Disclaimer: I don't own Harry's Wonderful World or Middle Earth. They unfortunately belong to their rightful inventors.
Chapter Thirteen. The Talk
"Are you sure this is a good idea?"
Harry slowly close one eye and stared at a scared Elladan created by the line created by his notched arrow. Elrohir had been too intelligent to take Legolas up on the bet that Harry could fire an arrow through a precariously perched apple upon his head. Elladan however had no scruples about standing stock still with an apple on his head, that was until Harry had purposely fumbled notching his arrow in the bow string.
"I never said I was sane," Harry called grinning at Legolas. It had been a month since the Mirkwood royals had arrived and Harry had spent most of his time learning archery with Legolas. Harry actually didn't find it too difficult after the first three weeks in which he shot the unsuspecting Erestor twice, broke three statues and terrorised the whole of Imladris with his skill, or more precisely lack of skill.
"Don't look so scared Elladan. I myself taught him," Legolas rejoined smirking. It was said in Middle Earth that when Legolas of Mirkwood was smirking at you: run for your life. "He usually hits somewhere near his target."
"Stand still would you!" Harry snapped irritably, releasing the tension from his bow as Elladan fiddled with the silver lining of his jerkin.
"You're not scared are you, El?" Elrohir jeered from his vantage point on a garden seat. Elladan shot his twin a filthy look. He had used that same line on Elrohir earlier and that was what had put in this pitiful position. That and his elvish pride.
Sighing heavily Elladan squared his shoulders and stood taut. Harry grinned as his mischievous uncle closed both his eyes. "Go ahead shoot."
Harry notched his arrow and pulled back the string of the bow. He lined up the gleaming red apple carefully just as Legolas had taught him. Without blinking he let the arrow loose.
The arrow flew in a straight line and hit the centre most point of the apple.
Elladan winced and snapped his eyes open.
"Yes!" Harry cried jumping up and punching the air: a move most elves found endearing. "And I didn't even line up the target!"
Elladan's eyes nearly rolled to the back of his head. He felt a dizzy sense of vulnerability after the adrenaline had finally left his body. "What?"
"Just joking," Harry said flashing a grin. "I was very careful to miss any private parts of yours."
Elladan turned an interesting array of colours. His white face tinged pink before flushing red and settling with an angry purple hue.
"You little belrog!" Elladan roared. "How dare you scare me like that!"
Harry squeaked in fright as his elder uncle marched purposefully toward him. "Erm Legolas could you mind this for me?" Harry asked quickly, shoving his bow into Legolas hands before the prince could make a reply. "I have a funny feelings I'm going to be busy."
"Better run!" Elrohir cried with a whoop as Elladan made a mad dive for Harry (and missed spectacularly).
Harry scampered away, relishing the speed and agility that his elvish body had. Laughing madly, so that he must have sounded hysterical, Harry dove in between Erestor and one of his assistants.
"Really, elflings!" Erestor sighed seriously to his companion who merely smiled and nodded.
Elladan followed closely bowling over Erestor's assistant and he chased after Harry who had stopped briefly to stick out his tongue.
"Why you little orc poop!"
Harry dashed around the corner and straight into Elrond's arms. "Elrossë what are you doing?" Elrond asked steadily the younger elf, taking in the healthy flushed cheeks and laughing eyes.
"I swear when I get my hands around your scrawny little neck…" Elladan realised the danger too late. He turned the corner and came face to face with his father, who he knew would not appreciate their afternoon activities.
"Ada I was just… erm…" Elladan fumbled to find an excuse.
"Trying to murder me?" Harry supplied helpfully.
"Yes!" Elladan realised too late he had not meant to say that. "I mean no. No. No. No. Why would I want to hurt my little nephie – pooh."
"I'm sure you were wholly unprovoked," Elrond murmured dryly.
Harry glanced up at his non-human grandfather and blinked innocently. "Of course, grandfather."
Elrond sighed heavily and took the crock of Harry's elbow. "You may assassinate your nephew at a later time at the moment I need Elrossë's attention."
"Of course, Ada."
Harry watched as Elladan made his hasty retreat before turning to his grandfather who was steering him further into the gardens.
"What's wrong?" Harry inquired after a long pause. Even if he was a little 'flighty' as Erestor put it, Elrond was not usually bothered by harmless fun. But judging by Elrond's stern visage something was worrying the elder elf. "Have I done something wrong, grandfather?"
Elrond started suddenly and squeezed Harry's hands. "Time is running out."
"You mean I have to go home?" Harry was unsure how he felt. Torn was certainly in the equation. Four weeks ago Harry would have given anything to go back to the Dursley's and war riddled Earth. Now however a part of his was confused almost reluctant to leave Imladris.
"No, that was not what I meant," Elrond said sadly shaking his head.
"Then what…"
"You have a choice, Elrossë, as do all my progeny."
"And the options are?"
Elrond sighed again and swept his hand over his immaculate robes as if to dust off imaginary dust particles. "To be immortal and live forever as an elf of these lands or return to your world as a mortal man."
