Author's Note:

Sorry for the late update. School has started for me and was bombarded with alot of homework (which I still have not start doing yet... sigh) Ok. So the next chapter is up! Enjoy my friends. Hope you will like it. Oh yes, please review after reading.

Disclaimer: Tolkein owes LOTR.

Chapter 11 - A strange encounter

Where am I…

…

Wait… I am in my living room again… this has got to be another dream…

'CRAASH!!'

Huh? What's that noise!?

"You must be having an affair outside right? Our daughter is missing right now and yet you!"

Mom…?

"How can I be keeping a woman when I have to concentrate on supporting my family and now with Jacqueline missing as well. Please, stop thinking like this about me, I am sick and tired of this…"

Dad? What's going on??

"STOP RAISING YOUR VOICE AT ME! So, you are saying you're tired of me?! Oh I see… you are saying that I am boring? FINE! Go and find a woman who can entertain you and the children then! Once Jacqueline is found, we shall get a divorce!"

Divorce?!?! Mom, wait, dad didn't mean that way, his voice is naturally loud. Please mom, stop this…

"STOP PUTTING WORDS IN MY MOUTH! To think you can still say about divorce when our child is out there missing! Why can't you trust me more?"

Dad… mum is more insecure now, and lower your voice before she'll misunderstand you more!

'Jacqueline…'

I have to go back… I can't let this continue…

'Jacqueline...'

I… I…

'Jacqueline wake up...'

… I don't want to see my family broken down further because of me…

Please… let me go home… I don't wish to be on Middle Earth anymore longer…

'Jacqueline!'

My eyes opened slowly as I could feel my body rocking front and back in rhythm with Gandalf's horse. I winced at the amount of light entering into my eyes. My hands gripped my sack tightly as strong gusts of wind rushed past my face.

Eh…? I touched my right cheek and it felt wet.

"You are having a nightmare…" I could hear Gandalf's baritone voice close behind, "I was worried Sauron could have made another attack in your mind… but… from your tone, it's something more personal… am I wrong Child?"

I shook my head slightly and leaned against the surprisingly broad chest of Gandalf, wiping my tears away. "No Gandalf, you are right… I… I dreamt… something unpleasant…"

The wizard did not say anything as the horse continued to ride amazingly swift now through the vast fields that were spreading before my very eyes. But I knew that wizard must be looking at me questionably from behind. "Say… how long have we been riding?" I asked curiously, trying to switch a topic, pushing my dream to the back of my mind.

"For nearly a day now… it should be the late afternoon if you are thinking about the time. We shall make a stop at Bree, an ancient colony in Eriador shared by both Hobbits and Men. There are dwarves there as well. If you are luckily, you might even catch an elf or two." Gandalf replied, and my eyes rose at the information.

"Bree? But I thought we are making our way straight to Minas Tirith? Without any stops?"

Gandalf laughed. "If I am by myself, yes, it will be without stops. But still, we shall stop at Bree to build up our provisions for our journey. And I am sure you still not well-equipped for the journey."

I smiled sheepishly in front. Indeed, when we were riding out of the Shire before I fell asleep, I realized I forgot about bathing things, like soap, toothbrush (which was actually in fact a twig specially crafted for brushing teeth) towel, and also other important stuffs like a cloak, to shield myself from rain.

"We better buy you a cloak immediately when we reach Bree… there are many different types of people around in Bree. Hobbits, dwarves, men and many others… and there are those whose identities unknown. It's best not to let your face be seen by anyone, unless they are trustworthy… for there may be spies of Sauron already dispatched…"

I twisted my body to look at Gandalf to see if he was joking, but I was received with a solemn and grim face. I gave a curt nod and turned back to the scenery.

"So which means I cannot roam the area freely like in the Shire?"

"Yes Child… but, I will have to follow you around if you want to. Besides, I believe you do not have the money to buy all your necessary provisions right?"

That's true… but wait a minute! A big question entered into my mind.

"Gandalf! I was wondering, are you wealthy?"

