Oh my god! Thank god it's finished! (This chapter, not the story!) Sorry it took so long, but this is the lovechild of a LOT of sleepless nights. I tried to follow the book as closely as possible and that took FOREVER! Anyway, that is finally over and I can get down to the good parts. Hope you enjoy, and please make use of that review button. I think it's a bit rusty.



Chapter 11

There was a gate barring the entrance to the bridge over the river Brandywine. The Hobbits stood stock-still, gazing at it dumbly. They exchanged looks. When had Hobbits begun erecting huge gates? And what's more- were they keeping people out or keeping people in?

Merry stepped up to the gate and pounded on it. After a moment voices shouted down telling them to go away and that no one was admitted after dark, couldn't they read the notice? Sam did not take well to this, and said,

"If Hobbits of the Shire are to be kept out in the wet on a night like this, I'll tear down your notice when I find it!" The normally calm Hobbit's agitated movements showed his state of mind. He had been looking forward to home so much, after having been a way a year, that to be held from his own home was simply not to be had. He rattled the bars harshly and Merry joined him. A group of Hobbits came out to see what was causing trouble, but their wariness and apparent fright were distinctly un-Hobbit like. Frodo felt a curl of apprehension in his stomach. What was going on?

Merry recognized one of those on the other side and called out to them. Though the other Hobbits realized that these travelers were indeed those gone missing the previous year, they made no move to open the gates.

"Stop gaping at me and open these bars!" Merry said. The other Hobbits were surprised at the commanding tone in young Merry's voice, but shook their heads.

"We 'ave our orders, and I don't want the Chief's Big Man coming down 'ere," one of them said. Merry huffed and said,

"Fine. Then we shall wake him in a way that shall surprise him," and motioning to Pippin, climbed the fence, amid loud shouts and horn soundings. Miranda stared, aghast, at the sight of her previously happy-go-lucky friends staring down a dumpy, ugly Hobbit on the other side. Merry forced him to open the gates and admit his companions. Once inside, he demanded lodging for the night.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Merry," said the Hobbit, "but it isn't allowed."

"What isn't allowed?"said Sam indignantly. The Hobbits stuttered and hemmed, but eventually they were put up in a mean little room. Miranda was rather surprised to be put in with the four Hobbits, but said nothing. She would rather not be separated from them now.

**From the way Frodo and Sam talked of the Shire, it seemed like such a warm, friendly place! Right now, I feel like I'm at an Agnés B warehouse sale.** Miranda thought to herself, then frowned. What was an Agnés B warehouse sale? She shook her head though, as she heard the murmuring voices around her.

"No welcome, no beer, no smoke, but a lot of orc-talk and rules. Let's sleep and forget it till morning!" Sam lay down and tried to close his eyes. The rest did the same, although Miranda's knees were even with the end of the bed. It was a very uncomfortable night.

The next day, they left early and made straight for Hobbiton. There was little talk. Though Miranda didn't understand what was going on, and was distinctly disconcerted with the looks given to her by passing Hobbits, she remained silent, trying not to make more trouble.

When they reached the town of Frogmorton, however, there was plenty of trouble to be had. A bunch of Hobbits stood guarding the road and when the travelers approached, one said:

"You're under arrest for Gate-breaking, and Tearing up of Rules, and assaulting Gate-Keepers, and Trespassing, and sleeping in Shire buildings without leave and bribing Guards with food."

"And what else?" said Frodo, trying not to smile.

"That'll do to go on with,"said the Hobbit, the Sherriff leader.

"I can add some more if you'd like," said Sam. "Calling your Chief names, Wishing to punch his Pimply face, and Thinking you Sherriffs look a lot of Tom-fools!" Miranda grinned in surprise at Sam's words, then hid it with a cough. Frodo laughed and said he was going to go about his business as he saw fit, but that they were tired and wanted a place for the night. Eventually, they were led to the Sherriff house.

They set off at ten the next morning for Bywater and were followed to the edge of town by groups of Hobbits staring at the strangers-such tall Hobbits dressed in armor and a human women! Their tongues were set waggling and stayed so for quite some time. A dozen Sherrifs were made to accompany them, but Merry made them march in front, while Frodo and his friends brought up the rear.

