Chapter Thirteen The Quest Begins

Hermione respectfully listened to Elrond's last words before they set out. She glanced towards Arwen, who met her eyes, and gave a slight nod, before turning her gaze back to Aragorn. She fell into step next to Legolas and followed the other fellowship through the gates, they were off.

After a short while, she ended up walking with the hobbits as Legolas scouted ahead. Frodo quietly asked if Hermione could tell them of her world as they walked. So she began telling them of her adventures with Harry and Ron starting from her first year at Hogwarts. While Merry and Pippin were more excited about hearing of the feasts that Hogwarts were known for, Sam seemed in awe of all that she had done. While the other three fussed back and forth, Frodo seemed to want to say something out of the hearing range of the others. Hermione quickly cast a Muffliato, so they could not be overheard, "You can ask me anything Frodo."

"I was just wondering how your friend Harry, was able to deal with such a heavy burden. He has lost most everyone that was dear to him, but still seems to go on." Frodo seemed genuinely concerned for someone that he had never met.

"Harry is a very exceptional person. True has had a lot of bad times, but he knows that he has a lot of people that care for him and support him no matter what. Sometimes he gets really down about everything, but that is when we remind him that we are there for him." Hermione was quiet for a moment. "I honestly don't know how else to answer the question. He is so much more than how the wizarding world sees him, but at the same time, he is just Harry."

Frodo nodded in understanding, "You care for him deeply."

"Of course, he has always been a brother to me. We both came from non-wizarding upbringings, and only children, so we kind of clung to each other. I have always known that I could speak to him about anything, and he would never think less of me."

Sam called out to Frodo then, so Hermione canceled the spell. Frodo hurried to catch up with the other hobbits leaving Hermione walking with Boromir.

"I heard the stories that you shared with the hobbits. Did all of that actually happen to you?"

Hermione nodded her head. Boromir looked on her in astonishment, "You were just a child, then. Was there no adults for you and your friends to go to for help?"

"We were in a school, so there was plenty of adults, but like most, they believed us to be just children and not know what we were talking about. Except for our headmaster, I believe now that he knew everything that was going on, but felt that we were the ones that should handle it."

"So in essence, you were never allowed to have a childhood? You were expected to handle situations that even some of the adults of your world were incapable of handling. I have truly underestimated you, Hermione, and I am honored to be part of the fellowship with you."

Hermione was touched by what Boromir said to her, but he was gone before she could reply. Up ahead they had reached a rocky clearing where the group had stopped momentarily. She could see the mountain in the distance covered in snow, and shivered, but whether it was from the cold or knowing what was about to happen she did not know.

She looked around for Legolas and found him off to the side of the group, so she walked over to him. Legolas gave her small smile and took her hand kissing the top of it lightly, "How are you doing, A'maelamin?" (beloved)

"I am good, although I feel strange."

Legolas looked alarmed, "Are you getting sick, what is wrong!" He placed a hand on her forehead.

Hermione jerked her head back, "Don't be silly," she said firmly, "I am not getting sick, it is nothing like that. Honestly, though I don't know how to describe it."

Legolas look slightly relieved but still concerned, "You will tell me if you start to feel bad, though, won't you?"

Hermione nodded and leaned up to brush her lips against his in a quick kiss, "I promise you will be the first to know, if I feel ill."

They both turned at shouting they heard, and could see the hobbits tackling Boromir. Legolas lead her over to a flat rock that looked out over the cliff. Legolas tensed up looking at something in the distance. Then everything happened very fast, as they all hid she cast quick disillusionment spells on them and the area, but she feared it was too late, they had been spotted. Hermione glanced up at the mountain, knowing where they were headed.

As they headed up the mountain, Hermione was pleasantly surprised to find that her boots kept her from sinking in the snow. She watched the group for any signs that the mind blocks were failing but all seemed to be well. Even when Frodo fell, and Boromir picked up the ring, he simply returned it to Frodo. Legolas took her hand and they walked on the outer edge of the group. Legolas suddenly stopped though, saying he could hear something on the wind, the next thing she knew she was falling from the side of the mountain. She could hear Legolas yelling for her, and quickly said the incantation that changed her form. As she flew back up to where the rest of the group was, she heard Legolas, "Thank the gods." The rest of the group looked at him as if he had taken leave of his senses. She changed back into herself in front of Legolas, who hugged her to him tightly. "I thought I lost you."

Hermione smiled up at him, and then looked at the rest of the fellowship, who were all speechless. Hermione turned back to Legolas looking sheepish, "I guess we forgot to tell them I could change forms."

Gandalf's gruff voice sounded next, "Hmm, I guess you are still full of surprises, my young witch." Then everyone started talking at once about which way to go. Gandalf left the decision up to Frodo, who stood up straight, announcing they would be going through the Mines of Moria. Hermione suddenly felt extremely tired. She turned to Legolas, "Would you mind if I changed forms, and hitched a ride on your shoulder?" Legolas could see the exhaustion on her face but decided that it was not the time to question her, and just nodded his acceptance. Hermione quickly changed forms and perched on Legolas's shoulder, and was asleep before she knew it.

Later, Hermione woke to someone petting her. As she opened her eyes she noticed that it had already started getting dark out. Hermione nuzzled into Legolas's hand for a moment and then flew down and transformed in front of him.

"I didn't mean to wake you. You make a beautiful eagle. Do you feel rested?"

"Thank you. I feel a little better, but still strange. Are we at the doors then?"

Legolas nodded his head, "Yes, Gandalf is trying to remember the password."

Hermione smiled lightly, "It is the elven word for friend." No sooner than she said it, she heard Frodo figure out that it was a riddle and Gandalf speak the word to open the doors. Hermione was still dazed from sleeping and forgot about the watcher. When the watcher grabbed Frodo, she quickly grabbed her bow and stood alongside Legolas firing at the monster. Once the hobbits, were in the clear, Legolas and Hermione walked backwards into the mine still firing at the watcher. Hermione exhaled as the doorway crumbled down. She turned to face the rest of the fellowship, lighting her wand with a quick "Lumos." Hermione placed a hand on Gimli's shoulder and squeezed lightly trying to offer comfort, but she knew there was still worse grief headed his way.