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**Speaking through the mind: Bold Italics.

Chapter 9:

Seconds … Hours …. Minutes …

The Grey Wizard, thirteen dwarves, and lone hobbit did not know how much time had passed as shock-filled pair of eyes stared at the dead body of the human child. A girl they had mocked, scorned, insulted, harangued and distrusted for a month; a member of Thorin Oakenshield's Company, no matter if she were one grudgingly.

A stilled silence encompassed the air; grief embraced the fifteen figures, unable to detach their eyes from the gruesome and grave scene.

It wasn't until a smoothly soft musical soprano voice boomed from behind them that they all whipped around remembering their surroundings. A collective gasp emanated in sync from all but the Wizard as they stared at the gorgeously ethereal creature that stood in their midst. She had long golden locks that cascaded down to her waist, creamy smooth pale skin and starlight omnipresent eyes.

"Back up this instant. Now! Do as I say," she harshly commanded her voice frantic with worry. Gandalf glared at every single dwarf to obey Lady Galadriel's order, however, Glóin as usual, opened his mouth, sticking his foot where it didn't belong, "You are the Elf-Witch who seduces men! You will ensnare us with your spell and bewitch us to your service. Witch!"

"Master Dwarf, I warn you to keep your ridiculous thoughts to yourself and allow Lady Galadriel to save Lux-Vita!" Gandalf boomed, shooting Thorin a warning glare. Nodding in submission, the King under the Mountain ordered his Company to stand aside, to keep their distance yet not stray too far.

"She is dead. There is no saving her," Thorin muttered.

Lady Galadriel shook her head, her dainty, elegant hands hovering over Lux-Vita's womb, the knife already pulled aside and kept afar. "No. Not yet. I cannot allow both Realms' savior to submit to death."

"Both Realms' savior?" Balin inquired curiously, though his eyes were focused anxiously on the human lass. Lady Galadriel merely smiled, a secretive smile that grated on Thorin, Dwalin and Glóin's nerves, "That is for another time … all shall be revealed in due time. Come on, child. Live," she muttered lowly, starlight eyes beseeching the lifeless corpse to awaken.

Inhaling a tired breath, Lady Galadriel began speaking hushed tones with Gandalf, but all occupants heard her loud and clear, "Even if her soul returns, she will fade quickly. She must return back to her world, back to her loved ones … only they have the means of fixing her tarnished soul."

"What do you speak of my Lady?" Bilbo asked softly; unlike most of the Company, although he never uttered, or traded many words with the girl, he enjoyed her silent comradeship, and he didn't want her to die.

"Her soul is crying for her beloved. It desperately seeks to be reunited with the man she is enamored with," Lady Galadriel explained kindly, giving the hobbit a gentle smile.

Thorin scoffed, "Then why would she kill her child, killing herself in the process. The Race of Men knows not the true meaning of love," he spat bitterly. Lady Galadriel traded a bewildered look, staring curiously at Gandalf.

They do not know?Gandalf wearily shook his head; She never uttered a word of her past, of what ails her, my Lady Galadriel.

"That will not do," she muttered just as Lux-Vita's eyes shot open, eyelashes fluttering bewilderly and a large gasp escaped her lips. "Welcome back, Lady Lux-Vita Laelynn Jamie Potter, savior of both Realms'. We have much to discuss."

The elf-witch gracefully stood up to her full height, and spoke in elegant, articulate words, "Please. Leave us be. Lady Lux-Vita and I have much we need to speak of, and I would appreciate there be no audience."

Thorin grumbled cusses under his breath, and after sparing the elf and wizard a long death glare, he dipped his head in acquiesce and ordered everyone to clear off and head back to their campsite. Only Gandalf stayed behind and Thorin wanted nothing more than to claim he remains as well since that damn human girl was a part of his Company. Yet one look at Gandalf and the Lady Galadriel he had heard so many tales about, and he knew that arguing would get him nowhere.

"Why did you save me? I was dead, I wanted to stay dead," Lux-Vita cried, sobbing in despair; she was a hairbreadth away from reuniting with Cedric. She had been reaching out for him, his wonderful, warm smile welcoming her into heaven when she felt her soul forcefully retreat back to the land of the living; back to the bleak, hollow life she was cursed into living.

