Chapter Seventeen, Meeting the Father
For three days and nights with no rest what remained of the company chased after the Urukais that taken two of their friends captive. It was late evening when they realised the Urkus were heading to Isengard and Saruman was the cause. "Lassie are you alright?" Gimli asked when Evelina froze where she stood her face drained of all colour. In the quietness that surrounded them the others heard and immediately rushed over to Evelina. "Meleth-nîn, are you alright?" Aragorn and Legolas asked worriedly.
"Legolas did you say Isengard?" Evelina asked quickly sharing a worried look with Neville and Luna before her face became firm and angry a look that matched Neville's own. Seeing the looks the three shared the four men were left confused at what had caused them such distress. "What's the matter?" Boromir asked who'd been rather quiet as they chased after the Uruks.
He received no answer instead Luna spoke to her brother and sister. "Gwathel, Gwador calm down! Eve getting yourself worked to like this will not help you or my nieces or nephews." Luna said firmly no sign of her usual airiness in her voice.
"Gwathel, she's come to kill us!" Neville said shortly. "She nearly got Andy and Teddy. She's torn mine and Eve's family apart as well as countless others, she's tortured you and Eve and I'll not let her do so again while I still draw breath." Neville swore.
"What is going on?" Legolas asked confused why the three were worried and angry and why Eve was close to snarling. "Bellatrix Lestrange one of the darkest and deranged witches you'll find is hellbent on killing us though mainly me. She tried to kill my dad, her own cousin. She's the reason I have this," Evelina told them as she rolled up her sleeve showing them the cursed words carved into her forearm, 'Freak and Dirty Blood' and taking away the glamour on her throat that covered the scar there. "It was her who did this to you?!" Aragorn asked angrily gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.
"You knew?" Legolas accused whirling around to face his friend.
"Of course I didn't I saw them when I first met her and Neville when I questioned why they were out by themselves. Is she here then?" He asked the three of them.
"Yes Grandmother warned us. Bellatrix has joined Saruman." Luna told them solemnly.
"We've wasted enough time we need to hurry." Evelina said hastily changing the subject as she started running the others behind her.
"A red sun rises. Blood has been spilled this night." Legolas said solemnly looking from the sun to his friends and family. They heard hundreds of hooves pounding the ground behind them and quickly dove for cover only to find out it was Riders of Rohan. "Riders of Rohan what news from the mark?!" Aragorn shouted only for the riders to turn around and surround them. "What business does three men, two elves, a dwarf and Kitsune have in the Riddermark? Speak quickly!" A blonde man snapped riding forward. As he came closer he noticed Evelina's slight pregnant belly and the scar along her neck and immediately jumped to conclusions. "You're with child! And these barbarians have hurt you!" He cried outraged.
"No they haven't." Evelina tried but the man wasn't listening.
"Give me your names now! And explain what has happened to her!" He snapped pointing to Evelina. Gimli not liking what this horseman was suggesting glared up at the man as he said snidely. "Give me your name horse master and I shall give you mine."
"I'd cut off your head dwarf if it stood a little higher from the ground." The man sneered hatefully.
"You'll die before your stroke fell." Legolas snapped aiming his arrow at the man as Gimli growled reaching for his axe only for the other riders to aim their spears at them. "Stop! Stop it!" Evelina shouted angrily the air becoming thick with her magic.
"Eve? Pup?" A familiar voice called as a man got off of his horse pulling off his helmet and walking towards them though the blonde man tried to stop him. "My Lord Sirius you need to stay back."
"If you don't get out of my way now Eomer you will regret it!" Sirius snarled roughly pushing the man, Eomer out of the way. "Sweetheart." Sirius said holding his arms out to Evelina who was stood still staring at Sirius with wide watery eyes. "Dad?" Evelina asked softly. Sirius nodded and that was all Evelina needed before running into his arms wrapping her arms tightly around him as he did the same to her. "It's okay now Eve you can let go now. I've got you your safe." Sirius said softly as the pair fell to the floor in their embrace.
