~ Wow, two reviews, yeah, I'm glad you like the story so far.

StarryStarryNight: I'm so glad you like the story, that was an excellent ego pusher there. Here's the new chapter, I will definitely keep posting. So I'm not fired, right?

Daydream: I figured I would find you skipping through here. Thanks for the review, I'm glad you liked. I was actually going to suggest you take a look, but you beat me to it :o)

Disclaimer: Same as before, yadda, yadda, yadda

Looking around, Shantel's first thought was Stone Henge, even though she only saw it in pictures. It was dark out and a little hard to see, but a closer look Shantel could decipher that it wasn't the Stone Henge. Looking out from beneath one of the arches Shantel found that this wasn't on flat ground. A look around showed no houses in sight and a fine mist covered the ground. The book bag was still on Shantel's back. As she fingered the cross she wore a shout from below caught her attention.

Put it out you fool, put it out!" Was the cry. Shantel looked down again trying to find the source of the voice. A startled gasp escaped from Shantel as hideous shrieks seemed to come from beneath the hill. Looking down, Shantel put one hand on a stone piller as she looked down into the misty ground. Five figured cut through like a hot knife through butter and disappeared out of Shantel's sight below. Taking deep breaths Shantel backed up to the middle and spun around as she heard footsteps approach. Four short childlike people came into view and stopped seeing her there. They reached about four feet in height and Shantel noted that they wore no shoes. Wide eyes looked up to Shantel.

"Friend?" Shantel asked quietly holding her hands up showing she meant no harm. The four looked behind themselves then ran over to Shantel. They circled leaving her in the middle pulling small swords out. Shantel shook her head trying to figure why four children would try to circle her and why was there a tug on her mind screaming that something was so familiar. All thoughts flew from Shantel's mind as five cloaked figures came into view. She gasped as the hobbits did, watching swords pulled from their sheaths and pointed at them. When they moved, no feet could be seen, they seemed to float.

"Back you beast," growled one of the four and charged ahead. The one on the middle, seeming to be the leader knocked him aside after a few moments and floated forward. Two more, blond were these two, stepped in front but were easily thrown aside and closed in towards Shantel and the other who pulled Shantel back. Shantel's heart was in her throat and she was having trouble swallowing, as she stumbled back. The one pulled her, tripped pulling Shantel back as well. Automatically Shantel kicked out a leg on reflex and kicked one of the cloaked figures sword from his hands. It clattered off the side falling to the ground below.

The figures loomed over them, like shadows trying to extinguish all light. A blade reflected light above them as it was raised over them. Shantel pushed the one who fell and rolled the opposite way. There was a loud clang as the sword crashed into the stone floor. The figures let out a hideous shriek of fury and Shantel looked up in time to see them corner the one she pushed against a piller. Shaking Shantel stood up, holding a nearby piller for support. She didn't know what to do, she had no weapon. The figures closed in not letting Shantel see what became of the small one. A scream broke through and Shantel started to pat her pockets looking for anything that might help when she pulled out her lighter.

Quietly Shantel sneaked over and knelt down, lighting the figures cloaks on fire. She was working on the second when the thud of booted feet and a yell caught all their attention. Two figured found themselves on fire and ran off the side of the hill to escape the chasing flames. One that was unlit kicked Shantel aside knocking the wind out of her for a moment as she lay stunned. The kick had caught her on the right side. With trembling fingers Shantel felt to see if she could tell if any bones were broken. None that she could find were, and she painfully made her way to her feet over to the injured one. The other three were gathered around as well as an adult. Thank goodness, Shantel thought then heard the conversation.

"He has been struck by a Mordor blade," The man said. Where have I heard that, Shantel thought. The man picked up the sword and Shantel gasped as she saw it turn to dust. The man turned seeing Shantel for the first time. "Come," he commanded. "We can make introductions later," he said putting the injured one over his shoulder. "You're coming with us." Was the last thing he said to her, then Shantel found herself running, running the rest of the night and most of the next day. Pain was flashing through Shantel's sides, but she panted on not wanting to be left behind. There were only short stops to eat and rest, but they kept on moving. There were no buildings, nothing but trees. In the evening, they heard one shout ahead.

"There are trolls, three of them hiding in the bush." The man pushed his way ahead then shared a laugh seeing the trolls. Telling everyone to come forward, Shantel looked up seeing the three huge stone trolls. Two were standing while one was stooping and looked like he was previously holding something. They sat to rest again when one looked over to Shantel.

"So what is your name?"

"Shantel," was all she said. Everyone else introduced themselves, while the injured one, Frodo lay on a bedroll someone had rolled out for him.

"Who built these statues?" Shantel gestured around.

