I have just returned from a holiday and am pleased to announce that the next few chapters have been written but still need to be edited. They will be uploaded within the next few days. I have decided to shorten some of my chapters content wise. While I was re-reading this section in TLE I concluded that I was putting way too much into each chapter. So that has changed in this one. There will be some short chapters and some long chapters.

Key

"Blah" elvish

"Blah" westron

Blah thoughts, writing

Warnings

Death (I'm sorry)

The Immortal Hero

Chapter 8

Tegalad sat in front of Aragorn as the population of Edoras travelled across the lands of Rohan. At first he had thought that no one would be ready to leave that morning but was proved wrong as when the sun rose everyone was ready to leave. The children thought it was an adventure and their laughter could be heard at the front of the column. Tegalad wanted to join them but it was deemed safer for him to be with the men.

He longed to be able to Fire Jump back to Lothlorien, just to see how everyone was, but knew that it would only tire him out as the distance was too far and he hadn't practice his control since arriving at the waterfall. Overall, he was lonely and wanted to do something fun. Aragorn was talking with the King while Boromir was riding beside Legolas and Gimli, talking about battle tactics and speculating on what Saruman would throw at them.

There was a startled cry from further back in the column and Tegalad turned to look at them. He followed their gazes to the sky and felt his face stretch into a broad grin. Shadow barked a welcoming, having also spotted what Tegalad had seen before him. Tegalad held out his arm as the white bird landed on his arm.

"Hello Hedwig," he said in elvish. "I missed you."

Hedwig tucked her head under his chin and raised her wings to give him a hug. Tegalad laughed and hugged her back, relieved at seeing one of his first friends again.

"How are the elves?" he asked as she pulled back. "How's Haldir and Vanya?"

Hedwig hooted happily, telling the elfling that all was well. She lifted her foot up and Tegalad spotted the letter tied to it. He gently untied it before reaching back behind Aragorn for a water flask. Aragorn gripped his waist to prevent him from falling and asked him what he was doing. Tegalad just held out the water flask for him to see as well as some bread he had felt.

He put the letter in his pocket and balanced the bread on his leg before opening the flask and tipping some of the water into his hands. He repeated the action several times for Hedwig to drink her fill and then broke up the bread into little pieces for her to eat. Hedwig made herself comfortable on his knee where she could talk to Shadow as well as keep an eye on her master. Tegalad handed to letter to Aragorn and asked him to read it to him.

"'Dearest Tegalad', must be Vanya writing," Aragorn started, holding the letter in front of him for both of them to read it. "'We hope you are well and found the Fellowship with little difficulty. Lady Galadriel said you did but I just wanted to make sure all the same. Hedwig is a common sight in Lothlorien and no elf can pass her without speaking with her or giving her a treat. Haldir spoils her and she adores him.' Imagine that, Haldir does have a soft side." Tegalad glared up at Aragorn and the ranger quickly continued reading.

"'I hope Shadow is enjoying himself much more than he was within our forest as he seems to be a more active animal than what we usually see here. Haldir asked me to pass on that he'd see you soon to make sure that you were being taken care of. Don't glare Little One, I know Lady Galadriel is checking up on you regularly.'" Tegalad glared at the paper before smiling with a shake of his head. Aragorn continued. "'Also, there is something I need to tell you, but I supposed Haldir can pass it on. You make sure you behave and send me a reply after you've seen Haldir. Until next time Little One, Vanya and Haldir.' Haldir's coming is he?" Aragorn mused after he finished reading. "Wonder when?"

Tegalad shrugged his shoulders and petted Hedwig's feathers. The owl had finished her bread and was hooting at Shadow. The wolf was looking up at the owl avidly as if Hedwig were telling a story. Tegalad marveled at the communication powers between animals and wondered what was being said. After Hedwig was finished it seemed like Shadow was taking his turn to tell his story if the growls, barks and whining were anything to go by. The horses around them moved restlessly but otherwise didn't allow the presence of a wolf to upset them too much.

