CHARACTERS/PAIRINGS: Harry/LotR. Will be slash.

RATING: M

WARNING: AU, violence and drama, if there's "heavier" warnings (for example abuse) they will be in the different chapters!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, I'm only using the characters for my own pleasure.

This is a mature, M, story meaning that you have been warned. It will contain some slash action, so if that's not your cup of tea then you've been warned. For you others who want to read, enjoy!

AN: All spelling mistakes are mine.

Chapter 9

Gaelin laughed while Gimli was trying to tell a story about Legolas, a tree branch and his hair, even as Legolas was trying to get Gimli to stop talking. They had been sitting for a couple of hours now and Legolas and Gimli had been telling embarrassing stories about each other while Gaelin mostly laughed. And while Gimli had drunk more than the two elves together, they too were tipsy. Gaelin was glad that Tethir wasn't here to witness this as the adults around them too had been getting more and more intoxicated as the evening progressed. The young elfling had only been at the beginning of the feast. At first the visitors had been eager to meet him and Tethir had taken it all with stride. It had been a long line of curious creatures that wanted to meet the young elfling. He had babbled and smiled the whole time until he got tired. Then Thalanil had appeared, Gaelin suspected his grandmother had something to do with it, and gently took the elfling in her arms. Gaelin had volunteered to take Tethir to bed but a glare from his grandmother had stopped him. He had pouted but secretly he was happy now that he was sitting with Legolas and Gimli. A while ago Rumil had appeared and told Gaelin that Tethir had been bathed and put to bed. He then explained that Thalanil, Orophin and himself would stay with the elfling until Gaelin came back which made Gaelin relax.

"And then I heard a squeak, I swear a squeak." Gaelin laughed as Gimli kept telling the story as Legolas face got redder and redder. Gaelin didn't know if it was the shame or the alcohols' fault.

"And then Legolas-"

"I think that that's enough Gimli. You are embarrassing your friend."

"I'm/He's not his/my friend!"

The dark-haired male laughed and then sat down in a free chair across from Gaelin. He smiled and Gaelin instantly felt like he could trust the man.

"Oi, do not come here and start to sprout nonsense. I would and will never be and elf's friend."

"For once I agree, a dwarf as a friend, do not make me laugh."

The dark-haired male just smiled at the two and then turned his attention to Gaelin.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Gaelin. My wife has been excited to meet you since getting the invitation from your grandparents." At Gaelin's confused expression he started to explain.

"My wife has the gift of sight, which makes it possible for her to see the future. She does not control it tough, it comes and goes and she never knows when to expect it. But when she got the invitation in hand she saw you and your elfling here with your grandparents and knew just why we were invited here." (Arwen is a mortal in this, she gave up her life as immortal so she could be with Aragorn but she still kept some of her powers, but they come and go.)

"Your wife?"

"Yes, Arwen, queen of Gondor."

"Which makes you a king?" The man smirked and nodded.

"Yes, I am King Elessar of Gondor. But most call me Aragorn." Gaelin's face lit up.

"So are you really the famous three of the Fellowship of the Ring? I have heard stories about you." Gimli eagerly leaned forward.

"Ay? I imagine that they are all great stories?"

"Of course Gimli, and some embarrassing too I guess." Gaelin smirked as all three stared at him with confused expressions.

"Like a drinking contest that ended with all three of you-"

"Stop! Not another word from you youngling." Gaelin laughed as Gimli leaned over the table and tried to cover up his mouth. Legolas' stared at Gaelin while Aragon's cheeks were suspiciously pink.

"Yes, that is one of our… more embarrassing stories, but have you heard about when we-" As Aragorn started to tell Gaelin about one of their fights Gaelin felt his mind relax. It felt just as good as when he had been younger, sitting with Hermione and Ron, sometimes more friends, at a fireplace in Gryffindor's common room, playing card and talking and sometimes studying. That familiar and warm, fuzzy feeling in his belly roared up. Family. It felt like family. He looked up and met Legolas' eyes, and smiled. The older elf smiled back and they turned their attention back to the dwarf and human who had started to argue about who had killed the most orcs.

…

As the night progressed and turned to early morning most elves and creatures had retired to bed. Gaelin was also making his way to his bedroom, wanting to sleep so he would be able to handle Tethir and the tournament tomorrow. He had said goodnight to the other three who were still up and drinking, and made his way to bed. He saw Orophin and Rumil standing guard outside his room and smiled when he saw them turn towards him. He bid them goodnight and then tiptoed into the room. He walked over to the bed and watched as Tethir slept peacefully. A knock on the door made him turn and grab the hilt of his sword as he walked over and opened the door.