"You tire of life so much; you would depart like a coward? Leave both Middle Earth and Earth in chaos behind your wake?" Lady Galadriel asked; there was no blame in her voice, but her words caused Lux-Vita to recoil as though she were slapped.

"You know nothing of what I have been forced to live, how I survived every day! What seeks my destruction? You have no right to judge me," the witch yelled angrily.

Lady Galadriel tucked a ruby strand neatly behind her ear and shot her a soothing yet gentle smile, "I offer no judgment, my child. But I do in fact know the horrible life you lead, and the despairing future that lay ahead … however, I see happiness and a marvelous future if you seek to continue onwards, to fight bravely like you have already for the past fourteen years."

"What do you mean?" Lux-Vita asked bewilderly, all anger dissipated as she regarded Gandalf and the stunning woman in confusion.

Gandalf leaned forward, seating himself beside her and said, "I think it is time to offer you the answers you have been continuously seeking ever since you transported yourself into Middle Earth."

"My name is Lady Galadriel of Lothlórien, a powerfully gifted elleth; the term you know of, female elf." Lux-Vita's eyes widened in awe, and her eyes flickered toward the pointy ears hidden behind the thick curtain of luster hair. "When you arrived into Arda, I felt it, I summoned Mithrandir, Gandalf to you, to your side at once, knowing that you would trust him, and him alone for now. You belong in Arda, Lux-Vita; you have a gift, a duty to both Realms; to Earth and Middle Earth."

"I don't understand –"

"Listen, child. Lady Galadriel shall explain to the best of her abilities," Gandalf chided her softly.

"Yes. I will. However, you must accept that you may not know all the facts, yet. You still have much to learn, the answers shall provide themselves in their own time. One must be patient regarding knowledge."

Lux-Vita grudgingly nodded; story of her life. Headmaster Dumbledore told her the same four years ago. And now Gandalf and Lady Galadriel share the same sentiments. Yet she understood; grudgingly.

Lady Galadriel beamed at her, having heard the silent acceptance in Lux-Vita's mind.

"Tell me, my child. Have you ever heard of the term, Keeper of the Realms?" Lady Galadriel inquired.

"Um … no, I'm afraid I haven't. Should I have?" Lux-Vita cocked her head in question.

"If you grew up with your parents, you would have." The witch sucked in a deep breath at that, and stared curiously at the elleth, beseeching her to carry on with her explanation. "You see, Lux-Vita, magical blood is not the only inheritance running through your veins, but the blood of the Keeper of the Realms from your late mother's side. You have a duty to preserve both, Middle Earth and Earth, balance the destruction, and protect evil from passing both Realms."

"So, I belong in Middle Earth?" Lux-Vita asked, trying to stomach the shocking news the elleth had just revealed to her; her life would never be normal, no matter how much she tried. She was born that way, and a part of her accepted that four years ago when she discovered the meaning behind the scar that marred her forehead.

"Yes … and no. you belong in both worlds. It may seem confusing, but in time, you shall gather all the facts, and connect all the dots," Lady Galadriel stroked her cheek lovingly, fondness shining in her starlight eyes, "Your fate is tied with Thorin Oakenshield and his Company, my child, just as your fate is tied to the magical world and Voldemort."

"I want to go home," Lux-Vita pleaded in a tiny voice; she wanted to discuss her findings with Sirius and Dumbledore, she didn't want to remain in Arda any longer.

"And go home you shall. You are of no use when your soul is fighting for release. Your soul desperately craves your lost love, and I fear the longer you remain here, the shorter your life-span shall be," Lady Galadriel claimed sadly.

"Tell me, my child. Before you found yourself in Middle Earth in Bindbole Wood, where were you?" Gandalf asked, joining the conversation.

Lux-Vita's brow puckered in confusion, "I told you; I was in the hospital wing at Hogwarts."

"Yes, but what were you thinking?" he pressed.

