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!
A/N II: This will be the last chapter posted before HBP. And as soon as that's out, I know we're all going to be reading it, and so will be too busy to bother about anything else. : ) After HBP, this fic will be officially outdated, so I'm not quite sure how it's going to be viewed…
My reviewers…
LATMC- Hmm…let's not talk about that ending just yet…and just who was that fake Sirius anyway? I'd have to say my favorites are Frodo, Aragorn, and Sam. (In no particular order except Frodo's first!) I don't know why we inflict pain on the favorites either, I can't even answer that, lol. Anyway…I think you're in for a few surprises within the rest of this fic…thanks, and enjoy!
LaxGoalie- : ( Poor Frodo indeed, and that's not even the end of it!
UK All The Way- Chapter 12 was my favorite to write. ANGST! Lol, such an angst person I am…anyway, for your answers. Voldemort used dark magic to make Harry have hallucinations of his parents. Animagus was the one who came up with that, so it's more of her area of expertise. Frodo's arm was what was hurting from when Voldemort burned the Dark Mark onto his skin. I would imagine that the skin would be tender for awhile afterwards. Sorry for the confusion…Thanks for the review!
coolmarauders- Loved writing that scene with Frodo and Voldemort, probably one of my favorites. Sorry about the confusion with Harry. Like I told UK All The Way, Voldemort used dark magic that caused Harry to hallucinate that his parents were alive.
Chapter 13: Escaping the Gloom
Frodo stopped just far enough away from Sam's cell so that the younger hobbit couldn't see them. He looked up at Aragorn. "You will have to continue alone from here," he said. "If Sam sees me, he will not allow me to remain behind."
Aragorn frowned. "And if he doesn't see you, he will refuse to leave until he knows you are safe. I will not lie to him, either, Frodo."
Frodo winced and sighed, then walked forward toward Sam. Aragorn picked the locked without trouble and the door swung open. Sam looked up from his position in the far corner.
"Frodo!" he exclaimed, leaping to his feet and hurrying forward.
"Oh, Sam, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for you to be hurt…" Frodo said, embracing him.
"Ssh, I'm alright, Mr. Frodo, no harm done."
"Come on, Sam, we have to get out of here," said Frodo.
Sam nodded and noticed Aragorn for the first time. "Hullo, Mr. Strider."
Aragorn smiled. "Hello, Sam, are you all right?"
"Aye, sir," Sam affirmed.
The three were emerging from the dingy cell when an enormous quake shook the entire underground chamber, accompanied by a deafening bang. Aragorn, Frodo, and Sam lurched forward.
"What was that?" Frodo said, bewildered. They did not need to wonder for long; Voldemort's voice, sounding far away but loud, came rushing at them.
"WORMTAIL! WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT USING UNNECESSARY SPELLS HERE! THE ENTIRE SYSTEM COULD COLLAPSE!"
Aragorn and the others exchanged fearful glances. "We must hurry," the king said, and they hastily started moving again.
!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!
Sirius and Remus led the others back the way they had come, hoping they would quickly find the exit. They didn't meet anyone as they progressed forward, much to everyone's suspicion.
"Kind of an empty lair, isn't it?" Sirius said.
"I noticed another corridor when we first entered," Remus said. "I'm guessing that maybe that's where everyone is, and that this is just a sort of dungeon."
Sirius grunted. "A nice system they've got here, traps and guards everywhere, just in case."
Remus smiled, then noticed a small sort of door-less closet to the right of them. "What's this?" he wondered aloud, and stepped inside. There were a few miscellaneous items on shelves, including parchment, various potions, and, on a low shelf near the back, four wands and two swords. Remus picked them up, and immediately after doing so the ground shook brutally. Remus righted himself and looked over his shoulder at Sirius. "What was that you were saying about traps?"
Sirius shook his head, and Voldemort's enraged voice rang in their ears.
"We should hurry," said Ginny as Remus handed her and the others their wands. The swords he handed to the hobbits.
"Right," said Ron, and again they continued moving.
The group was near the exit when Bellatrix nearly collided with them as she came bustling around a corner. Her eyes widened. "Trying to escape, are we? Well, I'll just have to--" She saw Sirius and her eyes widened even more, she fell against the wall and pointed at him, her mouth opening and closing.
