AN: I swear, I have to thank everyone who has reviewed in every single author note. Bloody hell. And to all you hooded figures in the back, don't be shy.

As the story moves on, and the characters start to pile in, the fear of writing them wrong increases… I'm really worried about keeping everyone true to character so please let me know if I should tweak their dialogue or actions, or generally if their personality seems off.

Also, the whole "I'm from another world" talk is a very delicate scene and I tried making it as logical as possible so I'd really like to know what you think.

Thanks for reading! Cheers!

Chapter VI

Of Talking and Taverns

The Grey Wizard's bushy eyebrows shot up past the brim of his wide, pointed hat and he fixed me with a most puzzled look. He scanned over me rather quickly, his blue eyes lingering on my blue hair for a moment, and then finally came to the conclusion that I was, relatively, harmless.

"I don't mean to be rude as you seem to know me," Gandalf began, tentatively, "but would you be so kind as to give me your name?"

"Emily," I told him. "Emily Parker."

He inclined his head slightly. "Well, Miss Parker, I would like to say that it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, but, I am afraid, the circumstance and place of our meeting take all from it. Forgive my curiosity but, why are you in such a foul place?"

I licked my lips nervously, shifting my weight from foot to foot as I grew more anxious. "I was taken here... and held prisoner. I don't know how long, a… a month or so?"

Gandalf looked to the Dwarf at his feet.

"Oh, it wasn't Thrain!" I explained. "He was a prisoner too, longer than me. It drove him mad! Really, he wasn't like this!"

"King Thrain?" Gandalf sputtered. "The rightful King under the Mountain?"

"Yes," I answered as he bent down to examine Thrain's body. Gandalf took his hand, the one which had bore the ring, and looked at me sharply.

The Wizard approached, his gaze intense. "Who was it that kept you?"

What do I say? He wasn't supposed to find out about Sauron just yet. Right? Then again, I wasn't supposed to be here. Was I ruining the timeline? Changing things?

"Someone evil…" I answered gravely. At least it wasn't an outright lie. "Please, get me outta here."

Gandalf gave me one final, deciding look. He knew I was withholding information but he also knew I was scared shitless. He nodded at me once.

I never knew an old guy could run so fast! I was tripping over my boots just trying to keep up with him! Gandalf led me through the maze of Dol Guldur with expertise—every turn seemed deliberate and certain. It was probably more likely that he had me fooled into thinking he knew what he was doing seeing as he's been BS-ing his way out of situations for a long time; I wouldn't put it past him.

I felt like total crap for leaving Thrain behind like that, unburied, exposed to the elements. He deserved better—a great tomb in his honor, to be brought back to his people. To his son. But if I knew Thrain at all, he'd have been pissed at my even considering such things. Lagging behind for sentimental reasons and risking my escape. "I never took you for a fool, lass," he'd say, "Don't go and prove me wrong now!"

"Watch out for the vines!" I shouted to Gandalf as we entered an area of overgrowth. "They grab ya!"

As if at my words, said vines sprang to life, trying to entangle us both. Gandalf's staff struck the ground once and the jewel fixed atop the knot of wood began to glow brightly. The vines recoiled from the light, shrinking back at the Wizard's command. Had my heart not have been racing, I might've shouted "The power of Gandalf compels you!" but, thankfully, I stayed focused on running for my life.

I was surprised the angry plants were the best Sauron threw at us, but I guess he didn't want the Wizard's attention. If he had actively stepped in, Gandalf would have surely known something was up and Sauron wouldn't be under the radar anymore. I suppose losing me was the better option for him even if I could rat him out later. Sauron probably thought that it'd be better if I exposed him rather than if he exposed himself. That sounded wrong, but you get what I mean. At least this way, there was room for doubt.

We didn't take the bridge exit like I thought we would. Instead, he led me out a backdoor hole in the wall that opened to an almost vertical drop. I half-ran, half-fell down the slope but reached the bottom all the same, sporting a few more cuts and soon to be bruises.

"Hold on," I panted. "I need… a breather…"

Gandalf looked from me to the fortress with unease. "We mustn't wait long," he said, watching our surroundings apprehensively. "I fear your absence has not gone unnoticed. It is very likely that we'll be pursued."

