DISCLAIMER: I do not own the fabulous works of the Lord of the Rings. If I did do you think I'd be writing this? Anything you recognize as Tolkien's or of Tamora Pierce (I highly recommend that you read her books!) is not mine. All I own is Vaitya.

A/N: for those who are confused (I'm really sorry about that by the way) Vaitya is a half-elf. Her mother was from Mirkwood which will come up in later chapters and her father was obviously a man. You'll know about him later too. She was raised by her parents friend Tilly, the head cook. Hope that helps a little.

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Chapter 2: Mr. Under-the-hill

Instead of just one person short today we are short 3. In other words it is hectic around here. The thing that confuses me is that why did I ever want to be a waiter in the first place? I can't ask if everything is to their liking or what not. I've been working the room for about an hour when 4 drenched hobbits come through the door looking overwhelmed. I over hear part of the conversation while I was wiping a table across the room. Sometimes these ears come in handy. They go tentatively to the front desk. Mr. Butterbur makes his introduction included with asking their names.

"Underhill," one says hurriedly. He seems to be the leader, "My name's Underhill."

"Underhill," Butterbur repeats. They hobbits have not only caught his curiosity but mine as well. It was not what he said but the way he said it that had me skeptical.

I was not able to hear the rest of the conversation as I was called away to take some orders from a nearby table. Coincidentally I was given the hobbit's dining table to serve. I walked up with my note pad pointing at the menu, signaling that they should choose what they wanted.

"Hello, how are you?" the leader said.

I wrote fine thanks, and you? On my notepad and showed it to him. He looked surprised but answered in kind.

"Why is it that you can't talk? Or do you just not want to?" Asked the littlest.

I smiled writing, I can't. I'm a mute.

"Oh. My name's Pippin. This is Merry, Sam, and-" he started to say but the leader butted in.

"Underhill. You can call me Underhill," he said.

My name's Vaitya I wrote, a little skeptical at Underhill's attitude, do you know what you would like to eat?

After I had brought them their food I left to attend to my other tables. One, of which, included a ranger named Strider. He is not evil as many like to think just strange. I have known him for a few years. We met back when his horse was badly hurt. I tended to it and instead of coin I asked for stories about his adventures. I started to teach him sign language because of the language barrier being such a hassle and thus our slight friendship began. It isn't a close thing but it suits us just fine, as he tends to come and go at will. I go over to his table with a slight smile on my face.

"Good to see you," I sign, "what can I get for you today?"

"It's wonderful to see you again too. I don't need anything. I'm fine thank you."

That's the nice thing about our "friendship" I don't ask about his past and he doesn't ask about mine. Very convenient on my part. I'm about to walk away when he calls me back.

"Wait Vaitya. Could you tell me about those hobbits? Did you hear what they were saying to Butterbur?"

"From the shire, I think. They are not from around here. Their names are Merry, Pippin, and Sam." I say.

"There are 4 hobbit's. You only named 3," smart as a whip this one. Never misses a beat.

"The 4th one calls himself Underhill. No first name. I thinks he's hiding something."

"Thank you," he says watching the hobbits.

"Sure."

I go back to work. Following my chat with Strider I hear the hobbit Sam voice his doubts about him. As I stroll past them Mr. Underhill grabs a hold of my skirt forcing me to stop next to him.

"That man in the corner. What's his name?" he asks.

I don't know his real name but he goes by the name of Strider. He is a ranger from the wild, I write, don't believe what other people tell you about him.

Mr. Underhill and his companion did not look convinced. I'm not here to persuade them or anything so I go back to work. The little one, as I like to call him, is talking to some men at the bar. They don't look like the best crowd to be hanging with but with everyone around they will not try anything.

I admit that I drifted off more then I normally do but I swear that no one was in front of me to begin with! I am normally light-footed! He just popped out of no where! I go crashing down throwing the glasses overhead as I trip over the mysterious Underhill. I look up in time to see that the dishes are about to collapse on top of us. Without thinking I grab two handfuls of air and pushed them under the mugs to hold them up.

Hun, did I forget to mention that I have a, uh, "special" connection with weather? No? Well now you know. They stop inches from my face. I'm too shocked to fight off the jerk I receive from behind, bringing me to my feet. The room is in an uproar, being overcome with what I guess you could call confusion, I let the goblets drop, making them clatter on the floor.

"You draw far too much attention to yourself, Mr. Underhill," a voice behind me says.

I am dragged up the stairs to the upper rooms and am rudely pushed in to one by no other then Strider.

"What do you want?" the hobbit asks.

"Strider, wha-" I start to sign.

"A little more caution from both of you," he said ignoring me and turning to Underhill said, "That is no trinket you carry."

"I carry nothing."

"Indeed. I can avoid being seen if I want," he was going around the chamber dousing every light but the fire, "but to disappear entirely. Now that is a rare gift."

Sense he seems to be talking only to the hobbit so I try to quietly leave.

"I am not done with you yet, Vaitya," darn he saw me, "What you did is no small matter. We need to talk about that when there is time."

"Talk about what?"

He ignores me, as usual, and continues with the hobbit.

"Who are you?" Mr. Underhill asks, more then a little scared.

"Are you frightened?" Strider asks.

"No his eyes are going to fall out because he saw a bug," I say sarcastically knowing that Strider will overlook my words.

"Yes," well, well he is an honest tiny guy.

"Not nearly frightened enough. I know what haunts you."

Suddenly the door burst open to Merry, Sam, and Pippin holding various makeshift weapons.

"Let him go or I'll have you on shanks!" Sam threatens.

Strider puts down his sword saying, "You have a stout heart little hobbit. But that will not save you." He turns to Mr. Underhill; "You can't wait for the wizard Frodo. They're coming."

Wizard? Who's coming? I am really lost here.

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A/N: Okay. More background which you hear about in this chapter for all who are more confused. Vaitya is a weather witch. She had a connection too it and is able to yield it with great caution. She gets this from her mother. If you need more info on this magic ask me or read the books by Tamora Pierce. Thanks for reading! Please review now!

-me, your author