Chapter 8: I need a title for this one
Severus felt as if he were a robot, moving forward without thought or feeling. The marsh was a desolate place, with intriguing little flame torches sprouting from the murky depths. He couldn't become fascinated by them, however. He could only think about one thing at the moment, and that was Haldir. It seemed like forever to Severus since they had left Caras Galadhon, and he knew he had left a little bit of his heart there. He could only hope in time to see the beautiful elf again.
He forced himself to pay more attention to where he was going. He had almost tripped over Potter when he hesitated for a few moments too long. It wouldn't have been a fun time falling into the waters of the marsh. There appeared to be dead bodies resting next to the flame spouts, and he didn't want to see those any closer.
"Don't stop, Potter, or I'll take you down with me when I fall." He gave Harry a small smirk, which the boy quickly returned and replied, "Yes, sir."
They were startled by a small commotion ahead of them. It seemed that Frodo had done what Severus himself didn't want to. The creature called Gollum had fished him out of the water and dragged him up onto the dryer marsh grass. "Don't follow the lights!" Gollum told the soaking hobbit in that raspy voice of his. Then he scampered off to lead the way again.
Sam helped Frodo up and led him onward, following the creature. Severus and Harry quickly joined them.
They wandered for an immesurable amount of time. The hours became days, and Severus lost count after a week. Gollum seemed to know where he was going, since they weren't going in circles and were getting closer to the ominous black crags ahead of them.
They were very close when an unearthly screech sounded above them. There was some conveniently-placed shrubbery ahead, so they quickly crawled under it. Severus was mildly surprised that they all fit under there.
He then noticed Frodo, who was looking very pale and had his eyes rolled up into his head. He was clutching at his chest. The hobbit seemed to be fumbling with something around his neck. Sam quickly grabbed Frodo's hand and held it, telling him that it would be ok and to not give in. When Severus looked up, he understood why. One of the black-cloaked creatures was riding what seemed to be a bird, but a gigantic one. It seemed to be about the size of the roc birds that had existed in Merlin's time. Both creature and rider were shrieking as they swooped around the marsh.
Severus grabbed his wand and cast a spell over them that would cause the rider to not notice their presence. The black creature circled the area several more times and flew off to hunt elsewhere. Sighing with relief, the group rolled out from under the shrubbery and quickly set off once more for the black region. A growing sense of foreboding filled Severus. I wonder what will happen, and I wish I knew what was really going on here
********
Ron listened with fascination as Treebeard told them the story of the Entwives. It reminded him a bit of the situation with the ogres in his own realm. But this was much more severe. At least wherever the ogres were, they were together. It appeared that the Entwives have been gone for a very long time and that their race was slowly dying out. He wished there was something they could do.
Then he thought of something. Before they had left their own world, they had been working on a Locater spell in Charms. He hadn't quite gotten the hang of it yet, but he wondered if this would be a good time to try it. He didn't even know if it worked on live things, but anything was worth a try.
Ron suggested this to the others, and they were willing to give it a go. They were all in a much better mood since they found out who the White Wizard really was. Such a good mood, in fact, that they were willing to do pretty much anything.
So, Ron pulled out his wand and focused. Now, what was that spell? Hmmm… He pondered it for a second and decided to try. As he cast the spell, he noticed that the color of the spell was wrong. It was supposed to be a golden-yellow, but this one was green-blue. As the spell passed through the foliage, it all began to turn a purple color.
When this happened, Ron knew he had done it wrong. He pulled out his wand and pointed it in the same direction that he had just cast the wrong spell in. "Finite Incantatem!" he shouted, and the abolition spell followed the mishap, hopefully canceling any effects of it.
Ron's face was now a deep shade of red. Muttering an apology, he thought some more about the spell. I wish Hermione was here. I hope she's doing ok. A slight frown crossed his face at the thought of Hermione not being ok.
