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Chapter Twenty-Three
Nerdanal’s Tale The next morning, following breakfast, found the usual group gathered in the scooby common room with the addition of three others. Dumbledore smiled as he handed Dawn the ancient book and then took a seat in one of the chairs. “What’s he doing here?” Xander asked, referring to one of the new attendants of the meeting. “I was asked, little boy,” Snape sneered. “Hey! I’m not little!” “That’s right,” Anya chimed in. “He’s anything but!” The entire scooby group groaned and Xander put a hand over her mouth before she could go into detail. Dumbledore gave a slight chuckle and said, “I have asked both he and Professor McGonagall to hear the tale. She has the right to know as deputy headmistress, and Professor Snape has knowledge of the death eaters and what this might mean to Voldemort.” Xander didn’t look too pleased with the explanation, but didn’t argue. “You’re a spy?” Draco asked. He had wondered if it was safe for the death eater to be present during an important meeting, but learning that Dumbledore knew of his status the blond was able to figure it out. “Yes, Mr. Malfoy, I am. I’m surprised you didn’t know.” “No one tells me anything,” he grumbled under his breath. “Whenever you’re ready,” Giles said to Dawn, hoping to prevent an argument. Dawn looked hesitantly at Draco who sat next to her on the couch. He gave her as a reassuring look as possible. ~I’m right here.~ ~Thanks.~ She slowly opened the book and looked at the beautiful lettering that only she could decipher. She took a deep breath and began. Here I, Nerdanal, daughter of Mahtan the smith, write my history so they who go after me shall know the past. I was born on Middle Earth shortly before Oromë led the calaquendi “Calaquendi?” Willow asked. “I think it’s a reference to those who followed, I don’t know. I might be able to figure out more later.” Dawn answered. “Who is that Oromë?” Tara asked. “I’m not sure. Just because I can read this doesn’t mean I understand everything.” Dawn said exasperatedly. “Can I continue?” When nobody objected she turned back to the book. I was born on Middle Earth shortly before Oromë led the calaquendi to Aman to dwell with the Valar under the leadership of Manwë. “I think Oromë was one of the Valar, which are kind of like minor deities. If I’m reading this right,” Dawn explained quickly. I have no recollections of my birth land from that time, only of my home in Tirien. In that fair city lived the Noldor, the Eldar who were most learned in smith skills for we were taught by Aulë himself. “Eldar? Noldor? Aulë?” Tara asked. “Eldar is their name for their people, the elves. I think Noldor is like a tribe, and that other guy is one of the Valar.” When I was of age I married Fëanor, first son of Finwë, the king of the Noldor. It is true I loved him then for, as me, he burned with a desire to learn. I bore him seven sons and for a time we lived in peace. “Seven sons,” Buffy said with wide eyes. “That had to hurt.” “That was not uncommon in the past. You would know that if you had any sense of history.” Snape growled. Before Buffy could retort, Spike placed a hand on her arm to stop her. He nodded his head in Dawn’s direction indicating that Dawn wanted to continue. She settled for a glare at Snape then turned back to Dawn. Then Manwë released Melkor, the rebellious Vala, from his chains and allowed him to freely walk amongst us. Fëanor learned much from him and soon created the three Simarils, which contained the light of the twin trees. Melkor planted seeds of discourse in my husband and sons. Fëanor spoke against the Valar and sought to free himself and his people from their reign. It was in this that we grew estranged and separated. In this time of separation, I grew close to my niece Galadriel “The woman from Godric’s journal!” Hermione called out. Dawn rolled her eyes, “If you would like, I could read this to myself and then give you each your own written translation if it would let this go faster.” A chorus of sorrys echoed through the group before she continued. In this time of separation, I grew close to my niece Galadriel and through her gift of sight we saw the eventual exodus of the Noldor. In my heart I grieved, for through my slight ability I saw the need to travel with them. I was to go, not for myself, but for the certainty of the future. After Melkor stole the Simarils for himself and fled, Fëanor called him Morgoth and vowed to regain that which was his no matter the cost. Thus the majority of the Noldor followed and I in secret accompanied them. Once again in the place of my birth, I came to reside with King Thingol of the Sindar. His wife, Melian, was of the Maiar “Please don’t yell at me for asking, but the Maiar?” Harry asked hesitantly. “I think they are kind of like the Valar, but have less power.” Dawn replied with a look of concentration before continuing. His wife, Melian, was of the Maiar and had placed an enchantment around their land preventing trespassing. There I changed my name to Oiolairë, and in secret resided there, hidden from my kin. Melian taught Galadriel and I her arts and under her tutelage we became wise and strong. She, too, saw what my future entailed and rejoiced and grieved for me at the same time. During our time of learning there past over the land a period of great peace. But the wrath of Morgoth could not be forestalled indefinitely. With the arrival of Beren and one of the Simarils, Melian could