Hello everyone. I want to say Thank You all so much for your kind words. I am so sorry for the delay! Its been... an eventfully frustrating year.
I would like to bring up one reviewer that I'd like to thank for bringing up a point I didn't realize I'd left out until I had re-read it: M.britt brought up that Hermione cries a lot. You're absolutely right! I didn't realize how little I had put into the aspect of while this may not be Hermione's first war it is entirely different from the last. Rather than facing magic she is facing steel and arrows, this is her firsthighly physicalwar and she's… learning to cope.
If I had to guess I'd say this is the chapter where we willreallystart to venture away from what canon we did have left. So I hope if you've held on with me this long you'll stick around for this ride. The support and praise I've received over these past months while I get back into writing have meant the stars to me.
As much as I wish I was a millionaire, who owned all the rights to Lord of the Rings and/or Harry Potter, I'm still just a Mom from the US. The amazing minds of Rowling and Tolkien hold that honor, as well as those incredible persons at Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema for bringing these worlds to life… I'm merely borrowing.
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Dusk had settled over Middle Earth, the sun already sunk beneath the horizon, its last beams of light reaching over the peaks. Near the bottom of Dimrill Dale hill laid a small pasture; the last open land between the Mines of the Dwarves and the Forests of the Elves as the now nine companions ran across to seek shelter amongst the trees. Aragorn stood ahead of the group, drawing any enemy attention to himself, while the others trailed behind him through the tall grass. As they approached the grove the witch among them gazed in awe upon the grey trees with swaying golden leaves. The branches hovered above scattered yellow flowers on the forest floor, seeming to capture the remaining sunlight in their petals. She stood near the edge of the trees until all of the Hobbits were past the treeline, waiting to ensure they had safely crossed the wooded border.
Hermione felt as though she was in a daze, her mind was tired and her heart ached. For the second time in her life she had to watch the same man die and she couldn't help but feel... conflicted. As a child she looked up to Albus Dumbledore; a role model for peace and enlightenment. As an adult, however, she had a tendancy putting many of his less than moral decisions aside - after all his actions helped save the wizarding world. Even here in Middle Earth Gandalf the Grey had been praised as a champion of the people, a well respected wizard who held no allegiance except that of good and justice.
Yet, with all of this taken into account, she was angry. Angry at the man she should, by all rights, be mourning.
"Stay close young hobbits." She could hear Gimli whisper as he pulled Merry closer to him.
She couldn't focus on his words, she could barely make out the fading light. A strange pull tugged at her heart and her head couldn't keep up the pace. Hermione was numb, her emotions torn between anger, loss and fear.
She sensed a presence before she heard it, a change in the air around her. They were not alone. She dropped her wand from its sheath, turning sharply behind her to find herself facing the point of an Elven arrow.
"The dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark."
She recognized the voice behind the tree before she saw his face. Haldir stepped into view of the fellowship, his eyes solemn at the sight of the companions. Hermione knew he could sense the ache in their hearts without a word needing to be uttered. The elves around them loosened their bowstrings, arrows still knocked and ready. She did the same with her wand, lowering it from the archers face.
"We seek your aid." She spoke clearly, her eyes firm yet full of sorrow. "We call upon the Lady of the Wood for her protection and yours."
The blonde marchwarden looked to the witch curiously. "This is no mere favor you ask, my Lady."
Hermione nodded slowly. "Yet I have asked. Your answer?"
Aragorn, Boromir and Legolas exchanged worried glances. The young woman before them had just done what few in Middle Earth would ever dare to do, but had done it nonetheless. She had demanded safe passage from the most powerful beings of their world, knowing the fellowship would fail without it.
Haldir studied the woman before him, her skin covered by the dust and blood of their recent battle. Her eyes were locked on his, her gaze unwavering and hard as stone.
"Follow me." The elf nodded to his archers and the fellowship followed slowly through the wood. He gestured past him. "My lady." The witch bowed her head politely, in a silent and yet formal thank you.
"I knew they were there the whole time." Gimli whispered to Merry.
Aragorn was concerned. He had never known Hermione to act recklessly, yet her intentions here had clearly been spoken. Gandalf had told him to never underestimate her, and this was proof enough to follow that advice.
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As dusk settled over the woods the golden glow of the leaves was replaced with the silver glimmer of elven magic, the very stars seeming to float amongst the branches. Haldir led the companions through to the hidden city in the forest, the kingdom of Celeborn and Galadriel. The walkways and paths moved seamlessly with the land, curving along the natural arches of roots and climbing the trunks as though an extension of its very bark.
