A/N:  And here we go… what is it with me and writing plotty stories lately?  I'm supposed to be funny!  This chapter is kind of short.  It will get better, I promise. The theme song is "I'm a Pioneer" from the Tenchi Muyo series.

Disclaimer:  Not mine.

I'm a Pioneer, from Tenchi Muyo

Through the ages we well be pioneers

We'll go out on secret missions

We'll travel the galaxy and far beyond

It's our destiny to be pioneers

We'll always be moving forward

Our courage is what we will be counting on

We will be pioneers forevermore

Chapter 1:  Beginning of the Quest

            "I have called all of you here to send you on a quest.  Two of you have been on a quest before… the Journey to destroy the One Ring.  Do not worry this will be solely for exploratory purposes," said the handsome ethereal being, looking around the room at those present.

            "We have closed ourselves off here for the last several thousand years.  Iluvatar has not chosen to reveal anything to us about the world of men.  But we feel that we have left the Second-born out of our affairs for far too long.  We came to Arda to look after both Elves and Men.  Therefore, I am sending you back to Middle-Earth to discover how the followers fare," he continued.

            Manwe, as the being was called, was the highest of the Valar, though at this time he took the form of an Elf.  He was surrounded by four elves and a Maia.  He dearly hoped that they would do well.

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            "Must you insist on eating large quantities of what little food we have left?" a golden-haired Elf asked one of his companions.

            "Oh come on Legolas, we have plenty.  Olorin expects that we will be reaching land within the week.  We can get more food when we hit shore," replied his dark-haired friend.

            Legolas merely rolled his eyes and went to consort with the Maia, whom they called Olorin.

            "You look frustrated, Legolas," said the old man as his long-time friend walked over.

            "Elladan and Elrohir are eating non-stop.  As it is, you, Haldir, and I are rationing ourselves, but are those two?  No!" ranted the Elven-Prince.

            "Calm down Legolas.  The twins will not eat everything.  We will be arriving at Middle-Earth's shores very soon.  Do you not smell land?"

            Legolas sniffed the air, and found that he did, indeed, smell land.

            "We shall be there by tomorrow evening," Olorin said, smiling.