Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own the wonderful world of Harry Potter or LOTR.


-Chapter 2-

Hermione roused from her dreamless sleep and stretched on the plush mattress. Thank goodness she woke up in her own bed this time. It was all just a dream. Getting up, she decided it would probably be best to start getting ready for another day's work. But she stopped the minute she sat up and really got a good look at her surroundings.

'Oh bloody hell…' It was definitely not a dream.

"Ah, you're awake. Come, let me help you get ready."

Hermione snapped her head to the source of that voice. There stood a woman, an elf she would assume if yesterday was true, who looked like the spitting image of…what was her name again? Galadriel. Except this elf was younger and her features a little softer. The female elf walked to her bed and smiled softly at her.

"Lady Hermione?" she gestured to help Hermione out of bed.

This snapped her out of shock and Hermione took the elf's hand and was led to what seemed like a washroom.

"You may wash yourself in this room. The water is nice and warm and when you are done, there is a robe hanging off the chaise on the side. When you are ready, come back to the room and I shall help you get dressed and ready to speak with naneth." The she-elf said. (mother)

"I'm sorry, but may I know your name?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, pardon my rudeness!" she laughed. "You may call me Celebrian."

Hermione nodded and proceeded to undress after Celebrian left the washroom. She sunk into the bath and heaved a sigh. Well, at least she won't have to worry about staying clean in what seemed to be a medieval based world. Knowing that someone was waiting for her, Hermione quickly washed herself and dressed in the robe. She placed the night clothes she wore yesterday on the chaise. Stepping out, she was greeted with Celebrian going through the closet.

"I know just the right dress for you, Lady Hermione." Celebrian beamed as she turned around with a light cream dress with tight fitted sleeves and a billowing skirt.

"Please, just Hermione is fine." Hermione smiled timidly.

"Hermione." Celebrian smiled softly. "Come, let me help you dry your hair and braid it."

"It's quite alright, I can do it on my own." Hermione said as she stepped back, while Celebrian started making her way towards Hermione.

"Nonsense. Come, let me help you." Celebrian ignored the awkward Hermione and sat her down on the chair in front of the mirror.

"You know, you have the most beautiful hair, Hermione. It reminds me of the golden leaves of Lothlorien with how it shines with the brown in the light." Celebrian started to comb her hair.

"Really? I always thought it was unruly and wild…" Hermione blushed at the compliment.

After a few minutes, Celebrian and braided each side and pulled them back and tied them together, letting the rest of the hair falling freely.

"I shall leave the room and let you change. Just knock on the door for me to come back in when you're ready." And with that, Celebrian walked out the door and closed it behind her.

Hermione quickly changed and knocked on the door, signaling Celebrian. She came in and gave Hermione a once-over before beaming back at the girl.

"Beautiful. Come. Let us go greet my parents." Celebrian hooked her arm in Hermione's and proceeded to pull her down the flight of stairs.

"Your parents?" Hermione ask.

"The Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel." Hermione stopped in shock only to have Celebrian laugh and pull her to start walking again. "Oh come now. Please don't look at me like that! This is exactly the reason why I did not start out with that as an introduction."

Hermione stammered, "B-but that makes you some sort of royalty around here, yes?"

"Well, if you look at it that way, yes. But please don't view me differently, Hermione. First and foremost, I would like for you to think of me as a friend. I've always wanted a little sister." She smiled cheekily at Hermione.

A friend. She was going to need those in a world where she knows no one. Hermione smiled warmly back at Celeborn. "I would very much like that as well."

The two females talked as they made their way to platform where Celebrian's parents were. They talked about their childhood, their friends, the loved ones, and anything you would think friends would talk about. Hermione found that Celebrian had one of the most gentle hearts she has ever come across. And she was glad that she could call her friend. Before they knew it, they had reached the platform and there sat Celeborn and Galadriel.

"Hermione, it eases my heart to see you well." Galadriel smiled.

"Naneth." Celebrian walks up to her mother to give her a kiss on the cheek before doing the same to Celeborn. "Adar." (father)

"I trust you found your new quarters to your liking?" Celeborn asked.

"Yes, thank you very much for your hospitality." Hermione attempted to curtsey without causing too much offense.

Galadriel walked down from the raised throne and gestured for the occupants of the room to leave. The only ones left were Celeborn, Celebrian, and Galadriel herself.

"Raise, my child." Galadriel smiled as she stood in front of Hermione. "Do you know how you came to be here?"

Hermione frowned. "No…my lady. All I remember was celebrating with my friends and going home to rest before waking up here in the forest."

Hermione left out the fact that she was celebrating the end of a war and that she came from a magical community. But the fact that they were elves, the idea of magic shouldn't be strange, should it? Decided to rather not take the risk of seeming insane especially not knowing what kind of world she was in if it wasn't the same of her's, she omitted a few details. Galadriel smiled knowingly at Hermione.

"There is no need for obscurity here, Hermione Granger. I know fully well of who you were and of your world for the Illuvatar have told me of your coming in my dreams." Galadriel said.

Taken aback, Hermione narrowed her eyes. "And what do you know…?"

"Hermione Granger from London, England. You have just finished a war that almost tore your world apart. Victorious and yet your nightmares leave you sleepless for many nights. Too much was been put on your shoulders to bear and now you pay the price. The Illuvatar have heard your wish for healing and here you are now to find the happiness you so desperately seek." Galadriel stated as she stared deeply into Hermione's eyes.

"Does that mean…I can never go home?" Hermione whispered. What of her friends? Her work? Her LIFE?

"That is a choice for you to make whether it be now or later." Galadriel said.

"And when I make that choice, will it be you that will help me go home?" Hermione asked.

Smiling sadly, Galadriel shook her head. "I do not have the power to do that. I am only tasked with guiding you until you make that decision."

Hermione looked crestfallen. 'But I want to go home now…to my own bed. My life. I can't even do magic here…hell, she doesn't even know how she was even turned into an elf in the first place!'

"Worry not, penneth. For however long you spend here, we shall be your home." Galadriel cupped Hermione's cheek.

"May I retire to my room…?" Hermione sighed and Galadriel nodded before returning to her husband's side.

Hermione walked back down the stairs.

"Hermione! Wait!" Hermione turned to see Celebrian running towards her.

When she caught up, Celebrian grabbed Hermione's hands in her own. "No matter what world you came from, I stand by my words to be your friend." She said in resolution.

Hermione couldn't take anymore. Hurt and shock from the possibility on not being able to go home. Uncertainty from her new person. And relief that she has at least one friend here in this new world. Tears burst out from her eyes and she hugged Celebrian tightly as if she were her lifeline. Celebrian could only hug her back and whispered softly into Hermione's ear that everything would make sense one day. Now that she has the eternal life of the elves, hope is not lost if she wishes to return home one day. They will find a way.


A/N: Please review!

~lalune30