Act III

scene 1: seaside
Legolas

He found that a wizard's laboratory was fascinating. Most of the ingredients that had been dried and hung around the room had been used by the elves for millennia. Some, though, were strange and others were just a little bit disgusting.

"Harry, hand me some of that mugwort," Sirius said from his right side.

The other wizard walked towards Legolas and took down a bundle of ilsanduil. Harry smiled at him before carrying the dried plants to where Sirius was working. It was interesting how the plants had such different names from Sindarin to the tongues of Man, and then to the language of wizards.

He eventually wandered to where Sirius was brewing his strange truth potion. The clear liquid bubbled vigorously and a faint odor of fish came from it.

"Why does it smell like the sea?" he asked.

Sirius chuckled. "Because of the seaweed put in it - specifically kale. Even wizards in the Dark Ages knew how powerful the sea can be when it calls a man."

Harry wrinkled his nose. "You're not going to start on that siren of the sea story, are you?"

"Yes." Sirius leaned over and pecked Harry on the lips when he went to protest. "Why don't you check on Malfoy and make sure he isn't plotting another escape attempt."

Harry sighed, but left the room with a wave to Legolas and what looked like a pinch to Sirius' bottom.

Legolas felt a twinge of jealousy, startling him. Why was he feeling this way and about which one of them? He mentally gave himself a shake and turned his attention to the grinning wizard.

"What is this story about? Even elves are called by the sea."

Sirius laughed. "In the world where Harry and I are from, there are people who live in the sea, called merpeople. In ancient times, they would lure sailors to join them for fun..."

scene 2: the motley crew
Harry

He was very tempted to hex Malfoy without having a trial. His schooldays nemesis was proving, once again, just how big of a bastard he really was. It had taken them two entire days to create the cell Malfoy was in, but the blond man complained about everything. The cell had an anti-magic barrier a foot outside the bars to the wall, extending a foot into the bedrock, and it was this feature Malfoy was whining about most.

But right now, he was complaining about being in this world in the first place.

"...And Potty has to be here. I thought I was finally rid of you, and then I got sucked through that stupid veil. Only I hit my head - "

"- And couldn't remember your name for seven years," Harry interrupted, irritated. "You've already told me that four times, Malfoy. I would have thought that you would be a little more original after school. You still use the same old, tired insults that Ron would have ignored in seventh year."

Malfoy snorted. "Weasel couldn't ignore anything. He - " The blond abruptly cut off whatever he was going to say.

"What is it, Malfoy?" Harry tiredly asked.

A sneer crossed the other man's face. "You would be happy that Weasel and the Mudblood were engaged. The Weasel's mother bought a house with your money when they ruled you dead."

Harry felt part of his heart relax. He had been worried about his friends, wondering what would happen. He was also amazed that Molly had left the Burrow. After Arthur was killed, the Weasley matriarch hadn't wanted to move out of the ramshackle house. Bill and Charlie had tried, several times, to persuade her to move to a smaller house. Harry was sad that it had taken so long - so long that it had taken Harry's will for it to happen. Hermione had thought him macabre for writing a will, but intuition had told Harry that he needed one.

"What's the matter, Potty? Getting homesick?"

Harry glared at Malfoy. "Actually, I'm thinking that my friends are lucky they don't have to deal with you." He narrowed his eyes, "but now I have to, and you will pay for your crimes. There isn't any Malfoy charm or name working in your favor. So, I suggest you spend the next two days thinking about how you can redeem yourself, or you will be spending the rest of your life in this room."

scene 3: bow and arrow
Sirius

He held back a smile as he watched Harry learn archery from Legolas. After the entire debacle with Malfoy, Harry had been looking for something that would keep him in shape. Sirius really didn't care to exercise - keeping up with Harry most days was enough for him - but his lover was determined to find something.

Legolas had offered to teach Harry how to use a bow, and he had enthusiastically taken him up on the offer. The elf had taken them to the woods bordering Lothlorien to make Harry's bow. While the other two had wandered among the trees looking for material, Sirius had studied the small stream and pool that was near their camp. Several of the rocks and plants were unique to the land Sirius had found himself in ten years ago, and his curiosity had led him to return to the experiment that had connected to the veil.

