Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or the Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 24: Here We Go Again

The atmosphere at Helm's Deep had changed drastically from deep despair to utter joy. Rohan's army, lead by Gandalf, chased the Uruk-hai, who fled into what looked like a nearby forest. They hadn't gotten too far in when Harry was startled to see the trees move, crushing every orc inside the woods.

"No way…" said Ron, "The trees are alive!"

"Yes Ron," said Harry with a sarcastic grin, "Trees are living things, just like every other plant. Or weren't you paying attention in Herbology?"

"Stop sounding like Hermione! You know what I mean!" snapped Ron.

Harry turned to Gandalf. "That was great!" he said, "How did you get here just in time? And how did you get the trees here like that?"

"I didn't," replied Gandalf. "I think there's more to that story then meets the eye," he added, glancing in the direction of the forest.

"Well, I guess we'll never know then, huh," said Ron, "But how did you find Eomer?"

"I searched the plains for him, and he and his Riders agreed to come and help."

"Well thanks, you really pulled us out of a tight spot there," said Ron gratefully to Eomer.

Eomer smiled and nodded. "I'm just glad our people are safe."

"What are we going to do now?" asked Harry.

"We are going inside," said Gandalf, "You look like you all need some rest. Then we shall start out for Isengard."

"What!" asked Harry in disbelief, "Are you mad?"

"Not at all," said Gandalf calmly.

"Why are taking us there?" protested Ron, "We'll just get ourselves killed!"

"You didn't appear too concerned about that when I arrived, riding out there in the midst of the enemy forces," Gandalf pointed out, "Stop fretting now. I know what I am doing." He urged Shadowfax onward up through the gate and out of sight.

"Does anyone else have the feeling he knows something we don't?" asked Ron.

"He always knows something we don't," said Aragorn, "He is a wizard after all."

"Yeah, but I'm a wizard and I don't know what he's talking about!" exclaimed Ron.

"Some things never change," muttered Harry under his breath.


The flood of water all but destroyed the once mighty fortress of Isengard. Now that the water had actually calmed down, Treebeard lowered the boys down, where they immediately engaged themselves in a water war: Fred and George vs. Merry and Pippin. The hobbits were so small that they could dunk themselves and surprise the twins with an underwater attack.

Up on the balcony of Orthanc, Saruman and Wormtongue glowered at the boys. The Four looked up in time to see Wormtongue make some kind of remark that caused Saruman to start yelling and cursing and hitting the unfortunate servant with his staff.

"How nice," remarked Fred casually, "He looks like Mum when she yells at us!" They all burst out laughing again. Saruman must've realized that they were mocking him, and that it would be no good to retaliate, as they'd just laugh harder, because he grabbed Wormtongue and dragged him inside.

"No don't go!" cried George, "You're taking away a fine source of entertainment!"

"Speaking of entertainment, look what I've got!" said Fred.

"Yes! Exploding Snap!" cried Pippin.

"I don't know why you're so excited Pippin. Losing is never fun," said Fred.

"Then how come you brought out the game?" Pippin shot back.

"Just deal the cards," said George.

"George really just wants to get this over with," said Pippin, "He hates losing to me too!"

"Shut up and deal," said George through gritted teeth.

"Yeah, I think you'll be surprised by the results Pippin," said Merry.

"We'll see," said Pippin.


Ron wandered through Helm's Deep, watching soldiers piling up the bodies of dead Uruks. He soon found the two people he was looking for, discussing the outcome of the battle.

"Final count, 42," said Legolas, looking rather impressed with himself.

"42? That's not bad for a pointy-eared elvish princeling," said Gimli, "I myself am sitting on 43!"

"That's nice guys," said Ron with a heavy sigh.

"Uh-oh, what did you get?" asked Legolas.

"You don't want to know," replied Ron.

"What was it?" asked Gimli with a sly smile.

"I'm not sure if I should tell you," said Ron, his eyes cast to the ground.

"It's all right, we won't laugh," said Legolas, "Go on, tell us."

As soon as Ron looked up, Legolas knew he'd made a terrible mistake. There was a triumphant grin on Ron's face. "FIFTY!" he yelled jubilantly, "Take THAT!"

"No!" gasped Gimli.

"Yes!" said Ron, laughing.

"But…how…" Legolas stuttered.

"Magic my friends. I just started Stunning them all and stabbed them where they fell. Didn't even have to really fight them!"

