Chapter 3- Introductio-An Introduction

Notice to Readers: This story does not presume to change the fate of Middle Earth. It isn't a tenth walker and my dearest hope is that it won't be construed as Mary-Sue. My biggest goal in writing this was to entertain myself and put to print what had been stewing in my mind. If you don't like what you see then don't continue to read. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

Disclaimer: In no way do I own 'The Lord of the Rings' franchise. I do however own all original characters and plot lines.

"Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends."

-Shirley MacLaine

With baited breath they peeked around the corner and one by one crept closer. It appeared to be a camp site though it was unclear how long ago it had been abandoned. The smoke was rising from a fire that was slowly smoldering out under a heap of dirt. Still on guard but growing bolder they searched the camp site looking for signs of who had occupied it. Turning up nothing they were ready to head back to their own camp when Chris caught sight of something in the grass. It was reflecting the light of the ambers and as he picked it up and brushed it off he realized it was a pipe. A silver band hugged the largest part of it and on closer inspection he noticed an inscription.

"Guys look." He held the pipe out for the group's inspection and they gathered around him peering at the pipe.

"My dad has one of these but it doesn't look nearly as nice as this" murmured Elizabeth. Jordan, who was growing edgier as time went by, took a step back from the group and swept a glance around them.

"I think we should leave" said Jordan softly. The group didn't really hear him and they continued to inspect the pipe. An uncomfortable feeling gnawed at his subconscious and goose bumps appeared on his arms. Someone or something was definitely watching them.

"I really think you should leave…now" he said more urgently. This time the group heard him and they too started to look around in the dark suspiciously. As quick as a lighting strike and just as dangerous a cloaked figure leapt out of the dark and wrapped his arm around Chris's neck. Gwen squeaked and stared wide eyed at the figure that held a very dangerous looking dagger not inches from Chris's jugular.

Chris's body immediately tensed and his grip on the pipe tightened almost painfully, his breathe came it quick shallow gasps.

"My pipe if you please" drawled the stranger. His voice was rough but full of depth and had a musicality to it. A tenor, his accent was strong and it was similar to a Scottish brogue.

Chris let his hold on the pipe loosen and he offered it to the stranger in his open palm. His back was still rigid as a board and his knees were locked in place but his breathing was starting to slow as a plan formulated in his mind.

"Any weapons you have I oblige you to set them aside and step back." The stranger's eyes were blue and steely as his gaze jumped from one member of the group to another. All slowly set their walking sticks aside, Patrick exceptionally slowly set his lacrosse stick down and they all took one step back.

"Sir please we just came to see about the smoke we aren't trying to make trouble" said Elizabeth stepping forward her hands palm up trying to placate the stranger.

Chris knew that now, while the stranger was paying attention to Elizabeth was his only chance. Throwing himself backward, letting his right foot slide behind the strangers legs he raised his arm to protect his exposed throat and fell backward rolling away. Unfortunately he wasn't fast enough to avoid the wicked blade and it sliced across his forearm. Quick as he could he pushed himself onto his feet and cradled him arm, squeezing hard to stem the bleeding. Meanwhile the stranger who had tripped backward over Chris's feet was already composed. His short blade was gone and in its place was a long sword gleaming menacingly in the soft light of the moon. In his other hand was his pipe.

"No threat meant fellows. I merely wanted my pipe back. So long as you aren't looking for a fight than neither am I." The group took a moment to take in his sword before Patrick responded.

"What Elizabeth said is true. We aren't here to make trouble. We saw the smoke from your campfire and came to investigate. Please. We don't know where we are." The stranger needed only a second to confirm what he already knew to be true, that these young people were no threat. Sliding his sword into its scabbard in one clean move he turned and picked up a previously unseen saddle pack. He placed his pipe inside and took out a long strip of cloth.

"Make a deal with you. I'll bandage up you friend and let you on your way if you tell me how it is you came to be here on the border of Rohan." With peace in the air, Patrick looked from Gwen, to Jordan, to Elizabeth and finally Chris for confirmation before responding.

"Deal." The stranger nodded once and stepped towards Chris holding out the bandage. Chris eyed him warily as he swiftly and efficiently wrapped the piece of linen around the wound and tied the bandage off.

"You'll need to clean it later so it doesn't get infected." Aside from the stranger no one had moved since they had agreed on peace.

"I'll start this up again and you can tell me your story while I eat" said the man motioning to the fire.

