My deepest apologies for the tremendously long delay. it's the A-Levels I
have coming up, and therefore, I must study for them.sigh.
Anyway, this chapter gives us a change of scenery, in a way. Before we get to Celeborn rambling, we have a look at the enemy camp, which sort of answers the question- I wonder how Voldie's doing!!
Peter Pettigrew quickened his pace down the dark, cavernous hallway. Of course, it would have to be 'cavernous' considering that the whole thing was little more than a cave. The original owners of the cave, however, would have differed.
Khazad- Dum. That's what it had been called- the Dwarrowdelf- once a great city of the Dwarves, ruined by an ancient evil that they awoke by their delving. Wormtail could still feel it- like a shadow that was somewhat faded, but a remnant that would never truly be gone.
He could not see why Lord Voldemort had chosen Moria. It was dark, and no amount of torches could change that. He could hardly believe where he was- in another world- a different universe completely. He remembered the day they'd arrived .
~~*~~
He'd found Lord Voldemort examining a mirror. The Great Lord seemed of late to have lost interest in the running of the rest of the world. He spent hours reading books in a language Wormtail did not recognize, sometimes laughing to himself. It was late October when he had summoned Wormtail to his chambers, where he found Voldemort and the mirror.
"This is the answer to my problems, Worm," he'd said. "Just think of the possibilities. with no Muggle loving Albus Dumbledore to stop me."
"Great Master?"
"This mirror is a gateway, Wormtail, to a world other than our own."
Perhaps his confusion was evident on his face, because Voldemort had gone on.
"Several years ago I came across a mirror much like this one- at Hogwarts- it took me to Arda- a different world- with its own land, people. and magic. The magic there is so strong it is in the land itself! Imagine what I can do with such power, Wormtail! Dumbledore and those foolish enough to follow him will bow before the name of Lord Voldemort!"
There was an almost mad glint in those red serpentine eyes as he came closer to Wormtail. "I was taught there, Worm, by a Wizard named Saruman; more powerful than even. it is in Middle Earth that my destiny lies, I have seen it- even in my dreams!" He pressed the mark on Wormtail's forearm to summon the Death Eaters, and the man tried not to flinch.
"We leave tonight."
~~*~~
Voldemort had sent several of the Death Eaters to different parts of Middle Earth. He was looking for something, he said, but never told them what. The Great Master only answered when he wished to. Perhaps if he had told them, all of them would not have come back empty handed. Still, Wormtail knew it had something to do with 'Talismans'. He had tried asking about them, once. and been taught a lesson he would not forget soon.
Wormtail shuddered at the memory, and stumbled over a rock, nearly falling into a well. His torch plunged into the black pit, and the darkness pressed around him. He muttered an oath that echoed through the barren hallway- there were far too many sudden drops in this place- and pulled out his wand.
The Great Master had warned him about magic here, how it was uncontrollably strong, but Wormtail could not afford to stumble into another well. He might not be so lucky next time. After all, how dangerous can a simple light spell be?
"Lumos," he said hoarsely. Even as the walls echoed the spell, Wormtail's wand emitted a flash of light that nearly blinded him, causing to him to cover his eyes, dropping his wand in shock. The light remained for a few moments- still too bright for him to open his eyes- then vanished. But that was not the end of it. A slow rumble told him the light had somehow sent out vibrations of some sort. He did not need a few rocks to crumble from the ceiling to tell him he was right. He just hoped Lord Voldemort hadn't noticed.
The darkness now seemed even worse, but Wormtail hobbled on.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Enter."
Walden Macnair walked in sturdily, trying to keep himself from trembling under the Dark Lord's menacing glare. Voldemort had chosen the Hall of the Lord of Moria for himself, and sat upon a throne that looked too big for a Dwarf of any kind. Nagini, his venom green snake, curled threateningly around its foot, preventing any from coming closer than they had to.
Macnair hadn't taken two steps towards the throne when the ground gave a slight quiver, loosing tiny pieces of rubble from the high ceiling.
