Boromir stood in a rather shocked silence, trying to take in the fullness of these strange folk. Not only was their garb of an extraordinary nature, their accent, too, was like none he'd never heard. And there was a woman with them, no less! This was very strange business indeed.

----

Sam too was straining to get a look at the newcomers. Peering on one side of Gandalf, at the very tip of his toes, he caught site of Elizabeth in her ridiculous outfit.
"There's a woman there, and no mistake!" he said. "An she ain't wearing normal clothes either."

_________________
<center>
"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

Gandalf nodded to Aragorn as he and the others left to go and investigate. Gandalf looked at the clouds and saw a storm brewing in the east. "This is strange indeed..." He muttered.

_________________


Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

_________________
<center>

</center>

"What is Hollin?! Oh, by the love of..." Gandalf muttered, then he had a coughing fit. He knew he should have stopped smoking, but he loved his pipe. After he was done coughing, he glanced at the newcomers with there answers. Or maybe Aragorn's reply.

_________________


Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

"I don't know Mr Frodo," cames Sam's reply, "...but they don't look like orcs, leastways."

Boromir stared in shock, not know Hollin?. He opened his mouth to say something, but it remained open and nothing came out.

_________________
<center>
"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

Gimli shifted his axe in his hand, getting a tighter hold on it. These people were out of place here, and he wanted to be ready for anything.

"You are in Hollin," Aragorn replied slowly, still moving closer to the group. "Also known as Eregion. We are in the foothills of the Misty Mountains, at the base of Caradhras. I will ask again; what is your purpose here?"

_________________
<center>

</center>

_________________
<center></center>

<center></center>

_________________
<center>

</center>

((Sorry! I meant to post yesterday, but life got hectic, and I'm running out the door this morning! I shall post when I get home, though!))

"Got here?" Boromir repeated, with a roll of his eyes. "Your purpose is what is in question here, and I suggest you state it." His fingers were gripped around his hilt, ready to slash out at any moment. He glanced up at Aragorn slowly... when would he give the signal?

_________________
<center>
"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air."

One glance at the approaching men told Elizabeth it was useless to ask how they'd come. "Look," she said, striding forward and retrieving the pistol. "We don't know you, and you don't know us. We're square. You don't know how we got here - correct? - and we don't know where we are. So we'll all lower our - ah - weapons," this was accompanied by a pointed glance in Will's direction, "and discuss this."

_________________

Gandalf's hand reached for Glamdring's hilt, and clasped his staff tightly, causing his knuckles to turn white. He didn't like some stranger threatening Aragorn.

_________________


Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Gimli frowned. He didn't want to <i>discuss</i> anything with these strange people. He wondered why Aragorn didn't just strike them down. They very well could be enemy spies. He kept his axe up.

Aragorn hesitated, then nodded and motioned for the others to lower their weapons. There was no sense in beginning a conflict over nothing. Nonetheless, a hand remained on the hilt of his sword-- there was also no sense in being completely unprepared. "Your arrival here is just as strange to us. We saw a flash, and then spied a group of humans in the distance. If you are not of Middle-earth, then from where do you hail?"