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 The title of this chapter is simple enough. "Rau" is Quenya for 'lion'. "Thoron" is Sindarin for 'eagle'. Hence, "Rauthoron" becomes 'lion-eagle'. Kind of self explanatory don't you think?
Chapter 4: Rauthoron
Harry was shell-shocked again. Idly, he wondered just how many times he had gone into that state during that day alone. But when one viewed the sheer magnificence of the White City how could one not be awed? The gate alone was huge, rising three times as high as the main entrance to Hogwarts. The streets were made out of marble, glistening white in the sunlight. Walking through the cobbled streets of the city after Dumbledore, Harry could tell that the city was ancient, perhaps the oldest city in the world. It was clear that a good many of the structures were being held up by magic, much like the Burrow.
For all its magnificence however, Minas Tirith was practically deserted. They did run into an occasional witch or wizard who greeted them but overall, the majority of the city appeared to not have been resided in for centuries.
"It's so... empty," he remarked.
"The unfortunate result of a lack of a king," said Dumbledore. Once, this city was the capitol of all Numenoreans and wizarding kind. But when the Royal Family dissipated, so did the city."
"Er... until now?"
Dumbledore smiled at Harry, his eyes twinkling. "Indeed. At least I believe so."
Dumbledore continued leading Harry higher and higher up the levels. It was quite clear that they were going higher up the mountain along with the city for the air was getting a little thinner and the temperature a little cooler. Given the Mediterranean weather, Harry decided that the higher levels of Minas Tirith would be brilliant in the summer. He looked out to the east and gasped.
"Professor Dumbledore! Over there!" he pointed. Out to the east there were thick thunderclouds rumbling maliciously and Harry could even see lightning crack. Despite the vast distance, Harry swore he could see the silhouette of a large volcano and a tall tower right next to it. "Professor, is that..."
"Yes Harry. That would be Orodruin the Mountain of Doom and the Dark Tower. Muggles cannot see it yet for the enchantments of the forbidden zone are still in place. But for a wizard, it looks so close despite how far it really is." He pointed to the tower and said, "That tower would be the rebuilt Barad-Dur: the rebuilt one of course as the original, older even than Minas Tirith was destroyed long ago. That is where Voldemort-Sauron now resides."
Harry grimaced. "But if we know where he is..."
"We cannot just storm Barad-Dur Harry: that would be suicide. The tower is littered with foul beings I dare not mention and unspeakable horrors. And Voldemort himself too has grown so much more powerful for merged with Sauron he now has the most powerful weapon ever created at his hand."
"What?" asked Harry. "What is that, Professor?"
"The One Ring," answered Dumbledore. "Forged by Sauron in the fires of Orodruin and remade by Voldemort when they merged. That Ring is the life essence of Sauron; so much of his power is in it that it is essentially the great Maiar himself. With that Ring, Voldemort-Sauron wields immeasurable power and is practically invincible."
Harry looked defeated. "How am I... how are we supposed to fight an enemy like that?"
Dumbledore looked toward Harry looking grim. "I will not lie to you Harry; the odds are highly against us. Yet, not even the Maiar are omnipotent. Voldemort has been defeated, by you more than others. Sauron has been defeated, by the line of the Royal family of Numenor more than others. Thus, for all their power, even Voldemort-Sauron can be defeated."
"How?" asked a morose Harry.
"Faith Harry," said Dumbledore. "We must have faith that the way will be open to us. Keep in mind, that I am about to bring you before the very legacy of Sauron's defeat."
Dumbledore led Harry further up the city. Finally, they came to the seventh and final level. Harry looked around as they walked into what was clearly a royal courtyard. "So is this where the Royal family lives?" he asked.
"The seventh level is indeed usually reserved for the Royal Family," said Dumbledore. "Now of course there it's almost deserted, save by one resident."
Harry was about to ask Dumbledore who that resident was when he noticed for the first time a single white tree standing in the middle of the courtyard. It was clearly of majestic origin but appeared to be only barely hanging onto life. Harry looked toward Dumbledore.
"That would be the White Tree of the King," said Dumbledore. "It lives so long as the Royal Family survives. Just until recently it was practically dead but it seems to have gained a little bit more life into it."
Dumbledore continued on to the tower before them. Harry continued looking at the tree for a little longer before he followed the old wizard. He tried looking around trying to absorb everything around him. He even chanced looking up at the top of the mountain noticing the snow, the occasional bush, and the gold figure starring down at them.
'Gold figure starring down at them?'
