IMPORTANT MESSAGE - PLEASE READ!!

Since I have stated already in the story blurb what this story is not, I will tell you what it is.

I give a fair warning to all, this is a tenth walker fic, but I (hope) to guarantee you that it is different from any other tenth walkers on this site. I spent several months lurking through the forums, trying my best to take note of all the most hated clichés, and things that you don't see but would like to, and have tried my best to keep that in mind throughout this story.

The first point of which I can explain without giving away too much plot, she is not an official member of the Fellowship. There is a genuine reason why she must accompany the Fellowship and attend the council, and there will be a great deal of character growth. She is also a teenager, however, there is also a very important reason for this, again, namely character growth. I, too, generally shudder at these a good deal of the time, however I am doing my best attempt at proving not all 10th walkers are horrible, not all teenagers are bitches, and not all female OC's need to have magical powers, genius brain-power or a sword in their hand to make them strong.

I also willingly admit, the first few chapters are nowhere near my favorite to read or write, but they are a necessary evil, so if you care to, skipping to the last chapter written will generally give you a much better feel of this story and it's style. I feel the first few chapters are fairly different from all the ones that will follow, and have done my best in making them believable, and not another *bamf*.

Also, concrit is highly welcome. Anything to try and improve my story.

(Chapter Re-Written, 12/08)

Steadily the sun set in the West, the last of its rays glowing unnaturally bright as it fell behind the mountains and gave way to darkness. All around her the scene was distant and unfamiliar, surreal in its utopic beauty; the last remnants of a lost civilization, hidden somewhere in the world.

She turned and sighed, a mixture of exhaustion and trepidation overcoming her, loathed to gaze upon it any longer. Unconsciously she reached and began fingering a large, worn locket that hung heavily around her neck, greatly uncomfortable with its presence. She fumbled clumsily with it, forced to resist the temptation to tear it from its suffocating spot and be rid of the wretched thing. Wearily she clawed at the spot which it covered, trying vainly to remove the taint of it from her skin.

The devastating events of the past few weeks were taking a crippling blow on her mind, draining her to a level beyond her comprehension. All she knew was that she had never felt this exhausted or disorientated in her life, and it was a feeling she would never grow fond of.

She cringed in discomfort, the now omnipresent headache worsening its toll upon her as her mind refused to cease its unrelenting pace. Quickly and unceasingly it surged, a torrential downpour of unfamiliar names and places, as she tried desperately to make sense of it all. Were it not for the dull numbness that had grown to consume her entire being, then no doubt the reality of it all would have struck her to the ground with a deafening force many times already.

She glanced a final time upon the haunting trinket, its very feeling loathsome and vile, before she fell back heavily upon the bed, its softness near swallowing her whole. She shifted awkwardly upon it for the innumerable time that month, unaccustomed to such grand settings nor such extravagant attire.

She quickly glanced down at her appearance, once again filled with awe at the majesty of what adorned her, although it did not ease her feelings of discomfort within it. Breathtakingly beautiful as the gown she wore may have been, no one could deny it was not made with someone of her body or appearance in mind. The dress was intricately woven, impeccably tailored, remarkable to a fault - yet it did not fit her and she did it no justice.

Perhaps if it had been under less terrifying and confusing circumstances, she may have enjoyed it, revelling in the lavishness of it all, however, that was not the case, and she was afraid, feeling nothing more than lost and alone. It took every sliver of inner strength she contained to keep the silent grief from overcoming her.

'I just want to go home...' she thought meekly, her gaze never leaving the ceiling as she waited for a miracle that she knew would not come. 'Please...?'

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying desperately to hold back the tears that bit unceasingly at them, always threatening to fall.

Uncounted minutes of silence passed as she lay unmoving, startled little when a gentle knock was heard upon her door. It was not unusual for someone to come and check on her several times a night, and she was grateful for it.

The knock came again, this time more insistent.

"Come in," she replied, her voice loud and in stark contrast to the silence that radiated around her.

The door opened slowly, a familiar face in Imladris revealed.

"You have been summoned to speak with Gandalf and Lord Elrond," the elf informed her in a clipped tone. He stood in the doorway watching her, his gaze emotionless. She sat up slowly and watched him, peering through her mass of dark hair that partially obstructed her gaze. After a moment of unchanging silence, she rose in silent agreement.

"Where are we going?" she queried, as they traveled down the well-lit hallways.

"To speak with Gandalf and Lord Elrond," he repeated.

"I meant the house; I've never been through here before," she said curiously, glancing around at the even more unfamiliar surroundings.

"Lord Elrond's meeting chambers, across the gardens."

"Oh. Thank you."

"You are welcome."

A knock at the door alerted them first to their presence. The old wizard and the Lord of Imladris, once both in the midst of deep and crucial conversation now turned, gazing at the open door way. Within it stood the girl that was the cause of so much heated debate and the new troubles that lurked upon Rivendell's borders.

Erestor quickly presented her, though she hung back shyly. Elrond noted her behaviour quietly, though whether it was the circumstances or simply her nature that was the cause, he was unable to tell.

"Thank you Erestor. I think for now that will be all."

Erestor nodded solemnly and left, the heavy oak door closing sharply behind him. Elrond quickly turned his attention towards the newcomer, gesturing to the young woman.

"Vivienne, would you care to have a seat?"

