A/N: As promised another chapter. I know the other chapters haven't been very exciting but things are starting to happen in this one. I've chosen to not really translate the elvish much, unless it's very crucial to the plot. If you are interested there's a few really good Elvish dictionaries online. This is another chapter that skips around in time a little. I hope you'll enjoy it!

Khuzdul:

Mizimith = Jewel that is young

Âzyungûn = Loved One

CHAPTER FOUR

"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned."

Dunedain Village

Riley spent the next few days trying to solve the riddle Halbarad had shown him. Parts of it made sense but other parts left him clueless. Seeing as Riley didn't speak Elvish himself, he had to memorize the riddle and that was the only thing that occupied his mind. That and the visions he'd seen of his father in Numenor. Time traveling was another strange experience he would have to add to his list of bizarre occurrences during his time in Middle-Earth. While Amandil was very different from Alan Spencer, it was also clear they were exactly the same person. The way Riley's dad carried himself and how he spoke made so much more sense. Throughout his life, people always said their dad was a man who instilled instant respect in people. He was a well-known person in their small town. Every time Riley and Maggie walked into a shop or the local library, they would always be asked about their parents how they were doing. They would always know they were Alan and Susan's children, for better or for worse.

His father's past was something that had always remained a bit of an enigma within their family. There were no paternal grandparents to speak of nor any aunts, uncles or cousins. As children, Riley and Maggie always figured he just had a bad relationship with his family and as far as they knew, he was also an only child. Now that Riley knew the truth about who his father was and some of the events of his youth, he couldn't help but to feel angry and betrayed. He'd always considered his father to be a man of truth and someone who valued the weight of the honest word. It was laughable really, Riley thought, and if he could see his father he would have an honest thing or two to tell him.

"Are you alright?"

Tauriel's voice was gentle but Riley could hear the concern as well. He was pacing back and forth outside their hut, throwing a pebble up in the air and then catching it again. He wasn't sure how long the elf-maiden had been standing there, but knowing her stealth, undoubtedly for a while. It was the first time Riley had properly seen Tauriel in a while, except during supper at night. She usually spent the days with Kili and it seemed like they were finally starting to take things further. Meanwhile, Bard spent time helping out in the village and speaking with Halbarad and the other rangers. Sometimes he went tracking with them as well as Legolas and they had all seemed to have settled into a routine.

"Oh, I'm just great, Tauriel. In fact, let me tell you why." Riley replied as he kept pacing "My whole life has been a literal lie. Everything I thought I knew about dad was total fucking bullshit. I wanted to learn about him and now I'm actually angry with him, because he knew all along. He knew and chose not to tell us, a trait very unlike Alan Spencer who raised us. The man who believed in truth and valour above all What's even better is that Sauron, one of the most notorious villains in the entire known universe, apparently has a very real and very personal vendetta specifically against my family. To top this all off, I have to solve some sort of ancient riddle. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I sodding hate riddles and as far as I'm concerned the Valar can take it and shove it up their divine buttholes!"

When Riley finished rant he caught the pebble in his hand one more time and exhaled a heavy sigh. He hadn't really intended on letting all that out but it had been weighing heavily on his mind for a few days. He wished Maggie was there with him, so that they could talk about this together. She would know exactly what to say. Even though Riley was in the company of friends whom he trusted with his life, he still felt a bit alone and was beginning to miss having the safety of a home.

"Feeling better?" Tauriel asked with her arms crossed.

"Much," Riley replied "Sorry about that."

"It's alright, seems like you needed to get it off your chest." Tauriel perched on a rock. "I can help you with the riddle. I'm pretty good at deciphering riddles, perhaps the two of us can make sense of it."

"Alright, where do you suggest we start?"

"What is the first phrase?"

Riley thought back on the first verse of the riddle, which he had gone over in his head what seemed like a million times by now.

"Nine will walk the path of night and five more shall aid their fight." Riley recounted "Through trials of both heart and mind their fates and this world shall be 'twined."

Tauriel listened carefully to Riley's words as she seemed to ponder the meaning of the first worse. It was a well-known fact by now that Riley hated riddles and part of the reason was how they never made sense. He'd always thought it was just someone's cruel way of making people suffer unnecessarily.

"It clearly speaks of a forthcoming battle." Tauriel said after a while. "Perhaps nine people were supposed to take part in it and then, five more join them. The second verse says the fate of this world shall be 'twined. That tells me that the other five, just like you and your sister, perhaps aren't of this world. I think maybe you and your sister are a part of these five."

"So who would the other three be?" Riley asked "This makes no sense."

