No, I don't own Lord of the Rings. It's sad, yes I know, but if I was Tolkien I would be an old, dead man, which I'm not… I'm quite happy being a fangirl instead, thank you very much.

Stuff in bold is quoted from the book… I may have altered parts of the text slightly, to work better with the story, but it's essentially the same. :P

Also, I'm starting around the middle of chapter eleven in book one (that's right around when Frodo gets stabbed on Weathertop in the first movie). If it's confusing tell me- I'll try to explain it to you (better?).

It was already midday when they drew near the southern end of the path, and saw before them, in the pale light of the October sun, a grey-green bank, leading up like a bridge on to the northern slope of the hill. They decided to make for the top at once, while the daylight was broad. Concealment was no longer possible, and they could only hope that no enemy or spy was observing them. If Gandalf was anywhere about, there was no sign of him.

On the flank of Weathertop they found a sheltered hollow, at the bottom of which there was a bowl-shaped dell with grassy sides. There they left Sam and Pippin with the pony and their packs and luggage. The other three went on.

As Sam took care of the pony and unloaded a bit of the luggage Pippin explored the little dell. As he neared a little stream a glint caught his eye. "Sam! I think I found something worth a look at!" he cried as he hurried over to the spot. Frowning, Sam walked to Pippin, who had strangely quieted once he found whatever had caught his interest.

"What is it Pip? First you got excited and now you're acting like you're with royalty!" Sam exclaimed frustrated.

"Hush Sam! We mustn't wake the lady!" was his quiet reply. Sam started. Lady?! Then he looked down. At his feet was a pretty, though very dirty, young girl who looked as if she had been dragged from the stream. Realizing she probably needed attention Sam turned to Pippin. "Help me get her on the pony Pip! We need to take her to the others!" Hurriedly they struggled to drag her on the pony and up to the others.

"Strider! Strider!" Pippin shouted. "We found someone! Come help us!"

In an instant Strider was next to them, his rapier drawn, with Merry and Frodo close behind. Seeing they weren't in any danger he sheathed it, calming down. Until he saw her. "Who is she?" he questioned sharply, "Why did you bring her here? She could be with the enemy!"

Sam bristled. She was no enemy! He just knew she wasn't! "Now listen here Mr. Strider! We found her half drowned by the stream! How could she hurt us!? She's been asleep the whole time!"

Strider drew his rapier. "Oh she has, has she? Are you sure?" Suddenly he brought his rapier to her throat. All eyes were focused on him. Had he gone mad? A rustling of cloth was the only warning they had, before Strider's weapon was flung away and the girl dropped off the pony. The hobbits gaped at her. How had she moved so quickly?

"Where am I?!" she bit out fiercely. "And who are you, you stinking vermin?! I haven't given you any reasons for you to threaten me!"

Strider looked her over curiously. Though he supposed she would look fair if she were to bathe, she looked no better than any of them. If anything she looked worse. "If you are calling us vermin I would hate to hear what you call yourself."

The girl blushed, becoming conscious of the fact that her clothing was caked with mud, torn and was emitting an unpleasant scent. Her hair was also matted, with twigs and moss interlaced in it, in a lovely parody of a wood elf. She also realized that even though the man had threatened her they had rescued her, and obviously meant her no harm. "I'm sorry," she whispered in a soft voice, "you scared me. Though, that tends to happen when you wake up with a knife to your throat and people arguing…" she lowered her head, "Thank you for helping me. I must bid you farewell though- I know I am not welcome here. If you are in need of assistance call my name- its Moriko… farewell." She turned and started to walk away.

"Wait," she turned and looked questioningly at Strider, who had called out, "I expect you will want new clothes- take these. They may not be the nicest and you might not like dressing like a man but they are better than nothing." He tossed her a small bundle of clothes, which she caught with ease. Looking them over, she smiled.

"Thank you sir, you are very kind."

Rapier- a straight two-edged sword with a narrow pointed blade

Moriko- child of the forest (Japanese origins, pronounced MOH ree koh)