The elves around them stared at the party curiously, such a group had not been seen within their borders for many years. These strangers were covered in dust and blood, their gazes a blend of awe and exhaustion. They followed their escort through the wooded paths, shuffling their feet.
Hermione could feel a faint pressure on the edge of her mind and her walls were up immediately. She knew of Galadriel's powers, she knew the queen would want to speak to her; and had more than enough power to speak into the minds of who she chooses. But she was in no mood to invite a curious elven matriarch into her head.
"You will see for yourself soon enough, my lady" Hermione thought, keeping her eyes on Haldir's back and her step in time with his. They passed a small dock along a stream, three boats awaited the party and their escort. She knew they were to have been for their departure had their orders been to deny aid and remove them from their borders.
Their trek turned up as they ascended a pathway into the branches above them, the glow of starlight enveloping the group on their climb. Hermione could feel the magic around her grow stronger, the view from the railways changing from the ground below them to the branches and leaves of the canopy.
"Are you alright?" Boromir's voice was dull in her ear. She nodded slightly, glancing at him in acknowledgment. His eyes told her that she wasnt fooling him. "We will talk later, I promise." He gently squeezed her arm in comfort and they continued and she was suddenly hit with a memory of Ron. She stumbled slightly but the Captain's hold kept her steady.
Haldir slowed their pace. "We are almost there, I am sure you are more than weary."
He was correct, one more bend around the massive tree gave view to a large balcony with a grand staircase continuing above them. Two figures descended as the Fellowship filled the room. Celeborn and Galdriel emitted an ethereal glow, filling the room with streams of starlight.
"Nine I see, yet ten set out from Rivendell." The Elven lord observed. "Tell me, where is Gandalf? I much..."
"He fell." Hermione was blunt and looked him in the eye.
"In shadow." The witch turned her gaze to Galadriel who was staring intently back at her. The elf kept an unreadable expression across her flawless features.
"We seek your aid." Aragorn stepped forward, beside Hermione.
"So we have been told. It is quite the demand you ask." Celeborn's tone did not sit well with the woman beside the ranger, and she was quick to make it known.
"I'm not one to rest on formalities and niceties. We are wounded and short supplied. You are an abundant society with aid to offer, especially considering the side of war we find ourselves on." Hermione's voice was unwavering and firm. "You are of the few who know of our mission, of the burden our members bear. So, in that regard, I demand to know your answer. I do not have the time or the patience to be kept waiting by something as precious as procedure."
For the first time since their arrival Galadriel's expression changes. A small smile appeared on her face.
"You shall have all you have asked for. I have been looking forward to meeting you for some time, Hermione." She descended the staircase effortlessly, coming to stand before the witch. "I am honored you answered the call."
"I answered and it brought more questions than answers." Hermione's lack of elucidation did not go unnoticed by the Queen. More than aid would be revealed tonight.
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A haunting song drafted through the wood, its melody filling the Fellowship's camp on the forest floor. The elves had set up a small array of tents for their guests, complete with fresh clothing and some provisions to replenish their packs. Sam immediately set to work sorting their new supplies while Merry and Pippin inspected their new clothing from the elves.
Legolas stood stoic, his eyes closed as he listened to the song around then. "A lament for Gandalf. A worthy spirit of such a melody."
The hobbits stilled for a moment. Pippin smiled sadly before moving to stand beside the elf.
"What do they say, Legolas? Their song?"
The blonde being smiled sadly. "I do not have the heart to say. But I believe that all of Middle Earth can hear it." He gently laid his hand on the halfling's shoulder. "He was the greatest of all of us."
Hermione had sat in silence against a tree trunk where Gimli had also set up post. The dwarf was still uneasy in the land of the elves where the witch was also restless. This magic was unknown to her. The mystic properties of Rivendell had been different, less ethereal and more earthly. Her heart seemed to be dulled, her emotions not daring to come to the surface. She kept her gaze steady on the small campfire at the center of their clearing, its own glow matching that of the starlight than the angry red of flame.
Boromir and Aragorn stood above the camp, watching the river that would carry them south. The ranger held a long pipe between his lips, the embers casting a dim glow across his face with each draw of the leaf.
"Is there something that concerns you of our journey ahead, Ranger?" The Captain asked, noticing the expression on the northman's face. "The river should lead us straight towards the Marsh and the mountains."
"It is not the water that I am unsure of. Its what might lie on the shores." He took another long drag off his pipe. "Word will have spread from Moria amongst the enemy. They will know of our group. They will also know of Hermione."