Merry, Pippin and Sam talked and joked with Miranda, while Frodo remained rather sad and thoughtful, trying to piece together what had happened in the Shire in the past year. Whenever the Sherrifs stepped out line, it was Merry who ordered them back. Miranda was very impressed at this completely different side of Merry she was seeing.

At Three Farthing Stone, the Sherriffs, unused to such strenuous marching, gave out.

"Well, come along in your own time!" said Merry. "We're going on!" The Sherriffs protested this half-heartedly, claiming they were breaking arrest, but did nothing to stop them.

As the sun began to sink, they reached Bywater. Sam and Frodo stopped, looks of horror of their faces at the ruin brought to the land. Houses they had once known were burnt to the ground, or had been looted and knocked down.

Weeds grew waist-high and there wasn't a soul about. In the distance, at Bag End, they could see a thick column of black smoke. Miranda stood silent, her heart aching for her new friends. Tears trailed down their faces as they stared at the ruin. Sam finally couldn't take it and said he had to go up and find his gaffer.

"We'd better see what we're up against first. This 'Chief' could have a whole gang of ruffians waiting up there,"said Merry. But they couldn't find anyone to help them. When they reached the Green Dragon, however, the reason for the lack of Hobbits became clear. A dozen Men sat near it, dirty and rough-looking, clubs in hand. As the travelers came up, they stood and blocked the rode.

"Where d'ye think you're goin?" said one, the largest and most evil-looking of the crew, leering at Miranda. "There's no roads for you any further and where are the Sherriffs?"

The Hobbits closed in protectively around Miranda and explained that the Sherrifs had been foot sore and would be there presently. The ruffians did not appear pleased and told them that the Boss would not be pleased and they'd best watch their step. He kept mentioning someone named 'Sharkey'.

Frodo frowned and informed them of the fall of Mordor and the reinstatement of the heir of Gondor. The men appeared unimpressed and went so far as to call Frodo a 'little cock-a-whoop'. Pippin could no longer allow such names to be slurred on the Ring-bearer and drew himself up to his fullest height and said,

"I am a messenger of the king and you speak so ill to a friend of the king. Down on your knees and ask pardon or I will set this troll's bane on you!" He drew his sword, while the other three came up swiftly to back him. Miranda remained in the back, though she drew her own dagger.

**Please don't attack! Please don't attack!** she thought, as sweat beaded her forehead. She had been given the blade to defend herself, but had little clue as how to use it. The ruffians however, appeared shocked and not a little frightened by this queer sight. They were used to quiet timid Hobbits, not brave, confidant ones who pulled out bright blades and threatened them!

"Go!" said Merry. "If you trouble this village again, you will regret it!" The ruffians turned and fled. "Well, we've come back none too soon!" Miranda's face fell as guilt crawled up her spine. Was this her fault? The Hobbits had remained in Rivendell so long because of her. Might they have stopped whatever this was, had they returned sooner? She was given no chance to dwell on this, though. The Hobbits set off to free the Shire and their friends from this "Boss" and his followers.

"Sam, you make a dash for Farmer Cotton tell him we're returned!" The other three set off to round up as many Hobbits as they could find.

Sam gulped as he approached Farmer Cotton's burrow, Miranda in tow. In the excitement of the last week, thoughts Rose Cotton had been tucked carefully into a corner of his mind. They now came bounding up to the forefront, each clamoring for his attention. Would she be there? Would she be angry? Would she still want him? Did she ever really want him, or had he dreamed it up? He was thinking so hard, he tripped on the last step and almost fell face first into Rose, who had seen him coming and opened the door.

Miranda reached out quickly, grabbed Sam by the neck of his greatcoat, and hauled him back upright. Rose stood very still, her mouth gaping in surprise. Then she caught herself, closed her mouth and folded her arms over her chest.

"So, you're back, then." She said. Her face betrayed nothing. Miranda realized this was the Hobbit-lass Sam had spoken (at some length) about. She was the same height as Sam, with dark brown curls tucked up in a kerchief. Miranda was smiling at this pretty, little Hobbit until her eyes reached Rose's feet. Her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the wide, large, Hobbit feet covered in more curly brown hair.

"Aye," said Sam. His eyes frantically searched Rose's face for some clue to her emotions. "Aye," he said again, louder. "We've come back. But there's trouble!" Rose's eyes settled for the first time on Miranda and narrowed as she saw the hand still resting on Sam's shoulder. She opened her mouth, when the door flew open wider.