Sirius looked himself over. "What?" he said. "I can't look that bad…"
"You…I-I-I killed you!" Bellatrix stammered, flabbergasted.
Sirius patted his arms and torso. "Hmm. Do I look dead to you, Remus?"
Bellatrix quickly tried to regain her composure. "I may have failed before, but I won't this time! Avada--"
"STUPEFY!" shouted two voices, and Bellatrix stopped short in mid-spell, falling to the ground.
Sirius looked at Remus and grinned. "Nice shot."
"Let's move though," said Remus and they continued. They hurried through more tunnels, hoping they were heading in the right direction, as more of the tunnel began to give way. A rock struck Ginny's forehead, and she cried out and slid to the ground. She quickly recovered and was able to move on. The tunnel shook again and Pippin was hurled forward, his arm landing beneath him with a loud crack. Merry jerked him upward quickly, and the party continued on.
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Large portions of dirt and rock were beginning to fall from the ceiling, and mud was sliding down the walls. Aragorn led Frodo and Sam onward with the only thought of making it out before the entire tunnel caved in. Still, Frodo kept alert for any chance to slip away. He knew that he, too, had to get out, but there were other exits. He couldn't leave with Sam and Aragorn; if Voldemort were to see him with them they would be killed.
Suddenly, the ground shook violently for a second time, and he and Sam were thrown off their feet. Frodo rolled away and ducked into a minute hole that had opened in the wall. He held his breath.
"Frodo!" shouted Sam, and the mentioned hobbit could vaguely see Sam searching for him. "Strider, he's gone!"
Aragorn's eyes widened and he cursed himself. For a moment, he, too began looking and calling for Frodo, but even his keen eyes passed over the crack and the concealed hobbit within it. Fear covered the faces of both Sam and Aragorn, and the king hung his head.
"Come, Sam, we have little time," Aragorn said, dodging a plummeting rock.
Sam looked aghast. "No sir, not until I've found him!"
"Sam, I will return for Frodo, you will not help him by losing your own life!"
Sam shook his head, tears beginning to fall as he hurried further away from Aragorn. The king sighed, caught the frantic hobbit and lifted him into his arms. "Forgive me Sam, you leave me no choice," he said, and still keeping one eye open for and exit and another open for Frodo, began running through the underground chaos. He soon found the ground sloping upward and a few moments later found the cylindrical duct that led upward. He moved up it awkwardly but quickly, and his head emerged to see the other group standing beneath a lone tree a quite a few yards off, looking fearful.
"Sam!" shouted Merry and Pippin, running over to him and Aragorn and helping the former out. Aragorn pulled himself out and ushered them back toward the others.
"Where's Frodo?" asked Merry, voice shaking slightly despite his attempts to hide it. Pippin looked on in fear.
Aragorn knelt to the hobbits' level. "He slipped away from us, my friends. I must return and find him." As he stood, the earth shuddered fiercely again, and he staggered. Someone grabbed his arm, and he turned and saw Sirius standing next to him.
"Look, let me go, I don't get to do much. I'll be faster anyway," he said.
"Take care," Aragorn said, not bothering to protest, knowing it would be fruitless.
Sirius transformed into the great black dog, trotted back to the opening in the ground and leapt in headfirst. For those above the ground, all they could do was wait.
!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!I!
As soon and Sam and Aragorn had passed, Frodo had stood and began running in the other direction. When he reached the end of the corridor, his path twisted sharply upward, and he emerged into a wider passageway. He went left, assuming by the lack of Death Eaters that he was possibly the only person remaining underground.
Quite unexpectedly, it seemed that the whole structure rumbled from deep in its center. The ground suddenly opened up at Frodo's feet. He cried out in surprise as he fell through the air. He hit the ground below him hard, the impact knocking the wind out of him. The air was filled with dust that stung his eyes and filled his lungs. He attempted to stand, but found his right leg had sunk into the ground. He tried to free himself, but the leg refused to budge. "Blast," he said aloud, then, "Elbereth, help me."
He found he quickly lost energy, and his attempts grew slower and slower until he could do nothing more but lay on his stomach panting. A skeleton was hanging awkwardly on the wall opposite him, and Frodo found himself wondering if, in years to come, his would ever be found, or if it would remain there, alone, forever. The ground quivered again, and Frodo felt something heavy collide with the back of his head before all went dark.
