Here we go, something that's been in my mind for quite a few years, that I've only just put pen to paper. Or should I say, fingers to keyboard.
The chapters will be a lot longer than what I'm used to writting, but this being based on Tolkien's universe, it needs the depth. If you have any problems with the names, I'm using the map linked in my profile.
I would love some feedback, and please feel free to suggest things, or point out if I made any mistakes. Constructive criticism is welcome, but there's no need to be mean. I hope you enjoy !
And of course, everything belongs to J.R., and Peter Jackson's fantastic adaption, except for Amelia. She's mine, my own, my pressssssioussssss.
I kicked a stone lying on the ground before me. It shot forwards, and I sighed. It was getting rather hot in this valley, what was it called again ? I took my back pack off and dug out a map of middle-earth. I traced my voyage with my index finger, from the Icebay of Forochel, the point nearest to home on the map, though home was much further north. I guess people of Middle-Earth had simply never been that far. My finger left Forochel, going down to Emyn Uial, which, with it's hills and lake, I found really pretty. Then to the North Downs to the east, and then down to where I was, the Weather Hills. It wasn't particularly pretty, just very rocky. Oh well, at least it wasn't flat and boring. I even had the pleasure of meeting a few orcs now and then, giving me something to do. But not today.
No, today was really very boring. I trotted along, watching the clouds moving above me, smelling the air, so different from home. Though I missed the cold and the snow, I was glad to be away. So many things were going wrong, I was overjoyed about embarking on a new life of travel and discovery. Often did my people speak of Middle-Earth, but never before had I met anyone from here. I had come a long way, but I couldn't yet face civilization. I looked on from the shadows, watching short people with pointy ears, apparently called Hobbits, and tall, normal looking people. And the orcs, but they were nothing new to me. I knew there were many other races out there, but I hadn't seen any yet.
The sun was starting to set, so I started to look for somewhere for the night. As I looked around, I spotted a hill, higher than all the others around, and by the looks of it, was also the site of ancient ruins, probably a watch tower or something alike. It suited my purpose, and I headed towards it. After a while, I saw shadows also heading in that direction, though they were coming from the west. I decided to head for them, rather than the hill. Once close enough, I noticed that there were four Hobbits, one man, and a horse. They hurried, wanting to get there before full dark. They intrigued me, for rarely did these races mix. They also had a certain aura around them, something dangerous. But it wasn't them, they were fleeing something, I could make that much out. I looked around, looking for a threat, but saw nothing, nor could I hear nor smell anything. I decided to approach them. As I drew near, it was the man who first realized I was following them. He turned around, and drew his sword.
" Who are you and what do you want ? " He asked, ushering the hobbits to hide behind him. I put my hands up in sign of peace as I continued to walk nearer, and stopped about six feet away.
" My name is Amelia, and I will bring you no harm. " I smiled, trying to seem friendly. But the man looked at me funny, causing me to look at myself. I suppose his reaction was normal, as women round here didn't dress as I do. As I was wearing a shirt, a corset, and a rather short pair of shorts, with long socks, high boots and a cape, I suppose I did stand out of the ordinary. I also had short red hair, which I also noticed was unusual. But not back home, not that much.
" What are you doing here ? " asked the man, not lowering his sword. I sighed.
" I'm sorry, maybe I should just leave you alone. It's just that I was heading to that hill over there for the night, and then I saw you were too, so I thought I'd just come and say hello. " I tried smiling again, and two of the hobbits didn't see me as a threat and relaxed, though the other two didn't. The man however put his sword away, and nodded.
" You can call me Strider. You can make camp with us tonight, it is not safe for a lone woman. " He said, turning around. " Though you don't seem harmless. " I shot him a questioning glance as I stepped towards the horse and stroked him. He half smiled and nodded at my waist. " Never have I seen a woman so armed. You have at least ten throwing knifes around your waist, a long dagger in each boot, and a sword. And I wouldn't be surprised if there were more. "
I smirked in agreement, and laughed when I saw the hobbits looking at me wide eyed. " I like to take precaution. " I answered. I turned to the hobbits, who suddenly walked faster to keep up with Strider. They were scared of me, and I didn't like it. " Hey, I won't hurt you, honest. " I was really trying to sound nice, but it didn't seem to be working. I sighed, and trotted along behind them. I would just have to prove myself.
It took nearly a silent hour for us to get to the top. We reached it, and the hobbits sat down, relief filling their eyes. Rest at last, I could tell. I noticed Strider incline his head as to ask me to follow him, which I did, after he gave each of the hobbits a sword, and told to keep quiet and not to attract attention. I followed Strider away from the hobbits, partly down the hill in silence, with only the voices of the hobbits to be heard. Eventually he stopped, and faced me.
" Tell me, Amelia, who exactly are you ? I do not trust you. " He whispered. I looked at him, realizing this was an intelligent man, one who would not be easily fooled by a fake identity. I swallowed, knowing this was what you'd call a moment of truth.
