Ring Child

by Kiamii

Chapter Seven "The Child's Guardian"

"Archir..." A voice softly said. Harry James Potter groaned softly and turned, mumbling lightly into something soft. His hot breath blew into his face as he did so and the wizard shivered as the covers were pulled back off of him. Cold! Whoever this Archir was better get up so this person could leave him alone. All he wanted to do was sleep.

"Come on little one, you need to awaken." The voice chuckled, running a hand down Harry's cheeks. Such a warm touch... The little boy curled up even more, not wanting to be taken from his comfortable spot.

"Archir, I know you're conscious," another voice sighed before Harry felt arms loop around his waist and he was lifted up. The arms curled around his body and Harry felt himself tucked against a chest. His own hands grasped a silky material. The child wearily opened his emerald eyes and blinked before everything started coming back to him. His name was Archir the Emerald, a 3 year old Istari in Middle Earth, student of Gandalf... Gandalf. Archir bit his lip and looked at the person who was now holding him tightly, shushing the small sniffles that Archir hadn't even known he was releasing.

"I thought I was dreaming. Is... Is he really gone?" Archir whispered to Aragorn. Gandalf. Albus. Gandalf couldn't be gone. He just couldn't! Istari were immortal, right?

"Yes child, I'm sorry. I really am," Aragorn whispered back, rubbing the back of the little boy's head before rubbing circles in Archir's back. The Istari child trembled and burrowed his head into Aragorn's neck before he mourned once more for his mentor. Aragorn was very calm and patient, letting Archir release his sobs. When Archir was soothed and now quiet again, Aragorn turned to someone next to him.

"Now that the child has been healed from the attack, we must be heading out now, Aragorn son of Arathorn, if we are to make it in time." An elf said.

"Do not worry Archir, this is Haldir who will be our guide for now," Aragorn said and Archir shyly tried to hide in Aragorn's cloak, only to be pulled into Haldir arms who cradled him in his arms as if Archir was a babe.

"You are one so young to hold so much power," Haldir exclaimed, holding Archir to his chest and cuddling him. Archir squirmed in the elf's lap, blushing a bright red.

"I'm older than I look," Archir said, pouting slightly which caused the elf and man to laugh. Haldir bounced Archir upon his lap, which for some reason amused Archir and the little boy was distracted by the movement, finding it entertaining. Haldir himself looked amused that he could indeed keep the young one just as occupied as you could an elfling or any small child.

"You are still young too many though, Archir the Emerald. When we arrive, your robes will be cleaned once again though," Haldir told him, stopping the bouncing and he stood with Archir in his arms. He called to his brother and the company set out once more. Archir had insisted to at least walk until he tired and they came to that agreement... so long as he held on of their hands. So currently, his small hand was in Gimli's larger ones, since the dwarf was easier to reach.

They found themselves upon a river and Haldir constructed a slender bridge which helped them cross over. It was during this that Archir was forced to be on Haldir's hip as they crossed, for the elf was very well balanced. Sam looked a little pale until he crossed while Pippin seemed to have enjoyed his easy walk with his sure-foot skill. Frodo was still quiet and Merry pulled Pippin into another argument about only the Valar knew what. The Elves untied the ropes and they continued on until they entered the Naith of Lurien (also called the Gore) which lied between the arms of Silverlode and Anduin the Great. Archir looked confused as Haldir stated that Gimli was to be blindfolded.

Of course the dwarf argued and it was Aragorn's idea to blindfold them all. It took time before Haldir gave in, though Legolas did not look please.

"Please do not blind the Istari child though," Haldir said to his brother. Archir, in the arms of the elf, wriggled as he saw his companions become blindfolded. Haldir held him more securely, Archir lying on his back in his arms, tucked under the elf's chin.

"Shush now young one, for your friends will be alright." Haldir soothed. Archir grasped a fistful of the shirt in his hands and looked over the elf's shoulder as they continued to walk, not liking the fact that his friends were without sight. They continued well until nightfall were they lay on the ground and slept. Archir, being the only one besides the guides to be with sight, crawled to Aragorn's sleeping form and nestled his head on the man's chest, smiling when the man drew his arms around the little boy. He slept much easier that night... In the morning they continued their travel, Archir now resting comfortably in Aragorn's arms, asleep and his thumb in his mouth as he lay on the man's shoulder. Aragorn was still blindfolded until they found a host of Elves who brang news that the Lord and Lady of Galadhrim knew of them and they were regifted of their eyesight.

Archir sleepily awoke and was awed at the sight before him. Towards their left was now a great mound, covered with very delightfully green grass. Atop was a double crown grown with two circles of trees and the outer had bark of snowy white, leafless but still beautiful despite the nakedness. The trees were something that Archir would forever remember.

"We have arrived at Cerin Amroth, the heart of the ancient realm and there lies the mound of Amroth. We shall stay here for a bit before moving to the city of Galadhrim at dusk." Haldir said with delight. He was looking at the three year old boy and chuckled at the child's amazement. Aragorn adjusted the toddler in his arms and they continued up the slopes. When Haldri went up and vanished, he was found climbing to the high flet. Aragorn watched Frodo follow before the man let Archir down on his feet and watched the little boy sit down on the grass and undo his shoes.

