There and Beyond

By SciFiFantasyWriter1

Disclaimer: I don't own anything of any recognized characters or universes within.

Tauriel is played by Evangeline Lilly

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Chapter 7

"What do we know about the disposition of enemy forces?" Arwen asked her father as she followed alongside him on her mount.

The three hundred warriors running alongside the officers' mounts were eating up the distance between Rivendell and Erebor. Still…they were not expecting to cover the distance overnight.

"Not much," Elrond answered. "Gandalf spoke of two separate orc armies."

"And what of this news he said was vital to our family?" Arwen asked.

"He didn't say anything more than I already mentioned. Gandalf did not want any possibility this information could be learned by our enemies before I was there to deal with it," Elrond explained. "He did say it was joyous news."

"In these times that is much appreciated," Arwen mused.

Just then, two beings appeared floating in the air right before Elrond and Arwen while flying on what appeared to be a carpet.

"Harry," Elrond greeted the wizard.

"My Lord Elrond," Harry replied. "I have come to bring your force to Dale. The enemy has moved more swiftly than we anticipated."

Elrond called his forces to halt.

"They are attacking on two fronts. My King and his forces along with a dwarvish army led by Iron-Foot are facing off against the orcs from the Erebor end. But the enemy forces have split to also attack Dale on a second front," Tauriel elaborated.

"And you want us to help protect Dale from the second front?" Elrond surmised.

"Yes. The city has been restored to full working order," Harry answered.

"We do not have time to waste then," Elrond agreed.

"Actually we have a few minutes to prepare. I jumped us back in time about half an hour to retrieve your forces," Harry explained.

Arwen gasped at this revelation.

"Harry, this is my daughter Arwen," Elrond introduced. "I believe you have met her, Tauriel."

"It is a pleasure," Harry greeted.

Tauriel nodded her confirmation.

"The pleasure is mine to meet a wizard of such power," Arwen said.

Tauriel was slightly disconcerted to see the curiosity in Arwen's gaze. Lady Arwen was among the most beautiful of all of the elves in Middle-Earth. Harry did not appear to notice.

"How will you take us there?" Elrond questioned.

"I will open a portal between here and Dale. Your troops should walk through in a column and immediately spread out to make way for those behind them," Harry clarified.

Elrond nodded and issued instructions. Harry had given Tauriel control over the magic carpet and she piloted it out in front of the forces. She watched as her boyfriend worked a spell which caused a shimmering pink portal to open in the air. Elrond was the first through as an example. All of the elves quickly moved through the portal. They came out and Harry closed the portal a very short time after he had left thanks to the time travel.

"To the walls," Elrond called. "Archers…take out those trolls," the Lord of Rivendell called as he saw the war beasts preparing to launch boulders at the city walls.

Three trolls fell dead from arrows before they could fire their weapons at the walls. Three more managed to get off shots. Harry's right hand shot forward and bolts of lightning surged from his finger-tips to blow the boulders apart. Elrond and Arwen were standing nearby watching with great appreciation. Another troll with a stone helmet ran towards the wall intending to crash through the wall. But the orc army still thought the city was decrepit. The orc crashed into the wall and stopped cold with his spinal column crushed. He fell away from the wall dead with the wall unharmed. The orcs that had approached the wall in anticipation quickly tasted elvish arrows. More war trolls tried approaching the wall but the elves filled them full of arrows. The orcs weren't as big of a threat.

Harry dropped the illusion concealing the restored state of the city. At the same time Kili and Smaura appeared next to Harry after stepping off the flying carpet Tauriel had used to pick them up. After Harry had touched down on the wall he had made the carpet invisible and asked Tauriel to go pick them up.

"Draconia-Shrathran," Elrond whispered in awe.

Smaura didn't acknowledge this recognition as she stared out intently at the battlefield while Kili did the same.

"When should she attack?" Kili questioned.

"Not yet," Tauriel asserted. "We want to wait until the enemy has revealed all of their forces."

Galadriel materialized on the wall next to Arwen. Arwen threw her grandmother a warm smile.

"The enemy still has yet to reveal their full plan," Galadriel noted. "How comes she to be here?"

Galadriel had indicated Smaura.

"That is a long story," Harry answered. "And not one revealed in so open an environment. It can wait for later."

