Chapter 3
Twenty years have passed since Willow arrived in Middle Earth, it took time, but she adapted to being a part of a loving family. It wasn’t easy, she tried hiding things from them like her nightmares, and any health problems. She finally put on enough weight to no longer look sickly though she will never gain any more height, but she is completely fine with that. Her new family taught her all about her new world and the place she has in it. The best thing for her though was the peace that allowed her to start to heal and mend both physically and mentally. Adding the children of the Rangers and Dunedain to the peaceful valley let her have somewhat of a second childhood because she played many games with them. Willow was balanced in a way that she had never experienced before, and it showed. The only thing that they couldn’t get her to do was to open up about her past and talk about it.
The spring of 2911 she experienced a big change when she had her first vision. She was quietly reading with her father when the book tumbled from her hands to the floor. She saw many things pass in her mind, winter coming early, crops destroyed before they were all harvested, Hobbits starving and wasting away, dying from illness, and the river freezing over allowing wolves to cross over and eat those that they caught out.
Elrond drops to his knees in front of her grabbing her hands and calls to her, “Willow? Willow my child are you alright?”
He receives no response but sees a diadem appear on her head, it is silver with diamonds and a sapphire on it in the design of a raven with writing on it. He goes to call her again when she gasps as the vision ends and leaves her panting.
She slumps towards the floor and into his arms, “Ada.”
Elrond holds her close, “What is it, Willow?”
Leaning into him she cuddles close, “I saw,” tears form, “this winter it’s going to be bad, but the Hobbits will be hit worse than anyone, it will hit fast and hard, and they lose most of their crops. They will starve, some will suffer from illness, and they will die. The worst will be when the river freezes, and the wolves cross it and attack them. They don’t have any defenses against them. They will need our help.”
Celebrian came into the room when she heard Elrond call for Willow and heard everything and says, “They shall have our help then.”
Elrond goes to speak but is cut off, “Her gift is different, she sees things that she needs to help with.”
Elrond nods, “I understand. Well then, we need to make plans to help out the Hobbits.”
Willow nods from her spot still cuddled against her father, “They may not believe us at first, from what I have learned they are able to produce all year long.”
Elrond stands them both up, “Then we shall begin to plan how we can help for the winter.”
Willow nods, “Yes, that would be wise, maybe I can find some spells or something to help.”
Elrond smiles at her, “You do not have to do this.”
Willow looks at Celebrian and receives a nod, “I need to, this feels like I am meant to do something, like it is a part of why I am here. I will also be spending the winter among them.”
Celebrian nods, “I shall go with you then, and possibly your brothers as well.”
She groans which causes her parents to chuckle, “They are a bit overprotective.”
Elrond, “They are, but we want you to know that you do not have to do this alone.”
Willow giggles, “But Arwen has them beat on being overprotective, and do not worry Ada I know I am no longer alone.”
Elrond, “So that is why she has taken an interest in the ways of the warrior? I am glad you have come to understand that.”
Celebrian nods, “It is wise that she has done so, don’t forget Arwen has the gift of foresight as well, and we all know that Willow has a destiny here.”
Elrond shakes his head, “Yes I remember, it is just hard to let her go.”
“I love you to Ada,” She says while hugging him.
The trio enters his office and sit around a table. They are soon joined by Arwen, Elrohir, and Elladan. Elrond has Willow tell them why they are gathered in the office. She smiles at him for letting her take charge with this and tells about her vision.
“So, we need to help the Hobbits?” Elrohir look around the table.
Willow nods, “Yes, or at least I have to.”
Elladan, “So how are WE going to help them.”
Willow, “Well they will need fighters to protect them and train any who would be willing to fight. More food and medicines than what they would normally have,” she stands and starts pacing and, in this moment, they don’t see a young girl, but a leader, “and maybe some way to keep the river flowing to keep it from freezing so thickly. I am also going to stay there during the winter, my gut is telling me that I need to do so.”
Elrohir, “We can speak with the Dunedain about having more Rangers towards the Shire, maybe even see if we can get some to stay inside the Shire somehow. Of course, I’ll stay with our little Willow.”
