AN: Hi everyone!
I'd like to thank Shadowsong for offering to be my beta for this story! Hopefully this will equate to better work for you to read! Please give Shadowsong a round of applause for managing to beta this so quickly (22 pages in under an hour is pretty good work)! Well anyway, onto the fanfic! Enjoy!
There and Back Again
Chapter 11: Marta, Part II
By Jess S
Harry sighed, leaning back in his chair and bringing his hands up to his temples to massage the fierce ache that was rapidly augmenting therein. He didn't open his eyes as he heard Ránëwén approach and set a tray, of what was probably the tea she'd promised a few minutes before, on the table. The same table that had, perhaps a quarter of an hour earlier, been the locale of the DA's second meeting.
"That went well..."
"Not as well as I'd hoped for."
A soft, melodic laugh preceded the Elf's response as she set their drinks. "Life rarely does, melda nin."
"True…" The wizard nodded, opening his enthralling green eyes in order to properly accept the ready teacup he knew she was offering. After setting the saucer down, and bringing the cup itself up to his mouth, he took his first sip of the steaming liquid, while his thoughts drifted back to the proceedings of short time past.
The earlier part of the day, all of which was, of course, devoted to classes, had gone well. Nothing strange had occurred, and no one showed any suspicion of anything in his direction, with the exception of Professor Snape. Of course, the Slytherin Head always suspected him of something, so that hardly mattered…
What troubled him were the events that followed. Nothing about supper had been out of the ordinary, with the exception of the fact that the second DA meeting was to follow it. And so it had. Everyone, even Malfoy, had come. And he'd told them all.
Violet was right, it could've been worse. It was fortunate that no one had gone into blatant denial or attacked him, or anything of that sort. Had anyone been unwilling to accept it, and therefore unwilling to follow him, he would have been forced to alter his or her memories. Or, if anyone had attacked him, or Violet, he probably would've been forced to hurt him or her. Happily, neither had been necessary.
That didn't mean that they hadn't been surprised, though. Actually, 'surprised' was a bit weak, utterly stunned and bewildered was probably a much better description.
Flashback
"H-How is that p-possible?" Neville, whose expression of wide-eyed befuddlement was mutely echoed all around, inquired.
"We live in one of many different dimensions, which aren't really connected by anything, with the exception of the fact that they all exist for the life forms within. I wasn't an inborn part of Arda; therefore, its time had little physical meaning for me."
"But it changed you…" Ginny Weasley murmured quietly, watching him.
There wasn't any hesitation before the raven-haired wizard's nod. "Yes."
"But you're still Harry Potter, right?" Dean Thomas asked, staring at him. "You're still the Harry we kno-knew before this last summer… right?"
"He is a part of me, yes." Harry waited a moment before continuing. "If that makes any of you uncomfortable enough to want to break away from the DA, then please say so now."
Violet mimicked his actions, in looking around the table and catching each and every member's eyes. What they saw reassured them. The teenage wizards were uncomfortable, certainly, but they were here to stay…
"Very well then," the last of the Potters nodded, "Those of you who do not want a part in the DA's function in the War may leave now, you will be informed of the next meeting, once again, by your membership galleon."
This time, they waited longer, watching the Vantánosse even more closely. After nearly a minute, a Ravenclaw stood.
Cho Chang, apparently shocked, turned to reprimand her best friend, but Harry stopped her with a shake of his head.
"Good evening then, Miss Snitch." The Boy-Who-Lived's farewell and the sound of her own feet upon the stones were the only sounds that broke the silence of her departure. He waited several moments after the door had thudded shut before her before continuing. "I commend all of you, and thank you. We are going to need all the help we can get for the imminent hostilities."
"Aren't you leaving?" Everyone turned to Ron Weasley in surprise as he cut into what everyone assumed was going to be heartening and inspirational speech from their leader. He was glaring at the blonde a few seats away from him.
"No, Weasley, I am not. I have as much of a right to choose a side in this war as any of you." Malfoy replied quietly.
Harry held up a hand to avert the redhead's response. "He's right, Ron."
"Harry!" the youngest of the Weasley son's and a Gryffindor of five years sputtered, "He's a Slytherin! A Malfoy!"
"But he is also his own person." Violet offered, her musical tone washing over them in a soothing wave. "He does have a right to choose. A right that he has never been allowed, but which should have never been denied him."
Harry nodded, "I know you don't all trust each other, and I'm not asking you to, not yet. What I am asking you to do is trust me, let me make these decisions. Trust has to be earned, and I'm not saying that all of you have my full trust, but I'm willing to give you the chance to earn it. I'm asking you to give each other that chance. Let each and every member of this group have a chance at earning your trust." He looked around a moment, before continuing softly. "Remember what the Sorting Hat said?" Our Hogwarts is in danger, from external, deadly foes, and we must unite inside her, or we'll crumble from within…" What else do you think that meant?"
When no one spoke Violet decided to break in again, "Anta kuile estel; give life a chance. Give us a chance of winning."
End of Flashback
He was brought back to the present as gentle hands took his teacup away and placed it back in the saucer on the table, before coming back to clasp his own tightly.
"But… don't you feel better now? Now that it's not a secret? Doesn't that feel good, melda nin?"
"Uma…" Harry nodded, smiling as he did so, before bringing one of his wife's gentle hands up for an affectionate kiss.
