Hello and welcome to my newest fic, The Storm! I am continuing Life In The Shire but I am having trouble with the next chapter. I will update these two fics as soon as I possibly can but I can make no promises. I spaced it out a bit so it would be easier to read so if it looks a bit messed up, I apologize. Ignore the first chapter awkwardness.
Please drop a review into the box at the bottom before you leave!
My name is Katie Holmes and I'm your average 21 year old living in New York. I moved here when I was 8 with my single mom. I was part of the
Winter Guard during Middle School and ROTC in High School, normal right? I was living with my mom while I worked and looked for a job. I'm a broken
Christian who lost all faith in God years ago. The preachers still come knocking on my door, telling me God is doing the same. I'm straight and single,
which doesn't help because all of the people I like are not straight. Well, at least the LGBTQ Community is getting somewhere in life unlike me. Well, It
all started one morning when I decided to leave the apartment… out into a storm.
I hopped out of bed that morning and walked over to the dark brown dresser. I grabbed a plain white tank top, a black button up vest, black skinny
jeans and dressed. I pulled my long blonde hair into a ponytail and shoved on my dark grey boots. I grabbed my dark brown satchel and placed it on
the bed, opening it. I placed The Hobbit, two spiral notebooks, along with a few pens and my fully charged phone. I placed the handle over my neck,
letting the satchel itself rest at my side. I walked over to the window and opened the shades, looking outside.
The sun hid behind the dark rain clouds forming and the wind rustled the trees every few minutes. I left the room, grabbing the keys to the apartment
as I left. I ran down the stairwell, keys jingling as I shoved them into my satchel.
"Good morning, Mr. Hartmann!" I greeted as I landed on the lobby floor. He looked up from the newspaper and smiled, wrinkles forming around his
small lips and squinty eyes.
"Good morning, Ms. Holmes!" He laughed as I burst out of the lobby. I began walking down the street, passing people with purses and briefcases. I
stopped at the crosswalk and waited for the crosswalk light to go green. It did and I rushed across the street when all of the sudden, a stroke of
lightning hit and before I could do anything, my world had turned dark as I fell to the ground. I felt my body being lifted up high, was I dead? I
thought for a moment what could be the cause of this feeling when all of the sudden, I felt myself fall back onto the ground with a loud 'thump'.
I lay on the ground, sprawled out like a dead animal. I heard footsteps and whispers and I forced my eyes open.
"Miss, are you alright?" The tall man with dark brown hair asked, leaning over me. I closed my eyes for a moment before opening them once more.
The tall man remained standing over me and I knew then, this had to be a dream. I felt a dizziness stir in my head shortly before I passed back out.
"Who is she?"
"A girl from the Race of Men."
"She doesn't belong here, does she?"
"No, something or someone has brought her into our world and we just have to figure out what her purpose is here."
I woke hours after the man discovered me and I rubbed my head, groaning. I heard a door click open and looked up to see a tall woman with dark,
long hair and pointed ears enter the room. A few articles of clothing were folded over her long arm.
Where am I? Where's my family?
"Good afternoon, miss. I hope you slept well." She stood at the end of the bed, looking at me.
"I did, thank you." I answered, pushing myself up to a sitting up position on the bed.
"I am Míreth, your handmaiden, pleased to meet you." She nodded.
"I am Katie, pleased to meet you as well." I nodded in return.
"I've brought you some clothes but do mind, these are for young adults." She warned me of the clothing size.
"It is alright." I told her as I pushed myself out of bed. She placed the clothes down at the end of the bed before turning to leave.
"Míreth, could you tell me where I am?" I asked, leaning on the bed. She turned back to face me and smiled.
"Miss Katie, you are in Rivendell, the Last Homely House East of the Sea in Middle Earth."
Middle Earth. A lightning bolt couldn't just take me to heaven, no. It had to take me to a whole other universe.
I ran over to my satchel and ripped it open to see my favorite book, The Hobbit, intact. I groaned as I looked down at the clothes. I pulled off my shirt and vest, dressing into a dark blue spaghetti strap dress with a dark blue surcoat to match.
"Miss Katie, may I come in?" Míreth knocked softly on the door. I called for her to enter and watched as she entered with a hairpiece.
"Sit down at the mirror table." She ordered and I complied. I sat down and watched as she took my ponytail out, placing the black hair tie on the
table. She ran her hands through my hair before gently brushing it, humming. She styled my hair with two pieces at the front flowing past my
shoulders, the rest flowing in the back. She placed the silver hairpiece in and took a step back.
"You have time to go on a nice walk before dinner." Míreth informed me. I smiled and stood, smoothing out my dress.
"I'd love to go on a walk." I smiled. I could filter my thoughts and figure out why the hell I was in Middle Earth.
