Because I felt you might not like the first chapter, and since I think it's just a lot of back story, here is the next chapter where it's more plot centric. I really hope you like it! Oh also, I don't know much about the Valar so feel free to correct me. Again, posting this story for productive criticism and feedback.

I do not own Tolkien's works or am I profiting from this story.

"The hell?" I mumbled, still groggy. I put a hand over my eyes, but it didn't do much good. There was just too much light.

"Hello, Maggie." A voice seemed to surround me, yet echo as if we were in a large warehouse.

I jumped at the voice, suddenly realizing I wasn't it bed anymore, not even in the hotel.

"I'm sorry, I don't make it a habit of talking to people I can't see!" I called out.

The voice chuckled. "This is my true form, but perhaps I can change into something less… bright."

The light dimmed then to show a comfortable study, complete with a lit fireplace, snapping and crackling happily in the corner. A sturdy desk in front of bookshelves, with a little tiffany lamp illuminated a desktop of messy papers and a typewriter. Behind the desk, sat in a big wing-backed leather chair sat a portly, but kindly looking old man.

I looked behind me. An open door and an empty hallway.

"Yes, m'dear. You can go back if you'd like. No one if forcing you to stay." He said, peering at me as he fixed up a pipe.

"Then I'm not… I'm not dreaming?" I asked, sliding down into another wing backed chair in front of the desk. Mahogany, I'd guess. I was dreaming. But it didn't feel like dreaming. Never in a dream had I ever known I was dreaming. So that meant I wasn't dreaming? But then where hell was I and what the hell happened?

"No, this is all quite real. You see you were chosen for an… opportunity to set wrongs to right." He said.

Although, I didn't feel like I was in any danger, I could certainly sense some bullshit going on. Vague answers always annoyed me.

"Uh huh. I'm sorry, but do you mean you want me to fix my wrongs, is that it? Or fix wrongs done to me? Maybe going back in time and never dating that scumbag?"

"Er, no." He said frowning. "Not quite all that."

He sighed and ran a hand down his face, as if I was being particularly obtuse, which I was, of course.

"Please, don't sugar your words. Just spit out your deal or send me back to my hotel." I crossed my arms over my chest. I guess I could have left, but I was too curious. It's going to be my downfall one day.

"Very well. Your skepticism is a key component to your nature. I suppose this shouldn't be surprising." He leaned forward. "Maggie. I am a member of the Valar. Are you familiar with that term?"

My eyebrows burrowed together. "Yes," I said slowly. "Weren't the Valar the first Elves? Or the creator of the Elves?"

"Almost, we are godlike creatures who created the world. But not your world." He paused. "It's complicated."

"Oh." What to say to that? "Are you saying Tolkien's works are real?"

"In a sense, yes. Quite real, and happening alongside your reality, in fact. In a sense, I am Tolkien as these are stories of my reality. In this reality, your reality, it is stories, movies. In that reality, they too, have stories and myths from this reality's culture and history. There are countless other realities." He explained.

"This sounds… made up to me." I shook my head. "But why am I here? You said to right wrongs?"

"Yes, some things have changed in the story. The darkness grows faster than is meant to happen. Subtly, things have changed for the worse and I fear if events continue to unfold as they seem to, that Middle Earth will see the Age of the Orc instead of the Age of Men. Soon, Middle Earth will simply be a wasteland of nothing and no one as Orcs kill everything and anything, even each other."

"Wow." I said. "That does sound serious. What could make that happen? And why should I care?" I didn't mean to sound so unsympathetic, but if things are happening in an alternate reality that was nothing to do with my reality, what does it matter to me?

"I do not know for certain. It's possible…" He leaned back in his chair and sighed. "But I'm afraid sharing my theories will only upset the balance more should you choose to undertake this challenge."

"But why would I? I mean, why would you pick me?" I asked, again.

He considered me for a moment, then steepled his fingers under his hefty chin.

"Like Bilbo Baggins was chosen for his journey, not because he wanted it or would be the best pick for the task, you were chosen for your need of an adventure as well as your steadfast, capable, and generous heart amongst other admirable qualities."

"You're going to send me back in time, or what would feel like back in time to me," I amended when he looked like he was going to interrupt. "Because I need it?! Because I have a good heart?"

"Do you doubt your courage? Do you doubt your capabilities?"

"You bet I do! I'm on vacation in London, which I haven't even seen yet because I'm in a dream-like state talking with freaking JRR Tolkien himself, because he wants me to take a journey to Middle Earth for a year to go to Mordor with the Fellowship?!"

He winced. "Actually, that's not quite right. We haven't really discussed the particulars."

"What?"

"In particular, I'd like for you to go to the time during the Hobbit. I think it best if Thorin Oakenshield or one of his heirs to survive the Battle of Five Armies. The Oakenshields are good lads, and any one of them would do well to sit on the throne as King Under the Mountain."

