Part 3 of More to The Story. It's about a family that are the key-holders and Gatekeepers between our world/Wizarding World and Middle Earth. Adventure, friendships, and love. Part 3 picks up at the beginning of The Battle of the Five Armies, with equal parts of books and movies with the crossovers. OC's and real characters.
The Company and Gatekeepers are divided. Some of the company remain in Laketown with the younger members of the Gatekeeper family. The parents and grandparents are still missing. The danger of the dragon, orcs, and greed were on everyone's minds. What would become of them? Erébor? The Wizard and Muggle world? Nothing was certain.
I do not own anything from the Hobbit or Harry Potter; only the OC's and their story. All Harry Potter/Hobbit references and characters belong to J.K. Rowling, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Peter Jackson.
Chapter 3Lady Arwen sat on the bench in her mother's garden letting the sounds of the water fountain help her think. Her mind wandered to the memory of their guests so many weeks ago. For the most part, it was a lovely visit with the witches, Karah and Jordan. Catching up with them, discovering how much they had changed and grown, learning about their world's circumstances, and why they were with such company. It was peculiar for dwarves to allow human travel companions. Perhaps because they were magical beings, comparable to Mithrandir, they were welcoming to the witches.
As much as she enjoyed having them, Arwen could not stop thinking about Jordan and her curse. When the witches confronted her father about locking their magic, Arwen paid close attention to the story and Jordan's behavior. She had been angry to say the least. Had she been in control of her magic, it would have been scary to see what she could be capable of.
What begun her troubled thoughts were more of what Gandalf reported. The Necromancer of DolGuldur was worrisome and Saurman of the White Council was convinced it was a human sorcerer dallying with dark magic. With Jordan Drake being cursed and the whole family fleeing their home, is it just a coincidence that all of this is being brought to light? Or is something else amiss?
"What troubles you?" Elrond appeared next to his daughter, observing her being lost in thought.
"I've been thinking over more of what Mithrandir said when he came with the dwarves and witches."
"Oh? Do you worry about the dragon?"
"Yes, but that's not my first concern. It's the Necromancer taken up Dol Guldur. What if it's Milhawke? What if when he went missing, he went there and that's why no one has heard from him since? What if he's the one who cursed Jordan?"
Elrond allowed a small smile to take over his lips. His daughter was so kind, compassionate, thoughtful, and intelligent. It was no surprise to him she began to solve the puzzle. Having another's thoughts on the matter helped him confirm his own suspicions. "I have come to a similar conclusion. Until I receive word from Gandalf or the White Council, we must be patient. We do not wish to upset the delicate balance and peace we have worked so hard for."
"Then we do nothing?" Arwen did not like that idea.
"No, we wait for the right time."
"I fear if we wait much longer, we will be too late. It's not just the dwarves who were anxious about getting to the mountain. Jordan also seemed desperate. What could she want with it?"
Elrond pondered his daughter's words. "You may have uncovered her secret. It is not just a dragon with precious metals and gems lay guarded in the mountain."
"What else?"
"A vast collection of knowledge. The library is full of many things to help anyone seeking the right education. But many things are hidden there to ensure it will never fall into the wrong hands."
"Do you think Jordan wishes to get this knowledge for herself? Perhaps find a way to break her curse?"
"It's possible. Or she could be forced by whoever cast the curse to retrieve the knowledge."
"The danger is not just of awaking the dragon, but what could be unleased should Jordan succeed."
"We need…"
"My Lord Elrond?" Lindir came to the garden. "Lady Galadriel wishes to speak with you."
Arwen thought this odd, "why did she not just reach out to him?"
Lindir smiled at her, "she asked me to announce her so as not to completely interrupt your time together, my lord and lady. However, she insisted it was urgent."
"Thank you, Lindir." Elrond nodded to the servant. He gently squeezed Arwen's hand to assure her that their discussion was not over. He closed his eyes to let the wise elf into his thoughts. Lady Galadriel?
Her normally calm voice shook. I need your help.
X
Gandalf clutched the bars of the torture cage with his dry and dirty hands. It was too short to fully stand up, and too narrow to sit down. He could only lean against the metal bars for any kind of reprieve, his legs and feet aching from his own weight. The bitter wind went right through him, causing a continuous shiver.