"Is that Sam? Samwise Gamgee? Back from the dead?" said Farmer Cotton.

"It is, and Mr. Frodo and his friends too! We're raising the Shire to fight back against those Men!"

"Good, good!" said Cotton. "I've been itching to do this for some time, but there's always been the wife and Rose. But now you're here and the rest. Come on, lad! Let's go!" His pitchfork in hand, he took off down the stone steps, leaving the other three looking after him in surprise. Finally, Sam turned back to Rose.

"Rose, I, uhh...." he said.

"Come on, lad!" called an exasperated voice down a ways.

"I should go," Sam said quickly, turning and starting down the stairs.

"Sam!" called Rose. He turned. "Go on now. But take care and come back when you've done it!" She slammed the door closed. Sam turned back to Miranda, a wide smile on his face and they set off to find the rest.

When everyone had gathered in the village, there were more than a hundred Hobbits, clutching heavy hammers, axes, long knives and staves. Some even were equipped with hunting bows and kitchen knives. In the center burned a large bonfire, cheerily lighting the area and going against rules set out by the chief.

"Mr. Frodo?" said Sam. "Do you remember when we found Miranda? She said something in another language about the Shire?" Frodo's eyes widened. He had, in fact, forgotten that entirely.

"Errm, yes, Sam?"

"Well, do you think it might have been some sort of warning? We thought at the time, that she might have been threatening the Shire, maybe....maybe she was warning us of what was going on here!" Sam looked at Frodo, his brow furrowed in thought.

"Could be, Sam. But how could she have known?" They had little time to consider it, however, as Tom Cotton came up and they discussed their plan of action. It was discovered that the Chief was up at Bag End, and usually had ten or so of the ruffians guarding him. The other ruffians were in the towns all along the road, maybe 300 in all.

As Pippin left to gather the Tooks, the rest gathered near the fire to talk, until calls rang out, warning of approaching ruffians. The Men appeared, grizzled and greasy, looking at the Hobbits with a mixture of fear and dislike. The Hobbits opened the gates and followed the Men to the center of Hobbiton where stood old Cotton, leaning against his pitchfork.

"Who are you, and what d'you think you're doing?" said the leader of the ruffians.

"I was just about to ask you that,"said Cotton. "This isn't your land and you aren't welcome here!" The leader spit at the ground and smirked.

"Get boys and take him to the Lockholes." The Men started to follow orders but were brought up short. There was a roar all round them and they looked around in fright to see Hobbit faces rising from all around the town center, their faces dark and mutinous. There were nearly 200, all holding weapons. Merry stepped forward.

"We've met before. Put down your weapons, or they'll attack." He nodded at the circle of angry Hobbits. The Man looked frightened for a moment, then scoffed. They were so little! They wouldn't be a real fight.

"Have at it, lads!" he called out and moved to attack Merry. He had taken scarcely three steps before he lay dead, pierced by arrows. The rest gave in easily after that and were lead off and tied hand to foot.

"Seems a bit too easy, don't you think?" said Farmer Cotton. Miranda looked at him aghast. She had just seen a man murdered. In self defense, of course, but she had never before seen someone killed. Her stomach threatened to revolt, and she sat down, rubbing her hands against her face and feelings slightly guilty that she was glad the disgusting lech was dead.

"There's more,"said Merry. "But I think not till morning. Then we're going up to Bag End. Pay a little visit." He was clearly enjoying this, his little face alive and strong.

They all wound up in Farmer Cotton's kitchen where he explained to them what had happened to the Shire. Miranda caught snatches of talk, enough to understand that the Men were using the Hobbits like slaves, forcing them to give up their crops and their leaf, their beer and their food. Her eyes wandered around the house, surprised at how large it was, though with rather low ceilings.

The rooms were warm and cozy with paintings on the walls and home-spun blankets covering furniture. As soon as they sat, Rose and Mrs. Cotton had brought out food and drink, though they apologized for the small amount.

**That's 'a bite?'** thought Miranda, eyeing the laden table. She caught Rose looking at her warily and smiled warmly, but Rose glared. Turning her attention back to the table, Miranda heard Merry say:

"Who's Sharkey?"

