The two unicorns raced through the forbidden forest as Harry slowly recovered. He felt ashamed for his weakness. He was supposed to be the strong one, not this hobbit who was holding onto him. Logic didn't help much, either. He was taken by surprise and he did do the best he could, but he was supposed to do better. He was Harry Potter. He was supposed to be the hero.
The unicorns slowed to a pace as nightfall came, finally stopping to let their passengers off. The three dismounted, and the unicorns drifted away. They had been left in a clearing, with tall trees still around them, and a small fire burning cheerfully in the middle of the open area. A pot was hanging over the fire.
"It's stew, all vegetables I think," said Hermione when she went to look.
"That's nice, Hermione, but where are Ron and Dennis?" Harry replied.
"It is a vegetable stew, Miss Granger," a man said, from the edge of the clearing. "And your friends are safe, Mr. Potter. The unicorn that carried them was overburdened, and took them through the forest, instead of into it."
The man walked into the glade, and sat down the jug of water that he carried. He pulled back the hood of his brown robe, laughing at Frodo, who stared in disbelief. "No, halfling, I am not my brother. He went into the west long ago." He turned to Hermione and said, "I apologize for not sending another unicorn. I did not know how many would try to come. I had only asked the third to go in case it was needed."
"You're Radagast," Hermione declared.
The brown-haired man laughed, "I was already on my way when I received your message."
"I feel like a fool asking this." Harry said, "But who is Radagast?"
"I am," said the man, and laughed again at Harry's reaction. "I was called by the elves, Aiwendel, and I am the last of the Istari, if you must know. My brothers and I were sent to help the elves and the fledgling races, against the evils of Morgoth's heir, Sauron. Three of us perished, and one went with the elvish Lords to the western lands. That one was Mithrandir, whom Frodo knew as Gandalf. It is a long story, but for now, let us eat."
As they ate, the wizard asked them questions about what had happened. Frodo found himself telling, in great detail, the events prior to his flight to the ford, as well as his arrival at Hogwarts. Radagast the Brown told them, in turn of how he had received Hermione's letter from an owl. He had already sent messages to the Centaurs, and had already asked for help from the unicorns. Again, he assured them that their friends had found safety, although they were now beyond his view. "I have asked friends of my own to keep an eye out, but it may be a while before they contact me. I am already further away than I planned to be."
He looked at Harry and asked, "Do you understand why you are so important to Frodo, and why he must stay close to you?"
"I didn't know he had to stay close to me. He made it seem like he preferred to be with me."
"It is more than that, my young man. When Voldemort called his spirit back to its physical form, he placed a geas on the young hobbit."
"I'm 51," muttered Frodo, "I'm not that young."
"Nonetheless, Frodo, there is still the geas. Harry, it forces Frodo to seek out the source. That is why he always knows where Voldemort is. And that is why you are so important. When Voldemort first tried to destroy you, he left you with a part of himself. As long as Frodo remains close to you, he will not be compelled to seek out Voldemort. That also means he must not let Voldemort come to him. And Voldemort, as well, always knows where Frodo is."
Radagast smiled at Harry and added, "except when Frodo is with me. For tonight, at least, I can block the Dark Lord's magic, and we may all sleep peacefully."
"I'm curious," Harry said, "You seem to know a great deal about what has happened."
"You are right, Harry," Radagast said. "I do know more than I should, but then, I have a great many friends."
With that said, the brown wizard leaned back against a convenient tree, and fell asleep. Frodo simply curled up facing the fire, and dropped off as well. Harry and Hermione looked at each other and shrugged.
"What do you think happened, Harry? At Hogwarts, I mean," Hermione asked.
"With Fudge? The same as with Draco, but with more effort. When Draco failed in his attack on Frodo, that let the cat out of the bag. I guess Fudge figured to step in before anyone else did."
"Do you suppose the ring did that?"
"It makes sense," Harry said, "both would have liked to use the ring. It's weird, but it's like the ring wants to be used, by anyone, not just Voldemort. Frodo said that Voldemort was much weaker than Sauron, but the end result would be the same. That's probably true for whoever wears the ring."
"That explains the books, Harry. Don't you see, if enough people know about the ring, someone will eventually try to use it. That's also our luck. All the muggles know about the ring, but only some wizards know the stories are true."
