Master of Death

One does not tell Harry he cannot simply walk into Mordor

~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* Chapter II *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~ *~* ~

Harry wasn't surprised at all when Lord Elrond came to him in the gardens, the Elves had quickly learned that whenever Harry could not be found in his rooms or in the makeshift work room he turned an abandoned forge into, he was in the gardens, usually reading or napping. Today, he was playing with Aldeztaile, she was having a blast chasing an Ice Mice he conjured up for her. The sugary treat was frantically running this way and that as the 10ft basilisk cackled as she chased it, getting close, but then letting it escape only to close in again.

"What is that she is chasing?"

"An Ice Mice, it is a sweet treat from my home. It's made to look and move like a real mouse, but it's nothing more than spun sugar and bit of ingenious magic to animate it. I only allow her three of them a day otherwise I will be dealing with a sugar high basilisk and I do not wish to see either her or any of your people harmed should she got a bit aggressive." Harry told him, chuckling when she coiled, seeming to go to sleep, but when the Ice Mice least expected it, she sprang up and onto it, chomping it down in a single bite, quicker than it could even blink. "Very good, Aldez!"

She hissed happily, rolling in the grass as she enjoyed her treat and trying to be cute to see if she could get another one much sooner. But Harry simply picked her up and told her that she was not getting anymore until later. She hugged him and hung her head sulkily, which made Harry laugh.

"Watching Aldez chase candy around is not the reason you came, Lord Elrond. What can I do for you?" Harry reminded him and he blinked his eyes and nodded.

It has been a long time since he was curious or fascinated by anything, having long mastered all he ruled over, studied everything there was to study and more. Since his wife had passed, and their three children grown, he's found himself rather... bored, but Hadrian was a mystery and a puzzle, he wished to learn all he could of and from the young man, but now was not the time.

"Yes, indeed... There is to be a council meeting later this afternoon and I had hoped you would come sit in on it? If for nothing else then to keep yourself informed. I will not force you to do something you feel is not your concern nor make you fight a fight that is not yours. It would also help me keep peace... those who are coming are all from various walks of life and most of which have bad blood between them and would rather pick petty fights than unit and face a common enemy." Elrond admitted, looking as sheepish as a Lord would ever look without looking like a naughty child.

"Sure. I'm sure Aldez, Hedwig and Fawkes would help keep the peace or some of your guests might get clawed and pecked, Aldez may bite a toe or finger off if they are particularly annoying to her." He warned.

Elrond chuckled and told him that he would send Arwen to escort him when it was time before he left the young man to his peace, heading off to speak with Frodo and Gandalf. Harry had only just began to relax once more when he saw strangers arriving, the ones that stood out to him the most was a short man, taller than the Hobbits but definitely shorter than a normal man was. A Dwarf, his mind supplied. He had hair such a bright and vibrant shade of red, it rivaled a ruby! He could remember Papa Mors telling him that he's never seen a red more redder than a Weasley's hair (a family of Pureblood Wizards back in his real world, all of whom are redheaded).

The Dwarf was riding on a cart with others, all of them quite hairy and heavily armored. They were armed to the max as well, he was sure they were a hardy and sturdy race. What few books he found on them said they lived in mountains and mined out riches, forged weapons of legendary caliber and crafted jewelry that was both rich and delicate, but awe inspiring and hailed the world over. He wondered if one of the Dwarves was female, Mors having told him that the women were also very much like the men. What with their deep voiced and their beards, however the women did have a smaller and softer build, their curves giving them away unless they were dressed in armor. Most could tell by the breastplate, but not always.