Gandalf the Grey hurried up the steps of Rivendell, immediately heading toward the Healing Houses of Imladris.

Frodo was here, and from what he heard from Aragorn, was still in the midst of healing. His steps quickened as he grew closer to the structure.

To his surprise, however, when he entered the room he thought Frodo to be in, he found the Master of Imladris himself. The elf was tending to someone Gandalf could clearly see was no hobbit.

"Gandalf, I cannot express the gratitude I feel at your coming." Elrond exclaimed.

"I came as soon as I was able." The wizard sighed. "I hear Frodo has indeed made it to your city"

The elf nodded. "Yes, the Ring-Bearer is here, though there is something else I would have your attention for at this moment. I believe Frodo is well enough to wait."

"I really must insist on seeing Frodo. Surely, this can wait but a few moments while I make sure of his health with my own eyes?" Gandalf said.

The elf shook his head. "It demands our immediate attention."

Gandalf sighed. "Very well, then. So, what is this mystery that needs unraveling?" Gandalf asked, his tone betraying some exhaustion.

"This girl is the cause of my concern." He gestured to his guest who was still asleep in the bed.

The wizard turned his gaze to her, his curiosity instantly peaked upon first sight.

"Where did she come from?" He asked, moving swiftly so he hovered just above her head, examining every aspect he could.

"We do not know. My scouts found her outside the city, laying on our steps, unconscious. She has not woken since she was first found." He explained.

"She is under some spell." The wizard muttered, feeling a kind of hum buzzing over her skin, "Who has placed it, I cannot yet tell. There are few in Middle-Earth capable of such power. I may be able to wake her so she can provide some answers." He closed his eyes as he laid a hand over her face, muttering an incantation.

After mere moments, he heard a gasp and opened his eyes only to be met with her green ones. He backed away, giving her space. Her gaze flitted from corner to corner of the room to the two standing before her.

"Where am I?" She asked, her voice shaking.

"You are in Rivendell, under the care of Master Elrond. You were found just outside his city," he explained gently. "Tell me, do you know how you came upon Imladris?"

"Imladris?" She paused for a moment. "You mean Rivendell?"

He nodded.

She blinked several times, comprehension suddenly dawning. "Middle-Earth?"

He nodded again. "Yes."

"As in, elves and dwarves and men and dragons, Middle-Earth?"

"You seem surprised by this," he observed.

Her eyes grew wider as she tore her gaze from his. "I'm in Middle-Earth." Disbelief was apparent in her tone, as she looked about the room once again, seeming to grow more anxious by the second.

He allowed her a few moments to herself before speaking. "Do you know how you came here, or why?" He asked, more questions suddenly coming to mind than answers.

She shook her head. "No. This is the last thing I need right now." She muttered, swinging her legs over the bedside, attempting to stand.

Elrond immediately came to her side, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You need not rise just yet. Give your body some time to heal and rest while I speak with Gandalf."

The wizard silently agreed. It took more energy than it should have to rouse her. It was a dark spell, and Gandalf had some idea of where it had come from. However, the why was escaping him. Why the girl, and why deposit her on the steps of one of the purest beings to inhabit MIddle-Earth?

Gandalf was not used to being in the dark in such instances, and found no comfort in it now.

The girl looked as though she were about to ignore Elrond's advice, but the wizard halted her movements. "Lord Elrond is right. You need rest. We shall not be far." Her shoulders sagged slightly as she fell back on the bed.

They strode near the doorway and Elrond spoke as soon as they passed the threshold. "The girl knows nothing. It is clear in her eyes." He gave the wizard a fixed look. "Who would have brought her here? What advantage does it bring them?"

"It was Saruman." Gandalf said grimly. The White Wizard sometimes left behind an aura in his more powerful spells. This was no exception. "Though I know not for what purpose." This was troubling indeed. Saruman's betrayal was more like an intricately spun web. Too many paths all leading to the inevitable one. The doom of Middle-Earth.

"We must know, Gandalf, and soon. The Ring has reached Rivendell, and now this human girl falls on my doorstep? That cannot be mere coincidence."

"No," agreed the wizard, "It cannot. What do you propose we do with her? We cannot leave her to the Enemy."

"She should be in your care." Elrond answered. "You know what magic ails her. Even now, you can sense something lingering inside her, as can I. You must guide her through whatever journey she must now face."