Boromir looked over at him curiously. "Hermione? I'm grateful we have her in our party, but are we not all a threat to Mordor?"
Sighing Aragorn looked over at the witch, who sat against a tree with Gimli. "She is different. She is new to them. Never before has a witch of her power been seen in Middle Earth."
The Captain nodded. "One of us should talk to her about this."
The Ranger looked over at him, a slight of misunderstanding on his face. "She knows the dangers, Boromir."
"I do not mean of our perils that we may or may not face. I meant of Gandalf." Boromir looked over to the young woman, still unmoving from her seat. "She is hurt and I fear the pain will overcome her when she is least prepared for it."
Aragorn was surprised at the empathetic concern from his kinsman. Gondorian soldiers were not known for their sympathy, ally or not. For him to be worried for their resident witch was nothing short of unexpected, to say the least. His concerns were shared, the Ranger had thought tue very same since they entered the wood.
"She was close to Gandalf, perhaps closer than any of us could understand."
"We should talk to her before we leave the wood, Aragorn." Only a nod was received as an answer.
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The party remained stoic and silent until most of its members had fallen into slumber. The silence of the forest played into the well needed rest that greeted most of the fellowship, though a few stirred in the night.
Hermione could feel the waves of exhaustion crash over her body but the comfort of sleep eluded her. Gandalf was gone. Albus was gone. Again. She was being forced to relive one of the harshest aspects of reality for a second time and its toll was setting in. She attempted to push the feelings aside, ignoring her grief. Now was not the time for sentiment. The morning would bring the next stage of their journey and she needed to be ready. Not for herself but for her friends. They all needed to be prepared and she felt all but.
A rustle across the camp jolted her up, her wand appearing from beneath her pillow, her fingers having never loosened. She saw Frodo climbing up a root and cautiously followed, hoping to not be noticed by the halfling. Looking up onto the path she could see Galadriel walking ahead of them, her dress billowing behind her as she moved with an empyrean grace. Frodo seemed enchanted as he followed the elf close behind. Hermione put up her mental shields immediately and closed the gap as quietly as she could.
The queen had granted them safe passage, that much was true, but it was not enough for the witch to grant her trust blindly. She had questions regarding the prophecy and her own role, questions that would be answered. She would not leave the wood with less than clarity.
Galadriel descended a small staircase to a courtyard with a single basin at its center. Frodo followed, slowly, until he stood before the pool. Hermione hid at the top of the staircase, wand at the ready. To lure the ring bearer away from the party was not sitting well with the witch and she was ready to defend him at all costs, even if it meant from the Queen of the Wood.
"Will you look into the mirror?" The elf asked as she studied the halfling before her.
"What will I see?" He replied, looking at her and not the pool of water as she began to pour from the silver pitcher.
Hermione wondered if this was a pensieve, it looked similar in design and she supposed she would see if the execution confirmed her suspicion.
"Even the wisest of us cannot tell, for the mirror can show many things, young Hobbit. "Things that were... things that are... and some things that have not yet come to pass." Her gaze briefly flicked towards the stairs and Hermione slid further into the shadow.
Hearing footsteps she risked another glance, Galadriel having moved with her back to the stairs as Frodo approached the basin. She could not see what images were before the halfling, but a glow appeared from the water, enveloping his features in an amber light.
Suddenly Frodo grabbed at his neck, clutching the ring to him as he threw himself away from the Queen's mirror.
At the movement Hermione rushed forward, standing over Frodo, her wand pointed directly at Galadriel, level with her face. The halfling scrambled to stand, moving against the stairs and tree trunk, away from the women.
"I know what it is you saw." She seemed to look past the witch at the halfling.
"To hell with what he saw!" Hermione seethed. Glancing at the basin she aimed her wand and without a second thought she acted. "Bombarda!"
The stones flew into the air at the impact of the spell, Galadriel turning away as the mirror shattered around her. Frodo jumped away from the debris as Hermione turned back to the queen, her eyes filled with anger and suspect.
"What he saw is in my mind, it is what will happen if you all fail." The queen casually brushed the rubble from her sparkling gown, not a speck of dust marring her flawless appearance. "There is discord in your ranks, you know this is true. He will try to take the ring."
"No!" Hermione gasped. "I know of whom you speak and I can guarantee that will not happen while I walk this earth." She had kept her eye on Boromir, another temptation having not overcome him since the mountain pass.
