Authors notes to the review:

Something might not match up exactly with previous chapters because the plan for future chapters has changed. This means that some of the previous chapters will undergo a bit of a rewrite. It will mostly still be the same with some tiny details that will make the future plans make sense. ALSO I'm very sorry how long this took.

We put a chonco paragraph in here for sure.

frazzlechips: She did run a lot in the apocalypse but after a year in the Shire her running ability isn't as strong as it was. She still got exercise and ran in the Shire but not to the same level

Eleydan: A picture of Razena is now the cover. We do plan to write from their views. But not yet… we are waiting for something to happen. So there's gonna be an event…. The switch will happen then.

TheVulcanNara: Thankyou for such kind words. Quarantine has been a Bitch to all.

SilversunXD: Those men will come back… somehow… sometime… somewhen? That's not a word.

Ro78127: Thank you. We had a lot of fun writing it (specifically the CoEditor. The Coeditor writes the fight and graphic scenes. I love it.)

And to everyone else who either leaves nice reviews, favorites, and follows this story, thank you very much.

If you see any typos...no you don't


The sounds of the scuffle above faded and everyone half relaxed. Oin went around checking for serious wounds. Funny how his hearing seemed to work fine now. Heavy footfalls stopped near my head. I did a really quick check, moved my limbs and took a deep breath before giving him a thumbs up. When I still didn't move to get up Bilbo patted my back sympathetically and I could hear the wet yank of something being removed from the dead body behind me. Then the word I've always dreamed of hearing -though perhaps not spat out like uncooked oysters- "Elves."

Bilbo and I perked up. My stinging cheek pressed against the ground as I turned my head to get a better look. Elves were like Bilbo's childhood fairy tales but real. His mother had told him so many stories which he then told to me when it was too cold to go outside. The motion seemed to draw Thorin's attention.

"YOU! What do you think you were doing? What foolish thought in your head gave you the impression that That was a good idea?" Thorin nearly roars at me but I didn't regret it. Not when it saved the dwarves royal eminence from being impaled by an arrow.

"I'm going to take that as a thank you," I muttered into my arm. The tears that welled up had nothing to do with his yelling. Nope. They were relief tears. We were still alive and not being digested.

"The arrow could have pierced through that foolish skull of yours," Thorin said scathingly and my tears dried up with the surge of anger.

"Naw, my skull's thick," I replied back coolly then turned my head to mumble into the stone. " but yours is denser."

Bilbo sighs. "She's fine." When Thorin didn't look finished Bilbo continued. "This does not seem like the safest time or place to continue this...discussion."

Dwalin grunted in agreement and stepped over me, to venture further back.

"I cannot see where the pathway leads!" He called back. "Do we follow it, or no?"

"We follow it of course," Bofur cheerfully fixes his bag heading down to the mysterious path. I waited for a majority of the boots to clear out before pushing myself up. I scowled at Thorin's back, angry. Foolish? Would he have preferred an arrow introducing itself to his body?

"Next time I'll just tell you to duck and hope you move fast enough, you prick," I muttered and weakly brushed off my forehead. There was a wetness dripping down my cheek. I gingerly investigated. My fingers came back bloody with dirt and some tiny stones. Great. Bifur spoke in the dwarvish language while signing.

"You did good." He sighed at me. He continued and when my eyebrows scrunched in confusion Bombur translated. "Thorin is just turning his stress into anger." Bifur took that time to pour some water over my cut. He continued despite my hiss.

"Thanks, Bifur, Bombur," I get to my feet and smile at him. Both my hurt and anger disappear only for exhaustion to take their places. "Guess we should see where the tunnel leads, huh?"

The tunnel was tight but not tight enough that it was pressing on my bruises or I had to drag myself through. Some of the larger dwarves had it much worse. At one point we had to pull and push to get Bombur through a particularly narrow area.

After a while, the tunnel slowly widened and light slowly filtered in. We exited to a little ledge and I closed my eyes as a breeze lovingly ruffled my hair. Something in the air felt safe, like the atmosphere was wrapping me in a hug and promising me that nothing would hurt me.

I heard a few people exhale in surprise. I slowly pushed my way out and froze from the incredible view. The valley was washed in sunlight. The red and yellow leaves give a golden look to the white wood and stone the city is made out of. The waterfalls run around the city spreading a mist over the buildings as though to make it appear in the clouds and have it sparkle from a distance. The light pours over the plants, buildings and people inside. A river runs through turning into a waterfall as it pours past the bridge's columns, making it seem as though it were floating on the water itself, then falling over the cliff down into the Valley. The city itself seems to sit upon a rock that overlooks the drop, hanging almost precariously, but the view must be worth the risk. There were long narrow bridges over the drop that led into the city.

