General Disclaimer: I do not own this story; this story and its properties belong to J. R. R. Tolkien

O.K., in this there will be cliché time-travel by some certain individuals, but I think its fun to add new ideas to old ones. I will also say that I love the original books as they are, and that this story is just a bit of fun. This is my first story, so critic if you must, they will be welcome, and please enjoy!

What the Future Holds

Chapter 1:

The Ages Past

Frodo walked quietly down the Elvin corridor looking for the proper room. He and the other Fellowship members had been summoned to a private meeting with Lord Elrond; on what subject he had no idea. That Gandalf had discovered something useful, was the general rumor humming about Rivendell. But why it must remain so secret was beyond any of the hobbits or the men.

"I'm sure it's big whatever it is," Boromir had said grinning, "and helpful."

Sam wasn't as sure. "I don't know," he said. "Lord Elrond had seemed a bit uneasy. Didn't you think so Mr. Frodo?"

"Nah." Merry had cut in. "Maybe it was just indigestion."

"Do elves get indigestion?" Pippin asked. "I thought elves never got sick."

"Well I don't know Pippin," Merry said slyly. "Why don't you go ask one?"

Pippin had to pause at that. "I don't think that would appropriate." He said finally, "One does not just walk up to an elf and ask 'Do you have indigestion?'; they are far too intimidating for that."

At that, Frodo had walked away, shaking his head and laughing. But Sam had been right, Lord Elrond had seemed "uneasy" when he gave them the news. That gave him cause for grave concern. Had they found something else dangerous in connection to the Ring? He did not need another burden placed on his shoulders; the one around his neck was far too heavy as it was.

"Here it is." He said as he rounded the corner. The meeting was to be held in Lord Elrond's private rooms. They were grand quarters indeed, for the walls were covered in murals of the ocean with Elvin ships sailing towards the sun. Frodo then realized that he no longer needed his candle because the walls were emitting a gentle, pure light that guided him into what seemed to be a bare stone room. There stood the rest of the Fellowship and his most gracious host. "I'm sorry I'm late…" He began, but he hushed with the wave of a hand."

"We just arrived ourselves." Aragorn said. "Now we can begin. What is it that you have discovered, Gandalf? Is it for good or ill?"

"I honestly don't know." Gandalf said frowning, "It was actually Lord Elrond who first noticed its presence. I only followed up on what it actually was; perhaps he can give you a better explanation."

Elrond began gravely, "You know to elves all time, to a certain extent, is the same. To men, dwarves, and yes, hobbits, time is constant and reliable. But we see it differently than mortals do. Some of us can see the many possibilities time can create, and this is also in a constant pattern. So when something changes in the fabric of time, we take notice." Here Elrond Paused. "Something has changed. There is a "rip in time", a door way if you will, into the future that has suddenly appeared."

"A WHAT?" Boromir scoffed.

"I don't understand," Frodo said puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Yes," said Aragorn. "How do you travel to a future that doesn't exist yet?"

"I don't think you can." Gandalf said simply. "Because the future hasn't happened yet, it does not exist, but I do believe, something could come through the door."

"How so?" Gimli said cautiously.

"It's just like Aragorn said." The Wizard answered, "You cannot get to places that do not exist, but you can go to a place that does. The past has happed, so it "was" a place. I hope we're not confusing you too much."

Boromir was far from convinced. "What I, and I'm sure everyone, wants to know is what does this have to do with us? If such a door does exist, will aid us or deter us?"

Elrond sighed. "Like Gandalf said, we don't know. Time is neither good nor evil, but that does not help us in our decision. The reason you are here is to decide whether to draw, or allow as the case may be, a person from the other side to cross over."

"Huh?" was the general hobbit response.

Elrond went on, "Perhaps it is the Valor being kind to us by giving us this opportunity. For if we draw a person from the future, and bring him here, perhaps he will be able to tell us what to expect on the quest to destroy the Ring."

"In other words 'tell our future'." Boromir said skeptically. "And what happens if he is the enemy's man and he leads us in the wrong direction? What then?!"

"That is why you are here." Elrond replied, "To see if you are willing to take that chance."

"Well my vote is cast." declared Boromir. "I cannot risk Gondor on a door through time. I say Nay."

There was a small pause throughout the room as each pondered his decision. Then Merry and Pippin, who had been whispering amongst themselves, boldly declared "We say Aye! I think it would help us to know a little something of what is to come, and a future person might have interesting things to eat." At that, Sam also said "Aye", but whether it was for the first or second reason, none knew.

Gimli and Legolas both agreed they would be willing to take the risk and Aragorn nodded saying that they would know in their hearts if the man was evil or not. Then they all looked to Frodo, who had remained silent, and at Gandalf. Gandalf turned to Frodo saying, "What the Ring-bearer decides, I will do."

Frodo looked around the room and then turned to Gandalf saying, "Let's do it."

As the others gathered around Gandalf as he began chanting, Boromir stood behind them, watching just as eagerly, but murmuring that he was the only one in the Fellowship that had any since.