Hermione laid in bed, more confused than she had ever felt in her life. When she had returned to the dining hall with Legolas, he had sat in her chair in between Harry and Ron. After which, he never so much as glanced at her, though Hermione had looked at him as often as she could. The dinner was cheerful and delicious, yet the thought of Legolas clouded her mind. She knew he was not someone she could fall for, but there was no denying the slight attraction she had felt towards him. Curse my fickle heart, Hermione thought angrily as she rolled to her other side.
After another hour of no sleep, she gave up on the idea completely and got dressed for the day ahead. Lady Arwen had left her some dresses to wear during their stay in Rivendell. She quickly put on a rich green dress with gold thread and tied her hair back with a leather tie. After pacing her room for what seemed like an eternity, she decided to walk to Elrond's library. At the dinner, he had given her free access to the contents of his enormous library. Quickly making her way to the entrance of his house, she spotted a person she had been introduced to at the dinner. He noticed her appearance and made his way to her.
"Lady Hermione," he bowed to her.
"Lord Boromir," she greeted him. "What are you doing out so late?"
"I was just about to ask you the same question," he replied with a smile. He was good looking and quite charming with an easy smile and a kind disposition. He had shoulder length, wavy blonde hair and some stubble across his chin.
"I couldn't sleep," Hermione admitted.
"And what would keep a maiden as fair as you from sleeping?" Boromir asked with a smile across his face.
"I suppose the excitement of being here. Among the elves, all cares seem to fade. I don't know, maybe it's just me," Hermione replied with a slight sigh. "And what keeps a soldier from the land of Gondor, which I know nothing of other than you talking much about it, awake in these early hours of the day?"
"My horse, my good lady," Boromir said kindly. "He seems to be ill. I wanted to check up on him before I turned in for the night." Hermione noticed he was no longer wearing a sword strapped to his left hip.
"Then what is he doing out if he is ill?"
"Haven't you heard walking helps a horse if it is sick, especially if it seems to be colicky?" Boromir asked surprised at her lack of common knowledge about horses.
"No sir, you see where I come from; horses aren't ridden unless you want to take lessons on them. I suppose horses aren't as well regarded there as they are here," Hermione said sheepishly.
"'Tis a shame if people do not respect these beautiful creatures," Boromir shook his head in sadness, unable to comprehend the thought of people not treating horses well. Hermione nodded her head sadly.
"They are very beautiful," she agreed, reaching her hand to rub the horse's nose. He sniffed her hand, and then turned his head back to bite at his belly. Boromir frowned slightly, looking incredibly concerned at his beloved companion.
"Gondor is not known for being a people of horses. Rohan is better known for their remarkable horsemanship. Hopefully, you shall meet them all soon."
"That would be," Hermione paused for the right word, "the best thing in the world, mine and yours."
Boromir smiled proudly at her. "His name is Sundance, for his coat shines like the sun. Well, not now seeming as he is now ill."
Hermione smiled at him, beginning to feel weary. Boromir began to walk back to the stable. Hermione followed him, unsure what exactly to do. Never had she felt so awkward to be anywhere. The moon showed bright on the water of the small river that ran next to the stable. Horses stomped and neighed softly inside the barn. Hermione could feel her heartstrings beginning to tug at the horses probably feeling cooped up in their stalls.
"Boromir," Hermione poked her head in the barn, "I'm going back to bed."
"Be safe, my lady," Boromir replied, brushing poor Sundance who wasn't looking well at all. Hermione smiled at the poor horse. She quickly made her way over to him and stroked his neck softly.
"When you feel better, I'll bring you a carrot," she promised. Sundance looked at her with a spark of joy in his deep brown eyes. He nickered softly and pushed his head to her chest. She gently petted his forehead, a smile on her face and in her eyes. Boromir stopped looking at his horse and began to look at her. She was definitely beautiful, but slightly young for his usual tastes. Something about her made him want to protect her. He shook his head of the thought and resumed to brushing his horse.
Hermione walked back down the path she had taken to the barn. As she passed a garden, she heard the whispers of elvish words. The voices were of a man and a woman. Hermione glanced in the direction of the voices, investigating their source. She found herself looked at an intimate moment between Arwen and Aragon. Aragorn said something to Arwen in which she stroked his cheek. Aragorn looked at his hands and quickly said something to Arwen.
"It's mine to give to wish, like my heart," Arwen replied. They leaned in to kiss each other. Hermione turned around and left as quietly as she could. A small smile crept to her full lips. It was incredibly romantic, something she rarely thought about. In fact, ever since she arrived in Middle Earth, something had changed inside of her. Everything felt right in being here. She almost never wanted to return to Hogwarts. Hermione made her way back to her apartment, dressed back into her night clothes, and promptly fell into a restful sleep.
"Hermione wake up," Ron shook her hard. Hermione blinked sleepily and rolled over.
"In a little bit," she murmured about to fall back asleep. Ron grabbed her sheets and threw them back. Hermione felt four strong arms lift her up. Her eyes snapped open. Harry and Ron looked up and down her body.
