Disclaimer: I own the plot, though I apologize if it's been done before. Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling, Lord of the Rings belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien.
There and Back Again
Chapter 3: Hon Antuulien
By Jess S
"Ron!" Hermione scolded, "We can't just walk in! Do you have any idea how rude that would be? I mean... even if this is Harry's new house, what if he's not home?"
The redhead blinked, looking surprised, and took a moment to reply. "Uhh... I never really thought of that..." he muttered, his turning reddening. This statement made several members of the group, Hermione and all of Ron's present siblings included, rolled their eyes.
"Ah, there you all are!"
They all turned toward the familiar, cheerful voice, in surprise.
"Albus!" Professor McGonagall blinked, "What are you doing here?"
"Well," the Headmaster shrugged, "I thought I might like to have a word with young Mr. Potter as well... and check to ensure the wards have resituated themselves correctly." He looked up at the wall behind them, taking in the garden and the majestic house beyond it. "Have you found his family's new place of residence, then?"
"We believe," Professor Snape replied, his tone neutral, "that this is the only place that could fit the clues we were offered. All other possibilities have been ruled out, by process of elimination..."
"So this is the only one left?" the older wizard nodded, his eyes twinkling at the Potions Master's quick nod. "Very well, then, we'd best go around front and knock, shan't we?"
As the group members turned to do so, they were halted by a sudden gasp from Ginny Weasley. "H-Harry?!" she squeaked, her eyes wide as she stared through the gate behind them, causing the others to spin around, and be no less astonished than she (and the Dursleys earlier that morning).
The young man coming towards them was certainly Harry Potter, the scar and the peculiar eyes confirmed of that. However, those two characteristics were almost certainly the only thing about him that hadn't changed since the last time they'd seen him.
He was a few inches taller, and his hair, which flowed softly in a gently silky fall of midnight black strands, was about certainly an inch longer. The raven mass emphasized the startling paleness of his skin. That skin didn't really appear unnatural, per say, just unusual... it had a sort of ethereal glow to it... It wrapped around features that were no longer the least bit rounded by baby fat, but were instead as refined and flawless as any of the aristocrat's of old.
His eyes were even more noticeable, their strikingly divine and alluring shade all the more obvious because he wasn't wearing his glasses. Therefore, they could also see the barely present laugh lines up around his eyes, which matched the complacent smile present on the lips that framed a flawless smile.
The clothing he wore was a bit of a shock as well, for it was much more formal... no, not more formal... for it was not the clothing that made him regal, but he who made it seem so.
Pale khakis outlined well-muscled legs, draping down around his ankles and hiding the top of his finely polished, dragon hide boots.
The shirt he wore above it wasn't like any they'd ever seen before, but it seemed to fit him. Made of a shimmering material, dyed a deep, forest green, it outlined his broadened shoulders and lean frame while still making his eyes seem even more pronounced.
"H-Harry?" Hermione gasped after several moments of staring, unintentionally mimicking Ginny's earlier exclamation. "I-is that you?"
"...Yes, Hermione, it's me," Harry replied, his smile still in place, even as he glanced down and seemed to examine himself nervously, bringing a strong hand up to unconsciously brush his bangs away from his eyes (and giving them a clear view of his scar), before letting it fall back. "What?" he asked, "I haven't change that much, have I?"
Hermione, with many of the others mimicking her, raised an eyebrow, shaking her head, "Umm... well, actually... You have, Harry. Really... you have..."
After a moment's pause, Harry shook his head, reaching forward to swing the gate open and allow them open. "Would you like to come in?" he asked politely.
"Thank you," Several of them murmured before moving forward, and through the gate.
Harry closed the gate behind them, before turning around to face them again. "Would you like to join us for supper?" As he received several nods in reply, Harry himself nodded, and began leading them slowly down the path to the house.
~ * ~
Ránëwén watched the approaching party from the upper window in silence. They hadn't been expecting to have to meet with the friends of Harry's youth, but it obviously could not be avoided. She couldn't help but wonder what Harry would choose to tell them.
She and the twins would listen, certainly, from the upper landing above the dining room. For they couldn't be seen living in Harry's new home for awhile yet. After all, even if Harry's book was right, and no member of the Wizarding had scene a true elf in several centuries... they weren't stupid. Even the Dursleys had known that the three weren't human!
So she couldn't be there to help him, no matter how much it pained her.
The Elven noble shook her head, sighing softly as the party below her reached the porch steps and soon disappeared inside. "Mart valina, melda nin..." {Good luck...} she murmured softly.
~ * ~
All of the newcomers couldn't help but stare around themselves in awe, as they made their way to the house. The path they walked upon was made of fine, white marble slabs and surrounded by a garden that few could possibly ever compare to. It broke off into different paths several times, but Harry never turned down those, and only continued walking down the straight one, which took them across two bridges on the way.
The house they soon arrived at was no less impressive up close then it was from afar. Two stories of gleaming white woodwork reached up to spectacular dark-gray gables and turrets. A long balcony stretched across the second floor, backed by elegant glass doors. Everything about it was crisp and aspiring, positively glowing with the sheer grace it had been constructed with.
"Quite a lovely house, Mr. Potter," the Head of Gryffindor House commented softly, a benign smile gracing her usually firm lips.