"The valley of Imladris. In the common tongue, it's known by another name," Gandalf stood near the edge leaning on his staff.

"Rivendell." Bilbo breathed out in awe seemingly unable to take his eyes off the place that his mother spoke so fondly of.

"Here lies the last homely house east of the sea."

"This was your plan all along, to seek refuge with our enemy." The walk through the tunnel had not tempered Thorin's temper and it showed as he accused Gandalf. Did this group have trust issues with other races? First they 'turned' on me and have at least twice with Gandalf...ok I understood Gandalf at least. But who was next Bilbo? Please, the hobbit was loyal as a dog.

"You have no enemies here, Thorin Oakenshield." Gandalf glowered at the prince. "The only ill-will to be found in this valley is that which you bring yourself." I agreed. It was hard not too with the vibe this place gave off.

My ear was grabbed and with a yelp I was quick to yield to the tug. I met Oin's eyes while I was bent over awkwardly. He was scowling, his own eyes focused on my sluggishly bleeding cheek.

"It's just a scrape, Oin." I was quick to assure him. Oin was actually rather fussy...in a gruff way. He wasn't nearly as bad as Dori was to poor Ori, however. I shuddered mentally at the picture of Dori as the group's healer.

"Aye it is, until infection sets in." I held back the urge to roll my eyes at him. I wasnt stupid. As soon as we had a minute to sit down I was going to pull out my first aid kit and grab one of my wipes.

"This better not turn into being upset with Razena day. It's already been a pretty shi-poor day." I held my tongue when Bilbo's gase turned intensely upon me. I didn't actually want to add Bilbo to the list of people upset with me today.

He huffs and eyes me as he releases my ear. I don't stand straight back up because it really is not my intention to upset people. Something was rubbed against the cut and I jerked back.

"That stings!" A hand covers my cheek while I stare betrayed. He hrumphs at me and raises an unimpressed hairy eyebrow.

"Don't be an infant lass."

The hike into the valley was stunning. If middle earth had a list of top ten hiking spots this would be number one I'm sure of it. Not even the constant grumbling of dwarves could take away from this experience.

The bridges leading to the largest building didn't have any guardrails. Before the end, heights had been one of my greatest fears. Now, I wanted to sit on the edge, swing my feet, and listen to the rushing sound of water from the stream below. Maybe it's because I've found other greater fears but I like to think I've just gotten braver.

When I got closer to the edge to get a better look, Bilbo pulls me back to the center. He did the same to Ori a few seconds later. The dwarves didn't seem to mind the lack of rails walking without care over the slightly narrow bridge. Just across the bridge was a courtyard area leading to a set of stairs.

"Mithrandir!" An elf came walking down the stairway in front of us.

"Lindir!" Gandalf greeted back but my stupid brain was more focused on the first real live elf I had ever seen.

"Oh wow he's pretty." I slapped my hand over my mouth. Half the looks I received were either digested or amused. I got an eyebrow raise from the elf in question. I considered just yeeting myself off the bridge. The walk here had distracted me from the post battle crash settling into my body. It was messing with my brain to mouth filter and slang in my thoughts.

"I am so sorry." I start horrified. "That-that just came out of my mouth. That was so rude. Not that you aren't very pretty-" Dwalin elbows me, gently all things considered, in the ribs and my mouth shut with a click. I think I might have hit my head. The wizard stepped forward to speak to the elf. I didn't get to hear any of it as Dori began to lecture me. All I did was complement the elf!? I mean it could have been executed a bit better but I honestly didn't understand.

A horn sounded in the distance. All attention turned to the bridge behind us. A line of horses equipped with riders were approaching. Tension immediately skyrocketed. Thorin shouts something in their language before switching to the common one.

"Close ranks!"

Bilbo, the closest to the bridge, is grabbed by Bofur and Oin. They pulled him towards the quickly forming circle. Bombur pulls Bifur back and Dori ushesher Ori and I more into the middle. Bilbo, Ori, Bombur, Thorin, and I are the only ones completely surrounded although many others are close. I feel a little ridiculous as I stand nearly 2 feet higher than the tallest of them.

