An Endless Journey by Rogue-5473


Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Cheers.

Summary: X-men/LotR cross-over. Just when Rogue thinks she's gotten her life back together again, everything she's worked for goes to hell where she along with her best-friend; Jubilee, are pulled into Middle-earth.

A/N: Not that I've mentioned it before but I wanted to let you all know that this story is a little different but I guess it all comes to the same point in the end.

For example: I've made up a people of my own that branch off from the Haradrim, using a mix of Hindu and Arabian cultures, with a bit of my own imagination, all mixed into one but the language spoken is Arabic. (Wonderful language.)

(Journey) – Common Tongue/English.

(Journey) – Thoughts.

(Journey) – Arabic.

(Journey) – Spanish.

So, if you notice that the women of the clan, mostly wear saris in the rich colours of India or at certain times, the men basically dress like that of Disney's – Aladdin, minus the hat. Although their Armour is quite different, something close to that of Éomer's leather-jerkin, gold arm-bands, thick leather and gold wrist-bands and leather or raw-hide pants, then you'll understand.

Some of their customs may seem harsh to some readers so I warn you now, do not read. And just remember people, it's only fiction!


An Endless Journey


Big Horn Mountains, Buffalo

"Jubes, Ah don't think this is the right way. It looks... like we've passed through 'ere already."

Even if the scenery around them looked the same, Rogue knew they had taken a wrong turn somewhere back twenty minutes ago after Jubilee had said the same thing. Hell, she also knew if they didn't get back to where they had previously been before they got lost, that Uncle Jay would never let them come again.

'Most likely ban us for life.' she thought grimly.

Her musings were suddenly interrupted by Jubilee's reply. "Just chill, will ya. I know where we're going and stop worrying so much." she countered exasperatingly.

'Well, it can't get any worse than this, can it?' Rogue winced, then sighed as she glanced ahead, at the sobbing city-slicker, Candice, who was apparently from up-state New York.

Supposedly, her parents were some big-shot lawyers, that wanted to experience a little of the old west and that included a five day trip learning; horse-wrangling, mustering and camping-out under the stars.

'Ah guess they never believed, that their seventeen year old daughter, would end up gettin' lost out 'ere either.' she sided sympathetically.

In a way, Rogue felt sorry for her, it had been quite obvious from the start, that Candice had no real experience with horses or with any of the three mentioned above, where as the other seven guests did. That, and by the way she was clinging so desperately to the pommel of the saddle and digging her perfectly manicured-nails into the reins, like she was trying to squeeze the life out of them.

Ten minutes later, Rogue's theory of their situation becoming far worse, was proven right when the small herd were suddenly spooked which in turn caused them all to bolt; including Candice's horse; Poppy.

"SOMEONE, HELP MEEE!" The sobbing girl cried out frantically. Still clinging desperately to the pommel, Candice didn't even realize she'd lost her grip on the reins.

This was not what they had needed and with Candice screaming at the top of her lungs, it was bound to frighten the herd even more but hopefully alert anyone close by, that they were in need of help.

"REX! NAN! MILLY! Get 'em!" At the shouted command, the two black and white Border-collies and the Wolfhound-cross, shot off across the open-plains.

She quickly looked behind her to see Jubilee and her horse; Daisy, coming up fast beside her.

"We gotta be quick, 'bout this Jubes. So, ya rope 'n Poppy and Ah'll rope 'n Duke since he's the one who's leadin' 'em!"

"You got it, chica!" Nodding in agreement, they both parted ways before Marie gave her horse; Thunder, more rein.

Quite suddenly, the scenery around them and the golden grasses beneath the black stallion's large hooves, blurred as his quick strides became long and smooth.

With Thunder's accelerating speed, they drew up to the left-side of the horses, before Rogue manoeuvered him towards the middle of the herd and directly up beside the Paint's left hind-quarter.

Marie quickly readied her lassoe; swinging it rhythmically in a wide circle above her head, seconds before she released it with an accuracy, that others only dreamed of, right over Duke's thrusting head. In doing so, she managed to slowly rope in the agitated and skittish stallion until he was flush against Thunder's heavily-muscled side and her now tightly pressed right-foot.

She tried to bring them both down into a quick trot but for some reason, something was keeping them unsettled. Even the dogs were behaving strangely, what with them trying to out-run them all instead of helping to bring the herd to a slowing halt.