"Thank you, Professor," Harry replied smoothly. "I'm afraid that that doesn't apply to the whole of the house, as we haven't quite finished unpacking yet, and some of the rooms are therefore disaster zones."
"Understandable," McGonagall chuckled.
Just as they reached the steps, Aunt Petunia appeared at the back door, looking more than a little nervous as she opened it and invited the party in. The teachers' gracious thanks - well, Snape wasn't really 'gracious', and he didn't quite 'thank' her... he just offered a cold nod and remained stonily silent - didn't seem to sooth her anxiety.
~ * ~
As she began to turn from the window, to go listen in on the proceedings downstairs, Violet's acute Elven gaze caught sight of the twins just as they appeared in the distance. "Zigur!" she swore, quickly spinning around in the other direction to head for the balcony.
Upon reaching said balcony, she looked around frantically for something - anything - to gain their attention. After several precious seconds of searching, her eyes landed on the seat cushions on the bench that lined the balcony's edge. Almost as soon as she'd spotted them, she'd snatched two of the white cushions off the bench and hurled them toward the approaching twins. Perhaps it was a result of her Elven heritage, or a miracle resulted from her sheer desperation, but whatever the cause, both projectiles hit dead on.
~ * ~
"What is it?"
Lucius Malfoy, skilled as he'd become in the suppression of emotions, was only just able to forestall a wince at the Dark Lord icy tone. "We thought you might like to be informed, my lord, that the prisoners are dead."
"Potter's birthday present?" Voldemort replied, as he raised a silver goblet of red wine to drink.
"Yes, my lord," the Death Eater replied. "It would seem they're bodies didn't react well to last nights activities... and were more damaged then we thought."
"Hmm," Lord Voldemort nodded, "understandable... still, they were fun, weren't they, Lucius?"
"Yes, my lord. Very much so."
"It's a pity they didn't last for another round, the Dark Lord continued, "Ah well, we'll need a new batch then." He noted, clearly not considering the half a dozen Muggle children he had tortured for the Boy-Who-Lived's birthday anything worth considering.
"Of course, my lord."
"Keep it quiet, but do be quick." The Dark Lord ordered, "We can not move just yet, we'll wait for the Ministry to turn more of the world against the Muggle-lover and his followers before we strike, but we'll need something to do before then."
"Of course, my lord."
"You may go," Lord Voldemort nodded, taking another sip of his wine. "I expect the new batch to be ready by moon rise."
"Yes, my lord." The regal Death Eater bowed deeply before quickly exiting the room, leaving the Dark Lord to his thoughts.
~ * ~
"Er noa nin, mauremen voitre nei wenya yaave!" {I still think we should have bought the fresh fruit!} The blonde elf muttered softly, but loudly enough that he was sure his twin would hear it.
"Sina," {This,} the other blonde immediately objected, "ta itar ar varna tulka! Kena le itehta vornat tyavya ve ta! Enyaare ta maure tehta notvalina! Putta nurle!" {was the better, and safer buy! You saw the sign! Everything tastes like it! Therefore it must taste reasonably good! So stop complaining!}
The first blonde sighed, shaking his head. "Laa...man lindoorea o esse ta 'chicken'?" {Nonetheless... what sort of a name is 'chicken'?}
"Mae-" {Well-}
Both had been so caught up in their debate that neither had seen the peculiar objects flying towards their heads, and were quite shocked by the sudden attack. So much so that it resulted in them both flat on their backs on the pathway.
"Man ta tanya?!" {What was that?!}
"Yatir sinte nin, Elrohir?" {How should I know?} The other, Christopher (Camthalion), replied as he pushed himself up. As he did so, he happened to glance at the balcony, instinctively searching for the origin of the attack, and finding. "Man ta Ránëwén illumele?" {What is Violet doing?} he blinked watching the Elven maiden continue to motion frantically to them and shake her head repeatedly.
His twin followed his gaze up to the balcony as well, and his eyebrows soon raised to follow them. "Ninvoitre anwa iluntya..." {I honestly have no idea...}
Evidently deciding they weren't going to follow her silent instructions anytime soon, Violet finally called out to them, keeping her volume quiet, so that without their Elven hearing they would not have stood a chance of hearing her command. "Tulya amsinome, sii!" {Get up here, now!}
Both twins blinked.
"Ilya teera... wanyalemen illune yana wandana..." {All right... we were going to do that anyway...} one began.
"Dan yana ta ilya teera..." {But that's all right...} the other finished with a shrug.
"Lau!" Violet hissed down at them, when they turn to go in through the door. Of course, it would only sound worthy of the description 'hiss' to those accustom to the beauty of the Elven language and the melodious accent the people themselves bore. "Iltanya wande, le ilhanda hos!" {Not that way, you fools!}
The twins looked up at her, glanced at each other, and then looked up again.
"Mae ta intyamen wanya mi san?" {Well how are we supposed to get in then?} one asked.
"Ta le mae, Ránëwén?" {Are you well?} the other inquired.
"Mae nin! Maara alda!" {I'm fine! Use the tree!} Violet replied, waving to the tall tree that was very close to the balcony, more then enough to be a form of travel for an elf.
The brothers looked at her, and then shrugged.
