Chapter One

"Ow!" Shouted Andie, her foot had collided into a tree root she didn't notice. She winces and grabs her foot gingerly as she feels a throbbing pain begin to grow at her toes.

Confusion fills her mind when she takes in her surroundings. Trees as far as the human eye can see. The sky hidden by nature's canopy. The pavement she was once walking on replaced by dirt and grass. Andie removes her headphones from her ears and turns around slowly in a circle as she marveled at the sight before her. She wasn't walking through the park anymore. Maybe she took a wrong turn. She clearly wasn't paying attention with a text message demanding it more than her surroundings at the time. Where was she? She most definitely was lost.

Andie looks around in each direction hoping to find someone passing by. A jogger, someone walking their dog, anyone really! A thought passes in her mind 'maybe it wouldn't be such a great thing to find someone here alone...' A feeling of unease and anxiety fills her chest as she quickly unlocks her phone to access google maps.

No signal.

Staring at the screen intently she takes a few steps around holding her phone at different heights, hoping and praying to get even the weakness signal. Andie was never good with directions or any kind of travel. There were a few moments when she got lost in her own neighborhood mostly because she hardly went out due to overprotective parents. And when she did go out it was mostly by car and she was too distracted by a book to pay attention.

"Come on!" She says desperately. She takes a few more steps with her phone held high but the result don't change. No signal. She sighs in defeat and lets her arm fail by her side. Looking around once more Andie comes to the conclusion that the best next step was to backtrack...only she couldn't really tell which direction she had came from. Her shoulders slumped, the grip on her phone tighten, and the feeling of panic arose in her. Her breathing quicken a bit. Andie closed her eyes and thought to herself.

'I am fine. I am fine. Deep breathe.' She slowly inhales through her nose followed by slowly releasing it through her mouth.

'I am fine. I can do this. The park eventually has a end. I just have to keep walking. Pick direction and walk.'

Andie wrapped her headphones around her phone and shoved it in her jean back pocket. She took one more look around before deciding to continue in the direction in front of her and push on forwards. She fought her anxiety and negative thoughts by repeatedly reminding herself that an anxiety attack at this moment would do no good to help her at all. Yes she was lost. Yes she was scared out of her mind. But, she was lost before. She had gotten home the last time. This should be no different. She just had to remain calm...

Andie walked...and walked...and walked. Was she going deeper? Surely she must be. 'Ugh' she thought 'I must have chosen the wrong way!'

She took out her phone and checked the time. 3 pm. 30 minutes had passed since she had decided to continue on walking this way. She still had some time before it would get dark. That thought comfort somewhat. But, she knew it would get dark soon and she didn't want to be lost here in the dark. No she did not like that thought at all... she never really liked the dark.

"30 minutes" she says to herself. "I should just keep walking. I'll reach the end of the park soon...hopefully."

'I mean its not like i just walked into Central Park.' Andie thought to herself with a scoff. 'I'm not in manhattan anyway.' Taking in her surrounding Andie puts her phone away as she continues to walk she struggles to fight back her anxious thoughts. She didn't feel like she was in a park. With each step she took it only convinced her more and more that this was definitely not a park.

'Too many trees... the air is different... it's too quiet... why cant i hear any cars or people?' Andie continued to list everything that was unnerving her in her mind until the sound of a twig snapping far to near for comfort froze her in her tracks. Her heart dropped down into her stomach and a cold sensation washes over her body completely as her blood began to pump fast. Was she not alone anymore? Was it a animal? Would there even be a animal? A squirrel? Should she look? Should she run? What should she do?

'Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my good. Don't panic. Don't freaking panic!' Andie thought quietly. Her body wouldn't move. She stood there stiff as board. She listened carefully for anything. A voice. Movement. She pleaded with herself to turn and look but, there was a mental battle taking place in her mind. 'How many times have you screamed at the girl who stupidly walks towards a strange sound in horror films?! Andie don't be a idiot!'