"For now, Hermione, but everyday a few more will learn about it, until everyone knows."
*
Harry woke up with a sore back. He was dirty, and needed a bath, and it was obvious he wasn't going to get one. Hermione woke up looking as bad as Harry felt, walking in an effort to loosen her stiff muscles. Frodo and Radagast were both up already, and obviously well rested. Harry felt like killing them for smiling.
"Here's breakfast," Radagast said, tossing each of them an apple. "We have miles to go, and not much time before I have to leave you."
"You sound like Gandalf when you say that, "Frodo laughed. "I hope you leave us somewhere safe."
"I will," the wizard said, "But for the ring, you could spend the rest of your days there in peace."
"Where are we?" Harry asked as they started walking, "We traveled quite a bit yesterday, and you said we still have further to go. There aren't any forests left in Britain that are this big."
"You are right, and wrong, Harry. This entire wood is the last of the Great Wood that once covered Middle Earth. It is the largest of the folded spaces in this world. In your words, it could be called an unmapable area, but that would not be completely correct. This Wood is beside the world, not in it. You can walk from one end to the other and back again in half of an hour, or you could spend weeks doing so. It was the last act of the elves of the east before they were diminished. Your school graces one end of the forest, and the Centaurs are there as the guardians."
Harry and Hermione looked around at the old trees and marveled. A great forest such as this, and no one even guessed. To help pass the time, Radagast told them tree lore, and tales of the elves, such as he knew. He also taught the two students the basics of the Sindarin language, 'to impress the house elves upon your return.' They were fast learners, mostly because there was little else to do besides walking. By the end of a week, they were able to hold their own in short conversations.
"Do you know what tomorrow is?" Harry asked, as they sat by the fire.
"Let me see," Frodo said, "Today is October 30. That would make tomorrow, November 1. Is that an important date?"
"You missed a day, Frodo," Hermione said, "Remember the poem, 'Thirty days has September...,"
"What's the point, Hermione? All months have thirty days," Frodo replied.
Radagast let out a burst of laughter that took a while to settle down. "I'm sorry, Frodo, but they have a different Calendar. For them, October has 31 days."
Frodo shook in laughter as he learned of his error, and left Harry and Hermione to their conversation.
"It's Hallowe'en tomorrow," Harry said. "I finally got Cho to agree to go with me."
"Don't worry, Harry, since you're going to lose the match with Hufflepuff, she wouldn't want to go with you anyway."
"Lose? Hermione, we may never even play the match."
"Loss by forfeit. No house cup for Gryffindor this year, and they'll probably make you pay for the window. I know Ron broke it, but you have the money."
"Is he. . .Do you think they. . ." Harry tried to say.
"I hope so," said Hermione, "Ron was finally going to dance with me. I miss him, Harry."
*
Four days later, they came to open farmland.
"Does this look familiar, Frodo?" Radagast asked
"Yes," said Frodo, "But in the way you looked familiar. Is this the Shire?"
"The lands of the Shire slipped into the seas long ago, but its people left and some settled here, and prospered. And here, I must leave you as I said I must do in time. Know this, Frodo, strong magic, by many hands, surrounds this place in particular, to keep it hidden. While you stay here, you will not feel your geas, and Voldemort will be blinded as well. I will return when I have finished with what I must do. There are other things in this forest that need my attention."
Here, the three bade Radagast goodbye, and turned to face the countryside before them. They felt alone for the first time since meeting the wizard, and he would be sorely missed. As they walked past the bales of hay in the harvested field, Frodo led the way. He was explaining some of the ways of the shire, as he remembered, when Harry stopped him.
"We're being watched," he said, "from the bushes up on our right.
As if hearing what Harry said, a small figure, maybe two feet high, stood up and walked toward them. He was dressed in a white shirt, green pants that ended at the calf, and wore a brown leather vest. His oversized feet were covered in curly blond hair, as was his head. As he came close, he stood tall, and folded his arms as though in authority.
"Who are you that dares to trespass on these lands without permission of the Thane," he said with strong airs.
