I Reunite With an Old Friend

In a few minutes, I was ready to go. I packed my bag quicker than quick. It’s not like I had a lot to pack anyway.

"I'm making the right decision," I told myself. "But how can I be sure? Maybe I should wait another day so I'm absolutely positive." I sat down on my bed to think.

"Oh, what is wrong with me? Why am I being so complicated? Well, maybe I should consider everything carefully and rationally. Oh how things have been so contradictory lately. First, Galadriel tells me to stay. Well, she didn't say 'Fawnabelle, you should stay here'. She said that she didn't want me to be there for what happens during the war of the five armies..." I thought aloud. I stood up.

"Five armies?" I asked myself. "I don't think she mentioned five armies. But why would I say five armies? Why would there be so many armies? There's the dwarves, the elves, the men..." I started to pace around my room. I heard voices in my head saying something over and over.

"I can't think! Stop talking to me!" I grumbled, covering my ears. I closed my eyes and sighed deeply. Then I finally heard what they were saying.

"Foresight," they said echoing in my head. I opened my eyes but shut them again. I shivered as a huge gust of wind blew harshly against my body. I forced my eyes open to see where it was coming from.

"Wh-Where am I?" I blurted. I was in the middle of some sort of courtyard but the buildings were all in ruins. The wind blew again and it nearly knocked me over.

"I have to get out of--well, wherever I am and go somewhere where the wind won't reach me," I shivered. When the wind stopped for a brief moment, I ran to the wall across from where I was. The wall shielded me from the wind and I was able to warm up again. I looked to my right and saw buildings. I looked to my left and saw more buildings.

"I could be anywhere! I didn't even try to bi-locate here," I complained. I heard a familiar sound in the distance. It was a horn.

"The war call?" I thought. I looked up and saw a big mountain towering over the buildings that stood in front of me.

"Well, at least I know where I am now. The Lonely Mountain looks so majestic from down here," I said in awe and wonder. The wind blew and I heard a horn again.

"Goodness that's an extremely startling sound," I thought.

"Fawnabelle! Thank goodness I found you! You really must try to get that bi-location in order. Have you any idea the trouble I've been through to find you again?" a voice said. I looked around and I couldn't see anyone.

"Well, that's interesting. I thought I heard someone--" I turned around to see a certain robin hovering in front of my face.

"Oh it's you!" I exclaimed. I held out my index finger and he perched on it.

"Yes it's me. Radagast sent me to--"

"I haven't seen you in so long! What have you been up to?" I asked.

"Not much. But I came to tell you that--"

"I've been up to quite a bit lately with this adventure. But if I'm being honest, sometimes I wish it were over. I miss Bag End sometimes and I--"

"Fawnabelle Baggins, please listen to me!" he chirped loudly as he flew up to my face. Startled by his sudden movements, I apologized immediately.

"It's alright, Fawn," he sighed. "Anyway, what I was trying to tell you was that Radagast was given a location that you should go to by Gandalf. Apparently, Gandalf had a feeling you would want to come back to the company of Thorin and for whatever reason he wanted to make sure you go to the right place."

"Well I'm not surprised that Gandalf was right. Would you mind taking me there?" I replied.

"Yes, I'd be happy to show you where to go and maybe we can catch up after all this time," he said happily. I laughed and followed him through the old abandoned town.

War is Near and I Must Make a Decision

"What can she mean? 'Much more to accomplish'? Me? What could I possibly accomplish?" I thought as I threw myself on my bed.

"Maybe I shouldn't go back. What could I possibly do anyway?" I said aloud. The light of the sun setting gently touched my face. I walked to the window and looked out. I thought about Bilbo and the dwarves. I thought of walking through Mirkwood and how that same forest was between me and Bilbo. I thought of Gandalf and...

I heard a loud horn and I jumped out of my bed. I landed hard on the floor.

"Ow," I whimpered. I got up and ran to my window to see what that sound was. I saw... nothing.

