Felix Felicis could be said to be one of the most difficult potions to create among all known magical brews.
The creation process required strict adherence to every step—the slightest error would result in catastrophic failure and endanger the creator's life.
Moreover, the brewing time required approximately half a year of constant attention, extraordinarily lengthy even by advanced potion standards.
So even the most skilled Potions Masters were reluctant to attempt creating Felix Felicis without compelling reason.
Though Kael possessed Professor Snape's invaluable Potions notes for guidance, his own potion-making skills had not yet reached true Potions Master level.
The only thing bridging this dangerous gap was Kael's Diadem of Ravenclaw, which enhanced his mental capabilities during complex brewing.
But besides this concern, what made Kael frown even more was that several crucial potion ingredients only existed in the magical world—Middle-earth did not have them.
Creating Felix Felicis required: 2 pints of Mandrake extract, 1 pint of lemon juice, 10 Ashwinder egg shells, 7 drops of undistilled Acromantula venom, 6 salamander eggs, 23 fresh amaranth petals, 1 inch of unicorn horn, and 1 drop of blood willingly given by a unicorn.
Among these materials, Mandrake extract, lemon juice, and amaranth were readily available.
Ashwinder egg shells and salamander eggs could be replaced with fire snake eggs and salamanders bred from Balrog blood essence.
Acromantula venom could be substituted with giant spider venom from his Chamber specimens.
But only unicorn horn and unicorn blood—he had absolutely no substitutes at all.
Middle-earth had no such creatures as unicorns in its entire history. How could he possibly find suitable unicorn substitutes?
Create unicorns from nothing through transfiguration?
Kael experimentally waved his wand, transfiguring an ordinary horse from the castle stables into unicorn appearance.
The horse became pure white with a long, elegant spiral horn protruding from its head.
But this transfigured "unicorn" was merely superficial—essentially still an ordinary horse at its core, lacking any magical properties.
Watching the confused "unicorn" become agitated by its suddenly changed appearance, Kael waved his wand to restore it to normal, then left the stables feeling frustrated.
Kael reopened Professor Snape's Potions notebook, carefully reviewing the Felix Felicis content again.
As a true Potions Master, Snape had naturally created Felix Felicis before. Especially before young Harry Potter was marked by Voldemort as a target, Snape had secretly made Felix Felicis to give to Lily Potter, desperately hoping she could use it to evade Voldemort's relentless pursuit.
But Lily Potter, believing herself sufficiently protected by the Fidelius Charm and confident that Voldemort could not find them, had given the precious Felix Felicis to other Order of the Phoenix companions instead.
Ultimately, due to the Secret-Keeper's tragic betrayal, Voldemort found them anyway.
Lily Potter sacrificed herself protecting Harry Potter. When Voldemort tried killing Harry, the ancient love magic from Lily's sacrifice rebounded the Killing Curse, ultimately establishing Harry Potter's famous "Chosen One" reputation.
Thereafter, Snape never made Felix Felicis again, scorning it bitterly as useless.
But in his detailed Potions notebook, Snape had recorded with meticulous care his Felix Felicis creation process and theoretical understanding, even improving the traditional brewing process to enhance final quality.
Moreover, he recorded his professional views on each ingredient's function.
According to Snape's expert viewpoint, Felix Felicis used unicorn horn primarily to enhance overall potion stability and neutralize inherent toxicity from other ingredients.
Unicorn blood willingly given mainly enhanced the potion's magical purity, avoiding dangerous side effects from impurities.
But Kael did not know what materials in Middle-earth could possibly replicate unicorn horn and blood's unique effects. He had a genuine headache.
When in doubt, consult the prospective father-in-law. With no better choice, Kael simply traveled to ask Elrond—this sage of Middle-earth and finest healer—for knowledgeable advice.
Hearing Kael wanted to create a luck-granting potion, Elrond was surprised yet somehow unsurprised simultaneously.
After all, Kael had shown him countless surprises already over the years.
However, hearing Kael wanted materials that could enhance potion stability and neutralize toxicity, plus materials capable of enhancing potion magical purity,
Elrond's wise face frowned slightly, falling into deep contemplation.
Without making Kael wait long, his ancient gaze refocused, telling Kael, "Such things are indeed extraordinarily hard to find, but I know one material that might suit your specific needs."
"Araw cattle from the distant Rhûn region are descendants of the Vala Oromë's own cattle. Their white horns possess excellent magical stability and can effectively neutralize toxicity. You could try using them for potion-making."
Hearing this unexpected information, Kael was immediately surprised and delighted.
Araw cattle? He had seen these before—Blue Wizard Rómestámo's personal mount was an impressive Araw bull.
He had not expected Araw cattle horns could substitute for unicorn horns effectively!
This was excellent news indeed!
Thinking quickly, he retrieved the Horn of Victory from his enchanted space pouch.
"Lord Elrond, is this Horn of Victory also made from Araw cattle?"
Elrond took the Horn of Victory carefully, his ancient eyes brightening as he smiled admiringly, "This is not merely from Araw cattle, but a horn from Oromë's cattle bloodline's closest descendant—now extinct in Middle-earth, probably only existing in the Blessed Realm westward across the sea."