Today's meeting had gone rather well after that. There was always a point in a group's formation when it had to be organized, otherwise it would never prosper. So, that's what they'd done, they'd organized their ranks, discussed the future, and prepared for it. They'd practiced some magic, laid some battle plans, and he'd given all of them some Defense and Dueling books to study in their spare time…
Voldemort would attack soon, that much they knew for sure.
With any luck, Rúmil and Camthalion would come through with Elven reinforcements soon…
Now all they had to do was wait…and hope…
"Moonrise," Rúmil commented, nodding towards the distant horizon.
"A new moon," his brother agreed with a nod. "You have the key?"
The 'younger' twin nodded, moving over to the peculiar, nearly complete puzzle they'd found when they'd arrived on this island the night before, and holding up the piece that would complete it, and hopefully grant them passage to the Elven Haven of this world. As the first rays of the barely present moonlight graced the puzzle, it began to glow bright silver. "Viirin…" Rúmil murmured, carefully holding out the puzzle piece over its proper place. "You should probably come here, brother-mine."
Camthalion nodded, quickly moving over to stand opposite him, placing his hand with his brother's on the puzzle piece before lowering it into its proper position.
Middle Earth - Somewhere in the wilderness - 3434 TA
It had been long time since Hobbits in general had needed to trust one of another Race, Frodo's uncle, Bilbo Baggins, being the only major exception. Therefore, it shouldn't have surprised the Ranger that they were traveling with, who went by the name of 'Strider' that his explanation of; "Into the Wild," in response to Frodo's inquiry of their destination, hadn't appeased them in the slightest.
"How do we know this Strider is a friend of Gandalf?"
Frodo frowned as he glanced back at Merry, before returning his gaze to watch the Ranger, who was some distance ahead of them. "I think a servant of the enemy would look fairer… and feel fouler…"
Merry snorted, "He's foul enough."
None of the Hobbit's noticed their guide's ever so slight pause.
"We have no choice but to trust him," the Ring bearer replied, ignoring Merry's sigh as he moved forward slightly as a narrow point of the so-called path that was serving, albeit reluctantly, as their means of travel.
Sam's question from a short way back, where he was guiding their Pony, Bill, wasn't much louder than their own whispered conversation. "But where's he leading us?"
"To Rivendell, Master Gamgee." The hobbits halted abruptly as Strider replied, somewhat gruffly, "To the House of Elrond."
"Do you hear that?" Sam asked excitedly. "Rivendell! We're going to see the Elves!"
Camthalion moaned softly as he came to, the fierce pain inside his head and the soreness of his limbs making movement seem somewhat stupid. Nonetheless, he had to see where he was, so he opened his eyes, moving slightly in preparation for rising from the soft cushions he'd been sleeping on.
"Don't move!" A firm, melodious voice ordered sternly.
The Elf halted abruptly as he recognized the command in his own tongue. He knew what they'd said, yes. However, the accent was a little strange… Did that mean? "Where…?"
AN: The rest of the dialogue in this scene is in Elvish, but I don't feel like emphasizing all of it, so just know that all of it is 'in' Elvish, even if I only use a few Elvish words… Also, the Elvish words that I do use here will be translated at the end of the chapter.
"You are in the Karo Kuiled. Before your coming, the Andon hadn't been activated in centuries, so I'm afraid it wasn't as gentle as it usually is, and we weren't quite ready to receive you."
"But… where…?"
"This is I'Silemnan's House of Healing; I am Niwenna, its Head."
"Healer?"
"Uma."
"My brother…?"
"He has yet to awaken."
"I'm awake…" Rúmil's weary voice told them from a few feet away, making the healer jump in surprise. "I don't think I want to get up, though."
Healer Niwenna snorted, "I should think not." After a moment she sighed, "The King wished to greet you when you'd awakened so I'm afraid I must go report to him. Will you…?"
"We'll be fine." Camthalion assured her, watching as she made her way to the door. After it had clicked shut behind her, he pushed himself up into a sitting position, ignoring the silky white cloth that had pooled down to the bed as he placed his feet on the floor. "Are you alright, tornnin?"
"Uma," his twin replied, "I really don't think my body wants to move though."
The other sighed, "I know, but if we're going to speak with the King know we have to be at our best. It took us long enough to find this place… And Harry needs reinforcements as soon as possible."
Rúmil sighed, "You're right…" after a moment, he too forced himself to sit up, turning to face his brother as he placed his feet on the tiled floor. "What she did call this place? The House of Life?"
"Uma," Camthalion nodded. "It reminds me of Imladris…more so than Eryn Lasgalen and Lothlorien, as least."
"I know what you mean…" Rúmil nodded, "but…it feels… sadder…almost resigned."
"Fading." Someone else cut in, and they turned to see a much older Elf enter the room, closing the door behind him.
"Fading?" Camthalion inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"Yes," the older Elf nodded, "I'm afraid we are on our last legs… We are all that remains of the Eldar who once dwelled here. We are the ones that were too paranoid, too fearful of change to journey to the Undying Lands… The gate closed long ago. So we are trapped here. A dying race." After a moment, the elder shook his head. "I am sorry; I should not be burdening you with such news, particularly when you've only just woken… I am King Nolofinw, ruler of I'Silemnan."
"Greetings, your majesty." Camthalion replied softly, still half considering what they'd just learned. "I am Camthalion Míriel, and this is my brother, Rúmil."