"Great," I groaned. "Bring on the giant spiders!"

He gave me an incredulous look. "Spiders are the least of our worries, Miss Parker," Gandalf chastised. "There are far more pressing matters at hand than that which can be remedied with a boot!"

Gandalf stalked off into the forest, glancing back to make sure I was following.

"Giant spiders, though," I continued, trailing after him. "As big as a car— er, a horse."

The Wizard scoffed. "Giant spiders in the Greenwood? Why, that's unheard of."

"Greenwood?" I repeated to myself. "Oh, right." It wasn't referred to as Mirkwood yet.

"You wouldn't happen to have seen any of these creatures you speak of?" he asked me pointedly.

"No..."

"Well," he said as if that settled it. Point and check. Fine.

"Where are we going?" I asked, stumbling on the uneven forest floor.

"As far away from those ruins as possible," the Wizard answered vaguely.

I rolled my eyes behind his back. I glanced around at the trees; even in the day they looked sinister. My foot got stuck in between a tangle of roots and I bit back a curse. Stupid tree.

"Do keep up, Miss Parker! We must make haste."

"Yeah," I called back as I stooped down to claw at the roots. "Just a lil… stuck."

A flake of snow fell in front of my eyes. I had to twist my ankle and pull really hard to wriggle my boot free of the roots. Damn tree seemed like it wanted to eat me! I looked up but didn't see Gandalf or hear his footsteps anymore.

"Gandalf?"

The flurries increased in number and panic washed over me. Déjà vu.

"Gandalf!"

I rushed off in the direction I'd last seen him. The snow was everywhere now, the forest one of pines. Wait a sec. This wasn't… No way. Where the hell was Gandalf? I spun around and my heart leapt into my throat. A few feet from me stood a man in a red, plaid coat, a rifle slung across his back, and two dead rabbits hanging from his belt—the hunter.

How…?

HOW?

My heart was pounding, my mind racing. He can't be… This can't be happening. This wasn't happening!

There was no use hiding my fear and the hunter didn't bother hiding his unfeeling eyes. Déjà vu.

I ran.

And so did he.

The trees flew past me as blurs of brown and green and the vast sea of white was disorienting. I could hear the pounding of his heavy boots behind me, so close I swear he was an arm's reach away. Or perhaps it was my thundering heart. I didn't dare look back for fear of confirming the former. I don't recall breathing or blinking or even running. It was as if my body was operating on its own as my mind tried to process what was happening. Déjà vu.

A shot rang out and part of a tree trunk splintered just ahead of me. I yelped and dove out of the way. Glancing back, I saw him cocking the rifle, ready to aim. I scrambled to my feet and ran blindly, no longer knowing which way my house was. He fired again, the shot so close it made my ears ring. Déjà vu.

One misplaced step and I found myself falling forward and down a steep hill. I tumbled every which way and despite my best efforts, couldn't slow my descent. The snow did little to soften the fall as every stone and twig beneath it seemed to find me. In fact, all the snow managed to do was soak through my clothing and chill me to the bone.

Déjà vu. Déjà vu. Déjà vu!

I rolled and toppled head over heel until I didn't know which way was up. It was probably only a few seconds but it felt like forever and when I stopped spinning, my vision didn't. I let my head plop onto the cold ground and stared blankly as the world spiraled and spun and swirled. All I recall is the pine trees circling around me like vultures and the pure white snow covering everything in a blindingly bright oblivion.

Crunch… Crunch… Crunch…

The hunter's red figure emerged over the steep hill. He looked down at me passively, rifle in hand. A tight frown crossed his features as he started down the incline towards me.

"Why'd you run?" the hunter asked, annoyed. "All I wanted to do was to show you a good time. To have some fun."

I shuffled backwards. No, no, no, no!

"Don't you want to have fun?" he growled, nearly upon me.

I bolted, stumbling over my feet in the deep snow. Tears in my eyes. This isn't happening!

"Sarah!" he shouted after me, using the fake name I had given him. "Stop running!"

The rifle cocked then fired. I fell to my knees in a heap on the ground. I shut my eyes, afraid of a second shot. But it never came. Why didn't it come…?

When, I opened my eyes, the snow had gone. I was alone.