The whole situation just made her feel uneasy and realize that something was seriously wrong. Quickly turning her head from left to right, Rogue couldn't sense or see anything out of the ordinary that could cause this... stampede.

So instead, she looked up to see that Jubilee had not only roped in Poppy but somehow she'd gotten Candice off the frightened mare and onto her own but she apparently was also having the exact same problems she herself was having with Thunder and Duke.

"Marie! They won't slow down. What are we going to do?!"

'What could she say to that?' "Shit" she cursed helplessly under her breath while trying to think of anything that could get them out of this mess.

It was at that very moment, that the herd suddenly picked up their pace and bolted straight passed her and the two stallions, as if magic were fueling them.

She immediately became aware, that Jubilee and Candice were now, right in the middle of them all. It was quite obvious, that the younger mutant hadn't noticed or that one by one, the horses were literally, disappearing; as if they were passing through some sort of imaginary door-way.

"GOD DAMMIT, JUBES! Pull up, pull her up!" Jubilee, who had been too caught-up in shutting the hysterical blond up while also trying to control the two mares, moments before she heard Marie's panicked shouts and looked up to see what the problem was.

Her eyes widened at what she was seeing before she started screaming blue-bloody-murder.

"Fuck... fuck, I can't! Marie, help me!" She kept trying to tug sharply on the reins, but with the speed they were moving at, they had no hope in hell of stopping in time.

Jubilee's fearful shouts and Candice's loud panicked screams, rent the air above the sounds of thunderous hooves. And all she could do, was watch as Daisy, disappeared like the others; carrying her best friend with her.

Gritting her teeth and tightening her grip on the reins, Marie resolutely made her mind up and released Duke from the rope she'd had him tethered too. Watching him disappear ahead of her a minute later, she squeezed her eyes shut and waited to feel whatever would indicate they had passed through.

Seconds seemingly ticked by into minutes before she realized that, Thunder was slowing down. One emerald-green eye popped open followed by the other, hurriedly assessing their surroundings, she quickly came to the conclusion that they were still on the open-plains, in Buffalo.

"What the hell?!" She twisted around in her saddle, only to see nothing out of the ordinary.

Shock turned into worry, worry into panic before she pulled on the reins. Swiftly turning the black Shire around; horse and rider raced back to where the herd had disappeared.

"JUBILEE! CANDICE!" Tears of panic and frustration slipped down her flushed cheeks as she once again pulled up the exhausted stallion, at the exact same spot everything had gone wrong.

Quite suddenly before either of them could react, a thick grey mist shimmered into place; engulfing the fearful pair and transporting them to a world they could never return from.

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Weathertop – October 8, 3010 TA

With Spring still in bloom, an old wizard and a small contingent of elves, slowly made their passage through one of the many lands of Middle-earth.

The oddly dressed wizard; Tom Bombadil, was also known by many other names, for example in the Elvin realms of Lothlorien, Mirkwood and Imladris, (Rivendell) he was known as Iarwain or Ben-adar. (meaning 'Oldest and Fatherless in Elvish.) In other realms of Middle-earth he was commonly known as Forn (his Dwarvish name.) and Orald. (his name among the Northern men.)

Tom was a mysterious and eccentric fellow who would dance, sing and laugh at the most inconvenient times if need be and was rarely seen in any other mood but being merry.

In more peaceful times he would have travelled from village to village, city to city visiting old friends and making new ones. On his most recent travels to Imladris, Tom had strangely enough, experienced some sort of vision or was it more like a feeling?

Sensing that something was coming; almost like he had felt it once before but nothing near, as the magnitude that this was. Something powerful but also not of this world; a power that was slightly cloaked with the essence of someone familiar to him but he couldn't quite put his finger on it or who?

At first, when he sensed this new power, he had wanted to seek out his good friend; Gandalf, the grey but he knew if he did, he would not have made it back in time.

Whatever it was though, he knew he had to reach it before any other being; especially, the minions of the Dark-Lord; Sauron.

Like his gracious host of The Last Homely House; Lord Elrond, had also sensed the growing darkness slowly spreading across the lands of Arda and he wasn't about to let this new power, be added to it or to fall into the wrong hands.

"Iarwain, will you not tell me now, what we are looking for or why we have stopped here?" Four days later and all the wizard had said or more like insisted, was that they travel through the night, that it was of great importance to reach the once, great tower of Amon Sul before the coming dawn. And so here they were.

