Overcoming lack of creativity, I bring to you, the next chapter!! (I can just feel the excitement!)



"Sleep, he says!" muttered Ron, ruffling the pillows on his bed, "I don't think I'll ever sleep again!"

Harry wasn't really in the mood to listen to his best friend's grumbling, and he was sure he wouldn't be able to sleep either. He was too busy thinking about the night's events. About Voldemort.

"Ron," he began, "if Hermione is right.about magic being magnified here- and if the effect of a small charm can be increased. then what if Voldemort used the." He trailed off, the mere thought of it made him feel queasy.

"The Unforgivable Curses?" asked Ron softly.

Harry nodded. The Imperious, Cruciatus and Avada Kedavra curses were bad enough in his world, and he'd seen them work enough to know it. In Middle Earth, where there was magic in the land itself.

"It would be horrible" Ron echoed his thoughts perfectly.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dawn over Gondor.

Aragorn sighed as he looked at the wide leagues of his kingdom. Dawn had always been a bringer of hope for him, with each new day leaving the past and its troubles forgotten. Now, however, it seemed as though the troubles were only beginning. He gazed out from the battlement they had gathered at the night before- when they could see, clear and terrifying- that fell sign.

He wondered about the strangers and what tidings they brought- of a dark wizard from their world. One who had been there once before, and was there again. Even thinking about what he had come for was a source of discomfort for the King of Gondor.

The children from another world were a source of both wonder and bewilderment to him. He had seen many extraordinary things in his life, but these three. they claimed to be wizards, and he could sense their power. More importantly, he knew, through whatever foresight he had been gifted with, that for good or worse, the fate of many rested with them.

Legolas had woken even earlier than he had, and asked his leave to scout out into Ithilien. Aragorn did not mind- he would have done the same were he still a Ranger. Legolas' kinsfolk dwelt in that fair land now, and the evil symbol had indeed come from that direction. Aragorn knew the Elf was worried.

"Arin mára, hîr nín" Lost in thought, Aragorn had not even heard his wife approach. Then again, she was after all an Elf, and possessed their skill for moving noiselessly- something he himself had learned from them.

"Undómiel Eldaliéva," he replied with a bow, "Good morning to you, Lady Evenstar"

"It seems everyone is in low spirits as of late" she remarked, smiling slightly.

"I hardly think wishing someone a good morning is a sign of low spirits!" chuckled the king. He wondered at how she could, like her people, remain calm in the face of the gravest threat.

"Hmm. that would depend." Arwen laughed. "I remember Bilbo Baggins' story of his first meeting with Gandalf."

"That was different," replied Aragorn, "Gandalf was a wizard. You, on the other hand, are only the Queen of Gondor and Arnor, Vanimelda."

Arwen simply shot him a look, then said thoughtfully, "Mithrandir. what would he counsel in such a time?"

"If only he were here," said the king, "If those children are indeed wizards, then all wizards must have the tendency to be bringers of bad news."

"It is a good thing Gandalf is not here!" laughed the queen, "He would not be pleased with what you mean!"

"I am glad someone finds reason to laugh!" said a voice suddenly, as Gimli strode over to where they stood. "From what I have seen, I see nothing funny at all!"

"True," replied Arwen, "but a light spirit is good before deep thoughts and decisions have to be taken, Master Gimli, and it is ill luck to begin a day in a somber mood!"

"Ill luck or not, my lady, I pray this day is less somber than the last"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Legolas had not ridden far into Ithilien before he saw what he had feared.

Yrch- Orcs in the tongue of men, foul dark creatures loathed by all. They had been minions of Sauron, and Saruman the traitor as well. Now he could see them- being blessed with the keen eyesight of his people- hundreds of them, swarming towards Mordor. Suddenly, he gave a start. The Orcs weren't heading towards the Dark Land; rather they were going in the opposite direction!

The thunder of hooves caught his attention. His hand was halfway to his bow before he realized that Orcs did not ride horses. No horse would bear so filthy a being. Wheeling Arod, his horse, around to face the direction of the hoof beats, he was relieved to see familiar faces among the company that rode towards him.

"Greetings to you, Lord and Lady of Ithilien!" he called to the foremost riders.

Faramir, son of Denethor, and his wife Lady Eowyn of Rohan dismounted and approached him, smiling warmly.

