Huge, enormous thank you's for the reviews. It's amazing how important they are once a story is well under way and the pressure to add to it begins to weigh heavy. So often it's an easy matter to think 'I'll do it tomorrow' but then I read your lovely comments and they perk me up again.
Also, I'd like to thank the lovely EldaAmrion who brought my attention to a mistake at the end of Chapter 3. I must have dozed off whilst proof-reading it and wrote Dumbledore instead of Mithrandir. A thousand apologies! I'm a Muppet! I hope it didn't confuse you too much:D
Right, well, enough from me. Here's Chapter 4
Chapter 4 - Be My Guest
The roaring fire which had warmed the room on Sauron's arrival had long since burned itself to ashes. Voldemort seemed oblivious, however to the encroaching chill as he expounded his great plan.
For hours he had striven to convince his house-guest of the worth of his scheme. He had explained how, using his prodigious powers of magic and knowledge of the legend of Middle Earth, he could return Sauron to a place and time prior to the destruction of the One Ring. It would be a simple matter to locate Bag End, steal the Ring from its keeper, Bilbo Baggins and rid Middle Earth of all those who opposed the great Lord Sauron. Once enthroned in his rightful place as ruler of all, Voldemort would, of course, expect recompense for his assistance - perhaps in the shape of the One Ring of power. After all, what good would it serve Lord Sauron? He would have domain over all. Was it but a trifle to ask for so great a deed?
Sauron listened in silence, carefully disguising his own dark thoughts. Perhaps this human wizard could be of use to him - after all, had he not snatched the Dark Lord from the nothingness into which he had fallen at the destruction of the Ring, returned him to form when he had resigned himself to being a disembodied soul forever? The wizard's lust for immortality was plain to see and it was obvious he had undertaken this great scheme to fulfil his own ends and gain control of the one thing which could ensure his longevity. Why not allow his proposal to continue? After all, it was obvious the human had not considered the one immense flaw in his plan. Sauron realised that once he gained control of the One Ring, the entire history of the worlds they both knew would change. Whilst he, Sauron, would enjoy untold power and wealth, it was possible, nay, more than probable that Voldemort would simply cease to exist!
As Voldemort continued his machinations, Sauron sat impassively, comfortable in his knowledge of how the wizard's greed would ultimately prove to be his downfall.
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In the headmaster's study at Hogwarts, the atmosphere bristled with expectancy. Everyone was aware that something was fated to happen, but they also realised that until something out of the ordinary occurred to alert them to what that something might be, they would have to sit and wait. Mithrandir sat deeply embroiled in conversation with Dumbledore. Erestor and Melpomaen were trying their hands at Wizard Chess, at which Erestor appeared to have the upper hand since his ability to use his mind to move the pieces seemed somewhat stronger than that of Melpomaen. Haldir and his brother, Rumil were currently engaged in an animated conversation with the portraits of two former headmasters of and were attempting to correct one or two matters concerning Elven history which it would appear had been incorrectly recorded. Lord Celeborn and Lord Elrond, together with Queen Arwen were delightedly perusing Dumbledore's cupboards where, to their delight, they discovered a great deal of exquisite crockery and cut glass. Lord Celeborn had twice called out to Professor Dumbledore to enquire if he might offer a 'little something' in exchange for an item or two. He had been delighted to find on each occasion that Dumbledore would not hear of bartering but rather offered the pieces as gifts. This caused Lord Elrond quite some discomfort and he turned his attention to criticising each piece rather than praising it in the hope of dissuading Celeborn from requesting it.
'What is wrong with you, Elrond?' demanded Lord Celeborn eventually. 'Every time I show you something new you find fault with it!'
Lord Elrond could hold back no longer.
'Well if you must know, Celeborn,' he replied, 'I am somewhat dismayed by your behaviour. Our host has been more than generous so far and has gifted you many pieces. However, your avarice seems to have no bounds! If you continue at this rate you will leave the good headmaster with empty cupboards.' he paused before adding, 'I am so embarrassed!'
Lord Celeborn regarded his son-in-law and replied, exasperatedly,
'Hah! Always your weakness was it not, Elrond, your generous nature. How many times have you taken in waifs and strays only to send them on their way laden with gifts? My lovely wife, Galadriel...' at the mention of the name Lord Celeborn's mind appeared to transport him someplace distant and he released a sigh, accompanied by a small, wistful smile. He fell silent for a moment, lost in the memory before a small cough from Elrond brought him back to the present. 'Er...where was I? Oh yes...' he continued. 'My dear, departed wife knew exactly how to treat visitors. She would allow them passage into Lorien, frighten them out of their wits with images of their future doom and then send them on their way with befuddled minds and empty pockets.'
Legolas and Gimli, who until this point had sat before the roaring fire, planning more wonderful travels on their return home, leapt to their feet.
