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


-Chapter 17-

The dining hall broke into chaos as Thranduil ordered guards to patrol and search for their wayward prisoners. Hermione took this chance to sneak out the door to go back to her room. She was mostly successful save for the clear blue eyes that followed her.

Hermione raced to her room and was relieved to see no guards outside her door. She quickly went in and searched the wardrobe for more accommodating travel clothes. She was in luck as she found a forest green tunic and dark leggings. She quickly undressed and grabbed all her belongings. As she walked to the door, she froze as she heard people coming by. Slowly backing away, she looked around for another means of escape and spotted the balcony. Quickly tip-toeing over, she leaned over the banister and saw she was only a story up from the ground. Taking a few steps back, she leaped over and tucked her legs and rolled as she hit the ground. Staying in a crouched position, she looked around and listened for anyone close by. Thinking she had made the clear, she slowly got up and started for the forest, hoping she would find traces of her companions. Knowing that Gandalf wouldn't just leave her, she hoped there were some clues as to where they went.

"And just where do you think you're going?"

Hermione froze. 'I swear, Harry's bad luck with trouble has rubbed off on me.'

Hermione turned as was met with Legolas leaning against a tree. He, too, had changed out of his formal clothes and into a similar outfit as hers.

"I think it's quite obvious where I am going." Hermione frowned. "The real question is do you plan to stop me?"

Legolas leveled her with a stare, as if he was seriously deciding whether or not to let her go. He then walked towards her before stopping right before her and stared down into her eyes. She could feel the warmth radiating off him and struggled with the need to step even closer to him. To close the gap between them. Hermione mentally slapped herself at this thought before Legolas spoke.

"Are you truly a ward of Lothlorien?" Legolas asked.

Hermione met his intense gaze. "I keep saying the same thing – yes. The problem is do you believe it? Because I can say that as many times you ask, but it wouldn't matter if you think otherwise."

Legolas frowned. That was the problem. Did he believe her? The entire time she was here, she claimed she was a ward of Lothlorien. Her claim held true with no contradictions. But how can he believe her with no proof?

'Give him the stone…'

Hermione started at the voice that rang clear as day in her head.

'Give him the stone Mithrandir gave you, pinneth.' (little leaf) Galadriel's voice echoed once more.

'Of course!' Hermione quickly fished around in her bag and pulled out the white crystal, which now pulsed with a soft glow.

She held her hand out with the stone resting there to Legolas. He arched a brow at her sudden offer.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "It is nothing dangerous. You want proof that I am a ward of Lothlorien? Hold this."

Legolas hesitated before reaching out and grabbed the stone. He brought it up to investigate and froze, almost dropping the stone.

"What-?!" Legolas whipped his head around in confusion.

"She's not here. She is speaking to you through that stone. It is how I stay in contact with Lady Galadriel." Hermione almost broke into a laugh when she saw how panicked Legolas looked.

After a few moments, he quickly gave the stone back to her, a slight red tint on his cheeks.

"On behalf of my father and as Prince of Mirkwood, I apologize for any hardships you experienced with us Lady Hermione. I do hope that Lothlorien will pardon us for this misunderstanding." Legolas coughed as he bowed slightly.

Hermione snorted. "Please, enough with the formalities. I am sure you already realized that I am no normal lady."

Legolas's lips twitched upwards.

"Now, can we please go find my travelling companions before it gets dark? The sun has started to set." Hermione turned and started to walk towards the main gates.

Legolas reached out and took her arm. "Wait."

Hermione looked back with one brow raised. Surely he isn't going to try to stop her again, is he?

"From what I gathered as I headed towards your room, your…friends…had escaped through the wine cellar. It sounds like they have taken to hiding in empty wine barrels to float down the river. If we go this way, we may be able to cut them off." Legolas steered her to the opposite direction.

"Wait. They escaped in wine barrels?!" Hermione's jaw dropped.

Legolas nodded as he urged them into a run. It was not long before the tree line broke and they were on the rocky banks of a river. Hermione looked left and right to see any signs of the company. Then they heard a horn sound downriver and Legolas bolted with Hermione following.