Galadriel nodded acknowledgement of this. Those standing around Harry watched as he occasionally deflected some large boulder or object hurled at the city of Dale but the orc army appeared uncertain what to do. They had obviously intended to sack Dale but that wasn't happening with Harry in the city.

"My Lord," Erestor, Elrond's second in command, said as he came running up to the group. "We are out of arrows. Do you wish us to engage on the ground?"

Before Elrond could answer Harry gestured with his hand and every arrow the elves had fired was summoned from the corpses of the dead orcs bellow. The arrows came flying up to float in front of Harry. He twirled his index finger and the arrows were cleaned and restored to new condition. A flick of Harry's wrist caused the arrows to distribute themselves among the archers on the wall.

"I believe that answers your question," Elrond said.

"Yes, my Lord," Erestor answered with awe.

The fight continued.

"There are so many," Arwen whispered as she watched the mass of orcs do battle with her people and the dwarves. She also noted the ranks of men near the entrance of Erebor. "Yet I do not see a single dead ally."

"Indeed," Galadriel agreed. "Perhaps Harry Potter knows why."

"I have no idea what you are talking about," Harry answered convincing no one as he impaled a troll with a spear of ice.

The TCU was busy at work ensuring no allies were mortally wounded. Despite this intervention by Harry his allies were obviously tiring against the seemingly endless mass of orcs.

Elrond among others also noticed this and noted, "We must do something or our kin will fall to exhaustion."

"They are not to that point yet," Harry assured. "But I suppose it wouldn't hurt to give them a way to escape to safety." Harry flicked his hand and the portkey bracelets he had given to the people of Lake Town appeared before him. He did a quick rework of the enchantment. "Elrond, if you could have some of your soldiers distribute these bracelets to our allies in the field the bracelets will transport them into the safety of Erebor before they fall to exhaustion. Tauriel can fly your soldiers to the various points of the battle."

Elrond called Erestor over and issued commands. Tauriel was soon flying her Rivendell kin into the battle. The watchers on the wall of Dale observed as allied warriors slowly began disappearing from the battle-field.

"The defenders are being pushed back and overwhelmed," Elrond noted. "Perhaps we should rotate my forces with those of King Thranduil."

"I sense an even greater threat approaching," Galadriel stated. "It would be better to let our defenders rest behind the walls of Erebor and Dale assuming the walls can hold them off. If someone can get me over to the wall of Erebor I can see what I can do to help defend it."

Galadriel had traveled halfway from her home to Erebor before she had teleported herself the remaining distance. She could not teleport much further than that distance and doing so taxed her powers greatly. But she still thought she had enough power to help the defenders on Erebor's make-shift wall.

"I will take you, my Lady," Tauriel offered from behind Harry.

Tauriel had recently returned from delivering Elrond's troops into the battle.

"Thank you," Galadriel said to Tauriel.

Galadriel and Tauriel took off on a flying carpet towards Erebor's entrance. Not long after a contingent of five dwarves took off riding large rams towards the side of the valley where Azog was directing the orc army from.

"Is Thorin so intent to seek his vengeance upon Azog that he is willing to risk his kingdom for it?" Elrond asked.

Indeed Thorin was leading the pack of ram-mounted riders.

"Evidently so," Harry answered.

The battle was slowly grinding to a halt for the orc war engine. Less than a hundred of the defenders were on the battlefield. The defenders were drawing closer and closer to the wall of Erebor's entrance and the city of Dale where Elvish archers, Harry, and Galadriel provided cover fire. Streams of fire shot forth from the elf-witch's hands. Harry tended to favor lightning and clusters of piercing curses in his distance attacks. Harry sensed he and his allies would soon have the orcs right where he wanted the vile army.

"Keep them distracted," Harry said to Elrond. "We only need to wait until the rest of the forces are committed to the battle. Smaura, at that point you have free reign."

Harry looked pointedly at Kili who nodded that he understood. While the Draconia-Shrathran would be allowed to fight she would be guided by Kili's will.

"Where will you be at?" Elrond questioned.

"Up there," Harry said while pointing towards the hill-top.

"Can I come with you?" Arwen asked as Harry prepared to step towards the carpet Tauriel was already sitting on.

"Yes," Harry agreed.

Before the trio could take off on the carpet a familiar couple came riding into Dale. Legolas and Cheyennia quickly dismounted and climbed the steps up the wall. Harry paused as did Tauriel. Arwen looked curiously at the wizard wondering why he waited. Then Arwen spotted Cheyennia and Arwen felt something she couldn't quite describe. There was a sense of familiarity about Cheyennia.