"So Hedwig's going to stay with us for a while," Aragorn said as he returned the letter to Tegalad. "You keep that letter in your pocket for now and I'll pack it away when we stop for lunch."

Tegalad replied that he understood and the ranger went back to talking with the King. He didn't pay much attention to their conversation until he heard his name mentioned.

"So how did Tegalad learn elvish? I assume that is the language he was speaking to the owl," Théoden asked curiously.

"It was the only language he knew," Aragorn replied. "We've recently started teaching him Westron and he has picked up on the language fairly quickly."

"His parents?" Théoden asked. Aragorn looked down at the elfling who ignored his gaze and focused on Hedwig.

"He told us that his parents died long ago," the ranger said softly. "I don't think he remembers them."

"But who did he live with?" Théoden asked in concern. "Surely his parents would have made sure he was looked after if anything were to happed to them. It was my sister's wish that her children would be looked after by me if anything were to happen to her. Eomer and Éowyn have had a home with me for many years now, they are like my own children."

Aragorn hesitated in answering, not sure of the answer himself. Tegalad looked up from where he was staring at Hedwig and faced the King with an emotionless gaze.

"I not know parents," he said quietly. "They murd…killed? when I small. No other to go to. Bad man made lots of pain."

Théoden looked shocked and Tegalad started to feel uncomfortable under his gaze. He looked up at Aragorn and asked in elvish if he could ride Shadow up front. Aragorn was clearly reluctant but lowered the elfling to the ground where he dropped onto Shadow's back. Hedwig settled onto his shoulder as they moved away from the group.

Why'd I have to tell him that? Tegalad berated himself as Shadow maintained a steady run at the front of the group. They didn't need to know that. Stupid Tegalad, stupid, stupid, stupid.

He remained at the front of the group for the rest of the day, only returning to eat lunch and even then it was away from the King. His appetite was almost non-existent and no amount of persuasion would make him eat any more. Aragorn told the others what Tegalad had revealed before disappearing the first time, and they watched as the small figure ran ahead of them at Shadow's side, Hedwig flying above them.

Tegalad settled down to sleep that night snuggled next to Shadow with Hedwig resting near his head. He didn't eat dinner and refused the company of anyone aside from his animal companions. He wanted to go further down the column where Freda and her brother were, but didn't think that he'd be allowed to. He wanted friends of his own, closer to his own age.

Feeling sad and lonely, Tegalad fell asleep.

Tegalad woke in the Dream Forest again. He smiled softly and stood up. He hoped Faelwen would be nearby and started to walk straight ahead. The scenery was beautiful and the natural sounds of birds singing filled the peaceful silence. No war would ever reach as far as the Dream Forest.

"Why so sad Little One?"

Tegalad spun around and spotted Lady Faelwen strolling towards him, her expression concerned. Tegalad rushed towards her and wrapped his arms around her middle. He didn't cry, he hadn't cried since the day he'd woken from his nightmare in Aragorn's arms. Instead he just let the comforting presence of the elven lady sooth his troubled mind.

"Little One, you have forgotten who you are," Faelwen said after a while. Tegalad looked up at her in confusion.

"I know who I am," he said softly. "I'm Tegalad."

"And who is Tegalad?" Faelwen asked softly. "You have had a hard life, I can understand that. But you weren't always Tegalad. You have a part to play yet and you need to remember who you were, who you still are."

"But I'm happy like this," Tegalad whined.

"Are you? To me you look a little lost. You are a child, yes, act like a child when you can. But you are also a warrior. You can inspire hope in others where there was none before. Your gifts, your magic, will protect you but you shouldn't ignore it. You need to remember who you are."

Tegalad looked up at her hesitantly. His green eyes clouded over as he tried to remember but the name eluded him. He started to become distressed and Faelwen pulled him to the ground as she sat, maneuvering him into her lap.

