Anyone who's read this so far - this chapter is for you.
"The woman should not be here," the man who had introuduced himself as Boromir growled at the oddly pretty girl.
I looked her up and down. She was quite beautiful as mortals go. Her hair was a little wild, but that could be corrected easily. She had rosy lips and a heart-shaped face. It was very kind, but had become cold at the bluntness of Boromir's tone. She was very short, but with an unique body. She would have been something else, had she been of my noble race. But what entranced me was her eyes.
They were like the dark woods of my home. They had the stars trapped within them, twinkling gold flakes scattered through the dark woods. But they stared blankly ahead, like she could not see a thing.
She turned to the man, her stunning face carved from ice.
The blond boy hissed from his position beside her. He tensed, as if preparing to fight. Her hand found his shoulder, telling him to let her handle the man.
"Women deserve to know nothing of this. They are too insolent to possibly comprehend," Boromir continued, completely unaware of how insulting he was.
"And what have you seen of death, war, and horror?" she asked him.
Her voice was deadly and soft. But under that was a quiet strength shown by elves who had been around for thousands upon thousands of years. She had the voice of a warrior. A warrior who had been through one war too many.
I had never heard a voice issued from a mortal's mouth. Forget a mortal woman's.
"More than a mere girl like you."
She smiled grimly.
That smile burnt itself into my eyes.
"Three weeks ago, I was struck down in battle," she told him quietly. "I had to watch my best friend die. That was actually the last thing I ever saw. My other best friend has been tracked by a madman all his life. Since I was eleven, I have been trying to keep myself and my closest friends alive. I know I have failed. And now I am nothing more than a burden to be shown the path. Another burden for my friends to bear. As for horrors..."
She broke off and laughed bitterly. I think every person shuddered. That was not a laugh for mortals to let escape themselves. That was not a laugh for any to let out.
But she continued on, her voice now very soft. Only with my superior hearing did I escape from having to lean forward.
"I have seen more horrors than you would be able to believe. Nightmares are my life, and my life is full of nightmares. And now I am blind, and I have been sent out to yet another war to help stop the other. Tell me, what have you done in your life that pales mine in comparison?"
Boromir was silent and still. Very still. "I- I am sorry, milady," he managed to stutter. "I had no idea..."
My eyes narrowed.
The ones named Harry and Neville seated themselves, leaving the spot behind her open. "You should never assume. Even about mere girls like me. Now, may I sit?"
Boromir looked very shocked as he sunk into his seat. She dropped into her seat with grace I'd only seen around other elves. This mortal was something else entirely.
The blond boy sat between her and Harry. He ignored the glare the raven-haired boy sent at him, simply taking the girl's hand. She was silent, but her head turned to Gandalf when he began.
"These four have been sent here by my brother," he said solemly sparing a glance to none other than Lord Elrond. "They are important."
Boromir shrunk slightly.
Lord Elrond demanded Frodo put the Ring on the pedastool, and Boromir leapt up once again. He recited a poem that had come to him in a dream, then said that we should use the Ring.
The girl shook her head and sighed. The blond boy stared at him with boredem. Everyone else divided and began on how we should use the Ring.
Until Frodo's voice cut through the pandemonium. "I will take it. I will take the Ring."
He was quickly named the Ringbearer, and nine of us soon stood or revealed ourselves and were allowed to journey. Lord Elrond was about to speak, until Neville stood.
"I will go, too."
Lord Elrond accepted him easily enough, along with the other two men. Until the girl stood.
"I must go also, Elrond."
No one dared to call Lord Elrond simply 'Elrond'. He seemed as stunned as the rest of us. "No," he said, obviously smothering the shock. "I will not let a woman dwell among men for months, years even."
Her face became very cold. "And why would that be?"
Lord Elrond looked faintly uncomfortable. "You are blind, therefore you are a liability. And traveling with a woman is not a good omen."
"You are telling me I'm too weak."
He seemed hesitant. "Yes."
She nodded once. "I see. Elrond, try to say something."
His moth opened... But nothing came out. His eyes buldged for a second, and she waved a hand. "What type of magic is this?" he gasped.
"My magic. I can do much, much worse to you. Now, Elrond, do I seem very weak to you?"
He shook his head. "You may go with them. I beg your pardon, Lady...?" He let the question hang there.
"Hermione. Hermione Granger."
The blond, who was named Draco, and Harry both reached out to help her to us. I could see the faintest smile on her lips as she let them lead her. When Lady Hermione was in her place, Lord Elrond began to talk again.
"And now this fellowship of thirteen set out on the most noble journey. They shall be called the Fellowship of the Ring. This Fellowship will set out two weeks from this date. And now this Council breaks."
