Noelle found Bern with Bilbo and Gandalf. The three of them were quietly sitting together on some stairs as Gandalf smoked his pipe.

She had wanted to tell Gandalf about her decision privately, but if they were all here together, she might as well just break the news to everyone now. They looked up as she approached. Bern gave her a half smile, but Noelle didn't smile back.

"You Ok?" Bern asked, frowning. "You look a little flustered."

Noelle blushed, realizing she was probably still red with embarrassment from Legolas.

"Yeah, there's something I want to tell you all," Noelle said sitting down. "I'm not going back home."

Gandalf and Bilbo looked surprised. Bern, however, smiled sadly, as she already knew this was going to happen.

"Is that really what you want?" Gandalf asked.

Although Noelle thought he was probably just asking to test her, she knew that it was what she wanted.

"Yes. I think it actually is what I really want."

"You mean you're staying here?" Bilbo asked, confused.

"Where will I be going Gandalf? Who are the "others" who possess Force-abilities?"

Gandalf coughed for a second, choking on his pipe. "They are called the Jedi-" Gandalf wheezed.

"Gandalf! Slow down for a minute until you stop coughing!" Noelle rolled her eyes.

Gandalf continued after he had finished. "They are an order. They call themselves the "Jedi Knights of the Republic." You know how people in your world study the stars and planets, and theorize that others inhabit those worlds? Well they are correct, but the Jedi Order resides in a galaxy far away from your own."

Bilbo looked utterly confused. Obviously the words "republic" and "galaxy" meant little to him. Noelle was surprised herself. She had never really believed in aliens and neither had Bern.

"What will I be doing there with them?"

"Training," said Gandalf. "However, I will have to get you in, because they do not let anyone under the age of a young child into their Order."

"What? Why not?"

Gandalf looked like he was reflecting back on something unpleasant. "I know. It is foolish," he responded. "They will only take young children who have not formed long-term attachments to their families.

Noelle wasn't liking the sound of this already. "Are you sure I should go to these people? Isn't there someone here in Middle-earth I can train under?"

Gandalf shook his head. "They are the only ones in this universe who have knowledge of the Force. As much as I disagree with some of their beliefs, you should go to them. In the meantime, we still have Thorin, Fili, and Kili to bury before you, Bern, or Bilbo go anywhere."

The rest of the dwarves, including Dain, had come up to gather Thorin, Fili and Kili's bodies. Noelle, Gandalf, Bern and Bilbo followed the small procession back down to Erebor. The Elven army had completely disappeared. Thranduil, Legolas, the red-head elf. They were all gone.

Apparently the men of Lake-town were planning to resettle Dale, Gandalf told them, and make Bard the king. As they passed the ruined city, Noelle heard a loud horn. The surviving men and women of Lake-town stood together facing the Lonely Mountain, playing the Erebor anthem and paying their last respects to the King under the Mountain.

As they approached the gates, Noelle recognized two familiar figures standing next to each other.

Beorn and Radagast.

Noelle didn't bother to ask why or how they were here. It didn't matter to her that much right now.

The dwarves took Thorin, Fili, and Kili into another room, and spent the next two hours preparing them for burial.

Physically Noelle was exhausted right now, but was wide awake. She had injuries too, and Gandalf insisted on treating them now, even though the only thing Noelle wanted to do was sit in silence. Bern came and joined her.

"So you're leaving, huh?"

Noelle nodded, with tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry Bern. I have to know what I am supposed to do. I just... I'm probably never going to see you again."

Thorin, Fili, and Kili were placed onto three stone tables. Thorin looked as majestic as he should have been as King under the Mountain. Orcrist was tucked under his right arm, and the Arkenstone was placed in his hands.

Legolas must have given it back.

The dwarves, Bilbo, and the two girls solemnly walked around the room, saying their last goodbyes. All of the remaining dwarves from the Iron Hills quietly hummed the tune of Erebor in the background. They each held a candle in their hands.

It broke Noelle's heart to see poor little Bilbo unable to control his tears. Frankly Noelle herself was too tired and mentally preoccupied to cry anymore. However, the time to say goodbye was now over.

"The King is dead!" Gandalf's voice echoed throughout the Mountain.

"Long live the King!" Balin responded, holding up his sword in the direction of King Dain Ironfoot, who wore Thorin's crown upon his head.

"Long live the King!" the dwarves, Noelle, Bern, and Bilbo repeated. They all drew their swords.

Dain bowed his head.

Noelle knew it was now time to go. She turned towards Gandalf.

"No, tomorrow morning," he said. "Rest tonight."

The next morning after she had said goodbye to the dwarves, Noelle sorted through the only belongings she had. Her old clothes, her Elven sword, and the clothes she was wearing now were all she owned. She gave Bilbo her sword.

"I'm probably never coming back, but it's yours for safekeeping," she said. "I don't think I'll need it anymore."

Tearing up, Bilbo nodded. She gave him a hug. "I'm going to miss you Noelle..."

Noelle smiled. "Me too." She then turned to Bern. Things were definitely not going to be the same back home whether time had passed or not. Even if Bern came back at the exact second they had left, she would be without Noelle, and people (her family) were going to wonder why. That's why Noelle had to give Bern instructions. And those instructions broke her heart.

"You need to tell them I disappeared," Noelle said. "Say that Noelle wandered off into the woods, and now I can't find her." This was so painful. Noelle knew this was going to hurt people. Bern had to lie to Noelle's family, but most of all this would hurt her mother, father, and two brothers. They would search and search for a long time, but they were never going to find Noelle. Eventually, she would be presumed dead. And if she ever returned to Earth, she couldn't imagine how it would be if she showed up home and her family found out she was really alive. For an instant, Noelle felt selfish instead of like she was doing the right thing.

Bern nodded, looking at the ground.

"Bern?" Noelle whispered trying to get her attention.

Bern looked up.

"Goodbye."

They hugged for what felt like the longest moment in the world.

Bern sniffed, wiping away her tears. "I think someday Noelle, you will find your way home." She smiled.

Smiling back, Noelle joined Gandalf's side. His staff began to shine, and everything became too bright for Noelle to see anymore.

Then everything went dark.