All that could be heard was Evelina's sobs as she cried into her father's shoulder as he too cried into her's. Aragorn seeing Eomer was still tense and was glaring at them he made the introductions trying to draw the attention away from his One as she reunited with her long lost father. "I'm Aragorn son of Arathorn, this is Legolas Greenleaf son of Thranduil of the Woodland Realm, Boromir son of Denethor, Gimli son of Gloin, Lord Neville son of the late Lord Frank Longbottom, Lady Luna granddaughter of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn and Lady Evelina daughter of the late Lord James Potter and Lord Sirius. We're friends of Rohan and of your King Theoden." Aragorn placated.
"King Theodred no longer recognises friend from foe, not even his own kin." Another male said as he pushed through the ground patting Eomer's shoulder as he went. "I'm Theodred son of the King and this is my cousin Eomer and my husband Sirius. My father's mind as been ensnared by Saruman the White, we are loyal to my father trying to get him to fight back and so we are banished." Theodred sighed as he knelt down next to his husband trying to get a better look at his new daughter. Pulling back from the hug slightly Sirius cupped Evelina's face in his hands as he looked from her to Neville and Luna; each looking more weary then he'd last seen them.
"What is it pup?" Sirius asked when he felt Evelina flinch at the mention of Saruman. "It's not Saruman who has ensnared Grandpa's mind dad. Don't you recognise it?" She asked fear and pain present in her voice. Sirius's eyes widened as he realised what she meant. "No she can't be here." He breathed softly.
"She is Sirius. She's here to kill us, though mainly Eve. But she'll have to get through me first I'd protect my sisters and nephew and nieces to my dying breath." Neville swore fiercely.
"Neville!" Evelina hissed her eyes wide with fear and her magic thick in the air once more. "Don't say that. Don't you dare say that enough people I've cared about and Loved have died I won't lose anyone else I can't. I just can't." She cried hysterically sobbing into her dad's chest once more as Aragorn and Legolas came over trying to soothe her. "Shhh Eve. No one is going up leave you, you're not going to lose anyone just calm down it's not good for you or the babies." Aragorn soothed.
"Babies?!" Sirius exclaimed shocked not having heard what Eomer had said as he'd been too busy taking in the sight of his daughter for the first time in ages that didn't include a mirror. "I found my mates dad. Aragorn and Legolas are two of them Haldir is my third but he resides in Lothlórien." Evelina explained after she'd calmed down. "Lady Galadriel told me I'm two months pregnant with triplets about a week ago."
"No you're too young to have mates let alone be a mother and pregnant." Sirius denied shaking his head reacting exactly as James had when he found out about her mates. "I've been a mother since I was sixteen to Teddy dad, when Remus and Dora died the year after we thought you died dad." Sirius closed his mouth at that he couldn't deny that his daughter had to grow up far too young and far too quickly, while mourning the loss of his friend and that his daughter has been alone for three years with no family except Andy, Neville, Luna and some of the Weasleys.
"Fine where were you heading and why do you all especially my daughter look weary to the bone?" Sirius asked as he stood up Theodred helping Evelina up wrapping his arm around her to steady her. "We were tracking a pack of Urkai westward across the plain they've taken two of our friends captive." Aragorn explained. Sirius and Theodred shared a grimace that the three world travellers didn't miss. "What is it?" Neville asked. With a heavy sigh he Theodred explained with a heavy heart he knew just from the shirt moment with her and what Sirius had told him, it was going to affect his new daughter the most. "The Uraki are dead we slaughtered them in the night. I'm sorry but we left none alive."
"But there were two Hobbits!" Gimli exclaimed hurriedly. "Did you see two Hobbits with them?"
"They'd be small only children to your eyes." Aragorn said calmly only his hastiness gave him away.
"I'm sorry." Eomer said instead. He turned his head and whistled calling forth four horses. "Have a look for your friends but do not dare to hope it has forsaken these lands. Let these horses bring you better fortune then their former masters."
