The Serpent's Snare
Chapter Seven
"Absolutely not." How did I know those would be the words I would hear come from Granger's lips when I presented her and Potter with our quest.
"We don't even know where we are, what lies outside this forest, we would be blindly walking into a world with no knowledge as to how to even protect ourselves."
"We would have help; they're not sending us out there alone."
"But we don't even know these people, not really. And yet you expect us to place our trust in their hands? I feel for their loss but this is not our place to intervene. We should focus our efforts into returning home." Granger demanded, Potter quickly nodding in agreement.
"We don't exactly have any choice in the matter." I admitted.
"No it appears not, you have taken it upon yourself to makes all the choices in the matter for us. Did you ever think to include us in these plans that involve us?" Potter snidely interjected.
"Oh sod off Potter, I can't help but that while you are Granger here were cuddling up to one another that some events took place and I had to act. Look, we are here…maybe if we help these people they will in return help us, isn't that sort of how it goes? You scratch my back I'll scratch yours?" I was pleading at this point. I wouldn't admit it but I needed these two. We were stronger together and there was no denying the fact that these were two of the most skilled individuals our world had to offer. I needed their strength, their craftiness and resourcefulness.
"I think this is a bad idea." You think everything is a bad idea Granger. That's sort of your gimmick isn't it?
"There's a girl out there needing our help, does that speak nothing to your little heroic heart?" Yeah, I was down right desperate in my pleas at this point but I couldn't care less. I had my own curiosity in the situation intensifying with every passing moment, and I wasn't about to sit here for the rest of my life trying to come up with a plan. This was a plan and we had to take it.
I watched as Potter's face became riddled with annoyance but deep down I could tell, even now he could not resist the urge to want a person in need. I knew just what strings of his selfless heart to pull on, he was so predictable. It was Granger I had to convince though; Potter will do nothing without her say so. She was like his mother in a way, weird.
"I think what we should do is ask for that ring of yours back, see if we can't return home and gather enough resources to possibly return to help them if we all agree that it is the path we should take. But at the moment we have our family and friends to think about, they are probably worried sick, tirelessly searching for us and we deserve a chance to see them before we take on a quest we know little about."
"They said they will return the ring to us once we find her and bring her back home safely." That was a lie that came out far too easily than I had expected. I couldn't tell them that the ring was tucked away in my jacket pocket; the moment I did their focus would be to return home. I couldn't quite explain why I was becoming so intent on doing this. I mean sure I was fearful for the consequences that would befall me had I refused and yes part of me wanted to be the hero for once. But there was something else. I felt I needed to do this. There was no way else put it. I simply needed to do this.
"Then I suppose we truly do not have any other choice then do we?" Granger sighed. I kept my smile from appearing before their eyes as I stood up from the exposed, mossy root I was sitting upon. And that was that!
"Forgive me for interrupting but our Lady Galadriel thought it would be gracious to offer you a hand drawn bath, new clothing and some freshly prepared food before we depart."
"Now how can we distrust such kind and hospitable people?" I grinned while placing a hand upon Estelon's shoulder. Potter and Granger both held back their remarks in the presence of the march warden but soon rose to their feet.
"This way."
"I look ridiculous." I snarled at my reflection. This was the furthest thing from good style as it comes.
"I found the color fabric you requested did I not?" Estelon said, and yet I could hear in his voice his amusement. The black tunic was not the problem, it was the gray leggings and knee high black leather boots. I looked like a girl attending an autumn event outside in the square. All I needed was a bonnet and scarf and I would surely be considered too feminine to be any hero to the damsel in distress. This is just great.
"Can't your handmaidens just wash and repair my suit? I'm not going anywhere dressed like this…or smelling like this! I smell like a French flousey!" That was putting it mildly. I reeked of lavender to the point it was making my eyes water. The warm bathwater was filled with lavender oil, I almost took offense as if they were trying to mask our smell with lavender. Well, mission accomplished there elves.
"Would you stop complaining? I'm sure you don't look as ridiculous as I." Potter said stepping out of the curtain separating us in the seamstress' cottage surrounding an enlarged oak offering shade from the sun that was reaching its' highest point in the sky. We were running behind schedule, a fact that Estelon insisted on reminding us of every five minutes or so.
I glanced over at potter as he walked before the mirror as well. I couldn't help but bust out in laughter. His tunic was a soft shade of green reminding me instantly of my Hogwarts house colors.
"I told you that you were meant to be in Slytherin. I mean look, even in another world the colors of your true house follow you."
