Thanks for waiting so long, but I have exams starting Tuesday and thus,
studies not only consume my time but also fill my mind with Management
studies- not a topic for a fic, trust me!
Here goes.
Minas Tirith was in an uproar. Those who had not seen the Dark Mark the night before, and those who had dismissed it as a mere nightmare, all were bewildered and frightened by its appearance in broad daylight. No one knew what the source of this sign and the fear and darkness it spread was, and not knowing only made it worse. They began to take it as the coming of the vengeance of the Shadow, the onslaught of Darkness. Many considered it wise to leave the city, perhaps Gondor itself, for they had not forgotten all that they had lost in the War of the Ring.
Yet some did not think of leaving or deserting their fair land. They strengthened their hearts, hoped for the best, and looked to their King.
Harry woke to find the sunlight streaming into the room. Someone had drawn the curtains and the room needed no further lighting.
He found Ron busy consuming a large breakfast which had been set on the table in the center of the room.
"'Morning, Harry!" said Ron, stuffing some bread into his mouth. "You've got to try the bath here- the water is amazing!"
Harry nodded in reply. "Didn't they give us the new clothes that they promised?" he asked suddenly, noticing Ron was still in his Hogwarts robes.
Ron snorted and held back a laugh. "These are the new clothes!" he said. Getting up, he walked to the cupboard and opened it to reveal at least twenty black robes neatly folded in two piles.
"Someone obviously thought that's all we wear! They gave us shirts and breeches or something to wear too, thank goodness!"
Harry's sigh of relief was interrupted by Hermione walking in, followed by Pippin, Merry and Sam.
"Are you two up? Good!" said Hermione brightly. She already had her new black robe on, and what appeared to be a white dress under it. "Stop stuffing yourself, Ron!" she snapped. Then she turned on Harry. "Harry! You just woke up, didn't you? Well hurry up and get ready! We're going exploring!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"My lord King Elessar!" Turgon, Captain of the Guards bowed respectfully and waited to approach the King.
"I see it, Captain," Aragorn said in reply. Gazing out of the window, he watched the darkness recede as the skull and serpent began to fade. "What news from the city?"
Turgon hesitated. "The people are afraid, my Lord, they do not know what evil it bodes. They speak of leaving." He did not mention that there were a few who were beginning to doubt their King and his abilities.
"And you, Captain, what do you say?" Turgon started- it was almost as though he had read his mind!
"My Lord, I. I have grown up with tales of the line of Elendil.I will not judge against them now. All I know is that the Mark in the sky brings evil, which I am ready even now to face, if you ask it of me. I will follow what you order, unto the end."
The King smiled. "I am glad that you are of such a mind. I will see that I do not send you to an unpleasant fate. Indeed this Mark is a foreshadowing of evil yet to come, and you are right in saying we will have to face it. Still, take heart and be strengthened! There is much we yet do not know- there remains hope for the City." Aragorn paused when he became aware of another Guard waiting by the door for him to finish.
"My King," he said, when he realized he had been noticed, "Prince Faramir and Lady Eowyn are in the City. They are at the Fourth level."
Aragorn nodded. "I will have an audience with them as soon as they arrive," he said, dismissing the Guard. He then turned back to Turgon.
"Reassure the people, Captain, leaving the City could be more dangerous than remaining within the walls."
Turgon nodded his understanding, then turned and left.
Aragorn made his way to the audience chamber, glad that Faramir and Eowyn had arrived safely. There would be much to discuss.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hermione, Harry, and Ron soon found themselves outside the Citadel with the three Hobbits for companions.
"Well, what do you want to see first?" asked Pippin. He was still in his uniform, but Merry had changed into regular Hobbit-ish clothes.
"Everything!" said Hermione excitedly.
"What's up with her?" Ron asked Harry.
Harry shrugged. He'd have thought Hermione had more important things to think about rather than explore Minas Tirith. He told her so, but she only looked exasperated and said, "I'm looking for clues," in a tone that sounded like she was explaining something to a child.
They made their way up and down the streets, going down one level at a time. The Hobbits were most entertaining company, and soon the three wizards had almost completely forgotten about the night before. Pippin showed them where the horses were stabled (as they were not allowed in the Citadel), including Bill, Sam's beloved pony.
"I don't suppose you heard, Mr. Harry," said Sam as they fed apples to the old beast, "but the talk in town is that that sign we saw last night- the Dark Mark you called it, appeared again this morning! I bet they're ready to pack up and leave, if you get my meaning!"
Pippin nodded, "Well, you wouldn't know, but we guards were to specially tell the people to stay in the City. Orders to the Captain from the King, you know!"
"What do you make of all this dark business, Harry?" asked Merry.
Harry shrugged. "As long as it has something to do with Voldemort, it's bad."
"But what could he want here, though?" Hermione wondered aloud.
"Your guess is as good as mine!" said Harry. "But it might have something to do with what you said about magic here being stronger than normal."
