Hello again dearest readers. Before I begin this chapter, I would like to apologise for taking so long in between chapters. Between the craziness of my at home life and the bizzare-ness of my life at school (seeing as I will be beginning highschool soon,) I have very little time to get to this. I'm trying to do better, but I'm giving what I can at the moment. I love you all, and thank you.
When I wake again, the sun is well risen. Harry looks at me with concern in his emerald-green eyes. He helps me to my feet.
"We were waiting for you to wake up," Harry says softly. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. A little tired, but that's what comes of traveling is it not?" I ask. Harry offers me a small smile and squeezes my shoulder.
"I knew your Gryffindor would come out," he says. "Legolas has been really worried. I think your dream attack affected him the most. You should go see him."
Legolas was worried for me? I hug Harry and ask where our other resident Elf is.
"I think he's somewhere over there. Talking to Gimili I believe."
"Thank you," I reply, giving my friend another hug and head off to find Legolas.
On my way, I meet Aragorn. He looks up from sharpening his blade.
"Lady Hermione," he inclines his head in greeting.
"Its going to take me a while to get used to this 'Lady' thing. Please, just call me Hermione."
He nods his head once more, and feeling awkward in his presence, I politely bid him farewell.
He is so silent, The voice in my head says. He's not to be trusted.
Don't be ridiculous,I respond.
Listen to me! I only want your safety and protection!
From Aragorn? He won't harm me. We're working together for the same purpose!
How do you know the workings of his mind?
I...I don't. But I have no reason to believe that he would cause me harm. Tell me who you are that tries to have me turn against my own?
Do not be so bitter Elf maiden. I wish only to keep you from harm.
Tell me who you are! I demand. Tell me your name at the least.
I am nameless and timeless and ageless. There is but one of me Hermione, and I am in danger. And you knowing me puts you in danger as well.
Then I will heed you no longer. Leave me be.
You cannot escape yourself Hermione. Despite its words, the voice exits my head. I frown and continue walking. I pay so little attention to where I'm going that I bump right into-
"Hermione," Legolas says, catching me before I fall.
"Legolas," I nod. I brush my leggings subconsciously.
"Are you alright lassie?" Gimili asks.
"Quite." I smile at the dwarf.
"I'm glad to hear it. I worried that you'd go into another panic when you went to sleep. I'm rather glad to see you awake."
"Thank you Gimili," I reply. We talk like that for a while until I softly ask if I can speak with Legolas alone.
"Of course, lassie, of course!" He says. As he walks away, I hear something that sounds an awful lot like 'I knew I hit the mark!' He reminds me of the Weaslys just a bit, and the fact that he has red hair isn't helping.
"Hermione," Legolas says, breaking me from my thoughts. "You needed to speak with me?"
"Yes," I say softly. "I wanted to apologise for worrying you and the whole of the fellowship with my panic attack in the middle of the night." I reach up to tuck a stray strand of blonde hair behind my pointed ear.
"You have no cause to apologise," he responds, but his eyes soften. "I am glad you have awakened. My gift served its purpose well last night."
My hand flies up to the pendant hanging from my neck.
"T-thank you," I stammer, my hand dropping back to my side. His bright, cerulean eyes crinkle in amusement at my surprise.
"You're welcome," he responds, his mouth lifting into a sort of half smile. It reminds me of Draco. Its shocking that there's a little pang of sadness when I realize that he's not here. He chose a different path. Blinking, I quash that sadness and return Legolas' smile.
"We were truly concerned for you Hermione," he says softly. "It would bode ill for us to lose another ring bearer." Again, my hand flies to my neck, this time to the gold ring dancing upon a chain. Of course that's what he cares about. This is strictly a mission to save Middle Earth. Nothing more, nothing less.
"Of course," I reply to Legolas. For some reason, I'm hurt by the thought that he doesn't care about my life past the destruction of the ring. I swallow back my pain, smile at Legolas and take my leave.
Returning to my makeshift bed, I plop down next to Harry. The two of us sit in comfortable silence, looking out at the clear blue sky.
"So," Harry says, finally breaking the silence. "What's wrong?"
"What do you mean what's wrong? Nothing's wrong. Why does everyone always asume that something's wrong?"
Harry just arches an eyebrow, his green eyes twinkling. He doesn't push the conversation for now. We fall back into silence. I decide to relinquish a bit of the problem, telling him that I do sort of miss Draco. He tells me that he sort of understands and that he sort of misses Hogwarts and Ron and Ginny too.
"Thank you," I say after our third pause of silence. "For understanding."
Harry smiles.
Yay! This is the end of this particular chapter. I'm super sorry that it took so long, but seriously, I'm trying to balance ninth grade, this, band stuff, choir stuff, and all kinds of other stuff. Life is hard, but band, choir, you guys, and my family make it totaly worth it. Love you all, R&R!