"… Why do you ask such a question Jacqueline?" I could hear amusement and curiosity in his voice.

"well… you wear such erm… dressing... but yet you could have the money and the ingredients to make all those fireworks for Bilbo! Unless of course you are a thrifty wizard, and hide your wealth beneath those grey old robes of yours," I explained, my gaze never leaving the view.

"That, my Child, is a secret that I do not wish to tell."

I rolled my eyes at his answer as a view of a long tall wall appear to view in front of us.. "Fine, keep your secret. But are you sure you have the money to pay? I think I will have to buy quite a lot!"

Gandalf gave another laugh before halting the horse in front of a tall wooden gate. "Enough said Child. We have reached the West-gate of the village of Bree."

I looked at the gate and stared appreciatively at the likeness of it with the movie. Suddenly, Gandalf threw his cloak around me from behind, covering my face.

"Wear this for now until we pass through the gate and enter into a cloak shop there Child. Remember, do not speak unless I say so, "Gandalf whispered in my ear and I nodded mutely, pulling the grey cloak down to further covering my face and tightened my hold on it. I felt Gandalf getting down from the horse and pull the horse closer to the gate with me. I heard a few hard and loud knocks on the gate made by Gandalf's staff and I could hear the small hatch on the gate sliding opened.

"What do you want, and where do you come from?" a throaty voice asked demandingly.

"Gandalf the Grey. I have come from the Shire to do some business here in Bree and I have a very sick companion with me. I wish to seek a healer here before continuing our journey up east." The wizard said in his most convincing tone. In his cloak I raised an eyebrow, so that's how he's going to bring me in… I gave a few coughs and wheezes, hoping that the gatekeeper would hear it.

There was a small silence before I heard the gate opening for us to enter. Inwardly, I was dancing for joy. At least now I could get myself some food, I thought as I could hear my stomach growled softly.

"Of course Gandalf the grey, you are most welcome to Bree with your companion. I pray that he will be healed for his sickness soon." That same throaty voice replied and with that, I felt the horse moved again. He?! Why am I being looked as a guy again?! Can't he see my womanly curves from the outline of the cloak?! I thought miserably as I looked at my stomach within the cloak and squeezed at the large lump of fats.

Once passing the Gate, I was plummeted with bustling sounds of people around me as Gandalf lead the horse up a hill and down a slope. I looked around slightly, lifting the cloak slightly up above my eyes.

There I was at the main road of Bree which ran down the middle of the village. It was lined on both sides by stables, paddocks, and cottages and was a wide avenue, dry and slightly pitted due to the warm weather right now. The windows were opened and I could see hobbits, dwarves and men walking pass us doing their daily activities as Gandalf led on.

"Why hello Gandalf, nice to see you again!"

"Gandalf!"

"Look it's Gandalf the Grey!"

Many greetings and murmurs were heard around me and Gandalf greeted back with a smile to the passer-bys. So our dear old wizard is quite well-known and popular in this area… I mused, holding my sack tightly, making sure it did not leave my side.

I could feel their curious gazes on me from behind and I sweatdropped mentally.

Who wouldn't stare if they saw a a cloak covered being on his horse? They must be wondering if I am a leper or something… I thought sarcastically as I felt the horse halted with a slight jerk.

"We're here Jacqueline. Can you get down?" Gandalf said gruffly and a little breathless, perhaps from the distance traveled on foot. I looked down from the right of me only to see that I was in fact quite far from the ground. Are all horses that tall? I shook my head and leap down from the horse…

…… only to lose my footing and landed face flat on to the soil ground. 'SPLAT!'

"…" Okay, THAT'S FINAL! I AM SOOO NOT GOING TO RIDE A HORSE AGAIN IN MY LIFE!!!

I raised myself from the ground and glared hard at the soil, cleaning myself away from the dirt on my face. I heard Gandalf stifling a laugh.

"Yeah, yeah, laughing at a fallen lady like me. How gentlemanly you can be Gandalf the Grey," I said sarcastically and patted my shirt and pants.

"Look at that girl!"

"She has black hair and eyes! Look at her face!"

