Chapter One

Bell Air, California

March 23, 2015

In case any of you may not know me, my name is Tabitha O Hara, daughter of Harold and Linda O Hara. My father is a millionaire, as he is CEO of real estate development. They own a large home in California, not too far from my school. It is a lovely home, but also over 200 years old. My parents kept the original antique furniture that came with the house. As for myself, I'm living in a dorm, so I can remain close to my classes (to save on gas).

My life is typically getting up on the morning, shower, get dressed, and go to school, and return to my dorm. I only have a few friends, but barely have time for them between my job as book store owner, and school. Everything was going quite smoothly for now until a week went by, and I just closed down shop for the evening. No soon as I left the book store, my cell phone rang. I picked it up and answered it. It was the Bell Air Police Department. I gulped. I prayed nothing had happened to my parents. They were supposed to be heading out on a trip.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the case. They called to tell me there was a nasty accident involving my parents (which wasn't their fault). It was caused by a drunk driver. And sadly, they never made it. I nearly dropped my cell phone, hearing the news, and my heart sank. They were the only family I got, as I had no siblings, no aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents. Now my entire life was in whirl. I felt overwhelmed and sad at the same time, and I quickly drove to my dorm, trying to stay calm as possible.

By the time I reached my dorm, I collapsed on my bed, weeping, mourning for the loss of my parents. The next morning, I woken up with a surprise. The Residential Advisor, Luke, came to my door, alongside with several other residents of the dorm, bringing me flowers and gifts and condolences for the loss of my parents. I had no idea how they found out about it, but apparently I assumed it was in the newspaper. Tearfully, I thanked Luke and my fellow colleagues for their kindness.

Two more days later, I received a letter. It was a summon from my father's lawyer, Edward Simmons. He scheduled to meet with me that day to discuss my father's will. And so I quickly left the dorm, and headed towards Edward's office. Once I arrived, Edward greeted me, and I stepped into his office, discussing my father's will.

It was that day, I discovered father is leaving the large mansion to me! I really didn't want the home, because living alone in a large home, wouldn't be the same. When I grew up there, I was so used of having my parents around, attending the parties they hosted, and the many holidays we had spent together in that house. I wasn't sure I could handle it. Unfortunately, I had no other choice but to become owner and executor of the estate, and I accepted the offer from father's lawyer.

After the meeting, I went back to the dorm and began packing, as I was expected to move to the estate. After several days of packing, I head towards the large mansion. Once I pulled into the large driveway, there it was standing, the large three story home, with many rooms, looming over me. After I parked, I took the key and opened the door, and taking my things inside the home. I decided to go to my old room that I stayed in growing up.

I unpacked most of my belongings in my old large room, and I still see the large pink canopy bed still there with the curtains. After I unpacked, I climbed into the bed, closing my eyes. Stupid drunk driver, I wish I could track you down and kill you myself! I thought to myself, as I lay down in the bed. After resting a while, I decided to explore the home for a while for the memories.

First, I went to the ball room where parties and dances were held. I noticed at the end of the room, my father's old pipe organ sitting at the end of it. My father played the organ very well, and I learned a little from him. I approached the organ and pressed one key, and a loud sound came from it. "Father, you've haven't been playing in a while, its out of tune!" I said loudly. My mother's harp was sitting on the other side of the room. My parents loved music, especially classical music.

I always enjoyed listening to my mother play her harp. It always soothed me whenever I am stressed out, and she would play the harp for me. I never took any interest in playing instruments, I just loved listening to it. After exploring the ballroom, I headed towards the library, my favorite room of all the rooms (besides my own room). I loved reading, and this was the place where you normally find me to read or study.

I browsed the library looking through the books in there, and I found some very familiar ones. One of them was the first edition of The Hobbit, that belonged to my father, whom now passed it down to me. I took the book and read it. But when I opened the book, I noticed a note inside the cover.

Which I realized, the note was never in the cover before! How odd, the last time I opened the book, there was no writing it. Now who would write in this book? I thought to myself. And I began reading the note, and it read:

Dearest daughter,

Your mother and I are gone from this world now, leaving the home in your hands. However there will be some changes in your life that you will not expect, and you will find that out next week. We love you very much, and we're going to miss you deeply.

Love,

Your father and mother.

I nearly choked when I read the letter. How can this be possible? My parents died not too long ago! They couldn't possibly written the letter, unless they written it before they left on the trip! This was all puzzling to me. And I had no had idea what father meant about these changes he was talking about in the note. Oh well, I will just have to wait and see until that time comes, I thought to myself.

Three weeks later, I sat in the family room watching one of my favorite movies. It was past midnight, and the movie was about to end. Once the movie had ended, I heard a loud crash coming from outside, and lots of yelling. I scowled. Nobody better be trespassing this property, or heads are going to roll! I thought to myself as I stood up and I went for my father's katana, and opened the front door and walked out on the large front yard. I gasped of what I saw next as I stepped out the door, brandishing my father's katana.