The infamous Balrog-slayer; Lord Glorfindel, was not one to lose his patience easily but when you were ordered by the Lord Elrond, at two in the early hours of the morn, to accompany the eccentric old man to Valar-knows-where. Well, you tend to want answers.

"Hmm... Oh, Glorfindel, you shall see, yes, you shall." he replied in a cheerful sing-song voice as if he knew what they were about to encounter.

"Yes. That's, what I thought you'd say." came his biting retort but Tom didn't seem to notice the elf-lord's growing annoyance with him or their current situation. "Might I suggest, Iarwain, that we make camp?"

"Yes, yes. What a splendid idea and a good spot to take rest as well." He smiled in agreement and gazed upon the familiar line of trees they were about to stop at. Gently pulling on the reins of his faithful mare; Maribel. The wagon she was hitched too, came to a clattering halt.

After applying the aging-old brake, Tom slowly climbed off and proceeded to the back of the wagon to retrieve his supplies and Maribel's grooming-brush.

Several minutes later, with the camp and a watch set up, the wary-travelers settled down and shared a sufficient but delicious meal amongst themselves.

With the cool breeze fluttering through the surrounding trees and the small clearing that held their camp, they fell into a comfortable and peaceful silence; awaiting the coming morn and the slowly lightening blue sky.

As if time had accelerated forward, the old wizard suddenly bounded to his booted feet from his precarious position upon a small boulder, up-lifting his own portion of breakfast, only too exclaim.

"It is time!" No sooner had he spoken, an almighty clap of thunder rocked the air over the great watch-tower in the distance, as if a storm was fast approaching but in a cloudless sky.

At the foot of the tower, a thick grey mist suddenly shimmered into place, followed by rhythmic beats before they realized that it was the sounds of thunderous hooves.

For a fleeting moment, the assembled elves gazed in awe upon the unnatural spectacle but suddenly, suspicion and unease, became the one ruling emotion; for even from this distance, the air around them seemed to hold a smoldering darkness.

"Iarwain, what is that?!" The elf-lord had to admit, that in all of his many years, he'd never seen anything like it and he had seen many strange things.

"That, my dear Glorfindel, is what we are waiting for. Just look, isn't it a glorious sight to see?"

Without waiting for an answer or before any of the elves could react, the over-excited wizard started off at a fast pace, straight towards the highly charged watch-tower.

Moving forward to follow the old man, Glorfindel was the first to notice that out of the grey coiling mist; several panicked horses and three equally frightened dogs appeared, followed shortly by many more horses, before the mist and all its menacing darkness, seemingly dissipated into thin air, as if it had never happened.

His attentions were immediately drawn back to Iarwain, who had come to a sudden stop ahead of them. The assembling elves watched on somewhat apprehensively only to hear Iarwain muttering frantically to himself.

"Oh dear, oh dear-has happened... did not come-"

"Iarwain, what is it?" He asked guardedly as he came and stood beside him.

"Wait! Did come... not Weathertop-hmm... somewhere... South!" The wizard almost shouted out in his excitement but before the elf-lord could question him further, the still muttering old man hurried off again.

Glorfindel swiftly followed before Iarwain could get any further, he really did not want to explain to Lord Elrond, that he allowed the wizard to get into trouble again, like he'd done the last time they'd been sent to accompany him on one of his crazy adventures.

It didn't surprise him when he, paused once again or when he started talking to himself either or maybe he had stopped because the same small herd of horses was coming straight for them.

"Lord Elf, I believe we should move from our position, unless of course you can bring those horses to a halt." With a perfectly raised eye-brow, Glorfindel turned to his soldiers and quickly spoke a few elvish words before he turned back to the wizard.

"It will be done."

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Meanwhile...

In the smoldering heat of Near Harad, the ancient sands of the harsh desert shifted restlessly, stirring in a frenzy, as if a great herd of Oliphaunts, were approaching.

But no, in the hazy distance, a long line of richly covered wagons moved almost sedately, pulled by powerful desert horses; some of the very best seen, in all of Haradwaith.

"Father" A cultured voice whispered smoothly.

Amir, the great leader of the Samad-Mubarak clan, was not a man that took life for granted or would bow down easily to anyone, anyone but his beautiful and precious daughter; Hibah.

From the moment his third-wife birthed her, he knew then that she was special, so special in fact, that the Dark-Lord himself would try and take her if he knew of her existence.

