[Disclaimer: I do not own any copyrights to Lord of the Rings. The other characters were created by me, so if you intend to use them, please ask for concent first. Constructive Criticism welcome, please no flaming. Thank you, and enjoy.]

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Chapter 1 : The First Meeting

We go back, in a time that has long since been forgotten, where many magical creatures once roamed freely. It was a time of elves, wizards, kings, dwarves, hobbits and men. Evil forces had been thwarted before, and nobody doubted that they'd arise again. No one thought it would arise again, as soon as it did.

But as a new dawn broke the darkened night to shards, evil once again rose in middle earth and heroes were not as easy to find. Unlike the war for the ring of power, this force of evil was more subtle. Many once happy common hobbits became rowdy, restless, and greedy for power. Even a few humans had become discontented with their positions in kingdoms. No one knew what exactly what was going on, but knew that it needed to be destroyed soon or watch as Middle Earth falls to certain doom like it would have in the other war. Seven heroes would arise to fight this new menace, and restore everlasting peace.

The seven heroes were an unlikely sort: two elves, a wizard, two hobbits, a dwarf, a thief and a king. When a world is in need of a hero, choices are hard to come by. The strength lies from within. Even the most unlikely of people can save the world.

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The Fangorn Forrest was quiet that night, save a few birds chirping in the dark. The rustling leaves of the ancient oak trees ruffled vigorously as a strong breeze twirled them around its finger. Barely audible you hear slight foot steps coming from above the boughs of the tree. An elf is seen moving at high speeds jumping from one branch to another seamlessly. The last elf of Fangorn, searches the forest for a nice place to rest. Her long golden locks pulled back in a braid flip in the wind as she speeds ahead. For around 2,000 years she has lived in this forest, most without any company or friends save Treebeard. Only he knows how long she's been here, and how many years have passed since she was sired. Like other elves she looks no older then twenty-five. Vywien knew better than to ask Treebeard a question as important and thought provoking as that, it would be years before she received an answer. "Don't be hasty" was the motto of his kin. Vywien had known Treebeard her entire life, though forgetful at times; no better friend could be found then the Keeper of the Ents.

The moon was shining brightly as Vywien slid to a stop her hair wrapped around her neck. As were custom to all elves, she was tall and graceful, much like a young willow tree standing in the morning breeze. Her large eyes the color of fresh leaves, search the surroundings her pointy ears move front and back searching for any change in the forest hoping to find some dinner. She was fair for even one of her kind, though she wouldn't know having lived in one place for most of her life. No one had ventured into Fangorn for many many years, at least that Vywien noticed.

Vywien's excellent hearing then picked up the light trodding of feet, a few miles away. It wasn't the heavy footfalls characteristic of the Ents; the sound could only be from a human. The very thought of running into something other then a living tree had Vywien frightened. She ran forward, her own feet made no noise, and almost seemed to fly over the boughs.

In no time at all, Vywien spied the intruder in the forest. The young woman looked to be 'physically' the same age as Vywien. She was tall for a human, yet short too short for an elf. The young woman's golden locks were settled gently on her shoulders, and curled to frame her face. The eyes that would ccasionally open to gaze at her surroundings were emerald green with light flecks of gold at their center. The human was humming softly to herself, and the large canvas bag slung over her shoulders made an audible chink sound like two metals rubbing together. The young woman paused, as though she had sensed that someone was watching her and looked suspiciously at the near by trees.

"Hello?" The human hesitantly called out. Vywien stood perfectly still wondering what to make of the situation. She'd never met an actual human before; Treebeard had mentioned them to her when explaining the fighting at Isengard and the return of the king. She watched as the woman peered around her nervously not hearing anything she continued walking though more cautiously.

The human nearing twenty feet away Vywien spoke, not wanting to miss the opportunity to converse with a fellow creature.

"Wait!" She cried out, gasped and covered her mouth at the sudden outburst. She watched as the young woman paused, and turned around.

"I knew there was someone there!" The woman called out into the night, and ran back to where she had heard the voice. "It will be so good to actually talk to someone else; I haven't had a decent conversation in weeks!" When she got to the place she'd been, she didn't see anyone around. "Hello? Come on…I know I heard someone!"

"I am Vywien." Came a voice from the leaves above her.

The woman looked around. "Okay…and does Vywien have a face to go with the voice?"

"First introduce yourself, human."

"Human? Ah…I take it you're not a human then." The woman laughed good-naturedly. "Well, my friend. You can call me Zayn…if I ever see you." Zayn scanned the branches above her hoping to catch the source of the voice she'd heard. "Are you going to come out? Or am I going to have to stand here in the path looking like I'm talking to myself. People will start to talk."

"What people?" Vywien asked.

Zayn paused. "Um…people in general, Vy."

"But you are the first person I've seen in many years." Vywien sounded confused. "These woods are not widely used."

"So I've discerned." Zayn laughed. "But please…will you come out? So I know to whom I am talking." Vywien jumped from the branch from which she had been standing, and landed gracefully in front of Zayn who smiled. Zayn gasped when she caught the site of Vywien's ears, "You're an elf!" Vywien stepped back prepared to run or defend herself if need be and nodded suspiciously. "Don't be alarmed. I've just never seen an elf before."

"As I've never seen a human before" Vywien said observing Zayn closely. "Your ears are so…round." She then squinted at Zayn and smiled. Zayn chuckled, amused. "And yours are very pointy, friend. But tell me, do you have a place I could rest my head for a few hours, and maybe something to eat? I've been traveling for many days now. I would be very much in your debt."

Vywien looked at her new friend and smiled, "My place is a few fathoms this way, are you prepared for a rather long journey?" Zayn nodded. "I'd follow you where ever you go, so as long as rest is at the end." Vywien laughed, "There is much rest though not much else. It is this way." She walks in the direction she had been heading before. They walked side-by-side on the path; Vywien wondered how Treebeard would react to the human in Fangorn Forest.