Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien or his work.
Lydia stepped out of the portal onto a grassy hillside. The air felt lighter, somehow, then on earth. The landscape around her very much resembled the area around her house. In the distance, lights glimmered.
The sky was huge, filled with countless stars. The very smell was different, more green, in a way.
Lydia turned to the portal, and froze. It was growing smaller and smaller, and the blue light around it was forming a sort of chain. Finally it shrunk down to the size of a necklace, and fell to the ground. Lydia picked it up.
The part of the portal that had transported her there had turned into a small, white, pearl necklace. She undid the clasp, and hung it around her neck. She then walked in the direction of the lights. As she got closer to what appeared to be a village, she began to recognize a few features. It looked like Tolkien's description of Bree.
When Lydia got within a foot of the village, the smell hit her. It smelled like a mix between human and horse manure. She had to resist the urge to hold her nose, but she enjoyed the sight despite the smell. People of all shapes and sizes and a few hobbits milled about everywhere.
She walked with the flow of the crowd, pondering how she could pay to stay the night at the prancing pony. She fingered the silver cross that she had been given by her Mother at birth. That alone could probably pay for food and lodge for two weeks.
Lydia sighed. It was worth it. Two weeks was all she needed to get her act together and figure out where she wanted to go.
She tapped the nearest man's shoulder. "Excuse me, Mister, could you tell me where to find the Prancing Pony?" she asked. He scowled at her and pushed forward. Lydia frowned. That wasn't supposed to happen.
"Would you be so kind as to direct me to the Prancing Pony?" she pleaded to an elderly hobbit. "Anything for a pretty young miss like you." he said with a wink. The hobbit led her through a series of 'shortcuts' to a large building with a sign depicting a horse leaping in the air.
She smiled gratefully at him, and then pushed through to the large counter up front. "Hallo, I'm Butterbur, how can I help ya, Marm?" the large man behind the counter asked. Lydia pushed the silver cross over the counter, and asked, "Can this pay for two weeks of room and board?"
"Sure, Marm," he said as he handed her a key. "The room's on the left. If you're a needing anything, ring for Nob. Have a good night." "Thank you," she answered.
Now to find out what she was going to do, and where to go. Lydia walked through the crowd, down the hall. She took the first left, and opened the door with the key. She took the first step in, and took a deep breath. The night had the feeling of adventure.