"Well, that's funny. I thought I heard a-" and the horn blew again. I let out a scream and jumped. Thankfully, I landed on my feet this time.

"Where is that coming from?" I asked aloud. I heard a knock at my door. I turned and saw Lady Galadriel standing there.

"Good evening, Fawnabelle," she said gently, walking towards me.

"Hello," I replied. I started to blush, wondering if she heard me scream out of surprise earlier.

"Do you know what that sound was?" I asked.

"That was the war call," she answered.

"War call?" I repeated.

"Yes. The war call of our kindred elves in Mirkwood. They are going to the Lonely Mountain to fight," Galadriel explained. I sighed as I gazed at the sunset.

"Why must there be war? Why did I have to leave Bilbo? Why did Gandalf give me that herb back in Rivendell? Why did I have that dream? Why did I leave the Shire?" I asked in despair. I sighed again.

“No one has the answers to all the questions you have. I don’t think anyone ever will,” she said with a smile.

“I expected you to say that. I guess we’ll never know why things happen the way they do, will we?” I thought aloud.

“Most likely not, my dear hobbit. I think it’s very wise to not expect any answers and to just accept your circumstances. But if we do get answers later in life, we shall appreciate them all the more,” Galadriel responded, comfortingly. I nodded my head in agreement.

“I want to go to Bilbo. But I also don’t want to make a mistake. Please, Lady Galadriel, won’t you tell me what I should do?” I begged, looking into her radiant face. I closed my eyes as she leaned down and kissed my forehead. I opened my eyes to see that the sun had set and the stars began to twinkle.

“I must go to Bilbo,” I said aloud. “Yes... I must.”

Decisions, Decisions

After a week of tedious training with Galadriel, I decided to return to The Mountain with Bilbo and the dwarves. I felt that she didn't want me to leave so soon but I felt that I needed to see Bilbo. We took a walk as the evening was passing by so I tried to help her understand why I needed to leave.

"The dwarves love Bilbo to bits but they tend to keep to themselves and not interact with him every once in a while," I explained. She just nodded in agreement.

"I'll have a bag packed with provisions for you," was all she said. She started to walk away.

"Is there something I should know before I leave? I feel like you're not telling me something," I said as I stood in the hall, looking at her. She turned around and just looked at me.

"You understand that I would advise you only to your benefit and well-being," Galadriel thought aloud.

"Yes, of course. But why do mention this? Have I not listened to your advice as you wished me to?" I asked, walking towards her.

"You have and I see that you desire to have my blessing," she replied.

"Then why have you said these things?" I asked intently.

"War is coming to the Mountain. It comes closer as every moment passes. Something unseen is at work. I do not desire you to witness it and its outcomes. As you know, I cannot see the future for it is beyond my power. But something tells me you will not benefit from whatever will come to pass. I fear that you will be injured or even killed. You have much more to accomplish," she explained.

"I understand your concern. But couldn't I do some good? Aren't I capable of defending myself?" I questioned. Galadriel just smiled at me and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"I believe you can make a wise decision now that you see my perspective. I hope you may be enlightened and be confident with your choice. Good luck, Fawnabelle Baggins," she said wisely and walked away. I shuffled around the numerous staircases before returning back to my room.

Training in Lothlorien

"When do I begin?" I asked when I had finished dinner. Lady Galadriel looked at me from across the table and smiled.

"You can begin now if you like," she answered. I nodded and she stood from her chair. Then she started walking out the door.

"Wait, where are you going?!" I shouted. Then a voice came into my head, "Try appearing in front of me."

"But I don't even know where you are!" I thought. She didn't answer back. 

"Do or do not; there is no try," I repeated to myself. I imagined myself standing right in front of Galadriel. When I opened my eyes, I was surrounded by trees.

"Wha- where am I?" I pondered. 

