A/N-By the time I post this I will have already went to Ozzfest and had a rockin' time. I hope you metal freaks out there get to go when it comes to a town near you. I'm sure Slipknot and Lacuna Coil will just rock the second stage. Many thanks go out to Tongue In Cheek Scribe (the other half of Furious Fates, look for the first story coming soon) and Elven Script for being great reviewers. Oh, and thanks to Baileymag (I think I spelled it right if I didn't I'm sorry). But to answer your question: Every kid I know doesn't want to get any older than 21 because they think that's the age that you can do anything that you want so Anna's mind really doesn't comprehend an age after her twenties. Great now I've just confuse myself.

Disclaimer: I don't own it. Elladan: Are we actually going to be in this ? Elrohir: Or are you going to cut us out just like Peter Jackson did ? Me: Don't worry my precious prankster twins, you have your place.

Welcome to the Strange

Many years have passed in the Shire. At least once a year since Bilbo left someone had brought up their own theories as to where he went. Frodo has become a bit stranger since Bilbo left. Taking to wandering further and further throughout the borders of the Shire. Frodo had become well preserved in his age barely showing his years at all as has Anna. Many residents of the Shire have speculated on this also. Most of the theories that passed throughout the Shire made no sense to anyone save those that had made them up. Anna is now twenty-seven and easily stands out in the realm of the Hobbits.

I had just finished hanging the laundry on the line to dry when I got the idea of what I would make for dessert for the evenings dinner. My job was always dessert. I brought the empty laundry basket back into the house and called out ",Uncle Merry, I'm going to find some wild strawberries. I will be back soon."

"Do not wander too far, Anna."

I fetched a small basket that would be just right for holding the strawberries and set off for the border of trees that surrounded Buckland. I could see the patch of bright red berries before I even came to the edge of the Old Forest. I knelt down and began to pick as many of them as I could before I had to be back. "I'm sure Uncle Merry would love a cake with strawberries on top," I thought to myself as I happily plucked a berry ",or even the cake but with a strawberry icing."

A noise off to my left brought my attention back from the thoughts. I looked into the Old Forest as far as my eyes could see but there was nothing there. I shrugged my shoulders and continued to pick the berries. Just as my basket was full I heard the noise again. I stood this time, holding the basket protectively, as I eyed my surroundings. I still didn't see anything. But, as I turned to make my way home a howl erupted from the forest. I turned just in time to see a rather large wolf launch itself at me. I did the only thing I could do. I dropped the basket full of strawberries and raised my arms in front of my head. Two sickening thunks could be heard and the wolf cried out in pain. I lowered my arms to see the wolf lying dead in front of me, two arrows sticking out of its chest.

"What is a girl doing in The Shire," a male voice asked.

There standing only a few feet from me was a cloaked man. His hood was drawn up over his head and made it impossible to see his face. I felt the fear rise up in my throat. "There are many girls in The Shire, sir," I answered, surprised to hear that the fear didn't convey in my voice.

"Aye, Hobbit girls. Not the daughters of man. Now what is a girl doing in the Shire ?"

"Not that its any of your business, sir, but I live within these borders. I live with my Uncle in Buckland."

"Your Uncle is a Hobbit ?"

"Yes. Is that so strange ?"

"To my ears, yes. I have never lived with a Hobbit and have never known them to open their doors willingly to the race of man. You must be held in very high regards to them."

"They hold me high enough. Now if you will excuse me I must get back home."

"Do you not have anything else to say ? I have after all just saved your life."

"Thank you for killing the wolf."

The man took two quick strides to close the distance between us. His hood fell back and I could see a star on his forehead. But as quickly as I saw it the star was gone. The man stood tall and he was bearded with kind eyes that had seen many years it seemed to me. He looked down at me grimly.

"Stay close to your home, girl. The woods are no longer safe for man or hobbit."

"I will do my best," I said as I picked up the previously forgotten basket. "I am Anna. Do I get to know your name ?"

"I am Strider. And we will not be meeting again. Just remember that the Old Forest is no longer safe and you will live to see another winter."

I gathered up the basket and ran back home. My heart was racing as I slammed the door closed behind me. I slid down to the floor as the waves of fear crashed down upon me. I began to cry. Uncle Merry had come out of his study, smoking a pipe, calling out ",Anna, is that you? Why are you banging the doors around ?"

I couldn't speak. I had realized that I could've died. But that a stranger had saved me. Why was there a stranger wandering our borders ?

"Anna ? What is wrong ? Why are you crying ?"

I looked up at Uncle Merry,

sputtering",Wolf...woods....man....killed..."

"You're not making any sense. Calm down. Tell me what happened."

"I was getting ready to come home after I got the strawberries. There was a wolf. It tried to attack me but a man killed it. Uncle Merry we have a man patrolling our borders. Why?"

Uncle Merry's mouth went into a grim line. All he could seem to do was nod. "I will have to go see Frodo tomorrow."

"I want to come."

"I think its best that you stay here."

"I am going with you. You can't stop me. I'm bigger than you now."

Uncle Merry, seeing that I had regained some of my better mood, laughed.

A/N-Sorry its so short. Longer chapter coming in the next few days.