I know I' in big trouble for being late in updating, so I'll leave all the notes for later, and cut to the point.



An hour later, they were still in the boys' room, sharing stories. First, the Hobbits told a shortened version of the tale of the Ring, Sam sometimes consulting a large, red-bound book. Harry could barely believe that these three little people and a cousin of theirs played such an important role in changing their world.

"And they all just sailed away?" asked Hermione, "Just like that?"

"Well, yes!" replied Merry, "most of the Elves went off too. Frodo would've gone off without telling us, but old Gandalf told us, didn't he?"

"Yes, we went all the way to the Havens to see them leave." Agreed Pippin.

Sam was silent for a moment, then said, "You know, I really miss them. Not to be selfish or anything, but it would be fine if Mr. Frodo were here, and Gandalf. I know that they're probably happy with the Elves and all, but it's so great, being here together! And if you three are really wizards, I'm sure he would have been pleased to meet you!"

"I really would love to meet this Gandalf myself, actually!" said Hermione, "He seems so interesting, and I have some questions to ask him!"

"Lucky he isn't here then!" remarked Ron.

"Oh Ron," began Hermione, but she was cut off by a shriek from the corridor outside their room.

"What was that?" asked Merry.

Pippin rose and went to the door. The hallway seemed to be in the midst of a lot of commotion, and there were panicked yells from several places.

"Must be something serious!" remarked the Hobbit. "Come along, let's find out what's happening!"

Sam, Merry, Ron, Hermione and Harry followed Pippin until they almost ran directly into Gimli.

"I was coming to get you!" exclaimed the dwarf, "it's just as well, it saves me some trouble. This is serious."

"What's the matter, Mr. Gimli?" asked Sam.

Gimli shook his head. "I cannot describe it. It even chills my bones!"

A little thrill of foreboding ran through Harry. Whatever it was, it had something to do with him- he knew it.

His fears were confirmed when they reached a battlement in the east wing. The night sky had darkened- too much- even the stars seemed to have gone out. There was absolutely no light except that coming from a few torches held by guards, and that coming from the sky. Green light coming from the sky. Harry gasped very audibly, and immediately felt a shiver through his spine. Blazing in the sky, as bright as the stars had been, was the image of a skull, seemingly made of emerald stars, with a serpent protruding from its mouth like a tongue.

"The Dark Mark" breathed Ron.

"No.it can't be." gasped Hermione.

"Do you recognize this vile horror?" asked King Elessar's voice.

Harry snapped out of the terrified trance he had entered when he saw Lord Voldemort's sign. That was what it meant, of course; Voldemort had somehow come to Middle Earth. That was the reason he, Ron and Hermione were there now, because, by some twist of fate, they were meant to be there. The Dark Mark was even more frightening here than it had been the last time he had seen it. It seemed to emanate darkness to put out all the lights, and he knew he wouldn't be so scared of it in normal circumstances. Now, as Gimli had put it, it chilled his bones.

"It's.it's Lord Voldemort's sign." he said, realizing his mouth had gone completely dry, "His followers use it in our world, especially when they had done something." he trailed off, and turned to face the King.

"So it is indeed as you thought, Legolas," he said, "There is a new Darkness upon us."

***********************

"What is to be done, then, Aragorn? If there is a Dark Lord here, we must take action!" Gimli ejaculated.

They were assembled in a large, fire lit chamber, and were debating on how to deal with Voldemort. It was clear that the Dark Lord was a very real threat to the peace of the land, and if the Dark Mark was any proof- whatever he wanted to do, he had already begun. Harry and the others had explained in more detail about the Death Eaters and how horrendous they could be, and Hermione even added her theory on magic in Middle Earth.

The discussion had not gone very far, as there were many questions that needed answering. There was Gimli wanting to know how large an army was to be built and by when, and Legolas wondering how Voldemort could have gotten there to begin with.

"It could have been through a mirror, like in Mr, Harry's dream!" said Sam helpfully.

"Yes, but You Know Who could not have entered Hogwarts to use it!" replied Hermione.

Queen Arwen spoke, " I believe this may run deeper, Master Gamgee. Estel, do you remember a boy- it must have been nigh on fifty years ago, but there was a lad who called himself Saruman's apprentice. He had a strange name."

"Tom" replied the King, "Tom. Riddle, I think it was. I remember him visiting Rivendell once. He was a headstrong boy, and a mysterious one, deeply interested in Lord Elrond's books of lore."

"Tom Riddle?" cried Harry, leaping out of his chair, "He was here?"

"Yes, do not tell me you know of him as well!"

"He was. I mean, he is Voldemort himself!"

"Then this is news indeed!" exclaimed Legolas, "and sadly, it bodes great evil to come"

"So You Know Who has been here before, " repeated Hermione, "But what does he want?"

"One thing is clear," said Gimli, " he has an army, or warriors at least!"

"Yes," agreed the King, "Faramir's messenger told me that it was in an Orc attack on his way from Ithilien that he got so grievously wounded. If Orcs have need to attack, it surely means there is something driving them to it."

"Beggin' your pardon, Strider, but that doesn't answer the girl's question, if you get me, what could they possibly want from here?"

"I do not know, Sam, and I doubt that none of us here can guess how this Voldemort's mind works. But my Lady, you are right, the fact that he has been here before proves that this runs deeper than we can think. Only the wise can give us counsel now."

"Let us then turn to the wisest of those left upon these shores!" said Legolas, "Lord Celeborn of Lorien."

The King nodded. "I will send messengers to Rivendell. Perhaps he knows something of this that we do not."

"Whatever we do, we'd better do it quick" muttered Ron, " Whatever You Know Who is here for, I know it's not going to be good for us"

Harry, sadly, had to agree.



Sorry it's so short, but school just drains all the creativity out of me, and Internet time is getting hard to come by!

THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS! THEY ARE THE ONLY, AND I MEAN ONLY REASON I WANT TO KEEP AT THIS! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!

Next chapter, when (if) it comes, will have a little more action and a change in the point of view!