Title: The Wind That Blows To You
Summary: A sudden masculine scream echoed throughout the wood. Immediately, all inhabitants in the camp were roused and tensed for an incoming attack. A minute later, a young man stumbled out of the brush, covering his eyes. "I am dying! Already can I feel my breath leaving my poor body!" All tenseness within the camp dissipated, some appearing to want to put their head in their hands. Gandalf spoke first. "Come, Melui. Let us see what mishap you've gotten yourself into now."
Author's Note: "Oh ho ho ho, what's this? A Lord of the Rings fic, eh? Let's see how bad it is." Is what most of you are likely thinking. I shall not try to prove you wrong (or right) by stating what glorious-ness it shall contain here, instead, I will leave that up to the story itself. Though, being that this will predominantly be based on the movies, pieces of the book may be found as well. Be that as it may, I, my dear friends, am Human and thus prone to mistakes and other obscenities. If you find something within the walls of this story to be untrue or wrong, do not fear to point them out in a kind review. I shall make the change or changes immediately, to my discretion. Speaking of reviews, critiques (harsh or otherwise) are most welcome, flames are read but not cared about. Please be sure your statements have validity to them otherwise they will not be recognized. I thank you for giving my story the time needed to read it and I do hope you enjoy doing so. -coughs- Anyways! Let us begin!
Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings in it's entirety belongs to J.R.R Tolkien. I only lay claim to the characters in which are obviously my own.
Chapter One: Beyond the Trees
A young man with fair skin and a chipper gait strolled across Brandywine Bridge. His straight, auburn colored locks reached the base of his neck and were a bit on the unruly side, bangs nearly falling into his mirthful stormy gray eyes. The man was of slender build and wore a dark brown, woolen travel cloak, an off-white tunic, tan leggings, elbow length dark brown bracers, and worn, brown leather boots. Attached to the black belt around his hips were two sheathed short-swords, hidden from view by his cloak. He smiled softly as the morning sun caressed his face and a gentle breeze tousled his hair.
'Such a fine day!' The youth thought to himself happily, taking note of the Hobbit-holes that entered his vision.
He greeted most of the Hobbits he saw, though many did not return his greeting and only shook their heads in slight irritation. The auburn haired man paid them no heed, for nothing could ruin his mood, on this day especially, for today was the day a good friend of his turned one hundred and eleven. The one and only, Bilbo Baggins. Arriving at Bag-End, and sniggering at the sign on the gate, (to which it read, 'No Admittance, Except on Party Business'.) the youth hunched over and raised a fist to the forest green door, beginning to rap a tune of a song, humming all the while.
'The road goes ever on and on..'
At the sound of the locks behind the door being fiddled with, the young man stopped his knocking, a wide grin plastering itself on his face as an old Hobbit appeared at the door.
"Why, Bilbo! I can hardly recognize you, you look aged beyond belief!"
"And you, Melui, look the same as you did when I first saw you, all those years ago." Bilbo pronounced, a smile playing on his lips. "It is a curious thing indeed."
Melui's visage betrayed none of the nervousness he felt as he let out a merry laugh, clasping Bilbo gently on the shoulder. "You see me nearly everyday, my friend! How fare your eyes?"
Bilbo chuckled at Melui's poking fun and swatted at him. "You, my boy, need to be more respectful to your elders! Now come inside! Come inside! Have you eaten anything? You're here awfully early!" The old Hobbit ambled back inside his home, gesturing for Melui to follow. The auburn haired youth stepped in, nearly having to bow his head due to the shortness of the ceiling.
"Worry not about my stomach, dear Bilbo! I am content!" Melui chortled lightly when the noise of Bilbo digging around for snacks continued.
"It does you no good to lie Melui! I know for a fact you eat more in a day than a hobbit does in one week!"
Of course, that was an exaggeration.
"Alright, alright. So I am a little empty, but I do not intend to stay long enough for a snack."
That caught Bilbo's attention, seeing as the rummaging had stopped and his shorter form appeared in the hallway. Confusion laced his tone as he gazed up at Melui with furrowed brows.
"So soon, eh? Not staying for the party?"
Melui scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Not like that friend. You see, I promised Frodo-"
As soon as the words "promised" and "Frodo" were uttered, Bilbo began shooing the young man out the door.
"No need to explain! He's in Hobbiton woods! Now get to it, and leave an old hobbit to his work!"
Before the door slammed shut, Melui managed to shout a 'Happy-Birthday'. He heard the locks click and he sighed, smiling in exasperation, and turned to find the dark-haired hobbit.
Melui was walking leisurely through the small village of Hobbiton when he heard small explosions and laughing hobbit-children. Looking to his left, he saw a drooped figure in gray steering a horse and cart with a smaller figure sitting next to him. Melui grinned and broke into a jog, finding who he was searching for.
"Frodo!" He called.
The blue eyed hobbit snapped his gaze from the gray robed man to meet Melui's, a jovial expression on his countenance.
"Melui!" The cart paused, letting Frodo leap down safely as the auburn haired youth reached the cart. Tearing his eyes from Frodo, Melui focused his attention on the man in gray, smiling warmly.
"Gandalf." Inwardly, Melui's nerves threatened to whither at the wizard's penetrating gaze. "It is nice to see you again."
"Ah, if it isn't Melui. You look as young as ever."
Melui laughed to hide his sudden fear. "Why do you and Bilbo keep mentioning that?"
Before Gandalf could reply to Melui's inquiry, Frodo cut him off. "I'm sorry to interrupt you Gandalf ,but Melui promised to show me something so I'll be stealing him for now!"
The gray wizard chuckled at the sight of Frodo leading the auburn haired Melui away, the latter turning to wave goodbye to him. Gandalf watched until the two disappeared from his line of sight, then urged his horse forward, wise eyes filled with hidden knowledge.
"Such a curious thing indeed."