Hi people, just to say this is my first writing ever, at anything. This is definitely AU, I read LOTR over twenty years ago, so I'm using the movies as my base. Story about a traveller from our AU-world to ME. Starting from pre-FOTR into the WOTR. I do not own anything except my OC :)

Stranger in foreign lands

Arrival

In a small forest south of Mirkwood, the morning chorus was in full swing. Young birds and animals called out, making their hunger known to hunting parents, before being rudely interrupted by a crackle of energy. The noise silenced the voices, and a distortion the size of a large horse suddenly appeared from elsewhere hovering just above the ground. The distortion seemed to ripple and dance in the air before disgorging a figure onto the forest floor, several heartbeats later the rift calmed then disappeared, leaving no trace of it's existence except the person who was not there only moments ago. The figure moved with a groan, pushing himself up by the arms, then gingerly easing into a sitting position and took a careful look around examining his new surroundings. As he looked around the forest slowly came back to life, with bird calls filling the earlier silence, the visitor noted that the air was clean, sweet, full of autumnal aromas.

The figure slowly stood, he couldn't quite understand what had happened, the gateway should have deposited him near his home but this forest was new and unknown to him, and it certainly wasn't summer like it was suppose to be. Obviously the magic of the gate distorted somehow and landed him here, wherever here was, Chrissy was gonna be so pissed off with him. With a sigh, he picked a random direction and started to walk, hopefully he would find someone who would tell him where he was and then he could start to figure out how to get home.

By early evening, the forest had started to thin out, and the sun was slowly dipping toward the horizon, there was the slightest hint of wood smoke in the breeze and, with relief, the traveller changed direction slightly to head towards it. As the sun left the sky, the traveller noted the scent of food cooking on hearths in the air, looking up he noted the stars and moon starting to peek out and lurched to a stop. He blinked and scanned the skies again, quietly he swore to himself, he could not see any of the constellations that he knew, the stars were different, 'Well Rheon', he murmured to himself, 'looks like you're not in Kansas anymore'.

He continued onwards and soon reached a small escarpment overlooking a village nestling next to a wide stream. The village buildings had thatched roofs, and lanterns hung sporadically to provide light to the few people still moving around. He noticed one building somewhat larger than the others with a partial stone foundation and guessed it to be the village elder house or tavern. There were no signs of pylons or telephone poles so technology in this area was very low or he was in a low tech world. 'World/dimension/plane, he wasn't sure but at least he hadn't changed into human clothing, his current attire was quite fitting and for that he was glad of small tidings. His clothing might be of better cloth but at least he wasn't in a three piece suit, and he still carried his weapons, as well as a small pack of belongings.

Rheon carefully picked his way down from the escarpment, he had an uneasy feeling that he couldn't ignore and it was getting stronger as he got closer to the small settlement. A howl broke the peace, quickly followed by more howls and the guttural cries of some creature Rheon had never heard of before. He slid down the rest of the incline and broke into a run as the first screams rent the air. As he entered the village, people who opened their doors to investigate the disturbance were quickly bolted again as the cry of 'Orcs' was taken up. The screams of terror reached his ears as he ran looking for the attackers, going round the large building he spotted them, large dire wolves with riders perched atop them riding down anyone caught in the open. There were four of them that he could see, two in front and two slightly behind, he knew the odds weren't good but he couldn't not try to help. He slowed down his pace to a walk and shouted to get the creatures attention, flipping his cloak back he unsheathed his sword, three feet of the finest steel slid free with a rasp as the the foremost riders turned towards him. He calmed his racing heart and focused on the lead rider, who appeared to be laughing as it bore down on him, moments before impact Rheon surged forward and to the side, gracefully stepping away from the charge, he brought his sword up in a diagonal upward slash, cutting deep into the dire wolf and rider as they raced by. He turned to face the latter two riders only to see arrows sink deep into the wolves, throwing their riders into the ground as they abruptly collapsed. Rheon spun again as he heard the second rider approach, jumping swiftly to the side to avoid the large jagged maw, he brought his sword down cutting into the creature's neck. The legs of the wolf gave way, throwing off the blow that the orc rider was aiming at him. Rheon threw up his arm to block and felt the sword impact off the metal bracer he wore, before the creature could swing again, an arrow pierced it's throat, instantly killing it. Rheon jerked his sword free and looked around, the attackers lay dead and villagers were looking around in a wary daze, two figures, bows in hand were heading towards him. One was tall and fair haired and moved with a grace that Rheon instantly thought, 'elf', the other was tall and dark haired, human, with an unshaven dangerous outlook, both were seasoned warriors, that was easy to see.

