*3rd Person*

"An assassin, born of her own race, was sent here to create peace and balance in Middle Earth. She has flowing raven black hair, and her eyes are as bright and cold as ice. Throughout the nights, she roams, protecting the citizens of Middle Earth. Tonight, she'll be protecting you." A mother smiled, kissing her little one as he snuggled into bed.

"Mama, what's her name?" The little child asked as his mother opened the door to his bedroom. She turned slightly, a kind smile appearing on her lips.

"Her name is Maia…" The mother smiled before blowing out the candle and closing the door behind her.

That night, as everyone slept peacefully in their beds, a group of Orcs raided a small cottage in the deep woods just outside the Shire. The mother and father had woken immediately, and had scrambled about, trying to defend themselves. While the father bravely fought off the Orcs, the mother ran to her son's room. A sound of clanging metal and a gasp caused the mother to turn and witness her husband falling to the ground. She cried out, running to his side and grasping his hand as he let out his final breath. She growled, glaring up at the disgusting beast who had killed the love of her life. Slowly rising to her feet, she swung the club at the horrid beast, knocking him upside the head. The beast shouted out in pain, and stabbed the poor mother in the chest, causing her to fall back.

"Mama!" The little child appeared, causing the Orc to smirk evilly. Just as the Orc approached, an arrow whizzed through the air, embedding itself in the Orc's head, causing him to fall forward. A girl appeared, wearing a cloak as dark as night, hiding her facial features. She ran to the small child, bending down to his height. She unveiled her cloak, revealing her big, icy blue eyes and raven black hair that flowed past her shoulders.

"Are you alright, little one?" She asked, looking into his eyes for an answer as she gripped his shoulders.

"Mama and Papa…" He sniffled, pointing over to their lifeless bodies. She glanced over to the dead bodies for a moment before turning back to the small child.

"I have to take you somewhere safe, alright?" She informs the little one as he sniffles, nodding. She lifts him into her arms, holding him tightly.

"What's your name, child?" She asks, smoothing the child's shirt and running a few fingers through his curly, dirty blonde locks.

"Bilbo… Bilbo Baggins."

40 Years Later (Maia's P.O.V)
I had pushed open the small, decorated gate to Bag End and walked up to the round, green door. I had been fighting Orcs on the edges of the Shire all night, and it was nice to return home at last after being bruised and beaten by filthy Orcs. I had been wandering through the Shire for 40 years, sometimes venturing far and not returning for weeks, even months. I heard shouting inside and raised an eyebrow. I leaned closer, listening into the conversation. Who was in Bag End accompanying

"Uh, yeah...Feel a bit faint."

"Think furnace with wings."

"Air, I-I-I need air."

"Flash of light, searing pain, then Poof! you're nothing more than a pile of ash."

"Hmmm. Nope." Bilbo falls on the floor in a faint.

"Ah, very helpful, Bofur."

I twist the knob and push open the big, round door to see 1 wise wizard, 13 clueless dwarves and 1 unconscious hobbit. Valar, please help me. I lift Bilbo into my arms and carry him into the den, placing him on a chair. Shortly after transferring him there, I leave for the kitchen to make him some tea. I place a kettle full of water over the fire and wait for it to boil. I sit there for a few moments, leaning against the wall, watching the dwarves. I had a nasty scar on my left cheek, and bruises covered my body.

"Lass, got yerself some nasty battle scars there." A dwarf comments as he passes by, smoking his pipe. The water begins to boil and I turn to lift it from the fire.

"I've been fighting Orcs, what do you expect?" I question with a light chuckle as I pour the boiling water into a cup. I return to the den, handing him the cup.

"I'll be all right, let me just sit quietly for a moment." Bilbo mutter, grabbing the cup from my hands.

"You've been sitting quietly for far too long. Tell me; when did doilies and your mother's dishes become so important to you? I remember a young Hobbit who always was running off in search of elves and the woods, who'd stay out late, come home after dark, trailing mud and twigs and fireflies. A young Hobbit who would have liked nothing better than to find out what was beyond the borders of the Shire. The world is not in your books and maps; it's out there."

"I can't just go running off into the blue. I am a Baggins, of Bag End." Bilbo nodded, looking up to me.

"You weren't always a Baggins of Bag End," I mocked him as I sat down in the chair beside him, "don't let the past haunt you, Bilbo… there is adventure out there waiting for you." I smile, looking into his eyes as he lets out a sigh. Gandalf steps in, glancing over to me.

"You are also a Took. Did you know that your great-great-great-great-uncle, Bullroarer Took, was so large he could ride a real horse?" Bilbo glances over to a portrait of Bullroarer Took on the wall.

"Yes." Bilbo muttered, taking a sip of his tea as I shake my head.

"In the Battle of Green Fields, he charged the goblin ranks. He swung his club so hard it knocked the Goblin King's head clean off, and it sailed a hundred yards through the air and went down a rabbit hole. And thus the battle was won, and the game of golf invented at the same time." Gandalf explains to the poor hobbit.

"I do believe you made that up." Bilbo scoffs, a slight smile appearing.