'I must protest, my lord!' announced Legolas. 'The Lady was kindness itself. Why, did she not send us forth on our quest laden with gifts? I still have the beautiful bow she so graciously gave me.'
'Aye, added Gimli, gravely. 'And don't forget the wonderful, selfless gift she gave to me. I asked her for one hair from her beautiful head...one mind you...and she gave me three!'
A large tear ran down Gimli's face as he recalled the moment.
Haldir, who had been listening silently, turned his attention from the portraits and sauntered slowly to Gimli's side. Looking down into the face of the emotion-wracked Dwarf, he said'
'Oh, are you still dwelling on that? I thought you knew by now. She found those hairs on her pillow that very morning. She was rather upset at the time too. As I recall, her actual words were "curse that Dwarf! He made me pull out one hair and now the rest are falling out! By the Valar...I believe I am going bald!" It took all our efforts to convince her she was as lovely as ever. So you see, she simply gave you, shall we say, an exceptional deal!'
Gimli bristled with anger and Haldir's eyes narrowed as he readied himself for the Dwarf's response. However, before Gimli could speak, Dumbledore rose and addressed them all.
'Dear friends, where are my manners? You must all be half-starved. Come, I believe dinner is about to be served in the Great Hall. Besides, it is high time you were introduced to our students. I am sure by now word has spread of your arrival.'
Professor Dumbledore gestured to the study door which opened of its own accord and everyone filed through to descend the rotating staircase once more and they followed the headmaster to the dining hall.
Once inside the hall, Elves and Dwarf alike were more than a little impressed by the sheer size of the room. It was illuminated by hundreds of candles which appeared to float in mid-air. Rows of banners bearing four different coats-of-arms fluttered above the long lines of trestle tables, benches lining them on each side. The hall was empty as they entered but soon they heard a loud reverberation in the distance caused no doubt by the approach of many people. The sound of much shouting and constant sonorous chatter filled the air and added to the thunderous clatter.
'The students are coming.' announced Dumbledore. 'Quickly now, we must reach the staff tables before they arrive...don't want to be swept along in the rush!'
They quickly followed the headmaster to the front of the room and were soon seated at a very long table on a raise dais which overlooked the hall. The seating, however, was quite different to the benches they had seen on their entrance. Each person had their own high-backed wooden chair, complete with comfortable cushion. Dumbledore invited them all to take a seat as a sea of black robes and bobbing heads flooded through the main entrance. Arwen smiled to see the children again and pointed out some of the smaller, younger students to Legolas, saying amicably,
'Are they not wonderful? Oh, they are so sweet!'
Legolas smiled warmly, happy to accommodate the queen's enthusiasm.
As well as the students, several older wizards and witches arrived from various entrances and made their way toward the raised platform, seating themselves at the same table as Dumbledore's guests.
'My staff!' announced the headmaster by way of explanation at their arrival.
Melpomaen in particular was completely overcome with delight at everything occurring about him and was oblivious to the presence of the dark, almost malevolent presence of one of the teachers who now stood behind his chair, staring down at the Elf with an expression of suspicion and distaste.
'You are in my seat!' the wizard informed Melpomaen, his voice heavy with the promise of reprisal if the Elf did not immediately vacate the chair in question.
'Now, now, Severus,' said Dumbledore, 'these people are our guests. Allow me to introduce them.'
Dumbledore ran through the names and titles of the Elves and finally uttered,
'...and last of all, Gimli, son of Gloin, who I am sure you can see, is not an Elf but a Dwarf!' then turning to his guests, he continued, 'May I introduce you to Professor Severus Snape. He is our Potions Master. I shall of course introduce the remainder of my staff as and when opportunity allows.'
Snape nodded curtly but offered nothing by way of welcome. Pulling his long, black robes about him he turned abruptly and made his way to a vacant chair at the end of the table. A rather dignified witch was already seated in the chair beside his and she regarded him with disdain.
'I see you have already formed your own opinion of our guests, Severus.'
'I have indeed, Professor McGonagall,' replied Snape, sharply, 'and I am most annoyed that as yet, Professor Dumbledore has not seen fit to tell us why they are here. For myself, I heard of their arrival via the gossip of students. Surely we should have been informed of their arrival the minute they got here!'
Professor McGonagall tutted and replied, simply,
'I fully expect everything to be explained shortly, Professor and until then we shall have to be patient.'
Before Snape could reply, Dumbledore rose to his feet and with arms outstretched, addressed staff and students alike.
Attention...your attention, if you please!'
Slowly the deafening hubbub of excited voices which had filled the hall and grown to an unbearable pitch as soon as the students had seen for themselves that the rumours of Elves at Hogwarts were true, began to subside until, within a few moments, only a few whispered voices remained, drifting quickly into silence.
