Hey guys! I was going to just update on Sundays for this story, and then I decided that I would update on Sundays and either Wednesdays or Thursdays, depending on the week. Again, they might slow down eventually, but I am crazy invested in this story, and I'm really thankful for the views and the comment I got on the first chapter! Thank you so much, ZoeWhiteside5! Seriously, you guys have to look her up! I just have no idea how to link profiles on here. She saves some super cool stories to her reading lists :) Thanks Zoe! Anyway, enjoy!

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Miriel rode hard and fast across the rough terrain, taking the quickest route through the open plains and fields. Though this was usually far more dangerous than any other road, she rode most openly by night, and the evil creatures let her pass, mistaking her for one of the Nine. During the day, she rode close to the shadows, which diminished her speed some, but still she continued in haste towards Bree. Her instructions were to find a group of Hobbits travelling with a Ranger of the Dunedain, known to them as Strider, but according to Gandalf, she would easily recognize him. The little sleep she obtained was under the cover of the trees.

On the fifth day of her ride, she drew close to Bree, just as night began to fall and grow dark. The elvish blood from her mother's side gave her life length, but helped her in other areas as well, making her ears sharp and eyes keen in the darkness as she thundered along. Still, the mist was certainly not a welcome obstacle.

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As Strider led the four Hobbits across the plains, keeping to the shadows, he began to feel that something was about to happen. Something that would change his life and those of others for better or for worse. Both the Lady Arwen and Lord Elrond, who were like sister and father to him, had predicted such a thing many years ago, though he did not know under what circumstances it would occur, for both were very vague. So, he kept in shadow until night fell, allowing the weary Hobbits to walk on the smooth road, rather than the rocky and crumbling countryside.

Presently, his ears picked up the sound of hooves, and the fog gathered on the path to create a thick soup almost like a curtain. The ranger kept the Hobbits behind him, knowing the only way they would escape a rider would be to run it off the road, and waited. Then, as he and the Hobbits watched, the rider appeared out of the mist, the horse moving swiftly towards them. No warning scream or temptation for Frodo to put on the ring came, but still the rider approached. Once it had come close enough, Strider moved himself and his horse into the road, hoping to push the Nazgul off the path. Instead, the black horse reared into the air, spooked by the sudden movement, parncing back and forth, and a voice came from beneath the dark hood. Instead of the usual horrid rasp, a strong, female voice came out, calming the terrified stallion. Common speak mixed with elvish flowed forth, gradually calming the steed. As the horse stomped, another unexpected thing occurred. The rider's hood fell.

This in itself was strange, but what stopped the ranger in his tracks, was what the fallen fabric revealed. Instead of the nothingness beneath the hoods of the Nine, this revealed the intense and sculpted face of a woman, her blonde hair braided tightly away from her face. Her beauty was not, perhaps, the traditional sort with soft eyes and gentle features. She had intense blue eyes, sharper and more angular features, and a strong jaw, though her voice and eyes were gentle towards the beast she rode. She calmed the horse, and looked down at him, her blue eyes widening slightly before returning to their natural state, seeming to see through the ranger's mask and down to his soul. Her voice issued forth again, strong and authoritative, demanding to be answered.

"Who are you?" He bowed his head in respect, to which she raised an eyebrow, and answered her.

"Apologies, my lady, for disturbing your journey. My horse is a rather difficult creature." She nodded slightly, but her gaze remained fixed.

"Your apology is accepted, my lord, but your excuse is not, for it is untrue. And my question is left unanswered. You thought I was a wraith, did you not?" Strider gave a slight nod.

"I must admit I did."

"And for my question?" He sighed, but answered, his curiosity guiding his actions.

"I have many names, my lady, but most know me as Strider." At this she seemed to relax, her gaze softening and leaving him for a moment. She spotted the Hobbits and looked at them for a moment. Strider saw this, and began to explain.

"My sister's boys. I'm taking them on a trip through the countryside. Teaching them to hunt." She chuckled, much to their confusion, and dismounted the stallion, standing by its head. She was nearly his height, but the dark cloak covered her and hid the rest of her within. She drew closer, leading her horse, and he was able to get a better look at her.

"You needn't hid your intentions or your journey from me, Dunedain. Nor your halfling companions. I simply needed to be certain it was you."

"My lady?" She smiled, and it was lucky she answered, for he would have been unable to form an intelligent response. The smile lit up her entire face.

"I am Miriel. Gandalf sent me to find and aid you on your way to Rivendell. I have kept his message as proof of who I am. These are dark times, and I would not expect your blind trust." She reached inside her cloak, and pulled out a sealed letter, handing it to the ranger. It was indeed in Gandalf's writing, and he returned it to her, beconning the young Hobbits from the shadows. They approached, and looked up in awe at the tall woman. Were all the big people so large? The woman's blue eyes seemed to see their minds and their intentions, and she softened again as they watched. Pippin was the first to speak. He may not have much experience with the big people, or lords and ladies, but he did have good manners his mother had drilled into him.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, m'lady." He said, bowing as gracefully as he could manage. She smiled at him.

"Likewise, little master. What may your name be?"

"Peregrin Took, miss. But mostly they call me Pippin." He went on to introduce her to the other three, and they carried on, walking until early morning. As the sun came up, she became less threatening, and the hulking form in which she had appeared was explained when she removed the large shield that was carried on her back, and placing it on that of the muscular stallion. She still wore the long cloak, but she kept the hood lowered. Her stature was diminished, but only by a little. She was an imposing figure, but not so much to them now, and they traveled comfortably together, Strider and Miriel becoming close in the next few days.