Then the correct incantation came to his mind. He held out his wand once more and said "Locatus Arrorus Entwives!" A golden arrow flew out of his wand and stopped in midair. It turned erratically in the air and then halted, pointing in a north-easterly direction. "There are your Entwives, Treebeard!"
The Ent gave Ron a grateful smile and stared at the arrow, memorizing the spot on the horizon it pointed to. "Very well, hoom, we shall call the Entmoot first, decide what to do, take care of it, and then we shall go find the Entwives."
They all seemed satisfied with that plan. The three passengers dozed off to sleep as Treebeard kept plodding on towards the meeting place.
********
Gandalf was enjoying his new-found vigor. He hadn't felt this fresh in decades. He was amused at the looks on the faces of his companions when they finally saw him. Their eyes were the biggest he'd ever seen.
Chuckling to himself, he led them out of the forest. Giving a loud, melodious whistle, he waited calmly. Even though he could not see his companions, he knew they were giving him odd looks. They must think I'm crazy. If only they knew.
Then he was what he'd been waiting for. A brilliant white horse was galloping across the fields towards them. Behind the horse were three others; the horses that the group had been riding on.
He heard Legolas's voice from behind him. "That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are fooled by some trick."
Gandalf smiled silently to himself. He held up his hand to the horse as it drew nearer. "Shadowfax, my old friend. He is the Lord of the Horses. We have been through much together. Come, we shall ride to Edoras and talk to King Thé oden. Perhaps then he will believe there is danger in his kingdom."
All but Hermione mounted their steed. She was still standing there, staring at the horse Gandalf now sat astride. Shadowfax gave her a quizzical look, then took a step towards the girl and nuzzled her shoulder, as if saying, "We don't have all day! I didn't run all this way just to stand here!"
Smiling, Hermione quickly mounted her horse and began to follow the others. She caught up to the horse Legolas and Gimli rode. As she drew even with theirs, she flashed a quick smile over to the elf. He smiled back. Hermione thought to herself, I'm beginning to like this adventure.
***
Hermione looked up in awe at the gorgeous building on the large hill. That must be Edoras! I don't think I've ever seen such a beautiful building!
Her horse followed the others through the gates into the city. The peasants didn't look very happy at all. In fact, they seemed positively hostile.
As she looked away from the villagers and up toward the hall again, she noticed a lady standing on the edge, glancing down at them. She turned towards Legolas. "Who is that lady in front of the hall?"
The elf looked up at the building. "What lady?"
Hermione looked up again, but there was now no one standing where the young woman in the white dress had been. "She was just there! She had a white dress on, and she was just looking out from the ledge."
Legolas's eyes glinted with understanding. "That would be É owyn, the White Lady of Rohan. She's King Thé oden's niece."
Hermione nodded to show she understood and gave the elf another quick smile before she dismounted. They had reached the hall.
One of the guards came down the steps towards them. "What is your business here?" he asked, a tone of suspicion obvious in his voice. Why would he be suspicious of us? Hermione thought.
Gandalf spoke up. "We wish to speak with your Lord, King Thé oden."
The guard nodded and beckoned them to follow him. They climbed the stairs and stood before the heavy, intricately decorated doors of the hall. The guard then spoke again. "I cannot let you go before King Thé oden so armed. I must ask you for your weapons."
Reluctantly, Aragorn turned over his sword and dagger, Gimli set down his axe, and Legolas removed his bow and quiver. Hermione was thankful that she could conceal her wand within her robes. She noticed that they tried to take Gandalf's staff from him, but he refused to be separated from his "walking stick". Cunning old man. She then heard Aragorn threatening the guard, in the case that anyone should touch his sword or any of the weapons. The guard hastily agreed and they entered the darkness of the hall.
