SF552014: Ok everyone, I've revised my first chapter and here's chapter 2! Enjoy.

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Dark Times, Bright Hope

Chapter 2: Fight, Flight and Meetings

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A loud screech/wail woke the four hobbits early the next morning. The sun had just begun to shine down upon the land as a painful wail split the air. Frodo sprang up from his make shift bed on the floor, eyes cast around wildly in search of danger. The others rose slower as the wailing continued. Frodo made his way toward the window where Harry still sat in the same position he had when they had fallen asleep last night. Aragon stood next to him also looking out the window.

"Does that mean they've fallen for your trap?" Sam asked curious, his voice low as if he half expected the creatures to find them if he talked too loud.

"Yes. That should slow them down long enough for us to get a day's walk on them, with horses they can catch us but at least they won't be directly on our tails for a day." The dark haired wizard stood and moved toward the door. "Come on pack it up. We need to make as much ground as possible."

The group of six made it to a large hill with stone tablets and pillars. Aragon and Harry had left in search of food that could be eaten without being cooked, while the hobbits set up camp. Merry and Pippin seemed to not be able to wait for the two to return and began to set up a fire. Frodo was already asleep and Sam needed little convincing that it would be ok to light a quick fire and have some soup.

They hadn't had the fire on for more than a few moments before the loud shrieking of the black hooded creatures pierced the air and they all jumped and drew their swords. Frodo was once again awakened by the horrible noise. He cursed the other three hobbits for their stupidity before jumping to his feet and attempting to put the fire out knowing well and good that it wouldn't help. They had been found.

The creatures wasted no time in making their way up the large hill coming from every direction. The four hobbits took their swords and ran to the top of the hill, standing in the middle of the large pillars. Back-to-back the hobbits stood, waiting for the impending battle. The dark creatures swooped down upon the four hobbits. Drawing their own blades that seemed to glow with a sinister darkness.

For once the hobbits wished the moon was not as bright and that they could not see using the light of the moon. For it made the five creatures look far more intimidating than any creature in existence should be allowed to be.

The five creatures managed to separate the four hobbits from one another. They managed to stay away from the creators and not get cut but they could not beat them. It was if they were shadows, almost uncut able. Frodo frantically looked around for someone or something to help him escape the creature of death staring him in the face. Then he heard it. The pulse of the ring; it was calling to him, offering him protection. Fear and the need to survive won over his common sense and he placed the ring upon his finger.

It did not do as it was supposed to do. Instead of making the creature inform of him blurry and harmless, the figure was a man made of silver light. The man looked at him strangely for a moment before drawing back his hand and plunging his sword into the small hobbit before him. Frodo gave a pained grunt before collapsing completely to the floor. Before the creature could deliver another blow something knocked it aside. Frodo took that time to slip the ring from his finger and gave another loud cry at the pain that it caused him.

When he was able to see the world again Harry was using magic to set the creatures on fire and they ran screeching as they burned. The other three hobbits ran toward him as Aragon examined his wound. His vision and hearing swam in and out of focus. After an up hill battle to stay conscious, Frodo felt unconsciousness take him into the darkness.

After Frodo had passed out Sam, Merry and Pippin became slightly frantic. Was he…? He couldn't be…could he? The other two of the group immediately sprang into action. Aragon went to the hobbits and commanded them to begin packing camp, while he conversed with Harry on the wound Frodo had suffered.

"He's been poisoned. There isn't anything we can do to heal him here. He needs the help of the elves. They will know how to heal him. We must get to Rivendell." Aragon explained his voice strong and sure but his eyes worried and slightly fear full. "But we have only one hours and I doubt that even if one of us took him we would make it in time."

"There is a way to get him there in only a day," Harry began, "however I do not believe it is the safest way to travel. But we have no choice at the moment, we must hurry or he will die. You know the place we are going by heart yes?"

"Yes. I've spent a large amount of time there for training and other things. Why? What is your plan?"

"I have a way of getting there, it is very dangerous however." Harry said before he called the hobbits over. Once everyone was listening Harry told them of his plan. "I have a way that will get us to where we need to go instantly-" he was cut off when Sam began to speak.

"If you have a way to get us there then why are we standing around here talking? We have to hurry or Mr. Frodo will die!" The other two hobbits nodded their heads in agreement.

"If you would allow me to finish I will explain why I am not preparing to leave. This mod of transportation is very dangerous. If Aragon can not get the location of the place we need to go correct or I can not copy the information from his minds eye properly then we could be spliced. In other words parts of you will show up in different areas of the space between here and our destination. You could lose anything at any time if the directions are not good enough. But it is the only way that we will be able to get Frodo the medical attention that he needs in time before the poison kills him."

The group was silent as they digested this information. Pippin looked around at the stone faces of dread and spoke up. "Well I'm willing to give it a try. If it's the only way to save Frodo then I'm all for it. Plus even if I do lose a part of me I can just tell the girls it was a battle wound, they love that kind of thing" Pippin said in a sly voice. His words seemed to lift some of the negative atmosphere and the others soon agreed. Within minutes they were ready to depart.

"Aragon I need you to get a perfect mental picture of where we need to go. The directions will come with them. You need to keep constant eye contact with me until we arrive. Everyone has to hold onto some part of me until we arrive. If you let go you will be dropped off someone along the way instead of at the destination also try not to move. If you move you will be spliced." Harry said before he turned toward Aragon he thought 'Legilimens' and focused on the place Aragon was focusing on. He felt everyone grab a part of his clothes as he held Frodo tightly.

With a pop the group disappeared.

The place they landed was farther from their original location than Harry expected. The six appeared in front of a large stone wall that lead up to a beautiful castle that was on the sides of a waterfall. A constant rainbow was present above the castle as were birds that flew happily around the tower tops.