"Haldir?"

"I know it is late Gaelin, but I wanted to make sure that you and Tethir had settled. I met Rumil and Orophin just now and they informed me that you had retired to bed."

"Thank you Haldir. But if you are on guard-duty tonight, does that mean that you won't be in the tournament tomorrow?"

"That is correct. I will be watching though. Your grandmother wanted me to guard her and Tethir, just in case." Gaelin snorted.

"If someone were foolish to attack her, or worse, trying to take Tethir she would kill them before they were even able to try." Haldir chuckled and nodded in agreement.

"Yes I believe she would even fight against both Sauron and Saruman at the same time if it meant protecting Tethir. Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Gaelin shrugged his shoulders, but Haldir could tell that he was nervous.

"Do not worry Gaelin, you have your grandparents' blood in you, and I have taught you; you will be fine." Gaelin smiled and seemed to grow a few inches under Haldir's praise.

"Thank you Haldir. Are you on guard-duty tonight?"

"Yes I am."

"Then Tethir and I will both sleep well tonight. Goodnight Haldir."

"Goodnight Gaelin. Good luck tomorrow."

Haldir watched as the door closed and turned to walk away but stopped when he saw Rumil and Orophin leaning against the wall at the end of the corridor. They both smirked and he felt like a child having been caught sneaking into the weapons room. He refused to meet their eyes and simply walked by them. Neither said a word, they simply followed their brother with smiles on their faces.

…

When Gaelin woke it was because a certain someone was poking him in the face. Tethir squealed when he saw Gaelin open his eyes and leaned in and gave Gaelin a hug. The older elf chuckled and sat up, with Tethir still clinging to him. He dressed them both, in black pants and a green tunic. He picked Tethir up and made his way to breakfast. He was surprised that he didn't feel nervous at all, just calm and excited. He was really looking forward to the Tournament. As he walked into the room there weren't many people there. He spotted Rumil and Orophin who both looked pretty tired. He walked to them and sat down, smiling as Tethir babbled and waved to them.

"Someone's cheerful." Orophin grumbled while he sipped on his drink. Rumil gave a small smile and held a piece of fruit out for Tethir who eagerly put it in his mouth.

"Yes, I think that he is excited." Gaelin smiled down at the elfling and helped him take a drink of his water.

"And you?" Gaelin looked up at Rumil who had spoken.

"Actually, I think that I am more calm and eager. I really want to test my strength against the others." The three elves wore identical grins as they kept on eating their breakfast. They all looked up when they saw Galadriel coming towards them.

"Gaelin, are you going to be dressed like that?" Galadriel watched as Gaelin stared at her while Orophin tried not to laugh.

"Yes?"

Galadriel raised an eyebrow and stared at her grandson. For a minute nobody spoke.

"No grandmother. I was only joking." Gaelin quickly gathered Tethir and briskly walked to his room, ignoring Orophin's snickers as he went. Galadriel followed him all the way to his room and then sat down next to Tethir. He then started to rummage through his clothes but Galadriel quickly intercepted him.

"Why don't you sit down and I'll find you some clothes?" Gaelin felt a chill go up his spine but obediently sat down next to Tethir, who immediately snuggled closer. Galadriel searched through his clothes, throwing them around. Then she stood up with a bundle in her hands and smiled at her grandson. She shoved the clothes to him and then pointed to the bathroom. Gaelin obediently walked in and closed the door after him. When he came out his grandmother gave him a satisfied nod in approval. He was wearing a (very tight) pair of black pants, a black tunic with short sleeves and black leather boots. He had a green shirt under the tunic that came down to his hands, hiding the leather-wraps he had around his forearms. He picked up his belt which his sword was attached to, and also hid two knives. One he hid inside his clothes and one in his boot. Galadriel nodded one more time and then picked Tethir up. Together they walked outside to the training grounds where the Tournament was to be held. Already many of the elves of Lothlórien and guests had arrived. Gaelin spotted Legolas and Gimli, but before he could go to them his grandfather appeared and he spent his time talking to him.

"Everyone." A hush fell as an old elf stepped up onto a small platform, making him seeable by everyone there.

"Welcome to our Tournament. Yesterday you had the opportunity to register and I was happily surprised with how many of you it was. We will have several battle-rings where the fighters can compete so that this will take a little less time; I for one do not want to spend the whole day here." Several chuckles could be heard.

"The rules are simple. Draw blood or push your opponent out from the ring to win and advance to the final."

Then the elf pulled out a paper.