Bilbo and I are the only ones to not draw our weapons. Was it naive of us? Maybe. But I think it was also a bit presumptuous of the dwarves to act like a returning party was going to harm us. Lindir and Gandalf had just been talking like they were old friends. As iffy as my relationship with Gandalf was I at least trusted he would warn us against danger.

The returning party circled around us the elves so much higher on their horses. I wasn't a fan of this introduction. I narrowed my eyes at the passing elves. They were pretty too in their shining armor but I didn't appreciate being circled like this. There wasn't much space for them to go elsewhere but this circle was obviously a deliberate move to box us in.

"Gandalf!" One of the elves greeted and Gandalf was happy to respond back.

"Lord Elrond." This was lord Elrond? I shared a glance with Bilbo. This wasn't anything like the welcome his mother spoke of. They spoke a bit in elvish Gandalf bowing a little. I squinted a little trying to put my lessons to the test. I caught about half of their initial conversation. Something about hunting, a number and south. Oh. They were the ones that saved us back in the plains. They hugged before Elrond switched to common.

"Strange for orcs to come so close to our border. Something or someone must have drawn them near." I couldn't help the guilty smile that crossed my face.

"Ah that may have been us." Elrond turns to look at us and I give a little wave over the dwarves head.

I bowed a little then spoke in, what I hopped wasn't awful, elvish. "Thank you for... help us.*"

Lord Elrond chuckles a little bit, thankfully not in a mocking way, before gently correcting me. "I think you mean 'for saving us', little one."

My face burns but I say it again but correctly. I pretend not to notice several amused faces of other elves. I understood better than I spoke, alright? Lord Elrond smiles again and I manage to give a small embarrassed one back. I could almost feel the dwarves displeasure stabbing into my back. A hand on my wrist pulls me back as Thorin steps forward.

The smile on Lord Elrond's face dims to one of politeness as he addresses the king to be. "Well met Thorin, son of Thrain."

"I do not believe we have met." Thankfully his tone was mostly neutral and while probably not the most polite thing it was not offensive. Probably.

"You have your grandfather's baring. I knew Thror when he ruled under the mountain."

"Indeed. He made no mention of you." Thorin, suspicious, spat back . I buried my face in my hands.

Lord Elrond's face almost became stained and he started speaking in Elvish again while still making eye contact with Thorin. Ok, so both races had problems with the other. Elrond wasn't saying anything bad but no one else knew that.

"What is he saying?! Does he offer us insult?!" Oins brother, Gloin? Had we known each other too long to ask?, spat angrily. Which caused an uproar with the rest of the group.

"No," I was quick to correct before they really went too far. "Lord Elrond is offering us food."

The dwarves whispered to one another trying to figure something out? They were whispering in their language. I ignored them.

"I would like food." I raised my hand and smiled widely. Bilbo sighed in fond exasperation at my behavior.

After they reluctantly agreed to food they led us to a dining room. The view is incredible. Gandalf and Thorin sit at a smaller front table with Lord Elrond while the rest of us sit at another table. After a few minutes Elves bring out food. Most of it is vegetables with some bread and cake looking things. I pulled my plate full with a little bit of everything.

Me and Bilbo begin to eat but looking around the table I see disgusted dwarves as they pick and prod at the green leaves. Vegetables… every 5 years olds worst nightmare. I personally didn't see the problem with them. They were fresh. Probably the freshest looking vegetables I'd ever seen.

"Just a mouth full." Dori tried to persuade Ori to eat a leaf at the other table. He looked it over before shaking his head and setting it down.

"I don't like green food." He sounded like I did when I was little and my parents were trying to get me to eat. I didn't understand. This was being offered for free and we hadn't eaten since dinner yesterday. I shrugged. What Ori ate wasn't any of my business and besides if Dori couldn't convince him how was I going to? Especially from across the courtyard.

Ori leaned forwards and asked if they had any chips. Oin, on the other side of Dwalin, speared an onion and examined it like he'd never seen one before. At least Bifur, across from me, was happily munching away. I leaned back and shared an exasperated glance with Bilbo, who was next to Balin at the other table, as grumbles continued.

Dwalin threw a handful of salad back into a bowl. "Where's the meat?"

"What's wrong with what's here already?" I ask.

"What's wrong? Lass this is rabbit food."

"It's rather good for you and we aren't exactly in a position to be picky, are we?"