"Strange…"
"What?" Hermione asked, as she and Ron turned to look at their friend as they made their way into Hogsmeade's Candy Store: Honeydukes.
"How many Slytherins have you seen since leaving the school?" Harry inquired, apparently interested in some of the Honeydukes chocolate.
Both Gryffindor's frowned for several moments in thought before shaking their heads.
"None, I think," Hermione murmured, suddenly uncomfortable.
"Same here," Ron agreed, trying to catch Harry's eyes. "What'd you think it means?"
Harry didn't reply as he made his way through the store, the other two following. When he reached the back, secluded corner, he turned, staring past them as they also stopped.
They turned around to see a hooded Ravenclaw stop a few steps away from them. After a moment he looked up, and they could see that he wasn't a Ravenclaw at all.
"Draco?" Harry inquired.
"He's going to attack, today, soon," the blonde explained hurriedly. "No one in my house came down because of that… I have to go back, but you have to get everyone out of here, Harry! They'll be kill--" He stopped abruptly as they heard screams from outside.
"Too late…" the raven-haired wizard murmured drawing his wand. He glanced at Ron and Hermione, "Get your cloaks up, activate the shielding bracelets I gave you," he nodded to the thin, golden bracelets they were wearing, before meeting Hermione's gaze, "And tell everyone in the DA what to do. The charm's; dedi-datum, it'll make the coins grow warm, and allow you to communicate with everyone, as soon as they touch them, telepathically." He turned away from, "Don't come out until everyone else is ready. And you should probably wait until the Order of the Phoenix shows up, Draco, or only attack from the shadows…"
Then he was on his way, honing in on Voldemort's presence via the slightly suppressed pain from his scar…
Rivendell, Middle Earth, 3434 TA
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old, you've been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor." Lord Elrond began from his throne-like seat between his two sons. "Middle Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it, you will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom." After a moment, he nodded to Frodo, before gesturing to the stone pedestal in the center of the Council's circle. "Bring forth the Ring, Frodo…"
AN: You know one thing that always bothered me about this scene? It's on a balcony, outside! I mean really, why would you hold a "secret council" outside?! ...OK, I'm done now…
Frodo stood slowly, before making his way over to the pedestal at an equally unhurried speed. When he placed the plane golden band on the pedestal, everyone was silent for a moment after a few gasps, though the hobbit himself sighed in relief as he sat down; he was finally free.
Then Boromir of Gondor broke that silence, as he rose to his feet. "In a dream… I saw the eastern sky grow dark, but in the West a pale light lingered," he took a step towards the pedestal, almost subconsciously. "A voice was crying; 'Your doom is at hand, Isildur's Bane is found.'" He took another step up to the pedestal, before reaching out towards the Ring. "Isildur's Bane."
Lord Elrond stood in alarm, "Boromir!"
But his voice was drowned out as Gandalf the Grey also rose, and began to speak in the Black Tongue, saying words that made the earth shake and the sky grow dark. "Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul." Everyone flinched back and away from the wizard even after he raised his hand when Boromir had seated himself once again. The light returned and the ground stilled.
After a moment, Lord Elrond looked at Gandalf, his tone as close to reprimanding as it had ever been when addressing the Istari. "Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris."
"I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond," Gandalf bowed slightly as the Elf Lord sat down, "for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard, in every corner of the West. The Ring is altogether evil."
Boromir shook his head as the wizard turned back towards his own seat. "It is a gift."
Gandalf stopped to look, almost glare, back at the Man of Gondor.
"A gift to the foes of Mordor!" Boromir insisted, rising. "Why not use this Ring?" He looked around, shaking his head in earnest, "Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people, are your lands kept safe!"
If anyone had been looking towards Strider, rather finely dressed for Ranger, they would have seen him sit back, his lips pressed in a tight line.
"Give Gondor the weapon of the Enemy! Let us use it against him!"
"You cannot wield it, none of us can!" Strider shook his head. "The One Ring answers to Sauron alone, it has no other master."
Boromir frowned slightly, "And what, would a Ranger know of this matter?"
One of the Mirkwood Elves that was now sitting right behind him apparently took great offense at this, and rose to say so. "This is no mere Ranger." He insisted, waiting until the Man had turned to face him. "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn… You owe him your allegiance."
Most of the people present, including Boromir, turned to stare at Arathorn's son.
"Aragorn?" Boromir frowned, "This is Isildur's heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor," the blonde Elf pointed out, still standing.
After a moment of continued silence, Aragorn shook his head, gesturing downward slightly before pleading, "Havo dad, Legolas."
As the Elf complied, Boromir turned to glare at him. "Gondor has no king," he told the Elf, before turning to walk back to his seat, his eyes on Aragorn as he did so. "Gondor needs no king."
The silence that followed probably would've been quite long, had Gandalf not broken it. "Aragorn is right. We cannot use it."
Lord Elrond stood, drawing every ones attention back as he composed himself. "You have only one choice…" he looked around, "The Ring must be destroyed."
Boromir shook his head a moment before one of the dwarves leapt to his feet, axe in hand. "Then what are we waiting for?" he demanded, before stepping forward and bringing his axe down on the Ring with a shout.
Frodo flinched, bringing a hand to his head as heard that voice, once again, in his head. 'Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul…'
Gandalf looked over towards him in concern, even as the Dwarf was thrown back from the pedestal by a wave of Dark power.