'Ah, much better, thank you!' announced Dumbledore, amicably. He continued, 'I know you are all intrigued and perhaps not a little excited to see our most honoured guests...' and he gestured toward the seated Elves and Dwarf, '...here today. Well, I too was not a little astonished but I must add, extremely delighted to make their acquaintance. Now you must all be aware, if you have been paying attention in your History of Magic classes, that the Elves are our very distant ancestors. It is therefore a great honour to have them here with us. I cannot share their reason for being here at this time and I look to you to not burden them with needless questions regarding the matter.'
At this point, Dumbledore lowered his head and looked pointedly at one student in particular; A young witch with slightly unruly hair and pursed lips who looked as though she was about to burst forth with a myriad of questions.
'He's looking at you, Hermione!' hissed a young man with bright red hair who was seated to the right of the young witch. He giggled quietly and nudged the elbow of the young wizard sat beside him, encouraging him to share Hermione's obvious discomfort. The young man shook with silent mirth, his dark, unruly hair bobbing on his forehead bringing into view a strange lightening-shaped scar. He in turn whispered a hurried question to the red-haired boy whose name was Ron Weasley,
'Is it just me, or do you think that bearded Elf looks just like Dumbledore?'
Ron shrugged his shoulders but after giving the matter some thought, replied,
'Oh yeah!' and added thoughtfully, 'Do you think they're related?'
His friend, whose name was Harry Potter, simply shrugged and with that they both returned their gaze to their headmaster.
'I would ask,' continued Dumbledore, 'that you treat our guests with the utmost kindness and respect in order to make their stay here a pleasant one. They have informed me that they would be extremely happy to join in a few of your lessons, both to share their knowledge and experience with you and to learn a little more about our ways.'
Melpomaen looked surprised and demanded quietly of Erestor,
'When did we say that?'
Erestor nodded in the direction of Mithrandir,
'I overheard the White Wizard offering our services a short while ago...during one of those interminably long pauses in our game. I believe it was when you were struggling with the choice of whether to sacrifice your queen or bishop.'
Melpomaen looked duly embarrassed and fell into silence once more.
'Well now,' continued Dumbledore, 'I have spoken for long enough. You will, I am sure, have ample opportunity to get to know our guests in the coming days. I suggest we turn our attention to the wonderful meal the house-elves have prepared for us.
'There is that name again' announced Haldir to no-one in particular. However, his brother overheard him and asked, curiously,
'What name, Haldir?'
'House-elves! I heard the caretaker mention them on our arrival but I felt certain I had misheard him. However, now I am not so sure. I must ask Dumbledore about this after the meal. If there are other Elves here they should not have been concealed from their kin.'
Rumil nodded his agreement and turned his attention to the magnificent feast which had appeared magically before them. To the great delight of the guests, every favourite dish of Elf and Dwarf alike seemed to be present, together with many they did not recognise but were enthusiastic to try.
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Dusk had fallen over the gently undulating countryside. Heavy clouds obscured the full moon which would otherwise have illuminated the earth with its glow. Hidden within a small copse of trees and shrubs, Voldemort and Sauron gazed toward the quaint, slightly eccentric cottage which was just visible amongst a small copse of trees and bushes at the end of a winding lane. Numerous out-buildings lay scattered around it. All which could be heard was the occasional cluck of a hen as it was disturbed from its slumber and the soft rustle of trees in the light wind. Nothing stirred to indicate any sign of life within the cottage but given the late hour, any inhabitants would have long been asleep.
'There lies our target!' hissed Voldemort to the Dark Lord at his side.
Several Orcs had accompanied them and were proving an unruly distraction.
'Can you not silence them?' Voldemort demanded rather than requested and no sooner had he spoken than Sauron reached out to one of the creatures close-by and tore off its head. The Orcs companions cowered in fear but Voldemort merely grinned, maliciously.
'Much better!' he announced. 'I must remember to tell Wormtail of this matter on my return. I feel he has been a little┘┘lax, of late with his ministrations.'
Then turning his attention to the matter in hand, he continued;
'There, in that cottage, lie our targets. A witch and wizard of average ability but greatly loved by the boy named Potter. Now┘.do you remember what we planned?'
Sauron tipped his head to one side and repeated the scheme with an air of one who is interminably bored and filled with resentment at having to litter his great mind with such simple instructions.
We enter the dwelling, capture the humans and force them to send for help. Word will reach Potter via his friend who is the son of these people. Potter will come and we kill him!' Sauron paused then added, 'Have I missed anything?'
'Yes,' replied Voldemort, curtly. 'You should have said "we kill them all"!'
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TBC Well, there you have it. Chapter 5 should be along round about the middle of next week when hopefully we'll learn how Gimli copes with his first flight on a broomstick and Ron gets some dire news from his parents.
I'll look forward to hearing from you regarding this last chapter :D Please let me know your thoughts.
Bye for now:D