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 OK, final filler chapter. And since it is the last one, I gave it the Sindarin title 'final rest'. After this one, it's the chapters you've all been waiting for: the climax!
Chapter 25: Medui idh
"What is the meaning of this?" yelled Gilrandir. He had entered the kitchens of Hogwarts and was quite frankly not pleased but what he was seeing. "What are all of you doing?"
The House Elves all starred at each other looking confused and slightly fearful. "We is House Elves, sir," said one of them, timidly. "We is doing our jobs, sir."
"Jobs? You call this a job?" demanded Gilrandir. "This is slave work! You're Elves! You deserve better treatment than this!" The Elf Captain went further on a long tirade about the glories of Elves past and present, constantly making not so subtle points about modern House Elves.
The House Elves starred amongst each other not knowing what to say or how to react. They could dismiss eccentric House Elves looking for a new way of life and an obsession for socks. They could also dismiss crazy muggle-born witches hell bent on bringing them into SPEW, even if it was a given that she would be their queen someday. They however could not dismiss one of their admired Eldar whom they had looked up to for millennia.
"Um... sir..." Gilrandir stopped his tirade when he was addressed by a young student whom had entered the kitchens. "Er, sir... they are ready to begin in the Great Hall... sir."
"Of course; I apologize, young one. Hanon Le," said the Elf Captain. He turned to the House Elves before him and said, "Remember well what I spoke of," before leaving the kitchens."
* * *
"I don't know if I can do this," said Harry. "I can't believe I was crazy enough to volunteer to do this." He along with many others was in the Expanded Hospital Wing, treating the wounded.
"You can do this, Harry," said Hermione. She gently took his hand and led him to one of the beds with a wounded Dwarf on it. "I believe in you Harry. And remember, the hands of a king are the hands of a healer."
Harry took a deep breath and sat down on the chair beside the bed. "OK, I'll try," he said. "Just have to wait up on Neville now."
"I found some! I found some!" Neville Longbottom ran into the room (earning a disapproving glare from Madame Pomfrey) carrying several sweet smelling leaves in his hands. "I knew Professor Sprout had these stored up in her greenhouses somewhere. Here you go, Kingsfoil."
"Thank God there was still some around," said Harry as he took the leaves from Neville. "Athelas. Now all I need to do is ground up the leaves to get their medicinal properties out." He pulled out a cauldron and a grinder.
Hermione chuckled and said, "You know your potions scores aren't that good; do you want me to make the Athelas extract for you?"
"I can do potions just fine so long as Snape isn't looking over my shoulder," declared Harry. He then thought for a minute and said, "But maybe, could you coach me through the steps?"
Hermione smiled and said, "Of course I can."
Within minutes, Harry had ground up the Kingsfoil and mixed them up into an aroma inducing potion. The sweet smell of Athelas flitted around the room which alone was enough to calm down the nerves of many of the people. Harry flitted around the room carrying the potion, its sweet smells filling the nostrils of those in need of it as the Healers tended to the physical injuries of the patients.
Finally, Harry came upon a section of the enlarged Hospital Ward that was separated from the rest of the room by a series of curtains. Curiosity getting the best of him Harry peaked behind the curtains and was surprised by what he saw: the catatonic forms of Percy Weasley and Frank and Alice Longbottom. "What in..." exclaimed Harry before remembering that the Longbottoms had been brought to Hogwarts for their safety while Percy was one of the Azkaban prisoners Hermione had broken out and sent to Hogwarts.
Something was prickling in the back of Harry's mind: something in his very blood was telling him to do something. Hermione, noticing something was up with Harry asked him, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," said Harry. "It's just... something's telling me... something right..." He suddenly had a look of comprehension dawn on his face. "Hold it one moment," he said. He placed the bowl he was carrying and mixed more ground Athelas into the potion. He then pulled out his wand and started waving it over the potion, all the time chanting something.
"Harry, what are you..." Hermione started when she realized that Harry was chanting in Elvish. Harry finally uttered a final incantation that caused the potion to glow bright red before flaring in a blast of white light with a small explosion.
Hermione seemed to realize what Harry had done. "Harry, you didn't just..."
"There's only one way to find out," said Harry. He took the potion and made his way over to where Percy was.
Percy didn't appear to be aware that Harry was even there. He simply continued muttering "I was wrong... I was wrong... I was wrong... I was wrong..." over and over again: much like he had at Azkaban.
"Percy," said Harry, trying to get Percy's attention. When Percy continued muttering, Harry said more forcefully, "Percy."
Percy's face suddenly scrunched up in horror and he started screaming at the top of his lungs, "I WAS WRONG! I WAS WRONG! I WAS WRONG!"
"This is ridiculous," muttered Harry. Then, before anyone could stop him, Harry hit Percy hard on the head, knocking him out cold.
"Harry!" admonished Hermione.
"I had to get him calmed down somehow," said Harry.
"We could've used a calming draught."
"Would've taken too long." Harry brought the Athelas potion over to Percy's face, making sure Percy breathed in the fumes of the potion. He then opened Percy's mouth and poured some of the potion in so that Percy could swallow some. "There, that should snap him to his senses if all works well," said Harry. "Too bad I can't brew something that could cure that big head of his."
Despite herself, Hermione couldn't help but giggle at that.
Harry next made it over to the next two beds where a catatonic Frank and Alice Longbottom were reclining, starring ahead unaware of anything around them. Harry and Hermione couldn't help the sad looks on their faces.
"Do you... do you really think it could work?" asked Hermione, faint traces of hope in her voice.
