Harry's heart seemed to stop beating as he recovered from
the complete suddenness, as he stared into that amazing glow. Yet, even though
he was shocked...he could feel the warmth, the goodness, the magic of the
glow...and he did not feel fear.
"Hello," he said, and suddenly he felt that unmistakable feeling that
he was being watched by others he could not see...for although the glow hid the
one behind it, it did not illuminate their surroundings.
Harry stared in awe until the strong, clear, male voice echoed through his mind
once more.
"We are glad that you have come, Harry Potter. We need you now more than
you can possibly know."
"Why? Please...what's going on?" Harry asked, before he could stop
himself.
"All in good time, all in good time..."
"Who are you?" said Harry. "Lift the light! Please, show
yourself to me."
The light began to shift and its holder was revealed. Harry stared up at the
incredible man in front of him, taking in every detail...
He was in the form of an old man, yet a man who was grown wiser to the world of
late, and was somehow older and younger for it at once. His long, folding,
elegant robes were of a beautiful, thick, rich material; they fell perfectly,
just covering his feet. They were stunning white. His hair hung just past his
shoulders; that too was startling white.
But what caught Harry's eye the most was what he was holding. In his right hand
he held a long thin object, rather like a very beautiful walking stick. It too
was chalk white and looked sturdy yet delicate all at once. The top of it was a
wonderfully crafted shape, intricate and simple all at the same time.
"Welcome to Middle Earth, Harry Potter," said the incredible man.
"My name is Gandalf the White."
Harry stood still for a moment, staring.
"Hello," he said unsurely, after a moment. "Please,
Gandalf...Gandalf the White...what am I doing here?"
"I understand your need for explanations, but I will speak to you at first
light, Harry Potter."
Suddenly he turned and Harry noticed a man standing behind him. He was taller
than Gandalf, yet possessed a far more warrior-like appearance. He too had long
hair nearly to his shoulders, but it was dark, as were his clothes. Harry could
see a huge sword gleaming at his waist.
"Aragorn," said Gandalf.
The man inclined his head.
"Signal the torches to be lit all over Helm's Deep. Eowyn must escort
Harry Potter to where he is to sleep. I think it is best for them to spend the
night in each other's company."
"As you wish, Gandalf. I will find her."
He shouted out something in a language Harry could not understand. However,
suddenly he called for...
"Eowyn? Eowyn, send for Eowyn!"
A beautiful, tall, slender young woman emerged into the light from the long
thin pole Gandalf the White held. Her hair was a shining river of gold, all the
way down to her waist. He clothes were or a beautiful flowing silver material,
flared at the bottom and at the sleeves. She spoke.
"I am here, Lord Aragorn. Why do you call?"
"He has arrived."
"The boy? He is here?"
Her eyes darted to Harry, who stared at her apprehensively.
"Yes." Aragorn nodded. He pulled Eowyn closer to him, and they had a
few minutes of whispered conversation. Finally, Eowyn turned her beautiful face
to his.
"Come," she said, with a genuine smile that held both friendliness
and curiousity. She beckoned him closer with her pure white hands. Harry moved
towards her.
Suddenly, all together a burst of glimmering light illuminated everything in a
vague fire glow. Harry realised that hundreds if not thousands of torches had
been lit on the huge fortress behind them. Harry stared at it in amazement.
The wonderful, flickering flame torches revealed the
enormous fort behind them. It looked slightly broken; worn, but that did not
take away its magnificence. The first thing Harry noticed was the huge, wide,
grand pathway that lead to a set of wooden double doors. He could see that
although no one had come outside of the enormous building, many people, young
and old, had come on the upper floors of the fortress to peer over its walls
and see the boy that had been brought here from another world.
Harry, standing next to the beautiful Eowyn, turned to look at Gandalf, and saw
others standing with him. Aragorn he had already seen, but more had appeared.
There was a tall, graceful man with long hair, blonde, partially tied back. He
too had a warrior-like appearance; Harry could see a bow and a stack of arrows
were slung on a strap over his shoulder, and there was at least one dagger
visible at his waist. There was one other; an extremely short man, also with
long hair and beard, rich red in colour. The only weapon visible was his
enormous axe.
Eowyn smiled at Harry, sensing his obvious confusion and curiousity.
"Come, Harry Potter," she said. "Follow me."
She started walking away from the others, up the wide path, heading for the
door. Harry hurried after her.
"Why...?" he began, but she shook her head.
"Gandalf will explain more tomorrow. For now, all I can ask is that you
try and hold your great many questions, and come with me."
Harry nodded, and concentrated on following her toward the
great wooden doors. He stared all around the place as he did so in awe.
He could not hold back one question.
"What is this place?"
Eowyn glanced at him.
"It is called Helm's Deep. My people, my father's people, the people of
Rohan, were forced to flee here because of the threat of Isenguard."
Harry had heard of neither Rohan nor Isenguard, but knew better than to ask
more. He contented himself with knowing that Gandalf would tell him everything
tomorrow.
They reached the huge wooden doors. Eowyn pushed them both open to reveal a
huge entrance, with great halls leading off into different directions.
"Where are you taking me, Eowyn?"
She smiled at him, placing one beautiful light hand on his shoulder, her own
bright blue eyes staring into his green ones.
"You will soon know."
Eowyn started off towards a set of stone steps so suddenly
that Harry was caught unawares and had to hurry after her. Eowyn's step was
quick yet light yet, her stride was long, and Harry marvelled at her pace yet
her ability to move with ease. It was not gracefulness...it was something more
than that; the wonderful stature of someone who has had to learn poise and
balance for deeper reasons...
Harry soon gave up trying to commit the path they were taking to memory. Eowyn
obviously knew Helm's Deep well, and he simply had to trust that, with time, he
may come to know it well also.
Eventually Eowyn stopped. She gestured to a small, plain wooden door on their
right. She reached out and pulled the rusty iron ring on the door and it swung
open.
Harry stared into the room it revealed...