"Where do you think she comes from?"

I froze at the murmurs that were rising behind me and I realized the cloak had fallen away from me when I fell. I looked around for the cloak frantically and found it right beside me in a heap, stained by the soil. Just then, I felt Gandalf's hands grabbing my shoulders and I was pushed into the shop immediately.

"What the!?" I cried in shock when I found myself being surrounded by weapons of all types and kinds. Many were hung neatly on all the walls and there were a few cloaks folded neatly at a shelf nearby. The entire shop was of cream color and for a shop that sells weapon, it had somewhat of a welcoming feeling.

"Bofur! Are you there?" Gandalf, who apparently had wore back on his dirtied cloak again, gave a low yell as he gently pulled me closer to the counter, where on it was a wide array of small deadly weapons displayed. Daggers, small bows you named it.

My heart gave an excited leap as I saw the weapons laid before my eyes, half looking towards Gandalf, who was waiting impatiently for this 'Bohur' to appear. I caught my eyes on an intricate looking bow on one of the walls and walked towards it. I wiped my dirtied hands with my shirt and took the bow down gently, examining it with curious yet admiring eyes.

Why, this design is so beautiful! Patterns of leaves and birds in flight! Wait a minute, there's some kind of writings there… … can't read them. Is it some form of language Middle Earth have?

"It's Elvish, lass, if you're wondering."

I yelped at the sudden intrusion of a gruff voice and spun around with the bow, only to find a stocky, big and muscular person, dressed in a baggy cream shirt with long sleeves and wide brown pants, standing in front of me. I widened my eyes.

Why he's shorter than me! Though taller than Frodo, but still, he's like two centimeters shorter! A Dwarf!

I had seen dwarves before with Frodo and Bilbo during their trips, but I never get to see them up close and personal with them. But one thing was for sure, all of them had beards… really long, messy beards. This guy, why he had a beard that was like orange that reached to his waist!

I stared at the guy who laughed heartily in his low baritone voice at my expression. "Gandalf, you never tell this lassie here to not touch any of ye weapons in my shop? It's quite dangerous for a lass to play around, though she may pass off as us dwarf folks!" He said to Gandalf, who gave an amused look towards me.

"Indeed my friend, I apologize for my forgetfulness." The wizard grinned at the burly dwarf. "Jacqueline, I would like you to meet an acquaintance of mine in Bree. Bohur, a descendant from the dwarves of moria."

I gave a smile and shook Bohur's large hand with slight hesitance. "Hello err… Mister Bohur, it's a pleasure to know a dwarf folk here in Bree. Sorry for meddling with your bow. It's quite well done and has a beautiful design." After that, I returned the bow back to the dwarf with care, ensuring I do not even leave a scratch on it. Bohur gave a short loud laugh and placed the bow back to its original place with delicate hands, which was quite unusual for a dwarf. Why I thought all dwarves were quite rough in handling their weapons during fights, but I guessed I was wrong.

"Thank ye for ye compliment on the bow lassie. Why, this bow was made by the Mirkwood elves themselves. Finest archers and bow makers they had though we dwarves have the finest skills in metal and stone. I had a dear friend there who supplies me with these fine bows and they definitely fetch a hefty price, though that blasted elf was quite arrogant as all his kinsmen were."

I raised my eyebrows questionably. "But I thought Dwarves and Elves do not go along quite well for many centuries?" As said and read in both the books and the movies by Gimli himself.

"Indeed lass, but there are those who are willing to put their differences aside and respect each other, although we dwarves are stubborn fellows. Why, I met that elf when I was ambushed by orcs during my travels during the period of the last Great battle, and we became fast yet close friends since then... a fierce and devastating times they were…" the said dwarf trailed off and Gandalf nodded knowingly and grimly, as though he had thought something unpleasant.

"Bohur, I would need a suitable cloak for Jacqueline on our journey quickly. One that can shield her from the rain at least." The wizard said at last and the dwarf gave a nod. Bohur gave a through look at me from head to toe and sprinted to the cloak shelf. Within minutes, he returned with a brown, comfortable cloak that seemed to fulfill Gandalf's requirements.

