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


-Chapter 10-

'Honestly, why in the WORLD did I ever think this quest would be simple….not even halfway to our destination and already we are facing a bit of a snafu…' Hermione shook her head.

The more she thought about it, the more it reminded her of the times the Golden Trio had gotten into trouble. It was a wonder they ever survived their years in school. Then again, the trolls here looked no different than the ones back in her old world. Definitely smelled the same, as Hermione scrunched up her nose while she crept closer. She silently observed the foul creatures arguing around the fire, contemplating whether or not to go back and warn the group. Deciding that would be best, she started backing away before she froze in shock and worry.

'BILBO BAGGINS, WHAT IN THE NAME OF ERU ARE YOU DOING?!' Hermione screamed in her head as she watched the young hobbit tip-toe towards the trolls.

Hermione instantly grabbed her sword and silently swung it out of its casing, body tense in case the trolls discover Bilbo. Her eyes followed the hobbit as he made his way to the captive ponies. Her sensitive ears picked up harsh whispering and quick steps back to the camp. They sounded familiarly like Kili and Fili.

'What were those two thinking, sending in a sheltered hobbit to steal from trolls!' Hermione made her way around so that she had a better view of Bilbo, while gaining a geological advantage on the trolls.

And when the smallest troll grabbed Bilbo and sneezed on him, Hermione used that chance to catch the trolls off guard. She ran out of her hiding quickly and slashed at the ankles of each troll. Though her blade was elvin-made, it barely made a shallow nick. However, it was strong enough to cause a modicum of pain as the trolls cried out and reached for their shins.

"RUN, BILBO!" Hermione shouted at the hobbit as he tried to get up from where he was dropped.

Hermione wasted no time in her attacks as she tried to keep the trolls occupied while Bilbo got away. Right in the nick of time, the rest of the company came to assist. Loud shouting accompanied them as the dwarves helped fight off the trolls.

"'Urry up and catch them, ya lumps!" One of the trolls shouted as they lumbered about.

"I'm tryin', but they're so fast!" The small one shouted back.

Despite her altercations with Thorin, he was an excellent fighter.

"Lay down yer arms, or we'll rip 'is off!"

Hermione whipped her head around to see two of the trolls holding on to each of Bilbo's limbs. She frowned and dropped her sword. The rest of the company followed and before they knew it, half were tied up in sacks and the other half tied on a rolling log over fire. Thankfully for her, she was part of the former. Her eyes were focused and concentrated on the fire that was supposed to be roasting the dwarves on the rolling log. She kept the fire to a minimum, not wanting to reveal her abilities just yet and trying to minimize any injuries.

"Don't cook 'em. Let's just sit on them, and squash 'em into jelly!" the smallest troll said as he added more wood to the fire.

Hermione's brows furrowed as she tried to keep the fire from rising with the new fuel.

"They should be sautéed. An' grilled, with a sprinkle o' sage." The burly one said.

Hermione snorted. "Not even all the world's sage could cover the scent of a dwarf…"

Thorin threw her a glare. She shrugged in response.

"Forget the seasonin'. Dawn's not far away, let's get a move on! I don't fancy bein' turned to stone." The last troll said as he eyed the once dark skies, now a light grey.

Hermione's eyes brightened. 'Of course! How could I be so stupid! Trolls turn to stone when exposed to sunlight!'

She needed to buy time, but what? Perhaps she can form a large fireball on the horizon to trick them into thinking the sun has risen? No…that would reveal her abilities to the dwarves. She wanted to keep that as a last resort only. But before her brilliant mind could think of anything else, Bilbo, who was lying next to her, jumped up.

"Wait! You're making a big mistake!" He hopped in his sack.

"You can't reason with them, they're half-wits!" Dori shouted as the log turned.

"Half-wits?! What does that make us?" Bofur retorted.

"I meant with the…uh…w-with the seasoning! Yes, the seasoning!" Bilbo stuttered.

"What about the seasoning?" The burly troll asked as he leaned towards Bilbo.

"Well have you smelt them? You're going to need something stronger than sage before you plate this lot up." Bilbo scoffed as he looked to Hermione.

"What do you know about cooking dwarf?" The small troll said.

She let out a snort. "You should listen to him. I've been travelling with this bunch for days now and you won't believe their personal hygiene. It's atrocious."

"Hey! We smell divine, thank you very much!" Kili snapped.

"Yeah! We don't have time to waste like you elves, always caring about how you look!" Fili added.

"Oh, please. Bathing has nothing to do with looking nice. I wouldn't be surprised if you're infested with worms." Hermione shrugged.

Catching her drift, Bilbo added on, "Yes! Yes! They're all infested with worms! It's all over inside their…tubes!"

The trolls scrunched up their faces and took one unconscious step back.

"Worms…Did he just say worms?" Oin asked.

"We don't have worms! You have worms!" Kili shouted.

