A Matter of When
Pathways Unseen

Through the mischief of two Hobbits Rick discovers his family line travels further back than he could have imagined.

~~~~~~~

The silence was getting to him, he knew. Rick pretended for the sake of his pride that it didn't. It didn't seem to bother anyone else after all, even the little guys, so why should it bug him? And that wasn't to say he was afraid, really. Just cautious. There was something very strange about this place, even if the others made no mention. Something very odd indeed, a sentiment shared by Gandalf, or so Rick liked to think. There was something in those wise blue eyes that had taken in the land only an hour previous. A thing lost to him now as he smoked on his pipe and stared at the cooling wood in the center of their small camp.

Rick inhaled deeply and scratched through his stubble, wondering if he couldn't just take that dagger Lord Elrond have leant him and shave with it. How dignified, he thought, stretching against a tree to crack his back. He certainly couldn't picture any of those Elves doing any such thing and all the human men seemed to have beards.

Even such carefree thought as that could not make Rick feel any more comfortable with his surroundings, though. What was it that nagged at his mind so relentlessly, anyway? A sweep of the area gave no clue. The sky was the color it should be, the trees shivered in the light breeze. It was not the vision of this Hollin that disturbed him.

"What do you make of this place?" Even his voice seemed to carry unnaturally loud in the atmosphere.

Gandalf's eyes slid from the dead fire to his with a knowing. He removed his pipe and glanced around them. "For long years this place has been devoid of people, but still it seems strangely quiet. But it is early yet to make sudden judgments. We should begin again very soon."

That last seemed to dishearten the Hobbits, who still ate merrily and soaked up the rest offered after their long, seemingly endless trek from Rivendell. But they remained in good cheer and Rick kept his own mindfulness of his mood. His eyes traveled the companions over with interest, but the true destination of his sight was only one of them. Why this Frodo and his magic ring held such a fascination, Rick couldn't be sure, but he shrugged it off every time he examined why. After all, this little person held on a necklace around his throat something more dangerous than any weapon Rick had ever wielded or heard of. Why shouldn't he be curious?

"And when we begin again, where shall our journey take us?" The Dwarf's firm-toned question jarred Rick from his thoughts only too soon. He looked up at Gimli, who sat near the wizard with a glint in his eyes. "The Gap of Rohan would take us a fair stride past our destination and the Redhorn Pass will be watched. The crebain1 surely attest to that."

The old man narrowed his brow thoughtfully. "Many paths on this journey will be dangerous, Gimli. Despite the danger of spies, my choice would still lie with the Redhorn Pass, whatever perils we would meet. Some ways are less dangerous than others."

"Indeed, they are," Gimli agreed quickly, leaning an elbow on his knee and nodding. "Which is why I have another suggestion. The home of my cousin is beneath the treacherous path over Caradras, Gandalf. What path could be safer than that of my people? A good rest and a stout beer would do any of us good." Of all the companions Pippin brightened the most at this thought. "Such a welcome we would not forget and loathe to leave would be given us."

To Rick that sounded good, really good, but Gandalf seemed to have something else in mind as he mulled it over. He seemed a bit uncomfortable if the ex-Legionnaire had anything to say about it, but as always his answer did not betray one way or another his secrets. "That choice is ahead of us still and need not be made right now."

Rick grinned and patted one of his sidearms. "I still say you should have let me blow every one of those birds to hell."

Gandalf gave him an ironic little look and pulled himself from the ground. "An interesting tale they would have spun to their master, of an arrow that could not be seen and that bore no tail. Come, let us begin again. We have still a long journey ahead of us and a more precarious trip it has already become."