When everyone, including the astonished dwarf, looked up at the pedestal once again, they saw that the Ring was still whole, surrounded by the shards of the dwarven axe.
Lord Elrond shook his head, "The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli son of Glóin, by any craft that we here possess… The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom, only there can it be unmade." He looked around, measuring their reactions as he continued. "It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came… One of you must do this."
Several moments of silence followed this speech, as everyone felt the implications of it slip in. Once again though, it was Boromir of Gondor, who broke the silence.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its Black Gates are guarded by more than just orcs… There is evil there that does not sleep. And the Great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire, and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume." He shook his head, "Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly…"
"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?" Legolas demanded as he rose a second time. "The Ring must be destroyed!"
"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it!" the same dwarf from before, who'd apparently found his way back to his seat at some time during the Elf Lord's speech.
Legolas glared at the dwarf even as Boromir rose to his feet once again.
"And if we fail what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"
Gimli jumped up once again, "I will be dead before I see the Ring, in the hands of an Elf!"
It didn't take much intelligence to realize that there was bad blood between the two groups, and an insult like that isn't going to help circumstances. So it wasn't overly surprising when most of the other Elves jumped up to dispute the comment. Legolas immediately held the two closest Elves, who had been sitting on either side of him, back, but said nothing to stop the bickering that ensued. Of course, Gimli's addition of; "Never trust an Elf!" probably didn't help matters…
Frodo glanced over at the Grey Wizard as the noise rose, but the Wizard shook his head, his attention on the quarrel as he rose to scold them.
The hobbit then looked over towards the pedestal again, and the Ring that resided atop it. Gandalf's scolding of; "Do you not understand? While you bicker amongst yourselves Sauron's power grows? None of you can escape it! You'll all be destroyed!" echoed in the background of his mind as that voice came to the forefront again, a malicious and merciless curse.
'Ash nazg durbatulûk!
Ash nazg gimbatul!
Ash nazg thrakatulûk!
Agh burzum-ishi krimpatul!
As he felt the flame-like hatred building, an impulse from the Ring, fanned by the quarreling that was going on around it, Frodo decided, jumped to his feet.
"I will take it!" No one seemed to hear this cry, so he raised his voice, stepping forward as he repeated it, "I will take it!"
This time, he apparently was heard, as the arguing seemed to come to a shockingly abrupt halt. Most bore stunned-expressions as they turned to him, though Gandalf was quite obviously remorseful. But Frodo ignored this, as he redefined his statement.
"I will take the Ring to Mordor…" It was only under the analyzing gazes of all those around, the best warriors and leaders of the Age, that he faltered slightly. "Though… I do not know the way…"
Gandalf nodded, and immediately came to his aid. "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins… as long as it is yours to bear."
Aragorn, among the few who's remained seated, now rose, catching the halfling's eyes. "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will." He swore, before making his way over and kneeling, "You have my sword."
"And you have my bow," Legolas offered a moment later, as the heir to the throne of Men rose and stood behind the hobbit.
Gimli immediately followed the Elf, "And my axe."
It was only after both were situated in the group that was forming around him, that Boromir of Gondor made his way over. "You carry the fate of us all, little one… If this is indeed, the will of the Council," he looked around a moment before nodding to the Halfling, "then Gondor will see it done."
"Here!" the moment lost some esteem as Sam ran out from the bushes, ducking under Aragorn's arm to reach his friend and master. "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me."
"No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you," Lord Elrond shook his head, raising an eyebrow, "even when he is summoned to a secret Council, and you are not."
"Hey!" Merry called, leading the way as he and Pippin ran down the steps from the stone columns that led to the entrance way, "We're come to! You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us."
"Anyway," Pippin nodded from his place beside Merry, who was now standing by Frodo, "you need people of intelligence on this sort of… Mission… Quest… Thing!" he nodded, while Merry shook his head.
"Well, that rules you out, Pip."
"Nine companions…" Elrond looked them over, and then nodded. "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
"Great!" Pippin smiled. "Where are we going?"
AN: LOL, gotta love 'im!
"Hershey's Kisses!" Professor Severus Snape snapped as he reached the gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's office, hurrying past it as it leapt aside. The stairs apparently couldn't rise fast enough in Snape's opinion, as he'd reached the rising top of them only moments afterward, and stood there, tapping his foot impatiently as he waited for it to reach the top.
The Headmaster looked up as the Schools Potions Master hurried in. "Severus?"
"He'll be attacking any minute now!"
Dumbledore rose to his feet in alarm. "Voldemort is coming here?"
"No! Hogsmeade! You have to get everyone in the Order down there; this could be deleterious! I'm probably the only Death Eater that isn't going to be there!"
"Are they after Harry?" Dumbledore asked, as he hurried over to the fireplace and threw some blue powered into it.
Snape snorted, "What'd you think?"
Dumbledore didn't answer as he pointed his wand at the fire, murmuring the incantation to summon all of the members of the Order of the Phoenix…
Imladris, Middle Earth, 3434 TA
"Mae govannen, Legolas." Aragorn smiled as he crossed paths with Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood, and his friend for a number of decades.
"Mae govannen, Estel." Legolas replied, joining arms with his friend, the typical Elvish greeting of close companions. AN: Think of it like a handshake reserved for friends and/or comrades. Oh, and all of the conversation is supposed to be in Elvish, but once again, I don't feel like translating or emphasizing all of it, and I doubt you feel like reading that much Elvish…
"You are well?" the Dúnedain inquired politely.
