Hello all! The next chapter will be up next Sunday. I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!

Review Responses:

John, let me know what exactly is confusing you and I'll see if it's just something I'm not explaining well or if it's something that I'm purposely keeping you in the dark about. And there is something ominous approaching. There's at least four more battles before this fic is through. And they are all going to be biggies.

narmolanya, I stop torturing her somewhat in this chapter. But she's not completely better yet.

harmoni, Sam and Frodo's location gets discovered in a few more chapters, I think, if I'm remembering the plan correctly. And I'm glad you like Remus and Faith. You know me, I love crazy and wacky pairings. :)

Thanks to everyone who reviewed. You guys are great!

A/N: Because fanfiction. net seems to have issues in allowing special characters used in these fics. When they are speaking Elvish it will look like this. When telepathy is being used, it will look like this.

Because fanfiction. net seems to have issues in allowing special characters used in these fics. When they are speaking Elvish it will look like When telepathy is being used, it will look like

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Life After Helm's Deep

Dawn sat between the elf twins while Aragorn ate a quick lunch. Legolas and Gimli, along with the other Rangers, also sat at the long table awaiting Aragorn's news.

"What changed your mind about riding with King Théoden?" Dawn asked, trying to keep her thoughts away from Draco.

"I have looked into the Stone of Orthanc," Aragorn said.

"You have looked in that accursed stone?" Gimli cried.

"Are you stupid?" Dawn asked.

"I am the lawful master of the Stone, and I had both the right and the strength to use it, or so I judged."

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," Dawn said with a shake of her head. "That thing is a direct connection to Sauron. Even Gandalf seemed afraid of it. You saw what it did to Pippin."

"But I am not Pippin am I?" Aragorn snapped. A weary look crossed his face and he drew a deep breath. "My apologies. It was a bitter struggle and the weariness is slow to pass."

"Were you able to bend the stone to your will?" Legolas asked.

"Barely," Aragorn said as he reached for a roll. "But I sensed that he was not at full strength. Something saps him from the inside."

Dawn's brow furrowed as she processed the information. For some reason it seemed important, but she didn't know why. She mentally filed it away and hoped she could figure it out before it was too late.

"I saw many things," Aragorn said, pulling her attention back to the conversation. "A grave peril I saw coming unlooked for upon Gondor from the South that will draw off great strength from the defense of Minas Tirith. If it is not countered swiftly, I deem the city will be lost ere ten days be gone."

"Then lost it must be," said Gimli. "For what help is there to send thither, and how could it come there in time?"

"If you haven't forgotten, my sister and Harry are riding there as we speak. Not to mention Gandalf and Pippin. Are you planning on abandoning them now?" Dawn asked, tears coming to her eyes for what seemed like the twentieth time that day.

"I'm sorry, lass. I shouldn't have said that," Gimli apologized.

"We have help to send though," Aragorn said, trying to ease her pain. "We will go. But there is only one way through the mountains that will bring us to the coastline before all is lost. That is the Paths of the Dead."

"Ok, I'm really not liking the sound of that," Dawn said. "What exactly are those paths?"

"The King of the Mountains swore an allegiance to Isildur, but refused to fulfill it. They served Sauron during the Dark Years," Aragorn explained. "Isildur placed a curse on them, never allowing them rest until they fulfilled their oaths. They hid among the hills and slowly dwindled away."

"And you think these..." Dawn paused as she struggled for the correct term.

"Sleepless Dead," he supplied.

"These Sleepless Dead are going to help?" She asked.

Aragorn nodded his head. "If they wish to rest, they will. And only I, as Isildur's heir, can release them of their oaths."

"Then let's do this," she said.

scenebreak

Hermione set her quill down as she stared down at the transfiguration homework in front of her. While Saturday's trip to Hogsmeade had been fun and she had felt refreshed when they sat down to work on Sunday, it still failed to yield answers to their problem. Even Xander, the seemingly perpetual optimist, was looking rather worried.

At least Dawn had assured them a week ago that everything was fine, but still the young Gryffindor woman couldn't help but worry. That was one of her best friends out there, possibly in the middle of a war. Of course, it wasn't like they weren't in the middle of a war here. But at least here she'd be able to see for herself that Harry was fine.