The Hobbits grumbled, two of them, but Frodo remained silent as he stood. Gandalf immediately took the lead when all had been gathered and all the company appeared ready to leave. Gimli followed closely after and upon the wind Rick heard more talk of the Dwarf's kin beneath the mountain. Merry and Sam hovered close to the young-seeming Hobbit that bore the Ring, but Frodo in the end took up behind them. Rick came to his side. "Hey," he began conversationally, looking down. "Get a good rest?"

Frodo offered a smile. "As good as this journey will allow, I think. What about you? Are you accustomed to this sort of adventure where you're from?"

"Not exactly." The ex-Legionnaire inhaled the fresh air and thought of home. Adventure, yes. That he was well acquainted with. His adventures had begun with thievery with an old orphanage mate called Izzy, seeing him one night sleeping in an alley and the next beside belly dancers, rich young girls and even rich ones a decade and a half older than himself. Then came the Legion to repay a debt when he had gotten caught. That had taught him how to behave with the so-called decent folk, but after he had deserted that his business had returned to the shadier sort of work. Yes, he was in good with adventure, but not heroism. "I've been around. Seen my fair share of things." He looked down once more. "What about you? What brings you on this type of journey? I mean, no offence, but I would have pictured a warrior handling this. Of course, most of this world is weird to me. What do I know?"

The Hobbit hopped over a fallen branch that Rick easily strode over. "The Ring came to my uncle, Bilbo. Gandalf says that Hobbits seem more able to resist the temptations of using the Ring. At Elrond's home the Men, Elves and Dwarves all argued over what was to be done with the Ring until finally Elrond revealed what he knew to be the right course. To take the Ring to Mordor. My uncle offered to take it, but he's old. Gandalf told him to stay at Rivendell and finish his book." Frodo smiled with the memory, but the choice that had brought him here still haunted his eyes, a looming fear of the future. "My uncle asked then who would take it and when no one replied…I don't know. Something inside me told me to do it. It sounds silly, doesn't it? But I did what I thought was right. And Elrond agreed."

It might have sounded silly in another tale, one so small making such an offer, but even as small and unthreatening as he was, there seemed to be a certain amount of timid bravery about Frodo. There was fear there, but certainty that he knew he must do what was right. "Doesn't sound silly," O'Connell replied, glancing down at that chain. "It was a noble thing you did. I'm not sure I could have made the same choice in your position." Rick hoped fervently that this bravery didn't get the Hobbit killed.

"One so brave as you?" Frodo asked, looking up. "With that…what did you call it? Gun? With that I should think you would be able to handle lots of danger. Tell me about that fair share of things you say you have seen."

At that Rick gave him a half-grin and cocked his head. "It was nothing so glamorous as saving the world. I used to be a thief."

Sometimes when O'Connell found his vision wandering down that silvery chain Frodo wore around his neck, the Hobbit would catch him. There would be a tense moment between them, an uncertainty born of his newness to the Hobbit's company and the grave burden he bore. Now just as if he had thought of the Ring Frodo looked on him with a momentary wonder of what would happen should this strange human try to take what was not his to have. But there was no proof for it and Rick hoped he exuded enough goodness of his presense to put the Hobbit at ease. He would never interfere with something so important as this. Frodo shrugged aside his worries and shared Rick's expression. "A thief? Why ever would you want to do something like that?"

Rick looked up towards the others and exhaled softly with a fondness of his memories. Good or bad, those had been the days. "'Cause sometimes a man doesn't know what to do, other than what life throws at him."

That statement seemed to strike a chord in Frodo, who nodded and allowed his uncertainty to fade a bit more. O'Connell couldn't help but feel again that this task was unfairly placed.

