Welcome to our story. This was written by my friend and I during school. It's the best place to write. So it's a crossover of LoTR/Troy/Harry Potter/Gladiator and I think that's it. We don't own any of the characters, they belong to Tolkien mostly, but Homer owns two of the characters. And whoever wrote Gladiator owns those characters too. We also know we have changed history in the Lord of the Rings a little bit. We know this, and we did this to make our story as hot as we could. If you don't like how we changed history and kept a few characters around for a little longer, you don't have to read it. However, we hope you like it, we had a lot of fun writing it, and please R/R. Thanks so much.

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Men are haunted by the vastness of eternity, and so we ask ourselves: Will our actions echo across the centuries? Will strangers hear our names long after we're gone, and wonder who we were? How bravely we fought. How fiercely we loved.

The third age of Middle Earth was a time of distrust, betrayal, death and secrecy, which ended in the great War of the Ring, in which many died and suffered to achieve a peace that had not been known in the world for many years. The leaders during these times will forever be remembered as some of the bravest warriors time has seen. The fourth age began with the coming of the King of Arnor and promised peace throughout Middle Earth. The races of Middle Earth prospered under the king and the peace he brought, and together the lords and kings created harmony in the world they loved. This peace, now ten years past, has again been threatened and awaits the answer of those heroes who remain, and those who await the chance to show their valor in the great next battle.

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The year 1431 was known for the beautiful flowers blooming, the plentiful harvest and the hobbit lads and lasses that were born that year. The Shire was especially beautiful in Buckland where, by the Brandywine River, two hobbits could be seen enjoying the nice early spring day. Between the two hobbits lay a small hobbit child of one year old, who was sleeping peacefully, fully aware of the protection of two hobbits who loved him dearly.

Residents of the Shire could be seen readying the fields for the coming planting season. Even the smallest hobbit child was hard at work, from bringing tools or water to the adults, to learning how to work with their small tools. Spring was a busy time for the hobbits, working from sunrise to sunset. However, two hobbits were sitting by the banks of the Brandywine River with no responsibilities and no worries.

"You should be proud Master Took," one hobbit spoke softly to the other as not to wake the sleeping hobbit child. They both peered down at the sleeping baby. "You have done well for yourself."

"Thank you Master Brandybuck," Master Took gave a short bow with his head to the first hobbit. "I am sure that one day you will have all your dreams fulfilled."

"Master Meriadoc Brandybuck!" a strange, young hobbit voice interrupted the silence and peace of the afternoon.

Meriadoc Brandybuck, or Merry to his friends, stood up. A hobbit tweenager was coming toward the river, clutching in his hand a large letter. Knowing that a letter that big could not be from anyone in the Shire, Merry started to walk quickly toward the young hobbit. He extended his hand out as soon as he reached the hobbit. "Thank you." He smiled, taking the letter.

At being spoken to directly by the great Captain Meriadoc, the tweenager nodded his head, amazed and scared. He let go of the letter and ran off as fast as his legs could carry him in the opposite direction. Merry would have laughed, but he was staring at the letter. He quickly opened it up as he walked back to the bank of the river. He stopped not too far from the Master Took and read the letter.

"What is it?" Master Took, or Peregin Took, asked his friend and cousin.

"War is coming. We ride to Gondor at once," Merry looked up, clutching the letter. "Faramir asks for us, we cannot let him down. Sam and Frodo have to come with us, the Fellowship is forming again."

Peregin, or Pippin to his friends, looked down at his son, Faramir Took. Though sleeping, he took the small child in his arms, "The man you were named after has called me back to service. I had hoped this was all over, but I see it is not. Come young Faramir, we must get back to the Great Smials at once." He stood up, clutching the same child in his arms.

"I'll be back tomorrow, at which time we ride."

The two hobbits nodded to each other, both aware that when they thought peace had come, the world was in trouble again. Only that would have made Faramir, Prince of Ithilien call them back to service.

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The next day as the sun came up, Merry stood by the door of Brandy Hall waiting for the arrival of Pippin. He was dressed and ready; he had packed his Rohan armor but was not wearing it. They had to go to Bag End first, he would ride out of the Shire proudly wearing his armor. He held Faramir's letter in his hand, the letter that had asked for them at once. He did not speak of the enemy, but hinted that trouble was brewing near Gondor and everyone was being assembled. He requested the brave young hobbits to assist in the war, and represent the race of the Halfings.

"Hullo there cousin," Merry was shaken from his thoughts by the arrival of Pippin who, like Merry, did not have his Gondorian armor on. Merry could see it on the horse though.

"I've been up waiting for you," Merry smiled.

"Of course you have," Pippin laughed, "well then, let's go! We should ride for an hour or two, and then stop for breakfast."

"Of course, though I am sure you ate before you left."

"Diamond made me eat," Pippin shrugged.

"Of course she did," Merry laughed. It felt wonderful to be back on the road with Pippin. Though they often rode to Bag End to visit Frodo and Sam, this time was different. They would be seeing their friends in a month or two. He felt like singing.

Many songs were shared and sung in their long ride. Pippin and Merry knew many songs, and they sang them all the way to Bag End, a two day journey. On the way, singing their songs, farmers and the hobbits working looked up, and their hearts were warmed to hear the songs. Some waved, and the two hobbits waved back, one enjoying the attention more than the other. They arrived in Hobbiton, at Bag End, in time for supper. They did not like to intrude on Frodo and the Gamgee's but they did. They knew they would be welcomed. Hobbits loved having other hobbits over for dinner.