Before Harry could comprehend what was going on, the gold figure suddenly started leaping down the mountain at an astounding speed. It let a shrill screech is it got closer toward Harry and within seconds, it had landed in front of he and Dumbledore, blocking their way to the entrance of the White Tower.
In all his years at Hogwarts, Harry had never seen a beast both so magnificently awe inspiring yet terrifying at the same time. For a brief moment, Harry thought the creature before them was a golden Hippogriff, but he quickly noticed that that was not so. The beast was about the size of a small elephant, its head was that of a golden eagle and its front legs were eagle talons. From its shoulders sprouted two eagle wings that glistened gold in the son. Unlike a Hippogriff however, the hind side of the beast was that of a powerfully built lion, right down to the feline claws on its hind legs. Though Harry had never seen one before, he instantly recognized the beast from its description in Fantastic Beasts and where to find them: a Griffin.
The Griffin crouched in front of the entrance way as if guarding it. Harry started getting nervous as the griffin looked ready to pounce any second. Dumbledore however looked unfazed as he smiled at the griffin. "Why hello Rauthoron," he said, "How may you be doing this fine day?"
The griffin cocked his eagle head a little, observing Dumbledore. It opened its beak and to Harry's immense surprise, it spoke in a deep, melodic voice: "Albus Dumbledore. It has been some time since I have seen you in Minas Tirith."
"I have a sudden need to enter the tower," said Dumbledore.
The griffin squawked and crouched lower. "None shall claim the sword reforged save the Heir of Elessar! I have dedicated my life to guarding it and guard it I shall!" it exclaimed. Harry vaguely remembered that Hermione had once explained to him that wizards often trained griffins to guard their treasure. It was then that the griffin noticed Harry for the first time. It stood up straight and twisted its head a little, getting a better look at Harry. Subconsciously, Harry brushed his bangs over his scar though he doubted the griffin really cared if he was the Boy-who-lived.
Finally, the griffin turned to Dumbledore. "You think it to be this boy?" he asked.
"Indeed I do, Rauthoron my old friend," answered Dumbledore.
The griffin observed Harry a bit longer before walking over to him. For a moment, Harry thought the griffin was about to attack him but instead, the griffin bowed his head before Harry.
"Greetings young one," he said. "I am Rauthoron, King of Griffins and Guardian of the Sword Reforged. For centuries, I have waited for the one who could take forth the sword and reestablish the great kingdom of Gondor-Arnor, as have my ancestors before me. Who is it who has decided to take the challenge?"
Harry blinked before stuttering, "Er, uh, H-Harry Potter."
"Harry Potter. Of course I have heard of you," said Rauthoron. "Indeed, you are a highly likely candidate for the long lost Heir of Elessar. But we will not know for certain until you take the challenge. Do you accept?"
"Er, I guess so," said Harry.
"Then follow me," said Rauthoron. He turned around with a swish of his wings and tail. After hesitating for a moment, Harry also followed after Rauthoron followed by Dumbledore. The mighty griffin walked over to the high, double doors of the tower he had just been guarding and tapped them with the talons of his right foot. With a large creak, the doors swung open.
As Rauthoron led them into the white tower, Harry couldn't help but ask, "How is it that griffins can be trained to guard the treasure of wizards?"
"We are not trained," said Rauthoron. "We enter an agreement. A business contract as humans would say. You see young Harry the ancestors of the griffins were the mighty eagles of old. In general they were about the size of modern griffins, but some were even larger. In the many wars, my ancestors aided the Numenoreans consistently throughout their struggle against evil and thus my kind was greatly honored by the Angelic Powers. Most eagles have diminished to the modern birds you see but a sect of them were interbred with another species so greatly honored by the Angelic Powers: the lions. Thus, the griffins were born, and though we take pride in our independence, we have never forgotten our friendship with the Numenoreans."
Rauthoron led them into what was clearly the throne room of the Royal Palace of Minas Tirith. They were walking down a long, white marble corridor with high arches and windows to let in the sunlight. Great statues of Numenorean kings and queens long past were lined up along the corridor. Harry looked over each of them with a passing eye. However, two particular statues caught his attention. They were two statues of the most beautiful women Harry had ever seen. Despite the fact that they were mere images of marble, they appeared to be smiling angelically at Harry. The two statues were practically identical though Harry could tell they were two different women. The woman on the right looked more stately and regal, but had a definite softness in her features. The woman on the left looked more youthful and almost mischievous.
Rauthoron noticed that Harry was no longer following him and walked over to him. "I had a feeling you may want to observe these statues. In life, these two were said to be the most beautiful women ever to walk the world."
