A/N: I am so incredibly sorry that this has taken so long to get out! I have had a wee bit of writer's block—nothing that any of you need to worry about, I have now fixed it. But wouldn't you know it, fanfiction has updated their system and my Internet has not let me on to the sight at all! I mean do you believe my rotten luck? So I have had to update my entire Internet connection just to post this! Argh…

I really appreciate you guys sticking with me for this long! But, I just want to warn you, there is no ending in sight. Not even a pit stop! This, more than likely, is going to go through all of the books and then maybe a sequel…. So hang onto your butts! This is going to be one loooong ride!

*~*~*

I sat back with a content sigh, "That, Sam, had to be the most fatting meal I have had in about three years. Not to mention the best meal! Damn! You are good!"

"Thank you. Although this is just a travel meal, you should try some of my cooking when you are at my home. Ah, so many taters and veggitables. My mouth is watering just thinking about…"

I just kept grinning at him and leaned back on the log and looked up into the sky. It was really amazing how many stars there really were. I mean I don't know if it was so different because I was in a different world—I mean I would kinda think that some things would have to change. But, then again living in the city there are always so many lights that it is very difficult to see any stars even the brightest ones. It really was awe-inspiring. I gave another long sigh, I think just to hear myself and what do you know? I let out a very long and a very loud belch!

I sat straight up and turned a violent shade of red, "Um, see that's what good food will do to a person! Excuse me…"

I hung my head and then glanced up at the others through my curtain of hair. All of them were staring at me as if they had never seen me before and then broke into outrageous laughter.

I grinned a little; "It was funny. Okay, very funny!" I joined in with that laughter and pretty soon we were laughing so hard we were crying. "Okay, maybe it wasn't that funny…" But, then again, over the past I have not had much to laugh at, other than my own unavoidable stupidity.

I stood up amid the gales of laughter and stretched, "I think I am going to go check on my stuff."

I wandered over to the bush were I had flung my now-found supplies. Seeing as they were still soaked, when we had reached camp again I had flung them over the bush to dry. All of the guys had looked at me very strangely.

"What? It's easier to scrap the mud and grime off if it is dry. That way you don't get a muddy mess—only a dusty one. Duh!"

I walked over and grabbed my backpack. Yep, still soaked. Soaked enough to still be dripping all over my somewhat clean pants! I quickly placed it back on the branch. I grabbed up the old sweatshirt that I had found for further inspection.

As I turned it over I first noticed that it was the long-lost college sweatshirt that my roomy had lent me and then forgot about. Oops… I had grabbed it by the bottom and that's when I noticed that it was a hooded sweatshirt with a pocket stretching across the front.

You may be asking yourself right now, "What is the big deal with the sweatshirt? I mean it is just a grubby old sweatshirt right?"

Wrong!

Well, I mean partially wrong. Yes, it was a grubby sweatshirt with a pocket—with a pocket! Or more precisely, with something in that pocket that I could use!

I reached in and started pulling crap out. First came the candy wrappers, then the Kleenex (disgusting! They were all soggy like the park map and impossible to tell if they had already been used!), then came the film canisters, (these I could definitely use!), and finally the greatest of all…the Mace!

Every girl that lives in the city's best friend! You never knew what kind of a weirdo is going to take it upon himself to make you his new obsession. Yikes…

Anyway, I grabbed the can out of the pocket and what do you know? Another one falls out. So here I was, in the middle of no where with two cans of Mace and a load of very ugly things that wanted to rip off my head. Hmm, this could definitely be entertaining.

"Who needs a sword? Well, actually I do, but that is besides the fact. I should go back and get some sleep."

Just as I said that I finally noticed that when I turned around that the campfire where every one was at was along ways off. So yeah now I need to change my current situation.

I was now in the middle of no where in the middle of the night with two cans of Mace and a bunch of butt-ugly creatures that wanted to eat off my face.

There, much better.

*~*~*

"Time to get up!"

I rolled away from the hand and dove back underneath my blanket.

"Leavemelone," I mumbled.

"I am going to give Pippin your breakfast."

"Fine, I don't care, just five more minutes. I don't want to go to work today; I want to stay home, Mommy. Just—wait a sec. Pippin?"

I sat up and looked around.

"Oh, yeah, I'm here. I kinda forgot."

I looked up at Boromir. So, now we find out who was waking me up, eh? Well, I have my ways. That man wasn't going to sleep for a week! Who says revenge isn't a sweet thing?

"What's the matter?"

"Come, we must move on. We cannot dally here any longer."