"The biggest 'un," said Cotton. He shook his head. "Appeared in these parts last September and took over Bag End. The other ones answer to him, I 'spect. Lot of burning and stealing. Now even killing. There's no sense to it! Cutting down all the trees, taking all the crops, burning the houses!" Cotton stood in anger, but was calmed by his wife. A heavy knock on the door surprised them and all faces turned towards the door.

Old Gamgee came hobbling in, a perturbed look on his grizzled face.

"Thought you might have let me known you were back, Sam," he said. "Had a grand adventure then, did you? Served you satisfactorily, Mr. Frodo?" He eyed Frodo.

"More than satisfactorily, Mr. Gamgee. In fact, songs and tales of his bravery and daring are being passed round as we speak." Frodo smiled at Sam, who ducked his head in embarrassment, but his ears went pink with pleasure. Rose's eyes slid to Sam, a look of wonder in them and she smiled.

"Hmmmph. Well and he should. He's a Gamgee," said the gaffer.

***********

Sam, Frodo and Miranda had bedded down with the Cottons that night. Rose placed Miranda's bed in her own room, on the far side of the door.

**Guess there'll be no night-time snogging with Sam,** she laughed to herself.

After breakfast the next morning, a messenger from Tookland rode in and told them that the Thain had risen up his people and run out the ruffians. He'd sent his son, Pippin, back with all the folk they could spare.

Merry, who'd been out all night rousing other Hobbit-folk didn't have such good news. He told them of a band only four miles off, a big one, and he wasn't sure if the Tooks would make it time.

He needn't have doubted Pippin, however, who came storming back with his brethren, his face serious, but he gave a short grin at Miranda with a little head shake, as if to say 'Can you believe it?'

By the time the Men had reached them, the Hobbits were lying in wait, a plan formed. As they came up the road, they reached a group of wagons blocking the road. With understanding slowly dawning, the realized their lefts and rights were blocked by enormous hedges and more wagons had been pushed in behind them, effectively trapping them.

"Well, looks like you're a bit stuck. Lay down your weapons and back away. Anyone who doesn't will be shot," Merry said, looking at the ruffians, a mirth-less smile on his face. Miranda had never seen the Hobbit look so fearsome. From her vantage point a bit away, she could see the standoff clearly, but was out of harm's way.

The ruffians laughed at the Hobbits and charged the wagons. The battle cry was sounded and the fighting began in earnest. It lasted a rather short time and by the end, seventy ruffians lay dead, a dozen more held prisoner. Nineteen Hobbits were dead, thirty lay wounded. Frodo, who had been in the battle, though hadn't drawn a sword, looked around in grim satisfaction. It was over. He turned to call to Sam, when his eyes landed on Miranda. She was sitting a bit away on the hill, her head between her bent knees. He frowned and made his way toward her.

Miranda willed her heart to slow and her head to top spinning. She had already lost the contents of her stomach and the uncontrollable sobbing had broken off to soft sniffs and coughs.

**It's real. It's real,** she thought. As the fighting had begun and she'd seen Men and Hobbits killed, a strange realization had hit her. This was completely different than anything she'd ever seen. Until this point, she hadn't really taken anything seriously. The first death she had witnessed had made her sick, but nothing like this. She could smell the wood smoke from the fires, but overlying it was the metallic scent of blood. The figures lying out on the road looked so small, like children.

The worst part had been seeing Sam pulling out a sword and running a Man through. Intellectually, Miranda knew they were freeing their homeland and it was self-defense, but all her heart saw was her gentle friend murdering someone.

She had thought the battle would be an exciting adventure, and she had wanted to come along, some half-formed idea that she could protect her small friends, should they need it. Now, she sat still, shaken to her core and very cold.

"Miranda?" said a soft voice near her ear. She picked up her head dazedly and looked at Frodo. She tried to smile.

"Are you alright? It's over," he said gently. He took her icy hand in his and held it. "It's over. Sam and Merry and Pippin are all safe, now. You're safe now." She shook her head to indicate that her own safety wasn't why she was so upset, but he misinterpreted it.

"Yes," he said. "Look, they're coming this way." He pointed down the hill where Sam, Merry and Pippin were coming towards them. Miranda stood, her hand still resting lifelessly in Frodo's and the five of them turned and made their way back to the Cottons. Once instead, while everyone sat down to lunch, Miranda had gone to her sleep-sack, lain down, and fell into a dark, dreamless sleep. She woke feeling drained and still tired. The light from the window was gone and she thought she must have slept for several hours. Her stomach rumbled and she was surprised to realize she was hungry. Pushing aside thoughts of what she'd seen that morning, she stumbled into the hall and was again surprised to see the kitchen filled with Hobbits. Had she not slept very long after all?

