Chapter Thirty-Three: Death Eater Slayers and Anger Management
Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the plot and any additional characters I add. All familiar dialogue is the property of J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson. Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.
oOoOo
Hermione had never felt as drained as she felt now. Trying to open her eyes, it was pitch-black within the room she was in, and she wondered if she managed to open her eyes at all. She felt around with her hands, discovering she was lying next to a wall and pulled herself into a sitting position. Her mouth was dry, and it hurt when she tried to swallow. Her head was throbbing from lack of water. She reached up shakily, placing her hand on the back of her head where it hurt the most, only to feel something warm and sticky matted in her hair. She pulled her hand back in disgust, wondering what on earth was in her hair before looking around the room. She could see something shining on a far wall where there was a little bit of light shining on it. After a moment or two of staring, she realised it was chains hanging from the wall and panicked slightly.
It was then the events of the night came back to her, and her breathing became shallow with fear. Where was she and where was Legolas? Was he okay? Thoughts like these consumed her until she eventually tried to calm her beating heart by taking deep breaths. When she was calmer, she crawled over towards the chains, struggling to her feet. Hermione grasped the cold stone wall for balance, using the wall as a guide, and navigated herself around. Suddenly, the wall disappeared, and she found herself falling into something metal.
Feeling the cold surface with her hands, Hermione's hands brushed something soft and rigid. Frowning, she moved her hands over it until she felt something wet and pulled her hand away wondering what on earth it could be. Hermione didn't have long to guess when the lights switched on. She looked down at her hand to see blood dripping from her fingers, and her eyes widened. Her eyes travelled back to the metal thing she felt earlier, discovering it was a metal chair. Upon it sat a dead woman whose eyes were gouged out, and her middle slashed open. Holding back a scream of disgust, she looked towards the sound of a metal door being unbolted.
Three cloaked figures made their way slowly into the room before the one leading the other two pulled his hood down, smirking at her. Hermione tilted her head, wondering who the handsome young man was before the other two also removed their hoods, revealing Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy in all their gory... eh, glory. Hermione frowned when the Leader of the two famous Death Eaters spoke, 'Good evening Miss Granger,' he greeted, his voice silky, but holding a hint of danger.
Hermione frowned. 'Who are you?' she asked, studying the handsome young man with wary eyes.
The man clicked his tongue, tutting dramatically. 'I think I'll let you guess,' he answered with a smirk.
Hermione looked at him, and it clicked who it was when a vision came back to her of seeing this same young man in a picture at Hogwarts. His name floated in front of her eyes, and she gasped, backing away to the wall. 'Tom Riddle,' she whispered, staring at him.
He smiled, tilting his head, and his dark eyes roamed from her face all the way down and then back up again. 'Correct, Miss Granger. I see your perception is still intact. I am curious about how you would know this,' he answered while Hermione continued to try and disappear into the stone wall.
'There's a picture of you at Hogwarts,' Hermione whispered in horror.
He slowly walked towards her, stopping for a moment to look at her. 'You are beautiful, even for a Mudblood,' he said to her while his eyes continued to roam over her body making Hermione feel very self-conscious. Hermione didn't know whether to thank him or scream, so she just looked away, scanning the room for an escape route. When none came to mind, she looked back at a smirking Tom Riddle who apparently figured out what she was thinking. 'Tut, tut, Miss Granger. As you have already sussed, there is no way out of this dungeon unless I decide to be merciful, and let you go,' he told her with a chuckle.
'Are you?' she asked, startling him with her question.
He composed himself quickly before smirking again. 'I'm afraid not, but I'm sure no one will be missing you. No, I think I'll let you rot down here for your Elf boyfriend to find you later. It should be a rather special present for him,' he smiled a little, turning to leave. 'Oh, and Miss Granger?' he said, looking back at her.
Hermione looked back at him. 'What?' she asked curiously.
'Behave yourself,' he answered with a chuckle before leaving. Bellatrix and Lucius followed behind him like the sheep they were.
Hermione sighed heavily, tears welling up in her eyes. She slumped against the wall, sliding down into a crouching position, only one name going through her mind.
