Pippin!" cried the Elf and Dwarf.
Harry, Ron and Hermione had to leap out of the way as the two small beings slammed into their guides to embrace them.
"What are you two doing here?" asked the one in white and green.
"We could ask the same of you!" replied Gimli.
"We're visiting Strider, of course!" replied the one in black and silver. "We." he trailed off, looking behind Legolas at the strangers, who looked right back at him with equal curiosity.
"What are you?" they all asked at the same time.
"We're Hobbits!" replied the small men as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"You're what?" asked Harry. He was becoming increasingly aware of how strange he and his friends really were to this land. It was something that hadn't really sunk in yet- that they were in a whole other world.
"Hobbits! Halflings then!" said the citadel guard pleasantly, "I'm Peregrin Took, Pippin if you please, son of Paladin. Surely you know that the Tooks are a very prominent family in the Shire, after all, Bandobras the Bullroarer-"
The other little- thing- Hobbit- bonked Pippin on the head. "Quiet, Pip!"
Pippin rubbed his head and shot him a rueful look. "This is Merry Brandybuck" he added.
"I'm Harry Potter," said Harry. "These are my best friends Ron Weasley and- "
"Hermione Granger." Interrupted Hermione excitedly. "Now you two could pass off as elves if you wanted to."
Merry and Pippin burst out laughing, "Elves?" cried Merry, "I know we're tall for our age, but I don't think we look at all like Elves!"
"Anyway, what are you three?" asked Pippin, recovering.
"They are children of Men," said Legolas.
Pippin walked up to Harry. "Men? I'm almost as tall as he is! I've seen boys a lot taller!" He looked at Ron. "He could almost be a man, but she's too short too!"
"I am not!" glowered Hermione, while Ron beamed. "I am at a perfectly normal height for any fifteen year old!"
"Fifteen?" asked Merry. "You certainly don't look it!"
"Well I am!"
"But-"
"Can we talk about this later?" asked Pippin, "I'm hungry!"
"For once I agree with you," said Gimli.
Pippin lead the way across a courtyard, at the center of which was a fountain, and a beautiful tree in full bloom. Its leaves were long, dark above and glittered silver beneath. Flowers it held, pure white and shining in the sun. It was unlike any tree Harry had ever seen, and the feeling that they did not belong grew.
"What species of tree is that?" asked Hermione curiously.
"Hermione, d'you honestly think these people know what a species is?" asked Ron.
"That is a likeness of Nimloth the Fair, " said Legolas, "Brought by Elendil the Tall from NĂºmenor before its downfall."
"What?" asked Ron in a whisper.
"An important tree" muttered Gimli, making sure Legolas heard him. The tall supposed Elf only chuckled to himself.
The Hobbits came to a halt before a great door.
"I'd better go see if Strider will see you," said Pippin importantly, and slipped inside.
"Um.Legolas?" asked Harry, "Who exactly is 'Strider'?"
"He is the King, Elessar Telcontar, Lord of the lands West of the Great Sea."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Peregrin Took entered into the Hall of The King with a little fear. When he'd arrived a day ago, Strider had met him and Merry in the courtyard, and there had been no need to enter the Hall, which was all well and good, in his opinion. The last time he'd been inside was with Gandalf, in the days when Denethor was Steward and the Darkness was spreading. The Hall had changed since then- it was not so cold and forbidding, and the fear left Pippin quite quickly.
It was lit by deep windows in the wide aisles at either side, beyond the rows of tall pillars that upheld the roof. Single huge stones of black marble, they rose to great capitals carved in many strange figures of beasts and leaves. The hall was lined with great statues of the Kings of old, and they awed Pippin as much as they had the last time.
At the end of the Hall, upon a great throne, behind which was carved an image of the White tree, sat the King of Gondor, Aragorn, son of Arathorn; the Winged Crown upon his brow, and the scepter of AnnĂºminas in his hand. Pippin could scarcely believe that this was the same weather beaten Ranger who had asked to join Frodo, Sam, Merry and himself that night in Bree- he looked more of the king he was now, stern and noble.
He was glancing over a pile of manuscripts when the Hobbit entered, and didn't look up until Pippin was standing right at the foot of the stairs to the dais upon which the throne sat.
When he did look up, however, his keen grey eyes lit up.
"Master Peregrin, " he said, smiling, "Do you come to tell me of the strangers Legolas and Gimli seem to have in their company, or to tell me that you and Meriadoc Brandybuck have been playing tricks on the Guards again?"
Pippin grinned. Of course, he'd not been planning on telling Aragorn about the latter, but it was too late anyway.
"That was just a small misunderstanding, you understand." he explained, "but the matter of Legolas and Gimli- they do have strangers with them- three of them, in fact- they're right outside. Very queer folk, Sam would say, and I would agree, although I may not be the best of judges."
"Well then, I suggest you leave the judging to me, and invite them in." said Aragorn, "it is part of your duties as a knight of Gondor, you know."
~* ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"The.King?" repeated Harry, looking at his stained black robes and those of his friends, feeling they certainly didn't look fit to be brought before anyone, much less a King.
"I don't think we're properly dressed, do you?" asked Hermione nervously, trying to restore some order to her bushy brown hair as Harry tried to flatten his. Ron still had mud in his red locks.
"Hermione, you wouldn't happen to know any spells- " began Harry, but Legolas interrupted.
"Do not worry, for what King would be deceived by looks?" He said. Just then, Pippin came out again.
"And Strider is one person who would appreciate the mud stained look" added Merry with a smile.