"May I ask a reason for undoing those shoes I tied for you," Aragorn said in amusement.

"I want to feel the ground again!" Archir chirped, slipping his shoes off and letting his feet feel such a wonderful soft texture below him. Aragorn shook his head before kneeling down and tapping Archir on his nose very softly. The boy looked up at him, pouting.

"You are such a child your age when I see you like this. It is a pleasure upon these blackened days to see you smile little one," Aragorn laughed, sitting down with the boy before he held out a small golden of Elanor, Archir seeing Aragorn's eyes lightened up than ever before. He now held a distant look, as if lost in a memory. To Archir, Aragorn now looked a fair kingly man. He was a young lord tall and fair, words of elvish escaping his lips, to someone that Archir could not see. Archir looked over at Frodo who was watching them. Aragorn turned to Frodo as well and smiled at the halfling before he took Archir's small feet and began to recover them with his shoes, to Archir's protest.

"Here lies the heart of Elvendom on Earth and here my heart dwells ever, unless a light beyond the dark roads exist that we have yet to tread on. Come Frodo!" Aragorn said, almost happily as he took Archir back into his arms and Frodo's hand in his own before he left the hill of Cerin Amroth and came there never again as living man.

They rejoined the others and they walked until Haldir stopped and turned to them.

"We have now reached Caras Galadhon! The City of Galadhrim, where dwell our Lord Celeborn and Galadriel, Lady of Lurien. We will not enter here in the nothward, so we will go the southern side." Haldir said before they did as he stated. They reached a white bridge and after crossing found the great gates of the city: faced south-west and set between the ends of encircling wall that overlapped, adorned with many lamps of light.

Haldir knocked and spoke, the gates opening soundlessly. Aragorn placed Archir back on his feet and let the little boy down to follow. They climbed up and reached forth an oval shaped chamber, filled with soft light. Haldir scooped up Archir (ignoring the child's protests that he didn't need to be carried) and lead them in. Archir gave in by then and his arms were now wrapped around Haldir's neck, the child's black-haired head resting on the elf's shoulder. Frodo stood by their side as he gazed upon the two occupying the steas. Thrones. Archir noted who they were from conversations he heard. Celeborn and Galadriel.

Galadriel was very pretty, shorter than the lord though tall. Clad in white completely and hair of hers was deep gold, her face ageless and keen eyes. Galadriel's eyes found Archir's and the Lady gazed upon him with a thoughtful expression as Celeborn spoke. Archir suddenly found himself recalling things he wouldn't have remembered and shouldn't be...

Privet Drive and being five years old, Vernon Dursley towering over him with his belt, about to bring it forth upon his back. Petunia slamming a frying pan into Harry's head, giving him a concussion. Burning a meal at age eight and Vernon forcing Harry's small hand onto the heated stove. The pain. All of it. The hurt. The fear. Dudley pushing Harry off the slide at school and Harry breaking his arm. His magic healing him. The bliss of his arm being fixed. The amazement.

Archir the Emerald, student of Gandalf and ward of the Company, whimpered as he felt those forgotten memories of his childhood brought up.

"Lady Galadriel," Celeborn's voice cut through and Archir relaxed against Haldir as the memories finally stopped, though he could see Galadriel frowning, her eyes darkened.

"Come forth, Haldir, and let me seek this child that is to behold." Galadriel said softly. Haldir did as asked and placed the toddler into the Lady's arms. Galadriel felt the light weight of Archir and the frown upon her beautiful face increased. He felt probably 10 pounds even more underweight. He was also very small in her arms, probably being at the height of 50 Centimeters! (2 Feet, 1 inch).

"Now, Nine are here yet, Ten were sent from Rivendell... Tell me, where is the last companion?" Cereborn finally asked, after studying the child fighting sleep in Galadriel's arms.

"Gandalf the Grey fell into shadow, lost in Moria and unfound now." Aragorn said softly, not looking at them but, looking at the now stiffened child in the elf's arms. Galadriel pulled Archir to her shoulder and rubbed circles firmly in the wizard child's back, which only served to stop Archir's intense trembles and caused drowsiness. Galadriel smiled gently as Archir leaned against her and closed his emerald eyes, allowing his small thumb to find its path to his mouth, and he fell asleep.

"This young one has not had the needed amount of sleep that comes with his age, has he?" Galadriel asked them, studying the tired boy.

"Nay. We have had to move much too swiftly for him to rest as needed." Legolas admitted. Galadriel went over to the table next to them, which a guard had adorned with a large bassinett.

"He is still a babe, very small and very innocent, yet filled with despair and darkness." Galadriel told them, lying the child in the bassinett and covering him up. She turned back to them.

"Why has nothing of this been told to me before?" Cereborn asked to them, going back to the topic of Gandalf. The elves in the hall were still silent from shock of the loss of the wizard.

Aragorn began to recount all that had happened upon the pass of Caradhras, to Balin's book, the fight in the Chamber of Mazarbul, Archir's wounds, the Narrow Bridge, and the coming of the Terror.

