Roped Into Helping

Lady Countryrose

Ch. 13

Hermione couldn't believe that many people had survived. Only to manage to kill the Uruk army. Théoden had ordered most of his people back to Rohan. While his army rode off towards the Two Towers to face Saruman.

Only to see Merry and Pippin enjoying themselves with a bit of smoke. The Ents running around and destroying the Two Towers empire. It was a sight to see for Hermione.

She had thought Ents were myths, but seeing them walking about, was a wonder to behold. Pippin found something in the water. Only for Gandalf to take it from him and hide it in robes.

That night at Rohan stronghold. There was a massive party full of loud drinking and dancing. Hermione pulled herself away. Sitting on the steps and overlooking the land.

Shortly after, she had sat down. Aragorn and Legolas had gone out and sat next to her. Each looking out to the dark landscape.

"What is on your two minds," asked Legolas.

"Frodo and Sam," answered Aragorn.

"Harry," replied Hermione.

Legolas nodded his head. "They should be near Mordor, soon."

Hermione turned to the guys. "We need to be there."

Aragorn sighed, "We will need to get to Gondor." He had gotten up and walked the grounds. Leaving Hermione with Legolas.

"Who is Harry to you," asked Legolas. He turned to look into her eyes.

"My brother." She knew she hadn't had a chance to think things through. Not when there was not a time to do so. Hermione turned to look at him. "Harry is who I call a brother."

Within a blink of an eye. Their lips molded to one another. She felt him holding her close. While her fingers were lost in his long blonde hair. Giving her the feeling of completion.

After a few exchanged kisses, they pulled away. "After this is over. I would like a chance to court you."

Hermione smiled, a smile she hadn't had for a while. "I would look forward to it." She laced her fingers with his and squeezed. 'This feels right.'

They sat there until the sounds of the party had died down. Then made their way into the stronghold. Where they had found their bed for the night. Only to be woken up with dark wisps and thoughts.

Gandalf had cut the deep darkness. Only to glare at Pippin. The one who seems to know what was good for him.

"What did you tell him? The Dark Lord, what did you tell him," asked Gandalf in anger.

"Nothing," whimpered Pippin. "He wanted to know where Frodo was. But I didn't know."

Gandalf was about to say something else. But Hermione jumped in. "What is that?"

Gandalf sighed, "Palantir, the all seeing stone." He gave a dark look. "The eye of Mordor, uses it to spy and weave itself into thoughts."

Hermione grabbed the stone and marched out of the stronghold. Her steps were precise and full of anger. She had heard them following her. But she didn't care, it needed to be done.

"Hermione, where are you taking it," asked Gandalf. He sounded lost and confused for some reason. But she wasn't stopping.

At the doors, she looked around. Trying to find a line of sight for her to jump to. Only to remember to go to Helms Deep. With a turn, she popped away.

She popped back to Helms Deep. Only to see the dead once again. Even if there were burned bodies. But still enough to know what was what.

Hermione had studied one piece of magic. Hoping that she would never have to use it. But tossed the stone up into the air. It was not high enough.

"Bombarda!" It did not destroy it. Only to toss it higher up. Then she cast a Fiendfyre curse at it. She felt the force of the stone fighting back.

"AW!" Hermione stumbled back from the force. Only to hold onto her staff with both hands. "Come on! You will not win!"

"Witching," she heard a deep dark whisper. Causing her to shiver.

"You have no power here. You have no power anywhere." The whispers become intense. "Join me, become the Queen of Mordor. WE SHALL RULE THIS WORLD!"

"Never," she hissed. Stepping back up to her feet. "BE GONE!" An ounce of her heightened power, charged up into the air. Causing an explosion. Only giving her a split second pop out of there.

Hermione had found herself back at Rohan stronghold. Where Legolas was fighting against Aragorn, for him to ride after her. But stopped after seeing her before them again. With an awakened king next to them.

"GIRL," barked Gandalf with a heated anger. "What have you done?"

In all the time that Hermione had known Gandalf. He had never once called her girl. But then again, he was not as angry as he was at her. Like at that moment.

"I… destroyed the stone," she whispered, in a sleepy voice. She was fighting to keep her eyes open. "I… blasted it."

Whatever she was about to say. She fell into Legolas's arms.

"Gandalf," hissed the King of Rohan. "She was powerful enough to destroy a dark artifact. Why yell at her if she did the world a great service?"

Even though she was exhausted, Hermione was still able to hear them. She was only too happy the king was asking questions that she couldn't.

"That stone would have killed her. Or worse, possessed her. The Dark Lord, of old, was known to make fair-minded people to turn to his side."

"Not… weak," Hermione had groaned harshly.

Gandalf had taken a deep breath. "No, but you are either quite brave or very stupid. I just don't know which it is, yet." Then he ordered everyone back to bed.

Only to feel herself being laid down. Only to have Legolas lay protectively next to her. Wrapping his arms around her.

"Sleep," she heard him whisper. "You did the right thing."

Then she felt herself fall into deep sleep.