A/N: Back again... who is even reading this story????? Honestly, if you're reading it, review just to tell me that you read it.

Disclaimer: Tolkien is a genius... I don't claim to be anywhere near as talented as he is. LotR is Tolkien's. Nicole is mine... steal her and die. Anything else that you don't recognize is mine... Also, the characters from LotR aren't exactly the same that they are in the books....

*Elvish talking*
"Normal talking"
Thinking
^Dwarvish^

READ AND REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~m~

Home Sweet Home

Chapter Four ~ In the Land of ME

Nicole woke up in the middle of the night to a cold wind and rain. She groaned and started to get up. Way to spend your first night in Middle Earth... raining, sleeping on a rock... ain't this the life? She dragged herself off the rock and crawled beneath an over-hanging rock, ignoring the pain in her leg and wrist. She shivered in the cold and pulled her zipper on her sweater all the way up. Huddling beneath the rock, she fell asleep again.

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Waking up again, Nicole found that they day had cleared a bit, and the sun was a few minutes past sunrise. She crawled out from under the rock and inspected her surroundings again. In the clearer light, she could see that much of what she had thought was shadows yesterday evening was actually foliage, such as low trees and bushes. On one part of the boulder, which had a slight indent to it, a pool of rainwater had gathered. Nicole used it to wash up and prepare herself as she usually did in the morning.

As the day continued, it got slightly warmer, and Nicole took off her sweater. She spent most of the day doing nothing. That cookie Germaine gave me isn't gonna last forever, she thought as the day approached noon. They'd better get here fast. Just as she thought that, they came over a hill close to hers, and she could spot one of the miniature figures pointing at her hill. That would be Legolas... I wonder if he's as gorgeous as he looks in the movie? And I wonder if Boromir really is such a pain? The group increased their speed. Nicole watched as they came closer.

Within an hour, they began climbing up the side of her hill, which she had begun to call (quite affectionately), The Hill. She had by then also taken off her grey t-shirt, and was thankful that she always wore tank tops under anything. It was one of her more unusual quirks. Even if it was the middle of the summer and she was wearing a t-shirt, she'd have a tank top underneath. She stood up as they came nearer, her shirt and sweater dumped on a dry boulder and her injuries momentarily forgotten. A small breeze came down from the mountain and ruffled her hair, and made her shiver slightly. She felt important, as though the moment was one of those that was the most memorable from a movie. As she looked down on the quickly approaching Fellowship a random thought popped into her head. "And they stood at the top, looking down on the world around them. They knew that the world was as it was, and without changing it, they had conquered it, and it was their own once more." Huh... wonder where that came from... must be from a book I read or something. She shrugged it off and looked to the Fellowship, which was now coming over the top of The Hill.

Aragorn came forward, hand on hilt, Nicole noticed, a bit frightened. He spoke. "Who are you? Speak and come forth," he commanded.

Nicole almost laughed at the way he talked, but then remembered where his hand was poised, and thought again. Obediently, she stepped forward and answered his question. "My name is Nicole." She thought about adding more, but didn't because she would probably start rambling on about nothing in particular, like the stories of her childhood or something. "And who might you be, good sir?" Nicole adopted their manner of speaking, because it seemed appropriate, and silently thanked Germaine for the cookie.

Aragorn looked at Gandalf, who was now standing by his side. The rest of the group was a bit farther back. A silent conversation took place in a matter of seconds between Aragorn and Gandalf. Aragorn replied, "A traveler, though more than that I will not say. Surely you know of the ways of the road? What land do you hail from?"

Uh-oh... not a good question. Uh yeah, I come from Earth, but then I went to the 'Magetrix' and got relocated. They'll throw me in a dungeon for saying that... Nicole thought quickly and came up with an answer, hoping that her acting was good enough to cover her lies. "I am a traveler, of sorts, though I am new to this land. The ways of the road are still new to me," she answered, hoping that her answer would please him so that she could finally stop with all the proper talking.

Gandalf and Aragorn turned back to the rest of their group and discussed quietly for a minute. Legolas didn't look comfortable with this because he wasn't sure that Nicole was human.

"Do not trust those you meet on the road. Anyone can be a spy of Sauron," Legolas hissed to his companions, just loudly for Nicole to hear. They continued their quiet conversation for a minute or two more, then turned back to her.

Legolas spoke directly to her this time. "What would a woman-- lady, be doing in the wild, with no companions, no traveling gear, and no weapons?" he asked, a little less than politely.

