Wanderer

Well, here goes nothing. This is my very first fanfic so I'm a little nervous about it. I've been a lurker for a while and finally decided to take the plunge and write something.  I based the main character on my idea of a 33 year old Aragorn, but he isn't exactly the same.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own this plot or any of the characters except my main character who isn't even in this chapter.

Chapter One

"I trust that your preparations are complete." The drow wizard swallowed, his mouth suddenly paper dry. This particular matron mother was known for her cruelty, and if angered, could be merciless. He licked his lips and nervously stammered,

"V-very nearly, Dread Mistress, it should only be a matter of-"

"Do not test my patience, iblith!" the matron interrupted angrily. She tossed her silver hair and continued arrogantly, "Would you have me wait? I, the terror of all the Underdark? The dark queen of shadow?" The wizard quailed under her gaze and said quickly,

"Of…of course not, my mistress,"

"Then proceed. I wish to see this being whom my agents say can stop my great rise." The wizard decided to try and place himself back into the drow woman's good graces.

"I do not believe anyone could stop you now, great Valsharess," he said, bowing low. The matron mother, mollified by the use of the title, continued in a less harsh tone.

"So I had thought. But, my agents have resources beyond the means of mortals. This one will be my undoing, so they say…if I do not act in time." She seemed lost in contemplation for a moment, but quickly recovered and snapped at the male, "So proceed, wizard. I will wait no further." The wizard nodded fearfully and nodded to the other wizards standing around the room. They began to chant as they formed a circle; each was enveloped by fire and the gold silhouette of a giant spider appeared on the floor in a burst of light. The spider faded, leaving a red pentacle on the floor. The shape of a man appeared in the center, surrounded by a ring of blue fire. The matron mother blinked to rid herself of the dots dancing in her vision, then strode over to the pentacle to have a good look at her adversary. The transparent image of a ruggedly handsome man dressed in weather beaten clothes looked back at her. "A surfacer! And a male, no less," she said to herself scornfully. Suddenly, she whipped around and grabbed the head wizard by the throat. "What is this!" she demanded, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "Have your spells become faulty, fool?" The drow wheezed as she cruelly tightened her grip.

"N-no…mistress…please!" he managed to choke out. The Valsharess held him for a moment longer before letting him go. The wizard massaged his throat before continuing. "This is indeed an image of the one who shall defeat you." The matron, suddenly furious, threw a ball of red fire at him. The wizard only had time for a surprised look before he crumpled to the floor, dead. The matron stepped over his body, shooting him a last disgusted look.

"I shall not be defeated!" she whispered menacingly, before facing the remaining wizards in the room. "This image shows but a threat, and it shall be dealt with like the others." She turned to the closest wizard. "You. Male. Remove this dead fool and summon my Red Sisters," she snapped. The matron mother walked back over to the image as the male hurried to do her bidding. She had no doubt that the surfacer had witnessed everything tonight. The image's eyes looked a little shocked, but otherwise he was motionless. Still, he would probably pass it off as a dream. Surfacers tended to be ignorant that way. She studied him more closely. Dark hair framed stormy eyes in a tanned face. A human, and by the look of him, possibly a Ranger. He was certainly rugged enough, and he looked as though he was capable of using the bow slung across his back. "Hmm…" she whispered to herself. A most unlikely adversary. Still, he was no match for her Red Sisters, the best assassins in the Underdark. She addressed the human male confidently. "And you, surfacer, whoever you are and whatever threat you pose, you will not be able to hide. The drow shall strike swiftly, and without mercy." The matron muttered the words that would break the spell and watched as the image faded away. She permitted herself a slight smile. With luck, the human would be dead before morning.

Please review and tell me what you think! If you have to flame, fine, but tell me how to make it better. The next chapter should be posted soon.