Serpent's Snare
Chapter Four
I was accustomed to being a spectacle in the magical world, for reasons I was not exactly proud of, but here I was a spectacle yet again but this was different. There was not hatred in the eyes of the passing figures, it was curiosity. It was as if they had never seen a human before, or at least not one dressed in a perfectly tailored suit.
Granger and Potter were walking around in a dumbfounded state of awe whereas I forced myself to remain composed. No need seeming like tourists in this place. We were obviously here under less than ideal circumstances and I for one wanted to know what would be done with us…and my ring.
"We should try to stick together, we are in no position to make any decisions or act independently." Granger said in a hushed tone but loud enough for me to hear, no doubt that was her intention. I rolled my eyes, as if I was going to be the replacement third wheel in their group effort to remain their misfit group effort.
"Malfoy we need to work together here, sticking close by one another is to ensure our safety until we get our bearings here. We are in over our heads already if you haven't noticed." Potter reaffirmed Granger. Always there to lend a helping hand aye Potter?
"I don't need you losers protecting me, I can handle myself thank you."
"Oh yes, how could I have forgotten how well you can handle yourself in the midst of a complex situation; hopefully there aren't any death eaters in this world for you to join right?" Potter said boldly. I instantly stopped in my tracks and turned to the four eyed face that has been a thorn in my side from the moment he chose to reject my handshake our first year.
"A complex situation? It was far beyond your grasp of understanding Potter, don't you dare speak to me about things you know nothing about! Or would you prefer I knock some sense into that pin head of yours?"
"Gentlemen please, I will ask that you remain civil in the presence of Lord Celeborn, my husband and my partner in governing this city." I quickly realized that we had been led far beyond the forest floor we had been traveling through.
"That means bow." Estelon quickly demanded as I felt his strong hand turn me about and force me to my knees. I lowered my head before taking in the sight of this Lord Celeborn. He, much like Lady Galadriel, appeared before me like some sort of deity. A figure cloaked in light and eyes that seemed to see right through me. What sort of beings were these people?
"Rise guests of Lothlorien. We welcome you to our land." He spoke but despite this incredible radiance he was emitting, I could tell in his expression he did not take kindly to our presence. His welcome was hardly genuine yet he forced a smile as Estelon pushed us forward onto the seemingly floating platform atop the glowing trees. It was a surreal location, like something from the Lovegood's imagination.
"Forgive him; the awakening of the ring has caused his thoughts to darken of late. His trust in strangers grows ever so thin but he does not know what path lies ahead of you." I heard Galadriel speaking in the privacy of my own mind.
"Estelon will show you to your place of rest for the evening; we shall all meet and discuss the matters at hand in the morning. Go now and allow your troubled minds to find peace and tranquility in the safety of our borders. You are well protected here." Galadriel spoke aloud as she took her place by Celeborn's side. Her smile was enough to allow a smile to creep into feeling upon my own face until my gaze shifted to Celeborn's stern expression. I knew that look. That "behave yourself…I'll be watching you" look. I was far too used to that.
Estelon remained outside our secluded plot of land beneath the roots of an imposing tree soaring above us. The night sky's stars sparkled about shedding light upon the vivid green grass that felt more like a blanket to my skin as I ran my hands across its blades. I could here the faint sound of water in the distance but for the most part there was an overwhelming silence here. It was enough to relax me; I reclined back against the roots nearest our guard Estelon. Any company was better than that of Potter and Granger.
"So what's with the pointy ears? You lot trying to make a statement or something?" I asked the march warden. He instantly shot me a hateful glare, I'm assuming he wasn't in favor in indulging in conversation but I was curious.
"We are elves; we are born with the pointy ears."
"Interesting. Where I come from elves look a great deal different than you. I'd say you guys are an upgrade, I'll give you that." I chuckled.
"There are elves where you are from?" He sounded as curious as I did. His body leaned towards me, intently awaiting my response.
"Well yeah, they're not typically…highly regarded. They're short, disgusting…and some are forced into tending to the whims of the wealthy." That was putting it mildly. I do hate my treatment of Dobby. I was a far stretch to being as gruel as my father but I never questioned the ethics of my belief I was superior to him and his mistreatment was acceptable. My guilt only multiplied when I had received word of his death. Best not to dwell on the past though, it's not like I can change anything now.
"That is terrible." It is. Or rather it was, by the efforts of many witches and wizards including Granger herself, many house elves were becoming liberated while others were beginning to see the benefits of better treatment.
"So…the stick you had pulled from your tunic lapel…what is it exactly? I so quickly deemed it insignificant but as I have been watching you three, I've noticed you take great care to keep it hidden." Well he doesn't miss much. But as he slowly felt comfortable in speaking with me rather than hurling insults or demands to me, I felt obligated to allow our curiosities become open.