Harry blushed and said, "I wasn't looking at them."
"Do not be embarrassed young one. It is perfectly natural," said the griffin.
"It's not that," protested Harry. "It's just that... well these two are identical even though they are different people. I was just thinking that I think they resemble someone I know but I can't remember who it is they resemble..."
"Most interesting," said Rauthoron. He looked to the statue on the right. "That one is Arwen Undomial, the queen of Aragorn Elessar Telcontar: the Evenstar to his Elf Stone. She was said to have brought much joy and reverence to Minas Tirith." He looked to the statue on the left. "That statue is of Luthien. She is an ancestor to both Arwen and Aragorn. Hers is a great love story with the warrior Beren and how they came together through impossible odds and that not even death could separate them."
"I know they're only statues, but there's something different about these two," said Harry.
"That would be because they are not human," said Rauthoron, "They're Elves, Eldar."
"Elves?" exclaimed Harry. Before he could ask anymore questions however Dumbledore came up to them.
"We can explain everything to Harry later," said Dumbledore. "But first we must complete the challenge. We must learn the truth about the Heir of Elessar right away."
Dumbledore continued on down the pathway, Harry and Rauthoron following behind him. Finally, he reached the very end of the chamber. There, elevated before them was a white throne. And standing erect in front of the throne held up by magic was a single, long double-edged sword. Harry somehow felt a familiar kinship with the sword, as if he were being drawn to it. He turned to Dumbledore and said, "Professor?"
"Take it, Harry," was all Dumbledore said. Harry gulped and walked up the steps toward the sword. Harry felt a great trepidation as he brought his hand toward the sword, before he finally took it and picked it up. With a final look toward the anxious looking Dumbledore and Rauthoron, Harry took a deep breath, grabbed the hilt, and drew the sword.
The great sword sang with a metallic cry of triumph and it gleamed in the light as if sunlight and moonlight were trapped into it at once. The blade was 5 feet long and on it wastraced a device of seven stars set between the crescent Moon and the rayed Sun, and about them was written many runes. It was truly a sword fit for a king yet Harry marveled at how easily he was able to wield it.
Harry snapped out of his daze when he heard Rauthoron screeching behind him. Harry turned around just in time to see the mighty griffin bow down before him. "It is true," said the griffin. "You, Harry Potter are indeed the Heir of Aragorn Elessar Telcontar. My allegiance is to you."
"It is exactly as I have believed," said Dumbledore, looking both pleased and triumphant. "I had no doubt in mind Harry and you have just passed the test. You are indeed the King, Harry."
"H-how did I pass the test?" said Harry as he sheathed the sword. "All I did was draw the sword."
"That sword is no ordinary sword," said Rauthoron. "During the first age, when it was forged by the greatest of Dwarf smiths Telchar, it was known as Narsil, 'the sun and the moon'. During the second age, this sword became the personal sword of the great king Elendil the Tall, and with it he fought Sauron. And when Elendil was slain and even Narsil was broken, his son Isildur took up the broken sword and cut the Ring from Sauron's hand, defeating him. Yet, Isildur was not worthy enough to have Narsil reforged, proven soon afterward when he couldn't resist Sauron's Ring. It took his greater descendant, Aragorn Elessar to have the sword reforged as Anduril 'the flame of the west' and reestablish Gondor and Arnor."
"Do you see what Rauthoron is explaining Harry?" said Dumbledore. "Only the Heir of Elendil and by default the Heir of Elessar can draw Anduril as you have done so just now. Anybody else who tried to would be killed."
"Meep!" squeaked Harry. He had just been floored by the fact that had he not been the Heir of Elessar, he would've been dead by now. The fact that he drew the sword was the proof he needed that he was indeed the lost king.
"Well then, we must be on our way. It is necessary to spend a few days training Harry in the wielding of Anduril before we return to Hogwarts," said Dumbledore. "There are several places around the world where that can be done."
"And I shall accompany you from now on," said Rauthoron. "It was my charge to guard Anduril with my life. I am still under that charge and I now guard the Heir of Elessar who wields the sword."
Harry simply nodded, still rather dazed. He had a distinct feeling that his life was never going to be the same again.
To be continued...
A/N Ugh, how tough it is to write these chapters. I admit that nothing necessarily so serious happened in this chapter. But these first few chapters really are here to get the plot started. The main will be getting underway soon so all I ask is that you bear with me until the more exciting parts come up. There will be action, suspense, and romance. Afterall, you H/H shippers know what's coming up right?