~~~~~~~

The light was fading and with it would come another cool night for their travel. The walking got the blood to stirring and kept him somewhat warmed, but being accustomed to the desert bringing heat during the daylight hours, Ardeth could not get used to the constant crisp breeze that only grew cooler in the night. Winter was settling into the country to the west, which kept this well-forested area of what Boromir called 'The Old Forest Road' well chilled both during the day and the night.

He saw this as the reason he did not feel well and paid the stinging cut on the base of his throat no mind other than the irritation it provided. He thought of his family, of his father and cousins and mother, wondering what had befallen them. Days had passed and his worry had increased. He was blind to their fates with no hope of knowing and it frustrated him.

No one had come seeking them after the attack of the wraiths and it was Boromir's thought that they would probably meet them on the High Pass or somewhere down on the eastern side of the Misty Mountains, but no such luck had met them. They were alone in finding Lothlorien.

Ahead of him was the Gondorian, paving the way through the thick trees and choosing the easiest paths. They had turned south from the road over the pass and now made their way parallel to a rushing river that Ardeth could hear calling to his left, on towards a place called 'Gladden Fields' where he suspected their destination would be near to. After they had turned off the road the forest had grown steadily denser, causing the wandering three to have to push and shove their way through to make a way. This was a definite contrast to the openness of his homeland. An irritating contrast. Ardeth had not been out of Egypt much in his life and these forested areas were different to him—beautiful, but not home. He felt alone in this alien world, like he was wandering through a dream. Not merely once had he considered this was some sort of spell Imhotep had laid on them. Perhaps he was still in Egypt upon some bed or in the sand, unconscious but home. Or perhaps he and O'Connell had died within Hamunaptra and this was Heaven…or Hell. He couldn't imagine it being either of those, however.

Ardeth brushed a tree from his way, trudging through the crunch of fallen leaves with the hope that Gladden Fields was not too far away. A sudden thwap of a branch and a muttered curse yanked him out of his solemn thoughts. The Hobbit behind glared and rubbed his cheek. "I was feeling a bit hungry, but somehow I don't think tree was what my stomach had in mind."

The Med-Jai stepped aside so the Hobbit wasn't at the rear and Merry passed him quick enough. "I am sorry, my friend. I was lost to my thoughts."

"Yeah," Merry groused, pushing another branch out of his way. "I know the feeling. Boy, what I wouldn't give to be back at home, nestled in my bed. I'd even put up with Pip's nonsense if I could just get some decent sleep for once. When we meet up if he tells me he slept in one bed since the breakup I'll give him something to cry about."

Ardeth grinned and stopped when he and the Hobbit caught up with a now stationary Boromir. The red-haired warrior inhaled deeply and looked around the dimming forest. "I think by night we need not worry for being watched, especially in so think a forest as this. We could chance walking in the open near the shores of the river and perhaps be safe. I am weary of these trees."

"Yeah, likewise," the Hobbit agreed moodily. "Weary of pushing them and eating them!" And without waiting he began towards the east.

The warrior and the Med-Jai exchanged glances, then began to follow after. "I shall keep first watch if you wish," Boromir offered after a short span. "You look tired."

Ardeth brushed a hand across his face and shook his head, side-stepping a tree. "No, I offered to take it when we stopped. I will do it. I'm sure it is nothing." Two hazel eyes met his in unspoken concern, but Boromir said nothing more of it. Unconsciously Bay rubbed his fingers over the little cut marring him, the only wound still fresh after that night. That blade had nicked him good. But he could not afford to worry over it now. It was nothing he had not suffered before. Ignoring it again, the Med-Jai looked his companion over thoughtfully. "I do not suppose you will tell me more of this quest."

The other seemed uncertain, but his choices gave over to something else in his mind besides what Elrond had counseled. Boromir looked into ahead with a now subdued expression and Ardeth had a hunch this quest meant more to him than an assignment given to a skilled fighter. "This quest is important to you," Ardeth said after a handful of moments passed and Boromir nodded.

"Many years have we kept the evils of Mordor at bay," he began, looking down at the ground as if he saw something else. "Many years. Too many. Last year three children wandered alone into the forests in eastern Gondo and went missing for many days…perhaps a week at best. We sent soldiers into the wilds and when we finally found them we discovered that someone else had already gotten to them. Orcs. Creatures of Sauron had found these innocent babes and left little to tell the tale. After that, and even before to be truthful, my people's faith began to fall. That is why we quest. To destroy Sauron's power. Frodo carries his Ring."

Ardeth found he could sympathize with the bothered tone this warrior used. He could remember well the worries of his own people, the wars with other desert tribes and the causalities resulting from them. What would the Med-Jai be like with no hope? The auburn-haired man looked up at him with a sorrowful resolve written in his eyes. "You are their king?" Bay assumed and the other shook his head.

