Hermione awakens in a strange place; hidden at the base of a tree with roots so thick that they pop out of the ground and make miniature mountains and valleys. Slowly, she looks around in a daze, seeing sunlight softly filtered through the canopy of tall trees with large leaves. She slowly sits up and looks around at the land, taking note of how the roots hid and protected her. There is a large meadow, surrounded and shaded by the trees.
Hermione’s jaw drops as she carefully steps out of the protection of the roots and onto the moss covered ground. Her bare feet tingle in pleasure as her toes softly curl at the shock of energy that went through her. Hermione carefully does an overall health check on herself and finds - to her mortification - that she is completely naked.
A shocked gasp escapes her when she sees that her hated scar… is gone. Reverently, she runs her fingers along her smooth arm, as relieved tears run down her cheeks. “Thank you, thank you. Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou.” Hermione kept whispering to the wood. To everything around her, hoping that whoever or whatever healed her ad would hear her joyful thanks.
Loud laughter escapes Hermione as she starts spinning herself around and dancing. As joy fills her beingness. She knows that she needs to figure out where she is, but at this very moment… she just wants to bask. Hermione allows herself to surrender and dance. Hermione’s knee length hair dances around her as her joy filled laughter threads through the wood. She‘s practically singing her thanks, not caring who is going to hear her.
Hermione deserves to give herself a moment of pure joy and thanks for the gift that has been given. For once in her life… she is going to give herself the love and actually live for herself.
Hermione knows that it is going to be amazing.
Meanwhile, deeper within the forest; Thranduil - King of what is now known as Mirkwood - hears a feminine voice traveling through the trees. He makes his way to the edge of the opening of the wood. He tries to pinpoint where the voice is coming from. He touches one of the trees and silently asks for direction - for help - and the only answer is silence.
A frown touches Thranduil’s lips as he tries to puzzle out why the wood wouldn’t answer his query. “Why?” He pushes his question towards the trees, the network of roots, hoping that he will receive an insightful answer.
Whispers flow towards him from the trees - all of the convoluted and layered - finally a clear message reaches Thranduil. “Wait Thranduil King, she will be shown at a later date. She-who-shall-heal-us. Eliana of the roots…” His brows furrow in confusion as he peers deep into the trees, but the darkening of his wood is the only thing that greets him.
----
Hermione finds herself with many companions; squirrels, rabbits, little field mice, hedgehogs, foxes, and so many more. Although there are two companions in particular that are constantly with her and only leave her side a handful of times in a day. A panther with avada kedavra green eyes and a sleek black coat has introduced itself as Sven and a pure white fox with glacier blue eyes calling itself Hydrus (Hydri for short).
Throughout however long she has been here, she’s taught herself how to do a lot. Or rather, the wood and her dreams - visions? - taught her. Hermione has started to wander away from the safety of the glade; called by the sick trees. Sven and Hydrus stay very close to her while she is out of the glade. She knows that there are spiders as big as acromantula that have no thought, only death and destruction. Hermione can feel how they are born of evil and how they add speed and heavy sickness to the wood.
Hermione finds herself drawn deeper and deeper into the woods than she has ever gone before. She doesn’t know what exactly is drawing her deeper into the wood, but the trees have become incredibly loud. Their excited whispers have met her ears, she can feel their excitement and anticipation. Whatever is happening or going to happen is something that the wood has been waiting for for a long time.
As she gets closer, her ears stop focusing on the whispering trees and focus instead on loud arguments happening. Her brows furrow in confusion as she continues closer. Sven and Hydrus move so close to her that she can feel them slightly pressing against her sides.
The scene that she comes across causes her eyes to widen in shock, there are men with long beards on their knees and tied up. ‘Dwarves Eliana’ Hermione hums in acknowledgment at all of the trees' helpfulness as she takes in the elves that are standing around them and searching them. Her nose wrinkles upon seeing the dead spiders laying around, she slowly, quietly makes her way through the carnage towards the group. As she passes the dead spiders, she drops seeds of what she calls the Phoenix Flower onto their bodies.
Once she gets past all the dead spiders and is only a few feet from the gathered group. She does a single glyph in the air, which is the catalyst for the growing process. Leaving the spiders to burst into flames to help germinate the Phoenix flowers. Everyone in the group jerks in shock as they all finally take notice of her. The head of the group moves fast and grabs her arm, causing Sven to snarl in anger as Hydrus releases a hiss.
