*Disclaimer: I do not own any of the rights of J.R.R. Tolkien's work. The characters with different names (with one or two borrowed from Tolkien) are my own.*

Author's note: Mae govannen! I have been reading stories on Fanfiction for years, and yet I have never written or posted anything on here before until now! This is a story that's been percolating in my mind for a few years but struggled with putting it into words. Although the story is slightly different, it does take place about a year – or less - before the events in the Hobbit. The Dwarves and Bilbo are not the central characters, nor will they have any major connections to this particular plotline; however, they could very well make an appearance towards the end of the story. Please forgive any grammatical/mechanical errors I may not have caught in editing/revising! :/ I do request that there will be no profanity, or any highly critical comments on my story. This IS just a fan's take on a character who meets beloved characters from the Hobbit, so I've had to change things a little for the sake of these characters meeting. Lastly, my story will be more dialogue-based, so if anyone doesn't like that kind of writing, you do not have to read this. I appreciate any feedback on improving this story, and I'm always happy to do better! So, without further ado, here's "An Unexpected Protector." Enjoy!

~Prologue~

"Tari! You're wanted at home, now!" cried Hiril, the matriarch of Bree. "What's happened?" asked Tari, as she was making her usual weekly rounds at the town's market. "It's your father, my wee lass. He's had a terrible fall." At those words, Tari dropped her basket and ran as fast as her legs could carry her and went straight to her family's small cottage that sat on the outside of Bree. Tari burst through the door and found a few of the townsfolk standing around the bed of her father, Egon. Though Tari and her father were not close with the Breelanders, they never failed in coming to the aid of their neighbors.

"Father! What has happened to him?"

"We found him at the foot of one of the great trees in the woods of Buckland, my lady. All that we could gather from him was that he was hunting when he was attacked by 'em creatures the Woodland folk call 'orcs'. Our young master here recognized him as Egon the Ranger, and said he dwelt in Bree, same as he. And now, he is as you see him."

Tari looked at her father, who clearly had been in a battle but unlike other past battles and skirmishes, he didn't make it unscathed. His bandaged head told one story, but his blood-soaked clothes told another. His breathing was labored, and he seemed to be in a restless sleep that he couldn't wake up from. The closest they had to an apothecary was an old herbalist, Morwen, who had been attending to Egon's wounds as the menfolk told Tari the unfortunate tale of her father.

"Alright, my lords, we thank thee for your pains for bringing this man home to his bairn, but now he needs the rest and quietness of his home, and he won't get it from your chatter."

Grateful for Morwen's signal to send the men away, Tari gazed up at them and said kindly, "Thank you for bringing my father home to me, gentlemen. May the light of Elbereth be with you always!"

The men bid Tari farewell, and left her and Egon in the care of Morwen.

Nightfall came quickly, but it seemed an age since anyone moved in the silent house.

Morwen had instructed Tari on administering certain medicines and teas, while she had gone to fetch more supplies, anticipating a long night of keeping watch over the ranger and his daughter.

Tari sat there watching her father, holding his hand, not knowing what in all of Middle-earth the outcome would be from her father's fight with orcs.

Just when she felt she couldn't take the silence any longer, Egon's breathing changed and his hand automatically grasped Tari's. His eyes slowly flitted open, and Tari had to restrain herself from wanting to jump into her father's arms. As she watched her father's movements, his green eyes – just like hers, finally, met her own and he smiled, weakly.

"My own love. Where am I? How long have I lain here?"

"You're home, father. You've been resting all afternoon and evening. But you're alright, you see? You're home now. And I'm going to take care of you and make you well again."

"Tari, listen to me. I know you will not allow this, but I fear my time is coming."

"That's nonsense talk! What makes you think that?!"

"Please, Tari, I beg you. You must listen to me as I only have such little time.

As you see, I am dying, my daughter. You will be on your own, and will have to fend for yourself for some time. You are young, and someday you may be required to do more for this town. Things are changing in Middle-earth; there is an evil growing in the East. I am not sure what it is, but I fear it is connected with the great enemy from long ago. I have tried to train you in everything I know, and I realize that you have not ventured out in the wide world alone. A day may come when you have no choice but to leave Bree, and set on the path that you are destined to follow. Bree is a small realm and cannot survive alone. It needs the aid of its nearest neighboring cities – cities of men. Do you understand me, Tari?" he gasped, his breathing becoming more difficult with each breath.

"But father, you're going to be well and strong again. Everything's going to be alright."

"No, my love. It pains me more than anything to have my time come now when you need me more than ever."

"Please, don't say these words! I don't want to hear them!"

"Shh, it's alright, my dear. It is alright. Tari, look at me. Promise me that you'll never forget everything I've taught you; that you'll help your own little town in any way you can, and most importantly, find a leader that you can follow – one that you know you can trust…."

That last memory of her father plagued her mind for the last 12 years, and faithful to his word, Tari did keep her promise. In time Egon's prophesies began to unfold, and Tari recognized Bree's dire need of a ruler. The inhabitants of Bree were hardly protected, considering that various strange-looking creatures traveled past through their town at any given time. The growing fear became evident to Tari, and at last she understood the meaning of her late father's words. If a town such as Bree has no official leader to rule, govern, and protect it from the enemy of the East, then its very future was in grave peril. Tari realized she couldn't avoid the inevitable any longer; she had to go on a quest of her own, and find a leader to protect her humble village and its people. Leaving with only the skills of the sword and bow, as well as the skill of her intellect, she set out into the wide world on her own, seeking only to find a man who could aid her in her plight. For many days and nights, she cleared across many valleys and realms, and finally came upon a path that led her the way to the place called Laketown and the well-known bowman who would take her there….

Thank you for reading! Any feedback is appreciated! Chapter 1 coming soon! Cheers :)