"Gondor has no king," he replied a little gruffly, but conceded to something he wasn't speaking off. "My father is the steward of my country, the closest thing we've had to a king in many centuries. I will be the next steward if the throne remains unclaimed." That drew a certain glare to his eyes, but he made no explanation of the feelings within.

In this tale Ardeth found he was not so different than this man. They both carried the same promise of destiny, that when their fathers could rule no more the responsibility would fall to them. He could understand the drive to see this quest done and this dark lord's power ended. The same drive he had for keeping Hamunaptra quiet and Imhotep in his grave.

They remained quiet on the rest of the short trip through the forest and apart from the water splashing so near Ardeth thought he could hear singing bleed through the trees to where they walked. When they came to the edge of the forest Merry stopped and looked around in wonder. "You hear that? Sounds like Elves."

"Aye," Boromir agreed, searching through the darkness until they saw a light to the south. He pointed towards the telltale sign so near and yet so far. "A camp of Elves, no doubt. I wonder what has brought them out here."

"Could we be near Lothlorien?" Ardeth asked, gazing ahead at the blatant light that came from the camp. It was not orange as a fire would paint, but as if a star had fallen. It was blinding almost and he squinted his eyes.

The Gondorian shook his head, but conceded his uncertainty. "I confess I know not where the Golden Forest is, but I had thought we had days before us." He paused a moment and looked at Ardeth. "Are you unwell?"

Bay denied his discomfort as weariness and focused instead on his companions. "I'm fine. Should we meet them?"

They stood in silence for a moment, listening to the fair and clear voices, until Merry spoke up. "Well, I don't know about you two, but I'd feel a bit safer in the company of Elves. They know this area and are good folk. Perhaps they would be willing to give us directions. Maybe even Gandalf is with them?"

Boromir nodded as he stared off in their direction. "Perhaps your counsel is the wisest we could heed. I think our friend of the east could use a good rest near a fire as well. We will meet the Elves."

The three companions of the broken Fellowship each agreed and set off to the south with music growing in their ears. The light seemed true and pure and knowing this world Ardeth imagined that under starlight Elves became mythical pixies or some other such western fairytale. This place grew normal enough to his senses but once in a while it would hit him just how strange it truly could be and he had not even gotten his first look at an Orc yet.

As the camp neared so did his discomfort with the light. The singing ended on a beautiful note when the three of the Fellowship came into view and he could see a few of the tall willowy beings stand to greet the strangers. A single form made way towards them, her dress shining and white and her familiar face puzzled, but warm. "Three of you come, but where are the others? We had thought you were ahead of us, not behind."

Boromir bowed his head and Ardeth followed suit. The auburn warrior spoke up. "Lady Arwen. This is indeed a strange meeting. In truth we were set upon by Wraiths and lost the other half of our Fellowship in the woods before the High Pass. We kept to the woods to remain out of the sight of spies and hoped to meet the others, but so far we have not. We decided to chance the shore and in so doing, found you. We hope for at least some direction."

The Elven lady looked into their tired faces with a soft smile. "That we can give and more. Come camp with us." Ardeth watched her deep blue eyes fall upon him and almost looked away at the beauty and light. "My father is gifted with great foresight and felt it wise to send a company of my people to Lothlorien to be sure the Fellowship arrived without fail. I see now why. Are you weary, Ardeth Bay?"

"That's what we've been telling him," Merry supplied for Ardeth before the Med-Jai could speak. "I say he should come back to the Shire with me and have at some of the Old Gaffer's brew, My Lady. That would set him up straight."

Arwen smiled gently at the Hobbit and nodded her head. "I do not doubt that, Master Brandybuck, from the tales I have heard from Mr. Baggins." Her gaze swept Bay over again, seeming a little graver than her mood let on. "But unfortunately my father's brewers have not yet grasped the recipe Bilbo approximated to them. Perhaps rest would do as well, Master Bay?" She held out her fair hand.

