Chapter 9
The next few weeks passed rather quickly for the inhabitants of Hogwarts School. It must be noted, however, that quickly did not necessarily mean peacefully or enjoyably for all of the young witches and wizards practicing magic at the prestigious academy. Yes, whether they were dealing with the politics of dating, attempting to control wanton acne, or repeatedly cutting open their hand at the sick whim of a madwoman, life at Hogwarts could, at times, be anything but easy for these young people.
Yet as is often seen in life, times of turmoil in the lives as such as Harry Potter could be made tolerable through a peppering of positive instances, scant though they may be. The year's first trip to Hogsmeade provided just the needed distraction for young Harry and his compatriots.
Now, as he slowly made his way back up to the castle, Harry happily contemplated the events of the past few hours. Not only did Hermione make a much appreciated comment regarding Cho Chang's rapt attention of Harry, but for the first time in much too long a period, he had told the story of Voldemort's regeneration and received awe and admiration rather then scorn and disbelief.
The day would have been absolutely perfect had it not been for one problem; Legolas, who had been personally invited to the DA meeting by Hermione, never made an appearance at the Hog's Head.
"You don't think something's wrong, do you?" asked Harry worriedly. Over Legolas' stay at Hogwarts, Harry had become quite attached to the elf, who readily served as a big brother of sorts for the young orphan. The thought that some evil had befallen the gentle, teasing elf vexed the wizard greatly.
"I honestly have no idea, Harry," said Hermione, for once resigned to her ignorance. "But I don't think it's anything to bother about, most likely he got distracted and lost track of time."
"Perhaps he was there," pipped up Ron absentmindedly from several steps behind the pair, rubbing furiously at a large butterbeer stain on his shirtfront. "Mum's going to have me for this…"
Sharing a confused glance, Harry and Hermione turned to their friend who, realizing that the two were staring at him intently said, "What?"
"What do you mean 'Perhaps he was there,'" asked Hermione, "You saw the same crowd as we did. Or did you see something we didn't?"
"No," replied Ron after one more attempt at the shirt stain.
"Well, Ron," began Hermione in a matter-of-fact tone, "If you didn't see him…I didn't see him…Harry didn't see him, in fact no one saw him, how in the world could you think he was there?"
With a satisfied smirk, Ron crossed his arms over his chest and said, "You, Miss Know it all, must not remember when Legolas said elves could chose to be seen or otherwise…or something like that anyway. And I didn't say he was there, just that it is possible."
Trying not to laugh at Hermione's slack jaw, furrowed brow and obvious embarrassment at not knowing that fact, Harry and Ron decreased the pace of their crawl as Hogwarts grew ever larger. What had once been a welcoming beacon to all manner of good folk now inspired a feeling akin to dread, all because of one horrid woman.
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Perched high in a tree at the very edge of the Forbidden Forest, Keladon watched the parade of students returning to Hogwarts. His orders, direct from the prince himself, had been to watch for the wizard called Harry Potter and take him directly to Legolas. Though, as an elf, Keladon was completely at ease in the strong arms of a tree, he was entirely too uncomfortable with the view, that is, watching the humans march up to the castle. True, he had spent a considerable amount of time in their realm, too long in his opinion, but the majority of that had been spent among the centaurs, his brethren of the heavens and earth.
"The day we abscond from this wretched land shall come none too soon," muttered the young elf to himself. His musings were interrupted as his keen eyes caught sight of Harry and company nearing the castle. Jumping easily from his limb and running swiftly across the large lawn, leaving not a blade of grass out of place, Keladon was soon upon the trio.
"Harry Potter," said Keladon, not a trace of his recent exertion present in his elven voice, "My lord wishes your presence."
"Umm, now?" asked Harry hesitantly. He did not know this elf well, though he would readily go if Legolas truly had sent for him.
"Ai, at once."
"Right. Where is he, then?"
"Follow me for the way," said Keladon, turning to make his way back to the forest.
"Well, I'll see you two later, I suppose," said Harry to his friends.
While Ron simply nodded, Hermione grabbed his arm and told Harry, "I want to know everything that happens!"
"You always do Hermione," laughed Harry with a short shake of his head.
"Elves may be immortal, Harry Potter, but humans are not and time is precious," stated Keladon expressionlessly. Raising his eyebrows at his friends one last time, Harry turned and followed the elf across the lawn.
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"We're going into the forest, then?" asked Harry as their destination became clear. Keladon's only answer was an almost imperceptible nod. "Why should we go in there?" continued Harry, determined to get a few words out of the stoic elf.
"That is not for such as I to tell," replied Keladon without so much as a turn of the head.
"Not much for talking, are you?" asked Harry good-naturedly. He was startled when Keladon suddenly turned and was standing before him, his fair face glowing with the pride inherent in all of his kind.
"Honestly, I have no love for men nor for their mindless chatter," jabbed Keladon coldly.
Harry was incensed by the elf's harsh diatribe, feeling as if he had just received a firm slap in the face. "Had you ever even met any men before you came here? How can you possibly judge us without knowing any of us?" inquired the young man angrily.