"Who are you?" Elrond asked as he stepped towards Cheyennia.

"This is Cheyennia," Legolas introduced.

"I am your daughter," Cheyennia said. Elrond and Arwen were visibly stunned. Cheyennia took the opportunity to add, "Mother did not know she was pregnant with me until she had already reached the Undying Lands."

Elrond stepped forward and embraced his daughter drawing her into a hug. Arwen stepped closer too. It was at least half a minute before Elrond drew back to look at Cheyennia and Arwen took the opportunity to step in and hug her sister.

"Welcome, sister," Arwen said. "Your existence is unexpected but most fortuitous."

"Thank you," Cheyennia said to both of her family members, tears brimming in her eyes.

Elrond and Arwen had misty eyes as well.

"I hate to interrupt but we need to go make sure Thorin and his companions do not die up on that hill-top," Tauriel announced.

"Yes. Of course," Arwen said. "We will talk later, sister."

"I am going with you," Cheyennia replied.

"Cheyennia, no," Elrond said.

Elrond had just found his daughter and he wasn't about to let her go into battle.

"I was not asking your permission, father," Cheyennia answered.

Cheyennia wanted to meet her family but she wasn't about to let them start dictating her life. She had been without them all her life so far. Their companionship would be appreciated but not necessary.

"I will ensure your daughter's safety, my Lord Elrond," Legolas offered.

Elrond turned a scrutinizing eye upon Legolas.

"She will be with me, father," Arwen assured.

Elrond merely nodded. Harry had to expand his carpet to fit everyone but soon the group was flying towards the top of the hill where Thorin had gone.

The carpet came into sight of Thorin, Dwalin, Fili, and Bofur just as Azog prepared to skewer Fili from on top of a rocky tower in full view of Thorin and Dwalin. Bofur was at the bottom of the tower trying to avoid the enemy. Legolas fired an arrow fast enough to deflect the thrust of Azog's weapon so that the bladed arm pierced Fili's shoulder. The wound was not fatal if treated swiftly but the fall from the tower would be.

Harry transformed into his phoenix form and dove under the falling dwarf. Harry caught Fili and let the dwarf slide to the ground. Bofur, Dwalin, and Thorin had already taken off into the ruins after Azog. Harry cried tears into Fili's wound and soon had the shoulder healed up before transforming back to human-form.

"Spread out into the ruins and help the dwarves. Be careful…there are more orcs on the way here. Do not separate into groups smaller than two," Harry directed.

Arwen went with Cheyennia and Legolas. Harry went with Tauriel. Harry and Tauriel decided to go invisibly watch Thorin's confrontation with Azog. The dwarf King was facing off against the Defiler in a brute-force matchup.

"I like Thorin's strategy of using speed and agility to overcome his foe," Tauriel commented.

"Yes…but he doesn't quite have enough of those qualities to match your people and he is paying for it," Harry answered even as Azog used a powerful underhanded swing of the mace to smash Thorin back.

Thorin tumbled down the rocky ledge the two males had been fighting on onto a sheet of frozen stream. Azog tried another powerful swing but Thorin turned it aside with his blade and dodged the next swing. The couple silently observing was drawn from their observation by the arrival of a horde of large bat-like creatures heading towards the battle below.

"War-bats," Tauriel thought to her partner. "That could be a problem."

"Let us deal with it," Harry thought.

Tauriel pulled the flying carpet from her pocket. Harry had keyed the self-resizing charm to Tauriel's willpower. She caused it to enlarge and they climbed on before flying off towards the battle. Harry cast his hands out and caused a storm of lightning to shoot down from the sky and begin frying war-bats by the dozens. The cloud of war-bats turned from attacking the defending armies below to attacking the couple on the flying carpet. Tauriel pulled out her blade and prepared to slice war-bats out of the air but this proved unnecessary. A glowing sphere of magic solidified around the couple. Whenever a war-bat hit the shield it was like a moth hitting a bug-zapper. Only ashes remained of any war-bat unlucky enough to hit the shield.

Harry and Tauriel were returning to the hill-top after dealing with the war-bats when they spotted Legolas on top of a tower shooting the orcs Azog was attempting to overwhelm Thorin with. Legolas must have gotten separated from the sisters. Harry and Tauriel found the sisters engaged in a fight with a large pack of orcs led by Bolg. Arwen was slaughtering the common orcs while Cheyennia was actually taking on Bolg.

