Today was the day. Lilia was going to Middle-Earth to help destroy evil. Gandalf had trained her physically, in the ways of her touch-telepathathy, and her shifting abilities. Right now Lilia was headed toward the woods where she was to meet Gandalf. They were supposed to create a portal to Middle-Earth to get there. Why they could not just teleport there she would never know.

"Hello Lilia.'' Lilia would know that voice anywhere, Gandalf.

Lilia smiled and turned around, just as she thought. He was standing there with his grey cloak and hat, twinkling eyes, full beard and staff smiling at the shapeshifter.

"Hello Gandalf," Lilia grinned.

"It's time, Lilia. We must head off if we are to attend the meeting on time."

"Of course Gandalf. But one question."

"What is it?" He asked, getting into place to create the portal.

"What year is it in Middle-Earth?" Lilia already knew, or at least, had theories. But she just want to make sure.

"Oh well, I think you'll figure it out quite soon," Gandalf waved off the question.

Lilia rolled her eyes at Gandalf's antics. Gandalf then started chanting in an ancient language. Old, and unknown, and it sent shivers down Lilia's spine. A bright light sprung forth from the ground, surrounding the two.

"Whatever you do, don't open your eyes until you feel the ground beneath you! Got it?" Gandalf shouted over the howling wind that came with the light.

Lilia nodded and closed her eyes, knowing perfectly well that Gandalf couldn't see her. A twisting lurched her stomach and Lilia felt something sucking her towards something else. It was like a vacuum, in a way. Seconds passed and the feeling did too, and she felt her feet touch something hard. Lilia didn't open her eyes but she could hear everything. The wind blowing in the breeze. The sound of birds chirping nearby. She could hear everything. Including Gandalf landing next to her. Sound's like he fell on his arse. Lilia hid her laughter by looking away and pretending she didn't see anything. Not that she did at any rate.

"You can open your eyes now," Gandalf mumbled, getting off the ground.

Opening her eyes Lilia gaped. There were green hills everywhere. Butterflies fluttering around and landing on flowers. Bees collecting nectar and birds flying chirping happily. The sun was showing that it was getting close to sunset. But even though it was getting late, the animals didn't seem to care.

"This place is amazing!" Lilia exclaimed looking around.

Behind Lilia was a forest and mountains. Many, mountains in fact. Lilia had known Middle-Earth was beautiful but not this beautiful! The books and movies had never quite captured the beauty of the wonderland surrounding her. But it sure came close to the real deal.

"You shall be going on the quest to reclaim a homeland known as Erebor," Gandalf said, now walking in a random direction. East, Lilia suspected.

Lilia followed him, trusting he knew where he was going.

As if reading her mind, though he probably was, Gandalf said, "We are going to Hobbiton. To Bilbo Baggins' house to be exact. We should be there just after nightfall."

That's a lot of walking, but nothing Lilia couldn't handle. Only a few hours, two and a half tops. Well by her estimate that is. Then again, she had no idea where they were. But Gandalf said after nightfall then she could only guess the walk would take a couple of hours.

"Oh, and Vanáezae?" Gandalf said, "The company should not know of your powers. Only use them if it is needed."

Lilia nodded, "And my name?"

"You can only use the name of Vanáezae."

Vanáezae nodded once more, "Yes Gandalf. But, as you know. I know who goes on this quest," she began. Gandalf nodded, signaling her to carry on. "How do you think Thorin will react to you bringing an elf, on this quest. Much less a woman?"

"Oh, he'll just have to trust me," Gandalf said, his eyes twinkling.

Vanáezae groaned. This was going to be a long journey. Taking into consideration how much Thorin hated elves, what would happen, how much destruction a death would passed. This day couldn't get any worse! Although, Vanáezae never really was sure when the day turned against her. CRACK! Vanáezae looked up, it might rain later.

Sighing, Vanáezae transformed into a white wolf. She needed to run and stretch her legs, and it was getting a little cold. Vanáezae trotted next to Gandalf.