"Okay guys, enough ogling at me. Please put me back down," Hermione requested. They gently set her down and watched her as she put her robe on. "Leave, now," Hermione commanded pointing at the door.
"You have five minutes to get ready," Harry told her. Hermione cursed under her breath. This was definitely not the way to gain favor in this world. As the boys left her, she grabbed the dress she had worn the previous night. She threw it over her head and hurried out of her apartment, fixing her hair with the leather string as she left.
"Slow down," Ron panted as she walked fast to the meeting. Hermione just glanced at him and continued to walk. They got to the meeting last, but just before it started. Making their apologies, they took their seats and tried their hardest to focus on the meeting. But it seemed that they simply couldn't even try to stay focused. Lots of words were being said about places and people they knew nothing about. Even Hermione, who could focus on Dumbledore's excessive speeches, had a glassy eyed look in her chocolate brown eyes.
There were some dwarves on one side of the circle around a stone in the middle of the group. One had been introduced as Gloin, with his son Gimli next to him. Gloin's beard had begun to grow white and signs of aging were evident around his eyes. His son next to him had a gruff voice and red brown hair. His beard was braided on both sides and he wore a metal helm on his head, an ax in his hand. Boromir was also present, keen on what Lord Elrond was saying. Hermione smiled slightly at him and dipped her head in his direction when she saw him looking at her briefly. Aragorn sat on the opposite side of Boromir, next to Frodo, who was also sitting next to Gandalf. Legolas sat across from Elrond with his companions next to him. None of them smiled as the trio had entered. Hermione was seated in between Ron and Harry who were sitting next to Gimli and Aragorn.
"Bring forth the Ring, Frodo Baggins," Lord Elrond commanded. Frodo walked slowly towards the center of the circle to place the Ring on the stone. It seemed as if a force was keeping him from placing it on the stone for a second, but he gently placed it down and stumbled his way back to his seat. Murmuring ensued as soon as he took his seat. Boromir perked up in his seat.
"This is a blessing out of Mordor," he said. He went on about how his father, the steward of Gondor, had long awaited the blessing and was willing to take it back to the "White City". The members of the council frowned at him as his speech continued. Some shook their heads while others muttered to one another.
"The Ring cannot be controlled by us or any means we possess," Aragorn answered with a spark of authority. "The Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master!"
"And what would a ranger know of these matters?" Boromir sneered at him. Legolas jumped to his feet quickly.
"This man is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn son of Arathorn," Legolas said angrily. "You owe him your allegiance." Boromir looked questioningly at Aragorn, but silently took his seat.
"It is settled then," Elrond said. "The Ring must be destroyed." Gimli jumped to his feat and swung his ax at the Ring. Frodo leapt slightly out of his seat as the stone ax made contact with this golden ring. Gimli fell back on the floor, his ax shattered to little bits.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed by any means we have here. It must be destroyed by from whence it came, in the fires of Mount Doom. Only they can it be destroyed," Elrond said, a disapproving look in his eyes. "Now we must discuss who will take it?"
"I will," Boromir said leaping to his feat.
"You? Why you?" A voice asked. An elf jumped up at the voice. "I shall take it," he said. Gimli growled. "I would rather die than see the Ring in the hands of an elf!"
Everyone was shouting at each other. Hermione, Ron, and Harry sat at the sidelines, watching the commotion. Hermione glanced at Frodo. He seemed deep in thought, as if he was contemplating something. At last, he perked up and dived into the commotion.
"I will take it!" He kept shouting over the noise. One by one, they quieted down. "I will take the Ring to Mordor, though I do not know the way."
"I shall go with you, Frodo Baggins," Gandalf said. "I shall go as long as it is your burden to carry."
"As will I," Aragorn said stepping beside Frodo. "You have my sword."
"And my bow," Legolas said too.
"And my ax," Gimli said as well, not about to be out done by an elf. Boromir stepped towards Frodo, a look of darkness over his face. Hermione was slightly frightened by the look on his face, but shook it out of her mind, thinking that she was paranoid.
"You carry the fate of us all, little one," Boromir glared down at Frodo. He shifted slightly where he was standing; not liking the look Boromir was giving him.
"Hey!" A voice shouted from the bushes. "Mr. Frodo isn't going anywhere without me!" Sam Gamgee ran beside his master, a look of defiance on his face. Elrond allowed himself to smile.
"No indeed not since he was summoned to a secret council and you were not," Elrond stated.
"Hey, us too," the two hobbits Hermione met, Merry and Pippin, leaped out of the bushes and stood beside Sam. Elrond's face darkened with annoyance, but he permitted the hobbits to stay anyways.
"Nine companions, you shall be known as the Fellowship of the Ring," Elrond declared.
"Great, where are we going?" Pippin asked. Harry and Ron chuckled and Hermione covered her mouth with her wrist to keep her laughter in. Elrond looked in their direction.
"Now, Council, we have another matter to discuss," Elrond sat down in his seat. The others returned to their seats, Merry and Pippin whispering loudly to each other. Gandalf hushed them with a glance and returned his eyes to Elrond.
