A/N: I'd like to dedicate this chapter to rogue solus. In response to her questions and comments; I believe I'm going to follow the movie storyline, just because it's easier to picture. If I leave anything out, be sure to let me know. I will NOT kill Haldir. He was never supposed to die in the first place. Besides, he's too cute to die. I was wondering how to get Snape to Helm's Deep, but you solved my problem! Thanks! And yes, you're right, the girls of the story, at least the way they're represented in the movies, are very wimpy. Hermione will most definitely be a heroine in her own right. I just have to plan out when. And your review was not boring at all. On to the story!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 6: Of Evil and Encounters
Severus trudged along after the others. The odd creature on the makeshift leash in front of him was struggling and whining, saying, "It burns! It hurts us!" The Potions Master had never appreciated students who dared complain in his class, and this creature was no different. His lips curled into an annoyed snarl and his leg moved of its own volition, kicking out at the odd creature.
A black blur blocked his incoming kick. He gazed in wonder at Harry, who had intercepted him. Severus's leg had connected with Harry's. The student glared at his professor. "Professor, why are you abusing him? He hasn't done anything!"
Severus, a bit annoyed at the boy for berating him, gave a low growl in his throat. "Why are you protecting him, Potter?"
Harry must have realized his slip in regards to his name because his eyes narrowed. "Because he's as defenseless as your students, and as innocent!"
The professor pondered this for a moment. "Yes, I suppose you're correct. However, my students are also ignorant children, too soft and weak for their own good. I make them fear me so they have something to be afraid of in their insignificant lives."
Those green eyes snapped open and glared at Severus. "You don't think this creature has enough to fear? You heard his story last night. He is frightened of the Dark Lord of this realm, and has reason to fear him! He's like me, in a way…" Harry's voice drifted off.
Severus thought about what the boy had said. He's right. The creature does have enough to fear. But I won't let him know that. "You think what you want, Po…Harry. As I will think what I wish."
The glare on the student's face faded slightly. Severus saw the hobbits halt, take the leash off of the creature, and tell it to lead them to the Black Gate, whatever that was. Well, at least he'll stop complaining now.
* * *
Hermione was practically dead on her feet. They hadn't stopped to rest in about two days. She just wanted to fall down right there and doze for about a decade. She noticed Aragorn motioning Legolas , Gimli, and herself behind a medium-sized boulder. Once she got there, Hermione collapsed onto the ground, thankful for the break. The elf cast her a worried look, and she returned it with a half-exhausted smile. She didn't want Legolas worrying about her, after all. At least, she THOUGHT she didn't. Hermione wasn't too sure about anything in this world. She didn't like not knowing.
Hermione groaned as she saw Aragorn and the others tense up, seemingly waiting for something. Then, a sudden thunder hit her ears. She looked to where they'd just been standing a moment ago and saw about 100 men on horseback. Aragorn stepped out from behind the boulder and shouted at the riders. She heard the word 'Rohirrim', so figured that must be who they were. Legolas had mentioned before that they're traveling through an area of Middle-Earth called Rohan, so she supposed it made sense.
At the sound of Aragorn's shout, the riders made a U-turn and came back to where they were standing. Hermione grumbled as she followed the others towards the horsemen. The riders surrounded them, spears pointed at the four travelers. One of them came forward. "What business do a Man, an Elf, a Dwarf, and a Woman have in the Riddermark?"
Gimli gave the speaker a smirk and said, "You tell me your name, Horsemaster, and I'll tell you mine."
For some reason, this upset the rider and he drew his sword. Before anyone knew what was happening, Legolas had drawn an arrow, nocked it in his bow, and aimed it at his head. "You would die before your stroke fell."
Aragorn pushed Legolas's bow down and made their excuses to the rider. What he said seemed to have a positive effect on the horseman. He dismounted and introduced himself as Éomer of Rohan. He told Aragorn he could go to Edoras if he wished, but his father, King Théoden, was under the power of Saruman, and he did not know anyone anymore, not even his own king.
Hermione was puzzled. What do they mean, his own king? Who's his king? It's obviously not Legolas or Gimli, and it's obviously not me. Could it be Aragorn? This is so confusing.
Aragorn thanked Éomer and said they'd try their luck there anyway. They then asked if they'd seen the band of Uruk-hai running around. Éomer said they'd slain that bunch of creatures. Aragorn asked if they'd seen two hobbits, just children in the humans' eyes, and a young man with red hair. The leader of the Rohirrim said that they'd left none alive. The four travelers' faces fell. The riders departed, leaving them three horses of dead comrades from the Uruk-hai battle. They all mounted, Aragorn on one, Legolas and Gimli on the next, and Hermione struggling to stay on her brown mare. She had to admit it was better than riding on a broomstick, though. She drew a wand, muttered an adhesive spell to the saddle, and settled into it. She mended the broken rein on her horse's bridle and stashed her wand, grabbing the rein as her horse trotted off after the other two. I hope Ron is ok.
