Prologue The Screen

Physicists have theorised that if an electron was given a choice of which hole to pass through in a screen, radically different futures could develop depending on the particle's choice. Supposedly, there are potentially in�nite parallel universes, some of them incredibly different from the rest, while others differ only in a single signi�cant detail. Have you ever wondered how your life would have turned out if you had made one choice differently? Perhaps, in one of these alternate realities, you did, and what happened afterwards was vastly changed from the timeline you know.

They say that the Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and go. There is no single Wheel of Time. There are many, all different colours and designs, all weaving different Great Patterns

Sam listened to the harsh chatter of the Orcs below him and silently berated himself. Why didn't I think of that!' he thought. Of COURSE the big spider likes live prey! Oh, Samwise Gamgee, you are such an IDIOT!'

Le's ge' 'im to the tower, the leader of the Orcs ordered. Come on, you weaklings, pick 'im up. 'E's only a Hal�ing.I think not a soft but dangerous female voice said from above, and there was a whoosh sound, the sound-effect of an animé jump. Sam had barely the time to glance up before a gleaming spiral of bladed death descended upon the Orcs around Frodo. The dark creatures did not even have a chance to scream as the warrior-woman whirled her two swords, spraying black Orc blood and freezing their faces forever in expressions of bewilderment. Within a few heartbeats, it was over. Sam realised that his mouth was hanging open and that he had forgotten to breathe in those moments. He quickly regained his composure, ducking behind a rocky protrusion as the strange woman glanced up at his hiding place. Her ears were long and triangular, like a cross between those of a cat's and an Elf's. Sam had no idea what race she was: she was too tall to be a Hobbit, but was much shorter than any Man or Elf he had seen.

I know you're up there, Samwise. It's all right. You can come down. Her accent was completely unfamiliar. Sam caught his breath in shock, wondering how she knew him. Then she smiled, and her beauty seemed to brighten the area and made her appear as luminous as an Elf, at least brie�y. Don't fear. I'm here to help. Turning on her heel, she knelt next to Frodo and carefully looked him over. She passed a hand over the strands of webbing that covered him, and they separated and fell away as neatly as if they had been cut.

Sam climbed down nervously, keeping an eye on Frodo. He scrambled over to his companion as the El�ike woman gently placed her hands on Frodo's cheeks and whispered, Small vertical beams of light hovered above the other Hobbit for a moment, and Frodo gasped as colour returned to his face. The woman smiled and leaned back on her heels.

Oh, Mr. Frodo! Sam cried, leaning over his friend. I thought I'd lost you! Frodo moaned as he sat up. That was horrible. He looked over at the pseudo-Elf. Thank you for healing me.

She shook her head, a small smile on her lips. It was nothing. Laying a hand on Frodo's shoulder, she levelled a steady gaze at him. I want only to help you. I intend to cast other spells upon you to ease your burden. Frodo's hand shot up towards the chain around his neck, and she gently took hold of his wrist and lowered it. Rakan-dit naka nilatri ashivi-ras. Riban te limiru rakol. Her voice took on a slight echo, and Frodo felt a strange feeling wash through his body. His heart suddenly felt lighter and more free than it had in months, and for some reason he no longer feared the Eye of Sauron.

For a few moments, he just stared silently into her large golden eyes. They seemed to catch the light and re�ect it, like a cat's eyes. Then she blinked, smiled, and kissed him on the forehead. She reached over to Sam, took hold of him, and embraced him brie�y. You guys are so brave, she said quietly. I could carry out your task for you, but it was appointed to you, and it's not my place to usurp that. I will, however, give you guidance. She stood up and pointed to the east, past Mount Doom. Sam and Frodo looked in that direction, and were surprised to see some of the clouds suddenly part and melt away. A red sliver of sun was just peeking above the jagged horizon. Go in the direction of the rising sun. You will eventually come to a ruined city with several tunnels leading underground. Enter the one next to the fountain that has a broken sculpture of a dolphin and a winged horse. You will �nd aid there. She began to turn away, but then glanced back. Oh, and don't worry about the Orcs and stuff in Mordor. She extended a hand towards the two Hobbits, and they felt a tingling sensation.

we have to take the Ring to Mount Doom to destroy it, Frodo protested. How will we—?It will be destroyed, she assured him. Just not yet. With a smile, she bid them farewell, rose into the air, and �ew away.

Frodo and Sam stood there, gaping, until the woman had vanished from sight. Then Sam shook himself. Come on, Mr. Frodo! Let's go!

Gollum snarled and hissed to himself as he made his way up the cliffside. Stupid! Stupid, stupid! We have failed, my love No! No love! Master is taking the Precious to the Mountain of Doom to destroy it! He gave a wail of anguish. But we will ambush him, won't we? We will �nds him, and take back the Precious

Suddenly, an invisible force plucked him from the crag, and he found himself slowly �oating down towards a ledge several yards below. He squealed, �ailed, and tried to bite whatever was holding him, but it was as if the air itself had wrapped around him, as intangible as ever.

Hello, Sméagol, a female voice said from below him. He looked in the direction from which it had come, and saw a strange woman with horizontal cat-ears and a furry brown tail. Then he realised that she had pronounced his original name the right way—/smegol'/ instead of /smigol', the way the treacherous Hobbitses had.

Wh—what do you wants with us? he hissed.

She reached up towards him, and he �oated closer to her. I've been wanting to try out the new über-healing spell I developed, she explained. It's a combination of Rayaluan psionic healing, the Healing talent drawn from the True Source, and the Heal spell. Placing a hand on either side of his face, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and there was a bright �ash.

The world seemed to shake. A column of light poured from the sky onto the still-�oating Gollum, and he gasped sharply and shivered uncontrollably as feelings like molten rock and stone-shattering cold rippled through his body. His head was spinning—he was going to fall—he reached out to break his fall, and found himself standing on solid ground. The woman had a hand on his shoulder to help support him, and when he was certain he was not going to lose his balance, she crouched down in front of him.

Feel better? she asked with a friendly smile.

Sméagol shut his eyes and took a deep breath. The voices in his head were gone. The lust for his that had burned in his heart for so long had disappeared. He ran a hand over his scalp and felt that he had actual hair again, for the �rst time in centuries.

can't believe this he said quietly. I feelI don't know how to describe it. It's like I'm—normal again. He opened his eyes and stared at the cat-woman. Everything sincefor so many yearsit feels like it was all a dreamwas I he asked.

It wasn't your fault, Sméagol, the woman said gently. Sauron's Ring of Power has a tendency to corrupt the minds of those with whom it comes in contact. he whispered, feeling his throat tighten. I killedmy own brotherNo. You weren't in control of yourself at that time. The Ring was manipulating you.

He looked at her, bewildered. How do you know all of these things?I have ways of gathering information. She stood up and tucked a lock of dark hair behind one of her long ears. My work here is donefor now. Don't worry yourself, Sméagol. Everything will be all right. I plan to return to Middle-Earth very soon. She gracefully rose into the air, much to the surprise and confusion of the River-Hobbit standing before her.

Wait—! Please don't leave yet! he said quickly. I have nowhere to go. My peoplecast me out. They probably have not forgotten; my kind have long memories. I don't even know ifif they're still there. Sméagol dropped to one knee, clasped his hands in front of his chest, and looked up imploringly at the catlike woman. Catlike? Yes, but El�ike, too. He could remember, now, what Elves looked like. If you take me with you, I will do anything you wishanything to atone for the horrible deeds I did and in payment for what you have done for me.

She smiled radiantly. I need no payment. I will, however, allow you to travel with me for as long as you need. She reached down, took him by the hand, and they sailed up into the sky.