"Oh stop it you two, and besides…I think the clothing is quite exquisite! I mean do you feel how luxurious the fabrics are?" I suppose playing dress up was every girl's dream; if only Potter and I could find our way out of such a dream. But my eyes traveled to Granger as she waltzed out of her changing space wearing a dress that was the only decent garment that I've seen since our arrival. A rich shade of green with trim of silver mimicking that of starlight; it hugged her frame in all of the right places before flowing loosely by her feet.
"Stop staring." Potter spat in a hushed tone so Granger wouldn't hear.
"Oh don't act like you've never stared either." I quickly replied.
"She's going to marry my best mate!"
"Makes it all the more dangerous doesn't it? Adds a little thrill to the stare eh?" I chuckled, obviously I was just pushing Potter's buttons at this point but even goody good Potter here has probably caught himself admiring Granger through the years. I can't be the only one to appreciate how wondrous the years have been. Granger's cheeks flushed a brilliant shade of red revealing that our conversation was no longer a private, male affair. But I just released a sigh, the girl could use some compliments in her head, especially knowing her git of a fiancé probably wouldn't know how to compliment without stumbling for words.
"You look lovely." I said with a friendly smile.
"Thank you." She said in return.
"You are so glad Ron isn't here." Potter hissed while we finished adjusting our garments and trying to accept that we would be stuck in them for some time now.
"Oh calm down would you? A compliment isn't a marriage proposal, besides we may be going to find the future Mrs. Malfoy remember?"
"If she has any sense about her, she'll run the other way." Potter muttered.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
"I hope you three do not plan to talk like this throughout our journey. It's very exhausting to listen to." Estelon groaned.
"Those pointy ears of yours don't miss a thing do they?" I smirked until his face peered through the richly hued archway leading outside.
"We're leaving. Grab your swords." Potter, Granger and I glanced down at the three leather belts with swords securely fasted upon the side before looking at each other. We had the same thought in mind. We would hardly need to use such primitive tools in the matter of protection.
"We've got our own swords remember?" I grinned while pulling my wand from the side of my leather boot. Little did any of them know that my boot also held my other means of protection within it; in a velvet drawstring pouch I ran across in my rummaging through the clothing available, was the ring. It would be safely tucked away, far from sight and far from reach from anyone other than myself.
"I would feel better if you had swords as well." Now he was beginning to sound like Granger. Great, another mother hen to listen to.
"We'll be fine Estelon. I promise. I'm the chosen one remember?" I said that for Potter's sake; the roles have changed and I was more than ready for the change.
"I'll carry them upon my horse, in case your wands prove less reliable than you have in mind, chosen one." Was that sarcasm? Well I guess we weren't such different creatures after all.
"You are not to venture out on your own, you are not to speak to anyone we encounter on our journey, you are not-"
"Estelon…seriously?" I had heard nothing but rules coming out of his mouth since we left Lothlorien on horseback. I felt liked I was back at Hogwarts with all these rules.
"These rules are for your own protection. We haven't any idea who or what we will encounter on the road, it is best for you to remain close to myself or my men and keep all information of your identities and place of origin to yourselves. Word travels fast in these lands, all ears are searching for any change signaling a new conflict. It's the ring you see…" Estelon started until galloping ahead, I guess he did not feel up for elaborating.
The changing landscapes surrounding us was breathtaking, it was raw, untouched and allowed to shine with all its own brilliance without man's hand to guide it. The air was so crisp. I felt myself feeling at home on this grassy path that was now our road for here on out.
"He did have a point; perhaps if people here learned we are from another world entirely…it could stir up panic which would do us no service in our search for Lothuialil." Potter said.
"We should keep our magic use to a minimum as well, that could potentially be problematic." Granger added. Why do I feel like they were directing these rules to me? I don't always disobey rules, well for the most part.
"So, Estelon do you mind me asking where we are going?" I called up the leader of our band of misfits, hoping to change the subject. I had a gut feeling I was about to get a lecture on behavior by Granger if I didn't alter the conversation and fast.
"To Gondor my friend, the white city."
Author's Note: I am so late on my update, please forgive me! I hope it was worth the wait though even though it's a little short, you can't tell me you weren't picturing our trio in Tolkien, elven clothing. I got a chuckle out of it for sure; I hope you did as well. So they're off to Gondor, I can't give away why they're going there but I think you'll enjoy it! Thanks for following along, please drop a review if you'd like, they're most welcome!
Nellaus: Thank you for such an awesome, well thought out review! Wow, you totally nailed it! I do believe Harry or even Hermione are exactly that, exhausted heroes with bittersweet memories which would allow for their minds to be easily swayed by the power of the ring. I mean we've already seen how quickly Hermione acted out in her desperate attempt to get the ring, and I think Harry would be more like Frodo in that situation. HE would carry it well for awhile, but would toy with it and slowly fall into darkness, don't you think? Well I hope to hear from you again and I hope you enjoyed the update!