The Serpent's Snare
Chapter Three
It had been a few hours now. Listening to the three prodigies' of our generation, or so they are referred to by most now, arguing amongst themselves as to what our next plan of action should be. Did they really go about devising plans in this manner? I mean did the dark lord truly meet his demise by the combined minds of this lot? Wow, luck truly must have played a hand in that.
"Is there anything else about this ring you can tell us? Anything, even something insignificant could help us here." Granger broke my building concentration on the fact my stomach was out of sorts after the third slice of pie I had woofed down as Potter was going on about this possibly being the next war within the magical world. Please.
But her question did make me wonder if I should finally reveal my encounter with the spokesperson of the medieval fair…and his offer to me.
"Malfoy?" Potter quickly asked. His voice was reminder enough that I should keep my mouth shut. This did not involve them; the offer was to me and me alone. Besides what the hell was four eyes and the Gryffindor brigade going to do to anyway? They had as much information about this situation as I did. I was foolish to think that they could do anything to help me. There was something to be said about their slight willingness to try, but as far as I was concerned, this meeting was over. We had gotten nowhere and I could feel the ring calling to me. Perhaps a grand exit was in order.
I felt myself smirking at the thought of their faces once I disappear before their very eyes. Yeah, a grand exit was just what this boring evening could use before I meet with ole ghosty again.
I pulled the ring out from the protection of my pocket.
"Sorry to leave a little early but I have a feeling this is mine…mine alone!" I snickered while pushing myself from the wooden support of the chair.
"Oh no you don't, you're not disappearing without telling us what you know!" I heard Granger shriek before she scrambled from her chair and towards me.
"Not this again! Don't test me Granger! Get the hell away from me!" I shouted as I felt her hands scrambling to reach my hands.
"I don't want the ring…I just want you to sit down! Harry! Get the ring!" She ordered. What the hell kind of set up was this? I wasn't allowed to leave when I want? I should have known this would happen.
"Sod off!" I roared as I heard the shattering of plates hitting the floor. The lights began to sway from the momentum of Potter leaping towards Granger and I. You'd think this was a bar brawl the way they were behaving. Could they be hearing the call of the ring as well? Or was this a way to force me to play nicely and remain within their sight. I don't need a damn babysitter and I certainly don't need them telling me what they hell I can or can't do!
I gave a gentle shove to Granger, instantly I felt her stumble upon the ground as she took hold of my leg for support as Potter leapt to take hold of my arms. The moment I felt the clammy skin of his hands upon my own I forced the ring upon my finger.
I opened my eyes expecting to see the bewildered looks of the three gits as I vanished before their sight but all I saw was a flash of blinding light. I squeezed my eyes shut as I swore I heard the screams of both Potter and Granger ringing in my ears. What was happening?
"Are you there? What is-" I started calling out hoping my voice would be heard by the figure I spoke to last time I had the ring upon my finger but there was nothing. Nothing but the bright light and the feeling I was being flung through it although my body remained still. Disorientation and confusion was gripping my senses until I could no longer take the sensation any longer.
My body crashed hard onto the ground except this ground was far from the dusty wooden surface I had expected to be beneath me. I felt blades of dew covered grass pressing against every inch of exposed skin. What?
I fluttered my eyes open to see I was no longer in the Burrow; I was in the middle of a forest. I quickly stood and realized the ring had fallen off the comforts of my finger, my whereabouts no longer mattered. I had to find the ring!
I crumbled to my knees and began sifting through the grassy earth, hoping…praying I would spot the shimmer of gold. It had to be here somewhere, i just had it!
"MALFOY! I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" I heard a familiar voice shouting towards me. Great. The seemingly secluded forest I found myself in came with its own irritant in the form of Harry Potter.
I stood, trying my best to compose myself while dusting off my suit yet again as the heavy steps of the angered scarhead drew closer.
"Harry! Harry Stop! We need to figure this out!" Ah, the forest came with the voice of reason as well.
"Looks like it's going to be a party." I chuckled as Granger quickly pulled Potter back forcefully sending them both falling onto a bed of moss.
"Violence is never the answer Potter." I sneered. I watched his jaw clench at the sound of my words. It was always just too easy for this lot to get mad.