"I guess the decision has already been made for me," Harry sighed irritably.
"There is always a choice," Elrond chided gently. "You could return to your world as a Middle Earth elf and return here later when the dark lord has passed."
"I suppose there are many advantages of being immortal against Voldemort…"
"Hush," Elrond sighed wistfully. "The choice must remain wholly yours. Even though my heart wishes it was otherwise."
"It's not a simple matter," Harry murmured. "I feel torn."
"I know," Elrond returned gently. "I know."
"How long do I have until I must make this choice?"
"Not long."
Harry snorted at the vagueness of Elrond's answer. It truly wasn't helpful no matter which angle he looked at the situation. He wanted to return: or at least a part of him wanted to see Ron and Hermione again and yet he was troubled over leaving his newly found family. He could be happy in Imladris, he knew that. But could he be truly happy back home once Voldemort had been conquered?
"Grave news I have received from your world," Elrond continued his brows knitting to a pained expression. "News of your disappearance has spread. Voldemort as you call him as taken advantage of the dissention between those who oppose him. They will fail if they cannot unite."
Harry stared determinedly into the space that was in front of him. "Then you are right. I have run out of time."
"Elrossë…"
"I will give myself tonight to think upon this. I must make my decision swiftly."
"May you choose your path wisely."
"Le hannon."
'
'
'
"So I hear that yourself and Ada had a very serious talk."
Harry groan as he flopped himself belly down on the bed so that he could stare at the twin who had interrupted his private thoughts.
"Ai! A very serious talk." Two twins had now invaded his personal space.
"Something we should know about…"
"Any she-elfs you are attempting to woo…"
"Elrohir he is only sixteen!" Elladan snapped flapping his hands dramatically at Harry. "He's still a baby!"
"Hey I resent that!" Harry murmured. "And no there are no she – elves."
"Ah so it wasn't the talk."
Harry scrunched up his nose.
"Told you, El. He's much too young for any of that. Hey even we haven't got any girls."
"What if I told you that I've kissed a girl before?" Harry muttered darkly throwing one of his pillows across the room, missing both twins and collecting a passing servant.
"Sorry!"
"Ah so Ada might have to give him the talk," Elrohir said nodding his head knowingly and winking.
Harry was blushing magenta by this stage. "I know all about… er… that!" Harry cried throwing his arms around hopelessly.
"I think we've embarrassed him," Elladan laughed.
"Would you two quit it I suppose to be having a serious argument with myself and I think I'm loosing…"
The twins exchanged glances.
"So what did you pull this time?" Elladan demanded. "There has to be a reason for Ada for pulling you aside to speak seriously with you despite the fact I was going to murder you."
"I'm running out of time…" As soon as Harry said that he smacked himself in the middle of the forehead. "I'm sounding like him now!"
"Ah little elfling what has got your bow in a knot?"
"I thought I was officially orc poo," Harry muttered darkly.
"Ah little orc poo what has got your nose out of joint?" Elrohir corrected.
Harry sighed. "I have a choice."
"Ah –ha." Both twins said at the same time.
"And I don't know what to do about it."
"I see," Elrohir said as he came further into the room and sat on Harry's bed.
"This would be about the choice," Elladan reiterated echoing his brother's actions so that Harry was sandwiched between the two brothers. "Whether to be immortal or live as a mortal man."
"Simple for me and El," Elrohir continued.
"We're staying elvish so that we can be together."
"That doesn't help me. But thanks for trying. My choice is not that simple," Harry said. "I have to have my choice my morning and I'm giving myself a migraine just thinking about it."
Elladan whistled. "That's not a long time to think things over."
"I know," Harry groaned. "But the situation back where I came from has deteriorated. They need me."
"Modest aren't you?" Elrohir huffed earning himself a glare from both Harry and Elladan. "Okay, okay I'm sorry alright."
"What seems like the natural thing to do?"
"I want to go back and I don't want to leave."
"Perhaps you need to comprise," Elrohir suggested. "Anyway deep conversations are always lovely…"
"… but right now its time for the evening meal…"
"… and Elladan hungry…"
"… and you know how grumpy I am when I'm hungry."
The twins got the desired result. Harry laughed and let himself be lead towards the Hall of Fire.
"Hey maybe you could go back with me and pick up some human girls," Harry said winking. "I mean if the she-elves aren't interested I'm sure I can find some interested human girls."
"We are quite capable of finding our own females, elfling," Elrohir hrmphed.
"So that explains why you are still desperate and dateless."
"I wouldn't say that we were exactly desperate like," Elladan cut in.
"We do live forever after all," Elrohir snapped.
"That is a long time to be alone," Harry sighed looking wistful.
"Imp!"
"Orcling!"
"Eeep!" Harry dashed between his uncles who were escorting him and streaked ahead towards the Hall of Fire. If he reached those doors of santurary before the twins he perhaps might be safe from assassination. Throwing his head back Harry laughed as his uncles chased after his heals.
This was what it meant to have family.