The cage was dangling over a cliff that gave him a terribly clear view of the ruined forest ahead. The army of orcs and wargs had left the ancient fortress of Dol Guldur and marched east. Azog the Defiler left behind a few guards to look over their home front, and to ensure the wizard would never find peace.
The smell of decay darkened his thoughts of hope. Gandalf wished death would take him from this misery. He could not remember the last time he had any food or water. He worried his body would deteriorate before his mind would, prolonging his suffering. His mumbling calling out for help to anyone listening was his last chance of salvation.
Weariness was taking over. The wizard closed his eyes, ready to leave this life when he heard the soft voice of his dear friend. Galadriel could not be seen, but she was near. She worried that Gandalf would give up and she would be too late, so she called out to him so only he could hear, "I will be there soon, Mithrandir. Do not lose hope. You are not alone."
His mumbling grew stronger and the intentional words became clear. It had the desired effect as he heard Radagast's hypnotized voice call back to him.
Heavy footsteps tramped the stone floor. One of the few remaining orcs had heard him and snapped at him in Black Speech, "no one will come to save you, wizard!"
The terrible creature used a hook to pull the cage to him, lifted it free like it weighed nothing at all, and threw it on the stone floor. It rolled a few times, making Gandalf disoriented. The orc used his foot to push it a little further to open the door. He picked the weak wizard up by his collar, raised him overhead, and threw him back to the ground. His awful laughter ghastly harmonized with Gandalf's moans, completely distracted from the oncoming gold-silver light. Once the glow came into view, he glanced over his should only to get blown off the edge of the crumbling fortress. His screams silenced from the fall.
Galadriel gently picked up the fading wizard. His strength was debilitating by the minute. She had to hurry to get him out of the darkness if he was to survive. She barely made it a dozen steps when she heard a voice speaking out, an old riddle lost in time…
Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
She knew that voice. It brought fear to the hearts of all, casting despair on the most jovial of souls. It stopped her in her tracks, alarm taking over her face. Shadows began to take forms of beings out of the darkness. "Nine for the Mortal Men doomed to die…" she answered the voice, her power and light slowly draining.
The nine Nazgûl, or Ringwraiths, circled them and grew clearer and stronger. Each wielded their weapon of choice to strike her down. They were once great kings of their time, dressed in finery and loved by their people. Until they succumbed to the evil of the rings of power given to them by Sauron. The price for their wealth and great power, they would become his servants for all time. Now they have been called from their graves to carry out the will of their master once more.
The terrible voice gnashed at her, "You are fading in the shadows. One light all alone in the darkness will fade."
Galadriel held her friend in her arms to protect him and draw strength from his presence. He needed her to be strong. She defiantly answered, "I'm not alone."
More white light joined her in the ruined fortress. Saruman's silver glow weakened the darkness. "My lady, do you need help?"
Elrond stepped through another passage, glad in shinning golden armor. "You are going to wish you had stayed dead."
Both Saruman and Elrond recognized the beings immediately. They both prepared themselves battle, with a sword and magical staff. The shadows seemed to never fully disappear. Every time they cut one Nazgûl down, a moment later it would rise again. It was like the could not be vanquished. The White Council needed to flee this horrid place and return with reinforcements if they hopped to return the shadows to their graves.
Galadriel watched the fighting. She knew that her friend would not survive if he continued to stay in the fortress. "Mithrandir, come back to us." The love for a friend was as true as any and love could break any curse. She leaned down and kissed his forehead, pouring out her love and magic, hoping he would hear her call.
Air filled his lungs and Gandalf's eyes opened. In alarm, he looked around and saw Galadriel above him. He had to warn her. Through gasping breath, he spoke, "He is here!"
The powerful she-elf knew of whom he spoke. "I know. You were right, the darkness has returned."
Around them, the fighting continued. It was a miracle a team of Rhosgobel rabbits pulling a sleigh made it to the middle of it without getting hurt. "Gandalf! Climb on!" Radagast pulled up right next to his friend and assisted him onto the sleigh.
Galadriel was laboring to catch her own breath. She used much of her magic to bring Gandalf back. "He is weak. Take him far away from here before the shadows drain him again. Go! Quickly!"
Gandalf managed to settle himself and reach for Galadriel's arm. He tightly held on so she would listen to him. "Please come with me?"
Sadly, she smiled at him and pulled away. Her extra weight to the sleigh could severely slow them down and Gandalf could still perish. Turning to Radagast, she let fury take over and her eyes were white and her voice deepened. She was a frightful sight and scared the Brown Wizard to get moving. "Go!"