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In the growing debris and gathering dust, the eyes of Sirius's dog form weren't much good. He strained his ears for any sound but that of the rumbling of the collapsing tunnels, but heard nothing. Instead, he relied on the keen, highly sensitive nose to pick up any scent that might show him the way.
It wasn't any of these things that led him to Frodo.
Dogs have been known to do any number of extraordinary things, whether it be aiding the disabled, identifying bombs, drugs, or cancer cells, rescuing those lost, drowning, trapped in burning buildings, avalanches, or, coincidentally, cave ins, or working with police forces. Excluding all these things, dogs seem to have a sort of sixth sense for detecting seizures, storms, earthquakes, or danger in general.
Now, Sirius night not have been a real dog, but some inner instinct told him at the exact moment to move. He leapt aside into another passageway just as another portion of the tunnel above collapsed, and at the end of this found the hobbit lying along the wall on the far side of an open room.
His sensitive dog's nose picked up the coppery smell of blood, and seeing the syrupy liquid still wet in the hobbit's hair Sirius knew he had to move quickly. With his teeth he grabbed Frodo's sleeve and pulled. Nothing happened.
Sirius lifted his head and let his gaze travel beyond Frodo, where he saw the hobbit's trapped leg. Had he not been a dog, he would have cursed, but as he was a dog, he could only make a low sound in the back of this throat, something between a grunt and a woof.
Striding over to the trapped limb, he began digging furiously until Frodo's leg came free. At this point though, the cave in was imminent. Knowing they couldn't possibly make it out in time, Sirius glanced quickly about for any place that could possibly prevent them from being crushed. He spied a mass of tree roots protruding about halfway up the opposite wall, a large flat rock wedged within them. Not taking anymore time to consider his options, he gripped Frodo's sleeve again in his teeth and dragged the hobbit to his destination. He leapt easily into the area and then reached down to pull Frodo up with him.
Sirius was surprised to find that what looked like a shallow crevice actually went much deeper. He had to crouch, and it was a tight squeeze, but treading backwards and slowly hauling the hobbit behind him he managed it easily. It finally ended in a small sort of den, and with a sigh Sirius laid down beside the hobbit to wait for the worse to pass.
He didn't have to wait long. Although from where he was he couldn't see anything, those above ground watched in horror as the ground before them gave way and slid forward, looking like a waterfall of mud and rock, creating a deep, wide cavity in the earth. Tombstones sank into it and disappeared.
Hermione gasped and her hand flew to her mouth, Ginny's reaction was somewhat similar. Aragorn had to hold back the hobbits as Remus and Ron each had to grab one of Harry's arms, even though he shouldn't have been much trouble in his weakened state.
"Let--me--GO!" shouted Harry, and he tore free and ran forward to start digging through the soil. Three hobbits proved too much for Aragorn, and one by one they too broke free and joined Harry in is manic attempts.
The sudden burst of energy was too much for Harry, and he collapsed on the ground, unable to continue his frantic digging. After awhile even Sam stopped, and buried his head in his hands, weeping. Merry and Pippin placed comforting arms around his shoulders and together they cried.
Hermione, Ron, and Ginny walked to Harry. "Harry…I'm really sorry," said Hermione.
"Get away from me!" Harry growled, sitting up.
Hermione stepped back, a bit surprised, but Ron only moved closer.
"Don't take it out on her! If it was anyone's fault it was yours!" he shouted.
"Ron, don't be ridiculous, Harry didn't do anything!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Will you decide whether I'm guilty or not!" Harry roared.
Hermione said, "Harry, Ron was just--"
"ON RON'S SIDE NOW, ARE YOU?"
"Of course not, I was just--"
"WELL YOU'RE BLOODY ACTING LIKE IT!"
"No one's on anyone's side! This is stupid, Harry, will you quit taking things out on us all the time!" Ginny this time.
"MAYBE IF YOU ALL WOULD JUST--"
"Leave you alone? Alright, we will!" Ron rebelled, beginning to storm away.
"Maybe we should all just go back to--"
"AGREEING WITH RON LIKE ALWAYS, HERMIONE!"
"I do not always agree with Ron!"
"I think we should go back, as well!"
"SO NOW YOU'RE WITH THEM, TOO!"