Like his great ancestors before him, his daughter had the gift of foresight but not like that of the rumored elves. Oh, no, it was unpredictable at times, not even he could guess when it would happen but when it did, you were sure to listen.

"Daughter?" He looked to her questioningly, wanting to see her dark eyes and hoping that whatever she was to say, would not bring a dark-omen upon his people, his clan.

As if she had read his very thoughts, her dark luminous eyes slowly opened, only to stare out into the far distance as if she was seeing something that he could not.

"She has come and he knows..."

"Who does?"

"The Dark-Lord." She answered guardedly but went on as if nothing had been said. "He is searching... and she is close." Amir, turned to look ahead of his soldiers that surrounded his people.

For a moment it looked like he was in deep thought before he glanced back at her.

"We shall see." Was all he said before he pulled his spirited stallion into a quick trot, moving further ahead while calling a sudden halt to the large envoy of wagons.

The herds that followed came to a stop, possibly even grateful for the brief rest from the scorching heat, as goats and horses alike, tried to huddle under any available shelter they could find, along side the ancient path.

"Ahmed! Humam! Scout ahead. If there is anything out of the ordinary, report immediately."

"Yes, Sire." Both men raced off on their horses; gathering men as they went.

The small group of gathered soldiers rode ahead, their mounts kicking up clouds of dirt and sand as they went; looking for anything that did not fit in with the deserts landscape.

Several seconds later, Ahmed, was the first to notice an abnormality surrounding the dunes to their left, a darkness familiar to him but without the malice he would have expected.

With a few quick hand-signals later, his men were off their horses, swords, spears and bows were drawn before they stealthily moved as one, coming upon a most unexpected sight.

Barely twelve feet away, lay the largest horse that their eyes had ever laid upon, a breed similar, that would mostly be seen in Rohan; the land of the Horse-Lords.

Not only would his enormous size bring immediate attention but also his coloring, being of the purest black they'd only ever seen with the horses of the nine; the Nazgúl but the only difference was the white-blaze on his head and the four white almost feathery-like hair that covered down from his knees and his hocks.

Some feet away from the horse, laid a young woman, with long thick dark brown hair, that was spread out around her like a halo. She was dressed in the oddest clothing they had ever seen but the oddest thing that stood out the most, was the two shocking white-streaks of hair.

Ahmed quickly checked both of them to see what ailed their seemingly unconscious state only to find that it was as if they were soaked in the essence of the darkness he still felt was there. It could explain why both of them had suffered a nose-bleed or it could be that they suffered from something else not known to them.

Shaking his head confusingly while turning away from his find, Ahmed, ordered one of the men to report back to Amir, while the rest of them set up a watch. He could tell that none of them wanted to move and he had to admit neither did he, for it's not every day you come upon such a find; especially a beautiful one, with the added bonus of the black stallion.

Within the clan, women and horses are highly prized and protected as if they were precious jewels and so are guarded somewhat viciously. However or whoever had allowed this young-one to escape, was sorely mad and now quite possibly their gain, if their clan-leader had anything to say about it.

Seconds turned into minutes before Amir arrived, moving swiftly from his horse and coming to stand by his Captain, his brother.

"Ahmed?"

"They" He said as he nodded to indicate the woman and the horse. "Are only unconscious but there is also evil-magic around them, that may be the cause."

Amir nodded knowingly as he too had felt it when he approached and though his daughter had said who it was, he also felt there was another involved, someone very familiar to him; Saruman.

In a way, it did not surprise him, the White-wizard may have that compassionate, kind and welcoming feel to him, if one was in his presence but Amir and his people could see straight through his false facade. And so they tended to avoid the deceitful being, in fact they made sure to avoid the whole lot of them and only barely at times.

Although, he was very curious as to why, Sauron and the wizard would find this seemingly normal young woman to be of interest.

Ignoring the stallion, he kneeled by the female, carefully examining every delicate feature upon her face.

Despite the dirt, sand and just by the look of it, he knew that her hair would be very soft before he gently touched the white tresses. Moving almost sedately to the lightly tanned skin of her face, instantly knowing it would feel like smooth silk beneath his large callused hand.

For such a beautiful woman to be within their grasp, she would be highly prized among them; especially among the men.

She would bring new blood to his people and by the looks she was receiving from his soldiers or the way they had not moved at first when he arrived, was an indication that one of them and quite possibly more wanted to claim her as theirs.

