Disclaimer: I own nothing except Eva and anything you may not recognise. Please don't sue, I'm not making money (despite the fact I wish I were).

AN: I'm back! Still alive, I promise. Just life getting in the way, as it is prone to do. Thank you to all the new reviews, follows and favourites. I have been slowly but surely getting this chapter up and running, You are the ones that make writing worth my while.

Warnings: Adult themes.

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Chapter 20 - The Problem with Time

It did not take long for the unusual trio to locate Gandalf. In fact, it seemed that Gandalf was in the process of looking for Eva, though he did not say anything to that point when the three of them turned up. The Grey Wizard took one look at Eva's anxious face and ushered her from Balin's grip into his own. He helped her seat herself, but that did not seem to break the worry on her face.

"Miss Eva said that we needed to find you." Balin began "She says that something is not-"

"Right?" Gandalf finished.

Eva looked up, startled "Do you know?" she whispered.

Gandalf studied her with a sharp look, but the words out of his mouth were gentle and concerned. "I may have a clearer idea if you explain what exactly happened." he began.

"I had a dream." Eva began slowly. "But I'm not sure when it's from."

Balin saw the increasing worry and panic in her face as Thorin asked sharply "How long has this been occurring, Miss Eva?"

Eva wrung her hands with her eyes still downcast "Since shortly after we left Bag End." The setting sun highlighted the worry lines around her eyes and face. She looked up at Gandalf "Lady Yavanna spoke to me after, and said that I needed to tell both you and Thorin… the thing is I don't remember this happening-"

Balin put a gentle but halting hand on Thorin's shoulder as he saw that the crownless King was about to ask a series of rather harsh questions.

"Lass, you're not making much sense. What do you mean 'don't remember happening'?"

Eva looked up at the wisened dwarf nervously. His aged face contained confusion and concern, gentle and steady. As she glanced over to Thorin, however, his face was almost the exact opposite, suspicion and growing contempt clear in his face. She swallowed as she tried to draw up the courage to look Thorin in the eye.

"Just don't kill me at the end of this, okay?" she began, trying to keep down her panic "There's a lot of heavy stuff, and I know that a lot of what I have to say you won't be happy with."

Gandalf turned to her "Lady Eva, I cannot know what is severe or not if I am not told." he began gently "But I will listen."

Eva let out a long, heavy sigh "I guess my story begins with something called Dol Guldur ….."

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

Bifur had been wandering around the gardens of Rivendell for at least the last two hours, if not more. Being khazad usually did not bother him, but in this instance, it was proving an annoyance. He had appointed himself the task of searching for a walking staff for Miss Eva, and traversing the last two hours on short legs was getting frustrating.

He took another turn in one of the paths and was momentarily blinded by the afternoon sun. Screwing his eyes shut and blinking the pain in his eyes away, he looked back up again to see a small forest grove growing in the midst of what appeared to be the entrance of another cave, not too dissimilar to the one the Company had entered Rivendell through. Looking upon the rock and finding familiarity in the stone, Bifur momentarily felt something tug at his senses.

The axe-headed dwarf paused. Bifur was well known in the Company to have the strongest stone sense of the entire lot of them, and to feel his stone sense being thusly triggered in such an unfamiliar environment put him slightly off-kilter. Bifur knew stone, almost as surely as he knew his own whittling knife. The song of the cave sung differently to the stone that he knew off, but Bifur reasoned that it must have been the elves. Cautiously, he made his way down to the entrance, noting the slight changes in the stone's song.

As Bifur looked about the entrance to the cave, he felt his stone sense be suddenly amplified by something. He froze, looking around him in growing alarm. The stone's song was sharper and more insistent, as though willing him to come into the cave itself. Hesitantly, he placed a work-worn hand on one of the larger rocks at the caves entrance.

