Disclaimer: I don't own anything pertaining to Middle-Earth or it awesome characters, those are all Tolkiens. All I own is my character Angela.

I woke up early the next morning before the sun rose and with my mind buzzing still. In an attempt to clear my head I tried doing some pilates/yoga positions I had learned from school. Looking out the window I started to think about what I was doing here, why I was here. I have no real purpose here I play no part in this story no matter how much I longed to.

'What brought me here?'

I pondered watching the sunrise; maybe I was dead. Maybe I'm in heaven or hell, who knew, not me, not the wizard or anyone else here.

'Maybe I am dead; maybe I drank myself to death.'

Dark thoughts floated in and out of my head, and even in this beautiful place I feel unhappy, empty, and cold. When the sun was fully awake I threw myself in the tub, all the while wallowing in self-pity. With a headache in full swing I walked to the wardrobe in hopes of finding something other than a dress to wear.

The dresses where nice but not my style and the clothes I came in had too much wear and tear from the long walk here. Surprisingly I found a dark blue tunic with black leggings and matching boots that fit me perfectly. I tied my hair back into a ponytail, looking into the mirror on the vanity I smiled a little at the reflection; it was much better than before. True I still had bags under my eyes and my skin was lighter brown than usual but at least I wasn't a lost cause.

Leaving my room I walked down the hallway from the previous night in hope to find the dining room. God was I hungry. Playing with the crystal around my neck I stopped upon realizing I must have made a wrong turn leading me to a terrace. Three figures occupied it, two big and one short. Walking closer I saw it was Lord Elrond, Gandalf and Frodo standing in the middle of a circle of chairs.

"Good Morning Angela" Gandalf said without even looking at me. Aware of my presence all three were staring in my direction.

"Morning"

"This is a private meeting Angela, you cannot be here. The kitchens are the other way," Lord Elrond said pointing in the other direction.

"Okay, sorry" I replied turning to leave, 'touchy' I thought.

Rounding the corner three small hobbits pummeled into me.

"Hi, what are doing?" I said looking at their eager faces.

"Looking for Mr. Frodo, he's gone somewhere and we can't find him anywhere," Sam said, concern written all over his face.

"Have you seen him Angela?" Pippin asked

"Yes I have," I said wondering if I should tell them or not.

"Well, where is he?" Sam asked impatiently

"Patience Sam, don't worry he not in any danger. He is with Gandalf; now if you all take me to the kitchen to get something to eat, I'll lead you to him."

The breakfast wasn't much, a platter of bread, cheese and various fruits that I shared with the hobbits. I kept my promise to them by allowing them to play 20 questions with me. More like they asked and I answered again. I explained what I remember upon arriving here without actually knowing the why or how of my arrival. I vaguely told of the book in my world leaving out the particulars but not without sworn secrecy first from all three to not say anything.

With all the food consumed I kept up my end of the bargain by leading them quietly to the terrace. Stopping shortly before I turned to them.

"Listen we're not suppose to even know about this meeting okay. So we have to be extremely quiet and keep out of sight, got it?" with nods of approval we slowly inched closer and closer.

I saw some faces, Legolas and his elves, the back of Strider's head, and another man with light brown hair and a horn around his neck. Lord Elrond was speaking from what I could tell. He spoke mainly about Sauron, the Numenor, Gil-galad and events leading to current situation.

At this the man with the horn got up to speak, he told of Gondor and how smoke rose from Mount Doom and all the trouble in that area. As he did so, his name came to my mind, Boromir. I felt my stomach sink knowing in the back of my mind that this proud man would not live to see happier days.

Couching into a more comfy position I focused my attention to all that was told. The sun was getting low in the sky and I had to try hard to suppress many yawns.

'Damn this council is a lot longer than the movie made it to be' I thought trying to again suppress another yawn.

It seemed everyone had shared their side of troubles, each one fitting together like pieces to a puzzle, but the issue of what to do with the ring had not come up yet.

"There is one hope, little hope at best." I heard Lord Elrond say "We must send it to the fire from which it came. To Mordor, to Mount Doom."

The council fell silent, it seemed all were hesitant to step up to the task.

All but one.

"I will take the ring to Mordor, though I do not know the way" Frodo said bravely.

A smile formed on my face, it was truly the hour of the Shire. Before I could act, Sam ran out of his hiding place demanding he go along. Soon after the other two abandoned me to join the quest.

'Stubborn hobbits' I thought standing but not coming out.

"A nice pickle we've gotten ourselves in Mr. Frodo" Sam said, my laughter must have been louder than I had thought.

"Come out Angela" I heard Gandalf say. My cover was blown.

The rest of the fellowship was not yet determined, and after the hobbits appearance, the council soon ended. Lying on my bed I stared up at the beautiful ceiling, so many questions popping up.

'Should I go on this quest? Was it my place?'

This wasn't like going on vacation or on a road trip. The mission was urgent, dangerous and the whole fate of Middle Earth depended on it.

'Could I deal with that?'

