Hello everyone! Here's the second chapter. As I am in university and my schedule changes on a weekly basis, updates will not come on any given day, though I will typically post every other week.

As always please enjoy, and I do not own any of Tolkien's characters. The music is an excerpt from Indigo Home by Roo Panes.


Whatever I was expecting, it was not for Thorin to lunge for me and slam me to the ground. I was not expecting him to hold a knife to my throat that he got from who knows where. And I was definitely not expecting him to growl out the words, "Witch! Give me one reason I should not silence you now."

My heart pounds and my head is light, though I manage to keep my words steady. "I am not a witch. I have no magic. And if you let me up, I will answer anything that you ask. I swear."

Thorin considers my words, his furious eyes still boring into mine, searching for a lie. "Very well, witch. You will tell me everything about how you came to be here, as well as how you know about my quest. When you have finished, I will decide what to do with you, since I obviously cannot have you wandering about freely with this knowledge."

He eases off of me, and I sit up, rubbing my throat. I shoot him an annoyed glare as he settles too close to me. Thorin ignores this, and starts his interrogation. "How do I know you are not a witch? You are obviously not a wizard, but you could be any of the Maiar, or a servant of Sauron." He spits out.

"If I had any powers, I would have used them against the goblin. You saw how helpless I was against it, so that should rule out any suspicion of being a Maiar." At this Thorin growls, and I decide he's not quite convinced.

"I do not know how I got here, but it wasn't through anything I did." "What do you mean by 'I do not know how I got here'?" "I mean exactly that. I am not from Middle Earth. I just woke up here this morning and I have no clue where I am, except for maybe the Shire based on what you said earlier. In my world, Middle Earth only exists as a story."

Whatever Thorin was expecting, it wasn't that. I watch him absorb this bit of information, and despite his scowling demeanor, he seems curious.

"Middle Earth does not exist in your world?" "No."

"Do I exist?" "No. I only know about you because a very famous author wrote a story about your quest. There are speculations as to how he did this, but no one knows for sure."

Thorin seems taken aback by this information, and I take the chance to really study him in the firelight. He has heavy frown lines, but I imagine that they smooth out easily. A thick beard surrounds a heavy mouth unused to smiling. He seems tired, but that is understandable. Two thick braids line the side of his face, clasped with silver tubes at the ends. Despite the lines on his face, there are very few silver streaks in his hair, which makes me suspect he is actually younger than his face suggests. Creating a new life out of nothing for hundreds of dwarves is no easy task, but Thorin has done it. And now he wants to reclaim Erebor, so his people may live as they originally did.

"You know of the quest because of this book?" "Yes." "Do you know what happens? Do we reclaim Erebor?" I purse my lips, unsure of what to tell him. How much should I say? Every action has a consequence, and if certain things don't happen, who knows how screwed Middle Earth could be in the future?

"You reclaim Erebor. I don't very remember much of the small details, but I remember the major points. Of course, everything that happens on the quest has an outcome that affects all of Middle Earth, so even me telling you now could change the outcome. I'm honestly afraid to tell you too much." Thorin nods, studying my face again. I wonder offhand what he's looking for. A lie? I wouldn't lie to him even if I could, and if I lie to him now, he would probably kill me. I'm not afraid of death, but it's not really something I want to happen so early in my life.

"Why should I believe that you are telling the truth?" "Why would I lie to you? I have nowhere to go. You're my best chance of survival right now and I would be stupid to let that chance get away from me." Thorin studies me again, not voicing his thoughts.

"Do you have family?" "Yes. I have my mom and dad, and two younger brothers." Thorin keeps looking at me, so I continue. "I also have four uncles, two aunts, and five cousins. And my grandparents." "Do you have any trade?" "I was a student in university before I ended up here. I was studying international politics and diplomacy. I was actually supposed to be going back to see my family this weekend, but somehow I ended up here."

Thorin raises his eyebrows, and asks "You were studying diplomacy?"

"Yes. In my world, there are many countries or kingdoms that need diplomats to keep peace between them. Kind of like this one I guess. I suppose you would know how it all works." At Thorin's affirming nod, I continue. "My training talked about methods of forging peace, why countries fight and what they fight over, politics, and such."