The stone was humming under his touch, rejoicing at a being that could finally hear it sing. Bifur, stiff and still, listened carefully to this new song. The stone was urging him in, images of creatures that had previously taken shelter within its protective rock flowing freely - inviting him. Protection from storms and evils of the world seems to be this cave's purpose, and Bifur hoped that his senses were not lying as he stepped into the growing dark of the cave.

It did not take Bifur very long at all until he tripped over something in the dimmed light. Feeling around on the cool floor, he wrapped a large hand around a length of what felt like wood. It was cooler than he thought it would be as he felt it in the dark. Grasping the length of wood, he carried back out into the sun with him.

Parts of the branch that he had dragged out were a little damp, but most of it was dry. He felt up and down the entire length carefully, looking for the knots that he would have expected to have to whittle down and found only one. There were some natural grooves and tiny fissures in the branch already, and it seemed to be almost the perfect height for Miss Eva.

Bifur beamed proudly.

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

"What could you possibly find in that Mahal-forsaken place?" Thorin enquired with disbelief.

"It is a fortress filled with dark things." Gandalf began gravely.

Eva looked up at Gandalf slowly "That could pose a problem..."

Balin could see the layered look in Eva's eye as she tried to convey something that Gandalf was obviously picking up on.

"The thing is," Eva began anxiously "I do not know if this is something that is going to happen, or has already happened. And if it's already happened, I don't want to get anyone's hopes up in case-"

"Lady Eva," Gandalf began gently but firmly, essentially stopping Eva's rambling "What did you see?"

"Thrain."

Thorin froze.

The name of his adad had haunted him from the moment he went missing on the battlefield at Moria. After decades, many had given up hope that Thrain, son of Thror would ever be found alive. Even his own sister has assumed him dead and shut herself away to grieve. Thorin still clung onto that desperate hope. Gandalf's eyes widened in shock.

"Dol Guldur has some type of spell on it. You took it off Gandalf, and then Thrain tried to attack you-"

"Why would he try to attack? Thrain was-" Gandalf began in confusion

"This is why I need to talk with you." Eva began "There are two ways that this could possibly turn out, and it depends on whether or not I have the correct timeline."

"Go on…" Gandalf pressed

"In one set of events, this dream happened in the past. Thrain was imprisoned in Dol Guldur and died there, but not before the Map and Key were passed on you to be handed to Thorin." Eva began as she trained her eyes on Thorin's horrified face. "The second set of events marks Thrain as alive, but still imprisoned in Dol Guldur."

Thorin sat down heavily, and Balin gasped. Gandalf threw Eva a sharp look.

Eva continued, turning to and not taking her eyes from Gandalf, dreading seeing the emotions on Thorin's face "In my dream, you lifted the enchantment and entered the fortress. You searched the passageways and such, then a dwarf attacked you from above. There was a struggle, and when you subdued him, you said his name: Thrain."

Heavy silence filled the air, thick with meaning. Thorin looked into her worried obsidian eyes and saw no lie there.

"What did he look like?" Thorin asked hoarsely, trying and failing to keep the desperation out of his voice.

Eva looked away, "He's all grey now." She began softly "Grey hair, grey eyes, sturdy frame despite his age, and a funny looking tattoo in the middle of his forehead… all lines and angles. In the dream I had, he was alive. But his mind… I don't know how far gone he is."

There was no longer any doubt in Thorin's mind that she had seen anyone other than his beloved adad. He was usually not an emotional dwarf, but Thorin had been searching for so long that this new piece of information had his stomach in a knot. Balin placed a kind but firm hand on Thorin's shoulder, waiting for instructions from his King. Thorin glanced over to Eva, taking in the anxious wringing other hands and her downcast eyes.

"You've given us plenty to think on, Lady Eva," Gandalf began

Well, that's an understatement!

"I think it would be an idea to rest on it tonight, and see what can be discussed in the morning." the Grey wizard ended.

Eva knew it was a dismissal if ever there were one, and she did not waste a moment to disappear. Balin's eyes followed her as she wandered away, ever-mindful of the dwarf beneath his steady hand.

