Title: The Wraith
Author: WenchBiscuit
Beta-ed by: None
Summary: Five years before the War for the One Ring occurred, Sakura a young spirit was sent to the Middle Earth by the Valar to aid its free people in the fight against evil that is Sauron. Well that was supposed to be the mission, no more no less. So why does her heart pound every time her eyes meet a certain Elven Prince's?
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Friendship, Action and Romance
Pairings: Haruno Sakura and Legolas of Mirkwood
Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings and Naruto are properties of J.R.R. Tolkien and Misashi Kashimoto.
Chapter 1
Five years before the War of the Ring...
Gandalf the Grey had seen many things in his long life in middle earth, he had lived through one adventure after another, had seen numerous Kings rise and fall and had even stared death in eye so many times that he could dare jest that they were friends.
For the past fifty-five years, since he helped the Dwarfs in reclaiming their homeland Erebor, from the dragon Smaug, Gandalf had searched for his friend and fellow Istari, Aiwendil or more commonly known as Radagast the Brown. All those years he had wondered what fate had befallen his kin, after their hurried parting in the hidden Valley of Imladris.
No one had seen nor heard of his whereabouts, at first, Gandalf had attributed it to Radagast's inherent hermetic nature, but after seeing the threat that Sauron posted on the middle earth and all its inhabitants he implored his friend Elrond, Lord of Rivendell to actively seek out his fellow Istari.
Yet even Elrond's most cunning hunters have never tracked down the missing Wizard. By then, Gandalf consulted his own chief Saruman about his worries, fearing the worst kind of fate had befallen Radagast, pointing out that no matter how much reclusive the Wizard could be he would send word to the order should he ever decide to leave middle earth for the undying lands.
Saruman only scoffed at his findings, saying that the Radagast must have been holed in one of the twenty-five forest that surrounded Middle Earth, "He must be occupied with one of his animals or out chatting with the Ents, Valar only knows how long that would take them"
To this Gandalf reluctantly relented, but still held some doubts, after all he had more pressing worries at that time with Sauron gathering his forces for reasons unknown.
That is until a vision came to him.
It was the Manwe King of Valar and Yavanna Queen of the Earth. The Holy ones came to him when he was about to leave the gates of Dol Guldur, saying that they had spied his efforts in looking for Radagast. At their words Gandalf felt dread flood his very being, for rarely did the Holy ones present themselves to their chosen Istari, preferring to give them more freedom and freewill on how they chose to fulfill the various tasks given to them.
And for them to choose to seek him out through a waking vision all the way from Aman could mean a very horrible thing had come to pass or will happen in the future.
But Gandalf stubbornly held hope in his heart, and so before Manwe or Yavanna could talk, he hurriedly inquired about the brown Wizard's whereabouts for they are more powerful than him, their eyes more far seeing.
When Gandalf saw lady Yavanna avert her eyes he knew that they were here to bring him the unfortunate news of Radagast's death. Yet when asked, both adamantly refused to say who took his life. Instead Manwe warned him of the shadow that lurked in the horizon and cautioned him of a betrayal that will come, from who he did not say.
However it was Yavanna's words that surprised him the most, the Lady was truly saddened by Radagast's passing but told him not to worry. "Varda had predicted Radagast's death " the giver of fruits whispered softly "Nevertheless, in his passing a new flower will bloom, a flower that would breath new life to the Middle-Earth, she will be like no other being that has ever walked these lands. She lies asleep in heart of Fangorn guarded by the Ents, vulnerable and small, nothing but a young sapling."
At this Manwe spoke once more;
"Olorin, we know what troubles your mind but be at peace for this child will not be another burden that you will carry, but will be one of the swords that you will wield in your fight against evil. The War for the Ring will come sooner than you think yet it will not be the only battle you will face, strengthen your heart dear Olorin, for although the stars will be veiled in darkness, you will find one of your lights shining in the most unexpected place."
"She? In the Fangorn forest?" Gandalf looked perplexed, "But what shall I ever do with this "Her" person?"
Yavanna and Manwe only smiled before the vision ended and left Gandalf standing in the gates of Dol Guldur, seeing no reason to doubt his betters, he traveled fast with his faithful Mearh galloping over the North Undeep and the Wold never taking rest until he reached the edges of the Fangorn Forest at sunrise of the second day. Quickly dismounting he set his steed free to rest after their arduous journey, clutching his staff in his right hand Gandalf began his march to the heart of the ancient forest.