Hermione holds her hand out parallel with the ground, “Be at peace… Sven, Hydrus.” whilst the elves and dwarves watch with shock and warriness. Legolas carefully studies the two animals flanking Hermione, trying to tell if he needs to fight them.
“Please don’t, they are my companions and protectors. They don’t take kindly to perceived threats. This is Sven,” Hermione motions to the panther, “and this is Hydrus,” Hermione motions to the fox. “they won’t harm you or your guard.” Legolas studies the strange woman standing in front of him. From what he can tell, she has no weapons on her, in fact… she’s not even wearing shoes. She’s completely barefoot with a dress that looks like it is made of moss and leaves. While she has flowers braided into her knee length brown hair. He can not tell if her ears are pointed or not, though her height makes him think that she may be of the race of man… though her looks go against the possibility of her being a part of the race of man..
Legolas lets go of her arm, “My apologies, it is not often we come across people that are unarmed.” Hermione tilts her head at his words and gives a calm smile. “Do you mind if I ask for your name?” Hermione gives a hum as she runs her hand along Sven while a joyful smile comes to her face.
“My name is Hermione… though upon my rebirth, the wood has renamed me Eliana of the roots. It is nice to finally meet you Legolas, son of Thranduil. The wood has told me that your father has been awaiting my presence.” She gives a smile at Legolas’s confused look. “I see that he has not told you what the trees told him, don’t worry, you seem to be in the dark as much as myself and your father.”
Legolas studies her for a few more moments, one of the guards gets his attention and hands him a blade. He studies it and reads what is written, “This is an ancient elvish blade. Forged by my kin.” Legolas’s eyes narrow sharply. “ Where did you get this?” Hermione watches quietly as the dwarf shifts slightly, having enough smarts to look wary.
Though, Thorin’s pride made him answer. “It was given to me.” Legolas immediately puts the blade at the dwarfs' throat, looking slightly savage in his fury.
“Not just a thief, but a liar as well.-” Hermione doesn’t know what took her over at that moment… though she knows that it is something that Harry would pull in a heartbeat.
Gripping the blade with her bare hand “You and the dwarves may have bad blood, but he is not lying to you.” Hermione turns her attention to the gathered dwarves and tilts her head as her eyes glow gold. “They were attacked by three trolls one night, who met a stone end at the first light. The dwarves found their cave; full of different hoarded things. Gold, gems, chalices… weapons. When Mithrandir tricked them into going to Imladris, Lord Elrond told them the names of the swords. Which he later gifted to them, though I know not, if it was his place.”
The dwarves' mouths are dropped open in shock, trying to figure out how she knows that. Even as her golden eyes stare straight through them, while her companions guard her. Legolas carefully reaches out with the hand not holding the weapon and carefully moves her head to look at him. When he takes notice of her eyes and how not there she is, his lips tighten as he carefully gets her to let go of the blade. Legolas calls out to his people to get the dwarves moving, even as he sheaths the sword.
Legolas watches as Hermione sways, then in the next moment drops. Catching her, he glances at Sven and Hydrus expecting some sort of answer. Of course, he receives none. He carries her with him as he follows behind the group at the last moment he turns and looks behind him. Legolas’ blue eyes narrow as he senses something, but sees nothing.
The moment he steps inside with Hermione in his arms, he glances at the guards. “Close the gates.” The gates slam closed even as an invisible hobbit slips inside. What none of the people inside of the kingdom know (not including the reborn witch). Is that where Hermione threw those seeds, where the spiders went up in flames… There are now many Phoenix Flower plants with beautiful, glowing, flame colored flowers.
----
It isn’t until after Thranduil and Thorin have their argument that Hermione wakes up. Sven and Hydrus are laying on the ground as her guardians, as she once again takes in a new area. It seems that someone had placed her on a daybed that is slightly out on a balcony. Hermione moves herself to a sitting position, knowing that there is someone in the area with her.
Sven is rumbling threatenly at whoever it is, while Hydrus looks ready to pounce at any moment. “I know you’re here, if you don’t mind making yourself known so that we may speak… that would be appreciated.”