Before she could finish arguing with herself she clearly heard rustling some short distance behind her and her flight response decided for her. She ran. She stumbled on roots and grabbed and pushed on trees to help herself maneuver through the sea of trees she was rushing pass. She ran until her legs burned. She ran until her chest was on fire. She ran and ran until she saw it, the edge of the "park." She jogged to the edge, ignoring the burning in her lungs. She wheezed and struggled to take in breaths. Before she reach the last few trees she paused and looked back. Her eyes scanned around and only when she felt certain that no one was after her did she pull off her backpack and lean her back on the trunk of the tree. She slowly sank down to the floor and tried to slow and steady her breathing. Sweat made the back of her shirt cling to her and she felt overheated. She unzipped her hoodie and pulled it off. A cool breeze passing by hits her skin gently, providing momentary relief. She quickly opens up her backpack and searching for an item she now realizes she desperately needs, her asthma pump. She brings the pump to her mouth and breathes in the medication. One puff then two. She steadies her breathing, closing her eyes while inhaling slowly through her nose and exhaling through her mouth.

"Breathe. Just breathe." She repeats to herself.

The pain in her chest is the only evidence of her asthma attack left with the wheezing now gone. Andie sits on the floor with her eyes close. Still feeling paranoid she opens her eyes and looks once again into the sea of trees. Nothing... No one... was it really nothing? Was it really no one? She gives herself a few moments of rest before standing up and tying her hoodie around her waist.

'At least i made it to the end of the...' Andie couldn't finish her thought when she turned to make her way to walk onto a sidewalk. Frozen in place with dread filling her every fiber. There was no sidewalk. There was no city. No cars. No people. There was nothing. Nothing she knew of. Nothing familiar.

All she saw as far as she could were hills covered in green. Panic finally winning and settling deep within her she yells "HELLO?!"

"ANYONE?! WHERE THE HELL AM I?! HELLO?!"

Silence is the only answer she receives. "HELLO?!" She yells as loudly as she can, stumbling while she turns every which way looking in between the trees and out into the hills. The feeling of unease returns and she feels a urgency to be far away from this "park" or forest...whatever it was. All she knew was it wasn't natural. It didn't belong... more correctly, she didn't belong. She felt as it this part of nature knew that fact as well and it wasn't shy to let her know it. But, that was silly. Nature doesn't do that... does it?

"I hit my head" Andie said. "Or I'm dreaming?" She tries to rationalize.

Her hands fly to her head and she checks herself for a bump or any pain. Nothing. She looks to her foot and remembers that she stubbed her toes. 'Can I feel pain like that in dreams?' She ponders. Confused. Yes, Andie was sure nothing made sense. Nothing was familiar. She was lost. She confused.

Suddenly, as if something impatient was shooing her away, a gust of wind pushed through the trees. It did not feel kind. It did not feel welcoming. It felt bitter and annoyed. It felt as a warning. A final statement that demanded that she leave. Andie gasps and takes a few steps backwards out onto the plains. She stares into the trees and nervous says "hello?"

This time it wasn't silence that answers but the sound of trees and wood groaning. It wasn't a sound she wanted to hear. It scared her and she was ready to run again. That is until she heard a voice.

"Oh hush now! You can clearly see she means no harm!"

'A man?' Andie thought.

Should she stay and ask for help? Should she run? Could he be trusted? So many questions ran through her mind. The man in question had made his way into view causing Andie to snap out of her thoughts and shout out at him.

"St..Stay where you are!" She stutters, holding her hands out towards him in a universal sign for stop.

The man stops about 10 paces from her and offers her a warm smile. He was elderly and had a kind face. He wore a blue robe, which is what Andie would have called it, that reached pass his knees with brown leggings. On his feet he wore yellow boots and on his head was a blue pointed hat to match his outfit. His hair was long and a graying brown. His beard held a bit more grey and reached just above his belly. He didn't seem to have any ill intent towards her but, one can never truly know. Andie stared at him and wondered 'What was he wearing? Was there some kind of convention going on nearby?'

"No need to be afraid. I mean you no harm." The man says with a smile growing a bit larger on his face. "I am Tom Bombadil and this here is my forest" he says with his arms stretch out wide.

"Forest?" Andie mutters confused. "Your forest?"

"Aye my lady. Welcome to the what some call The Old Forest." He says while taking in her appearance. His eyes moved from the top to bottom of her form. He noticed her peculiar clothing. From the black basic T-shirt to the dark blue jeans she wore. He saw what he would assume would be another shirt tied at her waist and stared a moment at the black shoes she wore. His eyes then lifted back to her face and he marveled at the oddity that sat on her nose and laid before her eyes. Spectacles, not in the fashion that he was familiar with. The frame was slightly thick, black and in the shape of rectangles. On her head was black baseball hat that hid her hair. His smile lingered and there seemed to be a twinkle in his eye. Yes, it would seem that Andie was oddity instead of him.

