Chapter 4

"Ron! Wake up or you'll be late, come on you need to eat something!" called Earithramir banging on the door.

"Alright keep your hair on, I need to get dressed!" called Ron jumping out of bed and quickly washing and dressing. "What is with you elves, you go to bed at late hours and get up at the crack of dawn, literally!" Earithramir rolled his eyes and just said

"You'll get used to it! Now come on!" Ron came out holding his schedule in one hand, his book bag over his shoulder and his other hand running through his hair.

"What's in the bag Ron?"

"My books, I have charms and transfiguration first and then archery and swordplay. Gods I can't believe this is all happening I mean my mum and dad will freak when they hear it."

"I would say they will very proud of you." said Earithramir as they walked down the corridor

"Maybe, I hope they will I mean this sort of thing has never been done before so I actually have a chance to make them proud."

"What are you talking about?"

"Well with seven kids in the family you rarely get a chance to shine because its all been done before." admitted Ron quietly. Earithramir didn't say anymore, they walked in silence, but it was a comfortable silence. They entered the eating hall and Ron quickly sat beside Cilath who had saved him a seat. He smiled at her and began to eat as much as he could. Earithramir and Cilath watched in fascination and amusement as he ate greedily.

"Hungry?" asked Cilath an eyebrow raised. Ron nodded and shrugged sheepishly at her.

"Mr. Weasley time for your class." said Mc Gonagall coming up to him.

"Sure thing Professor." said Ron stuffing a few more grapes into his mouth. He then followed her to a room near the library.

"Are you teaching me charms as well as transfiguration Professor?"

"Yes and Professor Snape will be teaching you potions and defence against the dark arts."

"What about the other classes?"

"The elves will teach you their knowledge as they are skilled in many categories. You will be tested on what they teach you for those subjects."

"Cool!" the professor then began the charms lesson. She was as good as Flitwick at charms and Ron quickly mastered all the spells she showed him. After forty-five minutes they moved on to transfiguration, Ron learned how to turn a mouse into a mousetrap. He found with Mc Gonagall only teaching him, it was a lot easier to learn how to do things. Finally another forty-five minutes passed and Ron thanked the professor and left for archery. He was really excited about it, it was something new,

"Ah just on time Ron!" said Earithramir with a smile, "Here put these on." He handed him two circular things,

"What are these?"

"Protective arm bands, trust me you will thank me for them." Ron obediently put them on and was handed a bow. It was a beauty, intricately carved on the wood, even if it was a little faded. He looked at the bowstring with interest, it was so thin but when he pulled at it, it held taunt.

"I see you like the bow!" grinned Earithramir as he passed Ron a quiver of arrows.

"Yeah it's nice, but what's the bowstring made of?"

"A single strand of elven hair." Ron's eyebrows shot up in surprise. The string seemed much stronger then a hair normally was.

"You guys are full of surprises aren't you."

"Yes we are." agreed Earithramir and he then began to teach Ron how to use the bow. The whole thing was harder then it looked but soon Ron was hitting the target, if not in the bulls eye then near it.

"Very good Ron." applauded Cilath from where she had been sitting and watching them. Ron smiled at her, she had been very nice about his mistakes and offered advise to him.

"Thanks Cilath, now is it time for swordplay?"

"It is!" said a new voice. Ron looked behind him to see a new elf. He was taller then Earithramir and had black hair and green eyes. He seemed older then the other two. "I am your instructor Sircyn." He seemed a bit colder then Cilath or Earithramir too. Ron smiled and bowed

"Saesa omentien lle heru en amin." (Pleasure meeting you my lord) The newcomer looked surprised

"I was told you could speak our language but I did not believe it." Ron shrugged sheepishly

"I was just lucky I guess."

"Not at all you just have a gift for them." said Cilath coming to stand beside him and placing her hand on his shoulder. Neither Ron nor Cilath noticed the way that Earithramir rolled his eyes at them and shot Sircyn an amused look. Sircyn ignored him and said

"Lets get started." Ron nodded eagerly and followed the elf to a small space that was in the shape of a circle. "Now I will be showing you the basics for every weapon and then once you can do them perfectly, you can choose which of them you want to specialise in."