"Don't think so hard," she told him. "Try and remember your parents first."

"My…parents," Tegalad repeated and closed his eyes. "My father was a troublemaker, I looked like him. My mother had red hair and was very beautiful. I have her eyes. Their names…their names were…James and…and Lily. James and Lily. And I'm…I'm…Harry. I'm Harry James Potter, son of James and Lily Potter. I killed Voldemort. I'm a murderer."

"No!" Faelwen said firmly. "Whatever it is you are, what you will become, you are not a murderer."

"I killed him," Harry whispered.

"You saved many lives."

"My friends were killed. I wasn't quick enough."

"I wasn't going to tell you this now, but I can see that you need to hear it," Faelwen said as she lifted the elfling's head so she could look into his eyes. "Not all of your friends were killed that day."

Tegalad looked at her in surprise. His green eyes were wide and his hands gripped her wrists desperately. She continued after a minute of searching his face.

"When I brought you here I had to heal you and some of that healing transferred to those who were injured and healed them, even if they had been killed moments previously. The only ones who weren't saved were those that had nothing to heal."

"You mean-?"

"Those who were killed by the Killing Curse still remain dead," Faelwen looked sad as she spoke. "There was nothing to be healed so they were passed over."

Tegalad looked both happy and sad at the same time. He knew that most of his friends had been killed through various methods of painful death and only very few had been killed instantly. Ginny being one of them.

"So Ginny's really dead then?" he asked sadly. Faelwen nodded and allowed his head to drop.

"Do not push your friends away," Faelwen said after a moment of silence. "You need them more than you know."

"What if they die too?" Tegalad asked sadly. "I don't think I could deal with that."

"Death is a part of life Little One," the elf woman said with a smile. "But if you remember them, they will never leave you. Now, you need to wake up, train your gifts. Battle grows nearer and you need to be prepared for it."

"I will be," Tegalad said firmly. He pulled himself free of Faelwen's grasp and turned to walk away. "I will be ready."

Faelwen watched as he disappeared, a soft smile on her face.

"I know you will," she breathed.

Tegalad woke early the next morning, before the sun rose. Hedwig was still snoozing but Shadow was awake and staring at the small boy. Tegalad sat up and wrapped the wolf in a hug. He was relieved to know that he succeeded in his mission of saving his friends, even if he hadn't been able to save Ginny. He hoped that one day he'd be able to see them all again but he didn't hold his breath for any time soon.

"Come Shadow, let's go sit with night guards," Tegalad whispered in the wolf's ear. He lifted Hedwig gently, causing her to wake up, but settled again when she saw who had lifted her. Shadow padded after the elfling as they moved away from the column. Tegalad wanted to practice his elemental control and he could only do that if he wasn't moving. He was determined to work on his air element control at night and his fire element control in the afternoon away from the column.

He didn't recognise the night guard and sat some distance away so that he could see the guard if he moved, but couldn't be seen himself unless someone deliberately looked at him. He estimated that there was still a good two hours before the column started to wake up and another half hour after that until they were ready to go.

To start off he fell into a meditative trance he had been taught briefly in the weeks leading up to his capture and he improved during the small amount of time he was left alone in his cell. The comforting feel of his magic filled him and he focused on pulling our his air element. Once he was in control he opened his eyes. The sky had lightened considerably and some of the early risers had started to stir. Tegalad ignored them and directed his element to the leaves scattering the ground in front of him. A gentle breeze brushed the leaves into the air and twirled them around to make a small wind cone.

He was only able to remain in control for ten seconds before he had to release the energy and he slumped backwards onto Shadow tiredly. Hedwig leapt onto his knee and stared up at him with concern in her eyes. Tegalad wearily lifted his hand to rest it on her back and smiled at her.

"I'm alright," he said reassuringly. "Haven't done that for a while. Should do it again tonight. Maybe I'll skip working on fire this afternoon."

