Chapter Four

Adventure.

Somehow, Amanda had imagined adventure as being constantly exciting, full of heated battles and heart-stopping chase scenes. Just like in the books she had read.

But as it turned out, books aren't exactly like real life (that's what makes them fun to read). For her, adventure was listening to the endless thump-thump-thump of her horse's hooves on the leafy forest floor.

Here's the harsh truth- so far, adventure was boring. The old Amanda probably would have given up a long time ago. But somewhere along the line, Amanda had gained new strength and resolve, and she wasn't quitting.

The horse she was riding tossed its flaxen mane abruptly, bringing her out of her reverie. Amanda clutched at the reins in a second of panic, worried that the horse might buck her off. Neither Amanda, old or new, had any skill with equines. Luckily, nobody saw her blunder, as she was at the back of the line. Gandalf was in front, then Pippin on a little pony, and finally her.

They had been walking for a couple days now and Gandalf said they were getting close to the town of Bree. That news perked Amanda up. Talk about a scenic route!

About an hour later, they dismounted for the night. 'We should reach Bree at about noon tomorrow.' Pippin said, rolling up a map after checking their position. That was good news, and they all got off their horses in high spirits.

Amanda tied the horses to a tree, hoping that they wouldn't go anywhere.

Pippin was crouched by the kindling fire, and Amanda hurried off to get more dry wood. When she returned, arms full of sticks and twigs, he was demonstrating his culinary skills by cooking some mushrooms. Hobbits love mushrooms. She remembered. Well, it couldn't hurt to give them a try.

As they finished cooking, she hesitantly popped one in her mouth and chewed thoughtfully. It was- delicious!

She ended up having to fight Pippin for the rest of the mushrooms, while Gandalf hung in the background and watched, amused.

Despite the scuffle, everyone went to bed with full stomachs, and before they knew it the sun had risen.

'Time to get going.' Amanda yawned.

Pippin groaned. 'It's too early.' But he got on his pony, albeit a bit grumpily, and they set off. The ride was uneventful, and they reached Bree about half an hour before noon. Their horses were stabled and they headed toward the Prancing Pony, at Amanda's insistence.

'I have to see it.' She said. 'How many other chances am I going to get?'

So they went, and Amanda basked in the authentic Bree atmosphere. Sitting down at a table, she peered around the crowded tavern, half hoping to see a mysterious shadowy caped figure that would reveal itself to be a king.

She did, in fact, see a mysterious shadowy caped figure, but it was not a king. In fact, when it turned her way, she was surprised to see it wasn't fully grown- youthful, in fact. Amanda's eyes narrowed as she began to recognize the body shape- the way her fingers tapped impatiently on the table- could it be?

The figure's hood brushed back slightly, revealing the characteristic single freckle at the corner of her left eye. There was no doubt- it was.

Frantic, Amanda searched for Pippin and Gandalf. Rushing to them, she gasped, 'I saw her! She's here.'

Gandalf was immediately alert, steely eyes scanning the bar. 'There.' She said, grabbing his staff and following the elusive girl, who had just slipped out a back door. 'Come on.'

Pippin trotted after him, abandoning his food- most uncharacteristic, but it was an emergency. The trio burst out of the Prancing Pony, looking around.

Then they heard a low, manic laugh from above them. Six eyes glanced upward to see the object of their search crouched on a tree branch. Her eyes glinted unnaturally, and in her hand she held a long, silver knife.

'And now,' Sasha hissed. 'You die.'

Author's Note: Yeah, splitting chapter 4 into two was wimpy. But at least I'm writing, right? And just think of it like… like how the last Harry Potter movie was split into two. I'm just maximizing the entertainment!

Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Next Chapter will be out by: 1/10/16