Hello, hello everyone! Welcome to Chapter 3 of this lovely little story! As promised, here is the chapter for this week! I don't have much to say except for a special thank you to Arianna Le Fay for being the first person to review this rewrite, and thank you very much! I'm glad you're loving the story so much! Here is your update and I apologize for it being a bit slow at the moment. I originally felt with these first chapters that I skipped over a few things very quickly because I wanted to get to the action in the original story and in this story I wanted to beef up these chapters a little bit, hopefully give a bit of a better feel of what Aria and her ever faithful companion Elwing are like, what her connections are like with the characters, you know the drill! But if it's any consolation prize, guess who we'll be seeing in the next chapter! (; Anyhow hope you all enjoy and here is your imaginary cookie lovely Arianna for this chapter. Happy Reading!

Laurel

P.S. I have decided that I will keep Aria at the age she is, I do not see why this would be a problem seeing as the time period and that both of them have long life that it would not be a problem in this world. So Aria shall remain at the ripe old age of 67 while Aragorn is 87.

I do not own anything that belongs to Lord of the Rings. I only own Aria, Elwing, and any plot that may seem unfamiliar to you…

Chapter 3

"You must leave and leave quickly." Gandalf said and I quickly pushed my thoughts away. "You must get out of the Shire."

"Where shall I go?" Frodo asked, ready to do whatever the old wizard asked him. I almost admired his trust for Gandalf, to go anywhere for him without question. My years of traveling, especially alone, had hardened me against others. I questioned things, did not trust so easily, whether someone told me I could or not. I even found myself questioning Gandalf's reasoning from time to time. I saw it as an important survival tactic though I could not help but feel sadness from some of its consequences. Pushing people away may have kept me from harm many times, but it has also made me feel very lonely.

"Make for the village of Bree." Gandalf said and I rose an eyebrow. Bree? What could be in Bree? I asked myself.

"Bree? What about you?" Frodo asked nervously, it was obvious that he did not like the thought of separating from Gandalf.

"I will be waiting for you two at the Inn of the Prancing Pony." I vaguely remembered the Prancing Pony, having met Gandalf there a few times. I could clearly recall a time when I thought I saw him there, but I was too scared to see if it was truly him. I still had not let that go and quietly berated myself for thinking of it yet again.

"And the ring will be safe there?" Frodo asked as I began placing the items he chose to take with us by the door. I was beginning to think I would have to attach some sort of carrier to Elwing so we would not have to carry some things which I immediately began to regret.

"I don't know Frodo. I don't have any answers; I must see the head of my order. He is both wise and powerful. Trust me, Frodo; he'll know what to do." Frodo nodded, the simple words of 'trust me' coming from Gandalf's lips had somewhat eased him. I stepped up to him with a small smile and handed him one of Bilbo's old walking sticks. It was one of his favorites; I remembered him walking around the Shire with me, dragging the thing around with him. "You'll have to leave the name of Baggins behind you, for that name is not safe outside of the Shire." Frodo nodded as he put his coat on slowly, taking in all the information Gandalf just gave him.

I could see the worry began to float in Gandalf's eyes as Frodo finished packing up and I smiled comfortingly at him. "I will keep him safe, I vow this to myself and you." I murmured softly to him in elvish and Gandalf smiled at me, placing a hand on my arm.

"Travel only by day and stay off the road." Gandalf advised and I nodded. I knew that we had to stick to the shadows as best as we could while carrying such an important, yet evil, item.

"We can cut across country easily enough." Frodo said with a smile, but I could see the nervousness held within it. I smiled softly at him as Gandalf placed his hands on Frodo's shoulders.

"My dear Frodo," he said with a proud and warm smile. "Hobbits really are amazing creatures. You can learn all that there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet, after a hundred years, they can still surprise you!" He said with a chuckled and Frodo laughed lightly.

Then, all of a sudden, we heard a bush rustle outside the window and, with the quickest speed, I pulled out my bow and an arrow. "Get down!" Gandalf whispered to Frodo as I notched the arrow, pulling the string back to my cheek. I took a deep breath in and out as I narrowed my eyes at the door, my fingers gripped the smooth wood of the bow my brother so lovingly gave me as a present after he trained me on how to use it. Gandalf brought his staff up and pointed it towards the window, quietly creeping over to it as I stood stock still.