"Yeah, sure, just give me a couple cups of coffee and I will do just fine. But, until then, watch your back!"

He gave me a puzzled look and walked over to where Sam was packing up Bill, the cute little pony.

I groaned and rolled over onto my side and stretched a couple of times. I staggered to my feet and stretched a few more times, just for good measure. My hands caught my attention; they were still pruny from yesterday. Argh.

I walked over to where Pippin was clinging to Boromir and Merry was leaping around him.

"What's going on?"

Boromir shoved Merry to the ground where Pippin promptly fell on top of him. "When I was trying to awaken you, do you remember when I threatened to give Pippin your breakfast?"

"Yeah, keep going…"

"Well, he thought I was serious and is now demanding that I 'Give up the food or else.' Yes, I believe those were his exact words."

"Oh, that's it? Well, he can have my breakfast. I'm still too full from last night."

I glanced at the sausages, bacon and chunk of cheese sitting on the plate.

"Besides, I think my waist line will thank me for it."

Boromir handed the plate to Pippin, where Merry instantly tried to get his greedy little paws on it. It was actually quite funny. But, then our fun was cut short.

"We must leave! Follow me!" called Gandalf.

And the Calvary was off.

*~*~*

"So, let me get this straight. You want to teach me to shoot a bow and arrow?"

Legolas nodded his head, "Yes, I believe you would be able to do that. Besides, Aragorn and Boromir will still teach you the art of the sword."

"Yeah, I know they will. But, it's just that I'm a little afraid of the whole archery aspect."

He raised an eyebrow at me, "Why ever are you afraid of it?"

"Well, no matter how much I try and explain this, there is no way you are really going to understand. But, um, well, there's this movie from where I come from—"

"What is a 'movie'?"

"See, I knew this was going to happen. It's a moving picture; it has people acting in it. You know, like a play."

He just nodded, I could see he still didn't have a clue.

"But anyway, in the movie, it's called 'Ten Things I Hate About You', there are a bunch of girls in gym class—"

"What is 'gym class'?"

I rolled my eyes, "My, aren't we just full of questions today!"

"I apologize."

"Nah, don't worry about it. But it's a class where you go so you can get your physical activities in for the day. Anyway, in this class the teacher is teaching the girls archery and one of the girls, well, she miss aims her arrow—well this is a little difficult to say. Um, she shoots the arrow right into the instructor's butt!"

"Oh, I see. That shall not happen to you. You will not be on the receiving end of the arrow if it is miss aimed. You will be the one shooting it."

"No, no, no! I meant, that I am afraid that I'm going to nail you right in the butt or something even worse."

Legolas just threw back his head and roared. I think the poor guy was crying he was laughing so hard! When he had finally calmed down enough to actually speak intelligently again, he said, "That will not happen. I will be behind you; there is no chance that you will be able to 'nail me in the butt.' Do not worry yourself."

"All right, if you say so. But, can you just promise, that if by chance I do hit you, that you won't like be bent on killing me or something?"

"Yes, Emily, I promise."

"Good, that's a load off my mind."

I walked ahead of the still chuckling elf to Frodo and Sam. I don't really know why I did, I was enjoying Legolas's company, but something just started to draw me towards Frodo.

I finally came even with the two talking hobbits. But, that wasn't enough. I kept leaning in and down towards Frodo.

Suddenly someone yelled.

"Emily!"

I jerked up. All nine of the fellows were looking at me, Frodo, as if he was afraid of me. I looked down at myself and saw that my hand was reaching towards his chest. I yanked it down and started to back away. All of a sudden, I could hear almost a whisper in my ear.

Emily! Emily! Reach for me!

It was like the buzzing of a fly. It would not leave me alone! I leaned back towards Frodo slightly, bent upon reaching his chest. When suddenly I realized I was doing it again!

I shook my head and continued to back away again. I turned and started to walk again—away from the rest. I just stayed a respectful distance from everyone, off to one side, by myself.

No one came to walk with me.

Good one Emily, now you have suddenly became the Wicked Witch of the West!

As I was walking, wrapped in my own thoughts, or you could call it self pity. I just couldn't get Frodo's look out of my head. He was afraid of me! AFRAID of ME! I shook me head to try and get rid of the awful feeling that I was having. But, it just wouldn't leave me alone. Finally, I realized what it was.

I wanted to go home.

*~*~*

A/N: I know, it's not as long as the others or as funny. But, you will realize it was something that had to be put in there.

I still feel just awful about leaving you guys hanging like that. But, it is nice to know that I have that many faithful readers that would hound me for more. Thanks you guys!

I'll see ya next time!

~A~