"See yourself in front of me," she urged in my head. "You can do it, Fawnabelle." I tried again and saw a large pond, stretching so far that it met the horizon. Unfortunately I was floating above said pond and when I looked down, plop! I fell in the water. I stuck my head above the water and caught my breath. 

"This isn't working!" I whined, floating above the water. 

"Do or do not there is no try," I repeated aloud. I started to swim to the shore before I was about to fall off a mountain cliff. I stepped back and braced myself against the wall, trying to catch my breath.

"You've got to be joking!" I exclaimed. I sat down at the edge of the cliff and pouted. 

"In front of Galadriel... not on a cliff!" I groaned. I looked down and saw that my skirt was completely dry.

"Well," I sighed, "at least I'm not wet anymore." I blinked and suddenly I was standing behind the Lady Galadriel.

"I knew you could do it," she said as she turned and faced me.

"Except that I appeared behind you and not in front of you," I sighed and looked down to the floor.

"Do not lose hope, Fawnabelle. You simply need practice," she said encouragingly. She led me to a corridor and down a flight of stairs. I saw Lothlorien in its nightly beauty and my breath was taken away. 

I'm Back In Lothlorien

I ate all the food that the elf had brought me. I was so glad that even though I was in two places, both of my stomachs were full of food.

"Thank you so much," I said gratefully.

"You're very welcome, Miss Fawnabelle. Is there anything else you would like?" she asked.

"Actually yes, could you tell me where I am?" I asked.

"You're in Lothlorien," she answered with a puzzled look. 

"Again? But how?" I questioned.

"You never left," Galadriel said as she entered the room.

"Lady Galadriel!" I stood up and bowed. "I don't understand. I thought I had left! What happened to me?" 

"It was not long after our conversation that you were escorted to your room. You seemed unconscious but able to walk. You couldn't talk nor hear anything I asked you," Galadriel explained.

"I really have to work on this bi locating thing," I thought. I heard Bilbo laugh.

"You will learn in time. Patience is key," she replied, using her mind reading trick.

"I am amazed every time you speak to me in my mind," I said aloud. She laughed.

"I can't burden Bilbo with this. He can't guide me all the way back to the Lonely Mountain... I know! I can stay here and strengthen my skills! You can help me!" I exclaimed.

"I will do what I can but I cannot guarantee you will fully learn about your gift while you are here," Galadriel mentioned wisely. 

"I know I can't learn everything. But I also can't have Bilbo worrying about me. I'm just not sure if it's the right thing to do... I wish Gandalf were here," I sighed sadly.

"Mithrandir will not always have the answers. You must learn to listen to your heart. Do what your heart tells you," she advised.

"I've been given a gift and I can't help anyone if I don't know how to use it. All I can do is try. If it doesn't work, then it's not meant to be," I thought aloud.

"Then we shall see what happens. Good luck, Fawnabelle," Galadriel said. I closed my eyes and began to see a very blurry Bilbo.

"Bilbo?" I thought. "I'm going to stay in Lothlorien. I don't want you to worry about me. I'll be back when I'm ready."

"No, please don't go," I heard Bilbo say. Tears started to fill my eyes. When I opened them, I was still in Lothlorien. 

"Are you there, Bilbo?" I thought. No answer came from him. I wiped away a tear; I would see him soon enough.

We Hobbits Walk Slow So Deal With It

The raven, whom I learned was named Roac, slowly flew away.

"Where's he off to?" I asked Bilbo, who was stretching his arms. 

"To the Iron Hills to send word for the dwarf lord, Dain. He's related to the dwarves somehow. He's going to bring his army to help us," he replied.

"Back to the Mountain! We have little time to lose!" Thorin cried. The dwarves quickly picked up what belongings they had and waited for Thorin to lead the way.

"And little food to use! Anyone?" Bilbo mentioned. 

"To the Mountain!" the dwarves cried, ignoring Bilbo. Thorin walked briskly to the Lonely Mountain and the dwarves followed one by one. Bilbo and I were left in the back, completely forgotten about. We walked side by side and a couple of feet behind their little parade.

