Note - Hello all, this is my first real piece of writing so I appreciate any constructive criticism. I know that it will not be perfect but as a perfectionist any errors or inconsistencies that you spot please tell me nicely so that I can sort it out quickly. I will try to update regularly but I am doing a heavy workload degree at university so that might not always be possible. (I love binge-reading fanfic stories so I understand when one is not finished it can be frustrating so I will try to get this finished asap!). I appreciate criticism but not to the extent where it is negative so please bear that in mind. (It will follow the Movies closely but with some inserts of the book. Apologies if that is annoying.)

Disclaimer - Any work you recognise as the amazing Professor J. R. R. Tolkien's or Peter Jackson's then it is rightly theirs. However, I do claim all credit for my Own OC character whose name will be revealed at a later chapter...

And with that, I will say happy reading!

...Chapter One...

The start of an adventure

The start of this story begins as you might expect, in a hole in the ground. Now, this was not like a hobbit hole, that was warm and full of food. Nor did it contain a warm hearth or the comforts of a home you or I might expect. This hole contained none of the aforementioned pleasantries. As spring had finally come to the land it was damp and cold, as well as being riddled with bugs and mud. Not somewhere where you would expect an individual to reside, but here they were sprawled out in the dirt. Although if you were to look you would see nothing. They were so well hidden beneath the roots and bushes in their dark clothes and hooded cloak pulled over their head. This was their purpose after all as they were hiding. Well not necessarily hiding as it were but more trying to avoid a certain individual. Who they knew was trying to find them, and rather persistently too.

Except that he did find them hidden. An old man, tall and in grey, with a pointy hat. He had a knack for finding those that wished not to be found. He was walking rather peacefully through the woods with an air of purpose and calmly came to a stop beside a thick thorn bush. "If you would calmly exit the bush, my dear," he began as he leaned down, "This conversation would be much easier. It won't take but a moment".

A groan came from the bush. "Fine, Fine," they said with resignation as a lone figure in black stood up. "Honestly, you're getting quicker at finding me each time old man!" the figure noted in a low voice. Brushing the bugs and dirt of their leather clothing they added in a questioning tone "What do you want this time then?".

With a chuckle, the old man in grey said, "I hardly believe that my dear, you make it more and more difficult each time." A snort could be heard from the individual in black as they sat on a root at the base of a large tree and the figure in grey continued. "I have come to ask a favour of you. It should not be like the last one I asked of you before you comment on that minor detail."

The figure in black exclaimed "Old man, the last favour you asked of me was no minor detail, it took five years! It was as boring as a dinner with orcs!"

Sitting down next to the figure in black the old man chimed, "I am well aware of that, I do believe this one will be much more exciting for you. Only you would find such a thing boring and not at all dangerous but that is not my purpose in finding you, however." Getting his long curved pipe out and setting it alight with this finger, the old man asked, "How have you been, not causing too much trouble I hope?"

Smirking the figure in blank said "You know me too well, not too much trouble, but then again my definition of the word and yours differ greatly my friend! I ran into a spot of trouble in the south but that all sorted now." In a questioning tone, they asked, "What is this new favour you ask of?"

Blowing smoke rings into the twilight of the canopy of trees above the old man chucked "I do believe some would say that they do not differ that greatly and why am I not surprised? In any case, the favour I ask of you is no small task. I ask that you join me in an adventure."

"An adventure you say? Your adventures are indeed no small task. Where would this one take me, should I agree?" they answered shifting under the tree.

The man in grey marvelled "It would take you across middle earth, although I know you have done that more times than I can count" with a grunt to the affirmative from his companion in black he continued on "It may be deadly, I ask that you accompany a group to regain their homeland, you may not like the company at first but they are good folk in need of help. Your knowledge and skills would be most beneficial coming across some of the obstacles I believe, it will be difficult and fraught with danger."

Standing up with excitement, "Why old man you had me at deadly!" the figure in black exclaimed.

Laughing the tall man in grey said, "I know, if you do decide to come to meet on the 27th of April in the Shire it will be quite obvious where we are I am sure, we have to pick up the last member of the company."

"A hobbit!" the figure in black exclaimed. "What use will a hobbit be? They are gentle folk, they're not used to the wild, nor the perils that I assume will be faced."

Looking up from under the brim of his tall pointy grey hat the old man acknowledged "On the whole, you would be right my dear, however, I believe there is one who might surprise you, and indeed himself if I am right."

"If you say so old man, I will go a few days prior and have a look around." The figure in black said with a genuine smirk as they walked away pulling up their hood and a scarf to cover their face again, "I'll see you soon old man!"

A/N: Thank you for reading! Hope you liked it!😊

[I will be re-writing this chapter when I can!]