Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 10: Galadriel's Secret

Aragorn led a broken-hearted Fellowship to the woods of Lothlorien as fast as he could. He knew that by sunset the orcs would leave Moria and try to hunt them down. They would be safer by far in the ancient forest where a kingdom of Elves dwelt.

He turned to urge the group on, but caught the look on Harry's face and decided they were going as fast as they could under the circumstances. He was very concerned about his young friend. Harry was clearly not taking the loss of Gandalf well, and it bothered Aragorn to see him looking so lost and forlorn. Frodo looked the same. They were both trudging along with depressed looks on their faces that said plainly they were hurting inside.

In truth, Harry's grief had turned to anger. Anger at Fred and George for holding him back, anger at Aragorn for making them go on, anger at Gimli for suggesting that they go in the Mines, anger at Hermione for creating the stupid portal in the first place, even anger at Gandalf for letting go. But most of all, he was angry at himself. He felt certain he could've done something to save Gandalf, and he felt completely worthless. Add his recent obsession with the Ring, and it would probably be better for the rest of the Fellowship if they went on without him.

Finally the Company reached Lothlorien. As soon as Harry set foot under the beautiful trees, he felt a deep, soothing calm flow through his body. He was beginning to relax, and he didn't understand why. Then he heard a whispering voice inside his head.

"Welcome Harry Potter."

Harry wheeled around. "Who said that?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" asked Sam.

"I thought I heard some sort of voice, whispering to me…didn't you hear it?"

"No," said Sam a little uneasily.

"Do you think that's your Parseltongue Harry?" asked Hermione with concern.

"No, it sounds different…more human…"

"You carry much grief and anger inside. Let it go and be at peace in my kingdom."

Now Harry was getting anxious. "I just heard it again!" he cried, "It…it knows my name!"

"Harry I don't hear anyth…" Hermione broke off with a gasp.

"What now?" asked Merry.

"I heard it too!" she said in a hushed voice. "It called me by my name, I've never experienced anything like this before; what is it?" she asked fearfully.

"It might be the one they call the Sorceress of the Golden Wood," whispered Gimli.

"What's that?" asked Pippin.

"An Elf-witch," replied Gimli, "They say that all who look upon her fall under her spell, and are never seen again."

Normally Hermione would've scoffed at what she considered to be utter nonsense, but after hearing that mysterious voice, she felt different. She was so lost in thought that she nearly walked right into the Elf-guard pointing his bow at her. She shrieked in surprise and stepped back.

Harry was surprised to find himself and the others surrounded by Elves. Unlike Legolas and the elves in Rivendell, they did not look friendly.

"What's going on?" muttered Fred to George, "I thought elves were supposed to be good!"

The leader of this particular group of elves, whose name was Haldir, looked at them sharply. "We are. It is you we are not so sure of," he said sternly.

Aragorn had his hands up as a sign of peace, and he started talking to Haldir in Elvish. The elf's face remained expressionless, but he finally waved his hand to the Fellowship and said simply, "Follow me."

The troop of elves led them through the woods until nightfall, when they climbed up into the trees. Harry found himself on a platform out of many all hidden in the trees. On the branches were silver lamps that gave the place an unearthly beautiful feel.

Haldir was now speaking to Legolas and Aragorn in Elvish. Harry had no idea what he was saying, but it sounded like a greeting of some kind. Gimli neither knew nor cared what they were saying. He was just annoyed that he couldn't understand any of it, and he let Haldir know it too.

Haldir glared at him. "We have not had dealings with the dwarves since the Dark Days," he said in a voice that said quite plainly he didn't like a dwarf in Lothlorien at all.

Hermione was deeply annoyed by their bickering. "Oh for heaven's sake," she cried exasperatedly, "How are we supposed to fight Sauron's armies if we're fighting amongst ourselves? I haven't been here for very long, but I can see it's about time you all put your differences aside and concentrate on the real Enemy!"

Haldir blinked in surprise. No mortal had ever talked to him that way before. For a minute, Aragorn was worried that Hermione had offended him, but then the elf smiled.

"She is right," he said, sounding very surprised. Then, with what still seemed like great difficulty, he said to Gimli, "I apologize."

Gimli grunted in reply. He looked rather startled himself.

Then Haldir turned and looked at Frodo. "You bring great evil with you," he said slowly, and Harry knew he was talking about the Ring. "You can go no further."