There were a few moments of silence as the witch pondered the correct answer, before a gasp echoed around them, courtesy of Lux-Vita, "I was desperately wishing for an escape; an escape from the world for a while and to know peace. Then I found myself transported into the woods."

Lady Galadriel beamed as though she had answered a question correctly in class, "That was the Keeper of the Realms blood activating within you. Only you have the power, the ability to transport between the two Realms; you craved for peace, for an escape. Therefore …"

"I need to wish hard enough to return home and I will!" Lux-Vita whipped around to face a smug Gandalf, "That's what you meant? When you told me only I can find the answer, 'deep in my conscious'. You damn wizards and your riddles!" she grumbled, eliciting a laugh from both the elleth and the Grey Wizard.

"I must warn you, my child. Now that you have activated your Keeper blood, you are tied to Arda. You must return; I cannot stress the importance. The fate of Thorin Oakenshield and his Company lie within you. You will be able to feel when they are in danger, and vice versa. However, they must understand your burden, your horrible past," Lady Galadriel spoke solemnly.

"What are you proposing exactly?" Lux-Vita asked shakily, feeling nothing good could come out from the elleth's mouth. The elleth smiled in comprehension, "Allow permission to witness the hardship you suffered before landing in Middle Earth. Only then can trust be given freely, and you may do your duty unfettered."

The Wizard and the Elleth left Lux-Vita to her thoughts. It took a few minutes before she grudgingly nodded her head in admission.

Lady Galadriel stood up, "You are free to return home, my Lady. However, do not forget you are bound to Arda and the Dwarves. Your Keeper blood will urge you to return when you are needed."

"I understand," Lux-Vita smiled; she embraced Gandalf, surprising the old wizard immensely, and then nodded her gratitude to Lady Galadriel who uttered softly, "Until we meet again, Lady Lux-Vita Laelynn Jamie Potter, Keeper of the Realms."

"Goodbye," she whispered in response.

Home; Sirius; Dumbledore; Hermione; Ron; Hogwarts; Earth. Her blood boiled, and she knew it was her Keeper genes being activated. Her body began drifting off, the familiar sensation of the Imperius Curse taking over her. Suddenly, she felt as though an invisible hand yanked her, and her feet touched thin air. Before she knew it the Grey Wizard and the motherly Elleth disappeared from her line of vision, and she was gone.

***Lux-Vita Laelynn Jamie Potter***

"Where is she? Where is the human girl?" Thorin demanded angrily the second Tharkûn and the elf-witch arrived in their sights from the deep end of the forest.

"Gone," Lady Galadriel beamed, prompting loud muttering from all around her, "She has returned home, to her family, to her home and loved ones."

"So the pest is finally gone, aye," Nori grinned, ignoring the glares he received from Ori, Fíli and Kíli.

Lady Galadriel stared at Nori with anger and fury, "One must show respect to a higher power. Lady Lux-Vita shall return. Do not fret; you have yet to have seen the end of her."

"Then you shall keep her with you. We do not need any more distractions from the weakling human," Thorin spat. He then regarded Lady Galadriel with contempt, "And I want to no elf in my Company. Leave us be."

If Lady Galadriel was offended, it did not show on her visage, she merely smiled and approached him. "Thorin Oakenshield, King under the Mountain, son of Thrain, son of Thror. Your pride and stubbornness shall be your downfall. I do hope you learn from your ancestors' mistakes if you wish to succeed in reclaiming Erebor."

"You dare –"

"Quiet Thorin!" Gandalf boomed, dark energy surrounding them from Gandalf's ire, warning every dwarf to be silent.

"I shall take my leave, Thorin Oakenshield. But before I do so, I will allow you to witness Lux-Vita's bearing. The child you all mocked derisively, the child you all blamed and alienated so despicably, the child you all judged ruthlessly," Lady Galadriel's tone turned mystical, and every dwarf recoiled with the weight of her words against their conscious. "Under Lady Lux-Vita's permission of course, you shall all be allowed to witness the burden she bears, the reason for her weakened and wrecked, pitiful state; the heavy weight that crushes a fourteen-year-old girl's shoulder that you all scoffed at."