see that precious little time remained. In knowing of what was to come, she began to slowly transfer a portion of her power to me. Grief fully entered Melian’s heart when her beloved husband Thingol was slayed by the Naugrim who deceived him. Before she left for Aman, she poured what power she could spare into me. She changed my name again to Dawn paused. “To what?” Ginny asked. Dawn shook herself out of her surprise and then said, To Amaurëa, saying it would serve me better. Then she bid Galadriel and I to flee Beleriand to lands farther west, for it was no longer safe to remain. She then vanished, never to be seen again. As the Sindar and Noldor began to lose hope as Morgoth systematically overtook them, Eärendil, descendant of Fëanor’s brother, traveled to Valinor and made an appeal to Manwë, who was moved to pity. He, the Valar, and a host of calaquendi crossed the sea and smote Morgoth. They locked him in the void, never to trouble the people of Middle Earth again. The Eldar were again entreated to cross the seas and dwell in the undying lands. While some consented, others, like Galadriel, and myself remained. “I think calaquendi refers to the elves that followed the Valar over the seas. Cause there were elves left behind, and they only use that term for the ones that lived with the Valar.” Dawn said thoughtfully, before continuing. In this time of peace, Galadriel and I have perceived that the time has come for my next transformation. She has promised to continue my tale so those who come seeking answers will find them. “The handwriting changes,” Dawn said as she read slightly ahead. “I think this is Galadriel’s.” And so Elrond and I joined our powers of the rings to permit Amaurëa’s transformation. After several long hours of chanting she was no more an Eldar, but a key to dimensions. Long had we known of worlds other than our own and we desired to learn from them. Centuries past and we benefited greatly from our careful use of the key. “Wow, you used to be an elf.” Willow said in wonder. “Like a house-elf?” Ron asked. “No. Remember Godric referred to them as exquisite. I’m thinking they would have resembled humans more,” Tara pointed out. “Can I finish? There’s not much left of the beginning,” Dawn said. “Go ahead, Bit. We’ll be quiet.” But not all evil had been destroyed as we had hoped. One of Morgoth’s followers, Sauron the deceiver, had survived. He had forged a ring to rule over others. Lord Elrond and I know the key is no longer safe in our world. We are now preparing our final use of the key. I have foreseen in which world the key is needed and who will provide protection. Dawn stopped again as she read the next paragraph. Her face went deathly pale and the book slid from her hands. She suddenly stood and said, “I can’t do this.” Then ran from the room. “Dear me, the poor child. This must really come as a shock for her,” McGonagall said quietly. “Where do you think you’re going?” Harry protested as Draco stood. “I’m going to go talk to her.” “How do you know where she went?” “Because Potter, I know her. A hell of a lot better than you do.” “What’s that suppose to mean?” Draco gave him a suffering look. “She talks to me. I happen to know she was scared to death to read what was in that book. Chances are she found something that did frighten her, so I’m going to talk to her about it.” “What makes you think she’ll talk to you?” “Did anyone else know she was scared?” Draco looked around the room for an answer, but everyone shook their heads no. “See. If she told me she was scared chances are she’ll tell me what she read.” With that he stormed out of the room. “I wonder what it was,” Dumbledore mused as he crossed the room and picked the book up off the floor. He tried to open the book to look through it himself, but found himself unable to. “Curious. It seems that I was not meant to open it. Would someone else care to try?” Everyone took a turn, but the book remained stubbornly closed. It seems they would have to wait for Dawn to return. ******** Draco knew exactly where his angel was heading. He entered the room just moments after she herself had arrived. “Please, just go away,” she said with tears falling from her eyes. “I told you, that you wouldn’t have to do this alone. What did the book say?” “Nothing,” she replied as she turned her back to him. He grabbed her arm and turned her back to face him. “That’s bullshit! What did it say? You can tell me.” Dawn dropped her eyes to the floor and began wringing her hands. “Galadriel talked directly to me,” she said softly. “What?” She took a deep breath and said, “She told me not to be afraid. But she called me Dawn, she knew my name!” “So? She’s a seer, that’s really not all that surprising.” Draco said, not fully understanding what she was trying to tell him. “It’s not just that,” she said hesitantly. “Then what?” “There was some sort of prophecy. It mentioned me and two others, a warrior and a wizard.” Draco felt dread creep into his heart. “Oh, must be Potter. He’s really the only wizard who would be mentioned in one,” he grounded out. He released her, then began to pace the room. Just his luck. He finally gets the girl, but she was destined to be helped by another, his rival no less. So much for being counted. “It’s not him,” she said softly. “Huh?” “It’s not Harry.” “Then Spike.” “No.” “Then who?” She looked up at him with sad eyes. “It’s you.” “How do you know?” Dawn turned away from him again. She was so scared to let him in, she didn’t want to see his face when she told him. But Draco would have none of it. He gently turned her back around to face him. He asked again softly, “How do you know?” “Cause the wizard holds my heart,” she replied so softly that he had to strain to hear her. “I hold your heart?” He asked disbelievingly. Dawn began to cry in earnest now. She knew he wasn’t going to like this. Hell she wasn’t sure if she liked it. Draco felt hurt that she would cry over this. “What am I not good enough for your love?” He began to slide into old habits, ones that he was trying to forget. “It’s not that.” “Then what is it?!” “You were destined to love me. I was afraid that you would be mad that you didn’t have a choice in it!” ~It’s why we can do this!