"Ilya teera... wanne amba!" {All right... coming up!}
"Tangado..." {Wait...} when his twin looked at him, he shrugged. "Man oi 'chicken'?" {What about the chicken?}
~ * ~
The parlor that Harry and his aunt led them to was no less magnificent then the rest of the house. The fine hardwood floors they crossed were expertly waxed and the furniture was no less refined. The room was quite large, enough so for even this party. With three large, overstuffed, white leather couches and matching recliners around the large, glass-topped coffee table gave the room a welcoming appearance that was rather difficult to accomplish.
"Please," Mrs. Dursley gestured to the seats, "have a seat. Supper should be ready shortly, will you be joining us?"
"We'd like to," Professor Dumbledore replied, "if it isn't any trouble."
"Oh no," Mrs. Dursley shook her head, glancing at her nephew before offering a rather tight smile, "no trouble at all." She replied, before hurrying from the room.
"Well," Snape broke the silence a few moments after her departure. "Your aunt certainly doesn't seem to despise you as much as your friends say she does, Mr. Potter."
Harry laughed, shaking his head. "Actually, I think she's still trying to get used to me. My growth spurt was rather sudden, you see, and came as quite a shock to them."
"'Sudden'?" McGonagall asked, "How so? Did you just shoot up half a foot overnight?"
At this, Harry was truly glad for his foster-kin's customs. It was all he could do to keep from wincing at what came so close to the technical truth. However, living amongst the Elves for hundreds of years, as a royal no less, and his interaction with many other Races afterward, had taught him well. "Basically," the prince shrugged. "So," he offered a smile, "what brings you here?"
The silence that followed didn't surprise him, far from it: it was why he'd asked the question!
"Why did you move?" his House Head asked after a moment's consideration.
Harry blinked, quite intentionally, before replying. "Because we wanted to. My uncle's always wanted to live in town, so when he got the chance, we moved."
"Why didn't you tell any of us?" Ron demanded, the infamous Weasley temper rearing its red head.
"I did," Harry replied, frowning at him. "You got the letter's I sent you this morning, didn't you? I can't see how you could've found this place otherwise, but..."
"We got them," Hermione interrupted, shaking her head. "But couldn't you have told us a little sooner?"
Once again, centuries of Elven customs and upbringing made it all too easy for the 'Boy-Who-Lived' to keep his expression quite complacent. "Believe me," he replied evenly, "it was rather sudden..." After a moment, he offered a bright smile. "Oh, I wanted to thank all of you for my presents," he said, smiling at everyone he'd received a present from (Hermione, Remus, Snuffles, and the Weasleys), "they were great!"
All of them smiled in reply, while Snuffles barked in response.
"You could change back, if you want, Sirius," Harry offered, "The Dursleys won't say anything."
After a moment's consideration, the large black dog nodded, and then a man with long black hair stood in its place. With a smile, Sirius took a seat on the end the couch he'd been sitting next to, while Remus moved to offer his space. "So how've you been since the end of school, Harry?"
~ * ~
"Yana ta lumna quente..." {That's a loaded question...} Eric murmured quietly from his place beside his brother and Violet. They nodded in agreement.
The three of them were standing on the balcony that overlooked the entrance hall, a short distance from the stairs that swept down to the first floor. While they had to struggle a bit to do so, their Elven hearing allowed them to hear the conversation that was being held in the parlor.
For all their long years, Elves truly were as curious as any human child. This had always amused Harry to no end, and they had no doubt that he knew they were up here now, listening. After all, what else were they to do?
"J-Violet, Eric, Christopher?"
The three quickly looked down to meet Petunia Dursleys inquiring gaze.
"What is it?" Violet asked quietly.
"Would you like me to bring something up to you?" Harry's aunt inquired nervously, her voice no less soft.
"Please," Violet nodded. Just as Mrs. Dursley turned away, she called down to her, "Mrs. Dursley?"
"Yes?" the blonde replied quietly, her eyes wide.
"You may call me Jane, if you like." Violet offered with a gentle smile, knowing that Harry's aunt was fond of that name. For indeed, the woman had actually said so when she'd suggested it that morning. Saying that it was the name she would've given to her own daughter, had she ever been able to have one.
The woman smiled warmly, "Then you must call me Aunt Petunia," she insisted, nodding to all three of them, "all of you. You're all close enough to Harry."
"Hannon le," the Elves replied quietly, knowing it was one of the few Elven phrases the Muggle woman understood, as Harry had already told her what it meant.
~ * ~
"Oh, I've been alright..." Harry replied after a moment's pause. Before anyone could ask anything else, he turned his attention to his two best friends. "And what about you? You hardly tell me anything in your letters, but surely you must have done something interesting this summer...?"
"Uhh - ahh... umm, w-well..." Ron stuttered, clearly not liking this turn of conversation.
"No, we really haven't," Hermione shook her head, drawing her dark-haired-best friend's attention away from the redhead. "I did read a good book on Wizarding-Muggle relations a few days ago... Oh!" she smiled slightly, "have you started reading the book yet?"
"Yes," Harry nodded.
Ron blinked and stared at him, "You have?"
Hermione shot a glare at the redhead, before smiling at Harry, "That's wonderful! What'd you think so far?"
"It's very... educational," Harry shrugged, "and some parts are really interesting."
"How far are you?"
"Oh... a ways," Harry smiled, "It's very interesting, thank you, Hermione."