A faint smile appeared on her lips as she looked over to see Ron intensely concentrating on the book in front of him. Just that one glance told her everything she needed to know. He was working on finding Frodo and Sam. Ron had never been a big student, but ever since his sister's life had been placed in danger he would read any Wicca book that Willow and Tara would hand him. He was hoping he could find the answers to her quick return inside them.

It just helped to prove that he wasn't as dumb as he thought he was. Her faint smile got bigger as she thought, he was, after all, dating her. But it quickly disappeared as she thought how little Ron thought of himself.

Honestly, anyone who could play wizard's chess as well as he did couldn't be a dummy. Wizard's chess wasn't exactly an easy game and so far she had never seen him lose a game. Draco had come close to beating him a few times, but had never succeeded. And yet, Ron never saw that as an indication of his intelligence. He thought his poor, dismal grades spoke for his abilities. But she knew that that couldn't be the case. Ron knew the material, he just never seemed to apply himself. That is, until now.

She rubbed her eyes and wished she had Ginny and Dawn here to talk to about this stuff. Of course, if they were there she wouldn't be having these thoughts. But without the girls around, she realized she had no one to talk to about girl things. Well, there were other females around, just no one who knew her like those two.

At least they were together in Middle Earth to look after each other and have someone to talk to. That is, if they were both still alive. No, she firmly reminded herself. Buffy and Spike were there to take care of them. There was no way they'd be dead. And Draco would rather die himself then let the woman he loved die.

Hermione sighed, she really needed to stop doing this to herself. Worrying was not helping them. Forcing her mind away from her dark thoughts, she picked her quill up and went back to her homework.

scenebreak

Draco sat next to Ginny. A small cooking fire shone brightly before them. He took a quick look around to make sure no one was too close to overhear their conversation.

If she even talked to him. She hadn't said a word since they had left Helm's Deep that afternoon. The stars were now shining overhead and she still seemed to be in no hurry to speak.

"Nice night," he commented to which she only shrugged and continued to push food around on her plate. "I miss Dawn, though. You thinking about Harry?" She nodded slightly. "I'm sure he's fine." She nodded again.

He frowned as his grey eyes studied her. Dawn had been right, this was more than Ginny missing Harry. He had never seen her so noncommittal on the man she loved before. Something had definitely happened to make her clam up like this.

Trusting that Dawn was right about the time when whatever it was happened, he said, "That was some battle, huh?'

She stiffened and then barely nodded her head.

Draco took a bite of his bread as he tried to figure out where to go from there. Now that he knew when it had happened, he only needed to find out what it was. He really wished Dawn was there. She'd be able to get it out of the redhead.

"I've never seen an army so big. Even Voldemort's demon army wasn't that big," he said after a moment.

Ginny relaxed some, but her shoulders remained tense. She nodded her head in agreement.

"The elves were amazing. They seemed to move as fast as Buffy sometimes," he said.

Her shoulders relaxed some more as she nodded.

"The Rhohirrim were pretty wicked, too. It's amazing how people can pull together to defend their home."

She tensed for the briefest moment before relaxing. Again, she only mutely nodded.

"Oh, and did Dawn tell you that she had to use her magic to save Haldir?" Draco blinked in surprise at her response.

Ginny seemed to fold in on herself the moment the word magic left his mouth. She seemed to be trying to block out the world as she hunched over her plate.

Draco wasn't exactly a genius when it came to reading people, but even he could see a connection. Obviously something happened during the battle that had to do with magic. Since she had been separated from the others for most of the fighting it had to be her magic.

With what little he had deduced so far, he couldn't figure out what it was though. He didn't want to push her too much in fear she'd shut down completely. But if she didn't open up about this soon, she'd tear herself apart from the inside and then shut down.

More than ever he wished Dawn was with them. Her instincts with these things were so much better than his own. He briefly entertained the thought of contacting her, but then dismissed it. He only wanted to contact her in case of emergency or change of plans. It meant he was on his own.

He set his plate on the ground and scooted closer to her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and decided to move ahead the only way he knew how. "What happened?"

"I don't know what you mean," was her soft reply.

"Something happened to you during that battle. What was it?"

"Nothing happened to me."

"Did you see something?" He asked.

"No."

"Then what?" He asked softly, giving her shoulders a gentle squeeze. "I'll understand, you can tell me."

She shook her head. "No. Nothing."

"Come on, Gin. This is me, you're talking to. Your bestest Slytherin friend. I think I can take it."

"I... I killed an orc," she said after a moment.

