Disclaimer: I'm not as brilliant as Tolkien or Peter Jackson. I could only dream of being as creative as them. I don't own their characters or ideas.
Katelyn and her family were just your average people. Living paycheck to paycheck in a city they didn't like wishing that their life was different. Her best friend, Amy, had a cabin in the mountains about an hour away. Whenever they could Katelyn and her husband, Steven, took their three kids there. Who couldn't resist fresh mountain air and the quite of being away from the city. They wanted to move from the city and leave behind the chaos of city life but just couldn't afford too. She felt alive in nature. Like a whole different person. Like the person she was meant to be.
Katelyn was having a bad week. Not only was she having to take the bus because they couldn't afford to fix her car, not only because bill collectors were calling but now her boss was angry. Taking the bus meant having to stay on the bus's schedule and not her own. It also meant she couldn't take a different route because of traffic. She was late for the third time in a week. Her boss thought that yelling at her and threatening her job might make the bus move a little faster. That night she and her husband and three children were having supper when she developed a migraine. Going to bed early she woke up after her husband came to bed. Like most people having a bad day being woken up makes it hard to go bad to sleep. She tossed and turned for a while and finally gave up. Sitting up she decided to grab a book. That was when the dizziness started. "I must have sat up to fast after that migraine," she thought. It became worse until she fell back. "ok, let's just breath thru this Katelyn. No need to wake up Steven and worry him," she said to herself. The dizziness went away and she went to sit up again, only her blankets didn't feel quite right. "'What the?," she exclaimed opening her eyes to sunshine, "wow I must of been out I don't even remember the last two weeks. Or did we decide to come to the cabin early?" She looked around at the beautiful valley she was in and how fresh the air felt. "I really have to stop napping alone out here. Wait where's the cabin." "A long ways away," said another voice. Startled Katelyn turned to see a woman with long golden hair and a floor length white dress. "Ummm? Hello? Uh, who are you? Are you a friend of Amy's?" "No child, my name is Galadriel." It was at this point that Katelyn lost it. She fell down onto her back howling with laughter. "Ok Amy has really out done herself this time. I didn't even realize that there was a comiccon near by. Please don't tell me she had to pay you a lot to try and cheer me up. Katelyn was a bit of a Tolkien fan. She'd read the books long ago. She wanted to read them again but time just wouldn't allow it so she settled for memorizing the movies instead. "No, your friend has nothing to do with your presence here. Myself, Lord Elrond and Mithrandir will take responsibility for that." "Yeah sure. Are they the one's I hear whispering in the bushes over there. When do they make an appearance. Good grief I bet you win any costume contest you enter. You look like Cate's long lost twin sister." "If you are curious about who you hear call them over and find out." "Ok then. Hey! You in the bushes! Games up come on out!" Two little sparrows came flying out and landed on her shoulders. "We're quite sorry, we didn't mean to disturb you but your appearance startled us ," said one. "Ummmmm," started Katelyn dumbfounded," why are their talking birds on my shoulders?" "You've always felt at home in nature for a reason. You have a gift that is rarely seen. In your world it will not show but in ours I think you'll find it very useful." "My world, wait what on Earth is going on here? Am I in a coma or something? That has to be it I was dizzy and fell into a coma and this is a dream." "No child, you are not in a coma. Neither are are you on Earth. You now reside in Middle Earth. The stories you know of our world are true. For there have been others we've brought here. The great Tolkien you know of was here. He recorded our stories with the help of a certain hobbit you probably have heard of." Katelyn's eyes bugged out, "you are telling me that Tolkien came here and went back to our world after Bilbo helped him write the stories. I'd call you crazy but I just understood a bird." "We've been waiting for the right person with the right heart to come along. Your gift is a bonus. We've brought you here before the quest of Thorin Oakenshield. For one purpose. To save the Line of Durin. With the line unbroken we will stand stronger against Mordor. With your knowledge we will defeat them. I was able to bring time backwards but I do not know exactly what will happen in the future. It is the price of changing time. But you know of it and you can stop it." "Ok wait, you want me to go on the quest with the dwarves. Why?" "You are dedicated to your family as are the dwarves. It makes you stronger and a better fighter. Yes you need strength to fight but also a strong heart. Young Fili and Kili must not fall." "Ok so you are a Thorin hater. I get that he's a bit of a jerk but do I really have to let him die too?" "I do not know what impact Thorin will have if he survives. He will not be king when Mordor rises. But his nephews must survive. I've brought you a gift to assist you on your journey." Katelyn took the pack that Galadriel hadn't over. Looking down into it she saw there were clothes and a few other thing. "Sorry but I don't believe any of th... Galadriel? What? Where did you go? Great."
