A/N: Due to my one review (from Super Tinfoil Man Part 2) I have decided to change what happens to the individuals the beam of light touches. It is my understanding that Middle Earth means "J. R. Tolken" and the "Lord of The Rings Trilogy". However, because I have only read the books once, this will be based more off the movies. Hope you enjoy (all fifty that "hit")
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars (would make major changes in the NJO if I did) nor do I own the Lord of the Ring trilogy. Lets see what happens.
p -----------------------------------------------A Paradox: What's happening?------------------------------------ /p
Frodo Baggins, a rather thin Hobbit, sat near the river's edge, waiting for his fellow Halflings to show. He was twiddling the silver necklace that held the fabled ring of Sauron.
A short distance downstream, three elf boats lay in the water. Ten meters up the hill the rest of the group—two humans, one elf and one dwarf—were setting up camp and building a small fire. The Hobbits had hidden themselves from the work and gone on a side trip for fresh food. Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck and Peregrin "Pippen" Took had no problem with begging, "borrowing" or stealing anything that was remotely organic. Samwise "Sam" Gamgee preferred working or trading favors for spices because he liked cooking.
As Aragon carried a pack from the boats to the temporary camp, he kept an eye on Frodo. He had taken Gandalf's death hard. They all were shocked by the Grey wizard's sacrifice. If it were in his power, it would not be in vain. Of course, the help provide by the Rivendell elves had increased the probability of success in their mission.
Gimli hefted his ax as he searched the undergrowth for wood. Although a fire burnt well on dry wood, green plant material would help slow the speed with which the fuel was consumed. He held his weapon defensively because it had been a while since the ax had tasted blood of enemies. There was also the warning that Aragon had whispered: "Orcas are nearby". Best not to take any chances and be caught unaware.
Legolas kept his eyes open as he wandered the boundary of their camp. He did not recommend stopping to sleep, but the Halflings had insisted and Gimli was on their side, simply because he saw no reason to agree with an elf. Aragon saw wisdom in both choices—either more distance covered or more energy to fight—so he followed the wishes of the ring barer. Boromir was not interested in destroying the ring of power, but he was in this quest at his father's insistence.
A white light filled the air and the sky all around. In a blink of an eye, everything was surrounded by this white light. It was too much, even for an elf and a Ranger.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Within Middle Earth, every living individual—humans, elves, dwarfs, Halflings, orcas, and all others—was overwhelmed by this bright light and fell unconscious. As the beam moved on, groups and hordes of individuals and peoples—not all human, nor recognizable monsters or allies—appeared where there had been none. Villages found themselves increased in size. Small houses found their numbers enhanced. -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Maybe ten minutes later the group of eight woke up as the light had faded. Pippen asked Merry, "So, what do you think that was?" The response was "No idea really. But let's not worry ourselves. It's not as if anyone was dropped in our path." Pippen thought this over. "True, and we need to eat. I mean, our packs won't survive a normal day's eating at all and the humans expect the food to last for several weeks." Merry nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, we do need to fortify our bodies for the upcoming journey."
So, the two thickly built hobbits continued on their way to wherever they were headed. A small ridge was in front of them and they hopped down off the top---and landed on something soft that gave way with an "oof" sound. They scrambled off and stepped off the half-beaten trail.
What they had landed on was a tall woman with fiery red hair and delicate features. She pushed herself up onto her knees so she was no longer lying on the trail. Her green eyes flashed brilliantly with internal anger and other indescribable emotions. "What are you two idiots doing? Were you jumping up and down for fun? I'll . . ." Her voice lost momentum as the forest made itself known. She frowned. "Wasn't I in a prairie? And where is Luke?" Panic made itself known before she made her face assume a mask of tranquility.
Of course the Hobbits weren't used to reading human emotions. As it was they had no real way of estimating her age beyond "maturity" and not yet "elderly" Pippen helpfully piped up, "we'll help you find this Luke, madam, if you would be so kind as to join us at our camp?"
Merry hissed "Pippen" in anguish. More humans meant more delays and less food for them.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Legolas awoke when a human hand gently touched his shoulder. He fully expected the person waking him to be Aragon and thus was shocked to see an older human male with blond hair and blue eyes looking anxiously at him, checking for injuries. "Good, you're not hurt. I'm afraid I don't know where I am and I seemed to have lost track of my traveling companions." He offered the elf a hand.