"The Old Forest... this isn't a park" Andie said, trying to make sense of her situation. "I cant be near anywhere i know then..."

The old man tilts his head slightly to the side and his smile softens. "You are lost." It wasn't a question.

Andie wasn't sure what to tell him. She didn't know how to answer. She was a adult but, felt as a child in this very moment. She remembered her mother telling her never to talk to strangers. She remembered her father telling her that if she was ever alone to never confirm this with strangers. But, that was when she was a child and helpless. She is a adult now and lost. She was in a forest to be exact. There was no forest near where she lived. She lived in a city and where we was walking there was no forest. It was a park. What was happening?!

"I'm not lost" Andie said with all the courage she could muster. "I'm just enjoying the scenery"

"Not many walk these parts Miss..." He pauses for her to offer her name. Andie hesitates and fidgets with her hands. Was it ok if tell him her name? She decides to give him the shorten version of her name.

"Ann...my name is Ann"

"Miss Ann" He says smiling. "Beautiful name. As I was telling you before, we don't get many visitors. And the forest isn't so welcoming to two legged creatures. It dwells on the past and has become bitter."

"Who's we?" Andie begins but, then asks "wait...two legged creatures? What?"

"Ah! Where are my manners?! Yes myself and my wife. I saw you were being chased out by Old Man Willow. He's not great company and a real pain in the arse." Tom says.

Andie places a hand on her temple and says "My head hurts. None of this makes sense. A old man was chasing me?"

Tom barks out a laugh. "No Miss Ann. Old Man Willow is a Evil Tree Spirit in this forest. He's tried to make a mess of things for me in the past but, I showed him whats what." He said while puffing out his chest proudly. "So what are you doing out here alone? 'Tis not safe for a woman to be out on her own to begin with."

"I'm not alone." Andie says quickly. The silence around them was deafening. The words Evil Tree Spirit finally hit here and she shouts "Evil Tree Spirit?!"

Tom raises a eyebrow at her, ignoring her shock and says "you're not?" He looks around and informs her "I'm sorry to say so but, it would seem that you are alone Miss Ann."

Becoming aware of her fidgeting, Andie straighten up her posture and crossed her arms over her chest. She tries to think of a response but, her mind can only think of one thing to say...

"No I'm not"

It was childish but it was all she had. Tom Bombadil smile simply grew larger. "I suppose you're not then if you insist. You are not lost and not alone. Though if you were I would suggest you find a place to camp soon as there is no village near by. The nearest being Bree or Hobbiton. Bree being the closest of the two and a day and half journey at the least." He said stroking his beard pensively.

Andie looked at him suspiciously. Camp. She didn't know how to camp. She never camped in her life! She had no outdoorsy survival skills whatsoever! Camp! Ha! She couldn't even start a fire. What was she to do? She couldn't stay outside in the dark alone. She couldn't stay with this man either. She didn't know him. She didn't trust him. Didn't he say he had a wife. Could that mean that he wasn't bad? But, then again bad men still had wives. Being married doesn't make you a good decent person. She was faced with two choices and she couldn't choose. She was sure she wasn't safe outside. But with Tom it was a 50/50 chance of him being bad news. Whereas staying outside alone in the dark with no fire or weapon or anything really was definitely dangerous. Her head was pounding and she let out a deep sigh.

"I need help. I was separated from my friend. I am not lost or alone... just temporarily separated from my friend. Maybe i can find them at... Bree?" She says the last part not sure if she got the name of the village correct. She eyed him cautiously.

"I'm sorry that you were separated from your friend. While I don't wish see a young woman such as yourself traveling alone I also cannot travel with you. I have business to attend to. But i can give you this." Tom says while reaching into a sack he carried with him. He extended his hand out and offered her two apples. "'Tis not much but, 'tis all i can give at the moment and you seem to be in a rush."

