Shadows danced on the tent walls, flickering shapes like  animal claws. The brazier burning brightly in the corner did little to chase away the pervasive chill that had seeped inside.

I couldn't sleep.

Every part of me throbbed and ached like I was dragged through a combine backwards and then run over by tractor tires.

In addition to my already broken wrist and leg, I had one cracked rib, a strained shoulder and one mother of a migraine. Truly, it was a miracle I survived the battle at all. The one comfort I had is that Thorin, Fili, and Kili survived. Aelfric had done it.

Gratitude washed over me for the elf and warmth settled in my belly. Only after he examined me did Aelfric tend to his own injuries. I'm not sure what I did to deserve such devotion. I've never viewed myself as exceptional.

Muted sobs carried into the tent interrupting my thoughts. The pyres of the fallen were lit, the scent of ash and burning flesh heavy in the air. The sepulchral wails of the mourners sliced across my heart. We defeated the enemy but not without a grave cost.

I struggled to sit up, wishing I could do something, anything to help. But the only thing that helped with loss is time. So, I sat a silent and invisible witness to the mass funeral in the valley feeling helpless and useless.

What felt like hours passed before someone entered the tent. Aelfric slipped inside his face still streaked with dirt and blood from the battle. When he saw I was awake, he startled. "My lady, you should be resting!"

A smile tugged at my mouth. "Please don't scold me. I can't sleep, not after what happened. Not with everyone in mourning." Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, I sighed. "How are Thorin and the others?"

Truthfully, I was surprised he hadn't come to visit me yet.

Aelfric pulled up a chair to the bed. "Nursing minor injuries but the dwarves appear to be getting around well."

I bunched the blanket in my hand. "I see."

Aelfric regarded me with pity. "My lady, you truly should rest." He carefully eased my grip and wrapped his fingers around mine. "Your injuries while not grave are serious. They will take months to heal."

I winced at his assessment, as I had when he gave me the diagnosis earlier.

"Allow me to make you a draught for the pain." Aelfric said gently.

I said nothing.

A woman's shrill wail filled the gap in conversation. We listened quietly for several tense moments before the sound died down.

"I grieve my fallen kin. They fought bravely and saved many lives." Grief tightened Aelfric's brows. He bowed his head, the shadows hiding his expression. "Death is not common to elves. I am not sure how to process it."

His willingness to be vulnerable touched me, easing a little of my own pain. Not all my wounds were physical ones. I had fought. I had killed and still people died. Aelfric was a healer. His mission in life was to save people. Its no wonder he was struggling with the aftermath of the battle.

Lifting his head, Aelfric captured and held my gaze. The pain in his eyes was a visceral thing. I grasped for his hand and held it in my lap. "I don't know what to say. I've never been good at comforting others."

"Meleth nin, knowing you care is enough." Aelfric promised.

It wasn't. Not to me. He was my friend. I wanted to do more for him. Maybe the best thing I could do is make him feel useful. "Lord Aelfric, I changed my mind. I will take that draught."

"I shall return momentarily." Aelfric promised and exited the tent. He returned a short while later carrying a steaming goblet.

He brought the rim to my lips and I gagged as foul-tasting mud flooded my mouth. Sputtering, I pushed the cup away. "Whoa. You could put some hair on my chest with this stuff. What's in it?"

"The mixture is bitter but will ease your pain and help you slumber." Aelfric apologized and offered the draught again.

Swallowing another objection, I gulped the disgusting sludge quickly and sank back onto the pillows. "I'd thank you but I'm not in habit of thanking a man for feeding me mud."

A chuckle burst from Aelfric, making me smile. "My lady, I am glad to see you are in good spirits." He drew the covers over me and said in a stern tone, "Now, rest."

I was starting to feel sleepy. "Alright, alright."

Before I knew it morning sun was leaking into the tent. I rolled onto my side and cursed when fire shot through my shoulder joint. I moaned and blinked back tears. That troll really handed my ass to me yesterday.

When my vision cleared, a familiar old man sat beside my bed. I shot up, ignoring the pain. "You!"

"Me." He replied mildly.

Dressed in faded blue robes, the wizard was undeniably the one who accosted me in the park and transported me to Middle-Earth. The Blue Wizard Alatar.

My emotions oscillated between rage and curiosity. "What are you doing here?"

He leaned back and rubbed a spot on his lower back. "I'm too old to sit in one place for hours."

"Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?" I said coldly, aware this irritating, mad old man was somehow related to me.

"Ah, I see you're still in a snit about my spell." A faint smile quirked Alatar's lips. "I suppose you get your ability to hold a grudge from your grandmother. Remarkable woman."

I narrowed my eyes. The sooner I got to the bottom of his presence the sooner I could get rid of him. "Why did you send me here?"

Alatar scratched his beard, looking thoughtful. "Well, you, uh, see, I could not allow someone with magic from this world wander freely around Earth. I was concerned your power would awaken and there would have been severe cosmic consequences if you had remained where you were."

"Consequences?" I demanded sharply.

The wizard flipped his hand dismissively. "Ripples through time, dimensions, and other worlds."

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I closed my eyes. "What are you saying?"

"I cannot send you home."

The wizard's proclamation dropped like a bomb. My eyes flew open, and I looked at him. "What?"

