Yay! The 3rd chapter has arrived! Please tell me if all characters are in character. Sorry about the length, I had a busy week. Orc attack and whatnot.

Chapter 3

Third Person POV(Observing Lily)

The dark haired girl turned around to address the Hobbits, the wizard, and Boromir of Gondor.

"So! Wood."

"Lead on" The wizard smiled.

"First thing we'll need is kindling." She stated, walking over to a young tree-like plant and breaking off a twig, passing it around. Sam broke it in half, breathing in the spicy aroma. He smiled.

"Its smells wonderful." He passed it to Boromir, who held it between his thumb and forefinger dubiously.

"Yep. Some of the best kindling in the... well here. The roots make good tea." she answered.

"You know something of woodcraft?" Gandalf asked as the branch reached him.

"No, not really. I just read a lot of books." She replied, blushing slightly at his assumption. "Besides, that's not even what we're looking for." She bent over and rummaged around in the bric-a-brac. A moment later she stood up and held a different stick high in the air, flourishing it triumphantly.

"This is what we want."

The hobbits went, "Ah."

Gandalf said, "I see."

Boromir looked confused.

Everyone immediately set to chasing down the brown resinous sticks. Boromir stuck with the halflings,

and Gandalf accompanied Lily.

"Hey, Gandalf, could you hand me that one over there?"

Gandalf reached into the brambles with his staff. The end of the staff glowed slightly. He then pulled it out with the stick attached to the tip. Plucking said stick off the end of his staff, he smiled and offered the branch to her. She grinned, and threw it in the direction of the clearing.

"So, what do you think that sister of yours is doing with Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli?"

"Probably fangirling her head off."

Gandalf laughed. "Probably so."

There came a resounding crash, followed by a loud outcry in dwarvish.

"Are you alright?" Merry yelled.

"Oh yes, I'm fine!" Came back Gimli's gruff and sarcastic reply, "Only a log on my foot!"

"Not my fault!" Shouted Olivia. At that point Lily and Gandalf stopped listening.

"Am I correct in thinking this is the 21st century?" The wizard asked, bending down to pick up a stick.

"Yeah, or thereabouts. Hey, how did you figure that out?"

"I'm a wizard."

"You travel in time!?"

He wiggled his eyebrows mysteriously.

"Well? Can you?"

"A bit." Lily's curiosity had been roused. (It never took much rousing.)

"Have you you been to this century before?"

"Why yes. Quite recently in fact."

"Recently?" Lily's expression changed subtly. Slowly she added, "So... After the Balrog... You didn't happen to take a vacation... Did you?"

Gandalf reddened. Suddenly his eyebrows jumped.

"How did you-"

"Ah ah," Lily interrupted, thinking quickly, "An answer for an answer."

He grumbled a moment. Then smiled.

"Bermuda. '79. Very warm. Nice beaches. Left my suitcase." He waited for her to react. A long pause.

"How was the traffic?"

"Terrible."

They stood for some minutes, staring one another down. It was Gandalf who finally blinked.

"I have answered. Now. You will answer my question. How did you know of... That matter."

"Hmmm... I err, read a lot. And I know things. Like about the hobbits."

"What about-"

"That they will appear right now!" She clapped and shouted, "TENNSHUN! FRONT AND CENTER!"

As if by magic the four were there in the clearing as well, standing tall. Ish. Merry and Pippin actually saluted.

"How's the kindling?"

"We've piled up a fair bit in the glen I'd say." Frodo announced, and grinned at his fellows.

"Well done Frodo." Gandalf nodded. "I believe it's time we found out how the others are getting on."