Scared and utterly confused, I huddled against a tree trunk. I had no idea what had just happened and I was terrified that it'd happen again. I had wanted to go home, yes, but not like that. Not there, not with him… I didn't know what was worse—facing Sauron or that hunter.

Needless to say, I went and had myself a little cry. Then when I realized no one was coming after me and that I was just sniveling next to a tree, I wiped my nose and stood up. This forest didn't seem as menacing as before. Sunlight streamed through the leaves and birds chirped merrily in the branches. Great. Where was I now? I straightened my backpack and looked around. I might as well do something useful and see where I was this time. I crossed my fingers and prayed for Hogwarts or Narnia or generally, some place where I'd be less likely to be eaten or mugged.

I made it to a wide dirt road in almost no time. There was a grassy plain on the side opposite the woods yet luckily, I didn't see many wildflowers—I wouldn't put it past Sauron to pull the same trick twice. Not much else to do, I followed the road, hoping it took me somewhere safe.

After awhile, I took off my winter coat and draped it over my arm. I unbuttoned my navy blazer and let out a loud "phew!" I admit it—I was in desperate need of a shower. I probably smelt worse than the boys' locker room after a football game. Geez, Dol Guldur was nas-ty! Not even allowed to bathe! That Sauron—what a prick!

My heart sank at the thought of the fortress and who lay there for the crows. Thrain should be with me right now… Feeling the sun on his face, breathing the fresh air. It wasn't right. It wasn't fair. I thumbed away a tear in my eye. I can't do this now. I had to be strong. I needed to think clearly. There would be a time to mourn my friend but now wasn't it. I took a deep breath.

"And where might you be off to, Emily Parker?" came a booming voice behind me.

I spun around wildly, losing the breath I held. Some ways down the road, I spotted the Grey Wizard, ambling along, using his staff as a walking stick.

"Gandalf!"

I couldn't decide if I wanted to hug him or ream him out for disappearing. Or maybe I was the one who had disappeared…

I waited for Gandalf to catch up. He stopped next to me and leaned on his staff. "It would be some coincidence that I should find you here, Miss Parker, walking along as if it were only yesterday."

"How should I be walking, then?" I asked, confused by his words.

"Well, before seeing you now, I'd have been surprised if you were walking at all," he told me. Gandalf scrutinized my face for a moment. "You haven't aged a day."

I frowned at him. "A day? It couldn't have been that long!"

"That long?"

"It's only been a few hours—tops!"

The Wizard looked down at me with a brow raised, the brim of his hat casting a shadow over his face. "Miss Parker, since now and the last I saw you, over ninety years have passed."

My mouth gaped like a dying fish. "N-ninety…?"

Gandalf shrugged. "Ninety and one, to be more precise."

"But that's… that's impossible," I breathed.

"Yes," he agreed. "Yes, it should be…"

As I stood there, trying to process the information over again, Gandalf mulled something over and nodded. "Well, it's settled then," he finalized.

"What's settled?"

He looked down his long nose at me, knowingly. "I think, it is about time that we had much needed discussion, Miss Parker, don't you agree?"

And the way he asked was Gandalf-speak for "I'm a Wizard, don't argue with me."

Apparently, as Gandalf had told me, I'd been wandering in Chetwood Forest which was nowhere near Mirk—uh, Greenwood. In fact, it was much farther West, in the land of Bree which was also the name of the village where we were headed.

We continued down the road until we reached the tall wooden gate surrounding the town. Gandalf looked sideways at me for a moment before removing his hat and shoving it down on my head.

"Best not attract unwanted attention with your… startling hair," he explained.

I had the distinct impression that he was trying not to be offensive. But I was wearing the iconic Gandalf hat and the fact made me damn near giddy! I pulled the brim down a bit, grinning at him. I conjured up the deepest voice I could and shouted, "Better be… Gryffindor!"

Gandalf gave me a wary look. "It might be best to refrain from outbursts like that, Miss Parker, if we are to maintain any degree of privacy."

"Right, okay."

"In fact, it may be best if you just remain silent when in public."

I sighed and mimed zipping my mouth shut. He stared at me for a moment longer before marching up to the gatekeeper to grant us entrance. There's a good chance he thinks I'm nuts.

