My new character appears already...he is another hobbit, but not from the Shires. How could this little creature meet the Fellowship all the way across Eriador and in Rohan without getting himself killed? It is a long tale, but it is not for now. Rohan must prepare for war.

Readers, please review! I need the opinion of others!

Very well, then. Let the second chapter begin.

Chapter Two

Smeagol's Kin

The White Lady looked over at the hobbit affectionately, who, under her care, had rid himself of the grime and was devouring the leftovers from the feast. Eowyn looked over at the Fellowship, who were sitting across the table. Their eyes held a different sort of emotions from hers. Aragorn had wanted to interrogate Rebrand Greyflood immediately, but Eowyn insisted that it should wait until the little creature was full and content. Gimli had grunted, and now he was into the food as much as the hobbit himself. For some time, only the sound of eating could be heard in the hall.

When the hobbit was done, he daintily dabbed the corners his mouth with a napkin and bowed to Eowyn.

"Rebrand the Greyflood, did you say? You do possess a nice set of manners." Gandalf chuckled in amusement as Rebrand bowed again. Aragorn scrutinized the hobbit carefully before asking him a question.

"You bring us ill news, Rebrand. According to your words, an army of orcs is marching towards Rohan, and it will reach us in a few days' time-"

"I witnessed it! With my own eyes!" The hobbit cut off Aragorn and jumped off his chair in dismay. His expression was streaked with fear as he rambled on. "Oh, you warriors might not feel it, the danger at hand! Perhaps too used to victory, confidence in their own skills in weaponry. This band of orcs is like no other; a band of Uruk-hais, finest breeds of Saruman." He glanced at the way of the throne. "King Théoden must make a decision quickly."

The hall was quiet as the hobbit's words sank in. Legolas looked mildly offended as being accused of arrogance, but kept quiet nonetheless. And so the company, along with Eowyn and Rebrand, was startled quite badly when a booming voice came from behind.

"And I have made my decision. It will not waver."

The hobbit winced in distress as Théoden stalked away, his cape swirling at his feet.

And so it was the next morning that Hama made the announcement.

"By order of the king, the city must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep. Do not burden yourselves with treasures. Take only what provisions you need."

There was a flurry of commotion among the people. They scrambled to pack food and supplies. Gimli stood over the balcony that overlooked the hill and scoffed.

"Helm's Deep! They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king! Am I not right, Rebrand?" The red-bearded dwarf turned his head left to see the hobbit. The Halfling merely said, "Do call me Robin, Mister Dwarf, or Ravan. That is what my friends call me."

"Ravan; that is an Adunaic name. Do you have Dunedain friends, Ravan?" Aragorn slipped so quietly behind them, that the hobbit jumped in response. I seem to have a frail heart, Robin thought, the only response that I keep showing is that of surprise! I must steady myself. Robin coughed a little before answering the man.

"Aye, yes I do. They hunt in the forests of Minhiriath, and we come across paths often. We hobbits that live there, are quiet folk. We fish, and in return for their fruits and meat, that is what we give. I know no hobbits of the Shire, 'cept-"He turned a quick glance at his audience, which now included Gandalf and Legolas. "-except the four that you left Rivendell with."

The wizard's eye twinkled with knowledge, and before further discussion could be made about this revelation, they were forced into the stable by the guards. "We leave at noon," they said gruffly.

Gandalf slipped on his majestic horse and called Aragorn forward.

"There is no way out of that ravine. Theoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he is leading them to safety. What they will get is a massacre. Theoden has a strong will but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan."

Aragorn mustered his will into his words. "The defenses will hold. We will see to that."

Gandalf nodded grimly. "The Grey Pilgrim... that's what they used call me. With my luck, my search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn look to the East."

With the vow, Mithrandir stooped down low to whisper more into Aragorn's ear, then ran out of the stables with thundering hooves.

The road onto Helm's Deep was long. Robin did not find it dull, for the dwarf and the elf provided enough entertainment. The Strider was lost in conversation with the fair lady ahead.

"It's true you don't see many Dwarf women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance that they're often mistaken for Dwarf men!" Robin guffawed in laughter. Legolas winked at the hobbit and motioned with his hands. "It's the beard," he whispered. This only led to more laughter from the hobbit until he had tears in his eyes. Robin was eager to join the conversation.

