A.N. Elerin - Elf of the Day; Lindel - Fair Elf or Bright Star; Galenel - Green Elf/Star

A shorter chapter, but I think it's quite self sustaining. Hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 5

Galen snored. His dreams were full of happy memories of his mother and father in New Numenor, his Aunt Delia and Uncle Severus, who cherished him almost as much as his parents, and flying with eagles, when a voice interrupted his dream and he stirred. He felt a sibilant whisper in his ear and felt a dry, cold touch. "Are you ready?" the whispering voice hissed, and he turned to look with uncomprehending eyes at the face of Eldarion Lindel Telcontar.

"Are you ready?" Eldarion asked quite calmly.

"I think so," he muttered, while rubbing his eyes. Then after his brother hissed with impatience, he hastened. "All right. Lead the way," he whispered back as he jumped out of his bed and grabbed his robes. Putting them on even as the two brothers walked past the Common Room, he asked, "How did you manage to enter the Gryffindor Dorms?"

"I'm a Telcontar," was the only response, and it was sufficient.

Galen followed his brother out to an old picture behind which was the secret entrance to the kitchens. Severus Snape had told them of that long before they had even thought of coming to Hogwarts. Once they were inside, the House Elves suddenly stopped their chores and stared at the two brothers in wonder.

"The Forgotten Ones!" they all started chanting almost at once in reverence, and started grabbing their feet much to the chagrin of Eldarion, who tried holding them back. Galen grinned at his brother's plight and nudged the House Elf closest to him.

"Greetings, little brother," he said politely. "Why do you attack my brother and I?"

"We do not attack the forgotten ones," the House Elf squealed in mortification. Rushing with sudden purpose, he started pulling off the other House Elves away from the tw brothers. "Back off! Back off! You! Back off! We do not attack the forgotten ones!" he shouted at the rest of his brethren who were standing a bit too close to the two brothers. "Dobby and the House Elves of Hogwarts are fortunate to have the forgotten people back with them."

"We are honored to meet Dobby and the House Elves of Hogwarts," Galen stated politely. "And it is we who are fortunate to have dined off your most excellent cooking for so long, my brothers." His final words made the House Elves squeal with joy and some resumed their pseudo-worshipping as Eldarion threw a dirty look at his brother.

"You are great sirs, great!" Dobby the House Elf started gushing, while bowing rapidly and non-stop at the two brothers in quick succession.

"Yes, yes," Galen said hurriedly and raised his voice. "Please! My brothers! Listen to me!" He waited until the House Elves fell into silence, save one or two who continued bowing until Dobby glared at them into attention. "A long time ago it was promised that deliverance will come to you, and you would be freed from your bondage! That time is now come! I am Elerin son of Isildur the Third of the Royal House of Telcontar. I am a successor to the Istari, and Lord of Arnor in Northern Numenor. This is Lindel son of Isildur the Third, and rightful heir to the throne of the Isle of New Numenor. We come to honor our promise."

Galen's speech was followed by utter silence for several seconds after which a slow hum rose gradually to a resounding din of cheers and tears.

"For too long the House of Telcontar has been bereft of Istari blood, and so our ancestors were helpless in aiding you. But now that has changed. My brother and I have the blood of the Istari flowing through us. So we extend this offer to you, our brethren - any of you who are able to do so now and desire thus, may give their allegiance to the House of Telcontar. This I promise you, you will be treated as brethren and not as slaves, and all land to the South of River Rhanduin in New Numenor will be solely for your people. You may come and go as you please anywhere in New Numenor and the lands beyond, save you may not bring back others except in dire need, or reveal our existence to the world. For those who wish to come with us and are unable to, the Lords of Numenor will buy your freedom you with gold, steel and blood. This I promise you! I welcome you back!"

But instead of further cheering, to Galen's bafflement the House Elves stared at the ground with something akin to shame and refused to meet his eyes.

"What is wrong?"

The first House Elf spoke again. "Dobby begs pardon, Master Elerin. Dobby is most ashamed to admit… not every House Elf that is, desires to leave… Dobby wishes to be free and to depart with the great sirs, and so do many others. But there are some who do not, like Winky, though she be a free Elf now and with nowhere to go save with Dobby… and there are yet others which do not deserve the kindness of the great Lords Elerin and…"

"Oh!" Galen interrupted and rose his hand to clarify his words. "Deliverance was promised, not coercion! Freely shall you come if you so desire, and freely you may leave if you dislike your new homes. This I promise you! As for those that do not deserve this deliverance, that is beyond my mandate." He silenced Dobby with a gesture of his hand and turned to Eldarion.

Eldarion spoke for the first time in the House Elves' presence and his entire being radiated regality and majesty. "Dobby, come forward."

The trembling House Elf came forward and stood in front of the graceful figure of the Half Elf with wonder. He almost fainted when Eldarion drew his wand and transformed in to a sword but refused to budge. With great courage, he kept his eyes fixed on the Heir of Numenor.