Hermione blushed slightly, "Oh... well, I thought it might be helpful."
Harry nodded, "I'm sure it will be." Before they could ask anymore questions, the 'Boy-Who-Lived noticed his aunt standing in the doorway. "Yes, Aunt Petunia? What is it?"
"I'm sorry for interrupting..." she replied quickly, glancing around, "But supper is ready, if you'd like..."
"Wonderful," Dumbledore nodded, rising to his feet.
Harry shook his head, smiling as he followed the Headmaster's example. "Shall we?"
~ * ~
Back on Middle Earth - Lothlórien, 2933 of the Third Age...
"Ilindyo?" {Grandmother?} Arwen Undómiel inquired softly, as she once again made her way down into the clearing where her mother's mother watched her mirror.
"Mae anduune, indyo nin," {Good evening, my grandchild,} the Lady of the Galadrim replied quietly. "Ta telwa, uya hirseere?" {It is late, can you not find any rest?}
"Laa enyaare le," {No more than you,} the Lady of Rivendell replied just as quietly, directing her eyes to the mirror of legends. "Iluya kena le hon?"" {Can you see him?}
"Elerossë?"
"Uma."
"Laa," Lady Galadriel shook her fair head sadly, "Ilkena nin yondoor nin, ilkena nin naan." {I can not see the son of my heart, or any of the others.}
Arwen blinked back tears, "Man hanya ilyanat martle ana tîn... anwa, Ilindyo?" {We would know if anything had happened to them... wouldn't we, Grandmother?}
The Queen of the Elves closed her eyes tightly, turning away from her mirror and stepping down onto the lower ground. "Uya noa nin." {I do not know.} She replied, turning to her granddaughter she opened her arms.
It took the Elven princess far less then a moment to step into her embrace...
Now, there are some that believe that time simply doesn't pass at the same pace for humans as it does for Elves. Now, that really isn't true. Certainly, Elves may see things from a different perspective, but that doesn't mean time passes differently for them. The simple fact of the matter is that Elves are immortal, and they therefore have plenty of time to spare. Therefore, it was of little consequence for two of the Elven kingdom's fairest maidens to remain in that embrace all night long, seeking solace in their joint misery.
~ * ~
"Well," Dumbledore smiled as they all sat themselves in the parlor once again. "I must say that that was an extraordinary meal, Mrs. Dursleys. Thank you."
"Oh, it was nothing," the blonde replied, blushing slightly as she set the tray for evening tea down on the coffee table. "Please, help yourselves." She offered nodding to the tray.
"Thank you, Aunt Petunia," Harry smiled, "would you care to join us?" he asked, nodding to both his aunt, his uncle and cousin.
"No, thank you," the Muggle woman shook her head, "I'm afraid I'm a bit tired from the move today. So I myself would like to get some rest."
Her husband and son nodded quickly in agreement.
"All right," the 'young' wizard nodded, smiling once again, "Sleep well."
"Thank you," his aunt nodded, "You should get some sleep too, Harry," she told him as she made to follow her husband and her son out the door, stopping at the threshold.
"I will," the 'teenager' nodded. After the woman had departed, he turned his attention back to his guests, picking up the teapot carefully, "Tea anyone?" he offered.
"Please," McGonagall nodded while taking a teacup and setting it down on the table before her.
The others followed her example. Once everyone had their tea the way they liked it, they once again returned their attention to their reason for being here.
"So," Snape began the informal interrogation, for that's what it really was, once again. "Are we to understand you moved simply because your uncle won enough money to do so?"
"Basically," Harry nodded. "The Dursleys have always wanted to live in the city, so it really isn't surprising."
"No," Dumbledore nodded, "I suppose not." He paused for a moment before continuing, "And why didn't you contact us, Harry? This may have put you in danger if the wards were broken."
Harry frowned, "But you said that the wards are basically placed on me, that as long as I live in the home of a blood relative, those wards are in place." He shook his head, "And the Dursleys' decided to move, so this is now they're home... Why wouldn't the wards follow us?"
The teachers blinked in surprise.
"So you did actually consider that?" Professor McGonagall inquired, obviously surprised.
"Yes," Harry nodded. "I would have contacted you," he told them, "but I figured all of you had enough on your mind as it was, and didn't want to be a bother."
Those words were ones the wizard had chosen quite carefully, knowing that they fit his former personality just as well as his current one, and that they would surprise his guests, while making them berate themselves for being surprised. For, indeed, judging by their expressions, that was just what they did.
After several moments' Professor Dumbledore finally nodded, "It wouldn't have been a bother, Harry. But it was kind of you to consider it." The sharp look he directed towards the Hogwarts Potions Master halted the younger man from saying anything about that. "Is your family planning on staying here?"
Harry nodded, "As far as I know, yes."
"Very well," the Headmaster nodded once again, apparently now choosing to accept everything at face value.
However, Harry knew he wasn't really out of the brush yet. The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes was slightly shadowed by lingering doubt, just as the press on McGonagall's lips was a little too tight, Mrs. Weasley's brow was slightly creased, as was Hermione's and Ron was watching him a little too closely. The others appeared convinced, aside from Snape, of course, as the Head of Slytherin was forever aiming to see him expelled. But the wizard knew that he'd have to tread carefully for awhile yet...