"And that will fix the imbalance?" That wasn't too bad, just a few months I think. Damn, was I really considering this? Am I mad?

"It would be a start, I believe." He hedged. I frowned.

"Do I even come back from this journey?"

"It is as possible to return you as it is possible to send you there."

"I see. There are sixty years between the Hobbit and the Lord of The Rings."

"Approximately so, yes."

"And I'm human. That's a lifetime."

"Yes, in regards to that, I'd like to alter your species."

"You can do that?"

He gave me a reproachful look.

"But seriously, pride aside. Have you ever done it before?"

"Yes, of course."

"How many times?"

"Er, three."

"Three!? Is it dangerous? Does it hurt?"

"Well, not exactly dangerous. You have to welcome the change to your body. I've heard said that there is a bit of pain and discomfort involved. Essentially, I would adding a bit extra to every cell, rewriting your physical code. But your essence, what makes you, you will stay the same."

I snorted. "That's comforting. So pain, change species, live 60 plus years in another world without electricity, and lots deadly creatures, all to ensure that those marked for death don't die?"

"In a nutshell, yes."

"And then… what?"

"What do you mean?" he asked, tilting his head.

"Do I just die there? Do I come back here and I'm 26 again with the memories of a centurion? In London?"

"You will come back here, in London at age 26, and with no memories if that is your wish."

"Hm. And I'd be half what? Half human, half dwarf?"

"Elf would be best I think."

I frowned again, but shrugged. Elves were beautiful, can't argue that. And immortal so there was that too. I was quiet for a few moments trying to let all this information sink in.

I loved Lord of the Rings, ever since I saw the first movie in middle school. I remember looking up at the big screen hoping throughout the movie that the "cute one" wouldn't die. That "cute one" was Legolas played by Orlando Bloom. It was the first time I'd heard of Tolkien and the Lord of The Rings books and I demanded them for Christmas. I spent all the rest of Christmas day and up until New Year's reading the books and then the Hobbit when I got my hands on it. I had started to read the Samarillion thinking that if the Hobbit was a prequel, surely that would be a sequel which I desperately wanted. But alas, it was the prequel to the prequel, and I never finished it. I did, however, sport quite a few Mrs. Bloom purses from Claire's to my sister's extreme distaste.

I'm kind of kicking myself about not reading the last book now. Maybe then I'd know more about this man sitting in front of me.

I started chewing on a fingernail. If this was all a dream, it was the most fantastical dream I've ever had. But if this really was real, then what?

Go to Middle Earth, grow old, and meet Elves, Dwarves, and all the people from the books? Those books are all about epic battles and a lot of people died. Am I prepared to go to war?

That last thought got me. What happens if I died before I fixed things? Or at all?

"You will end up back in your hotel room, none the wiser. I will not allow you to die, although you may get hurt. I can only step in if you are mortally and fatally wounded."

Well, that answers that.

"I have no battle skills. I'm not particularly active and I'm definitely in no shape for a battle." I said. Not quite true. Winston had made me go with him to gym at least 3 times a week, so I actually was in okay shape. But holding broadswords and killing things bigger than me, I don't think I can handle with my level of fitness.

The meme that says "On a count of zero to Mordor, how far did you walk today?" took on new profound meaning.

"Do not fret." He said. "I can add certain helpful attributes to your physical code." DNA I mind shouted at him. You're talking about DNA! He paused but continued. "I will add extra grace and strength as you will. I will not set you up for failure as they say in this world. It simply won't do to put in so much energy and effort for this endeavor for you to die at the hands of the very first Orc you meet." He smiled lightly. "I would not do this if I did not have absolute faith in your success."

Alright, well, that was actually comforting for once. But…

"But if I don't succeed?"

"I hope it will. I truly do, but perhaps if it does not…" He cleared his throat. "If it is a failure, then so be it. It is the will of fate. My hands will be tied. But you, dear girl, needn't worry. Like I said, I will keep my word and return you to your current life, memory-free."

That's true. If I succeed or fail, I won't remember. I couldn't tell if he was being blasé to calm my worries or if it really would just be fate. But fate itself was a funny thing. Was it fate for me to be here?

I feel like there's a key piece I'm not getting, but I couldn't figure out what it was I needed to ask.

"Child. I don't mean to rush your decision, however there will be some downtown while you get used to your new elven body. Durin's Day is the say you should aim to be at the Lonely Mountain. That way, if you are detained for whatever reason, it gives you a few days leeway before the battle. It would be easiest to place you there, but since there will be the change to consider, it would be best to place you near Lord Elrond. He is a master healer, after all, and he will guide you through the changes. Please make sure you ask for him when you arrive there if, of course, you decide to go." He said with his calm, placid smile.

I felt my teeth grind. Looks like my decision was made. But one last question.

"We haven't talked about payment for services rendered." I said. "This is a huge undertaking and I cannot do it for free. Besides, incentive is necessary for a job well done."