"They truly did send their finest. But can their finest stop me?" Galadriel raised her arms, an unseen wind thrusting the leaves and grass to the air as she became a lack of light, her features contrasted by a magical shadow, her eyes wide and gaze demanding. "I could take the ring now and I am sure the halfling would give it willingly! I am Galadriel, as fearless and terrifying as the dawn! All will love me and despair."
"Not today!" Hermione put her entire being into pushing her mental walls back onto the Queen, causing her to stumble, forcing her way into the mind of the elf before her. Flashes of the millenia played before her mind but she kept her stance firm, the onslaught almost too much for the witch to bear. Almost. She would not back down and she would not let her take anything from Frodo.
Even if it meant she had to die to do it. Then so be it.
"Your reign earns you no right to the ring! You, too, fell to the spells of the one ring and it's counterparts. You still adorn the evil on your finger!" Hermione's voice echoed through the Queen's mind, pushing further and further into her subconscious until the elf was kneeling before her in confusion. "You sent for the bravest to quell the shadow and right now you are the shadow before me. I will end you and I will not lose sleep over it." Images of Elves and Men on a battlefield of fire and blood, ash and steel falling from the sky as screams filled the air. The aftermath of charred bodies and discarded weapons barraged her next, the scenes more jarring than the last.
"You do that and you'll never see your home again." Galadriel gasped, the wind dying and her glow returning to her skin. Hermione kept her wand raised, the calming storm not enough to lower her defense. She knew magic can be used to trick and deceive, to lower your opponents guard and she was not to fall for such duplicity.
"If it means I save Frodo then I will live with that decision."
"Hermione, no!" She turned sharply, dropping the mental ward as she saw Aragorn standing atop the stairs, Frodo having moved to his side.
"No, Ranger. She is right." The Queen sighed and stood before the trio. "I have passed the test. I can sail now, to the undying lands. And remain Galadriel."
The witch refused to lower her wand. "You owe me answers. The prophecy. Now."
"You came to me in the Mirror many years ago, when I first felt the presence of the Ring returning to Middle Earth. The Mirror has shown me your life since you came to be. I've watched your accomplishments and they only strengthened my believe in the prophecy and your role in this world." The Queen looked to the rubble around her, the remnants of her magical speculum. "You will bring the aid to many they did not know they needed. Your wisdom will fall on the ears of kings and their counsels. You words have already reshaped the opinions of many in our world, some of them your own companions."
"What part is mine to play?" She asked, lowering her wand slowly, realizing Aragorn still stood above her. "I am a member of the fellowship, I did not ask for more."
"Only you will be the one to decide that. Your impact on this world is your destiny and yours alone." The queen stepped closer to her, causing Hermione to step back sharply.
"I am no hero! I am here to help Frodo, to ensure the Ring-Bearer is safe!" Hermione declared.
"Is that truly all you believe yourself to be able to bring about?" The elf asked, her head cocking slightly to the side. "You are the brightest witch of your age, possibly more. Your powers are only just beginning to flourish, and I'm sure you've noticed the amplifications our world has brought upon your abilities, Lady Granger."
She was taken aback. She hadn't discussed with any of her companions the difference she felt in her magic since coming to Middle Earth, except Gandalf quite briefly in Rivendell. She had confided in him the change she felt, from how her wand reverberated stronger in her grasp, how she felt her spells in her very core. The difference had been slight, but nonetheless present.
"What are you saying?" She demanded. "My magic will only grow stronger?"
"Your magic is not wholly separate from yourself. You will grow stronger here. You already have. Your skills expand well beyond magic, child. To this end I give you a gift."
Hermione looked down to see the extended Queen's hand, in her palm the very ring gifted to the Elf from Sauron.
"No!" She screeched, jumping back.
"You are stronger than I, Lady Granger. I have fought this urge for eons, and you brought me to my knees in my own realm. I give you Nenya, knowing you will bear the Ring of Adamant with the respect of a ring of power." She gently reached for the witch, dropping the metal band into her hand. "It is yours, to wear or not. I grant you this because I believe in you. I believe you are the bravest to have been sent."
She placed a finger beneath Hermione's chin, moving her gaze up to meet her own. "You are more to this world than you realize."
With that the Queen turned and left the witch standing in shock. Aragorn descended the stairs, Frodo still in shock at what he just witnessed. The ranger stood beside her, gazing at the ring in her open palm. Never before had he seen a ring of power this close, nor one whose bearer had given it so freely.
"I do not want this." She whispered as he laid a hand on her shoulder.
"You need not wear it, Hermione."
"Then what do I do with it?"
"Keep it secret." Frodo spoke softly, pulling the attention of his two friends. "Keep it safe."
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