"Cool so what weapons are there?" There was a pair of white knives, a short handled curved sword, a long handled curved sword, an axe, a dagger, and a long sword. They were all lovely weapons, and Ron couldn't wait to try each of them out. Sircyn showed him a couple of moves with each and after each time he had Ron try to copy them. Ron quickly learned that the axe needed brute force, the dagger required good close combat ability, while the white knives, and the short and long handled swords needed agile movements, almost like a dance and the long sword need both good movements and brute force. Ron was starving by the end but Sircyn told him he was doing very well. He went into lunch and gobbled down as much food as he could. As he stuffed a huge amount of food into his mouth he looked at his schedule and choked on it. Earithramir reached over and thumped his back.

"Thanks!" he gasped his eyes still glued to the piece of parchment in front of him.

"What's wrong Ron?" asked Cilath

"Nothing just I have Snape next and I'm pretty sure he's in a bad mood with me."

"Fear not I will be there and will make sure he causes you no harm."

"Thanks Cilath but I'm afraid only You-know-you himself would stop Snape."

"Who's you-know who?"

"You-know-who, evil guy, tried to kill Harry instead he lost his powers and disappeared for seventeen years until he came back just over a year ago and is quickly regaining power." drawled Ron arching an eyebrow. But both elves looked as confused as ever and Ron looked from one to the other in astonishment,

"Sorry Ron we don't know who you are talking about, perhaps if we had his proper name we would know who you speak of." Ron shifted and then muttered something

"What was that?" asked Earithramir frowning in confusion

"Voldemort!" exclaimed Ron exasperatedly, "There now you know!" He suddenly realised he found saying the name easier, then of course he realised something else, "You two are crafty buggers!" The elves smirked satisfactorily and continued to eat. Ron looked from one to the other and then rolled his eyes and continued to eat, with a smile on his face. He felt like he'd been here for at least two weeks, not less then two days. He checked his watch and saw he had to move in a minute,

"What in Arda is that?" asked Cilath sounding so young and curious that Ron had to look at her to be sure that it was her who had asked.

"A watch we use it to tell time."

"Really? What a strange object, we just know the time, thanks to our connection to Arda."

"Lucky you." he muttered and then said "We had better get going if we want to get there on time."

"Of course come on, tenna' telwan san' Earithramir." (until later then) she called as she left

"Namaarie Cilath, Ron!" (Farewell) called Earithramir as he stuffed some bread into his mouth. Ron and Cilath continued in silence for a long time before they halted before a door.

"Here we are." said Cilath sounding excited

'Oh boy…' were Ron's final thoughts before he stepped into the room and the door clicked shut.

"Welcome Mr. Weasley and lady Cilath, please sit down." said Snape silkily as they entered. Cilath flashed him a friendly smile that seemed to take him aback. They sat down side by side and Snape began the lesson,

"First I will say that this will be the most rigorous course you will ever face as you will be taking N.E.W.T.s potions in two months instead of ten, do you think you can handle that Mr. Weasley?" Ron gulped and said

"I think so sir, as long as I have a good teacher." said Ron looking at him pointedly. Snape narrowed his eyes as if unsure how to take that sentence.

"Very well, we will begin with Veritaserum the strongest truth potion." With a flick of his wrist the ingredients appeared on the board. "Begin!" Ron and Cilath worked together, Ron often having to show her which plants were which and she telling him the name elves used for them. By the end of forty-five minutes they were done and the potion had turned so clear that Ron could see the bottom of the cauldron. They waited as Snape examined it and then with surprised eyes he declared it more then satisfying with a grimace. Ron felt giddy with delight at that, Snape had never complimented his work or even Hermione's at that. Now it was time to start DADA, Cilath hung around eager to watch some magic. Snape had Ron go over the hexes he'd learned during the D.A. Cilath had gasped at some of the results, and giggled at the others, like the jelly legs hex and the bat bogey hex. Ron found that this was a whole lot of fun, cursing Snape and making Cilath laugh. Finally Snape dismissed him and Ron checked his schedule, he had history and Herbology next. Cilath looked over his shoulder, her breath on his neck sending goosebumps down his spine.

