Hello everyone. Today you are in for what could be a treat. I have for you a story based off of J.R.R. Tolkien's famous Lord of the Rings trilogy. I have loved the series ever since I was a little boy, and the lore in Middle-Earth is so deep you can write a whole history book based off of his notes. I don't know if I will publish a second story, but I will complete this first if I ever do.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1: The Beginning

The end of the Dwarves was evident. The only home they know is in the Iron Mountains. They cannot hold this for long. Rumor has it that an ancient evil is awakening and that nothing can stop it. However, there might be one thing. After looking through royal documents, a Dwarven accountant found the solution.

"My sire, after looking upon the royal documents per your commands, I found something that might help us defend our home. Maybe even help us reclaim our former kingdoms."

The king shifted in his throne, "Speak your mind."

"I found documents that states that good-king Thrain II, the last Dwarven Ring Bearer, was heading towards the southwest towards Mirkwood. If we could reclaim that Ring it would give us more power than we have had in centuries."

The king thought about this. Mirkwood is normally dangerous, but with the Enemy possibly on the loose it has become unpredictable. The Dwarves needed some sort of edge if they are going to survive this war, assuming it ever comes to it. The worst part would be if the Enemy got their hands on it. The Enemy would have the advantage over not just the Dwarves, but also the Humans and Elves (but he could care less for the latter). The destruction would make that of the Fall of Sauron look like child's play.

"Thank you for your input. I need you to leave. I must consult my generals on this."

"Of course, my liege." The accountant said as he left and four generals walked in front of the king.

"Sire, you possibly can't be thinking this is possibly be thinking of this. This would be a suicide mission, and that's assuming that the Ring is even there." One of the generals said.

"But what if it is there. We would be one of the most powerful kingdoms in Middle-Earth. We could reclaim our former glory." A second general argued.

The third stepped up in a fury. "And what!? Sacrifice our defense for something that might be there! It will be the end of us! This kingdom is all that is left!" That was all it took for the generals to start arguing out of control. All except for the fourth.

"Enough!" The king yelled out of frustration, "In case you haven't noticed, we have four generals, not three!" He faces the last general who is waiting there. "What is your say in all of this?"

"With all due respect sire, but I was waiting for the children to stop playing their games." The other generals gave him a death stare. "I have a fighter in my legion that is perfect for this kind of quest. He fought in the Battle of Five Armies and was the only survivor from his squadron. He has accepted any suicide mission that I have assigned him and obviously survived with only minor wounds at the most."

The king sat back on his throne. "Interesting. You never said his name."

"His name is Haron."

Haron had been walking traveling towards Mirkwood for a week. He had received his orders directly from the king. "Finally," he thought to himself, "the mission that I can join my cohort with." He has been sent against legions of orcs, goblins, spiders, dragons, once all at the same time. None were worthy enough to finish the kill.

He walked into a forest for camp he was thinking, what if he would not find his worthy death. He would die in his bed old, while his cohort got a glorious death during the Battle of Five Armies. It would not be right for him to leave that kind of legacy in his eyes.

"This spot looks secure."

As he fell asleep, this was all that he was thinking of.

He woke up the next day not feeling good. He was feeling pain all over his body, he felt tied to something large. Then the biggest thing hit him. He could not see anything. He was angry at this point. Whoever kidnapped him was going to give him a dishonorable death! Then he heard a ruffle in the leaves.

"Who is that? Show yourself coward!"

"There is no need to fear, dwarf." Haron knew that it was a Man from the sound of voice, but did not know what to think. Rumor has it that the Enemy has been recruiting humans. Then the human removed the blindfold. He was a tall man with dark hair and a scruffy beard. "What is your name?"

"You tell me your name first, human!"

"You're the trespasser here. My name is of no importance, but if you must know. You can call me Stryder." The human said.

"What is Sauron doing in these parts? We are miles away from Mordor."

Stryder drew his sword and pointed it towards the Dwarf. Haron waited for the moment of death. Then he felt free.

"You mistake my purpose here, Dwarf, we have no love for the Enemy. Now your name."

Haron was confused at this revelation. This forest has no human settlements that would be able capable to of having a trained militia like he is seeing. "Haron."

"So, Haron." Stryder unrolls a large piece of cloth revealing many axes of every shape and size. Haron went down to reclaim his weapons but was met by sword point. "What brings a Dwarf this far away from the Iron Mountains with enough weapons to arm a legion?"

Haron knew that he was out matched was outmatched here. "I'm on a mission from the King, he believes that an ancient source of power is in Mirkwood." He reclaimed his axes. "Now where are your men?"

"They were here the whole time." Arrows started to fly around the two of them. "You just haven't been looking hard enough."

"Well played, Stryder, well played." Haron said as he looked around.

"Katelyn, come down here." As soon as he said this, a woman jumped from the tree tops and landed in front of the pair. She was dirty, but was still beautiful underneath all of it. She had blue eyes and blond hair. "Katelyn, this is Dwarf is on a mission of importance and would require assistance. I want you to take him to Rivendell. After that assist him in any way possible. I would do this myself but my attention is elsewhere. Four hobbits are nearing Bree and they have a great burden on them"

"Yes, sir." She said.

"Good. We will leave the two of you to get acquainted." He said as he left and then the leaves in the trees started to move.

Haron started away from her and mumbled, "I don't need help from some woman."

Katelyn did not take this insult lightly. She threw a dagger right through the dwarf's beard and held him to the tree that he was just freed from. "Now you listen. I did not sign up for this assignment. So I don't want to put up with anything you have to say about me being born a woman. Got it!"

"And if I don't?"

She pulled the dagger from the tree, "I promise that I won't miss next time."

Well, there you go. Please leave a review with advice and suggestions. They say that your first time is always the worst (and no… I'm not talking about that get you mind out of the gutter). I'll upload the next chapter as soon as I can.