Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own the wonderful world of Harry Potter or LOTR.
-Chapter 4-
The sun was just rising, casting a soft light through the woods of Lothlorien. A great gathering was standing near the entrance of the elven kingdom in the woods, facing a procession. Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel were in the front, bidding their farewells to their daughter and those travelling with her.
"Guren niniathan n'i lu n'i a-govanetham." Celeborn said as he kissed Celebrian softly on the forehead. (My heart shall weep until I see you again.)
Galadriel walked up to Hermione. "Na lu e-gavaned vin, tinu en' amin corm." (Until we meet again, daughter of my heart.)
Haldir, Orophin, and Rumil stepped up next to bid their Lady farewell before walking up to Hermione. Each gave her a hug, muttering their greetings.
"I will miss you, gwathel." Orophor smiled. "But before you go, here is a little something to help you remember your family and home."
Oropher untied a dagger from his belt and handed it to her. "Thank you Oropher! I shall miss you too!"
"And let us hope you shall have no need to use it on your travels." Haldir said.
"Hurry back soon, Hermione! Less there will be no one to stop me from terrorizing our brothers." Rumil teased.
Hermione smiled as a tear rolled down her rosy cheek. "Until then, brothers."
She gave them one last hug before helping Celebrian up onto her horse before getting up on her own.
"Ready for an adventure?" Celebrian smiled eagerly.
"Always." Hermione smiled back.
And with that, the procession was off to Imladris with the people of Lothlorien waving from behind.
They had been travelling for a fortnight. So far, there had been neither attacks nor sign of any enemies. The procession travelled in peace and camped when they needed. Which is where we find the travelling elves now, resting under some foliage. Celebrian watched as Hermione scribbled in her book. Curious, she walked over and looked past Hermione's shoulder to see a sketch of their surroundings.
"I was not aware that you liked to draw, Hermione."
Hermione jumped and turned her head, eyes wide like a deer. "Ai! Celebrian! You scared me!"
Celebrian laughed merrily. "Dihena nin. I was merely curious as to what you were doing with such a concentrated look on your face." (Forgive me.)
"This is the first time I have ever left Lothrorien. I just wanted to record everything." Hermione blushed. "How much longer until we reach Imladris?"
"If we keep up this pace, about 8 more days until we see the gates." Celebrian said.
"Hiril nin." One of the guards called out to Celebrian. "Naa lle desiel bel-no'?" (My Lady. Are you ready to move on?)
"Uma, lye dol n'e." Celebrian responded. (Yes, let us head out.)
As Hermione got on her horse, she noticed one of the guards looking into the distance behind them. Frowning, an ominous feeling started weighing down on her heart. She turned her horse towards the guard.
"Calanon, prestad?" Hermione asked. (Calanon, is there trouble?)
"…amin uma il-sinta…" Calanon, the guard, hesitated.
'Please let it be nothing…' Hermione nudged her horse towards Calanon and looked to where he pointed.
In the distance, she could not make anything at first. And then when she squinted, she finally made out a cloud of dirt. She thought maybe it was some wild animals migrating. But the feeling in her heart got darker. Even if it was a pack of wild animals, they wouldn't be traveling in what seemed like an organized group…headed straight for them. Grasping her reigns, she quickly turned her horse to the procession.
"ENEMIES ON THE HORIZON!" Hermione shouted.
That got everyone scrambling to pack their things and get on the horses. Guards shouted and got into formation and urged the group to make a run for the mountain pass – the only thing between them and safety in the gates of Imladris.
"VARA ARWEN CELEBRIAN!" Hermione shouted as she nudged her horse into a run next to Celebrian's horse. (Protect Lady Celebrian!)
"Hermione! What is it?!" Celebrian shouted to her friend.
"Orcs!" Hermione shouted back as she concentrated on the road ahead of them.
Her heart was racing and her stomach churned. She had read about Orcs in her books, but never in her dreams did she think she would ever had to face them. Sure, she had trained with Haldir and his brothers in self-defense and can handle her own with a sword. But that was only ever in spars back within the safe border of Lothlorien. Now, she may need to put those skills to good use in reality. Hopefully, she would not freeze up in terror. Her life and the lives of everyone in this group depended on it. And by the life of her, she would not lose Celebrian to orcs.
"Noro lim! Noro lim!" (Run! Run!)
Hermione dared a glance back and the cloud of dirt got closer and closer. She could now make out the dark silhouettes of their enemies. Hermione had thought they would have a safe and uneventful travel, seeing as how things have been peaceful the past half-century. Obviously, that was not the case and something dark was stirring in Middle-Earth. With her experience with the war back in Magical Britain, she knew deep down if something is not done, the orcs would catch up to their group. Eyes set in determination, she pulled on her horse's reigns hard.
"Hermione! What are you doing?!" Celebrian shouted.
"Go! I shall meet with you in Imladris!" Hermione shouted as she pulled out her sword.
"I will not leave you here to die!" Celebrian was about to turn her horse back around, but Hermione would not have it.
She glared at Celebrian and pointed her sword at her. "I refuse to lose a friend to evil again! GO!"
Celebrian locked eyes with Hermione in a mental battle of wills. It ended with two guards turning their horses around and joining Hermione.
"Go, my lady. We shall stand with the Lady Hermione." Calanon said.
Celebrian's frown deepened before another guard started herding Celebrian's horse towards the mountain pass. "I expect you in one peace in Imladris, Hermione. Or I shall NEVER forgive you…"
Hermione smiled. "I've survived a war of magic, gwathel. I will survive this."
With that, Hermione watched the group make a turn on the road and disappeared behind the rocks before she solemnly turned back towards the advancing orcs.
"May the Valar watch over us…" Hermione muttered as the three got ready for battle.
Naur Arwen…
Hermione only had a second to register that a foreign voice was in her head before they engaged in battle.
A/N: Please review!
~lalune30
