I would have finished this sooner, but I've been wasting all my time on Damn You Auto Correct.

Rikku tore through the house and gathered her belongings. The men would be there any moment if she didn't hurry. She packed the extra supplies she had bought from barkeep on her way to Besaid, her garment grid, (even thought she wasn't even sure if it worked) and some food, water and a cloak she had been given. She had been staying at Branawyn's home for almost a week. Usually she would help her around the house or take care of Graviden, in exchange for food and shelter. In that time, Graviden had taught Rikku how to ride Ixion. It was just like riding a chocobo, mind you, she still wasn't very good. She usually had nights to herself, which gave her time to explore the rest of the village. One of her favorite places was the local inn. The bar was a great place for finding… "lost" items. It hadn't become a problem until now.

-Flashback to earlier that evening-

Rikku pulled her burnt red cloak hood further down, hiding her face and smirk. She could already smell the strong scent of ale when she stepped inside. All of the men from the town were happily drinking after a hard day's work, but tonight was different from all of the others. According to Thavodred, who had told Branawyn, some of the Rohirrim where in the village. Who just so happen to be in the Inn's bar this very night. Rikku could tell that they were warriors. They looked younger and more built that the average men in the village. They all seemed to be tired, some of them choosing to get drunk. Rikku went to take a seat at a booth in the corner.

There she waited in the dark corner for an opportune moment to strike at one of the helpless drunks. Stealing from people wasn't normally something she would do, but she felt bad that Branawyn had to give her everything since she didn't have many belongings. Besides, drunken people are the easiest kind to steal from.

Some of the Rohirrim were sending curious glances her way. She wasn't quite surprised when one of the drunken ones stumbled upon her table with a not so courteous look.

"Why are you sitting here my lady? You are welcome to sit with us," he said slurring his words. He gave another malicious smile. Rikku snorted in disgust. In Spira, nobody spoke to one the High Summoner's Guardians with such… indecent intent. She was about to give the pig a piece of her mind, but he was interrupted.

"Heradren, leave the woman be," called one of the other Rohirrim. Heradren looked down and wandered back to the others. "My apologies, lord Theodred."

She looked over to Theodred from under her hood. She learned form eavesdropping that he was talking to another man named Eomer. She remembered Graviden telling her that the King of Rohan son's name was Theodred, but she had learned from experience that stealing from royalty almost always ended badly.

Rikku no longer felt safe at the bar and turned to the door. How did they find out she was a woman? She wasn't even wearing a dress like most women did here. She could feel the stares on her back as she exited the bar, but not before grabbing something shiny out off one of Heradren's friends. Not long after she left, she could hear a group of three men leaving from the inn then turning in the direction she was headed in. Her gut told her to walk faster and to take a different route to the house. As soon as she came to a cross in the roads she rounded the corned and sprinted hard in the direction of the shack.

-End of Flashback-

Rikku finished packing and made her way to the door.

"You're leaving so soon?" Branawyn asked from behind her. Graviden stood next to her with a sad look on his face. Rikku felt a pang of guilt stream through her body. She didn't want them to get involved.

"Yes, unfortunately I have run into some trouble and I don't want to get you all hurt! You have been too nice," she finished. It wasn't all a lie; actually it was the truth, just delicately put.

"Well let us help you then, my dear," Branawyn said as she went into the kitchen. Before Rikku could say anything, Graviden took her hand and led her to where Ixion was being held.

"Take him, won't you Rikku? So you won't forget us. You are going to need a horse anyway." Rikku looked him in his eyes and smiled.

"Graviden I would never forget you or your family for what they have done for me. I thought Ixion was your horse though," She knelt down telling him.

"I want you to take him now, there will be plenty of others for me," 'This kid!' Rikku thought. She grabbed his shoulders and kissed his forehead.

"I promise, Graviden, some day I will come back and visit!" she told him. Branawyn then returned with extra supplies. She wore a sad smile in her face.

"I can't thank you enough for all you've done for me," Rikku told her. The two hugged and Rikku, with some difficulty, mounted Ixion. "I promise I'll visit!" she yelled back and them. Rikku rode fast through the town to the gate.

X.x.X

Rikku's POV

Thankfully I had managed to steal a map off someone at the bar. I didn't know how much it was going to help me since I didn't even know what these places were. I did, however, decide that I would go northwest. There where many mountains and rocks in the east. Plus, there was a place called Mordor, which the map made clear, was a dark and dangerous place. Mordor didn't have quite the appeal that Bree, The Shire, or Rivendell had. I absent-mindedly stroked Ixion's neck. It was a long way to Rivendell.I was about a day away from the village. If Graviden was right, I should have been passing Edoras fairly soon. 'And if I'm lucky I won't run into any orcs!' I told my self sarcastically. I'll admit, stealing from the people was one of the stupidest things I may have ever done, but I couldn't do anything about that now. I was, once again, focusing on staying alive. I grabbed the reins tighter. I still wasn't very good at riding. Ixion could be stubborn and on more than one occasion almost caused me to fall. I would much rather have been riding on an airship or hover, but those where machina, which didn't exist in Middle Earth. Just thinking about it was depressing.

Ixion whinnied and stopped galloping.

" C'mon Ixion, keep going," I pleaded to him. He just tossed his neck to the side and stomped his front legs. Nothing happened when I tried to urge him forward.

"Fine then, have it your way." I climbed off him less than gracefully and pulled the out a blanket and some food. I ate what looked like a piece of jerky and snuggled up to a lying down Ixion. It was hard to see in the darkness, but I saw a village on a large hill off to my left. Hopefully it was Edoras. It was going to be a long journey to wherever I was going.

A/N: this one took awhile! I am seriously sorry my chapters are so short. I know how annoying that it is. I give major props to anyone who can write a 3,000-word chapter. I'm too impatient for that. Rikku is going to meet the fellowship eventually; she meets a few in the next two chapters ;). Thank you to everyone who signed up for alerts and reviewed! They give me inspiration to write more!

xXPepperLoveXx