The wizards were out of sight and Galadriel laid on the cold stone floor. One by one, the Nazgûl were falling from Elrond's blade and Saruman's magic. Everything became quiet. Elrond rushed to Galadriel's side, wanting to help her to her feet. The bitter wind kicked up dirt, leaves, and sticks. Then suddenly a fire exploded from a high balcony. It took the shape of an eye, with a dark iris in the center. It quickly formed a body of an elf or a very tall man. His helmet looked like a skull with sharp spikes pointing out of it, making him appear most sinister. The Nazgûl stand at his side ready to serve their master.
The terrible voice spoke out, revealing the figure's identity: Sauron. "It has begun. Soon the East will fall and the Kingdom of Angmar will rise. The Age of the Orc has arrived and the time of the Elves will end forever!"
Elrond and Saruman can hardly believe their eyes. This should be impossible! They are completely engrossed by the terror before them, they do not see Galadriel summon the power of her own ring, Nenya. The White Ring was also known as the Ring of Water. It transformed her to look like a deadly water nymph. She put forth the ring to snuff out his flame. With every step she took, Sauron became weaker and smaller. "You have no power here, servant of Morgorth. You are nothing. Nameless. Faceless. Formless. You are banished to the void from whence you came!"
With one last blast of energy, Galadriel forced Sauron to flee. It became like a fiery commit flying across the sky. It was so big and loud no one would fail to notice the ball of fire. Galadriel collapsed and was caught by Elrond before she hit the stone floor.
Elrond held her securely so she would lean against him. Softly he spoke in his native tongue. "My lady!" He could not keep the concern from his voice. Until he felt her squeeze his arm to reassure him did he continue, "We fell victim to our own ignorance, not wanting to face the truth."
Galadriel's breath was heavy and her voice strained as she spoke in common language. "Sauron's spirit has come back."
"And you banished him." Saruman encouraged proudly.
"He said the East will be the first to fall. He must be fleeing there in order to regain his strength," the wise she-elf deduced. She would not fall to the lies again.
Elrond tried to stand with Galadriel. "We must warn Gondor. They can set a watch on the walls of Mordor. I will…"
Saruman cut him off. "No. Look after the Lady Galadriel and take her to Lothórien. She has used much of her power and needs to regain her health."
"I fear, my lord Saruman, that this cannot wait." Elrond was torn. He wanted to help his mother in law. He truly cared for her but all of Middle Earth is in danger. "We have to hunt him down and destroy him once and for all! With him in this condition of weakness, it could be our only chance."
Saruman shook his head, "without The One Ring, Sauron cannot regain his full power. I will handle this. Go now and get help for the lady."
Elrond did not agree. This was no time to divide their forces. They must work together if they were to be successful. He studied Galadriel. She was severely weakened and they could not take on Sauron without her. He nodded and carried her to his horse waiting for him to return.
X
Radagast hurried his faithful rabbits. He promised them as many fresh fruits and vegetables as they want when they returned home. He was frustrated and angry at Gandalf for making him promise not to follow him into that cursed fortress. He should have stayed, should have been there to help him. He could have rescued him from this peril and he would not be in this condition.
When they finally arrived at his house in forests west of Mirkwood, the sun was setting behind the Misty Mountains. Gandalf did not wait for him to help stand. He rolled off the sleigh none too gracefully, trying to stifle a moan.
"I have to go. May I barrow a horse?" the Grey wizard asked as he limped to the horses grazing nearby.
Radagast let him walk on his own and started to unhook his tired rabbits. It took him a moment to register what was asked of him. "What? Are you mad? Gandalf, you are in no condition to travel. Where do you need to go?"
"When I was in Dol Guldor, I saw countless ranks of Moria Orcs marching to Erébor. They must be warned." Gandalf found a saddle and secured it to a steed. He looked back to Radagast who was pleading him not to go. "Will you summon our friends? Anyone from bird to beast. War is coming and the Mountain is the prize."
"Gandalf! Wait!" The Brown Wizard did not like this at all. Obviously, the world need them to act. Only his friend was weak! At that very moment, there was nothing that could be done. Gandalf needed rest. Not to mention he did not have his magical walking staff. Radagast was going to argue with his friend, but clearly there would be no winning for him. "You shouldn't be traveling as it is. But what good can you be without your staff? Stay long enough for me to help you make one. Rest while I prepare everything you need. Then I will make the summons."