The moment he entered, the Wizard heard the whispers of the trees, the joy in their voices not hard to distinguish, for the season of blooming had come to the lands. Stopping under an ancient chestnut tree Gandalf asked for directions. After almost an hour of walking he reached a wide clearing, there he saw a few chattering Ents gathered around in what he presumed as a huge budding flower with the color of pale rose, it was emitting a soft glow from inside.
"Greetings Master Fangorn" he called over the clearing, raising his arms in salutation, Gandalf's voice booming through-out the forest. Upon hearing his name the most ancient of Ents stood up and turned, Treebeard recognized the Wizard immediately.
The Ent joyously greeted the him in return,"Master Gandalf! It brings me great joy to see you once more!"
"Likewise, Master Fangorn" Gandalf graciously replied, meeting Treebeard in the middle of the clearing."It has been a long time since I came for a visit. Yet I am ashamed to say that the reason I am here now is because of the little flower that is under your protection."
"Flower? Oh, you mean that little bud-ling?" The Ent exclaimed, pointing at the flower. "Such a strange occurrence I tell you my friend, it grew overnight!" throwing his has up as if to emphasize how it had truly surprised him, Treebeard said," Why yesterday at sundown that young bud was the size of my palm, barely giving off a flicker of light, now look how big it is!"
Once again Gandalf glanced at the flower bud, from what he could see from where he was standing, it was only a little bigger than a barrel of ale and as wide as one too. It was placed in the edge of the clearing a few feet away from an old oak tree, at its foot were a riot of dried leaves, twisting vines, and roots.
"As big as a palm you say?" He asked a bit incredulous, never had he heard of a plant that could grow as fast as the Ent had described, but then why should he doubt Treebeard? If the Lady Yavanna's words were to be believed there was something growing inside that closed-up flower that would could cause it to grow at an unprecedented rate, "Her" the holy ones called, no name or race was mentioned and as per usual the Valar chose to speak in riddles.
The Wizard grudgingly admitted that he had no knowledge of what the Holy Ones had been planning by send him here, yet he could not blame them, for he too had been curious of the Lady Yavanna's words, a trait that sometimes he wished he could cast aside. Gandalf could only sigh resignation.
"Truly, Master Gandalf" Treebeard was quick to assure him,"We have been watching for the whole night, and the only thing it did was grow bigger and brighter. Do you have any idea what it is?"
Gandalf turned around Treebeard to move closer to the flower, inspecting it more thoroughly. Knowing from previous meetings that the Wizard will only tell him the answer to his inquiry when he is truly good and ready, the Ent quietly-as much as his size allowed him to-fell a step beside him.
"Radagast is no more" Gandalf whispered under his breath, he saw no reason to keep this knowledge all to himself knowing that Radagast's death will soon be known by everyone in the Middle-Earth. The Istari knew of the close bond shared between his fellow Wizard and the Ancient Ent, Gandalf truly regretted being the one to bear this news.
His words might have been bellowed for he did not expect to hear the whole forest moan in grief.
"By the roots of the Gods!" The surprised Ent shook so bad that Gandalf could see some of his leaves fall "Why Master Gandalf? Why? Why would they kill him? Who took away his life?!"
The Wizard had to take a few step back as Treebeard, in his anger, suddenly turned to face him, blocking his sight. Gandalf looked around to see that all the previously occupied Ents around the flower looking at him, their usually docile faces full of expectation, waiting for him to answer their elder's question.
"Was it not just a fortnight ago that you came here looking for him?"
"Master Fangorn that was thirty years ago" Gandalf corrected the upset creature. "Ragadast had been missing much, much longer than that, fifty-five summers to be precise. I have long since wondered what fate had befallen our friend, I tried to looking for him, but I did not think of the worst for I still held hope that no matter what circumstances that might have kept him, I could have found a way to help him" Once again Gandalf moved around the ancient being to better see the reason for his journey here. The Ents surrounding the flower bud moved aside to give-way so that he may stand directly in front of it.