Aragorn immediately pulled the guard aside and started arguing with him in Elvish. Hermione listened to them with a worried expression on her face.

"What are they saying?" asked Harry.

"He's trying to convince the elves to let us through. If they don't we could be stuck fleeing from more orcs."

"And?"

"And, I'm not sure if the elves want to bring us anywhere near their city, because we have the Ring and everything."

"Can't they protect us?" asked Fred.

"It's not about protection really, it's something else," said Hermione thoughtfully, "I wish I knew what it was!"

"I wish Gandalf were here," said George.

Harry was about to snap at him, saying that if they hadn't held him back, he might've gotten to Gandalf in time. But deep down he wasn't so sure if that was true. The fact that Gandalf had simply let go had been bothering him ever since they left Moria.

Five minutes passed, then ten, then twenty, and still neither Aragorn nor Haldir seemed to be making any progress convincing the other. By now the others had sat down, talking in low voices or simply staring into space, just like they had back in Moria when Gandalf was trying to remember the way out.

Harry let his mind wander back to that moment. With a slight jolt he realized that had been the last time he'd spoken to Gandalf personally. What had his fellow wizard said again? Harry felt it must have been very important.

Then he remembered. Gandalf had told him to trust in his own abilities. He advised him to learn to control his emotions so he wouldn't succumb to the ring. And he had said there would always be people willing to help him. Yet Harry had had the feeling that there was something more to his message, something he hadn't understood at the time, but should be able to figure out now. Why hadn't Gandalf said that he would be willing to help Harry as well? Why did he say others would?

It hit Harry then. "He knew," he said softly.

"Who? What?" asked a startled Hermione.

"Gandalf," said Harry simply, "He knew the whole time."

"Knew what?" she asked, looking very confused.

"He knew he was going to die."

It seemed incredible, but it was true: Gandalf had known what would happen when he went through Moria, knew he was putting his own life in danger, but he went anyway. Why?

Hermione was nodding now. "I wouldn't be surprised if that were true," she said, "But what made you think that?"

"When I was talking to him earlier, he was giving me advice, telling me what I had to do and everything, and I couldn't understand why, but I felt like there was a second meaning to it. Now I know. He was saying goodbye. He was getting me ready for when I wouldn't have him to turn to. I think he did the same thing with Frodo. I saw them talking a few minutes later, but I never heard what they said."

He turned to Frodo, who was sitting talking with Boromir nearby. It looked like the older man was comforting him. "You carry a heavy burden Frodo," he was saying, "Don't carry the weight of the dead."

Harry felt strangely comforted by these words, though they were not directed at him. With a shock he realized it had been months since he last dwelt on Cedric's death last summer, or even his parents'. Seeing that other people had problems similar to his hadmade him feel better.

"Frodo?" he asked, "What did Gandalf say to you?"

Frodo screwed his face in concentration as he strained to remember. "He…he said something like…I was just saying how I wished none of this had happened, and he told me that everyone who goes through this feels the same way…and then…yes, he said, 'What you must do is do the best you can with the time that is given to you.'"

"I think you're right Harry," said Hermione, "He was saying goodbye." And Harry was left to ponder over everything that had been said.

Meanwhile Fred and George were talking to Merry and Pippin, for a change. They were talking about "battle tactics".

"Reckon these elves would like to try a custard cream?" asked Fred.

"You'd better not," said Merry warningly, "These elves aren't like the ones in Rivendell, from what I can see. I wouldn't want to mess with them."

"Pippin was right," said George, "You are a spoilsport!"

"He said that, did he?" said Merry, wheeling around to glare at Pippin.

Pippin blushed. "Well, you can be Merry, you know that! Everyone in the Shire knows that!"

Merry kicked him and turned towards the twins. "I say we wait 'til the day we leave. Then by the time they can kill us, we'll be gone!"

"Smart move," said George as Fred and Pippin nodded.

At that moment Haldir turned to the others. He did not look happy. "Follow me," he said.

"Did he agree?" whispered Harry to Hermione.

"I think so," she whispered back.

She was right. The next morning the Fellowship and the troop of elves arrived at Caras Galadhon, the city of Lothlorien. It took them all night to finally get to the top of the highest tree, where the palace of the Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel was situated.

When Harry first saw the rulers of Lothlorien, he was nearly blinded by the white light that seemed to illuminate them. He was in awe over the majestic beauty of the two elves. They looked young, but they seemed ancient and wise beyond anyone else. Harry was especially interested in Galadriel. When she spoke, he realized it was her he heard in his head.