"Well, all good stories deserve embellishment. You'll have a tale or two to tell of your own when you come back." Gandalf nods to which I agree.

"Can you promise that I will come back?" Bilbo asks the wizard and I shake my head. Oh, this hobbit was too fearful to step outside his gate. I could already see it…

"No and if you do, you will not be the same." Gandalf takes a puff of his pipe as I begin looking around the room.

"That's what I thought. Sorry, Gandalf, I can't sign this. You've got the wrong Hobbit." Bilbo walks away down the hall as Gandalf glances over to me.

"You could join us, you're still in the Assassin business, correct?" Gandalf asks, and I look over at him, casting him an 'oh please' look.

"I don't run on contracts, I find them limiting. I do work where I can find it." I answer, pushing myself off the chair and walking across the room.

"You won't have a contract, you're an Assassin… a protector, really. You'll be our guide on our quest to reclaim Erebor." Gandalf adds as I leave the room, walking down the hall. He follows me and I let out a sigh. I can't shake an old friend, can I?

"You wish to reclaim Erebor," I scoff and roll my eyes, "a fool's wish." I laugh as I enter the Dining Room, hoping to find food.

"How so?" Gandalf raises an eyebrow as I turn to him, frowning. I hold a bright, red apple in my left hand.

"Smaug still remains in the mountain, I sense his presence. If you enter that mountain, you'll only bring dragon fire and death." I squeeze the apple, causing bits and pieces to fly everywhere as juice trickles down my hand.

"Alas, but we could also help a civilization rise to power once more." Gandalf argues as I laugh and wipe the juices on my arm.

"Is that what they're after? Power, Money, Sex? These dwarves will get nowhere I assure you." I walk further into the Dining Room, checking the pints of ale.

"Are you certain?" He questions, leaning against the wall, smoking his pipe.

"The fate lies in the hands of the Valar, you of all people should understand. As an Assassin, it's my duty to change it, if possible." I lift up a pint and check to see if it has been drunk yet.

"You could change their fate, you must know, if you join us…" Gandalf points out as I growl, looking down at the ground. I let out a sigh, glancing up at the wizard.

"I will join you, but if their fates remain unchanged, I will not be held responsible." I announce, taking my leave and bumping into the wizard on my way out of the room.

"I understand, meet in the den in 10 or so minutes" I nod and return to the kitchen, grabbing a rag from one of the small drawers and wetting it with cold water. I wash off the crumbly dirt and dried blood from my skin, grunting in pain as I wash over the open wounds.

"Ye know ye aren't gonna get anywhere just cleaning yer wounds?" One dwarf stopped, watching as I washed the blood and dirt from my skin.

"I'll be fine." I mutter as I place the rag in the washbasket. I turn to see Gandalf entering the den and I shake my head.

"Everyone, gather around! I have quite the announcement!" Gandalf calls everyone into the den, grumbling and clearing his throat. I approach Gandalf as the dwarves slowly file into the room, casting each other confused looks.

"I would like you all to meet Maia, an Assassin of Middle Earth." Gandalf introduces me as I curtsey.

"An assassin?" A young, raven haired dwarf steps forward, growling. I look up to him, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Yes, the one person who was sent to keep peace and balance here. Problem?" I smirk as the dwarf huffs.

"She'll be joining us on the quest to regain Erebor." Gandalf smiles as I just stand there, pouting.

"I didn't agree to this, Gandalf." The same dwarf protests, looking up at the wizard in anger and shock.

"Nor did I, but it seems we can't have what we want." I argue as Gandalf places a rough hand on my shoulder.

"Introduce yourself before the night is over, we take our leave at dawn." Gandalf nods before leaving the room, possibly in order to find Bilbo.

"Fili and Kili, at yer service!" Two dwarves, a blonde and a brunette appear, bowing before me. I curtsey, forcing a smile.

"I'm Bofur, this 'ere is my brother, Bifur, but he can't speak the common tongue due to the axe to the 'ead, and this 'ere is Bumbur." The three dwarves bowed and I nodded to them. Hm… can't speak the common tongue, eh? I'm sure I'll change that before this quest is over.

"I'm Dori, this is Nori and over there is Ori, at yer service." I smile as the three dwarves bow. I return with a curtsey as Ori blushes. Awh, quite the shy dwarf.

"I'm Oin, and over 'ere is Gloin." Gloin nods his head as Oin bows. I curtsey as the next two dwarves arrive.

"Dwalin and Balin, at yer service, milady." The two bow at the same time before leaving. At last, the final one arrives in front of me.

"Thorin Oakenshield, Son of Thrain and King Under the Mountain." He introduces himself, nodding to me. He turned and took his leave, making way for the living room.

"I must retire, but I will see you all tomorrow morn, bright and early." I nod to the dwarves before leaving for my room. As I was dressing into my nightgown, I heard humming and cracked the door open to hear.

"Far over the misty mountains cold

To dungeons deep and caverns old

We must away ere break of day

To find our long-forgotten gold

The pines were roaring on the height

The winds were moaning in the night

The fire was red, it flaming spread

The trees like torches blazed with light"