Roped Into Helping
Lady Countryrose
Ch. 7
The fellowship ran down, down into the depths of the mine. Only to find scary and unsecured stairs. Breaking under their feet. Hermione had long placed her daggers away. She did not want to cause unneeded harm, just by running.
The group ran into a scaled gap on the stairs. Without the luxury of turning back. Everyone had to take a leap of faith to the other side. Hermione, with an angered focus, threw herself to the other side of the gap. Before the others had followed.
With Harry and Legolas next to her. She brought her wand. Ready to aid those that had fallen. Only for Harry and Legolas shooting off arrows into the darkness.
Once everyone had made it. The group ran down. Going lower and lower still. Everyone had managed to reach the bridge.
Boromir gasped, "What is this new devilry?"
Gandalf replied, "A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. Run!"
Everyone had crossed the bridge. Only to notice that Gandalf stood his ground. Slamming his staff onto the stone. "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"
Hermione didn't know what had happened. One moment, Gandalf stood there, proud and strong. Only to be drugged into the deep with fire and shadow. Causing all sorts of hell to occur.
In a blink of an eye. Legolas had grabbed her. Making her rush towards the mine's exit. Only to stumble onto the ground.
She vaguely heard the argument between Boromir and Aragorn. Boromir had requested a short break for everyone, to process what had just happened. But Aragorn had fired back, stating that Orcs would find them soon.
"Stop," demanded Hermione. "Aragon, as much as you are right. There is still time to use gentle words!"
Causing everyone to turn to her. She gave a small smile. Hoping it will be enough to get everyone going.
"We will have a chance to process what has happened. But what Gandalf had done to buy us time will not be enough. If we don't try to get some distance between us and the Orcs. So please, let us get out of here."
Everyone had gotten onto their feet. Only for Frodo to rush to her side. "How are you not affected by this?"
"I am," she turned to Frodo. As he jumped back slightly. "I just prioritized what needs to happen first. Find a safe place and then cry."
Everyone kept on walking after that. Making their way off the mountain. Going through the woods. Only for Gimli to become jumpy. Telling the Hobbits about a witch in the woods.
'They had not realized that they had traveled with one, all this time.'
Only to have Elves drop from the trees, all with notched arrows. Pointing at them. The Elf in charge spoke about loud Dwarves. Before, Aragorn spoke to the Elf in their language.
"Come, she has been expecting you." Making the rest of the fellowship to follow them through the woods.
Before going up into massive thick trees. Before seeing a thriving city. In the treetops, they were led into what looked like a throne room. Standing before them, an elegant looking Elven couple. Making Hermione think of a king and queen.
"I am Galadriel, the "Lady" of the woods of Lothlórien. You are welcome to rest. But please, tell me about Gandalf. I do not see him."
"He fell," Boromir informed her.
"By a Balrog," supplied Aragorn.
Something about Galadriel, felt off to Hermione. She noticed Boromir looked beside himself, as he whispered. She then turned to Frodo, only to see fear.
"I speak to you now, Gandalf's apprentice. I want to talk to you, once everyone has slept. Just follow Frodo later…" Then felt Galadriel leave her mind.
The Elves lead them to another set of trees. Where they could camp for the night. Once she had heard the haunting song of the Elves. It was when the tears fell from her eyes.
Legolas came and sat next to her. Without much thought, she turned to him. She wrapped her arms around him. Only to feel him wrapping an arm around her. Guiding her to lay her head near his neck.
It was then that Frodo came and hugged her too. Along with his tears mixed with hers. It nearly made her feel like she was comforting a child.
"You are a good person, Hermione," smiled Frodo. After he pulled away from them.
"And you are a brave person, Frodo," replied Hermione. She turned towards Legolas. "Why?"
"You are very strong, my lady," Legolas smiled. "But one must remember to feel. The world is not held by your shoulders alone."
Hermione then pictured the Greek God, Atlas. Why would anyone think of him, holding the world on his shoulders? He would quiver under the weight of all.
'Earthquakes? Were they explaining the earthquakes? Hermione! You're doing it again! Trying to logically understand the old world!"
Legolas rubbed a hand on her arm. "You seem lost."
"Lost in the endless and useless knowledge in my head. I just hope I have enough knowledge to get us by…"
She saw Harry across the way. He looked sad and confused. He did not like what she had said about herself. It was a rare time she had put herself down. Especially about her love of knowledge.
Later that night, Hermione had followed Frodo later. Only to see the choices that Frodo must make alone. Either go ahead and stop the hidden Dark Lord, or return home, only to face slavery. Not for himself, but everyone from home.
After Frodo had left, Galadriel waved Hermione to her pool of magic waters. "You have something more to face than a struggle of home. You are going to have to face, allowing the people to leave. Either to branch off on their own or watch them die."
Tears leaked out of Hermione. Seeing how one could die. Just after they leave the Elven protection.
"You, Hermione, are a woman of great power. But you fear the strength behind that power. Or is it the stick you carry? Not giving the right amount to use."
"I…" Hermione had taken a deep breath. "I don't know." It scared her to voice it.
Galadriel nodded her head. "In the morning, I will give you something that will channel your power better. Until then, goodnight, Lady Hermione Granger."
"Goodnight, Lady Galadriel." With one last look to the stars. She took a deep breath, then went off to bed. Knowing morning was coming. Still not liking deviation. No matter the world she found it in.