A.N. So tempted to change the settings on this story. It's under crossovers right now (because it is one), but not as many people see it. Anywho, thank you to all of you who have been reading! I really appreciate you!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters and plot points.

"Let him go," Gandalf said, putting a hand on Danica's arm to stop her from following Thorin.

Trying to swallow back tears, she sat back down. "Is this really the right course? I mean, I know it's the most logical, but something doesn't feel right,"

Elrond and Gandalf shared a look she couldn't quite decipher.

"Take the next day to think on it," Elrond suggested. "We will not force you into anything,"

"Thank you," she tried to smile, but her lips just wouldn't cooperate. "How are Laneia and Gilean?"

"Gilean is well. He still tends the aviary, though it is not as busy as it once was. I am afraid Laneia is gone,"

"Gone?" Danica's heart dropped like a stone in water.

"She took a ship to the west three summers ago. I am sorry,"

The evening just seemed to get worse and worse, and she suddenly wanted sleep more than anything. She was afraid to ask about the twins.

"Is my room available?"

Face softening in understanding, Elrond nodded. "Some of your things are still there as well. None of us could bear the thought of getting rid of them,"

Curiosity about her foster siblings grew, until she could no longer stay silent. "Elladan, Elrohir, and Arwen…are they…?"

Finally, Elrond smiled. "They're here. They will be happy to see you once you have gotten some sleep,"

Able to relax a little, she excused herself, and began making her way to her room. It disturbed her just how empty the place felt, like it was turning into a ghost town. Though she didn't want to admit it, she knew that's exactly what was happening. It all felt like an era was ending. She hoped that whatever came after would be good. As she passed the aviary, it suddenly struck her that Kaine would be long gone. Heart aching even more she wondered who had taken care of him, and if he'd had a good life. Gilean was nowhere in sight. It almost came as a relief because she did not feel like she had the energy for a reunion at that moment. Her feet practically dragged up the stairs, but she finally made it to her room.

A breeze stirred the gauzy curtains ever so slightly, making the already deserted place seem even more so. The loss began to overwhelm her, and she collapsed heavily onto the bed, tears streaming down her face. With the blankets and pillows muffling any sound, she let her sobs escape her, unrestrained.

She stood on the edge of a white cliff, looking out on a bare valley. Across that valley lay a mountain range black as night; a perpetual storm cloud hanging over the land that lay beyond. Never having been comfortable with heights, she took a couple steps back, and realized that she hadn't been on a cliff at all. She was standing on top of a city built into the side of the mountain. The more she looked, the more familiar her surroundings became.

"Minas Tirith," she murmured. "Which makes that-"

"Mordor,"

Heart jumping into her throat, she turned, and nearly sobbed at the sight of Kili. Beaming, he ran, as she did, and they practically flew into each other's arms.

"How are you here?" she asked through tears and laughter.

He just smiled. "Mahal protects us, and Illuvatar is gracious,"

She blinked. "That doesn't really answer my question,"

Continuing the mystery, he laughed, and hugged her again, but didn't say anything else. After that, they just watched the storm rumbling in the distance. It was the only sound, as a silence had fallen over the rest of the city.

"It's so still," she said, voice quiet for fear of shattering the silence. "Is it always like this?"

Kili crossed his arms over his chest, looking suddenly like his uncle. "No. There was always the sense that something could happen, but this is different. As if everyone knows something will happen,"

Somehow, she knew it too. "Is this the present, or future?"

"I'm not completely sure, but I would say the near future," he looked at her for a moment, then smiled.

"What?" she asked when he continued watching her.

"You are so lovely. No wonder Uncle fell in love with you,"

Blushing, she smiled and looked away. The pleasure faded somewhat as she remembered how Thorin had looked earlier. "I don't think he felt so today,"

"Of course he did, but what happened today?"

"We arrived in Rivendell, and were told that we should part ways,"

"Ah, yes,' he sighed. "He likely wasn't upset with you. With so many of his memories gone, he will be struggling with his duty to his people, and his desire to stay with you,"

Danica wrapped her arms around herself. "It's all getting so messed up,"

He looked over at her again, then took her hand. She held on as tightly as she could, thankful for what comfort he tried to give, but aching that he would be gone when she awoke.

"I've remembered so much about the quest, and who he and I were together, but we just seem to be moving further and further apart. My whole purpose when I first came here was to save all of you, but now I'm being pulled away from him for a purpose I can't even remember, and I can't figure out why those memories are blocked. None of it makes any sense,"

"Because so many things did not go according to plan," a different voice said.

Lady Galadriel stood next to the white tree, expression neutral and unreadable. Despite this, and her words, Danica felt relief.

"It is good to see you, my Lady," she smiled, which had the elf lady smiling as well.

