Title: Princess of Mirkwood

Author: Zannna

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I *sniffle* do not own LOTR, the characters, or the plot. Middle Earth was the brilliant brain child of none other than the king of fantasy JRR Tolkien. I also do not own Harry Potter, the characters, or the plot. All that is Harry Potter belongs to the amazing JK Rowling. I do however, own Lithariel, Mithelena, and Vialnen. Please do not use them without permission. Thank you! ^_^

Author's Notes: Hi:) I am terribly sorry about how long it took to post this. There has been a lot going on with me lately, and I just haven't had the opportunity to work on this. If everything goes according to plan, it usually takes me four or five days to write, proof read, get beta-read, and edit my chapters. As most of you probably well know, hardly anything in life ever goes as planned. _ So without further delay, here is the next chapter. ^_^ Zannna

P.S. The rest of the A/N's are at the end of the chapter, as always. ;)

Chapter 8

Lithariel entered the Dinning Hall through the side door that Snape had shown her. She went straight up to Dumbledore, and, asked if he was done eating, would he please come talk to her. Dumbledore said yes, that would be fine, and led her to his office. Dumbledore sat down behind his desk, and Lithariel sat down in a chair across from him.

Lithariel explained everything that had happened, except who had helped her set up the prank. She was too honorable to give them away. Dumbledore understood her need to do this, but he still had a pretty good idea who it was. Lithariel pleaded for Hermione and Draco to be excused for missing classes, since it was her fault. She also said that she would not mind being punished for her foolishness.

"All right Lithariel," said Dumbledore, "I will punish you, and let everyone else off if you wish. Fifteen points from Gryffindor, and you will serve a detention after dinner."

"Very well. And I thank you Headmaster Dumbledore. You are very kind."

"You missed lunch, did you not?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well then, why don't we go to the kitchens, and see if the House Elves can whip something up for you eh?"

Lithariel's eyes widened when he said 'House Elves'. "House Elves? What, pray tell, is a House Elf?!"

"Calm down Lithariel. Come and I will show you."

* * *

As Dumbledore led Lithariel into the kitchens, her mouth dropped open. Not an easy reaction to elicit from an elf.

After several moments she was finally able to speak. "House Elves?" she whispered to Dumbledore. "They do not look like Elves! They look like a mix between, I know not, possibly... A cross between a Hobbit and a very ugly Goblin. Although I do not wish to insult Hobbit-kind."

One of the creatures walked up to the pair. "How can Renny help you sir? Miss.?" said the little critter.

Lithariel knelt down so she could get a better look. "Is there something wrong Miss? Is there something on Renny's nose?" asked Renny.

"No, there is nothing wrong. I have just never seen a 'House Elf' before. What do you do here, Renny is it?"

"Yes, Renny's name is Renny Miss. Renny makes pies Miss, and biscuits in the mornings."

"I seemed to have missed lunch Renny. May I have some of your biscuits? And maybe some cheese, and juice? Well, any kind of juice other than Pumpkin."

"Renny does not like Pumpkin Juice either Miss. Renny has some fresh apple juice in the pantry. Would Miss like that?"

"Yes, I thank you. I would like that very much Renny."

Renny bustled off to get the food.

* * *

After Lithariel had eaten, and conversed with several other House Elves, she came to the conclusion that they were inherently good creatures. And it was not their fault that they were ugly, they were born that way. Lithariel had never been one to judge on outward appearances, and was ashamed that she had done so. Well, she did judge Orcs on their outward appearance, but that was different. Orcs were just as ugly inside as they were on the outside.

* * *

After dinner Lithariel walked out to the Quiditch pitch where she was to serve her detention. She walked to the center of the field, but no one was there. She took in the spectacle around her.

There were stands encircling her. They must have been at least 200 feet tall in some places. There were flags everywhere. At either end of the pitch there were huge pits of sand, way up above the sand were circles of some kind, three on each end.

Lithariel felt someone approaching, and turned in that direction. Oliver Wood came striding up in the growing darkness.

"Lithariel Macleod? Is it really possible that I was sent here to give YOU detention?" he said.

"Why is that so hard to imagine Mister Wood?"

"Well, I guess I just thought you were too pure, and innocent to be capable of such a thing. And please call me Oliver."

"What 'thing'"

"You don't really think that Fred and George would keep something like that from me. I was the first one they told this morning. I nearly fell to the floor, I was laughing so hard. That was just brilliant! Simply priceless!" Oliver stopped talking as he burst into soft laughter.

"I am capable of much more than you know, Mister Wood." said Lithariel in a quiet voice.

Oliver shuddered inwardly at this, though he did not know why. Or maybe it was tingled inwardly. He shook his head to clear it.

Lithariel saw a look flash across Oliver's face, and decided she was being to harsh. "Oliver, what exactly is this 'detention' you were sent to unleash upon me?"

Oliver looked up relieved to hear her call him 'Oliver'. "Do you see those sand pits a each end of the field?"

"Yes."

"Well, you are supposed to rake them smooth. Without magic."

"I shall get started then. Where is this rake?"