"I think I know what it means." came Legolas' voice as he joined them. "In Mirkwood, when my father captured your sister and the dwarves, she told me of another prophecy. She said in your world, this world world is told in stories read to children. She said it was called The Lord of the Rings."

"What else did she tell you?" Riley asked with his arms crossed. He knew that Legolas and the others were aware he and Maggie came from a different world, but he had no idea that Maggie had revealed that much of the truth to them. A dangerous decision on her part, but Riley figured there must have been a good reason for it.

"She told me a Fellowship was chosen by a council." Legolas explained "One whose job it was to stop Sauron from taking control over Middle-Earth again. I was in the Fellowship as well as Estel, Lord Elrond's adopted son and Gimli, son of Gloin. Maggie said the most ridiculous thing, apparently I became close friends with this dwarf. I find it hard to believe, yet in my heart I know she speaks the truth. I think the nine mentioned in this prophecy are meant to be the fellowship. I don't know who the other three are, it seems perhaps you and Maggie are supposed to be a part of it too."

Goosebumps appeared on Riley's skin as Legolas explained his theory. The part about the Fellowship made sense and he didn't question that part. What he questioned was the bit about his and Maggie's part in the journey.

"That's not possible." Riley protested. "No, it can't be. The Fellowship of the Ring takes place nearly sixty years from now. Maggie and I would be in our eighties and even if our father was Numenorean, I'm pretty sure we age at the same rate as normal humans. No, the riddle or prophecy or whatever has to be wrong."

Riley refused to believe it but yet a small nagging voice inside him, told him that Legolas was right. The prophecy referred to the events in the Lord of the Rings but it was absolutely impossible for him and Maggie to partake in it if they were that old. That's when Riley Spencer realised that there was only one way it would be possible for him and Maggie to be a part of the Fellowship and it when he did, his heart sank. It also made him hate the Valar even more because if it was right, their plans for the two siblings was nothing short of cruel.

When Riley was about to open his mouth again, he stopped when he saw both Legolas and Tauriel flinch. Each of them reached for the bow and arrows and Riley grasped his sword, preparing for the imminent danger ahead. It was quick, but the first arrow that Riley saw landed on the grass roof of one of the huts. The wooden building instantly burst into flame and Riley looked on in horror as another building succumbed to the same fate. It didn't long at all before most of the Dunedain village was on fire. A ghastly orange grin tore through the verdant woodland. Its unhettered flames devoured the wooden buildings hungrily, licking while twisting and swaying in a dance without rhythm. The villagers screamed and Riley saw people running out of the houses. Women grabbed their children and under orders of Halbarad, some of the men took to arms while others helped evacuate the village.

"Riley!" Bard shouted and when Riley's eyes found him, he saw the bowman fighting off masked assailants jumping from the rooftops. "Assassins!"

At first, Riley only saw two or three of them, but then more appeared. The elves were quick with their bow and arrows and it wasn't long before Kili also joined the fight. As far as Riley could tell, the assassins were all human, but their faces were covered by cloths. Some of them fought with bows while others used swords and daggers. They were skilled fighters and even Halbarad's men struggled to take them down.

Riley's sword fighting skills were a bit rusty, but soon enough he got back into the swing of it. As the assassins attacked the village, Riley stabbed on and kicked him so he fell over. Bard was fighting two other assassins alongside Kili, while Legolas and Tauriel were off in the trees chasing down the remaining assassins. They had come from out of nowhere and it made Riley wonder how long they'd been watching them, waiting for the right time to strike. After what seemed like ages, the battle finally faded out and there were no more of the masked assailants alive. If they were, they were long gone. Thankfully, most of the villagers had survived except a few.

"Halbarad!" Riley shouted. "What the hell is happening?"

The Chieftain was busy calling out orders to his men who were gathering supplies and it seemed like they were getting ready to leave the village. Some of them women helped patch up the injuries and others tried to put out the remaining parts of the fire. Only a couple of houses survived but the rest of the village had been burned to the ground.

"You have been marked, Riley Spencer!" Halbarad said "You must leave! I can no longer keep you safe."

In another place and time, Riley would have thought all of this was just a coincidence, but if he'd learnt something over the past few months, it was that there was no such thing as a coincidence. Whoever these men were, they'd been sent to the village for one purpose and Riley had a pretty good idea of what that purpose was.

"They're the ones who want my sister dead, aren't they?" he asked

Halbarad stopped for a moment and turned to Riley. His face was serious and Riley already knew the answer.

