Dear Readers,

Thank you for being so patient! I'm sorry for keeping you waiting! I had to write a skit and film it in the past 30 days, but now that it is finished I can start to write again! This chapter, unfortunately, is not that much longer than the first, but I hope it will pacify you until the real action and plot twists come. Trust me, you'll have to prepare yourselves.

I would like to thank those who reviewed the first chapter! The reviews are greatly appreciated!

On another note, I was wondering if narutokakashijiraiya13 (if he ever reads this) would like to answer a question of mine: I greatly appreciate your review on my last fan fiction, but what does "GGGG" mean?

Also, brief Fan Fiction advertising: Check out Merlin's Ward and My Silver Guardian! They have some awesome stuff! (If you ever want me to advertise a fic of yours, PM me and I'll gladly post it on my Author's Notes or on my profile!)

Look on my profile for any TBOR updates or just to check out any new updates. I might be posting a poll soon, so look out for it!

- Bane

~*2*~

*Adoniel*

Her muscles burned from overuse. Every step made she felt as if she would collapse. There was no food, no water, and no breaks from the continuous travel. Adoniel felt as if she had been running for eternity. The only thing that kept her going was the gruesome thought of what might happen to Merry and Pippin in the hands of Seredur.

Even as she ran she mentally slapped herself. How could she screw up this badly? She put her selfish wants over the needs of an entire land! Because of her faulty reasoning, now Boromir was alive and things were "topsy turvy". She cringed at the thought of Gandalf finding out…if he ever found out. Would he still come back from the dead? Who would teach her how to utilize her powers to their full potential? There was still much she had to learn, especially now that Seredur appeared.

Seredur, the new Apprentice to the dark powers, was pompous. It annoyed Adoniel how he believed he would succeed at everything he did. Although she wanted to deny it, she secretly knew that he had to potential to fulfill his plans. Adoniel was not trained well enough to be a master at fencing, archery, or any other sort of weaponry. There was no way that she could stand up to him and survive. I will always be waiting for the right moment to strike, Istar. (Wizard) She shivered. This new apprentice would definitely be a handful.

Adoniel looked ahead to see her companions. Boromir, the Steward of Gondor's son and one of her great friends, was running before her. It was noticeable that he was tired as well, for his footsteps were heavy and his feet dragged slightly. He was much like her: they lacked endurance.

Prince Legolas of Mirkwood was ahead of Boromir, skillfully dodging around the rocks that were randomly placed along the prairie. Only recently did he admit that he had feelings for Adoniel. The feelings were mutual, but after the incident in Amon Hen, she wondered if she was getting close to him too quickly. The way that Seredur and Legolas had looked at each scared her. She had a strong feeling that Seredur suspected something between the two. One of Adoniel's greatest fears was that something would happen to her friends, especially Legolas. From experience, she knew that he would do anything to save her…which she was afraid of. She didn't want to risk his safety and vice versa. It would be better if they delayed the blossoming of their relationship at least for a little while.

At the front of the group was Aragorn. This Ranger of the North was actually destined to become the great King of Gondor. Adoniel remembered their first meeting in Bree. He was a rugged man, poorly dressed with only the knowledge of survival. Over the months they had spent together, she noticed the gradual metamorphosis of the man. He turned into a leader, guiding the Fellowship after the loss of Gandalf and advising the group after the Battle at Amon Hen. Adoniel smiled. Aragorn was a true King; he just didn't know it yet.

Pausing briefly at a rock, Aragorn put his head against it as if he were listening for something. Adoniel panted as she stopped next to Legolas. He smiled and whispered to her. "He is listening for the sounds—."

Adoniel nodded. "It's okay. I know."

Legolas tilted his head inquisitively as Aragorn stood up once more. "Their pace has quickened." He declared. "They must have caught our scent! Hurry!"

The Ranger quickly began running again and the chase continued. Boromir groaned with disappointment and ran alongside Adoniel, shaking his head. Adoniel smiled encouragingly at him. She knew that he felt guilty for the hobbits' current predicament. He had made that clear when they left the forest to follow the band of Uruk hai and Seredur.

