I want to thank all who have stuck with this fic from the beginning. This was my first fanfiction, and it is you, the readers, who have made it as successful as it is. A heartfelt thanks goes to you all.
Disclaimer: I do not own either Danny Phantom or the Silmarillion.
Chapter 20
Clockwork's portal took Danny to his living room, where his parents and Jazz sat. "Danny!" His mother and Jazz chorused, as his mother crushed him in a protective hug.
"Ghost!" Jack shouted, who noticed Clockwork.
Before his father found a weapon, Danny pulled away from Maddie, shouting, "Wait! This is Clockwork, the friend who I visited."
"Danny, you gave us the impression you would be gone for a few hours, not two whole weeks! I hope you have an explanation, young man." Maddie scolded.
"That would be my fault." Clockwork announced. The Fenton parents eyed him suspiciously, while Jazz looked on curiously. Danny waited to see what Clockwork would say.
"Of the many things Danny and I discussed, one thing was clear: he was overwhelmed by the constant attention and adulation showered on him – well-deserved though it is – for saving the world. He needed a break, and I happened to be in the unique position to be able to grant him the relief he sought." Danny smiled gratefully. "He managed to find new people and distinguish himself as a hero there, too." Danny blushed. "But it was different. He had a new beginning, and a break from the well-meant insanity he desired to escape."
Jack and Maddie looked between Clockwork, the ghost who delivered their son home, and Danny, who was still in ghost form from the tail-end of whatever adventure he had. Maddie's emotions fought within her: should she be proud of this praise of her son, or furious with this ghost for keeping her son from her for so long, without notification or permission?
Jack had no such difficulty. "Of course our Danny's a hero! You have to tell us all about it, son!"
"Uh, Dad, I just got back. How about letting me tell you at dinner?"
"Good thinking, son. You can invite your friends Sam and Tucker, too. Come on, Maddie! Let's go downstairs and finish that invention we've been working on, and give the hero some privacy with his friend!" Danny rolled his eyes, but his father was oblivious.
Maddie sighed. Sometimes, her husband's exuberance displaced all rational discussion. "I don't know, Jack…"
Danny's eyes pled as much as he did. "Mom, I promise I'll tell you everything. No more secrets, remember? I just… need to sort out a few things with Clockwork before I'm ready. Okay?"
With this assurance from her son, whom she trusted, she agreed. "Okay, sweetie." Looking at Clockwork, she said witheringly, "Don't take him anywhere else today." She had more to say, but had trouble forming her argument.
Clockwork changed into a young man. "Of course."
Maddie sighed. "Fine." Before she followed Jack down to the lab, she turned to Jazz, who she temporarily ignored until now. "I'll be right down, Jack. Jazz, don't you have something you need to do?"
Jazz refrained from rolling her eyes at her mother. "Sure, Mom. I'll be in my room." Before she went up the stairs, she walked over and hugged Danny. "Welcome back, little brother." He smiled at her. She ruffled his hair and then ascended.
Once they were alone, Danny asked, "Clockwork, you see all time. What is going to happen to the elves of Eregion?"
Clockwork sighed. "Unfortunately, Eregion will not survive. Sauron will destroy them in a matter of months. Celebrimbor will not live through its destruction."
Danny jumped in shock, and sorrow crossed his face. "But I could have helped. I could have – "
Clockwork raised a hand, saying, "No, Danny. You could not have helped. You could have tried, but there are forces at work that you cannot understand and are beyond your capability to defeat. I know this is hard for you to hear, but everything is as it should be."
With a frustrated frown, Danny shook his head. He knew that when Clockwork said that, the argument was over. "How about Elrond and Glorfindel? What happens to them?"
"They will lead a remnant of the people North and found a refuge for all in need. After the fall of Eregion, they will continue to live for thousands of years, most of them quite peacefully."
"What about Sauron? What happens to him?"
"He will be defeated. It will take time, but I told you: everything is as it should be." Danny felt like there was more to the story, but he wasn't sure how to ask. Clockwork looked at his frustrated charge and said, "Maybe the next time you come to visit, I will tell you all about it. It will take some time." He opened a portal.
Danny said, "Wait." Clockwork paused. "Thank you. For everything."
Clockwork smiled and said, "You're welcome. Farewell, Danny." He stepped through the portal and it closed.
Once alone, Danny thought, 'Now, I should call Sam and Tucker. They're never gonna believe this!'
Alas, Danny's story in Middle-earth has come to an end. But stay tuned for the sequel: "What Becomes of an Enemy?"
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