Thanks for the reviews people! They're appreciated. And soon, soon you shall find out what Hermione's task is! I hope you like it.
Chapter fourteen
As Legolas slept, Hermione stood beside his bed and bent down, so her face was level with his sleeping face. Silently, she pressed her lips to his and pulled away. Well, she would have, if it had not been for the hands that had pulled her closer and the lips that were now kissing hers passionately.
They pulled away, Hermione now lying beside Legolas on his bed. "When were you going to tell me?" He asked gently, caressing her cheek with a finger.
"I wasn't." She replied, looking away. "I'm sorry, but I've got to go."
"Stay." He whispered.
She hesitated, wanting to stay with all her heart, but she knew she couldn't. She had a task to complete. "I can't. I'm sorry." Then she smiled. "But don't worry, I'll be fine."
She got up from the bed, and grabbed the small sack of things for her journey.
He pulled her back, but this time, he was standing. He pulled her to him, his lips searching for her own once again. He just couldn't get enough. He wrapped his arms around her waist and her hands went into his hair again.
He nipped at her bottom lip, asking for entrance, she granted it and they began to explore each other's mouths.
Finally, Hermione pulled away. "I've got to go, it's nearly midnight. Gandalf is waiting."
He held onto her tightly.
"Legolas." Hermione sighed. "Come on, I've got to go."
He kissed her temple and with his lips still in contact with her skin, whispered, "I love you, Hermione. Stay safe." Before he let her go.
Hermione's eyes widened and her first thought was along the lines of 'H-he loves me? He can't love me, no, it's not right. I'm a mortal, he's an elf, we're from different worlds… what happens when – if – I go back?'
"It's too early for I love you's, Legolas." She said, before sweeping out the door, leaving a dumb-struck elf staring after her.
She left quickly enough, winding her way through the castle of Minis Tirith, until she finally came to the stables.
"Hermione, you're late." Gandalf said, coming out of the shadows.
"I got caught up."
"Legolas." He guessed. She nodded. "Do you know where to go?"
"Yes, through the mountains and up the slopes."
He nodded proudly. "You must ride quickly. It is a long journey. You should arrive some time during the early hours of the morning tomorrow, before our troops move out. When you get there, I want you to tell them Gandalf sent you. Then the rest is up to you. You must convince them to come to our aid."
"I will try, Gandalf."
"That is all that I ask." He said. "Now, off with you!" As she mounted her horse, he slapped it on the hide and it set off at a gallop.
She rode for hours upon hours, over the mountains, and by the time the sun was setting, she reached the slopes. Tired as she was, she could not stop; she needed to get there as quickly as possible.
So, spurring her horse on and pulling her cloak around her tightly, she began up the slopes.
As the slopes got higher, the path became narrower, and Hermione was forced to abandon her horse in order to travel on foot.
As she reached the top, warmth suddenly overcame her cold body. She had passed into the realm of the eagles.
It wasn't long until she had been noticed, as a large eagle flew over and landed in front of her. She took an involuntary step back from the large bird, eyeing it's beak.
'What is your business here, human?' It asked in her mind.
"I-I come on behalf of Gandalf." She said bravely. "We need your help."
The eagle regarded her with its yellow eyes. 'Gandalf, you say? Tell me child, what is your name?'
"My name is Hermione Granger."
'You are not from this world.' She stated.
"No, I came here by magic." She admitted.
The eagle regarded her again. 'Come, it is late, young one.' She said in a wise voice. 'You must rest, and rest well, as we will come to Gandalf's aid.'
"Thank you." Hermione bowed humbly, feeling it the polite thing to do, remembering Buckbeak.
The eagle took off, into the mist, which must have appeared when Hermione and Eagle had been conversing, leaving Hermione to blindly follow the path.
She did, sweating despite the chill that ran through the air. When she finally reached the top, the eagle was waiting for her.
'You will sleep here tonight.' She said, nodding toward a bed of feathers.
"Thank you, - excuse me, but what do I call you?"
The eagle chuckled inside Hermione's head. 'My name is Veralien. No other mortal, besides Gandalf knows of it, and I never intend for them to.'
Hermione climbed into the bed. "You won't leave with out me, will you, Veralien?" She asked with a stifled yawn.
'Of course not, young one.' Veralien said kindly. 'You are going to be needed.'
Hermione nodded sleepily, before collapsing on the bed and into dreams.
She was walking down a path, and into a bright light. Shielding her eyes, she continued on her way. She walked for hours and hours, unable to stop or make a sound.
At last, she prevailed, coming out of the blinding light and into a room. She gasped and fell to her knees, tears running freely down her cheeks at the sight of the room.
Hanging from the roof, by their ankles, were Ginny, Harry, Ron, Luna, Molly, Arthur, everyone. Blood dripped down from their bodies, consuming the floor in a flood.
It was filling up, their lifeless eyes disappearing under the line of blood, which was slowly rising.
Soon, the room was filled with blood, and Hermione couldn't get free, as she swam desperately, she found she couldn't move. Suddenly, Harry's body was floating in front of her, lifeless and blank.
She tried to scream, but nothing came out. She couldn't move, cry out or even breathe.
Then, Harry's eyes jerked to life, a panicked expression written all over his face.
Hermione awoke with a gasp.