Whilst contemplating which path is the right one in the depths of Moria, Gandalf and the Fellowship come across a mysterious stranger who may change the fate of Middle Earth...

Rated PG-13 for violence and frightening scenes (no sex, no swears)

Disclaimers: As usual, I do not own any of the characters of the Fellowship, but I do own Rietta, Nimir, and anyone that you have never heard of before. I hope you don't mind my odd little plot twists. I have combined parts from both the book and the movie. Please review as constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, and if you hate this I will still continue writing it...

*Note: Italics are parts from the book.

PART 1

"I have no memory of this place at all," said Gandalf, standing uncertainly under the arch.

                The rest of the Fellowship waited behind him, the hobbits wearily slumping onto large boulders.

                "Can we stop then, Gandalf?" asked Pippin, stifling a yawn. "Maybe after a rest you won't be lost."

                "Very well," assented the wizard, taking off his pointed hat and tucking it under his arm. He peered out into the darkness. "There is a door over to the left. It should be safer than staying out in the open."

                The nine walkers followed him through the doorway and into a rather small room with what appeared to be a bottomless hole in the center. Sam eyed it warily, standing in front of Frodo as if to protect him from any unseen menace. Pippin moved closer to it and curiously stared down into its depths.

                "Careful," warned Aragorn. "'Tis a good reminder not to go rushing carelessly into places you do not know."

                The Fellowship began to unpack some blankets and food and roll out the bedding on the floor. Legolas stood tall and silent, looking into the far corners of the room. There was a large crack in the wall near the ceiling, with a pile of shattered bricks and boulders underneath it.

                Gandalf began to speak. "We shall rest here for a little while and then -"

                A sharp cry from Legolas cut him off. Over on the pile of broken rocks, something was stirring. It was nestled into the shadows and barely visible. A moan was heard as a thin figure emerged from the darkness. It did not seem to be an orc, even a small one, for it stood straight and tall, and although Frodo glanced down at Sting, no blue glow could be seen.

                Immediately Aragorn and Boromir whipped out their swords and Legolas stood, bow and arrow ready. Gandalf muttered a few words and the light emanating from his staff grew brighter. "Who are you?" he asked loudly. "Reveal yourself and do not try to escape, for we have you surrounded. If you are armed, lay your weapons down. I command you to show yourself!"

                The figure was illuminated in the white light. It wore a shabby black cloak, torn and ripped in many places. Some parts of the cloth even seemed to be stained a dull red. Slowly the figure came forward and lowered its hood as the Fellowship gasped in shock.

                It was the thin, haggard face of a woman.

                She squinted painfully in the bright light, and at once the Fellowship realized that she had not seen the light of day in quite some time. She croaked a single incomprehensible word and then fell forward. Aragorn and Boromir dropped their swords with a clatter and raced to catch her.

                "What in the world is she doing here?" asked Frodo, voicing everyone's question. "Is she alright?"

                They lay her gently on the floor, and noticed the long thin scar that ran down the side of her face. Her nose was also crooked, as if it had been broken. Even under all the dirt and grime, they could see how pale she was.

                "She has seen many battles," commented Legolas.

                "That does not matter," said Aragorn pointedly. "She must be starving." He laid a hand to her forehead. "She is freezing cold. Get some blankets." Merry and Pippin raced to bring some from the packs and handed them to Aragorn, blankly watching.

                Aragorn swathed her in the blankets and checked her pulse. It was throbbing irregularly. Strange, he thought. They waited, breathless, for her to awaken. Several minutes later, she opened her eyes and emitted a hoarse scream. She shut them tightly, and Boromir motioned for Gandalf to dim the light from the crystal on the staff, which he did.

                "We will not hurt you," Aragorn said gently. She shuddered, but opened her eyes a crack. "Dar- darker," she muttered thickly.

                "Does she wish for water?" asked Legolas, concerned.

                "Nay, elf, she said dark, as in no light," answered Gimli. "The light seems to be hurting her."

                "I will make it completely dark," said Gandalf. "You hobbits, stay away from the hole. We do not need you to fall in as well."

                The Fellowship blinked in the sudden darkness. Sam, who still had his extremely heavy pack on his back, swung it off, opened it, and rummaged through for the canteen of water he had filled before they had entered the mines. He also retrieved a package of some dried fruits from Rivendell.

                "Beggin' your pardon, Mister Gandalf, but mightn't she want this? If she's starving and all-"

                "I am sure she would appreciate your kindness, Samwise Gamgee, but this might be better for her." Gandalf pulled from underneath his robes the precious flask of miruvor: elven cordial from the House of Elrond. The woman watched, frightened, with eyes that were nearly shut. She suddenly opened them wide and with a gasp, Samwise leapt back from her.

"Her eyes are glowing!" he cried. He was right. The girl's eyes glowed a disconcerting bluish green.

"Do not fear her," the wizard told him and the others. "If one spends many long weeks in darkness, such things will happen. Drink," said Gandalf, holding the flask to her lips.

                She sipped, and swallowed slowly. With a faint sigh, she seemed to relax. It even appeared that some colour came back to her pale cheeks.

                Putting the flask away, Gandalf turned to Sam. "Now, Sam, I believe that your rations might be of use." He handed her several dried fruits and watched as she tore into them. All of the Fellowship, especially Gimli, felt immense pity for this person who seemed to have been trapped in the dreaded mines. Gimli wondered why she had not gone and stayed with Balin's folk. He was beginning to wonder if they had ever even come to Moria, this deserted, desolate place.

                After satisfying her hunger and drinking deeply from the water flask, the woman struggled and managed to sit up.

                "What is your name, child?" asked Gandalf kindly, calling a little light from his staff.

                "Child?" asked Frodo. "But she looks so old."

                "It is the hunger, and the fear, and the weariness," said Gandalf. "Can you not see how much better she is now?"

                Even as they looked, the Fellowship realized that Gandalf spoke the truth. The woman was only but a girl, aged beyond her years with some strange weariness that had yet to be explained. "What is your name, my child?" he repeated.

                She looked up at him and murmured something.

                "What was that?" asked Aragorn, leaning closer to her. Something not unlike hatred, mingled with fear, flashed across her face. He backed away, confused.

                "Well, we'll try another question, then," said Gandalf. "Where are you from?"

                The girl murmured something which distinctly sounded like 'Rohan'.            

                "Rohan?" asked Frodo, and the girl nodded. Something like a smile played across her lips as she looked at the little hobbit.

                Suddenly the luminosity in her eyes dimmed, and flickered. And she began to speak. "It's been so long..." she said hoarsely, and very softly.