"Dobby, we have heard much of you from our friends. You are a true Elf and deserving of much honor. I hope you would choose to come with us. Do you swear allegiance to the House of Telcontar?"

"Dobby does swear, Master Lindel," the House Elf squealed.

"Then Dobby, who chose freedom over comfort, and friendship over all else, I name you Lord of Rhand, as shall the realm of the House Elves be called henceforth. You will be a wise and just ruler to your people, and you will choose who is fit to depart with you. You shall be answerable to none save the throne of Numenor and the House of Telco..." Eldarion stopped mid-sentence and turned to face a chuckling Galen in exasperation. Dobby had fainted.

After reviving the House Elf, Galen spent several minutes calming him down and making his see why he had to take the responsibility, why he was the best choice. Ultimately, he did agree.

"When do you return home, Master Galen?"

"Please do not call me Master, Dobby," Galen said. "We are both Lords of Numenor henceforth, as well as brethren. We shall take you and your people whenever you are ready. Then we will return to end this war against Voldemort."

Dobby quivered. And with the most determination, clarity and poise he had mustered all night, he said, "Then I speak for myself and any House Elf that deserves the kindness of the forgotten people… we will stay and fight. We will not go until the kind lords Elerin and Lindel are ready to return," Dobby said loudly, and several House Elves nodded vehemently.

Galen turned to his brother, who gave a rare smile.

-----

After leaving the House Elves to relish their first real self-indulgent moment in Eru alone knew how many centuries, Galen and Eldarion sneaked out of the Castle. Both boys loved wandering in the night and hadn't had much of an opportunity to do so as yet, due to the busy days they'd had while settling down in Hogwarts.

"How are things going in your House?" Galen asked. "How is Uncle Severus? I rarely get to see him apart from during lessons."

"They're fine, for the most part. A handful of obnoxious students are what gives Slytherin House a bad name. The rest simply remain silent for their own good."

"A few… do you mean Draco Malfoy?"

Eldarion frowned. "Him more than others. But from what I see, he doesn't have much of a choice. Much like Uncle Severus before his friendship with father."

"Perhaps you could be to him what father was to Uncle Severus," Galen offered helpfully. They had reached the outskirts of the Hogwarts grounds and nearing the forest.

"They say the forest is haunted and unsafe," Eldarion stated. Grinning mischievously, Galen took a step closer to the forest and shrugging, Eldarion followed.

"How's Daphne?" Galen asked curiously. "I'm afraid I haven't much spoken to her."

"Neither have I with Ginny," Eldarion observed. "Daphne's nice, and reserved."

"Perfect for you then!" Galen muttered. He touched the trunk of a tree and sniffed. "The very air smells so much different from that in Numenor. Even the trees are so different. How I long to rest in the shade of the White Tree in the courtyard while amme and adar tend to the gardens."

"You miss home."

"Not nearly as much as I miss them and Aunt Delia. Tell me, do you not feel the same? We have seen so much… been to so many places… and yet, every time I think of home… it brings the same joy… the same feeling of content, peace and security that it brought me all those years ago." Galen was speaking softly, more to himself than his brother, and Eldarion knew that. He offered no comment.

"I don't know what to feel. Professor Evans is nice. And from what I've found out, she was devastated after…" he fell silent as they walked past a few dead rats. "Do you think she has a right to know?"

Eldarion paused. He pondered the question deeply for a while and then shook his head. "I cannot tell. Is there a punishment harsh enough for a mother who stopped caring for her child? Is there any crime that can deny a mother's right to care for her child?"

"You speak like adar more and more each day," Galen complained good-naturedly, and then turned serious. "I'm glad you're here."

-----

Ronald Weasley was sixteen years old, although his candid nature made him seem more boyish. No emotion touched him that did not instantly register in his expression, and sincerity shone in his face like a beacon. He was impulsive, extravagant in his declarations, and probably, as Galen had initially concluded, not overly bright. It was impossible not to like him, however, once you got to know him better.

The following morning when Galen pulled on his dark green robes to go out and fly again, Ron immediately joined him. The young Gryffindor had changed out of his usual clothes and now wore brown pants and a green tunic. He carried his broom and stuck his wand at his belt. As they walked through the corridors and toward the open grounds, he amused himself by playing with a Golden Snitch.

"You're awfully good," Galen said admiringly after one particularly fine catch.

"I'm a Weasley," Ron replied with a blush. "We've been Quidditch lovers for hundreds of years. My grandfather, Rupert Weasley established the Chudley Cannons team and himself had this broom made on the day I was born, and I could ride it by the time I was eight."

"I imagine you play a great deal," Galen said, looking at the clear blue skies all around them and the raised his hand to feel the wind blow.

"It's our most common pastime." Ron stopped to pull the snitch that had got stuck in a thorny bush by the door. "My father prides himself on the fact that he nearly had a full Quidditch team of Weasleys. That was when Percy would still… Well, dad loves flying too."