"I have heard rumors. They say that there are no Dwarf women, and dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground!" Legolas laughed with mirth. Gimli harrumphed, and his horse suddenly reared up and galloped away. Gimli fell off after a short distance and landed on the ground with a loud thump, not to mention the dazed expression he wore.

"I'm okay, no one panic…that was deliberate. Deliberate!" The dwarf's face reddened in hue until Robin could not tell apart his face from his beard. A soldier brought back his horse, and the dwarf struggled himself onto it. The threesome soon regained their pace.

"Tell me, my friend, I am curious…How on middle-earth did you travel to Edoras alone, unscathed and alive? I believe you must have come across orcs and other foul creatures along the way." Legolas looked down at Robin. The hobbit was definitely different from Frodo and the other Shire hobbits; this one was taller, almost reaching the tip of Aragorn's nose. He had a queer manner of speaking, but also was very respectful. No weapon was clad on him.

Robin twitched under the elf's gaze. "Oh, that is a long story to tell…but to tell it short, I can say that I have followed you for some time."

Gimli's mouth dropped open. "Followed?" He grunted in disbelief.

"Y-yes," stuttered the poor hobbit, for the intensity of their gazes were almost overwhelming. "I was in the Prancing Pony of Bree, and I overheard the talk of Strider and the hobbits. It was out of simple curiosity that I followed them, for I was a Fallohide hobbit, and we are adventurous people. At Rivendell I learned of your quest, and-"

"Rivendell? It is impossible- you are lying! There is no way that a hobbit would have breached the surveillance of Elrond's guards!" Legolas said hotly.

"I merely told them that I was a friend of the hobbits." Robin said in a small voice. "When I heard of the Fellowship, I could not reveal myself to you anymore. I understood that secrecy was vital to your quest. So I followed wherever I could, even the depths of Moria itself." Gimli huffed. Robin continued, ruffled. "I know a secret waterway passage under the bridge of Khazad-Dum. I saw Mithrandir fall, and revived at the depths of Fangorn."

"Gandalf suspected as much." Aragorn suddenly joined them. His voice was curt. "Why did you follow us, Ravan? What purpose did you have in your heart as you risked your life to the unknown?"

Robin's words were quiet, but dangerous with hatred seeping into them. "I wanted revenge."

"To whom?"

"Gollum."

And so it was that Robin told the fellowship the history of his family. He was a mix of the Stoor and Fallohide hobbits. The lovers were banished from their lands of Gladden field when the two families could not settle their feud that had going on for decades. And that feud, which was ruining the hobbits of the river, had been started when Smeagol murdered Deagol. The Stoors, unwilling to acknowledge that such a vulgar act had happened among their kind, and blamed it on the Fallohides. Enraged, the Fallohides declared a feud between them and the river folk. Of course, Smeagol was exiled by both clans, but it provided no comfort as Robin's ancestors were forced to migrate east onto Minhiriath. Even still, many who grew sick of the hate growing between them seeked refuge near the Greyflood River. This was where Robin was named after. The people of the village hated Smeagol and blamed him for their exile.

When Robin had finished his story, Aragorn and the others had grown quiet. They have not yet learned of the history of Gollum, and it was hard to believe that such a small creature managed to disrupt so many people. Aragorn mused.

"I admire your courage…but still, the question lies: How did you fare on you own? Peaceful river-folk, aren't you, Ravan?"

The hobbit looked shy, much to amusement of Gimli. "I have learned to parry with a sword and wield the bow; it is something that I have learned from the hunters of the Minhiriath. Unfortunately, my bow and sword were taken by the Rohirrim. I do believe I have not gotten them back yet."

Aragorn smiled. "Dunedain hunters; they are one of the best when it comes to mentoring swordfight. You are quite remarkable, my little friend."

Suddenly, Legolas's horse whinnied in fear. The elf thrust two daggers into the hobbit's hands and said grimly, "Then you could find yourself quite useful now. Theoden! We must turn the women and children around. Rally your men at front!" Before Legolas could run up to the king, Aragorn grabbed the elf's hand.

"What is it, Legolas? What did your elf eyes see?"

The elf spat out the word in disgust. "Wargs."

As the threesome directed their horses at a full run, Aragorn snatched the hobbit up and onto Brego. Robin looked down at his hands and muttered in dismay.

"Wargs! Oh, that is the most inconvenient…I do wish I had my bow back."