Legolas nodded, offering a soft smile. "As well as can be expected, in times such as these."
"Of course…" Aragorn also nodded, before continuing on his way through the garden, his fair-haired friend at his side. "How is Mirkwood fairing?"
"Also as well as can be expected…" Legolas sighed, "I long for the days when the forest was green and great, to return once more."
"We all do, I'm sure." Aragorn shook his head, "Peace and prosperity are always finer and more pleasing than warfare."
The Elven prince nodded; "True…" he paused listening for a moment as they neared quiet voices.
"What is it?"
"I believe we run the risk of disrupting a conversation…"
Aragorn raised an eyebrow, but shrugged a moment later, smirking slightly. "We wouldn't want to that, now would we?" he glanced around, "Where to?"
"They're over there," Legolas nodded, then frowned slightly. "I believe it is Lord Elrond and Lady Arwen."
Aragorn also frowned. "Oh?" He paused, then shook his head. "Perhaps we should bid them good evening, then? Arwen hasn't seen you in quite awhile…"
Legolas nodded, "That is true… Shall we, then?"
The descendant of Númenor nodded, before turning in the direction the Elf had indicated earlier and leading the way through the gorgeous garden. This was a small realm of peace that Lord Elrond had supposedly designed for his wife, many centuries earlier, as a wedding present. And what a present it was… Filled with some of the most scarce and beautiful plants in all of Middle Earth, left to flourish around elegant water fountains and intricate pathways, it was one of the most peaceful places in all of the Western lands.
"I miss them, Father…" Arwen's melodious, and presently mournful voice drifted through the quiet night over the nearby fountain's pleasant fall.
"Of course you do, my child," the Elf Lord replied softly, his tone kind. "We always miss those who have passed on that were dear to us."
"But we may never see them again," the princess continued quietly, after a moments pause. "What reason do I have to go to Valinor when no one I truly care for dwell there? I love you, truly, ada, but you would be the only one I have, if…if mother did not make it…" This pained comment deserved a longer pause, in which Aragorn and Legolas had both stopped; deciding now probably wasn't a good time to interrupt the Lord of Imladris and his daughter. "You have friends, and family there, even without us…But I don't. My dearest friends left for another world altogether many centuries past--"
"Ránëwén, Elerossë, and the Míriel Twins would not want you to throw away your right to cross the sea simply because they cannot."
The lady's reply was even quieter than before, "And do you want me to throw away my chance at true happiness?"
The Elf Lord's reply was long-delayed in coming, but it did nonetheless, "It is, of course, your choice to make…"
"Hannon le, ada…"
This appeared to be the end of the conversation, so Aragorn and Legolas moved forward once again, swiftly coming around the corner in companionable silence that belied their puzzlement.
"Ah, Legolas, my young friend," Lord Elrond stood with a smile from where he'd been sitting on the edge of the fountain, his daughter quickly following his lead, offering both of them a smile. "Welcome to Imladris, I do apologize for not greeting you properly, earlier--"
"You were busy, my lord," Legolas interrupted, smiling as he shook his head. "It is of little concern by comparison to all that is going on around us."
"Indeed…" the Elf Lord nodded, shaking his head slightly. "Speaking of which, the two of you should probably be abed by now, should you not?"
"We both felt drawn to the gardens, my lord. But I do plan on heading back soon."
"As do I," Aragorn nodded.
"Good, good," Elrond nodded, "I will bid you a good night then." He offered heading off down the path, stopping when he heard his daughter.
"As shall I," Arwen offered both of them a smile.
"Good night, my lord, my lady," Both offered, watching as the two Imladris Elves made their way towards the gardens nearest exit, which happened to be in sight of this fountain. Once the pair had passed through it, well out of hearing range, Aragorn turned to his friend.
"Do you…?"
Legolas frowned, shaking his head. "I knew Rúmil and Camthalion Míriel in my youth, but I thought they'd journeyed to the Undying Lands long ago. I have not seen them in many centuries."
"And what of the other two?"
Here, the Elf Prince's frown deepened. "The only elf-maiden I know by that name would be Ránëwén Galathil, Haldir of Lothlórien's niece, and the Míriel twin's cousin. Her parents died in the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim's service, and she was brought up alongside Arwen…I had thought that she too had gone to the Undying Lands…"
"And Elerossë?"
Legolas thought for several moments before shaking his head and sighing. "It is not a name I recognize…"
This certainly left them with an interesting mystery for the day before their quest was to begin…
Harry didn't need to move far out of the sweetshop before he could see Voldemort's forces. They appeared to be coming from the road where the Hog's Head was located. This made sense, as it was known to have a somewhat corrupt clientele…though he somehow doubted that they'd actually be coming directly from the inn, it was just safer to gather outside of it, because of the clientele.
There were people running everywhere, and the din caused by the screaming left his sensitive ears much to be desired. But he ignored that, instead focusing on the slight throbbing of his scar, on Voldemort.
It didn't take long to find him, though moving through the crowd, which was probably fleeing to Hogwarts, or perhaps the Hogsmeade train station, or the local Floo station, wasn't the most effortless feat to conclude. Nonetheless, the crowd was ever so slowly thinning, and the D.A. had arrived, as far as he could tell, in full. Just in time, too, as Voldemort himself had just come around the corner, surrounded by what was probably his inner circle.