" The girl appeared in your lands, perhaps you were meant to find her." He argued back, though he knew the elf was right.

At the stern look the elf shot him he sighed deeply.

She was to be in his care, then. So be it.

As she lay there, Anna barely held back a snort. Didn't they know she could hear them? Or did they think that because she was a wee "human" that she couldn't tell when people were talking about her?

Choking down a groan as she attempted to stand, her limbs protesting loudly at her, she failed to realize Gandalf had moved to her side once again until he was already speaking. "I take it you are not one to rest, my lady?" Gandalf inquired once he had reached her bedside again.

She shook her head. "Not if I can help it."

He nodded to himself, seeming to look her over. "I am going to check on a dear friend of mine. I will not be far, he is lying in the next room in fact. I would not feel right in leaving you to yourself so soon. Would you like to join me? You may meet Frodo, who I am sure would love the extra company."

She looked to Elrond, who wore a look of disapproval on his face. Her face fell from the slight grin that was forming. Elrond didn't seem too happy with her being here, and his glower was making her increasingly uncomfortable with staying put.

Anna hurried to get out of bed, but swayed slightly, the room spinning around her. She sat back down and suddenly the back of a warm hand hovered over her forehead. "You are still ill. You should stay in bed and rest." Elrond told her, his dark-blue eyes looking into hers, making her feel exposed. She shrank back from his gaze and stood up once more, the dizziness fading after a few seconds, and she was stable enough to walk.

"I'm fine. Thank you for your concern." She said stiffly, wanting to get away from him as quickly as possible.

Striding past the older elf, she turned into Frodo's room, which she wryly admitted was significantly grander than her own.

"Is this she, Gandalf?" The blue-eyed Hobbit asked.

The wizard turned toward her. "Yes, it is indeed. Come, let me introduce you." He waved her forward. "He is recovering from a similar ordeal. Here, sit!" He got off his chair and made to stand behind it.

"Thank you." She replied, plopping into the chair with a light thud. Elrond was right, she was still exhausted.

"What ordeal have you gone through to warrant a visit to the house of healing as well?" He looked to be at a loss, glancing from her to Gandalf, and back to her again, "I'm sorry, I do not know your name…"

"Anna." She said simply, looking at the Hobbit analytically. He was pale, and younger than she'd imagined. Hadn't the book said that Frodo was in his forties or something close to that? The Hobbit laying in front of her couldn't be more than twenty, if that.

"Anna" said the older wizard, almost as if he were testing how it felt on his tongue. "That's quite an unusual name."

"It's a common name in Scotland."

She fought to keep her nonchalant attitude as she realized that she just let something slip.

The Hobbit's face turned into a puzzled grimace. "Scotland?" Frodo inquired, looking again at Gandalf, as if he held all the answers to this new riddle.

"Um." She looked to Gandalf, who also seemed perplexed. "It's a land off the sea. You wouldn't have heard of it."

"Strange. Uncle Bilbo has many maps back in The Shire. I've never seen a land off the sea."

Gandalf glanced out the window by Frodo's bed. "Enough of the unpleasant matters…," he said, his tone betraying his motive of distraction. " It seems your friends are anxiously waiting for your recovery. Do you feel you can go visit them, and assure them you are well, or shall I summon them here?" He asked the Hobbit.

"I think I can manage a walk." Frodo said, sitting up.

"Good, you go on then. I have some things to discuss with Anna that you needn't concern yourself with. I will get you shortly for the Council meeting."

Once Frodo was out of sight, he turned toward her, a frown spreading across his face. "I apologize for the abrupt end to that but no one else must know of your homeland, Anna. Elrond has placed you in my care, and my care is where you will stay until we can sort out how Saruman brought you here and why."

"What does he want with me?" She asked. "I have no connection to the Ring."

His dark bearing told her that she had made yet another mistake. "How do you know of the Ring?"

Her eyes widened with panic. "I-I just know. It's mentioned in my world."

"How is it mentioned in your world? Do you have scholars that know of Middle-Earth and the Enemy? Or are you a spy of Saruman's sent to trick me?" His frame suddenly seemed much taller and foreboding than before. As if he could crush her in an instant, and she knew that he could.