I pulled my wand before him and allowed my fingertips to trace its wooden imperfections before tossing it to the elf. He fumbled it slightly upon catching it, he was afraid of what it could be. If he only knew the power he was now holding, he may have refused to touch it at all.
"It's called a wand." I started. I knew Granger and Potter would both demand that I refrain from speaking any further but what the hell was the harm in expressing the upper hand we would have if the situation called for it. Always position yourself where you will obtain the upper hand. My father taught me that, and for the longest time it served him quite well.
"A wand." He repeated while examining it meticulously under the moonlight.
"You use it to cast spells…it can do anything from disarm your opponent to heal a fatal wound. Very nifty to have, which is why we keep it so close at hand."
"Interesting. Can it…take a life?"
"There are…what's called unforgivable curses which are spells that can take a life or worse." I admitted.
"What could be worse than taking a life?"
"Gaining control of another and forcing them to take a life in your stead by the use of the imperius curse…or torturing someone to the point that granting them death would be an act of mercy." Estelon quickly handed me my wand back.
"I believe I would prefer my bow instead of your wand." I laughed at his remark only to watch him smile in return. This was an entirely different person than the one I met in the woods.
"Still think I'm the enemy Estelon? I'd wager you've had a change of heart." His laughter quickly faded.
"You do not behave as any enemy I have ever encountered but it is not you that has changed my mind. It is her…" He pointed towards Granger who was casually curled up into the warmth of Potter's jacket, nodding in and out of sleep.
"Let me save you some trouble there pal, she's already involved with someone. A rather moronic and incredibly irritating red head is the champion of her heart so to speak." I said shaking my head only to hear his laughter return once more.
"I am not speaking in a romantic nature, it is her eyes. They glisten with both fear and bravery, and I sensed wisdom in her gaze much like our Lady Galadriel. She must be an impressive individual, but not an individual that means to cause harm I do not believe." So he fancies himself a good judge of character as well.
"Well you aren't entirely wrong there. She and Potter there are heroes back in our world. Real do-gooders." I sighed.
"And what are you supposed to be?" He quickly asked with a smirk.
"Well you're a good judge of character so you tell me." I glanced over at the elf. He spared no time to offer me a response that I was not expecting.
"I do not believe you to be a hero, but I do not believe you to be the evil I feared your arrival to bring. Perhaps you are lost on your path to become a hero." Or perhaps I'm lost on my path to become the evil he feared I would bring. I couldn't help but think such a thing but I dare not speak such thoughts openly. But it was a nice thought to indulge in, me…a hero? How amusing, but I couldn't deny it would be a nice change of pace to be regarded in high esteem for a change.
Author's Note: Well hope this short update was still an enjoyable one, the next chapter is going to be super exciting I hope you stick around to read it!
Guest: Hello there, well unfortunately I do not want to give away too much of the story but I will say that they do not come to Middle Earth, but they're role in the story is far from over!
SmileSimplify: Thank you for taking the time to post a review, glad you are enjoying the story but let me see if I can answer your questions and respond to your observations.
Glad you enjoy my portrayal of Hermione; she is rather amazing isn't she? She's the glue that holds everyone together and isn't afraid to speak her mind either so she's far from that damsel in distress I try hard not to create haha!
As for Draco's comment, we're not in Kansas anymore, that was not intended to be read into as much as you did, which I should have been prepared for that and removed such dialogue because you are right. He is not well versed, nor does he care to be well versed in muggle culture but I will find a way to make sense of his comment by later expressing he has a guilty indulgence once in awhile into muggle culture now that more muggles flood into the magical world. Perhaps he caught one too many conversations of muggles in the three broomsticks enough to learn that phrase. Not sure, but I will try to make more sense of that if you so wish.
You, my friend, are too funny I love your thoughts on love interests that will come to play in the story. There are in fact many options but I cannot give away anything major BUT I will give you three hints that will at least allow you to have something to go on! 1) Draco WILL have a love interest in this story. 2) You will get a clue as to who it will be in the next update (it is not Tariuel but that would have been a great route to take but you know how some people are about her character, I'm sure I would get flamed if I used her in this story although I absolutely love her character in the hobbit films but I also believe her heart is forever Kili's don't you? Even though he is gone).
And as for the dynamics of the three witches/wizards, I cannot even say whether or not the ring will be destroyed or not, you never know what I will sneakily throw into the story BUT I can say that HP and HG and DM will become as close as the hobbit's closeness before the story is over. But I say that only because I believe you understand that how can they not grow close as they are forced to spend such time together lol.
WHEW I'm sure I rambled too much but I hope this helped and I totally can't wait to hear from you again through the story! I love chatting! Thanks for taking such great time and care for that awesome review!