"Your aunt is right, Harry," Mrs. Weasley broke the silence. "It's been a long day, so we'd best be taking our leave."
The other adults nodded in agreement, rising to their feet.
"Could we meet in Diagon Alley for supplies soon, Mum?" Ron asked as they made their way out of the parlor.
The older witch took her time in deciding, but she eventually nodded. "I suppose so," she replied as she followed her husband through the back door onto the back porch. "Perhaps on the weekend after this coming one." She offered, "Would that be all right for you, Harry, dear?"
Harry nodded, "Of course, it's a bit easier for me to get there now."
"All right, then," Mrs. Weasley smiled, giving her son's best friend a quick hug before making her way down the steps to join the rest of the departing party.
As the others turned the leave, Ron and Hermione hung back, and McGonagall turned back to smile at them. "Oh, I'd like to congratulate all of you," she told them, as she made her way back to them.
"For what?" Ron blinked, accepting the letter that she placed his hand, which was identical to the ones she gave to Hermione and Harry.
"For making Prefectoral status," the Gryffindor House Head replied, smiling.
All three of them blinked.
"What?" Ron asked, clearly shocked.
"You three," McGonagall nodded to them, clearly amused, "are the new Gryffindor Prefects."
"All three of us?" Hermione gasped, staring at the letter she held, in shock.
"Yes," the Professor nodded, "You've proven yourselves to be a very good team, and I thought it would be a shame to separate you in this. All of you had high enough marks, and I'm sure you'll perform the job wonderfully." She replied, once again offering a true smile.
"But..." Hermione shook her head, "How can all three of us be Prefects? There's only supposed to be two!"
"And how do I qualify as a Prefect?" Ron asked numbly, clearly still in shock.
"There are times where more then two students qualify," McGonagall replied readily, "And your grade-point-average is above average, Mr. Weasley. Plus," she smiled, "Both you and Mr. Potter have received special awards for school service already, which must always be considered."
"Oh," all three members of the Gryffindor trio replied numbly.
After a moment, Harry shook his head and offered a small smile with a nod, "Thank you, Professor."
His friends quickly followed his lead, each offering a quick "thank you".
McGonagall nodded, still smiling as she turned to depart. "You'd best make your good-bye's brief, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, you don't want to keep everyone wait on the street."
Both nodded, before turning to Harry, tucking their letters away in their jackets when they saw he'd already done so. The Boy-Who-Lived's raised eyebrow reminded them of why they'd stayed behind.
"Are you sure you're alright, Harry?" Hermione inquired softly. "Your scar hasn't been bothering you?"
"Not really..." Harry shook his head. "Voldemort was a little active last night, but other then that he's been pretty quiet."
Both nodded comprehensively.
"Yeah," Ron replied, "that's what Fred and George said the Order's been saying." Seeing his friend's look, he explained. "We're not allowed into Order meetings, but the twins have made some gadgets that they can use to eavesdrop."
"Oh..." Harry nodded, "I probably shouldn't say that's good," he smiled, shaking his head, "So I won't... But how've you two been?"
"Alright," Hermione replied. "Victor's been awful busy lately, so I haven't heard anything from him in a few weeks."
"Are you staying at the Borrow?" Harry asked her, knowing that she was staying with the Weasleys, but seriously doubting that it was at the Burrow.
Both of his friends looked at each other before Ron chose reply quietly.
"No... we moved into the Order's headquarters... Mum thinks we'll be safer there."
"Oh..." Harry nodded again, "that makes sense." He sighed, and glanced down the path, "You two should probably be going."
Both his friends also sighed.
"Yeah," Ron replied, "You're right... see you in two weeks." He said, before quickly turning and making his way down the steps.
Hermione quickly hugged her raven-haired friend, "Good night, Harry."
"'Night," the 'boy' replied, nodding to her as she hurried after their red haired friend, "mellon nin..." he finished quietly, before making his way inside, and opening one of the windows to listen to their departure from the back parlor.
~ * ~
Back on Middle Earth - Rivendell, (still) 2933 of the Third Age...
It was an unusually cool autumn night that saw a small party of Men ride across the river that guarded Imladris, on their way to the House of Elrond. Upon arriving at their destination, they were met by the Elven Lord himself, and parted to allow the one they guarded to move forward to him.
She was quite fair by human standards, this lady in her late twenties. A small child, no older than two, lay asleep in her arms.
"Welcome, milady," Lord Elrond greeted the girl warmly, though their was a noticeable degree of sadness in his eyes as he looked upon the you, grieving widow.
For she was Gilraen, wife of the late King Arathorn II, and the Queen of Gondor. In her arms lay Arathorn and Isildur's only heir, her child: Aragorn.
"Good evening, Lord Elrond," the woman returned the greeting in a gentle, pleasant voice. "I... I apologize for the late hour, but-"
"No apology is necessary, milady," Elrond waved it off. "You are, of course, welcome here. As is your son."
"Oh, thank you, milord," the young queen curtsied deeply, "thank you."
"It is not uncommon for Isildur's heirs to come here," Elrond continued quietly, "many have in fact been raised here, with many of his heirlooms... if that is your wish?"
"Please, milord," Gilraen nodded, "Gondor no longer knows true order. The Lords are fighting amongst themselves and will not listen to reason as Orcs pillage many of our border-towns." She shook her head, her eyes growing sadder. "I'm afraid that this may be the end of Gondor's days of glory."