"Cousin, Sirius and I will be travelling with them. I doubt Sirius want to leave his daughter so soon and neither do I after just meeting my new daughter.
You are to ride and guide the Rohirrim in my stead." Theodred told his cousin firmly. Eomer bowed his head leading the Rohirrim north. "Luna you can ride with me." Theodred offered as he helped her on to his horse while Sirius did the same to their daughter. Once everyone was on horseback they rode to where they saw smoke coming from the burnt carcasses of Urkai searching for their friends.
"It's one of their wee belts," Gimli said when they reached the burning carcasses. "Hiro îth...ab 'wanath," Legolas whispered softly. "May they find peace in death," he translated, noting Evelina's curious eye. "ARRRGGGHHHH!" Aragorn shouted, falling to his knees. "We have failed them," Luna muttered. Boromir wrapped her in a tight hug. Aragorn's eyes widened when he saw something on the ground. He crawled forward. Everyone followed him. "A hobbit laid here. And another. Their hands were bound." Aragorn continued following the trail. "Their bonds were cut. The tracks lead away from the battle."
"Fangorn Forest?" Gimli asked. "What madness led them in there?" Luna shrugged her shoulders and started walking into the forest. The others followed. "These are strange tracks," Theodred frowned once they were all in the forest. "I'm getting seriously claustrophobic," Evelina groaned. She clung to Legolas' and Aragorn's arm. "I don't like it in here." Since the Dursleys she could never stand being somewhere the air was close. "The forest is old," Legolas said. "Very old. Full of memory...and anger. The trees are speaking to each other."
"Do lower your axe, Gimli," Luna said. "I don't think the trees appreciate it." Gimli's eyes widened and he quickly lowered his axe.
"Aragorn," Legolas whispered urgently. "Nad nâ ennas."
"Man cenich?' Aragorn asked.
"The White Wizard approaches," Legolas replied. Aragorn, Theodred, Sirius and Boromir all drew their swords. Legolas drew his bow. Gimli raised his axe. While Evelina, Luna and Neville drew their swords their bows at the ready due to their magic.
"Do not let him speak," Sirius instructed. "He'll put a spell on us. We must be quick!" Legolas, Gimli and the three young works travellers let their axe and arrow fly which immediately dropped to the ground. While the rest all dropped their swords as they became blisteringly hot.
A figure was covered by a blinding light. "You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits," the figure said.
"Where are they?" Boromir demanded. He squinted in an attempt to see through the light.
"They travelled this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?"
"Who are you?" Aragorn demanded. "Show yourself." The light dissipated. Gandalf was left standing where it once was. "Gandalf!" Evelina yelled. She ran forward and hugged him. She was closely followed by Luna.
"Hello, my dears," Gandalf smiled, hugging them back. Gandalf recounted the story of how he battled and defeated the balrog. "Gandalf...yes, that is what they used to call me. I was Gandalf the Grey. Now, I am Gandalf the White. And I come to you at the turn of the tide." Gandalf threw a grey cloak over his shoulders. "Come, we must make our way to Edoras, Saruman has ensnared the mind of the King for too long." Gandalf said hurriedly as they exited the forest Gimli grumbling that this new Gandalf was more grumpy then the old one.
"No." Theodred said firmly causing everyone to stop and stare at the Prince.
"My Lord we need to free your father from Saruman's clutches if we do not-"
"Yes we do and I'd give nothing more than to see my father free again but it can wait till tomorrow. I will not risk the health of my daughter or my grandchildren we will rest here tonight." Theodred said firmly. Gandalf sighed and reluctantly agreed as he knew the two Lords would not be swayed and he could tell the others agreed with them especially with how exhausted Evelina looked leaning against her father.
"Right, Neville, Luna and I will do the enchantments. Dad, can you and Papa set up the tent? It's in my bag." Evelina instructed giving her dad her bag as she joined Neville and Luna in casting protective charms around their perimeter. "I love this tent." Gimli cried running in and searing himself in the chair he'd claimed once Sirius had finished putting it up with magic, the other following.
