Oops forgot last time,
DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter belongs to J.K Rowling and Lord of the Rings belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien, I do not make any profit from this story!
Chapter 2: Meetings
Hermione heard the rustling of leaves and the sound of a small creek; it sounded much clearer than she thought it would. She realised that she wasn't at Hogwarts anymore. She opened her eyes but was blinded by the sun overhead. Hermione tried again, this time slowly and she saw bright green leaves and ebony branches. She sat up and looked around; strangely everything seemed to be much larger than usual. Hermione brushed her hair out of her face when she found that her hair wasn't its usual frizz but hung in small waves down her back.
She crawled over to the stream to clean up her injuries, she gasped when she saw her reflection. She looked no older than nine! She would deal with that later. Hermione evaluated her injuries and gave a sigh of relief; she only had a slash on her cheek, a sprained ankle and lots of cuts on her arms. She took no notice of her delicately pointed ears.
She gave a painful start when she heard someone approaching, Hermione groped for her wand but it was nowhere to be found. She stiffened when a tall man with dark hair and visible weapons approached her. The man stared at Hermione with shock and confusion; he knew that there hadn't been any elflings for the last century and yet in front of him there was an elf that looked to be no more than twenty springs. He saw that she had many wounds and felt anger build in him, to harm an elfling would be sacrilege during this time. He knelt down and said soothingly "Im thath orod le." (I will not hurt you) But she just shrunk back further. "Aragon eneth nîn." (My name is Aragorn) The elfling said nothing but gave a small frown. Aragorn tried again with the Common Tongue, "My name is Aragorn and I will not hurt you." Her eyes just widened a bit more. Aragorn sighed, "Can I take you to Rivendell? You shall be healed there." She looked suspiciously at him, though with fear in her eyes. Aragorn had never known an elfling to be so uncared for or afraid, but especially now they would be doted upon. He opened his arms and she made to stand up but fell clutching her ankle. Aragorn quickly scooped her up and was amazed at how light she felt, but quickly made his way to Lord Elrond. She said so quietly that Aragorn almost missed it, "Hermione."
Hermione was barely awake by the time they reached Elrond's study and she was snuggling into Aragorn's arms. "Lord Elrond, I found an elfling in the woods near the stream. She was injured somehow and alone." Elrond's brow furrowed "Take her to an empty room and I shall see to her." They swept out of the room, laid her on a soft bed and Elrond started to move his hands over her. When he was finished they left the room and returned to Elrond's study. He looked grave and spoke, "Her wounds are not very recent and she is but eighteen springs." Aragorn's eyes widened with disbelief and Elrond continued, "There were no tracks apart from hers?" "No, though her parents may have died at birth and she was captured by orcs." Elrond frowned in thought "Do you know her name?" He asked eventually. "Hermione," Aragorn said, "But for more answers we shall have to wait until she wakes up."
o.O.o.O.o
Hermione regained consciousness slowly and she wondered where she was, until painful memories began to rush back. She got out of bed, gingerly testing her weight on her injured ankle and surprisingly it was almost fully healed. She let her gaze wander, it looked as if she was in the Hogwarts infirmary and she half expected for Madam Pomfrey to come bustling in at any moment.
She walked to the door and opened it to see a large corridor. She carefully stepped out and saw Aragorn leaning against a marble pillar. Hermione instantly stiffened and backed away when she saw him watching her. "Do not worry little one." He said though frowning as she backed away. Hermione's eyes narrowed slightly when he said 'little one'. Aragorn smirked slightly and asked "How are you feeling?" Hermione relaxed slightly and nodded. "Why are you not resting?" He questioned curiously. She answered quietly "It's too stuffy." Heartened by her response he said "Would you like me to take you to the gardens?" Her eyes lit up and she gave a barely perceptible nod. He held out his hand for her but she flinched as if he were going to lash out at her. He made a mental not to himself to tell Elrond. After some hesitation she carefully placed a pale, slim hand into his. Aragorn beamed and led her outside.
Hermione gave a small sigh as she breathed in the fresh air. She was trying to look at everything in this new environment and Aragorn was amused but concerned; hadn't she been able to have freedom like this before, he wondered. Hermione noticed that her feet made barely an imprint on the grass without much effort. There were lots of trees surrounding them and Hermione had a strong urge to climb one.
