Chapter 6

"Hey Ron, wake up! Sircyn is going to kill you if you don't get there in two minutes!" shouted Earithramir, banging on the door. There was a groan, then a loud thump and a yell of,

"Buggar!" It was safe to say Ron had rolled onto the stone ground and was now awake.

"Ron, hurry up! By the Valar, if you're any later then you already are then you may as well not be bothering!"

"Two seconds! I hope you brought food!"

"Uh… be right back!" Earithramir could hear Ron grumbling all the way down the hall as he ran to get the human boy some food. He grabbed a plate and filled it in record time and was back in less then five minutes; just as Ron was coming down the hall. Only eleven reflexes stopped a collision. Passing the food to him he then ushered Ron all way to the training area where Elladan and Elrohir were shooting arrows at a tiny moving target, Legolas was watching them and giving advice, which seemed to be annoying the twins, no end. Ron understood why, Legolas was far younger then the twins, they had been there in Mirkwood, almost fully grown when the blond elf had been born, so being told how to do something by someone who was like their little brother was extremely frustrating. Then again Legolas was and probably always would be the worlds' greatest archer in both human and elven terms.

"Thank you for joining us Ron!" said Sircyn sarcastically, his arms crossed irritably. Ron blushed and muttered

"Amin hireatha!" (I'm sorry)

"Forget it, I suppose you're just exhausted from yesterday, you are still new to it all." sighed his fighting instructor

"No, I should still have been on time, I apologise."

"It's alright Astalder! Now I want to work on hand to hand combat today, you never know when you will need to fight and you have no weapon." (Valiant one) Ok, so Sircyn was a bit like Mad-Eye Moody, with the whole 'constant vigilance' talks but Ron supposed that there was one in every species. They both got into fighting stance, and began. Sircyn took the offensive and threw many punches at Ron who defended and blocked each of them, then let Sircyn get one punch to the shoulder so he could get inside and deliver several hard punches to his stomach and ribs. Elladan and Elrohir must have stopped to watch, because they cheered Ron on as Sircyn backed off, trying to get his breath back, sparing the twins a glare. Taking the opportunity of him being distracted Ron did a reverse spin kick and caught the older and taller elf across the shoulder, knocking him to the side, but not to the ground. That took another jab kick right in the chest. Sircyn fell on his backside with a grunt. Elladan and Elrohir cheered even louder and jumped up and down. Ron bent over and extended a hand to his teacher to help him up. Sircyn took it, but then kick Ron's feet out from under him. Ron landed hard on his chest and all the air in him was forced out. Sircyn made a kind of dive for him and Ron caught him on one hand and the bottom of his foot and used the dive to carry Sircyn right over him. Earithramir burst out laughing as Sircyn landed in the mud created by last nights rainfall, face first. Swiping away the dirt from his face Sircyn stood up and Ron was quickly on his feet too, back in fighting position, both grinning. Now that Ron was able to fight they often had all out brawls, both enjoying them immensely. No one else dared challenge them, Sircyn was the best hand to hand fighter and in a month Ron was able to give him a fair run for his money. Sircyn made as if to do a reverse kick then went the other way and caught Ron across the jaw. Ron stumbled and fell over, his lip was bleeding but he laughed and flipped back up. He jabbed for Sircyn's stomach but Sircyn blocked it. Ron elbowed him in the chest and kicked his feet out from under him. He pinned him down and counted to three then let him go. Sircyn knew he'd lost and shook Ron's hand in the warriors' way, which was gripping the wrist. He patted him on the back and then went over to the stream, and began to wash his face. Ron stretched and yawned.

"Nothing like a good fight to refresh yourself in the morning!" he said cheerfully. The elves laughed and Elladan and Elrohir turned back to the targets and shot an arrow each, but both missed the target.

"You're not focusing!" said Legolas; he was clearly trying to hide a smile, "Every arrow requires utmost concentration lest-"

"Dina Legolas!" (Shut up) snapped Elladan irritably. Legolas said

"I'm only offering advice!"