Andie cautiously accepted the apples and looked at them in her hands. When her eyes meet his once again she thanked him. He was right. She was in a rush to get home and as much as the thought of company, even from a stranger, had comforted her, she wanted and needed to go home. She then asked how to get to Bree. Tom pulled out a rolled up piece of parchment and handed it to her. She unrolled it to see a map.

"It will be dark soon. You will see stars. Should you lose your sense of direction there is a star that will help you keep your place. Alas i don't have ink o-" Andie interrupts him by holding a pen out to him. She had swiftly pull it out of her pocket. Tom stares at it interestingly.

"What is it?" He asks. Andie looks at him unbelievably.

"A pen... you write with it" she responds holding back the urge to be sarcastic. Who was this guy? Was he Larping? What he taking his character too seriously? She had heard of people who never broke character even when they were being treated in the ER. Confusing. Everything was just too confusing. And Stars? Maybe its just directions he's righting?

"Interesting" Tom says as he takes hold of the pen and begins to draw stars on the back of the map. "Like magic"

Andie looks at him and wonders if she should be even listening to anything this man is saying. He seemed a bit crazy. The way he was dressed, the way he talked, he didn't even know what a pen was! All of this would seem strange or crazy to anyone right?

"When the stars are out you will see many but, 'tis the one to follow. She has two sisters that shine brightly near her. Make sure she is facing ahead of you and follow her light. I don't recommend travel at night. But, she would set your path straight should you stray from it." Tom said while handing back the pen and map.

"You will be traveling through the Barrow-Downs, that is the name of these low hills." He said nodding towards the hills behind her and pointing them out on the map. "Bree is just Northeast from the hills."

"Simply walk straight ahead and look to the skies at night. You are far from Bree so the direction you take shouldn't matter much at the moment. You wont get far today, 'tis too late in the day. Just keep walking straight ahead" he finishes.

Tom pauses and smiles warmly at Andie. "You will be spending possibly 2 nights in the hills depending on your pace…you should be vigilant. There are creatures who roam the shadows."

The twinkle in his eye returns once more and he sends a grin her way. "Though I would not be too worried. Hidden strength often comes forth from the most unlikely places and hardships. Should you face any peril simply sing this song…perhaps you should write it down."

Andie looks at him confused? A song? How would a song help her in danger? And why he was looking at her so strangely. It didn't feel malicious. What did he mean about creatures? Did he mean animals? Why did it feel like he was talking in riddles? Did he know something she didn't? Should she trust him? Did she even have a choice? Tom simply waits patiently and gestures to the pen in her hand. She turn the map over to the back and placed it against a tree trunk to help her write.

"Uhh…ok?" Andie says confused. Was this guy sane? He has to be pulling her leg. A song? Really? She turn the map over to the back and placed it against a tree trunk to help her write. She would just write what he said and be on her way. It wasn't such a big request and he already made her feel nervous. She hoped he wasn't crazy. She hoped he was just some kind of cosplayer who was deep in character and took his acting way to serious. Yes, Andie hoped the latter was correct and Tom wasn't leading her astray.

"Ho! Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadil!

By water, wood and hill, by the reed and willow,

By fire, sun and moon, harken now and hear us!

Come, Tom Bombadil, for our need Is near us!" Tom sang.

She quickly writes the words on the map while thinking "why am i writing this?" Andie thanks him again and watches him depart back into the forest. She stands there until his form vanishes behind the shadows of the trees. She turns to face the plains and sighs.

'This is just perfect' she thinks to herself.

A gust of wind pulls her out of her thoughts once again. "Alright! Alright! I'm going!" She yells out to no one really...or maybe to Old Man Willow.

A/N: Hello everyone. Im DreamingGalaxies. This is my first time writing a fanfic and I would love feedback. :) I just wanted to explain the pairings in the summary. When brainstorming this story I knew the direction I wanted to take it but as far as who she will end up with is still not decided. Just like when we meet a new person and learn about them as friends, I will be learning about Andie as we go on with the story. so I'm just gonna see where the story takes me. I didn't want to officially mark this with any official pairing as I myself don't know yet either. She might not even end up with one of the characters listed either. I hope this doesn't make you lose interest in my story. This doesn't mean that there wouldn't be interactions with certain characters. I just didn't want to get ahead of myself.

-DreamingGalaxies

Disclaimer:

Everything belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien except my OCs and the unrecognizable parts of the plot.