A sudden clanking was heard behind them. Adoniel spun around to find a huffing and puffing and tumbling Gimli behind them. The poor dwarf had struggled to get up the steep hill and fell. His dwarven armor weighed down his limbs and restricted his movements. Using his axe as a staff, he tried to climb up the hill, muttering. "Three days and night's pursuit…no food, no rest, and no sign of our quarry but what bare rock can tell!"

Boromir went back to the dwarf, urging Adoniel to run onward. He would help Gimli. Taking his suggestion, Adoniel pressed on following Aragorn and Legolas to only the Valar knew where.

Please don't do anything stupid, guys. Adoniel thought. We're coming.

*Seredur*

Before he went to fulfill his mission, Seredur decided it was time to check on his troops. They held the hobbits that were to be sent to his Master. The hobbits were tiny and annoying like children. He didn't want to have to handle the two Halflings so he sent the uruk hai to do his dirty work. Hopefully they didn't…spoil the hobbits. If they did, there would be hell to pay.

Riding upon his steed which was as black as his heart, Seredur flew across the plains of Rohan towards the troops of his minions. The uruk hai and Saruman's orcs were arguing…again. Seredur rolled his eyes at the insolence of his regiment. He whipped his horse to move faster so he could continue with his missions as quickly as possible. Even when he arrived on the scene, the uruks and orcs were still bickering.

"—He wants the Shire-rats now!" Grishnakh, the leader of the orcs, spat.

Mauhur, who was appointed leader by Seredur after the death of Lurtz, growled. "I don't take orders from orc-maggots."

"Saruman will have his prizes." Seredur said, causing immediate silence. "You are just as impatient as my Master, Grishnakh." The band of monsters looked upon him with fear and forced respect. The Apprentice pushed past his minions to come face to face with the hobbits. Their wrists were bound and their arms were put around the necks of the uruk hai to prevent escape. One was frantically trying to communicate with the other Halfling, whose name was learned to be Merry, but with no luck. Looking up, the hobbit pleaded with Seredur.

"My friend is sick! Please, help him!"

Seredur chuckled. He thought of the vulgar drink the uruk hai used. Turning to Mauhur, he grinned and ordered. "Give him your 'medicine'."

The red liquid was forced down Merry's throat. Seredur laughed as he choked on the burning liquid. Merry's friend glared at the Apprentice with a great amount of hate.

"You monster!" He shouted. "You evil, vile, horrible—!"

As quick as a bolt of lightning, Seredur unsheathed a dagger and held it at the mouth of the hobbit. "If another word escapes from your mouth in my presence, I will cut out your tongue."

The Apprentice smirked as the hobbit closed his mouth. He turned to Mauhur. "You will take them through Fangorn to Isengaurd. Do not use the main road, for if you are being pursued you will find shelter in the trees."

The uruk looked nervously in the distance. The giant blob of green which was Fangorn brought fear into his heart. "Uh…yes, milord."

"Are you afraid of wood, Mauhur?" Seredur sneered. "The trees are dormant. They will bring you no harm." He mounted his horse. "Powerful steel will always destroy frail wood. A new age is rising, one of industry that will change this world forever. Now, if you would excuse me," He said as the uruks made a path for his steed. "I have people to kill. You have a ranger, a midget, a psychopath, a pansy, and a naïve girl on your tails. I suggest you resume your mission and I will continue mine as well."

Without a word, the uruks and orcs pressed on. Seredur smirked and kicked his horse onward towards Lorien. He had to pay a special visit to a 'dear friend'.

*Elizabeth*

Liz and Theodred crossed back over the river so that they were better protected. If orcs were going to come back into the area, they would come to the bank opposite of the battle. The bank that was opposite of the battle was the bank that Liz and Theodred used to hide from the orcs until they left. When the small battalion departed, the two new acquaintances swam to the other side.

"Wait," Liz said once they crossed the river. "So you're saying that you are Theodred and your father, Theoden, just happens to be the ruler of an entire country called Rohan."