Suddenly she whirled around; eyes wide open when she heard a soft clip clopping sound. "Did you hear something?" Aragorn asked. Hermione nodded. He swiftly put his ear to the ground and listened until he relaxed. He stood up and beckoned for Hermione to follow. Aragorn jumped out on to the path greeting the blonde elf on a white horse. Hermione stayed half in the shadows though, just watching them talk. The elf turned and looked at Hermione his eyes widening with shock. Hermione backed away deeper into the shadows. Aragorn said something else to the elf and beckoned Hermione forwards. She cautiously walked out of the shadows. The elf was shocked to see her wounds but smiled at her and said "Legolas eneth nîn." (My name is Legolas.) Hermione's eyes widened when she realised she could understand. Softly she replied "Hermione eneth nîn." Aragorn looked surprised but pleased when she replied. They walked back to the large building and Legolas dismounted his horse. The horse nuzzled Hermione's hand as she passed; she smiled and patted it softly before following Aragorn to visit Elrond.
"How many years old are you?" Legolas said curiously. "Eighteen." Hermione said quietly. Legolas' stride faltered but he continued walking, his mind reeling. How could she have sustained those injuries at such a young age? He thought. Aragorn took Hermione and Legolas to meet Elrond. She followed Aragorn silently, wondering why she felt so able to trust Legolas. Hermione hesitated outside but plucked up what Gryffindor courage she had and entered the study.
Hermione watched as Legolas and Elrond spoke together in hushed whispers, but not too long later Legolas smiled at Hermione and left. She smiled back but then she felt someone's gaze on her and she turned to face Lord Elrond. His face though not old showed many years of sorrow and happiness.
"Greetings Hermione," Elrond said kindly, and extended a hand to shake. Hermione flinched back, and then slowly shook his hand. "How are you feeling today?" Elrond persisted. "Much better thank you." Hermione said, her eyes were shining with inquisitiveness and she was looking at Elrond, as if trying to evaluate him. Elrond asked another question, "Where are your parents and how did you come to be here." Hermione, who had relaxed, tensed again at this question. She tried to hold back tears as she remembered Mr Weasley telling her that her parents were killed by Death Eaters. She remembered Ron, Ginny and Fred struck down, and Harry who gave up his life. Sobs racked her body by now and Aragorn held her tightly. Somehow she managed out a croaky "Dead." After a few minutes she said hoarsely, "Not from here," She wiped her eyes and continued, "Fell asleep," Elrond and Aragorn's eyebrows had shot up into their hairlines. "All dead… All gone." She cried for a bit more then stopped, suddenly her eyes widened with mortification, she leaped out of the chair and ran out of the room.
Hermione ran faster that she had ever thought possible; stopping only when she reached a clearing. It was surrounded by many different trees, the air veritably shimmered. She climbed into one of the oak's highest branches with ease. She sat there crying her heart out before falling asleep out of pure exhaustion, still clinging to the boughs of the oak.
Legolas had seen Hermione whizz past that afternoon; at an astonishing speed. He had followed her at a distance, sensing her need for solitude. When he had reached the clearing, it took a while for him to locate her and when he did, he saw, or rather, heard her talking in her sleep. "Harry… Ron… stone… chamber… basilisk… Azkaban… time… Triwizard… resurrect… Umbridge… Ministry… Dumbledore… Horcruxes… dead all dead…" Legolas was transfixed, but when she started crying again, he gently shook her awake. Hermione woke with a start but kept her balance. "What happened." She said groggily and yawned. She apparently came to a startling realisation; "Oh no, oh no, it's not a dream, I started crying, I should die instead, they can't have gone, all dead." Hermione didn't start crying again but promptly fainted, while remarkably staying in the tree. Legolas thought that for her eighteen years she had experienced far too much sorrow for her short life. He sighed and tenderly carried her back to Elrond.
"I found her in a tree and she was saying things like names and death." Legolas explained to Elrond and Aragorn, "I think that she has had a traumatic experience or war." Elrond was thoughtful, "Yes, it would explain her timidness. Thank you for telling us this." "You're welcome." Legolas said and left the room. Aragorn looked at the pale, young, elven form of Hermione as she slept. What had happened to her? He wondered.
o.O.o.O.o
"Harry?" Hermione asked with a breathless voice. He answered "Hermione, you have to stop grieving. All of us are perfectly fine and happy." Her voice cracked, "But I need you Harry." "No you don't Mione, you are a strong, fiery witch, and you are capable of anything you put your mind to." "Harry, don't go!" Hermione said as the figure started to fade. "Thank you." She said quietly when the figure.
Hermione jerked awake, for the first time in a long time she gave a bright smile. She leaped out of bed, thankful that her ankle was fully healed. She wandered around aimlessly until she came to a large, intricately carved, wooden door. She cautiously pushed it open and was greeted by an amazing sight. She saw rows upon rows of magnificent tomes, scrolls and books; at least ten times more than the Hogwarts library. Hermione's eyes must have been as wide as saucers. She breathed in the scent of parchment and knowledge. She picked up a random book from the shelves and looked at the title Middle Earth: Races. Without looking at the title of the first chapter she buried her nose in it.
