Those Who Do Not Learn
Chapter 11
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. If I did I would have a MUCH nicer car.
Hermione wandered around the gardens for a time. She still felt horrible about having bothered Ireth. Harry was still confined and the twins were cleaning Ireth's kill. Without thinking, she found herself wandering in the flower garden.
"What troubles you, Hermione?" Celebrian's voice brought her from her reverie.
She looked up and saw her sitting with her embroidery under the tall, blossoming cherry tree. "I have been thinking too much." She took a seat on the grass beside the lady of Imlardris.
"I have found thinking too much about things can be helpful at times. What is the subject that so commands your attention?"
"Ireth." she answered quietly. "Before she left I asked her why she didn't like Legolas. Earlier I bothered her until she told me."
"Ah… I have heard this tale as well. You are not the only one who feels great empathy for both of them."
"One thing bothers me though…," she continued when Celebrian inclined her head, "why is Ireth so sure her family will never leave the halls of Mandos. That is where elves go when they die isn't it?"
"It is. Ireth's people had… different beliefs about life and death. They believed if one had a… good death that is all one needed."
"But still shouldn't they have been reborn?"
"Hermione, I believe that Mandos would not force any elf to be reborn. Not if they so firmly desired not to."
"It still bothers me."
She smiled and rested her hand on Hermione's arm.
Ireth did not need to see to know that Elrohir had slipped into her room. He was silent as he crossed the room and lay on the bed beside her. She did not resist when his arms came around her and he spooned behind her.
"She asked you about Legolas didn't she?" he asked quietly.
She nodded but did not speak.
"I asked her not to. Sometimes Hermione's single minded pursuit of knowledge gets her in trouble."
"I told her I would discuss it when I came back. I did. There is no fault to her. It's just… Sometimes I forget how much it hurts to talk about him."
Elrohir squeezed her tightly. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. She just… It made me think about my family."
"I couldn't even imagine never seeing Ada or Nana again. Are you sure they'll never…"
"I don't know. I know they are not here now. I just wish… I wish I could tell Idril I'm sorry." She whispered the final part silently before the tears began to fall.
He held her silently. When her crying finally subsided, he asked her quietly. "You still love him, don't you?"
She gave a small laugh. "Wouldn't it all be easier if I didn't? No matter how much I want to, I can never make myself hate that damnable elf. Even when he says cruel words my heart breaks because I cannot hate him."
"I'll never tell." Elrohir whispered, pressing a kiss to her temple.
"What would I do without you, Elrohir?"
"You would be probably be the most morose elf in the world."
They again fell into silence as the moon crept across the sky.
Come morning, again, Elrond and Glorfindel decided to check in on the young prince. They had come to see Harry the evening before and found him just as obstinate as he had been that morning. The two elders pushed the door open and found him sitting on the floor before the door waiting for them.
"I'm finished." Hs said thrusting a stack of papers into Glorfindel's hands. He looked them through and nodded silently.
"What have you learned from this Harry?"
"I promise I'll be good from now on. I have learned the value of education."
"Though somehow I doubt it, you have completed the goal assigned to you. You may go."
Harry nodded and took off at a run.
"Why do I think we have accomplished nothing?"
"Because we probably did nothing but detain him for a day. But at least it was a bit more peaceful."
"Yes, it was."
They walked down the hall back to the library. They closed the door behind them and slumped wearily into chairs on either side of the fire.
Glorfindel leaned forward after a moment. "Is it just me, or has Gandalf been acting strange of late."
"He has been a bit odd." Elrond studied the patterns of the fire. "I believe he may intend to return to Middle Earth."
"Can he do that?"
"I don't know. Many centuries have passed. Only Ea knows the terrors that have been inflicted upon the men since the dark lord came to power. And he will have come to power."
"Who knows what world will exist when we return."
"I fear our return more than I feared our leaving. I fear for Harry when we return."
He studied his old friend. "Elrond, what have you seen?"
"Nothing I care to speak of.
Comments, Criticisms, etc????
A/N: If anyone is interested TWDNL is now up on fiction alley
http://www.thedarkarts.org/authors/dmalfoy/TWDNL01.html