Alright, this chapter was difficult to write. I had two directions I could have taken with this story, and I settled on this one. I apologize if it seems unrealistic, or if I'm stretching things to make them fit but, I feel like this way, I can have the girls grow more and it gives me more to do than just reciting the book with them in it.

I hope everyone likes where I'm going with this story. If anyone wants to know the other direction I was thinking of going, send me a message and I'll tell you. Perhaps I'll make it into a second story, kind of a sequel to this one... I don't know lol.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except for Arianna and Isabella. I just enjoy taking them out and playing with them :).

A special shout out to TheChildGrim for figuring out how the girls had activated the arch in the beginning of the story! And many thanks to LadyDunla for her awesome reviews!

Chapter 9: Rivendell and Decisions

The company finally reached the end of the narrow passageway. Stumbling out onto a large ledge, the girls looked out, their mouths falling open in astonishment. Bilbo was standing next to them, a look of awe on his face.

"Imladris, the Valley of the Elves and home of Lord Elrond." Gandalf announced to the group. Thorin's face grew dark and he scowled heavily at the wizard. Noticing this, Gandalf continued. "This will need to be handled with tact and respect… and not a small amount of charm either" he stated, looking pointedly at Thorin.

"Therefore, you will leave the talking to me" he finished, amidst sounds of laughter from the girls. Thorin turned around to glare at them, but they had changed their faces to ones of such innocence that his harsh words died away into a single snort. Shaking his head, he trailed after Gandalf.

"Hey Bilbo, what does Imladris mean?" Arianna asked the hobbit. "I'm not sure, but it's name in the common tongue is Rivendell." Bilbo answered, his expression still one of awe.

The girls looked at each other and grinned. Rivendell!

Whenever she looked back on the next few hours, Arianna would find herself wishing that she could return to them. They had been full of awe at the beauty of the elves, joy at still being alive, and full stomachs from the elven food, even if it was mainly salad. The elf, Lord Elrond had invited them all in for food and drink, during which Gandalf introduced the girls to him. When they told Elrond their story of finding the arch and being pulled into it (something they hadn't even told Gandalf yet), he had just nodded in understanding and told them that after dinner he would tell and show them all he knew. Extremely excited about finally getting some answers, Arianna had tried to eat her dinner as neatly and quickly as possible. Granted, she could have eaten it like a wild animal and still have been neater than the dwarves that surrounded her but, it's the thought that counts.

Once the meal was over, Gandalf gestured to the girls to follow him and the elf lord out of the room. They were led down several hallways and stairs until eventually, they found themselves standing in a circular area. It was open to the outside: the border defined by a waist high wall with pillars attaching it to the ceiling. It was all made of white, flawless marble, which had taken on a pinkish hue from the setting sun. Looking out, the girls could see the waterfall at the other end of the valley. And there, standing in the center of the room, was an arch.

It was almost identical to the one they had found at Hogwarts, except that it was made from the same marble as the circular veranda that housed it.

Arianna stared at Elrond and Gandalf. "I'm afraid I don't quite understand. Why is this here? What is it exactly?"

"This,' Elrond gestured to the structure, 'is Ardh Annon, or the 'World Gate'. It was placed in Rivendell for protection by Gil-galad before The War of the Last Alliance. Upon his death, it remained here in secret. It's twin's location has been lost for centuries, hidden somewhere in Middle Earth."

"World Gate?" Isabella asked, at the same time Arianna questioned, 'It's twin?"

"The most simplest explaination would be that it connects worlds, as long as an archway exists. All one has to do is say the name of the world they wish to travel to and the portal will take them. In the first age, it connected 8 worlds together, including Arda and Alba, which is the name of your world. They had been used in times of war, allowing each world to aid each other as needed. Unfortunately, With the rise of Sauron, the alliances failed, and most of the worlds destroyed the archways, frightened of the vulnerabilities it now created for them. And yes each arch had a twin, in case something happened to one of them. A safety measure of sorts."

Both girls were gaping about the Elf Lord, in slight shock at learning that there were other worlds out there, nevermind the fact that they had access to them! Shaking her head slightly, Arianna focused on the first thing she could. "Alba? That sounds almost celtic."

"Yes. Named by your Merlin I believe" Gandalf answered, much to the shock of the girls. "You knew! You knew the whole time!" Isabella accused him.

"I suspected, never knew." Gandalf corrected her. "I was telling the truth of never having heard of Hogwarts."

"So what do we do now?" Arianna asked, shaking her head again at deceptive wizards.

"I've never used Ardh Annon before, therefore I don't understand all of it's intricacies. I don't know what is waiting for you in your world but, I would strongly suggest that you return to it. You have friends and family that miss you and are probably searching for you." Gandalf answered.

"But… what about the quest? We can't leave Fili and Kili, Bilbo, or Bofur, or even Dwalin and Thorin! Even if the last two don't like us, they're our friends! We want to help." Isabella had tears in her eyes, torn between going home and not abandoning those that she had become close to.

Arianna stood there silently, thinking.

"Alright. We'll go home." She said with finality. Isabella looked at her in horror. "What? We can't leave!"

