a/n: Okay, the first chapter of my story. Now I will introduce my first OC. I will really try not to make Mary Sues out of them but if I turn in that direction, please warn me!

The Fellowship of the Ring

Chapter One - 60 years later

It was early September in Middle-earth, a beautiful start of fall with the days still warm and the leaves shimmering in many colours. The trees around Lake Nenuial - north of the Shire - were moving in the warm breeze and the water was still warm enough to bath in it. But the two men clad in dark hoods didn't look like they wanted to go swimming. Their faces were hidden and most people wouldn't have noticed them sitting by the side of the lake, not talking, just staring east over the Brandywine.

One of them - a bit taller than the other - suddenly stood up and seemed to listen for something. The other person also stood up and a small smile could be seen on his face. The two men looked at each other and made their way out of the trees to the small path besides it. By now the hoof-beats were clearly heard and some moments later an elderly man clad in grey on a brown horse came into view. He noticed the two figures right away and a smile could be seen amongst his long grey beard. He put his ponited grey hat a bit back and halted his horse in front of the two men. The he jumped down the horses' back - an action betraying his looks - and hugged the smaller one of the men tightly. After that he embraced the other and the two put down their hoods, revealing a man in his early thirties and a woman in her early twenties.

"Dad!" the woman said happily and grinned at the wizard. "You were really on time for once!" Gandalf the Grey returned the grin and answered: "My dear daughter, I am always on time. It is just that you are always too early." Then he became serious and continued: "Aragorn, Phoenix, the shadow is growing larger. Sauron's power is getting stronger. Rohan is weakening. Orcs are almost everywhere now. Is the Shire still safe?" When Aragorn nodded, Gandalf sighed relieved: "That is good. For I have a feeling that that won't stay this way for much longer. The time of peace is coming to an end. The rangers will still have much work to do this year, I foresay." The two rangers nodded gravely and Phoenix said: "I hoped that it wasn't that bad yet. Though I also have visions of great danger already."

They stood in silence for a while until Gandalf said: "I have to continue to Bree now and then to Hobbiton, to Bilbo's birthday." At his last words, a smile lightened his face. "I hoped that you could wish him a happy birthday from us", Aragorn said. "But unfortunatly he doesn't know we are here nor that we excist."

After a fast good-bye, the rangers watched the wizard ride away before going back into the wood. Phoenix sighed quietly and Aragorn laid his arm around her shoulder. "Nas anim noer [1]. He will be back, elen nin [2]." Phoenix turned to him and wanted to say something but was silenced by a passionate kiss from her long-time lover.



[1] Don't be sad [2] my star

a/n: Yeah, my first chapter! I know, Aragorn is actually a lot older but I like him better a few years younger. And for everybody who loves Arwen - she is also getting her share of love in this story. For anybody who loves Aragorn/Arwen - sorry!