As he reached the window, we heard another rustle, Frodo jumping at the sound from his position on the floor. He looked terrified and I wished I could give him some sort of comfort, but I pushed that thought away as I concentrated on the window once more. Abruptly, Gandalf let out a grunt as he whacked the intruder sitting just outside the window. The intruder let out a cry of pain as Gandalf stuck his hand out the window and roughly pulled a hobbit inside the home, letting him land on the floor with a harsh thud. I let out a sigh of relief and lowered my bow, putting away the arrow, as I saw it was only Sam, Frodo's friend and gardener.

"Confound it all! Samwise Gamgee, have you been eavesdropping?!" Gandalf shouted at the poor hobbit who looked at him with absolute terror on his face. I quickly put my bow on my back and walked up to them.

"Oh by the Valar Gandalf! Please refrain yourself, it is only Sam, he did not know any better!" I snapped at Gandalf as I helped Sam stand up. He blushed and nodded in thanks as he looked towards the ground.

"You hold your tongue girl!" Gandalf scolded me. I rolled my eyes with a huff.

"I ain't been dropping no eaves sir! Honest! I was just cutting the grass under the window there, if you follow me." Sam cried out nervously and I raised an eyebrow. One had to be extremely daft to be believe the lie that had just spouted from Samwise's mouth.

"It's a little late for trimming the hedges, don't you think?" Gandalf asked, catching his lie within seconds. Apparently not, I thought sarcastically to myself, knowing if I breathed another word Gandalf would probably punish me in some way. I certainly did not want to be in the position Sam was in at the moment, I had been there enough times already as it was.

"I heard raised voices." Sam finally admitted after a quiet moment and a blush began to tint his cheeks again.

"What did you hear? Speak!" Gandalf growled out as Sam continued to observe the floor with great detail.

"Nothing important!" Sam cried out desperately and I placed my hand on his shoulder. "That is, I heard a good deal about a ring, and a dark lord, and something about the end of the world, but, please Mr. Gandalf!" He turned his wide-eyed fearful stare to Gandalf. "Please Mr. Gandalf sir, don't hurt me! Don't turn me into anything…unnatural." He twitched nervously and I could not help but chuckle. I knew Gandalf would never do such a thing, but poor Sam was going to have a heart attack over the thought anyways.

"No?" Gandalf looked more amused than angry now and I grinned at him, squeezing Sam's shoulder. "Perhaps not, I've thought of a better use for you."

Before I knew it Sam had ran off to his home, packed, and ran all the way back. He turned to us, huffing and puffing, as I readied Elwing to be able to carry things. She was contentedly munching on grass, but I knew as soon as she realized what I was doing she would not be so happy.

"Elwing is going to be stubborn this whole trip, I just know it!" I grunted as I began to tie the bags and pans to her side. She paused momentarily, her jaw going still and head tilted in my direction slightly as she glanced at me. "She will be angry that she has to carry all of these things, she is used to only having to carry me." I informed them, giving Sam a stern glare, seeing as he was the one who brought the obnoxious pans, not only would they be loud with their clinking, but they added more unnecessary weight. He blushed and shuffled slightly. Elwing made a noise and I stepped up to her nose. She blew air out of her nose harshly and I shushed her, rubbing the velvety tip of her nose softly.

"Do you think it wise," I began, turning to Gandalf as he observed the two hobbits, "to bring not only one, but two hobbits on a journey like this?" I asked and Gandalf finally turned his eyes on me, puffing out some smoke from his pipe. "Especially two little hobbits that only know of the life of the Shire?" Gandalf sighed, but smiled slightly at my concern.

"No, I do not." He said slowly and then placed a hand on my shoulder. "But it is the only choice we have, and I trust you to do your best to protect them." I gave one short nod and headed back towards Elwing, hoping I could get her to make the trip without groaning the whole way.

The sun was beginning to peek out over the hills when we finally set out to begin our journey. I breathed in the misty air with a deep breath and smiled lightly. I could feel the forest air and the bright green and brown trees calling me. I lightly tugged on Elwing's reins and rolled my eyes when she made noises of protest.

"Come along Samwise, keep up!" Gandalf called out to Sam behind us and I smiled to him.

"Perhaps he should be the one to lead Elwing." I murmured to Gandalf and he chuckled before his face grew dark. "Be careful, all of you; the enemy has many spies in his service, many ways of hearing, birds and beasts alike." I nodded quickly and glanced at both of the young Hobbits.

"Of course," I murmured and watched as he paused momentarily. He began to whisper to Frodo about what I could only guess was the ring. I smiled to Sam who had finally caught up to us and turned my smile to Gandalf as he walked up to us.