Harry and Hermione stared at the short Hobbit, unsure of what to do. Frodo, on the other hand, snorted. "Why should I listen to a rude little boy, who doesn't even bother to tell us who the Thane is," Frodo replied, "And why should I listen to a twelve-year-old boy at all."
"I'm seventeen," the boy protested, "I can't help it if I'm small for my age."
The two Hobbits looked at each other, neither one blinking. Finally the boy broke off, laughing and saying he gave up.
"What was that?" Harry asked, "it looked like a staring contest."
"I think it was a staring contest," Hermione said, and they both laughed as well.
"I am Faramir Took," the boy said, formally, "eldest son of Peregrin Took and great-grandson of The Took, Thane of the Mark" He then bowed deeply to each of them.
"I'm Harry Potter. I go to a wizarding school, Hogwarts." Harry said, giving the boy great amusement by trying to decide whether to bow or shake hands. When Harry decided to just wave, the boy fell to the ground, laughing hard. Frodo came close to joining him.
"As for me," the hobbit said. "I am Frodo Baggins, formerly of Bag End, Hobbiton in the Shire." Frodo bowed to the open-mouthed boy.
"I've heard of you. You're supposed to be a legend. How can you be here?"
"Powerful Magic, and not all of it good," Frodo said, "I was led here to rest before I continue my quest."
"Cory," the boy shouted, "come here, Now."
A boy, shorter than Faramir, and much younger, came running over from the bushes.
"What is it, Far?" Cory asked. "Who are they?"
Faramir ignored the questions and said, "You are to take a message to The Took and only to him, do you understand?"
"Yes," shouted the younger boy in delight. HE was going to bring a message to The Took, himself.
"Tell him, Frodo Baggins comes out of legend, and asks to dine at his table tonight. He brings with him one Harry Potter, apprentice to the wizard, and..." Faramir stopped, realizing he had forgotten to ask one name.
"Hermione," she said, adding as an afterthought, "Elvellon."
"An elf friend," Cory gasped, and ran off faster than Hermione thought possible.
"Do you really know elves?" Faramir asked in amazement. "They are real?" He gasped for air when everyone nodded.
"That was a nice touch, Hermione," Frodo whispered to her. "Children love to do important things, as though they were grown up already. That boy, Cory, will be the envy of his friends. I'm afraid you will disappoint them, though. You told them you were a friend of the elves, and now they will all expect you to speak flowering Prose."
"Why, my dear friend, Frodo Baggins," Hermione said softly, with a grin, "I know not if my manners will impress them, but I shall indeed try to speak to noble cause."
With a laugh and a wink, Frodo apologized. "I am a fool to criticize you, my Lady. You will do splendidly."
Faramir was telling Harry about how he knew the legend of Frodo, and his uncle Bilbo. "I've even touched it once, the oldest copy of the Red book of Westmarch." When he saw Frodo was listening he added, "That's why I have my name. The first son of Peregrin Took is always named Faramir. And at least one child in each generation is called Peregrin."
'Peregrin Took was a big Hobbit, you know, taller even than Bullroarer Took," Frodo said. Faramir immediately fell into reverent silence, as Frodo told tales of his old companion from his days at Bag End. The small group stopped several times for laughing too hard, particularly when Frodo told them about the mushrooms and Farmer Maggot. "Pippin was a good friend," he told the young hobbit, at the end of one tale. His voice faltered then, and he said little else until they reached the house of The Took.
Tents were already being set up, as well as tables and chairs. Foods of all types were being prepared over open fires. The Took had received the message and was not going to miss out on the chance to throw a large party. Hurried messages were sent out to the surrounding farms, and Hobbits where coming from all over to help.
Children of all ages surrounded the newcomers, many of them darting in to touch Harry or Hermione, or best yet, Frodo himself. Frodo loved it all. Occasionally he would grab one of the children and swing him or her around in a circle before setting them down to run away.
When they arrived, they were taken aside to bathe, something all of them appreciated. Before Hermione entered her bath, however, an old hobbit, Elinor, wife of The Took, asked her indulgence. One of her maids quickly took measurements, and they left Hermione to her privacy. Elinor returned to find Hermione still soaking in the warm water and, asking her indulgence again, laying a garment on the table. She then bowed and left. Hermione got out of the bath, dried herself, and went to the table. She picked up a simple robe, light yellow in color, with a matching sash. She dressed, and went to the next room to find Elinor and her servants waiting.
