Records from the Red Book

She was tall and fair, as her limbs were white, and her eyes showed great age, even though her face did not. The woman was clothed in a flowing emerald gown with silver leaves woven on the long sleeves. A river of gold was her hair, which fell to her hips. An emerald crown was placed upon her brow in addition to the rest of the garment. She walked gracefully through Albus' dreams upon the crisp evergreen grass in the tranquil glade of the forest. Galadriel was her name; the Lady of the Golden Wood, the Elentari, Lady of Light, and Keeper of Nenya.

"I amar prestar aen, han mathon ne nen, han mathon ne chae, a han noston ned 'wilith," she spoke gravely as her eyes flashed. With an elegant stride, she walked towards Albus.

"Tollen i lû, Mithrandir," Her eyes grew darker and her words more powerful as she spoke. "The Dark Lord rises and his armies grow. Even in the world of the Wizards, evil grows."

"What will you do when the Four are no longer here? Gryffindors are failing, Ravenclaws are fleeing, Hufflepuffs are scattered, and the Slytherins are fading." Galadriel bent her head, no longer did she look threatening or powerful; but tired and old. It was as if her long years had caught up with her causing the light from her eyes to go out. The haunting sparkle in her skin had washed out until she looked as if she had not experienced the sun for many years. Sighing, she looked up at him with weary eyes of grief and despair.

"The time of the elves is over. Middle-earth's borders are forgotten and Lothlorien is becoming dark, for evil is spreading. All you have are your wizards now." She looked back up, and her radiance returned without much ease.

"But you, Mithrandir. You can bear away your love for the mortal wizards to the Undying Lands. Idhren emmen menna gui ethwel. Hae o auth a nîr a naeth. Si bado, no círar," she said solemnly. "Unless you plan to fight the Dark Lord. To throw him off his dark throne and live forever in peace is not an easy task. You will need the knowledge of the elves even if there are too few of us."

Galadriel's icy gaze turned directly to his eyes. Piercing into his soul, looking into the essence of his very being. Regarding his thoughts and memories, giving and taking information even if he acknowledged nothing, only to keep her radiant gaze.

"Now is your time to decide. Will you ask the elves for help? Will you risk telling all the wizards what has been forgotten? Will they believe you as they believed you before? Yes, I was informed of the ill fate that happened the year before. I heard that your 'minister' took you for nothing but lies, unhappy mortals, ignorant in so many ways." She spoke quietly but with strong distaste.

"The Slytherins will wait for you. We will wait no more than two months for you to decide. You know where to seek us," Galadriel turned and started out from the glade, deep into the forest. However, before she left, she turned and spoke. "Namarie, Gandalf the Grey."

++++

"Albus!" Minerva McGonagall tapped the man awake from his usual daze during dinner and stared at him intently.

"Yes, Minerva?" he asked quickly.

"You fell asleep, Albus," she said sternly. "If this is becoming a habit, I suggest that you talk with Madam Pomfrey and ask if she has anything that will sustain you through at least one meal."

"I am sorry, but it seems my old age has finally caught up with me." Smiling, he gave a raspy little laugh before rising from his seat.

"You speak in riddles Galadriel. Of course, you have always spoken in riddles," he mused to himself.

"Oh Professor!"

Albus turned slowly, again from his daze, and saw a sixth year Ravenclaw rush towards him.

"Yes, Miss Chang?" he asked, turning and stopping in his tracks.

"I was wondering if you were going to be at the next study group. You haven't been to one for a while." She looked at him with caring eyes, as a granddaughter to a grandfather normally would. "Though I do understand, however, that you are quite busy," she added quickly.

Ever since Albus had been a child, the Ravenclaws always had a study group that was conducted every Wednesday night in the Library. It was usually good fun for the students, now that Albus was experienced as Headmaster. They always would finish their work early, and if Dumbledore were present, he would tell them new spells and charms that weren't taught in normal classes. Sometimes he'd even tell them tales and different types of advice. The students were like young children watching their elder. It was amusing how the Ravenclaws, young and old, looked at him. He heard he was quite popular among the house founded by Rowena Ravenclaw, but Wednesday was two days from now; he needed that day.

"I am sorry, Cho but not this week. Maybe another time." Albus said wearily.

"Oh...it's all right Professor. I understand, and I'm sure everyone else will too," Cho said happily. Her face was bright and she waved to him, leaving Albus alone.

Albus still felt fatigued, yet he turned and went slowly to his office.

Fawkes the Phoenix made a soft, almost reassuring note of music, causing Albus' heart to lift. He stroked the marvelous bird and sat down.

"Three for the Elven-Kings under the sky,

Seven for the Dwarf-Lords in their halls of stone,

Nine for the mortal men doomed to die.

One for the Dark Lord on his Dark throne

In the land of Mordor where the shadows lie.

One Ring to Rule them All, One Ring to find them,

One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

In the land of Mordor where the shadow lie."

He recited the poem slowly and gravely, then turned to Fawkes.

"Are the wizards ready for this?" he asked the Phoenix with worry.

++

"I amar prestar aen, han mathon ne nen, han mathon ne chae, a han noston ned 'wilith." * The world is changed; I can feel it in the water, I can feel it in the earth, I can smell it in the air*

Tollen i lû, Mithrandir

* It is time, Mithrandir*

Idhren emmen menna gui ethwel. Hae o auth a nîr a naeth. Si bado, no círar

*You have a chance for another life... away from war... grief... despair. Go now, before it is too late. *