Disclaimer: Harry Potter and related characters and settings belong to J. K. Rowling. The Lord of the Rings and related mythology belong to the heirs of J. R. R. Tolkien.
A/N Here we go: Sindarin title. It means "Thank you for coming". Guess I couldn't bother much with too complex titles.
Chapter 23: Le hannon a tholel
A mere few hours later the Battle-field was already being cleared up. The bodies of the creatures of darkness were being destroyed whether by fire or magic or any other means available. The bodies of the warriors of the light side were being collected and identified, and prepared for burial.
"Somehow the tragic cycle never ends," muttered Dumbledore as he looked over the corpses of those from the light, many of whom he had known personally. How many times had he buried those comrades in arms far younger than he was while he himself continued to live on and on?
"There wasn't anything we could do," said McGonagall from his side. "It is a miracle in itself that Hogwarts is standing."
"And for that, we'll have to thank the help that came," said Lupin from Dumbledore's other side. "Who would've expected that they would come, after all this time?"
As Lupin said this, the Elvish Commander Gilrandir approached, his arms in he Elvish custom of greeting. "Suilaid, Gîl síla na lû govaded," he said.
Dumbledore, McGongall, and Lupin shared blank looks with each other. "If you would pardon me," said Dumbledore as he pulled out his wand, "Translation spells are a little tricky." He waved his wand around and within a few seconds the translation appeared in their minds:
"Greetings, a star shines on the time of our meeting."
"This could take some time," said Lupin.
"Not to worry," said Dumbledore. "The spell will take full effect soon enough and we will all be able to communicate fully without qualms."
None of this was understood by the Elvish Commander. "Heniach nin?" he asked, "Pedich Edhellen?" The spell translated this as: "Do you understand me? Do you speak Elvish?"
Before anybody could respond another voice spoke from not too far away saying clearly, "Pelin pedi i lam edhellen." "I can speak the Elvish Language."
The group looked up and noticed that it was none other than Harry Potter whom had uttered those words, trailed by Hermione Granger right behind him. Harry bowed before the Elvish Commander in a gesture of pure respect which impressed the Elf greatly. "I believe the translation spell is in effect now," said Harry.
"Indeed it appears to be so for I can clearly understand you," said the Elvish Commander, seemingly speaking English. "Greetings, I am Gilrandir of the Noldor, and I speak for the lady Galadriel. But it was by my own will as it was of my troops that we return to Middle-Earth the land of our parents so that we shall face Sauron in battle once again."
"The land of your parents?" asked Neville whom had joined them. "Parents? Not ancestors?"
"Yes, our parents," said Gilrandir. He turned to Harry and said, "You are the Heir of Elessar. It is an honor to meet the culmination of the blood of the Dunedain." He turned to Hermione and said, "But perhaps what is most surprising is to see the Image of Luthien here as well. May the tragedy of Tinuviel be a thing of the past."
Hermione blushed red and curtsied. "I thank you for the undeserving praise," she said politely.
Gilrandir next turned to Neville and his eyes immediately darted to the spear he was holding in his hand. "But what is this? Pray tell us where did you get that spear?"
Neville started. "What this thing?" he asked, clutching the spear. "Er, I'm not really sure. It sort of just materialized in my hands."
"Most interesting," replied Gilrandir. "Most unexpected; but who am I to decide whomever Aiglos decides to be its bearer?"
"What? Aiglos?" asked Neville.
"Indeed young man," said the Elf. "You clutch within your hands the lance of Erenion Gil-Galad, final Noldor High King upon Middle-Earth; whom fell before Sauron alongside Elendil wielder of Narsil, or Anduril now, before Isildur took the shards of his fathers sword and cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand."
Neville paled as he starred at the spear apprehensively. Hermione meanwhile appeared to have an epiphany.
"Oh! That's what Gandalf meant by 'icicle' and 'flame'," she exclaimed. "When Anduril, the 'Flame of the West' and Aiglos, the 'Snow Point' were reunited, the resuling magical reaction was enough to defeat all Dark Powers in the near vicinity."
"Pardom me?" asked Gilrandir. "Mithrandir has returned to Middle-Earth as well?"
"Er, yes," said Harry. "We just met him in the Shire. And I ran into him before that in Hogwarts."
"Do you know him?" asked Hermione. "I would assume you do since you both lived in the Undying Lands together."
"I do. But I have no idea of his plans," said Gilrandir. "The ways of the Istari are a mystery to all."
"If you would permit my changing of the subject," said Remus, "But it sure was a good thing that the Elves arrived here on time. We owe you our lives."
Gilrandir turned to the werewolf and said, "It was a mere coincidence."
"Say what?" asked Tonks.
"The lake near here was where our ships landed," explained Gilrandir. "It was by sheer luck that we happened to land at the very place the Orcs were attacking."
