A New Place, A New Love
Author's Note: This chapter is long overdue, but I have just finished my first year of college and have been working as well, so I have been the definition of busy. I hope you guys like this and please let me know what you would like to see between Gandalf and Minerva if I am missing anything. Enjoy
Disclaimer: The quotes from the movie belong to the screenplay writers and the creative teams behind LOTR and HP.
Chapter 8
As Gandalf and Minerva made their way into the council chamber, Minerva looked around to observe the guests that Gandalf had welcomed last night. There were a few dwarves, elves, and knights around the room, with Elrond at the front and Frodo and the hobbits to his left. Gandalf led her to the front of the room to talk to Elrond and prepare for the meeting that was about to take place.
"Minerva," Elrond bowed slightly, "I am glad to see you are up and moving."
"Me too," she smiled, "Thank you again for all of your help and for making me feel welcomed."
"It was no burden," he replied, "Anybody who is willing to sacrifice their life for another person is more than worth our best efforts."
"I was just trying to help," she said sheepishly.
She used to think that is was silly for her to be so shy about her abilities because she was a teacher and she had lived through multiple wars, but that was just how she was. Even as a student she was very reserved about showcasing her power, but when she needed to take action she would. She could feel a blush working its way across her cheeks when Gandalf squeezed her hand and smiled at her.
"I think we should take our seats, my dear," he said before leading her towards two chairs to Elrond's right.
Minerva nodded and took her seat, waiting for the meeting to begin.
"Strangers from distant lands…friends of old…You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. 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," Elrond began, "Bring forth the ring, Frodo."
Frodo obliged and placed the ring on the pedestal in front of the council. There were various gasps and whispers amongst the group, and Minerva watched as Gandalf tensed and observed the others.
Boromir stood up and began to approach the pedestal, "We should use this ring. My father's kingdom will use it to fight his enemies and finally defeat the forces of Mordor."
Aragorn stopped him from advancing, "No man can use the ring. It is the ring of Sauron and Sauron's alone."
"What would you know of the ring? You are nothing but a ranger," Boromir spat.
"He is not just a ranger," Legolas intervened, "This is Aragon, son of Arathorn, and you owe him your respect and allegiance."
"This is the heir of Isildur?" Boromir asked in disbelief.
"And the next in line for the throne of Gondor," Legolas stated.
"Legolas," Aragon scolded and waited for his friend to take a seat.
Boromir was about to talk when Gandalf interjected, "Aragorn is right. We cannot use the ring."
"The ring must be destroyed," Elrond added.
"How?" Gimli asked.
"The ring can be destroyed by the instrument that was used to create it. Mount Doom holds the fires that created it, and they hold the fires that will destroy it."
"That is valuable information, but one does not simply walk into Mordor," Boromir said, "No army can breach the heavily guarded gates."
"Lord Elrond said the ring must be destroyed," Legolas stopped him, "There is no other alternative."
"I will not allow an elf to lay a hand on that ring as long as I am breathing," Gimli yells.
"What happens if we fail?" Boromir interjects, "What will we do when Sauron takes back the ring and its power?"
"I do not trust an elf!" Gimli shouts again.
Minerva watched as the arguing continued, but what drew her attention more was the far off look that Frodo had adopted. He seemed to be focused on the ring but also not. There was something about his stare that made Minerva think that there was something going on within Frodo's mind that had something to do with the ring. She could not be sure, but she had a feeling that the ring had a hold of Frodo.
"All of you must listen!" Gandalf stood, "Whilst we bicker and argue, Sauron's power continues to grow. We will all be destroyed if we continue to avoid the problem."
"I'll take it," Frodo said barely above a whisper, "I'll take the ring to Mordor…I just need to know where it is and how to get there."
"I will help you on your journey, Frodo Baggins," Gandalf spoke confidently.
"I will protect you with my life," Aragon steps forward, "You have my sword."
"And my bow," Legolas followed.
"And my axe!" Gimli joined in, not to be shown up by an elf.
"Frodo," Minerva spoke, "I have already saved you several times, and I think I might be quite bored if I do not accompany you as well."
Both Gandalf and Frodo smiled at her as she joined Gandalf in front of Frodo.
"You carry our fate in your hands, young hobbit," Boromir says before stepping forward, "You have the power of Gondor behind you as well."
"And you will have me as well, Mr. Frodo," Sam yells after popping out of nowhere.
"Oi! Don't forget about us!" Merry and Pippin exclaimed while trying to push their way to the front.
Minerva laughed as they tripped over each other and bumped into Gimli, who was not amused at all. Gandalf chuckled with her and she couldn't help but lean into him and lay her head on his shoulder.
"Ten companions, "Lord Elrond stated, "You shall be The Fellowship of the Ring"
"Great!" Pippin smiled, "So where exactly are we going?"
"Oh lord," Minerva sighed, letting a small giggle escape.
Once they had settled everything and the council adjourned, Minerva and Gandalf decided to walk amongst the corridors. They walked hand in hand while listening to the birds chirp as they flew by. They were truly in a magnificent place and Minerva could not believe that she was here. They continued to explore before they stopped to watch Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn trying to teach the hobbits how to use swords. Pippin and Merry weren't half bad, and they reminded her a lot of the Weasley twins.
Minerva drew in a shaky breath as she surveyed her surroundings. Below her was another Order of the Phoenix and another version Dumbledore's Army. Below her were people that she may see killed and tortured in front of her. Below her were the people that swore to protect the people of this world from a growing evil that was thought to be gone forever. And beside her…beside her was another Dumbledore…another man that she loved who could possibly die.
"Minerva," Gandalf called out to her, "What is bothering you?"
Minerva looked into his eyes and realized that as much as he reminded her of Albus, he was completely different. The people below her were not her friends and past students. The evil they were fighting was not Tom Riddle. This war would end differently, and she would make sure of it.
"I was just thinking about the last time I was preparing for a journey like this," she said quietly.
"I am sorry, my dear," he replied," I know that this may be hard on you given what you have gone through."
"Everything seemed to be so similar," she said looking out to their companions, "but then I realized that this is my second chance. I can help to make sure that what happened in my world does not happen here."
Gandalf smiled down at her, "That is very true, but please promise me that you will be careful. No more draining yourself completely and giving an old man a heart attack?"
Minerva smiled and lightly kissed his lips, "Only if you promise to be more careful and not to leave us thinking you are dead again."
Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her closer for another kiss.
"Deal," he whispered before kissing her again as their companions spied on them from below.
TBC…