"Eve will settle down your going to make yourself collapse." Sirius said sternly as he watched her dart around the tent doing everything she deemed fit needed doing. Aragorn and Legolas got up from the sofa and led to seating her between them as she laid across them her head on Aragorn's chest and her feet in Legolas's lap. She soon drifted off into a deep sleep in the safe cocoon her mates provided.
The following morning once everything had been put away and all existence that they'd been there was gone, they all climbed back on their designated horses. Gandalf let loose a long whistle, and his horse, Shadowfax came running forth. "That is one of the Mearas," Luna smiled, petting the snout of the horse. "Hello, Shadowfax." Shadowfax neighed and butted his head into Luna's hand. "Be careful what you say to the king," Gandalf warned as he pulled himself up onto Shadowfax. They set off at a fast pace trying to cover as much ground as possible as they rode to Edoras.
"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard." Gimli grumbled as they rode through the gates of Edoras not a sound was made as they rode through everyone was quiet and subdued not even the children ran about playing. They pulled up beside the stables climbing off of them and giving them to the Stable-hands to be looked after while they were here; Theodred glanced at the ground as he pulled his hood over his head. It wouldn't be good if the guards recognized him. Sirius followed suit. "Ah," Gandalf smiled as the group finished climbing the steps. "Hama."
"I cannot allow you into the hall of Theoden-King so heavily armed, Gandalf Greyhame, by order of Grima Wormtongue." Gandalf nodded and gestured for the others to remove their weapons. "My Prince? My Lord?" Hama asked softly when Theodred and Sirius handed him their swords.
Theodred and Sirius smirked and held a finger to their lips, making sure the shadow of their hoods covered their face, while Sirius secretly kept his wand on him along with Neville, Evelina and Luna. Hama's face lit up and he nodded. "Your staff," he reminded Gandalf.
"You would not part an old man from his walking stick, would you?" Gandalf asked innocently. Neville decided to help him feign old age and grabbed his left arm for support. Leaning heavily on Neville, Gandalf entered the hall with the others following. "Gandalf the Grey is coming, my lord," Grima announced. "He is a herald of woe."
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden-King," Gandalf said simply.
"He is not welcome," Wormtongue hissed in Theoden's ear.
"Why...should I welcome you...Gandalf Stormcrow?" Theoden wheezed. Theodred visibly cringed at the state his father was in. Sirius lay a comforting hand on his arm. "A just question my liege," Wormtongue agreed. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest."
"Be silent!" Gandalf commanded.
"Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I did not pass through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!" Gandalf raised his staff, and Wormtongue was blasted back. "I told you to take his staff!" Grima shouted. The guards started to surround the companions.
"Immobulus!" Evelina shouted. The guards immediately froze. Eowyn burst through the door. Eowyn looked around for her cousin, but she didn't recognize him because of his hood. She went forwards to intervene but Neville held her back. "Wait." He hissed. Gandalf moved to stand directly in front of Theoden. "Theoden, son of Thengel, too long have you sat in the shadows." Gandalf thrust his staff forward, sending Theoden back into his throne.
"Hearken to me, and I shall release you from the curse!" Theoden began to laugh in Saruman's voice. "You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey!" Gandalf threw his cloak off his shoulders. "I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound." Eowyn tried to rush forward, but George caught her around the waist. "Be gone!" Theoden fell to the ground. Eowyn rushed forward as Theoden's features began to deage, his hair turning a wavy dirty blonde instead of a white, kinky mess. "I know your face," he whispered to her. "Eowyn...Eowyn." She nodded, smiling.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better if the grasped your sword," Gandalf said. Hama rushed forwards and handed Theoden his sword. "Where is my son?" Theoden asked. Theodred removed his hood and knelt by his father. "Theodred?"