"But perhaps it was my arrogance that had kept me in believing in that sentiment, for a vision came to me, the Lady Yavanna herself said that he is no longer in these lands. She refused to tell me who slayed Radagast"
Being the Wizard that looked after the flora and fauna of the Middle-Earth for thousands of years it was understandable that Radagast was close to his charges, preferring their company than of any other creatures.
"Ohh, he was such a dear friend to us." Treebeard bemoaned, "Kind and ever ready to listen to our silly troubles even though he knew that it would take us days to finish" Treebeard sighted once more, "Today, I have lost dear friend"
Gandalf too felt the sadness in Radagast's passing, but he knew that no matter how or where he died, he would always return to Eru, the Father of them all.
"Please do not be sad my good friend, it was not my intention to cause this much grief to all of you, I am sure that Radagast would be much saddened if he could see you right now, I am certain that he would rather like you to remember the good memories that you had with him, rather than grieve his death."
There was a fair amount of silence before he saw Treebeard shake his head in agreement, "As expected of you Master Gandalf, your words carry much wisdom. You are right, we should celebrate life! After all, death is only the beginning to another journey"
The Wizard nodded in agreement glad that the Ent was back to his usual amenable self.
"I am pleased that I have helped you in this my friend. And since we are already in the subject of life, part of the reason why I came here is because Lady Yavanna directed me so. It concerns this young bud-ling " Gandalf gestured to the flower.
Momentarily setting aside his grief Treebeard took his place behind the Wizard. The Ent's curiosity was aroused, "Truly? Does this mean that this flower had something to do with Radagast's death? If so why is she here? In my many years in this is Earth this is the only time I have seen such thing. Is there something inside?"
"That I do not know" Gandalf chose not to speak of the person that might be inside the flower bud, the fewer the people knew about the Valar's words the better. "The dear Lady only commanded me to come here and see for myself. What shall I do after that will depend on what will happen after this flower blossoms"
As if hearing his words the flower bud began to open slowly, emitting more light as it slowly revealed what was hidden inside. Gandalf raised his hand in an attempt to protect his vision, while the Ents backed away, undoubtedly weary of what might come out once the light ceased to shine. The flower pulsed once, twice, then flashed at its brightest for one last time before gradually fading out to reveal a young child no more older than ten years, dress in nothing but a thin sheet of cloth, sleeping peacefully unaware of the commotion surrounding her.
"A human child!"Treebeard exclaimed, openly flabbergasted at the sight before him.
The Ents started to chatter, their voices too fast and too frantic for Gandalf to understand, however he paid them no mind as his sole attention was directed to the child. Who now that he observed closely, had a long hair which bore the same color of the flower that gave birth to her, a strange lozenge shaped symbol marked her rather wide forehead. Slowly her thick lashes fluttered open revealing eyes like emeralds, big and shining with curiosity. She seemed to resemble a young Elf with her fair coloring but unlike the Elvish folk her ears were not pointed.
The child slowly sat up from where she lay fixing her gaze on her surroundings. When she saw the tall man situated in between the towering, talking trees, her eyes widened further as if by recognition. Gandalf seeing his chance, stepped closer to this strange child and stretched his hand in an acknowledgment, "Greetings dear child, I am Gandalf the Grey."
The Ents suddenly stopped chattering, waiting to see what will happen next. The child with petal hair only smiled, "Sakura" she uttered in a hoarse voice.
"Sakura?" The Wizard paused in wonder then slowly inquired, "Is that your name little one?"
The child nodded in agreement, delighted that he understood what she was trying to say.
"A Strange name, yet somehow quite befitting. You can understand my language, but can you speak it?"
The little one tried to open her mouth but only a soft gasp came out, "Sakura" she said once more bringing her right palm to chest as if to assert her point.
"Yes, yes my dear child I know that is your name" Gandalf stood up straighter while he pondered their situation, "You seem to be not quite grown, and I must admit my dear, a little smaller that I expected. With your strange coloring you appear to be unlike any individual I have ever seen..." the Wizard trailed off, tilting his head he quietly considered the creature in from of him, 'Just like Lady Yavanna said.'
"I see it your eyes, you understand my speech but you can not say it..."
"Maybe she was given a curse?" Treebeard suggested helpfully.
"No, Lady Yavanna would never give us a tainted being. And she does not seem to emit a malicious aura..."