"You can do this?" "Not yet, but I want to. At least I wanted to before I came here. I don't know if I'll be able to go back," I finish softly, looking at the ground below me. Will I be able to go back? I didn't get to say goodbye to my family. Knowing my mom, she's called the police and two SWAT teams at this point. With a sudden pang in my heart, I realize I may not ever see them again. Tears quickly brim behind my closed eyes, but I force them down with a couple of deep breaths. I can cry later, but right now I have to concentrate on not getting killed by Thorin, or another goblin.

"What else can you do? In terms of training or skills?" I clear my throat quietly, then reply, "I worked as a baker for a couple of years. I really enjoyed that. I also like cooking and gardening. I'm good at cleaning and sewing. And I'm a singer."

"Are you? Will you sing something for me?"

"What?"

"Sing," Thorin commands. This request is so far from what I expected that I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.

"I had a little turtle, his name was tiny Tim-" "Enough." Thorin cuts me off brusquely, but there is a lightness around his eyes that wasn't there earlier. "I was not joking, please sing something for me. A real song."

I think for a moment, closing my eyes, then I start again.

"Are you lost in paradise my love or have you found a home?
It's an awfully lonely road to walk alone
But as I searched your flashing indigo eyes
It echoed true, that I loved you, that I loved you."

When I open my eyes again, I find Thorin watching me with a thoughtful look on his face.

"Do you still think I'm a witch? Are you going to kill me?" Thorin starts, then a hint of a smile crosses his face. "Mahal no Aspen. I will not kill you, nor do I think you are a witch. I was hasty in my judgement and fear. Admittedly, your circumstances are unusual, but I do not think that you caused them." I roll my eyes at this and almost snort.

"You said you have nowhere else to go?" "I don't but if you would direct me to the nearest town, I could try to get there." Again his face twitches, though whether in a smile or scowl I cannot tell.

"I will not do that, as I have something to offer you instead. I wish to employ you as my aide on the quest. I have friends that I will rely upon, but none of them have knowledge of the quest that you do."

I sit in shocked silence, sure that Thorin is joking. He continues on, oblivious of my reeling brain. "From time to time I will require your advice concerning the quest, and the company could also use your culinary and sewing skills." Here he pauses. "Do you accept?"

I nod, unable to believe I passed an interview I didn't know I was having. Thorin inclines his head. "I am glad of it. You are required to support the company and myself. When I ask you to do something, I will expect you to do it. I do not trust you fully, and will be keeping a close eye on you to make sure you do not give away your knowledge or do something rash. Do not say anything to anyone else about the quest, or what the future holds, unless I give you permission to do so. Should one of the company members ask, tell them nothing. I will not have them fearful of the future. We will discuss your earnings later. Am I understood?"

My eyes narrow at that last bit. I'd prefer to discuss my earnings now, but I don't want to antagonize Thorin anymore than necessary. Especially right after I just found safety and secure employment in an unknown world. Making a mental note to ask him about it tomorrow, I say, "Yes."

"Good. Tomorrow morning we will set out early for our meeting place. Along the way we will try to stop and get you some appropriate attire and supplies." He looks at my T-shirt and jeans with disapproval. "What you are currently wearing is certainly not questing material. Now get some sleep if you can. I will wake you for watch when it is your turn."

He finally rises and goes back to his side of the fire, bending to pick up his axe as he does so. He adds a couple more logs to the fire, and sits facing away from it, staring out into the dark trees. I lie down using my bag as a pillow, staring up at the stars.

I know that when we reach Bag End, Gandalf will be there and I will have to talk with him. As happy as I am that I now have some degree of protection, and even employment, I have no desire to stay in Middle Earth. I remember reading stories about it as a child and wishing I could visit, but to stay for an unknown amount of time without my family is something else entirely.

I sigh. Will I ever see my family again? The tears I held back earlier finally slip out and trail down my face slowly. I miss them already. My stomach churns from guilt and misery, knowing my mom will be frantic by now. And the rest of my family? They'll be at a loss of what to do, probably trying to suggest things to my mom that she's already tried.

I sniff, hoping not to alert Thorin. I close my eyes and force my thoughts away from my family. We will all have to do the best we can. For me that means trekking many miles to reclaim a lost mountain from a fire-breathing dragon. It could be a lot worse.