Once inside Bree, I was a tad disappointed that it wasn't too exciting—people mulling about, doing menial tasks. Although, I did have a minor freak out when I saw a few incredibly short fellows. I slapped Gandalf's arm excitedly as I would have with Jen. "Look, look! Hobbits!" I grinned, hanging onto the Wizard's sleeve.

"Yes, Miss Parker, I have seen my fair share of Hobbits, thank you very much," he grumbled, shaking me loose. He scanned the buildings for a moment, probably wanting to steer me as far from the public eye as possible. "This way."

Gandalf led me to a small inn with a green hanging sign above the door, depicting its namesake: The Prancing Pony. Wicked.

Even in the middle of the day, it was dimly lit, full of somewhat shifty-looking people. I steeled my expression as we made our way through the crowd. For some reason, I wanted to look as badass as possible. If only I had a leather jacket and shades.

The Wizard nodded to an older man behind the bar who gave a slight wave. I assumed he was the owner.

"Can we sit over there?" I asked, pointing to a corner of the pub by the window where I was pretty sure Aragorn had been lurking in Fellowship.

Gandalf looked to the corner table then to me and sighed. "If it makes that much of a difference to you, fine," he nodded, turning to order something.

"Thanks," I smiled, trotting ahead of him to save our spot.

The Wizard sat across from me, moments later. "Miss Parker, you mustn't take this situation lightly."

I sobered up, stopping myself from looking around in awe. "Sorry. It's just… It's been weeks since I saw outside that awful place… I didn't think I ever would again till you came along."

Gandalf gave me a curious look. "After we escaped the fortress, what became of you?"

"Well… I…"

"Yes?"

My shoulders slumped. "Maybe I should start at the beginning…"

The Grey Wizard nodded. "Perhaps that would be best."

Oh, boy. Here we go…

"I don't know how much I should say," I told him honestly which earned me a raised brow. "I'm not from around here."

"That much is obvious, Miss Parker."

"I mean, I'm really not from around here," I stressed. "You won't find it on any map in Middle Earth."

"Then, where, pray tell, are you from?" he asked, humoring me if nothing else.

"The… United States?" I said sheepishly.

He frowned at the name. "Well, you are correct in saying that no such place exists in Middle Earth. If at all," he added.

"I'm not making it up!" I defended.

Gandalf held his hands up to settle me down. "Now, I never said you did anything of the sort. But you must agree that such a statement is… difficult to believe when no evidence is given."

Evidence, huh? I turned in my seat to dig in my backpack; Gandalf craned his neck to get a better look at what I was doing. I pulled out a history textbook and let it thud on the table. "Here's your proof," I smirked, pushing it towards him.

The Wizard carefully opened the text, the spine cracking slightly. I watched as he slowly flipped through the glossy pages, completely enthralled. "I have never seen anything like this," he murmured. "Nor have I heard of such events or places." He stopped to study a world map and I bit my lip. "No, this is foreign to me," Gandalf announced, sounding a little put off. "It seems what you say is true. Somehow."

When he finished with the book, I put it away, just as a waiter of some sort arrived. I think Gandalf was the only one in the pub being served; the others had to go get their food and drinks. Wizard perks. "Your red wine, Mr. Gandalf, sir," he said, setting down two glasses.

"Oh, I don't drink," I declined politely.

"They are both for me," Gandalf said, exasperatedly. "I anticipate they'll be much needed by the time we're through here…"

The waiter guy set down a steaming bowl, buttered bread and a cup of tea in front of me. "And soup for the… l-lady," he said, pausing as he glimpsed my blue hair beneath the wide hat. "I-if that'll be all?" Gandalf nodded and he left us in a hurry.

"Geez! I could eat a cow!" I grinned, picking up a spoon. "Thanks!"

As I tucked in, I saw the Wizard shake his head then down a glass of wine. Was I really that weird? Well, I already knew the answer.

"Where I come from we know all about Middle Earth," I told him, in between mouthfuls. "Like, we know about its history and… important stuff. That's how I recognized you and Thrain."

"You mean to say that this otherworldly knowledge flows in but one direction?" he posed. "So that the history of Middle Earth is obtainable where you're from yet not the reverse?"

I nodded slowly. "That's… a pretty good way of putting it."