"This is a fair meeting, Prince of Mirkwood," said the Steward of Gondor.

"Indeed it is, Lord Faramir. But I fear the circumstance that cause it are not nearly as fair."

"Then you know about the Orcs?" asked Eowyn, "Our messenger reached you?"

"He did, but not unharmed, my Lady" replied Legolas, "He was possibly attacked on the way to the city itself!" The lady's eyes widened in shock, and Faramir looked fazed for an instant. "Then the danger is more than we anticipated." He said.

Legolas nodded. "It was wise of you not to travel alone, Faramir, but I'm afraid we have more to worry of than merely Orcs."

"What do you mean?"

"It seems impossible, but there is a new Darkness upon us"

"No!" exclaimed Eowyn, "How can that be? With the downfall of the Dark Lord, and with the Ring destroyed." she trailed off.

Legolas shook his head gently. It was impossible, but he knew well that one could not be too quick to judge anything as not possible. And this, he had seen with his own eyes.

"The King will be glad to take counsel with you," he said. Aragorn had already said that he wished to speak to Faramir. "The matter is of greatest importance. I will join you, but I must meet with Mallor first."

"Of course!" said Faramir, climbing back onto his horse; "I will see you in Minas Tirith, my friend."

With that, he gestured to his companions, and they set off at a gallop towards the city.

Legolas rode towards a wooded patch of land. The place had been fair to look upon before, but under the care of the Silvan Elves of the Mirkwood, nothing fairer could be found in the lands of men.

Mallor Findorion was the chief of the Elves who watched the borders of Ithilien. An army commander who once served under his father, he was definitely one who would not be caught off guard.

"I greet you, Legolas son of Thranduil," Said Mallor when he saw him.

A quick glance around him told Legolas that Mallor had not lost his touch, and that his warning of danger wasn't required. Archers stood poised, hidden to untrained eyes, waiting for any sign of attack.

"It is good to see you, Mallor," replied Legolas.

"I take it you are here to tell me of the threat that arises" he said.

Legolas nodded. "I see that it was needless of me to worry"

"Of course. I would have wished you and the King would have more faith in my abilities, but I do not think it would change anything"

Legolas only smiled. Mallor knew him too well. "Do you know anything about the sign last night?

"It was not on my watch that it happened, my lord, but those who were on guard says they heard nothing until a voice cried out in a language not known to them."

"Did they not try to find the source?"

"It would be impossible, they say that the voice came from above them!"

"Above?"

"Yes! From the sky, it seems, but the darkness spread almost immediately and nothing could be seen. I will reprimand them if you doubt the truth in the tale, but I believe that they speak the truth "

"It is a strange account, but I trust in your judgement, Mallor, I know you will not fail me"

Mallor smiled. "Do not let trust give way to complacency, Legolas. Remember that. Even I will be beaten one day, though I hope it is not soon in coming."

"It never will come, maethor" Legolas replied. Mallor was like a father to him- he'd known him even in his now long past childhood. Maethor- general- Thranduil his father used to call Mallor so, and Legolas felt it a fitting title.

Mallor smiled, then suddenly whirled around.

Legolas knew the reason for his reaction- a slight sound; he had heard it too- an intruder.

Like lightning, arrows were at bows. Legolas notched an arrow to his, and waited. No one was to be seen for as far as any of the elves could see, but they had heard something.

Prepared for anything, the archers waited for their unseen assailants to attack. They were prepared for anything, except for-

"MORSMORDRE!"

Mallor had been right- the word had been shouted from the sky itself, but as the gaze of the Elves turned skyward, all they could see was the same horrific mark that had struck terror even in their immortal souls. The skull and serpent, made of green stars- the feeling of fear spread even in the broad daylight.

Several of the archers cried out, fearing the worst. "Ai! Tôl acharn! Vengeance comes from the darkness!"

Wasting no more than a moment, Legolas laid a hand on Mallor's arm in farewell, then, leaping on to Arod and bidding him to make haste, headed for Minas Tirith.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~



Longer than usual, eh? Whaddaya think? I really wanted to bring Gandalf back, but on close examination, I realized the reason he was in Middle Earth in the first place was to defeat Sauron, bringing him back would be contradicting his purpose! Plus, it would be really lame too, seeing as Gandalf is nearly impossible to write! Still I'll fiddle around and see what I can manage- now if only I can figure out what Voldie wants! : )