"Here ye go Gandalf, a sturdy cloak for yer lass. But I never knew Gandalf the Grey will be interested in young lasses," Bohur jested and winked at me as he handed me the cloak. I gave a smirk.

"Indeed my dear wizard, I never knew you feel for me this way. Why, Frodo will be shocked if he heard this," I gave a dramatic sigh in despair, imitating Merry before laughing again.

Gandalf rolled his eyes and took out a small pouch beneath his sleeves.

"It's 'lright dear Gandalf. Ye don't need to pay. Ye always looking out for me and we dwarf folks on Middle Earth. Besides, I like yer lass here. Can pass off as a dwarf folk if yer lass has a beard. Though her face is somewhat different from the Men and women I saw." Bohur laughed, patting my back a little too hard. I winced a little at the force and gave a weak grin. "Thank you Master Bohur. But I rather keep my face off facial hair. No offence."

Imagine. A plump Chinese girl with a long messy black beard… not a pretty thought to imagine.

"No offence done Lassie. Ye two have better start your journey soon for it soon to be dark."

Gandalf gave a smile to Bohur. "Then we shall make our leave Bohur. I will drop by again soon. Let us go Child. We still have much to buy."

I nodded and gave my heartfelt thanks to the dwarf as I put on my new cloak and pulled up the hood from behind with untold glee.

"The next time we meet Master Bohur, you can tell me more of your kind and Moria! I am quite interested in your cultures and traditions." And Moria's magnificence in its stone carvings and structures. I gave a side glance to Gandalf, my eyes softened. And the 'death place'… for the fallen of Gandalf the Grey…

"Haha, I shall wait for yer next visit with Gandalf here then to tell you of the magnificence of us dwarf folk. Good bye lassie." Bohur grinned dwarvishly and waved to us goodbye as Gandalf led me out of the shop to our horse.

"Good bye Master Bohur" I said and with the door closed, we were back outside of the shop, our horse waiting patiently there. I adjusted the hood slightly when I saw Gandalf untying the reins of his horse from a hook.

"Bohur is quite…well open-minded for a dwarf," I said softly as Gandalf walked with the horse til he reached beside me.

"He is Jacqueline. In fact, his great grand grand grand father, Bohur was one of the thirteen dwarves involved with Bilbo's adventure to the Lonely Mountains. Fine folks they were…" the wizard smiled fondly at the memories.

"But why didn't Bohur stayed at the mountains instead of here in Bree?"

"It seems that dwarf prefers to mingle around with other folks beside his kin, wanting to learn more skills on weapon makings from Men and Elves. Unusual for a dwarf, but Bree is a place where all of the races gather. He's happy here."

"He somewhat reminds me of a certain two I somewhat knew…" Gimli and Legolas, when those two stubborn people finally let go of the ancient grudge and become bosom friends.

I gave a grin and patted the horse hesitantly. The horse neighed softly and lean his head closer to my hand. I laughed and stroke its mane gently. "I think your horse likes me. Though I am still getting use to the riding and stuff."

"You will. Come, there's not much time left. We still have much to buy." Gandalf assured and with that, he walked ahead with the horse. I sighed softy and was about to follow the wizard when I heard a faint laughter from behind me. I turned around abruptly, only to find no one there.

Okay… that was plain freaky… Oh yeah Gandalf!

"Gandalf! Wait up!" I yelled at the wizard in front and ran towards him, who obviously did not hear my yell to wait. I decided to look behind one last time, to make sure when I saw a black haired young child standing at the spot I just stood. Her big round black coal eyes stared back to mine. Her mouth opened and closed, as though she was trying to tell me something before ending with a wide smile. Just then, a big large man walked pass in front of me and I widened my eyes.

The girl had disappeared!

My eyes remained glued to the spot where the girl stood and my heart froze as I heard a faint whispering floating into my ears.

"The book is no longer present in your world now… it has returned to its rightful place on Middle Earth…"