"If you want to use it for Felix Felicis ingredients, I strongly do not recommend this—it would be a terrible waste. Ordinary Araw cattle horns would suffice perfectly."
Kael naturally would not do this.
After all, this artifact had contributed significantly in the Battle of Isengard—arguably his best auxiliary combat tool.
He could not destroy such a priceless treasure just to create Felix Felicis.
So he stored the Horn of Victory safely again.
"As for materials with purifying power that can enhance potion purity..." Elrond thought for a long moment, appearing somewhat hesitant, but still told Kael honestly, "You may not know this, but elven blood can enhance magical purity remarkably."
"Elven blood?" Kael was genuinely shocked.
Elrond nodded, his expression becoming somewhat complex as painful memories surfaced, "Elves, as Eru Ilúvatar's Firstborn Children, possess eternal life, which aroused jealousy in some Secondborn Children across the ages."
"So some humans, seduced by evil, raised blades against elves, trying to probe elven immortality secrets, even drinking elven blood attempting to gain immortality for themselves."
"But such results were ultimately futile and brought only suffering. Moreover, those tainted by stolen elven blood would be cursed—their remaining lives plagued by pain and regret, forever unable to lift it."
Kael was even more shocked, not expecting such dark hidden history.
Elrond continued gravely, "But not all elven blood has such purity. Only Light Elves who once bathed in the radiance of the Two Trees of Valinor possess the purest, most sacred blood."
"So if you want blood that enhances potion magical purity, you must gain Light Elves' consent, obtaining blood they willingly give without coercion."
Hearing Elrond's careful explanation, Kael understood his earlier hesitation perfectly.
Elves who had bathed in the Two Trees of Valinor light were extremely few in Middle-earth.
One was Lady Galadriel of Lothlórien.
Another was Lord Glorfindel residing in Rivendell.
Elven blood was equally precious to elves as life itself. Unless forced by dire necessity, none would willingly shed blood.
Moreover, once blood fell into others' hands and was unfortunately exploited for evil sorcery and curses, the consequences would be unthinkable.
So obtaining elven blood would not be easy for Kael.
Actually, Kael knew if he asked Galadriel for help, given her generous nature, she would surely agree.
But Galadriel had already helped him tremendously, and she was Arwen's beloved grandmother. Kael did not want to demand endlessly.
So Kael chose to request blood from the less familiar Lord Glorfindel instead.
Glorfindel kept to himself in Rivendell, spending most time in the vast library.
When Kael entered the library, he found Glorfindel reading ancient texts.
Glorfindel had bright golden long hair, radiating Light Elves' unique radiance that illuminated the entire library with gentle light.
"You seek me, Wizard Kael?" Glorfindel set down his book, his bright, keen eyes looking at Kael with interest.
Kael bowed respectfully. "Pardon the intrusion, Lord Glorfindel. I have come to ask a favor of great importance."
He explained his need for Light Elf blood to create Felix Felicis, the luck-granting potion, speaking honestly about its purpose and ingredients.
Hearing Kael's request for a drop of his blood, the Golden Lord's expression remained calm and unchanged.
Just as Kael began to feel apprehensive, certain he would be refused,
Glorfindel unexpectedly agreed.
"I consent."
"What?" Kael was stunned, unable to react immediately.
"I have agreed. Moreover, I am quite curious what this luck-granting potion will be like. When you create it, remember to bring me some," Glorfindel smiled warmly.
Kael finally found his voice, immediately showing joy as he nodded eagerly.
"Thank you, Lord Glorfindel! Rest assured, when I successfully create Felix Felicis, I will definitely bring you some!"
Then Kael retrieved a small vial of jewel-red potion from his pocket, placing it respectfully before Glorfindel.
"Lord Glorfindel, this is the Elixir of Life I created. Besides extending lifespan, it can restore vitality. Even a dying person with one breath remaining can be revived."
"I have nothing else worthy to offer in return for such generosity. Please accept this with my gratitude."
Hearing Kael's words, Glorfindel curiously picked up the Elixir of Life, saying in surprise, "Is this the Elixir made from that Philosopher's Stone you created?"
"I sense the touch of immortality within—truly extraordinary!" After examining it carefully, Glorfindel praised admiringly, "Such a precious gift. I shall accept it graciously."
"Well then, bring the bottle."
Kael quickly produced a small crystal vial, placing it before Glorfindel.
Glorfindel drew an exquisite, elegant dagger from his waist, cut his index finger, and held it over the crystal vial.
Light red blood quickly dripped from his fingertip—one drop, two drops, three drops...
"Enough! Enough! Lord Glorfindel, one drop suffices!" Kael cried out.
Glorfindel worked swiftly, giving Kael no chance to intervene, letting ten drops fall before withdrawing his hand.
The cut on his finger rapidly healed without leaving a trace.
Glorfindel smiled as he handed the vial to Kael. "Come back if you need more."
Overwhelmed by such generosity, Kael thanked him profusely.
After bidding farewell to Glorfindel, Kael prepared to leave Rivendell for the Far East to obtain Araw cattle horns.
But Arwen gave him a wonderful surprise.
"Kael, I have finished weaving your Invisibility Cloak," Arwen said gently, holding a black cloth bundle carefully.