A/N: I see you guys like this story…I won't leave you hanging, but I'm not promising this to be very good. If you like it, tell me, moral support = more chapters J

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Chapter 5: Of Running and Trekking

Severus's feet were practically numb from the cool chill of the craggy rocks they were meandering through. Every step felt painful only in his ankle, where it was like a thousand needles were shoved through it every time his foot hit the ground. Glancing ahead, he could see Harry wasn't making out much better than he was. The boy was limping slightly, putting a little more weight on his left leg. He must have turned his ankle more seriously than I thought.

Harry had gotten his foot caught between two stones momentarily, twisting his foot around awkwardly. He had shown no signs of pain at the time, but it was now obvious that he was hurt. A sharp pang of worry coursed through Severus, but he quickly quelled it. No, Severus, you can NOT feel sorry for the boy. Can't let him see that you're concerned about him, he'll think you're weak!

As he was lost in his thoughts, he almost ran into Harry, who had stopped. The boy flinched at almost being knocked over, and Severus was instantly sorry. He almost told Harry so, but stopped himself just in time.

Harry had stopped because Sam and Frodo had decided it was a good time for a food break, which consisted mainly of lembas and a very small amount of water. Severus accepted his share without complaint. This elfish food isn't that bad, once you get used to it, and you're not THAT used to it.

Up ahead, he heard Frodo say, "We're not alone." Not alone? Who else would be here with us? Surely no one else from our world, unless that hobbit managed to let something else in his pack without noticing. But then what? …

* * *

Gimli's energy was running thin. He just couldn't keep up with the much longer-legged man and elf. Hermione had decided she liked his pace better than that of the other two and was running alongside him. She wasn't much for conversation though; the dwarf had noticed that so far her gaze hadn't left the back of the elf quite a ways ahead. Ruddy humans and their crushes.

Gimli liked Hermione. Her bushy hair reminded him of the female dwarfs. If she had a beard, well, she'd be identical to one! Except that she was much too lanky to be a dwarf. Nevertheless, the dwarf had found someone that he could feel halfway comfortable around. The elf and the man were just too flighty for him. Hermione was more down-to-earth, more real. She had fewer and lesser goals, and one of them was not a requirement to act royal. She could just talk, and not about only their mission. That is, she could talk when not distracted by the posterior of a tall handsome elf.

Gimli rolled his eyes and focused on running. This journey is going to be longer than I thought.

* * *

Ron's eyes slowly opened. The jarring he was receiving from the movement of the running creature under him had caused his head to bang against the armor again, waking him from his uncomfortable state of unconsciousness. As he became more aware of things, he could hear Pippin quietly calling out Merry's name. He cautiously lifted his aching head enough to see the others out of his peripheral vision.

Merry didn't look that good. A nasty gash went from his eyebrow to the middle of his forehead. He wasn't responding to Pippin's pleading voice. Ron looked at Pippin in just enough time to see him rip the Lothlorien badge off his cloak with his teeth and spit it on the ground. Now why would he do that, Ron thought, it was a beautiful pin.

Then the obvious genius of Pippin's idea came to Ron. Of course, a clue!! Then his knee bounced against something painfully. It felt as if his kneecap had shattered. Ron passed out from the pain.

* * *

Harry shifted uncomfortably on the stony ledge. How do they manage to sleep on this damn cliff? He glanced at the hobbits, peacefully at rest. They must be used to it.

His eyes caught a slight movement in the shadows above where the two hobbits were sleeping. He was startled when the hobbits jumped up and grabbed the shadow, wrestling it to the ground. The creature began trying to strangle the two halflings and grab the hint of gold peeking out from behind Frodo's worn and filthy shirt.

Harry moved as quickly as he could and shook the professor awake. Geez, how can he sleep through this? Very deeply, that's how. "Come on Professor, wake up!" he urgently whispered. Harry began shaking Severus a little harder until the professor finally snorted and groggily opened his eyes. "Wha….what's going on, Pott…I mean Harry?"

Did he just almost call me Potter? He must not be over that phase yet. "Um, there's some kind of weird creature beating up on the hobbits, Professor."

Professor Snape sat up quickly and watched with Harry as Frodo drew his sword and pointed it at the thing's throat. He mumbled something that ended with 'gollum', so Harry assumed that was what the creature was called. Frodo told the creature to release his hold on Sam's neck. The creature did so grudgingly. Harry then took some of the rope Sam had gotten from the elves and tied it around the 'gollum's' neck. Sam motioned that Harry and Professor Snape should get up and pack. They did so, wondering what and who the creature was. He had to be significant in this world because Frodo knew him by name.

Frodo and Sam walked ahead of the creature, dragging it by the rope. The professor and the student followed the stumbling and complaining 'gollum', still marveling at this unexpected addition to their group.

He looks a bit like Dobby. In the ears and eyes sense. Harry smiled at the thought of the house-elf. I wonder what he's doing now.

* * *

Dobby stood in front of the enormous crowd of elves. Dobby is not sure he likes being stared at. He is not sure at all. Every last one of the graceful beings had their eyes riveted on him. The house-elf was shaking in fear and anticipation. What is there to possibly say about a humble house-elf like Dobby? Perhaps Dobby won't have to stand here for long, since there is not much to say.

Galadriel stood beside him, a dainty hand on the glittery headband around his head. She spoke in a melodic and mystic voice, "This is Dobby. He is our guest. His group of companions came here from a different realm, and at the moment he is incredibly scared of all of you. Please make him feel welcome and look at me instead of him. It will help to heal his nervousness."

Dobby watched as every gaze shifted to the lady beside him. That's power, Dobby thinks.

The Lady went on speaking, "He will be here with us for an undetermined amount of time. Please treat him with the utmost respect. If I get any reports of misbehavior toward our guest, there will be great pain to those involved in it."

All the elves quivered nervously. Then Galadriel nodded, and they all began going about their normal business. Dobby thinks he likes this Lady. She is good to poor Dobby.

Galadriel smiled at him and said, "That building behind you is my home. Enter there and just tell the guards you would like to go to the kitchens. They'll have heard who you are by now. I must attend to my duties."

Dobby nodded and began to walk away. He was startled when a voice in his head said, ~"Come back for a moment, Little Elf"~ He turned around and the Lady walked up to him. She bent down and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. ~"Welcome to Lothlorien, Dobby."~

Dobby blushed then hurried off to the castle. Oh yes, Dobby likes the Lady very much.

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A/N: I've gotten a request from a friend to add slash into this story. Anyone object or have suggestions for pairings? Review and let me know. Thank you!