Hermione could tell on Thorin's face that he was finally catching drift of the plan. He quickly executed a solid kick in Kili's side to catch his attention. The rest of the dwarves froze as realization dawned on them.

'Oh goodness, they're as bad as Ron…'Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I've got worms as big as me arm!" Oin screamed.

"Mine are the biggest! I have HUGE worms!" Kili shouted.

"Yes, we're riddled! Badly!" Dori added.

"What would you have us do, then, let 'em all go?" The trolls snarled.

Hermione saw the sky lightening up with the rising sun and took her chance. She snapped the ropes binding her hands with a small-conjured fire and pointed to a large rock in the way of the sunlight. Digging deep within her, she thrust her arm out and a large, flaming stream of fire shot at the rock. The heat was so intense, the rock melted, revealing the sunrays. The trolls screamed in agony as they tried to flee, but slowly turned to stone instead.

Out of breath, Hermione stumbled. That took a lot out of her than she thought, having never had to use her powers on that level before. She looked back to make sure the company was safe, only to be met with wide eyes and open mouths.

'Well, the cat is out of the bag now…' Hermione winced.

"What was that?!"

"How did you do that?!"

"Can you do that again?!"

Hermione was instantly bombarded as the dwarves hoarded around her. As she opened her mouth to try to explain, she was interrupted.

"Leave the poor girl alone."

Everyone turned to see Gandalf walking into the clearing.

"And where did you go to, if I may ask?" Thorin snorted.

"To look ahead." Gandlaf said as he turned to Hermione. "Well done, my dear. Your control and strength is growing. It is fortunate you are with us and not against us."

"Late as always, Gandalf." Hermione joked.

"A wizard is never late. I show up at exactly the right time." Gandalf smiled. "Besides, you had it handled from what I could see."

"Shall we move on?" Hermione hinted.

"Wait. What trickery do you play, she-elf. Never had I seen any elf-kind display that sort of power. How do we know you are not an enemy." Thorin took a threatening step towards Hermione.

"If she was the enemy, she wouldn't have tried to save us." Bilbo frowned.

"Unless that is trickery as well. You can never trust an elf." Thorin spat.

"I have no need to explain myself to you. I am with this company and I have taken an oath to see it through. Whether you believe me of not is of no matter to me. Just don't die on my watch. Lest I never hear the end of it from Gandalf." Hermione hissed at Thorin.

"What happened to 'oh, thank you for saving our lives. What would we do without you?'…." Hermione muttered as she walked on ahead.

Not caring if they followed after her or not, she made her way deeper into the wild. Gandalf suddenly appeared next to her and walked alongside her.

"Something is brewing, Gandalf…" Hermione frowned as she looked at the old wizard.

"Yes, no trolls have ever ventured this far south. Not since a darker power ruled these lands." Gandalf frowned.

"This is an ill omen then. If trolls are able to come this far and only under the cover of darkness…" worry laced Hermione's words. "I fear there is something bigger we must prepare for."

Sighing, Gandalf turned to Hermione. "For the time being, let us get through this quest in one piece. Now, if they could only travel at night, then there must be a cave nearby."

Understanding immediately, Hermione used what little tracking skills she has and followed the trolls' tracks. The company came upon a cave in the side of the mountain. Weapons, gold, and other shiny trinkets littered the floor everywhere. Thorin approached a case full of swords and grabbed one to examine.

"These swords were not made by any troll…" He said as he handed one to Gandalf.

"Nor were they made by any smith among men…" Gandalf muttered.

Interest piqued, Hermione walked over and also examined a sword. "No, these were forged in Gondolin by the High Elves of the First Age. My kin."

Hearing this, Thorin was about to throw the sword away in disgust.

"You could not wish for a finer blade. The blade will seldom chip." Hermione said.

"Bilbo, take this one." Gandalf handed a smaller blade to the hobbit.

"I have never used a sword in my life…" Bilbo said apprehensively as he took the blade.

"And I hope you never have to. But if you do, remember this: true courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one." Gandalf said.

"Do not worry, master hobbit. I will teach you as we travel." Hermione smiled reassuringly to ease Bilbo's nerves.

As the group walked out of the cave, Hermione's alerts went off and she stopped in her tracks. She quickly lifted her hand to warn the others to stop moving and be quiet. Her ears were picking up rustling leaves and soft pounding. As if something were running…right towards them.

"Something is coming!" Hermione nocked her bow and aimed in the direction of the noise.

The rest of the company unsheathed their swords and faced the same way. Tension rose as they waited to face the oncoming visitor. What they didn't expect was a sled being pulled by rabbit bursting through the brush with what looked like a dwarf.

"Radagast!" Gandlaf shouted in annoyance.

'Radagast the Brown…?' Hermione instantly put her weapon away when she recognized the name of the Istari.

"What on earth are you doing here?" Gandalf huffed.

Hermione didn't think she was going to like what she was going to hear next.


A/N: Please review!

~lalune30