Alatar had the grace to look guilty. "I'm sorry, my dear but there are rules. I can't circumvent them even for you."

I trembled. I couldn't go home? I wasn't sure how to take that. I always knew there was a chance I'd be stuck in this world but to have my hopes completely dashed?

I took a steadying breathing, searching for calm. Several seconds passed before I no longer felt like strangling the wizard. Since I was a glutton for punishment, I continued my line of questioning. "Gandalf says we're related. Care to elaborate?"

The wizard shifted uncomfortably, the tip of his pointy hat quivering with the motion. "First, I ask you understand. This is not my true appearance."

I studied him, taking in the worn robes and long coarse beard. "Then what do you look like?"

"I am forbidden to take my true form until my work is done." Alatar replied.

I pursed my lips. "So, you're what, an angel?"

"Very sharp, Adelaide. You take after your mother in that regard. Not entirely accurate, but close enough. I am a Maia, which is not unlike an angel."

Realization dawned. "Are you saying...you're my...father?" I choked.

"Yes."

"I'm going to faint."

Or throw up. It'd serve him right if vomit got on his beard and his robes.

Alatar was amused. "Please don't, its unseemly and I don't want an angry elf taking me to task."

"Aelfric." I said softly.

The wizard smiled again. "He told me the whole story of the battle. You've been quite the busy bee." His smile turned into a frown. "Altering fate is no small thing. Thorin Oakenshield was meant to die. You changed that."

I glared at him. He had no right to criticize me. Not after he abandoned me just like my mother did when I was born. "Get out."

"Must you be difficult?"

"Get the hell out!" I screamed, throwing an empty mug at him.

Alatar dodged the projectile and clay fragments rained over the tent floor. Straightening his robes, he adjusted the brim of his hat. "As you wish, I will speak with you when you're not throwing a tantrum like a child." He sniffed. "Bless the Valar, but to think I'd be granted a child who is such a trial."

"I said get out." I snarled.

Pausing at the threshold, he looked over his shoulder at me. "There will be consequences for your actions, child. I hope you're willing to pay the price because it will be a steep one."

Shaking his head, he left.

How dare he act as if I were the unreasonable one? I was no child. Quick mental math told me I'd been in Middle Earth over a year and a half. In a few months I'd be thirty-four.

Even the most composed person would lose their shit if the father they never knew showed up out of the blue, then proceeded to tell them everything they did wrong. Its not like Middle-Earth came with a field guide.

I gazed at the broken remnants of the cup.

Alatar was my father.

I buried my face in my hand.

Fuck me.

OoO

With winter on the horizon, finding shelter for the people of Laketown became the most critical task. The elves volunteered to build small shelters on the outskirts of Mirkwood. The dwarven army planned to winter in the mountain with the Company. There was a great deal of work to be done to make the city fit for habitation again. There were even whispers of resurrecting Dale to its former glory.

I'd been on bedrest for three days and Thorin had not yet come to visit. When Bilbo brought lunch to share, I brought up the subject. "How is Thorin?"

"He is now the King Under the Mountain. There is business to attend to." He ducked his head slightly. "Much too important for the likes of one Hobbit."

"Without your help, the dwarves wouldn't have Erebor at all." I reminded him and that cheered him up.

"I am eager to return home." Bilbo tapped his spoon against his bowl of soup. "What will you do? The Blue Wizard is here, will you go home to your world?"

"I can't. Alatar told me I'm stuck here." I grumbled then sighed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't complain. I know there are people in the camp who've suffered a lot more than me. My problems are small in comparison."

"If you wish, you may return to the Shire with me." Bilbo offered. "Gandalf and I plan to set out the day after tomorrow."

I was quiet too long. Bilbo's smile wobbled. "Or you can stay here in Erebor. I'm sure the dwarves won't mind."

"Thorin hasn't visited me at all." I finished my cider and pushed my half-eaten bowl aside. "Will you ask him to come to me? There is a lot we have to talk about."

Sweeping out his arm, Bilbo bowed. "Bilbo Baggins, at your service."

I giggled. Bilbo was so silly sometimes, but I absolutely loved him for it.

OoO

Dain clasped his hands behind his back. The sounds of celebration drifted into the study, the dwarves in good spirits.

Thorin had been busy with little time to himself for days. He crossed his arms over his chest and scowled at his cousin. "Why bring this to me? That vow was made long ago."

Dain's brown eyes flashed. "Will you be foresworn then?"

Thorin was quiet. His reign was in its infancy. He needed his cousin's support and his army. All his dreams were coming true. Erebor was in his grasp. The kingdom would thrive again. "Even in my madness, my heart was true. There is only one I wish to be with."

"Ah, yes, the human lass. Dwalin told me of her." Dain stroked his red beard. "Rumor claims she hails from another world, is kin to the wizards, and has ties with the elves." He shook his head. "Our people will never accept her as queen, you know this."

The truth seeped into Thorin's gut like a poison. Dain did not say what he had not also been thinking of for days. Part of the reason he had not gone to her bedside.

"Will you honor your vow to me, though fifty years have passed since you made it?" Dain pressed, his gaze intense.

Thorin clasped his cousin's arm. "I will do as I promised and wed your daughter, Freya."

A/N: There's a blizzard heading my way so I decided to get this up today. I will edit any mistakes later. Merry Christmas everyone!