"Hey history is the class you have with me." Ron turned to her in surprise,

"You're one of my teachers?"

"Well let's say tutor so we can be more comfortable, teacher seems to say that we cannot be friends."

"Ok then. Lets go." Cilath lead the way, Ron shook his head, he was feeling a little tired now, and yawned a little.

'I can't believe how I'm not half as tired as I thought I would be after everything I've done today!' he shook his head and followed Cilath to the library. She lead him to some couches and then sat down on one, leaning back. He followed her example of sitting down, but leaned his elbows on his knees.

"Well, where to begin?"

"The start usually works for me?"

"Ah! But where is the true start of history, when you find that myths are winding their way in too?" Cilath smiled knowingly and Ron had to shrug. Fair point. "Perhaps I will tell you of our people's war with Meklor. Would you like to hear about that?" Ron nodded, but in truth he was only half listening. The sun was shining through the window and it was dancing on her golden hair, and framing her figure in an almost tantalising way. She leaned forward and took off her shoes, and he stared at her hard. It was just the light but she looked beautiful and incredibly sensual. He probably shouldn't be thinking these things, but he was a teenage boy. His eyes were drawn to her lips again and again. They looked very soft. Everything about her body seemed soft and- 'Stop right there Weasley!' he ordered himself before he got too excited. Yet even as she lay back and began to speak he knew he had found a new love for history.

Ron shifted in his seat nervously, as he waited for Lord Glorfindel. He was going to be learning about the enemies he would be facing. Apparently there was more then Voldemort and Death Eaters to worry about, and that wasn't including the Dementors and Giants. He jumped as the door opened. Glorfindel strode in and shut the door firmly. Ron fought the urge to gulp. Glorfindel had seemed nice, but he now knew who this man was, thanks to Cilath's history lessons. This was the reincarnation of the Balrog Slayer, one of the most formidable warriors to have ever existed. Glorfindel walked behind a table and sat opposite him. On the table was a map of old Middle Earth. Glorfindel rested his elbows on the table and pressed the tips of his fingers together, studying Ron over them. Ron stared back, trying very hard not to blink. Then the corners of the elf's lips twitched up and he nodded.

"You have not been here a full day and already you have impressed many people, including Lord Elrond, which, these days, is quite hard to do. Yet I cannot help but wonder if you will impress me as much." He stared a little more and then said softly "Tell me Ron, how do you view war?" Ron drew in a deep breath before answering slowly,

"Pardon sir, but in my opinion war is pointless no matter the reason. It's a primitive form of dealing with issues."

"Is it? Would you call me primitive Ron?" Glorfindel raised both eyebrows questioningly.

"No sir!"

"And yet I have fought many wars." the elf whispered, a sadness entering his eyes.

"Maybe sir, but that wasn't what I meant."

"Then explain yourself."

"I mean to say that war is a primitive practise, we should have grown out of this by now. Have we learned nothing, found no better way to deal with things and besides we shouldn't need to ever have to resort to violence it only causes more suffering."

"Honourable sentiments Ron… but consider this. You say war is a primitive practise correct?"

"Yes sir."

"And that we shouldn't need to resort to it?"

"Exactly."

"Would you say the same of sex?"

"… Pardon!"

"Sex is a primitive practise. Yet we have never found an alternative way to procreate, we have never grown out of needing or wanting it." Ron shifted in his seat, feeling his ears reddening.

"Well sir that's different."

"Oh?"

"Yes, sex… it's a good thing." Ron went bright red as he said this thickly. "Its intentions are good, and the act should be good, I mean you ought to have good feelings towards the other person."

"Would you say Professor Dumbledore's intentions are good?"

"Yes sir, of course."

"And yet he is making war."

"No he's not! You-Kno- Voldemort is!"

"It takes at least two sides to start a war Ron."

"Well maybe sir, but with all due respect, Voldemort started it!"