"Ah, the reason for that would be Hogwarts's location," said Dumbledore. "Afterall, these grounds were in the ancient days the Gray Havens of the Elvish Lands of Lindon. The harbor that once existed here was the last stop of the Elves before they left Middle-Earth."
"And logically, the first stop of the Elves who return," concluded Gilrandir. "Indeed, the Valar appear to have a hand in everything. Elbereth be blessed."
"It's because of my wish," said Hermione, quietly so that only Harry could here what she had said.
"Whatever the case we offer our service gladly to man," said Gilrandir. "Our hatred for Sauron has never abetted and we Noldor still feel the responsibility of the creation of the Rings of Power. We shall help you."
"Hmph there you go setting yourselves up as the saviors," snarled a voice from nearby. The group looked to see that it was Angnathron whom had spoken flanked by several other Dwarves. "Big deal; coming into save the lands you'd abandoned long ago. What right do you have for showing up now after so long?"
"I see the demeanors of the Dwarves have hardly changed over the millennia," said Gilrandir coolly.
"Ha, there's nothing wrong with our demeanors, laddie," snapped Angnathron.
"Perhaps your sense of gratitude then," said Gilrandir. "You owe us your lives, Dwarf."
"We owe you nothing!" snapped Angnathron.
Gilrandir was about to reply when Albus Dumbledore suddenly spoke up. "There is little point in going over the ancient quarrels between the Dwarves and the Elves. We are all on the same side as the dark powers and it is imperative that we work together."
"Fine," said Angnathron, turning away. Gilrandir said nothing but nodded.
"Now then, now that that is over," said Dumbledore, "It is time to tend to the wounded and..." He was interrupted when Hagrid suddenly came bounding toward them.
"Professor! Professor!" he exclaimed. "'ere's trouble down in th' castle!" he exclaimed, rather out of breath.
Dumbledore looked apprehensive. "What sort of trouble may that be, Hagrid?" he asked.
"Yes sir, Professor," said Hagrid. "I was jus' down in th' dungeons. I know me post wasn' down 'ere but some of 'em Orcs got into th' castle and I wen' ta take care of 'em. "Anyway, I found Professor Snape, dead."
A tense silence descended over the group. "Severus? Dead?" asked Dumbledore as if he couldn't believe it.
Hagrid nodded glumly. "And tha's not all," he said. "Th' last chalice was hidden in th' dungeons. Professor Snape was protecting it when he were killed. It's gone now."
Harry and Hermione paled visibly at that news. "Oh no," muttered Harry.
* * *
The surviving Death Eaters, lead Orcs, and Nazgul were gathered within the throne room of Barad-dur looking apprehensive. Voldemort-Sauron was lounging on his throne tapping on the edge of the seat handle.
"So Hogwarts still stands," he said. "Bella was killed, and as if that weren't enough the accursed Elves have returned to Middle-Earth. How things could go so sour so suddenly."
Murmurs of fear spread throughout the dark hosts. Lucius Malfoy mustered up what little courage he had and said, "master, we are deeply regret..."
"SILENCE!" yelled the Dark Lord, the voices booming throughout the chamber. The Dark forces cowered, fearing their masters wrath.
"Forgive us. Forgive us Master," many of them groveled.
Voldemort-Sauron looked rather amused by this. "Forgive you?" he asked. "Why, what is there to forgive? Things are very much in our favor? You should especially be proud Lucius."
"What?" Lucius couldn't help exclaiming.
The Dark Lord clapped twice and said, "You may show yourself, Draco. Show to the crowd what a job well done you did."
Draco Malfoy suddenly appeared as he removed his ring from his finger. "I thank you, Master," he said with a smirk.
"We believe the ring was most useful," said Voldemort-Sauron.
"It was Master. Almost no one noticed me slipping into the castle," said Draco. "Unfortunately Severus Snape had noticed something was afoot and I was forced to deal with him, such a pity. But now," Draco kneeled before the Dark Lord and pulled out a chalice of pure gold, "I present to you the final chalice."
The laughter of the Dark Lord continued to ring long through the night afterward.
To be continued...
A/N Sorry about the delay in this chapter but I was seriously, seriously busy not to mention I had a bad case of writer's block: on a filler chapter no less. Originally, Snape was supposed to survive this story but after HBP I sort of lost the motivation to write about him. I know he's an important character and all but I just didn't want snarky good!guy Snape anymore. Besides, I wanted to kill off somebody else but couldn't think of anyone. Anyway, I get most of my Elvish from this website: http://home.netcom.com/~heensle/lang/elvish/elvish.html. However, for the Elvish on this particular chapter, I got them from the following website: http://www.arwen-undomiel.com/elvish/phrases.html.