Disclaimers: See Prologue for more info.
Acknowledgements: I wish to thank DoctorWhovian18 for her help with this story. I'd also like to thank the readers for favoriting, following, reviewing, and yes reading this story. I know this will sound crazy, but I wish to thank Frodo and his friends, Harry and his friends, and the Pevensie siblings, along with Prince Caspian, for their help with this story. :)
"Come on!" called Lucy, running as fast as her legs could carry her.
"Slow down, Lucy!" said Frodo, calling back and doing his best to catch up to the girl.
Having nearly forgotten about Frodo, Lucy stopped before the border of the thinner trees. She gestured with her hand, as if emphasizing that Frodo needed to see something. "Frodo, come here! You really have to see this! I think we're back in Narnia."
Frodo approached her at last. Resting his hands on his knees, Frodo asked between panting, "What exactly… am I… looking at?"
"Narnia, of course," said Lucy, pointing at the dirt path.
The path wound its way through the dense forest of thinner trees. For a moment, Frodo nearly thought he was in a different wood, the way the trees were bunched together. Gazing back, Frodo realized the woods was no different, only the destination. How strange.
"Well, come on!" said Lucy, speeding on down the dirt path. She stopped once, hoping Frodo would follow her. As soon as she was sure Frodo was keeping pace with her, Lucy slowed down her run, but not too much. She was eager to return to her brothers and sister, so she could let them be introduced to Frodo.
Lucy and Frodo did make it out of the woods, right back to the path Lucy started. There, by the rocks where the fork began were Lucy's brothers and sisters, along with a dwarf a foot or so taller than Frodo. Although Frodo was interested in meeting Lucy's siblings, inside he was nervous and afraid of what the newcomers could do. But Lucy's siblings and their dwarf friend, from the way they spoke to one another, seemed harmless and caring, something Frodo didn't take lightly.
Frodo gestured Lucy forward. He would catch up to her soon enough. For now, Lucy had to be brave; but this was her family and Lucy could handle herself with them. She was getting braver, something she already knew about herself.
As soon as Lucy arrived, Susan fawned over her, "Lucy! We were expecting you back an hour ago."
"What were you doing out in the woods on your own?" asked Peter, determined to have an answer.
Lucy told Edmund, accusing him on the spot, "You told them, didn't you?"
Edmund said, honest, "Well, it's hard to keep cover when you've been gone for so long."
"Lucy, whatever's in those woods could have you killed," said Susan.
Lucy started, "Don't you want to-"
However, it was the Dwarf Trumpkin that said, "We need to get moving. The Narnians are expecting us."
Lucy stopped them. "No! There's someone I want you to meet first."
Susan gazed at Peter for assistance, and then said to Lucy, giving up, "All right, but this is the last time."
Lucy turned to the bush, "Frodo, come on out."
Gazing down at the ground, behind the bush, Frodo stared at a blue flower that glowed faint goldenrod. Unsure what the blue flower meant, Frodo moved away from the bush, not bothering to touch the flower. There was something strange about the flower, but he didn't want to ponder on it; let alone wonder if the flower was poisonous or would lead to danger.
Approaching Lucy, Frodo introduced himself to the others, "I'm Frodo Baggins. I'm a Hobbit or a Halfling."
"There aren't any Halflings in Narnia!" said Trumpkin.
"There are in my world," said Frodo. He asked the Dwarf, "Who are you?"
"I'm Trumpkin," said Trumpkin in introduction.
"Pleasure to meet you, Trumpkin," said Frodo. He turned his gaze to Lucy's siblings. They definitely looked like Lucy.
"I'm Peter," said Peter, making his introduction. He gestured to his brother and sister, "this is Edmund and Susan."
Edmund commented to Frodo, "Do you fight with a sword?"
"Edmund," said Susan.
Frodo admitted, truthfully, "No, I haven't had the chance."
"Do we really have to do this now? Shouldn't we get a move on?" asked Susan.
"Well, why not," said Peter, handing his sword to Frodo.
The weight of the sword forced Frodo to use both hands to hold it upright. Frodo asked Edmund, cheekily, "You ready? I don't want to hurt you, but if you lose the fault's on you."
Edmund said, "Is that a test? I have more experience with a sword."
Frodo was stunned. "You've got to be younger than me, by a few years."
"Are we going to fight or are we going to stand around chatting all day?" asked Edmund. "Now draw."
