D/N: I don't own anything. Oh and by the way thank you for telling me about that mistake that was in my last chapter. Hehehe I guess I wasn't thinking at the time oh well. Sorry I haven't updated in a LONG time.

Ch. 11 Questions and Concerns

Frodo woke up the next morning, feeling a bit dizzy. At first he closed his eyes hoping against hope that everything had only been a dream. He opened one eye and sighed. Nope, everything had been real. The sun's rays spread its warmth across his face. The birds were singing in the treetops and through the branches Frodo could see patches of blue sky. He sighed again deeply and his hand curled around the Ring dangling from the golden chain at his neck. He grasped it and held it close to his heart. He turned around to see Sam stretching and getting up.

"Good morning, Sam", greeted Frodo smiling at his best friend's attempts to try to get up unto his feet.

"Good morning, Mr. Frodo, how is your ankle doing?" asked Sam.

"Oh I completely forgot about it!" Frodo bent down to examine his ankle. To his surprise it wasn't swollen any more. "Well that's good", he thought to himself. He felt his ankle up and down. He felt no pain. "I wonder", he muttered. He tried to lift himself up.

"No, Mr. Frodo, you shouldn't try to walk yet!" exclaimed Sam running over to Frodo's side ready to catch him at any time in case he fell. Frodo, ignoring Sam, got up to his feet. He didn't feel a hot surge of pain as he did this. He walked around a little bit, first taking a few cautious steps then walking around like he would normally. Nothing, once again there was no pain. Frodo looked down at his feet and made a little hop. Then he began to jump all around looking like he was playing hop-scotch. Finally to really make sure that his ankle was perfectly sound, Frodo danced a step that he had danced at Bilbo's party.(and no it's not the chicken dance) It was a difficult one with plenty of jumps, kicks, and a couple of twirls. When he finished he looked over at Sam who by now looked like he had just seen a ghost.

"I don't understand," said Frodo, sitting back down.

"It's a miracle!" exclaimed Sam.

"No Sam it doesn't make any sense, I mean how can an ankle heal that fast?"

"Don't look at me, I am just your gardener", said Sam beginning to rummage through his pack in search of breakfast. "Like I said Mr. Frodo it's a miracle."

"What's a miracle?" asked a voice from behind them. Frodo and Sam turned around to find that Harry and Ron were awake. Yawning, Harry repeated his question, "What's a miracle?"

"Mr. Frodo's ankle has been cured!" exclaimed Sam. Frodo explained to Harry and Ron what had happened. "Are you feeling all right Harry I mean you fainted after you defeated my attacker?" asked Frodo suddenly looking a little worried.

"I'm all right I don't even remember that I did anything like that. Wait I attacked who?" said Harry confused.

"You helped me. You see this man attacked me and I could do nothing to stop him because I had hurt my ankle. Then he began to grope at me for the Ring, I suppose, on my chain. Then with your wand you made fly off and hit a rock."

"Oh," said Harry still confused. He scratched his head.

"What exactly had you done to your ankle, Frodo? Did you break it, did you sprain it or what?" asked Ron.

"I believe I sprained my ankle, but this morning I tried it out and it is all better. It is perfectly healed. I mean nothing; no pain no sign that I had done anything to it."

"That sounds like magic to me", concluded Harry. He looked over at Ron, who nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, any wizard in our world could have healed your ankle, er, well any wizard who knew the right spell that is."

"But who? None of you even knew that I had gotten hurt, except…" Frodo stopped and he looked over at the sleeping figure of Malfoy on the ground. "Draco", he ended.

Ron started to laugh. Harry smiled and he too joined in with Ron.

"No there is no way that Malfoy could have healed your ankle. I mean look at him!" said Ron pointing.

They all turned to look at Draco who was lying on his side. Suddenly he made a small snorting sound and a little bit of drool came driveling down his face. The hobbits wrinkled their noses in disgust. Harry and Ron just laughed.

"Well, then if it wasn't Draco then who could have healed my ankle?" asked Frodo a little frustrated at this.

"I got it!" exclaimed Sam so loudly that he made everyone jump. Also causing Merry and Malfoy to get up and rub their eyes staring stupidly around them. " I know how come Mr. Frodo's ankle is all better now", he paused letting the tension "sink in".

"Well?" asked Ron.

"It has to be elf magic!" concluded Sam as he stared around at them like he had just answered them what color the sky was. Frodo, Ron and Harry all gave him blank expressions. "Don't you see we have an elf guardian watching over us?"

"An elf what!" exclaimed Malfoy from the ground rather pissed that Sam had woken him up. "What the bloody hell is going on here?"

Frodo and the others all started to explain to Malfoy about what had happened before. Merry looked impressed. Frodo asked Malfoy if he had healed his ankle.