Rheon cleaned his sword from a rag and greeted them as they closed,

"Greetings, my thanks for the helping hand, it could have gotten scary for a moment there".

The elf turned his golden head towards his companion, "Could have?", Rheon grinned with good humour, and saw the other two return it, the dark haired human looked at him for a moment, assessing him before speaking,

"Your help is appreciated, although it seems almost foolhardy for one to go against four wargs with riders, we had been tracking them for a while but couldn't quite get here before the attack. I am Aragorn, and this is my companion Legolas", Aragorn explained.

"I am Rheon," he introduced himself, "To be honest I couldn't have stood by and watched people get killed and not do something, I can handle myself so to do nothing would have been wrong."

"Greetings friend Rheon, please do not take this unkindly but I sense that you are not from here, indeed, I sense that you are from quite far away," Rheon looked at Legolas wondering how to respond, from close up the blond haired elf was really quite pretty, almost as pretty as Alan, he almost grinned at the thought but controlled himself. Legolas was speaking in elven but it was different from the elven he knew, it was an older dialect from his own youth,

"Indeed friend Legolas", he answered slowly in elven, "you sense the truth..."

Aragorn studied Rheon as Legolas greeted him in elven, Rheon stood almost as tall as himself, with dark hair cut strangely short, revealing the upturned ears of an elf, he was obviously a warrior and a skilled one at that but there was something not right somewhere. Rheon clothes were well cut, and he could see the faint glimmer of armour under his over-tunic, but he had never met an elf so open to helping men that they didn't first know. And his sword while clearly of superior craftsmanship, was not the usual curved blade that he often associated with elves he knew but straight with a narrow blade that tapered to a wickedly sharp point.

"but it is a long story which is best left for another time," he turned to look at Aragorn, "if you're done studying me perhaps we could find out if anyone needs help," Rheon smiled as he said it, no rancour in his voice.

"You are right of course, Aragorn is a trained healer," Legolas quickly put in, Aragorn nodded and called for the villagers to take him to the wounded.

The three worked swiftly yet thoroughly, helping to clean and bandage any wounds and help burn the intruders, Legolas and Aragorn had worked together many times before and their actions reflected this, but Rheon had patched up many a colleague and he knew what was needed after rural villages had been attacked.

Late into the night after profuse thanks from the villagers, the three settled in the tavern, the left overs of their late meal, which was freely given, on the table. The other villagers had eventually left, going back to their homes, leaving the three to mull over their drinks.

"So, I must ask where do you come from?", Aragorn asked softly, as he turned from the fire to look at Rheon, "Your speech in common tongue or elven, betrays the fact that you are not from here."

Rheon rubbed a hand thru his short hair, he looked up from his drink to find both of them looking at him, "I am unsure of how to explain to you how I got here, as I don't quite know myself. I came thru a portal, a gate between worlds, I was going to the human world from my own lands. The gate was set up by friends, well versed in magic, but not I suspect, magic as you know it. Something happened, I know not what but I have ended up here, so now I must look for a way home", Rheon smiled wryly at them, "If you know anyone who might be able to help, it would be most appreciated."

Aragorn and Legolas looked at each other, a silent communication passing between them, before looking at Rheon again.

"We are heading towards Imladris," Legolas started, "Lord Elrond is wise and has much knowledge, he may be able to help you, for I fear both of us have no idea of what you speak."

Rheon held his hands up in a placating gesture, "No please, you are not at fault, had our situations been reversed, I would have no clue either and would have to refer you to someone more magically inclined. Your suggestion has merit as it gives me a starting point, I would be delighted to join your company if you are willing to have me."

"Then it is settled, we will continue our journey tomorrow morning, I bide you good night Rheon," with that Aragorn stood and left for his room, followed closely by Legolas.

Rheon watched the two of them go before getting up to go outside, he sat on the steps and looked up at the unfamiliar stars. He felt sure he was brought here for a reason, he just had to figure out what and hope he could do the right thing. As he stared into the night sky he shivered, suddenly feeling very lonely and wished he had some of his friends here with him but there was no-one, and so he sat by himself and waited for the coming dawn.