My most sincere apologies to all my readers. I hope I haven't lost you all! In case you don't read YuGiOh or Beyblade, where the bulk of my fics are, I moved about 9-10 months ago, halfway across the country. It was in this move that I lost several of my favorite outfits, my laptop, my favorite blanket and ALL my ideas for this fic, which was the most devastating loss.

Hence, I am somewhat starting over. I re-read what I had, I thought back a bit, thought forward a bit, and eventually returned to some semblance of my original plot. I warn: My writings style has changed somewhat, and I'm sort of out of practice anyway, so bear with me until I get back on course.

So many, many thank-yous go out to my reviewers. Over one-hundred reviews, the most I have for any fic on this site, even after this has been inactive for ten months and 27 days(if my calculations are correct), and my other fics have more chapters anyway. My deepest gratitude to everyone.

)Draco's POV(

"Those are Elannor. I remember Samwise Gamgee named his daughter for them, he was so entranced by their beauty." Hermione explained, pointing out the flowers. I sighed and rolled my eyes. Since we had gotten outside, all she had done was talk about the flowers here and there, and their significance.

"Granger, of you don't mind, I'd like to go in." I said, somewhat sourly. Hermione looked at me and shrugged.

"I'm not stopping you." She said casually before returning to looking at the flowers. I growled, turned, and stomped back along the path we had some on. After a long time, I came upon the entrance back to the palace. I hovered warily near the entrance, fully aware that beyond there was a maze of unimaginable proportions.

)Hermione's POV(

I almost felt bad for abandoning him to his own devices. All he wanted was to go back to his rooms. Then I remembered all the times he's called me names, teased me, my friends, and all of the sudden… I didn't feel so bad. In fact, I rather felt like hitting him with a tickling charm. In the charged atmosphere, it would surely be… amusing.

"Lady Hermione."

I turned around to see Legolas behind me. He was dressed in traveling clothes of greens and browns. The Elven cloak from Galadriel was fastened across his shoulders.

"I am preparing to go meet a party from the Lonely Mountain, and I wondered if you would like to come. There will be many warriors coming, so you do not need to feel threatened, and I would like for you to meet an old friend of mine."

My eyes widened. I was going to get to meet Gimli! I nodded with a wide grin. Legolas smiled. He turned around and gestured for someone from the group behind him to come closer.

"Lady Hermione, this is Alatáriël. She is an old friend of my family. Alatáriël, would you please help Lady Hermione find some clothes in her wardrobe to suit? I believe her own handmaiden is visiting her sister."

How did he know about Silmarwen's absence? Well… He is the prince, but… I shrugged mentally and led Alatáriël back to my room in the 'tower'. She smiled upon seeing it.

"It's a lovely room, isn't it?" She said, walking over to the elaborately carved wardrobe. She threw it open and began skimming. She found me a dress with a full skirt(it looked like it had been one massive circle of fabric before a hole was cut and it put on a top) and a fitting bodice in light tan. The cloak was a deep chocolate brown, and the soft leather boots were of a tan matching the dress.

"This will suit nicely. I will do your hair for you as soon as you dress." Alatáriël finally announced, turning around. I quickly stripped off the lavender gown and stepped into the tan dress. This one laced up the front, so I had no trouble fixing it myself. I pulled on the boots, then tied around my waist the simple brown leather holster I had made for my wand. I then went to my dresser.

"Ready." I said. Alatáriël came over and picked up one of the bottles of oil from the vanity. She used only a few drops to smooth my hair before she wound it up in a simple, secure bun. She took from the wardrobe a length of wide tan ribbon and wrapped the bun. She tied it, letting the ends trail down my back. I grinned at her through the mirror.

"Nicely done." I said, standing up. "Someday, someone has to teach me how to use that stuff."

"It's not difficult. Now come, we don't want to keep everyone waiting for too long." Alatáriël led be back to the waiting party.

"Lady Hermione! We have a horse for you." Elrohir approached me, leading a beautiful dappled grey mare towards me. He helped he up into the side-saddle. I shifted slightly, never having ridden sidesaddle before. I prayed silently that I wouldn't fall off. I grabbed the worn as Elrohir tied the reins to his own horse.

"We're only walking, today. It's not a long journey." He elaborated. I nodded. I could hardly suppress the huge grin on my face as we wet off through the woods. Alatáriël was behind us, and Legolas lead the way. Among the others were Elladen, of course, and several elves I did not recognize by name or face.

I occupied myself gazing around. At length I pulled out my wand.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" I whispered, levitating (and severing in the process) a few blades of grass. With a soft smile I transfigured and multiplied them into rose petals. I transfigured one leaf into a large woven basket to put them in. I let my hand's wade through the petals before I levitated the basket and dumped it on the whole party.

Alatáriël and Elrohir, who had been watching me the whole time (being the only ones behind or next to me) began laughing at the surprised looks from the rest of the people. They looked up and saw the basket, then looked back and saw me. I laughed at their expressions, and after a moment, they did too.

One of the elves began singing, and soon everyone else joined in. I realized that it was a welcome song as I looked ahead and saw a banner in the path. Next to the banner was a stout dwarf with a proud expression.

"Late, as usual!" The dwarf announced. Legolas laughed as he dismounted the horse.

"Complaining, as usual." He retorted before kneeling down to hug the figure. "But it is good to see you, old friend."

"And you, too, lad." Gimli replied. Legolas stood up.

"Come, there is one person here you have yet to meet." He said. He began leading Gimli towards me. I quickly slid off the horse. "I would like for you to meet Lady Hermione, Daughter of Stephen Granger."

"Gimli, son of Gloin." He introduced, bowing low. "At your service and your family's."

"It is an honor to make your acquaintance." I replied, bowing as well.

"Likewise, Milady. If it's not rude... May I ask what brings you, a human, to Elven realms?"

"It is a long story, Master Gimli. Perhaps I could tell you on the way back?"

"Indeed." Gimli replied. He turned to his own party and gestured for them to come along. Legolas offered a hand to help me back up into my saddle, but I refused.

"It would be nice to walk a while." I said with a grin. Legolas nodded and took his horse by the reins.

"I shall walk as well, then." He said. "Walking is better for conversing, anyway." He said, looking at Gimli, who laughed.

Finally, I took a deep breath and began to tell my tale, from the beginning, to the rapt attention of every elf and dwarf in the company.