Elladan, “What if we purchase more foods from them than normal and we can set that extra aside for them, they will need it.”
Arwen, “We should gather more herbs and medicinal plants from the woods to build up a supply of medicines for them.”
Celebrian, “We could up the hunting parties and salt more meats to preserve them.”
Elrond, “You all have wonderful ideas, we will…”
Willow sniffs and sobs lightly. Her new family gets up and surrounds her, hugging her. She sobs all the more when they do so.
Celebrian, “Dear heart, what is the matter?”
She sobs out, “You all believed me automatically, never questioning what I said.”
Arwen’s soft face sharpens, “You have had others not believe you before, it is no surprise that you would feel this way when someone finally does believe in you.”
Willow just nods not saying anything. They hug tighter, letting her cry it out and promise that she won’t experience that again. They stay like that until it is time for lunch. They head to the feast hall coming across the Galadriel and Celeborn who has just arrived, they enter and sit to eat. There is small talk made amongst the Elves and Dunedain that are there. As lunch begins to dwindle Lord Elrond calls those gathered to attention and then directs Willow to take the lead. She explains about what she saw and the solutions that her family came up with. She adds that all advice, ideas, and information is welcome and much appreciated.
Arador the leader of the Dunedain stood up, “The best Hobbit to talk to would be the Thain Gerontius Took and his daughter Belladonna has some man-sized rooms in her home which she would be willing to share.”
Another Ranger stands, “There is also the Master of Buckland, Gorbadoc Brandybuck, he will be hit the worst this winter, the Bucklanders not only survive in the fields, but they are the only boaters and river people the Hobbits have. They are also where most of the fighters will be found, because they are closer to Bree.”
Celeborn, “We can provide extra crops for them when the time comes as well as medicines.”
Galadriel smiles, “Perhaps you should start a letter asking to speak with the Thain and we can have it delivered to him by a messenger.”
As soon as she stopped speaking a flame grew in size and as soon as she was finished a white blur flew at her squawking indignantly, startling everyone.
Before anyone could react Willow shouts out, “Hedwig!”, the white blur flies to the voice, with a hoot lands on the girl’s shoulder, and begins to groom her hair. Willow pulls her owl off her shoulder hugging her close, “How are you here? You got hit with a spell and fell.”
Hedwig coos at Willow while the others stare flabbergasted at the sight. A soft trill fills the air that causes her to look over and she sees Fawkes glide to her and offers a leg to her. She smiles at the phoenix and takes the letter from him and Hedwig moves to her shoulder. She unrolls the letter and begins to read. Elrond smiles slightly and clears his throat startling Willow into looking up and blushing.
“It’s from Mandos he sends a couple of old friends as gifts. The gorgeous red and gold bird beside me is Fawkes, he is a Phoenix, an immortal firebird from my home world. This gorgeous lady on my shoulder is my first friend Hedwig, she is a Snowy Owl, back home we used Owls to send letters and packages, I thought she had died protecting me, but it seems Fawkes rescued her and they both came here. Mandos has also given Hedwig a burning day like Fawkes has.”
“Burning day?” Arwen asks her.
Willow nods, “A Phoenix has a life cycle and at the end of that cycle they go up in flames leaving ashes behind, but in the pile of ashes a chick emerges to grow all over again. Hedwig will do the same now, but she will come from a pile of snow,” looks at Galadriel, “I’m sorry Grandmother, Hedwig gets a bit jealous if I send a letter with any but her. She’s also a bit of a mother hen.”
Galadriel smiles softly Hedwig watches with narrowed eyes, “It is alright little flower she meant no harm and didn’t attack. My apologies beautiful lady if I had known you were coming, I wouldn’t have suggested a messenger, but now that you’re here I am sure you will do your mistress proud again.”
Hedwig hoots and puffs up her chest causing Willow to shake her head, “Oh you big bloody show off, you have a big ego did you know that?”, Hedwig happily hoots an affirmative and goes back to preening and then arranging Willow’s hair.
Celeborn is looking at Fawkes, “He’s fascinating, and I am sensing that these are not normal avians calling them birds just doesn’t suit such beautiful creatures?”