"Why do you." Ron began, meaning to ask why the Hobbits were on a first name basis with the King, but he was interrupted when the huge doors swung open and they looked into the enormous Hall of the King.
It was all Harry could do to stop his mouth from dropping open like Ron's had. He didn't remember having been as overwhelmed as he was when looked into that huge chamber. The fading light that shone from the windows made the statues that lined the hall seemed look more imposing. Harry wondered if he'd ever felt so small before in his life, and decided it wasn't possible. The feeling of wonder didn't leave him when they approached the dais upon which the throne sat.
The King himself rose and descended to meet them. He had grey eyes that had a look that reminded Harry of Dumbledore; they gave an impression of great hidden strength and power that almost frightened him. At the same time, Harry felt ready to accept this man as his king. It was like he couldn't help but trust him. In fact, his smile of greeting relaxed him to a great extent.
"Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion" he said, embracing their companion like a brother.
"It has been long, Aranya," replied Legolas.
"Greetings to you as well, Gimli son of Gloin. I have heard that the beauty of the Glittering Caves has grown with the coming of your folk there."
"Then you have heard true, King Elessar," replied Gimli gruffly. " They are indeed more fair now than I would have imagined possible. But," he began, getting to business "We must first discuss another matter- these three children-"
The King nodded and said, "News travels quickly through the City, and the rumour of the Elven Prince and his friend the Dwarf arriving with three strange folk reached me by the time you entered the Citadel."
He turned toward the three, and Harry didn't know whether he should bow or something, so he just lowered his head respectfully, and perceived Ron and Hermione do the same.
"They seem to be from another world, Aragorn," said Legolas softly, "And their speech and clothing are truly not of any land I have ever seen.but I feel they are worthy of our trust."
"I agree with you, Legolas. Both about the fact that they are not of this world, and that they can be trusted." He looked at them and spoke, "You look weary, and I do not doubt that you are hungry. I have asked for rooms and baths to be prepared for you all, and I would be pleased if you would dine with us tonight."
Harry didn't know what to say- he'd never been invited to dinner by a king before. Apparently, neither had Ron and Hermione.
"And what about us?" demanded Gimli in a jesting tone, "Don't old friends get to eat as well?"
King Elessar laughed. "Hardly! I expected you to invite yourself, Master Dwarf!"
A servant appeared to lead Harry and his friends off to the room prepared for them, and they left, wondering how the two they'd crashed into were on such good terms with the King. More importantly, they wondered how on earth they got there.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Can you believe this?" asked Ron, as he pulled his robe over his head. The mud was gone from his hair, since he'd taken a bath, but the robes were still rather filthy. Harry's were little different.
"Do you feel stupid too?" he asked his roommate.
Harry and Ron had to share one gigantic room, but Hermione had one all to herself. The servant who'd led them there had promised that there would be new clothes for them in the morning, but for the time being they'd have to make do with what they had.
They'd been rubbing at their robes for about fifteen minutes when Hermione showed up, all clean and perfectly ready for anything.
"How'd you manage that?" asked Harry. He and Ron had had no success with their clothes.
"Oh come on!" said Hermione exasperatedly, "Have you lost all your senses, or just forgotten about those?" She pointed at the wands the two boys had left on their beds.
Harry felt himself turning red. Of course he'd forgotten those. He glanced at the Invisibility Cloak he'd left on his bed as well. He hadn't even given it a second thought.
"Well we are in a different world, you know, Hermione," he said, " You can't expect us to have our thoughts so ordered and all that!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "I think your thoughts ought to be the most ordered now, more than ever. We might have to think very fast if we're going to get anywhere! Anyway, I came to tell you not to-"
Harry knew she was probably going to tell them the perfect charm for the occasion, but he really didn't want her to gloat. Instead, he picked up his wand to perform the spell he needed.
"WAIT!" cried Hermione suddenly, "Not like that!"
Harry gave her a blank look, which Ron paralleled.
"What do you mean not like that?"
"You don't honestly think magic here is the same as it is on earth, do you?" she asked disbelievingly.
" No?" offered Ron.
"No." said Hermione, "I suspected as much- just around the time we saw that tree in the courtyard. That's what I was going to tell you! You'd better put the wands somewhere safe. The fact is, I have a feeling the very land itself has magic here."
"Come again?" asked Harry.
"The land! The air, the water, everything! They all have magic within them- each of a different kind, but it's there. if you use your wand, Harry, to perform even a simple charm, I think the magic here would magnify it to humungous proportions!"
Harry blinked.
Ron still hadn't lost the blank look. "You mean if I performed a Cheering Charm, it would affect everyone for miles?"
"I.I think so" said Hermione. "Either that or it might make you go crazy with happiness or something!"
"Cool" said Ron with a smile.
"Put the wands where no one can get at them, we wouldn't want a servant using them for firewood and causing an explosion or anything!"
"So how did you get your robes cleaned anyway, Hermione?" asked Harry, picking up the potentially lethal wands and wrapping them in the Invisibility cloak. He carried the bundle to a cupboard and locked it.
"Yeah, how'd you do that without magic?" asked Ron.
"The old fashioned way" replied Hermione with a grin, "Scrub."
No suspense this time 'round, it can be very irritating, don't you agree. I risked it all by bringing Aragorn into this, considering he's one of the most mysterious characters in the book, and so difficult to decipher! He's so cool! Sorry, he's one of my favourite characters.
Well, thus ends chapter 3. Well, it can only get worse, right? I hope not!