"I came upon my journey unexpectedly," Nicole answered brilliantly. "I had no time to pack, gather traveling companions, nor to take a weapon. Even had I taken a weapon, I do not have the skill to wield one." She wondered whether it was wise for her to have said that. That either made them more trustful of me, because now they know I don't know how to attack them. Or, it made them suspect me more... or if they don't have enough meat in their diets, it made me dinner. Gandalf was about to say something. And the winner is...

"We must discuss this situation. Leave not our sight, for it would be perilous to do so," he answered, but whether it was perilous because of the wild, or perilous because of what they would do to her is she tried to run, was beyond her.

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About an hour or so later, Nicole was lying dejectedly on her boulder, with her sweater and shirt as a pillow. The Fellowship had eyed her jeans and tank top with confusion, but Nicole ignored them to the best of her ability. She had managed to get everyone's names out of Pippin, even though she already knew them, just to double check and to have a valid reason for knowing everyone's names. That had been in the first ten minutes. The discussion was between Gandalf, Boromir, Aragorn and Legolas. Gimli was more interested in sharpening his axe, and Frodo would occasionally drift into the discussion, but return to eating with the other hobbits because of the boring nature of the discussion. Nicole had gotten somewhat off on a bad foot with Legolas... she didn't like the tone he used when he had talked to her.

Ooh... sky.... hey look! There's even more sky! Wow... isn't this fun? Nicole rolled over onto her side because the sky was just too boring to look at. The rolling action triggered pain in her forgotten injuries and she gave a soft cry. Ow... how come Mr. Healer peoples aren't helping me? Legolas had looked over at the noise, and Nicole took the opportunity to speak while she had his attention. Screw the proper talking, I WANT ADVIL!!!

"Hey! Do you guys know how to fix injuries?" she asked, getting the attention of the whole group of discussers. (A/N: I made that word up... unless it's an actual word... I dunno. Don't be mad at me for not being grammatical... too hard). She pushed herself into a sitting position, noticing again the pain in her wrist. "I think I sprained my wrist. And I'd really love to clean out my leg because an infection would not be the greatest thing." Nicole slid over to the very edge of the boulder so that they could see her better. She rolled up her left jean leg to her knee, then realizing that proper ladies in Middle Earth probably didn't go around showing off their legs... this is a primitive culture, like the Middle Ages.... Oh well, health takes precedence over their whacked ideas of etiquette. The edges of the hole in her pants were fringed with blood. Aragorn came forward immediately to attend to the wound. Legolas followed, with Boromir and Gandalf a step behind. Seeing the movement, the hobbits and Gimli joined the crowd around Nicole. Aragorn began cleaning the wound out with water.

Gandalf sighed. "We might as well begin," he said. Nicole looked at him quizzically. "We have decided that we need to know more about you before taking further actions." Though of course, Nicole thought, those actions will not be explained, because it doesn't matter if we keep poor Nicole frightened for her life. Hey, no one ever said the Fellowship was all rainbows and flowers. Gandalf began the questioning, "What is your full name and title?"

"Nicole Featherhall, lady of Gaia," she replied, making up her last name and using an old Earth term for Earth.

"Your age?"

"16 and a half."

"Traveling at such a young age?" Boromir asked, a bit concerned.

"Didn't have much choice," she answered, deciding Boromir wasn't a bad guy like in the movie.

Gandalf took over again. "Reason for traveling?"

"Um... didn't have much choice. I was kind of forced into it."

"By whom?"

"My mother. I was told that I needed to become more worldly."

"Why would a mother send out her child?" Legolas asked, clearly suspicious.

"I dunno. Ask her."

"Leave her be, Legolas. Now... where was I? Ah yes... your education?"

"I was taught privately at my home, though my land is much different than yours, and much of what I know is irrelevant here."

"How is it that you know our language?"

"I once met a person who came to my home, and I learned the language from him and the books he had with him."

"What other languages do you know?"

"French, some Latin, English, possibly some of the other languages common in this area." (A/N: Common tongue isn't English.... duh!)

"French, Latin, English? I have never heard of these. Could you describe them?"

"Sure. French, common in several countries in my land. Comment ca va? Latin, an ancient tongue no longer in use, but it was the basis for many other languages. Salve, volo cibum. And English, the main language spoken in my home land. 'How is the weather?'"

"Humm... I see. What languages do you know from this land?"

"I'd have to hear them to know."

Aragorn spoke at last, still tending to the wound. *Pass me some cloth, Legolas.* Nicole understood immediately.

*Yes, I know that language.* she replied, proud of herself. Aragorn and Legolas looked up, surprised.