This only seemed to frustrate him more as he sighed heavily and sat back in his chair. "And to what extent is this knowledge?" Gandalf asked. "From the First Age to present day?"

"Uh… well. Not exactly…"

"Well, do tell me," he said moodily, throwing a hand up. "Seeing as I've apparently been ignorant of such goings on, I'm impatient to know."

"Our knowledge kind of goes… farther than present day…" I said, pulling a nervous face.

"Farther?" Gandalf repeatedly, incredulously.

"Yes?" I squeaked.

The Wizard frowned deeply. "So now you tell me that people of your… homeland are prophets, yes? Is that what I am to believe?"

"Well, no… Aside from maybe one. There was this guy by the name of Tolkien who wrote about Middle Earth and published his works for everyone to see… And I read them, is all," I explained.

I could tell Gandalf was getting a little fed up at my amazing story, or the fact that he wasn't sure if I was telling the truth or just damn crazy. He pulled his wooden pipe from his robes and lit it with a snap of his fingers. Magic was so cool. No, no, focus, Em.

"His books basically covered up to… I think, the Fourth Age," I told him.

Gandalf started choking and, I swear, smoke came out of his ears. "The Fourth Age?"

"Yeah."

His bushy brows furrowed. "Miss Parker, if what you're saying is true, then you personally would have knowledge of events to come, yes?"

I nodded a few times, eyes wide. "Ooh, yeah."

"That would be a most distressing possibility should it be true," he considered.

"It is true!"

Gandalf dismissed me with a wave. "You wouldn't happen to have one of this Tolkien fellow's books, have you?"

I sank in my chair. "No…"

"Forgive my hesitance to believe you, Miss Parker, but you must admit, your claim is quite incredible if not unbelievable," Gandalf said. "Although, I suppose the whole nature of your story is remarkable and this may be one more such instance."

"So… you believe me, then?" I asked, hopefully.

"I have not yet decided," he answered truthfully. "But if it is any consolation, I do believe that you're not trying to deceive."

"Hm." I twisted my lips to the side. Maybe if I gave him a prediction…? A tiny one.

"So, how came you to Middle Earth, Miss Parker?" he inquired. "One could deduce that it is not a common occurrence, to say the least."

"I… was sort of hoping you knew what was going on," I replied lamely. "Like were there any magical wormholes in the area lately or…?"

He cleared his throat and tilted his head as if he suddenly changed his mind about shaking it. "Worm—? No, no, I'm afraid I have never encountered a person in your situation nor have I heard of anything like it," Gandalf told me. "If what you say proves to be true, I could perhaps take you to the head of my Order. He may have insight which I do not."

"Sarumon the White?" I squeaked and I saw him raise a brow. I couldn't tell if he was impressed or not. "No, that's okay. I'd rather not."

I ran into Sauron by accident and I sure as hell wasn't going to purposefully run into his first in command (future or otherwise).

"I was thinking maybe Galadriel could help," I said. Honestly, she was my last hope. If she told me I was shit outta luck, then I'd be officially screwed.

"The Lady Galadriel? You feel your destiny lies in Lorien?"

"Well, not exactly," I shrugged. "It's just she's got powers and all."

Gandalf huffed indignantly.

"I mean, she can see things others can't. Normally, I'd place all my chips on you in the What's Going On Department, believe me, but she's my best guess… So, do you think we could go? Or could you point me in the right direction…?"

Gandalf leaned back in his chair. "You ask for a Wizard's advice and then immediately disregard it."

"I just don't want to bother him," I lied quickly. "Being the head of the Order and all, he's probably really busy… doing Wizard stuff."

He raised a bushy brow at me. "And my, as you put it, 'Wizard stuff' is unimportant enough to be put on a hold then?"

I blushed. "But… I am your Wizard stuff. Partly. I mean, don't you want to know what my deal is? I'm like the biggest liability in the world right now—literally! I mean, what if the Necromancer found me?"

Gandalf glanced around the pub then looked at me seriously. "It may be best to avoid using that name in places where any may hear it."

I slowly nodded. "But you do want to make sure You-Know-Who," I fought back a smirk at my own reference, "doesn't get any info from me, right?"

