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


-Chapter 11-

"I was looking for you, Gandalf! Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong!" Radagast exclaimed.

Gandalf gave Hermione a side-glance and her response was a look that read 'Didn't I call it? I called it…'

"Yes?" Gandalf frowned.

"The Greenwood is sick, Gandalf. A darkness has fallen over it. Nothing grows any more, at least nothing good. The air is foul with decay. But worst are the webs." Radagast said grimly.

"Greenwood? This news does not bode well, Gandalf. We must pass through that forest to get to the lonely mountain." Hermione frowned.

"Indeed…Radagast, what do you mean by webs?" Gandalf asked.

"Spiders, Gandalf. Giant ones. Some kind of spawn of Ungoliant, or I am not a Wizard. I followed their trail. They came from Dol Guldur." Radagast replied.

"Dol Guldor? That fortress has long since been abandoned. It was once part of the elven kingdom residing in Greenwood. It hasn't been inhabited since the War of the Ring ages ago…" Hermione frowned.

As if lightening struck him, Radagast turned to look at Hermione in shock. "Who are you?"

"Introductions can be made later, Radagast. More importantly, are you sure they came from Dol Guldur?" Gandalf urged.

"Of course I am sure!" Radagast said, affronted. "I entered the old fortress and sensed it. A dark power dwells there, such as I have never felt before. It is the shadow of an ancient horror…a Necromancer…"

"A necromancer?" Bilbo squeaked.

Thorin stepped in for the first time in this conversation, "There is no such power in this world."

"Is there, Gandalf?" Hermione asked.

Gandalf's face grew dark and somber. "Are you absolutely sure, Radagast?"

Radagast matched Gandalf's expression and pulled out an object wrapped in cloth and handed it over to Gandalf. Taking the wrapped object, Gandalf's eyes darkened as he unwrapped it, revealing a sword. It was dark in color with a sharp design. Hermione immediately took a step back. Even she could feel the darkness emanating from the weapon.

"Gandalf! That's - !" Hermione was immediately interrupted by Gandalf.

"Hush, my dear! Not here!" Gandalf immediately covered the object again.

And it was in that moment, the company heard a howl resonate through the forest. Hermione groaned.

"Can we ever catch a break!" Hermione sighed.

"Was that a wolf? Are there – are there wolves out there?!" Bilbo stuttered.

"Those are not wolves you hear, master hobbit." Bofur muttered as he took out his weapons.

The rest of the dwarves followed. Bilbo fumbled with his new sword and held it awkwardly in front of him.

"Warg-scouts! Which means an orc pack is not far behind."

"So close to here?" Hermione frowned.

"They did not just happen to cross our paths…We were tracked!" Gandalf turned swiftly and angrily towards Thorin. "Who did you tell about your quest, beyond your kin?!"

"No one!" Thorin bit back.

"We have to get out of here!" Dwalin shouted.

"We can't! After the troll incident, the ponies bolted!" Ori panicked.

"Gandalf, we must move now. If the dwarves are being hunted, then it is safe to say we are outnumbered. Especially if they have wargs. We cannot outrun them. And if we stay to fight, the chances are slim. Even with me. I cannot defend on my own even with my powers." Hermione frowned.

"I will draw them off." Radagast finally stated.

"These are Gundabad wargs; they will outrun you!" Gandalf snorted.

"And these are Rhosgobel rabbits! I'd like to see them try…" Radagast smirked.

And with that, the company agreed to split up. While Radagast grabbed the orc pack's attention, the company would sneak away in the opposite direction. Hermione had to slow her pace to bring up the rear. Being an elf, she was much more limber and quick than dwarves. She looked over her shoulder to where Radagast would be causing the diversion and saw in the distance giving the orcs a good chase.

"Come on! Stay together!" Gandalf shouted at the front of the group as he led the way.

"Where are we going?!" Bofur shouted back.

They soon heard snarling and Hermione snapped her head back. It seems like the wargs had caught their scent.

"Gandalf! They caught our scent!" Hermione shouted a warning up front.

