Chapter 325: Choosing the Wand
"Let Aranil go first," Anlomire stepped back, making way for the little elf Aranil.
After a morning of conversation, Anlomire and Aranil had gotten to know each other. Thanks to Aragorn acting as the intermediary, the two children had already become friends.
Although the little elf Aranil was actually older than their leader Aragorn, since he looked like an eight or nine-year-old, Anlomire, who was already eleven, unconsciously took on the role of an older brother, starting to look after Aranil.
Bill didn't give Aranil a chance to answer and said directly, "Then this little elf from the Elven race goes first!"
He then bent down, his deep green eyes fixed intently on Aranil, making the elf a little uncomfortable.
Bill waved his wand, and a magical measuring tape flew from the counter towards Aranil.
The silver-marked tape measured from Aranil's shoulders to fingertips, wrists to elbows, shoulders to floor, knees to armpits, then head circumference, and even the distance between the two nostrils.
Everyone present exchanged astonished glances at this scene.
While measuring, Bill explained:
"Every Ollivander wand possesses an extraordinary magical substance, the essence of its power. We usually select cores from dragon heartstrings, phoenix feathers, giant eagle feathers, and even elf hair. Each wand is unique. Even feathers from the same phoenix differ, just like no two leaves in the world are exactly alike.
So if a wand belongs to another wizard, it will never perform as well."
After measuring, he asked, "Aranil, right? Which hand do you usually use?"
The elf shyly raised his right hand, "I can use both, but I usually prefer the right."
Bill nodded, waved his wand, and the measuring tape flew back to the counter.
Bill then turned to the shelves, selecting a small rectangular box. Returning to the counter, he took out a pale yellow-white wand and handed it to Aranil.
"Elven friends often are closest with wands having elf hair cores. This one is made of white oak, with the core a strand of hair from a Sindarin elf who passed by here. He bought a wand from me, said he was going West to Grey Havens, preparing to sail to the Blessed Land."
The little elf Aranil was a pure-blooded Sindarin elf with amber eyes and silver hair, so Bill recognized him immediately.
Aranil cautiously took the wand, unsure what to do next.
"Wave it and try," Bill prompted.
Aranil obediently waved the wand, and the next second a white light shot out, striking the ceiling and tearing a hole.
The sudden event startled the little elf, his face turning pale. "Sorry, I didn't mean to—"
Everyone else was also shocked; the elf couple looked at Aranil with surprise and concern.
Anlomire was amazed, mixed with excitement and anticipation.
Bill was unfazed, smiling and comforting the frightened elf, "This is normal, no need to apologize."
He then waved the wand, and the hole in the ceiling instantly repaired.
Aranil and Anlomire were amazed by this.
Bill took back the wand from Aranil, shaking his head. "This one isn't suitable. Let's try the next."
He returned to the shelf to look for another wand.
As one wand after another was tried by Aranil, the wand shop was filled with magical chaos—storms, water flows, flashes of blinding light—that even attracted curious passersby through the display window.
Others had become accustomed to the disorder.
They understood why the shop had a bench for customers to rest.
The waiting companions sat quietly on the bench, watching the activity, waiting for the ordeal to end.
Finally, Bill happily took out a red and white wand and handed it to Aranil.
"This one is perfect, fourteen inches long, made from a new branch grown in spring from an Ent. I exchanged a bottle of plant growth potion for this branch to make the wand.
The core is a strand of hair from a passing Sindarin high elf who bought a wand from me. He is said to be heading west to Grey Havens to sail to the Blessed Land."
Aranil took the wand and immediately felt it merge with his arm. The wand and he emitted a holy, gentle light, accompanied by faint elven songs ringing around.
Everyone's eyes widened in wonder.
Bill applauded happily, "Excellent! Mr. Aranil, I believe you will become an extraordinary elf!"
The little elf blushed at the praise, still treasuring the wand and reluctant to let it go.
The elf couple smiled with pride at their son's successful wand selection.
Bill's gaze shifted to the already impatient little boy, smiling, "Alright, it's your turn now, young master."
With a burst of magical noise, even louder than the little elf's earlier, Anlomire finally found his wand after his arm ached from holding it up: a twelve and a quarter inch mahogany wand with a giant eagle feather core.
Holding the wand, Anlomire forgot the previous hardship and excitedly caressed it, showing off to his elven friend.
"Aranil, look! This is my wand! It's amazing! It feels like an extension of my arm, and I can feel power surging from within my body through it!"
Aranil, more reserved, also held his wand with bright eyes and flushed, pointed ears.
Seeing the two children, Aragorn and the elf couple smiled knowingly, then approached Bill.
"Mr. Ollivander, how much do the two wands cost?" Aragorn asked.
"Reasonable, seven Galleons each. Of course, that's a special price for our lord and the Ministry for new students. For others or if you need a replacement, it won't be this price." Bill said.
"Lord Kael's generosity is truly admirable! Not only has he selflessly established a school and taught magic, but he also offers discount wands to students." Aragorn admired.
His wand was personally crafted by Kael, so he didn't have to buy from Diagon Alley, but he knew the Ollivander wand shop charged high prices.
Except for the wizards inside the territory who get discounts, elves and Dúnedain coming here must pay hundreds of Galleons for a wand.
Gold Galleons produced by Gringotts are truly valuable.
Five gold Galleons can buy a warhorse from Rohan, and a wand's price could buy dozens of horses.
Hearing Aragorn's praise, Bill looked proud.
He was very loyal to Kael, who personally taught him wand crafting and granted him the Ollivander surname. Bill sincerely regarded him as his mentor.
So hearing praise for the lord was even more pleasing than praise for himself.
Aragorn took out 14 gold Galleons, ready to pay Bill.
The elf couple politely refused, "Estel, we've exchanged enough money at Gringotts already. You don't have to pay on our behalf."
Aragorn smiled warmly, "No need for formalities, Aranta. We're friends, and I haven't returned to Rivendell for a long time. Meeting here is fate. Consider this a gift for Aranil's enrollment."
While they offered and declined, Bill cut in with a smile.
"May I interrupt?" Bill's words made both parties turn to him.
"Friends from the Elf race, I have a small request," Bill said. "You know I'm a wandmaker, and I can offer these two wands free of charge if you would be willing to give me two strands of your hair for wand cores."
Faced with Bill's request, the elf couple was surprised but immediately agreed.
After all, it was only two strands of hair. Each took one and handed it to Bill.