"Lye uuma merna ta!" (We don't want it) growled Elrohir

"Fine then!" Legolas walked away angrily and sat beside Earithramir. Ron rolled his eyes and said

"Legolas, could you help me with my white knives, I don't think I'm using them right." Legolas nodded and Ron pulled out his white knives. He twirled them around in his hands and did a few basic moves with them. Legolas watched him with expert eyes and said

"You're too stiff with them, you must let them flow, here let me show you." Ron passed him the blades and stepped back. Legolas moved like he was doing a deadly dance, swinging the blades like they were an extension of his arm. They shone in the sun as they cut through the air with deadly movements. They watched fascinated, as they caught a glimpse of the warrior that was one of the nine walkers, a member of the Fellowship. Legolas suddenly stopped and passed the blades to Ron who bowed his head in thanks and respect. When he looked up he saw a pink tinge in the prince's face. Shrugging bashfully he walked away, back to the Homely House. Ron looked at the blades, they weren't his, he would have to wait a little longer before he would get his own weapons, and although they were good ones he knew having his own would be better. He held the blades like Legolas had and tried to believe that the blades were a part of him. He swiped across with the left, then brought the right one down to the ground.

"That's better Ron." approved Sircyn, he was laying on the ground by the stream and his forearm was resting on his forehead. Ron did the basic movements for the white knives and found them much easier to do. He sheathed them and pulled out his long sword. But to be honest with himself he wasn't in the mood for training. It was then he noticed that someone had joined them. Lomli was sitting beside Earithramir and the two were whispering excitedly. Ron then and only then remembered what he'd seen yesterday but he was surprised that he just felt dully bored with everything. Sighing he sheathed his sword and sat down heavily. Elladan and Elrohir shared a look and then sat on either side of him.

"You alright Ron?" He sighed heavily again and said

"Yeah, I guess."

"Except for…" prompted Elrohir

"Just, I guess I'm feeling a little homesick, have been since I got my throat slit." His lips twitched in morbid amusement at his own words.

"You wanted your family to fuss over you didn't you?" smiled Elladan kindly. Ron looked as if he was about to deny it but then he nodded, a lump coming into his throat and his eyes watered. While he rubbed his eyes fiercely Elrohir looked at Sircyn, Earithramir, and Lomli and jerked his head, as if to say, "Go away" Understanding they left. Ron swallowed hard but the lump made it painful, his eyes over flowed and he broke down, Elladan put his arm around his shoulders like Bill or Charlie would and this made him miss his family and friends even more. He would have given anything to see his family, to see Harry fly on his broomstick or Hermione chatter away about some new book, hell at the moment he would have been delighted to fall victim to one of the twins pranks. He was shaken deeply at how horrible it was to kill anything, even an orc, to see the light of life go out in their eyes. He'd been fighting the urge to cry for ages, taking familiar comfort in Professors Mc Gonagall and, to his shock, Snape, simply because they were people who were connected, however little or weirdly, to the people he loved. Finally he was all out of tears, and was exhausted. He wiped his face then moved to the stream, too ashamed to even meet the twins' gazes. He took some water in his cupped hands and brought it to his face, the pleasant coldness of it refreshing.

"It's ok Ron, crying is nothing to be ashamed of, it's good for you." said Elladan gently. Ron said nothing, just took a drink from the crystal clear water, elven magic had purged it of all pollution, so it was safe to drink. He then sat back and sighed tiredly.

"Do you mind if I go to my room for a while? I don't feel up to any lessons today."

"Sure, we'll make up some good excuses for you!" grinned Elrohir wickedly

"Just tell them the truth." he said tiredly

"Alright Ron, you go up and take it easy for a while."

"Thanks mate." Ron smiled weakly at them and walked up to his room, taking the less used corridors to avoid people. He pushed open the door and then flopped on his bed. His pet Augurey flew over to him and looked at him with his blue eyes curiously. He held his fingers out and touched his beak,

"Hey Dubhaltach." he murmured stroking the birds head. Despite what Hagrid had told him, Dubhaltach seemed to prefer bread and anything else Ron happened to bring up to his room. The windows were always open so more then once the bloody bird had flown off, only to return with a fairy or spider in his beak. He was also very good for mail delivering, as good as Harry's owl Hedwig, although Ron only sent letters to Cilath and his other elven friends. The bird's feathers were clean and shiny and full, he was as beautiful as Fawkes most likely because Ron had been spoiling him. Now Dubhaltach made a comforting noise and then flew back to his nest that hung suspended from the ceiling. He rolled onto his side and retrieved his wand and performed the Impervious and Silence charms, so even if some one came to see him he wouldn't know. He pulled out a book on the Cudley Cannons and began to flick through it. He quickly found that it didn't make him feel any better. Taking a different approach he took out his transfiguration book and began to study. But after an hour this just made him feel frustrated. Closing the book loudly he dropped it to the ground, where it landed with a thud. Running a hand through his hair he suddenly spotted an old scroll. Frowning in confusion he picked it up and saw a more recent note beside it. Opening it he read,

Ron,

I found this in the Hogwarts library, I don't know how it got there, but I thought you might find it interesting. Perhaps using the elves library you may be able to extend it even further, a kind of distraction.