Harry didn't stop fighting as Voldemort neared, instead choosing to keep an eye on him, but not appear to be waiting for him; it wouldn't look right. Moreover, it gave him the chance to take down at least a few Death Eaters, so that they wouldn't need to worry about them.
However, he was ready when some of the Death Eaters drew back, and their Lord was standing a few feet a way from him, a chilling and hateful smile on his demonic face.
"Well, decide to make your extermination easy, Potter?"
"Hardly," the raven-haired wizard replied softly, no inflection whatsoever in his calm voice.
"Oh ho! Going to go down fighting, then?" Voldemort laughed, while drawing his wand. "Alright then, you have irked me for far too long, anyhow. But you are still a student, so, to be fair, I will allow you to begin our little duel…"
Harry didn't reply, he just met his gaze steadily, allowing only a small amount of power to show in his eyes, making his emerald gaze appear to be lit by supernatural flames. He wasn't there when Voldemort's first curse came, having moved with remarkable speed to a position a few steps away, and he simply stepped to the side, leaning slightly to dodge the second one before firing off his own.
It wasn't long before the Dark Lord started firing off Unforgivable curses, or at least two of them, as he apparently didn't think the Imperius curse was of much use here. He was right, but Harry didn't plan on telling him that, and he was far too busy dodging and firing off curses of his own to do anyway…
It wasn't until Voldemort fired off the worst of the Unforgivables, the killing curse, that Harry was forced to show that he really did have quite a bit more experience than a fifth year should.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Time seemed to slow down, and Harry grimaced slightly as the wave of green light came towards him. He knew the Order of the Phoenix had arrived moments before, knew that they were watching. And that would mean a lot of explaining when this was over… But he really had no choice…
And so, without further ado, he Disapparated, and appeared a few feet behind one of the Death Eaters that had been standing behind him, to make sure he couldn't run. He kept his face coldly expressionless as the older wizard screamed and fell, meeting the Heir of Slytherins surprised gaze as soon as the now dead Death Eater wasn't in the way.
"What--how--?"
His cool reply rung out over the silent street, even as it was stated at an only just audible volume, "We're all full of surprises, Riddle. I, unfortunately for you, have more than most up my sleeve."
And with a growl from the self-proclaimed 'Dark Lord', the duel began anew, the battle around them quickly following.
Now, it appeared as though Voldemort had lost all sense of ingenuity, as every curse he sent was either the Killing Curse or the Cruciatus. Then again, it wasn't a plan completely without merit. If he had the strength reserves to keep it up, then eventually Harry wouldn't be able to dodge, for fear of it hitting someone other than a Death Eater.
Seeing this, Harry acted, and, with a quickly flicked of his wand, he transfigured some of the air that was between him and Voldemort into a number of thin stonewalls, each of which would promptly disintegrated when the killing curse, or a milder destructive curse hit them, but they would served their purpose nonetheless.
With the time allotted him, instead of running, as heard many of the members of the OotP ordering him to do, he became waving his wand around, murmuring spells under his breath as he flicked it at the nearby stores, which happened to be Zonko's Joke Shop and Gladrag's Wizardwear. A moment later, many of both stores merchandise had come out onto the street, without breaking wall, door, or window, and were currently flying around at his command, waiting for necessities. As he felt the second to last wall disintegrating, he quickly flicked his wand at each store again, ending the anti-barrier charms and replacing them with powerful shielding charms, so that the people hiding inside would be safe. Then he turned back towards where he knew Voldemort to be, and watched as the last wall fell, before sending the animated-clothes and joke materials flying around them, as barrier to keep the duel between them, for the Death Eaters that had been circling them had moved off to fight the DA and the Order of the Phoenix, and this fight really was for them alone.
He smirked as he saw some of the rather noticeable breaths that the Slytherin heir was taking and the sweat on his brow. "Tired already, Tom? We're just getting started."
"Don't call me that!" the last of the Riddle House, by choice, commanded his voice a bit less confident than before.
"Why not? Is after all your real name, isn't, Mr. Riddle?"
"Avada Kedavra!" he shouted, and Harry sighed as he watched some of the flying cloth and dung bombs fly in between the two of them, only to disintegrate when they stopped the wave of wicked green light.
"Really, you'd think a so-called 'dark lord' would have at least a bit more originality then that. Is that really all you're capable of? Killing and torturing?"
"There's nothing worse than death, Potter!" Voldemort snarled, sending off another killer, only to have it meet the same as its predecessor.
"I'm afraid you couldn't be more wrong, Tom. There are surely many fates worse than the end of all forms of suffering."
"Crucio!"
Harry smirked as he let the red light strike him, absorbing and neutralizing it in almost the same moment. The Lady had taken great care to teach him everything she knew of the powers of the mind, and he had learned those lessons well.
"Avada Kedavra!" the Dark Lord snarled, a moment after it became apparent that a head on collision with his Cruciatus hadn't affected Harry in the slightest.