"Harry!"
"Maybe if some people would just--"
CRACK!
It was like a whip cut through the air. Instantly everyone ceased their arguing and looked up. Remus was holding his wand out, looking rather menacing.
"All of you need to calm down!" he said angrily. "Harry, you're ill. Ginny, that cut on your forehead may need stitching. The rest of you are incredibly fatigued and need rest. We need to get back, now, before the sun completely rises. I don't want any objections, let's go."
Harry looked bewildered. "DID YOU JUST SEE--"
"I know, Harry!" Remus shouted. "First off, in all honesty, I'm sure Sirius is fine. Second, we're going back, and so are you, no arguments. I'll come back once the lot of you are safe and in good hands and see what I can do, but for now, we're going back."
Harry glared at him, but said nothing more. With a nod from Remus, Ron helped Harry stand and slid and arm under his shoulders to help him walk, albeit unwillingly.
Aragorn moved to the hobbits. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. I believe you will agree with me when I say Frodo is made of sterner substance than it seems. He lives, are your hearts not telling you so?"
The hobbits merely looked at him, too melancholy to either agree or disagree. As one Merry and Pippin stood and helped Sam to gain his footing, and followed the others to the gate.
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Slowly, the black that was controlling Frodo's mind began to slowly lighten into gray, like the sky in the early stages of dawn. As consciousness began to return to him, he became aware of a terrible, biting pain on the back of his head. He groaned and stirred as his eyelids fluttered and then slowly opened.
At first all he could perceive was darkness, and his eyes strained to see around him. The darkness was complete though, and Frodo found that when he placed his hand before his face he could not see it. He shivered.
Something moved a few inches from him. Something large. He froze, unable to move. He could hear it's heavy breathing. Frodo's heart began to beat faster, his own breaths coming quickly and in short gasps, causing a sharp pain in his side, which had been bruised in the fall. He cried out despite himself, and felt eyes on him, though whether they could see him or were only guessing his location, he didn't know. He covered his mouth with his hand and forced himself to breathe more slowly through his nose.
He heard it move, stand up maybe, and then, perhaps the worst thing, realized it was right next to him. He scooted backwards but only found the wall of the enclosure he was in. Something heavy--something soft and heavy--was placed on his shoulder. Frodo froze again, and held his breath, hoping it would leave him alone.
The thing on his shoulder was removed. Frodo listened intently for sounds that it was moving away. He heard something else instead. It whimpered. It didn't growl menacingly, it didn't snarl in anger, it whimpered, a sort of whine like that of a dog…
A dog?
Gathering up his courage, Frodo extended a hand and met long fur. He moved it slowly upward and found soft ears, then moving it forward, a long snout ending in a wet nose. He drew back his hand and sighed in relief. A dog. Only a dog. Praise the Valar. Frodo had never been particularly fond of dogs, but at least it wouldn't hurt him.
Remembering something, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the phial. "Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima," he said quietly. Light shone from the teardrop-shaped glass and alit the area he was in. The first thing he saw was the dog, huge and black and a bit frightening-looking. He looked around and found himself in a very tiny dirt chamber, which he knew wasn't where he had last been. For a moment he wondered how he had gotten there, but his attention was brought back to the dog and he realized he had been rescued from the collapsing labyrinth. He smiled weakly. "Good dog…" he said, before falling back into unconsciousness.
Sirius wondered if he should have transformed back to himself rather than alarm the hobbit, but decided that it didn't matter. What did matter now was getting out of there. Thankful for the light, Sirius nosed it to the tunnel where it shone through to the end. He inched along the way and found it blocked by mud. He grunted and growled at it.
He decided not to dwell on it and instead began digging carefully and diligently at the top, glad it was mud and not dirt, because it packed well and wasn't constantly falling out of place. He didn't need a place to put it either, he just spread it to the sides and it stuck together. He dug quickly, creating a sloping tunnel, just large enough for him to fit through while crawling. As he worked, strong muscles moving easily, he tried to determine how far he had to go. He guessed that the original entrance had gone down thirty yards, but the area he had found Frodo in had to be several feet deeper. When the structure caved in, it would have sloped downward, creating a large hole in the ground above, so the top would be nearer. How near, exactly, he didn't know. Close, he hoped, they had only a limited amount of oxygen.