"No! I swear, I'm not a spy! I don't know how I came here, I've never met Saruman! There are books in my world." She knew she was riding a fine line with telling him this, but she didn't have much choice. If he named her spy, the wizard would smite her before she could take another breath. .

He glared at her, making her feel as small as an insect. "Explain yourself."

"There are books telling of the histories of Middle-Earth and the tale of the Ring. Some things have changed…" She thought back to Frodo and Elrond. "But most of it has stayed the same from what I've seen and heard. Frodo getting the Ring, bringing it to Bree, you getting captured by Saruman, and Frodo's injury by what I assume was a Wraith."

She bit her lip. She wasn't sure how much she should reveal. What if she changed the whole fate of this world? What if by her telling everything, an unforeseen consequence caused it to shift and change into something unrecognizable?

"Yes, I suppose those events did happen." He told her, fully relaxing his menacing pose.

"So you believe me now?" She asked meekly.

He raised an eyebrow at her, and she felt the tension leave her shoulders, something she figured he had something to do with.

"I have no choice, as you have yet to show any ulterior motive. As of this moment, we remain friends. However, one inclination that you are truly sided with the Enemy, and I will not hesitate to stop you." He warned, causing her to gulp. She was reminded, yet again, of the power he held being Gandalf the Grey, and not Gandalf, Maker of Fireworks and Magic Tricks.

"Now, Anna, this is very important, you must listen to what I have to say." He paused, making sure he had her complete attention. "You cannot tell anyone about your world, Saruman, or your knowledge of the Ring. Others would see that as evidence of a spy, just as I did," she was about to argue, but he cut her off, "do not deny it. As long as you keep those secrets close to you, you will be fine. Trust no one but myself and Lord Elrond. Do you understand?"

She nodded and he motioned for her to follow him. He led her to another room and a different elf was preparing the bedding. "Lady Anna will be needing…" he looked at her attire with disdain, making her want to shrink back, "more fitting garments as she will be attending the Council with me."

"Right away, Mithrandir." The elf bowed, and swept away, only to come back moments later with what looked like a purple coat made of satiny-material and another under-dress a shade lighter.

"Do these please you?" The maid asked, handing the clothing to Anna.

She nodded. How could she not be? They were gorgeous, and not fit to be worn by her. She was sure she would not do them justice.

"Ah, I believe these are from Lady Arwen's own wardrobe?"

Anna almost dropped the material in shock.. Arwen? As in Elrond's daughter, the maiden known for beauty to rival the legendary Luthien?

She saw Gandalf look to her, before turning back to the elf maid. "Arwen knows of this, correct?" Gandalf asked calmly, clearly already knowing the answer.

"Yes. The Lady insisted on it."

"Then we shall not insult her by refusing her generosity." He shot a knowing look at Anna.

Anna gently took the clothing from the elf and hurried into a separate room to change. There were so many buttons and different ways to wrap the cloth around her. The girl was half-tempted to call someone in to help her with it when it suddenly slipped onto her perfectly, molding itself around her body. Elf-Magic, she muttered. She felt relief, seeing that she wasn't as well endowed as her mother, otherwise the ensemble wouldn't have fit properly.

Her chest tightened suddenly at the reminder of what she had left behind.

Her mother probably didn't notice her only daughter was gone. Not because she was a bad parent, but because she was an on-call nurse and looking after her brother after his release from yet another rehab a month ago. It slammed into her then that this was really happening. She wasn't in her world anymore, she couldn't see her school mates or family anymore.

Panicking at the thought, she scrambled around in her jeans pocket, looking for her father's pocket watch. It was the only thing from home that she had on her when this all happened. If she couldn't see them again, she at least wanted something to hold onto that was from home. The dress and coat didn't have any pockets, so she quickly hung it around her neck and stuffed it in-between her breasts, the chain allowing it to settle behind her bra. She knew the golden chain would be partially visible around her neckline, but she refused to leave it behind. She needed something to remind her of her past, something that tethered her to her family and reminded her of where she came from. Lest this world swallow her whole, as it was starting to already.

She stepped out, mindful of the swishing of the dress across the floor, forced to acknowledge she was a bit shorter than Arwen, and held the extra fabric in her hands, looking up at Gandalf shyly.