The air around Thorin and his Company began turning into a misty fog, their surroundings were being molded into different shapes and their location abruptly twisted, forming into the unknown; the last thing they heard was Lady Galadriel's mystical voice say, "There is an old adage that says; be careful what you wish for. You wished to know about Lux-Vita, and now you shall."

"Where are we?" Thorin growled angrily.

"I told you! I told you, she is an elf-witch! She cast a spell on us," Glóin roared searching for his weapons in the hope of slashing and beheading any enemies hidden in their midst.

"Quiet!" Gandalf hissed, and the thirteen dwarves and lone hobbit were shell-shocked to see Tharkûn assembled with them. "Lady Galadriel has cast no spell on you fools. She has transported you into the memory of our dear, Lux-Vita. Concentrate."

"Hey look, there's Lux-Vita!" Fíli crowed all of a sudden; every member whipped around and gasped in shock when they found themselves facing a different girl from the one they had accompanying them for a month. Although she looked weary and dirty, her ruby hair was luscious and healthy, her emerald eyes shone with a glow of happiness, and her skin was creamy and not gaunt or sunken.

She was running towards a curious golden cup, when they all heard a commotion and her face turned into one of horror, "Cedric! On your left!"

"Cedric? That's her fiancé," Kíli said jovially; they all turned to see an aristocratic-looking handsome young man with bronze hair and golden eyes. He was about to be jumped by a giant spider, but luckily moved aside right in time.

"Stupefy!" Lux-Vita yelled and a red jet of light hit the giant spider. The Company watched in awe as both Cedric and Lux-Vita yelled countless of spells before managing to successfully subdue the giant spider, but not before she was bitten in the leg by its sticky venom.

"Well, now we know what ailed her leg," Óin grumbled. The two humans marched toward the cup and began arguing over who would take it.

"Ced! Go on, take it," Lux-Vita beamed.

Cedric shook his head, "You take it. You should win, love. That's twice you saved my neck in here."

"Babe, it's not like that. I didn't know we were keeping score," Lux-Vita's arms snaked around his waist, and she stared up at him with the purest emotion of love that struck each of the dwarf's heart. "I didn't sign up for this damn tournament. Someone placed my name in. I don't want money, glory or fame, I have enough of that. I just want you to win so we can get out of here," she smiled fondly.

"I'm a Hufflepuff, what do you expect," Cedric retorted before placing a chaste kiss on her lips, "You told me about the dragons, Lux. I would've gone down in the First Task if you hadn't told me what was coming."

"She was being honest when she conversed of dragons!" Dwalin boomed in disbelief. In fact, every dwarf disregarded her words, and the guilt returned tenfold. Thorin's face was permanently morphed in a mixture of horror and guilt.

After a few minutes of the couple arguing, Lux-Vita finally said, "Together. Let's win this thing together, fiancé," her eyes glittered with mischief, and before they knew it, just as the two humans grabbed the cup, the Company's location changed and they found themselves in a spooky graveyard.

"Where are we?" Balin asked calmly, though he had a bad sensation about this location.

"In Lux-Vita's worst memory that haunts her every second of every day," Gandalf said each word laced heavily with sadness and despair. They observed as Cedric and Lux-Vita collided with the ground, the cup rolling from their hands; Cedric went to examine the cup before mentioning it was a portkey to their confusion.

Suddenly, Lux-Vita began screaming in agonizing pain at the top of their lungs bent down on all fours, clutching her forehead.

"What is happening to her?" Thorin yelled, concern overtaking his features. Fíli, Kíli and Ori were frightened with the rapid change in events and a foreboding feeling was ambient in the air.

"Lux-Vita! Lux? Lux!" Cedric was bent over Lux-Vita's form. Putting his arms around her, Cedric gently shook her, "Lux, what is it? What's wron-"Cedric drew a sharp intake of breath as he noticed the blood trickling down from her scar.

"Ced, Cedric!" Lux-Vita whimpered, "Go, get out of here! The cup is a portkey! Take it back to Hogwarts!"

"I don't like this Uncle Thorin," Kíli whimpered, and for once Thorin inwardly cursed his damn curiosity. He wished he never demanded to know about the human girl; perhaps he wouldn't be in this vile situation.