The Gryffindor raised an eyebrow, shaking his head in amusement as more of the clothes and prank tools took the incurable blow for him. You would think that he'd of learned the first time, or at least the second…but judging from the next curse coming towards him, as green and fatal as the last, his opponent wasn't learning anything…
Finally, he decided -- after watching a few members of the DA fall, only to have their comrades or Phoenix members step-in in their defense, even as Ránëwén carefully, but nonetheless swiftly removed them from the battlefield -- that this had to end. And so he let himself go into the fight, and began firing off curses, some of which were so powerful that they filled the air around them with static-like magic, making hair stand on end and eyes widen. Voldemort quickly began to respond in kind.
Even as Aurors arrived, and his forces began to be fiercely outnumbered, the Dark Lord paid them no mind, instead concentrating all of his efforts on his adversary as the duel continued to escalate before the stunned eyes of a now silent audience. Most of the Death Eaters that were still standing were watching from one end of the street, the end they'd come from, while everyone else was watching from shop windows, or the end of the street that led up to Hogwarts.
They fought with the elements, with summoned and transfigured animals, with hex, curse, and charm.
The Heir of Slytherin was quickly forced to stop calling on or creating snakes to do his bidding, an obvious preference, as it became apparent that they wouldn't harm Harry anymore than they'd harm him, for the 'younger' Gryffindor was also a Parselmouth.
They'd been fighting for a while now, Harry was sure. Duels and battles never seemed to take quite as long as they actually did, not until your body and mind were made sore by seemingly endless fighting and rapid thinking. But the signs were beginning to show in both of them, and Harry, who knew -- after centuries of continuous training -- that he could endure several hours of such activity before it became the least bit conspicuous, was starting to breath a little faster than normal.
He knew that all he had to do was give them the chance, and all of the other wizards for the Light would be there for him. Dumbledore was just waiting for a chance to step in, and now that he and the Dark Lord were the only ones fighting, as was his wife…who was presently alternating between glaring at him and sending waves of encouragement through their bond…
But he didn't want to. He wanted to end this himself. Here. Now.
Therefore, he had to call on more of his 'new' abilities. Istari magic was something he was quite sure Voldemort had never seen before. This world knew it, but it hadn't seen it in a long time. The magic that can change the tides, the sky, and the world itself if need be, was not something to be wielded lightly, and it left a mark.
With a barely noticeable sigh, Harry drew himself up to his full height spreading his arms, as he began to release his magic, controlling it with the power of the Sindarin tongue. "Losta u-anda, rilya noore-o-kuru! Ilnutho dîn ruith eni ya waara le!"
The earth began to tremble…
AN: Back to Elf-land on Earth!
"Wh-What's happening?!" Healer Niwenna gasped fearfully, as the earth itself began to tremble.
The palace walls shook with magnitude of the world's sheer wrath, the sky darkened and air cackled with tremendous power.
"Someone has woken the Lady!" King Nolofinw replied worriedly, they could feel him sending off his power to try to calm the furious natural spirits.
"What do you mean?" Camthalion inquired, exchanging a look with his brother, who was sitting next to him at the supper table. His majesty, after ordering them abed for no less than a week, had, at the end of that week, invited them to dine with him in the royal hall; during a feast in honor of their arrival.
They'd been more than a little astonished to find that their coming was so important to the people of I'Silemnan. These were the people who hadn't had the courage to sail to the Undying Lands, many centuries before, when the last fleet of ships was leaving. As such, they were now a people with little hope, cut off from the mortal world by choice, they simply had next to no reason to go on, and deaths of grievance and suicide had become terribly common in the last century. After all, when their body died, their soul left for the very promise lands they could no longer reach, so to them, death was a gift greater than almost any other…
"Centuries past, the wizards of this world finished laying the world to rest, calming the elements and placing them under a seemingly endless sleep… This was to protect their people and the cities and establishments they built. Before that, they'd only protected the land they lived on themselves, but as they began to expand, it became obvious that something needed to be done. So the most powerful wizards of the Age formed an alliance to put the world to sleep… Since then, Lady Nature has been very docile, only breaking into small fits of rage once in a while and only in various areas… But now, someone had retracted their ancestors' spells, and released all the fury the world had long held repressed in fitful sleep!"
"Wouldn't this have to happen anyway?" Rúmil asked, curious even as he struggled to keep the table steady.
"Yes, but we always thought that it would be in the far off future! The end of the world! We never thought anyone would be mad enough to release it intentionally! Either their trying to kill us all, or they foolishly think themselves capable of calming it before everything's destroyed… Either way, we're done for!"
Niwenna shook her head sadly, "And to think, we were so close…with the new hope…"
The King had told them of this 'New Hope'. His people had been trapped in this world, this self-chosen exile for so long, and were slowly fading away. But this last summer, they'd felt a chance in the world. A great beacon of Hope had appeared upon the horizon: a chance for survival, and happiness.
It was this that had led to them agreeing to come to Harry's aid, after hearing the twins' story. For who else could have brought such a change about?
But now it was too late…
They could feel the people's hope fading, to be replaced by resignation, fear and anguish…
But something happened then that none of them had ever suspected, least of all the Míriel twins themselves. They heard something in the distance, growing in power, even as they felt that sheer power build… With a flash of light, the Elvish chanting took comprehensible form, a chorus of voices the twins recognized easily, but hadn't expected to hear again.
Powers of our world,
Powers of the Valar,
Listen to the great word;
Open the path for your children!
Guide them! Protect them!
May your light shine upon them always!
Harry suppressed a moan as the elements unleashed all of the wrath they'd suppressed for so many years. It'd never been this bad on Arda. True, he'd always had his foster-kin looking over his shoulder, and he'd never really done anything big, but…
This fury…it was appalling!
