(Gandalf)

She was kind and yet fierce. Her will to live is strong and her rationality stronger. Elena reminds me so much of my old friend. Elena's eyes match hers almost exactly. Perhaps in time Elena will come to understand it all just as Dorothy did all those years ago.

"What is it?" she asks eyeing me.

I advert my eyes from her seeing her gazing back. Chuckling I begin cleaning out my tobacco pipe "Oh, I'm sorry dear girl. You just look like an old friend I once knew."

For the first time Elena smiles a little "Is she your best friend?"

My smile fades and turns into a frown. Naturally my shoulders slump and I begin scraping at the inside of my pipe again while we walk down the trail "Yes, she was."

Elena clears her throat uncomfortably "Oh, I-I'm sorry."

I smirk giving a slight nod, but I have found no more interest in conversation. At least not this one about Dorothy. The memories, no matter how wonderful or joyous they were, I now only find they have soured in my mind.

"Gandalf, am I going insane?" Elena asks causing my eyes to lift up and back to her. The large shining tears in her eyes threaten to spill at any moment. She bites her lip to keep whatever small ounce of control she has left over the pools in her eyes.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"This place, its-its real isn't it?"

"Yes."
"Okay, so-if it's real then I got here by magic. Your magic, right?"

"In a way, yes."

Slowly she begins collecting it all. She swallows nervously and wrings her hands to cease their trembling. Wrapping her arms around herself she nods "So you brought me here, then you can send me back?"

Her blue hues look back pleadingly. I can see the fear embedded deep within them. She has every right to be frightened, but not of me. Truth be told I couldn't send her back even if I wanted to. Creating or summoning magic like that again can only come from inside of her, but that is the one thing that the Orc's want. That is if she even harbors such powers. Sending her back to her world would endanger not only her but everyone around her. I doubt that's a risk she's willing to take.

"I no longer have the power to send you back. What I used to rescue you was all that I could muster. Never again can I harbor such power."

"What?! But you're a wizard, aren't you?!" she exclaims stopping "I'm thankful you rescued me but that last thing I want is to be stuck in this place, especially if those creatures are a part of this world!"

"Those creatures have found a way to yours as well. They will stop at nothing to find you and when they do, they will certainly kill you and anyone else you love." I snap.

Her eyes widen and she shakes her head "Why? What do they want with me?"

I sigh shaking my head "I'm not sure yet."

Turning her back to me she throws her bag to the ground running her hands through her hair. She looks out through the forest and then up to the sky. Lowering her hands, she balls them into fists and turns back to me. Her jaw is clenched but she still speaks gently "Is there any way for me to ever get home?"

I nod stepping closer to her "Yes, there is a way, and I know someone who can help you get to where you need to go."

"Who?" she asks.

"A King."

---

(Elena)

Bilbo was way more hospitable than anyone I'd ever met. Not only did he wash my clothes, but went out and bought some from his town, allowed me to bath in his tiny, but useable bathroom, and made me an entire four course meal just for lunch.

"Um, you usually make this much food for lunch?" I ask looking at all the bowls of foods.

Swallowing his spoonful of mashed potatoes, he nods "Mmm, yes, sometime more, but I wasn't expecting company. I apologize for the slim pickings."

The heaps of food completely cover the table. I can't even see the wood top anymore.

"Oh, no worries. I'm not that hungry anyway." I say with a smile trying not to let any form of sarcasm slip through.

I fill up my plate with all the delicious food and eat until I can't eat anymore. Bilbo, however, shovels down three full plates of food. I watch him as he eats the food as if he's starving. I suppose earlier I could have said the same for myself even though I am beyond starved, but Bilbo puts 'eat' in the word 'eater'. After taking the final bite on his plate, he wipes his mouth and smiles "Ah, well, that was delicious. Suppose trout would be suitable for Supper, any thoughts for dinner?"

