Edited 1/2/20

Chapter 5

At night two days after the meeting with his family Harry was sitting in the gardens looking up at the night sky wondering at how his life had turned out and thinking about how the council meeting will go. It was a silent but beautiful night that made Harry feel content and calm, which is something he had not felt in many years. He was lost deep in thought when a noise from behind startled him, he jumped up while drawing his dagger, spun around and landed two feet away from where he had been sitting dagger raised to defend waiting for an attack. Then he noticed who had snuck up on him it was Strider and Harry was surprised.

"Harry are you ok?" Aragorn asked Harry stood up quickly tucking his dagger back in his wrist sheath before answering.

"Yes I am fine Aragorn, you just startled me and old reflexes kicked in. What are you doing here?" Harry shifted nervously no one had ever found him when He was up at night before but that could have been because no one cared enough to do so.

"I saw you out here from the window, you looked upset so I was worried. So I came to find you and see if I can help." Aragorn looked at Harry with compassion that Harry had never seen directed at him by anyone other than Sirius and Remus. It scared Harry a little to be honest.

"You want to sit down Harry?" Aragorn asked startling Harry out of his thoughts, all Harry could do was nod. Once they were both sitting down Aragorn started the conversation "What had you so upset Harry, is it what happened a couple days ago?"

Harry smiled a little at the concern in Aragorn's voice "No, it's not that, I just was thinking about how my life has gone so far and wondering if it will get better or worse from here. Some things I remembered were not very pleasant." Aragorn looked to be thinking about what Harry had said while studying him, There was something about Harry that attracted him in a way that no one ever had before not even Arwen had attracted him like this.

He decided to stay silent about his attraction until he was sure what it was. "Is that all that is bothering you?" Aragorn asked.

Finally Harry snapped and stood then started pacing while he asked in a cold voice "Why do you even care, you have only known me for Five days how could you even care what happens to me?"

Aragorn thought for a moment trying to come up with why he cared so much but could not, "All I know Harry is that I do care what happens to you, I worry because I can see that you hide behind many masks. A different one for different people, even with your parents you have a mask. When you think no one is looking those masks drop and in those moments I have seen the pain, sadness, and fear you try to hide. I do not know why you would feel any of that around your family but all I want to do is help." Aragorn ran his hand through his hair a habit he had when he was nervous before sighing "Another thing I know is that it feels like something is pushing to you, willing me to help you. I don't know what it is but I don't want to fight it I also know that even without it after seeing the vulnerable and scared young elf I have seen these last few days since entering Rivendell, is that I feel very protective of you and I just want to erase the pain. I can't understand it but I won't fight it either." Aragorn hoped that Harry would understand that all he wanted to do was help him but from the look on his face it seemed to scare and confuse him that someone wanted to help him at all. It made Aragorn's heart break at what this young elf must have been through to be scared of someone truly caring for him.

"I don't understand why you would care, why you would be pushed towards me. I have a duty here nothing more. Of course I have my family back but I can't let them in I don't know how. After my duty is done and I have helped the ring be destroyed I plan on finding a secluded place where I can just live the remainder of eternity alone so I can have finally have the peace solitude offers me. That is all I have ever been comfortable with at least then I know people won't hurt me." Harry started out talking to Aragorn but as he went one he started to talk to himself musing about his life, his duty and what would happen after.

Just as Harry said those last words a flash of light filled the Garden and Harry pulled out his dagger and crouched down waiting for another attack that he was sure would come before he saw who was standing there when the light faded. Harry stood immediately and bowed his head in respect to the deity in front of him that he had seen only once before. "My lord Mandose to what do owe the pleasure?" Harry slipped into his submissive but respecting mask that he hoped would hide his insecurities from the god of death.

"Finally figured out who I am have you?" Mandose tried to tease but Harry remained the same as he said "It's not hard to figure out. There is only one set of gods they just have different names in each world and universe that they preside over. But there true names seem to be the ones from middle-earth itself The Valar."

Mandose sighed "Oh child why do you hide here, you think your mask is fooling me, I have seen you use them since you were a child. Why do you waste this second chance you have been given, when you deserve it more than anyone I have ever seen for the sacrifices you have made and struggles you have gone through? Why do you waste a second chance with your family? Tell me that child."

Mandose saw the when Harry's mask dropped and all the true emotions showed. Harry let out a half sob half sigh before he spoke "I don't want to waste this chance but I don't know how to take it either. At first when I saw my parents, Remus, and Sirius again I was so happy and I could not wait to start this second chance. But after I left and saved Frodo, by the time I got back to them all I could think about was that, that the last time I had any of them in my life they all died because of me in some way. My parents died defending me when I was only a year and half old, why did they have to die he only wanted me. They could have had another child why did they need to sacrifice themselves for me. Then Sirius it was my fault he got killed, if I had stopped to think I would have remembered the mirror and I could have known it was a trap and he would still have been there. But no I had to be an idiot and run off into a trap that ended with Sirius coming to try and save me but ended up getting killed instead. Remus jumped in front of a killing curse meant for me, he did not have to do that yet because I was not fast enough he died." by this time tears were streaming down Harry face but now that he had started to talk it was like a floodgate had been opened and he could not stop. "Now that I have them all back I am afraid to get close to them again because I know that at some point I am going to have to fight again and I don't want them sacrificing themselves for me like they did before. So I have distance myself in hope that if something does happened because of me that it won't hurt as much. Now Aragorn is saying he feels drawn to protect me and care for me, that is just one more person I have to make sure don't sacrifice themselves for me. Most of all I don't know how to let anyone in anymore because I can't bring myself to maybe be betrayed again by those I come to care for. I can't let myself be hurt like that again. Ever since I realized all this I have begun to think that maybe I won't be able to handle this task of being Master of Death and Guardian of life because it just seems too much, I don't know if I will be strong enough to do it. There you happy now knowing that you chose weak little boy to bear this. You may think I was strong enough but I'm not." Harry sunk to the ground in tears not being able to say anything else.

