Scars of the Future

Disclaimer: The characters, both Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, were created by J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien.

A/N: This fic was not created by myself alone. It was done in script format over Instant Messenger by myself and Animagus-Spirit. This fic and most of the events in it are her brilliant ideas, I have just taken the task to write it. Therefore, this fic is dedicated to her. I would also like to thank my beta, Inwe Telemnar. You guys are the greatest!

To my reviewers….

coolmarauders- Whoa now, hold on a second, lol. I, sadly, cannot take credit for the Bella and Voldy thing. Animagus wrote that. When I first posted the chapter I was trying to do a million other things at once, so forgot to mention that, stupid me! Anyway, thanks for reviewing so quick so I could change it. She also did the Remus and Sirius part at the end, which I thought was wonderful. God, I'm such an idiot.

LaxGoalie- Yep! We couldn't not have Sirius, and being so enraged that he died in the first place that's how we vented anger…

the 1 hp fan- Lol, it really is Padfoot this time!

Brownie/Melody- I get stuck on this more than I like, lol. Good thing Animagus knows what she's doing! Thanks for reviewing!

LATMC- I love Pippin and Sam too, after Frodo and Aragorn of course, so why I inflict pain on them I have no clue, but it's so fun! And I'm so mean! No, not Sirius luring Harry, but…hmm, definitely a character you know, that'll drive you crazy for awhile, I guarantee it. :-D Drawing things out is our specialty. You can probably tell by this chapter. It is LOOOONG. Not like you'll be complaining. :-D

UK All The Way- Glad we're getting good reactions about Sirius being back. One of the things we were worried about was how people were going to take it, we didn't know if some people would think we were stupid or what, lol. Apparently, that didn't happen. :-D

Kirsti-Lee- Wow, thrilled you're so impressed. Thanks a bunch!

A/N Again: Animagus-Spirit also wrote a section of this chapter. That scene is separated by A!A, just so you know it's hers, not mine.She did a good job, too : )

Chapter 12: Transfiguration Into Darkness

The cell Frodo had been roughly tossed into was cold, wet, and unfriendly. The invisible restraint that had been placed around him had been removed, and he sat huddled in a corner shivering. He worried terribly about the others, and was ridden with guilt of his failure to protect them. He knew, of course, that there was nothing he could have done to stop the Death Eaters, but still he felt responsible for them. He wondered what would happen now. Would he be killed instantly, or tortured like Harry?

How long had he been there? It had to have at least been a few hours, but he didn't know. Exhaustion had settled deep inside his bones, the result of the night's excitement and his body's inability to completely fight the effects of the poison. The strengthening potion had helped greatly, but its effects were not made to last. He had tried to sleep, his eyelids falling closed on their own accord, but just as he felt himself beginning to slip away he would be plagued with concerns for his companions, and he found himself attempting to devise a strategy for escape.

He heard soft footfalls in the corridor and wearily lifted his head. Bellatrix Lestrange peered in at him from the other side of the bars of the enclosure he resided in.

She smirked. "Well, well…Frodo Baggins, Savior of Middle Earth… Poor Fwodo, all alone, how sad!"

"I do not fear you," he said firmly, his voice stronger than he had anticipated. Even as he spoke the words, though, he felt the first twinges of dread begin to form in the pit of his stomach. Somewhere in the back of his mind he remembered the orcs at Cirith Ungol, and how he had endured their torment. He wondered if that had only been a preparation for what was to come, and that worse tortures were in store for him. He was nearly ill with the thought.

Bellatrix's eyes narrowed. "Do you know whom you are speaking to?"

"It would appear," he said, voice rising, "that I do not care. I have faced worse."

"Widdle Fwodo needs to learn his manners!" she said. "CRUCIO!"

Pain unlike any other Frodo had ever felt exploded within him. He screamed and writhed in agony, tears streaming down his face, and prayed for it to end.

Bellatrix laughed wickedly. "You'll be sure to learn something from that!"

"Then you're wrong," Frodo said, rising to his feet. "You believe you are so powerful, but you know nothing of power!"

"Oh, but I am!" she said. "Compared to a tiny, useless, waste of air! Crucio!"

Frodo was prepared for it this time, and set his face, refusing to give her the satisfaction of hearing him scream.

"Know this," she said. "I have killed many, tortured many, and seen many die. I even killed my own cousin! Do you think I won't kill you?"

"Kill me then!" Frodo growled. "I do not fear death!"

"Widdle Fwodo is so very, very brave," she said, sneering. "Let's see how he reacts to the pain of others!"

