Disclaimer: I own none of the characters featured in this chapter. The characters have been taken from: The Matrix, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings and Tombraider.
A/N: I thought it was important at this point in the story to tell you that the Harry Potter characters come from the end of book 5, this doesn't fit very well with the end of the story and I'll probably have to change this fic as more HP books come out. Then again I might not... I'll decide on June 16 (when the half-blood prince comes out!)
Forests Of Fantasy
Chapter four: Mind Games
It was just past midday when the group decided to start moving again, yet again they heard voices on the path. Just ahead were a pair of bickering teenagers, a boy and a girl, the boy had flaming red hair and, at that moment, ears to match. The girl had a great deal of bushy brown hair and eyes that sparked dangerously "I will not tell you, I only know the theory of it and it's far too dangerous to apparate first time without qualified guidance. I will not be the one responsible for you getting yourself splinched! "
"well then what do you suggest? Should we just keep walking? For all you know we could be days from the edge of this bloody forest andheading in the wrong direction! " Harry decided to make his presence known before Ron found himself on the receiving end of one of Hermione's specialties, the full body-bind curse.
"Ron, Hermione! " they turned and simultainiously burst into grins when they saw Harry. His vision was quickly obscured by a large quantity of bushy brown hair "three days! " Hermione was saying "three days with only Ron for company! You have no idea how glad I am to see you" Ron made a half-hearted attempt at being offended, but he was so glad to see more then one human being he couldn't really be bothered, so instead he just said "blimey Hermione, let him breath" Hermione relinquished her grip on Harry who, after recovering his breath, laughed at them both. Remembering the others he politely introduced them "will you be traveling on with us? " Legolas asked, Ron answered that, yes, it would seem so. Hermione just nodded shyly and blushed a little. Noticing this strange behavior Harry glanced at Ron with his eyebrows raised, Ron just rolled his eyes with a look that meant "who knows? " Hermione saw something pass between them "what? " she demanded "nothing" the two boys said together, trying to maintain perfect innocence. A skill both of them had perfected over the years through constantly denying having called their potions master an 'evil git' . Hermione wasn't convinced (neither was Snape usually) but she let it slide for the moment.
The day wore on and the group of travelers fell into a sort of line as they walked. Neo led walking fast a saying little to the others, just behind him were Legolas and Aragorn walking side by side. Often they walked in silence but sometimes they would begin to talk, about where they were and why, their conversations were sprinkled with bits of elvish that the others found themselves listening for keenly, though they did not know the meanings of the words. Merry, Pippin, Harry and Ron walked in group, keeping up a constant chatter about pretty much anything they could think of to talk about. Hermione walked a little behind them, occasionally adding to their conversation but mostly just eyeing the clothes Lara (who walked just behind with Mouse) wore with obvious distaste
"So let me get this straight, " Ron was saying "you're hobbit's and he's and elf" he looked at Hermione who shrugged "I've never heard of them in any factual book before, only in muggle folk tales and legends, but I can't say I'm particularly surprised to come across them. I mean, so far at hogwarts we've come across trolls, giants, house elves, centaurs, goblins, I think I can truly say nothing surprises me anymore" Harry nodded vigorously in agreement "don't forget giant spiders and a tree with a mind of it's own" Ron shivered at the memory of Aragog "I'd quite like to forget about the whole thing actually" he whimpered. Merry seemed to sympathise "I've had more experience with trolls and goblins then anyone can ever wish to have" he said "not to mention orcs, wraiths and every other foul creature ever to spill out of the black lands" added Pippin darkly "but lets not speak of that, let us talk of Merrier things"
"I agree" said Merry brightly "lets talk about me! " Pippin rolled his eyes "if we wish to say anything positive we would be best not to talk about this self-absorbed twit" Merry looked highly affronted, Ron sniggered and complimented Pippin on his 'skill of insultation' . Hermione pointed out that 'insultation' was probably not a word, she was supported by Merry, but Harry, Ron and Pippin merely waved away her complaints "that's a matter of very little importation" said Ron, Hermione attempted to be annoyed with him, but eventually gave up and laughed along with the others. Merry decided to change the subject before they began insulting him again "you say you've had dealings with ents, you wouldn't happen to know our friend Treebeard? "
"Ents? " asked Hermione, eager for knowledge "you said you've come across a tree with a mind of it's own" said Pippin "were you not talking about ents? "
"is that what ents are then? " questioned Harry "o' course" Merry told him "talking tree's"
"talking tree's? " this had really grabbed Hermione's attention "the tree we were talking about is a rather vicious willow, it enjoys attacking people but it certainly can't talk"
"that sounds like old man willow" said Merry, grimacing at a distant memory "in the old forest" he elaborated. Harry shrugged, indicating he'd never heard of either the tree or the forest "the tree we're talking about is called the whomping willow and lives in our school grounds"
"they must be akin" murmured Pippin "well, " said Hermione "there can't be that many vindictive willow tree's in the world"
"two is quite enough" agreed Ron sincerely.