Amir looked up at his brother and nodded. "We shall camp here this night. Have the Herd-master attend to the stallion. I will have Hibah and her servants attend to the woman." he ordered before he stood and moved away to speak with his eldest son, who was standing guard, near-by.

"Kadar, you and Nasir, will guard her until I say otherwise. Bring her, when a tent is ready." Amir, remained standing in front of his son as if he was waiting for his reaction but as usual, not one emotion was present.

"Yes, father." He answered as he respectively went into a half-bow before he straightened up once again, to his impressive height of 6 4'.

Inwardly Amir sighed, Kadar was the only one out of his five sons that had not yet taken a wife or wives, he was so dedicated to the protection of their people, so much so he forswore to ever have a family of his own; saying that they would only be a distraction.

It had been many, many years now since he took the oath and now he was almost in his prime but there was still plenty of time and maybe, just maybe with this new female, it would give him the incentive of starting a family.

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Hibah, who had already spoken with her father after he returned from the scouting party, made her way to the tent her family were preparing for the young woman; who had more power than she herself could handle.

Amir, had told her what they had found although she already knew, but she did not know that Saruman was involved.

Hibah then explained to him about her seeing more than what she had said, saying that the young woman's name was Marie, that she was very special and that the Dark-Lord and most likely the White-wizard wanted her because she holds great power, power no-one can access but them.

"Father, there is a way I can hide her from the darkness and not allow anyone to use her power, but it will take several hours and a lot of energy."

"Yes, I understand what it is you are saying, Hibah, but you have never used so much power before. What if-"

"I know I have not but that is why I have called for Muhjah and some of the women. They will help me keep my mind and strength during the ritual."

"Fine, fine. I still say that she, be apart of the clan!"

"Father, I know what it is you are thinking but you must understand, I have seen some of her path and she will only be with us for a time."

"At the moment, that does not matter. It will be easier to keep her safe if I claim her as one of the clan." He stated arrogantly, almost defiantly.

"I am not arguing the point, all I am saying is that when the time comes, she must leave and you will have to let her go, no matter what." His eyes narrowed for a moment, thinking of any way to change his daughter's mind but instead he reluctantly agreed.

"Fine. Now, any decisions I shall make for her, you must promise me, not to interfere. Agreed?"

"Agreed." Thank the Gods, their negotiating had ended. Amir, could be quite stubborn at times and maybe that was a good thing.

She didn't think that if she had taken after him, instead of her mother, who she had been told had a very kind and docile personality, that they would have agreed on much of anything.

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Within the hour, a large caramel colored tent was erected, Muhjah, Amir's only sister, and several other women of her family, had just finished preparing the tent when Hibah came in, followed by two of her hounds while three of her guards remained outside, guarding the entrance.

In a flurry of movement, the women kneeled down before the younger woman, warmly but subserviently greeting her as her status permitted.

"Hibah" Though Muhjah, informally greeted her youngest niece, her eyes still remained averted. "All is ready, child."

"Very well."

Hibah had always had a soft spot for her aunt, not only because she enjoyed her company immensely or because she had practically raised her after her own mother died after birthing her but because Muhjah, could not have children of her own.

And therefore none of the men wanted her so she became something of a mother, to all the women of their family; including herself and that was one of the reasons she had requested her presence.

Hibah knew, Muhjah, would be a great comfort to Marie; especially when she awakes and finds herself in a world not of her own and in the grasp of a people she knows nothing about.

Not even Hibah herself, would wish such a torment on another being; to be torn away from loved-ones and have no chance of ever returning, would be the worse possibly torture one could suffer.

Her thoughts were quickly interrupted by her eldest brother; Kadar, who was gently cradling the woman, that was at the center, of all their thoughts.


A/N: Well, this is it people and once again – What do you think? Let me know, cause all ya have to do is, R & R.

Meanings for Arabic names:

Samad-Mubarak/Eternal-Blessed

Amir/Ruler, prince, leader

Muhjah/Heart's blood, soul

Hibah/Gift, Present

Ahmed/Most highly adored, or most praised

Kadar/Powerful

Humam/Brave, noble, courageous, generous

Nasir/Protector, helper, supporter

For any of you, who are interested, in knowing what breed of horse, Thunder is, then that would be an 'English Shire' and if ya don't know what that is, you can find lots of great info on line, just try Google. Cheers.