Hedwig hoots proudly causing Willow to laugh, “You would be correct grandfather they are not normal. Fawkes is like I said earlier immortal, I’ve seen his burning day twice, once was natural and the other he took a curse known as the killing curse, no one can come back from that. There is a large snake known as a basilisk that can kill you if you look at it directly in the eyes, it can not kill a phoenix. He can vanish and reappear in flames when he wants, he can take people with him, or send a single feather in warning or as a message as well. He is extremely strong and could carry me, ada, and two children in a single flight. Then there is his song that can instill fear in impure people and then in those that are pure of heart he can bring courage, calm, and warmth to them. Last of all his tears can heal anything and cure all poisons.”
Elrohir, “Can he fight?”
“A phoenix is a peaceful creature they are not known to fight, but I wouldn’t put it past them. I for one know that Fawkes is very capable of clawing out the eyes of a creature, if need be,” Fawkes puffs out his chest causing Willow to smile, “Fawkes has saved my life many times including providing a feather for my holly wand’s core.”
Elrond, “And what of Hedwig?”
“Owls used by wizards are a bit different than normal owls, but Hedwig is even more different from wizarding owls. She can find anyone anywhere with just a name. She’s smarter than them, before I left my home world, I had started reading a book about animal familiars and I know we had such a bond, she knows my emotions and my thoughts, and she is very loyal. She also loves bacon so watch your plates at breakfast.”
Hedwig hoots out as if she’s been betrayed, but it lightens the mood and causes everyone to laugh at the trio. Willow smiles and scratches her chest calming her familiar down. The elves and rangers depart letting her know if they can come up with any ideas that they will let her know. As soon as they were all gone it was just Willow and her family left in the feast hall. Her family smiles at seeing her truly happy.
Celebrian walks up and joins her daughter in petting Hedwig, “Thank you pretty lady for being an excellent companion to my daughter, I have heard much about you, and I am very pleased to get to meet you,” Hedwig hoots and gently nips her fingers and Celebrian smiles, “and here you can have all the bacon your heart desires,” Hedwig hoots happily causing Willow to chuckle. She then looks at her youngest daughter and brushes her fingers on the sapphire, “Is this Ravenclaw’s diadem?”
Willow nods, “Yes.”
Celebrian smiles, “It suits you. What does it say?”
Willow blushes, “Wit beyond measure is man’s greatest treasure. Rowena Ravenclaw was one of four that started the school I went to as well as one of my ancestors. She was a seer and a very powerful one at that, she valued wisdom and knowledge. It is said that she imbued this with power to enhance the wearers wisdom, but for me it will enhance my own abilities as a seer and came forth with my first vision.”
Elrond smiles, “My advice, use that wisdom and write your letter to the Thain of the Shire.”
Willow smiles and nods walking away chatting with Hedwig and Fawkes who follows her. Her family watches her go and when she disappears look to each other.
Elrond, “A raven crown with a dark blue sapphire, the line of Durin will become curious if they were to find out.”
Celebrian, “We can not keep her locked up here, she has a destiny in this world and for some reason it starts with the Hobbits.”
Celeborn nods, “I find myself agreeing with Celebrian, there was a reason why she saw what she saw. We all know that out of all of the peoples of Middle Earth they would not endure a bad winter, especially if they can not get winter crops in the ground.”
Galadriel, “We still do not know her true purpose here, but it is time for her to travel and gain experience in this world, she has shown that she is a leader.”
Elladan, “More than that she comes across as a general, she’s used to giving orders and being obeyed.”
Elrohir nods, “It probably has to do with her past life.”
Arwen sighs, “If only she would share with us, I know she showed us, but speaking of it will help her more.”
Elrond smiles sadly, “In time she will, that is her last step in truly healing from what has happened in her past. For now, let us discuss how we can help her with the Hobbits and the Shire.”
With that they sit and plan ways to help their youngest family member as well as the Hobbits.
Willow has entered her room, “And here we are, look Hedwig it’s big and open and it’s all mine. My sister Arwen is next to me, my twin brothers Elladan and Elrohir have rooms across the hall. Mom and dad are at the end of the hall to my other side.”
