Disclaimer: I don't make any money from any of this, so please don't sue me. I only own Eva and any unrecognisable parts of the plot.

Warnings: Some coarse language

AN: Enjoy!

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Chapter 2 - The Choice

Eva blinked at the walls around her, and then began to inwardly panic. This was not her bedroom, nor was it anywhere that she recognised that she had ever been or seen. It looked like a scene out of a Medieval dream.

Getting up and realising that she was still in her pyjamas, she hesitantly put her feet down onto the bare floor. It was not as cold as she feared it would be and, slowly, she stood.

The room was minimalistic, but beautiful. There was a large window to the side where she could see a beautiful garden splayed out before her. Curious, she walked to the window and studied the scene a little more.

It was actually a vegetable garden, she realised. A garden that Liam would have drooled over and happily spent their life-savings on if given the chance. She recognised the potato, the carrot and the bean plants, as well as the herb garden sequestered into a corner of the massive space.

"Greetings Eva, daughter of Man." came a woman's voice from the doorway.

She shrieked as she fell, sprawling onto the floor in her haste to turn her attention to the voice.

A gentle, lilting laugh was heard as soft footsteps entered the room. "My apologies, Eva. I did not mean to startle you."

The woman that entered the room was shapely, but clearly strong. She wore a gown with different shades of green; from the deep green that reminded her of the rainforests of her childhood, to the light green of the mosses that grew around where she had lived with Liam and the kids before the landslide had taken them. the skirt of her dressed brushed against solid ankles as she glided across the polished mahogany floor.

"No offense, ma'am." Eva began "But who the fuck are you, and where the fuck am I?"

The lady smiled "I am Lady Yavanna, one of the Valar of Middle Earth." she began "You are currently in my realm - the Green Lady's garden."

Eva sat abruptly back on the bed as she processed the information "Middle Earth….you mean Tolkien's Middle Earth?"

"Ah! Dear John! No, child. The man you know as J. R. R. Tolkien was a rather special case. He had the Valar's blessing to be able to roam our world and record everything he saw. He had a special love for Arda that, so far, has not been rivalled."

It was then that something occurred to Eva as she slowly remembered the story of the Green Lady. "If you say you are Lady Yavanna," she began "Then where is Lord Mahal?"

That surprised the Lady "It seems I have underestimated your memory, child. Lord Aule is at the Great Forge. In his halls is where all dwarven kind rest, ready to be reborn and remade in the second moulding of Arda."

"Um... I'm not really comfortable with you calling me 'child'. I was married, and I did have three children, so it's kind of awkward if you get what I mean….."

Yavanna glanced at Eva and noticed the embarrassment mixed with slight annoyance on her face. The Green Lady offered a warm smile.

"Very well, Eva."

"So, does that mean Thror is there?"

"What?-"

"Thror, grandfather of Thorin the second. He is there?"

Loud, clipped footsteps were heard echoing up the corridor outside her room. The door handle clicked and in strode a great hulk of a man. Though simply dressed, he radiated pure power. A brown tunic that fell to mid thigh was paired with charcoal colored pants, held in by a simple leather belt. Fine but sturdy leather boots completed his look. His eyes found his wife and the strange little visitor with curiousity. His smile softened his otherwise work-hardened features.

"You spoke of one of my children?" he asked gently.

Eva just sat there looking at him for the longest time. Her politeness warred with her curiosity as she fought down the urge to ask question after question. She looked from one to the other as the couple stood side-by-side. Seeing them together brought back sharp memories of her time with Liam. The affection and deep regard that they shared reminded her of her own marriage before the landslide.

Swallowing, she decided that there was no point in hiding from these two beings. Facing them, she asked "Can you tell me why I'm here?"

It was Aule that replied first "I have seen your life, Eva. Full of love, but taken too soon. There is much pain that needs healing within you."

"My husband and I," Yavanna began "as well as other select members of the Valar, have watched over you for some time. Upon seeing your suffering, we gathered together and now offer you a choice."

Nodding slowly, Eva considered "I cannot guarantee that I'll agree without hearing all of the details first."

"As you rightly should." Aule interjected jovially "Much like my children!"

"The dwarves?"

A small twinkle flashed across Aule's face as he regarded the woman "Indeed, Eva. I am the Maker of the Dwarrow."

"I'm listening….."

A short but uncomfortable silence followed, broken by Yavanna's question "Do you know of Thorin Oakenshield?"

Eva stood frozen to the spot for a moment, her eyes widening as the storyline and tragedy of The Hobbit flashed in her mind.

"I know about the Quest, yes."

This seemed to shock the couple. "How deeply?" Yavanna questioned

The ragged sound of Thorin's dying words to Bilbo echoed in her mind. The grief of the Company as they buried all three direct descendants of the line of Durin. The characters that she read about, and the actors who visages she came to associate the dwarves with. Special, in their own way, and dearly loved within her own mind.

"Intimately, Lady Yavanna."

The Green Lady paused for a moment. "We have seen what lies ahead for the line of Durin, and my husband and I are distressed about what is to come. We know of your love for our children, and have come before you to offer you a choice."

There was a lingering silence after this statement as Eva slowly pieced together what they wanted her to do. Eva regarded the two Valar apprehensively.

"My apologies," Eva stuttered "but I have absolutely no clue how to fight or defend myself. I want to help you, but I'm not sure if I'm the right person to do it. You said you've watched me for some time," Eva took a deep breath "so you would know that I have absolutely no idea how to fight or defend myself..." Eva was aware that she was rambling, but was in too much shock to really listen to herself.

Aule smiled "My children are built to be seasoned warriors. But you know well, Eva Chen, that not all battles are fought with axe and sword. As Our Chosen, you are their shield and guide, to be with them when their weapons are useless."

Yavanna stepped up beside her husband. "The Khazad are a stubborn folk. But stubbornness does not completely make a person. Living in the dark, they are prone to darkness more than most. You will need to be their Light."

Eva regarded the couple with a look that spoke of a great deal of deliberation. She flicked her eyes to the floor, then back to them.

"If you're asking me what I believe you are asking me, then I will have to know a lot more…."

Aule was impressed, but asked one more question before he was prepared to speak further."What do you believe we are asking you to do, Eva, Daughter of Man?"

Eva blinked, took a deep breath and replied "I believe that you are asking me to save the line of Durin."

Both of the Valar regarded her gravely. "We will give you one week, Eva." began Yavanna "We will bring you back to this place in one week's time to hear your decision."

"You have much to consider." Mahal added.

And the scene faded away.

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Eva' eyes snapped open. Unlike previous nights, she woke almost instantly, with a new determination about her. She had promised Liam before the twins had been born that should anything happen to them and she still lived, that she would live and be strong in their memory. She had promised that she would endure.

With this thought in her mind, she knew that her choice really wasn't that much of a choice. Still in her pyjamas, she walked to the closet and took down her hiking pack. There wasn't really very much to consider at all. After all, she had always been a woman of her word.

I'm going on an adventure!