Prologue
I woke up feeling funny, my body seemed heavy and I had difficulties moving as if I was floating in something a little bit thicker than air. I could feel plumes of smoke around my arms, legs, fingers; they were whirling around my face, barely touching it. I opened my eyes believing it was a dream. At my sides, my friend wore the same expression. Her wide eyes were trying to understand what was going on.
She looked at me, finally seeing me. She opened her mouth and her voice echoed in the oppressive emptiness.
-What is happening to us?
I turned my head, scanning our environment. But my vision was only extending to a few feet, smoke as opaque as real walls was preventing me to see further.
-It must only be a dream…, I answered, trying to convince myself.
-This is more than just the fruit of your imagination.
The echoing voice startled us. It was strong and seemed surreal, but wore a joyful note in its words, as if amused by this situation. I attempted again to distinguish anything from the fog, but it didn't vanish and kept its position, its thick barriers of smoke still impenetrable.
-Who's there? Show yourself!, I asked.
-They give me many names…, the voice answered, Súllimon, King of Valar… But you shall call me Manwë.
-What do you want of us?, I asked again, suspicious.
-I have brought you from your world for a precise reason… I have for you a very specific and highly important task!
-Are you some kind of God?, my bewildered friend asked.
-No. Only a member of a superior race who takes to heart the well-being of its people… You have for a long time, in your world, wished to live in another. Discontent of yours, you longed for a different life. This is a wish that I shall grant you, temporarily. Choice will be yours afterwards, whether you stay or not. Now! About this task of yours…, his voice got serious all of a sudden. I would like from you to deliver a package to somebody and also, maybe, learn a life lesson on your way… You will be living a great adventure from whom, I dearly hope, you will survive…
-Wait! Are you telling us that we could die? And all this to deliver a package?, I retorted.
-Ha! Manwë exclaimed, the package!
A key suddenly appeared near us, floating just before our eyes. I extended my hand and took it, taking a closer look. It was massive and had a strange form.
-This key must be delivered to the dwarf Thorin Oakenshield, Manwë continued. You will find him in the house of a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, in Baggends in the Shire.
His voice was more and more distant.
-Don't forget. Do not revealed your identity to anyone except if they start doubting you. Then, tell them the truth and that it's Manwë who sent you. At this moment and this moment only you will be allowed to hand over the key. It will be the token of your trust…, his voice was no more than a whisper now. But this will only be provisional. You will have to prove your value and then only will you receive the gift of trust from your companions…
The fog was getting thicker and thicker.
-Farewell then… and good luck.
-Wait! We still have so many questions!, my friend screamed.
But it was too late… Some kind of vortex sucked us up just then. Screaming, we fell for what seemed like hours.
Suddenly, we landed on a smooth and soft surface. I opened my eyes that I didn't even remember closing, taking in the sight around of us in all its details.
We were laying in the grass, near a forest. The sun was hot; a small but agreeable breeze was blowing and whispering through the branches of the trees. I turned myself on my side. Right next to us were two ponies all equipped for a long journey. I looked at my friend and saw that her clothes had changed. She was now wearing a blue tunic with black breeches, heavy combat boots, black as well, and a thick cloak, with fur on both extremities, weighted on her shoulder. At her waist hung a long and thin sword in its silver and crimson scabbard. But what really hit me was that she seemed to have… shrunk! Because her measurements were the same it was hard to say so, but… I was almost certain that she was way smaller than before.
Casting my eyes down, I saw that, myself, seemed smaller and that my clothes also had changed. I was now wearing a heavy greenish coat, brown breeches and big brown boots. My hands were covered with fingerless gloves and a massive hammer was hanging at my waist. My outfit was completed with a green scarf hanging around my neck. We looked at each other, bewildered.
-It's unbelievable, I said, fascinated, how can that even be possible?
My friend looked at me and shrugged, then a smile appeared on her face, excitement clearly visible in her eyes.
-Can you imagine? Us, in a great epic adventure like we have always dreamed of? I still can't believe it!
She started to laugh and I followed soon enough, my joy just overwhelming. After a few moments, we calmed ourselves and took our breath. Then my friend started in a compose tone.
-So! Let's sum up what just happened. We were sent in another world by some sort of god who entrusted us with a mission... which is?
-To give to a dwarf named Thorin Oakenshield, this key, I showed the key that I was still holding in my hand, and we must assist him in his quest, whatever it is. It is only when the quest is completed that we would be able to go back home... if we desire so.
-He also mentioned that we will learn a "life lesson", she continued, and that we would have to retrieve a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins in the Shire if we want to hand over the key to the dwarf...
-What's a hobbit?
-No idea..., she shrugged, but we're going to find out.
I shook my head and stood up, my friend doing the same. We walked around a little to get accustomed to our new equipment. After a while, we approached the ponies, our change in height quite obvious once we got near them, and got on the horse. I pulled the reins and got on the path, my friend right behind me. A sign pointing in the way we just left was showing this: The Shire.