Lady Hope of Middle Earth

Chapter 6: Off We Go

Hope's POV:

The next morning I wake up to Arwen shaking me. "Hope, you need to get dressed. The Fellowship leaves in an hour." She says. I nod and climb out of bed. Then I remember that I have nothing to wear besides long dresses that are not practical.

"I know what you're thinking so I brought you something." She says, handing me travel clothes. I smile at her. Then last night hits me. "I might never see you again after today." I mutter. She smiles softly at me. "No, but I shall never forget you which means you will always be with me."

I smile and hug her one more time. "Now get dressed." With that she is gone. Sighing I grab the clothes she brought me and change. They fit perfectly. Smiling I pull my hair back into two french braids, making sure my hair is out of my face.

Then I strap my sword and bow and quiver to my back. I grab my back pack and with one final glance I exit my room and head towards the gates of Rivendell. When I get there I notice everyone else is already there. I blush and go to stand next to Aragorn. He smiles down at me.

"The Ring bearer is setting out on a quest to Mount Doom. Those of you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell and hold to your purpose. May the blessings of Elves, and men, as well as free folk be with you." Elrond says.

Everyone around me bows a little. I look towards Arwen and she gives me a smile and I can see that she is holding back tears. I'm losing even more of my family today. I look at Elrond and he nods with a smile on his face. "The Fellowship awaits the Ring bearer." Gandalf says.

I look down at Frodo. He looks nervous as he walks towards the front of the group. We start walking and have only taken a few steps when Frodo decides to ask for directions. "Mordor Gandalf, is it left or right?" He asks. I smile at him. "Left." Gandalf replies. With that we are off.

Once we're out of Rivendell Gandalf takes up leading the group. "We must keep this path west of the Misty Mountains for 40 days. With our luck the Gap at Rohan will still be open to us." Gandalf says. Forty days. Well, let's get on with it. So with that we are off.

I spend most of my time walking beside either Aragorn, Legolas, or the Hobbits. Boromir has come up to me a few times, but Aragorn has saved me from having to converse with him. There's just something about him that I don't like and I can't put my finger on it.

We walk for days and rest at night. There are only a few times when we stop during the day. Mainly so we can eat. The poor Hobbits usually have five or six meals a day and now they're only getting two to three. Note the sarcasm. Right now we are stopped for rest and food.

Sam is cooking for all of us while Boromir is giving Merry and Pippin sword lessons. I smile. As much as I have an off feeling about him, he's good with those two. Aragorn sits smoking his pipe and giving instruction while I sit next to him, observing.

It kind of reminds me of the lessons I used to have with Dr. Saltzman. I used to tease him that he was getting too old to train me. I really miss him. I miss everyone at the Salvatore School. Even Lizzie. "You alright?" Aragorn asks me, noticing my sad look. I give him a weak smile.

"I'm fine, just thinking of my world. The people I left behind." I say, shrugging it off. "You do realize they probably miss you too." He says. I give him sad smile. "No, they don't." I say. He gives me a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"I never told you how I came to Middle Earth, just that it was through a pit called Malivore." I say. "So tell me then." I sigh. "Malivore was created by a witch, a werewolf, and a vampire. It devours monsters and only a witch, a werewolf, and a vampire in one can close it. That's me." I say.

"So-" "So I jumped in to save the people I care about from the creatures that were coming out of Malivore and Malivore himself. But the thing is when people go into the pit they are erased from existence. No one remembers me. Not even my family. It's like I never existed." I say.

A strange look crosses his features. "And you jumped in knowing that no one would know of your bravery?" He asks. I nod. "It was about protecting to ones I love. I did that." I say. "If Malivore was supposed to be destroyed when you jumped in how are you here?" He asks.

"I haven't activated my vampire side yet. The vampire blood in my system caused Malivore to close, but it remained alive. It expelled me because I was poison to it." I explains. "You are very brave Hope Mikaelson and I am glad I can call you my friend." He says.

For some reason, when he says 'friend' I get this weird feeling. Like it isn't the right word. But I do not know why. Before I can question it any further I hear Legolas yell "Crebain from Dunland!" I look up to see a flock of birds coming. Everyone scatters to hide.

I rush over to the Hobbits and make sure that they are hidden, but there is no time for me to hide. "Hope!" Aragorn yells. "Invisique." I mutter, moving my hand in front of my face. I know I'm invisible now. The birds fly past me, but none brush up against me.

Once they are gone the others come out of their hiding places. "Hope? Hope!" Aragorn yells. Everyone starts looking around for me, concerned. "Phasmatos Oculacs." I mutter, taking the cloaking spell away. I see everyone visibly relax once they see me.

Aragorn walks up to me. "Don't do that again. You scared me." He says, pulling me into a hug. I hug him back quickly before letting go. "I can take care of myself you know." I remind him. He smiles. "I know, but I can still worry." I smile back and we walk back over to the others.

"Spies of Sauruman. The passage south is being watched. We must take the Pass of Caradhras." Gandalf says, looking towards the snow capped peaks. Oh boy. I exchange a look with Aragorn. This should be fun.