"He will never leave her. He loves her," Bombur said sadly; and he was right. The words barely left the cook's mouth when Cedric adamantly denied leaving.

"There is someone approaching," Dwalin growled out, he dearly missed his beloved dual axes, Grasper and Keeper and wished more than ever, that he had them with him, even though they couldn't interfere with the memory. Weapons gave the dwarves the feeling of safety, and they never left home without one on their person.

"No! Cedric, no! Go quickly!" Lux-Vita yelled at the top of her lungs as she struggled to stand up.

"Is that a bundle of blankets in that hooded figure's arm?" Dori asked in confusion. But before anyone could answer, or speculate further, a high, cold voice that sent a chilled shiver down each member of the Company's spine, hissed, "Kill the spare."

There was a swishing noise and a second voice screeched the two unfathomable words, "Avada Kedavra!"

"NOOOOOO!" Lux-Vita yelled desperately.

"Avada Kedavra! What does that mean Gandalf?" Fíli asked the Wizard in frightened tones. Gandalf had a grave look appear on his features, his eyes focused on the horrid scene occurring right before their very eyes, and he sadly said, "Look and see."

There was a blast of green light, hitting Cedric square on the chest. His body flew a few inches and dropped onto the ground with a loud thump. There was a collective gasp as the dwarves, the hobbit and the Grey Wizard gazed downward at Cedric; Cedric was laying spread-eagled on the ground beside Lux-Vita, his open golden eyes that held so much emotions were now blank and expressionless, and his mouth was half-open in slight surprise.

"Is he, is he … dead?" Kíli whispered sadly. Gandalf tightly closed his eyes and uttered that dratted word, "Yes, Kíli. He is dead."

Now they all understood Lux-Vita's action when she witnessed the lady from Bree dead on the side of the road; the reason why her soul was fading; the reason for her heart-wrenching sadness. Her fiancé, the love of her life, died right before her eyes while she could do nothing but stand by and watch it happen.

"It was two words. How can two words kill a person? What sorcery is this?" Thorin roared, his hands shaking with fear and anger, while his eyes gazed at the forlorn girl he scorned with utmost despair and guilt.

"Earth is a much dangerous world than Middle Earth, Thorin," Gandalf sighed, but Thorin was unable to respond as his nephews began yelling at the top of their lungs to leave the human girl alone. The fifteen members of the Company could do nothing but stand idly by and observe the young girl get manhandled, slammed and tied up onto a marbled gravestone by the short figure.

"What are they going to do to her?" Dori shrieked, feeling pity for the defenseless young girl. Dori's question was answered in spades; they watched sadly as the light disappeared from Lux-Vita's eyes, she was numb, uncaring of her surroundings, her eyes focused on her fiancé's dead body. She barely made a sound as the short figure began preparing a large cauldron and adding ingredients.

"Bone of the father, unknowingly given, you will renew your son!"

There was a crack on the surface of the grave at Lux-Vita's feet. A hiss of something colliding with the water. A vivid poisonous-looking blue light.

"Flesh – of the servant – w-willingly given – you will – revive your master."

"Mahal," Thorin, Dwalin, Balin and Glóin whispered in horror as they all observed the short figure amputate his hand and an agonizing scream pierced the air. The limb splashed into the cauldron and it began hissing with a red glow.

"Wait! Why is he approaching Lux-Vita?" Kíli growled angrily, his protective instincts toward the human girl returning tenfold. Simultaneously, Fíli began shouting, "Get away from her! Don't touch her! Hey!" Gandalf and the elder dwarves did not have the heart to inform young Fíli and Kíli that nobody would hear them; that they were merely meant to observe and couldn't change the circumstances from taking place; that it had already happened before.

"B-Blood of the enemy … forcibly taken … you will … resurrect your foe."

"Holy! Mahal!" Dori and Nori crowed in disgust.

"That was how she received that cut in her inner wrist," Óin snarled in disgust, his hand fumbling with his hearing aid. The short man added the drops of blood into the cauldron and mere minutes later, a pale, tall, skinny figure emerged slowly from the cauldron through the mist.