"That opponent may be a bit more than she can handle given how little experience she has," Tauriel pointed out. "I would have great trouble engaging Bolg without the armor and weaponry you gifted me with."

"Let's see what she can do," Harry suggested.

The couple watched as Cheyennia used a move which utilized her own body weight and momentum to drag Bolg over the side of the cliff. The drop wasn't completely vertical and the battling pair tumbled down onto a ledge.

"That had to hurt," Tauriel observed with a wince. Harry stretched out his hand and an invisible stream of healing magic went into Cheyennia. "What did you do?"

"I healed her minor injuries," Harry answered.

Arwen was getting ready to come after her sister while finishing up with the last of the orcs she was slaughtering but Legolas saw Bolg recovering first. Legolas was on top of his tower out of arrows. Tauriel and Harry paid close attention as Legolas drew his sword, turned, and jumped off the tower. Legolas dropped onto the head of a massive war-beast of an orc that was actually a variant of a troll. The creature took a sword in the head. Legolas used his grip on his sword to drive the creature which had steel mace-heads on chains attached to its arms to stumble and ram into the base of the tower Legolas had just been standing on. The tower collapsed towards Bolg and bridged the ravine which had separated Bolg from Legolas.

"That was pretty impressive," Tauriel noted to her boyfriend.

"Most definitely," Harry agreed. "I think he likes Cheyennia…a lot."

The healed Cheyennia was getting to her feet having witnessed Legolas dropping the tower. Legolas even then jumped onto the tower/bridge as did Bolg. The two charged each other. The two males engaged in combat right in the middle of the crumbling tower as pieces of their bridge fell away into the ravine below. Right next to them was a frozen waterfall. At the top of that waterfall Thorin battled with Azog's minions. Harry channeled magic into the tower to keep it from collapsing fully. At one point in the battle Thorin killed an orc which fell back onto Bolg and knocked the tough orc down. Another orc was approaching the downed Thorin who had lost his sword. Just as the orc prepared to smite Thorin, a blade was thrown with inhuman force and accuracy straight into the orc's heart by Legolas. Thorin took Legolas' sword even as Bolg recovered and came at Legolas. The elf used his shorter blades to engage Bolg once more.

Armed with a new blade, Thorin climbed to his feet and approached the watching Azog. Azog had just used the respite to rest his weary limbs. Thorin hadn't been so lucky. Harry cast a spell on Thorin which would return some vitality to Thorin's weary body. At that point the second orc army showed up marching over the hill with the sound of a horn call. Azog smirked in triumph at this arrival. Azog would not have been smirking had he realized that his offspring died thirty seconds later at the hands of Legolas. Legolas had finally driven a short blade through Bolg's brain. Harry let the tower collapse as Legolas leapt free and Bolg's corpse plummeted to the bottom of the ravine. Cheyennia greeted Legolas with a brief but no less intense kiss.

"That deserved a kiss," Cheyennia told Legolas at his stunned expression.

"She is right," Arwen noted. "It did. Your skill in combat is impressive."

"Where are we going?" Tauriel asked Harry as she felt him guide the carpet down to the floor of the ravine where Bolg's corpse had just landed.

"To make a little present for Azog," Harry answered.

A minute later an invisible Bolg stood on the ice where his sire battled Thorin. Nanites saw Bolg partially reanimated with one specific purpose in half-life. That purpose would be carried out at Harry's command.

An army of creatures flew in at that moment many of them carried by the great eagles to ravage the newly arrived army of the orcs. Thorin stepped off of the chunk of ice Azog had been fighting with the dwarf on and Azog slid off into the water. The look on Azog's face had been priceless. Bolg followed a command to jump into the water and then Harry charmed the ice unbreakable. The section that had been floating froze solid again as did all the cracks that had developed. Harry cast a subtle but effective charm on Azog to allow the orc to breathe underwater. Azog floated beneath the ice under where Thorin stood, pretending to be dead.

"This would be the point where you should have stabbed down through the ice and impaled that piece of filth through the heart," Harry said as he and Tauriel became visible.