"We have to. We've been gone for weeks and Gandalf is right. My father is probably ripping his hair out." Arianna gave Isabella a pointed look, trying to convey to her that she had a plan. Gandalf had been quick to suggest that they leave and she didn't think he would allow them to go through with her plan without a fight. Thus, she decided that she would explain it to Isabella when they got back home.

"I have sent word for your companions. They are being brought here to say good bye." Arianna nodded to the elf lord in thanks.

Before long, 13 dwarves and the single hobbit walked in, confusion evident on all their faces. Isabella had missed Arianna's look therefore she was trying her hardest not to cry.

The brothers and Bilbo had concerned looks on their faces at the sight of Isabella's tears, and Fili turned suspicious eyes on Elrond. Arianna took a deep breath and acknowledged that this was going to suck.

"We've... well, we've figured out how to get home... and our families are most likely worried about us. We need to go back to be with them. We're going to miss all of you terribly." She knew it was a lame goodbye, but she never claimed that she was any good at them.

She couldn't look at any of them. She didn't want to see their expressions of betrayal and hurt. They had finally started accepting them and she couldn't deal with leaving them. Isabella felt tears running down her cheeks and heard someone walk up to her. Glancing up from her now destroyed shoes, she saw that it was Kili. He had a gentle smile on his face as he reached up to wipe away her tears. "It's okay, we all understand. You were brought here suddenly and you need to go back to your world." She leaned down and put her head on his shoulder, choking back a sob. Even though he was half a foot shorter than her, he still managed to make her feel safe and protected.

While Kili was comforting Isabella, Arianna watched warily as Thorin walked up to her. 'Oh great… he's going to yell at us for leaving… or punch me for that potato comment finally' she thought.

Surprisingly, Thorin did neither. Instead, he placed his hands on her shoulders, saying "Thank you for helping to save Kili's life when I could not. We are in your debt and I hope you have a long and happy life." Arianna was flabbergasted but touched at the same time. "Thank you for putting up with us Thorin Oakenshield. And… I'm sorry for insulting your intelligence… and calling you a potato." She finished with a slight bow, and therefore missed Thorin's small smile that he hadn't quite been able to hide. With one last squeeze of her shoulders, he walked away.

Fili and Kili came over to her then, having said their goodbyes to Isabella. Giving her a hug, Fili wished her a long and happy life as well, his voice breaking slightly. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and squeezed his hand. Kili hugged her next, making her promise to keep pulling pranks on people, and to start writing them down, in case they ever met again. Balin and Bofur came up to her next, clapping her shoulders and nodding, not quite sure what to say.

Bilbo was saying goodbye to Isabella when Arianna saw Ori standing towards the back of the group, his head down. Smiling softly, she walked up to him and wrapped him in a hug. "Goodbye Ori. I will miss telling you stories." Isabella walked up to the two of them and wrapped him up in a hug as well. "You are a sweetheart Ori. Don't let yourself change, ever" she added, having finally gotten control of her tears.

Walking back to the archway, after having given her favorite "burgla-hobbit" a huge hug and kiss on the forehead, Arianna felt herself stopped by a hand on her shoulder. Turning around, Dwalin was standing there, a slightly less prominent scowl on his face.

"Your riding skills are adequate" he said, looking slightly uncomfortable at his compliment to her and quickly walked away. Arianna fought the urge to giggle; it would not have been appreciated by the very serious dwarf. Both girls approached the rest of the dwarves, for even though they hadn't become as close to them, they were still important to the two friends. Lots of handshakes and shoulder slaps later had the girls back up by the archway.

Having said goodbye to Gandalf and thanked Elrond for his hospitality, the girls took one last look at their company. Kili was staring at Isabella, while Fili looked between the two girls with sad eyes. Arianna found herself locking eyes with Thorin; his gaze was intense and for a second, she almost changed her mind. But she knew that they had things to do and thus had to leave. So with a sad smile, she grabbed Isabella's hand and turned to the arch.

"Alba."

Night had fallen over Rivendell as the guard rushed through the halls to the library, when he knew his Lord and Mithrandir were deep in discussion. Bursting through the intricate double doors, he quickly cried "My Lord Elrond, Mithrandir, it is as you suspected. Ardh Annon is awake and something is coming through!"

Rising, Gandalf and Elrond walked quickly to the area holding the archway. Entering the room, Gandalf saw two figures, cloaked in black, standing in front of the now inactive structure. Upon seeing him, the two figures removed their hoods, revealing red and black hair.

"Gandalf, how long have we been gone?" Arianna asked. The wizard examined her. She was thinner and her jaw appeared tight, as if she continuously was clenching it. Looking over at Isabella, he noticed that her once long hair was now cut short, with messy spikes in the back and longer pieces in the front hanging over her eyes. She looked strained, an unusually serious expression on her face. Both girls looked older from the last time he had seen them as well.

"Just three days." He responded. Curious, he asked "Isn't that the same amount of time that you were in your world?"

The girls exchanged a look, before Arianna spoke again.

"No. We were there for a year."

Well... there it is! Answers will be coming in the next chapter as they explain to Gandalf what happened when they left 3 days ago.

Please review and let me know what you think! Even if it's bad... just be nice about it please, lol. I'm a little worried about all your reactions. *crosses fingers*