The Wizard set his pipe down and steepled his fingers, peering over them at me. "It is…concerning that a sorcerer would have interest in you, Miss Parker. Although undoubtedly strange, I find no qualities that warrant such attention from dark forces, lest your claim of knowing the future is true. Be that the case, it would be wise to keep you well-watched and protected." He inclined his head and if he were wearing his hat, the brim would just shield them from sight. "Now. If you could explain to me how you came to be in…Dol Guldur," he lowered his voice to a whisper, "I would be most appreciative."

I bit my lip, unsure of how to go about this. I mean, how much do I reveal?

"Well…" I started off, dipping my bread in the remaining soup and taking a bite. "I was just walking home and… I fell down a hill and I must have hit my head or something. I really don't know but when I came to I was in Mir—er, the Greenwood. Like when I went missing for ninety-one years; it was only a few minutes for me. I was in one place then I was gone… Suddenly in another. Totally clueless."

I pursed my lips in thought. "But anyway, I just wandered around the Greenwood, lost, and then… he found me. Took me prisoner back there."

"He…" Gandalf's eyes were distant and I was sure this had been on his mind the entire time. "The name you called him… was it given to you by him? Or is he known by another name…?"

Well, shit. Gandalf knew. He probably knew before I ever ran into him too! I'd bet money on it!

I nodded slowly.

"What is his name, Miss Parker?"

I stared deep into his eyes and I just had to tell him. I had to tell someone. I couldn't just keep it in. Since when was my heart beating this hard? I leaned forward and whispered, the name tasting bitter on my tongue. "Sauron."

The candles around the room flickered, at the sound of the name or from a coincidental breeze, I wasn't sure. Gandalf closed his eyes wearily, slowly pinching the bridge of his nose. This was heavy. Even if he had expected it, been waiting for it, it was still the worst news possible.

"You have to believe me, Gandalf," I whispered, my eyes prickling. "I get that it's crazy but, I do know things to come. That's why he kept me, to get inside my head. I've seen him, Gandalf."

He looked at me again, all traces of fatigue gone. "What did you tell him, Emily Parker?" Gandalf asked fiercely.

I blinked, trying to recall everything he had seen through my mind. "Uh, n-nothing important."

"What did you tell?"

"His name. I recognized him and he knows that. He… saw some of my family, uh, just stupid memories." I ran a hand through my fringe. "I kept fighting him off. He wanted to know about… what's his. But I kept it from him."

The Wizard stared at me, unblinkingly. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah… pretty sure."

"You must be absolutely certain, Miss Parker!"

I nodded. "Okay. I'm certain… I mean, if he got the information about it, he wouldn't have needed me anymore."

Gandalf furrowed his brow. "And just what information have you?"

"Where it is, who has it… who's going to get it."

He sighed, putting away his pipe as if it had lost its appeal. Although, he may have been iffy about my story before, after Sauron having been brought up, he couldn't afford to not believe me. I mean, despite all odds, if I turned out to be telling the truth and he denied it, some serious shit could go down.

"If you were able to fight off his will," Gandalf began as if it sounded absurd. "Then he must be in an incredibly weakened state… but that does not make him any less of a threat."

"You don't have to tell me," I put in which earned a disapproving look from the Wizard.

"Still his forces would bend to him," he continued, almost talking to himself. "Although low in number now, he may still sway others to his side. There are few terrible creatures in Middle Earth whose allegiance lies with no one and even fewer who will not side when the time comes."

"Have any in mind?" I sure did. A certain great, big, terrible, fire-breathing, gold-hoarding lizard, that is.

"There is one I've given some thought to… for some time," he conceded. "A powerful beast of whom I am sure could be used for great devastation should our enemy gain its loyalty."

Yes…? YES…? I was on the edge of my seat, waiting for him to say it!

"Well," he said, leaning back in his chair. "I do think this calls for another round… would you care for more tea?"

I deflated. "Yes, please."

Gandalf nodded and stood, looking down at me. "I trust you won't disappear by the time I get back? It would most inconvenient for me to keep your tea hot for another ninety years."

"I'm not going anywhere," I smiled, feeling rather sheepish. It wasn't my fault I had time jumped before… or something.

I watched Gandalf leave and slouched, looking around at the other people. There were mostly men that I could tell, older with unkempt hair and beards, tattered clothing. I assumed most of them were farmers or smiths. I didn't see any hobbits which was a shame. I'd like to get the staring out of my system now.