Every so often he would return to Frodo to make sure the hobbit was all right, then he would return to his endless digging. He worked hours, pushing the wet earth aside and pushing his way forward. The higher he went the dryer the earth became. He was ever so cautious, knowing the ground beneath his feet could give way at any moment. He moved the phial along with him, careful not to lose it but needing the light it provided.
Many hours after he had started digging his head broke through the surface and he sucked in fresh, cool air. He pushed his shoulders through and stood on the soft, unstable ground. He shook himself, bits of loose mud flying everywhere, then stopped and wondered what the point had been. He nosed back into the newly-dug tunnel and crawled back to Frodo.
He managed to rouse the hobbit and convince him to crawl forward into the tunnel after he placed the phial safely back in his pocket. It was difficult for Frodo, and they were halfway through when he lost consciousness again. Sirius, who had been moving backwards in front of the hobbit in case this should happen, grabbed him by the collar with his teeth and pulled him out backwards.
Upon reaching fresh air again he rested a moment, then looked about. It was dark; stars shimmered above them. He and Frodo were in a deep hole, as he'd expected, but the sides weren't steep. He was thankful that Voldemort's underground headquarters was in such an unvisited and overgrown part of the cemetery, for it appeared that no one had been there during the day.
Unwilling to drag Frodo all the way back to Number Twelve, he slid his neck under the hobbit and flipped him onto his back. He had to move rather slowly, but at least he could move more easily and without hurting Frodo.
Making it up the slope without Frodo sliding off his back was a bit of a trick, but not overly so. After that, the going was easy. He arrived at Number Twelve, and knocked awkwardly with one massive paw. He barked.
Molly opened the door and leapt back. "What on earth…!"
Sirius pushed inside and lowered to the ground so Frodo could slide off. Remus emerged from the kitchen, and grinned widely as Sirius transformed back. "I knew you were alright!" he said happily.
Molly smiled warmly. "Remus has already told us everything," she said, and to Sirius's surprise, hugged him. "We're all so glad…" She wiped away a tear.
Sirius smiled back, but then knelt and gently picked up Frodo. "Where…"
"Here, Sirius, give him to me," said Aragorn, hurrying to him. "Praise Eru, Sirius, I can't believe…thank you." He took Frodo in his arms and carried him to his room.
Frodo and Sam's room, being the nearest to the door, had been transformed into a makeshift sickroom. Though it had been busy earlier, now only a few people rested inside it. Harry, having been forced to take a sleeping potion, was resting peacefully on a bed near the window. Merry and Sam sat uneasily with Pippin, whose arm now hung in a sling. By the far wall Ginny's eyes were closed and her breathing deep. Although she could have very well slept in her own room, Molly, being well, Molly, had insisted she stay in the improvised infirmary. Ron and Hermione had been shepherded from the room and strictly sent off to bed.
Upon entering with Frodo's battered form resting limply in his arms, Aragorn was rushed by three worried faces. He hushed them and strode past to lay Frodo on the bed opposite Harry's. He looked up and his eyes met Legolas. "My friend," he said. "Warm water, please, and a basin, if it isn't any trouble."
The elf smiled warmly and placed a hand on Aragorn's shoulder. "It will be done," he said, and departed to do as asked.
"Mr. Frodo, Frodo, wake up, sir," said Sam, voice shaking. He glanced upward. "What's the matter with him?"
Aragorn frowned and reached behind him to grab his leather bag. "Merry, go find Sirius," he said.
"I'm here," said Sirius from where he stood by Harry's bedside. He walked over to Aragorn.
"Sirius, how long has he been unconscious?" the king asked, studying the back of Frodo's head.
"He's come around twice since I found him, as much as I know," Sirius answered.
"Several hours then…" Aragorn muttered worriedly, but a few moments later relief washed over his features as he completed his examination. "I believe he will be all right. From what I can tell, Frodo has suffered no concussion. The wound will need to be stitched, though."
Soft footfalls announced the return of Legolas, who had brought a small basin of the requested water. Aragorn smiled thankfully as the elf set the basin on an end table. Aragorn then took a few athelas leaves from his bag and crushed them into the water, the scent instantly calming everyone. Taking a cloth, the former ranger began to wash dirt and grime from Frodo's bruised and bloodied body, revealing pallid skin. Sam handed him a clean nightshirt and Frodo was dressed in the soft fabric.