"Aye," the Chieftain nodded. "It is as I feared, they have found you and will stop at nothing to do the job their master has commanded. You are not safe her."

"What about my sister?" Riley asked as his heart beat faster "She's in Imladris, surely Lord Elrond's magic can keep her safe?"

"If our village has been found, then I would not be surprised if they have found a way into the Hidden Valley. You set out to find us to find out more about your father and your purpose here. You have done as much and now you must go where you are needed. I fear your sister is in grave danger."

"What about your people? Your village has been destroyed because of me, I want to help!"

"We have other places of sanctuary we go to." Halbarad assured him. "I have no doubt that the remaining assassins will return to their master and you are running out of time. Go now."

Riley nodded and turned around to leave but Halbarad put a hand on his shoulder.

"Should you ever need my help again," said the Chieftain "I am at your service, you only need to send word."

Riley thanked him and then, with Tauriel, Legolas, Kili and Bard they left the village. All they could hope was that they had time.

Imladris

The next few weeks passed without any further assassination attempts and life in the Hidden Valley continued as it had always done. Following her conversation with Dwalin and Glorfindel, Maggie actually began to feel better. It was as though a heavy weight had been lifted off her chest and she could breathe again for the first time in a long while. Sometimes, there was the odd day when things were sometimes still difficult. However, now when she thought of Thorin, it was with fondness rather than heartache. Eventually, with each passing week, the pain became less prominent and Maggie found herself thinking more often that not, that perhaps she was allowed to move on after all. Maybe, Dwalin and the others were right when they said that Thorin would want her to be happy again.

A lot of that happiness, Maggie knew, came from her unborn son growing inside her. The fact that she was going to be a mum was still surreal and sometimes she couldn't believe it. At seven months pregnant, Maggie could clearly feel the changes within herself and also physically see them. The bump grew larger and occasionally it made her feel more self-conscious of her body, which of course the others told her not to do. Another thing that happened more often, was that Maggie felt her baby kick. It often caught her off guard, even though she should be used to it. Estel found it immensely fascinating and would often lie against Maggie's stomach, listening to the kick. There were few things Maggie thought were quite as cute as listening to Estel speak to her unborn son. Elladan and Elrohir had told her that Estel had taken on the role of a big brother and it was a duty he took very seriously. As a result of that, he'd become rather protective of Maggie which made her heart melt.

As far as the pregnancy was concerned, the nausea had returned and Maggie found it difficult to sleep some nights because of it. Sometimes, she still vomited and Oin kept a closer eye on her than usual. Their weekly check-ups showed normal results so far but Maggie could tell he was concerned even if he didn't voice it.

"I am so sick of being pregnant, Fee." Maggie complained "It is literally the worst."

"Really, I hadn't noticed." Fili teased "What specific things do you dislike?"

Maggie had been complaining about her pregnancy for the past few days, and while Fili really felt for her, it was also highly amusing. Fili had only really witnessed one pregnancy before and that was when his mother was pregnant with Kili. He didn't remember much of it, but he was sure that Maggie experienced much more complications than his mum and a part of Fili was a little worried. He'd spoken to Oin and Dwalin about it and they all agreed that it was best to keep an eye on things, especially as the birth was drawing nearer. It was hard to think, Fili thought, that two months from now, Maggie would be giving birth to Thorin's son. After everything they'd been through since the quest to Erebor and all the horrible things that had happened, the birth of a child brought light and made all the sacrifices worth it. Fili couldn't wait to meet his baby cousin.

"Everything." Maggie replied. "I hate feeling like a ticking time-bomb and like I can't really do anything alone anymore. I know everyone it's just being caring and I appreciate it...but….ugh. I miss being able to eat whatever I want, I miss being in control of my own bladder and I miss being able to wear clothes that don't make me look huge."

Fili couldn't help but smile and placed a gentle kiss on Maggie's forehead.

"I know, Mizimith." he said "But just think, in two months you will not be the one vomiting but rather the one cleaning it up."

"Oh, wonderful." Maggie groaned. "Pooping and vomiting, something I'm definitely looking forward to. Better hope he's at least cute."

"Maggie!" came Estel's voice. Maggie turned around to see the small child running up to her and Fili. He put his hands on his knees and breathed heavily before he looked up at them. "Come quick! You too Master Fili!"

"What's wrong Estel?" Maggie asked "Has anything happened!"

"You have to come, now!"

Estel was off again. Maggie and Fili exchanged worrying glances and hurried off after Estel who ran through the garden, back up the steps leading to Elrond's house and through the corridors. Eventually, they got to the end of a hallway where Estel disappeared through a doorway. Maggie stopped and turned to Fili who suddenly smiled at her and held out his hand.

