A New Place, A New Love
Author's Note: I have found a new computer, and I should have it in a bit, but for now I have had to make this one work. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and continue to review. If you guys have any ideas, please leave them in the comment section.
Enjoy
Disclaimer: I still do not own any of these characters
Chapter 4
It was now well mid-afternoon, and Minerva was starting to lose feeling in her feet. When she had entered The Room of Requirement, she was not planning on walking long distances in her customary black boots. As she continued walking, she could see that each of the hobbits was ready to collapse, but Strider remained strong and pushed on. She was about to ask for a break when they came to rest next to some remnants of an old building.
"You can rest here while I go check ahead," Strider spoke as he took the swords from his sack and lay them on the ground next to Pippin, "Keep these with you while I am gone, just in case."
Frodo decides to lay down on a nearby rock while Mary, Pippin, and Sam gather around each other and begin to dig through their knapsacks. Minerva turns her attention back to Strider and decides that she can rest as they look around. She gives the hobbits a once over and then heads off in the direction of their guide.
"Mind if I join you?" Minerva said as she walked beside Strider.
"Not at all," he grinned, "but I figured you would want to rest."
"Well, I figured I could rest while you were scouting the area."
There was a comfortable silence that rested between them until Minerva realized she never truly introduced herself.
"I'm Minerva, by the way," she stopped walking as she extended her hand.
"Aragorn," He replied as he shook her hand.
"So," Minerva began after a pregnant pause, "how do you know Gandalf?"
"He is an old friend of mine that I met while I was on my own. He was kind enough to help me along on my travels and was a great travel companion. Ever since then, we have kept in touch as much as our destinies allow. How about you? I don't remember him mentioning a new friend until he told me to help guard you and the hobbits."
"We have actually only just met. I am not from this world, if that makes sense, and I… Well, I stumbled out of a closet while Gandalf was talking to Frodo about the ring. At first I thought he was somebody I knew, but I knew that couldn't be possibly. When I really looked at him, I thought he was going to kill me for intruding on a conversation. I have never been more grateful for meeting a forgiving man such as Gandalf." Minerva laughed as she finished the last part of her story.
"He is a great man who does not trust everyone, but those he does trust, he trusts quickly," Strider said as he surveyed the surrounding area, "He usually has a sixth sense about who he can and cannot trust. It is comforting and unnerving all in itself."
Minerva gave a slight hum in agreement as she looked out over the path that lay ahead of them for the next day. It was late enough that they could stop, but still early enough that the light of day would keep her awake if she tried to fall asleep. Whatever this world was, it reminded her of the grounds that surrounded Hogwartz. The green grass that seemed to cover every inch of land she could see and the forests that hid the place where the mountains kissed the land. It was just like home, and that was a thought that made her think about everything that she had left behind when she had walked through that door.
She would miss the hallways of the school that had been the bane of every first-year's existence until they learned to travel in groups with the older children. She would long for the comforts of her classroom with all of its memories. And the people that she had had every meal with for more than the past 40 years. There were a lot of things that she was going to miss, but the empty office that was designated to the headmaster, would not be one of them. It was just too soon to have to face Albus' portrait as well and Severus and his presence.
She turned to look at her guide and smiled to herself about the absurdity of everything that had happened in the last two days. It would be good to see Gandalf again, but she was starting to like this Aragorn man. Turning to survey the hobbits, she could see the distinct black smoke of a fire just before she heard Frodo yell something. She caught Aragorn's movements out of the corner of her eye and turned to speak to him.
"What is it?" Minerva asked as she saw a look of fear and concern cross his face.
"With any type of signal like that we have to be worried about-" he was cut short by screaming and several high pitched screeches coming from their camp.
Aragorn did not take the time to finish his previous thoughts before he took off towards camp with Minerva hot on his heels. As they got closer, she could see several Ringwraiths chasing the hobbits up into the ruins of the old watchtower. Aragorn had already drawn his sword and was charging at the attackers. Minerva pulled out her wand and pointed it in the general direction of the last couple of the creatures.
"Confringo!" she yelled as a purple beam shot from her wand and hit two of the wraiths to the ground and the explosion caused another one to fly backwards.
She heard another screech and watched as one of the wraiths came straight for her. At least that takes some of the pressure off of Frodo and the others. She barely had time to brace herself for the impending duel before the wraith was less than ten feet in front of her.
"Impedimenta!" Minerva mumbled and watched as the wraith slowed down to a manageable pace, "Reducto!"
Minerva was surprised when her spell seemed to have no effect. They're not solid?! What the hell are these things? She quickly backpedaled to ensure a safe distance remained between her and her opponent. She could hear the screams from the others in the background and felt helpless. She had to do something to keep these things away and help Aragorn before it was too late. I can't make it over there in time to stop anything and I still have to deal with this one… Well, here goes nothing.
Minerva braced herself and focused all of her energy and power on pronouncing each syllable and letter correctly, "Fiendfyre!" She focused on guiding the power from her body into her wand and across the field to ensure that only the wraiths would be hurt. She saw them recede into the nearby woods and the hobbits and Aragorn look to her for an explanation. She pulled the flames back with everything she had left in her. She felt the stubborn flames relinquish their final ounce of control to her.
She staggered backwards and collapsed on the ground, drained from the amount of power and energy that the single spell had cost. She felt darkness pulling her into its depths, and she was too tired to fight it off. Passing out, Minerva was unaware of Frodo's injury that had been caused by a dagger, or his need to get to the Elves.
"Minerva!" Aragorn rushed over to her limp form along with Merry, "Minerva! You need to wake up! Wake up! Minerva… Dammit!" He tried to wake her once again, but got no response in return.
"Is she dead?" Merry asked as he gazed down at the witch.
"No," Aragorn breathed out, "but she is too weak to wake up. We have to get both her and Frodo out of here and to the Elves. I will take care of her. I need you to go back to camp and pack up anything you can. Then I need you to help Sam and Pippin get Frodo down from the ruins."
Merry was gone as soon as Aragorn had finished giving his instructions, leaving him to attend to Minerva. She was pale and look fragile, but there seemed to be a power radiating from every cell and pore in her body. Gently, Aragorn placed an arm under her neck and scooped another under her knees. He lifted her into his arms and quickly headed back to camp. Gandalf trusted me to watch over both of them, and now they are both hurt. I should have paid more attention to what was going on!
As he made it to the horses, he saw Sam carrying Frodo, who was having trouble breathing.
"Sam, do you know what Athelas plant is?" Aragorn asked as he set Minerva down on a grassy spot.
"N-no, I don't think so," Sam sputtered.
"Athelas? Kingsfoil? Do you know what Kingsfoil is?"
"Aye! Will that help Mr. Frodo?"
"It won't cure him, but it might be able to slow the spread of the poison. I will look over here, you take that side, "Aragorn said as he took one last glance at both Minerva and Frodo before he went in search of the plant.
TBC….