There is a long moment of silence, then King Thranduil steps into the light covertly watching Sven. “I apologize Eliana of the roots, your… companions make it hard to approach you.” Hermione’s eyes go to them as a soft laugh spills from her lips.
Hermione’s eyes lock with Thranduil’s, “They are very protective of me and don’t trust easily. Tell me Thranduil King, how may I help you?” He studies the strange woman in front of him, and motions to the daybed - a silent question - Hermione gives a calm smile as an answer.
After Thranduil sits next to her and allows his eyes to rest on Sven and Hydrus. “Were you traveling in the company of Thorin Oakenshield?” Hermione breaths in as she looks at Thranduil’s energy.
“No, I’ve been in Mirkwood in a part of the woods that is still pure. I haven’t left since I awoke and found myself there. Has anyone told you that looking at you is painful, King Thranduil.” Thranduil jerks and blinks at her in shock, Hermione glances at him and gives a rueful grin. “I’ll take that as a no, your soul is… so bright it’s so light that it hurts to look at. Though, there is a part of it that is… decaying.”
Hermione waves her hand at Thranduil's left side of his face. “The energy looks incredibly painful, it’s moving deeping into your being. It’s slowly taking your strength and decaying your entire soul.” Thranduil just barely hides his shock and worry, though he cannot hide anything from someone who sees past the perceived physical.
“I can heal you if you would like, it will take a lot of energy and I’ll probably be out for a week… but I can heal you, though I cannot promise that it won’t be painful.” A shuddering breath escapes Thranduil as he tries to keep his emotions from swallowing him whole.
All he can respond with is a singular desperate word. “Please.” Thranduil gets a compassionate smile in return even as he feels her magic gather around her.
It takes half a day to heal Thranduil.
When he finally comes back to himself, he finds Eliana collapsed with iridescent almost butterfly-like wings protruding from her back.
Eliana doesn’t awaken until the battle of The Five Armies has already started. She awakens to a barren Elven Castle, with the trees screaming for her.
She doesn’t take a moment to think; in the blink of an eye, Eliana is in the woods with Sven and Hydrus. Heading straight for the battle, knowing that she is desperately needed.
----
She finds herself at Fili’s slowly dying body. Hermione kneels next to him and compassionately cups his cheek. Fili gaps in awe at the angel in front of him; the purity of her white dress and the wings that are fluttering behind her bring together an image that brings him peace.
It doesn’t stop the white-hot pain that rips through his entire body as she heals him. It also doesn’t stop the hoarse scream either, but it does bring some comfort. “Rest, Fili, Son of Durin. Rest and when you awaken, all will be well.” Against his will, Fili’s eyes close and he falls into a deep sleep.
Hermione walks away from him, even as strong protective wards go up around Fili. Kili and Tauriel are fighting an orc when Hermione comes upon them. She tilts her head as she focuses on the orc, watching how its life-force moves through it. Once Hermione finds the perfect catalyst for it to die… she reaches out and pulls. The orc drops hard in a silent and fast death.
Kili and Tauriel stare in shock at the orc with blood flowing out of its nose, eyes, and ears. They turn to Hermione as they blink at her, completely dumbfounded. “You’re welcome. I need to find Thorin Oakenshield.” With that she leaves behind the two potential lovers walking across the frozen lake. Thorin, being too busy fighting Azog, doesn’t notice that Hermione has weaved powerful shield wards around his entire body.
Right as Thorin is about to give the killing blow, “Stop! Don’t kill him.” he jerks around and stares at the woman. His lips curl up in an angered snarl as his grip tightens on his weapon.
“Why shouldn’t I? It is my right!” Thorin watches as the strange winged woman smiles at him.
“I healed Fili and saved Kili’s life.” Hermione offers, “Allow me to kill Azog, his forces will fall in death along with him. That I can promise you, Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thrain, son of Thror.” they stand in silence as Thorin’s grip turns his knuckles white. He thinks of his cousin Dain, fighting with his army and losing his men. He thinks of his company and his nephews.
Closing his eyes, Thorin finally decides to let go. “Do it.” Eliana slowly walks by him and crouches to the side of Azog.
“Hello Azog. Are you ready to transcend?” A low angered growl escapes him, Eliana ignores him. She carefully takes a Phoenix flower from one of her guardians. Eliana blows softly onto the flower as it flickers lighter and brighter. She puts the flower at Azog’s heart.