"And you. You had us all concerned. It is a relief to know that you are safe and well,"

Unable to keep up with the small talk, Danica launched into her questions. "What did you mean, 'things didn't go according to plan?'"

At this, Galadriel's lips twitched in amusement. "Aside from being unable to send you back to your world, we were also unable to keep your identity safe, and you brought your husband with you, which none of us thought was possible. It seems nearly impossible to predict what course your future will take,"

"So, would it be useless to ask what I should do next? Gandalf wants me to travel with him to Gondor, which I know could help, but something feels wrong about it,"

"Something feels wrong about leaving Thorin," Galadriel corrected, causing Danica to nod sheepishly. "That is understandable, but I also know how the dreams, and lack of memories trouble you,"

"Yes. Sauron is a great enough threat without whatever power and information he thinks I have. If I can't learn how to control my own mind, no one will be safe,"

"I agree,"

When Galadriel didn't elaborate right away, Kili gave a small, frustrated sigh. "Would it not be more helpful to just answer her question?"

Danica raised a brow, even while Galadriel continued to smile. Apparently, death had done very little in helping his patience.

"Find Radagast, if you can," Galadriel said. "We had given him the Arkenstone many years ago to try and remove the darkness that lay on it. Our hope was that, instead of being a bridge between you and Sauron, it could protect your mind from him, and other dark magic,"

"Did he succeed?" Danica asked.

Now Galadriel's face and voice darkened a little. "I am afraid I do not know. We have not heard from him in some time,"

Feeling Kili's hand squeeze hers ever so slightly, she looked up to see his jaw clenched.

"What is it?" she asked.

There was a tension radiating off him and Galadriel that put her on edge. While the elf's seemed like mere concern and suspicion, she could tell that Kili knew something.

"That is something you should discuss another time," Galadriel interceded, though she, too looked curious. "For now, we should try to free your mind from whatever has been keeping it blocked,"

She was still frustrated, but trepidation overrode it. "Are we sure that's a good idea? Last time I tried that, my brain nearly exploded,"

"Do not worry. I will make sure nothing happens to you,"

Before agreeing, Danica looked to Kili for reassurance. When he nodded, she took a deep breath.

"Alright,"

Like she had in Rivendell so many years before, Galadriel held out her hands, and once Danica touched them, all else faded away. For a while, everything was dark, with voices whispering around her. She tried to focus on one at a time, but was afraid of missing something important.

"We do not have the strength to fight both Mordor and Isengard!"

"Who, then do I trust?"

"You must trust yourself,"

"Nine companions…"

The voices continued their nonsensical babbling, but she was able to realize that it all revolved around the Ring, and the war that was coming. She still couldn't see if the ring Frodo had was the One, but Sauron must be sure it was within his grasp, otherwise he wouldn't be putting his plans into motion. Though she didn't know when, she could see him moving against the kingdoms of men, bent on erasing them from the face of the earth. With the elves fleeing, they were no longer a threat, and the dwarves had always been too centered on themselves to be concerned with the rest of the world. The only exception could possibly be Fili. Forgetting about trying to regain her memory, Danica steered her vision go to the young king of Erebor, and the land he ruled over.

Sixty years had been good to Fili, maturing him, but not really aging. His countenance was strong and full of authority, but warm and kind as well. She could see he still carried the loss of his family, and felt the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders. Sauron had already tried to tempt him into an alliance twice, but Fili had refused, and had worked with Dain, Thranduil, and the king of Dale to push the orc forces out of the north. He was now discussing with Thranduil what their next move would be, and resented being tethered to the throne when so much of the fight was elsewhere. Danica tried to hone in on what they were saying, but something dark began to creep along the edge of her conscious.

"We need to leave," she heard Galadriel say.

"Who is it?" she asked, feeling a darkness closing in around them.

"Someone who has more power than you. If you do not withdraw, he will be able to discover where you are, and come find you,"

"Is this the same person who was helping Sauron try to take me away?"

"Danica, there is no time," Kili's voice was urgent, and she could feel him tugging at her. Galadriel's image began to fade from her mind.

"No! Wait! I still-"

"Danica!" Kili grabbed her by the arm and yanked her back. It was just the two of them standing on Minas Tirith again.

"Damnit!" she yelled in frustration. "I still have so many questions,"

"And no time. You have to wake up,"

"Why?" Even as she asked it, she could feel the dark presence growing stronger. Panicking, she looked around frantically. "How do I wake up?"

Kili's face was troubled as he looked at her, then to the edge. "I have an idea, but I don't know if it would be safe,"

"Only one way to find out," moving before her nerve could fail her, she tore away from him, jumped off the cliff, and fell to the stone below.

P.S. Had to change quite a bit of that dream, and figure out exactly where I wanted this to go. Haha. On a side note, playing Mario Party, and getting my butt whooped. So bad.