Youngster nodded eagerly at this, silently agreeing to the Wizard's observation. Gandalf quickly came to a decision, placing his right palm to the child's head the Wizard murmured an ancient spell, Sakura felt the warmth that came from his palm travel down to her throat, strangely it did not burn nor hurt her. Gandalf then removed his palm from her head, motioning for her to try talking.
The little one rolled her tongue, trying to form the words for the first time, "T-Thank you-u" she said.
"A slight stuttering but one that can be cured with practice" Gandalf nodded pleased that the spell worked and that they now both speak in the common tongue. "My dear child if I may so boldly ask, where did you come from?"
Sakura stared at the old man before her, he was so tall that she had to crane her neck to look him in the eye. She knew this man, seeing as before she was sent here, the Valar showed her his likeness, advising her to seek him out no matter what. For she will need his aid as long as she wished to accomplish her given task. At present she know nothing of this world and its people, he was the only person she could turn to for help. Around him the talking trees moved as if impatient for the answer.
"I-I came f-from the Aman" she answered, though this form of speech was new to her, she had the feeling that she could get used to it in time. "They sent me after R-Radagast"
At this Gadalf looked visibly surprised, "Are you his replacement then? Are you a Maiar too?"
"Y-yes and no to both your questions." Sakura replied, " I am not of your race Master Gandalf, I am but a mere handmaid for Lady Yavanna"
"But why did she send you?" The Wizard tilted his head clearly bewildered with this new piece of information, then as if remembering his manners he suddenly amended "Please do not be upset I did not mean to doubt you or your capabilities, I was simply taken aback."
Sakura only shook her head, "It is a-alright Master Gandalf. It is q-quite understandable for you to wonder, for I am not only a female but a child at that. I am not a Wizard like yourself and despite my appearance I am not an Eldar either. But please be assured that I am quite capable for the task that I am designated to"
The Wizard nodded at this obviously relived, but only by a small margin. "But then what are you?"
The child only smiled "I am Sakura"
"I believe we have already established that fact, child" This time it was Treebeard who spoke, clearly curious of her origins. At this Sakura only giggled, undoubtedly amused with them.
"What I am is of no importance, uhh..."
"Treebeard" Gandalf helpfully supplied for her, "He is an Ent and the oldest of his kind. You my dear are in his forest"
"Oh" The girl flushed, apparently embarrassed with her lack of manners, but quickly amended by bowing her head, "I am thankful to you Master Treebeard for allowing me to be here in your beautiful land"
Treebeard only raised both his hands, visibly abashed with the thanks and the compliments showered to him. "Please raise you head child, truthfully we were just curious as to what had suddenly sprouted in our forest, that we never had the chance to ponder about it" The Ent then turned to the Wizard beside him, "If Master Gandalf had not come like he did, we would have never known that you were sent here by Lady Yavanna and we might have viewed you as a threat the moment you came out of the flower"
Sakura raised her head, looked between the Ent and the Wizard sensing no jest coming forth from the two of them. Oh, she was truly lucky then for now that she realized it, if Gandalf did not come she had no way of explaining to the Ents that she meant them no harm, seeing that she could not speak the common tongue. Sakura then turned her the Wizard and bowed her head to his direction.
"Thank you Master Gandalf for coming as soon as you can"
"Dear child please raise you head, I only came here since Lady Yavanna ordered me to. You have no reason to thank me so profusely"
"But you clearly came with due haste when you could have just taken your time" Sakura ignored the request, she was taught to express her gratitude no matter how the small the deed, she was after all a divine being's servant, "Nevertheless please accept my gratitude"
"If that would prevent you from looking at the ground all the time by all means I accept it" At this Sakura snapped her head so quickly that her neck hurt from the sudden movement, face twisted in pain she sheepishly glanced at her surprised onlookers, "Now I think I will spend the rest of my life looking up"
A loud boom of laughter was heard from both Gandalf and Treebeard, clearly the young-ling was not only a stubborn one, but quiet a sassy one as well.
After a few minutes of laughter, Gandalf's eyes pinned Sakura seriously this time, she knew that he was quietly demanding an answer from her. She realized that she had to tell him everything she remembered, she knew that she could trust him since her Lady specifically told her that Gandalf would be her chosen guide.