The complaining lessened although not much was actually eaten. Dwarves were going to be dwarves in the presence of dwarves I'm convinced have no manners as their shenanigans ensure. I look up to Thorin and Galdalf that enter with the elf Elrond but my attention is pulled away by Bofurs movement and I glance over also trying to follow where he is connecting dots… Kili is looking at an elf.. And a really pretty one too. Kilis stare is broken when he winks at her. My grin is so large my face hurts.

Kili notices Dwalin first. His smile slipped off his face. Bofur raises his eyebrows but I just give Kili a double thumbs up. Dwalin turns his head and I'm faced with the same disapproving face. My smile, however, stays the same. My approval is apparently lower than both Dwalins and Bofurs, which is fair they are kin, as Kili immediately starts backtracking.

"Can't say I fancy elf maids myself. Too thin." Kili lies through his teeth. Based on Dwalins face he does not believe Kili at all. "They are all high cheekbones and creamy skin." He turns to Bofur seemingly for approval and he gets it when Bofur nods back in agreement. "Although-" he glances over his shoulder "-that one there ain't bad."

"That's not an elf maid." Dwalin leans forward to whisper loudly. The look on Kilis face must have been hilarious as both of the tables burst into laughter.

"You are right though." I say to Kili over the laughter. "That one's not bad at all." I grin unashamed at the elf man. He looks back at me with a small bit of amusement as he continues to play his instrument. The conversation at the important people table turns in the direction of swords. After listening to them speak for a few minutes Gandalf calls me over… am I in trouble? What did I do?

I get up without letting my anxiety show and walk to the table. I bow my head respectfully. That's what you do in these situations right? I wish I had paid more attention to Bilbo's lessons.

"What can I do for you Gandalf?"

"Razena, dear girl, would you show Lord Elrond your...gun, was it?"

No. "Sure, Gandalf." I pull it out and smoothly double check the safety as I remove the magazine. I hand the unloaded gun to the elven lord. "Don't put your finger on this and don't point the end at anyone, please." It was unloaded but I really didn't want to see this ancient elf point a gun at his own face. I watch as Lord Elrond feels it over, he doesn't seem impressed, I notice Gandalf leans in as Elrond inspected the gun.

"I can not say I understand it or know what this is. How did you come by it? What exactly does it do?" He hands it back after he had been satisfied with looking it over, not touching any of the shifting pieces on the gun as I had asked.

"Well, they are actually quite common where I come from. I, personally, got mine from a gun show, the ammo I was able to find at a few shops that specifically sold guns and ammo or as time went on I ventured into old military bases. Guns were commonly used by soldiers, they were a form of offense for us instead of swords, and bows.. As for what it does, it shoots a tiny metal projectile at a target. I think I described it to someone once as a bow but better."

"Would it happen to be the origin of the peculiar noise we heard while hunting the Orcs?"

"If you're asking about the loud bang like a cannon but softer than yes." I could feel the smile slip onto my lips and I nodded my head delighted.

There was a commotion and suddenly I received a flashback from Bilbo's home as Bofur stands on his seat and starts to sing. The elves, who had been playing music, look scandalised. The look grew into offence when food started flying through the air and hit some of them and their statues. Having experience with Bofur and this group's ability to break into song I just clapped along. Kili swipes a salad bowl from the table and draws his arm back. Seeing Kili stand up was not what drew my eyes to the Dwarf, but seeing the salad bowl in his hands made me warily stare. He drew back and let it fly and towards my left where Elrond sat, I deftly stepped in front of the Lord. The bowl smacks me right in the chest, something splattering all over my front. I stared down at the dressing and bits of leaves covering me. Irritation bubbled up in my chest. I had expected to get hit with a dry salad… this was the salad I was eating which is why it had dressing on it. I give a tight lipped apologetic smile to the elf behind me.

"Lord Elrond, do you perhaps have something clean I can change into? I'm afraid this was my last clean tunic."

He stared with an indescribable expression then smiled understandingly. "Lindir, would you take her to the baths and get her some clean clothing?"

"Of course, my lord." He turned to me. "Right this way."

One warm bath later and I'm dressed in what is probably the nicest dress I've ever worn. I felt like a princess and even did a little spin in the mirror before I left. An elf was waiting outside to take me back to the rest of the company.

"I'd like to apologize for the rest of my company." I bowed a little.

"It's quite alright we did not expect them to behave with any manners whatsoever. You seem to have the best of any of them, besides Mithrandrier." The elf replied coolly and I just kinda stared… It felt like a similar dispute to the Xbox community and the PS3 community. Extra Mild hostilities, with a touch of passive-aggressiveness… The chef of this dish dumped the whole bag of tension in for sure.