Legolas had told Sirius that the stone here was the same as Galadriel's mirror. Sirius began to postulate that he might be able to create a way to communicate with their old world, even if they couldn't go back. Sirius had actually resigned himself that they would never go back, but he wanted to give Harry some closure. He knew that his lover would occasionally wonder aloud what happened to the Weasleys. Sirius could hear the sadness in Harry's voice when he did so.

He used Harry's archery lessons to write down his findings without alarming his lover. He didn't want to take the chance that something would go wrong or it just plainly didn't work. Sirius wanted this to be a surprise - a good one, where he could let go of the past.

A shout brought his attention to Harry and Legolas. Sirius found Harry hugging Legolas in a tight embrace. As Harry let go and turned and ran towards Sirius, he saw that the blond elf was uncomfortable, with a little bit of surprise thrown in.

"I hit the center, Padfoot!" Harry cried as he hopped onto Sirius' lap. Harry hugged him tightly. "Can you believe it! And this time I know what I'm doing!"

Sirius hugged him back, looking over Harry's shoulder at the elf. Legolas gazed at them forlornly, and Sirius wondered if he was lonely.

scene 4: awake
Harry

He held back a yawn as he groped for his wand. He was so tired, but he couldn't fall asleep. The sleeping aid that Sirius had made had only worked for a couple of nights before he was sleepless once more. He quietly got out of bed, carefully peeling Sirius' arms away and making sure he didn't wake his lover up.

He made his way to their small library, hoping to find something that could possibly put him to sleep. He stirred up the fire, hoping to take the chill off the room. Plucking a random book off the shelf, Harry curled up under a heavy blanket and began reading.

Sleep finally took him as fingers of light began to creep across the sky. He never dreamt of anything that he remembered, but he never woke up well-rested.

"Harry?" Sirius asked him that afternoon.

He looked up at his lover, his eyes gritty from only three hours of sleep. "What is it, Padfoot?"

Sirius help up a parchment. "I think I've found something that may help."

He nodded as the other man paused. "What is it?"

"We need..." He shook his head. "Never mind. That would take too long."

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"The last ingredient is three drops of blood from a true child. Unless there's a chance you have one running around somewhere..."

Harry laughed, even though a pang went through his heart. "Fat chance of that!" He sobered. "Back to square one, then?"

Sirius nodded. "Yes."

scene 5: madness
Legolas

It had been three weeks since he had felt compelled to return to the White City. He couldn't explain the exact feeling, only that he had to talk to the wizards. He hurriedly made his way through the levels of Minas Tirith, stopping before a small dwelling carved into the rock on the sixth level near the door leading to the citadel. The fluttering had increased the closer he became, but now that he was here, his soul was calm.

The door opened as he went to knock, almost resulting in his fist hitting Sirius in the nose.

"Legolas! What are you doing here?"

"I was called," he answered. "But I don't know by whom."

The gray-eyed wizard stepped out of the doorway, a frown on his face. "Harry has been calling for someone named 'Yavanna.' Do you know who that is?"

Legolas nodded, feeling his eyes widen involuntarily. "She is one of the Valar. She is the giver of fruits."

"Sirius?" a strained voice came from a back room. "Where's Professor Lupin? I thought he was going to celebrate Christmas with us."

"I'll be right there, Harry." Sirius sighed and shut the door behind Legolas after ushering him in.

"What is the matter with him?"

"At first, he couldn't sleep. Now, though, he's begun hallucinating. It's most likely from lack of sleep, but I haven't been able to figure out a cure. It's been almost three weeks since he last slept."

Legolas stepped forward in the direction Harry's voice came from. "May I see him?"

Sirius bid him to follow. They stopped just inside the doorway of the library. Legolas was shocked to see Harry's condition. The green-eyed wizard was shirtless in the chilly room, and he was trying to pull a pair of boots over the pair already on his feet. His long hair was a mass of snarls, and his eyes didn't focus.

"Harry?" Sirius asked. "I brought someone in to visit."

"Is it Ron?" Harry asked as he turned. He growled and shifted his attention fully to Sirius. "Why did you let Mr. Malfoy in, Sirius? Didn't I tell you he was the one who gave the diary to Ginny?"

The wizard standing next to Legolas turned to him. "Can you think of anything that might help?"