"What have they done now?" asked Voldemort quietly, his voice stinging with spite.
"Great Lord. please. he did not know." Beads of sweat crept down the Death Eater's forehead, fear creeping all over his massive body. He did not know whether Lord Voldemort was referring to the rumble of the caves, or to what he was here to tell him, but he was sure that the Dark Lord would not be pleased with the turn of events.
'Curse you, Lucious, curse you!' he thought bitterly, as the Dark Lord's pitiless red eyes began to bore through him.
"Speak, idiot, time is too precious to be wasted by filth like yourself!"
"Lucius Malfoy has been taken by. the others," said Macnair quickly. He knew better than to play with the Great Lord's temper.
Voldemort's eyes flared immediately. "The fool!" he said angrily, "He has risked all my plans!"
"He can Apparate, Great Lord!" Macnair now seemed very eager to please.
Volemort laughed his cold, mirthless laugh; and Macnair trembled as it echoed around him.
"I thought Lucius to be the only fool in my service. Do you not remember what I told you? If he were to try to Apparate here, he would be lucky if even his soul remained intact. If you still do not understand, perhaps you would like a demonstration."
Macnair took an involuntary step back. No man would be fool enough to challenge the Dark Lord's threats, not even give an answer if it was avoidable. Voldemort gave a laugh again.
"Good." He said. "Now gather the others. I cannot risk more stupidity from any of you! Quickly!"
Macnair wasted no time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Wormtail had to step aside to avoid crashing into a charging Death Eater. Macnair, he thought it was, an executioner for the Ministry of Magic once. He had been an executioner before that, too, but not of dangerous beasts. From the expression that had been on the man's face, Wormtail did not want to think of the mood his master was in.
"Great Master." he began, entering the Hall.
"Yes, Worm, what is it?" snapped Lord Voldemort. "Do you bring me news of Lucius Malfoy as well?"
Wormtail blinked. What news? Perhaps that was what had set Macnair running. What had he done that upset Voldemort so much, he wondered. Macnair and Malfoy were two of those not off looking for the 'Talismans'. They were supposed to send up the Dark Mark a few times. The spell, strengthened by the magic here, not only sent up the sign, but also spread the fear it had become associated with in their own world.
"A- another band of Orcs has arrived, Great Master. from the north, it seems." Wormtail despised the filthy creatures, but somehow, Voldemort was gathering them from all corners of this 'world'. What he intended to do with them, however, Wormtail thought he could guess; an army of these things would be unbeatable.
"Yes." murmured Voldemort thoughtfully. "Bring the captain to me, Wormtail."
"Yes, Great Master. might I ask why?" He didn't know why he even dared to ask the question, but it was too late now.
"Getting inquisitive, are we?" the Dark Lord asked with a laugh that chilled his bones. "Curiosity killed the cat, Worm, and Nagini's getting hungry."
"Great Master, I."
"Silence! I may have a use for you yet."
"Thank you-"
"Did I not command you to be silent? Ah, my Death Eaters."
The cloaked figures of the Dark Lord's followers filed in silently and swiftly. Wormtail noticed one missing from their number. Had Lucius Malfoy been fool enough to get himself captured? He shuffled over to them to take his place.
"Harry Potter is here"
The statement brought with it a sharp intake of breath, but no one spoke.
"I do not know where he is," continued Voldemort, "but I feel his presence as sure as my own."
"There surely no cause for worry-"
"I did not permit you to speak, Wormtail! It is a fifteen year old boy who stands between me and the Talismans!" The Dark Lord's eyes flared. He spoke again now, his voice dangerously low, "I have been taught, Wormtail, the hard way, that it is foolish to underestimate this boy's luck! For it is truly luck alone that has spared him till now! No. no, this time he shall not ruin my plans. this time, Harry Potter will die."
Oooh. I think ol' Lord Voldemort needs to take a long vacation! Whatever will happen now? This time I WILL update real soon. Ranger's honour! By the way, what did you think? There are a few unanswered questions, but all will be made clear in the next chapter!