"Tharkûn," Thorin began lowly, lost in thought.

"This needs thinking on, Thorin." Gandalf began "I was not aware that Lady Eva could be touched like this. If what she says is true, then we will need to think about how to approach this. Dol Guldur is a foul place, and I have no intention of endangering anyone else unless it is nec-"

Gandalf cut himself off as he saw the mixture of emotions play in Thorin's face. Here, the old wizard could see the remnants of a lost little dwarfling, desperately trying to cling onto the hope that his father could yet be alive. There was a rising anger in his sapphire blue eyes, but also resigned defeat that Gandalf had spoken truth.

Care needed to be taken… for everyone involved.

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

Bifur brought the branch, solid and mostly straight, back to the little courtyard that the Company had been assigned. He sat down beside his bedroll and took out his whittling knife from the little sack that he originally had his hunk of hickory in. Humming softly, he began to remove the remainder of the outer bark off the branch, pleasantly surprised when it peeled off with very little effort from him.

It was only him and Dori in the courtyard at the moment, he had no idea what was going on with the others, but was thankful for the lack of eyes as he began his self-appointed project. When he was crafting, nothing much could distract the axe-headed dwarf except for food and sleep. The outer bark came off with slow, sure and rhythmic strokes of Bifur's knife, revealing solid wood underneath and glowed in the light of the setting sun. He settled into a calming rhythm as he stripped the entire branch.

"Another project, Bifur?" Dori asked cordially.

"Kun." Bifur rumbled proudly, not looking up. Dori hummed in approval and closed his eyes to relax.

It was funny how accepting Dori was, but then again unsurprising. Dori was a merchant by trade, and thus could appreciate finery and skill. Turning the whittling knife onto its point, he began carving the vines that would wrap themselves around the staff. Maybe he could ask if there were a forge close by. He had seen other settlements and artists and the way that they had heated metal implements and burned patterns into wood to make them look more appealing.

One by one, the other dwarves trickled into the courtyard. They gave a passing glance to Bifur, but otherwise ignored him. The chatter grew louder, and when Bifur misjudged a notch in the fading light for the fourth time, he covered his work with his cloak and a huff and joined his kin around the fireside.

Bombur was cooking outside this time, the smell of game bringing a smile to the old warrior's face. He could get used to this elven version of peace.

Nobody saw the grooves that he carved in his staff begin to softly glow in the dark under his cloak

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

Kili was on a bit of a nighttime wander, leaving Fili to enjoy himself with their kin. It was not until the smell of something sweet reached his nose that he paused. Kili loved his sweets, with apple pie being his favourite. Curiosity perked, he followed his nose to a familiar open door and peeked inside.

Working by candlelight, Eva was stirring something lovingly on the low heat of the little stove at the back of the kitchen near the courtyard the Company were staying in. Her hair was loose, and Kili blinked as he realised that, unbraided, Eva's hair fell past her waist in dark, gentle waves. She took the little pot off the heat and gave one last stir before sitting down at the middle gallery. On the table was a stone plate, and what appeared to be a large stone to grind things with. She tucked an errant lock behind her ear as she sat down.

The door gave a creak as Kili looked around to get a better view and attracted Eva's attention.

"Oh, hello, Kili." she began softly, her brow furrowing in confusion "Didn't picture you as the cooking type."

Though her tone was neutral, Kili saw the small smile cross her face "No," Kili replied "but I am the eating type!"

Eva's deadpan reply contrasted with the large grin that bloomed on her face "And here I thought you were going out in solidarity while your companions make merry elsewhere."

The smell of spices hit his nose full force as he walked into the kitchen "What's that?"

"Kheer." Eva replied simply.

Kili blinked and his brow furrowed in confusion "Pardon?"

"Kheer." Eva repeated again. "It's a dessert. Would you like some?"

Kili said nothing, but sat down in the seat opposite her. A small bowl was placed in front of him and the pot she had been stirring appeared as she spooned some of the contents of the pot into his bowl. She then waved away Kili's hand as he reached for the spoon.