"Yes," he answered. "Let me consult Arwen, and I will return by nightfall."

scene 6: frustration
Sirius

He was ready to tear his hair out as Harry refused to eat. The past three days had been horrible, with Harry's condition deteriorating a little more than the day before. It had scared Sirius when Harry had suddenly switched from talking to Sirius as he normally would, albeit tiredly, to thinking that they had just caught Wormtail and were taking him up to the school.

He had been careful about how he treated Harry, as there was no way to tell if it could set off another episode. The one time he hadn't, Harry had freaked out, saying that there were purple and blue cockroaches crawling all over him. Sirius had ended up restraining him, because Harry had begun to claw at himself to get them off.

Legolas had been gone almost three hours, but Sirius was worrying if he would be too late. Harry had gone ominously quiet and his chest barely moved, eyes closed, and unresponsive.

A sharp rap sounded and Sirius ran to the door. He threw it open to reveal Legolas and Arwen.

"Please, show me to him," the dark-haired elf asked.

Once they reached the room, Arwen knelt in front of where Harry was sitting, taking hold of his hands. The Evenstar closed her eyes as a soft glow began to surround her.

"What's happening?" Sirius asked as Legolas pulled him from the room. "I need to be with him."

"Let Arwen find out what his happening. Then we may go into the room."

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"I will need for the both of you to join hands with Harry and each other," Arwen said ten minutes later as she led Sirius and Legolas into the library. As they did so, she continued. "Relax, close your eyes, and think of Harry. Do not think of him as he is now, but how he was the day Eldarion wed."

Sirius smiled as he remembered that day, when Harry had happily sent fireworks into the sky. Gold, red, green, and blue light had made Harry's face and countenance ethereal. There had been a smile almost etched onto his face.

He reached out to touch Harry's face, forgetting what had led him to this. His fingers were fastened to another hand as he raised them. Pale skin that glowed with health met his eyes. Sirius followed the limb up until he found that the hand was connected to Legolas.

"Aren't you two going to dance with me?" Harry suddenly asked. A golden flower burst in the air behind him, making him look like an angel with a halo. "Come on, you two. You're supposed to dance at weddings! Even I know that."

scene 7: music
Legolas

He wasn't sure what had happened. He had always been able to see past what Men saw, but never like this. This world, where they found Harry, was more beautiful than Lothlorien in the morning. Beyond the fireworks that were now fading, buildings shone with golden caps and the streets glittered. A bird fluttered down to land on Harry's shoulder, Fawkes' intelligent black eyes piercing through Legolas' heart.

The phoenix quickly released him and turned its sight to Sirius. Harry smiled widely at Legolas.

"Will you not dance, Legolas? I can hear the music on the wind."

Legolas strained his ears, but heard nothing.

"Sirius, dance with me?"

The wizard in question turned to Legolas with a concerned look. Lines were numerous around eyes narrowed in confusion.

Harry squeezed his hand as Fawkes took off, and he pulled the two over to a grassy section. The green-eyed wizard began swaying to the unheard music. Legolas and Sirius were still for several minutes, but Harry didn't seem to notice. Just as he was uncomfortable enough to let go of both Harry and Sirius' hands, a single note started. He then noticed that Sirius had begun to move along with Harry. It wasn't much movement, but it was enough to tell that they gray-eyed wizard heard the same music as Harry.

The single note was quickly joined by others until it became smooth, with a pleasing beat behind it. Legolas noticed he was moving with them, though he didn't know when he began.

Their movements sped up as the sun shone brighter and the world began spinning faster and faster. He felt as if he would fall down from the motion when it suddenly stopped. Focusing his eyes, they locked onto the image of a beautiful woman dressed in green to Harry's left. Fawkes sat on her shoulder, even as she sent them a brilliant smile.

scene 8: the giver of fruits
Sirius

He started at his first sight of the woman. He had begun to think Harry was crazy when he heard the music start to play. Then he had been so caught up in the music that everything but the two people he'd been holding hands with disappeared.

"Be at peace, friends," she said in a lilting voice that reminded him of Fawkes' song.

"Hi, Yavanna!" Harry happily greeted her. "Siri and Legolas came with me this time."

She smiled at him as realization hit Sirius. This was who Harry had been calling out for.

"Where are we?" Sirius asked, as he studied her.