Anyway, this chapter gives us a change of scenery, in a way. Before we get to Celeborn rambling, we have a look at the enemy camp, which sort of answers the question- I wonder how Voldie's doing!!
Peter Pettigrew quickened his pace down the dark, cavernous hallway. Of course, it would have to be 'cavernous' considering that the whole thing was little more than a cave. The original owners of the cave, however, would have differed.
Khazad- Dum. That's what it had been called- the Dwarrowdelf- once a great city of the Dwarves, ruined by an ancient evil that they awoke by their delving. Wormtail could still feel it- like a shadow that was somewhat faded, but a remnant that would never truly be gone.
He could not see why Lord Voldemort had chosen Moria. It was dark, and no amount of torches could change that. He could hardly believe where he was- in another world- a different universe completely. He remembered the day they'd arrived .
~~*~~
He'd found Lord Voldemort examining a mirror. The Great Lord seemed of late to have lost interest in the running of the rest of the world. He spent hours reading books in a language Wormtail did not recognize, sometimes laughing to himself. It was late October when he had summoned Wormtail to his chambers, where he found Voldemort and the mirror.
"This is the answer to my problems, Worm," he'd said. "Just think of the possibilities. with no Muggle loving Albus Dumbledore to stop me."
"Great Master?"
"This mirror is a gateway, Wormtail, to a world other than our own."
Perhaps his confusion was evident on his face, because Voldemort had gone on.
"Several years ago I came across a mirror much like this one- at Hogwarts- it took me to Arda- a different world- with its own land, people. and magic. The magic there is so strong it is in the land itself! Imagine what I can do with such power, Wormtail! Dumbledore and those foolish enough to follow him will bow before the name of Lord Voldemort!"
There was an almost mad glint in those red serpentine eyes as he came closer to Wormtail. "I was taught there, Worm, by a Wizard named Saruman; more powerful than even. it is in Middle Earth that my destiny lies, I have seen it- even in my dreams!" He pressed the mark on Wormtail's forearm to summon the Death Eaters, and the man tried not to flinch.
"We leave tonight."
~~*~~
Voldemort had sent several of the Death Eaters to different parts of Middle Earth. He was looking for something, he said, but never told them what. The Great Master only answered when he wished to. Perhaps if he had told them, all of them would not have come back empty handed. Still, Wormtail knew it had something to do with 'Talismans'. He had tried asking about them, once. and been taught a lesson he would not forget soon.
Wormtail shuddered at the memory, and stumbled over a rock, nearly falling into a well. His torch plunged into the black pit, and the darkness pressed around him. He muttered an oath that echoed through the barren hallway- there were far too many sudden drops in this place- and pulled out his wand.
The Great Master had warned him about magic here, how it was uncontrollably strong, but Wormtail could not afford to stumble into another well. He might not be so lucky next time. After all, how dangerous can a simple light spell be?
"Lumos," he said hoarsely. Even as the walls echoed the spell, Wormtail's wand emitted a flash of light that nearly blinded him, causing to him to cover his eyes, dropping his wand in shock. The light remained for a few moments- still too bright for him to open his eyes- then vanished. But that was not the end of it. A slow rumble told him the light had somehow sent out vibrations of some sort. He did not need a few rocks to crumble from the ceiling to tell him he was right. He just hoped Lord Voldemort hadn't noticed.
The darkness now seemed even worse, but Wormtail hobbled on.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Enter."
Walden Macnair walked in sturdily, trying to keep himself from trembling under the Dark Lord's menacing glare. Voldemort had chosen the Hall of the Lord of Moria for himself, and sat upon a throne that looked too big for a Dwarf of any kind. Nagini, his venom green snake, curled threateningly around its foot, preventing any from coming closer than they had to.
Macnair hadn't taken two steps towards the throne when the ground gave a slight quiver, loosing tiny pieces of rubble from the high ceiling.
"What have they done now?" asked Voldemort quietly, his voice stinging with spite.