The petal haired girl cleared her throat, "As I was saying earlier, it is of no importance who am I before, what matters is now and what future holds. I was sent here to replace Radagast in his duties as well as help you in anyway I can."
"If you are his replacement then do you know who took his life?" Gandalf pressed on further, "Did the council of Valar tell you anything before you departed? And why are you in that form?"
Sakura sighed, "Unfortunately the Valar did not tell me anything they know about Radagast's murderer, and if they ever did know who it is, it is not their place to tell us, you know that only faith can decided on how things will unfold, no matter how much we try to intervene" Her green eyes bore into him, silently imploring him to understand, Gandalf nodded once indicating that he did. She clearly saw something his eyes for her's softened once more.
"And as for this childish form, well with the shadow moving in these lands it was hard for them to transport me here in my adult form so the Lady altered my size, along with some of my powers" at Gandalf's troubled look she quickly reassured him "Do not worry Master Gandalf, I can assure you that as the time would pass I will grow up and will recover the power that was taken from me, but even then in this form I can perfectly take care of my duties"
"I was not worried about your duties you silly child" The Wizard gruffly corrected her, "These lands are not safe, even now the shadow lurks and I can not leave you here unprotected in your current form, while I go around Middle-Earth. "
"Oh" Sakura promptly blushed at this, but quickly recovered from her embarrassment, Gandalf had unknowingly given her the opening she needed.
"Then teach me Master Gandalf"
"What-"
Before the Wizard can say anything he was cut off by Sakura, "Lady Varda had predicted that five years from now the Ring will reveal itself to Sauron, then the hunt for the One Ring will start, while waiting for that, you can teach me the ways of the Middle-Earth"
"Did they tell you where the Ring is located?" Gandalf loomed over her, choosing to ignore the latter part of what she said, more focused on the whereabouts of the Ring, clearly planning to intimidate the answer out of her if he saw it fit. But unfortunately for him, she knew the location of the Ring as much as he did.
" N-no Master Gandalf" By the Valar, she started stuttering again, the old Wizard was really intimidating if he want in to, "You know that the Ring will bide its time, gathering its power until it the knows that it can withstand all the force that you will amass against it and none the sooner"
Gandalf visibly relaxed with her words, seeing the truth in it. Clearly no matter how much he willed it, the Fates would take their be-damned time.
But no matter, he would patiently wait it all out, for it seems Eru had given him another task in the form of this mysterious child. The Wizard looked around him obviously looking for a protruding root or a stump where he could sit. He knew that this talk of theirs would take a little while. Treebeard, who was openly eavesdropping in their conversation, was now comfortably seated in the ground while the rest of the Ent population was scattered around sitting or lounging quietly. Gandalf sighted at this, 'so much for secrecy', clearly no one was going anywhere until all this is settled.
With Gandalf still obviously taking his time looking around for a sitting spot, Sakura had no other choice but to help him, it was also a good time to test what kind of power still remained with her, so she focused her mind on the empty spot where the Wizard stood earlier, stretching out her right hand, Sakura sang a lullaby taught to her by the Lady of the Earth herself.
From the same empty spot a little sapling sprouted, shooting tiny leaves from its branches. As she continued to sing to it, Sakura weaved her fingers in the air, drawing familiar elemental signs she directed the form the sapling would take as it continued to grow, until it formed a high backed chair complete with armrests at both sides.
Feeling quiet pleased with herself, Sakura turned to see everyone's eyes on her. Evidently not used to so much attention, the girl could not help the but flush in embarrassment, "Ugh, please have a seat Master Gandalf"
To say that Gandalf was speechless was putting it mildly, he had never seen an ability quite like hers, an ability to give life.
Only Eru, the all knowing can give life out of nothing, even the Valar with all their mighty powers were never known to posses this kind of skill. This ability only manifested when she started to sing on a long forgotten language, with a voice so clear and so warm that it as if Eru himself went inside his very being and soothed his very soul. Even the surrounding Ents seem to emit enraptured auras, bathing the clearing with a blissful atmosphere.
'A healing of the soul', Gandalf thought to himself.
It was becoming quiet clear to the Grey Wizard why the Valar sent this frail and small child in their midst. 'No, not a child', he quietly corrected himself, for even though she might look like it, Sakura's eyes show far more wisdom than any child she might appear to be.
