See the first chapter for the complete Author's Note.
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Tolkien's world.
Reviews: I have had a grand total of two reviews so far. I hope to get more, and will do my best to deserve them. Thank you, Sita. :) Yes, Eclipse, the first two chapters are short, for what I hoped was dramatic effect. Sorry; I thought it was only a Mary-Sue when the introduced character was destined for a romance with one of the Fellowship. *shrugs*. Glad you like it.
Who are you, and what is your business here? demanded the man. By now he had been joined by two gaping hobbits and an equally curious, though more tactful elf. You can call me Leya replied the girl, who had recovered from her momentary surprise. Her words were clear, but her voice had a strange accent that none of them could identify.
I do not know where I am, and I cannot return to where I come from ...uh ...at this time. I had no idea your party would be passing this way - indeed, I do not know who you are.
She addressed Boromir, but as she spoke she became conscious of a long shadow falling over the listening group. Looking up, the girl known as Leya saw a tall, long-bearded man dressed all in grey. He had an air of wisdom to which all the others seemed to defer, and he quite casually took over the questioning.
Having ascertained that the girl knew nothing of Sauron, Saruman or the Rings of Power, Gandalf motioned for her to move closer to the fire. Gratefully, she did so, and breakfasted on some sort of gruel which was ladled out for her from a metal pot resting near the coals. As she and the others ate, Leya could feel them all staring at her with varying degrees of inconspicuousness, and heard a few whispers as though she was being discussed privately.
I suppose I'm a rather strange sight, she thought to herself; after all, their womenfolk probably don't run around in the forest alone - not dressed like me, anyway.
Indeed, the Fellowship was quite at a loss as to their visitor's origin. She was clad in a sleeveless, faded pale blue dress and a grey-green hooded cloak. A small cloth pouch and a sheathed dagger nearly as long as a hobbit sword hung from her woven belt. Brown hair fell a little past her shoulders in an oily-looking braid. She had brown eyes under thick dark brows, and her ears seemed very slightly pointed. Her feet were bare and rough, but their hairlessness and her human stature proclaimed she was no hobbit. As they watched her, Leya rose and moved closer to the fire.
Tell me - who are you, and what journey are you making? asked the girl.
We would ask the same of you, young maiden replied the grey-bearded man, picking up a wooden staff, but we must move on while the day is still young. If you are truly lost, as you said, then..., here he paused to think, ...you may accompany us until you find more familiar lands.
Several of the others seemed startled at this, including the man who had first noticed Leya, but she readily agreed to the proposal. Before long the fire was out, the ashes scattered, and the Fellowship was on the move, with the girl walking beside them.