"Miss Katie, as your handmaiden for the time being, I need to accompany you."
"That's alright, Míreth." I giggled, linking arms with her and walking out to the courtyard. We followed Lindir who was also heading to the courtyard.
We stopped at the bottom of the stairs as Lindir continued on toward a tall man clad in grey, standing in front of a group of people holding their
weapons.
"Míreth, who are those people?" I ask, leaning close to her.
"Dwarves." She whispered, watching the scene unfold. A horn blew and everyone's head shot up, searching for the source. Horses began galloping in
the courtyard, circling the dwarves.
"Ifridî bekâr! (Ready weapons!) Hold ranks!" One dwarf yelled, backing up with his weapon raised. The dwarves bunch up together into a tight circle
with their weapons pointed outward; the mounted Elves arrive and ride in circles around the dwarves. One elf separates himself from the others as
the horses stop circling the dwarves.
"Gandalf." Gandalf bows gracefully.
"Lord Elrond. Mellonnen! Mo evínedh? (My friend! Where have you been?)" The man clad in grey asked in another language.
"Farannem 'lamhoth i udul o charad. Dagannem rim na Iant Vedui. (We've been hunting a pack of Orcs that came up from the South. We slew a
number near the Hidden Pass)." Elrond dismounts from his horse, then he and Gandalf hug.
"Strange for Orcs to come so close to our borders. Something, or someone, has drawn them near." He holds up an Orc sword and shows it to
everyone, then hands it to Lindir.
"Ah, that may have been us." One dwarf steps forward, and Elrond looks upon him with recognition.
"Welcome Thorin, son of Thrain."
"I do not believe we have met."
"You have your grandfather's bearing. I knew Thror when he ruled under the Mountain."
"Indeed; he made no mention of you." Ignoring this insult, Elrond turns to the dwarves and speaks in Elvish (Sindarin). The dwarves don't understand
what he is saying.
"Nartho i noer, toltho i viruvor. Boe i annam vann a nethail vin. (Light the fires, bring forth the wine. We must feed our guests.)" Elrond smiled as
Lindir turned and left.
"What is he saying? Does he offer us insult?" One dwarf growled. The dwarves grow bellicose and grip their weapons uneasily. Gandalf speaks
exasperatedly.
"No, master Gloin, he's offering you food." The man clad in grey rolled his eyes. The dwarves quickly discuss this amongst themselves.
"Ah well, in that case, lead on." The dwarf answered, lowering his weapon.
Míreth and I walked to the Dining Hall before the dwarves got there. I sat down and began preparing my plate. Míreth stood behind me, her hands
folded in front of her, her head down.
"Míreth, sit down and eat." I told her, patting on a chair on the left side of the table beside me.
"Miss Katie, it would be wrong for a handmaiden such as myself to eat with a lady I serve." She answered, her head still hung low. The dwarves filed
inside, sitting down at the table with me. A few dwarves passed with the elves.
"Try it. Just a mouthful."
"I don't like green food."
"Where's the meat?"
"Have they got any chips?"
An Elf maiden plays a harp in the background. Elrond and Gandalf walk through the halls of this ancient city.
"Kind of you to invite us. I'm not really dressed for dinner."
"Well, you never are." They both laugh, and they arrive at the courtyard where the dwarves are eating. An elf maiden plays a flute; One dwarf, not
liking the sound, stuffs a napkin in his hearing trumpet, and looks happy that he can no longer hear the music. I finish my meal and stand as Míreth
takes my plate to the kitchens to be cleaned.
"Who are you?" One dwarf asked, causing me to look up.
"I'm Katie Holmes, but please call me Katie." I smiled. I turn to see Lord Elrond, Gandalf and a dwarf pass.
"Lord Elrond would like to see you as soon as possible." Míreth reappeared from the kitchens. I nodded and followed Lord Elrond. As we followed,
Míreth told me who was who.
Gandalf, Elrond, Thorin, Balin, Bilbo and I all stand in a hall in this ancient city. I watched the scene unfold, forcing my mouth shut.
"Our business is no concern of elves." Thorin growled.
"For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map." Gandalf rolled his eyes.
"It is the legacy of my people; it is mine to protect, as are its secrets." Thorin countered.
"Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves. Your pride will be your downfall. You stand here in the presence of one of the few in Middle-earth who
can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond." Thorin thinks quietly for a few seconds, with everyone looking at him. He begins to hand the map to
Elrond, and Balin tries to stop him.
"Thorin, no!" Balin cries, reaching out to his friend. Thorin brushes Balin aside and hands Elrond the map. Elrond looks at it.
"Erebor. What is your interest in this map?" Thorin is about to speak, but Gandalf interrupts him.