" My name is Amelia Numörien, and I am the High Priestess Of The Ancient Witch Council, daughter of Thrödien, King of Numör. " I breathed in, and looked down, not wanting to see his reaction. " But I have left that life behind me, and wish only to be known as Amelia. " I said, looking up to him again. " I wish to start afresh. "
There was a moment's quiet between us, where I could only stare out at the stars and sigh. But Strider's voice broke the silence. " You come from further north than I have ever heard, my lady, and I now understand why you look so... Different. " He looked at me, seemingly having an inner debate, at which I could only look at him in hope he would accept me. " For now, I will trust you. Though I will have my eye on you. You have much to learn about Middle-Earth, and I do not yet know why you left your life, but the time for you to tell me shall come later. For now, we head for Rivendell, city of the Elves. You may join us if you wish. "
I half smiled at him, glad for his kindness and openness, though nervous about the prospect of facing the Elves. I had heard tales of them since I was a little girl, and long had I been fascinated with their foretold power, elegance and wisdom. For someone with my past, it could be a difficult meeting, but for now, I seemed to have gained an ally, or at least some company of which I was glad. Solitude is a beautiful thing, but I had had weeks of it in which to rejoice, and was getting sick of it.
Before either of us could speak again, there was a chilling, unnatural scream from above us, sending shivers down my spine. I instinctively looked up, but Strider had already shot off to find the hobbits. I followed, though not so quickly, and unsheathed my sword. About 30 inches long, the beautiful pale, almost white blade was crowned by a deep red leathered hilt, incrusted with a diamond and two rubies. It had been made for me when I turned eighteen, oh so long ago. With it in hand, I rushed up to find the hobbits curled in a corner, and Strider fighting off five black cloaked, faceless creatures.
I rushed at the nearest one, blocking his attack. " Fire ! " I heard Strider shout. I ducked from the second attack, and rolled over to the edge of the ruins and picked up the only flammable thing I could find: some twigs. I rushed over to Strider and used his torch to light up my make shift one. By then we were surrounded by four of them, and as I danced my block, parry, duck and strike routine, I managed to alight two of the black hooded things. I had no idea what they were, and their screams, so high pitched and screechy, like cat claws on stone, only reinforced my will to be rid of them, if only to stop their horrid screeching.
As Strider lit the last one on fire, sending it from the ruins in pursuit of it's friends, I noticed the dark haired hobbit was injured. Strider rushed to his side, and examined him. He found the blade that pierced him. " He's been stabbed by a Morgul blade " he said, as it turned to dust in his hands. " This is beyond my skill to heal, he needs Elvish medicine. "
The three other hobbits looked at him, terrified they would loose their friend. Strider picked the dark haired hobbit up, and all five of them started down the hill. I picked up the few bags that were nearly left behind, and run after them, calling after Strider.
" What are those things ? " I asked, as he lead us towards a near by forest. The hobbits were panting and scared, Strider was looking around as we heard the distant screeches of the monsters.
" They are the Nazgûl, and cannot be killed. They will be time to explain, but now we must hurry, Frodo will not last forever. " He sped up, followed by the three other hobbits, but I stopped moving. How could they not be killed ? And how did they come to be ? I looked around and saw the light from Strider's torch dim in the distance. Did I want to follow them, into danger and who knows what else, or did I want to continue exploring on my own, in peace ? Stupid question. Danger it was ! I shot off in the direction they had taken, though I could no longer see them. After a while I found three hobbits huddled in a small clearing, with huge statues of what looked like Trolls. I dropped the bags down next to Frodo, and asked the other two where Strider had gone.
" He and Sam went to look for a plant for Frodo. " Said the taller one. " My name is Merry by the way, and this is Pippin. " Neither of them smiled as they looked around, sweat forming on their foreheads. I realized how much more frightening this must be for them, as they were half my size and obviously not fighters.
I heard a horse running towards us, and I got up. A white horse, entered the clearing, ridden by a dark haired woman who elegantly got off and kneeled in front of Frodo. She was an elf, I could tell that much as she had pointy ears. But where she came from, and what she was doing here, I did not know. As she spoke to Frodo in a different language, a very beautiful language though I did not understand a word of it, Strider and Sam arrived back. Strider nodded to me, before sticking his flowers in Frodo's wounds. I watched the two converse in what I presumed was Elvish, pick up Frodo and seat him on the woman's horse. I was surprised that Strider spoke Elvish, though I had a feeling he was more than he lead on. He was hiding himself, not just from me but from the hobbits as well, but I knew I could trust him, just by looking into his eyes. He was true.
Sam was horrified as the elf galloped off with Frodo, leaving us behind. " What are you doing ? " he shouted angrily, " Those wraiths are still out there ! " I shared his opinion, as I doubted the elf would be able to fight off all the Nazgûl on her own, especially with Frodo in the state he was in.
Strider turned to us. " Arwen is the fastest rider I know, she will be able to outrun them and get Frodo to safety in Rivendell much faster than we would be able to. " He picked up a few things from the ground. " We must get going, our path is safer now, but that does not mean we must slow down. Hurry ! " And he dashed off.
I put a hand on Sam's shoulder, and smiled reassuringly at him as he raised his eyes to me. He nodded in thanks, and we set off after the others. Words were not required at that time.
We hurried through the forest, and after hours of travel, sunlight started to shine through the treetops. The hobbits were about ready to fall down with exhaustion, and I was starving. We stopped, and Strider went off to find some food, while the three hobbits set up camp. I set up my own things, farther away from the others, not wanting to intrude. I lay down, watching the red morning sky above me, the clouds moving, the trees rustling. I heard Strider come back, but for a while no one came to bother me, for which I was glad. After weeks of solitude, so much business had overwhelmed me and I needed the peace. I closed my eyes and started to hum, picturing my childhood friend Silvia running around the woodlands, trying to catch me. The smell of barbecued meat then filled my senses, and I shot up. The four men were stuffing their faces, as I looked on with envy. Pippin waved at me, and Merry called out. " Come on, join us ! " We ate in silence, and fell asleep.