He carefully read the theory about the Patronus Charm in the book, and once he understood it well enough, he began to try chanting the spell.
"Expecto Patronum!"
He tried hard to recall happy memories in his mind, waving his wand accordingly.
Silver mist sprayed from the tip of the wand, but it remained only a silver mist, unable to take shape, and quickly dissipated due to distraction.
Luke was not disappointed by this and chanted the spell once more.
This time, more and more silver mist sprayed out, gathering into a large mass of dazzling silver light, like a light cocoon, as if something was gestating within it.
However, perhaps because Luke's happy memories were not enough, the corporeal Patronus image was slow to materialize.
Luke withdrew the magic and stopped to rethink.
He believed he had thought of all the happy memories he could, but the Patronus was still not forming, which left him somewhat puzzled.
Could it be that the Patronus Charm required other factors besides happy memories?
"Patronus Charm, Patronus…" Luke's eyes lit up.
The Patronus Charm contained the word 'Patronus', so besides needing happy memories, it must also require a firm will to protect when casting the spell.
It was just that the book only mentioned recalling happy memories when casting the spell, which made him overlook this simple issue.
Having found a new approach, Luke did not hesitate and cast the Patronus Charm again.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Many happy memories flashed continuously in his mind, from his previous life and this one.
Then he thought of what he, Bilbo, and Gandalf were about to face, and a strong desire surged within him, a longing for himself and those he cared about to survive.
Silver mist surged from the wand, growing denser and denser, enveloping Luke's surroundings in a vast whiteness.
Finally, the silver mist condensed into a large, silvery-white bird, flapping its wings and circling around Luke, releasing positive energy that made one feel hope and happiness in its presence.
"Is this… an owl?"
Luke looked at his Patronus with some surprise.
Its large eyes and unique ear-like feathers were entirely the image of an owl.
As soon as Luke reached out, the owl Patronus flew down and landed on Luke's arm, without any weight, affectionately nuzzling his face, appearing very nimble and lively.
"What truly exquisite magic!" A voice came from behind Luke.
Luke turned to see two young Elves approaching.
They were handsome and looked exactly alike, with equally dark hair; besides their headbands, one gold and one silver, it was almost impossible to tell them apart.
The two Elves looked at the silvery-white translucent owl on Luke's hand, their gazes filled with admiration and awe.
"Guests from afar, we are the sons of Elrond."
The Elf with the gold headband spoke.
"I am Elrohir."
"This is my brother, Elladan."
Elladan, wearing the silver headband, nodded to him politely and gracefully.
These are Elrond's twin sons? The only pair of twin brothers among Elves?
Luke didn't expect to see them so soon and also nodded in greeting.
"Greetings to both of you, I am Wizard Luke, from Weathertop."
"We have long heard of your renown, Black Robe Wizard Luke," Elrohir said with a smile, "Your deeds have spread across the wilderness: the Huorn's tree-feller, the bane of the Wights, the Trollslayer, Orcsbane, and the one who made Amon Sûl reappear on Weathertop overnight after it was destroyed."
"Such great achievements are even known among us Elves."
"This rumor is too exaggerated." Luke gave a wry smile.
"There is no need to be so modest, Wizard Luke." Elrohir looked disapproving, his blue eyes discerning everything, "I can feel that your achievements are by no means false; this is something worthy of praise."
Should I say, as expected of Elrond's sons? Such keen insight.
Meanwhile, Elladan, at his side, was interested in the wand in Luke's hand.
"Wizard Luke, the staff in your hand is different from those of other Wizards I have seen. Would you satisfy my curiosity?"
"This is a wand, different from the staffs Gandalf and others use."
Luke explained, and as he looked at the two, he actually felt a surge of curiosity.
He wondered if Elves could use his wand?
As far as he knew, although Elves were a magical race, their magic was mostly manifested in creating items with magical power, such as the Silmarils and the Three Rings, as well as forging Elven swords like glamdring (foe-biter) and Bilbo's dagger.
Except for High Elves like Elrond and Galadriel, who had rich experience and had accumulated powerful strength and a deep understanding of magic over long ages, and could cast powerful spells.
Most Elves could not cast spells directly like Wizards, but instead chose to fight with weapons such as swords, bows, and arrows.
Or rather, Elven magic was more reflected in their superior physical qualities, and a deeper understanding of the world and nature, discerning the essence of all things.
So, with curiosity, Luke handed the wand to Elladan and taught him the simplest spell.
"Lumos!"
Elladan waved the wand and softly chanted the spell.
Under the gaze of the three, a cluster of white light faintly emerged from the tip of the wand.
That faint light seemed tiny, yet it made all three instantly widen their eyes.
"I succeeded!" Elladan said with some excitement.
As young Elves, Elladan and his brother had little experience and their understanding of the world and nature was not yet profound enough; naturally, they could not possess powerful abilities like their father Elrond, such as summoning floods.
Now, succeeding in casting a spell for the first time, this was an extraordinary experience for him.
Subsequently, Elrohir also tried with the wand and successfully made the tip of the wand light up.
"What a wonderful experience!"
"It's just a pity that this wand seems to resist us a bit, making it difficult to cast spells."
Elrohir reluctantly returned the wand to Luke and said.
Luke's surprise at this moment was no less than theirs; he hadn't expected these two Elves to actually succeed in casting spells with his wand.
This meant that if they had corresponding wands, these Elves possessed the ability to cast spells.
It might even mean that these Elves could transform from warriors into mages in an instant.
Thinking this, a scene instantly appeared in Luke's mind: on the battlefield, Elves uniformly waving their wands, shouting spells like Expelliarmus and Petrificus Totalus, routing the opposing Orc army.
Luke quickly shook his head; he couldn't think about it anymore.
The imagery was truly too bizarre and didn't fit the Middle-earth aesthetic at all.
----
On another terrace in the distance,
Elrond and Gandalf had also watched the entire process.
"How do you feel, Lord Elrond?" Gandalf asked with a chuckle, "Has my companion brought you a surprise?"
"Indeed, it is a very great surprise!" Elrond took a breath, his gaze admiringly fixed on the distant figure.
"It seems I need to have a formal conversation with this young Wizard."