The Grey Wizard sighed, knowing his friend was right. He sat down on a bench outside Radagast home, waiting for the preperations to be made. He prayed that he would not be too late.
X
Lothlórien is truly a magnificent forest realm. It's first inhabitants were Silvan Elves of Nandorian, and the Sindarian Elves added to the population later. Lady Galadriel and her husband, Lord Celeborn came to the forest with seeds of the great Mallorn trees. They would grow to sprout leaves of gold and wood of silver, thus earning the name of The Golden Wood. Together, Galadriel and Celeborn guarded over the realm and watched over the rest of Middle Earth. They resided in the largest tree in the center of the forest.
Elrond was greeted by many elves in service to the lord and lady. They made haste to get her settled into her chambers. He did not wish to divulge any vital information until he spoke with Celeborn, therefore seeing to Galadriel's health personally. None of the servants tried to stop him, knowing full well his healing skill. A few stayed at their mistress' side to aid in any way they could. It took some time when she finally became stable and ready to rest.
Elrond was equally tired. After traveling to Dol Guldur so swiftly, fighting the dark shadows, bringing Galadriel home, and tending to her, he was ready to collapse. Only there was more to do. He addressed the head housekeeper who had been helping him, "where is Celeborn?"
"He has been away for a short while, my lord." Daena answered, tucking her mistress under the covers of the bed.
"To where?" Only Elrond's eyes gave an indication of his distress.
Galadriel had not yet fallen asleep. "My husband still searches for the Gatekeeper, Ruben, and his son, Jeremy."
Elrond knew that she need to sleep in order to quickly regain her strength. He wished that he could spare her more time, only this matter was of great importance. "What about the rest of the family?"
"We learned that Priscilla and some of the family are in Laketown. Nothing has been heard from Ruben and Jeremy, as they are still searching for the missing witches. I did know know they were the ones traveling with Thorin Oakenshield until they had already left Rivendell. Thranduil sent me word, the dwarves came through the Greenwood but all have departed."
"My lady, I need more of your council when you are well. I can't return home and to my daughter until I have spoken with you about another matter."
"What is on your mind?" She gently asked, working hard to keep her eyes open.
Elrond was torn to discuss this right then, "it's about the young witch, Jordan Drake, Ruben's granddaughter. She was cursed as a child, and I believe that the sorcerer, Milhawke cast it."
"It's possible, but that's not what is troubling you, is it?"
"No, there is more. Arwen and I have discussed it, she has become quite attached to both Jordan and Karah. Originally, we thought the Necromancer could have been Milhauke. Now, we worry he is still out there hiding in the shadows and possibly an ally to Sauron. The Dark Lord will look to the mountain for its position and stronghold. He sends his servant, Azog the Defiler to end Thorin Oakenshield and take the mountain. Milhauke could be another source. If he is the one who cursed Jordan, he could use her to get the knowledge hidden in the vast library of Erébor. Then the darkness could spread not just over Middle Earth, but onto the Undying Lands, or even other worlds."
"What is Jordan's curse?"
"I'm not certain. It took her voice and keeps her from communicating anything about it. I also fear that he stole the missing key from his friend, Ruben. He could have traveled to the world Priscilla comes from. The Gatekeepers fled from there to keep the secrets of the many gates from another dark sorcerer. If he has the missing key, he could be traveling back and forth freely, and part of the reason that the other world is no longer safe from evil."
"War is already on the horizon with Azog and Sauron. We must make haste to join Gandalf and aid in the fight against them. Send word to Celeborn to join us at the Lonely Mountain once he finds Ruben. Tell him that the granddaughters can be found there. He can help us keep watch over Jordan and keep her away from Erébor."
"My Lady, she was cursed many years ago and grew into adulthood with this burden. Is there any chance you can help her break it? It could be the only way to stop her from being controlled by the dark magic."
"Once I have regained my full strength, I will meet with her. I will not know if I can be of help until then. Send a servant to find my husband, then rest. We should depart soon."
"Thank you, my lady."
Elrond followed a servant to a chamber for him to rest. He was able to send another to find Celeborn. So much was at stake it was difficult to relax his mind to fall asleep. If they were to be successful, they needed much rest. He thought of his friend, Gandalf, hoping he was also getting the care and rest he needed.
