Hi guys! I would love to say that the next chapter will be up next Sunday for Easter, but I can't guarantee it. So check next Sunday, and if it's not there, then it will definitely be up the following Sunday.
Review Responses:
lark277, ladyofthedragons1, thank you guys for your reviews!
John, I'm sorry that the chapter was a little too mysterious for you, but hopefully things will be explained in this one. If you're still confused just ask, and I'll explain away.
harmoni, I know, I'm cruel. And you are right, you do leave me hanging, a lot. But there are some answers in this chapter.
Pandoras Box, yeah there could be worse places for that scar. I would have never thought of it until you pointed it out, though. You naughty person you. This chapter doesn't leave you hanging quite as much as the last one did. And I know it was sad about Boromir, poor guy. But I just love his brother, he was such a sweetie.
vampy the chosen one, it's ok that you came late into the story, the important thing is that you're here now. I'm glad you like Dawn in this fic. I pretty much hated her character until the beginning of the last season. She just suddenly seemed to grow up and wasn't as annoying, so I tried to put that personality into this fic instead of the annoying one.
Face, I'm sorry they weren't there enough. I'm afraid Legolas is in this chapter, but probably not enough to satisfy you. I promise that Faith is in the next chapter, and you'll find out why in this one. I hope it makes you happy. I've had to sit down and rewatch my tapes to get a feel for her again. And Sevya? How in the world did you come up with that. You may just start new lingo with that term.
LOTR INFO:
There's not much here for me to say, since the important info is given out in the chapter. But I did notice that stupid ff.net wouldn't let me put the link for the map in the last chapter. So if you would still like to look at the map, I'm going to post the link in my bio, so just go there for it. :)
Thanks to my beta PuNKyCoWGiRL!
Chapter Eleven
Taking Charge
Dawn awoke with a gasp to see Draco worriedly hovering over her. "Thank Merlin!" He cried, pulling her into his arms.
"We've got trouble," she said. "All of us need to meet in the scooby common room." ~Buffy, gather the scoobies. Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall. And see if Dumbledore can get Remus and Sirius here also.~
~What just happened?~ Buffy asked.
~I'll explain when everybody is together in the scooby common room. I don't want to repeat myself, we don't have time. Go, Buffy!~ Dawn turned her attention back to Draco. "Make sure you get Blaise. Go now." She gently shoved him towards the Slytherin table.
Dawn looked at Harry, who had also come to. "I'm already gathering them," she said. "We'll talk about it when we get there." She looked at the others, "Scooby common room now."
When the people Dawn had requested quickly got up and left the Great Hall, a lot of whispering started. Neville knew that something important was happening and he wanted to be a part of it, so he got up and followed.
Only a few minutes after Dawn had started giving orders everybody was gathered in the designated meeting spot. "Did you get a hold of Sirius and Remus?" Dawn asked.
"They should arrive any moment now," Dumbledore said, curiosity burning in his eyes.
"Good."
"What happened?" Buffy asked, slightly unnerved by the way Dawn was taking control.
"Not until Remus and Sirius get here," Dawn insisted.
It was then that Buffy had noticed that Neville had joined them. "Neville, what are you doing in here?"
"I want to help," he firmly said.
Buffy looked like she was about to protest, but then decided against it and just nodded her head.
About that time Sirius and Remus entered. Sirius crossed immediately to Harry and pulled his godson into a huge hug. "Are you ok? Dumbledore said you fainted."
"I'm fine," Harry said.
Dawn stood up, pulling everyone's attention to her. "I'm sure you're all wondering what happened and why I've called all of you here. Harry, I'm guessin' you had a vision of Voldemort, right?"
"Yeah."
"Why don't you tell them what you saw, then I'll tell what I saw. It might make more sense in that orders," Dawn said as she sat down next to Draco.
Harry nodded. "All I know is that Voldemort was pleased and then suddenly was very angry. And all I saw was some strange little creature."
"Do you think it has anything to do with the talisman he's been searching for?" Dumbledore asked.
"I think so," Harry answered, his face scrunching up as he tried to remember. "I think he thought he found it, but he didn't."
A wry smile appeared on Dawn's lips. "But he did find it. He just doesn't realize yet."
"Why? What do you know?" Snape asked.
"The reason I fainted was along the same reasons that Harry did, except I had a little talk with Galadriel," Dawn said choosing her words carefully.
"What's wrong?" Buffy asked.
Dawn sadly looked at her. "The ring is no longer in Middle Earth."
"Oh that's not good," Tara whispered.
"Ring? What ring?" Blaise asked.
"When we went to Middle Earth this summer we met this group who were setting out to destroy an evil ring. A ring that had enormous power," Dawn quickly explained.
"The talisman," Dumbledore said.
"Precisely. The ring is no longer in Middle Earth and neither are Frodo and Sam."
"But I didn't see any other people," Harry protested. "Just that funny looking creature."
"I think the best thing to do is to open a portal and bring the rest of the fellowship here," Dawn said. "After all, they were there so they can tell us what happened. Galadriel didn't even know what exactly happened."
