Legolas and Hermione

LOTRContinuation of 'Sent to Her Soulmate.'

Continuation of 'Sent to Her Soulmate.'

Life's Journey

By Lady Countryrose

Prolog

During their journey across many miles. Legolas and Hermione had spent many nights at each other's side. Learning each other without the heavy breath of war upon them. One of those nights, Hermione was lying on her husband's shoulder. While he wrapped one of his arms around her. Hearing each other breathing.

"Legolas?"

"Yes."

"I don't want to do magic anymore."

"What," gasped Legolas. "Why do you want to give up something that has been apart of you for so long? What makes you think that your gift will allow you to forget it?"

"I don't want to kill anymore," Hermione spoke with hollowness in her voice. It nearly made her scared.

"But you have also protected many others because of your gift, Hermione. Now tell me why do you really want to give it up?"

"I'm afraid of the darkness. The same darkness that could eat most wizards alive."

He sighed, "You told me something about this man, Harry. Didn't he battle the darkness?"

"Yes, since he was a year old."

His arms tightened around her for a moment. "Then listen to me, my EveningStar. Why do you think Harry didn't fall into the darkness, even all the times that you have faced it together?"

Hermione thought about it for a moment. "It's because he had someone to share those moments with. To where he did not feel all alone when he faced the darkness?"

"Correct." He rocked her gently. "Just like Harry, you will not be alone. I will be at your side, every step of the way." He kissed her temple. "Time for sleep. We have a long ride in the morning."

"Just an off question," asked Hermione worriedly.

"Yes, EveningStar."

She smiled, "How would you feel about a family, Legolas?"

He laughed while looking around the landscape. He was always watchful of what was out there. Even for a man that he had never met and his father had only mentioned once.

"I would love to have one, but time will only tell if we are granted such pleasures as that."

That night that two slept restlessly. Neither one of them knew what the future held for them but both were on their toes of what's yet to come.

The next morning came and so did their need to get going. They needed to find Strider soon. They had a bit of breakfast when a wandering cloaked man came into their camp. Along with a dark horse just walking behind them.

"Tell me, friends, why are you in the middle of the wild? Wandering for days and not stopping more than you need to?"

Legolas took charge. Hermione knew from his talks on the way into the countryside. That most men do not take well with a knowledgeable woman. "We are here seeking for a man, known by what he calls himself. Strider."

The cloaked man sighed, "I know of this young man. He has traveled towards the north. Seeking wisdom by the old rangers. Why do you need him?"

The blonde elf smiled in gratitude, "I'm seeking him because King Thranduil has asked me to."

"I will lead you to him then," stated a raspy voice of a man of his years of travel. "The young man has sought out for military knowledge but he already has such. But I must say, he has no inkling of how to hold a sword."

Hermione heard everything that the man was saying. Her lips were firm shut but she could not prevent her mind from thinking. 'Are we seeking a boy like King Arthur, before he had become king?' She went through the camp and packed everything up. Not wanting to keep the man any longer than need be.

"I must warn you, the wild isn't kind to the gentle nature of a woman."

"Don't worry about her," state Legolas as kindly as he could. "She can handle herself."

"As you wish," the man grumbled before swinging himself onto his horse.

Hermione tied everything down on the back saddle before getting on the horse. Then Legolas climbed in front of her. The group of three managed through the weeds and rock. As they journey towards the north. Hoping to get there in one piece.

By the early hours of the night, they found themselves at the standing rock circle. Where an encampment of older rangers have gathered, as well as young men to learn the ways of a ranger. It seemed that all parties were not happy to see a young woman in their midst.

"Graylog, why have you bring these people here? You know the rules of our ways."

"I know," stated the cloaked man before pulled back the cloak to reveal himself. "But these two are looking for the new ranger, known as Strider."

The old man that spoke was eyeing to two very closely. "He has passed most of the tests but weaponry. I know enough about the elves that they could teach anyone how to use weapons." The man stroke his chin. "You must be King Thranduil's son?"

"I am and he sent me to find Strider."

"Good," stated the older man. "I have a task for you, Prince of the Woodland Realm. If you can teach the young lad to fight with a sword. I will allow him to travel with you, allowing him to learn all the ways of fighting from you."

Legolas glanced over his shoulder towards Hermione. She gave him a subtle nod that she agreed with the arrangements. "I will take up your word, sir."

"Good." The man stood from where he sat and made his way towards them, looking into Hermione's eyes. "I will allow her to stay with you, as long as none of them come near her. I don't want distractions. This is a place of learning, nothing more."

She spoke up for the first time in a while, "May I ask sir, may I learn the ways of what you do?"

Many men throughout the camp laughed at the question that she had asked, but not the man who was looking at her. "You have great power, child. I will teach you the ways of the ranger, but only by me. I have learned to ignore such beauty that is before me."

He bowed towards her. "Welcome, Princess of the Woodland Realm to our encampment of training. We have heard word of a young woman traveling with an elf. Who had preventing a great war from destroying the people of Laketown." He then looked into her eyes once more. "Thank you for protecting what little of my family I have left."

Hermione smiled, "It's my pleasure, sir."

"If you are to be here, girl. My name is known by these men, Ryger."

From that moment on, Hermione learned new things through the old man, known as Ryger. He taught her the ways of the Ranger. A man who is a lone traveler, whose duty is to the people. Like a sheriff, like the books that her father loves to read about the American West.

