So sorry for the delay! I'm finally here with the next chapter! Thank you to closetnightmares and Verity Grahams for betaing :)
Enjoy!
*Parseltongue*
I stood in the hallway outside what I just got used to feeling was my bedroom, and I stared down at the object Elrond was holding out to me. I was unsure if the sword was even meant for me; I really didn't know what to say.
"This is Hathellas; may it serve you well. Consider it a gift from Rivendell." Elrond smiled.
I reached out to take the sword which was lighter than it looked, it was very different from the Sword of Gryffindor.
"Why are you giving me a sword as a gift?" I ask.
I was used to my only weapon being my wand after all. I slowly pulled it from the black leather casing. It was long and broad, as I inspected it I noticed just how thin the blade is, and how elegantly it is shaped. The silver metal gleamed in the light, showing tiny words etched in elvish; they spelled out the swords name in an elegant script. The 'T-shaped' hilt was wrapped in an emerald cloth with small dark red agate stones embedded along the guard. The grip seemed as though it was made just for me. The sword came to a strange point, shaped similarly to that of a leaf. I was amazed at the quality and beauty of the sword and reverently sheathed it back in its scabbard. As I looked up, I see Elrond watching my inspection of his generous gift.
"I have foreseen trouble on the road ahead Harry, it will be a long journey, and this sword is elven made. It glows blue when orcs are near, and it will serve you well, it will not break so easily."
"Thank you, Lord Elrond. This is a generous gift, and I accept it gladly. I can promise you it will not leave my side." I gave a bow of my head, "if there was nothing else I believe it is time to meet the others at the entrance."
"You are most welcome. I wish you a safe journey and may the Valar protect you." Elrond finished.
I shift the pack that had been made for me; I now had a good supply of clothes and rations, and I strap the holster around my waist. Then I make my way to the others; we were about to set off on our quest. By the time I got there, everyone else had already arrived.
"I apologise for being late; Lord Elrond had something for me." I nod to my new companions, or was it a fellowship they called it?
"Nevermind, you are here now, we weren't waiting too long," Gandalf spoke almost curtly, but there was no real anger there. "It is important to remember that this is a quest of haste and secrecy, and now if everyone is ready I believe we should begin our quest of the Ring; Frodo, after you."
Frodo looked a little unsure as he walked out of the great entrance of Rivendell. Gandalf was behind with a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Mordor, Gandalf? Is it left or right?" Frodo asked unsurely.
"Left." Gandalf steered the little Hobbit with a gentle hand.
Everyone followed close behind. I could feel the harsh glare from the rude male, Boromir - if I remember rightly, his distaste was evident though it was easy to ignore.
"Introductions! Since our strange new companion doesn't know who everyone is yet. I can start; my name is Gandalf the Gray, and I am one of the Istari." Gandalf said eying other companions to follow suit.
"Harry and I had already met, but I am from Mirkwood, the realm of the woodland elves." Legolas smiled at me, his tone gentle. I returned the smile, wondering where Mirkwood was. Gimli spoke up next.
"I am Gimli, son of Glóin, a dwarf warrior of Erebor!" Gimli's voice is gruff but confident, and his long red beard twitched with each word.
"Boromir, son of Denethor, Lord of the City of Gondor." He spoke with an air of arrogance that put me off right away.
I wonder, is that all he has to say? I am already sure that we won't get along. I also worry he may try something stupid at some point or another.
"Aragorn." The dark man spoke.
This was the one that reminded me of Sirius. He bows his head slightly in greeting, successfully diverting all attention from Boromir's attitude. Returning the gesture, I turned to the four Hobbits next.
"Frodo, Sam and I believe you are Pippin?" I smile at them.
Pippin was nodding his head in agreement. "And he's Merry!" Pippin gestured to the fourth Hobbit who had shaggy blonde hair, longer than Sam's. He had so far remained quiet.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I hope we can get along - even grow to be close friends." I glance at Boromir, who merely grunts in response. "I have found a quest is more bearable with good company," I state pointedly.
"Now we all know each other; who are you and why have you accompanied us on this journey?" Gimli asks, staring at me.
We had all stopped for a moment, resting for the Hobbits. I wondered how best to explain. I held in a sigh, glancing around before I found myself looking at Legolas' curious expression. Somehow I was drawn to him, and he relaxed me under the scrutiny of the others. I didn't really want to explain, but they deserved to know.
"My name is Harry Potter, son of James Potter. I'm not from this - realm? But I am coming to help win this war; unfortunately, I have experience with Dark Lords." The image of Voldemort flashed behind my eyelids as I blinked, the sounds of his laughter ringing in my ears. I struggle to ignore it, but I once again find my gaze falling to Legolas and feel calmer.
