CHAPTER 4

That night, Ann introduced the Fellowship to television, translating the news as necessary.

Then came the report that needed no translation.

As the commercials came on, an "Anchorage's Most Wanted" ad came up.

"If anyone can give information to the whereabouts of this individual, please call. . . . ." A number followed. A shot of a black horse with a black-cloaked rider flashed onscreen.

Frodo cried out and grabbed at the chain around his neck. Aragorn and Gandalf leaped up. The rest simply stared at the screen, dumbstruck.

'What,' asked Ann slowly, 'is a Nazgúl doing here?' She turned to look at Gandalf.

Gandalf sat down, distress in every line of his face. 'I- we were being pursued by a Rider when I uttered a spell to move us to a safe place. It brought us here. Either I miscalculated the spell, or. . . .'

'Or what?' Asked Ann.

'Or the enemy followed us.'

Frodo was staring wide-eyed at the wizard, and Sam had rushed over to his master. 'Followed us? Here?'

'I prefer to think that I did not do the spell correctly.'

'Hmm. . . It does seem more likely,' said Aragorn. 'If the Enemy could follow us, even to this place, I believe he would have sent more than a single rider to stop us.'

'Yeah. . .' mused Annalise. 'That seems more his style.' She looked up. 'But that doesn't change the fact that there is a Black Rider roaming around Anchorage.' She stared Gandalf in the eye. 'What are we going to do about it?'

'We?' Broke in Boromir, eyebrows raised. 'You mean to help us?'

Ann sighed. 'Gandalf says that the spell was designed to bring you to a safe place. Right?'

Gandalf nodded, intrigued.

'And it brought you here. So it follows that this is a safe place.'

Gandalf sat up, eyes bright. 'I begin to see what you're driving at.'

Annalise nodded. 'So if this is a safe place, then I'm kind of obligated to help.' She smiled. 'Besides, what kind of fan-girl would I be if I passed up a chance to go on a quest?'

Aragorn and Gandalf were unsurprised. But the rest of the Fellowship, especially the hobbits, were startled. This girl, who they had looked on with amusement and occasionally disdain, suddenly seemed to be like an elf-warrior, proud and fierce.

Sam suddenly exclaimed. 'Miss, I never thought that a hobbit could go on a dangerous quest. Well, Master Frodo is proving me wrong there. And now, you're proving to me that a woman can go on dangerous quests too.' Then he blushed. 'Begging your pardon, Miss.'

Ann laughed. 'Don't worry, Sam. You seem to be ahead of your time.'

She turned back to Aragorn and Gandalf. 'Now then, what are we going to do about the Rider?'

Aragorn and Gandalf glanced at each other, then Gandalf spoke. 'We know only a little of your time. I think you would be better able to formulate a plan.'

Her eyes widened. 'Me?'

The Fellowship, seeing Gandalf's logic, all nodded firmly.

She shook her head. 'Well, all right.' She looked around. 'I think my first step is to get armed. All the hobbits have weapons, right?' The hobbits nodded. 'Then that only leaves me.' She thought for a minute. Then a grin spread slowly over her face. 'I know just the place.'

***************************************************************************