A/N: I do not own the Hobbit nor any of its creations. It belongs to great J.R.R. Tolkien and the wonderful visions of Peter Jackson made real by MGM and New Line Cinema. I own Fallon, her family, background and heritage. I make no profit from this story and only seek to bring entertainment to other like-minded individuals as myself. Thank you and please review.

Chapter One

Fallon woke to a persistent nudging at her face. Looking up with wide, slightly unfocused eyes, Fallon met the brown eyes of Apollo. Gently pushing his nose away from her, he backed away as she got to her feet. Casting eyes around her surroundings, it was both familiar and yet, not. The grassy area around the pond was still there as well as the stones but now they made up an actual room with a domed ceiling that had an opening directly above the pond. Both were perfectly circular and she could see the faded light of daybreak. She grabbed Apollo's reigns and led him through a doorway that went outdoors. An amazingly sorrowful view met her eyes. It seemed they were in an old city that had fallen or been forced into ruins. Half walls and buildings in shambles lay unpopulated and over grown with plants of all varieties. Some stones were scorched as if set on fire and she shuddered to imagine what happened here.

"What is this place?" Fallon asked aloud, her voice a whisper.

"It was once the Great City of Ard Gairdín."

Fallon gasped, spinning around to look behind her at the one who'd spoken. He was an older man wearing grey, well-worn robes with a silver scarf and a pointy grey hat. His long grey hair fell loose over his shoulders and back and his matching beard was long and a bit unruly. He leaned his weight on a staff made of some type of dark wood that twisted slighty at the top. His face was wise and his grey-blue eyes were sincere, even as they looked through her an intensity she had only experienced with her uncle. After taking in one another, a sudden smile came to the old man's lips as his eyes began to twinkle.

"I am Gandalf, the Grey Wizard. It is good to finally meet you. You've certainly kept us all waiting."

"Who's 'us all'?" Fallon asked, more confused than ever at this man's sudden appearance. "Why would you be waiting for me?"

"I do not believe your uncle would have left you with no help at all. Perhaps, he left you something to peruse at the right moment? I believe now would be well enough. I shall wait for you."

With that said, he turned and seated himself upon a low wall that had obviously been knocked down at some point. Although confusion filled her mind, the man's- Gandalf, she amended in her thoughts- reminded her of her uncle's written words about the satchel. She pulled the satchel from her saddlebag and shifted through its contents. In front of everything was a white envelope, which she opened to find another letter from her uncle.

Fallon,

I know waking in such a strange and unfamiliar place comes as a shock to you. There is a reason Colorado nor the world never suited your tastes. We are originally from Middle-Earth, a place believed to be a world of fiction from the books I showed you. It is here you will discover who you truly are and find your destiny. I am sorry to never had gotten the chance to tell you nor return with you but fate works in mysterious ways. If all went well, Gandalf the Grey will be there to meet you. You can trust him. I will leave you with a few parting words of advice.

Trust your instincts. Never doubt them.

Follow the path your heart sets for you. It will lead you true.

Cherish life as it is. A blessing.

Do not give up or lose yourself within troubled times.

Live.

Laugh.

Love.

You are never truly alone.

Your uncle,

Slavin

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With her uncle's letter, though not offering much clarity to the situation, Fallon followed Gandalf. In the first few hours, Gandalf informed Fallon of their destination. They were traveling to a place called the Shire where a meeting was to be held before they would undertake a quest. More details would be given when they arrived but until then, Fallon asked Gandalf questions of Middle-Earth that she didn't know but was always curious about. Her uncles books had included maps, peoples and places but the way Gandalf could describe it all made it more real. She was now thankful she found an interest in learning so much about things that seemed insubstantial for the modern world of 2014. More than once her skills in archery came in handy to help secure a meal for the pair and knowledge of herbs for a variety of uses.

Ard Gairdín, meaning High Garden in the common tongue, was settled North-West of Lake Evendim in what was once the Kingdom of Arthedain, formerly Arnor. It would take three weeks to reach the Shire even with the horses. Transversing the wilderness with a wizard was a strange experience but nice. Gandalf was full of wisdom but sometimes he had the worst habit of speaking in riddles. The morning when they started into the Shire, Gandalf sent her off to an Inn called the Green Dragon while he tended to who he hoped would be the last member of the company. Fallon settled into a room with her things and Apollo was put into the stables out back with food and water. She had earned a few stares and gaping looks with her appearance from the Hobbits. She couldn't blame them. She was a stranger in their lands and her looks weren't exactly common.

Now, she just had to wait. The Hobbits had indoor plumbing and water heaters so the first bath that didn't include streams and other bodies of water along the way was welcomed. The lavender scented water did wonders to relax her and the hot water soothed her muscles. The only thing that saved her from stiffness and sores was her life and chores on the ranch. It was a difficult life but one that truly prepared her in the way of hard work. The only thing that irritated her was the fact that three books in her uncle's satchel were locked and she didn't know how to open them. Nor did Gandalf. As the sun started to set, she ate a meal in her room before dressing for this meeting. Gandalf told her to meet her in front of the Inn once night had fallen. Others would meet them before they continued towards the Hobbit's home. A certain Mr. Bilbo Baggins.

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Please review and choose who Fallon should end up with; Thorin, Fili, Dwalin or Bofur...

Thank you.

UnwrittenJourney