WIthout saying a word, he held out his arm for her to take, leading her through the grand architecture to a courtyard with a circle of chairs and a flat marble statue in the middle.

They watched as person after person filled the chairs, noticing them all coming from all different directions.

"Gandalf?"

"Yes, my dear." He replied, eyeing one man in particular, one she recognized as Boromir from the shield he carried.

"How will I be getting back home?" She inquired, knowing this would be her last chance for the wizard to help her. He didn't know it yet, but he would be going on his own journey and it would not include her. He must help her before the Council was set in motion and he agreed to help the Hobbit. Otherwise, she could be stuck on an adventure that would likely end in her death.

"We will have time for such things later, my dear." He insisted, still roving the newcomers in an almost harsh gaze. "Right now, I must concentrate on what is to be done about the Ring. " He turned to her, "I swear that I will do everything in my power to keep you from Saruman's hands, and back to your loved ones." He assured her, patting her on the shoulder.. .

Anna tried to argue with him but he guided her to another chair beside Frodo. The hobbit didn't look up as he was continuously playing with the golden band that hung on a silver chain. Gandalf stood behind her as she took to the seat that was clearly meant for him.

She felt him lean down to murmur in her ear, "Now, you must not say anything about yourself, save for your name. They do not need to know anything about Saruman's involvement in coming to this world. It would greatly unsettle them, as I warned before."

"I won't." She whispered back, her anxiety hitting near its peak as she wrung her hands in her lap. She avoided eye contact with anyone who tried to look at her, instead she chose to focus on the ground, and the leaves that were scattered. The leaves could almost make her believe she was back home.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Elrond approach, already changed, and looking at all of them expectantly.

The chatter instantly quieted down, and she felt it was safe enough to look up.

It was obvious who were the Dwarves, Elves, and Men as they all sat close together with their respective race. She could pick out each member of the Fellowship fairly easily, their features standing out clearly from the rest..

Elrond spoke of how the Ring was finally out in the open and how they were either to band together or fall to their own fates. His ominous warning amplified by Frodo placing the Ring on the pedestal.

She instantly felt its power. The whispering promise of her heart's desire followed by a strong impulse to hold it.. The idea that if she just picked it up… If she simply held it in her hand, her dreams would come true, and she would feel whole.. She had barely moved out of her chair when she felt Gandalf's firm hand on her shoulder, steadying her and restraining any more movement.

Anna glanced back to the Ring itself. She had read about its power, but she had never guessed how strong the pull was before now. She was shaking, she knew, but she found comfort in looking around and seeing that she was not the only one affected. Everyone was fidgeting in their seats as if they were as anxious to leap out of them as she was.

"In a dream," Boromir began, standing from his seat, walking slowly over to the Ring, "I saw the eastern sky grow dark. In the west, a pale light lingered, a voice was crying, "Your doom is near at hand. Isildur's bane is found." His hand was outstretched, toward the Ring. A little farther and he would have it in his grasp. "Isildur's bane..."

Before Anna could sort through her confusion of Faramir's dream being suddenly claimed as Boromir's, Gandalf started shouting the cruel, harsh language of Mordor - Black Speech.

She heard the words as though they were in English, yet the echo of their true words was laced within the translation. The invasion of her mind caused a throbbing headache to form behind her eyes and a strange pang of her chest.

"One Ring to rule them, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them."

The sky grew dark, but suddenly the clouds broke as Gandalf stopped his utterings. She felt the weight in her chest dissipate, and the whispering voice in her head faded as well.

She didn't understand how she understood those words. She never studied the languages of Middle-Earth. So how did the words reveal themselves to her? The pang in her chest faded away, though it left a heat behind as she felt her pocket watch tremble.

"Never before has anyone uttered that tongue here in Imladris." Said Elrond, looking at the wizard indignantly.

"I do not ask for your pardon, Master Elrond, for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the west!"

Boromir spoke again, this time arguing that the Ring could be used against Sauron. His speech completely ignored the point Gandalf was trying to make. When Legolas announced the attendance of Isildur's heir, it caused Boromir's whole body to grow rigid and she was shocked to see the heat coming from his gaze at the once assumed 'mere Ranger'.

The Boromir she had read about disliked the Ranger, yes. He had viewed the Dunedain as a threat to his father's rule, and rightly so. Yet, dislike was not what she saw in the Gondorian's eyes, it burned hotter than that.