This race is the wisest and fairest upon Middle Earth. They are tall and have pale skin. They have long hair, even the males. They are extremely light on their feet and rapid runners. They are immortal but their most characteristic feature is their pointed ears.
Hermione gasped at this, and with one hand reached up to touch her ears and their well-defined points. She slowly looked at the title and read: The Elves of Middle Earth. Hermione almost fainted at this; she was an elf. An elf. No wonder she looked so young, because she was immortal. She shakily put the book back on its shelf. Hermione was starting to feel quite dizzy. She stumbled outside, taking deep breaths.
She sat down on the soft grass, head in her hands. "I can't' be, I just can't." Hermione heard someone approaching. "What's wrong?" Legolas said, with concern written all over his face. She fixed him with a hard stare. "Why didn't you tell me? You knew, didn't you? How could you not tell me?" Legolas looked at her nervously. She did not know she was an elf? That would be a problem. "Er… well-" He started. "No, it is very not 'well'! I just changed races overnight! Don't you think I would have the right to know?" She was almost hysterical by that time. She gave Legolas a piercing glare and stalked off. Legolas was confused; here he had seen the elfling say more than anywhere else. She was also feisty and confident; unlike her shy and self-conscious demeanour. Something had changed within her and he was the first to experience her large Gryffindor temper; not that Legolas knew that.
Hermione waited a while to cool down. She knew that she had a temper to rival Mrs Weasley's, and that it could get out of control at times. Hermione had noted that Ron still had the scars to prove it. She sighed and wondered if she would still be able to cast spells. She shuddered to think of a life without the warmth coursing through her arm every time she cast a spell. She picked up a twig lying on the ground and twirled it through her fingers. She suddenly got an idea; she remembered Ollivander's words at Shell Cottage: A witch or wizard can channel their magic through any instrument. Hermione held the stick with a shaking hand. She pointed it at a rock and whispered wingardium leviosa with a swish and flick. Slowly but truly the rock began to float two meters off the ground. Hermione was jittery with excitement. She could actually do magic!
While Hermione tested her wand, Legolas was gaping at her with shock. Who would have guessed that when he approached her to ask for her forgiveness, he would find that she could perform a wizard's magic? Legolas took deep breaths to calm himself. He would ask for her forgiveness then inform Elrond and Gandalf the Grey. Legolas took care to not sneak up on her though she did have extra sharp hearing, for an elf. Hermione turned around and called out "I know you're there Legolas." He was impressed; her hearing was far too sharp for her age. "I would like to apologise." Legolas began, "You did have the right to know your race. Though we assumed that you already knew." Hermione frowned, "I used to be a witch," She said half to herself, "But now I'm an elf as well. How is that possible?" "Elves can perform magic, but you can perform wizardry like Gandalf." Legolas piped up. "Who's Gandalf?" "A wizard. I could take you to meet him if you wish." "Yes please." Hermione replied, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. So different to the elfling he had first met, Legolas thought as he led Hermione through the large hallways.
Hermione thought Gandalf was just like Dumbledore. They both had long white beards and twinkling blue eyes. "Well well, the first elfling in a century." He chuckled, "And who might you be?" "I'm Hermione." She answered. "But you're not just an elfling are you?" Hermione beamed, "No, I can do magic like you." "My my, isn't that interesting." Gandalf mused, "But where are you from, my dear?" Hermione eagerly answered "I'm from Earth, but I don't know how I got here. We had just won a war and my two best friends died. I fell asleep, and when I woke up I was by a stream; I looked much younger and I had pointed ears, I didn't think it was significant. I had also lost my wand so I had no way of defending myself. I was exhausted and injured so I had no other choice than to follow Aragorn."
Legolas saw how everything fit together finally. "Would you like to attend a Council Meeting tomorrow morning?" Gandalf eventually asked Hermione. "Really? Oh yes please." Hermione's eyes were glimmering with a thirst for knowledge. She stifled a yawn, "Oh, I'm sorry but I am exhausted." "Of course, you should get some rest." Gandalf agreed. "Would you like me to show you to your room?" Legolas offered, "If it's no trouble." Hermione said with another yawn.
Halfway to her room, she keeled over from fatigue. Legolas caught her before she hit the ground, carried her to her room and set her onto the soft white bed, where she snuggled into the covers contentedly.
Okay, how was that? It's much longer than my usual chapters, (over 2500 words!) so I hope you enjoyed it! Please review! The little button is calling out to you!
Thanks
Hermione who likes clovers