"Hell no! I don't even like you, so why the hell would I want to heal your freakin' ankle?" exclaimed Malfoy still pissed. "Besides I don't even know what spell I could have used to do it."

"Watch your mouth there Malfoy!" exclaimed Sam.

"Let it go Sam, don't waste your time", said Frodo coldly.

"If you excuse me, nature calls", said Ron as he hurriedly made his way behind a couple of bushes. Harry watched him leave and then turned around to the others. They woke up Hermione and Pippin. Just as they were about to serve their breakfast, sausages and dry bread, they heard a yell from the forest.

"Ron!" exclaimed Harry.

He and the others got up quickly and went to the spot where they had seen Ron disappear. Stumbling through the brush Harry spotted Ron first. Ron was on hands and knees, crawling around on the forest floor.

His face was pale and worrisome.

"Ron, are you alright?" asked Harry glad to see his friend all in one piece.

Ron looked up at Harry, his face deadly white. "It's Scabbers!"

"Who?" asked Merry scratching his head. "Scabbers, my pet rat, he's gone. I can't find him!" Ron raised his hands in the air.

"Well when was the last time you saw him?" asked Hermione trying to keep Ron calm.

"Before we were attacked by that Black Rider, I had been feeding him when we were still walking by the corn field." Ron looked extremely worried. He turned around and frantically scanned the ground.

"I'm sure he is fine, Ron", said Frodo going over to him and placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Ron turned around to face Frodo. "But what if he is hurt, or he fell out of my pocket or worse yet something ate him!"

"Then, good for the animal that ate him. You just supplied someone with breakfast, Weasley. You should be happy." Malfoy smirked. Ron turned furiously at him. His face held an expression of compressed anger. "You will pay for what you said, Malfoy" exclaimed Ron. Before anyone could stop him, Ron had flung himself at Malfoy, fists held high in the air, and began to pound him to the ground. Surprised Malfoy hit the ground hard and held up his arms to defend himself from the redhead's vicious blows.

It took the force of Frodo, Merry, Sam, and Harry to wrench Ron away from Malfoy. Holding him back, Frodo yelled at Ron to stay calm. Pippin and Hermione helped Malfoy up to his feet. Malfoy had a black eye and he was massaging his arm. Being used to having his two bodyguards to defend him Malfoy hadn't done much to defend himself, but he had managed to punch Ron in the face, leaving Ron with a cut lip.

"Stop it both of you! Ron calm down, I am sure Malfoy didn't mean it. Come now we'll all help find Scabbers. Alright just calm down, punching Malfoy is not going to get you any closer into finding your pet." Frodo tried to reason with Ron. Ron calmed down a bit, but he still scowled at Malfoy.

Frodo suggested that they all split up in groups of two to search for the missing rodent. They all searched for nearly an hour and a half. They found nothing. Ron was completely loosing it. He tried to fight back tears, but it was too much. He let the tears come freely down his cheeks. Harry and Hermione tried to comfort him, but nothing they said made him feel any better. Merry looked up at the sky, the sun was already shining high above them. It was getting late. Frodo, realizing this too, told everyone to pack up because it was time to go. Once again he apologized for the loss of Scabbers to Ron. Ron didn't feel like hearing any of it, although he had stopped crying his face held a frown and his eyes were still red.

By this time Frodo had let Merry and Pippin in on what was going on. Merry nodded as Frodo finished.

"It seems to me that the quickest way to Bree is to go by Buckleberry Ferry, come on follow me!"

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Frodo and the others now soaking wet made their way across the dirt road toward the wooden fence guarding the entrance to the town of Bree. It was raining down on them and it had been for a little more than an hour. Trying to avoid stepping into the puddles the hobbits and wizards made their way up to the doorway. Frodo knocked on the door to the entrance of Bree. There was a little eye-viewing window on the top part of the door slightly higher than Frodo's head. A hooded, old man opened the window took a quick peek and went down to the next window below it. He opened it and growled, "What do you want?"

"We're heading for the Prancing Pony", answered Frodo blinking away water droplets from his face.

The old man opened the door and held up a lantern in order to see the rest of the company. "Hobbits, four hobbits, and hello what's this children, and human children at that! What does a company of travelers like this want here in Bree?"

"We wish to stay at the inn, our business is our own", replied Frodo firmly.

The old man nodded and said, "Alright young fellow I meant no offense, it's my job to ask questions after dark you know. There is talk of strange folk abroad, can't be too careful." Frodo and the others entered through the wooden door. Thunder rumbled overhead. The rain continued to pound down on the ground.

Once pretty much into the town, Frodo kept a wary eye on the children especially Harry. He and the others stopped under the shelter of a roof as they squinted to see past the curtain of rain. Looking over at the other hobbits, Frodo beckoned for them to get closer. They did and he whispered, "I don't like the look of this place. I have decided that each of us must look after one of the wizards. No matter what happens you must always stay with that wizard. Agreed?"

