Because sometimes you need a montage

As far as Lexi could tell, she died on June 18th in Toronto, Canada.

She was reborn in Middle Earth in…well…she was still working on learning how calendars worked here.

Gandalf the Grey had found her on the outskirts of Rivendell. He had been coming to evaluate some troubling signs he had seen in the stars, or maybe heavens, or possibly scrolls…she was still working on the basic vocabulary of Weston.

He picked her up and brought her to Elrond, Lord of Rivendell, who set his best healers to work on her.

Lexi, who would have once called herself a serious pragmatist, was at a loss to explain how Elvish medicine could save her from the three bullet holes that marred her torso when, apparently, the EMS in Toronto were unable to, but there you had it.

They had saved her, she had healed and here she was, months later, in what she had come to accept as her new life.

In her past life, Alexandra Archer was a linguist at the University of Toronto. She taught, studied and published papers with titles like 'The influence of Germanic dialect in 1570 Prussia' or 'Mapping the path of bilingual speech between English and French'. Her master's thesis had been 'The origin of language: Translation of Ancient Greek writings."

Needless to say, Lexi's varied techniques of language learning came in handy when she had to learn 2 new languages from scratch. It was literally the most challenging thing she had ever endeavoured to do.

She started out like she was baby again. Ridiculous as she felt, she had to start somewhere, so she started with basic vocabulary and pointing.

She pointed at the chair.

She pointed at the bed.

She pointed a lot at herself; eye, nose, hand, foot, finger, toes.

And she slowly started to build up a lexicon.

She was much farther ahead in Sindarin, as that was the primary language of Rivendell. However, both Elrond and Gandalf insisted that Westron would prove most useful when she had to go out into the greater world.

At first, Lexi had argued to stay with the elves. They lived a peaceful, pastoral sort of life and they were very studious in their ways. She was…happy…to learn Sindarin, healing arts and archery, her three main branches of study.

However, both Elrond and Gandalf agreed that her place was not there.

Elrond said her place was among her own kind; the tribes of men. The elves would foster her until her Westron was strong enough and she had skills enough to become independent. He also stressed that she always had a place among them if needed. She would always be a friend of the elves.

About a year after taking her first steps into recovery, Gandalf re-appeared. He came and went from Rivendell at his own pleasure. Lexi was always glad to see him return.

As usual, after the initial welcome feast, Elrond and Gandalf took to Elrond's personal study to discuss the news of the day. No one expected to see them again for any length of time for at least a few days. Lexi betook herself to the language library to brush up on her Westron grammar in hopes of impressing Gandalf with her progress.

That is where Ainleyn found her later that night. Ainleyn was originally her primary healer, but was now her best friend at Rivendell. Tall, elegant and beautiful, (weren't they all), Ainleyn also had the patience of a saint and a bone-dry sense of humour that she hid quite well.

"Alexandra, Lord Elrond and the wizard are looking for you."

Lexi quirked her brow in surprise. "Do you know why?"

Ainleyn kept her face neutral. "Of course I do. Lord Elrond and the wizard tell me everything they discuss. Why wouldn't they?"

And there is was.

Lexi laughed, closed her books and followed Ainleyn out of the room.

"Thank you for joining us Alexandra." Elrond indicated the empty arm chair for her to seat herself. He spoke in Westron. Lexi knew it was for her benefit to practice.

"Thank you for asking, my Lord." Lexi couldn't remember the word for 'inviting' right then.

"I want to remind you Alexandra, our little one, that you always have a place among us, when you need it."

"Thank you, my lord." Lexi smiled with great affection at Elrond. He smiled back.

"Gandalf has requested to speak to you privately. I take my leave of you." He stood up and swept out of the room, leaving Lexi looking curiously at the grey wizard.

Gandalf turned to her. "There are certain prophecies that I follow Alexandra. Right now, the heavens are telling me that it is time for the Line of Durin to retake the throne at Erebor. Part of that prophecy also says that a man that is not of the line of men, will help them. I believe that is in reference to you, my dear."

Lexi followed most of that, though some words were new to her. "Prophecies?" She asked in Westron.

Gandalf looked thoughtful for a moment. "Predictions for the future" he answered in Sindarin.

Lexi nodded thoughtfully. "Line of Durin?"

"A lineage of a royal Dwarven family".

Lexi had read about Dwarves, but hadn't met any yet.

"Erebor?"

"Another name for the Lonely Mountain." He pointed to it on the map that was spread out on the table between them.

Lexi struggled to ask the next question in Westron, using her new vocabulary. "Prophecy refers to man. I not man. Why you think me help with Erebor?"

"I. Why you think I can help with Erebor." Gandalf corrected.

"Most prophecies, over time, were translated and recopied by men. Originals often use 'person' but get changed to men over time." Gandalf looked wryly at Lexi. "It's unfortunate, but part of the ego of men means that they believe important people must all be men. I believe that the original text indicated a 'person' that is not of the line of men." He paused meaningfully and then continued "I believe, it meant you, specifically."

He squinted at her for a moment and then continued. "It is time for you to leave Rivendell, Alexandra."

Lexi's eyes welled but she nodded. "I be sad to leave, but if you think better to do, I will."

Gandalf arose. "We leave tomorrow."