As magic starts to weave from her palms, she speaks in Sindarin. “Awaken, fallen love. Awaken and transcend. Bring your people with and transcend. Transcend, transcend, transcend.” Her magic ignites the flower and it bursts into flames, Thorin turns to face the battle field and finds that all of Azog's forces have burst into flames. He turns to say something to the strange woman.
Though, as he opens his mouth; her eyes roll back in her head and she drops, Thorin rushes forward and catches her. Thorin carefully maneuvers her to carry her, as her guardians flank him. He comes upon Kili and Tauriel hovering next to Fili’s form.
“Is he-is he alive?” Kili turns to face his uncle and his brows furrow as he sees the woman passed out.
Kili puts his hand on Fili’s forehead, “Yes, uncle, he’s alive. I’m assuming that the woman you’re holding saved his life. As she did mine and Tauriels and yours from the looks of it… is she okay?” Thorin easily can see the worry in Kili’s eyes and can only bring himself to give a sharp nod in answer. Otherwise, the sheer relief would leave him weeping.
“Thorin Oakenshield, it is… welcome to see you and your nephews still alive.” All of them turn to see the Elven King standing in front of them, with Eliana’s guardians on either side of him. Thorin’s brows furrow, he didn’t even notice that they had left.
“King Thranduil.” Thorin tightly responds with a very slight nod. Thranduil’s brow raises in amusement even as his eyes train onto Eliana’s passed out form.
Thranduil runs his hand along Sven, “I’m going to assume that the orcs all bursting into flames is Eliana’s doing.” all hear Sven giving a loud purr as Thranduil continues to stroke him.
Thorin clears his throat, “Aye, she asked me not to kill Azog and told me that she would take care of him and his forces.” Thranduil gives a low hum even as Hydrus does figure eights in between his legs.
“Tauriel, you are welcome to make your own choice…” Tauriel’s head jerks up to lock eyes with her king as they widen in surprise. “You may come back to the wood, stay with your love, or become the neutral party. So that we may come to an understanding… a new alliance.”
Thorin intensely studies Thranduil, “Yes, my King… thank you.” he barely hears Tauriel speaking. Thranduil nods in acknowledgement to Tauriel and turns his attention to Thorin once again.
“Hand me Eliana, she needs rest to regain her energy… she needs the purity of her area of the wood.” Thorin slowly hands her over while Tauriel and Kili watch in awed silence. With one last nod, Thranduil leaves with Eliana in his arms.
----
“You’re frowning again.” Thranduil turns slightly to see Eliana standing behind him, holding Hydrus with Sven standing next to her. A sigh escapes him as Eliana stands at his side and lightly leans against him.
“Legolas is finally coming back home after being gone for thirty years. I do not know how to greet him. If there is a chance…” Eliana carefully sets down Hydrus and puts herself in front of Thranduil.
Cupping his face, she speaks softly and fluently. “Thranduil, Legolas loves you and has always loved you. I have no doubt that the both of you will be able to fix this. Do not force it, my love, let it come naturally. Besides, I’m sure that Legolas will be excited to find out about his sibling.” Eliana watches as his face realaxes and breaks out into a breath-taking smile. While his hand cups her gently swelling stomach.
“Come, I believe it's time that we get out there so that we can greet him, don’t you think?” Thranduil gives her a small smile and allows for her to take his arm and they begin their walk towards the entrance. “Don’t think that I haven’t forgotten how you willfully withheld informing me that elvish pregnancy lasts a year.” A loud burst of laughter escapes Thranduil even as Eliana gives him a halfhearted glare.
“Adar!” Thranduil gets pulled into a tight hug by Legolas, while Eliana smiles at how Thranduil hugs him back just as tightly. She gives Thranduil a wink and slips away to give the father and son time alone.
It isn’t until much later into the night that Eliana is awakened to the feel of Thranduil getting into bed. Rolling into him feeling his arms wrap around her causes a hum to escape her. “How was it?” It’s quiet for a few moments as Thranduil runs his hands up and down her back.
“All is well my love, all is well.” A grin spreads across her face even as she burrows closer.
“I love you.” Eliana whispers it into the night.
“And I, you.” The night holds their words in a cocoon, safeguarding them and their words. Safeguarding the fleeting moments of peace before their child will come into the world, even as the world slowly grows darker.