It was almost as though no one had ever tried to heal the world they'd lived in, just violated it for all the riches it could offer and never bothered to give anything back.
But that couldn't be true, could it? All of the people that had ever lived in this world couldn't really be that selfish…that stupid…could they?
No…
That wasn't it. It was something else.
He closed his eyes, looking searching…trying to find the origin of this disposition. It didn't take as long as he might've thought earlier… Only a few centuries ago, probably around the time that Hogwarts was founded, a group of witches and wizards had sealed the emotional, conscience side of the elements, of 'Mother Nature,' into a state of dormancy, where she had remained ever since.
Of course she was angry. Every little trouble that she'd had over the years, everything that had scarred her -- and those scars were plenty, thanks to the industrial age -- had been bottled up, not enough to awaken her, but enough to hurt.
And anything that had been done to heal her, and act of contrition offer, wasn't something she'd perceive immediately. She'd been asleep after all. She woke up to discover numerous wounds, and was now reacting to them…
It'd been foolish to awaken her for this, he certainly would've moved to correct this tremendous error as soon as he noticed it, but now was not the time for this, and she was in no state to help him…
"Losta, heri nin, na sedho. Dîn 'ruith tenta, ar lîn nwalya tana tyelo. Dan esta, u-moka le iman varya le. Merne, heri, hauta, o sii…"
The last of the Potter line pushed back with everything he had as the lady's wrath reared its terrible head, and after what seemed like an eternity, she finally gave way. He opened his eyes as the earth stopped shaking, his eyes widening as he saw Voldemort still standing, though much shaken, waving his wand with a determined look on his face.
"Avada Kedavra!"
So this was the end, then, was it?
He knew he didn't have time to move, he couldn't move fast enough, not immediately after expending so much power and energy. The Wizarding robes and prank gimmicks had fallen to the ground when he'd switched to Istari magic…he didn't have time to reanimate them…
All he could do was accept his fate, and pray that the world was kind enough to not end itself… Pray that the twins had found the Elven Haven of this world, so that Violet wouldn't be alone after his death. So that she might survive it…
Harry would have closed his eyes then and there, determined to wear a serene façade in his last sleep, even after being put to death by the Killing Curse, but he was stopped by a sight that made his heart leap into his throat, and made him want to kick himself at the same time.
Ránëwén had somehow managed to make it all the way over here from where she'd been standing among the other defenders… And she was now standing right in front of him…
"No…" Harry plead came out on a pained and tired gasp, his eyes glazing over as she turned to him, the green tide of the killing curse slowly rolling towards them. "Ránëwén… melda nin…please…no!"
"Im melesse le, Elerossë Tinehtelë, Haryon o Lothlórien…" Ránëwén of Lothlórien murmured quietly, her namesake gaze also glazed with tears, which quickly overflowed, rolling gently down her pale, elegant features. "Im melesse le o oiale ar wanwie…"
Harry's eyes filled with even more horror as the green wave slowly wrapped almost lovingly around her slender form, contrasting her tearful gaze, setting alight her dark hair, and making her ever-pale skin take a deathlike hue…
"No…" he whispered as she fell backwards, landing hard on the ground, her eyes closed… "No…"
He dropped down to his knees, tears rolling down his cheeks, but before he could reach out to her, a bright light surrounded him, and a chant, which he recognized as the very same one that had sent him here, to watch his beloved wife and soul mate die, filled his mind…
Tûr o în amar,
Tûr oi Vala,
Lasto beth daer;
Panta aksa o lyaa nosse!
Kirya e! Varya e!
Kalya kala foa nosse oiale!
And all went dark as he fell into the oblivion of the unconscious realm….
End Chapter 11: Marta, Part II.
Translations:
Marta – Fated
Loquella Erilis - master/mistress of language (f.)
Opto Defluo - to choose/to wish for…of the gifts of heaven.
Mallux - Dark eyesight She's a Seer for evildoers.
Viirin - Moon substance/magic
Karo Kuiled - House of Life
I'Silemnan - The Silver Valley
Dedi-datum - to communicate
Losta u-anda, rilya noore-o-kuru! Ilnutho dîn ruith eni ya waara le! - "Sleep no more, gentle land of wizardry! Release your wrath on thee who would destroy you!"
Losta, heri nin, na sedho. Dîn 'ruith tenta, ar lîn nwalya tana tyelo. Dan esta, u-moka le iman varya le. Merne, heri, hauta, o sii… - "Sleep, my lady, be at peace. Your wrath is heard, and your pain will be dealt with. But first, you mustn't destroy those who would heal you. Please, lady, take another rest, for now…"
"Im melesse le, Elerossë Tinehtelë, Haryon o Lothlórien…" - "I love you, Harry Potter, Prince of Lothlórien…"
"Im melesse le o oiale ar wanwie…" - "I will love you for all time and beyond…"
AN: Well, you guys made 35 while I was asleep, so here you go! I hope it was worth it.
All Responses will be available on the There and Back Again Mailing List. (I don't want the story taken down because of excessive Author's Notes, and it would be just my luck that someone who doesn't like Elvish or something would call in a moderator that only reads the first few chapters before deciding to trash the whole story.) Sorry if this inconveniences anyone.
PLEASE REVIEW!!!
Bye!
Jess S