"Of course it does!" snapped Hermione impatiently, "I guessed as much, but. well, I was thinking of what the Queen said, about You Know Who being interested in lore and all that- "
Ron interrupted, "She said he was someone's apprentice- a Saru- something, I think."
"Saruman!" said Merry, "He was a great wizard, you know, head of the Council and all that. Then he turned to evil and betrayed them all!"
"That story sounds familiar," said Harry, "No wonder he was friends with Voldemort!"
"Well, Mr. Gandalf put an end to his treachery well and good, didn't he?" said Sam, "And what does he go and do but try to destroy the Shire!"
Harry remembered that part of the story- it seemed like Saruman was trying to mechanize the Hobbit country- he wondered if Voldemort had anything to do with that.
"All this remembering is making me hungry!" said Pippin, "And thinking is best done over a nice snack, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes indeed, Pip," agreed Merry. Turning to the three children, he asked, "I don't suppose you'd get into trouble if you stayed here while we got some food, right? Then we can have a picnic or something!"
The Hobbits left a fuming Ron being calmed by Harry and Hermione. "Get into trouble!" he cried, "He's not even as tall as I am, and he tells me not to get into trouble!"
"Oh Ron, stop behaving like a child!" said Hermione sharply, "He's older than you by around twenty years!"
Harry noticed the soft clip- clop of horses approaching, and told his friends to carry on their fight later.
Coming out of the stables, they saw a small company of riders approaching. Harry needed only one look to tell him they were Elves. There was no mistaking their fair faces and pointed ears. Even their horses seemed to be special somehow.
The foremost of the riders were three Elves- two of whom Harry could have sworn were twins. Both looked identical, dark haired and lordly, and dressed in bright mail. The third, clad wholly in white, did not look as young as the other two, and had silvery hair, but, like all Elves, he did not look in the least bit old.
One of the identical Elves sprang lightly from his horse and handed the reins to Harry, apparently mistaking him for the stable boy.
Harry, not knowing what else to do, took hold of the reins, but stood rooted to the spot. He felt as though the grey haired Elf was gazing into his very soul.
The other twin laughed. "Elladan!" he called, "I do not think he is there to take your horse!"
"Indeed he is not" said the one clothed in white, "He is the outsider we were told of. Harry Potter"
Sorry about its shortness! Like I said- blame it on the examinations! I promise more regular updates after the 7th of November, though. This is my only active fic at the moment- since I finished 'Go, Go, Goal', and they took off 'You've Got Mail' (sniff).
Minas Tirith was in an uproar. Those who had not seen the Dark Mark the night before, and those who had dismissed it as a mere nightmare, all were bewildered and frightened by its appearance in broad daylight. No one knew what the source of this sign and the fear and darkness it spread was, and not knowing only made it worse. They began to take it as the coming of the vengeance of the Shadow, the onslaught of Darkness. Many considered it wise to leave the city, perhaps Gondor itself, for they had not forgotten all that they had lost in the War of the Ring.
Yet some did not think of leaving or deserting their fair land. They strengthened their hearts, hoped for the best, and looked to their King.
Harry woke to find the sunlight streaming into the room. Someone had drawn the curtains and the room needed no further lighting.
He found Ron busy consuming a large breakfast which had been set on the table in the center of the room.
"'Morning, Harry!" said Ron, stuffing some bread into his mouth. "You've got to try the bath here- the water is amazing!"
Harry nodded in reply. "Didn't they give us the new clothes that they promised?" he asked suddenly, noticing Ron was still in his Hogwarts robes.
Ron snorted and held back a laugh. "These are the new clothes!" he said. Getting up, he walked to the cupboard and opened it to reveal at least twenty black robes neatly folded in two piles.
"Someone obviously thought that's all we wear! They gave us shirts and breeches or something to wear too, thank goodness!"
Harry's sigh of relief was interrupted by Hermione walking in, followed by Pippin, Merry and Sam.
"Are you two up? Good!" said Hermione brightly. She already had her new black robe on, and what appeared to be a white dress under it. "Stop stuffing yourself, Ron!" she snapped. Then she turned on Harry. "Harry! You just woke up, didn't you? Well hurry up and get ready! We're going exploring!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"My lord King Elessar!" Turgon, Captain of the Guards bowed respectfully and waited to approach the King.
"I see it, Captain," Aragorn said in reply. Gazing out of the window, he watched the darkness recede as the skull and serpent began to fade. "What news from the city?"
Turgon hesitated. "The people are afraid, my Lord, they do not know what evil it bodes. They speak of leaving." He did not mention that there were a few who were beginning to doubt their King and his abilities.
"And you, Captain, what do you say?" Turgon started- it was almost as though he had read his mind!
"My Lord, I. I have grown up with tales of the line of Elendil.I will not judge against them now. All I know is that the Mark in the sky brings evil, which I am ready even now to face, if you ask it of me. I will follow what you order, unto the end."