"Maybe."

"And! And he's the one using aggressive moves."

"Would you be more inclined to listen to him if he was peaceful?"

"What? No! He's a complete bigot!"

"And would you say he wants violence?"

"Yes. He's willing to do whatever is necessary to get what he wants!"

"And Dumbledore isn't? He wouldn't do everything that was necessary to ensure victory?"

"Well…"

"What if, say, the only way to defeat Voldemort was if Dumbledore had to kill Harry Potter? Would he do that?"

"I don't-"

"What if he had to kill ten people? A hundred? All the… muggleborns as you call them? What if their deaths would ensure Voldemort was defeated? Would he do it? Wouldn't he have to because it was necessary?"

"Sir! With due respect again, please make your point!"

"I want you to see that this isn't quite as simple as you wish it to be. It isn't just Voldemort-bad, We-good. There are many, many shades of grey in war Ron." Ron drew in a deep breath.

"I see sir."

"As a captain Ron, you'll have to make hard choices. You may have to send people to their deaths for the benefit of the rest of the world. Can you handle that?" Ron rubbed his forehead shakily, as the weight of what he would be doing hit him. He met the intense eyes of Glorfindel and said truthfully,

"Now sir? No. But I hope I will be able to make these choices when it comes down to it." Glorfindel, whose face had been expressionless until then, now smiled a little and said softly

"I think Elrond and Dumbledore made a good choice in you Ron."

"Well… thank you." Ron sighed, his chest felt tight. Glorfindel looked down at the map, and placed his hands flat on it.

"Many years ago, we had to face Dark Lords and their minions and once again evil has chosen to assume that form. But I'm afraid this time it hasn't just taken on one form. It has taken on many, many forms and they are all very dangerous. Some have the magic of modern day wizards. Others have incredible technology at their disposal-"

"Wait! You mean like muggle technology? Like fellytones?" Glorfindel raised an eyebrow again, this time in amusement.

"Do you mean telephones?" Ron blushed and nodded, feeling embarrassed that the elf lord knew more about muggles then he did. "Well yes, but much more advanced then that. This is technology that outstrips most muggle technology and it is very dangerous."

"But doesn't our magic give us an advantage?" Ron wondered. Glorfindel frowned deeply and Ron knew he'd said the wrong thing, but he wasn't sure what.

"That kind of question is the kind I'd expect from Voldemort, not a young man like you."

"Sir?"

"Having magic doesn't make you any more impressive or powerful then non-magical beings. It just means that you have a different power to them. If they were less then you then there would probably be no need for you to hide from them, you'd be able to control them. Yet you hide! Why? If your magic gives you an advantage over their technology then why do you hide? Answer me!" Glorfindel had jumped to his feet and his eyes were blazing. Ron recoiled in his seat, feeling horrible. That was the kind of thing Malfoy would have said, not a son of Arthur Weasley who loved muggles almost as much as his family.

"I'm sorry Lord Glorfindel, I shouldn't have thought that, you are right." He stared at the angry elf wide eyed and he seemed to calm down. He sat back down and said softly

"The greatest danger we now face, is that the threat is an expert at deception. They can be anyone, infiltrate any place."

"Who are they?"

"They are called the Goa'uld. They are a parasitic race, similar in shape to a snake. Harmless in that form of course, but they have a terrible ability. They can bury their way into a person's body through the back of the neck and wrap themselves around the spine. They then have complete control of the host's body."

"Sounds similar to the Imperius Curse." Ron muttered.

"It is, and yet it's more dangerous as they themselves are masters of deception. They once posed as the ancient gods of humans, particularly the Egyptian ones."

"As what?"

"Gods, and humans worshiped them as such. You see, the Goa'uld are extremely intelligent and Valar do they know it! They learned very fast how to wield the magic of the primitive wizards and used it to make their subjects declare their godhood. This may come as a shock to you but they were the ones who invented the wand as you know it."

"NO WAY!" Ron leapt to his feet in shock.

