In the Company of Rangers
A tale of Rangers, Elves, Wizards, and a lone Hobbit.
Welcome to my first ever Lord of the Rings based Fan-Fiction.
This work is actually a collaboration with my boyfriend, who is a huge fan of the fantasy world created by J.R.R Tolkien.
This story is set to start between the events of the Hobbit and will continue on into the Lord of the Rings.
Warning: This is an AU based around a group of Original Characters. There will be many changes later that will effect the future of the original story.
Disclaimer: I own nothing from the original Book Series or Movie Franchise. The only thing in this story that I own are the Original Characters and their back-stories, save those that belong to my boyfriend; Bladerunner89.
Walking along the winding roads of the countryside a small group of young men and women smiled under the mid-summer sun, laughing as they carried baskets that had the smell of warm baked goods and sweet jams. Passing by a large hill, made mostly of stone, they picked up the pace until they came to the other side, where a large door was embedded into the rock. Stopping in front of the home, larger than any other in the area, they knocked on the door and politely awaited an answer. No strangers to this quiet villa the group listened carefully as a voice came filtering through the door, asking them to wait there a moment.
They did not have long to wait for the door quickly opened to reveal a tall young woman, about four feet and six inches, with delicate features and a lithe body. Slender and paler than the others she was a pretty little thing with light green eyes and strawberry blonde hair. Unlike the others her hair was straight from the roots and eventually began to curl as it neared her elongated ears, going down to her shoulders before stopping.
"Guin, you said that you'd be ready afore noon, it's nearly lunch; what's kept you?" Flushing a little in embarrassment at having made her friends wait she smiled as she opened the door further and allowed them all inside. Stepping down the gradually descending stairs they stood together easily in the house that seemed far too large, used to visiting Guin and her family over the years.
"Sorry to have kept you, Da needed my help sorting through some herbs. I shouldn't be more than a moment getting ready." Shrugging or smiling the group waved her on and said they would wait for her at the entrance. Wouldn't want to bother her hard working parents after all.
Moving gracefully throughout the house, at a quick pace but without running, she entered the kitchen and pulled out the basket she had made up earlier. Turning down the long hall she walked straight to the last room in the house and entered. Sitting at the work table, glasses sitting off of his nose slightly, was her father. A short, stocky, man with auburn curls tight against his head and large feet resting against the stool he was sitting on.
"My friends have come to fetch me for the lunch we planned today. I do not wish to keep them waiting any longer, but if you still need my help..." Chuckling at her the man, shorter by at least half a foot, turned to look back at his only daughter, his brown eyes filled with mirth. Waving her on, letting her go free to do what she wanted, he turned back to his work. Though he was a man of few words and could be a little awkward in large groups he was a jovial and generous man who seemed to have endless patience.
Leaving her father to his important work, she padded down the hall a ways and knocked on the room to her mother's study. Both her mother and her father were known in these parts as great healers and people would often come from other parts of the Shire to speak with them about their medicines and herbs. A melodic voice, smooth and low in tone, called out to her from beyond the door, calling her inside. Peeking her head into the room she stood in the doorway, staring up at the beautiful woman who was her mother.
Sitting amidst books and scrolls, with many plants either drying overhead or growing in small pots on the windowsill, was a woman of around six feet tall. A stranger to the Shire her skin was porcelain, her hair straight, stopping just after her hips, with delicate, ethereal, features and soft blue eyes.
"What is it Meylanna?" Blushing in delight, she always loved the sound of her mother's maiden tongue, she scuffed her foot across the floor as she spoke.
"My friends have come to take me out to Lunch with them. We planned it yester e'en. We will be going down to the river for a picnic, I promise I shall return before the sun sets." From where she sat at her desk the woman gave her a wonderful smile as she rose from her seat and strode over to the small young woman.
"Have fun with your friends dear one, but pray hurry. Or they might just leave without you." For Hobbits the small group of young men and women were known by many for hurrying everywhere. But that was probably influenced by the young Took standing before her. Squirming in place, wanting to get going, she heard her mother let out a light laugh in amusement before she leaned down and lay a kiss upon her forehead before motioning toward the door.
"Thank you Mother." Skipping from the room she set the basket down beside her friends and took her day cloak from the hook before donning it.
"Finally, are you ready to go Guin?" Taking up her basket she nodded at them, glad to be on her way. Going out into the sunshine she took a deep breath and marvelled again at the beauty of the Shire.