This time was no different. They knocked on the door, to be welcomed in by Hobbiton's Mayor, Samwise Gamgee who had a large spoon in his hand. He shook both their hands, and asking a hundred questions invited the cousins inside. Rosie Gamgee was sitting at the table holding their newborn child, Goldilocks while children Elanor, Frodo, Rose, Merry and Pippin were being watched by Frodo Baggins.

"Merry! Pippin!" Frodo stood up wearily, "it's so good to see both of you."

"I wish we can on better times Frodo," Merry took out the letter from Faramir. "The time of peace is over, Faramir requests us to come to Gondor as soon as we can."

"Gondor? What evil lies there now? Can they not have a moment of peace?" Sam asked.

"It seems not," Pippin smiled at the young hobbit lad of five years old who had been named after him.

"If it is all right with Rosie, I'll go with you," Sam volunteered.

"Thank you Sam," Merry smiled. "Faramir has asked for the four of us. The Fellowship is forming again."

"Well let us talk of war later," Sam suggested. "Now you being a Brandybuck, and you a Took, I know both of you are hungry."

"Sam you have great common hobbit sense," Pippin smiled, and the two hobbits sat down for a meal with the Gamgees.

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Early the next morning, Merry woke Pippin, Sam and Frodo. Frodo looked tired and weary. He had his hand near his chest and held on to the chain that he always wore around his neck.

Rosie cooked breakfast for the four travelers. Most of the young Gamgee children were still sleeping, Elanor however being ten years old was awake and helping her mother. The second oldest was also awake, ready to start another long day of work.

As Sam ate he sat across from his son lecturing the young boy, "Remember, my boy, to be careful with those flowers. You know the set up of Bag End, just care for them, water them, be gentle, and don't go adding anymore flowers."

"I know Da. I've been working the gardens for two years now," the younger Gamgee sighed, knowing full well on the care for the flowers.

Merry laughed, "Don't turn him into a worrying fool, Sam."

"I remember your Gaffer giving you the same speech. Be easy on the lad."

"Just don't want me flowers messed up. The Lady Galadriel gave those to me."

"We were there Sam," Merry laughed. He sighed, looked down at his empty plate, and then stood up. "The day is wasting," He had not wanted to break up breakfast but it was time to go. The day was wasting, and Merry knew if they did not leave soon, war would come and they would be left behind. In Merry's mind that was worse than being involved, they had to go, they had to fight for the safety of their friends.

"Up you three," Merry told them. He went off and grabbed his small bag.

Pippin was up next and he put his small bag on his shoulders. He nodded to Merry, who nodded back. They were ready. They both did not have on their armor; they would put it on when they reached the borders of the Shire, for now though they were still just hobbits.

Sam got up and took his large bag and put it on his shoulders. He lifted a much smaller and lighter bag and held it out to his master who remained sitting.

"No Sam, I am not going," Frodo shook his head wearily. "Not this time."

Sam stared at him in disbelief. He then started to shake his head; "You don't mean that. Of course you are going." He looked around to Merry and Pippin, and then back to Frodo, "Come on Mr. Frodo, they are waiting for us."

Merry and Pippin walked up beside Sam. Merry, who had known his cousin the longest, was not surprised. He had seen what effects the War of the Ring had on Frodo, and the wounds he had taken. He had known in his heart that they would journey with three, and not four like the first time.

"My part in this tale is over Sam. You have so much to give to the world, and to be." Frodo stood up and put one hand on the table for support, "I am sorry Sam, but I have failed once, I cannot risk the safety of everyone again. Tell them I am sorry, and I wish them well. Go now." He kissed the top of Sam's head. He turned to Pippin, "Guard of the Citadel, look after the Steward and the King for me." He turned to Merry, his favorite cousin, and the one he had looked out after while he lived in Brandy Hall. Though years separated them, Merry had always been his companion and friend. He did not say anything at first, but just took his hand. He patted it and then looked at the scar over Merry's right eye, "There is much you have yet to do."

Merry nodded. He stood there as Frodo gave him a brotherly hug. "Watch over the Shire for us Frodo."

Frodo gave him a small smile; "The day is wasting."

"Yes, it is time," Merry agreed.

The three travelers stood there for a moment, all wondered what the days would bring and when they would be home, sitting in Bag End or Crickhollow peacefully. Today was much different from the last time they had left; they were not the naïve hobbits they use to be. They were heroes in the land, and experienced war hobbits being called back to duty. They knew the dangers and what lay ahead.

Merry walked out the door with Pippin and Sam behind him. Merry and Pippin did not look back at Bag End, but on the doorstep, Sam looked back at Frodo. He tried to smile, but only a frown appeared. He turned and followed the other two hobbits down the path to the road leading out of the Shire.

"Rosie will look after him," Merry told Sam. "Don't worry about him."

"He has the strength to go on this journey," Sam shook his head sadly. "I'd look out for him."

"Sam it was his choice. He wants to go with us, but he has done his deeds in life. You have looked after him, and now he is looking out for you. Let him." Merry reasoned with Sam.

"But what if he falls ill again?"

"Rosie will take care of him. We have our own concerns. Let Frodo be."

Sam though was torn in two; it was his job to watch over Frodo, he had promised that he would. He had promised Gandalf. Yet he couldn't, and now he had to be far from him for the first time ever. He would never forgive himself if something happened to Frodo.