"Perhaps not," the Half-Elven shook his head. He nodded to the Queen's guards as they made their way for the stables, the younger ones falling the seniors, who'd been here before. "Come," he then nodded to the queen, "Let us go inside, away from the cold..."
"Of course," Arathorn's widow nodded, following the regal elf inside.
A short time later, after passing through moonlit gardens and glittering hallways, they reached the Lord's Library. This room undoubtedly held more knowledge then any Man could imagine; texts, books and memoirs from Age's long past.
"There is always hope..." Elrond told her, as they made their way over to one of the seating areas. "For now though, you are certainly right. A child should not be raised in such chaos..."
"The Lords and our enemies will look for him, once they straighten themselves out." The young queen pointed out.
Elrond nodded, "Indeed... His being here, and yours as well, should then be kept a secret."
"But how?" she asked. "Someone is bound to here of our presence here."
"Perhaps," the Lord nodded, "but there are certain measures we may take to make it a bit more difficult.
"Such as?"
"Your names, for one."
"We should change them?" the Queen inquired. "To what?"
"Well..." Elrond held her gaze for a moment, before nodding. "I do believe the name Eärwen suits you."
"Eärwen..." Gilraen thought about it for several minutes, before nodding. "Yes, I like it very much, thank you." She looked down at her child, who even now lay asleep in her arms. "And what of my son?"
"Your son," Elrond nodded, "Is the Hope of Gondor, and the Hope of Man. Therefore, I can think of no better name then Estel."
"Hope..." 'Eärwen' nodded, smiling slightly. "Yes, Estel..."
"I will have a servant escort you to your chambers." Elrond offered, rising gracefully.
Eärwen nodded, "Yes, thank you, Lord Elrond."
A short time later saw the young queen placing her son in an Elven crib, which had been placed beside her bed. She looked around, relief evident on her exhausted, but nonetheless beautiful features. Turning back to the crib, she checked the blankets to make sure her child was warm, before leaning down to place a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Good night, my dearest Hope..."
~ * ~
Harry waited until he could no longer hear the other Wizards, which meant they were in fact off the grounds, before speaking. "Are the Dursleys already abed?"
"Uma," Violet nodded as she, Eric and Chris entered the parlor and took seats around the room. "They have been for some time."
"So," Eric sighed, "What now?"
After several moments' consideration, the wizard replied. "If I remember correctly, there are records of 'True Elves' in the Hogwarts Library..." he murmured, making his way over to the windows that offered an exquisite view of the garden. "And my lady-mother advised that we contact them."
"Then we shall," Violet agreed with a nod.
The wizard returned the nod, "Uma... Elrohir, Camthalion," he sighed, nodding to them firmly. "You two must travel to the Elven capital of this world, and negotiate with them. Tell them the truth, and ask their aid..."
Elrohir frowned, "And how are we supposed to find them?"
Harry raised an eyebrow, "I can sense them even now, so I'm certain you can." He thought a moment, then sighed. "I'm not sure, but I think you should start in the Forbidden Forest by Hogwarts... I could always feel something akin to Elven magic near there... so they be closer to there."
Both twins nodded.
"We'll leave at dawn," Chris offered.
The adopted prince of Lothlórien nodded, "Hannon le, mellon nin." He sighed even more deeply then before. "You should get some rest."
The both nodded once again, and rose to make their way to bed.
Violet rose, halting them with her brilliant gaze. When she was sure she had their attention, she nodded gravely to them, "Arya na, mellon nin." {Be careful, my friends.}
With another set of nods, the twins departed, leaving the pair alone.
~ * ~
"Yello le, Atar?" {You called, Father?}
Lord Elrond looked up as his two twin sons entered the Library, bowing slightly before seating themselves across from him. "Uma," {Yes,} he nodded, "Noa nin, tenvoite le intya o Gondor?" {I assume you have heard the news from Gondor?}
"Haran ta qualin," {The king is dead,} Elrohir nodded, "haranien roina..." {the kingdom in ruin...}
His twin, Elladan, continued, "Turinqui ar aryon wanwa." {The queen and the young heir are missing.}
"Laa," {No,} Elrond shook his head, "Ilwanwa. Tulya e arinya si anduune." {not missing. They arrived earlier this evening.}
"A... tana nin mankoi teema ta uuvea si telwa." {Ah... I'd wondered why the servants were so busy at this late hour.} Elladan nodded. "Tulkya e sinome?" {So they will be staying here?}
"Mi nulla, uma." {In secret, yes.}
"Arta ingem aryon o Isilduir siin?" {And how old is Isildur's heir now?} Elrohir inquired, "Noa nin sanwa, ta nessa." {If I recall correctly, he is very young.}
"Ta dan seldo o atta yeen." {He is but a child of two years.} His father and lord replied.
Elladan nodded, "Kordon ta Arwen sinome, hene ve ta kola o seldo nessa." {Would that Arwen were here, she would like to help care for one so young.}
"Heen ta," {She would,} Elrond nodded in agreement.
Elrohir sighed, "Levoite tenho heen?" {Have you heard from her?}
"Kolaho nin heen neldaree wanwa. Heen ta mae mii mar o ilindyo, arta tulka eno mintya luume." {I received a letter from her three days ago. She is doing well in your Grandparent's House, and plans to stay there for quite some time.} Their father replied.