Gandalf too looked back and he quickened his pace. But they soon found themselves surrounded. Seeing an outcropping of rock, Hermione quickly dashed for it and took a position on higher ground. Quickly grabbing her bow, she knocked it with an arrow. Concentrating, she made the arrowhead burst into flames before aiming and letting it fly at the closes warg. When it struck the target, she made the flames on the arrow's tip engulf the entire beast, including the orc riding it. Screeches echoed throughout the plains. And like this she fired more fire arrows at any warg or orc trying to get near the company.

"Where is Gandalf?" Kili shouted.

"He has abandoned us!" Dwalin snarled.

"Hold your ground!" Thorin roared.

"This way, you fools!"

Everyone turned their heads (in Hermione's case, she looked down) where Gandalf's head was popping out of what looked like an underground passage. Thorin immediately looked up and made eye contact with Hermione. Understanding, she nodded her head and nocked another arrow and continued to fire, giving them cover.

"Move!" Thorin shouted at the company.

One by one, the members jumped into the tunnel. Noticing this, the wargs and orcs screeched and made to rush in.

"Hurry!" Hermione shouted as she tried fire her arrows faster. She could feel her supply running low.

When the last one, Thorin, jumped in, Hermione followed. And just as she landed in the tunnel, they heard a horn resound. And she immediately recognized it. She gave Gandalf a sharp look and he returned a small smile. Hermione grinned from ear to ear.

"I cannot see where the pathway leads. Do we follow it or no?" Dwalin asked.

"Follow it, of course!" Bofur retorted.

"I think that would be wise." Gandalf grinned as he lead the group.

The followed the tunnel that lead to a path winding between two cliffs. The path then opens up to a valley. In the middle of the valley was a giant waterfall that fell down the cliffs and ran through large buildings.

"The Valley of Imladris. In the Common Tongue, it is known by another name." Gandalf smiled.

"Rivendell…" Bilbo breathed out in awe.

"Here lies the last Homely House east of the sea." Gandalf started walking down the path.

"My home…!" Hermione sped past Gandalf as she practically skipped to the gates.

"This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with out enemy!" Thorin hissed to Gandalf.

Though ahead of them, her superior hearing still heard the comment and she could not resist the urge to roll her eyes.

"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield. The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself!" Gandalf snapped back.

"You think the elves will give our quest their blessing? They will try to stop us." Thorin replied.

"But of course they will! We have questions that need answers and there is no one more wise than Lord Elrond!" Gandalf retorted.

"Besides, I am sure I can convince him to help us." Hermione smirked.

They were met at the gates by a dark-haired elf. Upon laying eyes on Hermione, he smiled brightly and bowed deeply.

"Creosa eska, Arwenamin!" The elf rejoiced. (Welcome home, my lady)

Hermione curtsied as best she could in her travel clothes. "Lindor!"

Lindor looked to Hermione's left and bowed his head. "Mae govannen, Mithrandir. Lastannem i athrannedh i Vruinen." (Well met, Gandalf. We heard you had crossed into the Valley.)

"I must speak with Lord Elrond." Gandalf switched to Common Tongue.

"Yes, where is my gwathor?" Hermione smiled.

"My Lord Elrond is not here." Lindor said.

"Where is he?" Gandalf questioned.

At that moment, a horn resounded. Hermione smiled and turned to see a company of elves on horses. Leading the way was Elrond. Upon reaching the company, he dismounted only to be barreled into by Hermione.

"Oof!" Elrond chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her. "A welcome is in order!"

"It is good to see you again! Where is Celebrian?" Hermione smiled as she pulled back.

"Alas, you just missed her. Celebrian went to Lothlorien with the children. According to her, they were overdue for a visit to Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. Much can be said about someone else." Elrond raised his eyebrow at Hermione.

Elrond then turned to the rest of the group. "Gandalf."

"We have much to discuss, my old friend." Gandalf smiled apologetically.

"Indeed we do." As he turned to the group of elves. "Welcome, Thorin, son of Thrain."

"I do no believe we have met." Thorin muttered.

"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the Mountain." Elrond nodded.

"Indeed; he made no mention of you." Thorin sneered.

"Come, rest your weary bodies and fill your stomaches. We shall discuss when you are less stressed." Elrond turned to lead the way into his realm.


A/N: Please review!

~lalune30