"What did you do? Where the hell are we and how do we get back?" Potter roared, he quickly shoved his cracked glasses further up the bridge of his nose.
"How should I know? Where's the redhead?" I asked turning my attention to Granger whose face instantly fell solemn. Ah, so Weasley didn't make it to the party.
"We were all touching you as you put the ring on, I'm guessing that's why we're here and Ronald…isn't." Granger spoke softly.
"Is the ring a port key?" Potter asked me. I quickly raised my hands into the air.
"Hey don't look at me for answers; I know nothing!"
"You're hiding something." Granger quickly added. I shot her a glare of confusion, how is it she knows everything?
"Look I-" I started until I felt a sharpened point pressing against the back of my head, right on the location of my previous injury when my skull became close friends with the Burrow stairs.
I jerked my head forward before turned to see the cause for the intrusion. There stood a figure wearing garments that would easily blend into the surroundings. I quickly noticed the long blonde hair and pointed ears, wonderful. Another medieval fair reject; except this wasn't the same figure that I had spoken to before.
"Look mate, do you mind filling us in as to where we are? We seem to have-"
"Silence! On your knees, all of you! Hands where they can be seen!" The man demanded. I didn't have time for this, I needed answers…and I needed to know where my ring was!
I quickly pulled my wand out of my lapel and I pointed it directly towards the bow and arrow wielding loser standing before me. The darkness was making it hard to see his features clearly but I could see his smile at the sight of my wand.
"You challenge a march warden of Lothlorien with a stick?" I revealed a smile of my own at his words.
"You're about to wish it was simply a stick!" I scoffed until I felt a hand pull me back.
"Put it away Malfoy. We know nothing about these people." Potter whispered in my ear while forcing my wand down. These people? It's just one…oh.
I scanned the darkened forest, out from the shadows cast by the towering oaks were more figures seemingly identical to the person before us. All of them had arrows drawn back, ready to fire towards us without hesitation. I released a sigh before tucking my wand back into the lapel of my suit and allowed my hands to raise into the air.
"The enemy has many spies but none dressed so strangely. Are you mortals?"
"What sort of question is that?" I snapped until Granger quickly began speaking for us all.
"We are human, mortals as you say. We have arrived here very unexpectedly but I can assure you we are spies for no one."
"Then why do you have this in your possession?" He quickly spoke while pointing towards a grouping of leaves along the side of us. There, atop the leaves was a simple circular shape sitting there for all eyes to see. The ring! I instinctively sprang towards it only to have an arrow fired before me, right where my hand was about to be. I retracted my hand and looked up in confusion. The man quickly pulled another arrow back and had it aimed for my head.
"The next arrow will not be so forgiving." He said sternly. I forced my objections to myself; I guess allowing Granger to take the lead in this situation was the…appropriate thing to do.
"That ring came to us…we have been unable to determine its origin, purpose…or anything. We regrettably find ourselves in the wrong situation at the wrong time; please…will you assist us?" She was nothing if not convincing.
Without warning the figures began to lower their weapons and tilt their heads down in a sign of respect but it was not to us. I shifted my gaze to an approaching figure that seemed to shine like the stars now glimmering above. The weightless, ivory fabric that draped loosely about her frame trailed behind her shoeless steps. Her golden waves atop her head cascaded far below her shoulders as her eyes fell upon me. I swallowed hard. Now that wasn't something you see everyday.
"My lady, you should not be here. It is not safe." Spoke the man.
"At ease Estelon, call your men back to their posts. I shall be the one to welcome our guests to Lothlorien. I have been expecting them for some time now." Expecting us?
"B-but my lady, they carry the one ring! They are no guests to be welcomed, rather traitors to be punished." He quickly objected.
"Would you trust me to determine that for myself my friend?" She asked sweetly. Her voice mimicked that of a faintly playing slow song. It was mesmerizing, and yet frightening at the same time.
"Of course my lady but I must insist that I accompany you while you are in the company of these…guests." Emphasis on the guests huh? Well I suppose I couldn't blame this march warden for being overly cautious, we were far from friends and judging by the differences in appearances, there's no doubt there were questions from both groups here.