"Built," laughed Sam. "These are Bilbo Baggins trolls." Shantel gave Sam a weird look ready to laugh when she paused and looked around. Four small people, no hobbits! Shantel mused and a man named Strider. They all saw Shantel's eyes shine with laugher fade into something else.

"Are you alright, Shantel?" Strider asked. "Where are you from?" Before she could give an answer, Frodo let out a shrill yelp of pain. All went over to see his body convulse and his eyes stare blankly.

"Mr. Frodo," Cried Sam feeling Frodo's head. "He's going cold!" Sam turned to Strider. Strider went over looking at the hobbit himself.

"Is he going to die?" Pippin asked worried about Frodo himself.

"He's passing into the Shadow World. He'll soon become a Wraith like them," Strider got up and thought for a moment.

"A Wraith," Shantel walked up to Strider. "What's that?"

"The creatures you lit on fire, Lady Shantel," Strider said not really paying attention to her. "Sam!" He cried as the sound of a Wraith was heard. "Do you know the Athelas plant?"

"Athelas?" Sam questioned.

"Kingsfoil."

"Kingsfoil, aye, it's a weed," Sam nodded. Shantel stepped back and walked over to see how Frodo was. His face was cold and clammy to the touch, and he shivered every now and again. Taking a blanket from Merry Shantel wrapped Frodo in it, then paused seeing his torn shirt. Peeling it away, Shantel saw the wound for the first time, white and looking not pretty.  Shantel covered his shoulder up as Sam came back out of the wood.

"I can't find any," Sam sounded panicked, then knelt next to Shantel. "Is he getting any better?"

"I've wrapped him up, but I don't know, Sam," Shantel said wiping Frodo's hair out of his face. She was still in a bit of surprise hearing the statues are Bilbo's trolls. Here fairy tale hero, Bilbo Baggins. Lost in thought, Shantel almost didn't see the woman step out of the wood with Strider behind her.

"Frodo, Im Arwen. Telin le thaed. Lasto beth nin, tolo dan na ngalad." (I am Arwen. I've come to help you. Hear my voice, come back to the light.)

"Who is she?" Merry wondered.

"She's an elf," Sam answered.

An elf! No way, Shantel's mind screamed. Bilbo Baggin's trolls, elves, this can't be happening! This all went through Shantel's mind as she lowered herself to the ground. She missed the rest of what was going on until someone shook her shoulders.

"Lady Shantel, are you alright?" Strider looked onto her with concerned eyes.

"Where am I?" Shantel asked barely above a whisper.

"For now we are Ettendales, above Rivendell," Strider said.

"Planet Earth?"

"Middle Earth," Strider corrected.

"Oh," Shantel breathed and looked past Strider, not really seeing anything.

"Where are you from Lady Shantel?" Strider got no response. "Lady!" Strider shook her again. Shantel looked up at him her eyes clouded. Strider knew this look too well and called out to the hobbits.

"Get me my bag, quickly," Strider commanded. Merry grabbed the bag and handed it over to Strider. Rummaging through he found a bag and opened it under Shantel's nose. As soon as the smell hit, she shook her head from her trance and pushed the bag away just before she sneezed.

"Do you know where you are?" Strider asked.

Shantel shook her head. "No what happened?" The cry of the Wraiths got both of their attention.

"You almost went into shock," Strider helped Shantel to her feet. Come let us make our way to Rivendell," He also called this to the hobbits. "It is not safe for us to linger." Once Shantel was walking with out Strider herding her, he stepped ahead. Pippin and Merry fell into step with Shantel, keeping an eye on her.

"Are you alright?" Pippin asked.

"I think so," Shantel replied. "Just surprised about where I am at, surprised at everything."

"Why is that?" Merry asked.

"Because the last thing I was doing, before going to visit my mother was worry over bills, how I was going to pay for things and wishing to get away. This wasn't quite what I had in mind." Shantel said with a small smile.

"You married?" Pippin asked. Confused with his question, Shantel didn't understand until Pippin pointed at her left hand.

"Oh, my engagement ring," Shantel exclaimed. "No I'm not married yet, only promised to another." Well here you go, Shantel thought. All those times you were role playing wanting to really be there, here you are. Too bad I don't have a sword or know how to actually use one.

"Where's he at?"

"Where are you from" Both hobbits asked at the same time.

"Another world it seems," Shantel replied. Strider had them pick up the pace, ending all conversation. It would have taken originally six days to get to Rivendell, from what Strider said, but with him and Sam pushing they got there in four. They were expected and taken in to be cleaned, fed, and groomed. Shantel was exhausted but still had a hard time falling asleep. She missed Scott and felt guilty taking for granted that she would see him the next day. Thinking of his blond hair, the way he would hold her at night, Shantel fell into a restless sleep.