That done, the king turned the hobbit on his stomach to better reach his head. He gently scoured the wound and the area around it. Luckily, he did not have to shave the area. Taking a needle and thread, he sewed the skin back together. Thankfully, Frodo stirred only a little, and did not appear to feel much pain. Aragorn turned him onto his back again, and placed soft sheets over Frodo's body.
"Aragorn, if it's only a small head wound, why won't he wake up?" asked Pippin, eyes shining.
"The past few days have been difficult for Frodo. He has had an arduous trial, and both his body and mind are exhausted. As well as lack of sleep, he has not had much to eat for quite some time. I shall have food for him when he wakes."
"But there's nothin' else wrong with him?" Sam asked, dubious but hopeful.
Aragorn smiled gently. "He has a slight fever, but it is nothing serious. He will be all right, Sam."
The hobbit tried to smile back, but was interrupted by an enormous yawn. He swayed slightly on his feet. "Sorry, Mr. Strider, I'm just a bit--" He yawned again.
"All of you should get some rest. Pippin, you are free to go. I want the three of you to go into Merry and Pippin's room and get some rest."
The hobbits shook their heads. "No, we want to stay with Frodo," Merry said solidly.
Pippin nodded. "We won't leave him," he agreed, though he held onto Merry with his good arm to keep from falling over in exhaustion.
"I will wake you if there is any change in Frodo's condition," Aragorn reassured.
"But, Aragorn--"
"Peregrin Took, I know that Aragorn is often very easy on you hobbits, but that does not allow you to deny a direct order," said Gandalf, who had just arrived beside them.
"Gandalf, we--"
"Meriadoc, take your cousin and get some rest. When Frodo awakes I will come for you."
Merry sighed and nodded, then began to lead Pippin from the room. Gandalf raised an eyebrow. "And you as well Samwise," he said. "You need as much rest as Frodo does."
Sam shook his head firmly. "No sir, beggin' your pardon, Mr. Gandalf, but I won't leave him when he might need me."
"You will not do Frodo any good if you make yourself ill, Samwise," Gandalf said.
"Please, Mr. Gandalf, don't make me leave him."
"Lie down beside him then, Sam," said Aragorn. "Your presence may bring him comfort, I sense confusion and fear within him. He trusts you, Sam, more than most others."
Sam nodded and crawled up beside his master. He was barely able to utter a thank you before his eyes closed.
"I have never seen two friends with such care for each other," Aragorn said, observing the two hobbits.
"Like brothers, they are," said Gandalf, nodding. "They always were, ever since Frodo came to Bag End with Bilbo." The wizard chuckled slightly. "Of course, if I remember correctly, Frodo was the one looking out for Sam." He paused a moment, lost in reminiscence. Then he asked, "How is he, truly, Aragorn?"
Aragorn's demeanor darkened, an he frowned. "Medically, he is fine. It is most fortunate that he did not suffer greater injuries."
There was silence a moment longer. "However…?" Gandalf suggested.
Aragorn shook his head sadly. "I told you about the decision he made, did I not?"
Gandalf nodded. "You did."
The king sighed. "The choice was free will. Remus warned me earlier about the Imperius Curse, but when I spoke to Frodo and looked into his eyes, I knew it was him speaking, not some deceptive lie."
"Yet you wonder if the decision Frodo made affected him in some way?"
"You and I both know there is no evil within him, and it is not evil I sense. Frodo is confused, unsure of himself. He is not evil, but by making the choice to join Voldemort he feels unclean, impure. He does not know whose side he is on. When I found him underground, he insisted that we leave, that he remain behind. I saw in his eyes the doubt and fear, the unwillingness to say such things. His heart lies with us, but he feels his allegiance lies with Voldemort."
Gandalf nodded again. "I feel such things within him as well, Aragorn. Frodo is lost, but he will find his way if we guide him."
Aragorn lowered himself into a chair beside the bed. "I will stay with him tonight."
The wizard shook his head. "No, Aragorn, you have had no rest either. I will watch over the hobbits."
Aragorn smiled, stood and left the room quietly. Gandalf sat in the armchair and took Frodo's hand, promising silently to guide the hobbit back to them.
TBC...REVIEW!