Frodo looked away for a moment. Impatient, Frodo swung the sword at Edmund, nearly nicking him on the cheek. Edmund, luckily, repelled the blow with his sword. Frodo was clearly not used to holding a sword, let alone fighting with one, as Edmund knocked Peter's sword out of his hand within five seconds of the duel.
Frodo held out his hands in an effort to surrender. "Edmund, I didn't do anything."
Edmund grinned, sheathing his sword, "No, but you didn't last very long."
Peter picked up his sword from the ground and sheathed it. He instructed Frodo, "In a real duel, five seconds would give your enemy an opening. That's why you need to be swift and block their moves."
Frodo said, "I'll do my best to remember that. So, what else do you know about swordplay?"
When Lucy stood next to her, she whispered to her elder sister, "How long are they going to keep talking about swords?"
Susan whispered back, "Let's tell the DLF we're ready to go."
"I already know," said Trumpkin. He announced to the three boys, "Come lads. We'll lose the light before we meet Prince Caspian."
Peter gestured forward, "Come on." He told Trumpkin, "And I'm still the leader."
Trumpkin said, as the others moved ahead of him, "Oh, that's comforting." He told Peter, "but these woods have long since changed."
"That's why I know the way," said Peter.
Frodo told the dwarf, "I'll stay with you."
"No, you go ahead. Follow the others. I'll keep to the rear," said Trumpkin.
"You sure?" asked Frodo, confused.
Lucy told Frodo, jokingly, "Frodo, at the rate you're going, you need help in a battle."
Frodo said, "Oh that is comforting news." He paused, and then told Lucy, grinning from ear to ear, "I'm joking, Lucy."
Lucy grinned in exchange. She was glad to have met Frodo. Maybe now she could introduce the hobbit teen to Aslan.
o-o-o
Harry and Ron, as they wandered through the lighter part of the wood, did their best to find a way out. Only where was the way out? Harry was sure they would find it, but Ron's fear and concern over what lurked in these woods didn't help anything.
"What if there are spiders, Harry?" asked Ron.
"We haven't seen spiders, Ron. Let's just keep searching for Hermione," said Harry.
"Maybe the spiders got her," said Ron.
"Ron, there isn't any spiders. Calm down," said Harry.
The two friends called for Hermione. Harry was certain she had strayed from the path, but where she was she wasn't showing up their way. However, someone else did.
"Draco Malfoy!" cried Harry, annoyed and frustrated. "What are you doing here?"
Malfoy climbed over a brush pile, his blonde hair filled with burrs and leaves. He said, disgusted to see Harry and Ron, "Potter and the Weasel. I wasn't lost!"
"Oh yeah?" asked Ron, not buying Malfoy's excuse. "Not lost? Then how come you've got leaves in your head? Did the spiders get you, too?"
"Of course not, Weasley!" said Malfoy. "These woods are haunted."
"We've seen no ghosts, Malfoy, not like up at Hogwarts," said Harry.
"Very observant of you, Potter," said Malfoy. "I'm heading back to the castle and you're coming with me. My father will hear about this venture."
"Let's find Hermione first," said Harry. "Then we'll come up with a plan for getting out of here."
Malfoy huffed. "I'm not finding Granger. That Mudblood can find her own way back to the castle."
Ron spoke in Hermione's defense, "You want me to sock you!"
Harry pushed Ron back, "Ron, focus. We still haven't found Hermione and I have no idea where we are. Now that we have Malfoy, it's only a matter of time before Hermione shows up."
"Yeah, but where is she?" asked Ron.
Malfoy ended their conversation there. "Well, I'm going to find the way back, on my own. Join me if you must, Potter, but leave your Weasel friend here."
"Ron's coming with me. You're lost, Draco. I suggest you come with us, unless you want to face these strange woods again. We're not anywhere near the Forbidden Forest," admitted Harry.
Draco looked about him. Potter had a point, given the path was hardly visible on the ground. Grumbling in low mutters, Draco followed Harry and Ron through the wood. He would hex Potter and Weasley for sure, if given the chance and if only Weasley wasn't giving him an evil eye.
"Hermione?! Hermione!" called Harry, as he, Ron and Malfoy walked further into the woods.
o-o-o
Time seemed to move slowly, yet also rapidly as Hermione followed Legolas through the wood. Legolas knew where he was headed. Hermione had no idea where Harry and Ron were. Would she see them again? More questions filled her mind, but she had no time to dwell on them. They were nearing Legolas' home.
