Before I say anything else, please do not take this work too seriously. It is not my best, it was written late at night, and I am suffering from caffeine withdrawal. I know that there are most likely several inaccuracies, and I hope you will just enjoy the story for the sake of the story. Flames are not appreciated, but any other feedback is welcome. Please enjoy.

Chapter 1

Walking quietly along the gentle rolling hills of the Shire, Mena breathed in gently, enjoying the change of pace from the bloodshed and constant state of fear she had become accustomed to. While she missed her home, she was glad she had made the decision to get her friends to safety first.

Their small farm on the northern border of Gondor had been burned down by orcs, but she had stayed to fight as best she could to buy time for her young comrades to escape on the three horses they owned. The four girls had lived together for several years, and none could remember how they came to be there.

An elderly ranger had found them alone and abandoned in the forest and had taken care of them until his passing five years ago, at which point Mena and Ismira were both thirteen. They took care of 6 year old Amy and 7 year old Tamina together, although Mena was the unofficial leader. Now Amy was 11 and Tamina 12, and Mena and Ismira were both 18.

When the raiding party of orcs attacked, Mena grabbed Amy and Tamina and threw them upon two of their three horses, commanding Ismira to mount the last and get them to safety. Mena took up the sword she had inherited from their late 'father', and stood between the escaping girls and the bloodthirsty creatures.

After the swift horses had carried the three to a far enough distance, Mena took her chance and bolted, relying upon swiftness of foot to save her. There was no way she could fight off the entire band of orcs, but she could outrun them, especially as daytime was nigh and they despised the light. Sure enough, as her footsteps flew across the ground, the pack fell farther and farther behind, until she could no longer hear the sounds of pursuit.

Ismira, Amy, and Tamina all rode for Minas Tirith as quickly as the horses could carry them, hoping to reach the city before night fell once again. Ismira worried for Mena, but she knew her first duty was to see the little ones safely to the city. The old ranger had enjoyed traveling, and he had a sister in the city who would most likely take them in, and in return they could work for her to earn their keep.

Mena, in her turn, chose to head farther north, to reach the land of the Halflings. Their adopted father had taken her several times over the years to visit one Belladonna Took, a good friend of his, albeit rather adventurous for a hobbit. They had met when he was still actively patrolling with the Rangers of the North, and formed a friendship. Mena had always loved visiting Belladonna and her young son, Bilbo, and even after Belladonna passed away, she had enjoyed traveling to visit Bilbo Baggins of Bag End.

Although her home was destroyed, Mena's heart was filled with joy that her little family was safe. What better time than now, then, to visit an old friend and perhaps stay for a while. Her emergency plan had always been for the others to flee to Gondor and stay with their father's sister, which is where she guessed Ismira had taken the others now. Mena did not wish to be a fourth mouth to feed, and so she decided to see if Bilbo would mind a guest for a few weeks.

She was broken out of her reminiscing when she saw a familiar round green door, and a small figure sitting before it smoking a pipe of Old Toby. "Bilbo Baggins!" Mena cried out joyfully, running forward to embrace the jovial hobbit, delighted to see her friend once again.

Mena had settled in to her new home with an ease only the friendly camaraderie with a hobbit can bring. Bilbo had been delighted to have company, unexpected as it was, and was more than willing to allow her to stay 'as long as you wish, of course!'. She had sent a letter to Ismira, and heard back that they missed her, but were happy with their new lodgings in the city as well.

As several weeks passed in bliss, Mena settled into a happy, peaceful existence, although she put on weight rather quickly eating at a hobbit's pace. She settled into a routine of going for a two hour run early every morning to keep in shape. It had taken her quite a while to convince Bilbo that skipping first breakfast was not going to starve her, and he had eventually acquiesced. However, he had told her in no uncertain that she should be back in time for second breakfast or he would give her fifth helpings for elevensies, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper.

As she was already in excellent physical condition, her runs allowed her to cover a great deal of ground in the amount of time she was out, and she often ran southwards, stretching farther and farther each day. It was one such day that she came across a group of some of the most dangerous creatures in the land after orcs and the like. Slave traders.