I got a review, and 40 hits on only the first chapter, this is very inspiring. I think I'll write some more right now.
'My thoughts'
Horse talking
"Speech"
Chapter 2: Ears, ears, ears!
Then it set in. 'I'm in freakin' Middle Earth!' If I'm in the middle of the book, or movie or whatever, I have no idea what part I'm in. I could be in "The Hobbit" or something. I had to find what time period this is. If I'm at the begging of 'the fellowship', which I hope I am, I should find four hobbits tumbling down a hill not far from here.
'But which way to go?' I took a deep breath and started walking in a random direction hoping that it was the right way. I started to walk without looking back.
It took at least an hour and a half but I finally got to where I was heading. I believe my intuition actually got me there. I don't usually have such a good sense of direction, hearing, or sight. 'What is happening?'
I hear running footsteps, not too high above me, a minute later followed by four hobbits rolling down the hill.
"Ohh! That was close." I know it was Pippin that said that.
"Ow! I think I've broken something." Merry said as he pulled out a carrot.
They didn't even notice me.
"Trust a Brandybuck and a Took!" Sam said angrily.
"What that was just a detour, a shortcut." Merry defended.
"A shortcut to what?" Sam asked.
"Mushrooms!" Pippin answered cheerily.
Now this is the part where I expected Sam, pippin, and Merry to run over to the mushrooms and start fighting over them, then for Frodo to tell them to get off of the road. But that didn't happen instead Frodo went over to the mushrooms with them.
'What the hell is going on? They'll be killed before they even reach the Prancing Pony, if they don't move.' I had to do something.
I ran up to them. "Get off the road! The Nazgul is coming, hurry!" I ruched out.
I could tell be the looks they gave each other that were skeptical at first, then they heard the screech.
"Get down here, quick." I instructed them quickly. I darted over to the big tree root the would've hidden behind if Frodo had warned them, they all followed without question.
There it was. The Nazgul got off of it's horse and started sniffing around. It's even more creepy in person, I didn't think I'd be this scared if I actually came in contact with one. I was so wrong. Frodo went into a trance-like state and goes for the ring. Thankfully Sam stopped him from going any further.
Merry threw a bag of vegetable, and while the Nazgul looked away we all ran off down the hill, as silently as possible.
"Oh god. That was too close." I sighed.
"What was that?" Merry asked out of breath.
"The Nazgul. He was searching for something, I believe Frodo knows." I replied.
Frodo continued to stare at the ring and say nothing.
"And who are you fair maiden?" Pippin asked.
"Oh, I'm Aerin." I replied. (eye-ren) "But you can call me Rin. I'm-" I started to say something, but sam cut me off.
"-an elf." He said amazed.
"Excuse me?" I was beyond confused. 'Me an elf? Yeah, right. Only in my wildest, greatest dreams.'
"You're an elf. Your ears are the ears of an elf." He stated simply while gesturing at my right ear.
I slowly reached my hand up towards my right ear and felt the tip. I snatched my hand back to my side quickly, my ear was pointed. I wanted to scream, but I knew if I did the Nazgul would hear, so I just let out a quiet gasp.
"I'm an elf? Holy shit. No way, it can't be." I was a little scared.
They looked confused, and I knew what they were probably thinking, 'how could someone not know that they are an elf?'.
"Well, that would explain the improved hearing, and sight." I said more to myself.
This had to be a dream. Some crazy, far-fetched dream from deep inside my imagination. I knew I was adopted, but I couldn't be from Middle Earth. It just didn't add up. Somebody here had to know what was happening to me. And then I knew it. Gandalf.
I took a deep breath and decided, I had to go to Rivendell with the hobbits, if I wanted to talk to Gandalf.
Later, Frodo finally spoke up, it was nightfall. We just saw the Nazgul turn and leave.
"I have to leave the Shire. Sam and I must get to Bree." He said.
"Right. Buckleberry Ferry. Follow me." Merry said, and then took off running, followed by us.
'Oh great. More running.' I thought.
We running, running, and running some more. But I knew what was coming next, the Nazgul jumped out from behind some bushes, and separated us from Frodo. I would have gone back for him, but I knew he would make it so I continued to run.
Once the rest of us were on the ferry, Frodo was still being chased. Something wasn't right. The Nazgul was gaining on him faster than in the movie. 'He's not going to make it.' I thought.
"Jump Frodo! Go on faster! Jump!." The hobbits encouraged. It wasn't helping in the least. Frodo took the jump, he wouldn't make it no way. I threw my hands up, and directing all of my energy towards Frodo.
He was suspended in the air. I pulled him onto the Ferry. I heaved a great sigh of relief when the Nazgul didn't make the jump. I was so relieved that at first I didn't know that the hobbits were staring at me, until Merry spoke up.
"What are you?" He asked. I sensed a little anger in his tone, and also a bit of fright.
"Gee, you're welcome Merry. It was no problem at all saving Frodo's life. And not to mention all of you from the Nazgul." I replied rather coldly.
"You did not answer the question. What are you?" He bit back just as harshly.