"Is not a free trip to Middle Earth, a place of myth and legend enough?"

I gave him a look. I didn't go to Law School for nothing. Or well, I suppose I did, since I didn't finish.

"Indeed, you bring up a fair point. For services rendered as you put it, what is your price?"

I thought about it. I would have no memories, so money would come out seemingly out of the blue. He was a Valar, a god of Middle Earth. Surely, he had to ask a favor of the Big Guy in my reality to get me to go there. Or maybe not, who knows? I wasn't about to open that can of worms. Should I ask to go back in time to not date Winston? That seemed silly, it already happened. But I am a silly girl so…

"I'd like to be introduced to my soul mate when I get back. The person who was made for me and I for him. If such a person exists, I want to meet him immediately when I get back."

True love was a good price. I felt very proud of myself.

He nodded, sagely. "Very wise choice, Maggie. I'll see it done. "

"Okay. I'm in. I'll go and I'll kill the bad guys and save the good guys to the best of my ability." I said, standing.

"That's the ticket!" he said standing as well. "Very good Maggie, very good indeed! Now, I recommend that after the Battle of Five Armies as The Hobbit ends that you lay low until the Lord of The Rings, unless you deem fit to step in, of course. Maybe in Rivendell, since you will be familiar there with Lord Elrond. Also, perhaps a trade might be wise? Are you naturally good at anything? Textiles, maybe? Woodwork? Blacksmith?"

I shook my head. "Er. No, none of that. I went to school to become a lawyer, but I didn't finish."

"Ah, no matter." He said. "Perhaps you should be a hunter then. Perhaps it is naturally in your bloodline a human. It would only be magnified as an elf."

"Sure." I shrugged. "I guess I could go be Katniss."

"No, no, that reality is much too bleak my dear."

"What?! That's real too!"

He chuckled. "I am joking. No, that one is not real. Simply a story."

"Oh god, that would be terrible." A thought crossed my mind that perked me up. "Wait- what about Hogwarts? Is that a real story?"

"Yes- and no." He said. "Yes that reality is real, but it is not quite as the story goes. I promise I will tell you about it another time. However, time is of the essence not. I think it best to get started."

"Is there a contract to sign?"

He blinked and in front of him laid a parchment of terms and legal jargon. I grabbed it and started reading but a lot of it was just normal legal speak and I found myself skimming through most of it. It seemed in order so I grabbed in the fountain pen on his desk and after a moment of trying to figure out how to use a fountain pen, signed my name with a big flourish just like Ariel in the Little Mermaid.

Or at least that's who I felt like when signing away my life.

"Good, now that is taken care of, I have taken the liberty of providing appropriate attire for you. It is in the water closet behind you."

It took just a moment to remember water closet was the bathroom. I walked in and closed the door firmly behind me. On a hook on the wall, there was an outfit. A simple pale blue dress with long slits in the skirt, a pair of darker leggings to go under, with some odd underwear that definitely took a little bit to figure how to put on. On the cabinet next to the hook, was a pair of thick socks and a pair of well-worn brown leather boots, and a brown cloak. A piece of leather cord was left which I could only assume was for my hair. No rubber bands in Middle Earth. On the floor, laid a back pack, but not like any I'd seen except for in movies. A quick inspection of it, showed that the contents were an extra change of clothes, more socks, some water skins, and food wrapped in oil skins. Oil skins I only know about because I've read a few period romance books, but glad to know that wasn't entirely brain candy.

Though I doubt that author would ever believe her books were helpful in that way.

I braided my hair back as a finishing touch. I wish I could keep my normal undies because this stuff felt weird. I guess it would be comparable to a guy who only wore briefs suddenly wearing boxers. Not that it was totally like that or totally weird, but it was different. It would take some getting used to. The dress had a built in corset thing, not to the point where my boobs were right under my chin, but just so they didn't move. It was a little harder to put it on with just me, but there was no way in hell I was going to ask Mr. Tolkien out there.

Finally I was done and I left the bathroom, nearly tripping on my skirt on my way out.

"Yes, it is a little big, a little too long. During your change you will grow from your height of 5'4 to a height of 5'8. Elves are naturally taller than men. Are you ready my dear?" He asked.

"Yep. I'm ready." And I was. Kind of.

But that was the last thing I could say to him, because he suddenly exploded into that blasted white light thing again. Everything faded to white and I felt the light push into my body, through my chest. Then it all faded to black as it completely entered my body. Or I lost consciousness. I'm not sure which.

What I am sure about is that when I opened my eyes next I was standing on a moss covered forest floor.

Also, Tolkien was a liar. A big, freaking liar.

It was more than a little pain, more than a bit of discomfort. It was a lot of pain, and a whole lot of discomfort.

In fact, I think I might be dying.

So? How was that? Like where this is going? Don't like? Think it's not original enough? Let me know!

Oh also, let me know about the chapter lengths! Is it too short?