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

Warnings: Adult themes (if you squint very hard) otherwise none for this chapter.

AN: I hope you enjoy. Please remember to leave constructive feedback. It helps me to write a better story for you.

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Chapter 3 - The Jump

The week that followed her dream was strange for Eva. She did want to go - the call of adventure and her promise to Liam playing on her mind, but she knew the story of the Quest very well, what with The Hobbit being one of her favourite books. The conflict between adventure and the very real possibility that she could die weighed on her mind.

She was going through her closet the morning she was due to give the Valar her answer, fingering the material of one of the saris she had been gifted by her best friend. It had been at her very first Bollywood dance performance. Liam had been unusually quiet that night as he drove her to the venue. The sari was lipstick red, studded with gold thread. She remembered the bracelets, bangles and anklets that she had worn with it.

When she had returned home that night, Liam had carried her across the threshold of their home. He then unravelled her of everything until she was left bare in the middle of their bedroom. He never said a word, but their love-making had been achingly slow and tender. It was how their eldest had been conceived.

The tears came silently as she remembered, her heart aching for Liam. She knew though, that nothing would ever bring him back to her.

As promised, Eva was brought back to the room Aule and Yavanna had initially met her precisely one week later. This time, she had purposely worn durable layers to bed in the hope that it would transcend, as her pyjamas had the week previous.

The Green Mother and the Stone Father were surprised to see the woman dressed in travel attire, but hid it well.

"I take it your decision is made." said Yavanna in her ever-gentle tone.

Eva nodded "I wish to join them."

Aule gave a smile of pride "Your strength shines, Eva Chen, daughter of Man. I am glad you have chosen to accept."

"There is no guarantee that you will survive this, Eva." Yavanna began. "There is the very real risk that in doing this, you will perish in the process."

Eva took a breath to steady her nerves "I made a promise to my late husband that I would live …. Be strong in their memory. I intend to honor that promise." Eva paused "However, I will note your warning."

Both Valar nodded at the weight of this statement "Be ready to leave in three days' time, Eva."

She blinked "What is the significance of that?" came her curious question

Yavanna smiled at their Chosen "It will be the Equinox."

Eva's eyes lighted with understanding and excitement. "Old Magic!"

Aule studied her with interest "Indeed, Eva. Now, we have much to discuss before you … Jump to Middle Earth."

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Morning found Eva busily scribbling down as much as she could remember about the previous night's dream. She had been instructed to pack some items that she had left her confused. She had no idea why they asked her to bring packs of paprika and turmeric as well as three meters of her favourite colour ribbon. Yavanna had only smiled in a very secret way.

She had also been instructed to read up on the history of Middle Earth as written by Tolkien, as she would have to persuade certain members of the Company that she would be essential to the Quest by herself. She did not anticipate much trouble with Gandalf, what with him being tasked by the Valar himself. Having said this, she knew the Khazad were an entirely different kettle of fish.

Yavanna had been very particular about the instructions for her departure - the candles, the ritual circle, the words she would need to say in order to ensure safe passage to Middle Earth. She emphasised to Eva that she would only get one shot, so she would need to make sure that she got it right the first time.

Looking down at the stuff strewn on her bed, she studied the many pockets on her bright orange pack. She had soap, a menstrual cup (that was a no brainer for a woman), a brush, her music player and solar charger, woolen thermals, boots for hiking, her whistle and flint (a gift from her eldest), four small heat packs (which would come in handy for the Misty Mountains) and several assorted items of clothing. She debated whether to take her tent and sleeping bag.

After a simple lunch, she tracked down the copies of The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings. She quietly thanked Liam that he was such a wide and avid reader. The former was a relatively easy read for her, given her love of literature, but the latter was a problem simply because of its length. She made many notes for the rest of the afternoon, before suddenly remembering her copy of The Hobbit as well.

Maybe I'll make a list of questions … I can't hold this amount of information…. Oh goodness….

At the end of the three days, Eva was ready both with her notes, and the questions and request page that she had for both the Valar. One of the requests was a long shot, but as Connor had once said "How do I know the answer will be no if I don't ask?"

In her living room, she set up the spiritual circle in accordance with the instruction that Yavanna had given her. With plain candles at each of the cardinal points, she went to retrieve her pack to ready herself for departure. When she returned to the living room, she nearly dropped her hiking pack upon seeing the Green Lady herself standing within the unlit circle of candles.

"Eva." Yavanna greeted "You have done very well."

Eva stood like a stunned doe. The silence stretching out. "Ummm…."

"You believed I would not come?"

"Umm…"

Yavanna smiled gently "You had questions?"

"Umm… Yes?"

Yavanna regarded her for a moment, then with a smile said "Well, come then! We have time before midnight!"

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Eva had forgotten what it was like to talk to a woman. As in *really* talk to a woman. Yavanna had been extremely accommodating to her questions, and had agreed to the most important request that she had made before her Jump.

As Eva gently set her pack down in front of her, she held the leather-bound book to her chest reverently before packing it into the lid of her pack. Yavanna stood beside her, looking at the woman that she was now laying both her and her husband's hopes on.

"Do you remember the ritual words?"

Eva nodded in silence.

Yavanna's face became set in determination "Then let us begin!"

Eva struck her match to light her candle, then proceeded to light all of the candles in the circle.

"Great Valar! I stand within your circle, in your presence, that you might grant me safe passage into your world!"

"Child of Man! As a representative of my Circle, I witness you!" Yavanna called in reply

"I have been thus called, to fulfil your will!"

"I witness you!"

The candles flared brighter. "I come to you, a willing heart to guide your children!"

"I witness you!" but this time, there was a male voice added to it.

"I come in full knowledge of your conditions!"

"I witness you!" The voices were now a chorus in their reply.

"Great Valar!" Eva stopped when the wind began to pick up. She looked at Yavanna nervously, but seeing her encouraging smile, Eva swallowed and called "Great Valar, I ask for safe passage to aid your children, and in helping your children, it is my wish to help myself grow in love and fulfil my promises!"

"I witness you!'

Suddenly, a deep voice reverberated around Eva's living room "Child of Man! Your request has been heard and deemed whole! Our circle will grant you safe passage!"

"As you will it!" Yavanna replied

"As you will it!" Eva echoed, though not with a certain amount of trepidation.

"Keep your promises!" Yavanna's warm voice echoed as she faded from sight "Keep your promises and grow with love in all you do."

A blinding white light filled the entire living room before suddenly going out. When the light faded, there was no trace of the ritual circle, Eva, or her pack. All that remained was a leaf of oak that fluttered gently to the floor.