Greetings my dearest readers! I have been on hiatus from writing my stories for a while and I do request your forgiveness for not updating in rather some time. Well, my hiatus was cut short when The Hobbit came out. I was bitten by the Dwarf Bug and could not resist the charms of my funny little friends. Obviously this one centers around Bofur, but I have another one in the works that centers around Kili. That one shall be out once it is finished. And as for the rest of my stories; well they are still on hold at the moment. As soon as they are each complete I shall finished posting them as well. Now on to the disclaimer!

As much as I would dearly love to, I own nothing recognizable as Tolkien's works or characters. The only thing that belongs to me are the characters of my own design. I hope you all enjoy! Reviews are highly welcomed, and flames shall be used to light torches and feasting fires in the main hall! ;)

Prologue: Disgraced

White clouds drifted gently across the vast blue sky which stretched itself across the whole of Middle Earth. The bright light of the shining sun sparkled with glowing radiance throughout the land. And a soft spring breeze tickled the new budding leaves as it danced past the trees. Here and there birds chirped their merry tunes celebrating the day brought forth for them to enjoy. All manner of hibernating creatures had emerged from their dens to warm themselves in the new season. Far to the south lay the mystic wood of Fangorn Forest. It was a domain that few souls dared to tread, but one that a solitary figure found sanctuary. Or so much as her past could allow her sanctuary; for the skeletons that lay dormant in the shadows never do so for long. It was on that warm and merry spring day that one life would change forever. A large, honey coloured wolf padded silently through the trees as it stalked a doe that had wandered away from the herd. The wolf eyed it with bright, golden eyes. Tucked deep within them was a look of humanlike intelligence.

The she wolf, for it was female, wriggled her shoulders as she prepared to launch herself towards the doe. Suddenly a flash of light erupted in front of the doe and it bolted into the forest. The she wolf pulled her lips back in annoyance and turned towards where the light had come from. A man in grey robes, pointed grey hat, and long grey beard tucked into his belt stood where the light had come. The wolf pinned her ears back angrily. It appeared as though she was attempting a snarl, yet no sound was produced. It was obvious that the she wolf could have easily dispatched the man had he been a mortal man. There was no doubt in this for the she wolf was larger than any normal creature of her kind. She stood at nearly four feet at the shoulder with razor sharp claws and needlepoint fangs. But this was no ordinary man. This was a Wizard who held a great power.

"Forgive me for startling your prey, Elva." The man said to the wolf.

The she wolf, Elva, flicked her ears in discontent. This Wizard was one of the last persons she wished to see.

"What do you want, Olórin?" She snapped, speaking directly to his mind.

"That is a name I have not been called in some time." The Wizard commented to himself, then returned his attention to the wolf. "I am known as Gandalf in this world."

"Forgive me if I appeared to care." Elva sneered. "But you have not yet answered my query. Why are you come?"

"The Valar have sent me to call upon you." Gandalf replied. "It is time to pay your due."

Elva pinned her ears flat against her skull and opened her mouth in displeasure. Had she been able to speak a dark snarl would have been heard from her throat. She whipped around angrily and stalked into the trees.

"I owe the Valar nothing!" She snarled as stalked away. "They took everything from me."

"No, Elva." Gandalf called. "You lost everything when you killed your sister."

Freezing in mid-stride, Elva's eyes widened in shock and hurt. Her hackles, which had been raised threateningly, fell and her ears drooped pitifully. She turned her head enough to give the Wizard a sidelong glare and pulled her lips back in a snarl.

"What do I owe them?" She growled sullenly.

"Aulë saved you from your intended fate, and Nienna took your side." Gandalf replied. "It is to them you owe your life. Would you allow that debt to go unrequited?"

"And what, pray tell, do the great and merciful Valar wish for me to do?" Elva asked scornfully.

"They have seen your sufferings and it pains them that a Maiar that was once their own has descended into such a state." Gandalf answered her.

"Then they should have ended my existence when they had decided to in the beginning!" Elva snapped.