The first thing Hermione noticed was the woman she had seen before. Her eyes looked as if she had been crying, and she stood slightly to the left on the floor before the throne platform. There was a magnificent throne with lion's paws carved for the armrests. Upon that throne sat a very old-looking man with a crown upon his head. King Thé oden, she thought. Next to the king sat a very nasty-looking fellow. She was slightly amused to see that his hair reminded her of Professor Snape's. But even her professor looked like a hygienic person in comparison to this one.
Gandalf was talking to Thé oden, who was being given advice by the greasy man next to him. There was something odd in the king's eyes that Hermione didn't like. Suddenly, the greasy man noticed Gandalf's staff and demanded that it be taken from him. Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas all jumped into action as the hall guards came at them. They punched the guards and disposed of them the best they could.
Hermione pulled out her wand and muttered several curses. She gave one of the guards boils and made another one sprout branches. She disarmed several of the others. Once they were all disposed of, she noticed Aragorn standing over the greasy man, who looked as if he had tried to escape during the struggle. She walked over to them and pointed her wand at the prisoner. "Move and I'll make your hair clean! If you're not careful, I might just do that anyway and give you a floor-length beard to match!"
Aragorn glanced at her and grinned appreciatively. She smiled back, then turned her focus to what Gandalf was doing to King Thé oden. She paled as she examined the scene. Her blood ran cold as she watched the king squirm in his throne. He was cringing and yelling, obviously in a lot of pain. It reminded her of the Cruciatus Curse. She had half a mind to stop Gandalf. Only her trust in his goodness stopped her.
Suddenly, the king began to morph. The long gray hair and beard shrunk to a short, blond length and color. His eyes cleared, going from a milky white to a clear blue. His skin tightened, and he no longer looked like an old man, but a young one that hasn't trimmed his beard in a while.
Gandalf turned around and looked at her. Seeing her pale face, he gave her a concerned glance. She shook her head and gave a small grin, letting him know that she was ok. He seemed hesitant, but then nodded slightly and talked to the king. Thé oden listened attentively until he noticed the greasy man still being held prisoner.
Shoving the man out of the building and down the steps, the king insulted and exiled him. He was going to kill him, but Aragorn stopped him, saying death was too good for the betrayer. The man ran off. Hermione was amused to hear them refer to him as 'Wormtongue'. It reminded her of her own realm, with it's evil Wormtail.
They returned into the hall and discussed the danger. In the end, it was decided that the people of Edoras must go to they're sanctuary, which they call Helm's Deep.
*********
Dobby approached Galadriel with caution. He wasn't sure how she was going to react to the request he was about to make. She grinned at him and asked him what was on his mind.
In halting elvish, Dobby stated, "If please, Lady, Dobby would learn war skills. Dobby wants to help if needed. Dobby wants to be of use."
Galadriel looked thoughtful for a moment, then smiled at him once more. ~Very well, Dobby, you may learn how to use weapons. We shall have to get some made for your size before you may begin training, however. If you decide to undertake this, you will also learn strategy and logic as well. Great warriors fight with their minds, not their muscles.~
Dobby said, "Dobby understand, Galadriel. Dobby wants to do."
The elf beckoned over one of her guards. She muttered something in elvish to him and he nodded. ~Dobby, follow this elf, he will take you to the smith to get some armor and weapons made.~
Dobby beamed at Galadriel and bowed before he left. Now perhaps Dobby can be of some assistance to his friends. Dobby must fight!
When they reached the smith, Dobby was taken inside and measured for the appropriate proportions for his gear. As the metalworker was making the supplies, Dobby admired the beautiful full-sized weapons around him. Beautiful carved bows, swords with engravings etched in them, arrows that shone like silver. There were even daggers disguised as pocket mirrors for the women.
After several hours, the smith came back with Dobby's new armor and weapons. The house-elf tried them on, and they fit perfectly. The smith made slight adjustments here and there until it fit like a glove. He then called the other elf back to lead Dobby to his first lesson.
The house-elf was positively glowing with happiness. Now he could finally be of real use to this realm! He just hoped he was good enough.
End Chapter 8