Legolas.
oOoOo
Aragorn and Gimli stealthily made their way outside, looking for a way to avoid the many Orcs and Uruks out on the Battlements. Aragorn pushed Gimli back into a wall when a group of Orcs passed by them, their weapons at the ready for any stragglers still on the Battlements. They ran past them and up some stairs before ducking behind a wall when one of the Uruk Leaders looked up upon hearing their footsteps, before shaking his head and looking away.
Aragorn looked out onto the Battlements, and his heart almost broke at the sight. They were all dead. The many mutilated bodies were an exclamation mark on everything which led to this point. Aragorn sighed, looking above him to the sky. The storm seemed to lose its frenzy. The ragged clouds gave way to the stars above.
'What if he has fallen, Aragorn?' Gimli asked the Ranger in a whisper.
Aragorn looked at the Dwarf like he had grown two more heads and started singing in Elvish. 'Legolas has laughed death in the face far too many times for him to stop now. Elves like him do not die in places like this,' Aragorn said firmly, pointing over to where he could see movement around the wall they were hiding behind. Aragorn stealthily shot an arrow at the Uruk on the Battlements, and then the somewhat confused Orc who was with him fell quickly after. The two companions ran out of their hiding position and over to where the person was moving.
It was not Legolas, but one of the soldiers who fought alongside the Elf at one point in the battle. Gimli let out a slight huff, earning him a sideways glance from Aragorn. 'What, lad? I thought it was the blasted Elf! Making us worry like this!' he said quietly, trying not to draw attention to them, but also loud enough to emphasise he was feeling bitter towards Legolas.
Aragorn looked up at him, smirking. 'You are worried about him?' he asked, shaking the soldier.
Gimli looked scandalised. 'Of course not!' he almost shouted, but thankfully didn't.
Aragorn chuckled before turning to the soldier who was coming too. 'What is your name?' he asked the soldier who was trying to focus.
The soldier groaned. 'Hetios. My name is Hetios,' he croaked.
Aragorn nodded, untying a water bottle from his belt. He gently tilted Hetios' head back, giving him some water. 'You bore a few cuts, but you are still whole,' Aragorn informed him, reaching out a hand to help the soldier to his feet. 'Well, can you stand?' Aragorn asked him.
'Yes, sir,' Hetios answered, taking Aragorn's outstretched hand and allowing himself to be pulled to his feet.
Aragorn nodded in the direction of the Keep. 'Go now to the Keep with stealth in mind. There are many enemies still lurking,' he informed him and received a nod. Hetios carefully walked away in the direction given.
'Do you think he'll make it?' Gimli asked him quietly after Hetios was around the corner and out of sight.
'He is not stupid,' Aragorn answered before turning around to search the Battlements.
Something silver caught his eye in the middle of multiple bodies strewn everywhere from where the moon was hitting it. It was hair, this much he knew, and he instantly made his way over towards the Elf lying face down on the ground. Aragorn reached down, turning the Elf over, and revealing it to be Legolas after all. No air escaped his lips, and there was no other movement to indicate he was still alive.
'Is he...?' Gimli trailed off, tears welling in his eyes. He would never admit he had or would ever cry because an Elf died.
'I do not know,' he answered, lifting the Elf over his shoulder and carrying him only to realise there was something else missing from the scene. Gimli seemed to notice this as well, nudging his side. Aragorn nodded down to him. 'If he wakes up he is not going to be a happy Elf,' Aragorn whispered, getting a better grip of Legolas.
Gimli nodded in agreement. 'Best stop him from going on a killing spree, eh?'
Aragorn almost chuckled at the thought of Legolas going out on a killing spree. 'Yes, this would be best. We both know once he realises she is not here, which will not take him long mind, he will go after her. There is no way we are going to be able to stop him. Once Legolas has got something into his head, he will not stop until it has been done,' Aragorn informed him. The two companions, carrying Legolas, made their way back to the Keep where the King was awaiting them anxiously.
They carried the Elf in to the gasps of many who thought he was dead. Haldir was one of those, closing his eyes in sorrow while Aragorn and Gimli placed Legolas down on one of the free cots placed around the Keep.
oOoOo
Voldemort left the lights on when he left, so Hermione could see what was in the dungeon and she wished they were switched off. From the ceiling hung mutilated bodies, while on the walls were more chained. She was sat in a corner, huddled, where she tried not to look at them. In her mind, she prayed to be rescued, but she also had a feeling they would think her dead when they realised she wasn't there.