"Be careful. If you run into any, the dwarves will not hesitate to kill you on sight," Gandalf warned.

Vanáezae yipped, giving him her version of an 'okay.' Running off into the trees, she waited till she was far enough out. Finding a hill, Vanáezae looked to the moon and gave a wolf-ish grin. A howl sounded from her throat, passing over miles of land. An answering howl sounded two miles away and Vanáezae sprinted towards the pack. This might not be too bad.

**********

Vanáezae arrived at Bilbo's house just after Gandalf urged the dwarves inside. He quickly glanced at her and motioned to hurry up. She nodded at him and transformed into her human self just after Gandalf went into the Hobbit hole. The good thing that Vanáezae loved about being a shifter, is that her clothes changed with her. She couldn't imagine ever shifting and tearing her clothes. But Vanáezae was carrying her bag when she shifted, and Gandalf ended up with it. It was questionable logic and it left her a little confused. Then common sense hit her like a freight train. Gandalf is a wizard. So don't question it. Vanáezae shook her head, walked up to the door and knocked, hearing a commotion inside.

"Gandalf, who is it now?" asked an exasperated voice.

Through the window Vanáezae could vaguely see two dwarves fighting over sausage links. It was a little amusing to say the least.

"Oh, that would be one of the last two guests, my dear Bilbo," replied Gandalf.

The door opened and there stood Mr. Baggins himself, looking quite agitated if she did say so herself. Gandalf stood behind him and smiled at the shape shifter.

"Hello, Vanáezae," Gandalf said, as if talking to an old friend.

"Gandalf," Vanáezae said, inclining her head in greeting. "May I come in Master Baggins?"

"Uh-uh- yes, of course," Bilbo stuttered.

Vanáezae stepped in and heard Bilbo muttering something about her being the only one with manners. Chuckling, Vanáezae walked around Gandalf and ducked slightly at the beam above her. Every dwarf was either laughing with each other, drinking, or fighting over food. Gandalf was right. They really are a 'merry gathering.' A dwarf, as Vanáezae remembered his name was Ori, came into the hall with them. Not noticing the elf standing next to Gandalf.

"Excuse me. I'm sorry to interrupt, but what should I do with my plate?" Ori questioned.

Another dwarf, Fili, came into the room. "Here you go Ori, give it to me," Fili said, taking the plate from Ori.

He then tossed the plate to Kili, who was walking into the hall. Kili then tossed Ori's plate into the kitchen, along with his own. Bilbo unfortunately saw what was happening and immediately panicked.

"Excuse me! That's my mother's West Farthing pottery! It's over 100 years old!" Bilbo hurried towards the brothers. In the dining room, dwarves began scraping silverware against each other and stomping on the ground, creating a rhythm. "Can you not do that? You'll blunt them!" Bilbo asked urgently.

"Oh, you hear that lads? He says we'll blunt the knives," Bofur winked.

"Blunt the knives, bend the forks," Kili began.

"Smash the bottles and burn the corks," Fili continued.

"Chip the glasses, and crack the plates,

That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!

Cut on the cloth and trail on the fat!

Leave the bones on the bedroom mat!

Pour the milk on the pantry floor!

Splash the wine on every door!

Dump the crocks in boiling bowl;

Pound them up with a thumping pole;

And when you've finished, if any are whole,

Send them down the hall to roll!

That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!" They all sang, including Vanáezae.

Vanáezae of whom, was surprised that no one had noticed her yet, besides Bilbo and Gandalf of course. They need to be more vigilant. But how do they miss an elf walking around in a hobbit hole? Maybe it was due to the fact that she was standing in a shadow.

Bilbo pushed passed the dwarves only to find the dishes clean, organised, and stacked. Everyone laughed at shocked his face. All were laughing when a couple pounds on Bilbo's door were heard. Everyone quieted down immediately.

"He is here," Gandalf said eerily.

**********

Edited!