Gandalf knew that if they ever survived the coming war, Middle-Earth will need this kind of healing. Physical scars can be mended and would fade away given some time, but it was the scars in one's soul that must heal to achieve true peace. And after experiencing this phenomenon himself, Gandalf would make sure that this child would be the one to lead the people of Middle-Earth down to that path.
"Master Gandalf?"Sakura hesitantly inquired, strange, the Wizard was just standing there staring at her as if she had grown two heads and all she did was sing the lullaby Lady Yavanna taught her!
At the sound her questioning voice Gandalf pulled away from his musings, walking in front of chair that Sakura made, he smiled winningly down at her. Gathering his robes, the Wizard sat comfortably in front of her. Noticing her bewilderment Gandalf assured her, "It was nothing my dear, I was merely bewitched by your voice. And someday I might ask you to sing for me again, if that is quite all right with you?"
Sakura too flustered by the compliment, merely nodded her head in agreement.
"Well then," Gandalf leaned more unto his seat "You were saying about a vision by Lady Varda herself?"
At this more familiar change in topic, the petal haired girl's eyes gleamed bright once more. Forgetting her momentary bashfulness Sakura focused at the task that she was given, she would never forgive herself if she would ever fail, after all she had a promise to keep. But first things first, she had to convince Gandalf of her plan.
"Well" She began, "As I was saying..."
To be continued...
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Terminologies:
Eru- also called Illuvatar is the supreme deity of Arda and Middle-Earth, and Father of All.
Valar- are the powers of Arda, they represent the gods. Male Valar are called "Lords of the Valar"; females are called "Queens of the Valar," or Valier.
Manwe -King of Valar
Varda – Queen of the Stars and Manwe's spouse
Yavanna - Queen of the Earth, giver of fruits.
Miar - were those spirits which descended to Arda to help the Valar shape the World
Istari -Also know as the five Wizards, are Miar spirit sent to aid the people of the Middle-Earth against Sauron.
Aman - Place where the Valar live.
Mearh -a breed of wild horses in the north of Middle-earth
Lozenge - (), often referred to as a diamond, is a form of rhombus.
Eldar - Another name for the Elves, meaning People of the Stars.
*For further info please refer to LOTR wiki, Wikipedia or read the books.
AN:
Well hello there beautiful stranger! Thank you for reading my first ever Fanfic, I know it's not much but this is the best I can do without a Beta to edit for me, so if you ever saw any mistakes please feel free to tell me.
I decided to write this Crack Crossover Fic for a lot of reasons. First, I love both Naruto and Lord of the Rings, and Sakura and Legolas are coincidentally one of my favorite characters. Second, this story it is an attempt to encourage more writers for this crack shipping. Can you guys imagine how hard it is to ship an unpopular pairing? Oh the pain! No Fanarts and very few Fanfics dedicated to them, it was horrible!
It was the fic Jaguar Batter by slexenskee that really did it for me, the Author wrote it is so beautifully that I was just totally blown a way! Suddenly the idea of merging these two worlds didn't seem so bad, actually for me it became more fascinating, imagine all the possibilities! Unfortunately, it has been a year now since the Author updated and I was left hanging and dry which brings us to reason number three, I obsessed about it so much I kept dreaming about it even while I was awake and it kept me so distracted I started making mistakes at work, which I know is not a very good thing.
With no alternative, I had no choice but to let it all out in form of of this fic. Haha...
So in this story, I tried to incorporate a lot of Tolkien's myth and terminologies, taking my source from his books as well as the film adaptation and fan forums, after all, this is where story will unfold. It will be a slight AU at first then it will slowly branch out into whole new direction. I have not decided yet if I will add more Naruto characters to the story or I would just leave it for now as it is. You had been warned of the OCness of the characters, I don't care if you like it or not.
No, in fact I demand you to like it! This is fanfiction people, the characters will be OC no matter what we do!
In this fic I would refer to the diamond shaped mark in Sakura's forehead as a Lozenge, since I'm not really sure what people from the Medieval times call that certain shape, my choice was further cemented when I learned that in Eastern Europe a Lozenge symbol represents a sown feild and female fertility. Quite befitting don't you think?
Lastly please do review and tell me what you think of the story.
Thank you and have a nice day!
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Ps: I need a Beta!