"You are in Aman, the home of the Valar. Upon that mountain is the Pelori, upon which Manwe sits," she said, pointing off into the sunshine. "I needed all three of you here to make my final decision on a question that Harry has been asking for several years."

"How long? And what is the question?" he asked. What was that Harry wouldn't have told him?

"It's not bad, Padfoot," Harry said as he let go of his hand. The hand moved to rest on Sirius' chest directly over his heart. "I didn't know that I was asking for a long time."

"I have made my decision, and it is two-fold. The first part of Harry's question was that he wanted to know what had happened to his friends." She paused to smile at Harry and turned to Sirius. "The potion you have been toiling over is missing this." Yavanna held out her hand, and nestled in her palm was a small pile of seeds. They were round, with brown and black speckles over the green. "These seeds are to go in at the very end, and the potion must set for an hour. Soak a cloth in it for two hours and hang it to dry. When the cloth is dry, use your magic to call forth the person you wish to speak to."

She turned to Harry as Sirius memorized the instructions, carefully pocketing the seeds.

"For the second part, Harry, when you have spoken with your loved ones, I will grant you your wish."

The buildings began to fade a little, and Sirius suddenly knew they were waking up.

"You are now bonded to each other, the three of you. What you choose to do with that bond is up to you."

scene 9: coming home
Harry

He tried to keep himself from bouncing with excitement, still managing to disturb Fawkes from his slumber on his shoulder. Sirius was almost finished with the potion, having delayed until Harry had recovered from his sleeplessness after their conversation with Yavanna. Legolas looked on interested next to him, but not with Harry's enthusiasm.

While Harry was recuperating, the three of them had talked about what bonding meant to them. Legolas had shyly admitted that he found both of them attractive, but he would never come between Sirius and Harry. Sirius had then told the shocked elf that he and Harry both were up for seeing what they could make of it, whether it would become a bond between lovers or just friends.

They would take it one day at a time, but Harry felt they could make something extraordinary.

The potion dried quickly, as Sirius hung the cloth off to the side. Malfoy was mouthing off - silently - about being included. Harry wanted to let his friends know that the Slytherin had had his powers bound to the point where he was little more than a squib, even if it had taken Sirius, himself, and Arwen to do so.

"Ready, Harry?"

He took a deep breath before nodding. "Yes."

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Harry wiped the last tear away as the cloth went blank. At first, when he had finally contacted Hermione, they had both been shocked. He had chosen her since she was the most logical choice, but it still took both Sirius and himself quite a long time to convince her they were really who they said.

His friend had looked old, and Ron even older when he arrived home from work. Both had many wrinkles and gray hair. Added to that was the fact their grandchildren were in Hogwarts. Still, it had been nice to talk to them, but the potion had ran out, making the cloth just that once more.

"Are you all right, Harry?" Sirius asked, holding him tightly in his arms.

"I'm getting there." He looked at Legolas, who had patiently sat through the entire conversation. The blond elf smiled serenely at him.

Harry eventually pulled back from Sirius, contemplating how alike the cloth had been to the veil. They had discovered that it was a portal, but it wasn't directly linked to the world they had come from. Malfoy had suddenly jumped up and through the portal, but he hadn't landed at Ron's feet, who was talking at the time. He had simply disappeared, and Harry was relieved to have him gone.

Sirius went over to begin cleaning the cauldron when he gave a shout of surprise.

"What is it?" Legolas asked as he and Harry hurried over.

Sirius pointed into the cauldron before reaching in and pulling a small parchment out. Harry looked in and pulled out what lay at the bottom. The small baby opened its eyes and looked at him. "What...?"

"'This is Beren and is your daughter. Teach her well the ways of witches and wizards,'" Sirius read out loud.

Harry leaned over and laid his cheek against hers, smelling a sweet scent. He could sense the same magic he felt from Sirius, was well as the... earthiness? of Legolas. He also could feel his own will running strong within the small body in his arms.

"Wasn't the first witch named Beren?" Sirius asked curiously. "Legend said that all witches and wizards were born of her blood."

Harry smiled and mentally thanked Yavanna for blessing him with his wish - a child of his own. That had been his one regret when learning he was beyond the point of no return to his own world, that there were no children of his blood in the future. Harry would make sure Beren would grow up healthy and wise. Sirius would teach her to find the humor in even the worst situation. And Legolas would show her strength is a gift of nature.

Fin.