* * *
Pippin looked around in fear. They had halted at the edge of a forest. The Uruk-hai were milling about, getting ready to rest for the night. One of them was eyeing the hobbits and Ron quite hungrily. Pippin gave a small shudder and edged toward the other two captives as well as he could with both his wrists and ankles bound. "Wha' d'ya think they're go'in to do wi' us?"
Merry sat up slowly. "I don't know, Pip. Whatever it is, I hope it's not painful."
Pippin glanced at Ron for his opinion. The redheaded boy had a truly terrified look on his face. He didn't respond at all.
The Took sighed. He addressed Merry again. "Is tha' Fangorn Forest?"
Merry nodded. "Hey Pip, you remember the tales the Old Gaffer'd tell us about this Forest?" Pippin nodded. "He always said that the trees could speak to each other, whisper and creak to talk! He said ancient things lived there. Unknown dangers."
A chill went up Pippin's spine. He glanced at the dark woods, contemplating what Merry had said. As he was thinking, one of the Uruk-hai came up behind him and grabbed him. "You look tasty!"
The head Uruk-hai, Lurtz, grabbed the one holding Pippin by the scruff of his neck and dragged him off the hobbit. "These are NOT for eating! Saruman said they must be unspoiled!"
Another one spoke up. "What about their legs? They don't need them, do they?"
Yet another one lunged for the hobbits. Lurtz swung his sword around and, with a clean swish, cut the charging Uruk-hai's head off. "Looks like meat's back on the menu, boys!"
As they were fighting over the fallen body, the three captives tried to squirm their way away from the creatures. As they crawled, they heard the whinnying of horses coming from behind them. A troupe of horsemen had come in and begun to attack the Uruk-hai.
Pippin was surprised by some sparks flying from behind him. He looked to his right. Ron was casting spells at any Uruk-hai that came near him. Pippin noticed that Ron's hands were no longer bound and saw a sharp blade by his side. Quickly, he motioned to Merry and they crawled to Ron and used the blade to release their hands and feet. Ron did the same with his feet, and they ran off into the forest, away from the battle and away from their captivity.
* * *
Dobby was amazed by the elves' kitchen. It was gigantic, with shelves and cupboards full of ingredients from all throughout Middle-Earth, and gargantuan ovens to cook it all. The lembas bread was exceptionally interesting, with all the nutrition and fullness it provided.
The head chef was very nice, teaching Dobby some simple recipes and all of the ingredients he'd need to know. He had even gone as far as to find a stool for Dobby to stand on so he could see over the counter. The house-elf appreciated the gesture, seeing as he knew how disdainful it would be to have his feet on the food preparation surface. Every good house elf knew that.
"Now, you just add the wigroot like this...stir it about six times...then leave it to simmer for about five minutes. Then it's ready to serve. It goes well with figbread and lomweed."
Dobby watched in fascination. All of these ingredients he'd never heard of before going into an amazingly tantilizing stew. His house-elf magic enabled him to understand all languages, even Elvish, because if foreign guests came to visit his master and they wanted something to eat, Dobby would have to be able to understand them to properly anticipate their whim. Because of that, he could understand every language but could not speak them. That's why he wanted to learn the language of this land, so he could converse with these wonderful people properly. He had many questions to ask the chef.
In his excitement, the house-elf knocked the basket of fruit next to him off the counter. The chef's lightning reflexes save the basket before its contents spilled out onto the floor.
Dobby turned red. Dobby should not be so careless!! BAD DOBBY, BAD!! The house-elf grabbed a spare pot and began hitting himself on the head with it. The chef looked at Dobby as if he were acting slightly mental, which, in all honesty, he was. He reached down and snatched the pot out of Dobby's fist before he could permanently dent both the pan and his head.
Dobby seemed a little stunned at the sudden absence of his abusing object, then looked up. He grinned sheepishly at the chef. Will Dobby ever get over his old habits, the house-elf thought. Dobby must remember that he is not the servant of that bad wizard now! He is the Headmaster's servant, and the Headmaster will not punish Dobby for screwing up!
The chef gave Dobby a wide variety of ingredients and several elvish pots for cooking. Dobby, not knowing what else to do, bowed to the chef and went in search of his room, his arms laden down by roots and pots.
End Chapter 6
A/N: I'll get the next one up when I can!