Hope your doing ok now. See you soon hopefully,

Moony

Curious Ron opened the scroll and laughed as he saw it was a Weasley family tree! At the bottom of it where his and his siblings names. He scowled as he saw the name Draco Malfoy on the same line, he hated that he was related to that scum. He then saw Sirius Black on it and sighed as he remembered Harry's godfather, he may not have been as close to him as Harry had been but he still cared about him and Sirius was his friend. Then he saw Tonks' name as well as a good few others he knew. He then scanned the top of it at the old names, they were people like his great, great, great, great, great, great… Ron lost count but it was around thirty generations back, pretty extensive, but Ron was willing to bet the scrolls in the Rivendell library would bring him back even further, because if he did his math right, the scroll started about six thousand years before, and the elves were still around about that time, just leaving, because the Fellowship had been created about six thousand years ago! Deciding this would be a good thing to distract him he went to the door. But he couldn't open it. At first he was puzzled and tried again then rolled his eyes and looked at Dubhaltach who was looking at him with a patronizing look,

"I know, I know, the charms, I forgot ok!" Dubhaltach shook its head as if embarrassed and Ron suddenly realised he was talking to a bird here, not a good idea. Grabbing his wand he undid the charms and opened the door only to jump back as two people fell back into the room. Kinthia and Maedd looked up at him sheepishly, and he said in a flat tone

"I don't want to know!" and stepped over them, shaking his head.

'Is everyone but me pairing off?' he asked in his mind. For some reason Cilath immediately came into his head, but he shook his head to get rid of the intruding thought, he did not think of Cilath in that way! At least that's what he told himself.

'Besides I've got enough on my plate without worrying about a girl!' he said as he opened the door to the library and stepped inside. To his relief there didn't appear to be anyone there. Shutting the door he went over to the honeycomb like wall of selves, each held their own scroll, with a little tag on the end that was numbered so you could find everything easily. Going to the thin book that had all the numbers and definitions for what each scroll contained. Flicking through it he looked at the earliest date on the family tree and then looked down the list for a scroll with any information on that year. Spotting something he quickly looked at the number and then looked at the wall, muttering the number under his breath as he searched. Spotting it he pulled it out having to stretch to his tip-toes to reach it. Unrolling it he skimmed it.

"Interesting!" he murmured, as he read.

"Somebody there?" called a voice so suddenly that Ron nearly jumped out of his skin. Whirling around he saw the dark hair and blue robes that belonged to Erestor, the elves answer to Hermione!

"Is everyone in a conspiracy to give me a heart attack?" Ron grumbled putting his hand over his heart willing it to slow down.

"Oh yes Ron, I'm afraid so, we have secret meetings every night to come up with new things to try, but now that you have discovered us I'm afraid I'll have to do away with you." Erestor spoke so seriously that Ron had to consider whether he was kidding or not. When he was sure he was, he shook his head,

"Whatever Erestor, here you're good at history right?"

"I'd like to think so."

"Well could you help me with something?"

"Of course, what?"

"Extending my family tree, it's already back about six thousand years, I think."

"Really?" now Erestor was really intrigued

"Mm-hm, take a look." Taking the scroll gently Erestor look at it with a trained eye. He looked impressed. Then suddenly he frowned as he examined the top left corner. Ron looked over his shoulder and saw what was wrong. Someone had painted over the name that was connected to an ancestor, and put a different name over it. The line that connected to them indicated they were siblings, not married.

"Strange, why would someone cover this over and put a different name there?" murmured Erestor curiously.

"Maybe he just changed his name?"

"Maybe… or maybe he wanted to hide something." said Erestor. Ron face-palmed and uttered a curse

"Can't one day go by without something weird happening?" Erestor smiled and said

"You love it Ron!"

"Do not!"