The King smiled. "I am glad that you are of such a mind. I will see that I do not send you to an unpleasant fate. Indeed this Mark is a foreshadowing of evil yet to come, and you are right in saying we will have to face it. Still, take heart and be strengthened! There is much we yet do not know- there remains hope for the City." Aragorn paused when he became aware of another Guard waiting by the door for him to finish.
"My King," he said, when he realized he had been noticed, "Prince Faramir and Lady Eowyn are in the City. They are at the Fourth level."
Aragorn nodded. "I will have an audience with them as soon as they arrive," he said, dismissing the Guard. He then turned back to Turgon.
"Reassure the people, Captain, leaving the City could be more dangerous than remaining within the walls."
Turgon nodded his understanding, then turned and left.
Aragorn made his way to the audience chamber, glad that Faramir and Eowyn had arrived safely. There would be much to discuss.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hermione, Harry, and Ron soon found themselves outside the Citadel with the three Hobbits for companions.
"Well, what do you want to see first?" asked Pippin. He was still in his uniform, but Merry had changed into regular Hobbit-ish clothes.
"Everything!" said Hermione excitedly.
"What's up with her?" Ron asked Harry.
Harry shrugged. He'd have thought Hermione had more important things to think about rather than explore Minas Tirith. He told her so, but she only looked exasperated and said, "I'm looking for clues," in a tone that sounded like she was explaining something to a child.
They made their way up and down the streets, going down one level at a time. The Hobbits were most entertaining company, and soon the three wizards had almost completely forgotten about the night before. Pippin showed them where the horses were stabled (as they were not allowed in the Citadel), including Bill, Sam's beloved pony.
"I don't suppose you heard, Mr. Harry," said Sam as they fed apples to the old beast, "but the talk in town is that that sign we saw last night- the Dark Mark you called it, appeared again this morning! I bet they're ready to pack up and leave, if you get my meaning!"
Pippin nodded, "Well, you wouldn't know, but we guards were to specially tell the people to stay in the City. Orders to the Captain from the King, you know!"
"What do you make of all this dark business, Harry?" asked Merry.
Harry shrugged. "As long as it has something to do with Voldemort, it's bad."
"But what could he want here, though?" Hermione wondered aloud.
"Your guess is as good as mine!" said Harry. "But it might have something to do with what you said about magic here being stronger than normal."
"Of course it does!" snapped Hermione impatiently, "I guessed as much, but. well, I was thinking of what the Queen said, about You Know Who being interested in lore and all that- "
Ron interrupted, "She said he was someone's apprentice- a Saru- something, I think."
"Saruman!" said Merry, "He was a great wizard, you know, head of the Council and all that. Then he turned to evil and betrayed them all!"
"That story sounds familiar," said Harry, "No wonder he was friends with Voldemort!"
"Well, Mr. Gandalf put an end to his treachery well and good, didn't he?" said Sam, "And what does he go and do but try to destroy the Shire!"
Harry remembered that part of the story- it seemed like Saruman was trying to mechanize the Hobbit country- he wondered if Voldemort had anything to do with that.
"All this remembering is making me hungry!" said Pippin, "And thinking is best done over a nice snack, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes indeed, Pip," agreed Merry. Turning to the three children, he asked, "I don't suppose you'd get into trouble if you stayed here while we got some food, right? Then we can have a picnic or something!"
The Hobbits left a fuming Ron being calmed by Harry and Hermione. "Get into trouble!" he cried, "He's not even as tall as I am, and he tells me not to get into trouble!"
"Oh Ron, stop behaving like a child!" said Hermione sharply, "He's older than you by around twenty years!"
Harry noticed the soft clip- clop of horses approaching, and told his friends to carry on their fight later.
Coming out of the stables, they saw a small company of riders approaching. Harry needed only one look to tell him they were Elves. There was no mistaking their fair faces and pointed ears. Even their horses seemed to be special somehow.
The foremost of the riders were three Elves- two of whom Harry could have sworn were twins. Both looked identical, dark haired and lordly, and dressed in bright mail. The third, clad wholly in white, did not look as young as the other two, and had silvery hair, but, like all Elves, he did not look in the least bit old.
One of the identical Elves sprang lightly from his horse and handed the reins to Harry, apparently mistaking him for the stable boy.
Harry, not knowing what else to do, took hold of the reins, but stood rooted to the spot. He felt as though the grey haired Elf was gazing into his very soul.
The other twin laughed. "Elladan!" he called, "I do not think he is there to take your horse!"
"Indeed he is not" said the one clothed in white, "He is the outsider we were told of. Harry Potter"
Sorry about its shortness! Like I said- blame it on the examinations! I promise more regular updates after the 7th of November, though. This is my only active fic at the moment- since I finished 'Go, Go, Goal', and they took off 'You've Got Mail' (sniff).