"Patience!" she said in explanation, and partial exasperation..

Kili looked down to his bowl and inhaled. He could smell the creamy milk that had been used to cook what appeared to be porridge. He could also smell cinnamon and something else that he could not name just yet. Kili looked up at the soft clunk of a jar of precious honey being put on the table.

"Try it without the honey first." Eva encouraged "Then I'll add as much as you want."

Looks like porridge. But why porridge for sweets?

Giving a shrug, he took the spoon from Eva and took a small taste.

Kili's mouth found that this was not the porridge he was used to eating. The texture was too smooth, not at all grainy, and it felt rich and creamy in his mouth. The spices were present, but in a very soft and muted way. Again, he could only identify the cinnamon in the dish.

"What is that?" Kili asked

"Rice." Eva replied.

Kili dropped his spoon with a wet 'plop' into his bowl in shock "That's rice?!"

Eva blinked in confusion "Yeah. I had to sort the stale grains out, but otherwise usable…. You seem surprised." she noted.

"Rice is very rare in Middle Earth." Kili began as he studied a spoonful of the dessert "There are only a few settlements in the far east that grow it, out where it rains endlessly." Kili replied as he picked up his spoon to smell the dish again. "Only ever had it once, and the dwarf that cooked it burnt it black."

Eva snorted "Only because they likely did not know what they were doing." Eva pointed out "Let me add some honey for you?"

Kili nodded and Eva took a clean spoon to dive into the honey jar. Twirling it deftly, she pulled it out and let the honey fall in a delicious drizzle over Kili's bowl.

"Give it a stir. Trust me." Eva prompted with a cheeky, knowing smile on her face.

Kili picked up his spoon and stirred the honey in, watching it swirl and melt into his warm bowl of… whatever it was. When he was happy that he could see no more honey, he took the spoon again and had another taste.

Eva smiled indulgently as Kili realised a low groan of pleasure. For a relatively simple dish, it was curious for her to see the reaction of the dwarf as he sagged in his seat in bliss. She giggled softly as she witnessed Kili coming back to himself. Then, he turned to her.

"What is it?" Kili asked softly "I've never tasted anything like this before!"

"It's called 'kheer' in its native language." Eva began as she dished out a portion for herself "It's essentially a slow-cooked rice porridge with cinnamon and cardamom-"

What in Mahal's name is that?-

"-cooked in milk and sweetened. It's one of the first dishes I learned how to cook… a bit of comfort in the unknown, if you will."

Kili pushed his dark hair aside, thoughtfully studying her as she moved to politely take his bowl from him "We're going to need as much of that as we can get." Kili said with a resigned sigh "This is not going to be an easy journey… for you especially, Miss Eva. No offense."

Eva nodded in understanding "None taken, Kili. It's why I'm doing this now. Good memories to get you through rough times." she stirred through a drizzle of honey through her own bowl "Finish that up, Kili. The kheer is not a good dish to have lukewarm."

Kili wasn't going to be told twice to eat as he picked up his spoon again. He took a spoonful and relished the new taste, moaning low in satisfaction. He didn't notice that Eva had gotten a far-away look in her eye as she watched him. She ate slowly, watching Kili demolish the little bowl while realising that she was already more emotionally invested in these characters than should really be healthy.

How in the name of Heaven am I supposed to save them?

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

Thorin didn't know where the meadows were, but he would forever recognise the elven markers that signalled the borders of the Greenwood. The entire Company had travelled with him and were in the process of dismounting the ponies that they had been riding from Mahal-knows-where. Thorin looked to Bilbo, who looked more than a bit ill.

"We need to send them back to their Master." Gandalf bid as he remained on his horse, glancing around and nodding to something in the distance that quickly disappeared.

"This forest feels … sick." Bilbo began as he tried his best to stay upright.

