Chapter 7
Suddenly the branch snapped under the pressure of a brown boot clad foot. They all jumped, making the mysterious attacker chuckle and slowly draw his silver dagger. His thin fingers wrapped around the golden, green jewel studded handle and he tugged, revealing, slowly, the sharp point of the weapon. They just stared, frozen in place some how, maybe by fear. The figure advanced towards the man, raising the dagger and watching the gleam of the blade in the light before plunging it into –
Wait! Wrong beginning! Here we go! .
At Hogwarts
Aragorn laughed and opened his mouth to reply, as there was a sharp tap on the door and it swung open then Tenshi strode in.
"Still not to old for story-time elf?" She asked half teasingly, half coldly.
Aragorn sighed since he knew that she was going to be hard on the poor elf for some time. Legolas looked too appalled to say anything; he just stood there, open-mouthed. He hadn't heard any footsteps and yet he heard one now and then back in the grounds. He also noticed she was barefooted and wore dark purple robes that complimented her hair, which was mow short, pooling at her shoulders. Tenshi leaned against the door, staring hard at Legolas's hair. Suddenly, his scalp began to itch and he felt a waterfall of silky blond hair cascade down the back of his neck.
"That looks better," She said, waving away his puzzled expression. "Anyway, Dumbledore's calling us. He wants to give us a list of spells to learn just in case."
She smiled and motion for them to come forward, toward her, a pink leaf in hand. Aragorn moved to her side at once and so did Legolas, after hesitating. The elf glanced once more at the playing halflings before striding over to the girl. The hanyou tossed the leaf into the air. A pink smoke ring spread round them then engulfed them before they all disappeared in the pink cloud. They reappeared in Dumbledore's office. The old bat was ready, papers in hand, and merrily conversing with Gandalf. The white wizard didn't turn a hair at their sudden presence but Dumbledore got down to business.
"Ah, yes. Since everyone is here, these are the basic spells you should know in Hogwarts, to stay 'undercover'. Try to at least have a few ready to say to defend yourselves if necessary," He said with a twinkle in those blue eyes.
He passed everyone a list of spells, the spells' correct pronunciation and what they do. After explaining what they had to do to keep an eye on the three friends, he excused himself, saying he had four letters to write. With that, he sat down behind his desk and bent over his parchment. The friends grabbed hold of Tenshi and went outside in a cloud of transporting smoke to tell the hobbits where the food would be.
Legolas watched the hobbits splashing round, experimenting with their wands, gave the Forbidden Forest a weird glance then turned to sit in the shade of the tree. He watched as Tenshi went over to the lake bank to converse with the squid. A tentacle popped out when it agreed and bobbed up and down then it let out a series of high gulps and squeaks which she translated with ease and replied to quite quickly. Aragorn sprawled out on the ground beside his friend.
"Don't get too attached my friend. She is quite wild, you know," He remarked.
The elf sighed with slight disappointment but mostly with frustration and recklessness.
"I know. She seems distant at times. And I felt her insecurity when I caught her."
The night came quickly, forcing the hobbits to abandon their rock-skipping and head up to the Great Hall. When the girl followed, the boys stretched, got to their feet and stepped up the lawn after her. The meal was small and uneventful with occasional glances round and small conversations and they tromped up the stairs, getting for bed. Soon, everyone was asleep on sofas, cushions and chair.
In morning, Legolas awoke with the dawn as usual, yawning then freezing in mid-stretch. He a medium pressure on his chest and noticed a mass of red with pale spots. Without closer inspection, he realized it was that Tenshi had somehow shifted from her position at the mid-cornered sofa, onto his chest and Aragorn was using her stomach as a pillow. And to his extreme surprise, his chest was being vibrated by the hanyou; a low, pleasant growl and echoing from her throat.
Appalled slightly, the elf just lay there and stared at the redhead. He continued doing this for two minutes longer before Aragorn awoke. He shook his head as he sat up and stretched then saw Legolas trying to escape from under Tenshi. He grinned and gently tugged her into his arms, allow the elf to stand, before placing her back down.
"She sleeps like," Aragorn yawned. "A log. Unless there's danger. It's like she sleep-sense it."
She turned over and mumbled something then curled with a cushion.
"I'll show you. Okay, rush at me with a dagger and I'll do the same but we wouldn't hurt each other," said the ranger.
Legolas nodded and unsheathed the dagger from his belt then rushed at the ranger as he darted at the elf. Tenshi's human ears twitched slightly and she snapped up and off the sofa in an instant, disarming the two feigning men and holding their weapons to their throats. Without blinking, she sheathed their weapons while growling threateningly.