Coming out of the strange wood and into a wood where the bright golden hued light dimmed into regular sunrise, Hermione was in awe by these woods. They were unlike anything she ever witnessed and very ancient. She felt as though her whole world shifted into another, but she couldn't quite describe the sensation of being in an elven forest.
Legolas stopped before the gate to his home. There was only one gate, built into the cliff. Standing before the gate, Legolas announced, "I bring a friend. May I have entry into my father's kingdom?" He stood back as the gate opened before him and Hermione. Turning to the girl, Legolas told her, "I'll lead the way. Follow close behind me. My father will want to hear news of my trip through Mirkwood."
As the gate closed behind them, Hermione asked the elf prince, "How were we able to meet in those woods? It makes no sense."
"I do not have the answers, but my father knows of this phenomenon. He's told me briefly of it once," said Legolas.
"Then you know something," said Hermione.
"About the wood between worlds?" asked Legolas, knowing the answer, "Yes, I do know a little. But we must speak later. For now, I must present you to my father." Reaching Thranduil's grand throne, made from the roots of the trees, Legolas said to his father, "Father, may I present Hermione Granger. She's the maiden I rescued from the woods –"
"You have rescued a witch," said Thranduil, firm.
Hermione was shocked. This was not what she wanted to tell.
Thranduil pointed out, "Your wand hilt has revealed itself from your skirt pocket."
Hermione felt for her wand. Patting it, Hermione said, "Yes. I had hoped to admit that part on my own."
Thranduil waved his hand at the idea. "No matter, but I may ask what a witch is doing here in my realm?"
"I came from – the wood between worlds, or so Legolas calls it. I didn't know if this was possible," said Hermione.
Thranduil explained, "There are many wild tales about a crossing between worlds. It's the hardest thing we have ever done, and it's not a venture for the faint-hearted. In your case, you say it is this wood that drew you here." He paused, and then said, "Yes, I have heard of the infamous Wood between Worlds. There are many of these in-between wood worlds. Our world happen to cross with yours, connected to a certain time. We do not know how long we have for this wood to stay open. Some say the wood stays open as long as those who came into the wood return to their homeland, or that person decides to stay in that other world. It's hard to tell, it's hard to say. It would be wise if you returned there now."
"And what of the blue flower?" asked Legolas, determination filled in his eyes. "We agreed I would go and search for the flower. That's why you sent me out there, ever since that wood opened up in Mirkwood."
"Yes, and so you shall," said Thranduil. "This girl will be brought back to her family and her home at once, and you will seek out these blue flowers, as many as you can, and return them to me."
Hermione asked, confused, "I'm sorry. What blue flowers? Do you mean dittany?"
"No girl, something much stronger than dittany," said Thranduil. "This particular blue flower has many uses, some for good or for ill. It depends on who picks them. They can be found on the borders of the wood between worlds, or within the woods themselves. If you should come across them, do not be so unkind and not deliver them to me." He ended their conversation there. "Now go, and do not return until this girl is left to her friends and family, and those flowers are found."
Legolas said, "Yes father." He led Hermione back to the gate.
As soon as they returned inside Mirkwood and back to the border of the Wood between Worlds, Hermione asked Legolas, "Legolas, I want to help. What is it about these blue flowers that are so intriguing to her father?"
"They carry healing properties, for one. As my father said, what is believed, these blue flowers hold particular uses, depending upon who has them. We do not know the full range of their power. Ever since these woods opened up, my father has been desperate to have a blue flower. He won't stop until he has one or a dozen of the flowers," explained Legolas.
"Then we'd better get busy," said Hermione.
Legolas sighed. He admired Hermione for her willingness to work, "Thank you, but I did not ask for your help."
"I'm used to working. I love to work," said Hermione.
Legolas grinned. "Good. That's exactly what we're going to do." He pointed to the ground, which didn't have any blue, sparkly flowers, "Now, this soil doesn't have the blue flowers we're looking for. I suggest we go further in. We'll do much better working together than apart."
"Lead the way," said Hermione.
Legolas nodded. He set out with Hermione following after him. It was going to be a long day, but Legolas knew this task needed to be done. He needed to please his father, in any which way possible, no matter how long it took. This just happened to be one task that didn't involve hunting orcs or other foul beasts.
Yes, I know I'm slow on this fanfic. I've been working on my other fanfics, too. But the good news is we have a plot forming in this story. Really, the blue flower idea came to me out of nowhere, which I thought would be an interesting plot or side-plot. Let me know what you think so far. :)