She unlocked the door and entered the cell, grabbed Frodo's arm and dragged him, despite his struggling, through countless tunnels and around innumerable turns until they reached another occupied chamber. She pointed her wand inside. "Crucio!"

"SAM!" Frodo shouted, and threw himself at the bars. "Stop!" he yelled at Bellatrix. "He did nothing!"

She laughed evilly. "Crucio!" she said again. Frodo ran at her and attempted to physically stop her, but she roughly shoved him aside.

"No…please…!" he pleaded, tears in his eyes.

"Crucio!"

Not knowing what else to do, and near frantic, he clasped the elven jewel that hung from his neck and shouted, "ELBERETH!"

A blinding light filled the corridor, and Bellatrix's laughter stopped short as she was thrown against the far wall.

"You…how did you…?" she said, eyes wide.

Frodo found himself equally shocked, but decided to use this situation to his advantage, if it was possible for him to have one, that is. The odds were unfavorable for his position, and he needed any benefit he could grasp.

"I have far more powerful allies behind me than you," he said boldly. "More powerful than your lord." As he finished speaking, Frodo made a silent prayer to the Valar that he had succeeded in intimidating her, frightening her perhaps, for he did not want to imagine what would happen if her full wrath was unleashed upon him.

Bellatrix's eyes first widened, surprised at his bravery, then narrowed in fury. It seemed as if the fires of Hell were alit in them, and Frodo, despite himself, shrank back against the bars of the now unconscious Sam's cell. She searched for her wand, which had flown from her hand as she had plunged into the wall. Not finding it, for it was somewhere behind Frodo, she stood and ran at him, grabbing the collar of his shirt and slamming him against the bars. He let out a cry of pain.

"No one has more power than the Dark Lord!" she barked savagely, yanking the hobbit's head back by his hair with the hand that was not pinning him against the bars. "If you dare insult him, you must face him!" She released him shirtfront, and finally locating her wand within the cell retrieved it and bound his wrists behind his back. She grabbed Frodo by the hair and dragged him to Voldemort's chambers, as the hobbit strived to gain his feet.

Bellatrix knocked thrice on the rotted wood of the door. "Enter," said a cold voice. Shivers ran up and down Frodo's spine. She pushed open the door and stepped in front of Frodo.

"It is me, my lord, I've brought a prisoner who has affronted your power. I thought you would like to deal with him," she said, bowing to him.

"Show him to me."

Bellatrix yanked Frodo forward and shoved him roughly forward. He fell to his knees, unable to keep his footing.

"Leave us."

Bellatrix bowed again and backed out of the room, closing the door softly as she went. Frodo gazed upward into scarlet, menacing eyes that stood out against chalk white skin. Terror gripped his heart, and he found himself quivering in fear. What have I done?

Voldemort let a burning gaze travel over the hobbit, and he laughed a cold, high pitched laugh that was immediately familiar to Frodo, although he could not place where the memory came from.

"So," hissed Voldemort. "You question my power…but what does someone like yourself know of power?"

Frodo said nothing, but did not break eye contact with the Dark Lord. Red eyes bore into his own blue, searching, searching for…for what, exactly, Frodo didn't know, but he didn't like the feeling that this man, if he was a man, seemed to read him like an open book. He had known terror, had been faced with many evils and horrors that even now haunted his nightmares. He had carried the Ring, perhaps the worst of them all, but he had never been brought before Sauron, had never been forced to endure direct interrogations that he could only cover with fruitless lies.

"What do you know of The Order of the Phoenix?" Voldemort asked with the nonchalance of one asking about the weather.

Again, Frodo remained silent, afraid that even by denying information he would reveal his fear, and he knew that resilience was his only defense.

"I asked you a question, hobbit, and I have little patience when awaiting answers."

Frodo swallowed, and hoped Voldemort wouldn't see through him. "I know nothing," he lied, still not lowering his stare.

Voldemort smiled. He sat in a high-backed chair and reached to a small table beside it. He poured a clear liquid, presumably water, into a glass.

"You must be terribly thirsty," he said, taking a drink from a separate glass. He stood and carried the first over to Frodo, and offered it to him.

Frodo shook his head. "I'm fine," he said.

Anger passed over Voldemort's face. He kicked the hobbit in the stomach--hard. Frodo doubled up with a gasp. His concentration and alertness broke, and Voldemort seized this chance and began to break into the hobbit's mind. Frodo felt as if his head was splitting in two, but instead of this weakening him, it only encouraged him to focus harder on forcing Voldemort to leave his mind.