"If you didn't have all this happening you'd be bored out of your skull. Consider yourself lucky you haven't fallen prey to any pranks from the twins."

"I'm used to it, thanks to my twin brothers. Why are twins so mischievous?"

"You'd have to ask the Valar themselves." chuckled Erestor as he leaned in closer to the scroll to examine the strange cover up. "Would you mind if I took off the paint that covers it to see the original name? I may find a reference to him or her in our own records and help you extend it."

"Go ahead." said Ron as stepped back to get out of the way. Erestor searched the bag that always hung by his side and pulled out a small scalpel like knife, designed for things exactly like this. He set it down in good light on a table and began to carefully scratch away the paint, always cautious not to damage the parchment. Ron in an effort to pass time grabbed a book and began to read it, only to snap it shut a few minutes later, his face red. Erestor didn't need to look up to know what book it was.

"All the books from that section are the same, so maybe try somewhere else."

"I didn't know elves were into that sort of thing." muttered Ron, putting the book back.

"Generally speaking we're not but some will write or draw such things for their lovers and they find their way down here."

"Ooooookkkkkkaaaaaayyyyyy!" said Ron slowly as he back away and moved to another section. Erestor smiled to himself as he continued to scrape carefully at the paint. Slowly but surely letters began to form and soon after Erestor had scraped enough to make out the name. When he had he was quite shocked to say the least.

"Ron! You have to see this!" he called eagerly. Ron put down the poetry book he had found and looked over his shoulder at his discovery. His brow furrowed in confusion as he stared at it,

"Isorfin? Isn't that an elvish name?"

"Indeed it is!"

"But what's so big about that? I'm sure loads of humans were given elvish names." Erestor shook his head

"No, in fact it was virtually unheard of for someone to name their child another species name… unless…"

"Unless?" prompted Ron curiously. Erestor sighed thoughtfully, Ron could have sworn he heard the gears turning in his head. He looked up at him and said

"Leave this with me, if I'm right I'll let you know!" Ron nodded and then bid him goodbye. He wandered down the halls into the garden. He stopped short as he saw a lovely sight. Cilath was bending over to tend to the flowers, softly singing to them as she touched them gently. The flowers seem to be turning up to her to hear her better. Ron just watched her with fascination, there was just something about her the way she moved, the sound of her voice, the soft swish of her hair, the glitter of her eyes, the sway of her hips it all just drove him mad. She was suddenly aware she was being watched and looked over her shoulder at him. To his surprise she blushed and looked shy, turning her eyes away.

"Ouel re, Ron."(Good day) she said quietly, with a small smile.

"Quel re Cilath." he returned, "How are you?"

"Fine, how is your arm?"

"Healing nicely although I have the greatest urge to scratch it."

"Well don't it could cause an infection!" she said going over and inspecting it. Ron stood patiently watching her intently. She nodded and then rewrapped the bandages saying,

"You're lucky, had the wound been any deeper you would've needed stitches and you know how itchy they are!" Ron cringed and touched his neck wound, the stitches were still there, it was becoming a habit, he often did it when he was thinking or remembering or, as Cilath called it, brooding.

"How long till these can come out?"

"A day or two I should say, as long as you leave them alone." She pushed his hand away from his neck as she said this. Ron sighed and rubbed his eyes, he didn't want to be alone, but he didn't want to be with anyone else either. What did that leave? He looked at Cilath who was watching him with curious blue eyes. Unconsciously, he reached up and stroked her cheek, it felt so soft under his rough hands, he was afraid he would hurt her if he wasn't careful. She leaned into the touch slightly, looking a little confused. Ron wasn't quite sure what he was doing but he liked the feel of her smooth skin too much to think. Her lips were full and red, they looked so inviting, he leaned in closer to touch them with his own…

A scream made them pull away sharply, they both knew that scream very well.

