((Writer's note: I've had this story going for a long time, and I've finally decided to rewrite it and post it here. It's a Lord of the Rings/Star Wars crossover fic. I'll stick to the Star Wars movie canon and the Lord of the Rings movie canon, and some of the EU of both universes. Comments/criticisms are very, very welcome on this fic, 'cuz it's what got me into writing Star Wars fan fiction in the first place. Thanks for reading.))

Chapter 1

A small fire burned steadily, casting a glow over the tree trunks at the edges of the clearing. Beyond the light, the darkness of night enveloped everything, and the stars above shone brightly. A woman sat next to the fire, her cloak wrapped around her as she fed the flame with some wood. Her eyes were wise, but her hood hid the rest of her features. A younger woman sat on the other side of the flame, her blonde hair glowing gold in the soft firelight. She lay back on the ground and stared at the stars for a few minutes, picking out the familiar constellations. Finally, she said to the older woman, "Tûr, you've taught me well. I know the history of our people, and how we came here."

The other replied in a rich, alto voice, "There is something you wish to ask me."

"Yes, Tûr. There was another story I heard a small fragment of. It was about a powerful woman who broke from our traditions—I can't remember her name."

The older woman's dark eyes gleamed. "You want to hear that tale, do you?"

"Yes, Tûr."

"Very well. This is a long tale, a very long tale. It's a story about the life of a girl—a girl who had the power to destroy millions. Her story is one of betrayal and sadness, of death, and what it drove her to do. Are you sure you wish to hear this?"

The young woman rolled over onto her side and pushed herself up a little. "Please tell me, Tûr! I want to know!"

"Then I shall begin. Don't interrupt. Just listen." The cloaked figure bowed her head for a moment, then began.

=-=-=-=-=-=

A teenage girl lounged against the side of a mud-brick building, the sun shining on her long, dark hair. She sighed and shifted her weight onto her left leg. Restlessly, she started pacing, unconsciously walking in time with the hoofbeats of the pack animals passing her on the cobble-stone streets.

A door near her opened, and a tall, middle-aged man with shoulder-length brown hair stepped out. She spun to face him, her face lit up with a grin. He shook his head slightly, and the smile faded as quickly as it had come. The man tossed her a couple of small silver coins; deftly, she caught them and tucked them into her belt. He crossed his arms and sighed dismally. "Leia, I'm afraid this may take a while longer than I'd planned."

Leia frowned and glanced back at the four unladen pack animals tethered to a post behind her. "Why? Joran's bought our furs for the same price every year for as long as I can remember. "

"He's decided that he shouldn't have to pay as much."

"But we had more snow last winter than we've ever had before, and he knows it! If anything, the price should go up!"

Before she could go on, an irritated voice called from inside the house, "Carran! Aren't you done with that daughter of yours yet? How long does it take to give her simple commands!"

Carran visibly gritted his teeth, then shouted back, "I'll be there in a minute." He leaned closer to her and whispered sarcastically, "The master calls, and I must answer. It's past noon already—go get us something to eat from that good tavern. Just remember to stay out of the eighth quarter of the city."

Leia's brow furrowed. "Father, I know I'm not as experienced as you, but I'm pretty sure I know not to go sight-seeing in a gang's territory."

Her father laughed and straightened. "Yes, I suppose you do. Still, I'm a father, I have to keep saying these things."

"Carran, get in here!" the irritated voice shouted again.

The man rolled his eyes. "Don't rush, Leia—this may take a while." He stepped back inside and closed the door.

Leia sighed and wiped the sweat off of her light, but tanned forehead. The tavern her father had referenced was all the way over in the seventh quarter. That was practically the other side of town! The girl put up the hood of her dark green cloak and stepped out into the street, immediately breaking into a brisk stride. She and Carran only came into this town every few months; they might as well eat good food while they were here.

Half an hour or so later, Leia was in the seventh quarter. Ah, there was the tavern. She started going up the three short steps leading up to the door.

Suddenly, she stopped, frozen in mid-step.

Something was wrong.

Leia whipped around and started running back down the street. Something was about to happen to…an old woman leading a little boy down the street. Her hand darted to her belt and drew a ten-inch knife. It flashed up—

Just in time to knock aside another blade aimed at the old woman's heart.

A loud obscenity exploded in Leia's ear; she spun out of the way of a wild jab at her abdomen and found herself staring into the face of a boy only a few years older than herself. Simultaneously, the old woman screamed and stumbled back, letting go of the toddler's hand. Leia dodged a second attacker; the first snatched up the child and ran back the way he had come, carrying the terrified, shrieking boy under his arm. The second attacker managed to strike Leia across the face with the back of his hand; he turned and fled after his companion.

Leia spat out some blood and glanced at the old woman. She seemed to be slightly shaken, but not hurt in any other way. The girl glanced around at the gathering crowd. None of them were making any move to go after the child.

Without hesitation, Leia spun on her heel and ran after the kidnappers. A pang of fear stabbed through her when she realized where she was going.

Straight into the eighth quarter.