Chapter 2 – Six Years Later….
Over the course of the next six years, under the tutelage and protection of Lord Elrond and Gandalf the Grey (whom she was often travel to see the rest of Middle Earth and became her grandfather figure) Nanoha learned much about the world of Arda and the history and cultures of the many races who inhabited it. She continued to meditate to expand her linker core and become stronger than before. Despite her lack of experience, she had demonstrated considerable magical talent. Many of her techniques are improvised from already learned abilities. She was able to cast new spells like Stardust Fall, a spell that uses to lift up rocks into the air and send them crashing down onto the enemy. She specializes in shooting skills but has a balanced set of abilities, with variations in both her defensive and offensive power. She also learned hand – on – hand combat technique and to use weapons like bow and arrow, sword and dagger to preserve her magic. Her barrier jacket had improved. Her old barrier jacket has three modes; Sacred mode, Aggressor mode and Exceed mode.
The Sacred mode is an improved of her barrier jacket including filed generators on the shoulders, gloves and other defensive enhancements. Aggressor Mode's design changes including the replacement of the long skirt with a mini-skirt, a waist attached cape and the inclusion of long white socks and gems on the shoes. Exceed Mode is similar to Sacred mode but bulkier.
However, not only was she no closer to finding a way home, but a dark shadow was growing in fair Middle Earth and it was spreading steadily. Gandalf had grown very troubled and anxious at late, for upon investigating the Necromancer in Dol Guldur he had discovered the villain's true identity was in fact Sauron. He knew the Dark Lord has arisen again and would soon declare himself. He knew that the Dark Lord was preparing for another great war.
"I must find some means of dealing with Smaug. But a direct stroke against Dol Guldur is needed still more. I must disturb Sauron's plans." The wizard muttered to himself as he smoked his pipe by the fire in the Hall of Fire. So deep in thought was he that he had forgotten Nanoha with Raising Heart was also there, studying a scroll by the firelight. Raising Heart discovered flight mode where the jewel grew a pair of pink wings and started flying around Rivendell. She suddenly spoke without lifting her eyes from the scroll. "Yes, I don't understand why Saruman ignored about all of this." Gandalf startled himself back to awareness. "Knowing how big threat and dangerous this Sauron is and what he's capable of. Weakened or not, wouldn't it be better to stop him now before he regains his former strength? During my days in the TSAB (Time – Space Administrative Bureau), we were taught that the best defence can be a good offense."
"In this case, I would have agreed with that." Gandalf said, looking at his companion with renewed interest.
"But the question is that how to go about it? Any suggestion" he asked.
"I suggest we could try to force his hand before he's ready." Raising Heart suggested. "That way he would have to reveal himself not even Saruman can ignored the threat. I don't like fighting but it seems to me a small one would be preferable to a great one. If you wait any longer, it could turn into a terrible war involving the whole of this world." Nanoha answered.
"We?" Gandalf asked.
"Yes, we. Raising Heart and I want to help. I grew fond of this world and I'd hate to see it ruined; as long as I stay here I defend it. Even against the protocol." She mumbled the last sentence.
"It's too dangerous." Gandalf said for he had become as fond of her as she to them. "There's no need for you to risk your life."
"Gandalf, you're forgetting my job. I was nine years old when I become a contract mage, fought many enemies that can cause my life. Heck I was dying back then when I first arrived here in Middle Earth. I was an Air Captain and the Ace of the Aces of the TSAB. The TSAB provide help those who in need and if I can help save lives, that's enough reason for me to help." The wizard stared at her for a moment before letting out a sigh of resignation. He knew that look, the look of determination and loyalty. If he tried to leave without her, she would just end up following after him on her own, regardless of whether or not she had his or Lord Elrond's blessing.
"My dear, Nanoha. You never cease to amaze me. Yes, I suppose I shall have to bring you and Raising Heart along now. Go and pack your things. Tell Lord Elrond. We leave on the morrow." The wizard said.
"Where are we going?" she asked so she would know what to bring.
"Might I inquire as to where you are setting of to?" Elrond asked curiously as he entered the hall.
"Oh well, it occurred to me that I had been neglecting Nanoha as of late, so I thought I might take her to the Shire for a little adventure." Gandalf answered.