She pulled herself closer to the wall, letting the tears fall, and all the while hoping everyone was okay.
oOoOo
Aragorn looked out one of the cracks of the boarded windows to see banners of the White Hand flying from the Battlements. The Hornburg was overrun with Uruk-hai and Orcs scouting the areas. He sighed, turning towards the cot Legolas was lying on, and his stillness struck fear into him. Théoden walked over to him. 'The fortress is taken. It is over,' the King said, his tone defeated.
Aragorn picked up a table with Gimli's help, carrying it over towards the door to shore it up. 'You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it! They still defend it! They have died defending it!' he answered, dropping the table and causing Gimli to strain under its weight.
In the Glittering Caves, the women and children were crying in fear when they heard the battering ram banging on the door. 'They are breaking in!' one woman cried.
'They're past the door!' came another who was holding onto her Daughter.
Aragorn frowned. 'Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves?' he asked, only to receive no answer. 'Is there no other way?' he asked again, more firmly this time.
Gamling sighed, pushing himself off the wall. 'There is one passage. It leads into the mountains. But they will not get far. The Uruk-hai are too many,' he answered, looking towards the barricaded door.
Aragorn nodded. 'Send word for the women and children to make for the mountain pass, and barricade the entrance,' he suggested quickly, walking over to Théoden who was holding his head in his hands.
Théoden shook his head sadly. 'So much death,' he whispered before looking up at Aragorn. 'What can men do against such reckless hate?' he asked.
Aragorn paused before answering, 'Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them.' He raised himself to his full height.
Théoden looked at him, a light of determination shining in his eyes. 'For death and glory,' he answered.
Aragorn nodded. 'For Rohan. For your people,' Aragorn stated, looking over towards Legolas' cot to see the Elf moving and a smile lit up his face.
Legolas pushed himself into a sitting position, looking over at Aragorn. He stood from his cot and gathered his effects. He made his way over to them. 'What is happening?' the Elf asked quietly.
Gimli chuckled. 'The sun is rising,' he answered, and Legolas looked over at him, rolling his eyes.
'I am aware of this, Dwarf,' Legolas answered, before grinning and clapping a hand on the Dwarf's shoulder.
Aragorn grinned, before looking up at a window to see faint light streaming through. It was then he recalled Gandalf's parting words, 'Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east.' Aragorn's smile widened and looked towards Legolas and Gimli who nodded in remembrance of what Gandalf said.
Théoden stood up from his chair. 'Yes. Yes! The Horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep one last time!' he shouted, and Aragorn nodded, determination clear in both pairs of eyes.
Gimli raised his axe in cheer. 'Yes!' he shouted, making his way quickly up the steps to the Horn of Helm Hammerhand.
Legolas looked around, almost in panic like he was looking for something. Théoden placed a hand on Aragorn's shoulder. 'Let this be the hour when we draw swords together. Fell deeds awake. Now for wrath! Now for ruin! And a red dawn!' Théoden shouted before mounting his horse and putting his helmet on. The sound of the Horn rumbled throughout Helm's Deep when Gimli blew it with gusto. 'FORTH EORLINGAS!' Théoden shouted, leading the charge out of the Keep and into the Hornburg, slashing away at the Uruk-hai while they went.
Before Aragorn could follow, Legolas pulled up beside him on Arod and frowned. 'Where is Hermione?' he asked, shooting an arrow which hit an Orc in the neck.
Aragorn closed his eyes before looking at his friend sadly. 'I do not know. I am sorry,' he answered before kicking his horse gently into a gallop and catching up with the King, leaving a worried and angry Elf behind. Legolas shook his head, trying to rid himself of the anger he felt before pulling Arod into a gallop and catching up with the riders. Without pause, they stormed the gates and went down the Causeway, right into the column of awaiting Uruk-hai. In the midst of the battle, Aragorn turned, looking East to the top of a steep hill where a White Rider was waiting against the rising sun. 'Gandalf,' the Ranger whispered with a grin, getting back into the fray.
Up on the hill, Gandalf watched the battle below. 'Théoden King stands alone,' he said, raising his staff.
Éomer came up from behind him on a dark brown horse, taking his place beside the wizard. 'Not alone,' he answered, raising his hand. 'Rohirrim!' he shouted and hundreds of riders moved into position behind Éomer.