I look up from my small cup of coffee to the Hobbit. Raising a brow, I lean back "Wait, dinner and then supper?"

Bilbo looks just as confused as I am "Yes? Breakfast at 7 a.m. as soon as I get up. Second Breakfast at 9 a.m. after getting dressed. Elevenses at 11 a.m., Luncheon - 1 p.m, Afternoon Tea around 3 p.m. , Dinner - at 6 p.m. and finally Supper at 9 p.m."

Blinking rapidly, I feel the slight sizzle of my brain trying to comprehend everything the Hobbit said. He chuckles at my facial expression and grabs both our plates "You would like the Hobbit life if you tried it."

I snicker "If I ate the way Hobbits do, I'd be three times the size I already am."

Bilbo places the dishes in the sink and then turns back to me. He twitches his nose and sighs leaning against the sink "Can I ask you something?"

I nod "Of course."

"If you're from-where-you say you're from, why did Gandalf send you to me?"

Looking down at the cup I shrug "I don't know. He said I needed somewhere safe to stay and he and 'the others' returned."

Bilbo scoffs "Ah, yes, 'the others'."

"Do you know who he's talking about?"

The Hobbit adjusts his trouser straps and shakes his head "No idea at all."

We both fall silent for a moment until I spot the dusty chess board. Smirking I motion to it "You play chess?"

He nods "Mm, yes, I have since I was a child. Not many willing appointments I'm afraid."

"Care for a match?"

---

(Bilbo)

Elena is better company than I thought. She's full conversations, seems to have questions about anything and everything. It's overwhelming, but it's nice. This place isn't so quiet anymore. Ever since my parents passing and my sister getting married it's just been me. Having Elena here almost makes me feel as if I have a family again.

"Here ya go." she says placing the fried fish onto my plate "My father always made the best fried trout. I hope I got it right."

Sitting down across from me she looks down at her own plate "My mother makes the best casseroles and chicken n' dumplins. Her husband my stepfather cooks the beast steaks you've ever tasted."

"Your parents are no longer married?" I ask causing her to fall silent.

Clearing her throat, she shakes her head "No, they haven't been married for over ten years."

Quickly my eyes go back down to the plate and a change the topic of conversation as swiftly as possible "You know, O'le lady Rina brings in all the fish to the market. Poor lady never got married and never had any little ones. Solitary lie she lives. Wished she had found a fellow fisherman to go out with her."

"Someone like you?"

Choking on my drink, I sputter and quickly dab away the water "I-wh-NO! No, of course not. I've known Rina for quite some time.... well, our entire lives, but she-I never..." nervously I whimper and slump in my seat.

Elena smirks reaching out and gripping my hand "Bilbo, I'm only joking. But you shouldn't be afraid of telling someone how you feel. Even if it means they say 'no' or may not reciprocate those same feelings..." his voice fades and she lets out a sigh looking down at her hands "Tell the one you love that you love them. Or else you'll regret it forever."

Before I can open my mouth in response the doorbell rings. Both of us jump as I quickly get up and scurry to the door.

Opening it up a brute of a dwarf turns facing me. As his sights are set on me, he speaks in his gruff voice giving a bow "Dwalin, at your service."

Nervously I gulp and quickly tie my night robe "Bilbo Baggins at yours."

He stomps his way in ducking under the threshold. He stops as I ask, "Do we know each other?"

He scoffs glaring down at me "No."

Making his way in he moves about searching high and low. He yanks off his coat looking around the living room "Is it here laddie?"

Furrowing my brow, I look from the Dwarf to Elena who is now peering from around the corner from the kitchen. Slowly I turn back confused "Is what here?"

The dwarf turns back to me tossing his coat "Supper. He said they'd be food and lots of it!"

"H-He said?" I stammer fumbling with his coat "Who said?"

Dwalin walks towards the entrance of the kitchen and stops in his tracks seeing Elena. Even for a dwarf he was tall. He was as tall as Elena seeing her eye to eye. For a moment he seemed just as surprised as she is.