"Goodbye my dear, please be careful. I don't think your brother would be so kind to me anymore if I were to let anything happen to you." Gandalf said and raised his eyebrow in amusement. I chuckled, giving the old wizard a hug. He said a quick goodbye to both Frodo and Sam before mounting his horse and taking off.

"Well, I suppose it's just us now boys!" I said with a grin, turning to them with my hands on my hips.

It was later that day when the sun had lowered in the sky and we were deep in the forest. I had decided it would be a good time to rest for the evening. I could see the two Hobbits were tired, not having to travel like this before, and smiled when Sam began to cook.

"You know Sam, as soon as we leave the Shire, you will no longer be able to cook like this." I said and Sam slightly huffed. "It will not be safe to do so." I explained further, hoping to ease some of his frustration.

Soon we had eaten and put out the fire due to my advisement. I sighed as I laid down on the cold ground, bending my body in a way I knew I would find the most comfortable on the ground. I closed my eyes, smiling as I listened to the gentle sounds of the forest. I had loved the forest since I was a small child, living amongst people who had felt the same had been a big part of that. I felt as if I was reacquainted with an old friend that I had missed, and as I listened to Elwing snuffling around the forest floor, I knew she felt the same. The forest was an area she knew best, having been trained in one. She could speed through a forest just as fast as any horse could in an open field. I chuckled slightly as I felt her snuffle the crook of my neck and opened my eyes.

I saw Elwing's large crystal blue eyes staring back at me and I smiled before I lovingly placed my hand gently on her nose as she nudged into it. "Thank you for being so helpful today my friend." I spoke softly to her in Elvish and she let out a noise of content. I hugged her nose to me gently. Elwing may have been one of the most stubborn horses I had ever met, but she knew when I truly needed her help and compliance. "I love you just the way you are my gentle friend." I patted her neck before I sent her off to continue her search of the forest floor.

"You speak Elvish?" I heard Sam ask but did not turn to him.

"Yes, when you are a traveler such as myself, you learn many things." I said quietly, not readily giving my past to the young Hobbit. I knew of his love for the elves and did not wish to be bombarded with questions. It was quiet once more before Sam began huffing and shifting around.

"I can't lay anywhere without a great dirty old root sticking into my back!" He said with a huff of irritation and I sighed, I began to hope this would not be a regular occurrence on this journey.

"Just close your eyes and pretend you're lying on a nice soft bed with a fluffy pillow." Frodo advised him quietly and Sam huffed once more, but said nothing.

It was the next day and we had finally reached the outskirts of the Shire. I had to keep my hand tight on Elwing's reins because she continued to try and eat the vegetables all around us.

"Elwing, stop this nonsense now! This is not some free for all you silly horse!" I hissed at her as she snorted in retaliation and once more tried to grab corn from its stalk. I huffed and tugged on her reins in annoyance as she whined and reached for it in one last attempt. Frodo told me the name of the Hobbit who owned this land was Farmer Maggot and that he was not very kind to those snooping around in his garden. "And hush you, lest you want to be the one on the end of his gardening tools!" I growled out as she huffed once more and stomped her foot. She walked ahead of me and flicked her tail into my face. My jaw dropped in surprise but my expression would soon change into a glare as she began to pull me forward with the reins instead of the other way around. "Oh you good for nothing horse!" I cried out as Frodo began laughing at Elwing's behavior.

All of the sudden, as Frodo and Sam were still laughing, they were trampled to the ground by two small masses. I paused for a moment in shock until Elwing's cry of surprise snapped me out of it. I was readying to pull one of my Sai out when I let out a chuckle as I saw who had committed the small attack.

"Merry! Pippin!" I let out a laugh as I gently helped Sam up. There was a grin on my face at the two Hobbits name Merry and Pippin.

"Frodo! Merry, it's Frodo Baggins!" Pippin cried out with excited, grinning at Frodo.

"Pip, it's Aria!" Merry said in the same manner and I let out a gasp, stumbling back a few steps. Merry was hugging me tightly as Pippin soon attached himself to me as well. I chuckled and patted both of their heads.

"Hello boys!" I said with a smile and looked at Sam who had huffed and crossed his arms.

"What's the meaning of this?!" Sam cried out and pointed to the ground. I moved my eyes to the items on the ground as Merry and Pippin let go of me and began to pick up the various vegetables that now littered the ground.

"Oh no, boys you didn't." I said with a raised eyebrow, Pippin quickly shoved a handful of carrots into my arms and I rolled my eyes. Merry and Pippin were always causing trouble.