Elladan nodded, "Heen martya e... ala mintya sina luume." {She misses him still... after all this time.}
"Men ilya iluya," {We all do,} his father nodded, "lempe-randa ilta luume ta ilenyale mellonser... ilta oira ta..." {500 years isn't enough time to forget a loved one... no more then eternity is...}
~ * ~
It was only a few short moments after his friends' departure that Harry Potter; the Boy-Who-Lived, the Savior or the Wizarding World, and the adopted Prince of the Lothlórien Elves released another deep sigh.
"Maar ta le, melda nin?" {How are you?} The Elven Lady inquired gently, walking up alongside him. She was certainly quite a site to behold in the moonlight, as its luminescent rays set her stunning Elven gown alight, making it look like it glowed with the same ethereal beauty the lady herself did.
"Ve mae veli na enga," {As well as can be expected,} he replied quietly.
Violet took his hand, steering him over to the couch, and directing him to sit. Once he'd done so, she reached over the back of the chair to begin massaging his shoulders. "Tana maure-voite na ruukina an le..." {That must have been hard for you...}
Harry nodded, "Ta na..." {It was...} he sighed. "Dan ta aume darole..." {But it couldn't be avoided...}
"Laa," the purple-eyed lady agreed, "ta aumevoite na." {it could not have been.} She murmured as she continued rubbing the knots out of his shoulders, her delicate hands moving with the grace of her people as well as the ease and confidence of an experienced masseuse. After several minutes of this, she shook her head, "Man ta nwalya le?" {What else is bothering you?}
The wizard remained silent for several minutes before finally shaking his head and replying. "Ilhanya nin... dan... e nale te nessa! Ilya o tîn! Oii tuure!" {I don't know... but... they seemed so young! All of them! Even the teachers!}
"Umale e veela," {Of course they did,} Violet nodded, her hands falling down slightly to his upper back, where she began rubbing the area where his shoulder blades met. "Ena nessa, Elerossë... ðe quentele, i Headmaster ne laa san randa ar lempe-kainen yeen. Nale enta atta-kainen-randa ayaare e, titta noa..." {They are young, Harry... You said yourself, the Headmaster is no more then 150 years old. You are therefore at least 2000 years older then him, at least mentally...}
"Sanda!" {Exactly!} Harry sighed, shaking his head. "Man ta intyale ta wanya ata Hogwarts ar tyaro ilnat ta martle? Titta enyalie-voite nin o Hogwarts!" {How am I supposed to go back to Hogwarts and pretend nothing's happened? I can barely remember what Hogwarts was like!}
Violet chuckled, "Tas enyale le man maure le ta enyale... Dan en ta ulmusa ta (that)...?" {You will remember what you need to remember.... But there is more to it then that...?}
Finally, the wizard relented, "Uma..." he replied, releasing a deep sigh with his grave nod. "~" {It wasn't just that they are young in years...} he shook his head, "Evaa nale... ilnyeere ar ilnoa."{They just seemed so... innocent and naive.}
"Evoite tyaro ilnat yana na makale manie levoite." {They have experienced nothing that can compare to what you have.}
"Manie menvoite." {What we have,} Harry corrected gently with a sigh.
His lady laughed softly, "Uma," she nodded, leaning down and pressing a gentle kiss on his cheek. " Manie menvoite." {What we have...}
"E uya noa naike, tevie, osse... Imbe ana Zigur, Voldemort ta dan seldo... Ar (si/sina) paulurin, amil paulurin nin, ta dan seldo..." {They do not know the pain, the hatred, the terror... Next to Sauron, Voldemort is but a child... And this world, my mother world, is but a child...}
"Ar le ilna," {And you are not,} Violet nodded.
Harry sighed, and nodded.
Violet sighed as well, shaking her head as she moved around the chair with the grace inherent to her people, and then sat herself down on the right armrest with that same grace. She gently drew the wizard's brilliant green eyes to her own namesake pair, before replying. "Children are only children for so long, melda nin."
He didn't miss her choice of speaking in the Common Tongue (English), and followed her example with an ease born of plenty experience. "True... but can I ever hope to see them grown?"
"They may seem like, and be, children in many ways," Violet murmured, while slowly shaking her lovely head. "But in truth: they are not... You are seeing them an many Elves see Man-"
"Perhaps that is partially true, but only just," Harry interrupted. "I see the world as it is. It may be that Man has too much power in this world, no one to help reach a balance..." he shook his head once again. "On Middle Earth the other Races hold Man in check... But here, the Dwarves are even more (solitary) then they are on Middle Earth, and the Elves..." he sighed. "According to the Hogwarts records, they have not come into contact with the Mortal World in centuries..."
"So, with the option of fighting against other Races denied them, they choose to instead fight amongst themselves." Violet sighed, "Even the Elves of Middle Earth aren't far beyond that, melda nin..." she raised a hand to forestall his protests. "Yes, melda nin. The Race of Man is young, but that does not mean that all of its members are... don't lost faith, they may surprise you."
Harry took several moments to consider her words, before finally nodding in understanding. "You're right," he sighed. "Hannon le, melda nin."