"Well," the blonde dwarf asked "Aren't you going to come?"

"What's going on, Fee?" Maggie replied nervously.

"Come on, you'll see."

Maggie took Fili's hand and suddenly she felt herself becoming nervous. Fili gently put an arm on her waist and covered her eyes with the other, while they walked into the room. When Fili removed his hand from Maggie eye's and she opened them, she stood frozen in her face and was awestruck. In front of her was a large room she had never seen before. There was a large double bed in the middle and opposite was a balcony, with a view over the Hidden Valley. Maggie could hear the waterfall in the distance and as she gazed around the large room, she saw more things she had not expected. In another part of the room was a large crib that Maggie guessed was made from ash. A mobile toy dangled over the crib and there was a stuffed toy on the pillow. Maggie picked up the toy and turned around. The colours of the room were different than the other bedrooms of Rivendell, this was much brighter and gave Maggie a feeling of warmth. There were also large wardrobes in the room, as well as a few bookcases and a desk in the corner with a comfortable armchair. Next to the crib was also a sort of play-corner with pillows and blankets. She reached into the crib and picked up the soft toy in her hand and turned around. Everyone was there; Fili, Oin, Dwalin, Estel, Elladan, Elrohir and Elrond.

"It's not quite your birthday yet," Fili said "But what do you think?"

Maggie didn't know what to say and she was still in shock. But, she was also filled with love.

"I can't believe you all did this." she whispered as she squeezed the toy in her hand. "This is incredible."

"I told you I could keep a secret, ada." Estel said as he tugged Elrond's robes.

"You did well, ion." Elrond said. "I'm very proud."

Maggie turned to Dwalin. For the past few weeks, he'd spent his days away from the others and often came back sweaty. When asked what he was up to, Dwalin would simply shrug off the question and change the subject. It now made sense and Maggie couldn't believe they'd been able to keep all this from her.

"So this is what you've been up to for the past few weeks?" she asked "I know you weren't just combat training with Fili."

"It wasn't just me, Âzyungûn " Dwalin replied and nodded at something behind Maggie.

"I had some say in the colours." came a familiar "Do you like it?"

Maggie couldn't believe it, but when she turned around Bilbo Baggins stood in front of her. He must have been hiding in the wardrobe and as Maggie saw him, tears began to well up behind her eyelids. She hadn't seen Bilbo since they left Erebor in November which was well over six months ago now. There had been some talk that Bilbo would come and visit before Maggie was due to give birth, but in their letter exchange, the hobbit wasn't meant to arrive for at least another month. Just like the room, Bilbo's early appearance must have been another part of the surprise.

"Bilbo!" Maggie through her arms around the hobbit, who no longer seemed to be uncomfortable about receiving hugs. "When did you get here?"

"It's wonderful to see you." Bilbo told her and looked at Maggie he let go of her."You truly are shining."

"And what about me?" Fili teased "Is it not also good to see me?"

"Fili, of course. It's great to see all of you."

The two friends greeted each other with a hug and Maggie let out a relieved sigh as she turned back to the others. They all stayed in the room for a while and talked. Estel was excited to tell Bilbo about everything that had happened while he was gone and Maggie remembered to ask him about the coffee, but there was a time and a place for that. After a while, the others decided to find food and Maggie promised she would come and join them. It was strange that something that was really just a bedroom could make her so emotional, but it was the intent and love behind that truly got to after everyone had left, Maggie sat on the edge of the bed, writing in her journal. She fiddled with Thorin's engagement ring on her finger when she saw Elrond's silhouette in the doorway.

"You seem much happier than I have seen you in a long time, aier." Elrond said "Estel is thrilled that you like the room."

"I do, it's incredible." Maggie replied "I don't know how I can ever thank you guys."

"There is no need to thank us, Maggie." the elf-lord said "Rivendell is your home now and it should feel as such. Both you and your son should feel safe here as well as loved."

As she had done many times before, Maggie placed a hand on her stomach. It had been a while since her baby had kicked, which was probably nothing to worry about. Even though the kicks were intense at times, it was still a sign that everything was in order.

"What troubles you?" Elrond asked. "You are concerned about your son?"

"I just wish there was a way I could know he will be okay." Maggie said "I feel fine mostly but sometimes I wonder what his life will be like. Am I going to be a good mother to him? Will he survive the pregnancy? There's just so much uncertainty and it scares me a little."

Elrond walked further into the room, with his hands behind his back and looked as though he was considering something.