Eva supported Bilbo with concern as she said "I'm not surprised that you can feel it. You're a hobbit, Bilbo. They, more than any other being in Middle Earth, have a special connection with Yavanna and, therefore, the Earth."

Thorin blinked. He should have remembered that.

"Not my horse!" Gandalf exclaimed "I need it!"

Bilbo's head snapped up in alarm "You're not leaving us?"

Before Gandalf could reply, a light feminine voice filled the meadow "He is, but you will be guided safely through this forest."

The dwarves turned in absolute shock as they saw a fiery-haired elf-maiden, dress in combat attire, leaning gently against the gates.

"An elf!" Dwalin thundered

"Captain Tauriel!" Eva called as she made her way forward, leaving the dwarves either completely stunned or in a building fit of rage.

The elf-maiden gave a courteous smile "Lady Eva." she replied with the same warmth.

"But how-?" Fili began

"This is Captain Tauriel." Eva explained, completely ignoring the spluttering from the elder of the dwarrow "She heads the elven guard of King Thranduil."

"My King received a missive while you were resting in Imraldris." Tauriel began "It was requested that a Company of 14 needed safe passage through the forest of Mirkwood."

"Miss Eva." Throin began in a deadly quiet tone "What is the meaning of this?"

Eva turned around "There are spiders crawling through the south of Mirkwood. I don't know about you, Thorin, but I have no love of spiders, and nor do I want to go through a forest that is infested with darkness any longer than I need."

"The forest has many enchantments on it." Gandalf continued "They are designed to lead you astray."

Eva kept a calm face as Thorin;s anger grew. She even looked him straight in the eye as she saw it building.

Unsurprisingly, it was Dwalin who let out a roar of rage and charged towards Eva with his axe drawn. She was tackled to the ground, hurt and betrayal clear in the warriors eyes. It stung Eva's heart, but she had to keep a calm facade.

"Give me one reason." he growled through gritted teeth, his axe held high "One reason to not rid us of you."

Eva looked into Dwalin's eyes and shocked him by not fighting him "If you do," she said softly "you will have proven Thranduil right."

There was complete silence in the clearing.

"In King Thranduil's reply, he said that he would provide safe passage, but would not be surprised if it were at the cost of my blood.

"'They are greedy and prideful' he said to me 'They will thank your judgement for trying to keep them safe by doing away with you, as their hatred of elves have blinded them to any kind action that could ever be taken.' He told me that you would happily slay me because of a lack of loyalty, regardless of how common-sense my decision may have been."

Balin forcefully pried his brother off the only lady in the Company as Gandalf walked gravely over. Eva stood up shakily and brushed herself down.

"You knew?" Gandalf whispered

"And I took the chance to change it." Eva replied "If it means that Kili gets away without the Morgul wound, then yes, it will have been worth it."

The moment Eva woke, she knew that this particular dream would be important. She thanked the Heavens for their still being moonlight in her room as she stumbled out of her bed and over to her pack, where she took out the leather-bound book she had packed before the Jump. She didn't bother asking about her dreams anymore, she simply accepted them as a weird form of communication.

As fast as she could, she wrote down all of the important details of her dream before they completely left her mind. The scenery was familiar and Eva knew the timeline of both the book and the movie including this scene, but the interactions were completely new. She knew that the Company had snuck into Mirkwood (or had at least tried), before being cornered by spiders, captured by elves and imprisoned in the Mirkwood dungeons. Was this yet another thing that she could change?

Thorin and Dwalin woke together and woke in stunned anger. They were now certain of what the Dreams were, but were in complete denial over the fact that an elf had entered the picture. Why?

"What in Mahal's name was that about?" Dwalin growled, his eyes sparking with building rage.

Thorin looked to his first One in silence and vowed that he would get his answers before he left Rivendell, or willingly risk Gandalf's wrath and leave Miss Eva behind.

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

Adad - father

Tharkûn - Gandalf

Kun - Yes

AN: Phew! That took far longer than I ever thought it would! Anyway, feedback please?