"Ah, I see you have met the Lady." a voice said behind her. Turning around there was none other but Gandalf. "Oh boy, brain let's slow this down some shall we." "Your brain is not forming this. You are no longer in your world." That was the words that hit her where it hurt. "So let's say this is real. Is my family here because if this is a dream i'm putting them in it too. I'd never go anywhere cool without them dream or not." "I assure you this is no dream and your family is tucked safely in their beds at home." Starting to feel tears swelling up in her eyes, "so you're telling me they are in a completely different world? If this is real i'm going home later like Tolkien right? Right?" "I do not know. He was an exception. He had knowledge beyond many and found a way himself. That fate lies with the quest." Galadreil hit the nail on the head when she said Katelyn was dedicated. She would walk through fire to help her family. Since she was in middle earth she would walk straight to Mount Doom if need be to be with them again. Feeling the strong determined woman who grew up in poverty coming out she said what any sensible person would. "Well then we better get on our way to the Shire." "Good, good. Let's be on our way. But first why don't you step into the bushes and make us of the contents of that bag." Looking down at it and then at her pajama pants she nodded and headed off. She found inside a beautiful dress that resembled styles of the Shire. "Rosy Cotton eat your heart out." She thought. It was green with white sleeves with little ribbons to adjust the sleeves. All of the necessary undergarments were packed in as well as two pairs trousers and two tunics that looked liked they would almost reach her knees. "How did she know that I love hobbits and am so short? oh yeah she brought me across worlds supposedly." Katelyn was slim and stood at about 5'1 with bright red hair. She put on the dress which fell about mid calf on her and found a pair of boots and a couple pairs of thick wool socks. Digging thru the bag she also found a leather belt with a dagger sheathed on it, water skin, a little metal cup, a leather pouch. Opening the pouch she was in shock when she saw the gold within. "Well if I could just take this home I bet we could buy the cabin from Amy!" "I think you best place that ring of yours with the gold," came Gandalf's voice. "And why should I remove my wedding ring?" "Because no one must know that you are not of this world. You must have a new story." Understanding she slowly took it off and slipped it into the pouch and put it in the bag along with all her new possessions. "Coming to a new world will change everything. It has already changed things. You must save the Line of Durin. To do that you have a lot to learn. Thorin Oakenshield will not be in the Shire for two months. We are two days away and I will tell you all that I can in that time. You must never recognize anyone you've yet to meet. Lord Elrond will know you but you must not speak as if you know him when around others. You'll be staying with Bilbo under that story that I found you near the shire unconscious. You do not remember where you came from and only remember your name. Do not tell anyone their fate for it will change the fate of all just by one knowing that knowledge. You mustn't even tell us about the fate of the world and the threat of Mordor until after this quest." Gandalf started walking toward a path in the woods. "Keep up child there is much to learn." They walked a ways to where they found a horse and pony waiting. Walking up to the pony she pet it nose, "You're a pretty girl aren't you? What's your name?" Not expecting the pony to answer she jumped back when it did, "I do not have a name yet but I was gladly accept one that you offer." Taking a minute to catch her breath from the surprise she looked over the pony. It was a mix of grey and white with a dark grey main and tail. "How about storm? You remind of my the clouds during a thunderstorm." "Thank you I like that name," It replied. Mounting the pony and looking over to the smirk on Gandalf's face she snorted and broke into a laughing fit. "I'm talking to birds and ponies. What next?" "Your gift is extraordinary and will take some time to get used too. I think you'll come to find it is an important skill. It is not something that you need to hide from friends but careful who you reveal it too. Now lets be on our way."