Legolas looked at the hand suspiciously, and hesitantly accepted the help up. He carefully masked his astonishment at the stranger's strength. "Perchance we may have bypassed each other, but I highly doubt it. These woods are not heavily traveled and are guarded by elves."
The stranger, shorter than Legolas, nodded then sighed. "Thought so. I didn't recognize my surroundings anyway." His head tilted to the side as if remembering something. "By the way, my name is Luke Skywalker."
"That's an unusual name. Who would want to walk on sky? It's almost as silly as desiring to walk on liquid water as there are enough humans who traverse the ice in winter."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Gimli found himself surrounded by upright tree trunks. "At least I didn't fall down when something hit me." He grumbled to himself and slowly extracted his compact body from the maze of saplings. A noise to his right had him spinning sharply while bringing his ax to bear. "Who's there?" To the dwarf's disgust, his voice wasn't steady. In fact, it sounded frightened and uncertain.
"Me, Allana, daughter of Queen Mother Tenel Ka from the Hapes system." A young voice responded.
"Well, don't hide from me. I'm not going to harm any royalty. It's just that these woods are full of orcas and other monsters." This time his voice was reassuring and steady.
"Okay mister." Steady snaps revealed the progress of the unknown individual. Gimli was interested in this child of royalty. He had never heard of the Hapes system but he knew official titles when he heard them. Slowly the branches parted to reveal a human child. She had reddish hair and grey eyes. On top of the unusual coloration, she was no taller than he himself. "Where are your parents, young maiden? Humans of your tender size and age should not be allowed to wander."
She giggled and rushed towards the dwarf. Before he could stop this Allana, she managed to wrap her arms around his chest and held on. "My mom is not here and my dad is missing." She faced up, through the rat's nest of brown beard and twigs. "Could you help me find my family?" The grey eyes watered, and Gimli found his resolve to bid the child good day fleeing. He sighed. "Very well. I'll take you to Aragon. Maybe he has heard of you and your people."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Sarumon the White wizard picked himself up from the floor where he had fallen. He held no pity for those unable to protect themselves from anything and despised individuals who fought for "the greater good."
At least, this tall, thin, human completely clothed in white used to be a wizard for good, but now it was obvious he was more interested in power than anything else.
He carefully made his way to a special room and stopped in shock. Inside his fortress stood a human male clothed in black. This intruder was shorter and hidden in the shadows, plus the hood prevented him from seeing his face as well. "Who are you and what do you want?" Sarumon demanded.
The stranger laughed. It was not a pleasant sound. But it was fuller than a chuckle. It was both eerie and reassuring. The human moved out of the shadows and pulled down his hood. Pale skin was highlighted by black eyes that danced in orange flames. "You can call me Darth Death."
Sarumon was puzzled; but only for an instance. "I will not allow this place to be home to someone who does not properly answer my questions. Prepare to die!" He hissed. Arms were raised and white electricity started gathering on them as he let knowledge of forbidden powers to come forth and blast the other.
Darth Death just smiled. When the electricity leaped towards him, the pale figure raised a hand and absorbed the blast. The flames in his eyes flashed brighter and the internal fire gained strength.
Not to be daunted, a second volley was sent. This too proved ineffective. Finding this ploy useless, Sarumon proceeded to throw the intruder out mentally. It did no good. In fact, the loose objects along his hallway floated up and shot past him; some hit, others did not.
The pale male shrugged. "Old man, you cannot hope to fight me and win. I have powers and strengths you will never know. I wish to be your apprentice as I sense you are a manipulator interested only in your own health. Shall a demonstration be necessary or will you accept my claims?" His voice never wavered and spoke of great conviction.
The once pure white wizard thoughtfully stroked his beard. "I accept your help. What are you particularly interested in as I have several projects going on right now?"
Darth Death nodded once. "Good. I am interested in seeing the army you have growing near Isengard. Are they perfected against an army?"
Sarumon was astonished. "The army is made of specially designed orcas. How do you know about the forces?"
An evil smile cracked the otherwise emotionally empty face. "All individuals preparing to take over via force build an army up before making a move."