*Well, don't stand there. Give the man some cloth.* she said to Legolas, who did as he was told by taking a piece of finely woven cloth from his pack. Aragorn put some salve on her leg that stung a bit, then wrapped the cloth around it. *Thank you.*

Gimli spoke up too. ^You say you know no weaponry. I might just decide to teach you how to wield an axe.^

Nicole took an immediate liking to Gimli. I get the feeling we're gonna be great friends. ^That would be wonderful.^

"Well, then, it would seem that you are indeed quite familiar with our land. Tell me, what way is Moria?" Gandalf asked.

Nicole pointed towards the mountains. He chuckled. "But perhaps not as familiar with our maps. Where is Rivendell?"

Nicole pointed vaguely in the direction they had come from. Gandalf nodded. "And Gaia?"

"Umm... Gaia?"

"You said that it was your home."

"It is not in this land."

"Are you then from the West?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes." Nicole replied, thinking of North America, not the Grey Havens.

*You come from the Grey Havens?* Legolas asked with a mix of wonder and suspicion.

Nicole switched back into Elvish. *No, my land is beyond.* Nicole thought of the Grey Havens as Atlantis, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, to her logic, North America was beyond the Grey Havens. This sounded to the Fellowship like she was actually from a land created by the gods, or perhaps where the gods lived. Realizing her mistake, she hurried to fix it. *Not so! My land is of the living, the mortal. It is simply a farther journey from these shores than the journey to the Grey Havens.*

"Pardon me, miss, but we don't understand Elvish," Sam said timidly.

"Oh, that's right. I'm sorry Sam, I'll stick to the Common Tongue."

Both Sam and Gandalf started at hearing Sam's name. Gandalf lifted his staff immediately and pointed it at Nicole. The Fellowship backed away from her. "Spy of Sauron! How is it that you came to know our names? Sorceress! Your clever lies will not conceal you! Are you in league with Saruman? SPEAK!"

Nicole squeaked nervously. She shoved herself away from the edge of the boulder and went back to the middle, where her shirts were still piled. Gandalf advanced towards her and she ducked her head, as though it would protect her from his wizardry.

"STOP!" Nicole looked up to see who would dare defy Gandalf. Boromir stood in front of Gandalf's pointed staff, shielding Nicole from the blast. "Do you not see she is frightened? How could one small girl be a spy of Sauron, or a minion of Saruman?" Boromir turned to Nicole. She flung her arms around him, and he staggered momentarily, shocked by this sudden outburst.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou!" She detached herself from Boromir, who hesitantly patted her shoulder. Nicole was still shaking a little and Boromir stayed beside her to comfort her. She composed herself and tried to reason with Gandalf. "I am no spy of Sauron's, nor of Saruman. I would not hold sides with those who are so destructive. And as for your names...." Nicole paused. Pippin gets in trouble for so much... I really don't want to get him in more... but my life is at stake here. Sorry Pip. Completing her silent apology to Pippin, she gave him a sideways glance and continued. "Um... Pippin told me your names," she said in a quiet voice. She looked away, knowing that she probably just lost her possible friendships with the hobbits.

Her comment spurred another yelling session between Gandalf and the poor hobbits, trying to defend their friend. The result was Pippin getting mad at Nicole and Gandalf, and the hobbits somewhat angry with Nicole.... naturally, she didn't think that was very fair. It was Pippin's fault for telling her, not her fault for telling Gandalf that Pippin told her. However, the argument had amused the taller members of the Fellowship, excluding Gandalf and including Gimli. In the end, everything worked out fine, because Gandalf had decided that Nicole was harmless and, despite the angry glares from the hobbits and the unhappy Legolas, she was going to travel with them because it simply wasn't right to leave a maiden all by herself in the wild, or so Boromir claimed. Personally, Nicole thought as he said this, I think he's just grown attached to me...

With all the minor issues ironed out, Nicole turned to more important matters. "Ok, who's got the food?"

A/N: Wasn't that lovely? Another person to join the Fellowship, just like in every other Mary Sue falling into ME story.... Sorry.... I really thought it might turn out a bit less ordinary, but I guess not...

Nicole: Hey! Ordinary??? I don't think so! I can speak Elvish and you can't!
Morgaine: Well, who allowed you to speak Elvish??? I'M the author here!!!
**Nicole grumbles and slouches until Morgaine whacks her on the back to stand up straight.**
Morgaine: Ha! I will now put you through eternal torture by making you stand straight all the time!!!
Nicole: NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Morgaine: No complaining, or I'll make you even more of a Mary Sue! MUWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And if you haven't already run away with fright because I'm insane, drop me a line!!! Submit a review! Or if you feel your comments are simply too rude to put on a website, send them to me at morgaine@myst.net . Thanks!!!! ~m~