Théoden, upon hearing the shout, turned towards the East. 'Éomer!' he shouted, grinning with relief upon seeing his Nephew.
Éomer nodded. 'To the King!' he shouted, while he and Gandalf led the Rohirrim in a charge down the slope. Half of the Uruk-hai army turned to face the challenge, bearing their spears down towards the riders. As the Rohirrim and Gandalf drew nearer, Gandalf raised his staff just when the sun rose behind them causing a blinding light like a beam to shoot out of his staff, momentarily blinding the Uruk-hai. They were now vulnerable, raising their hands and spears to shield their eyes. The riders reached the end of the slope, crashing right into the Uruk-hai and engaging them in battle.
oOoOo
Draco, Merry, and Pippin watched in anticipation as the Ents, led by Treebeard, who they were currently holding onto for dear life, finally reached Isengard. Draco chuckled, causing Merry and Pippin to look at him wondering if he'd finally gone mad. 'Guess what guys; it's time to embrace the horror! We've got front row tickets to the end of Isengard!' Draco said sarcastically to which the two laughed.
The Ents stomped through, swinging their large limbs, throwing, and stamping on Orcs like they were mere ants and rolling huge boulders over the ground. The Orcs managed to pull down one Ent with chains, and they immediately jumped on it, hacking away at his wooden limbs.
Up in the Orthanc Tower where Saruman was meeting with Tom Riddle, he stopped mid-sentence upon hearing the commotion outside and rushed out onto the balcony, followed by Riddle where they stared down at the pandemonium in incredulity.
Draco pulled out his wand, firing off spells at the Orcs running around, while Merry and Pippin threw stones at them, their aims true. 'Yes!' Pippin shouted, hitting one on the head causing it to fall over.
Treebeard laughed at the Hobbits enthusiasm. 'A hit. A fine hit!' he said in pride, grabbing an Orc and hitting other Orcs with it. Two Ents nearby rocked a wooden structure, breaking it free from where it was nailed to the ground and pushed it into the caverns below. It broke into pieces when it smashed against the rocky walls below.
Some Orcs lit the ends of their arrows and Draco, upon noticing this, fired spells at them to stop them from hitting the Ents, but he couldn't get all of them. The arrows were shot at a nearby Ent, setting him on fire. Draco growled at this, pointing his wand at the Orcs who were cheering. 'Aquarinus!' he shouted, and a jet of powerful water shot from the end of his wand, hitting all the Orcs. He pulled his wand back and blew on the end of it before grinning and sending a stunner at another. 'The things I do,' Draco muttered to himself, sending the same water spell at the Ent who was on fire, and putting the flames out instantly. He received a grateful nod from the fallen, but thankfully not dead Ent. Draco looked up then to see Saruman and Riddle looking about from the balcony. 'Son of a Blast-Ended Skrewt!' he cursed before pointing his wand up towards the balcony. 'Avada Ked—' he stopped mid-sentence upon noticing an Orc running towards him. He sighed, pointing his wand towards the Orc and sending the Cruciatus its way. Draco felt little satisfaction in watching the thing writhe on the ground in agony, but he didn't stop either.
When he had successfully driven the horrible creature insane to the point where it couldn't decipher friend from foe, he watched for a moment curiously when it started killing its allies. He nodded to himself before turning to where about six Ents were now breaking away at the dam. 'Break the dam! Release the river!' Treebeard shouted while Draco ran over to where Merry and Pippin were also watching.
Draco sighed while he watched, sending a random 'Diffindo' towards an Orc who was running towards him. 'With each passing day, the world finds new and exciting ways to kill a man,' he muttered to the chuckles of Merry and Pippin while Treebeard scooped them up. They held on tight when the dam broke, sending the river rushing down the slope towards Isengard, washing away the Orcs and wooden structures in its path.
'Pippin, hold on!' Merry shouted, and the Hobbits and Draco tightened their hold on top of Treebeard.
'Hold on, little Hobbits and Man!' Treebeard shouted to them, bracing himself against the flood. While the water rushed over Isengard, one of the Ents, who was set alight by the Orcs flaming arrows, thrust his burning body into the water. The water rushed into caverns, washing away the bridges, mechanisms, and structures within.
