AN: Started in 2011, this story has been postponed, rewritten, postponed again, discontinued, and now rewritten again. I feel I owe it to 16 year old me, and to those of you who originally supported this story and fell in love with Evelyn to finally finish it. So I will be rewriting what has been written first, and then I will finally be finishing this story. I can only apologise that it took so long. So here's to you, my loyal, lovely readers.
Elvish is in italics. Sorry in advance for any mistakes. I do not own anything except my old friend, Evelyn.
Chapter One: A Stranger in the Shire
Evelyn waded through the tall crops of the Shire, brushing the tops of the wheat plants with the tips of her fingers. She smiled to herself at such a gentle feeling, and took a moment to appreciate the cool breeze that caressed her cheek. She could see why Hobbits never left the Shire. Why would they when they had such a peaceful place as this to call their home?
An ache of longing resounded through her chest at the thought of home. How she longed to return to Rivendell and to her family. Would they even remember her now? It had been so long since she had gazed upon the crystal falls of her home and felt the warm embrace of her father that she wondered if it would still truly feel like home.
She would find out soon enough once she had completed her quest. It was this thought that brought her attention back to the Shire. Gandalf had told her nothing of what her ward might look like. Only that his name was Frodo Baggins, and that she must see to it that the young Mr. Baggins made it safely to Bree where he was to meet with the wizard in private.
Evelyn wondered what Hobbits might look like. Gandalf had told her very little. He never was one to waste words, but she had heard rumours on her travels that they were scarcely taller than a child, and yet their feet were even hairier than that of the hairiest dwarf.
Her random thoughts came to an abrupt halt as her sensitive ears picked up a soft rumbling coming towards her. Her faith in even the most innocent of beings had become so brittle that even in a place where she knew no evil could dwell, she drew her sword from its leather scabbard and held it defensively in front of her. Braced for any enemy that might come her way, Evelyn could not have been more surprised by the sight that barrelled its way towards her.
Four very small figures came crashing through the long crops and tumbled carelessly to the floor in a big heap at the Half-elf's feet.
"I'm sorry!" A Hobbit with dark hair apologised hurriedly as he pulled himself to his feet and proceeded to brush his fine clothing down of dirt. He wiped his hand against his trousers and stretched out a small hand towards her in a friendly gesture to show they meant no harm. If these were Hobbits then they really were small, she mused.
"Do not worry," she smiled warmly, taking his hand and shaking it in return. She looked on in amusement as the other three Hobbits helped each other to their feet and proceeded to stuff as many vegetables back into their arms as they could manage.
Finally noticing the lady who stood before them, the Hobbits looked on at her in puzzlement. Not that they had much basis for comparison, but she was not dressed as women usually dressed. At least, not as the women of the Shire tended to dress.
Her dark chestnut hair was pulled back into a loose but practical braid, which showed off the pale skin of her cheeks that were scattered with many small scars. It was not the scars that drew the attention of the small Hobbits, however. It was the brown breeches that she had tucked into her boots and the leather waistcoat over her tunic that stunned them. Even more intimidating was the sword she had re-sheathed at her waist.
"Are you an Elf?" One of the Halflings with the most vegetables asked.
"Pip! Don't be rude!" The other Hobbit that stood beside him quickly elbowed him, making him drop a few carrots in the process.
"Sorry!" The first bowed lowly before her, or at least as low as his full arms would allow. "My Lady," he tried again. "Are you an Elf?"
Evelyn let a small chuckle pass her lips as the other Hobbit elbowed his companion again, so hard this time that all of the vegetables tumbled their way to the floor.
"Sorry about him, he was never one for manners", he glared at his friend who stooped to pick up his load for the second time. "I'm Merry Brandybuck, and that mannerless oaf is Peregrin Took. This is Sam Wise Gamgee, and well, you've already met Frodo over there," he said pointing to each of them.
"My name is Evelyn of Rivendell. It is truly an honour to meet you all", she smiled warmly at their easy companionship. "I am only a Half-elf though, Master Took".
"If I may be so bold, why is it that you are here in the Shire, my Lady?" Frodo enquired. She knew he meant no harm by his question, but she couldn't blame him for being too cautious. She of all people knew not to trust so easily.
"Actually, it is you, Master Frodo that I am here to see. For you see, Gandalf sent me here to protect you on your journey to Bree, so I am glad that we managed to cross paths. Even if it was a little sudden," she glanced at Pippin who returned a very sheepish look. For one who seemed to talk his way out of any situation, Merry thought that his friend was being uncharacteristically quiet in front of the lady Elf. It wouldn't last for long.
"Gandalf sent you?" Frodo's eyes lit up in surprise, and almost sheer relief.
"He did. He speaks very highly of you Master Baggins," she thought back to when Gandalf first told her of the Hobbit in question. Never had she seen her dear friend show such warmth and fondness in his eyes when speaking of another. She also couldn't help but notice the concern that crossed his features when he had told her that she must protect him at all costs.
A deep bark broke the calm that had fallen over the group and loud shouting and cussing had them turning around to see a sharp scythe being swung around high above the crops. Evelyn went to draw her sword to protect her new wards, but was stopped by Pippin tugging on the sleeve of her green tunic.
"It's Farmer Cottons!" Pippin shouted in alarm. "Even a wild dog couldn't get between him and his vegetables. Run!" He started to drag Evelyn along with him as the group sprinted through the crops. Evelyn could have easily run faster, but as fierce as Pippin had made out this farmer to be, she was certain that he posed no real threat to her companions. At least not to Master Frodo.