Shadow and Hedwig both nodded their agreement with him. Tegalad smiled again and looked around at the movement from the camp. The night guard near him was moving back to the camp to help out in the pack up effort. Tegalad watched as several men rushed around the camp, obviously searching for something. He made no effort to come out of his hiding spot and watched with a blank face.

He couldn't allow anyone else to be hurt because of him. If it hadn't been for him Aragorn and the others wouldn't need to always watch out for him and they'd be able to pay attention to their mission, whatever it was at the moment. It was time he started to act more like himself and less like a child. How he looked shouldn't influence his behaviour anymore.

"Tegalad! Tegalad where are you?!"

Tegalad focused on the cry and saw Boromir desperately looking around. The elfling sighed in distress, even now people were focusing on him and not what they were supposed to be doing. He jumped as someone settled down next to him. Looking at his new companion he silently berated himself for allowing someone to sneak up on him.

"You know lad, you worried everyone when you did your disappearing act this morning," Gimli said as he rubbed Shadow's ears. "I don't know why you did it but running away never solved anything."

"You be safe without me," Tegalad replied quietly, still watching Boromir scurry around.

"Maybe," Gimli stated. Tegalad spun around to stare at the dwarf. "But I've been with the Fellowship for around two months before we met you and I've never seen Aragorn or Boromir acting like they are now. Sure, they care for the others, but they were always strictly professional. It's good to see them happy like they are with you."

Tegalad looked at the dwarf in disbelief. He didn't see how anyone could be happy looking after him, the Dursleys were proof of that.

"I also know that Legolas is doing his very best not to smother you," Gimli continued, ignoring the stare. "I asked him about it once and he said that there was much pain in you. Elves are good with feelings you know? Even now there's something about you that 'screams at him'…his words, not mine. I think it's just that you've faced much in your life and he can't understand it. In time he'll be as affectionate as Aragorn and Boromir."

"It more safe if they not…like me," Tegalad said sadly as he looked at the campsite. "Bad things happen if people like me."

"I don't know what will convince you otherwise but I'll tell you this," Gimli said as gently pulled the elfling's face around so they could look at each other. "If it hadn't been for you, chances are that Frodo would've died in the Mines and Boromir by the waterfall. You're a positive influence for us and we'll all be very sad if something were to happen to you."

Tegalad nodded as much as he was able to, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. Gimli released his chin and Tegalad blinked to rid his eyes of tears. The dwarf handed over a piece of bread and the elfling reluctantly ate it. He was a little hungry from the day before having eaten so little, but not hungry enough to eat a full meal yet. Once he was done Gimli stood up and held out his hand.

"We're leaving now, maybe we should let them know that you're still with us."

Tegalad nodded with a sigh and grabbed Gimli's held out hand. The two of them walked back to the main group, Shadow by their side and Hedwig on Tegalad's shoulder. Tegalad himself was slightly hidden behind Gimli, his hand still in the dwarf's grasp. Gimli called out to the others to stop searching and the three other present members of the Fellowship appeared as if out of thin air. Tegalad focused on the ground, his body tense. Gimli's grip tightened as if he had sensed Tegalad's renewed desire to bolt.

"We're heading out now," Gimli said as he pulled Tegalad to the side of him. "Why don't you and Shadow run out the front with the scouts? Keep your horn on you and come back when we stop for lunch, alright?"

Tegalad nodded seriously and the second the dwarf released his hand he was gone. He knew that Gimli was going to relay their conversation with the others but he couldn't find himself to care. Hedwig flew up into the air as Tegalad jumped onto Shadow's back and followed them as they ran towards open ground. They waited a fair distance away as the column slowly became mobile and moved off at a slow pace, careful to stay within sight but far away enough so as to not be bothered.

He was silent all through lunch, eating half of what he was given and staring off into the distance, his mind miles away. He was tired from his exercises earlier and for the rest of the afternoon drifted in and out of sleep on Shadow's back. That night he ate dinner before moving off to the side to practice his element control away from prying eyes. Once he was done he curled up on the ground and fell into a deep sleep.

