Author's Notes: Yes, there is definite confusion with the timeline. I'm going to simply attribute it to the Convergence that is happening. So, simply go with the flow… you never know when or where you will show up in this story… or with whom!

Chapter 14: One Does Not Simply Walk Into Mordor… or do they?

"Where the hell did everyone go?" Natasha asked to the empty room. She did not expect an answer, so she was surprised when Jarvis' voice sounded in her ear.

"I am very sorry, Miss Romanov, but I do not know where they went to."

"Jarvis?"

"Indeed. I think it has something to do with what Mr. Loki called the convergence," Jarvis responded.

"Convergence? Wasn't Selvig onto something about that? Or Jane Foster?"

"Yes, shall I try to find them? I do believe they are still on Earth somewhere."

"Yes. Wait… no!" Natasha shouted. "Get me Fury first."

"Romanov! Report!" Fury wasted no time on pleasantries. "Is the problem contained?"

Natasha looked around the empty kitchen. "I guess you could say so."

"You guess?" Fury's voice shouted through the transmitter, causing Natasha to wince.

"I can hear you, you don't need to shout."

"What happened? Is the issue contained?" Fury asked.

"You could say that. It's all quiet here now, boss," Natasha grinned as she considered the situation.

"So, put Stark on. Why isn't he answering?" Fury demanded to know.

"He's not here. I'm… I'm not sure where he is. Jarvis can't find him either. Do you know where Jane Foster is? Or Dr. Selvig?"

o~O~o

Stark groaned and rolled over. He found himself face-to-face with Bilbo, his lips almost touching Bilbo's. He pushed him away roughly. "Did anyone kiss me? What happened? Where are we?"

"We are back in Middle Earth, and be quiet you fool!" Thranduil hissed. "We are standing near the gates of Mordor, NOT a nice place."

"Back in Middle Earth?" Bilbo squeaked, jumping to his feet.

Thranduil looked skyward at the noise from these two of his companions. He then searched the area to see who exactly who were his companions. There was no sign of the hoard of women who'd been at the dinner and no sign of Legolas. He conveniently ignored any thought of the dwarf who had been with his son. Sif, Tauriel, and the man with the bow were also missing. Loki appeared from behind an outcropping of rock.

"I take it this Mordor is not a nice place?" Loki asked quietly.

Thranduil shook his head. "It has been relatively quiet for many years… until lately. Something has stirred up that which once lived here. I wish I knew what. Where is Gandalf when you need him?"

"Right behind you," Gandalf appeared. "Though I know not how I arrived here. I was on the borders of the Shire, taking leave of Frodo and his companions."

"Gandalf!" Bilbo shouted, racing over to hug his friend, although his short stature meant that he really was hugging the wizard around the knees.

"Bilbo Baggins. Now, how did you end up here? At the Gates of Mordor?" Gandalf asked. "I wonder if the ring has anything to do with this."

Bilbo reached into his pockets, his eyes going wide. "It's gone Gandalf!"

"Gone?" Gandalf looked surprised. "Of course it is gone, you gave it to Frodo and he destroyed it." He then noticed Loki, instantly recognizing a man with magical powers. "And who are you?"

"Loki, of Asgard."

"Asgard? Hmmmm… I've not heard of that before…" Gandalf stroked his beard as he spoke.

"I believe the convergence has a lot to do with all of this," Loki explained.

"The convergence?" Gandalf stared at him.

Loki shrugged. "That is what my brother was discussing, before I… died, sort of."

"One does not sort of die," Gandalf lifted his bushy eyebrows at Loki's comment, inspecting the Asgardian closely.

Loki grinned. "Apparently, I do."

"Loki is Istari; he knows magic. Do you not know him?" Thranduil asked.

"Cannot say that I have met him, but I think I understand your reference to death now, if you are indeed Istari, for I, too, have 'sort of' died," Gandalf referenced his fall at Moria.

Bilbo suddenly noticed that Gandalf was dressed all in white. "What happened, you are no longer Gandalf the Grey?"

"Indeed, Mr. Baggins. I am now Gandalf the White." Gandalf lifted his arms to spread his cloak out fully.

"What, did your laundry?" Stark quipped.

"And who are you?" Gandalf addressed Stark.

"Tony Stark, genius, billionaire, philanthropist, former playboy… that is if I can find Pepper again. And is that really Mordor?" He pointed towards black plains.

"Yes, well, rather it was Mordor, until it was destroyed when the One Ring was thrown into Mount Doom," Gandalf replied.

"Rather bleak place, could use a little color," Stark commented.

"Yes, well… all in good time, my friend," Gandalf replied.

"Speaking of time, if Mordor is destroyed, what year is it?" Thranduil asked.

"It is 3019 if you are working in the Third Age, or the first year of the Fourth Age now that Aragorn has been crowned King. Your son, Legolas, was very helpful," Gandalf replied. "The Age of Men, my time has come to an end." He glanced at Loki, curiously.

"Sorry, my life is just beginning. Still young, although if Odin would have it, my time would be at an end." Loki smirked.

"Where is my son? Have you seen him? We were just with him on Earth," Thranduil inquired.

"Earth?" Gandalf looked confused. "This is Middle Earth and he was last seen at the city of Gondor with the dwarf Gimli with whom he has become great friends."

"I saw the dwarf!" Thranduil snarled. "They cannot be friends."

Gandalf laughed. "I do not believe you can control that, my lord. Now, sitting at the Gate of Mordor is not precisely my idea of a good place to be. I suggest we find a more congenial place."

"I would say if we wait long enough, we will find ourselves somewhere else soon enough," Loki commented.

o~O~o

"Where the hell are we?" Barton groaned as he rose from the ground. He looked around, seeing only Legolas standing there.

"I do not know this place," Legolas replied.

"Well, that's really helpful. How did we get here?" Barton asked.

"Probably the same way I ended up in your kitchens."

'Those were not my kitchens. We were sent in to clean up the mess you guys made," Barton snapped.

"I did not have anything to do with that mess as you call it. I had just arrived," Legolas retorted.

"Boys! Calm down!"

The two whirled around, to see a woman standing there.

"Who the hell are you?" Barton asked.

"Funny you should say that." The woman smiled seductively. "My, aren't you two lovely? But, welcome to Hel. I was expecting Loki, but you two will do… quite charming."