"I went flying once, in Siberia."

"Broomstick?" Ron asked.

"No. Eagles. I was on the back of one."

"That I still don't understand. How can an eagle carry a human?"

Galen laughed merrily, remembering the conversation they'd had in the Hogwarts Express a few weeks ago. "Getting on them isn't the problem. It's getting away after you've insulted them unwittingly that is the hard part."

"Isn't that dangerous?" Ron's eyes were wide.

"You ask that because you think of ordinary eagles when I speak of them. Think of Hippogriffs. Now instead of part horse and lion, if the creature were all eagle, and of the same size… Those are the Great Eagles! They live North of my home."

"Then how come we have never heard of them before?" Ron asked in wonder, as they both jumped off the ground.

"Remember what Eldarion said to Hermione the first time we met?"

"Galen… I don't know what you think of me, mate, but I'm not Hermione. I don't remember what your brother said."

Galen chuckled. "Never mind. What would a muggle think when you describe a Hippogriff to them?"

Slowly, Ron nodded as they swerved to their right and circled the high towers of the Castle. "I think I see. You mean that even Wizards aren't aware of everything in this world."

Galen nodded, and kept it at that. "And talking about our first conversation, do you sincerely believe all Slytherins to be evil?"

Ron fidgeted. His cheeks turning crimson, he muttered, "I suppose not. But it's easy to believe something as simple as that. That you know who you are… what you are… and what you're supposed to do. It makes things easier."

"Easier…" Galen considered his words. It made sense to him in association with what he knew of the redhead's personality. "Perhaps so. But easy is not the same as right."

"I guess not." They flew in silence for several minutes and Galen could see how troubled Ron was. "Look, I know I'm not the smartest person in our year. That's Hermione. Even Ginny is more intelligent than me. How awful do you think that would have been? Don't take it wrong, I love my sister and am glad she's with me. But at the same time, I get compared with her every time and come out short. My older brothers… they all excelled in something or other… whereas I… I didn't have anything… until Danny and I came to Hogwarts, and that's when I started believing myself to be worth something - a Gryffindor. Now I'm the Quidditch Captain and that means something too, but then I didn't have anything other that being a Gryffindor. I suppose at some point I started seeing myself as a Gryffindor more than anything else… more than a student or a friend, and perhaps even a brother… I was merely a Gryffindor."

"And now?"

"I do not know. The other day, Ginny ran to find you. I should have gone after her. I'm her brother. She could have gotten hurt." He faced Galen almost pleadingly.

Taking pity on the redhead, Galen said kindly, "She could have but she did not. And there wasn't much you could have done."

"Perhaps not, but that doesn't excuse me for not doing anything. Your brother stayed back because he knew you would be fine. I didn't! I knew Ginny would get hurt. But I stayed back!" His voice became louder and more hurtful. "It wasn't that I wasn't brave enough. No, I was too outraged that she would go for you after you turned us down for the team. After you 'betrayed' Gryffindor."

"What changed?"

"Anthea."

"What?" Whatever Galen could have expected, this was far from it. He stared at Ron waiting for the youth to continue speaking.

"She lashed out at me for being a bit vocal about… well, you. From everything that she said, I began to see that in trying so hard to become a Gryffindor I had lost the one true opportunity in which a true Gryffindor would have shined. Ginny took it." Then lowering his broom, he finished. "Not that I mind it. Not anymore." Then without looking at Galen, he flew away, leaving the Half Elf alone with his thoughts.

"Only a true Gryffindor would admit all that."

To Galen's great surprise when he returned to the Gryffindor Common Room, Ginny and Anthea were sitting together and laughing uproariously. He felt his heart lighten up at the mutual approval between the two, and Anthea having made a friend of the other redhead. Propping himself between the two, he exclaimed, "Talking about me?"

"Actually… yes!" Anthea responded, and Ginny blushed to a deep red which Galen decided was highly amusing.

"You know, Gin," he said in mock seriousness. "If your nose gets any redder, poor Rudolph will lose his job this Christmas."

"Oh is that so?"

"Uh oh!" came a voice from behind and all three saw Ron Weasley come into sight with a horrified expression. "First, you call her 'Gin', then you tease her, and then she uses that tone… Mate, if you value your life, RUN! That's her Bat Bogey tone! What are you waiting for! Run!"

But instead of hitting Galen with that dreaded curse, Ginny stared at her brother in disbelief.

"What?" he asked his sister.

Instead of responding, Ginny turned to Anthea, who shrugged, and then to Galen with a questioning gaze.

Galen smiled. "We had a chat earlier."

"Right!" Ginny said slowly, still not completely convinced.

"Get off it!" Ron said with his eyes narrowed in annoyance. "Just because I'm trying to be civil doesn't mean you get to treat me like that!"

"I'm sorry, Ron," Ginny said with a genuine smile and meaning it. "Thanks."