"Robe me," a high, cold voice spoke from behind the steam – the same voice that demanded Wormtail to kill Cedric. The Company watched with disgust at the figure: wide, livid scarlet eyes. His face whiter than a skull and a nose flat as a snake's with slits for nostrils.

"What monster is it," Thorin gasped in revulsion; he resembled Azog in the paleness, in the cruel intents displayed in the sinister eyes. Unbidden, Lux-Vita's last words played in his head; 'You think my actions make me a monster. Azog is a monster! You witnessed no monster, Thorin Oakenshield, King under the Mountain. None of you have, unlike me …I have experienced the true monster.'

"Mahal!" that was the only word the dwarves could articulate. Bilbo was a shivering mess beside a horror-stricken Gandalf as they observed the skeletal figure. They silently watched as he pressed a wand into a gruesome black mark from the short figure and how the graveyard became surrounded with hooded figures, surrounding the immobile and numb Lux-Vita.

They watched in distaste as the hooded figures bowed down to the skeletal monster, some kissing his feet, some reverently whispering, 'Master.'

"Like Sauron, this, being, is the Dark Lord in Lux-Vita's world," Gandalf commented with malice. His words had the added effect of creating an expression of disgust, hatred and disdain on each dwarf's features.

"What is happening?" Balin suddenly asked as the scene began moving forward in fast motion. Gandalf sucked in a sharp inhalation of breath, "You have been brought here to witness the happenings of Lux-Vita; as of now, the Dark Lord's speech is of no importance, you shall find out in due time, it is just not now. Curb your curiosity for the time being and be patient."

Suddenly, the images stopped moving forward, and they gasped in horror when the Dark Lord approached Cedric's dead body.

"That! That –"Nori cursed in Khuzdul, and he wasn't the only one; for when the Dark Lord placed his foot on Cedric's face, they all boiled in rage at the blatant disrespect.

"DON'T TOUCH HIM! DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HIM!" Lux-Vita yelled in rage, shocking the hooded figures simultaneously. But the skeletal monster merely smirked and approached the human girl, "You cared for him, didn't you? You want to join him in death, don't you?" he placed a finger onto Lux-Vita's soft, smooth and creamy cheek – she didn't even flinch, even as her scar began bleeding due to his touch, "I cannot just simply grant you your wish now when you want to die, you must feel pain first; pain by my hand that would kill your soul, making you suffer even in death."

"What does- what does he mean, Uncle?" Kíli whispered in disgust. Thorin felt the bile rise in his throat, hoping for once that he would be proved wrong. All dwarves, Bilbo and Gandalf observed with barely concealed horror at the next action that took place; he unbound her and then proceeded to drag her body until she lay next to Cedric's dead form before ripping her clothes off.

Every member closed their eyes, unable to witness the horror taking place before their very eyes. Tears began to drip down their eyelids as Lux-Vita's desperate screaming filled the air, pleading for death.

"Hmm, I don't think I will … you wanted to die Lux-Vita and me being the honorable Lord, I shall grant you your wish. But you are the reason I lived worse than a spirit in excruciating pain for thirteen years, and for that, you shall suffer before your death!"

Nobody cared to discern the meaning behind his words; they curbed their insatiable curiously wanting nothing more than to escape the horror Lux-Vita lived. Thorin hated himself more than ever for his cruel demeanor toward the human girl ever since he first laid eyes upon her, and wished that he could take his actions back, wished he could beg her for forgiveness … and he wasn't the only one. Every single dwarf that scorned her hated themselves more than ever.

Rape; such a thing was rare among their people, that if such a disgusting act happened, everyone called for the dwarf's death.

The hooded men were all cheering; despicable men. However, an action stood out the most; whenever the Dark Lord hissed the word 'Crucio', Lux-Vita's screams would increase tenfold. It took forever for the monster to quit defiling her, and when they finally opened their eyes, they were met with a barely breathing girl, whimpering in pain, blood coating her body.

The monster grinned sinisterly before saying, "Now untie her hands, Wormtail, and give her back her wand." Just as the wooden stick was placed in her possession, the Dark Lord uttered 'Crucio' again, and for the first time, the fifteen observers witnessed the effect of the spell.