"There is a way I could show you." Elrond revealed "If you would allow me to."

Maggie nodded and as the elf-lord walked up to her, Elrond put one hand around Maggie's neck and the other gently on the hand she already rested against on her stomach. Almost instantly, her heart began to beat faster. Elrond's presence never unsettled her but being so close to him still sometimes made her nervous.

"Close your eyes," Elrond told her "Try to relax."

Maggie did as the elf-lord said and closed her eyes. She inhaled and exhaled slowly as she heard Elrond mumbling in elvish and as he did, Maggie's mind began to drift…

….Elrond's vision showed Maggie a few glimpses of what she assumed was the future. She heard a baby crying and gentle singing that hushed the child to sleep. It was a beautiful baby with icy blue eyes and curly hair who reached out for her thumb. Next, Maggie saw a slightly older version of her son reach up towards her and she picked up him in his arms. In another vision, she saw Fili playing with his baby cousin and picked him up, swinging him up in the air as her son laughed. Then, the visions changed and instead of seeing just her son, Maggie saw herself. At one point she sat on a bench with Bilbo, having a conversation.

"I'm not sure what to do, Bilbo." Maggie said and buried her face in her hands. "I feel so lost."

"What does your heart tell you?" Bilbo asked. "My mother always used to say that when in doubt, trust your gut. After all, it's what tells you what food is good and what isn't."

"I'm just scared because it's been a long time since I felt like this."

"In love, you mean?" Bilbo chuckled "Love is scary, Maggie, but you have to trust that your heart knows what it wants."

In the next vision, Maggie saw scenes of rather intimate nature with a person whose face she couldn't see.

The last scene Maggie saw was her son as a young toddler, being carried by Lord Elrond who tucked him into bed….

When Maggie opened her eyes again, she didn't say anything for a moment and nor did Lord Elrond. She wondered if he too had seen the same vision but considering the look on his face, there was no doubt in her mind that he had. The elf-lord let go of Maggie and took a couple of steps back. He seemed almost a bit flustered which was something she thought wasn't possible.

"Well," He said and seemed to compose himself "As you can see, your son will grow up just fine."

"Thank you," Maggie told him "Truly, for everything."

"You are welcome, aier. Now, shall we go for supper?"

Maggie nodded, then reached for a silver chain within her pocket. She paused for a few seconds but then took off her engagement ring, put it on the chain, which she then placed in her journal as a bookmark before she closed the pages of the chapter.

Somewhere near Weathertop

"Have you any news?"

A cloaked man stood atop the hill on Weathertop, looking out over the landscape. His nose could still smell the burning from a village not far away and he was happy that the first part of their plan had worked. His subservient walked up to him and bowed his head as a sign of respect.

"The Dunedain village was attacked but most of them survived." said the second man "They have evacuated and are looking for sanctuary elsewhere?"

"And the boy?" the cloaked man asked as his hand rested on his sword. "I take it he survived?"

"Unfortunately yes, Master. The rangers were quick to act, but the girl is still with the elves. My men are approaching her as we speak. She will not know what is coming."

"Good, proceed as planned and once you have the girl bring her to me. There is someone who would very much like to see her."

Maggie had been fast asleep when something woke her up. At first, she thought perhaps Estel had once again come to sneak into bed. Although it had been a while since the child had last shared her bed. There was a light breeze coming from the window and it took Maggie a few moments to adjust to the darkness. As she looked around the room, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Perhaps she had woken up because she was unused to the new bedroom. Slowly, Maggie sat up and couldn't help but to feel uneasy. She shook off the feeling and thought maybe she just needed a hot drink to settle her nerves. Maybe it was also the earlier vision Elrond had showed her that occupied her mind and ability to settle. Maggie stifled a yawn and decided that heading for the kitchen was the best option. Perhaps Dwalin had a new batch of cookies she could munch on. Maggie only managed to step out of the doorway when someone covered her mouth with a cloth and she felt a sharp blade resting against her neck.

"If you move or make a noise, you and your baby will die swiftly." a voice hissed into her ear. "Come with me."

Maggie had no choice but to comply.

To be continued….

There we have it, the end of another chapter. A few things happened here; Riley solved the first part of the riddle but he isn't happy about it. What do we think it means? The Dunedain village has been burnt to the ground. Bilbo is back! Lord Elrond showed Maggie some visions of the future with her son and possibly a new love interest? Who will it be? And Maggie has been taken by another masked assailant. Who are they and what do they want? The next one will be out in a few days but in the meanwhile, let me know what you think!