He looked at her in confusion. "We all killed orcs."

"No! Not like this." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I used magic to kill one."

"How?" She mumbled something that he didn't understand. "What?"

"I used the killing curse," she said in horror as she began to cry.

Of all the things he had bee prepared to hear her say, that was not one of them. He finally understood her silence and he briefly closed his eyes as he shared her pain.

Draco wrapped his other arm around her and pulled her close. "Gin, why didn't you say something sooner?"

"I was too ashamed. I didn't want everyone to hate me," was her choked reply.

"We could never hate you."

"But I used an Unforgivable!"

"What exactly happened?" He asked gently.

"A boy our age was frozen during the retreat and an orc was going to get him. I knew I wasn't going to be able to reach him in time so I pulled out my wand and used it." She turned her tear-streaked face up to look at him. "I was just so angry, Draco. Angry at how they killed women and children and destroyed the land. The curse left my mouth before I knew it."

He looked into her brown eyes. "And that was it?" At her startled expression he elaborated. "Spike killed people for over a hundred years, Anya for over a thousand, Willow flayed a man alive, tried to kill the scoobies, and then tried to end the world. And you're worried about one little curse?"

She could only gape at him. He was pleased to note that she had stopped crying.

"Ginny, I can understand what you're feeling. I've used the curses myself." He smiled at her gasp. "Remember, I'm a Malfoy. My father had me practicing at a young age. I've killed a lot of rabbits and sheep."

"But I feel so dirty."

Draco nodded. "It'll pass. Just don't let it control you."

She sniffed. "I'll try."

"Ready to get some sleep?" He asked.

"Yeah." They separated and pulled their blankets out of their packs. Then they stretched out on the ground.

After a few minutes, Ginny said, "Can I ask a favor?"

"Sure, what?"

"Can... can you hold me tonight?" She asked softly.

He shifted over and she quickly moved into his arms. "You promise to tell me if anything else happens."

"Promise," she said. "Thank you."

"You're my best friend after Dawn. I'd do anything for you."

"Such a nice boy," she sleepily said.

"Am not," was his indignant response.

scenebreak

The Rangers and what was left of the Fellowship rode well into the night. They covered the plains swiftly and Dawn was forced to keep her entire attention focused on staying in the saddle.

When Aragorn finally signaled a halt and let them know they were stopping for a few hours, she wearily slid out of the saddle. None of their previous riding had prepared her for that long and hard of a ride.

Get some rest while you may, Amaureä. Elrohir said as he took in her appearance. There are plenty here to stand guard.

Elrohir said as he took in her appearance.

She could barely nod her head in agreement as she let him lead her horse away. She moved to the center of the encampment and plopped onto the ground. Using one of her arms as a pillow, she curled up on her side to sleep. Her brain, on the other hand, had other ideas.

Dawn sighed softly as her now wide-awake eyes peered into the darkness. Worries that she had shoved to the back of her mind, came roaring to the forefront.

Sauron probably sensed her accidental use of her magic in the battle. She frowned for a moment. Sauron had to know she was in Middle Earth before then. The portal she opened to get there surely caused enough 'noise' to be heard. Not to mention the communication back home. Then why would Galadriel caution against its use if the enemy was already alerted to her presence?

Rolling onto her back, she thought it over. After the portal that had brought them there, she had used her powers twice - once in Edoras to talk to Willow, and then in Helm's Deep to save Haldir. She had kept the usage time short so he probably never got a solid lock on her location. Just that she was somewhere in Rohan.

That's when it hit her. Continued use of her magic would allow Sauron to pinpoint her location and then send those nasty orcs to capture her. Man, she must really be tired if it took her that long to figure out such a simple answer, she thought.

She closed her eyes and hoped that sleep would come now that she had solved the problem weighing on her mind. After a few minutes she rolled over to her left side. Few minutes after that she rolled onto her right. Then onto her back a few minutes later.

Her mind was clear, but her body was restless. With another sigh she realized the source of the new problem. Every time she had slept over the past week and a half it had been in Draco's arms. He helped her feel sheltered and safe in unfamiliar territory so she could sleep. Now she was force to recreate the feeling without him.

Sleep, Amaureä. I will watch over you. Elrohir said softly, sitting next to her. You are safe here.

Elrohir said softly, sitting next to her.

Dawn smiled faintly up at him before drifting to sleep. Her last thought was wishing that Draco was next to her.