She leaned down to place a (loving) kiss on his brow. "Ilya luume, melda nin." {Any time.}
End of Chapter 3.
Translations:
Hon – he
Antuulien – has returned
Zigur! - Sauron! [AN: What?! I couldn't find anything, and don't you think his name could be considered profanity in the Elven language? ...even just a little bit?]
Laa! - No!
Hannon le - Thank you
Uma - Yes
Melda nin - my beloved
Response to Reviews:
Serpent of Light - LOL, thank you, I'm glad you like it so much. ^_^
Star Mage1 - Thank you, I'm glad you like it.
LOL, well you kind of got their reactions, but you'll have to wait a bit longer for them to learn the truth.
Yes, Harry is very advanced, thanks you Hermione's gift... that would be why he didn't actually say how far he was in the book... he finished it a long time ago, but according to the HP world's timeline, he only got the book the night before!
*Sigh* This is something that took me a lot of research and a lot of math to figure out... and I'm still not entirely sure it's correct. Physically, Harry looks like he's in his late teens/early twenties... Mentally, he's 2189 years old...
Thanks!
Xirleb70 - LOL, thank you, I'm glad you like it. I'm sorry about the wait for this chapter, but it wasn't the easiest thing to write... I had a bit of a block on it, so it took be awhile to finish...
Insanechildfanfic - Thanks, I'm glad.
Jess - Sorry about the wait.
Saurman the White - Thanks, I'm glad you like it.
*Sigh* I know, it can be a bit confusing at times, but I like to do that for two reasons;
1. I honestly think it adds a little flavor to the story... although I do realize I go overboard a lot.
2. When I run into a case of writer's block, translating the Elvish actually helps me overcome it more often then not.
Thank you for reading and reviewing, and I do apologize if the Elvish confuses you.
The Wold of Were - LOL, thank you, I'm glad someone likes them! ^_^
Actually, I write most of them myself. So far I've been using a bunch of sites online for the words. I honestly can't remember where I got them, though. I found one dictionary online and downloaded the text onto my computer, so I don't remember where the site itself was... And the other one I use the most I also downloaded, it was from a site that translated and explained all of the Elvish used in the Fellowship and the Two Towers.
If I can find the sites again, I'll give you the URL.
Rachel R. - Hi! ^_^
Thank you, I'm glad you like it.
LOL, I know, I prefer longer chapters, but sometimes I just get stuck, so I'll post what I have just to see if it's worth continuing... Usually, I try to keep my chapter somewhere around fifteen to twenty pages long.
Fear Mage - LOL. Thank you. I'm glad you like it.
Sorry about the wait.
The Elfin Child - LOL... This wait wasn't quite as bad... was it?
Point?
Hmm... point...
Do I have a point?
Oh! Yes! I remember...
Err... but I can't tell you.... Sorry...
Once again, sorry for the wait.
Clingon87 - LOL, thanks. ^_^
I'm sorry about the wait. Was it worth it?
I think the plot's original... at least I hope so, as I'd hate to unintentionally copy someone else... I know some other people have done some similar things, but nothing quite like this...
Well, *Winces* now I suppose you're going to have to wait again... Sorry.
Jessyka - Thank you.
Sorry about the wait.
GunSmoke2 - ^_^ Thanks, sorry for the wait.
Megz2 - Hi ^_^
Thank you, very, very much.
*Laughs evilly*... Yes, actually... That will undoubtedly be a bit of a problem back at school... He's had more then two thousand years to do his homework and study the Hogwarts Library! Granted, it didn't take him that long, but he did spend plenty of time studying it!
Yeah... that's one of the things he's a bit worried about... But we'll have to wait and see! :-P
Sorry about the wait... That was the scene that actually took me so long... was it worth it?
Jr.book worm - Thank you. ^_^
Sorry about the wait.
Maggie - LOL, that's good to hear... ^_^
Yes, I'd like live a bit longer myself...
You have five brothers? Cool... What's that like?
Callie-chan1 - Well, here it is. ^_^
Thank you, I'm glad you like it...
Lady Phoenix Gryffindor - Thank you, I'm glad you like it so much. ^_^
Prd2bAmerican18 - LOL, well, there you have their reactions to the physical changes...but you'll have to wait a bit for the rest... ^_^
Jiltanith - Wow... that good, huh? Thank you very, very much. That's quite a compliment. Thank you.
LOL, I'm working on LS... really, I am. I'm a bit stuck at the moment, and V-Star's been gone for awhile, so we're still trying to get back into the swing of things. I will be trying to update soon though.
Wytil - Umm... she's not his wife, per say... but you'll have to wait until the other HP characters really meet her for that... sorry.
Elrohir & Camthalion are just very close friends, they aren't related to Harry by blood... You'll learn more about that later...
Thanks, I'm glad you like it.
Oprelia - Thank you very much.
Sorry about the wait... was it worth it?
AN: Well... That's it for Chapter 3! I hope everyone liked it! I'll try to update again soon, but I want to update my other stories too, and I have to get ready for school... *sigh*, how did summer go by so fast?... I'll try to update soon, but that's all I can promise.
Please review!
This chapter was hard, and I don't expect the next one to be any easier, so I need encouragement!
Please
Please
Please
Please
PLEASE REVIEW!!!
Bye! ^_^
~ Jess S