"Do you know where they are?" Buffy asked as she stood and crossed to her sister.
"Yes, Galadriel did know that." Dawn quickly linked up with Buffy and Draco and before long, a portal was opened in the middle of the scooby common room. "Spike, can you cross through and get them while I hold this open?"
"Sure thing, 'Bit." Spike stepped through the portal and found himself on the shore of a lake. He heard a noise behind him and he turned to see Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli packing.
They were startled to see the vampire. "What are you doing here?" Aragorn asked.
"Somethin's happened that concerns all of us. You need to come with me."
"We can't, we're losing precious time," Gimli argued.
"It'll be all right, mate," Spike assured him. "Time moves faster in our world than it does in yours. You won't be losin' as much time as you think."
Gimli still looked unsure, but he and Legolas looked to Aragorn for the final decision.
"Look, we think we know where the ring is," Spike said, hoping that would sway his decision.
"You know where Frodo and Sam are?" Aragorn asked in surprise.
"Not exactly, but we have an idea. Now are you coming?" Spike asked impatiently.
"Very well," Aragorn said.
"Where's Boromir, Merry, and Pippin?" The blond vampire asked, looking around.
"We'll explain when we get there."
Then the four of them stepped through the portal. Once everyone was in the common room, Dawn shut the portal. The three members of the fellowship uneasily looked around their surroundings as if they expected something to jump out at them any minute.
It was Buffy who spoke up first. "Aragorn, where's Boromir and the hobbits?"
The ranger wearily sighed and rubbed his face with his hand. "We were attacked by a group of Saruman's Uruk-hais, they were after the hobbits. They didn't want them dead, but alive. Saruman knew that one of them was carrying the ring, but did not know which one. Boromir died trying to prevent their capture."
A sad expression on Anya's face as a few tears leaked out. In one of his rare public moments, Snape asked softly, "Are you ok?"
She nodded. "He had been worried about whether he belonged with the fellowship or not. Whether he would ever contribute anything."
"It took three arrows to put him down," Aragorn said gravely. "But Merry and Pippin were taken."
"Hobbitnapped," Xander said.
"Frodo was worried about the ring destroying the fellowship," Aragorn continued, ignoring Xander's outburst. "He left and Sam went with him. We watched to make sure they crossed the lake safely, but Gollum attacked them when they got out of the boat."
"Gollum?" McGonagall asked.
"He possessed the ring until Frodo's Uncle Bilbo found it. Gollum had the ring for over three hundred years and wants it back," Aragorn explained before going back into his story. "But in the middle of the attack was light and two men stepped out of it."
Legolas looked at Dawn. "It was very similar to the portals you open, except it seemed unstable."
"The two men with masks grabbed Gollum and went back through," Aragorn said.
"What did they look like?" Dumbledore asked. Aragorn briefly described the masks for him and Dumbledore sadly nodded. "Death eaters."
"Then Frodo and Sam fell through at the last minute," Aragorn concluded. "We were just preparing to rescue Merry and Pippin when Spike appeared."
"I think Frodo and Sam are in our world," Dawn said.
"Why do you think that?" The ranger asked.
Buffy spoke up. "Do you remember that war we mentioned we were fighting against Voldemort?" Aragorn nodded. "It seems our bad guy thought our world wasn't enough. He's looking for absolute power and he's somehow heard about the ring. He must have captured Gummy thinking that he still had the ring."
"Then he must have Frodo and Sam," Gimli said.
"No, he doesn't," Harry said. "I know because I have a connection with Voldemort. Sometimes I see through his eyes. Frodo and Sam didn't come through the portal there, only Gollum."
Dumbledore's face was a portrait of deep concentration as he prompted, "You mentioned this portal was different from Dawn's."
"It was ill defined and seemed to waver," Legolas answered. With his sharper elven eyes, he had the best view of the portal.
"And when did Frodo and Sam fall through it?" The old wizard asked.
"Right before it closed," the elf answered, slightly confused.
"Ah, I believe that because the portal was not stable, when Frodo and Sam fell through it, they fell into a different part of our world."
"Merlin! They could be anywhere," Ron said in a disbelieving tone.
Silence descended on the group as the enormity of what had happened fully set-in. They knew that their next move would be crucial and had to be soon.
Dawn sighed. She knew they weren't going to like what she was going to say, but she knew it had had to be. Galadriel had told her that several things needed to happen in order for them to save both worlds. "Some of us need to join the fellowship."
Aragorn shook his head. "I cannot place anyone else in danger."
"Danger is our life," Buffy said simply. "We've grown somewhat used to it. And she's right. You're gonna need help. It's just a matter of who goes."
"Either way we do it, they're going to need to fighters," Spike said. "Which means me an' the slayer."
"Which would include me and Draco," Dawn said.
"No, Dawn. You stay here, you still have school left, remember?" Buffy said.
