Chapter Six

'That demon that sent you to Middle Earth wasn't a demon', said Chris, 'It was an Uruk-hai.'

They were all in the kitchen and Piper was making Wyatt lunch. But at these words, she groaned.

'Why not just a goblin? Or an orc?

'A what', asked Paige

'A goblin is a sneaky little creature that goes around reeking havoc', answered Piper, 'An orc is a creature that murders, plunders and kills its own kind just to eat it.

'Eww.'

'But the good thing is it likes the dark and hates the light.'

Phoebe peeled an orange with one hand as she handed Wyatt the sandwich.

'Well that is a good thing', said Phoebe.

Piper shook her head.

'Not really. In the book, the wizard Saruman the White bred the two creatures together to create the Uruk-hai. Uruk-hai are sneaky little creatures that goes around reeking havoc, killing people, plunder, and eats anything, even it's own kind.'

Wyatt looked up from his sandwich.

'But Mom, if they're also an orc, doesn't that mean they're still scared of the sun?'

'No', said Piper, 'Goblins aren't scared of the sun and the Uruk-hai got the goblins liking for the sun.'

'Boy, are you guys in trouble.'

Wyatt turned back to his sandwich.

'We have another big problem', continued Leo, 'The barrier between our world and Middle Earth has been broken.'

'That explains how that whatsa-micallit got here', said Phoebe. 'But why are we now apart of the Lord of the Rings?

'If the people of Middle Earth came to our world in the past, it would be written down in our history.' Chris explained. 'So since you all got sent to Middle Earth in their past and got mixed up with the main characters, you are now apart of their history. But something you did changed their future, and that's why the novel is no longer complete.'

'But what did we do to change the story?' Paige asked.

'We went there in the first place', Phoebe answered before Chris had a chance to. 'It was never meant to happen and our presents there obviously changes the end of the book somehow.'

'The Elders have no idea how the Uruk-hai broke through the barrier', said Leo. 'The only thing we can think of is someone with more power in Middle Earth was able to break our spell. Piper, is there anyone on the other side who could possibly be stronger than us?'

Piper thought for a moment.

'Sauron, the Dark Lord. He is the most evil guy you could meet. If he came on to our side, he would instantly be thought of as the Source of All Evil.'

'As the Charmed Ones you're a whole lot stronger than we are', said Leo. 'What you should do is re-seal the barrier and forget about Middle Earth.'

'But what about the people like Piper who reads the Lord of the Rings?' asked Phoebe.

'They can survive without it.'

'But Leo...'

'Quiet', Wyatt roared.

Everyone shut-up and looked at Wyatt. Wyatt stood up and grabbed his now empty plate.

'What you should do', he said more calmly, 'is go back to Middle Earth and reseal the barrier.'

Leo wasn't happy with this idea.

'But Wyatt...'

'Dad, let me finish. When you get back there, reseal the barrier and then follow the events so it is recorded, as it should be. When all is done, come back to us and seal the barrier for good.'

'That's a good idea honey, but what about you?' asked Piper. 'What will you do while I'm in Middle Earth? I can't just leave you here.'

'I'll stay with Dad and Chris like I was earlier.'

'Forget it', Chris said bluntly. 'I'm coming with you guys. As your Whitelighter I need to be able to reach you when you need me.'

'No Chris. Listen', Piper said bluntly. 'Wyatt's right. When we get back there, we reseal the barrier and then follow the events so it is recorded, as it should be. When all is done, we come back and seal the barrier for good.'

'That's a good idea', said Paige slowly but Chris cut her off.

'Forget it. I'm coming with you guys.'

Piper shook her head.

'No Chris. You need to stay here. The Fellowship is all ready suspicious of us three. If you came out of nowhere, we would most likely be killed.'

Chris glared at her for a minute then looked away. Piper turned to Phoebe.

'OK, I need you to write three spells. One of them to vanquish Orcs, the other two to open and close the barrier.'

'Why the one to open the barrier?' asked Phoebe. 'Why not wait until the time comes?

'Emergency.'

'Oh.'

Paige', said Piper turning to her. 'Go get an old sack and put the crystals into it.'

'Why will we need the crystals? Emergency?'

'Well, that too but we are going to be meeting a whole lot more than orcs and much more powerful.'

'Why not blow them up', said Leo over by the window.

'My power isn't strong enough to vanquish these guys', said Piper exasperated. 'We'll need the Power of Three.

'We're on it.'

Phoebe pulled a pad and pen towards her and began to write the spells and Paige went to the attic to find a sack and the crystals. Piper sat down and sighed.

'It's going to be a long day '

'OK, the spells are written, we got the crystals...' said Phoebe looking around. 'We're ready to rock and roll.'

Leo walked up to Piper and placed a hand on her shoulder.

'Be careful OK Piper?'

Piper nodded.

'We'll be OK. Don't worry about us.'

Piper turned around and walked away.

'Ready?' she asked.

Phoebe nodded.

'Ready.'

Paige grabbed their hands and orbed them back to Middle Earth. Everything was as it had been when they had orbed out.

'Obviously our time line doesn't co-exist with theirs', said Phoebe relaxing. Piper let go of Paige's hand.

'We better get the spell over with before they unfreeze.'

Phoebe nodded and took a piece of paper out of her pocket and unfolded it. Quickly, they began to chant.

The barrier between worlds shall no longer be broken,

Obey these words that are now being spoken.

Be sealed once more so no one can pass,

So no one can step upon any ones grass.

A violet light filled the room and grew so bright they had to close their eyes. Then suddenly it disappeared.

'Good. The spell worked.

'True', said Paige turning to Phoebe. 'But why "grass"?'

'Huh?'

'You used the word "grass" in the spell.'

'Oh', said Phoebe blushing. 'I was getting desperate so I used grass.'

Piper shrugged.

'Whatever. Paige, you ready to do the first watch?'

Paige groaned.

I guess so. If I have to...'

'Well you do.'

Piper threw up her hands unfroze the Fellowship. The Fellowship went about its usual business. Sam followed Frodo wherever he went, Boromir and Gandalf were still in their bad moods, and Legolas was his usual quiet self. None of them seemed to notice the fact that they had been frozen for about two hours.

Piper and Phoebe laid down in the blankets the Fellowship had given them.

'See you in the morning Paige', muttered Piper sleepily.

Paige grunted.