"But of course." She responded with a smile while motioning for Potter, Granger and I to join her in a walk away from the tense surroundings we were in at the moment. I gladly stood and walked past Estelon, which was the most ridiculous excuse for a name I had heard in some time, I was sure to give him a smirk. Looks like you'll be keeping those "unforgiving" arrows to yourself now pal.
He snarled his pretty boy get up of a face as I walked by and quickly caught up to the goddess like creature leading through us the forest. I hadn't the faintest idea what to say to her, what question should I ask first? Or was it best to wait for her to speak first, well that would be Granger's style but my thoughts were quickly interrupted as the woman gracefully crouched down and picked up the ring before tucking it within the safety of a delicate lace belt encircling the small of her waist. She turned to me and offered a smile before speaking to me in a manner I was not expecting.
"Fear not ring bearer, I shall return this to you when I know that it is safe in your possession." She spoke to me as clear as day but it was within my mind. Her lips never once wavered from her smile. Telepathy? What an unexpected surprise.
"Can the others hear you?" I mentally inquired. She quickly widened her smile before turning and leading us down the path through the forest.
"My words are for you and you alone. You have brought great evil into my midst Draco Malfoy, but this is not the first time such evil has entered my realm. You are upon a journey that has been traveled once before, but your path will be far different once you leave these woods." As she spoke, I found myself delving deeper into confusion that had riddled my mind ever since I came into contact with the ring. Despite my curiosity of her knowing my name without me introducing myself, I found myself needing to speak to her while I was granted privacy of our own thoughts. She would learn the truth in time regardless, perhaps before I began my questioning I should express all that I know.
"I saw a man, well I think he was a man, he looked like a ghost when he appeared before me the first time I wore the ring."
"Yes, he appeared to his only hope of returning to power. You have had dealings with darkness but I must express that the darkness bound to the ring you have found is unlike anything you have encountered before. Sauron is his name and if there is one thing you should know first and foremost about him is that he is not to be trusted. He is a deceiver that has blinded the sharpest of minds and purest of hearts. There was a time in my life that I too had become seduced by the power he had offered to me. I presume he had offered you something you desire greatly, did he not?" I lowered my head in defeat, so the offer extended to me for a new life; a better life…was a lie. Well the old adage of being too good to be true should have crossed my mind.
"Well you are here so a new life is not too far from reach my dear boy, however may I ask that you seek my guidance from this moment on rather than the word of Sauron?" She had a point, I was here, it did appear to be worlds away from the magical world I was in just hours ago. But where was here exactly?
"Where are we exactly?"
"This is Middle Earth; and the elven city of Lothlorien and all of its inhabitants…welcome you." She spoke aloud while our eyes met a most impressive sight. It was a vision, a painting come to life. A city lit by starlight towering above us. Stairways weaved around the grandest of trees. The trees were massive, unlike anything I had ever laid eyes upon.
"We aren't in Kansas anymore…" I breathed still in awe of the dazzling shine of the city before my eyes.
"You got that right." Potter quickly added.
Author's Note: Well I think this chapter answered a few questions for you guys! As far as who would be "falling" into Middle Earth. Sorry to all the Ron fans out there, unfortunately he didn't make it to Middle Earth! I hope their manner of entering the world was believable too, I'll answer more questions about how it happened exactly within the next updates so please keep following along even if you have building questions! I never leave my readers hanging with questions for very long!
Just another reminder that my awesome reviewer brought to my mind, I want to make clear that this story takes place after the original war of the ring. Aragorn is king of Gondor and this is a good 50 years after the return of the king movie has taken place. This WILL be a romance story as the story unfolds but I can't give away with who just yet. Any ideas? Drop a review and let me know what you think or hope for! Thanks!
Well I am really enjoying this story I hope everyone else is too, please take a moment to drop a follow, favorite and/or review! Thanks!
Ej101: Ah, thank you so much for reviewing on my new story my friend, great to hear from an old friend! I'm glad you're liking it so far, unfortunately this will not be a Legolas romance fic, in fact he will not be mentioned at all. This takes place 50 or so years into Aragorn's reign as king, so this is all after the lord of the rings trilogy/the war of the ring. Hope you still read along even without Legolas around! It'll have romance though, I promise!