Almost immediately they were staring down the tips of arrows, blonde haired elves behind each one. An older looking elf stepped toward them from behind the group, his hands clasped behind his back. He looked up on the group and seemed to recognize Aragon. He motioned for the other elves to relax their holds on the arrows but not to lower them.

"Gandalf mentioned four hobbits would be accompanying you, who is this human?" spoke the older looking elf.

"I am Harry Potter. Greetings to you all. I do not know this Gandalf but he probably wouldn't have known I was coming since I came upon these four in the forest and saved them from a ghastly beast, one that seemed to be dead but was held to the world of the living with dark magic. But Frodo here," Harry slightly raised his arms to make Frodo more visible, "was stabbed by one of their weapons. He needs help immediately." Although this told the group of elves absolutely nothing about himself, it did remind everyone of one of the reasons they had come.

The elder elf looked into Harry's emerald piercing eyes and seemed satisfied with what he found for he moved to take Frodo and began giving orders to the elves around. Within minutes they were in the castle and Frodo was being tended to.

The young hobbit did not awaken for four days. And when he did the others were quiet relieved to hear the news. Frodo was surprised to find his uncle there and even though they had, had a…slight problem, it was still good to see him. Merry, Pippin and Sam helped much with their happy talk and jokes to take away the unhappiness he felt. However dread set in when Gandalf appeared to take him to some kind of secret meeting with the leaders/representatives of the other races.

Elrond stood before a pedestal and around him sat the leaders or representatives of the races in Middle Earth. Elrond pointed to the pedestal once everyone was introduced and said, "The ring, if you please, Mr. Frodo."

Tensely the hobbit half hopped from his chair since his feet did not reach the ground drew the ring from his pocket and placed it upon the pedestal. There was a simultaneous gasp, some from the evil they could feel from the ring and others from the fact that the ring was right in front of them. One man from the other side of the circle stood as the ring was placed on the table.

"This is a god send!" the man exclaimed and the others turned toward him. Some faces showed interest in what he had to say and the others showed a look indescribable but those with the looks knew that the ring should not be seen as anything good. "This ring has the power to make a difference in this war! Why not use it against Sauron and Saruman!" There were murmurs of agreement and of disapproval.

"Boromir, son of Denethor II this ring," Elrond began, "can not be used by any but it's master. It will promise false things; trick you to believe that it has the power to grant you any wish your heart desires. It obeys none but it's master." There were more murmurs of agreement as the human sat down and a dwarf stood.

"Then let us just destroy it." And with that the dwarf ran forward brandishing a large axe. Bringing down the axe with all his might and weight the axe his the ring spot on, before breaking into pieces. The dwarf was thrust back with a gust of wind that was directed only at him and feel to the ground on his back. The ring seemed to hiss at him before falling quiet once again.

"Gimli, it is impossible to break the ring with any Man, Dwarf, Elvin, Orc weapon. Not even magic can effect it." Elrond's face turned grim. "It can only be destroyed by casting it back into the volcano from with which it was made. That volcano lies within Mordor." Everyone was eerily quiet as the digested this information.

"If no one else is willing, I shall take the ring." Spoke an elf. This immediately caused an argument.

"No! An elf should not be entrusted with a job clearly set for a dwarf! I can take to the mines. None shall be able to follow! A damned elf shouldn't be allowed to handle something as important as this." This caused the other elves in the circle to stand and throw insults to the short creature. They were kept from attacking the dwarf by the elf he was originally speaking to. All the attendance of the meeting began arguing about who should or shouldn't be allowed to take the ring, all but Elrond, Gandalf and Frodo.

The young hobbit was looking unblinkingly at the ring upon the pedestal. Gandalf noticed and a worried expression came over his face.

"I shall take the ring." The hobbit said quietly. No one heard. "I said," Frodo nearly shouted. "I shall take the ring!" All sound stopped. Everyone stared at the hobbit. Gandalf heaved a sigh that no one heard or noticed before standing behind the hobbit and placing his hand upon the young mans shoulder.

"If you are to go then you will need company. I shall go as well. Allow my magic to protect us." Aragon stood next and then bowed slightly.

"Allow me to protect you with the use of my sword." An elf rose.

"And my bow." The only dwarf stood.

"And my axe."

Frodo looked at the four and smiled. At least he wouldn't have to do this alone. They weren't the only ones that wanted to go thought. At that moment Sam, Merry, and Pippin ran from behind one of the pillars from which one had to pass to enter the area where the meeting was being held.

"Don't forget about us!" exclaimed Pippin.

"That's right Mr. Frodo! I said I'd come with you on your journey and help you, can't be going back on my word now can I?" Sam said with a large grin upon his face.

"Plus if we don't come along who's going to tell you what the best kinds of food there is and how to make it and make sure your only eating the best of the best? This lot looks like they couldn't tell a biscuit from a muffin!" Merry pitched in.

"It's decided then let these nine-" Elrond was interrupted however when a large closed silver flower appeared in the middle of the meeting. Slowly it opened and the petal dropped to the floor to reveal Harry dressed as he was before except now he wore a red shirt.

"I shall accompany you on this journey as well. You bear a heavy burden upon your shoulders now. Better to have more people with you to share the load with." Harry calmly stated, his eyes rolling over each new person before staring dead at the elf. The stare was only a few seconds long and went unnoticed by all but the elf himself.

Elrond looked to Frodo who simply smiled before speaking once again. "Let these ten be known as the Fellowship of The Ring." And those words sealed and tied them together.

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SF552014: Done! Woo. Next chapter The Fellowship sets off for their first day of their journey. They discover their being watched and they discover a little about Harry and his powers.