Legolas found him not long after that and tucked a blanket around his slim frame and brushed his black hair off his forehead. The elf sat there for a while, merely watching the child sleep, before moving back to the main group.

The next morning, before sunrise, Tegalad awoke to do it all again.

His control started to last longer and he started to practice during the day as he and Shadow raced ahead of the column. He bonded with his animal companions and couldn't help but get the feeling that they were preparing for something. At lunch and dinner they would encourage him to sit with the Fellowship and at night they cuddled close to him. Their behaviour worried Tegalad and he had taken to cuddling them at odd moments throughout the day.

On the third day, just after their lunch break, Tegalad and Shadow ran further than where the column could see. Hedwig circled above them comfortingly, watching the land and alerting the others to where he was. The elfling was running beside the wolf, using the air around him to boost him along and laughing as Shadow tried to leap high into the air. He was unconcerned for the most part until Hedwig dove with a screech. Shadow immediately stopped running and growled. Tegalad continued to run forward but stopped in concern and ran back again.

"What's wrong?" he asked. There was no trace of laughter on his face now. Shadow whined and gestured to his back in a clear indication to get on. Tegalad moved closer and was about to slide onto the wolf's back when an eerie howl split the silence. Tegalad spun around and gulped at the sight of orcs appearing on the top of the hill, mounted on some kind of wolfish creature.

He turned back to Shadow and got on his back, trusting the wolf to get them out of there. He pulled his horn up to his lips and blew into it urgently. The haunting sound echoed across the hills and Tegalad released the note before taking a deep breath and blowing again.

It was as they breached the top of the next hill that Tegalad saw Legolas. Hedwig flew to where he was standing, bow out and ready to fire, to alert the elf who was coming towards them. Tegalad looked up at the elf, his horn still ready at his lips. Legolas released the arrow in his bow and it swished passed Tegalad, hitting a gaining orc behind them. Tegalad looked back at their enemies and gulped at how close they were.

There was a sudden pause in the air before Tegalad went flying forward over Shadow's head to land painfully hard on the ground. The air left his lungs in a loud gasp as he rolled down the hill. Shadow let loose a pain-filled howl that sent shivers down Tegalad's spine and the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end. The elfling looked up to where his wolf companion was and gasped in despair.

Shadow was lying on the ground where he had fallen, his front leg bent in the wrong direction. Beyond the wolf was the approaching orcs, their weapons displayed and all looking at Tegalad in blood-thirsty anticipation. Tegalad didn't even think as he Fire Jumped to Shadow's side, grabbing the wolf, and Fire Jumping away again. He Jumped under an overhanging rock he had seen just that morning, not having the energy to go any further, and gently petted Shadow's fur.

The wolf was whining softly, pain obvious in his eyes. Tegalad stared at Shadow's front leg and bit his lip. Eyes filled with tears, the elfling knew that his beloved friend would never be able to walk on that leg again. A shard of bone had pierced through muscle and skin when the bone had snapped, it caused both wolf and elfling a great deal of pain, one physical and the other emotional.

The sound of footsteps approaching behind them caused Tegalad to spin around, only to come face-to-face with a grinning orc and a bloodied sword. Tegalad, blinded by tears, rushed at the orc, his sword appearing in his hand in a rush of flame. The orc was shocked at the sudden appearance of the weapon and was unable to defend itself against such a smaller foe. Tegalad pushed the orc away with a wave of his hand, the air becoming almost solid as the orc was sent flying. Tegalad looked at his bloodied sword and back at Shadow.

The wolf was trying to stand on his three good legs but wasn't succeeding too well. Tegalad rushed forward and braced the wolf was his shoulder.

"You should be resting," Tegalad whispered in a voice that broke. "You can't walk on that leg."