I rested my chin on the palm of my hand. So much had happened… I could barely make sense of it. Maybe it didn't make any sense to begin with. Wizards and villains? It was unbelievable. Yet here I was in the middle of it all.

The door of The Prancing Pony opened, letting me know it was nearly dark out. We must've been talking for hours! My eyes ghosted over more of the patrons in boredom but then I paused. I had to double take for a moment as I glimpsed a man sitting alone at a table. I couldn't see him dead on but I was immediately drawn to him. He had long dark hair that was braided in a few places and wore a casual-ish tunic and pants. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing muscled arms and I spotted a sword on his belt. As I stared, he turned his head slightly so that I saw part of his face. A long, straight nose and a bearded cheek.

No, no, no… Seriously?

I stood quickly so that my chair clanged to the ground behind me. No one seemed to notice as the tavern was filled with voices and laughter. Over my shoulder I couldn't see Gandalf in the crowd. I bit my lip, debating what to do. I was sure it was him. And that made me nervous. It felt like I had butterflies knawing at my stomach—what was I? A lovesick schoolgirl?

Ahem.

I started to approach him but chickened out and turned back around. Nope. I can't do this. Where the hell was Gandalf?

Ooh! C'mon, Emily! You're not asking out a crush, just talking to… talking to Thorin Fucking Oakenshield. No big deal, right?

With a groan of uncertainty, I glanced back at him and surprisingly, he was still seated. I half expected him to have disappeared, maybe to have come up behind me or done something ninja-esque. But no, he was just there, having a quiet drink. I nodded to myself. I had to do this. Just break the ice with a casual, "You come here often?" or "Hey, do you work out?" or the ever so classy, "Were you just forged in the fires of Mount Doom? Cuz damn! You're looking hot."

Yeah, I'm hopeless.

I came up behind the unsuspecting Dwarf-king, looking like some sort of nutso stalker. My eyes were as big as saucers, staring at him like he was the ghost of my dead great-aunt. I stopped a few feet behind him, breathing heavily—oh, why am I such a natural creep? I wiped my sweaty palms on my skirt then decided against tapping him on the shoulder to get his attention. He seemed like the type with mad reflexes and I'd rather avoid a punch to the throat.

So now what? It looked like I was either going to ask him to prom or gag him with chloroform. I opened my mouth but no sound came out. Talk, Emily! Talk!

Bloody hell, I felt sick. Oh, no, no. Don't throw up on him! No matter what, Emily Parker. Do. Not. Throw. Up. On. Thorin.

Alright, the longer I stood here, the worse off I became. I had to move. You've got this, Em. I slowly inched around the table so that I entered his line of vision. Oh, I hoped he hadn't realized I was creeping behind him for like five minutes!

Thorin straightened when he figured I wasn't going to leave and looked up from his pint to meet my gaze. His eyes were dark in the dim room, appearing a deep indigo. If it weren't for the expectant look coming from them, I could've stared into those eyes all night.

I grinned at him which looked more psychotic than cheerful to be honest, given my slightly ill disposition. He was waiting for me to talk. Right. Uh.

"Hi!"

I cringed at the sound of my voice as it came out louder and higher than anticipated. I thought he'd just ignore me or tell me to buzz off but instead, he gave me a slow nod as if he weren't sure what to make of my sudden, awkward appearance. Despite my better judgment, I kept talking.

"So, um, you don't know me but I know you. Well! I don't know you, I mean, we—we've never met... Until now! Ha, we're meeting now for the first time ever, so we've met!" I chuckled nervously. "But um, you know, we're still kinda strangers and all! Well, I'm a stranger to you but you're not to me. If that… that doesn't make any sense, does it? But it does, actually," I faltered. "It's just uh... What I mean to say is… I… well, I just wanted to say 'hi' which I already said so… there's not much else to…"

I gaped at him, my hands twitching as I fought off my fight or flight instincts. "Myname'sEmily. Nicetomeetyou," I threw at him rapid fire.

And in that moment, as I stood there awkwardly and Thorin looked on somewhat concerned, I knew that for once, possibly in the history of everything, that throwing up on someone would have probably been a better first impression than the one just made.

Was it too late to turn tail and run…?