All the hobbits nodded in agreement. "Right then, Sam I want you to take care of Hermione. Pippin you are to take care of Ron, and Merry you get Draco. As for me I will get Harry." All the hobbits nodded once again.

"Look I see it!" Hermione was pointing a little ways forward. There they all turned to see a small sign with a reared up horse. Underneath the wooden sign was the words "Prancing Pony". Frodo smiled as he thought about how his adventure had come to an end. Inside there would be Gandalf ready to receive the Ring and everything would be fine. But right now he was too tired to think anymore. He was tired, hungry and thirsty and in great need for a comfortable bed.

He and the others made their way to the inn, careful to get out of the way of the passing Big Folk. In entering the inn, Harry was greeted by the smell of beer and freshly baked bread. He had been expecting seeing an environment somewhat like the Leaky Cauldron back in London. The environment was completely different than that of the Leaky Cauldron. Here there were no friendly greetings and warm pleasant faces. Instead he and the others were greeted by suspicious glances and whispers. Frodo and the others all looked around. The air seemed to be hazy with all the smoke that was swirling in the air. In front of them was a front desk. Frodo turned to the others. Merry nodded him on as they all waited patiently for their natural leader to go up and take charge.

Frodo sighed and went up to the desk. He was just tall enough so that his eyes were level to the counter itself. "Um, excuse me", he said as he stood on tiptoe to see over the counter.

A burly man stepped up from somewhere behind. He wore a pleasant yet stressed face. His face was that of a busy man. He wore a little chef's hat and held in his two hands a mug and a rag. Looking over he saw Frodo and a welcoming smile spread across his face.

"I am guessing that you must be Mr. ..." he leaned in closer so that his nose almost touched Frodo's, "Baggins?"

Frodo looked at him hard and long and finally nodded slowly. The man behind the counter smiled pleasantly. "He has been expecting you. Oh, dear me where is my manners? My name is Mr. Butterbur, the innkeeper to this modest little place."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Butterbur", answered Frodo politely. "Excuse me, but who has been expecting us, would it be Gandalf, the Grey?"

"Why of course! He just came in, he went into a private room for a little bit of rest. He wished for me to be on the lookout for a special company of travelers and that to report them directly to him as soon as they had arrived. So here you are. Would you wish to go to him?" Mr. Butterbur looked at everyone with a happy smile.

Frodo turned to his companions, even though they were extremely exhausted, he was dying to see Gandalf. Everyone else nodded their agreement. Frodo turned and nodded at Mr. Butterbur.

"Alright then, I will have someone to take you to where he is accommodated. As well as get you anything to eat or drink. Nob!" Mr. Butterbur turned toward what Harry could only guess was the kitchen. Then from out of the kitchen door came out a young hobbit lad a little younger than Pippin probably carrying a tray filled with dirty dishes. His face held an expression of guilt. Harry noticed that several of the glasses on the tray were broken and that one of the hobbit's hands was cut. Mr. Butterbur chose to ignore the guilty look on his employee's face and instead told him to take this noble company of good travelers to the sitting room. The young hobbit nodded in agreement and indicated for them to follow him. They did and in doing so he led them to a separate part of the inn, almost an entirely new building. Nob explained that this side of the inn was for special gatherings and also where the nice rooms were located at.

Harry noticed that Frodo had a light spring to his step now. "Maybe it was the thought of seeing Gandalf again that encouraged him", he thought to himself. Nob led them down a hallway where many other doors led off to different other regions of the inn. Nob stopped by two big oak doors. He gently knocked. A gruff "Come in" answered from inside. Harry's heart gave a slight leap as he realized that he too was eager to see Gandalf. Nob opened one of the doors. A warm fire light greeted the tired company along with the smell of pipe weed.

"Would you need anything else?" asked Nob. During all this time he had been still holding his tray with the broken glasses.

"Yes a couple of drinks would be nice", said Merry looking eagerly inside the room.

"Will do", answered Nob and with a slight bow he left the room.

Frodo and the others turned and entered the warm welcoming room. There seated in an armchair facing the fire was the familiar figure of Gandalf. Frodo's heart was filled with excitement. Gandalf turned towards them and smiled. Frodo made his way to him ready to embrace him. Gandalf slowly got up from his chair and held out his arms ready to receive the hobbit's greeting. But then Frodo sort of stopped half way. It was as if he had run into an invisible wall yet there was no wall there. Something had stopped him, but he couldn't figure out what. His brief pause lasted only for a couple of seconds so no one really noticed. Frodo continued to give Gandalf a hug.

"Oh, Frodo, my boy I am so proud. You made it!" Gandalf seemed to be bursting with joy.