"It's mainly academic. As you know, this sort of artifact sometimes contains hidden text. You still read Ancient Dwarvish, do you not?" Elrond walks a
little bit away, looking at the map. As the moonlight hits the map, Elrond realizes something.
"Cirth Ithil."
"Moon runes. Of course. An easy thing to miss."
"Well in this case, that is true; moon runes can only be read by the light of a moon of the same shape and season as the day on which they were
written."
"Can you read them?" Elrond leads us all to an open area outside, on the side of a cliff, with waterfalls all around. The moon is behind some clouds.
We walk toward a large crystalline table.
"These runes were written on a Midsummer's Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly two hundred years ago. It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell. Fate is with you, Thorin Oakenshield; the same moon shines upon us tonight."
As we look up, the clouds covering the moon float away, and rays of moonlight hits the crystalline table, causing light to flow through the map which
has been laid on the table. Ancient runes become visible on the map, and Elrond translates them out loud.
"Stand by the gray stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole."
"Durin's Day?" The hobbit squeaks.
"It is the start of the dwarves' new year, when the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together."
"This is ill news. Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us."
"We still have time."
"Time? For what?"
"To find the entrance. We have to be standing at exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened."
"So this is your purpose, to enter the Mountain."
"What of it?"
"There are some who would not deem it wise." Thorin takes back the map gruffly.
"Who do you mean?"
"You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-earth." As Elrond walks away, Gandalf turns slowly, thinking deeply.
"Miss Holmes, come with me." I looked up to see Gandalf gesturing for me to follow. I did so, bumping into Thorin.
"I apologize, I didn't mean to." I whispered, raising my hands up slightly in defense. I truly didn't mean to, I was so fixed on seeing what Gandalf
wanted I had forgotten there were others still remaining in the room. Thorin glared, the map crumpling up in his hands. I whispered another sorry
before leaving the room. Gandalf, Míreth and I meet Lord Elrond in a pavillion.
"With or without our help, these dwarves will march on the mountain. They are determined to reclaim their homeland. I do not believe Thorin
Oakenshield feels that he's answerable to anyone. Nor for that matter am I." Gandalf told Elrond.
"It is not me you must answer to." Gandalf looks and sees a tall, beautiful, female Elf standing framed against the moonlight. She slowly turns around.
"Lady Galadriel." Gandalf whispers, smiling.
"Mithrandir. It has been a long time." The female elf speaks softly.
"Nae nin gwistant infanneth, mal ú-eichia i Chíril Lorien (Age may have changed me, but not so the Lady of Lorien.)" Galadriel smiles.
"I had no idea Lord Elrond had sent for you." A voice sounds out of the darkness.
"He didn't. I did." Gandalf turns and sees Saruman the White; he bows to him.
"Saruman."
"You've been busy of late, my friend."
Saruman, Gandalf, Lord Elrond, and Lady Galadriel talk about dangers rising before breaking apart to tend to pressing matters. Saruman and Lord
Elrond leave to tend to important matters as Gandalf and Galadriel speak to each other.
"You will follow them?" Galadriel asked, watching the dwarves leave.
"Yes." Gandalf answered.
"You are right to help Thorin Oakenshield. I fear this quest has set in motion forces we do not yet understand. The riddle of the Morgul blade must be
answered. Something moves in the shadows, unseen, hidden from our sight. It will not show itself, not yet. But every day it grows in strength. You
must be careful." Galadriel warned him.
"Yes." Gandalf turns and leaves, leaving Lady Galadriel, Míreth and I alone.
"Miss Katie, I see you have arrived on time and in one piece." Lady Galadriel smiled, stepping down the stone steps toward the table. I sat up
straight as she approached me.
"Lady Galadriel, can you explain why I am in Middle Earth?" I asked.
"Miss Katie, Gandalf summoned you here through powerful magic because he believes you will bring something to the dwarven company's quest. The
storm that brought you here was not a normal storm." She answered, circling the table.
"How will I survive? I cannot fight." I told her.
"You will learn in time how to defend yourself in the wild." She assured me.
"What's my purpose on this quest?" I asked her as she stopped circling the table. She turned to face me.
"You have extended knowledge of the quest and you hold the outcome in your hands. If you are to join the dwarves, you must ensure that nothing
bad happens to them."
"OK, will I ever return home?" I ask.
"That all depends, Miss Holmes, on your actions." Lady Galadriel disappeared.
God, I need you now more than ever. I'm stuck in Middle Earth.
Please drop a review into the box at the bottom before you leave! Leave comments, questions, and suggestions! Who would you like Katie to slowly fall in love with as the journey goes on? Leave an answer in the box below!