"I have no idea," said Harry. "No one's ever recovered from having their brains fried by the Cruciatus." He sighed before grinning and saying, "But I guess it's worth a shot."
Hermione nodded as Harry brought the Athelas potion over to the two Longbottoms. He let them breath in the fumes of the potions before gently coaxing them into drinking what was left of the brew. As the two finished drinking the Athelas extract, Harry and Hermione stood back with baited breaths.
The change was slow but over time, a new look came over the Longbottoms, a brief look of self awareness before they both drifted off to sleep. Harry and Hermione smiled at each other.
"You know, I don't know for certain but I think that might've been a sign of success," said Harry. "I don't know why they fell asleep though."
"Their minds must be reforming," said Hermione, sounding hopeful. "At least that's what I suspect. If everything's worked how we hoped for, the neurons in their brains should be regenerating right now, restoring their motor functions, access to memories, conscious thought. Most muggle doctors believe Neurons can't ever be repaired but some more recent research has been suggesting that Neurons can very well regenerate if stimulated enough. And we have advantage of having magic and the regenerative powers of Athelas so quite naturally. Maybe I could right a report on this someday. Oh Harry, this is going to be so exciting." Noticing that incredulous look on Harry's face Hermione sheepishly replied, "I've read up on human neurology."
"I'm sure you have," said Harry sounding amused. "Do you think we should tell Neville?"
"I don't want to give him false hope," said Hermione. "Let's just wait a little more until we're sure we were successful."
"Mr. Potter? Harry?" Harry and Hermione looked up to see Professor McGonagall coming their way. "Harry, I'm sorry if I interrupted anything but their ready to begin in the Great Hall."
Harry shared a look with Hermione and nodded. "I've got to go," he said. "Call me if there's any change in the Longbottoms' condition."
* * *
What was going on in the Great Hall was a meeting between the commanders of the light side over their next plan of action. Several higher ranking members of the Order of the Phoenix were there as well as at least one representative from each race. All present agreed that their next objective was pure and simple: strike at Barad-dur. Unfortunately, there was some disagreement over how to go about the attack.
"It is simply," said Gilrandir. "The Elves have returned to Middle-Earth specifically for this purpose. We shall lead the direct assault upon the Dark Tower and bring the Dark Lord and his followers to his knees."
"Ha and take all the glory for the Elves!" yelled Angnathron. "The dwarves have always stood at the frontlines of every battle. It should be the Dwarves standing at the front of this one as well."
"I would remind you Master Angnathron that the Eldar outnumber the Naugrim by about fifteen to one. Your forces would be crushed far too soon," said Gilrandir, coolly.
"It would be unwise to underestimate the Khazad, Master Elf," replied Angnathron, just as coolly.
Dumbledore sighed wearily, looking every bit his age. "I can personally vouch that every one of us are grateful for the presence of the Elves," said Dumbledore. "You have already done so much for us. However, the forces at the Dark Tower would be far greater than the ones that attacked Hogwarts. The Nazgul would be at their full strength and we haven't even seen the Balrogs yet. We would be sending the Elves to their deaths."
"I appreciate your concern Master Dumbledore," said Gilrandir. "However, I must also point out that the Elves are the only force available that could possibly counter the Dark Forces. This is what we came back to Middle-Earth for: let us do it."
Harry who had been silent for most of the meeting suddenly spoke up: "How about we blow the Stature of Wizarding Secrecy?" All of the wizards and witches present save Dumbledore starred at Harry as if he had lost his mind but Harry continued, "No matter what sort of controversy surrounds them, Muggles have those Weapons of Mass Destruction. I doubt they'd work on Death Eaters, Nazgul, or Balrogs but they'd surely decimate the Orcs leaving the Dark Side without the bulk of its army."
"It is a pity this wasn't mentioned earlier for by now it is truly too late," said Dumbledore. "Even if the Stature is broken it would take time to convince the muggles of the existence of magic as well as to convince them to fight only the Dark Side. It would take even longer for them to mobilize for war. And if what Pettigrew told you is true, Harry, Voldemort would already be setting out to summon Morgoth: time is a luxury we cannot afford." Dumbledore sighed once more. "Even if this had been mentioned earlier, I doubt anything would've come of it. The Ministry certainly would've buried it with much red tape and general muggle-phobia would've prevented enough support from generating. Innate wizarding arrogance would continue to insist that muggle weapons were of no use, that magic was far more powerful than technology. Why, I myself hadn't thought of the muggles till you just mentioned it."
Harry nodded and said, "I understand sir."
"Whatever is the case there is no denying that the Elves are the only force standing in the way of the Dark Lord and of Morgoth's return," said Gilrandir. "By Elbereth's name, let us do this Master Dumbledore."
Dumbeldore finally consented. "Very well," he said. "The Elves shall be on the front lines of the attack. However, I would advise that every race also have as many of their forces on the front lines as well. The battle will be fierce and desperate. No forces will be left behind to defend anything: one shot, everyone of our forces at the very heart of the Darkness. This will be the last stand."
"And you can bet that Anduril will be gleaming at the front," declared Harry.
To be continued...
A/N Sorry for the long delay. I had a major case of writer's block on this chapter. Plus, I'm concentrating on my original novel which takes priority. Hope everybody had a nice Christmas and New Years. I got Kingdom Hearts II for Christmas (I love being half Japanese). Unfortunately, I haven't that many opportunities to play it. Oh well, now that the holiday rush is over things should calm down. And starting with the next chapter, the climax begins!