Run It Back Again (Part 1)

Chapter 1

It's been years since the war against Mordor and the near end of Middle Earth.  Now, I'm in the Grayhavens and alone.  Frodo and Bilbo lived among the elves with me until Bilbo died.  Afterwards, while I was out for a run to clear my head, all the elves left me...

*45 Years Later-

"Era, please...  You''ll hurt yourself."  I swung through the trees, my bow ready.  I was currently tracking a deer, hoping to take it down before sunset.  Mother fussed every 5 seconds.  "I know you're still upset, but please...  I don't want you to get hurt."  I rolled my eyes.

"Mother, please...  I need the meat."  Father sighed as he swung up onto the branch beside me.

"Era, please listen to your Mother..."  I turned and snapped.

"If you guys were both here, I wouldn't have to fend for myself...  I probably wouldn't even be stuck here, in the Grayhavens, alone!"

I woke with a start and took a shaky breath.  Being alone for 45 years tends to mix reality with imagination past the point of repair.  I hate my life, now...  I wish that Haldir was still alive just so that I wouldn't be alone.  It just wasn't fair...

"Era..."  I lifted my head and realized that my hand was on mother's necklace.  Mother knelt down beside me.  "Everything's going to be okay..."

"No, it's not.  I hate this!  I have no one, and your energy may not last forever, either..."  She sighed and shook her head.

"I know, dear...  I know."  She pulled me close and shook her head.  "I wish there was something I could do."  I sniffed and wiped my eyes.

"I just wish I could go back and save both you and Father..."  She sighed and kissed my forehead.

"I wish that were possible, too, Era, but that is dangerous.  It could completely mess over the past and our future."  I nodded and looked towards the ground, which was starting to glow.

"Mother...?"  She looked down and frowned as she disappeared.  Before long, everything went black.

*The Past-

"Wargs..."  I frowned as I opened my eyes.

Two strangers were walking down the path that seemed really familiar.  I got up and looked around.  I was just outside of Bree, but everything seemed different.  It was... newer.  I dusted myself off and felt a drop of water land on my head.  Pulling up the hood of my cloak, I headed towards the small city.  Right as soon as I got in, I realized something was really off.

Mother and Father, or Skyrena and Thorin, both of whom were alive, were walking through Bree, towards the Prancing Pony, where I met Aragorn so long ago.  I shook my head and started towards the inn, hoping to get out of the rain.  Before I reached the door, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Are you Skyrena of the Woods?"  I whirled around and found myself face to face with Gandalf the Gray.  I exhaled with relief and shook my head.

"No, but I am looking for her..."  He frowned down at me.

"Are you a bounty hunter?"  I shook my head.

"Of course not...  I need her help."  He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Very well...  Follow me."  He lead me inside and looked around.  It was a large, busy room filled with humans and hobbits.  I felt my heart sink as I remembered the last time I was in Bree.  I looked towards the fireplace and felt my eyes narrow.

"There..."  Both Mother and Father were frowning and tense as two charcters came towards them.  I pushed my way through the crowd and put a hand on my sword, which was still at my hip.  I approached the closest stranger and narrowed my eyes at him as he drew his blade, glaring at Father.

"Thorin Oakenshield..."  Father jumped up, sword drawn.  I drew my own sword and went after the second one, who was going straight for Mother.  As I disarmed him, Gandalf arrived.

"Excuse me..."  Both bounty hunters backed off and left.  I heaved a sigh and relaxed as Mother placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Are you alright?"  I nodded, my raven hair falling in my face.  Father frowned as Gandalf stood beside him.

"I'm sorry about that...  My acquaintance here saw that those two were up to no good and rushed forward.  She means you no harm..."  Father stared at me.

"She seems familiar..."  I bowed my head, not sure what I was going to say.

"My name is Era, short for Erabor..."  All three tensed as I continued.  "I am part shapeshifter."  Mother swallowed hard, trying to keep herself composed.

"How can this be?  I thought I was the only one..."  I swallowed hard and lowered my voice as we all sat at the table.

"I'm not from around here...  I from the Grayhavens over 100 years after this."  Father and Mother exchanged looks as Gandalf frowned.

"Do continue and explain yourself..."  I told them a very brief summary, not adding any details on how Mother or Father died, how I met Haldir or Boromir, and continued on to how I was left alone for over 45 years.  Gandalf shook his head as he tried to take it in.  "I don't believe it..."  Mother looked over at Father.

"Thorin...  We can't just leave her here.  If she is from the future, she may help us.  Please..."  She glanced at me briefly.  "She's nothing more than a child."  Father sighed as he looked between Gandalf and I.

"Then, I take it, Gandalf, you are here to help us take back Erabor?"  Gandalf nodded.

"Someone wants you dead, Thorin.  They want to capture Skyrena..."  He looked at me.  "And, she seems to be a sign on how things should end."  Shaking his head, he turned to me.  "That was not wise, Era..."  I bowed my head as the gray wizard frowned down at me.

"I understand that, but the future is dark and filled with sorrow!"  He raised an eyebrow at me.

"What do you mean?"  I felt my heart drop.

"An enemy will rise in 60 years...  Skyrena and Thorin will both die among hundreds of others in Middle Earth."  I swallowed hard.  "And, so many more will lose everything."  He nodded and glanced over at Thorin and Skyrena.

"I see...  We should all consider this."  After exchanging looks with Mother, Father nodded.

"Alright, but..."  He smiled at me.  "It might be wiser to make sure that you don't call us Mother and Father.  For this time being, we are Thorin Oakenshield and Skyrena of the Woods..."  I smiled back.

"And, I am Era of Middle Earth."  When Mother smiled, I knew this may work out.