Evelyn quickly outran them to scout ahead for a better path, but came to an abrupt stop at the edge of a steep hill and held her arms out to catch Frodo, Sam, and Merry before they could tumble to the bottom. She turned to check over her companions when Pippin came hurtling towards them with enough force that he knocked even Evelyn from her feet, and sent them rolling head over heel to the bottom where they landed in a tangled heap.
"Is everyone okay?" Evelyn asked helping Frodo to his feet, as the others brushed golden leaves and bark from their clothing. They were destined never to be clean, Sam thought as he glared at Pippin again.
"We're fine my Lady," Sam replied while he checked their supplies for any damage.
"It's just Evelyn, Master Sam," she grinned, handing him a pan that had come loose from his pack. Merry and Pippin on the other hand were rushing to a patch of wild mushrooms that sprouted at the roots of an old oak tree.
Frodo walked towards the narrow road that the group had found themselves on and felt a cold wind cut through him like a dagger. Staring at the road a little longer, the Hobbit could have sworn that the path was closing in on them with a pressure that threatened to squeeze the air from his lungs.
"We should not be here," Evelyn voiced, observing the road ahead for herself. She felt a chill creep down her back, and a familiar darkness settling deep within her chest.
"Get off the road!" Frodo yelled as a loud and terrifying screech pierced the cold night air.
The four Hobbits scrambled off the road and beneath a giant tree root. They pressed themselves firmly together in the hope of remaining hidden, not even daring to breath in case it gave away their position. Evelyn ran towards a nearby tree that was just wide enough to conceal her form. Clutching at the bark, she pushed herself as tightly to the tree as her body would allow.
The forest became eerily quiet. The silence threatening to suffocate them with its growing presence.
Evelyn quietly drew her blackened blade and tilted her head slightly to the side so that she could keep watch of the tree that her wards had hidden beneath. As a Nazgul dismounted from its steed, Evelyn could do nothing more than look on in horror as a splitting pain ripped its way through her shoulder.
She covered her mouth with her own hand to keep from crying out. She didn't want to give away the Hobbit's position by making a noise, but the pain in her shoulder made her useless to help her new companions as she struggled to breathe through the pain that felt so hot in her shoulder that it was almost ice cold. She cursed, wondering why Gandalf had ever thought that she would be suitable for this task.
Evelyn could have sworn that the Nazgul knew that the Hobbits must be nearby, but before she could think of a plan to help them, Sam had grabbed the bag of mushrooms from Pippin and thrown it in the opposite direction. The Nazgul screeched its frustration and fury, and remounted its steed before pursuing the direction that the mushrooms had been thrown.
Evelyn quickly composed herself, ignoring the rapidly dulling pain in her shoulder as she stumbled her way over to the Hobbits."Come we must go!" She urged, helping them out from under the tree.
"Frodo, that thing was looking for something, or someone?" Merry asked, panic clear on his face.
"I must go to Bree," Frodo pleaded desperately.
"Then you should take the Ferry," Pippin nodded, understanding the need in his cousin's voice. "It's the quickest way. Follow me!" he shouted sprinting into the forest with the rest following quickly behind.
They ran until their thighs burned with the speed that they were pushing themselves to go, when a small and rickety looking wooden ferry came into view. As they neared the dock however, a group of dark hooded figures rode swiftly towards them. With each stride of their powerful horses, the figures closed the ever tightening gap between them.
Glancing quickly behind her, Evelyn knew the hobbits would stand a greater chance of making it to the ferry if the Ringwraiths were distracted. She only hoped that it would make up for her lack of action in the woods. She had sworn her life to make sure that they made it to Bree, and she did not break an oath lightly.
"Go! I will stall them!" Evelyn urged the group forward, as she drew her blade again and blocked a hit from one of the riders, trying desperately to ignore the searing pain that the hooded figures caused in her shoulder.
She swung her sword to protect herself from their powerful blows, and struggled to hold them back to give the Hobbits as much of a lead as she could. She blocked another blow from the cloaked figure before her when a Wraith approached silently from behind and sliced through the sleeve of her tunic and the skin of her arm.
Gasping, she turned around and shoved the Nazgul as hard as she could away from her, and sprinted after the hobbits that had now made it to the ferry, and were struggling to free the rope that attached it to the dock. Evelyn took a running jump and landed with a thud on the rough wooden boards next to the terrified Hobbits as it started to slowly drift away from the bank.
"Evelyn! You're hurt," Pippin moved to look at the deep cut on her arm that was starting to soak the sleeve of her tunic with blood. She gently pushed him to the side in dismissal.
"It's just a scratch. How do you all fair?" she asked covering the wound with her other hand so that the others couldn't see it.
"I think we're okay," Sam spoke. "What were those things?" he asked watching the figures quickly retreat into the dead of night, screeching again in anger at their failure.
"They are Sauron's Ringwraiths. They were all men once," she spoke with regret. "They each received a powerful ring which began to corrupt their very souls. They soon became his slaves," Evelyn watched the figures retreat into the darkness with disgust and fear.
If they were to make it to Bree in one piece though, she needed to forget about her own fears and worries. If she failed, she feared Gandalf would never again trust her, and he seemed to be the only one that believed that she was still herself. Even after all the horrors that she had been forced to endure for so long.