"Great Lord. please. he did not know." Beads of sweat crept down the Death Eater's forehead, fear creeping all over his massive body. He did not know whether Lord Voldemort was referring to the rumble of the caves, or to what he was here to tell him, but he was sure that the Dark Lord would not be pleased with the turn of events.
'Curse you, Lucious, curse you!' he thought bitterly, as the Dark Lord's pitiless red eyes began to bore through him.
"Speak, idiot, time is too precious to be wasted by filth like yourself!"
"Lucius Malfoy has been taken by. the others," said Macnair quickly. He knew better than to play with the Great Lord's temper.
Voldemort's eyes flared immediately. "The fool!" he said angrily, "He has risked all my plans!"
"He can Apparate, Great Lord!" Macnair now seemed very eager to please.
Volemort laughed his cold, mirthless laugh; and Macnair trembled as it echoed around him.
"I thought Lucius to be the only fool in my service. Do you not remember what I told you? If he were to try to Apparate here, he would be lucky if even his soul remained intact. If you still do not understand, perhaps you would like a demonstration."
Macnair took an involuntary step back. No man would be fool enough to challenge the Dark Lord's threats, not even give an answer if it was avoidable. Voldemort gave a laugh again.
"Good." He said. "Now gather the others. I cannot risk more stupidity from any of you! Quickly!"
Macnair wasted no time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Wormtail had to step aside to avoid crashing into a charging Death Eater. Macnair, he thought it was, an executioner for the Ministry of Magic once. He had been an executioner before that, too, but not of dangerous beasts. From the expression that had been on the man's face, Wormtail did not want to think of the mood his master was in.
"Great Master." he began, entering the Hall.
"Yes, Worm, what is it?" snapped Lord Voldemort. "Do you bring me news of Lucius Malfoy as well?"
Wormtail blinked. What news? Perhaps that was what had set Macnair running. What had he done that upset Voldemort so much, he wondered. Macnair and Malfoy were two of those not off looking for the 'Talismans'. They were supposed to send up the Dark Mark a few times. The spell, strengthened by the magic here, not only sent up the sign, but also spread the fear it had become associated with in their own world.
"A- another band of Orcs has arrived, Great Master. from the north, it seems." Wormtail despised the filthy creatures, but somehow, Voldemort was gathering them from all corners of this 'world'. What he intended to do with them, however, Wormtail thought he could guess; an army of these things would be unbeatable.
"Yes." murmured Voldemort thoughtfully. "Bring the captain to me, Wormtail."
"Yes, Great Master. might I ask why?" He didn't know why he even dared to ask the question, but it was too late now.
"Getting inquisitive, are we?" the Dark Lord asked with a laugh that chilled his bones. "Curiosity killed the cat, Worm, and Nagini's getting hungry."
"Great Master, I."
"Silence! I may have a use for you yet."
"Thank you-"
"Did I not command you to be silent? Ah, my Death Eaters."
The cloaked figures of the Dark Lord's followers filed in silently and swiftly. Wormtail noticed one missing from their number. Had Lucius Malfoy been fool enough to get himself captured? He shuffled over to them to take his place.
"Harry Potter is here"
The statement brought with it a sharp intake of breath, but no one spoke.
"I do not know where he is," continued Voldemort, "but I feel his presence as sure as my own."
"There surely no cause for worry-"
"I did not permit you to speak, Wormtail! It is a fifteen year old boy who stands between me and the Talismans!" The Dark Lord's eyes flared. He spoke again now, his voice dangerously low, "I have been taught, Wormtail, the hard way, that it is foolish to underestimate this boy's luck! For it is truly luck alone that has spared him till now! No. no, this time he shall not ruin my plans. this time, Harry Potter will die."
Oooh. I think ol' Lord Voldemort needs to take a long vacation! Whatever will happen now? This time I WILL update real soon. Ranger's honour! By the way, what did you think? There are a few unanswered questions, but all will be made clear in the next chapter!