"Miranda!" called out Pippin. "Are ye feelin' better then?" He smiled at her sweetly and she nodded. Everyone was talking, it was easiest to sit quietly at the edge of the room. She gratefully accept a mug from Rose and sipped the hot tea. She looked up as Pippin made his way to her and sat down.

"So you missed the real fun," he said. She looked up. "This morning we went up-"

"What do you mean, this morning?" she interrupted. "I saw the battle." He shook his head.

"No' the battle, lass! Ye fell asleep after the battle an slept the ni' through!" he said. She looked at him incredulously.

"Yep," he said. "So this morning we went to Bag End. 'Twas not a pretty sight." His eyes fell, and the rest of the room grew still, remembering the road as it had been and as it was now.

"We rescued the prisoners and brought down that horrible building. But then...." Sam said. He shivered.

"We met up with Saruman," said Merry grimly.

"Saruman?" said Miranda, confused. "You mean that wizard?" They nodded and she looked even more confused.

"It was his doing turned the Shire into a horrible place!" said Merry angrily. He and Pippin then explained the events that transpired leading up to the death of Wormtongue and the escape of a now powerless Saruman.

"You shouldn't have let him go," said Sam darkly. Frodo looked at him.

"He hasn't any powers left, Sam. He's harmless now." The rest thought this over for a moment until Miranda said,

"So its all over now, then?" Sam shrugged slightly.

"Not until we've cleaned up the Shire and made everything right again." Everyone nodded in agreement. The rest of the night passed soberly, and the moon rose high into the night.



********



In the furthest eastern and southern part of Middle Earth stood an enormous mountain. It was a strange sight, for it stood quite alone, surrounded by a deep forest. Though it appeared to be a mountain like any other, it had secrets. No Dwarf had ever set foot in this place, yet the inside was hollow. Deep within its bowels was a large room cut into the stone. Grand hallways and tiny passageways, once lit with bright fires, were now dark and dank. The air was oppressive and stale. If one became lost in their mazes, they would most likely never return.

Gandalf was creeping down a narrow passageway, his eyes focused on the huge black wolf he had trailed for nearly two three weeks. Since the fall of Mordor, he had been looking for every last trace of the Dark Lord's magic. Remnants were left all over Middle Earth and his senses told him, this was not a normal wolf.

He still had not found Saruman, either. Gandalf felt little fear, however, for Saruman was now powerless and friendless. He had sent a messenger to warn Aragorn though, for Saruman had sworn revenge on the ranger.

He came suddenly into the stone room and found it empty. As he came into it fully though, a low growl came from behind him, causing him to turn in surprise and alarm. He pulled his staff back, preparing to defend himself, when an extraordinary thing happened. The black wolf began to change. It grew taller, its legs lengthening, its great paws turning into hands and feet. The black pelt fell away except for on the head, where it grew long and soft. The creature looked at him, its blue eyes dark and deep.

Gandalf stood still in shock. It was an Elf; her pale skin contrasting with her midnight hair, but detracting from her beauty. She fell to her knees with a groan and Gandalf came forward, thinking perhaps a curse had befallen her. He reached out a hand saying,

"Are you well?" As his hand connected with her shoulder, her own hand shot out and clamped onto his wrist. A freezing sensation sped from his wrist up his arm to his shoulder. Her eyes met his and she smiled maliciously, standing up. Gandalf could no longer feel the right side of his body.

"You should have known better," she said, her voice unpleasantly high. "You were careless, wizard. You forget that some things are older than even you. Did you think the Dark Lord was all that was left?" By now she had pushed him against a wall and his vision blurred as a clear wall of crystal formed in front and to his sides. "I have waited, biding my time, through the ages until I could again reveal myself. Until I could regain my strength. Why do you always think it is the Lords who you must fear? A mother is far more dangerous than any dark lord. I need the heart of the Star to return to my former glory. This earth is mine and when the time is right, I will reclaim it." Gandalf could see her through the crystal, but could no longer hear anything. He cursed his own stupidity and suddenly his world went black.