Disclaimer: All LOTR characters do not belong to me, but to the late Tolkien.
Dedication: To the late Tolkien for creating such wonderful characters.
Note: This is the first time I'm attempting a LOTR fic. It involves some cross-worlding. I would like to assure some authors—specifically that of the three fics "Spirit of Elfwing", "Sister of the Ring" and "The 21st Ring" that I'm not stealing any ideas. If anyone ever feels that way, please e-mail me.
Please review and tell me how I'm doing. I may make it into a romance story later on. Just tell me who you want my character to be paired up with. And how you want Sauron to fall.
Darkness And Light
Chapter one: A New MemberThe Company trudged through the knee-deep snow, weariness as they had not known before falling on each. It had been more than forty-five days past since they had set out from Imladris, and even then, none knew the perils they would have to face.
They gathered as close to the cliff as they could in the hope for some meager shelter; Caradhras looming in vigilance as dark shapes through the veil of heavy snow.
"What do you say to a fire?" Boromir asked after all had sipped a little of Elvan wine, Miruvor, given to Gandalf. "The choice seems near now between fire and death, Gandalf. Doubtless we shall be hidden from all unfriendly eyes when the snow has covered us, but that will not help us."
The wizard allowed the start of a fire, if it was in their skill to do so. Not Elf not Dwarf struck up a spark that would catch on fuel so wet and winds so strong. Gandalf had to finally hold the end of his staff in the wood.
"Naur an edraith ammen."
What came was the sudden spark of white light that consumed the wood in flames, as well as another flash of black that startled all.
"What devilry is that?" Gimli roared.
"I will go and look." Legolas rose up and ran upon the snow, disappearing around a bend, his feet leaving no prints in the snow.
The Hobbits huddled together in an attempt for more warmth, awaiting the Elf's return. When Legolas came back, it was not empty-handed, for he carried someone with him.
"I found her in the snow, and thought to bring her here, for I cannot leave her to the threat of Caradhras," the Elf explained.
Gimli peered closely at the unconscious form. "Why one so young may be doing on Caradhras I cannot say, for she does not look beyond her nineteenth year."
While the others all examined the girl for wounds and tried to keep her warm, Gandalf frowned. Aragorn noticed it. "What reason causes your brows to furrow, Gandalf?"
"What reasons for this feeling I have, Aragorn, I cannot say. But I daresay she feels familiar."
Boromir heard that. "You know her, Gandalf? Why do you not do anything?"
"I did not say I know her, Son of Gondor," the wizard said, "but that she feels familiar."
No more words were exchanged after that, for all but he who was on watch went into uneasy sleep.
***
It was on Aragorn's watch that the girl stirred and awoke, glancing in surprise and a little fear about. She felt his eyes on her.
"Did you sleep well?" He asked.
"Well enough," she answered warily, and she had an accent that he could not place.
"You are on Caradhras," Aragorn said as he saw her try to get her bearings.
"Caradhras?" She echoed. "I know nothing of this place. I don't even know how I came to be here." She had to breathe deeply to keep her voice level.
Aragorn once again looked at the girl's strange clothes and believed her, knowing that she was afraid. "You have no need of fear of us, child, for we hold no threat against you. Tell me, what is your name?"
"My name?" she repeated stupidly.
"Yes," he said patiently.
"Valerie. Just call me Val."
The man nodded. "Valerie. We would have to discuss your purpose in Caradhras among other matters when the rest awakes."
"Uh, okay." She could only hope that nothing nasty would be done to her.
***
Dawn came quickly enough, and Aragorn got the others awake. All of them were friendly, except the Dwarf, who looked at her with untrusting eyes. The Hobbits gave their trust the mostly freely of all.
"Tell us how you came to be on Caradhras, child," Boromir urged as they ate some food.
Valerie scowled. "Don't call me a child unless you're like—like that old guy over there!" She pointed at Gandalf, much to the amusement of everyone.
"My—name—is—not—some—old—guy." Gandalf sat up straighter. "Gandalf the Grey am I."
The Hobbits fell over themselves laughing. It seemed that introductions were in order and Pippin did it.
Once that was done, Boromir asked again his question that went unanswered the first time.
"I dunno how I came here," Valerie confessed, knowing that it sounded unbelievable. "I was asleep one sec and when I woke up, I was here."
"Would your parents not worry? However you came to be here?" Legolas questioned.
"I'm an orphan," Valerie replied quietly.
There was no further talk as the Company remained silent in respect of the sorrow evident on Valerie's face at parents she never had.
"Well now!" Merry spoke suddenly, jumping up. Even standing at his full height, he was barely taller than humans, wizard and Elf sitting down. "We said that we should go to Moria, for Redhorn Gate is being watched. Let's start now!"
"The girl should come with us," Legolas said, "for it would be ill-willed of us indeed if we left her defenseless where evil can do harm."
Gandalf sighed. "Indeed it is the only way, but be forewarned, Valerie, that Moria is not a place less evil than this."
Gimli grunted in disagreement as the girl swallowed. "Okay."
As if that was a cue, everyone started to pack their things. Merry and Pippin tried to cheer Valerie up with their childlike enthusiasm and songs, but the girl felt strangely unsettled.
It would be best if they could enter Moria and be out of there as fast as possible.