"Sam, hold this," Merry said absent mindedly as he put a cabbage in Sam's hands and then continued to pick up more vegetables.

"You've been into Farmer Maggot's crop!" Sam yelled and I bit my lip, staring nervously at the small home to the left of us.

"Now Sam," I said calmly, trying to calm the young Hobbit before they caused any more noise.

"Who's that in my field?!" There was a loud screech, a dog barking, and I winced. It was too late, we had been caught. "Get out of it! Get out of my field, you young varmints! I'll show you, get out of my corn!"

"Run!" I cried out and the Hobbits immediately ran off, vegetables falling here and there as they ran. I growled out when I saw Elwing had finally got to the corn she had wanted to so badly during all the commotion. "By the Valar you stubborn horse! We need to go!" She simply flicked her tail at me and continued to ignore me. I threw a hand up in frustration until I realized what I was holding in it. "Oh Elwing," I said in a sing song voice and she paused for a moment but continued eating. "I have carrots." She perked her ears up and immediately turned around to see me waving the carrot around.

I took off and heard her trotting behind me, eyes keenly watching the carrots jumping around in my arms. I grinned at her weakness for food, but that grin quickly fell off my face as I turned around and saw all of the Hobbits had stopped and were looking over what looked to be a drop in the land. I screamed as I could not stop in time and crashed into all of them. We all tipped over the edge and I quickly pulled the closest Hobbit into my arms, Pippin, trying to protect at least one of them. I let out a groan as we finally hit the ground, Pippin laying heavily on top of me. I cracked my eyes open to see Elwing eating the carrots that now lay in a heap next to us.

"Oh you good for nothing horse!" I grumbled and stood up before I helped Pippin up, who had rolled onto the ground next to me.

"Ow, I think I've broken something." Merry groaned and I smiled as I realized he had meant a carrot and not a bone in his body. He stared sadly at the carrot in his hand but let out a noise of surprise when Elwing came up to him and bit off the half that was hanging off the carrot. "Didn't need that carrot anyways." Merry mumbled and I let out a laugh as I helped him stand.

"Trust a Brandybuck and a Took!" Sam growled out, throwing his hands in the air, before helping Frodo to stand.

"What? That was just a detour, a shortcut." Merry smoothly lied and I shook my head at the two. If only these two lived at home with me, the trouble I could get away with if I had them around.

"A shortcut to what?" Sam asked skeptically and I chuckled, placing a soothing hand on Sam's shoulder.

"Mushrooms!" Pippin suddenly cried out and dove to the ground. I saw Elwing had started in Pippin's direction, having heard his exclamation before I heard horse hooves other than Elwing's. I paused and tightened my grip on Sam's shoulder. The sound was quiet, but it grew louder every moment. Elwing suddenly stopped in her tracks and shuffled nervously, looking from side to side.

"I think we should get off the road." Frodo said nervously, seeing Elwing's behavior and I pursed my lips. I narrowed my eyes at the direction I heard the hooves, they widened when I saw the black figures coming towards us.

"Get off the road!" I shouted at once, I pushed all the hobbits toward the forest and waited for each of them to pass me. "Elwing go! Hide quickly!" I shouted to her and she quickly took off into the forest. I heard a horrible wail coming from the riders and felt my heart begin to thump loudly in my chest. I grabbed the arm of Merry as I shoved each Hobbit under the mossy log in front of us before diving under it as well.

The sound of the hooves came slowly to a stop on the road next to us and I held my breath, silently waiting as I hoped they would leave. Then the noise of armor could be heard and I started to peek my head around to the small hole in the large log. I quickly looked forward again and gripped my sword as I saw the long black cloak of one of the Ringwraiths. I silently pulled out my scimitar and furrowed my eyebrows at the pained look in Frodo's eyes. Sam watched his friend with concern and I noticed Merry was still holding onto a rather large mushroom. I nudged him with my shoulder, and once his gaze turned to me, I nodded towards the mushroom in his hands. He nodded once before tossing the mushroom far off in a random direction. The Wraith let out another wail before taking off with his fellow comrades. I let out a loud sigh of relief, putting my scimitar away, as the sound of the hooves grew softer and softer.

Preview for next chapter: "Who do you think you are?" I growled out menacingly and the man quietly chuckled. "Answer me man!" "You may not think you know me, but I certainly know you Aria." He whispered and I faltered slightly, which gave him enough time to pull down my hood.