The Dark Lord stopped abruptly and took a few steps backward. He stared at Frodo, eyes slightly widened in surprise. He had not found what he had searched for, but instead had felt strength within the hobbit, strength greater than he would have thought, and had seen an ally of Frodo that could prove useful.

"Tell me of the wizard Gandalf and his whereabouts," he ordered.

Frodo's head snapped up, though he still remained bent over, clutching his throbbing stomach. Voldemort sneered, and Frodo knew his quick reaction had been a mistake. "I refuse to tell you anything, despite what you may do to me."

"You might not fear for yourself, but you would be wise to answer, or I may have to sacrifice your dear servant, Samwise."

Frodo flinched. "No…"

"Ah, so you do have weaknesses, Frodo Baggins," Voldemort said, grinning evilly. "So akin to Harry Potter you are, caring only for your friends and loved ones…"

Frodo glared at him, beginning to shake in anger. A good thing too, this was, for Frodo felt that if his anger wasn't dominating his fear, he would be easy prey for Voldemort's purposes.

"I could kill you now, it would be so simple…" Voldemort said to him. "But I am willing to make you an offer."

"I will strike no bargain with the forces of evil," sad Frodo firmly.

"Be careful, Baggins, or I will kill those you love."

Frodo struggled inwardly. He feared not for himself, but for his friends. Yet, giving himself up to Voldemort could mean danger to the Order, and there was no promise that the others would remain unharmed even if he did agree to Voldemort's will.

"Hurry, hobbit, or I will have each of them brought here and killed before your eyes."

In spite of himself, Frodo felt tears brimming in his eyes, and felt a few begin to trickle slowly down his cheeks. He raised his eyes back to Voldemort.

"What do you ask of me?" he choked.

Voldemort sneered. "You will serve me," he said.

Frodo bowed his head in defeat, tears now coursing steadily down his face. "I give you my allegiance. I will do whatever you ask," he said, his voice quivering.

"Very good, Frodo," Voldemort said with triumph. Frodo squeezed his eyes shut, and felt his shoulders shake with silent sobs. He suddenly felt his left sleeve being ripped off, then something scorching on his forearm. He cried out and opened his eyes. Beneath the frayed cloth an image was burned into his skin. A skull, with a snake emerging from its mouth.

"I need not influence you to do what I ask. The fear you have for your friends will hold you to your word."

Frodo nodded.

"Come with me, and know that if you deceive me your friends will be dead the moment I am made aware of it, and you will endure tortures beyond your imagination."

Frodo stood, and felt the bindings on his wrists come undone. He followed Voldemort obediently from the room.

!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!

Sirius roughly shoved open the heavy gate and stepped into the graveyard, but was stopped from moving any further when Aragorn grabbed his arm.

"I know you're anxious to find Harry," he said. "But now that we're here, I can be of more use." Aragorn pointed to the ground. "It rained a few days ago, the ground is still soft. I can track them easily, for they would have left evidence."

Sirius looked annoyed at not being able to do things his own way, but knew Aragorn was being logical. He nodded.

The king began scouring the ground for traces of his companions. It wasn't long until he found an impression in the ground, and after that the path wasn't difficult to follow. He moved quickly and with skill; his experiences in the wild had not been without reward. He thanked Eru that it had thus far been a rather damp summer, a drought would have made it much harder to track the others. He was so engrossed in his search that he did not pay attention to where he was going, and nearly collided with the headstone.

He stood up, puzzled, and then searched the ground again. He backtracked twice, but the trail led him still to the same place.

"What is it?" asked Merry.

Aragorn's brow furrowed in confusion. "Their path ends abruptly here," he said, pointing to the headstone.

Remus knelt at the angel's feet. "The ground is softer here," he said. "As if this grave has recently been dug, but--"

"But how can that be if the headstone is so old?" Aragorn finished, perplexed.

"Could it be underground?" asked Pippin.

Aragorn's eyes lit up and he beamed at the hobbit. "Peregrin Took, I must admit you are a marvel!"

"Then there has to be a way in," Remus said, standing. "But where?"

"I don't think it'll do us too much good wondering about it," Sirius said irritably, placing a hand on the angel and leaning on it. "It has to open somehow."

The earth shook and the ground opened before them. Aragorn jumped back to avoid falling into the chasm.

"There you go, Padfoot," Remus said.

Sirius hesitated the briefest of seconds before throwing his legs over the side and dropping in. The other four exchanged glances and followed.