"That's NOT fair!" roared Gimli, "YOU CAN'T USE MAGIC!"

"Never said I couldn't!"

"But…but…" Gimli spluttered with rage.

Legolas couldn't help but laugh. "Well played my friend," he said, "But next time we're banning magic!"

"Let's hope there isn't a next time," said Ron darkly.


At Osgiliath, Faramir had found himself listening very closely as Ginny shared with Frodo one of her darkest secrets. He remembered what Sam had said happened to Boromir, and he knew in his heart what he had to do.

"You're setting us free?" asked a surprised Hermione.

"Yes," said Faramir. He knew that he would be in big trouble with Denethor when he got home to Minas Tirith, but suddenly, in the light of all that had happened, that didn't seem as important anymore. He still loved his father, but he now knew the danger of bringing home this object, and he would not endanger Gondor with it.

Faramir led the little group to a rather large tunnel. "This leads to the sewers under the river," he said, "Ginny; I need you to lead them through here."

"Oh but…" Ginny was torn. She wanted to go with Hermione, but she couldn't leave the soldiers behind. She longed to fight.

"Ginny, I really need you to do this for me," he said sternly, "Lead them through the sewers so they can find their way. I know you want to fight, but I won't endanger you by putting you in battle."

"Ok," said Ginny, shrugging, "But we're going up some pass to Minas Morgul, so I'd be in danger anyway."

"What pass?" asked Faramir, sharply, "Cirth Ungol?"

"Oh, that's what it was called!" exclaimed Ginny.

"Cirith Ungol?" asked Hermione with a frown. She reached her hand in for her little book, but it wasn't there. "Have you seen my book on the peoples and places of Middle Earth?" she asked.

Faramir suddenly looked guilty. "I'm sorry Hermione," he said, "I had confiscated it beforehand when we first caught you. I found it so interesting that I decided to borrow it for a little while, that was before I knew who you were of course, and I think it's still at Henneth Annun. I am sorry."

"That's quite alright," said Hermione, "I'll get it back some other time." She stepped inside the tunnel, and Frodo, Sam, Ginny, and Gollum followed. "Goodbye Faramir," she said, "We will miss you!" Frodo and Sam nodded in agreement. Words failed them. They knew that deep down Faramir was an exceptional person, and he had proven it to them by setting them free. One by one, they all went into the tunnel.

Ginny was the last to leave. She took one look at Faramir, and the next second he thought his ribs would break from her tight hug. "I'll miss you," she whispered.

"Take care," he said, "And try to stay out of trouble."

She stepped back, and Faramir saw a mischievous smile on her face. "Are you kidding?" she asked, "This is me we're talking about!" Ginny stepped into the tunnel, waved, and was gone.

Faramir watched her go. Nice girl, he thought to himself, A little odd, and like no woman I've ever seen. But her heart's in the right place. He turned and left.


"THAT'S IT!" screamed Fred, flinging down his cards, "Pippin, we are locking you in that shed over there!"

"Here, here!" chorused George and Merry.

Pippin struggled but was no match for the three boys. "C'mon guys, put me down, it's not my fault I won ten times, c'mon put me down!"

"NEVER!" yelled George. They flung him in a little storeroom, but stopped when they saw what was in there.

"It's…beautiful," whispered Merry.

"It's…food!" said Fred.

Pippin emerged from the water on the floor, coughing and spluttering. He cleared his eyes and gasped. "Longbottom Leaf!"

"Hey, we know a guy named Longbottom," said Fred, "That's his last name. His first name's Neville."

"I'm not talking about a person, I'm talking about pipe weed!" said Pippin. He got up and opened a few small barrels. "Yes," he sighed, smelling it deeply. He then distributed four barrels to them.

"Ah, there's nothing like pipe weed from the Shire," said Merry, joyfully pulling out his pipe.

"Wait, d'you think we should share it with Treebeard?" asked Pippin.

"Of course not!" cried George, "He's out there clearing up Isengard. He doesn't need this stuff. Anyway, he drinks that Entwash thing, he won't like this."

"Yeah," said Fred, getting a pipe from the room, "Mmm, this stuff IS good!"

"Mum's going to kill us," said George, getting a pipe of his own.

"Not if she doesn't find out," Fred pointed out, "Cheers!"

They all laughed and settled down to enjoy the delights of Saruman's storeroom.


