I only own my own OCs and the damage they do. All clashing ideals are not intended. Sorry again for the pathetic chapter back there. Thank you, and read up!

~One Year Later~ ~Leira's POV~

We'd been living and working at the Ivy Bush and occasionally at the Green Dragon, but never had I seen or heard anything about Alex, Gabe... or my sister. After 8 months, I'd given up hope. Zack and I didn't expect to get home; we just lived in the Shire, and that was how it went. We lived our lives, once and awhile checking the old cave, but even the rocks over the entrance was gone now. So we accepted we were trapped forever, and tried to make a life in the Shire. But I couldn't forget that my sister was gone, and it was my fault. But about a month after we arrived, a man arrived, a human, with scraggly gray hair and grey, torn clothes. He came to the Ivy Bush while I was sweeping, and begged for some scraps, saying he would give me something I'd need. I assumed the old man was crazy, and tossed him some scraps of meat, still on bones. I went back to sweeping, but when I looked up, he'd eaten every last shred; even the bones. He licked his fingers, then glanced at me. I began sweeping again, but he ran up to me, got in my face, and spoke in a strangely purposeful and strong voice,

"They cried to those from the waterfall,

and five answered the call.

The powers earned, found in test,

strength found within the quest.

A doorway home, if found victory,

fate unknown, unlike history.

Single man, twelve at side,

battling five, murder thrive.

And those from the falls shall lose a friend,

five becomes four in the end.

The last of his kind, takes his last breath,

and through-"

I'd pushed him away, and he'd stared at me, startled, and scampered away. After, Hamfast approached me and said, "I wouldn't worry over what he said. He said something like that about me helping a 'savior of many' when I gave him some old bread. Mother says he came from a far away place, and would tell fortunes. Then, he when mad, and became a beggar. But Mother says his fortunes were true; before he went insane." No matter how hard I tried, I could never forget his words, and I felt as if I shouldn't have stopped him from finishing the last line, but that was ridiculous. I couldn't forget his ramblings, but I soon forgot him.

Then, he arrived. A strong man by the name of Thorin Oakenshield, checked into the Green Dragon Inn. I'd been cleaning the tavern when he'd walked in. I watched, open-mouthed, as he approached the innkeeper. Thorin said, "Excuse me; I need a room." He dumped a small handful of silver coins on the counter, and the innkeeper hastily scrapped them into his pocket and said, "Yes, of course. Leira! Get over here! Show this fine dwarf to his room."

He handed me the keys, and I quietly murmured, "This way." As I lead them up the staircase, I asked Thorin, "Have you seen the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins yet?" He looked at me, shocked, and I quickly amended, "Word travels fast around here." He said, "No. But I will be soon. Though I doubt any hobbit would accompany us." Once at the room, I unlocked it, handed him the keys, and said, "Thank you, sir." It took every ounce of willpower I had to say that constantly. Why should I show respect for someone who can't bother to unlock their own door?

But unlike my usual "No, thank you." Thorin said, "Will you tell the innkeeper that I will leave early tomorrow morning?" I nodded, and he closed the door. I finished the day's chores as quick as possible, and rushed over to the Ivy Bush, where Zack worked. I called, "Zack! Get your lousy butt over here!" He nearly dropped the glass he was washing as he rushed over. He stammered, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to break you desk!" "That's not- wait, you broke my desk?" He recovered, "Uh, what was it you wanted to say?" I groaned; of all the people to be stuck with. I tried to calmly say, "After I tell you this, remind me to break you in half. But Thorin is here! In the Green Dragon!"

Zack stared at me, dumbfounded, and I repeated, "Thorin. Is. Here! Snap out of it, you idiot!" He shook his head, and said, "In the Shire? Crazy." I looked away as I said, "Um, there's something I never told you. Remember when that beggar man came? Well, he... he spoke a prophecy." Zack's jaw dropped, and he demanded, "Why didn't you tell me earlier? Something this important, and you don't tell me?" I protested, "I thought he was insane! And besides... I've never been able to forget have your order sheet?" He handed me the parchment, and I quickly wrote the fortune. Zack read it, and said, "Why kind of prophecy is this? You were right the first time; he's crazy." "Not exactly. Deris lost his mind to his future."

I whirled around, and saw a tall, slightly eldery man in grey garb and pointed hat. "Gandalf." I didn't realize I'd spoken out loud, but Gandalf took it as a compliment. "Gandalf the Grey, at your service. And as I understand you know Deris, I tell you that he is truly a good man. And before his unfortunate snap, he gave me this. You may wish to see it." He pulled a small, yellowing piece of parchment from his cloak, and straightened it on the table next to us, runes on the elder parchment. I'd been reading Hobbit runes for a long time, so I perfectly understood, but was still confused. I looked up at Gandalf and asked, " 'Flame, shadow, creature, mimicry, strength?' What does this have to do with us? We're just-" "Humans? Living in the Shire? Not from Middle Earth?"

My jaw dropped, but before I could question him, he continued. "I know many things, and you are not the only ones who've heard that prophecy. Deris told me the next he spoke those words to-" he gestured to the page with the prophecy written on it, "would ensure my next quest's success." I shook my head and grimly said, "I'm sorry, but that's impossible. Our friends died a year ago, Gandalf." Gandalf stared at me, and asked critically, "Did you see them die?" I frowned and said, "No, but-" "Did you see them in a situation where death was imminent?"

My frown deepened as I replied, "Not exactly, but how-" "Then how, Leira, do you know they're deceased?" Great trick; he knew my name. But my temper snapped. "You think I don't wish that Summer wasn't gone? Or Alex, or Gabe, the dolt he was? I regret my mistakes every day of my life! They would've found their way here if they had lived!" I slammed my fist down on the table, rattling the tankards on top. Gandalf turned away, his back to me, and calmly said, "We leave in the morning. You know the prophecy is true, and whether or not there are five, the doorway to your world is at Erebor." He turned back, and noted, "Leira, one last thing; you temper needs some work." And with that, he gripped his staff, and walked out of the Ivy Bush.

Sorry I couldn't insert the runes. Fanfic wouldn't let me. :(