Squatting down beside the fire, which at this point was pretty much extinguished the he took a flint out from his saddle bag. As he was starting the fire again Gwen cautiously joined him and took a seat. She was followed by the others and soon the group was watching as the man pulled out some half cooked strips of meat, stuck them through with his dagger and began to roast them.

Gwen who had already set caution to the wind, decided honesty was the best policy and told the man everything that had happened to them that day starting with her chasing the dog. The man seemed not to listen to her, his head bowed concentrating on his dinner as she spoke. When she first mentioned the breathing trees he looked up sharply but didn't say a word until she had finished the story.

"You say a breathing wood? The closest forest I know that you could have come from is Fangorn. But I can not imagine the atmosphere being as benevolent as you describe it. Those trees are mean and they certainly don't welcome humans." The man took a bite out of the meat and continued. "I would not believe your story had I not seen your dress. I know of nowhere where people dress as you do and the material is like nothing I have seen before. I must conclude then that you are telling me the truth. In which case there is some strong magic involved here."

"Magic" said Elizabeth incredulously. "Magic doesn't exist."

Patrick shook his head slowly. "Normally I would agree with you Elizabeth but how else can you explain how we ended up here. How Gwen survived drowning? Those creatures we saw earlier?"

The stranger caught onto the last sentence and his voice came out clipped. "Creatures? Describe these things you saw to me."

Jordan relayed in as much detail as he could a description of the creatures and as he spoke the man's face grew somber. His jaw tightened.

"This is not good. These creatures you've described are wargs. Why they didn't attack you and why you didn't run I cannot understand. You say they were alone and that is good. But they won't be alone for long and with a group of them as large as that we need to warn the King."

Having no idea what in the world a warg was or why they should fear them, aside from them being exceedingly ugly creatures the group was left baffled. But they could hear the concern in the man's voice and knew that he was not exaggerating.

"Who is your King? Would he know about the magic? Would he be able to help us get back home?" Gwen's words fell over each other and it was obvious she had more questions bubbling, desperate to be asked.

The man set his dagger back into its sheath strapped on his calf. His eyes met hers and it was a few moments before he spoke.

"Not my king. I am a Ranger of the North and my King, my Chief, is Aragorn son of Arathorn. My name is Faolán and I have been journeying from the North Road close to Tharbad in old Cardolan since Halbarad sent out messages calling for aid. There is to be a great battle at Helm's Deep and they need every able man to help. As for getting help to return home, the King would not be the one to aid you in that. For that you will need to speak to a wizard or one of the elves. Whatever magic brought you here would only be known to them."

It took the group a few minutes to process this information and when they did Chris was the first to speak.

"Wizards? Elves? I know we're trying to be open-minded about this whole thing but seriously? Even if those things existed how would we find one? Look them up in the phone book? Is there a facebook for mythical beings that I don't know about?"

Elizabeth burst out laughing at the facebook quip. The man stared at them, still all seriousness, Elizabeth noticed and awkwardly she let her laughter die.

"I do not know what these things are you speak of. But you will not need a tracker to find an elf or a wizard. Gandalf the Grey is traveling with a party that has joined the effort in Helm's Deep. If there is anyone who could help you it would be him."

Gwen leaned forward and grabbed the rangers hand in her own. Pleadingly she said "Would you take us to him? You are headed that way anyway and we would be able to keep up with you no problem. You could tell us more about this place along the way and maybe knowing more about it we'd be able to get home faster. Will you help us?"

Looking down at his hand trapped in hers and back to her face he nodded and gently pried her fingers off.

"You needn't beg me. I'd have helped you even had you not asked. It's not my way to leave people stranded and you all being so different from most people I think you will provide pleasant company for me along the way. It is a few days we have ahead of us till we reach Helm's Deep."

This declaration brought on a wide smile from Gwen and Patrick, who had decided that whoever the man said he was, he was a good fellow, and a general feeling of goodwill from everyone else.

"So now we have that settled and you all know my name why don't you quickly tell me yours while we wait for the sun to rise and then we'll be on our way" said Faolán glancing to the east where the sun was indeed beginning to paint the sky.

The group went around introducing themselves and with no further delay than that they gathered their walking sticks, lacrosse stick and saddle pack. Faolán put out the fire and they started onwards. Just then a loud grumble interrupted the silence and Patrick put a hand to his stomach.

"Looks like we'll be making one stop along the way, if you all were hungry you should have told me" said Aragost smiling for the first time that evening.

"Hungry and thirsty!" Jordan amended laughing.