On top of the balcony, Saruman growled. 'You know, I really hate children,' he said to Riddle who nodded back in agreement, spotting the Hobbits and Draco getting down from Treebeard and into the water. From this vantage point, he also noticed Wormtongue getting down off one of the many large rocks and his scowl deepened.
Back down below, Draco looked around, grinning at the two Hobbits. 'Mission complete guys. We have a new record. Cue the cheesy inspirational music!' he shouted to which the Hobbits chuckled while they watched him. Draco grinned at them before looking up at the Orthanc Tower where Saruman was still looking out over the balcony. Pissing Saruman off was a dangerous game. But when people get mad, they make mistakes. Draco should know. That's where he wanted his Father; mad enough to trip over his own feet, preferably into a grave. Draco sighed and was about to turn when something caught his eye, and he raised his eyebrows. Wormtongue was looking at him, and if steam could come out his ears, it would have. He looked like he was going to say something when Draco stopped him. 'I'm sorry, talking to you seems as appealing as playing leapfrog with unicorns,' Draco informed him, and Wormtongue turned red with anger.
'You have got a real attitude problem!' Wormtongue shouted back.
'Well...you've got a real hair problem!' Draco retorted, pointing towards Wormtongue's messed up hair from the water and grease.
'You just do not know when to quit, do you?' Wormtongue shouted back, fuming with anger.
Draco grinned, always needing to have the last say. 'Neither did your barber,' he said, outwitting the horrible man who reminded him of Wormtail and wondered if they were distantly related. He smirked at him before raising his wand. 'Petrificus Totalus!' he said, and the beam hit Wormtongue causing his body to go stiff like a board. He fell back into the water with a splash.
oOoOo
Hermione sat up straight upon hearing crashing sounds from outside. She thought she could hear rushing water. Frowning, she walked towards it but jumped out of the way when something crashed into the wall making a gap large enough to squeeze through. She waited while water rushed in until it was nearly up to her chin, before she swam over, diving under the water and out of the gap. She surfaced and looked around, wondering where she was before she gasped upon noticing massive trees were walking about in the water flooding the land.
Hermione frowned, looking around until she spotted a familiar head of blonde hair with two much smaller people standing next to him, and a smile brightened her face. She ran through the water towards them. Draco turned around upon hearing the splashing of the water and found himself being crushed by something or someone more like. 'Argh! What the hell—' he pulled away, looking at her before his eyes widened. 'Granger?' he asked while she nodded before he pulled her back into his arms in relief. He pulled away, actually smiling at her. 'I thought you were dead,' he whispered, pulling her back towards him in a hug.
'I thought so too,' she whispered, tightening her arms around him.
'Where's everyone else?' Draco asked, pulling away to let the two Hobbits hug her.
Hermione hugged them back before looking up at Draco. 'I don't know. The last thing I remember was hearing Legolas shouting for me to wake up and then... even though my eyes were closed I saw a flash of green light. I think... I think Legolas may be...' she trailed off, not wanting to think him dead.
Draco looked down at her sadly, pulling her back into his arms. 'He won't be. Legolas is too cool to die. He's too... I dunno... careful?' he said hypothetically. He shook his head. 'There's no way, alright. If he was dead then we'd know about it,' he said to her, looking into her eyes.
Hermione frowned. 'How?' she asked feeling rather pathetic.
'Because Gimli would cheer as if his life depended on it,' Draco laughed while Hermione cracked a small smile. 'Don't worry. It'll be fine. You'll see,' he whispered, and Hermione leaned back into him, letting him hold her.
oOoOo
In Osgiliath, Harry knelt to the ground, holding his wand so firmly his knuckles were turning white. He looked out at the fighting, and upon noticing a cloaked figure running by, he kicked out his leg and tripped them up before stunning them. He reached out, grabbing the figure, and pulled them towards himself, pulling down the hood. He was shocked to find it was not even an adult, but Pansy Parkinson. His frown deepened, this girl was the same age as himself, and though she was a Slytherin, she could have been another Draco Malfoy and saved herself before letting her soul be sold to a heartless bastard.