"Hi." she says meekly as the Dwarf looks her up and down as if he's sizing her up. Grumbling he turns away "Never mentioned a human."

(Elena)

Bilbo and I sat quietly in the corner of the kitchen. We watched the dwarf scarf down both our plates, hungrily biting off the fish heads whole. My stomach turns hearing the crunching of the bones and squish of the eyes.

"Very good this!" Dwalin compliments making me slightly smile "Anymore?"

Bilbo nods "Oh, ah, yes." He gets up retrieving the plate with the stack of fluffy biscuits. Looking at the biscuits to the dwarf her snags two hiding them behind his back before giving the rest of the dwarf. Before the plate hits the table the dwarf digs in shoveling the warm bread by the handful.

Our attention goes to the door as it rings again. Both of us sit still and silent until we hear Dwalin's deep growly voice "That'll be the door."

Bilbo stands and cautiously walks towards the entrance. Dwalin goes back to eating but I do not wish to sit here alone with him. After his first interaction with me, I'm guessing he doesn't care for 'humans' as he made so apparent.

Getting up I quickly hurry out of the kitchen and catch up to Bilbo. He eyes me nervously as he takes the handle opening the door again. This time it's another dwarf, but he is much shorter than Dwalin. He's only a few inches taller than Bilbo and has solid white hair and beard to match the separates into two separate curls. His crooked nose beds stopping just above his lips that both turns flashing a smile.

"Balin, at your service." He says cheerfully extending a bow.

"Good evening." Bilbo says flatly.

Looking to the sky the dwarf nods "Yes, yes, it is. Though I think it might rain later." He enters in and pats Bilbo on the shoulder "Am I late?"

Bilbo raises a brow "Late for what...?"

"OH!"

I jump back into the corner I'm hiding in. Balin's shout of glee caused me to leap from my own skin. He smirks walking towards Dwalin who has his hand caught in a cookie jar. Literally.

"Evening brother." Balin says cheerfully catching Dwalin's attention.

The taller dwarf chuckles "By my beard your shorter and wider last we met."

Balin smirks giving a wink "Wider, not shorter."

Both laughing heartily Dwalin grips Balin by the shoulders. Both chuckle and rare back before forcefully butting their heads together in an almost sickening thud.

"Oh my gosh...!" I exclaim and both Dwarves look to me. Freezing up I tense and wait to see if I should flee or not. However, Balin's look of surprise turns into a warm smile.

"Ah! My apologies my lady. I did not see you over there sitting so quietly. Balin, at your service." Taking my hand, he offers a deep bow along with his warm smile. Nodding I smile back "I'm Elena, it's nice to meet you."

Balin smiles and looks back to his younger brother, but Dwalin only quickly turns away from me. Balin grumbles as if to push him to speak but Bilbo chimes in.

"I-I'm sorry. Hate to interrupt, but I'm not entirely sure you're in the right house."

"Have you eaten?" Dwalin asks Balin and the older Dwarf makes his way into the kitchen "I have but I could eat again."

The Hobbit looks baffled and shakes his head causing his brownish red curls to bounce "Wh-what? Elena can I speak to you for a moment?"

I nod and watch as both Dwarves disappear into the kitchen. Bilbo locks his front door and huffs turning back to me "Elena, we don't know who these two dwarves are, now, we need to tell them to leave immediately!"

"Well, they seem to think they're in the right place for...whatever reason. And I believe if we give them food like they want then maybe they'll just leave."

"And what if they don't?"

Looking back over my shoulder I sigh and turn back to Bilbo "Well, from where I'm standing, I see a girl and a Hobbit against two dwarves and one with a very scary looking axe."

Bilbo clenches his fist and grumbles "Axe or no axe, they are leaving, now."

As I watch Bilbo stamp into the kitchen confronting the dwarves, my eyes catch a glimmering light in the distance. Just down the road two handsome, younger looking dwarves' approach.