Mandose looked at the young elf in front of him assessing him once again and found the same things he had found every time he had done this and knew he had to finally tell this young elf why he had chosen him and why he knew could do this. He walked over and kneeled in front of Harry and pulled him into his arms and held him there as he cried. Once the tears had slowed to just shaking and occasional hiccups Mandose began to speak "Young one it is time for you to know why I chose you and why I know you can do this. I had been searching for about three centuries for another soul that I had hoped might be good enough to wield the hollows and become a guardian and not become overcome by the power and fall into darkness.

The night you were born I was drawn to you instantly but more so your soul. When you were born your soul had the brightest light I had ever seen, it was like the sun. At that moment I looked into your future and I saw the hardships and sacrifices you would have to face, yet as I watched your soul throughout it all that light never dimmed and no matter how often you were tempted by the darkness in the world it never entered your heart or soul. You stayed pure thought it all, that is when I knew I had found the one I was looking for but even more so I saw the only person who would ever be able to bear the burdens that being Master of death and Guardian of life and come out stronger for it. The only person who would never let darkness or want for power to cloud their heart and soul, and would fight against it with all they had.

You did what I knew you could young one. But now you do not have to do it alone, you're are not the main figurehead of this war as you were in the last one, you are only half of the main figure head because without you Frodo will not succeed he will need you before the end. But just as he needs you there is one person that you can lean on no matter what and that is Aragorn. When I sent you here and reunited you with your family I knew you would need someone else to care and help you. But to also be an ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on, a person to guide, and someone to rely on. I searched every soul in this world before you woke and found the only one who matched yours. I knew he would be able to help you, so I chose him to be your confidant and guide but much more as well but what more that is you will have to discover for yourselves.

Just know young one that you are strong enough and I did not give your family back to you just give you a certain amount of time with them just to take them away again. They will be with you for a very long time even after this war is over young one. I also told you that the one you choose to spend your life with that would gain the same as you and would be with you forever. So let your family in young one, let Aragorn help you and be what I meant for him to be. Let yourself live because even in the darkest of time if you look hard enough there is always a light and there is always a least a little happiness to be found. So let yourself live young one don't close yourself off, let yourself learn to live and love again like you had so long ago. Yes you have a duty to help with this war but you also have a duty to your heart and yourself. This is all I ask of you learn to live and love again as you fulfill what you are meant to do."

Harry pulled away finally and as he looked into Mandose's eyes his face set in a look of determination and thanks he said "I can't promise I won't lapse here and there but I will do as you ask. If you a god can think I can do this than who am I to say otherwise."

"I am glad that you see now that you can do this. So I have tweaked your gifts just a little. You still have all your knowledge of magic that you had the start of this and your weapon skills. The thing I have tweaked is I know you want someone who will love you for all you are and be someone you can lean on in a relationship, you envy the creatures from that other world because they have a destined one someone who will complete them perfectly. So I have tweaked how you will find the one you can love and will love you in return to mimic a mate just like the creatures of your other world. You will find them in a different way then they will though. But you will have to figure that out on your own. I know you like a challenge but I will give you this clue it will be easier to find them when you can let them in completely and tell them anything and everything." Mandose paused for a second letting what he had said sink in Harry just smiled thankfully at him before he continued "I know you can do this young one if ever need help all is need to do is ask for it and I will do my best to help you." Mandose hugged Harry to him again as he said "When I chose you in a way you became my child, you have become balance personified death and destruction but also life and rebirth. Light and dark all at once but not corrupted by either, that is why the titles Master of death and Guardian of life go together. You are now balance, you are our voice and will and our light on this earth, but you are still you as well. When you accepted this you became my child as well and I will do my best to help you. But you must lean on others as well. I must go for now but if you need me all you have to do is call." Harry nodded before letting go smiling a true smile for the second time in a long time. Mandose stood and turned to Aragorn but did not speak out loud but in his mind "I choose you for the reasons you heard and more Aragorn. The attraction you have for him is there for a reason what reason is you have to find out for yourself. Take care of him and be there for him when he needs you. You know his fears and needs now help him overcome his fears and help him achieve what he is meant to do. You are more important in his life than anyone else will ever be. Remember that and never take him for granted."

Aragorn heard and replied in the same way knowing Mandose would hear him "I understand and I will not fail him like so many in his past have. You have my promise on that."

Mandose just smiled before saying "I knew I chose well when I chose you." and with that he disappeared.

Harry thought over everything that Mandose had said and smiled feeling that he now had the strength to let go of his past and look forward to the future that he knew a war was brewing but also a life he could lead that did not have so much heart ache and pain like it had before. He was not going to let this second chance go now that he knew he could do it. He looked over at Aragorn and smiled at him before walking over to him, looking him in the eyes before saying "Do think you can do what Mandose said he chose for because I can tell you now it won't be easy, I can be a real handful?"

Aragorn simply smiled and replied "I think I can handle an imp like you after all you will have to deal with me to and trust me from what everyone has said about me I can be a handful to."

Harry just laughed before saying "Well then maybe we will have to keep each other in line." Harry paused then looked at the night sky know that the council meeting was tomorrow he looked back at Aragorn "We should probably get some sleep we only have a couple hours before daybreak and the council meeting starts soon after that."

Aragorn agreed and walked Harry back to his room before saying "Goodnight Harry, I will see you in the morning."

"Goodnight Aragorn, and thank you for caring enough to come find me tonight." Harry replied before he close his door and went to sleep finally happy with his lot in life even if he was still a little scared of what would come.