Harry shook his head sadly before removing Pansy's cloak and looking at her forearm, only to find the Dark Mark was not present. Frowning, he wondered why Voldemort hadn't given it to her before it hit him. He remembered something Draco told him, about there being a test to prove themselves worthy of being a Death Eater and wondered if this was their test. Of course, it was just like something Voldemort would do and send his new lackeys out into a world they knew nothing about.
Harry was pulled out of his thoughts when Frodo got up, ambling away from the safe corner towards the Gondorian Rangers who were still running about defending their stations. Harry made to reach out and grab the Hobbit but missed. 'What are you doing? Where are you going!' he shouted to Frodo, and Sam made to get up to follow him.
Frodo ignored everything around him, walking up some stairs to stand on a bridge. A Nazgûl on a fell beast emerged in front of him, and Frodo stared at the Nazgûl, fixated. Feeling the call of the Ring, he held it up towards it. Faramir looked up then, watching the unfolding tableau from below with a frown. Frodo moved to put the Ring on his finger, and the Nazgûl flew closer and closer. Sam growled, running up the stairs followed closely by Harry, and knocked Frodo over. Faramir, upon seeing his chance, released an arrow, shooting the Fell Beast. Frodo and Sam rolled down the stairs, and when they came to a stop at the bottom, Harry ran down to find Frodo holding Sam in a death grip, yelling and pointing Sting at his throat. His eyes were livid with madness and anger at thinking someone would try to take the Ring away from him.
Sam looked at his friend in fear, tears running down his face. 'It's me. It's your Sam. Don't you know your Sam?' Sam asked in an anguished voice.
Harry watched silently while the madness faded and recognition returned to Frodo's eyes. Frodo then realised what he nearly did and became overcome. Stumbling backwards, he collapsed against a wall, letting Sting fall to the ground with a clang. Harry reached down towards Sam, pulling the shaken Hobbit to his feet slowly. Frodo looked at them. 'I can't do this,' he whispered slowly with despair.
Sam nodded, looking up at Harry and then back to Frodo. 'I know. It's all wrong. By rights, we shouldn't even be here. But we are,' he answered, leaning back against a wall and looking out into the distance. 'It's like in the great stories, Mr Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were and sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the ending be happy?' he asked sadly, before continuing, 'How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened?' he paused momentarily.
Harry picked it up causing the two Hobbits to look up at him. 'But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come,' Harry said, looking up at the sky. 'And when the sun shines it will shine out all the clearer,' he said, and Sam nodded in agreement.
Sam looked back at Frodo. 'Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back; only they didn't. They kept going because they were holding on to something,' he finished to which Frodo finally looked up at him.
Frodo pondered a moment before asking, 'What are we holding on to, Sam?'
Sam smiled, walking over towards him and helping him into a standing position. 'That there's some good in this world, Mr Frodo. And it's worth fighting for,' he answered earning a smile from Harry and a small one from Frodo.
Unknown to them, Gollum was still standing in the safe corner, and even he felt moved by Sam's speech before he disappeared back into the shadows. Faramir walked over to them, kneeling in front of Frodo. 'I think at last we understand one another, Frodo Baggins,' he whispered, smiling at the Hobbit.
Madril looked on in confusion. 'You know the laws of our country, the laws of your Father. If you let them go, your life will be forfeit,' he told him, trying to sway Faramir from this path.
Faramir just shook his head. 'Then it is forfeit. Release them,' he said to Madril who nodded. Harry's smile widened, and he shook Faramir's hand firmly, before allowing Sam to shake Faramir's whole arm while Frodo looked up at him in relief.
oOoOo
The remaining Uruk-hai at Helm's Deep were trying to escape the wrath of the Rohirrim and flee into a strange forest, which wasn't there the night before. Éomer rode out in front of his men and addressed them, 'Stay out of the forest! Keep away from the trees!' he ordered them to which he received nods and murmurs of acknowledgement of his order.
Gandalf, Aragorn, Éomer, and his Riders watched the trees of Fangorn, who had come to their rescue, taking care of the Uruk-hai's. As soon as the last Orc disappeared in the forest, the trees started to move and shake. The Orcs could be heard screaming for their lives, but not a single one could escape this fate...
Back in the castle, the women and children welcomed the men when they returned. Éowyn ran up to Aragorn, embracing him, and crying tears of relief at seeing he was okay before she looked around at his comrades in arms.
