Hello, I promise I am still breathing and have not giving up on writing this! Really hope the next chapter wont take as long to finish.
This chapter gave me a lot of trouble but my beta-reader Verity helped a lot in making it better!
Please enjoy :)
Also, for any who enjoy competitions, writing or judging, Verity has started up a forum called The International Wizarding School Championship.
Go check it out if your interested!
Harry POV
I woke up to the sounds of battle and persistent whispering in my ear. The whispering was coming from the forest behind me, tugging me towards it, urging to follow to come closer. I hesitated though, Merry and Pippin had been with me just moments ago, hadn't they? I don't know anymore, maybe we were split up while I was unconscious, while my magic replenished itself? I had drained myself doing everything that I could heal Legolas. I knew it would completely take me out of action, but honestly, it had been worth it to save him. Looking around, I tried to spot the Hobbits in the chaos of battle, but there was no sign of them. The Uruk-Hai that had taken us were being slaughtered by fierce men on horseback. I knew I had a choice to make, join them and see if they know anything, and risk them being yet another enemy or I can follow the voices from the forest.
The whispering only got louder, as though the person speaking was right next to me even though the words are completely indecipherable - gibberish. It made the choice for me, I double check that I hadn't somehow missed either Merry or Pippin in the skirmish, and I turn to the woods.
'Maybe they went into the woods? They could be looking for me as well. If we truly hadn't been separated.'
I silently creep towards the trees, noticing the whispering calms down the closer I get. I don't stop until the sounds of battle have long since gone, focusing on the surrounding trees. Placing my hand on the nearest one, I jerk back as a sudden jolt of something like electricity thumps through my fingertips, heading straight for my core and settling there with an odd sense of warmth. It seemed to have come from the tree, from exactly where I had touched the rough bark, settling into my core. The whispers come nearly to an abrupt halt, and then one voice rose back up, this time startlingly clear; "Welcome to Fangorn Forest, child born of Magic and Death."
"Did the tree just speak to me? You're imagining things Harry – trees can't – don't talk, whisper or even murmur!" I mutter irritably to myself, slumping down to sit on the ground.
It would be a good idea to see exactly what had just happened to my core. Slipping into myself, down to my center where my magic rests, I am surprised to see a completely stabilized core thrumming happily. It's large, with at least a dozen colors swirling about, the main chords of my core are thicker and more pronounced, black, sky blue, and bright orange. I don't understand what they mean, but I assume the black is from being The Master of Death? The main question is how my core was stabilized in the first place. It was especially unstable when the Uruk-Hai had captured me. I have a theory that the trees somehow fixed my core.
'How could the trees fix my core? They're trees, so I guess that the wild magic in them could have helped, but completely replenishing my exhausted core? That seems just as preposterous as the idea that the trees were talking.'
I scrunch up my nose in frustration, standing up from the cold ground a moment later. Regardless of how it happened, my magic will be more reliable now – I can deal with the 'how' and 'why' later. Right now, I have a fellowship to find.
It's not long before I end up completely lost, that's if I wasn't lost from the moment I walked into this labyrinth-like forest. I stumble upon a docile snake curled up at the base of a tree, and it's head slowly lifts in my direction.
*Are you Harry, the one who can speak?* it - she? - Asked. I'm not too surprised at the question, the snake I had met when I first arrived in this world has likely spread the word quite far by now.
*Yes. I apologize for disturbing your rest,* her pale brown body shifts, then she begins slithering towards me.
*It is alright. You seem lost.*
*Er - yeah, is it that obvious?* I smile faintly, as she tastes the air around me, her delicate tongue flicking the air.
*No,* she hisses softly, gently even. *I can just sense it. Follow me, there's a river nearby and berries you can eat.*
*Thank you,*
I follow her, listening as she tells me about the various plants in the area, those I would be able to eat, those that were poisonous. I recognize a few of those that she mentions, mainly from my time on the run with Hermione and Ron. I force the melancholy thoughts away, my friend's laughter faintly ringing in my ears is bittersweet, knowing I will never hear it again. The sound is replaced by rushing water just as we come upon a clearing that opens up to a river. The body of water is just what I had expected, and yet more at the same time. It's surrounded by the ancient trees, and a small clearing along the bank devoid of anything but grass, the river shines clear and bright so that I can see the bottom and the fish darting around in the slow moving water.
*You can clean up here, no one will disturb us,* she stated, coiling up a nearby tree. I nodded, quickly stripping and sinking into the cool, fresh water, cleaning away the weariness in my bones. I didn't spend too much time in the water, getting out barely fifteen minutes later, drying myself and my clothes with a flick of my wand.
*Do the trees here really whisper, or am I finally going insane?* I ask her, sitting at the base of a tree. She gives the snake equivalent of a laugh.
*Yes, the trees whisper. They talk to each other, for they are the Ents of this forest.*
*Ents?* I wonder, the word is not familiar to me.
*They are an old race; they appeared in Middle Earth at the same time as the Elves. Stories say that Eru Iluvatar created the Ents when Yavanna learned of the Dwarves, Aulë's children. Yavanna foresaw that the Men would fell trees and wished to have creatures to act as Shepherds of the Forests, she wished them to be protected,* she explains, and I listen with fascination.
'Eru created the Ents? I wonder what else the Valar created. Maybe she knows if Merry and Pippin are wandering the forest right now.'