"Hello, Father," Theodred said softly. Theoden threw his arms around his son. Sirius smiled at the sight and removed his own hood. "Sirius," Theoden grinned, seeing one of his most trusted riders. Theodred helped his father stand up. As he stood up Theoden noticed the young pregnant woman stood between his son and son-in-law and a man and elf he recognised as Aragorn son of Arathorn and Legolas of the Woodland Realm stood protectively behind her. "Who is this?" He asked curiously she was soft of familiar but he couldn't remember where he'd seen her before.
"Theoden, I'd like to introduce you to Lady Evelina Wynter Lillian Potter-Black, our daughter." Sirius introduced smiling happily that he finally had his daughter with him. "I have a granddaughter and what looks to be great-grandchildren I could not be more happy." Theoden said as he embraced Evelina. "How far along are you child?" He asked.
"About three months Sire, with triplets though I already have a little boy Teddy, he's with his grandmother in Lothlórien, he's four and so happy to have siblings and a big family. I adopted him when my Godfather died when I was Sixteen." Evelina informed him.
"Come now child there is no need for that we our family you will call me Grandfather." Theoden said smiling benignly at her. It was as he pulled back that he saw the scar on her neck and he immediately became angry causing Evelina to shrink back away from him. "Who did that to you?" He hissed though he calmed himself down when he saw her shrink back in fear. "It happened during the Wizarding War that I, Luna, Neville and other fought in." Evelina told him pointing out Luna and Neville who were also covered in scars more than they should be for their young age but not as much as his granddaughter. "We'll speak of this later as a family." He said kissing her on the forehead as he saw the pain in her eyes.
Sirius coming to his daughter's rescue introduced Theoden to Gimli and Boromir and then to Aragorn and Legolas who were two of Evelina's mates and telling him the third, Haldir resided in Lothlórien with his cousin and Teddy keeping them safe. Nodding his head satisfied that his Great-Grandson was being sufficiently looked after, Theoden walked over to where Grima was quivering on the ground. Signalling for the Guards to remove him from his Hall and away from his granddaughter and great grandchildren he had Grima removed and thrown ceremoniously down the steps.
"I've only ever served you, my lord," Grima begged.
"Your leech craft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast," Theoden scowled. He raised his sword. "No, my lord!" Aragorn called. "Enough blood has been shed on his behalf. Let him go free." Aragorn held out his hand to Grima to help him up. Wormtongue spat on it and fled. Aragorn's nose wrinkled in disgust as he wiped his hand on his pants. "Hail, Theoden-King," Hama shouted with the rest of the guards. Theoden waved to them all before following Gandalf into the throne room.
After Gandalf left, and he had spoken to his son, Theoden called for a family meeting the Royal Family Chambers. "Now Eve tell me what has happened to you and your friends?" Theoden stated more than asked. Sighing as she heard her dad and papa agree with her grandfather, Evelina started to tear up at the thought she couldn't get over how much family she had now. "Hey, sweetheart. What's wrong?" Sirius asked concerned as he hugged his daughter close to him. "I-I... I've never had so much family before I thought...I thought." Evelina could y finish as she sobbed into her father's arms while he soothed her.
Once she'd calmed down and apologised for breaking down which her new parents quickly nipped in the bag telling her she didn't need to and shouldn't apologise for breaking down, Evelina, Neville and Luna told them of the war not leaving out anything, not even the gory details, not even about Bellatrix being here to kill them. There was silence in the room as everyone digested what had happened to their youngest members of their family that is until Eoywen came forward pulling the three into a hug. "You'll never have to go through that again I promise. You are not alone you have a family now and we'll get through this together." She said firmly hugging them once more.
A few hours later found the Fellowship and the people of Rohan journeying to Helm's Deep. Gandalf had gone in search of Eomer and the Rohirrim.
Translation:
*Elvish: Meleth-nîn. English: my love.
*Elvish: gwathel. English: sister not of blood.
*Elvish: gwador. English: brother not of blood.