Thorin had started in alarm upon seeing them suddenly appear. He started again when he heard a clinking sound from beneath his feet. Thorin looked down to see a very much alive Azog attempting to stab the orc's blade-appendage up through Thorin's foot. When that didn't work the Gundabad orc tried with all his might to break the ice. Again the look on Azog's face was priceless when he realized the ice wouldn't break.

"Why won't the ice break?" Thorin asked.

"Harry's magic keeps it from breaking," Tauriel answered.

Harry cast a spell which caused the ice to become completely clear. This allowed the trio to watch as Bolg swam for his sire.

"How is he still moving?" Legolas said while walking out onto the ice with Cheyennia and Arwen. "I killed him."

"He isn't still alive. My technology has him half-alive. He is aware of what he is doing but feels the urge to feed upon his sire. He can't stop himself. As soon as his target is eliminated the technology will break-down and he will become a corpse again," Harry explained.

The six beings watched from on top of the ice as Bolg swiftly killed Azog. Then Bolg and Azog moved no more. Just then the sound of a mighty roar was heard from the battlefield below. The six walked to the edge of the frozen waterfall and watched as Kili astride Smaura's back ravaged the enemy on the battlefield below. Smaura was in her full dragon-form splendor only now she was most definitely a female dragon.

While Dwalin, Fili, and Bofur joined the six already watching the spectacle below, Arwen said, "I did not think the dragon still lived."

"Smaura was Smaug," Tauriel answered causing Arwen to look up in shock. "It's a long story."

"I think I will go help out," Harry said. "They don't need my help down below." Indeed they didn't. A dragon Smaura's size was a force of nature. There was a good reason all had stayed away from the mountain for so many years. Harry had repaired the small section of Smaura's armored hide where Smaug had lost a scale. "I'll help back there," he said while pointing at the second battle going on between the second orc army and the creature army.

Harry leapt off the waterfall transforming into his phoenix form. As he beat his wings and rose into the air an aura of fiery magic manifested around him. He turned towards the second battlefield and let out a piercing cry which put fear into the orcs that heard it. He shot towards the battle leaving a trail of fire behind. He shot down through the ranks of orcs causing a burning trail of destruction to be wrought upon the enemy combatants. No ally creature was set ablaze. They went untouched by the phoenix fire.

Back among those watching from the top of the waterfall Arwen said with awe in her voice, "I suspect this tale you have to tell will be very engaging, Tauriel."

"Indeed," Tauriel admitted as they watched dragon and phoenix swiftly decimate the forces of Sauron.

As the peoples of Middle-Earth were swiftly learning there were some magical creatures you just didn't challenge on an open battlefield.

By the time the battle was over the allied forces had been apprised that Smaura was their ally and not an enemy. Most had figured this out when they realized she was only killing orcs but the elves and dwarves had a long hatred of dragons. Harry touched down beside Tauriel and his friends as a great cheer went up from the allied forces on the battlefield below. The orcs were all dead. Tauriel pulled her boyfriend into a heated kiss that was as much congratulation as relief that he was alright.

"I love you," Tauriel whispered as she hugged her boyfriend tightly.

"And I love you," Harry assured hugging her back just as fiercely.

The couple separated slightly so that they were standing side-by-side with an arm around the waist of one another.

"Your magic is truly great," Arwen told Harry.

"Thank you," Harry said.

"I suspect there will be a great feast and celebration now," Thorin declared.

"Yes. Though we must also bury the dead," Legolas noted.

"What dead," Cheyennia said while looking down at the battlefield.

The others looked closer and their gazes soon discerned no dead allied forces.

"How is this possible?" Dwalin asked.

Thorin looked to Harry and said, "Whenever something we once thought impossible becomes possible you are usually involved, Harry."

"I do not know what you are talking about," Harry said in a tone that convinced nobody.

Thorin turned to Harry and clasped the wizard's free forearm.

"Whatever you did…you have saved many lives including my own this day. Harry Potter will always have a place in Erebor. You are a true friend to all dwarves," Thorin stated.

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At the feast that night Harry found Bilbo sitting contemplative while watching the festivities.

"I have a gift for you," Harry said as he came over to sit next to Bilbo.

Tauriel was at Harry's side as usual.

"You do not need to give me anything, Harry," Bilbo assured. "Your friendship has been more than enough."

"I want to," Harry assured as he passed a small silver rectangle to Bilbo.

There were tiny carvings on the rectangle but Bilbo had no clue what they meant.