He took it, though his knowledge of western delicacy told him it might not be appropriate. He was tired, nothing more. A rest would do him good. "You have my thanks," he replied with a half-lidded gaze that knitted her perfect brow.

"Come," she urged them all and all three settled gratefully with the few Elves gathered around. "Whatever ails you, healing will be found within our company."

~~~~~~~

Author: Ruse – jedinineofnine@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: No infringement intended. Naseen and Salih are mine.
Feedback: Yes! By all means, my precioussss, lemme know how I'm doing!
Archive: Sure, just please let me know if you will, so I can stop by and see your site.

A/N: So sorry for keeping everyone waiting…I had to fight myself for ideas on where to take this section because it wasn't covered in the movie and I wasn't sure how much to cover the whole "Hollin" part here either without being too repetitive of the book's stuff or the bird scene in the movie.

In the book it was Aragorn that was quite uncomfortable with the idea and while Gandalf seemed to share his sentiments, he seemed more open to the idea than in the movie. So, which Aragorn not there to express his loathe to enter Moria…hmmm.

1. crebain - black crows that live in Dunland and Fangorn Forest that serve as spies to Mordor.

Reviewers:

Soul – Thanks for the reviews! I'm glad you liked this little story. :-D

Karri – Yeah, somehow they just seemed like they would click to me. ;-) At least Movie!Legolas anyway. :-D Thanks, my friend!

Sigil – Doh! The Sindar dictionary I have said it meant 'wizard'. One can't trust anyone these days. ;-) Sheesh. I knew I was bound to get something off. Thanks for pointing that out! :-) And thanks for the review! As for another crossover…oye, it's rough just getting this one to cooperate! :-D Lol. Though there were some paths I would have also liked to have explored…I'd love to see Imhotep's take on Middle-earth. I was telling a friend that I bet the Elves could make him a real gentleman by the end of it! :-D

JadeiteZ – Thanks! I'm having fun with my little thoughts on Jonny and Legolas's friendship. :-D I think they'd be an interesting duo. :-) I'm very pleased you like!

Patty – I'm sure Leggy can take Jonny on, but we'll have to see! ;-D Thanks! Hope you continue to enjoy!

Marxbros – Hehe..you could have seen some chemistry at that. Mmm…with him, how could one not? ;-) Ah, he's beautiful. And no, I don't hate Rick/Evy. Just not my usual style. :-) Though I am currently thinking up a Rick/Evy story, if one could believe that. :-O Miracles can happen. Thank you muchly for your compliments, my friend. :-D I'm glad everyone liked the Jonathan and Legolas friendship angle and I'm glad Ardeth's pappy went over well.

Marcher – Thank you muchly, my friend…I'm happy you enjoyed this! :-D Yessir, Jonny has himself a new friend fond of the drink.

Esmerelda – Thanks for giving it a shot and offering your feedback on it. :-) I'm glad I did well enough to keep you interested!

Chianna – Hey! No, I don't mind, I love when people read my work. :-) Thanks for recommending it! Yeah, I'll try to delve into Aragorn…trying to delve into everyone somewhat…don't like leaving people out! So many characters when added together! :-D Thanks for the review as well! :-D

Deana – Thankie, my friend! Yes, I'm sure Abdul looks a fair shade like Ardeth. ;-) I'm glad you liked it! And well, I never write Ardeth as a Chieftain in my stories. ;-) Not sure why, really. :-O

Mommints – Thanks for the compliments on everything…I'm happy you liked it well! :-) Ah, Aragorn does have amazing eyes, doesn't he? ;-) Mmmm. I wish to God Two Towers was out on DVD! Anyway, on that offer of throwing around some scenes, sounds cool to me! I'm not all that great at fight scenes though. :-O And on "gray eyes" in Speak Softly, well, I wasn't meaning to turn Nabil into an evil priest, honest! ;-) At the moment I was watching Children of Dune and fell in love with Leto Atreides II and he had blue eyes…but I didn't want to have everyone in my tale have blue or brown eyes…so I thought gray. ;-)