"I know of your deeds. I know of your enormous greed and lust for power. I know that you have taken the world, which the elves entrusted to your keeping, and utterly destroyed her beauty with your towns, factories and automobiles. It is you who does not know, Harry Potter," cried Keladon, his body tensing in frustration though he made no movements. "You do not know of the beauty that once was, of the majesty indescribable in either tongue of man or elf. Men have been the ruin of Arda, of elves and of themselves." Swiftly regaining his composure, Keladon continued through the forest, which was growing denser and darker with every few feet.
As much as he did not wish to, Harry reluctantly followed his guide, inwardly fuming. 'Not all men are like he says!' But many are, aren't they? Though he wanted with every fiber of his being to deny it, he knew that the small voice in his ear spoke truthfully.
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"Patience, friend, for Harry Potter draws near," spoke a voice from a clearing ahead. Looking up, Harry could see three brilliantly glowing figures and several others with them. Passing Keladon without a word, Harry stepped into a large clearing, lighted only by the ethereal glow of the four elves. Six heads turned as he entered the clearing. Harry was surprised to see that, along with the elves, stood two centaurs he recognized as Bane and Firenze as well as Professor Dumbledore himself.
"Welcome, Harry Potter," said Legolas with a small smile, "We have been waiting." Though Firenze allowed a ghost of a smile to flit across his face, the other centaur remained impassive.
Glaring at the boy, Bane asked Legolas respectfully, "You are completely certain that this is necessary, Prince Legolas?"
"My friend," said Legolas, placing his hand on the centaur's shoulder, "As elves we acknowledge and admire your longing for respite amongst the trees of the forest and stars of the sky, yet desperate times require sacrifices from us all."
"Elves hold wisdom above even the centaurs. If you believe such a move should be made, the centaurs agree," conceded Bane with a bow of the head.
Similarly inclining his noble head, Legolas then turned to Dumbledore and asked of him, "Do you agree to such an alliance, Headmaster?"
Nodding his agreement and smiling behind his bushy white whiskers, Dumbledore said, "I do agree."
"Than it is decided," affirmed Legolas with he eyes focused on Harry.
"Not to be rude or anything," interrupted the under-age wizard, "But what has been decided? Why did you ask me to come here?"
"Harry Potter, we wish to inform you that the centaurs have only now agreed to allying themselves alongside men and elves in this battle," said Legolas with a satisfied grin on his face.
"That's great!" cried Harry as he glanced at the kind centaur Firenze. "So that's why you called me into the forest?"
"Not quite," joined in Gilethiel. "We have a request to ask of you, young one. If you so agree, you shall serve as an intermediary between your Headmaster and Bane of the Centaurs." Here the elf Elendor chimed in saying, "We wish for this alliance to remain known only to those who must be informed. The headmaster making recurring visits to the forest, or centaurs trotting up to the school would be highly suspicious."
"I see," replied Harry thoughtfully, "Of course I'll do it, anything to help. Only…"
"You wish to know why an elf shall not fill the position?" inquired Legolas with a somewhat sad expression.
"Yes, actually, that was my question," affirmed Harry with a slight laugh at his elf friend's seemingly all knowing mind.
"Harry Potter, the time has arrived for our departure," announced Legolas regretfully.
Dejected and surprised, Harry cried "What?!" after a moment of shocked silence. "You can't leave now! I thought you said you were going to help us! We need you! I need you."
"Our promise of aide has not changed in the slightest, young one," soothed Legolas, gliding toward the boy and placing a hand on each shoulder. "Yet only pause and consider the good four elves would be to your kind. We must return to our realm and ready our people. Our return is eminent, dear friend." Looking the wizard in the eye, Legolas told him, " I swear by the names of my father and forefathers, I shall return with ten-fold elves, all in our glory. Fear not for the light of the elves shall not fade in the threat of darkness."
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Hey guys….I'm soooo sorry but I seriously do not have time to respond to reviewers…I'm trying to get all my stuff together cuz I'm moving into my dorm on Saturday!! And eek I still have loads of stuff to do….I barely managed to get this chapter together!!! Actually, what really sucks is that I had done all of my responses but I thought I had saved that version…but…of course…I didn't! I also had to go back and redo a whole bunch of corrections so…ahhhh…im kinda frustrated right now!!! So thanks to the following reviewers:
Odd-I-See
Willow26
Pirate-Chicha
LOTRwolf
Karone Evertree
Barbara Kennedy
Empress of Alvarra- (By the way, I'm dedicating this chapter 2 u b/c ur review was so freakin awesome! I just had to say something! And thanks for adding me to ur fav author list too!)
Saki
Lilybee2003
SQ 006
Anonymous
Lady Fox Fire
I hope I didn't forget anyone! U all rock!! Oh yeah, if anyone is kinda not liking what I did with this chappie and would like an explanation, plz leave an e-mail address with ur review and bear in mind that the fic is not over!