After sleeping for the first time in over a day, Harry was all ready to go. So was Aragorn. They got their horses and went out to meet Gandalf, Ron, Legolas, Gimli, Théoden, Eomer, and Gamling, who were already waiting for them.

"All set?" asked Ron.

"Yeah, you?" asked Harry.

"What do you think?" he replied. Together, they followed the others into the forest to begin a new stage in their adventure.


"Well, we're out," said Ginny cheerfully, "This is where I leave you!"

"You're not coming with us?" asked Hermione sadly.

Ginny sighed. "You know I want to, but I get this feeling that I'm needed here. Like there's something I have to do. I know Faramir doesn't want me to, so I'll hide in the sewers for a little while and come out when I think I need to."

"Are you sure?" asked Hermione. She hated to say goodbye to another friend.

"Positive," replied Ginny, before running up and giving Hermione a huge hug. Then she leaned down to look into Frodo's eyes. "Be careful with that ring," she said to him, "And remember what I told you."

"I will," he said.

"Good," she said, "Bye Sam!"

"Goodbye Miss Ginny!" said Sam, "And thank you!"

"My pleasure," replied Ginny, "See you Gollum! Gollum?"

Gollum was nowhere to be seen.

"Now where's he gone off to?" grumbled Sam.

"We'll find him," said Hermione.

"Well, bye then," said Ginny, and without a further glance she ran back for the sewers. Hermione watched this sadly, and then reluctantly went with Frodo and Sam.

Sam was busy chatting with Frodo. "I wonder if we'll ever be put in songs or tales?"

"Harry's already put himself in a lot of books in our world," said Hermione.

"Do they ever tell stories about you?" asked Sam.

"No, but a lot of people know me because I'm his friend."

"Well, maybe this is you chance. Maybe one day kids'll ask to hear about Frodo, Sam, Hermione, and the Ring."

Frodo laughed. "And then they'll ask, how could Frodo have managed it if he didn't have Sam and Hermione with him every step of the way?"

Hermione blushed deeply. "I wasn't there all the time…"

"You've been there enough," replied Frodo.

"What about Sméagol?" asked Hermione.

"Who'd want to read about him?" growled Sam, "Where is he anyway?"

"I'll find him," said Hermione, calling out loudly, "Sméagol? Sméagol?" She was surprised to see him suddenly pop up out of nowhere.

"Come on hobbits, miss," he said cheerfully, "Long ways to go yet. Sméagol will show you the way! Follow me!"

Hermione smiled grimly as they followed him along the path. Here we go again, she thought.

A/N: And so ends The Two Towers! What'd ya think?

Now for my reviewers:

LillyandJamesforever: Ah yes, no more finals! Thanks for understanding about Sam's speech! BTW, I've visited your website and I think it's great!

Eclipse: Ah, that was probably my favorite part! And their interaction continues! Thanx for reviewing!

xthexghostxwriterx: Thank you! I never considered myself to be a good writer; most people know me as a very harsh critic of myself!

Darknesscomes: That's good!

Catwraith: That is interesting. Maybe Prof. Tolkien knew German, and that's where he got it from. I know he apparently loved languages, which is why he made Elvish. The reasons I took forever to update were: Finals, Computer viruses, and a whole lot of work!

MischeviousPuck: I agree! I think it's mostly Harry's fault that she only just started coming to her full potential in the series, because it's all from his point of view and he never thought of her as anything but Ron's little sister. In my fic she is slowly starting to get fed up with Faramir and is now starting to take matters into her own hands. About Neville, well, I did think about it, but I can't do it now. I was thinking of adding him and Luna, and possibly Voldemort to the mix, but then I didn't. I think that was stupid of me, but it's still turned out ok. Maybe next time…

Tom Riddle Charlie: That's fine, review whenever you can! Yeah, if I made it TOO easy for them all it just wouldn't be much of a story, and things might turn out to be extremely different. That's the problem with writing crossovers; you have to be so careful. One little change could alter the whole course of events!

An: Thanks, I love you guys too!

Genvessel: Aw darn, I really wanted to take that class! Well, I'm glad you liked the Ginny part; I thought it would be great for them to connect; you can thank one of your fellow reviewers, Eclipse, for giving me the idea awhile ago. And now we're done with the Two Towers, and we can move on to the Return of the King! YAY!