Deal with endless miles of walking, rugged outdoors, harsh weathers. Granted I survived the trip to Rivendell but this was on a whole new level. Then the scariest factor came to mind, the factor of actually dying on this mission. I would have to fight. To risk my life, and take a life or two if need be. Reality hit me like ton of bricks and no matter what I thought I knew of this world; I really didn't know jack crap.

Many lives, hopes and futures depended on this mission and whatever was to become of me I figured deserved my commitment and my respect. Things needed to play out how they were written to be not how I wanted them to be.

'The least I am involved the better'

This way things can't alter too much I rationalized. My presence here altered things enough already. My eyes and mind begged for a rest, after a long afternoon of sitting and listening I gave in and shut my eyes. It was night when I woke and for some reason I still felt troubled by all this, troubled by things unknown. Truth be told I was scared, scared of making a mistake, one that would cost dearly or gravely. After washing and changing I headed to find something to eat seeing as how I obviously missed dinner.

The kitchen where I ate breakfast was empty except for a few elves cleaning. Unfortunately my stomach decided to make itself known by growling so loud I felt mortified gaining some stares in the process.

'What is the deal with my loud stomach noises, holy cow' I thought.

"Hungry?" turning quickly I was greeted by an amused elf, our guide to Rivendell.

"Yes it seems my post council nap has caused me to miss out on supper," I said smiling.

"Please sit and allow me to be of some assistance," he said, taking a seat at the table I watched as he spoke to one of the elves cleaning. As he sat from me across at the table we were soon both served with a platter of bread and some chicken broth, at least I think it was.

"I'm afraid we have not yet been introduced formally, I am Glorfindel," he said.

"I'm Angela, nice to meet you" I replied in return.

"Aragon has informed me of you, strange your tale is," he said.

"He told you about me?"

"Only after I asked, it was evident from our first meeting that you were no common maiden. He could not hide it from me."

"Great" I said unsure of what this meant.

"Do not worry, Aragon is an honorable man, and I trust his word. If he says you are no treat then you need have no fear of me."

Nodding in acknowledgment I took a bite of my dinner, all the while I could feel his gaze upon me, kind of like he was sizing me up.

"What?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"Is it true you are skilled with a sword?"

"Aragon again?"

"Yes" he said smiling,

"Yes I know how to use one" I replied, "is that uncommon?"

"No not among elves, many of our woman kin know how to use them, as well as archery. I was just curious."

"Curiosity killed the cat, you know"

"What cat?" he asked with a perplexed expression on his face.

"It's just a saying, never mind"

"Huh, strange" he said standing. Soon the table was cleared; leaving the hall I parted ways with my midnight snack companion. Thanking him for his kind help, I walked back to my room alone.

Two months, I had been in Rivendell for two whole months.

My days were spent either at the training grounds sparring with Legolas, Aragon or Glorfindel or in the library of Rivendell with Arwen. I stumbled upon it wandering one day and she has been enough to read to me to pass the time.

Most of the literature was in Elvish or Westron, either of which I couldn't read. It seemed my handy dandy charm only allowed me to speak Westron not read it.

Nonetheless I learned about the history of Rivendell, from when Lord Elrond established it in the Second Age until present. I learned of its warm summer climates and snowy but not frigid winters, of its Sindarin name Imladris.

December was almost gone when the scouts finally returned and there was no sign of Sauron's helpers anywhere, it was said the creature Gollum was lying low and the Black Riders were scattered.

It was time for the ring bearer to set out, with him would go Sam, Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, Aragon and of course Merry and Pippin.

Nine walkers to face the Nine riders, beautiful and legendary.

Somehow I couldn't shake the disappointment I felt for not being able to go, yet fate decided to then take the wheel to my life and deal me an 'unofficial 10th walker card.'

I would travel with them as far Lothlorien at the request of the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim. I was informed of how high an honor this was for I was told it is rare to extend an invitation in such dark times to a stranger no less.

Under much thought and council with Gandalf, I felt compelled to attempt to reveal myself as well as the events surrounding my arrival to my new companions. After all I needed their good side and hopefully soon their trust if I was to travel with them for a long period of time.

Besides the hobbits, Gandalf and Aragon, the others seemed a little confused by what I was telling them so I wasn't sure if they were still okay with me going or not. There wasn't any major rejection so I wasn't going to press the issue.

During our last few days in Rivendell we feasted and enjoyed what luxury we could while we had it.

Although I was pretty good with a sword Glorfindel insisted I needed extra protection thus gifting me with two elegant knives. He became a good friend to me during my stay so I accepted them without doubt.

They were very beautiful and lightweight with simple elvish design. The scabbards were made of a dark leather and very durable and hung to a belt on my waist.

I wasn't an expert with them like Legolas was but Glorfindel taught me the basics.

Our last days in Rivendell came and went like the seasons; we began at night hoping that the darkness would help conceal us.

I could hear the elves singing their farewell to us as we ventured out.

Pulling my elvish cloak closer around me I wondered if I would ever see the peaceful Imladris again.