Outside of Helm's deep, a Rohan soldier dropped a dead Orc, looking down at it in disgust. Legolas made his way towards Gimli who was sitting quite smugly on a dead Uruk-hai, smoking his pipe. Legolas stopped in front of him, eyeing the dead Uruk-hai before looking at his bow thoughtfully. 'Final count... forty-two,' he said with a triumphant smirk, but deep down he was in turmoil. Where was Hermione?
Gimli looked back at him in amusement blowing out some smoke and making rings in the air which floated towards Legolas. 'Forty-two? Oh, that's not bad for a pointy-eared Elvish Princeling. I, myself, am sitting pretty on forty-three,' he replied with a chuckle.
Gimli flinched when Legolas' face darkened, and he quickly nocked an arrow, shooting it. It landed in the Uruk-hai, the arrow sticking out between Gimli's legs. Legolas smirked. 'Forty-three,' he said, still smirking at the shocked Dwarf.
Gimli looked from the arrow lodged in the Uruk-hai between his legs to Legolas in disbelief. 'He was already dead,' Gimli stated matter-of-factly.
Legolas frowned, but the smirk remained. 'He was twitching,' he argued, gesturing to the Uruk-hai.
'He was twitching because he's got my axe embedded in his nervous system!' Gimli shouted, moving his axe which caused the dead Uruk-hai's body to move as well.
Legolas couldn't fight the small smile twitching on his lips at the Dwarf's intense sense of competitiveness. 'Where is Hermione?' he asked suddenly.
Gimli froze just as he inhaled from his pipe and started coughing and spluttering. Gimli looked up at him sadly. 'When we found you, the lass was nowhere to be seen. I'm sorry, lad,' he answered to which an angry glint appeared in the Elf's eyes. He spun on his heel, storming away. Gimli stood, dropping his axe which fell on his foot. He shouted out in pain, jumping around. 'Damn you, Elf! Don't do anything stupid!' he shouted, but it fell on deaf ears.
Legolas continued back towards the Keep, pushing the doors open forcefully. He stormed over to where Gandalf, Aragorn, and Théoden were talking in hushed tones. They fell silent when they looked at the visibly fuming Elf. Aragorn frowned, not liking the look in his friend's eyes. Legolas glared at each of them in turn before speaking in a low, calm voice which meant he was not in the mood to be buggered about. 'Where is Hermione? Since I awoke, I have been kept in the dark about her whereabouts, and I want to know now!' He said steadily. They looked back wondering if it was better if he shouted because the steady, calm anger in an Elf was frightening at best, especially from Legolas.
When they didn't answer, Legolas was about to turn and leave when a hand clasped on his shoulder. 'My Son, she was taken,' Thranduil said quietly.
'Taken?' Legolas asked in disbelief, and the memories finally came back to him. Hermione falling to the ground... no breath escaping her lips... shouts from behind him... orders for her to be taken, and for him to be killed... a brilliant flash of green light... then darkness before he woke up in the Keep.
'Those robed men took her. They seemingly disappeared into thin air taking Hermione with them. I am sorry, from what I could see from my vantage point, she was not breathing,' Thranduil whispered, looking at his broken Son sadly.
Legolas felt his heart constrict painfully at his words before a rage so powerful burst forth and he turned, walking out of the Keep briskly. Aragorn and Gandalf sped after him while Gimli was entering the Keep and upon seeing the Elf in a rage, he followed his two comrades in their self-appointed task of calming the Elf down.
oOoOo
Merry, Pippin, Draco, and Hermione waded around in the water flooding Isengard. They stopped, watching Saruman and Riddle from where they were still looking down at the carnage from the balcony in disbelief. 'He doesn't look too happy, does he?' Merry stated with a secretive smile and a small wink to Hermione who laughed slightly.
Pippin nodded in agreement to this. 'Not too happy at all, Merry,' he answered, looking around at the mess they created with a smug smile tugging at his lips.
Hermione tilted her head to the side, looking up at the balcony. 'Still, I suppose the view would be quite nice from up there,' she said to them, and the two Hobbits nodded.
Pippin smiled. 'Oh yes. It's a quality establishment. I hear the staff are excellent,' he said to her which caused her to giggle. Draco chuckled when Merry tried to measure with his hand to see if Pippin was still taller than him without letting him know about it, but Pippin noticed his hand go down to his side quickly and frowned. 'What are you doing?' he asked suspiciously.