The Fellowship was soon left to themselves. Lady Hermione was talking quietly with Gandalf, Neville, Draco, and Harry. I could not resist the urge to listen in.
"You're Dumbledore's brother, then?" Neville asked, his hand in Lady Hermione's.
The old wizard nodded. "You are the four he told me of. However, he left out the fact that one of you was female and blind."
Hermione did not seem bothered. "Those in your time are very prejudice, aren't they?"
"Yes. I am sorry for that, my dear. I'm sure Boromir is not that bad."
"It's fine. I've met worse."
Draco shifted uncomfortably. "I am sorry about that, Hermione," he told her, his tone sullen.
"It's in the past. Gandalf, is everything... Someone is watching me."
The huddle broke. I hurried into a conversation with Aragorn about our favorite weapons. I did not feel like being told off for listening.
Eventuially they began to talk again. Simple things, like directions to the rooms. Lady Hermione excused herself, claiming that she had something to do. The other three jumped to help her, but she told them quietly that she was 'okay'. I had very little understanding of their odd words and phrases.
She made her way past Boromir, who told her he was at fault for what he had said. She shruggged him off and continued carefully over to myself and Aragorn. She was silent, and her movements were very dainty. She obviously put thought into even the most minute twitch. She stood next to Aragorn.
"Aragorn," she asked softly.
He looked to her. "Yes, milady?"
"Can you not call me milady? It makes me feel old... Anyways, Aragorn, you're the king of Gondor."
Aragorn was very still. He seemed to have become a statue while she spoke. "How do you know of this?"
She shrugged. "I just do. Will the two of you lead me to some place where I can practice something in private? I believe the two of you would know Rivendell much better than I."
Aragorn took her hand. "It would be an honor."
She held out her other hand to me. "Are you coming too, Legolas?"
I was somewhat awed by her knowledge of my name. I buried the feeling and took her hand. It was soft, small, and warm.
She smiled at me blindingly. I tried very hard to keep my voice calm. "I fear I will not be of that much assistance, mil - Hermione."
Her smile did not dim. "No problem. I need a test subject, anyways."
I did not like how that sounded. Test subject. Subject to the tests of another.
I also did not miss Aragorn's muffled laughter as he led Hermione through a maze of corridors and doorways.
At length, we made it out to a small courtyard. Targets were lined around, hooked onto the stone walls. There was a few dummies to practice with a sword upon.
Hermione slipped her hand out of mine and Aragorn's. She looked towards us. "I want to practice something. Do the two of you mind if I use you? The spells will only stun, and if you get hurt I can heal you."
Aragorn instantly agreed. I was a little less hurried, but soon followed his example. Her smile branded itself into my eyes.
"Thank you. Now, just act like you normally would in a battle." She seemed to sense our astonished looks, because she continued. "Just trust me."
So Aragorn and I began to dart around, fighting invisible foes. Until I found I could not move a muscle. From the silence in the clearing, I think Aragorn wasn't able to, either. Hermione waved a hand, and then we could both move once again.
"Thanks. Now, could you find other people who'd be willing to be stunned one practice session? I think that Harry and Neville shouldn't see me firing spells. Overprotective..." She trailed off, obviously lost in her thoughts.
"Spells?" I asked.
She turned her head to me. "Yes, spells. Now, Harry and Neville will have lost their minds to worry by now, so we probably should be heading back. Uness you don't mind me trying stunning some more..."
Aragorn opened his mouth to answer, but Arwen's flowing voice cut him off. "Just what are you doing to that poor girl, Elessar?"
We all spun towards her, but Hermione was the only one to keep composure. "He was helping me to aim since I'm accompaning the Fellowship on their journey. Who, may I ask, are you?"
Arwen dipped into a bow and assessed Hermione carefully.
"I am Arwen. Lady, I beg your pardon, but I must admit: you are dressed oddly."
Hermione smiled at that. "Yes, I know."
"May I escort you to our tailors? They can create traveling garb for you that will be pleasing to the eyes."
Hermione shook her head. "I cannot see, Arwen dear. I would rather wear clothes that are easy to move in. To defend myself."
Arwen looked mildly shocked but it didn't leak into her voice. "That can be arranged, Lady. What, pray tell, is your name?"
"Hermione. But don't call me 'Lady' or anything like that, please. It makes me feel older than I really am."
Arwen grinned at that, and held out an arm. "Let me take you, Hermione, to our tailor. I will make sure your clothes will protect you well."
Hermione gripped the offered arm and was soon swept away.
You know, this one just wasn't one of my best. Comment if you want, don't if you don't. Flame me, and I shall roast mini-weenies.