"What was that?" Hermione shouted.

"A signal to close the gates!" Legolas responded.

When they had reached their destination, they were welcomed by chaos. Orcs had surrounded the area and were being fended by the elves that were stationed at this gate. Hermione immediately drew out her swords. She frantically searched the area for any signs of dwarves, a hobbit, or a grey wizard.

"Over the bridge!" Hermione knew that obnoxious voice.

She turned towards that shout and saw Thorin helping what looked like an injured Kili. The dwarves struggled to get over the bridge as orcs rushed to try and stop them.

'Are the orcs targeting…them?!' Hermione frowned.

They all managed to go over the bridge from what it seems before her vision was swarmed by orcs. She swung her swords and cut them down, trying to get to her companions. But there were so many. Beside her, Legolas fought as he too tried to get to her. At this rate, the company would reach too far for Hermione to reach.

"Prince Legolas!" Hermione shouted.

When he locked eyes with her, she knew she had his attention.

"You may want to get a fair distance away from me!" Hermione warned before the air around her turned warm.

The wind increased, whipping her wild hair around her. Slowly, flames licked along her arms and down her swords. She swung in a practiced dance as she cut down orcs left and right. A whirlwind of fire circled around her. There was no stopping her.

Legolas and the other elves stared in awe as they watched Hermione reduce the band of orcs to smoking charcoal. She looked like a war goddess, surrounded in flames as she battled. And when she was done, all that was left was smoke and a foul burnt smell. The only thing left standing was Hermione with her swords drawn. However, it looked like there was one more orc that still had some life in it as it tried to fire an arrow at Hermione. Legolas leaped into action and swung his sword to parry the arrow that was released. Hermione spun and she locked eyes with Legolas. An elf walked over, about to decapitate the vile creature.

"Wait!" Legolas commanded. "This one we keep alive."

Hermione walked over to it and stepped on its neck. "You were tracking a company of thirteen dwarves. Why?"

"What makes you think they were tracking them?" Legolas asked.

"You said dark times have befallen Mirkwood. But there is no way that it was just a coincidence that a band of orcs were here right as my company were trying to escape." Hermione's eyes narrowed.

"No thirteen, not anymore." The orcs cackled.

Hermione pressed her foot harder on the detestable thing and it shrieked in pain.

"The young one, the blackhead archer, we struck him with a Morgul shaft. The poison's in his blood, he'll be choking on it soon." The orc sneered.

"Answer the question, filth!" Legolas hissed.

"I do not answer to dogs, elf!" the orc shrieked.

"You like killing things, Orc? You like death? Then let me give it to you!" Hermione snarled as her sword once again was engulfed in flames.

Legolas placed a hand on her arm to stop her. "You had orders to kill them, why? What is Thorin Oakenshield to you?"

"The Dwarf runt will never be king!" the orc snarled. "Your time has come again. My master serves the one. Do you understand now, elfing? Death is upon you. The flames of war are upon you."

Hermione's shoulders tensed. This is not good. Goosebumps raised all over her body and suddenly she felt a chill inside her bones.

"Guards! Take this filth back to the palace and have it questioned. Report to my father." Legolas ordered the other elves.

"What of you, my lord? Will you be returning with us?" The elf asked.

Hermione also looked to Legolas in question.

"No. I will assist Lady Hermione return to her companions." Legolas said.

"But-!" The elf started, but Legolas raised his hand.

"Tell my father that her identity has been verified by me. I will take responsibility when I return." Legolas ordered.

The elf hesitated before he bowed and ordered the others to detain the orc.

"Are you sure this will be alright?" Hermione asked.

Legolas looked at her in thought before he replied, "Consider this as repayment for doubting your identity, Lady Hermione."

Hermione smiled softly. "Well, if we are to travel together, then let us be free of formalities. My name on its own is a mouthful already."

"Then you may call me Legolas." He smirked. "And perhaps you can explain to me what in Valar's name happened back there. I don't think I have ever seen an elleth with such a skill. Or anyone for that matter."

Hermione chuckled and shook her head before turning to go after the dwarves. 'This will be interesting.'


A/N: Please review!

~lalune30