I saw fifteen people in front of me, dressed as if they came from a Renaissance Faire, or it could be some young cosplayers arriving on my door stop to pull a prank on me, Lord only knows. Suddenly, the tall man dressed like a wizard stepped forward, and smiled at me. "Excuse me miss, you wouldn't mind helping us out?" asked the man. "Sure, but first tell me who you are." I said. "I am Gandalf the Grey, and this here is Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thrain, and his companions, and of course, our hobbit, Bilbo Baggins." said the man, and a small male figure with brown hair stepped forward.

I burst into laughter. This has to be some kind of joke. They are fictional characters! They only exist in books!

"You cannot be serious! Oh, I see what's going on here! This must be Luke's way of getting me back of clogging his toilet! He sends a group of cosplayers to my door!" I snapped. "Who is the Luke, and what in the hell is a cosplayers?" demanded another male, whom I thought looked a lot like Thorin himself, glaring at me. "Don't play stupid with me, pal! Unless you can prove to me who you really are, then I have a reason to believe you!" I shot back.

"I have proof, young lady. Your parents had written a note in a book you've looked at earlier. And I do recall the words of expecting some unexpected changes in your life, am I correct?" said the guy dressed like Gandalf. My eyes widened in shock and surprise. "Wait a minute! How in the hell did you know that? You haven't been in my house, have you?!" I snapped. "No, because this was expected, at least to us anyway. We have arrived here for a reason, Miss Tabitha." said the man.

"No, no, this is all wrong! This cannot be happening! This is too much for me! First my parents are taken from me, and NOW THIS!" I ranted, slamming down the katana on the ground.

"You have our deepest condolences, Miss Tabitha. But you must help us find our way back to Middle Earth. We came to you, because you seem to have the knowledge of our world, and of the quest." said Gandalf.

All eyes turned to me with hope. "Alright, I will help you. But you must be patient, it will take a while. But I need some time, however to recover from what I'm going through now, is that understood?" I said to everyone. Gandalf and the Company nodded in agreement. I was still in shock to be meeting my favorite characters, all of them in fact. And they looked just the same as I seen them in the movies. But my attention was on Thorin, my heart stopped every time I looked at him.

"You don't have to worry about space, there's plenty of it!" I said. "Wow, you have a rather large home here, Miss!" beamed Nori, the dwarf with the star fish hair style. "Thank you. And here's a friendly reminder to all of you, especially you, NORI! Do not touch anything in the else unless you ask first! Do you understand me?" I said firmly. "Yes, we understand." said the Dwarves. "Thorin, you are the leader, its up to you to keep your Company in control." I said to Thorin. "Understood." said Thorin, stiffly. "Good. Because if I find one thing stolen, someone's hand is going to get cut off!" I said as I lead them into the home.

"You must come from a wealthy family!" said Kili. "Well, gee! How did you figure that out?" I said sarcastically. First, I showed them to a large room where they call sleep and rest.

And after that, I given them the tour of the rest of the house. During the tour, they felt amazed at all the antiques seen in the home. Soon, we came to the ballroom, and they looked at it amazement. "That's my father's pipe organ, and my mother's harp. They loved music very much. You should hear them when they play together-its beautiful!" I stated, as I pointed out both instruments to the dwarves, wizard and hobbit. "That is a beautiful harp, Miss Tabitha." said Thorin, as he looked at the instrument.

I grinned. I knew already from the books, that Thorin played harp. I was actually considering of asking him to play my mother's harp later, but I decided not to ask yet. After the tour, I decided to order pizza for everyone, and while waiting on the pizza, I went to town to pick up a bunch of soda, beer, and some tea for the guests. Once I returned, the pizza arrived, and we all ate. The Company, whom never had pizza before, praised me for the food, because they never had pizza before. "I like to learn how to make this!" beamed Bombur proudly. "Its really easy to make Bombur, I will have to show you sometime!" I said.

Bombur nodded at me. While eating, I told them all about myself and my family, and how things run in this world. Suddenly in the middle of the conversation, Thorin spoke up.

"When will you began your work on how to send us back, Miss O Hara?" asked Thorin. "Thorin, I told you to stay patient, I will get to it. As you can see its getting late here." I said, calmly. "Listen, woman! We have a quest to complete, and we must arrive there in time for Durin's Day! We cannot miss it!" Thorin shouted at me. "Hey! There is no reason for you to get all hostile with me, pal! I am the host here, and you don't raise that tone of voice with me in MY home, buster!" I shouted back.

"And you don't speak to me that way, woman! I am King!" Thorin barked. "You are not my King, Thorin, you're not the ruler here in my Country! You live in my home, you obey my rules!" I snapped. But what happened next I didn't expect to happen, which angered me even more, which added more insult to injury (literally). Thorin struck me, and struck me hard. Tears falling down my face, as I sprinted away from Thorin. "Thorin Oakenshield, that was uncalled for!" I could hear Gandalf shout at the dwarf. I went outside on the front porch, sitting on the swing, and bowed my head.

Mother, father, why did you have to go and leave for? I thought to myself.