"Kinthia!" exclaimed Cilath running off in the direction of the scream. Ron followed, putting what had just happened out of his mind for now. They ran up to the second floor and found Kinthia lying on the ground shaking, Maedd was holding her and whispering soothing words. Cilath knelt down on her other side and touched her cheek. Kinthia grabbed her hand and whispered shakily

"Jaffa, orcs, n-north forest, huge, all warriors n-needed!" Cilath nodded and Maedd help her stand up. Ron knew this was serious, there were almost a thousand elves living in the area. For all of them to be needed was not good. Maedd and Cilath ran off to sound the alarm, Ron tried to follow but Kinthia grabbed his arm and held him back. He looked at her in confusion, she bit her lip for a second, then grabbed the back of his head and those same lips touched his. Ron was shocked and he tried to pull away but she held on, there was a brief glow of white light, then Kinthia pulled away and ran off. Ron stood there dumbly looking after her,

"Where the hell did that come from?" he asked aloud to the empty corridor. He felt an odd sense of déjà vu but then he remembered he was needed to sort the troops out. Cursing to high heaven he ran as fast as he could to the armoury. He grabbed his weapons, the bow, and a quiver full of arrows, a dagger, a long sword and long knives. He ran as fast as he could to get to the meeting area, he had to organize the soldiers. Skidding to a stop he was surprised to see what must have been every single elf in Rivendell waiting for him, lord Elrond and Legolas included! Gulping he said

"We need to head to the north part of the forest, there are Jaffa as well as orcs, I think we should separate into three groups, surround them on three sides, then the two groups on either side will join behind them so their trapped. I'll lead the one that'll meet them head on, Lord Elrond and Legolas I want you to take the other two, everyone split up into three groups!" They followed his instruction as quickly as possible and were gone in five minutes.

The Jaffa and orcs didn't know what hit them as the elves released their onslaught. They hadn't counted on such resistance. Among the ranks was the red headed one they had been searching for, he was a good fighter for such a young one, he had killed ten orcs in a few minutes and was in the middle of killing one of the Jaffa. The Jaffa shot a burst of raw energy at him with his staff weapon but the boy ducked and then drove his dagger into the stomach sac that held the immature symbiote. The Jaffa was dead in seconds, as the symbiotes blood mixed with his own, a fatal poison! Two orcs attacked him at once but he spun on his foot in a full turn to chop of both orcs heads at once. They had seen enough and they sent two of their scouts back to the base, with the information on him. Perhaps their Gods concerns were founded after all. But it was time to test the boy now.

Ron was getting tired, his muscles were screaming at him but if he stopped now he was dead, literally. He cut down orc and Jaffa as fast as he could, constantly on the look out for anyone who was in trouble. One elf he didn't recognize was about to be cut down by an orc coming at him from behind. Moving quickly, Ron pulled out his bow and an arrow and shot it straight through the orcs head. It fell down dead and the elf was safe, or as safe as he could be at the moment. Suddenly there was a cry from the left of him. Looking he saw a man, in gold silk clothing that simmered when he moved, his hair done up in a elaborate design. On his right arm was a gold bracelet that wrapped around his whole forearm. He was standing on a kind of platform that was floating above their heads, three Jaffa standing around him shooting down at them. He was a Goa'uld! But that wasn't the worst of it, no the worst was that he was holding a struggling Cer by the throat. The Goa'uld sneered, his fair face twisting horribly to do so. He tore his cruel green eyes away from the elf he held and brought them down to meet Ron's horrified blue ones. He smirked at him then raised his other hand. In it, squeaking and squirming, was a disgusting snake-like creature, as black as obsidian. It was a symbiote, and it was about to take possession of Cer. Cer was screaming and struggling, not caring what he had to do to get away, so desperate was he to get away from the monsters. But when someone is implanted, their body strength is increased, so elf though he was he couldn't pull away from the Goa'uld. Ron pulled out another arrow, he aimed…

BANG!

Ron was thrown back as the energy discharge from a staff weapon hit the ground. His bow flew from his hands. He struggled to his knees, looking up just in time to see the symbiote forcing it's way into the back of the neck of Cer, who screamed in agony. There was a nasty sound of cracking bones as the symbiote attached itself to his spine, taking control.

For Ron it was like someone had cast a silencing charm over everything, he couldn't hear a thing and the only thing he could see was Cer as his face scrunched up in agony, as he went ridged, then completely limp. After a moment he straightened up and his eyes flashed a golden glow, the sign of a successful possession. The Goa'uld drew in a deep breath, and examined his new body with sick pleasure. His eyes locked on Ron's and he sneered and took the weapon offered by the other Goa'uld, black shaped like a snake, hand held, called a Zat'nikatel, a less destructive, smaller version of the staff weapon. One shot stunned, two shots killed and the third vaporised the body. There was a flash of blue light, waves of pain, then total darkness.