Just then they heard another voice along the path, a man was singing. His voice was loud and his words slurred, his red bandanna and three-point hat were slightly skewed atop a mass of swinging dreadlocks "drink up me hearties yo ho, yo ho! " suddenly he caught sight of the group in front of him "Greetings! " he said in an over-loud voice "I don't suppose any one of you fine people could help me find a way out of this god-forsaken place" as he spoke he gesticulated wildly, swinging a half-empty bottle at them "who the hell are you? " Lara asked bluntly, he cast an appraising eye over her "forgive me for not introducing myself, my name is Captain Jack Sparrow."
Lara was interested in Neo, she was very interested. But it seemed that he barely noticed her, not that it mattered, she could soon change that. He was deep and serious, it would take a lot to put him off balance, simple flirting would be futile. To get Neo, Lara decided, what she had to do was make him jealous, the question Lara had to answer now was, how? Or more to the point, who?
The most obvious choice seemed to be his friend, Mouse. Lara already knew what Mouse thought of her, he wasn't the most subtle of people, he would be easy to ensnare. But would Neo betray his friend? Not before hell freezes over, Lara decided. She turned her eyes over the rest of the group, everyone was sitting around a fire that Aragorn had lit. And that was it. Aragorn. Lara smiled to herself, there was already a growing friction between the Neo and him. It was small now, but in the right situations this quiet leadership battle could become a war. Then she could play their emotions like a game. The board was set, it was time to get the pieces moving.
Lara quickly laid a plan and set it into action. She stood quietly and slipped off unnoticed, she swung herself onto the first branch of one of the towering tree's and, taking a knife from her belt she cut into the branch, three precise hits, then she jumped clear of the tree before her weight broke it off entirely. Then she slipped back into the group and sat down next to Hermione. Lara smiled at the young witch who smiled politely back, although it caused Hermione almost physical pain to do so, she simply didn't like Lara and she wasn't particularly good at hiding the fact "I hate these tree's" Lara said suddenly, it was obvious to Hermione that she was supposed to inquire as to why Lara detested the tree's so much, she decided she'd rather remain silent. But it seemed that Lara was going to tell her whether she inquired or not "I hate not being able to see what's ahead and where I'm going. I tried to climb to the top of one, but the are simply too many leaves and branches. The gaps are too small for me to fit through. But..." Lara paused and looked speculatively at Hermione "you might be able to ... although, you don't look like much of a tree climbing girl. Maybe I should talk to one of the boys" Hermione was highly affronted she thinks I'm some sweet little girl who can't do anything! I'm surprised she tried to climb a tree, surely she would be too scared that she might break one of her perfect nails! She thought furiously, she also thought of several names for Lara that she would not say out loud so as not to scare Harry and Ron "I think I'm perfectly capable" she told Lara curtly. Lara smiled "why don't you try now? I'll help you if you like"
"That's okay, I assure you I'll be fine" Hermione marched to the closest tree, the one that Lara had slipped up just a few minutes before.
Hermione jumped up and grabbed the first branch she thinks she's so much better then me she put her feet on knots and ridges in the twisted trunk unashamedly flirting with Neo, can't she tell he's just not interested she pulled herself up onto the branch he's too good for her. He can see right through her she slid her hands along the trunk to the branch above her head he can tell that her friendly smiles are just as fake as her over sized bust there was a groan and a cracking sound under her feet. She screamed and wrapped her hands around the branch above her as the branch she stood on fell to the ground leaving her hanging from the tree, her feet swinging in empty air. Hermione's terrified screams filled the night air.
Everyone sitting around the campfire leapt to their feet when they heard Hermione's shriek. Neo placed himself directly underneath her "let go" he told her "I'll catch you" Hermione hesitated, afraid "wouldn't it be safer for someone to climb up and get her" Lara murmured to Aragorn, he looked at the situation with calculating eyes and nodded "wait!" he called "she may be hurt if she jumps" Neo ignored him and continued to talk to Hermione "just let go"
"Did you not hear me?" Aragorn said "It is not safe!" Neo turned to face him "I heard you fine" he said "I just don't have to take orders from you" behind him Hermione shrieked as the branch slipped from her hands and she plummeted towards the ground.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Ron's voice ripped through the air as he screamed the levitation charm. Just as she was about to hit the ground Hermione stopped in mid-air, suspended but an inch from the earth. Ron dropped his wand and her feet his the grass, she collapsed into his arms crying, he hugged her "aren't you glad you taught me how to do that properly" he said. Hermione laughed and nodded, then, quite suddenly she kissed him on the cheek. Ron turned a magnificent shade of crimson. Suddenly they noticed everyone else staring at them "Ron" Hermione began "as much as I appreciate you saving me, you do realise that you just broke on of the most important laws in the statute of secrecy"
"Yes.."
A/N: For those of you expecting a "Will, what the fuck have you done to your hair? " scenario with Jack and Legolas I'm afraid to say that that will not be happening, the reason for this is because my lotr characters have been taken from the books not the movie and so there is absolutely no connection between Legolas and Will. The other reason is that this is a SERIOUS fanfiction, NOT a parody I'm sorry. But if you want to read that, Legolas will be turning up near to the end of my POTC parody, so you'll just have to wait until then:)