At the bottom, Sirius began walking down the tunnel that led deeper into the lair, wand held ready. Strangely enough, they met no one as they maneuvered around corners and through twisting, endless corridors. The quiet was unnerving, and the lack of any other life was eerie. Pippin, concentrating on listening for sounds in the silence, suddenly tripped, and landed with an "Oof," in front of Merry, who couldn't stop himself in time and tumbled forward.

"Pippin!" he hissed.

"Sorry Merry!" Pippin said.

"Quiet you two!" Sirius said. "I think I hear someone coming."

The two cousins immediately settled and stood up. The group inched away from the footsteps slowly, Aragorn feeling along the wall for a place to conceal themselves. A few feet later he found an opening, more like a large crack, in the wall.

"In here!" he whispered urgently, and ushered the others inside. It was uncomfortably crammed, but had it been any larger it would have been too noticeable. Aragorn shrank back into the shadows as he heard voices.

"Hurry! I sense someone near," Voldemort said as he and Frodo emerged from around the bend. Aragorn had to restrain Pippin, who tried to push past him, even as he felt his own breath catch in his throat.

"Yes, my Lord," said Frodo. Tears still fell from his eyes, and within those blue orbs Aragorn saw such a complete loss and helplessness that he felt tears well in his own. As the two passed their recess, Frodo lifted his head and seemed to look right at Aragorn. He hesitated briefly, then continued on his way.

When Aragorn was certain they were beyond earshot, he moved from the alcove to allow the others out, and at once grabbed Merry and Pippin's arms. "Do not act rashly," he demanded quickly. "We must treat this place as if it were a trap ready to spring. Frodo is not himself, I do not know why, or what has transpired, but you cannot do anything unwise."

"I believe Frodo is under the Imperius Curse. He cannot control his actions." said Remus. "Don't worry," he added, seeing their stricken looks. "We can help him."

Sirius was already moving. "Come on, they might lead us to Harry," he said.

The crept silently but steadily down the corridor, keeping fair distance between themselves and Voldemort. They paused and crouched behind a large mound of dirt when the shadows of both Dark Lord and hobbit stopped moving. Running footsteps could be heard approaching.

"My Lord," said a voice. "I have devastating news, three of our prisoners have escaped!"

"Who?" demanded Voldemort.

"The mud blood and the two red-heads, my Lord."

"You should not have let this happen, Nott, Crucio."

Screams of agony were heard, and then silence. Voldemort spoke again. "Find and recapture them, or that will seem like nothing."

"Yes, my Lord," said Nott, and the footsteps receded back down the corridor.

"Let us continue, Frodo."

"Yes, my Lord," said Frodo weakly, and they began moving forward once again.

"Well, that was close," whispered a voice behind Pippin. The hobbit froze, unable to move, as the others slowly turned around.

"Ron? Hermione? Ginny?" said Remus in amazement. "How did you escape?"

Ginny held up a hairpin. "A trick I learned from Fred and--Sirius?" Together with Ron and Hermione she stared open-mouthed at him.

Sirius grinned. "Great to see you three."

"We'll explain later," said Remus, beginning to walk down the tunnel. "Come on."

!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!

Voldemort stopped outside of Harry's cell and leaned down to Frodo's ear. "I will leave for the moment. Lead him to me."

"As you command, my Lord," said Frodo, and Voldemort left after unlocking the door. Frodo entered the cell and moved over to the unconscious form.

A!A!

He glanced back, making sure Voldemort was beyond hearing distance, and began shaking Harry's silent form. To his relief, the teenager's striking emerald eyes fluttered open to meet his.

"Fr-Frodo?" he rasped quietly, a weak smile developing on his haggard features.

Taking in Harry's appearance, Frodo was transported back to the agony on Oroduin. The memories sent a sharp pain to his left shoulder. He wanted to be kind, let the boy rest, but time was running thin.

"We need to escape, Harry. Are you able to walk?" questioned the hobbit softly.

Pushing himself to a sitting position, Harry sent Frodo a look so calm that it sent chills up his spine. Something wasn't right. The next sentence spoken by the wizard was the last thing expected.

"Yes, but I've just started supper with my mum and dad. Is it possible to wait a bit?" Harry spoke conversationally.

Frodo stepped back, aghast. "What?" he murmured.

Harry also seemed confused now. "You're quite welcome to join us," he uttered a bit dazedly.