*Thank you for telling me, but I have another question.*
*Of course.*
*Do you know if there's anyone else in this forest? I was travelling with two Hobbits, but we were separated,* I ask, hopeful. However, she shakes her head in a silent 'no'.
*I do not. Though I can go and ask my kin if they have seen any such people wandering – your kind makes much noise when trampling through our forest,* she dropped off the branch she had curled up on, landing by my feet.
*If you could that would be great. I will wait here for your return,* I smiled, watching as she slithered away.
'I am unsure how long she will take, maybe it would be a good idea to try and get some rest.'
It doesn't take long before I drift off to sleep, my dreams are not pleasant though. While they are not memories of the past – memories of the Battle of Hogwarts – they are still nightmares. I can only flinch away as images of my friends' bloodied faces scream at me, standing at Voldemort's side. Clearly, my subconscious has taken my experiences to create new torturous dreams, to steal my peace. I'm not sure how long I slept, but I am roused when a noise nearby woke me. Swiftly sitting up, I look around, finding the snake mere inches away from my face.
*I apologize for startling you.* She loosely curls her body up, and I let myself relax.
*It's okay, I was simply caught by surprise. Did you find anything?* I ask, hope warring with the worry deep in my stomach.
*Do not worry, I have learned a few things. The Hobbits you speak of are safe, with an Ent called Treebeard. He is the master of this forest and will keep them safe. Also, there is an Istari nearby that is waiting for a group of travelers to find him.* I can feel the worry ease up, while confusion takes its place - why would an Istari be waiting for a group of travelers? I know of only one Istari, but he's…
*Could you take me to the Istari?* I asked, stopping my thought process, focusing only on what needs to be done.
*Of course. He's this way.*
When we reach the spot where the Istari is, I look around, and I am even more confused.
*I don't see anyone, are you sure -* I get cut off by a blinding light suddenly appearing in front of us, and I swiftly retrieve Draco's wand from the holster. I wait, spells on the tip of my tongue and ready to be used, until the light finally fades away and the Istari is revealed, and I do not know if I am able to believe my eyes.
"But, you're dead, you fell!" I whispered, shocked.
"Ah, yes, I did fall. But through dangers untold, I have returned to you, and together we shall watch the turn of the tide in this war," Gandalf smiles as he talks, "I was not expecting to see you though, Harry. I am glad to see that you are well, what has happened since Moria?"
I pause momentarily, still struck by the sudden appearance of someone who had passed on, and suddenly I wonder about the Wizard, did he have some secret like mine? It isn't long before words begin to spill out unbidden. "After you fell, we ran and escaped Moria. We kept going for a while, though I was unconscious for most of it. Eventually, we ended up in Lothlorien where Lady Galadriel offered us safety so that we may rest and mourn – your passing. When we left, we went by canoe, past the Kings of Old – Argonath I think they called it – and began to set up camp in a clearing by the water.
"That's where things went downhill. A group of Uruk-Hai ambushed us, and we did our best to fight back, but it was not enough. We lost Boromir to them, Frodo and Sam went by their own path towards Mordor. Merry, Pippin and myself were taken by the Uruks while Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli were left and I can only assume they are searching for us. While with the Uruk-Hai, who took up a camp on the skirts of this forest, a group of men attacked, men riding on horseback? I could not see Merry or Pippin so came into the forest. I didn't know if they were friendly, and I thought it best to hide."
"I see, that is quite a tale, and most unfortunate. I must request something of you, Harry." Gandalf frowns a crease between his brows and sadness in his eyes.
"Of course, anything."
"Go to Helms Deep, and wait for us there. It's west of here, just keep going straight, and you will find it," he explains.
"Helms Deep? Wait for who, exactly?" I'm confused, not sure what, and still even where, Helms Deep is.
"Yes, I cannot go with you for I shall need to speak with Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli then travel with them by another road. Your path is different, one that must be taken alone. Helms Deep is where the next great battle will take place. Be careful and don't let your guard down."
Before I could say anything else, Gandalf vanishes once more in a brief flash of white light, leaving me alone with the snake who has hidden in a tree. I am reminded somewhat of Dumbledore at that moment, strange hints, but nothing concrete to go on. She gracefully removes herself, stopping beside me.
*What has happened? You look troubled.* She flicks her tail slightly, questioningly.
*Apparently, I am to go to Helms Deep,* I let out a small sigh, running a hand through my hair. *You wouldn't happen to know how to get there would you? Or at least out of the forest. Gandalf was not very specific.*
*I do. It will take a little while to reach the other end of the forest, though. This way.* She begins moving, and I silently follow, wondering what the future holds for the fellowship, what will happen in this next battle at Helms Deep. If Frodo and Sam have made any progress, and if they are okay.
However, most of my thoughts are with Legolas. While I know that I healed him completely, I fear for him. Though he wasn't likely to feel much of an effect, as it is safe to heal those without magic, I still worry. A pang of longing grips my chest, and I'm left hoping to be reunited with the Elf once more.
'If I were to claim him as my mate, would Death protect him? Or maybe Death will protect him anyway, so long as Legolas holds my magic in his body. Does Legolas miss me as well? Is he searching for me as well as the Hobbits?' Images of Legolas flash by; his smile, his laugh, his grace, the sun beating down on him, and I recall perfectly how the light only made him even more desirable.
'Soon, Legolas. I will be there soon.'