Hedwig hoots excitedly and finds a place to perch on the head of the bed while Fawkes sets on a chair on the veranda to Willow’s room. Willow walks to her desk pulling out parchment, a quill, and ink, sitting down she begins her letter.
Thain Gerontius Took,
Hello, my name is Willow Ceredwyn Potter, and I am the adopted daughter of Lord Elrond of Rivendell. I have a matter that is most important, and I must speak with you about it as soon as possible. I do not require that you leave your peaceful homeland or your people to discuss this, I will come to you. I also wish to speak with Gorbadoc Brandybuck, the Master of Buckland about this as well. The lovely owl that has brought you this letter will wait for your reply, her name is Hedwig, and she is gentle.
Thank you for your time,
Willow Ceredwyn Potter
P.S. If you are eating watch your bacon Hedwig loves the stuff and will take it if you don’t watch her.
Willow, “There, now to send the letter, Hedwig how would you like to go for a fly and deliver a letter for me?”
Hedwig hoots and glides over to the desk.
Willow smiles, “Now this is going to the Shire, you are looking for Gerontius Took, he lives in the Great Smials in the Tuckborough region. Please stay to get a response and don’t strain yourself make sure to get plenty of food and rest,” she attaches the letter to Hedwig and with a hoot she is off flying through the sky.
Fawkes trills at her and she joins him on the veranda to relax for a bit. As the two sit Willow looks over at Fawkes realizing that she can understand what he is saying. He reaches his leg out to her and she takes a shrunken bag from around it. He trills out softly to her.
She looks at him, “This is all of my stuff from back home,” Fawkes nods his head and trills out again, “And more.”
He nods his head, and she opens the bag and begins pulling things out. The first item to come out is a letter from Gringotts, ‘I wonder what this is about,’ she thinks to herself. Moving to her room she pulls out more and more, putting it where it belongs. Not only does she pull out her things, but things that belonged to her loved ones. She begins to put her books away on a shelf but stops when she realizes that she needs more room, because there are more books than she remembers having.
Sighing she says walking to the door, “If only I had Dobby, Winky, or Kreacher I do miss them,” before she makes it there a loud crack is heard, and she has three House elves hugging her as if she would disappear on them again.
The loud crack was heard throughout Rivendell and sent her family running to check on her. When the twins rush in with daggers drawn a quick reaction from Dobby has them flying back out the doorway and Winky and Kreacher throwing up a shield to protect her. Her new family stops to check on the twins and wisely stay outside of the room
“Yous not be hurting the great and wonderful Willow Potter!” Dobby shouts.
Willow sighs, “Dobby they weren’t trying to hurt me, they were coming to protect me,” She goes on to explain, “they are my adopted family, and they have been so for the last 20 years.”
“Mistress has only been gone a few days,” Kreacher informs her, “Griphook has told wizards and witches that yous still alive, that yous being took to another place.”
Winky nods, “Kreacher and Dobbys being demanding that we brought to you.”
Willow smiles, “And here you all are my very loyal friends, you can drop the shield now.”
Winky and Kreacher nod allowing the shield drop and letting the Elves into the room, Willow smiles and introduces the two groups of Elves to each other. Explaining to them the differences between them. After that she launches into an explanation about what happened ending with her wish for her companions and that she needed another shelf for her books. Kreacher snapped his fingers and another shelf identical to the one in her room is beside it.
Willow smiles, “I love House Elf magic.”
With that she goes back to unpacking with everyone watching her act like nothing happened. From the bag she begins pulling out clothes and laying them on the bed. Dobby begins to add the rest of her books to the new shelf and asks her if she wants another shelf to which she responds to put them throughout the room. Winky and Dobby do so and place some books here and there throughout the room, even in her bathroom. Slowly the room fills up with the help of her friends and family with her things from Earth. Going through her clothes she finds the dress that she wore for Bill and Fleur’s wedding at the top. She smiles to herself thinking how much better it will fit now that she is a proper build for it, so she rushes off to the bathroom to put it on. The others stare in confusion until she comes out of the bathroom after putting the dress on. When she does so chaos erupts amongst her family. (https://i.pinimg.com/originals/2d/cf/95/2dcf954ab0c81dfa70d94cef182cc740.jpg )