At a loss for what to do, Frodo stood, planted in place, eyes shining with worry. If he lingered too long, Voldemort was bound to suspect something, and that meant definite death to the both of them. He was somewhat shocked that Harry had been spared so far. Apparently, the lord was blinded with want of a show. He wanted to drive the boy so far into the filth that he begged for death. "It's not real!" he burst out suddenly, much to Harry's further bewilderment. "You're being held captive by Voldemort under a cemetery! Your parents died years ago!" Frodo whispered frantically to Harry. He felt like a madman, but there seemed no alternative. Harry had remembered him, perhaps he'd remember these truths also.

"Was I that pathetic and painful to see?" pondered Frodo sadly as Harry continued to stare openmouthed.

"Voldemort is manipulating your mind. He wants you to believe this, but it's not true! He wishes to torture you until no breath escapes you and your heart ceases to beat!" Frodo was acting as Sam. Sam had been the one who had saved him from death and madness when It threatened to take complete control.

Suddenly, Frodo felt an eerie presence behind them, and quickly twisted around. As he did so, his foot awkwardly slipped in a pool of water. He felt himself collapse to the stiff rock floor. Astounded, he was helped to a sitting position by two of the most unlikely assistants.

"Frodo!" beamed Merry and Pippin, almost in unison and they embraced him.

"How did you find your way?" questioned Frodo in amazement.

"Well," started Merry, "we figured if Sam could find you in Cirith Ungol, here wouldn't be that impossible."

Noticing shapes behind Merry and Pippin, he spotted a mass of bushy hair and two sets of flaming red hair. His joyous smile widened with relief. "You escaped?" he asked, even though it was obvious.

"Yes!" beamed Hermione.

"What about Sam?" questioned Frodo, his mind focusing back to his loyal gardener. Ron's face dropped.

"We tried to find him mate, but we ran into this company before we were able to." He motioned to Aragorn, Lupin, and a man Frodo could swear he'd seen before.

Noticing Frodo's confusion, Remus sent Sirius a look to introduce himself, but Sirius had no time for formalities.

"Where is Harry?" he asked urgently, scanning the room.

"I'm here," grinned Harry calmly.

Sirius's heart leapt, and within less than a second he was by his godson's side. Harry was covered in scratches and bruises, and seemed very weak. Worry suddenly turned to fury towards the ones responsible. Sirius swore to kill those villains…

Looking a bit shocked by this Harry spoke up awkwardly. "Sirius, you're acting odd."

Sirius's expression quickly changed and his eyes shakily locked with Frodo's. The hobbit sighed, knowing that what he was about to reveal would bring pain to the whole group, especially this man it seemed.

"He's delusional. Voldemort affected him somehow…" he whispered, aware of all the eyes on him. Harry didn't hear this, and turned to Sirius. "Want to join my mum and dad for supper?"

Any sign of hope and joy vanished from Sirius's face. He was once again captive in that cramped, algid cell in Azkaban. No joy came without a swiftly following pain. It was a lesson learned that he yearned to forget. It was too much this time…"Harry," he croaked hoarsely. "Lily and James…" he didn't want to say it. Each and every time he spoke it aloud he could see them fading farther into oblivion. "They...They're...dead…"

Shocked, Harry's bewilderment turned into annoyance. "Don't be a nutter Sirius," he uttered coldly, moving farther away.

Sirius's face twisted in agony as he stared at his godson. To Harry's surprise, Sirius had grasped his arm firmly. He shot back a look of disgust, but Sirius was numb. "Harry…come back.," he pleaded.

Remus, throughout this scene, had ached to aid his friend, but Aragorn had stopped him. The king felt that this wasn't meant to be interrupted, as unbearable as it was to view.

"Come back…" Sirius mouthed almost silently. He would save Harry, he had to! It couldn't be like this…

Suddenly, Harry's eyes shone with a light of awakening, and he fell unconscious, into Sirius's arms.

Everyone was still for a moment, until Ron ran over. "Harry, wake up mate!" he spoke worriedly. No change…Feeling a smaller arm push him away, Frodo managed to move to Harry. Closing his eyes, Frodo murmured the words that had revived him so long ago.

"Lasto beth nîn. Tolo dan na ngalad."

Harry blinked, looked around, and spotted Ron and Hermione in kneeling in front of him, hopeful smiles on their faces. Slowly, he focused his gaze, and his heart skipped a beat.

"Sirius…" He whispered, barely able to breathe.

His godfather stared back at him. "I'm here, Harry."

The younger wizard could have passed out again out of shock. "How?" he spoke softly.

Sirius longed to stay here and tell his godson everything, but time wouldn't allow it. "I'll tell you later. We have more pressing matters at the moment. Can you walk?"