"What is it?" Bilbo asked.

"That is a runic gateway, Bilbo. There will be matching gateways distributed to all the realms of Middle-Earth and probably even the Undying Lands. The master of the gateway will be able to open the gateway so that beings may travel between the different gateways instantaneously. You are the master of the Shire's gateway," Harry explained.

Bilbo was stunned.

After several moments to regain his composure he managed to say, "So I will be able to return to Erebor at will?"

"Yes," Harry answered.

"And the elven realms," Tauriel added. "You will be welcomed there now."

"This is an amazing gift," Bilbo said. "Thank you both."

"We will see you again, Bilbo. I hope it will be quite often," Harry assured.

"You two are welcome at Bag-End anytime," Bilbo offered.

"Thank you," Tauriel said for the both of them.

Harry and Tauriel left Bilbo to say his goodbyes to the dwarves one-by-one.

"Did you get it?" Tauriel asked her boyfriend.

"I have it," Harry assured while patting his pocket.

Bilbo no longer had the One Ring. Harry had the ring and Bilbo had a simple enchanted ring that granted invisibility. During the feast Harry danced with Tauriel. He greatly enjoyed holding her close to him. They had only been a couple for a few short months but already he knew he was in love with her. Their intimate mental contact when they communicated with each other introduced a sense of intimacy into their relationship which far exceeded their time together.

After the couple danced Tauriel sent, "Harry, could we visit my apartment where we first met?"

"Sure," Harry agreed.

Harry wrapped his arm around Tauriel and apparated to her apartment.

Smut Scene Redacted (See Hpfanficarchive for Erotic Version)

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Harry sat at the round table he had conjured in one of the larger rooms of Erebor's commerce district. Around the table sat Elrond, Cheyennia, Arwen, Galadriel, Thorin, Gandalf, Radagast, Legolas, Thranduil, Tauriel, and Harry.

"If this meeting concerns the matter of who we fought recently then I believe Saruman the White should be present," Gandalf put forth.

"You might want to keep an eye on that being," Harry replied. "I do believe he is dabbling in black magics. In any case that is not why we are here. We are here to discuss Sauron. I took care of him."

This announcement was met with silence.

"Would you care to elaborate on that?" Galadriel requested.

"You were right, love," Tauriel said to Harry. "This is fun."

"Told you," Harry replied. "You can go ahead and explain since this was your idea."

"Harry wanted to make up a ritual to deal with Sauron which involved you Lady Galadriel, you Lord Elrond, and you Gandalf," Tauriel explained. "But he doesn't really need a ritual. He wanted you to feel like you played a large hand in finishing off Sauron. He also felt it would hide just how truly powerful he is."

"And why have you convinced him not to play out such a charade?" Elrond asked Tauriel.

"And why would you feel such a charade would be necessary in the first place?" Thranduil added.

"Harry felt that if you knew just how powerful he was you would come asking for his help for every little thing you needed," Tauriel explained. "I have faith that you will not do that."

It was Gandalf who asked the obvious question.

"And just how powerful are you?" Gandalf questioned.

"Well…it might take me a little while to destroy this planet if I wanted to," Harry admitted.

"How long is a little while?" Legolas asked after a suitably stunned silence.

"Five seconds," Tauriel replied.

Again there was a long stunned silence. Nobody in that room thought Harry was being deceitful or boasting.

"So what fate has befallen Sauron?" Thranduil questioned.

"I split his essence apart separating the good from the bad. The evil that lay within him has been sent to a realm where unimaginable tortures will be visited upon it. I call it a hell universe," Harry explained. "The good aspect has been turned female and has been set onto Arda with a new physical form. She will walk this planet doing good to repent for the past sins of Sauron. Again that was Tauriel's idea."

"Can Sauron ever become what he once was?" Galadriel asked.

"No. I have set my technology to monitor him. If the evil aspect ever comes close to escaping the hell universe then his essence will be disintegrated. The female aspect is also being monitored," Harry explained.

"Can I tell them?" Tauriel asked excitedly.

"Of course," Harry replied.

Nobody missed the loving look Harry directed Tauriel's way.

"Harry has taken a liking to select mortals and decided to grant them immortality along with a mate for each. This includes you Gandalf, Radagast, and Thorin," Tauriel announced.

More stunned looks were thrown about.