"You did that on purpose! I didn't even get four hours of sleep because of the house-elves," she complained.
"You only need three," Aragorn pointed out, watching her yawn in a very cat-like manner.
Tenshi glanced around and smiled as she noticed that the hobbits were not there then she walked down to the portrait. It swung open as she stood a foot away from it, and the two barreled down the stairs in a competitive rush with only Legolas stopping to staying to say thank you to the fat lady. He had to jump down an entire three levels to catch up with the two fleeing and laughing siblings as they dashed through the Entrance Hall. Suddenly, Tenshi stopped and Legolas crashed into her, sending all of them rolling to the Great Hall in a heap.
She apologized then absent-mindedly sat on the floor as Aragorn and Legolas were chuckling, joining in the hobbits' laughter. Two pairs of blue eyes kept doubling back to Tenshi as she munched on a piece of toast and talking silently talked with someone, her green eyes glazing over.
/Do you want to talk to ada/ father
Aragorn almost fell off the bench in surprise as Legolas jumped; Tenshi was telepathically talking them.
/I have to concentrate so don't ask me anything./
Since they figured it was probably good, they stayed quiet and made not a sound.
Estel? Legolas?
The Elvenking's voice sounded distant, probably since Tenshi was still shaking with laughter.
Suilaid Elrond. You sounddistant but well. Legolas began.
Aye, as you do. I was hoping that Tenshi would was enough energy for this…and have it perfected. The link suddenly fizzled a bit before growing stronger. Is everything going well? Did the school start? Elrond asked.
Aragorn glanced over the empty tables, which one of the five was being used.
Nay, it did not start yet. Everything's fine and we must be on a train in less than five hours. Tenshi says that a train is a rather fast connection of carriages. I believe it should be safe.
Elrond smiled, looking out on the waters of a Rivendallian lake. There was a twinkle in his eyes.
I'm sure your safety is not exactly guarantied, but it may be high with the carriages at least. Behave well and I'm almost positive that Tenshi didn't tell the hobbits to behave.
Legolas and Aragorn shot each of the hobbits a glance then Legolas replied with a laugh.
I think she did not. I'll tell them on the train. Did you find out if any part of Sauron is still in Middle Earth that would prevent his complete destruction?
No, not yet…which is good. I'll be going now; Tenshi's energy is quickly lowering. See you later. Elrond said, severing the telepathic bond with Tenshi.
They all felt their minds disconnect and Tenshi swayed before falling on her back, staring up at the enchanted ceiling. Legolas could have heard Tenshi complaining faintly about no food but Aragorn tossed her another piece of toast and an orange as two ghosts rose out of the floor. One had bloodstains his fancy long-sleeved shirt. His trousers were also a slivery pink, the colour of blood on a ghost. The other was fat and donned white robs. They waved merrily to them with their goblet and sword respectively.
"The newcomers, I presume," the sword wielding ghost as Aragorn and Legolas reached for their weapons.
"We have seen many boys but none of them have such long hair as you; only some of the men," added the other.
Tenshi was so shocked and terrified that she said nothing but the elf questioned them as to whom they were, as the hobbits watched with overly filled mouths. The ghosts gave them a lingering, slightly annoyed expression before bowing their heads in mock respect.
"Oh yes, I suppose that was rude of us. I'm the Fat Fryer and this is the Bloody Baron. There are lots more of us around somewhere. Do you mean to say that you've never seen a ghost?" The goblet-holding creature asked.
The hobbits shook their heads, abandoning their meal as Legolas and Aragorn dropped their hands from their weapons. The ghosts nodded then floated off, continuing with their conversation.
"Good bye Mr.Barron and Mr.Fryer!" Tenshi called after them, realizing they meant no harm.
They floated back after pausing and looked curiously at her and Legolas then at the hobbits.
"You two don't speak like you're from here. And those four; we've never seen anyone eat so much! Let alone four people! Tell me my friends, what are you?"
"…Um…We're Japanese! And those four are Italian! Yeah!" Legolas stuttered hastily, Tenshi telling them all what they ought to pretend to be.
The ghosts nodded thoughtfully, as though they did not believe their story, then floated away again in silence. All breathed a sigh of relief when the transparent creatures moved off through the wall. The three elder friends turned to the hobbit then burst into silent fits of laughter; as soon as they had turned, the food on the table had vanished. The hobbits, especially Pippin, looked extremely disappointed at not being able to eat everything and pouted as a chuckle was heard from across the room from the wooden doors.