"It's a torture curse," Dwalin growled in horror and anger once he comprehended the use.

"Yes. Tis the reason why Lux-Vita's vocal chords were ruptured; why she had the tremors. It was the after effect," Gandalf spoke soberly, his grey eyes dimmed immensely.

"We bow to each other Lux-Vita," the Dark Lord smirked bending a little, but all Lux-Vita did was glare at him with the utmost hatred she could conjure, "Come, the niceties must be observed. … Dumbledore would like you to show manners. … Bow to death, Lux-Vita. …"

Curses in Khuzdul filled the air; the dwarves didn't think it was possible to despise anyone more than Azog, but this monster really made them rethink their beliefs.

After a couple more torture curses, the monster grinned in anticipation. "A little break," his slit-nostrils dilated with excitement, "A little pause … that hurt, didn't it, Lux-Vita? You don't want me to do that again, do you?"

"He's toying with her. Son of an Orc," Thorin spat; he now understood Lux-Vita's burden. She may be a child, but she wasn't allowed to act as one; she had been robbed of her childhood. Just as Azog had been after him, this monster was after her.

"I will never ever EVER bow down to you, you megalomaniac bastard!" Lux-Vita yelled with the utmost hatred; the dwarves couldn't help but applaud her for the bravery she showed in spite of death.

"You won't?" the Dark Lord hissed quietly, his eyes narrowed in complete rage. "You won't say no? Lux-Vita, obedience is a virtue; I need to teach you before you die. … Perhaps another dose of pain?"

More curses echoed around the air; fifteen pairs of eyes narrowed in hatred. However, Lux-Vita ducked behind the marble headstone before the monster's curse could impact her body.

"We are not playing hide-and-seek, Lux-Vita," the Dark Lord said tauntingly, his soft, cold voice drawing nearer as the hooded figures laughed yet again. "You cannot hide from me. Does this mean you are tired of our duel? Does this mean you would prefer me to finish it now, Lux-Vita? Come out, Lux-Vita … come out and play, then … it will be quick … it might even be painless … I would not know … I have never died …"

Bifur began signing in Iglishmêk; all of them were quite nasty curses, growling at the scene with hatred. To their awe, Lux-Vita whipped around the headstone and cried out, "Reducto!" just as the Dark Lord yelled, "Avada Kedavra!"

"That's the spell that killed Cedric," Kíli cried out, his hand clenched in Fíli's, both brothers watching the scene occur in fear. However, they were astounded when illusions of the dead began emanating from the Dark Lord's wand.

A man and a woman that resembled Lux-Vita and they knew to be her parents appeared as well as Cedric, but before they could hear any of the words traded, the scene changed yet again. Before any of the dwarves could ask the question, Gandalf said, "It is a personal moment; again, you must be patient, one day you might be able to hear the words shared.

The dwarves nodded grumpily, yet grudgingly. Looking around, they found themselves in front of a marvelous castle, cheering filled the air as Lux-vita and Cedric's dead body landed on the grass, the golden cup spilling onto the side.

"Hey, Gandalf, that man resembles you exactly," Bofur crowed, garnering mutters of agreement from everyone else and a slight chuckle from Gandalf – yes, now he could understand Lux-Vita's pint of view when she mentioned how much they look alike.

The last thing they were able to hear or see, was Lux-Vita desperately grab the Gandalf-clone and whisper in fear, "He's back! He's back. Voldemort."

"The Dark Lord is called Voldemort, hmm," Balin pondered out loud, just as the mist descended and they found themselves back in their campsite.

"I think we should rest, for we have to continue our journey onward at daylight," Gandalf huffed calmly, separating himself from the congregation of dwarves and leaving them behind to their guilt-ridden thoughts.

A/N: And there we have it … Next chapter will be all about Lux-Vita.

Don't worry, I won't be showing Lux-Vita's remaining years at Hogwarts. It will merely be a quick skim, by Chapter 11 we will be back in Middle Earth.

I hope you enjoyed the double chapter for today. There are many plot twists to come. ;)

R&R.