"It seems that we have three young people that would like to contribute, yet must somehow get a possession back from Saruman. You three rise," Elrond commanded. They rose nervously, not liking the glances and stares they were receiving. Hermione scanned the circle of men, and one other woman, with slight fright; but she threw her shoulders back and raised her chin. If they were going to challenge her, then by God, they must look her in the eyes. A few men smiled slightly at her actions while others hid their emotions carefully.
"Well this is awkward," Ron muttered. He smoothed out his green tunic and ran a nervous hand through his hair. The tension was electrifying. Butterflies erupted in their stomachs. Harry's face went white with fear.
"What is it you seek from Saruman?" An elf asked them. The three glanced at each other, nodding for one to talk. Hermione sighed, again put in place as the spokesman (or woman in this case). Cowards she thought angrily.
"We seek our wands, which were taken by Saruman when we were captured by him," she answered flatly. She just wanted the information out and the attention taken away from her and her friends.
"Wands, as in magical wands?" Another elf asked. Hermione nodded her head, too scared to speak and too prideful to show it.
"There is no need to be scared, my dear," Gandalf smiled at her. She glanced at him thankfully. Her eyes scanned their faces. Some were scared at the mention of wands and magic while others looked at them with keen interest.
"We need to get our wands back," Hermione said quietly. She looked up at Frodo. He examined her with his bright blue eyes. "Frodo, you told me that a friend of Gandalf is a friend of yours; well the same applies for me. If Gandalf goes with you, so will I."
"And we will go with any friend of ours, wherever they go," Harry said.
"I understand the boys going, but the girl, I cannot allow," Boromir replied. Hermione gave him a dirty look. This wasn't going as well as she thought.
"I can fight," Hermione threw back at him. "I know how to use a sword."
"Do you now?" Elrond asked. He flicked his hand and an elven guard approached her with a sword. She lifted the sword out of the scabbard and held it with both hands, testing its weight. It was about a foot and a half and heavier than she was used to. She tested it with both hands and returned her gaze back to Elrond's face. He signaled to Boromir, who promptly stood up and drew his sword.
Hermione began to size up her opponent. He was tall and strong, not to mention the fact he was a man. She steeled her eyes and waited for him to attack her. His blade flashed slightly and Hermione brought her sword up. Metal clanked against metal. Hermione's arm waivered slightly, but she tightened her muscles and moved her sword back. With a turn, she swung her sword at his face. He blocked her attack and lunged at her. She moved to the side and brought her sword down behind him. He blocked her again and again; she couldn't land an attack on him. She could feel herself beginning to tire, but her pride wouldn't let her give up yet. Boromir swung harder and faster; Hermione really had to focus to keep from getting slashed. Boromir feigned right, swung left, and knocked the sword from Hermione's hand. He raised his sword to her neck. She could feel the cold steel begin to bight into her neck. Her brown eyes met his hazel eyes. The warmth she had seen from the night before was gone, leaving an ice cold gaze in its place.
They were both breathing hard. Hermione lowered her eyes and picked up her sword. She returned it to the elven guard and returned to her seat, humiliation burning her face. Tears threatened to brim over her eyes, but she would not allow herself to cry. Silence overtook the group. You could hear a feather drop, Ron thought.
"You are definitely an excellent fighter, Hermione Granger; however real battles will not be like that. Do you accept the fact you could perish in battle?" Lord Elrond asked her.
"I do."
"Then I see no reason you and your friends should travel with the others to retrieve your wands," Lord Elrond said. "The Fellowship shall leave at the end of the week." With that they were dismissed.
"Hermione, I never knew you could fight like that!" Ron and Harry exclaimed in awe.
"I took fencing lessons for years," Hermione laughed. "Though the sword is most definitely different, since fencing swords are lighter than that sword." Hermione felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to see Legolas looking at her, but Aragorn closer to her.
"That was excellent fighting, my lady," Aragorn told her.
"Thank you," Hermione blushed.
"You shall definitely be an asset, though your strength will definitely have to improve," he stated.
"Yes it definitely has to," she replied.
"Tomorrow, if you are willing, we shall begin your training."
"Really?" Hermione asked excitedly. "You would do that for me?"
"Yes, but do not expect it to be easy," Aragorn smiled at her.
"I won't. Thank you so much!" Hermione exclaimed. Aragorn turned and left the three friends to themselves. They laughed and threw their arms around each other.
"Do you think he would mind if we joined?" Harry asked as they walked to the dining hall.
"No I think he would be happy if you guys were there too," Hermione answered. They grinned at each other and continued walking to the dining hall without a thought about how that was the last restful day they would be receiving for a very long time.
Hey guys! Please review and let me know what you guys think about this story! They really make me happy. Also, some of the quotes were taken from the movie. They were not my original thoughts, so the credit of those quotes goes to the writers of the Lord of the Rings the Fellowship of the Ring, JRR Tolkien, and Peter Jackson. The characters Hermione, Ron, and Harry belong to JK Rowling, not me unfortunately.