"Uh, Bilbo?" I call but get no answer. Looking back out the two young dwarves get closer.

"Bilbo, you need to come here please."

They're opening the front gate now and walking up the cobblestone steps.

"Bilbo!" I call out just as the doorbell rings.

The Hobbit snaps his attention to the door and sees my worried expression. Motioning to the door I step back "You've got two more visitors."

"Oh, you've got to be pulling my leg hair...!" he hisses under his breath and yanks the door open.

The two young dwarves stand side by side. The blonde one stands on the left and the dark haired one to the right. Both of them look like two Princes out of a story book. In fact, they both look related in some way. Yes, brothers.

"Fili."

"And Kill."

"At your service." They say in unison giving a bow.

Kili's once warrior like expression explodes into an almost goofy smile "You must be Mr. Boggin's!"

"And you must be..." his voice trails off as they both look directly at me.

"Elena, a-at your service." I say awkwardly.

"Wow, I've never seen a girly human have the hips and carry of a girly dwarf before."

I cross my arms and look down at my shoes as the redness in my cheeks spread. The words of the dwarf nearly strike me to the bone, and I suppose they could see my offense.

"O-oh, no, we mean, you're a human but you look and are built like a woman of our kind." Fili stammers.

"Yes! All except for the beard..." Kili finishes "We dwarf men like a woman with some meat on her!"

I raise a brow and Bilbo look from one another back to the dwarves. Fili elbows the dark haired brother and grumples "Nice going." Both brothers shuffle awkwardly but I can't help but feel the smirk creep onto my lips. Still, I uphold the unamused expression and watch the squirm a little under the uncomfortable atmosphere.

"Well, we can't wait to dig into the delicious food!" Kili exclaims and steps forward.

"Nope! You can't come in you've got the wrong house." Bilbo snaps trying to close the door. Kili pushes against it stepping inside "Has it been canceled?"

"No one told us." Fili says eyeing us both suspiciously.

Bilbo furrows his brows "Can-no nothings been cancelled."

Kili smiles entering the house "That's a relief." He looks around and nods in approval "Nice place you got. Did you do it yourself?"

My eyes widen as he begins scrapping the mud off his shoes on Bilbo's things. The dark goopy mess plops onto the floor and dirties Bilbo's carpet.

"No, it's been in the family for generations-Can you please not do that?!" Bilbo exclaims "That's my mothers jewelry box!"

As the brothers mosey their way in Kili gives me a wink "Does my heart good to see such a pretty."

I can't help but giggle as he makes his way to the kitchen as is greeted by Dwalin. I hear Bilbo grunt and turn back seeing his arms overloading with weapons Fili is piling on.

"Careful with these. Just had them sharpened." He drops one final sword onto the pile and passes by me giving me a side glance. He gives a small smile but then turns his attention to the other three dwarves moving Bilbo's furniture in the other room.

"Come on now lads give us a hand." Balin asks "If we don't move it around, we won't be able to fit everyone."

Following after the blonde dwarf Bilbo and I look to one another and then to Balin. "Everyone?" we say in unison and the front doorbell rings for a fourth time. In anger Bilbo drops the pile of swords and storms to the front door shouting "No! Go away! There is no one home! Go and bother someone else!"

I wince at his words of anger as Balin and I watch him approach the door. He stomps and huffs continuing his fit of anger "There's far too many dwarves in my dining room as it is! If-if this is some clot heads idea of a joke-HAHA- then I must say...it is in very poor taste!"

As Bilbo open up his front door a pile of Dwarves coming stumbling in. They all trip up and fall one on top of the other with the biggest laying on all of them. They grumble, complain, and snap at each other whistle trying to find their feet.

Just behind them the tall familiar figure leans his head in looking over all of them. His eyes then look up to Bilbo and then back to me. Relief washes over me but Bilbo only grumbles in aggravation "Gandalf."