"First to compete are…" Gaelin listened as the elf, his name might have been something staring on Fa or Fe, started to list some names but Gaelin wasn't sure. As Gaelin wasn't any of them he walked to the ring closest to him and sat down to observe the two elves, one blond and one brown-haired, that entered the ring. The blond pulled out a sword and the dark haired elf grabbed two shorter swords. They circled each other for a few seconds and then the blond attacked. He was fast and his sword sung through the air, but the dark-haired elf evaded every attack. He either dodged or parried the attacks while moving around.

"He's making him tired." Gaelin startled and turned to the voice. The female next to him smiled and then turned to the fight.

"How do you know that?" Gaelin turned to the fight again and watched as the brown-haired elf dodged yet again.

"My brother likes to play before ending a fight. He doesn't want to end it too soon." Gaelin followed the brown-haired elf and saw his smirk. The female sat down next to him and they watched as the brown-haired elf slowly took over more and more until he suddenly spun around and kicked the other elf out of the ring. Everyone around cheered and the female stood up and walked up to her brother.

"Winner, Elladan!"

"Next to fight is Gaelin, son of Calalith, and Morhir, son of Herir." A hush fell as Gaelin stepped inside the circle. He put a hand on his sword as a brown-haired, tall elf walked inside. He wore a simple, brown and green tunic and brown pants. He pulled his sword out and widened his stance. Gaelin grinned and slowly pulled his sword out, secretly enjoying the gasps as all the eyes fell on the rubies and sparkling blade. He grabbed it with both hands and waited. The other elf took a step to the right and Gaelin quickly copied it. Then he took a step to the left and Gaelin did the same. Gaelin smirked as he watched the dark haired elf twitch. In just a- there. The other elf attacked. He ran at Gaelin, aiming to slice Gaelin in the leg. Gaelin quickly jumped back and then swung his sword down, but the elf held his own up, making them clash. Gaelin pushed just a little and then suddenly pulled back, making the elf stumble. He then knocked the sword away and nicked the other in the leg. The crowd stared in disbelief at the scene.

"Winner, Gaelin!" the crowd cheered, especially those from Lothlórien. Gaelin walked over and shook hands with Morhir and together they walked off from the circle. Two others took the circle. And then some more which Gaelin sadly found himself getting bored of watching. He started to look around and saw Legolas and Haldir standing together and talking. He stood up and quickly walked over to them. They both smiled as he came up to them.

"Congratulations for your first win Gaelin."

"Thank you Legolas. Have you had any fight?"

"No not yet, but I think that it will be my time soon."

"Haldir?"

"No little one."

"I am not little!"

"Compared to us two you are little one."

"Stop it Haldir!"

The oldest elf smirked and gave Galein's hair a quick ruffle.

"Next to fight is Haldir, son of Lorien and Shea, daughter of Shura."

Gaelin quickly followed Haldir to his fighting ground and watched as he stepped inside. On the other side was a blond haired female elf who was wearing all grey. The she elf pulled out a long knife which earned her some murmurs. Haldir just stood still, not even a hand on his sword.

The she elf attacked and the dance started. It was the only way to describe it. As the female attacked Haldir dodged and moved around the circle. Several times he was close to stepping outside the circle but always saved himself. Gaelin could see that Haldir seemed very relaxed and that the longer they moved around the more frustrated she got.

"She will lose." Gaelin looked up at Legolas and nodded.

"Yeah, she's good but wasting her energy attacking like that. Especially if the opponent is Haldir." Legolas could only agree and they watched as the female surged forward, how Haldir grabbed his sword and gave her a swift cut on her arm before sheathing his sword. He then walked back to Gaelin and Legolas and stood by their side as others entered the circle.

…Another circle…

"Haaah! What do ya say now?!" the elves around the circle stared in disbelief as the dwarf raised his axe in the air, grinning like a mad man as the elf he had been facing was holding his arm close to stop the blood from flowing. The dwarf cackled while he stepped of, his axe on his shoulder.

…Another circle…

"Go brother! Beat him good!" The blonde woman cheered on as her brother faced a dark-haired elf. Both were using sword and were evenly matched. But then the blond male slank past the elf's defense and raked his sword across his leg, grinning as he saw blood seeping out.

AN: Sorry it is short, but I really wanted to stop here. Sorry for bad update, but it is summer, I have a job, a family, play soccer and have friends… It is just life and I hope you all understand that. THANK you for all the reviews, favorites and follows! Can't believe so many of you still hang in there and want an update. THANK YOU! *Bowing deeply*

Next chapter teaser: Legolas vs. Gaelin