One of their sitting sections, Ryger was sitting next to Hermione and told her of the very first Ranger. "During the 2nd age, when men were learning the ways of the world. Where men were being corrupted by the Darkness. Battling creatures like the orcs and the like. The first Ranger was alone serving knight. Taught the old ways of the sword."

The man sighed, as his eyes closed. "A man well aged from his years in the service. Once he realized that he was the only surviving knight. He tore off his armor. Throwing it into the lake that he happened to be next to. Leaving his leather garments and protective gear on."

He looked into the first that was before him, looking like he could see the images of the past. "He wondered if he could kill the creatures. If he didn't have noticeable armor or anything that would make a sound. He tested his theory one night. When he came upon a handful of orcs. Sleeping under the shadow of a tree, during the afternoon hours. He killed every one of them."

Ryger smiled, "He traveled from town to town. Teaching the men how to fight, in exchange for a place to eat and sleep. Year after year, young men would go out and try finding him. Learning everything the needed to know and they too became Rangers."

"What was his name?"

"His name," asked Ryger as he glanced towards Hermione. Surprised that she had been listening to him all this time. "His name was Ravenclaw. It was said that he was the cousin of a king of one of the neighboring tribes back then. But we will never know."

'Ravenclaw, as in one of the founders of Hogwarts. But that was Rowena Ravenclaw. Could there be other Ravenclaw's in other worlds or did she come from this one?'

"He was the best of all the Rangers that followed him. He was destined to be much more than a wandering man, who fought back the forces of evil." Ryger shook his head. "Now we're in the 3rd age of men, hoping that no such evil would come again." He turned towards where he could see Strider and Legolas having a sword fight. "But I fear the darkness will come again."

"What darkness are you referring to, Ryger?"

"Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,

Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,

One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne

In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,

One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie."

Hermione gasped, "Why does that sound like a prophecy?"

"It isn't a prophecy, child." The aged man shook his head. "No, it's Middle Earth's history. Which is doomed to repeat again. Where the One Ring to bring them all into darkness, in the Land of Mordor. Where the Dark Lord of Sauron will bring the fall of all."

Ryger placed his hand onto Hermione's covered knee and gave a small squeeze. "Keep an eye on Strider, child. I fear the world will need him soon enough." He stood and walked away from the small group of makeshift friends.

As time had passed. Strider learned the ways of fighting through Legolas. To where he passed his first level of training. Where Ryger gave Strider his blessings that it was time for him to travel the land. Allowing Legolas to become his mentor on his road of becoming a Ranger.

Strider was no more than twenty at that time when the group of three traveled to Rivendell. Where the group stayed for many years of Striders training. Where the young man fell in love with the lord's daughter, Arwen.

It was also during that time that Hermione gave birth to their first son, Marik. Who grew faster than most elven boys of his age. It was also during this time that Hermione had learned elvish medicine. Hoping that it would come in handy for the years to come. For the most part, it did, from Strider's training wounds to Marik's own.

It took Strider twenty years to realize that Hermione and Legolas were not going to leave his side. It was during a night of a starlight feast that Strider told them.

"I must tell you two, not to tell anyone who I really am. I am Aragorn son of Arathorn, the nine and thirtieth heir in the right line from Isildur. The true heir of Gondor."

Hermione looked at him like he was speaking in another language. A language that she had no clue that he was talking at all. Legolas, on the other hand, looked proud. Like an older brother would.

"I knew that there was something about you," Legolas smirked at him. "You also seem to be light on your feet, for a human that is. But why are you telling us and not Arwen?"

The man sighed in despair, "I really didn't want to say anything until I talk to the two of you first." He looked into Legolas' eyes. "You're kin to Lord Elrond, maybe you could tell him for me before I tell his daughter?"

Hermione spoke up for the first time in a while, "No Aragon. It's not our place to talk to him about such things, especially about you who really are." She gave the poor man a smile. "But we will be there for you when you talk to him."

Aragon gave her a rare smile, "Hermione, for a woman who has been a mother for nearly eighteen years. I must say, you do it well."

She gave a glare, "I had a lot of practice before coming here. Most of my friends were children compared to me."

It was the mere hours of the morning that the three came up to Lord Elrond, who Aragon about his true heritage. That the Elven Lord gave his permission to tell his daughter. It was also during that day that message came to Hermione. Letting her know that Sirius had died and his son had gone off to Gondor to apprentice with a knight. She also found out that Thorin, the King of Under the Mountain, has also died and left everything to Fili.

Life went on for another twenty years. Where Aragon and Legolas had gone off for months at a time. Traveling into the wild. Helping all that have a need for it.

Hermione would stay in Rivendell, studying, learning. Either medicine or weaponry. She also learned Elven Magic. The kind that calls through nature and bends its will to save yourself from the darkness. Which Hermione was feeling every day. Even her own son was feeling such things. He was getting close to thirty-six and was asked by his grandfather to come home.

Legolas at first was furious with his own father for requesting such things. Until Hermione told him that it was time that he learned where he had come from. So Legolas took upon himself to take his son home with him, where he would only be gone for about a week.

It was during that week that Hermione was wondering towards the outer gates. Exploring the gardens. When she was face to face with the one hobbit that she had hoped to see again in her life.

"Bilbo Baggins?"

"Oh, goodness me. Hermione!"