~ Suddenly he understood. She was scared that he would leave her when he learned that their love was fate. He pulled her into his arms and for the second time in two days, she cried into his shoulder. “Dawn, I would have cared for you no matter what. You had my attention from the moment I met you. You are a beautiful, intelligent woman that any man would be insane not to be attracted to you.” “You’re just saying that to make me feel better,” came the muffled reply. “Then let’s see if this convinces you.” He pulled back enough to lift her head up. Then his lips descended onto hers. He poured all of the emotions he was feeling into the kiss so she would know exactly how he felt. It shocked him slightly when she began to kiss him back just as passionately. His hand tangled itself into her hair and he pressed her closer to him. When they finally broke they were both gasping for air. “Have I convinced you yet?” For an answer she pulled him back down for another searing kiss. The world dropped away and they only thing registering on their senses were each other. That is, until they heard a voice from the doorway. “Hate to interrupt, but you really shouldn’t suddenly leave like that for a snogging session.” The two guiltily broke apart. “How long have you been standing there?” Dawn asked nervously. “Long enough,” Spike replied with a smirk. “Ready to come back?” Dawn shyly nodded. “Well then, let’s get moving.” Draco debated for a second whether it would be safe to hold Dawn’s hand or not. One look at Spike’s face, he decided to chance it. Spike just nodded approvingly as they headed out the door. ********** After they settled back down in the scooby common room, Dawn easily opened the book. She was oblivious to the looks she received by doing so. “Sorry about leaving so suddenly. I read something that scared me.” “It’s ok Dawn. But we’re here to support you.” Buffy said encouragingly. “Ok. Here it goes, the final paragraph. Please don’t interrupt until I’m through.” Have no fear Dawn, descendant of the Noldor. While others may only learn of your destructive powers, you shall unlock everything Nerdanal fought to give you. You will be the one to end their evil reign. Two will stand beside you, the warrior and the wizard. They are your strength and heart, allow them to support you. The rest of the book tells you how to access your powers. When the time is right, we shall meet again. Galadriel Everyone sat in stunned silence. They were trying to digest the last bit that Dawn had read them, when Hermione spoke up. “That explains it.” “Explains what?” Ron asked. “How they knew the key would be female. Galadriel obviously saw into the future and learned her name.” “I don’t think it was just Galadriel,” Dawn said. “What do you mean?” Snape asked impatiently. “Would you just calm down, pasty face. This has been a very trying day for her. Not everyone blocks their emotions like you do,” Anya retorted. To everyone’s surprise, Snape just sat there and looked expectantly at Dawn. Dawn just blinked a couple of times before replying. “The name Melian gave to Nerdanal, Amaurëa. In elvish it means dawn. And the other one, Oiolairë, means ever summer. Put them together and you get...” “Dawn Summers,” Willow said in awe. “I am curious to discover who the warrior and the wizard are that she referred to.” Dumbledore wondered. “I already know that too,” Dawn said softly. In a seemingly repetitive motion that day, everyone turned in surprise to Dawn. “It’s Buffy and Draco.” “Impossible!” Harry yelled as he jumped to his feet. “How could he be of any help?” Dawn narrowed her eyes dangerously. “I suggest you sit back down, Mr. Potter. If you must know, in my dream Doyle had told me about this. He said Buffy was to help and one other. The other one had to share in my love in order for us to win.” “And you’re saying it’s Malfoy!” “Yes,” she replied evenly, daring him to challenge her. Harry wisely shut up at her menacing look. Draco looked at her in amazement. “You knew that long ago about this? And you’re just now telling me?” Dawn turned stricken eyes to him. “Yes, cause I was afraid it would scare you off. You were facing so many changes at once that I was worried that one more would send you back to Voldemort.” She pleaded with him silently with her eyes. He seemed to contemplate it for several long minutes before slowly nodding. “You were probably right. Still doesn’t mean I’m not upset. Everybody’s hiding something from me.” ~I’m sorry. Please forgive me.~ ~I will, just give me some time to adjust.~ “Well this is an interesting revelation.” Dumbledore said as he rose from his seat. “However, it is lunch time and I’m rather hungry. Let’s say we meet back here after lunch to discuss all we learned.” Previous Chapter The Slayer... Menu Next Chapter |