"Correct." Theodred confirmed. He darted behind a bush and sat on the ground. "Really, I see no reason for confusion! It is quite simple, really."

Liz and Theodred were waiting in the shelter of the brush by the river. She looked back out to the remains of the battle. There were no other survivors. The prince looked sadly upon his fallen comrades. Liz averted her eyes away from the gruesome sight of the battle field and attempted to comfort Theodred.

"Your men were brave! They fought well."

Theodred lowered his head. "Not well enough. I lead them to their deaths."

"I—." Liz didn't know what to say. She never had friends die in battle before. "…I'm sorry."

He smiled at her. "Thank you."

Liz looked around her and at Theodred. Allowing herself to be distracted from the matter at hand, she tried to decipher the method that she was brought here. She was being 'punked'. There was no other explanation for all of this. She searched the forest around her, expecting to find a hidden camera or a man camouflaged. There was nothing but leaves and wildlife. Leaning back against a tree, she sighed deeply. She had actually almost killed herself. Thank God she realized that she was not dreaming in time, but seriously, what was going on?

"Are you well, milady?" Theodred asked, concerned for the girl.

Liz sighed. "Just stressed. And you don't have to call me 'milady'. My name's Elizabeth, but you can call me Liz."

"Where do you hail from? Your clothes are rather strange."

Liz stared down at her attire. It was rather strange, depending on if you lived in the Renaissance era or not. Her blue jeans, still wet from the river, were clinging to her legs. She had taken off her black jacket to dry, but kept on her purple t-shirt. Looking from herself to Theodred, she could see why he was so confused. He was dressed from head to toe in armor. His armor was not an ordinary soldier's armor, but a very important political figure's. She sighed.

"This is what we wear where I come from." Liz said. "I came from South Dakota."

The prince furrowed his brows. "Where is that?"

"It's…" Liz mused. She didn't know exactly where she came from. All she knew was that she appeared from the sky and landed in the river. "It's a long way from here.

There was a slight sound of rumbling. Theodred stood up, looking towards the opposite bank. Liz looked upwards towards the darkening skies. She considered it to be the sound of thunder. When it began to rain, she believed that she was correct. Her predictions were proven wrong when a hoard of horsemen came galloping onto the bank. All of them dismounted and ran towards the killed soldiers. A man, who appeared to be their leader, said something in a low voice and then shouted. "Find the king's son!"

Theodred wanted to bolt towards them, but Liz held him back.

"That's my cousin!" Theodred hissed. "Let me go to him!"

"Wait." Liz said. "You can't really see anyone's face from here!"

Disregarding her advice, Theodred ran out of the brush. Liz slapped her hand to her face and rushed after him. She quickly ducked to the ground when an arrow whizzed past her ear. Covering her head with her hands, she heard Theodred screaming for them to stop.

A loud voice bellowed. "CEASE FIRE!" A sudden silence filled the air. The only sound that was able to be heard was the sound of metal shifting and the water flowing from the river. Then she heard footsteps in the rocks coming steadily towards her then stop. Liz reluctantly took her hands away from her head and looked upwards. Right above her was a face that was described countless times in the Lord of the Rings books. Eomer, son of Eomund was standing right in front of her and pointing a sword in her face.

"Who are you?" He asked roughly. When she stammered, he shouted. "Speak!"

"E-Elizabeth!" She said, stumbling as she lifted herself from the ground. "I'm Liz!"

Theodred ran back towards his cousin. He had been conversing with some soldiers. "Eomer, this lady saved my life! You should not be questioning her so harshly! She should be accepted, not harassed!"

Eomer looked skeptically at Liz and her attire. "Does he speak the truth?"

"If you count throwing a rock at an orc, then yes."

Eomer's face twitched for a moment before he shouted at his company. "We ride back to Edoras! Bring forth a horse!"

Liz was stunned. She believed that Eomer was one of the toughest, most brutal, and most hard core characters out of the whole Lord of the Rings Trilogy, but she saw something that made her question her previous preconceived notions.

Did he just…smile?

A/N: Questions, comments, thoughts, concerns, feelings? Message me!