"SIT DOWN RON!" Glorfindel matched his volume and only lowered it when Ron had reluctantly sat back down. "Yes I'm afraid that item your kind cherishes so dearly is a creation of evil, along with many of the spells you use."

"You mean the Unforgiveables?"

"They are only three of thousands of spells."

"But, but they're all in Latin!"

"Yes, and?"

"But you said they posed as Egyptian Gods."

"In the beginning, they did, however as time went on the Romans became stronger and over came the Egyptians, and they changed the spells to Latin because it was their language and as you know Ron, the Romans made one of the biggest marks on the world. Many of the European languages spoken today are based on Latin, including English."

"Isn't English not the common tongue of old? But… wait that doesn't add up!" Ron's face clouded in sudden confusion. Something didn't make sense. "The Egyptian age ended around 3000 years ago it started around 5000 years ago… but Cilath mentioned that The Fellowship that Prince Legolas travelled with existed 6000 years ago… but that they were more advanced, in a medieval setting but… I'm confused." Ron couldn't understand. Either his math was wrong, which was entirely possible… or something had happened to humanity during a period of 1000 years. Glorfindel sighed softly and stood up. He paced slowly around the desk and then folded his arms and leaned against it. He narrowed his eyes at the ground and then looked up.

"You know what a Dark Age is, right Ron?"

"Yeah, I think so. It's where a culture recedes itself. Education, knowledge is lost, things are forgotten."

"Correct. You see when Prince Legolas, who was the last elf to arrive on Valinor left Middle Earth… well things changed. The people changed. They seemed to loose a lot of what they had gained."

"You mean they reverted back to a point where they were almost Stone Age?"

"More or less."

"How, how does an entire species loose and regain such a thing in such a relatively short space of time?" Ron asked desperately. Glorfindel had to shrug.

"I'm afraid that we only have theories. One is that in order for humans to become the fully dominate species they had to go back and… start from scratch. It would explain why, at this time, the Ents went still and our Middle Earth became your Earth. You re-did things, took a new perspective, established new beliefs."

"With a little help from these Goa'uld of course." Ron smirked slightly, flicking his wrist to add to his sarcastic tone. Glorfindel smirked right back in agreement.

"Exactly. Now they are the leaders, but they aren't the highest numbered group of enemies. They have their own soldiers. They are called Jaffa."

"Ja-fa." Ron pronounced it softly to himself. "Are they good?"

"They are extremely disciplined and honourable, strong and self-sufficient. Their prowess in battle is to be respected."

"Are they elves? Or humans?"

"Neither really. They would be more akin to humans though. The main difference is the fact that they carry a prim'tah."

"A what?"

"An immature Goa'uld symbiote. It is placed in a pouch in the Jaffa's abdomen and is incubated there for several years till it is old enough to take a host."

"They carry these things willingly?" Ron looked disgusted.

"Well yes and no. They believe all Goa'ulds are gods and so they willingly protect them. On the other hand when they reach puberty their immune system is designed to fail so they have to take the prim'tah. The symbiote is their immune system and makes them much more capable of withstanding serious injury."

"You said their immune system was designed to fail. What does that mean?"

"They were created, no doubt bred from humans with magic altering their genetic structure. In answer to your unsaid question, they are slaves to the Goa'uld." Ron swallowed, his stomach was churning making him feel sick. Glorfindel gave him a tiny smile of understanding. "I'm only telling you the basics today Ron so perhaps I should continue."

"Wait! Do, do all Jaffa follow the Goa'uld."

"There is a Jaffa Resistance, but it is very small. Then again Jaffa only number in the thousands really."

"What do the Goa'uld number in?"

"In symbiote form? Unknow, could be thousands. In hosts… at most a hundred."

"That's not too many."

"Maybe but they are very dangerous, even a single one cannot be allowed to live if you have an opportunity to kill it." Ron nodded. "Now, you already know about Voldemort and Death Eaters and the basics of his methods don't you?"

"Yes, oh boy do I." Ron quipped, sounding slightly exasperated. Glorfindel's lips twitched very slightly.

"Well then there is one last threat."

"Oh? What?"

"Orcs."

"…Oh."