When we reached the village, it was what one would expect from a village. There were probably about 7 buildings visible when you first entered. The buildings were similar in size and design (stone walls and wooden roofs). People were going about the village, conversing with each other, carrying heavy objects, cleaning, etc. We stopped at the first building, which was longer than the rest and had a sign above it. I couldn't read it, but I assumed it was some sort of in because of the size and the windows. Once we dismounted and tied the horses to some posts, I followed Gandalf and the rest inside.

"I'm assuming this is the best place to start asking if they've seen what you're looking for." Gandalf said. Our group approached a counter , which had a burly man behind it. He was cleaning a glass and when he saw us, he leaned over and gave a toothy smile.

"Welcome to the Rosy Stag, how can I help you?"

"Yes, we were looking for something." Strider replied.

"Well, you've certainly come to the right place! We've got the best ale in northern Rohan!"

"Right, while I'm sure your ale is very good, that's not what we..." Gandalf started.

"Ah, that would be lovely. Gandalf, don't you think we've traveled enough today? I'm pretty sure the hobbits are exhausted. Can't we at least stay and have a drink?" I had to admit, Gimli did have a point.

"Well," Gandalf began, but on seeing the eager faces of the hobbits, he sighed, "Alright, I suppose a drink won't hurt. We might even find out information about what you're looking for, Jemma."

"That's true." I said thoughtfully. The bartender laughed and gestured behind him.

"Help yourself to a spot! The server will be along shortly to serve ya."

Gandalf, Strider, Legolas, Gimli and I all sat down at a table in the corner, while the rest went over to the bar and started ordering their drinks. Then a server came and asked what we wanted. I never liked the taste of alcohol, but I ordered a drink anyway. Might as well try it here, I'm sure it tastes different than the ones I've had elsewhere.

Gimli started a drinking contest with Legolas, which was pretty funny to actually see.

Soon everyone was laughing and having a good time. I had to admit, it was much more entertaining than any previous parties I'd been to back home. The hobbits were dancing on one of the tables while singing at the top of their lungs. It seemed that many of the people in the bar knew the song as well, as they were singing along with them.

"Jemma." I jumped when I heard my name whispered. When I turned to see who it was, I saw a woman with a dark brown cloak. She was almost completely covered with the thick cloak, except for a pair of knobby hands and extremely long fingernails.

"Um...yes?" I asked. To be honest, the woman gave me a bad feeling.

"I need to talk to you."

"Well, I don't think my party would like it if I just left..."

"It is important."

I swallowed, "Well..."

The woman grabbed me by the arm and I stumbled after her. She led me out a back door and into the crisp night air. Once the door had closed behind us, she let go of my arm and pulled down her hood. She looked old, with her hair showing mostly gray and the wrinkles that lined her face.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" I asked, feeling more awkward than scared now that I saw her face.

"You are not from around here, are you."

"Well, no. I'm from the north and..."

"I know. You'd be surprised how much I know about you and your sister."

"No offense, but that's a little creepy. How do you know I have a sister?"

"Because she talks often about you."

"What are you talking about? My sister and I have only been here for..."I paused, trying to count the days which were starting to blur together, "about a week."

"A week is a long time to get to know a person. But talking about you and your sister is not why I am here. You need to leave this place as soon as possible. There is someone here from your land, and their purpose of being here is not good."

"I honestly have no idea what you're talking about."

"I believe in your homeland he goes by the name of Brandon Williams."

"I don't know anyone by that..," I started, before I realized that I did know someone by that name. Brandon had been in the same graduating class as me, and if my memory served me correctly, he wasn't evil. He'd been the kind of boy to sit quietly in class and read fantasy novels, "I think you're mistaken, I know him and he is not evil, a little antisocial sure, but not evil."

"Much time has passed since then."

"It's only been a couple of years."

"It does not matter, You seek something, yes? My advice would be to put all of your efforts into finding it before he does."

"Why? Why does it matter if he gets it before me? It's just a piece of technology."

"I see your brother hasn't explained it completely to you." She stared at me with cold blue eyes.

"I guess not, can't you explain it to me?"

"It is not my place to say," She reached into her cloak and brought out a piece of paper, "This should help you in identifying it."

I took the piece of paper and unfolded it. There was a small drawing of a circle embedded into a rectangle. In the middle, there was an entanglement of wires that seemed to connect to everything. I stared at it, it look like some sort of circuitry, but I was never good with technology so I could have been wrong.

I heard footsteps walking and I looked to see the woman walking into the dark of night. Great, just my luck to get stuck with a bad guy, a piece of paper, and mysterious woman when I'm in the Lord of the Rings world. Well, at least I know what I'm looking for now, it should be easy to find and retrieve it. Then I just need to find my sister...

About an hour passed with me just staring at the spot where the woman had disappeared, before I remembered that everyone else was still celebrating. I put the piece of paper away and returned inside to have some more fun before the hard work began.