"Eru would not see one of his children ended without chance." Gandalf shook his head. "The Valar have decreed that you may redeem yourself to them and be restored to honour. But only if you understand the lesson they wish for you to learn."

"And what lesson is that?" Elva asked warily.

"I do not know." The Wizard replied airily. "I was not told of the details, save what you must do to learn their teaching."

"How am I supposed to learn a lesson I have no knowledge of what it is I am supposed to be learning?"

"Do you wish to be restored or do you not, you hard hearted creature?" Gandalf snapped, losing his patience with her.

Elva pulled her lips back at him momentarily, then looked at the ground sullenly. When the Valar punished her she vowed to never aid them even if they were to request it of her. Twas not that she believed they would, but she wanted her hatred and anger to fester in her heart. She wanted to build an impenetrable wall that none could break down. And now her walls began to tremble as she thought of the chance to go back to the way things were. No. Not the way they were. That was an impossibility. But her life could finally return to a sense of normalcy. She glanced back up at Gandalf grudgingly. This could be her last chance. But it was not as though she had much choice in the matter to begin with. The old Wizard would find a way to drag her along since the Valar had decreed she go. After a moment of indecision she nodded curtly.

"What am I to do?" She asked.

"I am assisting on a quest to help the young Dwarf Prince, Thorin son of Thrain, reclaim the lost city of Erebor from the great Dragon, Smaug." Gandalf informed her. "The Valar believe that this journey would be one where you could learn their lesson easiest."

"I am to go on a journey with a Dwarf to slay a Dragon?" Elva deadpanned. "They really do wish to see me dead. That is a fool's errand."

"Not a Dwarf." the Wizard shook his head. "Thirteen to be exact. And one Hobbit."

"Well if this isn't a collaboration of jesters, I know not what is." The she-wolf scoffed, scratching her ear. "Thirteen Dwarves, One Hobbit, and a Grey Wizard to take on the Dragon Smaug? I shall be more than a little surprised if this adventure succeeds."

Gandaf watched her carefully. It was obvious that, under her scorn and scoffing, that her interest had been piqued. The Wizard knew if she was to accompany them on the quest he would have to chose his next words very carefully. But Gandalf knew that she would never agree to the quest if she knew what Aulë and the other Valar decreed she was to learn. For Elva had vowed to never let the walls around her heart be broken. She would live in anger and solitude for the rest of her eternity, forever despising the Valar and hating herself for what she was and did. Elva swore no love would ever enter her heart again. And that was just what the Valar wished for her to learn.

"I can understand why you think this is a foolish quest." Gandalf agreed carefully. "It is. The chances for this quest to succeed are very slim. But what an adventure would it be to see those with everything gathered against them rise from the ashes of defeat to the soar on the wings of victory?"

Elva looked the Wizard up and down. She sensed there was more hidden beneath that statement than he was letting on. But her interest could not be suppressed and she nodded slowly. Besides, Gandalf would never cease gathering her unto the quest, so she decided it would be less painful in the long run to agree.

"Where must I meet this band of fools?" Elva asked after a short time.

"You shall meet me at the house of the Hobbit in The Shire." Gandalf answered, forcing himself to not show his relief. "His name is Bilbo Baggins, and I shall place a mark on the correct door that you may know where to wait. You must not reveal yourself to the group until I reveal you; however."

"Trail along in the shadows like a criminal?" Elva snorted. "How befitting."

"They will not be in want of your company, especially knowing what you are." Gandalf stated evenly.

"A murderer?" The she wolf snarled.

"A wolf." Replied the Wizard. "We leave in a fortnight, Elva."

"I can hardly contain my excitement." She sneered.

With that the she wolf stood up and galloped into the shadows of the forest. Gandalf sighed. She was as cold as ice and her heart as hard as the stones themselves. It was going to take a warm fire to melt her walls. Only one who understood what it was to lose everything, yet was as polar opposite to her own self could have the slightest chance of returning her. And Gandalf was certain of who that would end up being. He only prayed that the one he thought of would be up to the task. With that he turned and vanished in a flash of blinding light and the forest was silent once more.