"I thank thee for this fine gift, Lady Took," Hermione said, remembering her role.
"It was all we could do in such a short time, Lady Hermione," Elinor said, pleased at Hermione's words. "My grandson's eldest, Faramir, told us that you came without belongings. If you will let me, we will make you a full wardrobe."
Hermione marveled at the generous offer, but knew this was the nature of hobbits and she should not refuse. Then she thought of an excellent way to thank the old woman. "I am in your debt for such a gift, My Lady. It is true that my companions and I were forced to leave in great haste, and to travel far and fast. From my heart I thank thee, Meldis Elinor.
Elinor Took beamed at the use of the elvish word. Her servants were sure to brag about how their mistress was a friend of The Lady Elvellon, as they had already begun to call her. Hermione had more than repaid her debt.
"You will need an escort to the feast, Hermione," Elinor said, feeling free to talk to her as a personal friend. "With your permission, I will arrange for a suitable Gentlehobbit."
"Faramir will do it," one of the servants said with a giggle.
"That boy has no sense," Elinor said to the servant, "He knows he's too young. The Lady needs an escort closer to her own age."
"By your leave, Lady Elinor," Hermione said, "but Faramir, if he is willing, would be most appropriate. He is, to speak truly, only one year older than I." When, Elinor gasped, Hermione covered herself by saying, "I mean no insult by what I say, and if I have done wrong, please correct me. As it is with Faramir, it is with me. I have not yet reached the fullness of age."
Judging by the reactions, Hermione had said the right thing. Elinor was even more impressed that she was an elf friend and still a child. Her attitude toward the towering girl change from that of personal friend to motherly figure. After all, Hermione had asked HER for advice. She sent the servants to get Faramir, and sat the young girl down. Elinor passed the time explaining to Hermione who she would meet, how she should address them, and most of all, how to impress them.
Faramir arrived, looking far more impressive than the boy hiding in the bushes. He was scrubbed clean, and dressed in his best clothes, including a burgundy jacket with gold buttons. Not one hair was out of place, head or foot. And he shook with excitement at being Hermione's escort, that he almost stumbled, something unheard of in a hobbit.
They reached The Took, Thane of the Mark, who introduced himself with a bow. It surprised none of the travelers that his name was also Peregrin. The three, in turn, introduced themselves. Frodo simply repeated his earlier introduction. It was more than enough. Harry, who was dressed in a green robe, took great care to state his name clearly, adding that he was an apprentice to the great wizard. He then bowed deeply to The Took, then once each, to the crowds on either side of him. The crowds loved it. Hermione took a different tack. She understood this was entertainment.
She stood before The Took and curtsied. "Cuio Mae, My Lord, I am Hermione, called Elvellon. I thank you for letting me attend you this day." She curtsied again, and backed away, until she stood next to her escort.
After the speeches where made, which were short, the food was served. Harry ate heartily but saw that even a very proper and well-dressed Faramir Took was eating more than he was. Music began to play, and the younger couples began to get up. Harry looked at Hermione who had paused in her conversation with the Grand Dame of the Tooks. "I know I'm not Ron," Harry said, "but would you like to dance?"
Hermione smiled agreement, and they walked to the dance floor. They danced slowly, enjoying the chance to relax. "Thank you, Harry," she said with a smile, but her thoughts were far away. For a brief second she even saw Ron's face when she looked up. "I miss him, Harry," she whispered, "I don't even know what happened to him."
The music changed pace, and they moved aside as Hobbits of all ages began to dance to the quick time. Frodo was in the middle of the floor with one of The Took's daughter, dancing away with delight. Even Faramir had corralled a young lass, and was testing his legs. Harry understood what Radagast had said. But for circumstances, even he could have a pleasant life here. Hobbits were a good people with simple wants, and the blessing of being able to live the life they wanted, thanks to magic older than man.
*
"My head hurts," Harry complained.
"It is your fault," Frodo told him, "You told me last night that you drank beer before."
"That was butterbeer," Harry said.
"Ahhh," said Frodo, "When you use barley instead of butter, beer has a different effect."