Celeborn greeted the Fellowship, and then asked for Gandalf. Apparently Elrond had sent a message ahead of time announcing their arrival. Nobody seemed too eager to tell him what happened in Moria. But it seemed Galadriel already knew. She gave them all a piercing glance, until Legolas spoke up and told them about the Balrog. Gimli blushed and looked miserable. Harry felt a rush of guilt about his anger towards the dwarf only a few hours ago.

But Galadriel was compassionate, more so then most of the other elves. With her powerful elven senses, she'd seen and heard everything Hermione had said to Haldir last night, and she couldn't agree more. She knew that what happened to Gandalf had not been Gimli's fault, and she made sure he knew it.

"Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dum fill your heart Gimli son of Gloin," she said with a sympathetic smile, "For the world is full of peril, and in all places, love is now mingled with grief."

And Harry might've been imagining it, but he could've sworn her eyes flickered in his direction before resting on Boromir, who gasped and looked away.

Hermione stood staring at Galadriel, wondering about this mysterious elf, when the Lady turned and gave her a piercing stare. Hermione suddenly found that she was envisioning herself, sitting in the Hogwarts library, working hard as usual, but perfectly content and happy. She found herself longing to make the dream real.

You could, said a voice in her head, You could right now, you could abandon the Quest and no one would ever know.

Yes! thought Hermione excitedly. Then a thought struck her. But wait, I can't do that. What utter nonsense, the others would know I was gone, and anyway, I promised Elrond we would help…

As soon as this thought entered her head, the vision in the library vanished, and Hermione remembered where she was. She saw that Galadriel was smiling at her now. It must've been a test, she thought to herself in amazement.

Fred and George were having similar experiences. Fred saw himself pranking on Filch and Umbridge, George was dreaming of playing Quidditch, swinging his Beater's club for all he was worth at some Slytherins. But both remembered where they were, and both refused to leave, although it was hard.

Galadriel gazed at everyone in the Fellowship, but they all remained firm. She was very pleased. "Hope remains while the Company is true," she said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Tonight you will sleep here in peace."

"THANK YOU!" said Fred rather exuberantly, "I never thought I'd have a peaceful rest again!"

The others laughed, but Harry, as always, felt a little uneasy. He was slightly afraid of Galadriel, though he'd never admit it. He found himself sticking close to Aragorn as they descended and came to a pavilion that had been prepared for him. Seeing the soft, comfortable-looking cots made him feel very sleepy. He barely seemed to realize what he was doing as he plopped down on one of the beds and fell asleep in an instant.


Harry sensed, rather than felt, Galadriel's presence. She gently touched his arm and he was instantly awake, no matter how tired he'd felt before. "Come with me," was all she said, and he obeyed.

She led him to a little grotto, descending down some winding stone steps onto soft grass. In the center of the grotto was a stone basin, and behind that was a fountain. Galadriel filled a silver pitcher with water and then slowly poured it into the basin. Looking more closely at it, Harry was reminded of the Pensieve that Dumbledore owned.

"Will you look into the Mirror?" she asked.

"That's a mirror?" asked Harry.

"It is the Mirror of Galadriel," she replied.

"What does it do?" he asked.

"It shows things that were, things that are, and some things that have not yet come to pass."

"Is it different to everyone who looks in it?"

"Usually."

Harry stared at it nervously. But he couldn't see any harm in looking at it, it was just a mirror, it wouldn't hurt him. Right?

First, he saw only his reflection. Then the waters rippled, and Harry gasped at the images that began to flash before his eyes.

Dumbledore was pacing in his study, looking deeply concerned. "It can't be helped," he was saying to what looked like McGonagall, "I know why he chose her, but there is no one left to fill the post…"

Then he saw Ron, but he had no idea where his best friend was. He was in a dark room, and he looked nervous and slightly jumpy. Next he saw Ginny, dressed in blue, stroking the nose of a black horse. Then he heard battle cries, and watched as dark, evil looking monsters marched to a giant stone fortress in the mountains. Then came something much worse. He saw nine very familiar hooded figures in a fiery stone tower. He heard them hissing to their Master, and an angry shrieking reply. And then he saw it: a huge, flaming Eye, staring menacingly around his lair in what Harry realized must be Mordor. Then he heard two words: Find them!