"A Balrog of Morgoth, of all elf-banes the most deadly save for the one who sits inside Dark Tower." Legolas continued when Aragorn was unable to say what it was that had been so strong and so horrible. Legolas looked in amusement as the speech of Galadriel's ended (about the dwarves) and Gimli was looking at Lady Galadriel with loving eyes. Teasing material right there, Legolas mused before he looked back at Celeborn who spoke again, apologizing to Gimli for laying blame.

Their talk ended with something that had Aragorn thinking with a lighter heart.

"Yet hope remains while all the Company is true." She had said before she gazed into each of their eyes. Sam blushed in contact; Frodo, Merry, Pippin, and Gimli were unable to keep the gaze as well. Aragorn and Legolas held true while Boromir looked to be in a nightmare of his own dream. They were bid adeu before given rest upon the ground (to a hobbit's relief for they disliked sleeping up high). Archir was still very much asleep, the bassinett having been moved to a garden-like spot. Aragorn found the scene very amusing and watched the young child sleep, talking quietly with Legolas.

"So what was the blush for, Samwise Gamgee?" Pippin asked, a grin on his face, "a brake down of you happened soon after and you looked to almost have a guilty conscience. Not planning to steal my blanket tonight, are you?"

"I never thought of such a deed Peregrin," Sam huffed, "I felt as if I hadn't got nothing on, as if unclothed and naked in front of her. She was seeing inside me and was asking me questions in my own head. Thoughts of the Shire. She asked me if I was given a chance, would I go home. What would I do, she inquired. She even brought mention of young Archir. Would I take him back if I could, she wanted to know."

"I felt the same of that, only I... well I don't think I'll continue this thought," Merry said with a blush now capturing his cheeks.

"Perhaps it was a test," Boromir said thoughtfully, sitting with the hobbits, "for she offered us all something we dearly craved and something of shadow. She offered and I denied listen, for Men of Minas Tirith are true of word," Boromis said, though he did not elaborate the offer she had given. Frodo refused to say what she had said in his own head. They finally succumbed to slumber that night after Aragorn sternly told them to stop such thoughts, after Boromir nearly told evil of Lady Galadriel.

Aragorn waited for them to sleep before heading off to find one of the elves. He needed to do something first. With a small kiss upon Archir's cheek, he went to tell Lady Galadriel of his request...

A few days passed with the Company in Galadhrim, each healing small wounds and mental wounds. Aragorn seemed to be anxious about something as he spent as much time in Archir's presence as he could, which made the little wizard suspicious.

"Archir, come here for a second," Aragorn said quietly to the toddler. Archir looked at him before standing up from his spot next to Gimli (who had been telling him of the wonders of the Lonely Mountains) and walked over to the man. Aragorn gave the 3-year-old a gentle smile and lifted him up on his lap.

"The Company will be leaving in a few hours," Aragorn said softly to Archir. The wizard child did not like where this conversation was heading.

"Boromir told me that. Everything is already packed. So...?" Archir asked, unaware of the others behind him, listening nervously.

"Child, you are to stay here with the elves, for it is far too dangerous to continue with us." Aragorn sighed, continuing. Archir froze and stared at Aragorn before he pushed himself out of the man's lap.

"I'm going with you, nothing has happened to me yet!" Archir said stubbornly, crossing his arms. His emerald green robes blew around his ankles and he glared at Aragorn.

"Archir, you can not journey with us now. You've already been injured and... Gandalf." Aragorn said, kneeling down to the child. Archir shook with anger before he felt a conclusion of his own form.

"I get it. You just don't want a burden like me anymore," Archir trembled, shaking his head before he turned on his bare feet and took off towards another part of Galadhrim. Aragorn watched the child run from him, a sadness deep in his eyes.

"He is not a burden to us. I just don't want him hurt," Aragorn whispered to Legolas who had an arm around the man. The elf nodded in agreement. Aragorn could only hope he was doing the right thing.

Author's Note: So... Aragorn finally got his wish and Archir is stuck with the elves, how is this going to work out for them all? I can only make you on edge when I say Archir isn't going to run off to them... but, he will still see them all very soon. I didn't know if I mentioned this or not but... Harry isn't wearing glasses. His vision has been corrected when he switched worlds. Archir got a little more harder to handle considering he IS in the body of a toddler. Yes Yes I put Archir in a bassinett because to the Elves, Archir is so very young and precious, even though they know he is 17 in mind. Or at least... Galadriel does. He's a very small child for even a 3-year-old and they see him as frail and cuddly. Evil me. All well. Harry will get his manly moments back later... much later. Hahaha. I'm on a sugar high, can't help it. Trying not to add craziness in this story while I'm bouncing around. I finally found out the normal height and weight for 3-year-olds and what their development is. Archir's magic is slowly expanding and he's having fun but, has that need to fight still. We all know Archir is going to see the Company again. Someone want to take a guess on who? I can tell you it'll be a very strange surprise. Yes, Archir is going to be stuck with the elves. I wonder how he will handle this. Do YOU think Aragorn is doing the right thing?