A/N: Had to look up a map of Middle Earth to do this one. I know I messed up at the Fangorn part but I'm too lazy to rewrite it. I had trouble deciding where I wanted Rikku to meet the Hobbits. (I'm pretty sure Rikku would get killed if she just randomly walked into Imladris.) I just put this beginning part in to develop Rikku a little bit. Then, I'm pretty much skipping the rest of traveling since nothing happens. Sorry if their meeting is a bit out of order. I can I'm not going to be able to write for a while; my schedule gets busy with babysitting, tennis and people visiting. So, at the rate I write, I won't be updating for a few weeks.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything!

There wasn't any doubt. Rikku had come across the strangest, scariest forest she had ever seen. Macalania didn't even come close to this. While Macalania had strange glowing crystals and invisible bridges, this one was a swamp with trees that groaned and looked older than Sin itself. The air was close.

She looked at the small piece of metal she had taken from the bar. It certainly wasn't worth being chased down for. It looked like copper with a strange symbol on it that slightly resembled a horse. 'Maybe its like gill?' she thought. Rikku guided Ixion through a thin path in between two swaps. He was restless and would often refuse to continue on. The young colt could sense something that she could not. Thankfully, if she had stayed on her path, she would only have to travel through the forest for a short time. It was very easy to get lost in the old twisted trees.

Rikku could fell her heart in her throat, beating fast with adrenaline. It was like crossing the Thunder Plains all over again! She had never thought of herself as brave person. True, the ordeal with Sin did take guts, and so did Vegnegun, but even then she wasn't alone. Alone… she thought it was bad even when she was in Spira. She had actual people her around her then at least. It was just Ixion and her now.

x.X.x

Rikku was almost two weeks past the gap of Rohan, when she came to a bridge. She had been traveling along the Old South Road in hopes of continuing on The Greenway and then going north to Bree. If she had followed the map correctly, The Grey flood River should be in front of her. Originally she was headed to Rivendell, but she did not have enough funds, or enough food to make it there, so she had to settle for Bree. Rikku dismounted and lead Ixion to the river for a break. She splashed water on her face while the horse took a drink. They could see their reflections in the water. She was still Rikku. It gave her some comfort, knowing she hadn't changed. This world was so different. Green eyes still had swirls and her hair was still in braids, messily thrown in a ponytail. The strange looks from passing strangers made her curious. She knew her hair was different to say the least but something told her it wasn't that. She had yet to see a single women traveling alone, or in a group even. 'Coincidence, maybe?' she thought to herself. Of course, it didn't matter at the moment. Getting to Bree was her first priority.

Rikku looked in her bag and took out a piece of jerky. She missed real food. Anything but bread and jerky sounded good. She sighed and continued to ride northwest on the road.

X.x.X

One week later, Rikku arrived in front of The Prancing Pony Inn, late in the evening. She prayed she had enough money, but unfortunately she thought was quite unlikely. Ixion was in the local stable near by and was less than happy about her leaving. The horse had grown attached to his owner in the weeks they spent together. She was about to walk up do the door when some one grabbed her arm and pulled her back across the street. The person pulling had to hard of a grip on her wrist for Rikku to break free. Struggling was useless. She was pushed into the Inn across the street.

"It is not wise of you to be traveling by yourself in times such as these. You are in more danger than you realize. The other inn is not safe."

Rikku turned to face her captor. There was a man with a hood over his face, but she could make out a scruffy dark beard along with the man's jaw. He was with what looked like at first, four children with big hairy feet. She looked at them in shock for a moment, and then struggled to make words out.

"Hey! What do you think your doing? What's going on?" Rikku almost yelled, not the least bit pleased. Who did he think he was? She took a few steps back and grabbed the handle on one of her twin blades.

"I do not mean any harm, milady. I assure you," he calmly replied. Rikku still stood confused. She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Whatever you say, I guess. What exactly would you be doing grabbing random people while you are traveling with children? You're a kidnapper aren't you!"

"We aren't children, Miss. We are Hobbits!" Spoke one with brown curly hair. She had never herd of Hobbits before, then again she had never herd of Elves or Middle Earth either. The man turned to his companions.

"Lets go Gentlemen, we have a long journey tomorrow," he told the hobbits and moved up the stairs.

"Wha- uh, hey! You never answered me!" Rikku followed them up the stairs.

The man turned looked back at Rikku in the eye. The hobbits entered the room. She couldn't read his face. It held only a blank look.

"Where are you from?" It was less of a question and more a demand.

"I am not from Middle Earth… I am from The Island of Spira." She spoke a bit to quickly. She cringed after the words left her mouth. He knew something wasn't right.

"What is your purpose here?" He asked a bit more forcefully this time. Something told Rikku crying wouldn't work like it did with Branawyn.

"I… I do not have one," she spoke, unsure of herself. Al least she was sort of telling the truth. The man waited a few more moments before speaking again.

"I do not trust people who lie to me, but I fear I must, even if you are a spy. You will come with us to Rivendell. You already know too much," He said before turning into the room, motioning for her to follow.

x.X.x

Rikku had positioned herself with her back against the wall and legs in her arms, slipping in and out of consciousness. The Hobbits had taken the two beds while the man sat in a chair staring out the window. He had taken off his hood and revealed his face. He had greasy, dark wavy hair cut an inch or two before his shoulders. His grey-blues held wisdom. She guesses he was a warrior of some sort. He seemed very strange, as if he knew too much.

It was a pretty awkward situation on her account.

"What's your name, Miss?" asked one of the Hobbits, the same one who spoke to her before. Rikku gave a warm smile. 'At least someone is being nice!' she thought.

" I'm Rikku. What's yours?"

"Peregrin Took, my lady, at your service. You can call me Pippin!" Rikku couldn't help but giggle. He was so small and cheeky.

"I'm Merieadoc Brandybuck, but I go by Merry." Said another. The other two hobbits seemed unsure of her.

"That's Sam and Frodo," explained Pippin. Rikku gave them an apologetic smile. They obviously didn't want to talk to the 'spy'. She waited a few moments before turning to the man sitting at the window. She didn't even have to speak before he told her.

" You may call me Strider," he stated without emotion. "You should all sleep we have a long journey ahead." She nodded in response. For her own sake, Rikku prayed Rivendell was not far. The others did not seem to like or trust her, besides Merry and Pippin.

Two hours had passed before a shrill, un-human scream shook the town. The hobbits woke immediately as did Rikku. Strider, however, was still staring out the window.

"What are they?" asked Frodo. Rikku moved in closer to hear his answer.

"They were once men," he began. "Great kings of men. Then Sauron the Deceiver gave to them nine Rings of Power. Blinded by their greed, they took them without question. One by one falling into darkness." Rikku could sense the fear and anxiety building inside her, the same feelings that haunted her during the pilgrimage.

"Now they are slaves to his will. They are the Nazgûl, Ringwraiths, neither living nor dead. At all times they feel the presence of the Ring, drawn to the power of the One. They will never stop hunting you," Strider finished.

Rikku didn't sleep that night. What was wrong she couldn't figure out. What Strider said made no sense to her. Something about a Sauron. She could feel a burning pain the moment he spoke those words. She couldn't quite shake the thought that it was all happening again. Another world in turmoil.

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