Dawn rolled her eyes. "Buffy, we can't be in two different dimensions. How am I suppose to open a portal that way? I need you and Draco."
"We could have Anya move us."
"My powers don't work that way," Anya said. "I can only move myself through dimensions."
"Then we'll send someone else," Buffy said.
"Who?" Dawn asked. "Willow and Tara aren't the kind of fighters they need, and Xander isn't enough by himself. It has to be the four of us."
Buffy hated to admit it, but her sister was right. "Fine. We need to find a way to communicate with Willow and Tara, though."
The brunette smiled. "Not a prob. Galadriel told me how to do that while they sleep."
"This still doesn't mean I'm happy with this," Buffy said darkly.
"Do we not get a say in this?" Aragorn asked.
"Merry and Pippin are our friends, too," Buffy said, as she turned to look at him. "We want to help."
"I believe Harry should go with you," Dumbledore said, interrupting them.
"What?" Cried half the room.
"You can't send him!" Sirius protested. "It's too dangerous."
"Yes, it will be, but he'll be in more danger if he stays here, especially if Voldemort finds the ring."
"Headmaster, you must surely be jesting," Snape said.
"I'm afraid not, Severus. He'll be much safer in Middle Earth," Dumbledore said softly.
"Then I'm going, too."
They all turned to stare at Ginny who had a defiant look on her face.
"He's my boyfriend and I love him. I'm not going to let him wander off into another dimension without me."
"Ginny! Have you lost your mind?" Ron cried. "Mum would kill me if she found out I let you go."
"Then she'll just have to kill you then won't she?" The look on her face was eerily reminiscent of Willow's resolve face.
Buffy must have understood for she said, "Fine. But no one else. Six people are enough. The rest of you need to stay and find Frodo and Sam."
"Very well," Aragorn said, realizing they were going to join them no matter what. "Let us be on our way."
"We need to change and pack first," Spike said.
"Take only what you can carry," Aragorn instructed. "We need to travel light."
"Let's meet back here in fifteen minutes," Buffy ordered.
*********
Fifteen minutes later they were back in the scooby common room. Dawn and Draco lent some of their elvish clothing to Harry and Ginny so that they could blend in easier in Middle Earth. Buffy and Spike had also changed and the six were similarly dressed like Legolas.
Buffy, Dawn, and Draco had their twin daggers and bows that they had been given. Xander went into his room and reappeared with the cloak and sword he had been given.
"Here, Ginny, these should help," he said.
"Thanks," she said, as she strapped the sword on.
Harry strapped on the sword Buffy gave him. It felt rather awkward, but he was sure he'd get used to it.
"I wish I had more time to teach you how to use it, but I guess you'll learn as you go," Buffy said with a sigh.
"Remus, I need you to do me a favor," Spike said, walking over to the werewolf.
"I'll try. What is it?"
"Albus is letting me choose my temporary replacement. I know how much the kids respect you and I want you to take over for me."
Remus' eyes widened. "But I can't. My condition."
Spike snorted. "You're a werewolf, so what? I'm a vampire. You're the only one I trust to take over other than the Watcher, and he already has a class. Please. For the kids."
"In that case, yes," Remus said with a small smile.
"Thanks, mate. The plans are on the desk." He went to go back to his things then stopped as something occurred to him. "I guess my position is cursed," he muttered softly to himself.
"Buffy, have you made any arrangements for your class?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yeah, I sent a letter to Faith and Wesley. They should hopefully be here tonight or tomorrow. If they can't come then Giles and Xander can juggle their schedules around to cover my classes. But I'm pretty sure Faith will come, and probably Wesley."
Harry watched as Hermione went around placing charms on things. "What are you doing?"
"I'm charming your canteens and bags so that they'll hold more, but not weigh more. I'm also charming your cloaks with a warming spell."
"Thanks, 'Mione. You think of everything."
She looked up at him with tears swimming in her brown eyes. "Well someone has to. You're hopeless on your own." The tears fell as he pulled her to him. "You take care of yourself Harry James Potter."
"I will. I have the others to help me," He just held her tight as she cried on his shoulder.
"Virginia Weasley! Don't you dare think about leaving until you tell us goodbye!" Molly said, as she stormed in with the rest of the Weasleys.
"Ginny's jaw dropped as her mother pulled her in close. "What are you doing here, mum?"
"Dumbledore told us about your decision," Arthur said. "We wanted to make sure we all saw you off."
"Young lady, I want you to know that I'm not happy about this," Molly said sternly as she stepped back to look her daughter in the eye. "But I couldn't be prouder of you. Make sure that you do exactly what Buffy and Spike tell you."
"I will mum," Ginny said, tearing up.
The scoobies did their own farewells as the Weasleys' did theirs. Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli stood off to the side, waiting as patiently as possible.
"We really need to leave," Aragorn said urgently, after several minutes.
Dawn nodded and pictured the lake again. She linked with Buffy and Draco and opened the portal. One by one they stepped through and then Dawn closed it from the other side.
The only sound in the room was the soft crying of those left behind.