"Keep up, hobbits! We must get to the Mountain as quickly as possible!" Thorin shouted.

"Well, we hobbits like to walk slow, so deal with it," Bilbo murmured. I laughed and our stomachs grumbled. I pictured a nice golden strawberry pie with lots of fresh whipped cream on top. I sighed from how good it sounded.

"I'm so hungry," I thought.

"What would you like, Fawnabelle? We have lembas as well as any other elven delicacies," I heard. 

"Fawn! Come on or they'll leave us out here alone!" Bilbo shouted.

"I'm coming!" I hollered before running to Bilbo. I tripped on a rock before getting to him. I fell hard on the ground. Bilbo helped me up and I blinked a couple of times. When I opened my eyes, I saw an elf maiden dressed in green with the most beautiful golden hair.

"I'll take whatever you have... please," I replied to the much surprised elf. I scratched my head and thought.

"Bilbo, help me please. I can't see." I wasn't lying. Where he was I couldn't see but here I could. The elf came back with lots of little things for me to try. All of them were tasty for elf food. But then again, any food is good food!

"What I would give for a plate of eggs, bacon, and taters right now!" I thought.

"Me too, Fawn. But we must hurry. Thorin seems more determined than ever to get to the Mountain," Bilbo explained.

Good Tidings From A Raven

"I've got to get out of here!" I exclaimed, jumping out of my hiding place. Smaug dove very close to the ground and as he turned, his belly glittered with the sparkling gems that shone in the moonlight. But a bare patch was made visible so Bard released the arrow. The arrow hit Smaug straight on target. So incredibly strong was that shot that it vanished completely into Smaug. The dragon let out a howl of pain that deafened ears, cut trees, and cracked stone. He soared upward and turned over amidst the clouds. I saw Smaug above me and falling back down to the ground. I heard Bilbo speak to me.

"Fawnabelle?! Can you hear me?" he asked in a muffled voice. I couldn't move and everything turned to slow motion. Smaug was falling even closer above me.

"I've seen enough! Please stop!" I begged fearfully with my eyes shut. I was too scared to look up anymore. I didn't want to see Smaug about to crush me!

"Please stop," I whimpered when light filled the darkness. I opened my eyes and squinted from the faint light. I sighed and saw that Bilbo was looking down at me. I realized I was sitting down. I looked to my left to see the dwarves talking to a raven.

"So much for joy, Thorin Oakenshield. You may go back to your halls in safety; all the treasure is yours -- for the moment. But many are gathering hither beside the birds. The news of the death of the guardian has already gone far and wide, and the legend of the wealth of Thror has not lost in the telling during many years; many are eager for a share of the spoil. Already a host of elves is on the way, and carrion birds are with them hoping for battle and slaughter. By the lake, men murmur that their sorrows are due to the dwarves: for they are homeless and many have died, and Smaug has destroyed their town. They too think to find amends from your treasure, whether you are alive or dead," the raven explained. He continued to speak to the dwarves but Bilbo sat down across from me and stared at me.

"Do I have something on my face?" I asked, half laughing. He laughed too and hugged me tightly.

"Ow," I squeaked. I suddenly became aware that I was hurt. But from what? And where?

"I'm sorry!" said Bilbo, releasing me from his hug.

"It's not you, Bilbo. I'm just a little hurt. But why am I in pain?" I asked, checking to see if I had any injuries.

"I don't know. But are you alright?" Bilbo asked. I rolled my eyes.

"Yes, I'm fine. I know you don't know, silly," I giggled quietly.

"Oh, well it doesn't look like you have any visible injuries," he replied. I nodded and he went to see what the dwarves had discovered. I felt a sharp pain in my hands. It felt like a knife was piercing through them. I bore the pain silently because I knew Bilbo would freak out and not leave me alone.

"I hope it doesn't get any worse," I thought, rubbing my hands to see if that helped.