Harry screamed and jerked back. Galadriel stared at him, eyes full of concern. "I know what it is you saw, for it is also in my mind."

"What is that thing?" gasped Harry, "Is it real?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so, everything you saw was real, or could happen."

"What was that Eye?"

"That was Sauron."

Harry had had a bad feeling about this, but to have the fear confirmed made it seem so much worse. "What's he going to do?"

"I don't know, but I think as long as you stay protected by the rest of the Fellowship, you will be safe. It is absolutely necessary that you remain safe. The fate of your own world lies within it."

"What do you mean?" asked Harry.

"My heart longs to tell you. It is a secret that has long been denied you. I have seen it in my Mirror. But I have also seen times when you could've been told the truth, but you weren't, so I am sure it was for a good reason. I doubt I should be the one to tell you."

"Tell me what?" asked Harry.

"I'm afraid I can't say. I'm sorry, but when you are ready, you will know."

Harry felt a jolt of recognition, he'd heard those last fewwords before, years ago, but who'd said them? He couldn't remember. But he did remember something else.

"Where are Ron and Ginny?"

"They are safe, as far as I can see. And I believe you will see them again, though maybe not right away. I know you wish to go home, but your journey is far from over. Even if Frodo decides to leave."

Harry's head snapped up. "What!"

"I told him he must finish this task alone."

"But when? And why?"

"I just saw him a few minutes before I summoned you. I wanted to speak to you each alone. But, although I know you want to help, you must remember thattjis is Frodo's journey, and he alone can succeed."

"I guess I knew that," Harry mumbled, "But to tell you the truth, I'm usually the leader. I'm not used to this." A thought struck him. "Does this have anything to do with my attraction to the Ring?"

Galadriel smiled at him sympathetically, "A little bit."

Harry sighed. "I feel terrible," he said, "But I guess I really can't help it."

"You are not the only one attracted to it," she said suddenly, looking very serious.

Harry was startled. "Who else then?"

"You will know soon enough," she said. She looked up at the starry sky, suddenly looking a lot older, seeming almost weary of the world she'd lived in for so long. It occurred to Harry that for the elves, immortality wasn't the most wonderful thing. Their lives continued for all of eternity. It must be heartbreaking and boring sometimes, especially when they grew attached to humans that they knew would eventually die.

Galadriel looked back down and seemed to regain her senses. "It is late," she said, "You need rest. Get some sleep now, while you still can." With that, she walked up the steps silently and left Harry standing there without a word. After watching her leave, Harry again grew very tired, and walked back to bed, where he once again sank onto his bed in a dreamless sleep…

A/N: Wow, we're almost at forty reviews! Keep it up people, you're doing great!

UK All the Way: Oh no, don't lose your sanity! AAAAAA! lol Is this soon enough? I hope so! Yeah, I loved the part when Fred throws the skeleton in, I laughed when I wrote that, it's a very Fred thing to do!

Infallallthingsaremadesplendid: (sniff) I inspired someone? (starts to cry) I feel TOUCHED! YAY! Hehe I liked that story btw. I never thought about turning them into hobbits!

Kaladelia Undomiel: Yeah I decided that Fred and George would make good swordfighters, and it went well with the story. Glad you liked it!

Genvessel: THERE you are! I wondered. You're right, no one can do LotR better than the master himself! And everything that happens here will definitely affect Harry, especially things in this chapter, that's why I had quite a few movie lines, I think they are all things Harry really needs to hear.

LillyandJamesforever: I'm sorry, no, Ginny isn't in Lothlorien, yes, Harry did look into the Mirror, and oh boy oh boy, wait 'til you see what his parting gift is! ;) I did read your story, and I think I left a review, but if I didn't, I did enjoy it a lot.

Darknesscomes: Thanks! Keep reviewing!

Prongsthewhithart: I'm SO sorry! Last time I kept checking and re-checking to make sure I responded to everyone, and then I forgot you! I'm SO sorry! Hehe ur review scared me for a minute there until I saw that you said it was very good! I'm glad you liked it!

BTW for those of youwho didn't know and are confused, Harry's vision of Dumbledore was when he was forced to hire Umbridge. I dunno why I did that, it really had no point to the story, but it served as a first scene for Harry to see. And no one's in Lothlorien, so sorry, but I've had it planned from the beginning where I want them to go and that's that. I tried to make it up to you by letting Harry see them through the Mirror. Don't worry, I've started Ch. 11 already!