Merry looked at him, feigning innocence. 'Nothing,' he stated causing Draco and Hermione to look at each other and roll their eyes. Merry looked around with a very pleased expression lighting his face. 'The world's back to normal, that's all,' he added with a broad grin to Draco and Hermione.
'No, it isn't. I'm starving,' Pippin answered, his stomach growling in testimony to his statement.
Hermione looked at Draco and smiled. 'Who does he remind you of?' She asked him. Draco chuckled, knowing exactly who she was speaking of. Her smile dropped, and she closed her eyes when the loss of her best friend caused a small pang to tug at her heart.
Merry smirked at Pippin, having missed the brief talk between Draco and Hermione. 'Good luck trying to find something decent to eat around here. Probably dead rats and mouldy bread,' he told him, checking a basket which was floating by. Pippin looked around, smiling at something floating in the water. He picked up a floating apple, looking up in delighted surprise, and smiled at his three friends upon discovering more apples floating around. Merry and Pippin followed the 'trail' of the apples, followed by Draco and Hermione and they discovered a food storage room full to the brim with all types of delicacies.
Draco looked up at the ceiling of the storeroom to see drips of water falling through cracks in the walls. He looked down at the waist deep water. 'Apparently, there's a leak...' he mumbled, continuing to look around.
'Saruman's storeroom!' Merry shouted in excitement, picking up a dead, already stuffed turkey and holding it in front of Pippin. Pippin did not seem remotely interested in the turkey, and Merry nudged him. 'Pippin! Look!' he said, thrusting the turkey under his nose again.
Pippin walked forward, continuing to ignore the turkey and Merry, Draco, and Hermione followed their line of sight. Two barrels were sitting on one of the shelves and carved into the side were the words; South Farthing Pipe-Weed. Pippin looked as though he may have died and gone to heaven. 'I don't believe it,' he whispered to Merry.
Merry seemed to be on the same train of thought. 'It can't be,' he also whispered, and they made towards the barrels as if their life depended on it.
Draco and Hermione looked at them in confusion. 'What is it?' Draco asked them, walking forward and watching them open the two barrels. Their eyes widened as if they did just enter heaven.
'It is!' Pippin cried out in happiness, ignoring Draco's question.
Hermione took a sniff of the plant leaves in the barrel and frowned. 'What it that?' she asked, drawing back, and eyeing the Hobbits in curiosity.
Merry smiled at her. 'Longbottom Leaf,' he answered cryptically. He took a large sniff of the leaves himself before elaborating, 'The finest pipe-weed in the South Farthing.'
Hermione and Draco looked at each other, and the first thing that entered both their heads were thoughts of Neville Longbottom. They smiled, shaking their heads at the memories of him in Herbology.
They were happy to see the Hobbits were once again being themselves and not as serious as they were before.
Pippin's grin became huge when he looked at Merry. 'It's perfect. One barrel each,' he said in excitement before his smile faded. 'Wait. Do you think we should share it with Treebeard?' he asked Merry. Draco slapped a hand to his forehead in humour at what Pippin just said, and Hermione tried to muffle her giggling.
Merry looked at Pippin in disbelief. 'Share it?' he asked him before his facial expression changed to one of thoughtfulness. Then he shook his head. 'No. no. Dead plant and all that. Don't think he'd understand,' he told him, lowering his voice to a whisper and leaning closer to Pippin. 'Could be a distant relative,' he said and this only caused Hermione and Draco to burst out laughing.
Pippin, having not noticed Draco and Hermione were holding onto each other for support while they laughed, answered, 'Oh. I get it,' he said, touching his nose. 'Don't be hasty,' he said, and Merry nodded in agreement.
Draco clutched his side. 'They are unbelievable!' he said, and Hermione nodded through her laughter.
Merry, having not been listening to his other two comrades, pulled out his pipe and placed it in his mouth. 'Exactly. Bar-hrum,' he answered Pippin, and they both broke out into laughter.
Outside, Treebeard frowned when he sniffed the air, smelling something strange. He bent low towards the storeroom door to see why the Hobbits, the man, and the woman were laughing.