"Gandalf it is so good to see you", said Frodo uneasily. They broke their hug and looked at each other. Frodo stared into Gandalf's eyes. Something was not right; it was as if something in the air didn't feel right. Gandalf looked back at Frodo. He opened his mouth to say something, but then he was surrounded by the rest of the travelers. They all greeted him with happiness and relief, all except Malfoy who stood back.

"I never should have doubted you, Mr. Gandalf, sir", said Sam. Gandalf smiled warmly at Sam. "You actually had the wit of doubting me, Master Gamgee?" Sam smiled sheepishly. Everyone took turns to hug the wizard, but when it came for Harry to greet him, Harry paused for a minute, just like Frodo. Harry looked at Gandalf and for some weird reason he felt uncomfortable. "This is strange," he thought, "why on earth should I feel uncomfortable with him? I hadn't felt this feeling before."

"Harry, what is the matter, it's me Gandalf", said Gandalf looking at him with concern. Harry smiled weakly and said, "Sorry Gandalf, I just can't believe to see a familiar face." Gandalf smiled at this and embraced Harry. Frodo watched thoughtfully still trying to figure out what had stopped him from giving Gandalf a hug. Something didn't feel right.

"Well enough of this, tell me of what has happened since I left you", said Gandalf sitting back down on the ground. Everyone else sat around him and told them about their story everyone that is except for Frodo, Harry and Malfoy who chose not to take part in the explanation. Halfway through the story Nob came back in with the drinks for the weary travelers. Gandalf asked for Nob to tell Mr. Butterbur to find some accommodations for the travelers. Nob did as he was told and the story continued.

"Tell us Gandalf of what has happened with you", said Hermione sipping her mug of milk.

"Yes please", everyone said. Gandalf sat back in his chair as he smoked his pipe. He nodded and began.

"You see after I left you, Frodo, I went to go visit the head of my council, Saruman the White. I rode off to Isengard as fast as I could eager to hear his wise words. Once there he greeted me like the old friends that we are. I told him all the information that I had gathered and he told me that the best thing to do was to bring all of you to Isengard as soon as possible. Once there you would all be safe from harm and these evil Black Riders, of whom you speak. Once there Ron, Hermione, and Draco will be sent home immediately. And as for Harry…" he turned and stared at Harry, "he will stay there until it is perfectly safe to return to your own world."

Harry stared hard at Gandalf. Gandalf continued to stare at Harry and finally grinned. "Alright it is getting late, everyone off to bed we are leaving first thing in the morning. So you must all get plenty of sleep. Maybe before you turn in for bed you should get a bite to eat."

A little later, the company was sitting at a table in the main part of the inn again. Barely able to keep their eyes open they were busy finishing the last of their supper.

"That fellow has been nothing but staring at us since we arrived", observed Sam indicating a hooded man in the corner of the inn. Harry and Frodo both turned around nonchalantly to see. The man sat in his corner smoking his pipe.

"Maybe he is looking at what an odd company we are", suggested Frodo. He merely shrugged at Sam's look of "I don't think so".

Harry sat on the edge of the table, beside him sat Ron. Ron and Pippin together got up to go and get another drink. At this moment Hermione scooted over on the bench so that she was right beside Harry.

"Harry, I don't like this. I don't like this at all." She had said this very low almost to the point were you could barely hear it.

"What don't you like Hermione?" Harry inquired.

"This whole place I don't know if you have noticed Harry, but I have seen many men whispering to one another and pointing at us. Then there is that man in the corner. Did you hear Sam? He has been doing nothing, but staring at us since we arrived. It's true I've been watching him. Then there is Gandalf…"

She was forced to stop for Ron and Pippin returned with newly filled mugs. Hermione's last sentence gave something for Harry to think about. So it wasn't just him, at least one of the others felt that something was different about Gandalf. He looked over at Frodo and noticed that he had been watching him and Hermione talk. Catching his eye, Frodo returned to his beer. "I wonder if Frodo suspects something?" Harry thought to himself.

Later on they all went to bed. They had managed to get two rooms beside each other with four beds in each room. Frodo did the sleeping arrangements. Merry, Pippin, Ron, and Malfoy were to all sleep in one room, while Harry, Sam, Hermione, and he were to accommodate the other one. As they were getting ready to sleep Harry and Hermione chose the two beds closest to one another so that they could continue their conversation. But as soon as Harry laid his head on his pillow he was drifted off to another land of dreams. "Oh well", he thought as he let himself be taken away, "we can figure it out in the morning."

Hermione on the other hand was far too busy thinking to be bothered with sleeping. She ran the facts over in her head, as she lay there in her bed. From her left she could hear Harry breathing peacefully and knew that he was asleep. She couldn't help it, she needed to know. "I'll let him rest for a little while and then I'll ask him", she thought to herself as she turned over on her side and closed her eyes. She was not to open them again for another three hours.