She suddenly heard a deep growl, and noticed a Dwarf, Gimli, rushing forward, ax swinging and suddenly a great crash rang out as the metal was shattered. The gold ring lay there, having not strayed an inch from where the Hobbit had placed it, completely unharmed.

The Ring's whisperings grew more urgent, as though it sensed the intention to destroy all around it. Pain was burned in her skull again, causing it to throb and her vision began to swirl.

"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft we here possess." Elrond reminded everyone, strangely calm about the situation, almost as if he expected such an outburst from the red-head "The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back in the fiery chasm from whence it came." He peered at each of them sternly. "One of you... must do this."

Anna turned to Frodo as the men around them began to bicker. The Hobbit looked as though he were still in as much pain as she. Anna took his hand and gently squeezed before letting go. He glanced at her and tried to smile, but it faltered before it began. Whatever it was muttering to him, she knew this was what would make his decision.

Then the bickering erupted into full-blown arguments with yelling, and wildly exaggerated hands. The reflection of the argument grew in the Ring's band, and fire started to envelop those within it. It seemed to fit with what Gandalf said earlier, it would destroy them all if they let it remain as it was.

"I will take it!" Frodo stood, taking a few steps toward them, but he was so short and quiet, he had to raise his voice and repeat himself. "I will take the Ring to Mordor!" He suddenly had each of their attention. Gandalf was visibly uneasy about the Hobbit's declaration.

"Though….I do not know the way." Frodo admitted, looking at each of them with hope.

"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins," said Gandalf, "as long as it is yours to bear." He walked toward the Hobbit and stood behind him, much like he did with Anna during the beginning of the Council.

She watched as each of the Fellowship's members announced their allegiance to the Halfling, and looking to Elrond, expected him to declare them the Fellowship as they were but he didn't. Instead, he was frowning, looking between herself and Gandalf, clearly disturbed.

Just as it looked as if he were about to speak again, Samwise Gamgee came sprinting out of the bushes near them, and rushed over to the gathered group. "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me!" He exclaimed, crossing his arms over his chest, trying to look intimidating and final.

She was happy to see Elrond's mood lift in amusement at Sam's insistence at being taken along as well. "Clearly it is impossible to separate you two, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not." He smirked at them.

She gave a little laugh, earning her the split-second gaze of the Fellowship, as she knew who else would be joining them soon enough. As if on cue, Merry and Pippin came running and stood next to Frodo as well, claiming they were joining as well.

Pippin spoke up, "You need people of intelligence for this sort of mission...quest...thing."

"Well, that rules you out, Pip." Merry remarked.

She grinned widely. She was familiar with this. Merry and Pippin's camaraderie and good-natured teasing. Maybe things hadn't changed so much after all.

"Nine companions…." Elrond began, shooting a quick glance at Anna, before turning back toward the group, "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."

At his announcement, it was almost as if they all straightened once the importance of this journey was understood. "Right," Pippin broke in, "Where are we going?"

They all gave a laugh at the Hobbit's pure innocence and foolishness, but their humor quickly evaporated. They soon separated to ready themselves for the journey, and were scattered throughout Imladris for the time-being.

Unable to contain herself any longer, she walked over to Gandalf and Elrond. She needed answers, and she wasn't about to just sit back, and allow her only chance at returning home slip through her fingers.

By the time she had reached them though, they had already begun their conversation. She hung back, listening with bated breath.

"Gandalf," Elrond said, "She cannot stay here. She is as much a danger to Rivendell as the Ring itself."

The wizard took on an agitated expression. "That may not be true, but I did not think you to be so cold toward someone who needed your help, Lord Elrond. Perhaps I was wrong."

"I will not risk my people. I held her here while she recovered, but now that she has, there is no further reason for her to remain. You must either leave the Fellowship, or bring her with you."

Anna's heart sunk. If Gandalf didn't agree to help her, she would be lost. She could almost see the end her journey would take.

"Let me say this, Gandalf - you cannot leave her. You alone are the only one who truly knows Saruman, and you alone can help her. Elf-magic is not strong enough to hide her forever.."

When she heard Gandalf's sigh of resignation, she knew what he had decided.

She was joining the Fellowship, and there was nothing she could do about it.