Those Who Do Not Learn

Those Who Do Not Learn

Chapter 3

Ireth tried to be silent as she tossed another log on the fire. Harry and Hermione had been asleep for some time. Her eyes rested on them curled together a safe distance from the flames. She sat back down across from the humans and settled in to wait for the dawn. She kept her senses alert, tuned to the forest surrounding them. Dumbledore knew they'd taken the heir. Based on his reactions if he knew chances were Voldemort knew. If Voldemort knew...

She turned, her bow raised as she heard footfalls. Her bow lowered when Elrohir came into view.

"How long have they been asleep?" He took a seat next to her.

"A few hours. They've had a very long day."

"He has had such a tragic life."

"No more so than his ancestor."

A small smile spread across Elrohir's face. "I told Ada he would get beat up with a name like Estel. Of course I knew El and I would do most of the beating but..."

"At least your father loved him." Ireth studied Harry. The young man carried so many scars she was amazed he had the courage to face every day. "I will never understand why he had to stay with those people."

"Ireth, they were his family."

"I don't give a damn about that." She cut him off; "We could have protected him."

"We didn't know the real reason he came after James. If we did, things would have been different. Much different."

She sighed. "Do you suppose he's looking for us now?"

"I'm sure. I should have expected something like this from wizards who would build a new stronghold over the ruins of Isengard."

"Do you really think Dumbledore would bow to him?"

"I would wish to believe he would not follow that path but we must assume that he did." He watched the either elf as she stared into the fire. "What are you thinking, Ireth."

"I never thought this day would come, Ro. I dread leaving Middle Earth. I fear travelling to the Undying Lands. I don't want to go."

"Why do you fear it?"

"I know it is irrational. But... a part of me will miss this land more than anything. I fear not knowing what is to come."

"I will miss this land as well. I long to see my family again though. Father and Mother and Elladan. Galadriel and Gandalf. Glorfindel. There are so many people that I miss."

"If only I could hope to see my family. My father and sister died during the war. My brother passed over the sea but I was only a child when he left. Mother...she just didn't have the will to continue after father died."

"You know you would always be welcome in my father's house."

"I know."

They were silent a while before Ireth spoke again. "I am surprised we have not heard the call of a wraith."

Elrohir thought a moment. "I'm not sure if he has the capability to gather the nine yet."

"If he desires Harry's death so much he may well find a way."

"True."

They sat in silence for a long while, watching the children sleep. "Think they have any idea what there in for?" Ireth asked suddenly.

"Nope," Elrohir answered, "not a clue."

Hermione woke slowly as she felt a poke in her side. "Huh?" She sat up slowly.

Ireth looked at them, "Good morning."

"It's not even light yet." Harry sat up rubbing his head.

"We need to sail before sunrise." Elrohir reached his hand down to him.

"Can we stop for breakfast?"

"Certainly, would you like McDonalds?" The female elf handed him a piece of bread.

Hermione laughed a little to herself.

"You don't need to be sarcastic." He ate his bread quietly. Harry suddenly got a distant look in his eyes. "Will we ever see this world again?"

"Someday." Ireth went about cleaning the campground.

When Harry and Hermione had finished eating they gathered their things and apperated.

They stood for a long moment in the small clearing. The white ship sat quietly bobbing in the harbour.

"I never thought I would live to set sail from the grey havens." Elrohir looked over the sea. "And now that were here."

"The call is suddenly... impossible to resist." Ireth stood at his side.

"Are we sailing on that?" Hermione looked at the ship sceptically.

"Yes, we are."

"It doesn't look stable. Let's wait for a more sturdy ship."

"I assure you Hermione," Elrohir took a step toward her, "That ship is quite stable."

"Ignore her," Harry called, "she's been freaked out about boats since she fell in the lake last year."

"I did not fall in, Harry Potter, you and your friend threw me in."

"You're never going to forget that are you? Anyway, it was Ron's idea."

"Strange he told me it was your idea."

"Why would I ever do that to the woman I love more than life?" Harry leaned down for a kiss but Hermione pulled away at the last moment leaving him to stumble. She giggled and began running away. He gave chase and playfully taunted her.

The elves followed at a distance watching them with vague amusement.

Ireth stopped as something suddenly overcame her.

"Ireth," Elrohir stopped beside her, "Are you all right?"

"Do you feel it?"

He closed his eyes and focused and it hit him. The sudden overwhelming terror seemed to appear from no where. Their eyes met as they began running toward the children their bows drawn.

"Get to the ship! Run!" Ireth pushed them on quickly as Elrohir cut the lines.

"What's going on? What's wrong?" Hermione and Harry were pushed below deck as the two elves unfurled the sails. A breeze caught them and they began to accelerate. A shrill, piercing scream broke the air. Harry and Hermione scrambled up into the open. On the shore they had just left a great cloaked creature sat upon a black horse. It cried in seeming frustration.

"We are beyond his reach." Elrohir lowered his bow.

"What the bloody hell was that?" Harry looked at them.

"The Black Rider. Nazgul. " Ireth stood by his side looking back to the creature on the shore.

"What did it want?" Hermione stepped closer to her boyfriend.

"You," Elrohir answered, leaving the deck.