"I see." Lord Elrond replied with a tone that implied he didn't believe that was the whole story. "Nanoha, your weapons are in your room. Be sure to bring them for safety precaution." He told her with concerned and worried look in his face. In the next morning, Nanoha dressed herself in her travelling clothes which are white blouse with blue hemline, trouser and boots, her long bow and a full quiver of arrows attached at her back and her sword, Moonlight is attached at her waist. Raising Heart rested at her chest. Her brown hair is tied the left side of her hair.
As they travelled Gandalf told her of his plan to have the Dwarves retake the Lonely Mountain or Erebor so that it would be occupied by potential allies rather than a sure enemy. Thorin Oakenshield, who had been living in exile with his people ever since they were forced from their homeland by Smaug, was troubled too. Gandalf had promised to help him if he could since he was as eager to see the end of Smaug as the Dwarf.
Nanoha found herself that she quite liked the Shire. It reminded her of Earth. They have rolling green hills, dirth paths, woods, little streams and gardens. Hobbiton gave the impression of being much more peaceful and cozier than Bree. The hobbits themselves were a bit peculiar-looking with their short build, odd ears and wooly feet but they seemed pleasant enough. Fortunately, they found that Bilbo was home that day. He was sitting on the bench in his lovely little garden at Bag End, enjoying the smoke. Nanoha smiled slightly in amusement when Gandalf reshaped the hobbit's smoke ring into a butterfly. It fluttered back into his face. The pleasantly plump hobbit coughed and blinked as he looked around, a bit confused and flustered by the sudden influx of smoke, for his eyes had been closed. He had not at all been expecting it.
Bilbo POV
It had been a long time since he last saw the wizard that he had quite forgotten what he looked like. All I saw was an old man with a staff and a young brown haired woman. The old man had a tall pointed blue-grey hat, a long grey cloak, a silver scarf over which a light grey beard hung down almost to his waist and immense black boots. The woman wore her long brown hair in one side of the head with a bow ribbon tied to it, her travelling clothes that were white and blue in a mix of the styles of Elves and Men, a bow and arrows, sword on her waist, sturdy boots and her unusual eye color which is violet. She was also wearing a red jewel hung around her neck. For the moment, I would think she might be an Elf, for I had never seen anyone with violet eyes before and hadn't even though such a thing were possible. I quickly realized that couldn't be the case because she didn't have the pointy ears.
"Good morning." I said, wondering what they were doing in front of my house.
"What do you mean? Do you wish us a good morning, or do you mean that it is a good morning whether we want it or not or that you feel good this morning or that it is morning to be good on?" Gandalf asked.
"All of them at once, I suppose." I replied. "Can I help you?"
"That remains to be seen. We are looking for someone to share in an adventure." He said. I nearly dropped my pipe.
"An adventure? No, I don't imagine anyone west of Bree would have much interest in adventures. Nasty, disturbing, uncomfortable things. Make you late for dinner! I can't think what anybody sees in them!" I said feeling trouble at first as I got up and removed my morning letters from the mailbox and began to read, pretending to take no more notice of the old man and his young companion. I had decided that they were not quite my sort and wanted them to go away.
Third POV
"Good morning!" Bilbo said at last as he turned away from them, clearly meaning to end the uncomfortable conservation.
"Hmm. To think that I should have lived to be good-morninged by Belladonna Took's son as if I was selling buttons at the door!" Gandalf huffed with disappointment. "you have changed, and not entirely for the better, Bilbo Baggins."
Nanoha blocked them as she focused around her. "Raising Heart, increase Spatial Awareness." She had telepath to Raising Heart. "Yes, my Master." Raising Heart replied. She closed her eyes. The map of whole Shire appeared inside her mind. She saw hobbits tendering their garden, walking around in the market and children chasing around away each other. She also saw the borders of Shire where she found some rangers patrolling the land in sign of danger. She was brought back when Gandalf said "It will be very good for you – and most amusing for me. I shall inform the others. Come along, Nanoha."
"Inform the who? What? No. no. no – wait!" Bilbo said. "We do not want any adventures here, thank you. Not today. Good morning! Goodbye!" with what the hobbit scuttled inside his round green door, and shut it as quickly as he dared, not to seem rude.
"I think that went rather well, don't you?" Gandalf asked her as he stepped up and, began scratching a rune on the beautiful green door with the spike of his staff. Nanoha raised an eyebrow at him. "Is that legal?" Raising Heart asked. Nanoha just shook her head. "You're terrible." She told him with a smile. Then they strode away to let the Dwarves known the game was afoot.