Chapter 7

Legolas was riding up with a small group of elves when he saw her. She shone with an inner light, and he knew she was his Mith'mela, his silver love. She was fighting with a man. He was dark haired and had vibrant green eyes. Their weapons were discarded and the man resorted to touching her most inappropriately. He felt a fury rise in him. His Mith'mela begged the man to stop. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Dismounting, he stalked up to the man, who pushed the woman behind her and took a protective stance. A staff appeared in the man's right hand. One also appeared in the woman's hand, and she touched the man's elbow.

"Harry?" She murmured urgently.

"Hermione, go find Remus and wait for me there. This won't take long." 'Harry' ordered.

Hermione. So that was the name of his love. She nodded and left. "Now what is it you wished, Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood?"

"I came to defend the lady's honor." He snapped.

"Hermione?" Harry laughed. "She can defend herself well enough. I stood no chance if she did not want me to do something."

"That is not what it appeared." Legolas insisted.

"Look. I appreciate you trying to maintain 'Mione's honor, and your chivalry, but she has never done a thing she did not wish to. I'm lucky to have her."

"Then she is yours?" Legolas inquired with a sinking heart.

"Hermione belongs to no man." Harry grinned. "I've been at her side for 2,000 years. Trust me on that one."

"Any you are?" Legolas finally relented.

"I am Prince Hadrian Potter, of Sairina, home of the Templar." He extended his hand, staff disappearing. Legolas reluctantly shook it. Legolas re-mounted and the man ran beside them, easily keeping pace. Hermione was waiting with an older man, who was handsome in spite of his scars.

"Hadrian James Potter." Hermione began.

"Hermione Jean Granger." He mimicked her. She burst out laughing and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you." She whispered. He smiled and offered her his arm.

"Do you want to go our rooms and continue where we left off?" He offered. She nodded. Legolas's heart broke. Never before had an elf lost a Mith'mela but he could not force her to be with him.

Harry and Hermione spent all afternoon in Harry's rooms experimenting. The meeting would take place tomorrow, and Hermione wanted to forge new weapons for their travels. She was infusing the metal with basalisk venom, and the gems with magic. The blade hissed as she cooled it for the last time and handed it to Harry. She had finished hers, her daggers, as well as matching daggers for this sword.

"Wow." He breathed. The metal glistened, made of mithril and adamantium. The hilt fit comfortably in his hand, and the black and green gems made it truly his. The blade had an inscription. Nam Et Purus Corde, for the pure hearted. Hers read Nam Fieri Non Potest Qui Purgatione Sanitatis, for the healing that cannot be done without cleansing. Harry took up the dragon hide and worked it into sheaths, imbuing it with venom and magic, creating the perfect sheaths for the weapons. Then he and Hermione added the detail work, using runes and decorative things alike. When they were done, they closed their eyes, sleeping next to each other, tired from the magical work. The next morning they were refreshed, and ate quickly before going to the circle, along with Remus and Minerva. They were seated nearby Aragorn. Gandalf the Grey was quite an eccentric character, and Gimli the Dwarf answered a question of Harry's when he tried to destroy the ring.

"Merlin's underpants!" He swore.

"Harry!" Hermione looked at him, appalled.

"It's a horcrux." He snapped at her. "Can't you feel it. It will posses whomever wears it, and it is too strong for Fiendefyre or basalisk venom."

Hermione extended her senses, as did Remus and Minerva. They all recoiled.

"This is bad." Hermione whispered. Aragorn swore himself to helping Frodo destroy the ring at Mount Mordor. Harry volunteered as well. Hermione joined him. He did not protest.

"Draco and Ginerva will come as well. I did not have them come to the meeting because they are preparing their weapons." Harry told Frodo. "They have been chosen from my people for this very reason."

Elrond didn't protest. "Very well." He stated. "Thirteen companions."