Oliver showed Lithariel the equipment shed where they kept several rakes, which were only used for detentions. He then offered one to Lithariel. She took it, and headed to one end of the field. Oliver, wanting to get to bed before midnight, took another rake, and headed to the other end of the pitch.

* * *

An hour later, Lithariel walked to the other end of the field to work on the sand there. "Oliver? What are you doing? Am I not supposed to do this alone?"

"Yes you are, but I wanted to actually sleep tonight, so I thought I'd help. Do you need something?"

"No I do not. I came over to work on this side."

"Don't you want to finish the other end before you start on this one?"

"I have already finished that end"

Oliver looked up, surprised. "You weren't supposed to use magic Lithariel."

"I did not use magic Oliver. It just seems that I am much faster at this than you."

Oliver looked down at the sand beneath his feet. He had only managed to get a third of his side done in the time Lithariel had taken to finish hers. Lithariel walked to the opposite edge from where Oliver had started, and got to work.

Twenty minutes later, Lithariel reached the halfway point of the sand pit. She was getting rather good at this. She decided to let Oliver finish up to where she stopped. He was almost there anyway. He only had about five feet to go. She let him do this because she did not want to bruise his ego. Well, more than it already was.

Lithariel took her rake back to the equipment shed, and then walked out to the center of the soft green field. The sun had gone down almost an hour ago. She laid down, tucking her hands behind her head. She stayed there, staring at the stars until Oliver came over about fifteen minutes later.

Oliver was slightly out of breath as he came over, and sat down beside Lithariel. She looked completely relaxed, and at peace watching the stars like that. Like she was in her element.

"Lithariel, what are you looking at?" asked Oliver.

"The stars." replied Lithariel matter-of-fact-ly.

Oliver scoffed. "I know that, I meant which ones. Anyway are you going to get up anytime soon? I have to stay out here, and make sure you get back to the castle, you know. And I am rather tired."

Lithariel giggled lightly. She did not answer however. She just pointed to a star. "Do you see that star?"

Oliver could not make out which star she meant, seeing as how he was sitting, and she was laying down. He debated with himself for a moment, and then laid down beside her, yet a respectable distance away. He followed her finger, and looked at the stars.

"That really bright one right there?" he asked pointing as well.

"Yes. That is the one. It was a very special star to my family, and kin. It is called 'Undomiel'; 'The Evenstar'."

"It 'was'?" asked Oliver. He thought she must have misspoken or something. Surely she must have some family.

"Yes, was. All of my family have...passed on." (A/N: "passed on" as in "Sailed West" remember? ^_~ )

Oliver sat up, and looked at Lithariel apologetically. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"It is alright." interrupted Lithariel.

Oliver laid back down, and continued to look at the stars with Lithariel.

"I love to gaze at the stars. They make me feel so at peace with the world." said Lithariel in a dreamy, faraway voice.

They stayed that way for many hours, pointing out stars to one another. They also spoke of many things. By the time they headed back to the castle, it was well past midnight, and they had become great friends.

* * *

Meanwhile, Hermione was getting suspicious. Why had that spider called Lithariel 'Lithariel Greenleaf'? Hermione knew very well that her last name was Macleod. Wasn't it? And what was that weird language Lithariel was speaking? And how did Lithariel know how to use a dagger like that? And where had she gotten a dagger in the first place? How had Lithariel known that she and Draco were in trouble?

All these questions, and more kept running around in Hermione's head. 'I don't think I'll ever figure this one out.' thought Hermione as she drifted off to sleep.

* * *

Before anyone knew it, it was already Mid-Winter. Things had been progressing as normally as was possible at Hogwarts. Lithariel had been accepted fully as a sixth year, a Gryffindor, and a student. Her friendship with Oliver grew, until it could grow no more without breaking the bounds of friendship entirely.

Hermione had decided to keep her suspicions to herself, at least until she had proof there was something amiss. Besides, as far as she could tell, Lithariel didn't pose any threat. Lithariel had been a good, trustworthy friend ever since Hermione met her. She hadn't done anything wrong as far as Hermione could tell, and maybe it was best to let sleeping dogs lie. At least until they woke up.

Draco had been disgustingly friendly, and polite to Lithariel. He was even nice to Harry, Ron, Hermione, and any other Gryffindor's when they were with Lithariel when he spoke to her. Lithariel took it all in stride, and was just as friendly and polite back to Draco.

* * *

Lithariel awoke on a bright Saturday morning, stretched, and got up to look out the window. All she could see was a white blanket of snow covering everything. She smiled, it was very beautiful. She wished she could go run, and dance on the snow. Of coarse 'on' being the key word here. She frowned. Everyone would get suspicious if she ran around atop the snow. 'Well then,' she thought, 'I will just have to go see Snape.'

An hour and a half, not to mention a lot of cajoling, later all Lithariel had to show for her efforts was a distraction spell. It would hopefully distract anyone from noticing the fact that she did not sink into snow. She would just have to try and step in other people's footprints, and hope for the best.

