So, a hobbit story this time, eh? Just a prologue, but I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Me no own, you no sue.


Grey and un-seeing eyes stared straight ahead. The huntress's blindness mattered little during her hunts, for all her other senses were tuned and sharp, focusing in on the unsuspecting buck. Arriah hadn't come across a buck so large and healthy in a year, it was certainly a prize, and would feed her for many days.

Reaching back she slowly pulled an arrow from her quiver and notched it into her bow. The buck wasn't to far from her. Hitting it wouldn't be a problem, hitting it in the right spot would. The wind blew into her face, bringing the scent's of the forest and of the buck to her and sending her hair flying back. She raised her bow and pulled on the string until it was taut.

Suddenly the bushes across from her and the buck rustled and Arriah became aware of a new presence. The buck bounded away, to suddenly for Arriah to act. She sighed and placed her notched arrow back into her quiver and stood.

"What do you want?"

The presence she recognized almost immediately, as well as the scent that accompanied it. Tobacco, forest, honey candle wax and presence before her stepped out from the shade of the trees and stood before her, the only thing separating the two was a bush.

"Arriah, it's been some time, hasn't it?"

"Gandalf. I hope you're here with good reason. That was the first buck in a year that I've seen so large and healthy."

She assumed that Gandalf had nodded at this.

"Yes, well, I wouldn't have come it I didn't."

Arriah nodded. She'd know the wizard since birth, she owed him much. He'd saved her life and had helped her settle into a new life. In return she'd remained a faithful friend, and aided him when ever he asked.

"I need you to meet me on the road, eight days from now, some where in between Buckland and Bree. If not there then somewhere after Bree. But we must meet."

Arriah raised an eyebrow, slightly intrigued by the wizards request.

"Why, Gandalf? What's going on?"

"I'll be travelling with thirteen dwarves and a hobbit."

"A hobbit?"

"Yes. Hopefully."

Arriah nodded. "Now do tell, Gandalf, why am I too meet you? Thirteen dwarves and a hobbit aren't exactly you'r chosen accompaniment on your travels, and the same could be said for me."

"I need an expert. Someone who has an even vaster knowledge of Middle Earth's wild's than myself."

The wizard paused and the huntress could hear the slight smile in his voice.

"Besides, I think that it would be most entertaining. For myself mostly, but you might get a few laugh's out of it. Perhaps even a reward when it's all said and done."

Arriah snorted. "Money means little to me Gandalf, and besides, you really think I'm some sort of wilderness expert?"

"Yes, I do. If there was another, then that's where I would be."

Arriah nodded and then sighed. "Eight days then."

And the wizard was gone.

Arriah gave another sigh and plopped down on the forest floor. The blinded woman trusted Gandalf immensely, but his choice of travel companions this time around certainly had her questioning her own sanity. Who really trusted a wizard these days anyway?

Dwarves stuck to Ered Luin and the Iron Hill's these days. Only venturing so far as to trade, or if they were working for hire. She knew of Erebor, and the destruction Smaug had brought the the great dwarf kingdom and Dale, but any who had survived were now scattered. Most in Ered Luin, she guessed. She was also aware of how the dragon had been plaguing the wizards thoughts as of late.

She stood, brows furrowed. He couldn't have possibly gotten to Oakensheild.

Right?


So, here it is, a prologue like many others. Tune in later for more! R&R!