There Is Still Hope

The New Comer

Zita's POV

The cold rain rushed upon my face as I stood in front of the black grave. The gold engraving glistened in what was left of the moonlight of New York, that wasn't covered by dark, grey clouds. It has been a year since the accident. The day my fiance died in the fire. It was my fault that he's gone. If I didn't let him drag me to that damn bar, then he wouldn't have been caught in the cross fire. He wouldn't have been the one to take that bomb... He would still be here. As usual I left a stem of Ericas on top of the grave. Bad enough to lose the love of your life, but to lose a sister too? That's a whole different story.

And to know that Death and Despair were my constant companions all this time? That was enough to drag myself away from the people I loved. And to do just that, I broke every tie I had with them and made my own identity. Made my own life out of what I had left.

And that turned out well. Seriously! I have a decent job that gives me 20 bucks a week, I have an apartment that I bought myself, I have okay looks, the perfect life. Unless you count living the perfect life alone a complete lie, you'd know what I mean. Well, anyway, I was walking to my motorbike and was wiping the tears that conjoined it's existence with the rain falling all around me. I looked back at my fiance, Jensen's, grave. Feeling a deep feeling of regret course through me. Before I could cry again, I turned around and saw my black Harley in sight, waiting like it always did, under the same street light. But a black figure stood there waiting for me too.

I felt for my knives (Yes I have my own knives get used to it.), and calmly walked up to the figure.  She better not have touched my girl. Or else I'm gonna... Okay punch first, ask questions later. After a few minutes of walking, I finally stopped in front of the figure. Apparently, she's old fashioned. How can I tell? Curves, gloves, a 1900's hat that covers the face, long black dress, need I say more? She adjusted the hat so I could see her face under the brim. And she looked familiar from somewhere, I just can't quite put my finger on it.

"Zita am I correct?", the woman asked. I froze in place right when she said my name out loud. No one knows my real name. No one should know that. PERIOD!! S**T!!! She's onto me!! My eyes widened from shock, trying to control my temper. But I have to get my act together. Unless I want to get into a interrogation with the police.

"Yes... Why do you ask?", I asked as calmly as possible, which didn't work out well. So much for punch and ask. The woman gave me a warm smile and said, "I'd like to ask you a favor. If you don't mind.". I raised my eyebrows in surprise from her request. Really? That's it? You're kidding right? I scratched the back of my head in confusion, still not getting the point on why she's being polite.

"Uhh... Counts on what it is.", I eventually replied. I still don't trust this woman. But if she's gonna offer something, might as well check what it is. The woman nodded and said, "What if I can offer you the opportunity to get out of this life and give you the adventure of a life time?". This is bullsh*t. But interesting. Might as well get her to keep talking.

"Okay? Getting warmer. Can you say more or is that all you can tell me?", I asked. The woman continued, "But, in return, you must protect a few allies of mine.". Allies? Really? This isn't the freakin' medieval times. Oh well. This life was gonna fade anyway. Might as well accept.

"Fine. I'll take the deal." I said, a small smile lingering on my face. This will be interesting. The woman smiled and held out her hand as though to shake it. So I accepted the gesture. Right when I took her hand, a searing pain went onto my wrist, causing me to scream. I immediately let go and rolled up my sleeve, to find a flower inked into my skin (A/N: Picture of that is on the media. It's the big one.) . The woman looked at me and said, "I apologize for that. But it was for your own good. That mark will give you permission to join the quest that you about to take part of. I suggest you get prepared for the journey". I glared at her as I held my hand, "Ok. When do I leave?". She looked at me with a calm expression and said, "In a few seconds, but you must tell Gandalf that I sent you. Is that clear?". At that moment, the trees started to shake in the oncoming storm. I looked up and saw black clouds heading towards us, flashing from the lightning from above.

"But how can I tell this guy if I don't know your name?!", I shouted. The woman yelled back, "Galadriel!". I nodded and made sure I adjusted my backpack that was slumped on my shoulder. As the storm grew worse, I looked to see where the woman was, but didn't find a trace.

I screamed as a thousand bolts of lightning struck me, causing me to black out and fall into the black abyss.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I slowly regained consciousness and slowly sat up, feeling a crushing headache in my brain. I heard whispering voices around, causing me to get very annoyed. I hate quiet voices so I semi-shouted, "If you lot are gonna say a whole bunch of sh*t in front of me at least let me hear you. Just don't scream it out.". The voices stopped as I began to sit up on what seemed to be a wooden floor. When I opened my eyes, it was actually a table. Filled with a freakin' buffet!!!! When I looked around me I saw a whole bunch of dudes cosplaying as knights of the round table.

"Sorry for disturbing your larping. I'm just gonna go now." I said as I awkwardly stood up and jumped down from the table, slowly waking towards the door. But before I could take my third step, the whole lot surrounded me with their weapons in hand, pointed towards me. "So that's how these nerds wanna go? So be it b*tches!!!", I thought as I took out my knife and flicked it revealing a small, short blade. I know, not as impressive as a sword, but oh well. As I searched the group, I noticed they were all really, Really short... except for the grey guy.

"Any of you lot know a guy named Gandalf?", I asked, aware that my a*s was at stake here but I had a deal and I'd like to fulfill that. It's what he would do. The grey guy, who I'm guessing is Gandalf, pushed through the mini crowd and looked down at me. Damn he's so freakin' tall!! I gulped as his eyes scanned me up and down.

"How did you get here?", he asked. I swallowed my scream before it could burst out of my mouth and said, "I... I ummm... I was sent here.", "By who?" he asked. I felt my sanity slowly melt away, but with what I had left of it I answered, "By Galadriel... I think. At least that's what she said.". Gandalf furrowed his eyebrows and said, "Unless you can prove it, I won't believe it". Of for f*cks sake!!!

"But I can!!", I exclaimed as I rolled up my sleeve, finding the flower still engraved into my skin. Gandalf grabbed my wrist and looked at it closely, watching as the mark glowed and faded away. That was a shocker.

"What the hell?!" I yelled as I yanked my hand away from the man and backed away, leaning against the wall gripping my weapon tightly. I want answers. NOW!!!

"What the hell is going on?! Tell me!!", I yelled as I pointed my mini dagger at the group of thirteen men, them being just as confused as I was. Except for the man in the back, he was grinning at me?! Oh I'm gonna kick his damn a*s later! Get that stupid smirk of his f*cking face. As you can see, I'm cussing a lot... just a habit I picked up.

"You must be the fifteenth member that we need. Galadriel said you'd be coming to help us reclaim the Lonely Mountain,", Gandalf explained. Everyone looked at me with wide eyes and surprised expressions, me doing the same. Wait a minute. Gandalf? Galadriel? Short dudes? Lonely Mountain?! Oh s**t... I'm in Middle-Earth.