We made a little detour to where we would be staying but when we returned I immediately found Bilbo's eyes. I was excited to get his opinion on the dress and if I could have something like it made when we went back to the Shire.

"What are ye wearing, lass?!" "Why are ye dressed like a tree-shagger?!"

I'm not sure if it was the events of today or if I had unknowingly grown to care for their opinions but their reaction stung.

"I see no problem with what I'm wearing! In fact I think I look rather nice."

"We aren't saying you don't, lassie." Balin started.

And Kili continued "It's simple that we've only been here a few hours and yer are dressing like the enemy."

"Enemy? They just-they just fed us! And if you didn't want me to dress like the 'enemy' you shouldn't have thrown a dressing covered salad- my salad- at my last clean outfit!" I balled up my fists, spun around, and stalked off.

"Razena!" Bilbo called out and must have been held back as he started arguing with someone.

I will admit I probably over reacted. I had just been so excited to show Bilbo, and perhaps my emotions were all over the place with my exhaustion. Maybe everyone else's was too? They had been traveling for a long time. Everyone was probably testy and with the chase only two or so hours earlier, it left everyone drained and not their best. They almost died. I spotted a nice garden and sat down on one of the benches not too far from the path leading up to the area that we had eaten in. It was beautiful. There was a pathway leading through the grass with bushes, trees, and flowers. It was calming sitting in the garden alone, although was an entirely different experience than what I was used to. The shire had been the closest I'd been to serenity but here, it's almost magical. Everything was different here, if I was told 2 years ago that I would be in a garden that describes beauty I would have shot you for fear of insanity. My world had been burned beyond recognition… it's a miracle I ended up in a new one so peaceful, yet Dangerous. I dare say even more dangerous than my own world. I sat there in silence and with my own desolate thoughts for who knew how long.

As the sun begins to set, someone sits next to me. I glance over and find it's Dwalin. He merely looks on ahead.

"I'm sorry." I start softly. "I shouldn't have let it get to me... I'm a bit… tense? I suppose i'm not feeling too great. Someone is hunting us now? What does that mean here? Is it back to peeking around the corner before stepping anywhere. Tense nights? Hoping not to get bit- er uh… stabbed?" I've been alone with my own thoughts too long. Not just that but now there are new sets of rules to this world and the reality of the last few days have given me something to think about. I've filled my head with questions and worries.

"Bit?" Dwalin looked at me confused and I winced. Oops. I suppose I could tell Dwalin...worst case scenario I'd have to return to the Shire alone, right?

"Where I'm from if you get bitten or scratched you're already dead. Or you will be dead in the next few hours anyway."

"And your people have survived such a creature? They must be fierce warriors."

"No...yes, it's complicated. Whoever is left is a warrior because they have to be. If you're weak, you were the first to be weeded out. And if you were dumb, you were caught and killed. My world had no mercy on the naive and the weak… and people were forced to leave behind those that were and if you had mercy on them you ended up dead… life was brutal."

"What about the wee ones?"

"Children were inexperienced, weak, and naive." My voice was solemn but held steady, the last thing I needed was tears right now.

"There must be some good memories lassy... What about your family? Where are they?" He was attempting to lighten the mood with more cheerful talk… I was a bit thankful for that.

"My parents were ranchers but my father was retired military and took mercenary jobs from richer folk. Before The Cataclysm...when I was really little, what I wanted more than anything was to be a princess." I laughed a little, a happier time. "I used to dress up in my mothers jewelry and pretend that our animals were my subjects. And I guess wearing this," I plucked at the dresses skirts, "and being here brought a little piece of that little girl back...you lived through the fall of Erebor, didn't you Dwalin?"

"Aye, I did."

"We've both lost our homes...but you can get yours back. I want to help get yours back if I can."

I get up thoroughly exhausted mentally and physically only to find the company, minus Thorin, Balin, Bilbo, and Gandalf, standing on some steps behind us. I didn't know how much they heard but I meant what I said. Bilbo had given me a home and now I can pay that forward by helping this group reclaim theirs.

"I meant what I said. I'll do everything I can to help you get your home back." I nod to them and head to the room I was shown earlier.

The room is comfortable. The bed is soft and long enough that my feet didn't hang off the end. I fall asleep missing my room at Bag End.


This will also be uploaded on AO3 with the fixed version soon.