"How do you plan to help us, Mr Harry Potter?" Aragorn questions, confused but eyes are drawn to the sword at my side.
"I am a novice with the sword, having virtually no experience, but I am a Wizard." I turned my attention to the male.
Aragorn doesn't say anything, though there is a slight widening of his eyes which betrayed his surprise. 'When I cast that silencing spell weren't they paying attention? Or was it not as obvious as I thought it was?'
"But you're so young!" Legolas exclaimed, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Impossible, where is your staff?" Gimli and Boromir both questioned, both more aggressive than the rest.
I pull out the Elder wand, casting a faint Lumos charm - something to evidence what it truly is.
"That is pretty amazing. You could be better than Gandalf!" Pippin laughed. Gandalf pursed his lips at the youngest of the Hobbits.
"Is that stick your staff?" Sam asked.
I sighed, letting the Elder wand roll along my palm.
"If you remember, I used this at the council; I cast the silencing spell? It's my wand, which I assume is somewhat similar to Gandalf's staff. I may be young, but I am a wizard." That's when they started looking a bit more convinced.
I grip the wand, hoping I actually used this one and not Draco's. I'm not sure if any of them should find out I have two wands.
"I refuse to believe such a scrawny boy can be a wizard without a staff." Gimli huffed as he continued walking.
With the conversation over, and starting to feel thoroughly scrutinised, I fell towards the back of the company. I was soon joined by a curious Aragorn.
"How do I know I can trust you?" Aragorn questioned, his voice was quiet, and his eyes were fixed, almost protectively, on the group of Hobbits.
I looked at him, and replied, "Yes, you can trust me. I'm not sure what I can say to prove myself to you though. I swear my allegiance to Frodo and the quest to destroy the Ring, I don't know that there is anything else I can say."
"I believe that will do for now, Mr Harry Potter," he answered looking deep into my eyes. The look let me know he heard and believed me, to an extent anyway.
The next few hours were spent walking through flat deserts and grassy plains, the only landmarks were the rare and abandoned collection of rough stone hewn buildings. No more words were exchanged between Aragorn and myself, and I appreciated the silence. It allowed me time to think, or wallow? 'Would Hermione and Ron agree with my choice to come along? They would have insisted on coming with me, just like Frodo's friends did.' I felt a pang of guilt and grief, wishing I had my companions with me. I sighed softly, brushing off Aragorn's questioning look. Eventually, we found a place to rest, and hopefully camp for the night as the sky threatened to grow dark. The area was covered with many large rounded boulders, with the largest in the middle of them that would be a good hiding place - or a good camp, I thought hopefully.
"We shall rest here," Gandalf spoke up.
The hobbits collectively cheered before immediately getting food out to eat. I found the least uncomfortable rock to sit on and dug into my own bag; eventually, I located a few dozen slices of dried bread. I took out a slice, eating it quickly. The bland taste is barely registering.
"Hobbits, how would you like to learn some basic swordplay?" Boromir asked, moving to a large open piece of land, the only flat place nearby, drawing out his sword.
Merry and Pippin quickly scrambled to their feet, also pulling out their swords. Aragorn shifted to a different spot, to watch over the two Hobbits with Boromir. I kept a close eye over everyone and the surrounding area. I noticed a shift in the magic around us, this was all at the same time Merry and Pippin tackled Boromir to the ground. I reached out with my own magic to investigate, only to come across a rather large aura of dark magic, and it was headed straight for us. I stood and reeled my magic back in before it could be noticed. 'I can't see what it is from this distance. Maybe Legolas can? Elves have superior sight after all.'
"Legolas, something is coming from the west."
I didn't raise my voice, despite the other male being too far out of normal hearing range, and felt a small rush of excitement when Legolas heard me perfectly fine. 'That may be useful.'
"Crebain from Dunland; hide!" Legolas shouts.
The entire fellowship began to rush, scrabbling for bags, desperate to find a hiding place. I followed suit after making sure everyone else was hidden. I watched the sky, and after a few moments, a huge flock of black crows fly over us. Once they are gone, we leave the hiding spot, and Gandalf faces us.
"Spies of Saruman! I am going to take us to the pass of Caradhras." He declared.
No one questioned the decision and we began at once. We trekked almost constantly, and I don't think anyone expected the snow to be this bad, we only managed to reach the knees of the mountain before turning back was considered.
"We should go through Moria!" Gimli states, eyeing the mountain with distaste.
"Yes, perhaps we should." Gandalf grumbled, staring ahead at the path.
"Gandalf, the Mines of Moria are dangerous, we should not go there unless we have to. I fear what we may find." Aragorn spoke up. Gandalf considered his words for a few moments before nodding.