"I think so," smiled Harry as Ron and Hermione helped him to his feet.

A!A!

Aragorn moved to Frodo and embraced the hobbit. "How do you fare, Frodo, are you hurt?"

The hobbit shook his head. "No, I'm all right," he said, smiling. The smile soon disappeared and his eyes beheld the scene surrounding him. His heart beat faster, not in joy as it should have, but in hard, cold terror.

Aragorn noticed this first. "What is it?" he asked in genuine concern. Frodo stood from where he knelt at Harry's side and stepped back.

"You shouldn't be here," he whispered urgently, eyes darting from each person to the door.

Aragorn extended a hand. "Frodo, it is all right my friend, be still, we shall make it out of here alive," he said softly, soothingly, brows furrowed in confusion and worry.

Frodo shook his head quickly. "No, no, you must leave! Now! Go, all of you!" he ordered frantically. "You must go, lest He finds you, he'll kill you, all of you if he knew I was--"

"What, Frodo?" asked Pippin, voice shaking. "Knew you were what?"

Frodo backed away from them until he felt the wall at his back. His eyes widened, he shook in panic and his breaths came short and fast. He felt as if he would collapse. Aragorn reached out and clutched the hobbit's left forearm, which had remained covered by his cloak. "Frodo…" The hobbit gasped in pain as pressure was placed upon the burnt skin, and tried to pull away. Aragorn grabbed the hobbit's other arm firmly, but gently. "What ails you, my friend?" he said, and pulled the soft fabric of the Elven cloak from the hobbit's forearm.

Frodo shut his eyes and turned his face away from the stifled shrieks and gasps that accompanied the unbelieving stares, tears again falling unbidden. Aragorn, who had released the hobbit in surprise now moved forward again and turned Frodo's face to him. Frodo opened red rimmed eyes and gazed sadly at the king. "I'm so sorry," he said softly, breaths hitching in his throat. "He gave me no choice, he said he would kill…" Frodo found he could not continue, overcome with weeping as he was. Aragorn wrapped him in his arms in an attempt to soothe his friend, but Frodo only pushed him away.

"Go," he croaked. "Leave this place. I've lingered too long, he will be suspicious."

"We won't leave without you, Frodo," Merry said steadily.

"Do you not see?" Frodo pleaded. "Your time runs short, if he finds out, he will kill each and everyone one of you without fail. Only when you are far from here will you be safe."

"Frodo," said Aragorn. "You will come with us, I will not leave you behind to face further pain."

"If I flee, he will hunt you down and kill you just to punish me. There is no pain greater, Aragorn," he begged, eyes shining. "Find Sam, I can take you to him, I know where he is, and leave. Do not come back."

Remus knelt beside the hobbit. "Frodo, what if you weren't running away from Voldemort? What if we forced you to leave, dragged you along with us?"

Frodo seemed to consider this. "No, he'll know, he always knows!"

"Frodo, if-"

In one swift movement Frodo drew Sting, pointing the blade at both of them. "You will leave, now. Aragorn, I will take you to Sam, and you will take him from this place, without me."

After some hesitation, and unwillingly, Aragorn nodded. It was not that he felt threatened by the sword, he had his own, and besides, he knew Frodo would not hurt him, but there simply was no other way. He had to find Sam, and had to make sure the others got out. If he had to, he would carry Frodo out, despite how hard the hobbit fought.

The former ranger stood. "Merry, Pippin, go with the others, and do not turn back."

The hobbits both opened their mouths in fury, but Aragorn silenced them. "No arguments, gentlemen." He looked to Remus. "Keep them safe."

Remus nodded. "Let's go," he said, and he, Sirius, Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Merry, and Pippin exited the cell.

Ginny turned around. "Here," she said, handing the hairpin to Aragorn. "You'll need this." The king smiled, and watched the group file down the passageway.

"Show me where he is, Frodo." The hobbit nodded and began leading the way in the opposite direction of the others, his mind focused on the map his mind had drawn of what he knew of the endless tunnels, his heart beating for Sam, his spirit, though unbroken, screaming against his decision.

TBC

A/N: Just thought I'd take a second to point out the obvious...there are quite a few more chapters on the way for this fic, and it won't be finished for quite awhile. HBP, as we all know, obviously, comes out in 13 days or so. So "Scars" won't be finished by then. "Scars" is a pre-HBP fic, so once HBP is released it will be out of date. I hope no one cares...it bothers me a bit...just thought I'd mention that...