"Come see me later and I will see what I can do about returning your bodies to a younger state. Being immortal in old bodies for the rest of time would be rather annoying," Harry told the trio.

"Is there anything you cannot do?" Cheyennia asked.

Harry and Tauriel looked at each other thoughtfully.

"I've got nothing," Harry said.

"He cannot perform badly at making love," Tauriel declared.

"Ok…this conversation is turning surreal. This is why I shouldn't be allowed out of the bedroom so recently after laying with a wonderful female," Harry said.

"You must be rubbing off on me too then because I'm acting the same," Tauriel replied.

"You just said he was rubbing off on you," Cheyennia pointed out with a teasing grin.

"Cheyennia…you will not tease a being capable of destroying Arda," Elrond chastised.

"But it's so much fun," Cheyennia said with a pout.

Harry gestured vaguely with his left hand and the entire room froze or rather the occupants within the room froze. Tauriel stared around her curiously.

"What happened?" Tauriel questioned.

"I froze time in this room except for you and I," Harry explained.

"May I ask why?" Tauriel asked, silently marveling at the powers of her mate.

Tauriel thought she would never get used to his abilities.

"I don't like the way this conversation is going. I feel really uncomfortable having just told them all what we did about me being able to destroy this planet in less than five seconds," Harry explained. "I don't mind that we told them I have dealt with Sauron. But there is a big difference between being powerful enough to affect intense changes on a small region of Arda and destroying the entire planet."

"I understand why that would make you uncomfortable," Tauriel admitted. "But what can be done about it? You have already told them?"

"I see two quick solutions," Harry proposed. "The first option is to modify their memories. I can wipe the memories of that portion of the conversation so thoroughly from their minds and essences that they will never know we discussed those events. The second option is that I could jump you and I back in time a short distance to our younger bodies. I don't like this option as much because the power required to perform a temporal jump which would actually take us back into the time-stream of this universe is immense."

Harry didn't want to get into a temporal theory discussion with his mate at that time but she knew enough about the subject from their previous discussions to understand some of the difficulties.

"I see. And the reason you are bringing this up with me is because you don't ever want me to suspect you of having modified my memories," Tauriel discerned.

"Yes," Harry answered with a weak smile. "I mean I know memory modification might be a moral qualm with some people. I just didn't know if it was enough of a moral issue with you to justify me having to expend that much energy to muck with time."

Tauriel was silent for a short period of time. Her demeanor was thoughtful rather than recriminating.

"I don't have an issue with modifying their memories," Tauriel said. "But do you ever plan on revealing your true power to them?"

"I don't know. Maybe some day after I have gotten to know them better and they have grown to know me. Thorin and Gandalf know me fairly well by now but the only being in Middle-Earth I trust with all of my secrets right now is standing in this room with me unfrozen from my temporal lock," Harry answered.

"Fair enough," Tauriel whispered.

Harry had Lily work the memory modification and then he unfroze the temporal lock. The beings at the table wouldn't remember Tauriel stating that part of the reason Harry wanted to involve them in a ritual to vanquish Sauron was to hide his true power or anything after that point up until the time lock was put in place. Harry didn't intend to rehash the immortality either. He would let Thorin and the other new immortals find out on their own in time.

"And why have you convinced him not to play out such a charade?" Elrond asked Tauriel, unknowingly repeating his earlier question.

"Because there is no need," Tauriel replied. "Sauron will pass without fanfare or notice from the perception of most of Middle-Earth."

"As it should be," Legolas stated.

"I will be installing runic gateways in each of your realms which make travel between the gateways instantaneous. Each of you will be entrusted as the masters of these gateways," Harry announced.

Harry caused a hologram to materialize in the center of the table which demonstrated the gateways in action. Questions were asked and answered for some time before the meeting disbanded. Harry and Tauriel collected his share of the treasure before saying goodbye to the members of the company and departing Erebor.

TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB

Tauriel was in heaven, literally. She danced slowly with her lover on the silver platform which hung in space in orbit around the star of her birth. The platform projected a shield which contained a comfortable atmosphere and projected music from his youth as he taught her to dance.

"Life with you is never going to be boring, Harry," Tauriel whispered with her head on his shoulder.

"You have eternity to find out, my love," Harry replied.

Tauriel drew her head back and found his eyes gazing down at her. She closed her eyes and leaned in for a kiss. Their lips met.

The End

TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB – TaB

Rev 0 Published 5/30/2015