Don't Look Back (Book 1) (A Lord of the Rings Fanfiction)

Chapter 1; Four Hobbits and a Ranger

Sarah awoke from a deep sleep in the middle of the night, she felt the cool, soft breeze from the window as the curtains swayed back and forth. The moon emitted a bluish glow through the window, which lit a portion of her small cabin.

She sat up and reached for her cup of water that sat on the dresser next to her bed but she quickly set it down after realizing it was empty. A disappointing sigh escaped her lips, and she laid back down.

Outside, it was a cool and clear summer morning, she could begin to hear the animals of the world begin to awake.

In the thousands of years she'd been alive she wasn't a good sleeper, so she decided to not try and fall back asleep. Pushing aside the covers, she swung her legs around and shivered slightly as her bare feet hit the cold floor. She slid her boots on, grabbed her cloak and got ready for the day ahead of her.

She planned on hunting for most of the day, that was one of her hobbies. The outside world fascinated her, and she loved nature. Once she was dressed she grabbed some apples and bread, along with a waterskin and shoved them into her pack. As she headed for the door, she grabbed her daggers, sheathed them around her belt and also grabbed her bow and quiver.

It would be daylight soon, as she could see the faint traces of sunlight begin to creep around the trees. Her house was built not far from Weathertop, in the region of Eriador. She'd sometimes stay overnight in The Watch Tower of Amon Sûl during one of her long hunts. But she hadn't in a long time.

She began walking down a path, deeper into the woods, smiling softly to herself when she heard the sweet hums of the birds.

She needed to find a deer drastically, for most of her meat was almost all gone. Rabbits and squirrels just wouldn't be enough, she needed something that would last her a week or more.

Hearing a twig snap, she crouched and quickly grabbed an arrow to ready her bow. She listened carefully, closing her eyes to concentrate more on the sounds.

To her disappointment she heard voices. Multiple voices.

They were close, but she couldn't see them. She quietly crept behind a tree, where she could keep her eyes on the path.

When she saw them emerge from the brush, she quickly moved her body out of sight and held her breath. She wasn't necessarily good fond of other people, that's why she lived in such a secluded area.

Why had these folk taken this path? Not many people used it.

"Where are you taking us?" One of them asked in an almost desperate voice. She could tell by the voice that the person was small. Maybe a teenager?

"Into the wild." The other answered, almost at a whisper. She could tell he was much older than the one who had spoken before.

She peaked out, out of curiosity, to see who and what they were. To her surprise there were five of them, and a pony.

She guessed that the tall man was a ranger, by his cloak and how rough and intense he looked. The thing that surprised her the most was the four hobbits. She hadn't seen a hobbit in about sixty years. What business had they had in these parts?

The small party was almost out of her sight, as they seemed to be in a hurry, when, much to her surprise, she began to follow them.

"You're going to get yourself killed, Sarah." She thought to herself as she quickly crept after them.

It had been about an hour and she began to loose interest, she was now far from home and getting closer and closer to Weathertop. She was about to turn back when she heard one of the curly haired blonde hobbits ask something that would change her life.

"How do we know this Strider is a friend of Gandalf?"

"I think a servant of the enemy would look fairer... and feel fouler." This one had black hair and a blue cloak.

"He's foul enough."

"We have no choice but to trust him."

Gandalf.

It had been so long since she last saw him, she thought of him as a father and a mentor.

"What do you know about Gandalf?" She asked in a demanding voice as she quickly stepped out onto the path.

The four hobbits quickly shot looks at Strider as if they expected him to protect them. Strider just stared on, for he knew they were being followed and the look on his face hid a deeper meaning as if he knew who she was.

"We're friends of Gandalf, but I'm afraid we've lost him." The chubbiest hobbit announced as he stepped in front of one of the other three almost protectively.

"Do you know Gandalf?! Do you know where he is?" The black haired hobbit asked, his face lighting up with hope.

"Yes, I know him. But I'm afraid I haven't seen him for many years." Sarah answered. The hobbits face returned to a tired and restless look. She felt the same way he did, although she didn't express it on her face. She would do just about anything to find her old friend.

"Well that's just great. Another stranger and no sign of Gandalf. I'm not even sure where this Strider's leading us!" The noble hobbit announced.

"To Rivendell, Master Gamgee." Strider answered him quickly. "To the house of Elrond."

The hobbits face lit up and he looked to his companions. "Did you hear that? Rivendell. We're going to see the Elves."

She had only traveled to Rivendell once before, and it wasn't on the best of terms.

"Mind if I tag along? I want to help find Gandalf." Sarah asked. This was her main priority now, and nothing would stop her from finding him.

"By all means my lady." Strider answered her with a nod as he turned to begin walking again. She smiled to herself, and followed quickly after him, and then the hobbits after her.

A long adventure awaited her, and if you told her at the time what she was getting herself into, she would call you crazy.