Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own the wonderful world of Harry Potter or LOTR.
-Chapter 3-
It's been fifty years since Hermione's arrival in Lothlorien. Since then, she had taken it upon herself to learn anything and everything about the new world she now occupies and calls home. With her newfound life as an elf, time was endless. She still searches for a way home, but with the help of Celeborn, Galadriel, and Celebrian, life in Lothlorien became more and more bearable. She found a sister in Celebrian she always wanted and with the guidance of Galadriel and Celeborn, she flourished as their ward. Everyday was spent in the library pouring over books on every subject – history, literature, the arts; she absorbed every book she could get her hands on. Of course, Celebrian had taught her the language of the elves in order for her to read said books. And it is in the library that we find Hermione now, reading about the war of the ring.
'So they had just gotten over a war as well it seems…' Hermione pondered.
Her thoughts were broken as someone knocked on the door frame. Looking up, Hermione saw Haldir standing there with a smile.
"You are late, gwathel." Haldir said. (sister)
Hermione smiled. "Sorry, gwador. I got preoccupied." She laughed as she waved the book at him. (brother)
Over the years, Haldir had treated her as any other visitor – with paranoi and distrust. But he soon learned as did the royal family of Lothlorien of the trifles and heartache she had been through. Slowly, she opened up about her past life as a witch in her world. Of the war she went through as children. And bit by bit, he had come to take her under his wing as a younger sister. He taught her the ways of the Galadhrim. She learned swordplay and how to handle a bow and arror. Haldir and his brothers made sure she was able to protect herself now that her powers were gone.
"Rumil and Orophin are waiting for us at the training grounds. Tolo." Haldir turned and walked away from the library. (come)
Hermione rushed after him. "Wait, Haldir. Let me go to my flet to change into my gear. I shall meet you at the training grounds."
Haldir looked at her skeptically as she was already late. Hermione only laughed and pushed him along before turning and running to her private flet. She found a new strength in herself with her new body. She was more lithe, faster, stronger. Her senses were amplified ten fold. She found she could see farther, hear clearer, and see more vividly. It was exhilarating. She no longer felt like the helpless know-it-all bookworm.
Hermione reached her flet in no time and changed into a dark tunic and leggings with leather lace-up boots. Grabbing her sword, gifted by Lord Celeborn, and her bow and arrows from Galadriel, she strapped on her weapons. Looking in the mirror in her room, she quickly did multiple braids and tied the halfway up. Looking herself once over, she deemed herself ready and raced to the training grounds.
"Hermione!" She heard a shout before something big and hard barreled into her and they rolled on the lush grass before she was pinned.
"Oof! Get off me, Rumil!" Hermione laughed as she tried to flip their positions.
"I got you pinned before sparring even started! Tsk, tsk, little sister! I thought we taught you better than that!" Rumil laughed merrily.
Rumil was then swiftly pulled off Hermione before being tossed to the side. "Get off of her, Rumil."
Hermione smiled as Orophin reached down to help her up.
"Ai, Eru! I was only having a bit of fun, Orophin." Rumile smiled.
Orophin looked at Hermione with exasperation before rolling his eyes. She responded with a warm laugh. They proceeded to spar – Orophin with Hermione, and Haldir with Rumil. Elves surrounding them had stopped to observe. They were deemed the best fighters in the Galadhrim. And when they sparred, it was like a dance. Every move was executed in swift, fluid motions and every block was strong and sturdy. After two hours of sparring, Haldir called for a break and the sat under the shade of the trees for lunch.
"So you are travelling with Lady Celebrian to Imladris." Haldir said to Hermione.
"Yes, I shall be part of the guard. It would also be nice to visit another elvish kingdom. I've been stuck here for the past fifty years." Hermione smiled.
"Really, Hermione. You make it seem like we are keeping you prisoner here." Rumil teased.
"Oh, quiet you. You know what I mean. I want to see the world. To travel and see what there is to offer here." Hermione laughed.
"Just be careful, Hermione. We care about you." Orophin said.
"I know, Orophin. I shall be fine. For goodness sakes, it's not like I am the only guard going with Celebrian. Besides, I've been trained by the best!" Hermione bumped shoulders with her worry-wart of a brother.
But the thought of travel outside of Lothlorien did worry her a little. She has never been outside of Lothlorien. It has become her home. The thought of the outside world intrigued and scared her. Who know what she will face out there. But staying within the protection of the borders will make her insane if she doesn't explore this relatively new world.
Hermione looked up to the position of the sun in sky before sighing, "Well, I will see you three at dinner tonight. I promised Celebrian I would go to the market with her. Stay out of trouble. Especially when you go patrolling later."
She bid them farewell before she went to her flet to find Celebrian waiting for her.
"Finally! Honestly, Hermione. I do not understand why you want to put yourself in harms way and learning the art of war. Sometimes I fear Haldir and the others may mistake you for a male rather than a lady." Celebrian fretted over her dirty clothes and sweaty locks.
Hermione only smiled warmly at Celebrian. "It is better that I know how to defend myself than be a sitting duck."
Celebrian rolled her eyes before rushing her to the bath. "Come, get washed and changed. I would like to get to the markets before the sun goes down."
Hermione sighed as she slipped into the bath. The warm water helped her muscles relax. She winced here and there as she washed, knowing those would soon turn to bruises. When she was done, she dried her self and put on the dress Celebrian had selected for her. It was a silvery color that fitted her form before flaring at the hips. The dress had no sleeves and hung off her shoulders, showing off her neckline. On top, she wore a white lace robe. Hermione dried her hair and let it hand in waves. Stepping into her room, she saw Celebrian waiting with a basket in her arms.
"Come, Hermione." Celebrian smiled and the two walked arm in arm to the markets.
It was one of Hermione's favorite pass times. Walking through the markets with Celebrian was one of the first things Celebrian did with her to make her feel at home. They would look at fruit carts and smell flowers at the different stands. They would marvel at the craftsmanship of delicate jewelry from travelling merchants. It brought a sense of peace to Hermione to see something normal.
"So, are you excited to visit Imladris?" Hermione teased.
"Of course! It is beautiful there." Celebrian blushed.
"Oh, I'm sure it's more than that. Do not deny that you only go because of a certain elf." Hermione laughed.
"Hermione!" Celebrian turned a bright red.
"Oh, please. You have been eyeing Lord Elrond ever since that night he came to Lothlorien for the festival of stars. It could be seen that you two were meant for each other. Especially when you two danced!" Hermione said.
Celebrian could only sputter in an attempt at responding, causing Hermione to burst out into laughter.
"What's this? The Lady Celebrian is at a lost for words! Oh my, I am sure there are wedding bells in the future!" Hermione teased even more.
"Please, Hermione. It's much too soon to even think about that. Besides, he has yet to really establish his courtship of me…" Celebrian muttered.
"Honestly, Celebrian. All of Arda could see he wants to court you." Hermione smiled.
Celebrian smiled and blushed. "Come on. Let's go pack out things."
And the two made their way to their flet in order to prepare for their upcoming travel.
A/N: Please review
~lalune30
