A/N: This is my first published LOTR fanfic. Give me some good feedback please and thanks! Also, I am aware of the accents on "Eowyn" and "Nazgul" but cannot figure out how to insert them easily. If you know how the information would be appreciated!

Anyways, enough of my ramblings get on with the story! - Laura

Chapter One: The End?

"So, it is done at last," Aragorn spoke looking out off the balcony of his new housing in Gondor.

"Good riddance I say! No, Sauron, you and your ring shan't be missed by Gimli son of Gloin - nor any other dwarf," Gimli ranted spitted over the railing as emphasis.

The coronation had occurred earlier this day and now four of the fellowship stood together - Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn - the hobbits remained in their shared quarters talking excitedly amongst themselves and smoking some very high quality pipe-weed kept by Sam throughout his impossible journey with Frodo.

"Perhaps," Gandalf replied, cryptic as always.

Aragorn lifted an eyebrow and observed Gandalf but it was the prince of Mirkwood who spoke first, "What does this mean? The ring could not possibly have survived."

"Nay," Gandalf began standing slowly, "The lord of all rings has passed into the fires of Mordor. It cannot be remade by any who live now."

"Then what is behind your 'perhaps' old wizard! The way I see it everything is good and final - we have great ale and even greater friends to celebrate tonight," Gimli announced cheerfully sparing a glance at the elf prince who bore a small smile.

"The one ring is gone," Gandalf said, exiting the balcony, "however, twelve rings of power do remain. The three rings gifted to the elves, untouched by Sauron's evil, three of the seven rings bestowed to the Dwarven leaders - four, you recall," Gandlaf paused to nod in Gimli's direction, "perished by a dragon's fiery breath - and six remain with the Nazgul with many thanks to Lady Eowyn of Rohan for sending the most powerful one out of existence along with it's owner, and a the hard work of a few brave soldiers from our latest battle who defeated two more of them."

"The elves would never misuse the power and the dwarves do not possess their rings anymore Gandalf, how is this a threat?" Legolas inquired.

"Are you tryin' to say that if us dwarves did possess our rings we would misuse the power?" Gimli shouted, stomping his foot in outrage, "A curse on you self righteous elves!"

As Legolas and Gimli fell yet again into an argument over pride of race Aragorn followed Gandalf off the balcony and into his new Gondorian study.

"Gandalf, the Nazgul were neither dead nor living - they merely existed by their attachment to the one ring. They could not have survived."

"They existed as they did by their attachment to the ring, yes this is true Aragorn, but upon it's end their end did not also lay. The Nazgul now wander Middle Earth on foot. They are free to do their own will now – one cannot guess what evils their minds could think up."

"Surely this cannot be. How could they survive?" Legolas spoke up from his spot in the doorway evidently finished with his previous argument.

"They would not be as they used to," Gandalf stated. "The evil in the magic Sauron used will have taken their toll. Their immortality will have dissipated and they will appear just shadows of what they used to be. They will also have lost their steeds and therefore their eyesight as the Nazgul were blinded upon their transformation from man to creature and relied on their steeds impeccable sight in battle and travel. I am unsure of what other changes will have taken place but one should always remain wary."

His three companions thought on this and came at last to the conclusion that Gandalf was, as usual, correct that the six rings of men must be retrieved.

"Yes, the rings of the Nazgul must be retrieved. I offer my bow to this quest once again," Prince Legolas said with a hand over his heart.

"Aye, and my axe will go as well. Can't be shown up by some pretty boy elf," Gimli conceded.

Aragorn stood to go to Gimli and Legolas but Gandalf stopped him. "No Aragorn. Your duty is to your people and your wife. You will stay here and regain order in Gondor as we retrieve the six rings of the dwarves and elves. I believe I may know where they abide. When it comes time to track the Nazgul we will come for you my friend."

Aragorn nodded slowly as he watched his wife Arwen pass through the hallway outside his study. "I will stay. For now."

"But why must the elven rings-" "And dwarven!" Interrupted Gimli. "Yes, and dwarven," Legolas continued, annoyed, "be destroyed? I ask again of what threat they offer."

"No threat in the hands of elves I assure you," Gandalf replied earning some harsh muttering from Gimli, "but in the hands of orcs, goblins, or power hungry men? I dare not think of it, beings of all kinds will be searching for the rings and the three dwarf-lord rings are already in danger. They were gathered by Sauron during his last reign and hidden in a place of evil."

"It must be done then," Legolas decided aloud.

"When are we going?" Gimli asked.

Gandalf answered as Aragorn laughed at their eagerness, "As soon as we find a replacement for Boromir and talk to our hobbit friends."

"I will ask one of Gondor's finest and most trustworthy captains to accompany you – there is still an hour before nightfall. Meet me back here in half that time," Aragorn said walking quickly from the room.

"And so it begins," Gandalf spoke with a tired smile and left to talk with his favourite – but don't tell them that – hobbits.

Entering the large room he was greeted with the sight of the four hobbits on one bed smoking pipe-weed, drinking ale, and laughing as they used to back in the Shire. He smiled warmly as Frodo's eyes lit up like he had not seen them do in many months.

"Peregrin Took put down that ale you are about to spill and pay attention. That goes for you to Samwise Gamgee," Gandalf said this as the first hobbit in question dropped his pint of Gondor's finest and spilled it right onto the books Frodo had borrowed from the king's personal library. "Fool of a Took!" Gandalf shouted grabbed the books and blotting them dry with one of the hobbit's discarded vests. When he was finished he stood calmly in front of the little men and spoke at last, "I have a proposition."

Frodo gave his allegiance wholeheartedly to his old friend, "Gandalf, I will go with you wherever you go. You must know this after all we have been through," Frodo spoke softly his eyes alight.

"Well I will come as well. I've looked after Frodo this long and I would sooner burn the Shire than allow him to perish after all my hard work," Samwise Gamgee answered with a brotherly smile.

"Well we're coming too!"

"We are?" Merry asked looking at his closest friend, Peregrin Took.

"Of course we are. They need strong men like us Merry. Besides, it is so much easier to cause havoc here than in the Shire with that dreaded old man Proudfoot around."

"I had almost forgot him you know."

"Really? I would never be able what with the time he nailed me by the shirt to his scarecrow."

"That was atrocious of him wasn't it."

"Atrocious indeed."

"Peregrin Took and Merriadoc Brandybuck stop your bantering this instant! Will you, or will you not join us? Though for the sake of my headaches I pray that you will not."

"We will," Pippin answered with a trademark grin. As Merry nodded behind him.

"Very well. Let us return now to Aragorn's study and meet our final companion."

And with that the group of seven made their way to their beloved friend and king and their unknown captain.

A/N: R&R please? And I don't mean rest and reassurance.

Also, the next update will have my own character in it. Well, two of them actually. I do not own any of the people of things mentioned in this chapter! See you soon hopefully. - Laura