She looked up suddenly, as if surprised that she had been acknowledged so quickly, and nodded. Shuffling across the large, elaborately decorated room, she perched her small form on the edge of the over-stuffed chair, appearing lost in the intimidating surroundings.

"Now," he began, giving her a reassuring smile. She quickly returned it, settling down slightly as she relaxed, becoming far more comfortable. "As I am sure you are aware, we have called you to discuss your presence here." She nodded slightly, a silent indication of her co-operation and willingness to share. "I assume by now you have realized that the necklace you carry is no mere trinket?" He received yet another silent nod. "Good. I also assume that you continue to have no idea how, or indeed why you were brought here?" She silently shook her head. "I wonder if you would please indulge us once more in explaining exactly what you last remember."

She inhaled deeply and glanced unsurely at the two much older men before proceeding. Her voice shook slightly, her nervousness at the situation clear.

"Like I said, there's not much to tell. I was on a hiking trip with my family; I got separated, wandered off the path, and got lost. I tripped over a root or a stump or something - I'm not sure what - and landed face first in front of this," she gestured to the locket. "I picked it up and started looking at it and felt really... weird... almost like I couldn't breathe, and then everything went black. Next thing I know, I'm here," she finished. "I'm sorry; I wish I could tell you more. I know how important this is. I just don't remember."

Gandalf spoke for the first time. "That is quite alright. There is no good in stumbling around about the past, and apologizing for things that cannot be helped."

"Is there anything else you wish to say?" Elrond questioned, looking directly at her once more.

"Well..." She squirmed uncomfortably. She was berating herself heavily for her childish actions. While she was not usually a nervous person, being in Elrond's presence seemed to make every hair on her body stand on end. She liked him, but she was afraid of him. She would much rather be speaking to the old man across from him alone. At least that way she could manage to get out a sentence without sounding like a terrified two-year-old.

"I know you're trying your best to figure out how I got here, and how to get me home," she said, slowly. "But what about where I come from? I've been here two weeks already, and you said I was unconscious for another week before that, and God knows how long I was in the woods before you found me. The way it stands, I've been gone probably about a month and my family is bound to be freaking out. I have school, a job, a life..." She struggled to find the right words, fully aware of how stupid and petty she must have sounded. "I just want to go home," she finished lamely.

There was nothing else she could say in answer to the situation. She still was not entirely convinced that this wasn't all just a dream. All she received in reply, however, were two glances of sympathy gifted her way - something she seemed to be getting all too many of lately.

"Why am I here?" she questioned bravely, when called into comparison with her usual attitude towards the two formidable characters.

"We are not entirely sure," Elrond answered slowly, choosing his words carefully. "Neither do we know what circumstances brought you here, nor how you should go back."

She felt her heart drop once more, a considerable achievement when it already lay at her feet.

"Do you think I'll ever be able to get home...?"

"There is no way to be sure."

"Well then... do you even know what it is?"

Upon his request she removed the locket and handed it carefully to Elrond who immediately began studying it in silence. Many times had he done the like, and never had her question been answered. She would ask again if she thought it would do any good, but he no longer appeared to even be listening. After a long period of silence in which she continued to shift uncomfortably, she wondered briefly if she should put her reservations aside and repeat her question. She had no need, however, as Elrond finally spoke.

"I have heard the likes of it, if only once before, and many centuries ago." He continued to study the locket long and hard, as if lost in some distant memory. "Yet it fails me how it should come to pass into your land, and into the hands of a child; though it seems that things of great importance and worth have had the odd misfortune of finding their ways to the most unlikely hosts, certainly as of late."

As Elrond spoke both sets of eyes now remained trained on him, studying him hard. While one was filled with confusion, the other held a knowing curiosity.

"Am I to assume then, that I know of what you speak?" Gandalf spoke for the first time.

"Perhaps... Although there is no true way to be certain."

Elrond's face turned to the girl once more, her confusion palpable as she sat in patient silence.

"Then what's going to happen to me...?" she asked quietly, her gaze now resting on the floor as she tried desperately to fight back the tears that once more threatened to overwhelm her eyes. The last thing that she wanted to do was cry in front of strangers. She had done enough of that these past weeks - she refused to do anymore.

Gandalf and Elrond both sighed. They felt tired and overwhelmed by the severity of this new situation that unfolded before them, yet they had no idea of a solution. Enemies were overpowering them from every corner. Sauron's forces were gathering, hell bent on finding and claiming the ring, and this locket, if found and opened by the wrong hands, could destroy them all. If they were right, then Sauron called it into this world, and already knew that it was here. The girl was a vessel; an accident. She was never meant to be here, that much was sure of. The biggest obstacle now to overcome was how to hide them both, and the greatest fear, whether Sauron knew of where it was hidden and lay in wait, biding his time until he could find it.

Though he had long counselled with Galadriel and Celeborn over this matter they were still no closer to an answer. Nonetheless, they could not take the risk of it remaining here. The necklace would have to leave, and she must go with it. There would be no safety here for either, not if the Dark Lord knew they possessed it.

But they had debated on this matter far too long already, and he was weary. Tomorrow they would seek council from the gathered guests, and decide the fate of the One Ring, and perhaps what to do with these two as well.

"We will decide at the council," he finished.

He doubted it would be a bright morrow...

A huge thanks to my beta, Gaslight, whom makes this all possible.

xoxo