The sun shone onto my eyes, stirring me from my sleep. I rolled over on the bed I'd slept in last night. A yawn escaped me and I stretched. Surprisingly, the bed was pretty comfortable. There was a knock on the door, and I went to see who it was. Strider stood there if a bundle of clothes.

"Good morning, Strider." I greeted him.

"Good morning. I brought you some clothes that are better suited to a young lady."

"Oh, well thank you." I took the clothes gratefully, since the ones I had were crumpled and dirty.

"When you're ready, come and join us downstairs. The hobbits are making breakfast."

"Alright." I closed the door and placed the new clothes on the bed. There was a full length forest green dress with short sleeves and a white undergown ( Strider had also given me a new pair of boots, though I doubted I'd use them because the ones I had were still in fairly good shape) Well, I guess a dress would be better than the clothes I'm wearing.

After I changed, I brushed my tangled brown hair and braided in the back. Once I was satisfied with my hair, I collected my bags and walked down the stairs. Everyone was seated at a long table in the middle of the room. I caught the smell of cooked meat and egg and I smiled.

"Wow, smells good." I said, as I took my place at the table.

There was toast, cooked pork, and eggs in assorted bowls and plates. I gladly piled some onto my plate and accepted a goblet from a server.

"Jemma?" Gandalf asked.

I looked up and blushed a little, after realizing my mouth was full, "yes?" I answered, as best I could.

"We really should be moving on and I was wondering if that would be ok with you. We have an important job to do. And as you can imagine, staying here is fine and all, but if I am right you can handle yourself pretty well."

"Yeah, I can. Don't worry about me. If you guys have to go, then go. I will be fine by myself." I told him, after I'd swallowed. After all, they do have to stop the dark lord from coming back, by destroying the ring… I reminded myself.

"You're sure then?" Strider asked, who seemed a little uncomfortable leaving me by myself. Whether it was because I was young and a woman or a possible spy, I couldn't tell.

"Yep! I'm positive, once I get that piece of technology back, all I need to do is get my sister and we shall head back to our homeland." I gave them a smile, but I was a little sad that they'd be going. After all, it's not everyday one gets to spend time with the Fellowship of the Ring.

"Alright then." Gandalf said, and that was the end of it. Once everyone had eaten their fill, they went up to their rooms to gather their packs, which wouldn't take them long, and then they'd be gone.

I finished my drink and headed out to the middle of the village. I looked around, getting a scope of the buildings. Since there wasn't many buildings, I figured it would be easy to ask around about the picture Tommy had sent me. Since there were only two buildings that weren't houses (the blacksmith and the inn), I decided to start at the inn and then to the blacksmith's.

I walked back inside the inn and walked up to the bar. It was filled with a variety of people, most of whom I hadn't noticed the day before. I had to admit, the loud noises and the cheery people seemed to be a constant in these inns and I liked it.

"Do you have a moment?" I asked the burly bartender who had welcomed us the night before.

"Huh? Oh, well I suppose. But you better make it quick, I have people to server." He told me gruffly.

"I was wondering if you've ever seen something like this?" I tentatively held up the picture. He peered at it through squinted eyes.

"Can't say I have. By the looks of it, I'd bet Marissa would know something about it."

"Where can I find her?" He pointed and my eyes followed his finger to a woman at a table a few feet away.

I nodded my thanks, and headed over to her. She was slim and tall with cropped brown hair. It was held back with a brown ribbon and stuck out behind her head. She was dressed in a plain brown dress that matched her ribbon. The woman had an expression on her face that said 'don't mess with me, I've had it tough', which admittedly was a little intimidating. Just don't think about it.

"You're Marissa?" I asked nicely.

She looked up from her ale and stared at me. Marissa was silent for a few moments, giving me a once over.

"Who's asking?" Her voice was hoarse, like she'd been inhaling smoke recently.

"I'm Jemma." I held out my hand, but she just stared at it. Right, they don't do that here.

"why do you bother me?"

"Well, I was wondering if you'd seen this before?" I handed her the picture and waited while she studied it.

"Yeah, I've seen it. Why?"

"Well, it's my brother's invention. And well, he accidently sold it to a merchant and sent me to fetch it."

"Accidently?"

"It's a long story."

"Hmf." She took a swig of her drink, "Well, it's not much use to you now. Took and smashed it myself not a day ago."

"Why?" I asked as calmly as I could.

"It was giving me a bad feeling."

I was frozen. Had she really just said what I thought she said? Smashed!? What am I going to tell Tommy? How would I tell Tommy? Maybe if I bring the pieces back…

"What did you do with the remains?"

"Left 'em behind the smithy," She looked me over again, "I suppose I could give the pieces to you, for a price."

"Name it and it's yours."

"Well, money is a given, but seeing as I already have an interested party….I want the names of the men you were with. Especially the Hobbits and where they are headed."

An alarm went off in my head, and I gulped. Something told me Marissa wasn't a very trustworthy person. She could be working for Saruman or someone worse. Still, this could be my only chance at getting what I wanted. Tommy had made it sound like this technology was very important.

"Why do you need that information?"

"I've got my business and you've got yours so stay out of mine." She said darkly.

"Fair enough." I told her hastily. The last thing I needed was a fight with her.

"Well? Are you going to take my offer?"

"I'll get back to you on that." I stood and hurriedly left. I needed to find Gandalf and Strider and tell them about Marissa. It didn't take me long to search the village, but the Fellowship was nowhere to be found. Then I remembered; I'd told them to continue on their journey, and that I'd be fine on my own. Great, they could be anywhere by now. I had a feeling I needed to find them before something bad happened. I found my horse unsaddled, and I hailed down a boy who was hauling some heavy looking bags.

"If I pay you, will you saddle this horse?" I asked. When he nodded, I handed him some money and practically ran up to my room. As I began packing, my thoughts went back to Tommy's invention. My whole purpose of coming here was to get it for him and bring it back. If I didn't return with it I didn't know what would happen. Then again, every minute I hesitated, the Fellowship had a bigger chance of being in danger. I bit my lip. Fellowship or home? I could be stuck here if I didn't get those pieces. However, the Fellowship had important roles in saving Middle Earth, not to mention I considered them my friends. It only took me a moment longer for me to decide. Shaking my head, I smiled, grabbed my bag, and left the room.