"I agree with Aragorn on this. We shall continue forward."
Not wanting to be neck deep in snow, I cast a featherlight and warming charm on everyone. They look at Gandalf as though he's the one who cast the spells. Legolas and Aragorn are the only two who saw me cast them and they nod their heads in thanks. As though knowing what is happening, Gandalf speaks without turning to look at the group behind him,
"Do not look at me, it was Harry who did it."
There is an amused tilt to his voice that is more than likely visible in his eyes. I ignore the surprised inhale from Boromir.
"How do you do magic with a wand instead of a staff?" Frodo asked as he glanced at the wand in my hand. I put it back in the holster, and he shifts his gaze to Gandalf's staff.
"It is very similar, I think, as far as I can tell the only real difference is size. Gandalf channels his magic into the staff much the same way I channel mine into the wand." I try to explain, it's not like I had ever really understood the theory behind the wand. I can't help feeling that Hermione would be able to explain so much better.
Frodo nods at my explanation before getting distracted by Merry who was telling a tale of one of his and Pippin's misadventures. I focus on the walk up the mountain when a flash of red and yellow a few feet ahead catches my attention, and I jog ahead of the others to see what it is. I come face to face with a young snake tightly curled into itself on a rare snow-free crack. I crouch towards it, tiny black eyes following my movements.
*You are the snake speaker, yes?*
Knowing Legolas will hear anything I say, I simply nod. I worry that this talent still has unsavoury connections to dark magic. I don't really want him to think that of me.
*I was dropped here by a careless bird. Will you take me somewhere warmer?*
I nodded again before picking the small snake up, and she hissed as she came into contact with my warming charm. The others have almost caught up just as she settled across my shoulders. Frodo dashes up to me, having noticed the snake but not the rock in his path, he trips over it into the snow. In the span of two seconds, the chain around his neck comes loose and the Ring rolls to a stop against my right foot. The moment it touches me, it's pulsing darkness into my mind and I blank out my surroundings, unable to keep it at bay. Pushing it back is a struggle, and it's not until the ring is picked up that I let go of the tight barriers I tried to throw up in my mind to stop it. I nearly collapse to the ground, my descent being stopped by strong arms. I glance up to find Legolas looking at me with worry.
"So strange that something so small can cause such chaos." Boromir spoke in awe, the ring dangling from the chair in his fingers. The others have helped Frodo back up, and he's reaching out for the Ring which Boromir has yet to release from his hold.
"Give it back, Boromir." Aragorn warns, hand on his sword. Everyone is tense, Boromir doesn't seem to be listening. I stand up straight, nodding my thanks to Legolas and turned to Boromir.
"Boromir. Please return the Ring to Frodo before I have to stun you." I spoke, stern, and Boromir finally broke his gaze from the Ring.
"Look at everyone, tense over a ring." Boromir laughed, and finally let Frodo take the chain.
"Try not to lose it, Master Frodo," is all I say before walking on.
No one even commented on the snake. Ignoring the whispers and looks behind me, I keep walking until the air suddenly shifts and I feel dark magic gathering above us.
"Something is coming," I yell over my shoulder just as a voice begins blooming all around us.
"It's Saruman!" Gandalf yells out. "He's trying to bring down the mountain,"
"Gandalf we must turn back, it's too dangerous!" Aragorn shouts towards the Istari. "The Hobbits can't handle this."
"No, we must continue!" Gandalf demands.
It's then that I feel the spell snap into completion, thunder roaring above us and lightning flashing in an angry storm. The wind is snapping around us, cutting at our bodies as though it could draw blood. Suddenly, seconds after the spell completes, the ground underneath us trembled once, then twice. Immediately I knew that it's going to trigger an avalanche. 'He is trying to bury us in the snow!' I panic, there isn't enough time to warn them, and I choose instead to cast a shield and thrust my wand-wielding hand toward everyone.
"Protego!" I yell.
The spell shoots out, covering everyone in a nearly visible dome, just as an avalanche crashes against us. After a few moments, the storm has died back down so I release the spell and everyone checks for injuries. I work on catching my breath from the overpowered spell as Gimli speaks.
"We should go to the Mines of Moria. My people will welcome us!" Gimli insists.
Gandalf's hesitation makes me suspicious. 'He's hiding something that we should know about. Especially if it will put us in danger. The tension between Gandalf and Aragorn is also concerning.'
"Let the Ring bearer decide," Gandalf states, looking towards Frodo.
"Oh...um—we will go through the mines of Moria," Frodo stutters out, and Gandalf sighs as though resigned to something he'd rather avoid.
"Very well." Is all Gandalf says before he begins to lead us back down the mountain. As if by magic the storm that's raging lets up, as though happy now that the fellowship had turned tail.