The first thing I'm going to do is sincerely apologize. I haven't updated in so long and I feel terrible. For those of you who are still here, thank you so much for sticking with me even though I haven't updated in way too long. I love you all and here's your next chapter. If you recognize it, it isn't mine.
A gentle nudge is all it takes to wake me. Harry's emerald eyes scan my face worriedly.
"You know, Hermione, you've been waking up later and later. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," I respond. "In fact, I'm feeling quite refreshed." I stretch my arms and Harry helps me to my feet.
I roll up my bedding and we begin to journey again. Glimmering faintly in the distance is a line of trees and we draw ever nearer towards them. We'll reach them before nightfall.
"There's some breakfast left over still if you'd like," Merry says. "Pippin tried to eat what was left of it, but I reminded him that you hadn't yet eaten."
"Thank you Merry. I'll only take a little and what's left over, Pippin can take." Merry nods and a few moments later gives me a sausage and a piece of bread.
We walk on for a while in complete silence, even after I've consumed my meal. Harry's voice breaks the silence.
"So I'm assuming you can tell where we're going?" He asks softly.
"If I'm not mistaken, that forest ahead of us is Lothlorien," I say.
"You know your geography well Lady Hermione. That forest is indeed Lothlorien," Aragorn says having fallen back beside Harry and I.
"Thank you Aragorn," I say with a slight nod.
We trek on through the day without any more words.
The stars are only just coming out when we reach the forest edge. A canopy of golden leaves hangs above us supported by vast silver trunks.
Gimli looks nervously around.
"Stay close, young hobbits. They say a sorceress lies in these woods. An elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell..."
Hermione, A woman's voice rings into my head.
"...and are never seen again!" Gimli finishes.
Your coming to us is as the footsteps of doom. You bring great evil here, my daughter.
"Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily! I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!" At the end of Gimili's explanation, I find an arrow tip aimed directly at my face.
"The dwarf breathes so loud we could've shot him in the dark," one of the elves says. I almost smile.
I know that there is no excuse for how unacceptably late this chapter is, but I do sincerely hope that you'll forgive me. Much love!
~In the Land of Morodor~