Shadow looked up at him with pain-clouded eyes and gestured to the scenery behind them. Tegalad turned around and stared at the battle taking place in front of them. A rush of four orcs were moving towards them having seen their companion fly off and feeling the need to investigate it. No one else had noticed them and Tegalad knew he was on his own. He blew on his horn again to attract the attention of the Fellowship, saw Boromir whip around in horror, and focused on the oncoming enemies.

As they came within striking distance Tegalad rushed forward and plunged his sword into one orc while setting another one of fire with a flick of his eyelids. Shadow leapt forward painfully to tackle the third orc but neither had seen the forth one move. Deeming the wolf as the most threatening target, the forth orc had waited until the wolf was occupied before bringing its weapon down on the wolf's back. Shadow howled in pain and Tegalad screamed out his own denial.

A gust of solid wind blew the forth orc away, breaking its neck as it landed on its head, while the second orc who still had Tegalad's sword in its stomach, screamed as the blade became smoldering hot and another gust of hot air sent it spiraling away where it was attacked by Boromir who had come to help. The orc Shadow had mauled was still alive but unable to move far, Boromir finished it off when he arrived.

While the man did that Tegalad had thrown himself towards Shadow and cradled the dying wolf's head on his lap. He babbled in elvish, unaware of what he was saying and blinded by the tears that coursed down his cheeks. Hedwig appeared again and settled on his shoulder, cooing sadly and hooting at the wolf. Tegalad looked into the wolf's eyes, pleading for him not to die.

Death is a part of life Little One. Your Shadow, if he were to die, would always be with you, just like your Hedwig would if she were to die. One of fire and one of air.

"I don't want you to die Shadow," Tegalad whispered.

Death is a part of life Little One.

Tegalad started to cry earnestly and pressed his head against Shadow's. Hedwig settled onto the ground next to him and bowed her head. Boromir stood nearby, defending them but reluctant to interrupt Tegalad's farewell.

Your Shadow, if he were to die, would always be with you.

"Stay with me Shadow, please, stay with me."

Legolas appeared at Boromir's side and his expression dropped as he heard what Tegalad was whispering. He stood at Boromir's side and waited patiently for when the elfling would really need the comfort they offered.

One of fire.

Shadow pressed his nose against Tegalad's face, his eyes pleading with the elfling. The blood from the wound across his back was still spilling blood in a steady flow and there wasn't much longer for him to live. His eyes became like smoldering embers, his coat the colour of hot coals. Tegalad stared into the eyes of his companion, watching the life flow out of them at a steady rate. When his eyes became blank and lifeless Tegalad went quiet.

One of fire.

Remembering the words from Lady Faelwen long ago Tegalad leant back and concentrated on his fire element and cremated his wolf friend. He imagined that Shadow's spirit rose with the flames, to become one with the element, but he put it aside as a hopeful wish.

A gentle hand on his shoulder caused him to look up emotionlessly into Legolas' eyes. The elf looked unnerved and had tears in his eyes. Seeing that there would be no response from Tegalad he bent down and easily lifted Tegalad off the ground. Tegalad wrapped his legs around the elf's waist and arms around his neck, but other than that there was no movement. Hedwig lifted into the air gracefully and landed on Boromir's shoulder. The group easily moved away from the overhanging and towards the rest of the riders from Edoras.

It was as they were riding off that Tegalad roused himself enough to notice that there was a member of their group missing. His head moved slowly as he looked at each face nearby before looking at Legolas, Boromir and Gimli. Their faces were sad, and it wasn't because of Shadow. Tegalad felt as if the ground beneath him had disappeared as he realised what their expressions meant. Aragorn was dead.

Death is a part of life Little One.

And Tegalad had never realised how much he hated that sentiment.

I'm sorry! Don't hate me! I had to do it. It was his time!

Leave me your reviews but don't just write "NOOOOOO". I had someone do that last time. Leave some advice for future chapters and if anyone can guess what Vanya needs to tell Tegalad then I'll mention them in the next chapter.

Be nice!