Lithariel stepped out the front door, and was confronted with a scene of pure carnage. Casualties were strewn everywhere. Students were crawling on their bellies, trying to escape constant bombardment. Cries of agony rose on the air.

All-in-all, it was a regular run-of-the-mill Hogwarts snow-ball fight. It looked to be mostly Gryffindor's that were involved, with a few Hufflepuff's and Ravenclaw's that must have gotten caught up in it as they were walking by. Fred, George, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were behind a barricade of snow about twenty yards out from the school. Lithariel also noticed a barricade to the left, about thirty yards away from the stairs, and to the right, about twenty five yards away. In the center of the 'battlefield' there were various students on the snow. Some were holding others down while they smothered them with snow. Some were just trying to get back to the safety of a rampart.

Lithariel only had a small moment to take this all in however, because a snowball came hurdling towards her. She easily stepped out of the way, and heard an angered growl behind her. She turned to see Oliver standing there, his face covered with snow. Lithariel giggled, and took off towards Fred and George's barricade.

Lithariel was now a well desired, moving target. Snowballs assailed her from all directions. She ducked, dodged, parried. When she was almost there, the attack increased. She threw her arms up, carefully placed her feet as she ran, and launched into a series of hand springs, and flips. She did a half twist as she flew over the rampart, and landed in a crouch facing the 'battlefield'. Hermione was the only one who was not surprised.

"Hail fellow Gryffindor's! What is our objective in this battle?" said Lithariel enthusiastically.

Everyone had pretty much gotten used to her odd choice of words by now. But they could also tell that she was being a little sarcastic.

"We are biding our time until a worthy opportunity presents itself." replied Fred with great dignity.

"We are also simply observing." said George without missing a beat. A big smirk spread across his face, and he pointed to the center of the battlefield. Oliver Wood was being attacked, most viciously, by a group of girls led by Lavender Brown, and Partivi Patil. He wailed in abject horror as he was wrestled to the ground.

Lithariel gasped in mock surprise. "You mean to tell me that you are going to just sit here, watch as a comrade is subjected to torture and ruin? I am appalled at your barbaric behavior. But, alas! I shall not abandon an honorable ally to such disgrace as this."

Lithariel stood, and yelled in her melodious voice, "Do not fear, dear friend! I shall save you!"

"Well," said Fred, "I guess this is as good of an opportunity as any."

"Right then." said George. "Arms at the ready."

Fred, George, Ron Harry, and Hermione stood, and picked up some of the prepared ammunition. Lithariel saw this, and also picked up a snowball.

"Ready..." said Fred.

"Aim..." said George.

"Fire!" they yelled in unison.

The group of girls accosting Oliver was hit with a hail of snowballs. One after the other found their mark. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were doing fairly well, hitting most of their targets. Fred and George did even better, although they still missed some. But Lithariel hit every target square on. There was a rash of squeals, and the girls ran for cover.

Oliver lay there on the ground to stunned to move. Lithariel leapt over the barricade, dodging incoming volleys of snowballs, and rushed to his side. When Oliver opened his eyes, and saw her he smirked.

"What are you smiling at?" asked Lithariel cautiously. There was something in his eyes that did not bode well.

"This." he said, as he smashed her in the side of the head with a handful of snow. He then got up, and tried to run.

"You brute!" she gasped, as she took off after him.

Lithariel was on him in seconds, pinning him to the ground. She smashed handful, after handful of snow in his face, and shoved several more handfuls down his shirt when his face started to turn purple.

When Lithariel felt him shift to throw her off, she decided to let him. Just to see what he was made of. Seconds later she was pinned to the ground with Oliver on top of her. He took one giant handful of snow, and held it up high preparing to cover her face with it. This time it was Lithariel who smiled, a very innocent, angelic smile. Oliver stopped.

"What are you smiling about?" Oliver asked.

"Oh, nothing." was the innocent reply.

Just then Oliver was tackled to the ground by Fred and George.

"Run, Lithariel! Take cover! Save yourself!" yelled Fred heroically.

George was too busy pushing Oliver's head into the snow to say anything.

* * *

Response to reviewers:

Vana Everyoung: Thank ever so for your wonderful review! I don't think her Grandfather will be in this story. Although, maybe I could fix up a flashback in a later chapter if you would like. I honestly never thought that the word 'princess' would make people think this is a Mary-Sue. And thank you for pointing out that it's not one in you review. I might put something in my summary to the effect of 'This is NOT a Mary-Sue!' Maybe more people would read it then. And thank you for your efforts on my behalf to get others to read this. I must say it again: YOU ROCK! ^-^ Zannna

Guest: Thank you for your review! I think it was the first one that I got for chapter 7, and it meant a lot. I really don't know if Draco and Hermione will end up together. They haven't told me yet. lol. I absolutely LOVE Draco/ Hermione fics though. So we'll just have to see. ^_~ Zannna

Lilly: Thank you for your review! I am terribly sorry for how long it took to post this chapter. I'll try really hard to get the next one up faster. :) Zannna

Tonya: Thanks for reviewing! I got 4 reviews for this chapter! Woohoo! I love crossovers too. 8) Zannna