"First of all, I am not a what. I am a human being, and I don't appreciate being referred to like some sort of circus sideshow freak. And second of all, if you must know, I am a witch." I answered losing part of my attitude at the last sentence.
He didn't say anything, he just went over and sat with Pippin and Sam. Frodo was sitting a few feet away from me, not speaking, and not looking up. I distinctly heard their conversation.
"There's something strange about that girl." Merry whispered to the other two.
"Maybe it's because she's and elf, and a witch." Sam suggested.
"Speaking of that how could someone not know that they are an elf." Merry questioned.
"I think she's nice. She saved Frodo's life, and ours too. She didn't harm us in any way. We don't have any reason not to trust her." Pippin defended me. I couldn't help but smile to myself.
"She came from nowhere. And how does she know our names. She could be working for the enemy. " Merry said.
"I don't think she is. And neither does Pippin. That's good enough for me." Sam stated matter-of-factly.
"Fine. What does Frodo think?" Merry said, not wanting be defeated.
They all looked over at Frodo and so did I. He hadn't said anything for a while, and nobody bothered him. When they turned back to each other and started a new conversation Frodo turned and gave me a smile that said 'thanks', and I returned it.
We finally made it to Bree, we headed for the gate. The gate keeper greeted us rudely.
"What do you want?" He asked Frodo, who had knocked.
"We're heading for the Prancing Pony." Frodo replied.
The gatekeeper surveyed the group. His eyes lingered on me for a few seconds longer. I knew why. How often do you see a girl pass through ME, wearing a short skirt barely down to her knees, and a halter top on? He probably thought I was in my under clothes or something.
"Hobbits! Four hobbits!" the gatekeeper started.
"I'm here too, ya know. I'm not a hobbit." I pointed out.
"No, you're a witch." Merry said quietly nad coldly. Apparently no one heard him, but me. I resisted the urge to step on his foot.
He ignored that I had even spoken. He couldn't see my ears, if he had he would've assumed that I was elf. While we were still on the Ferry I had let my hair out of it's long black ponytail and made sure it hung over my ears to hide them.
"What business brings you to Bree?' He asked.
"We wish to stay at the inn. Our business is our own." Frodo answered.
"Alright young sir, I meant no offense. It's my job o ask questions after nightfall. There's talk of strange folk abroad. Can't be too careful." The gatekeeper said . He opened the gate and let us in.
A few minutes later we got to the Prancing Pony, no sign of Gandalf. We decide to sit in the pub and wait to see if he shows. Any minute now Sam would notice Aragorn, I mean 'Strider', in the dark corner. No sooner than I thought this, Sam nudged Frodo said something to him and nodded towards the corner.
Frodo stopped Butterbur as he walks by, to question him.
"Excuse me, that man in the corner who is he?" Frodo asked.
"He's one of them rangers. Dangerous folk they are…wandering in the wild. What is right name is I've never heard, here he's known as Strider." Butterbur replied.
"Strider…" Frodo took it all in.
The next thing that happened went by so fast it seemed like a blur. Frodo was calling to Pippin. He slipped on some water, and when he tried to catch the ring it fell on his finger. Everybody gasped when he disappeared right before everybody's faces. I knew Sauron was talking to him by means of the ring, trying to get inside his head. He reappeared as quickly as he disappeared and 'Strider' grabs him.
"You draw far too much attention to yourself Mr. Underhill!" he told Frodo.
Once the hobbits and I get up the stairs Frodo is on the floor with Aragorn standing over him. I had to suppress at giggle and them confronting him with a stool, and a candelabra.
"Let him go! Or I'll have you Longshanks." Sam threatened.
"You have a stout heart little hobbit, but that will not save you. You are no longer with the wizard, Frodo. They're coming." He warned. I know he saw come in with them, but he didn't even acknowledge my presence. I have no clue why.
We went to another inn, to avoid being attacked. After all of the hobbit's are asleep, I can't, I see 'Strider' sitting at the window staring at the rain. I pull up a chair to the window also. At first there is silence, then he speaks.
"What is your name? What is your business with the hobbits?" He questioned, suspicion apparent in his voice.
"I was wondering when you were going to start bombarding me with questions, Arargorn. My name is Aerin Sanderson, and I'm a witch. And frankly I have no idea why or how I got to Middle Earth." I replied never looking at him, only at the rain. I've always loved the rain.
"How do you know my name?' he asked shocked that I called him by his name, and not 'Strider' like the others.
I finally took my gaze off of the rain and looked him straight in the eye.
"I know at lot about you. I know a lot about everyone in this room, and the dangers they will encounter on their quest to destroy the ring. But you, I've always been fascinated with. Of course I know about you, Aragorn son of Arathorn. Isilduir's heir. Heir to the throne of Gondor. Such a shame that Lord Denethor, a steward, is in control. But you also in love with Arwen Undomiel of Rivendell." I told him never looking away from his eyes.
"How do you know all of this?" he asked me.
"One of my special abilities. But I'm not gonna talk more about it until I get a chance to speak with Gandalf personally. Good night 'Strider'." I said before going back over to my bed and drifting off to sleep.