Chapter 1: The Hobbit

[AN:See Auxiliary Chapter for background as I am starting this story from when the plot of The Hobbit began]

We had succeeded in driving back Sauron and we have enjoyed a sort of peace for the last 400 years give or take. The Six Guardians have split up to an extent. The Blue Wizards Alatar and Pallando who now go by Morinehtar and Rómestámo respectively, have gone to the east and are there guarding should the darkness rise again.

The other four of us have kept relative contact with one another. Gandalf who was once Olórin has taken to wandering middle earth just to see the sights. Saruman, once known as Curumo has set up shop in his wizard's tower in Isengard. Radagast, once Aiwendil, ever the strange one, has taken residence in the Mirkwood as caretaker for the forest and its creatures.

As for me, Rozahr, I have decided to spend my days high up in the mountains where I can fly freely and unencumbered by the problems of the world's of Man, Elves, and Dwarves. That is not to say that I live an isolationist life, I still make a point to visit each of the Elven cultures in both Rivendell and Mirkwood. I have also visited the cities of Man and have similarly been known as the wanderer a similar title as a certain Grey Cloaked Wizard.

Although I seemed to not have aged, my dark hair had lost much of it's luster and few hairs had turned Silver, but I attributed it to stress which it seems is a concept not explored. Many of the men and women I had met in Man's lands had simply written me off as just a strange man who obviously had more power than any mortal man, but simply left it at that. The Elves on the other hand, had always suspected that we were more than what we appeared and while they had respected our power and wisdom, they still saw themselves as superior so they would often ignore our counsel in lieu of their own beliefs.

I had found in my memories something very upsetting. Apparently the Istari were given orders by the Valar that they were forbidden from using their magic openly unless in dire need and were unable to act against the forces of darkness directly. We could deal with their underlings but Sauron himself, we were unable to act against.

There was a silver lining I found in this for me, I had a lot more freedom in my ability to use my power. Essentially, I could use it whenever I wished as long as it was not too public. But was given free reign when needed to use it in times of great peril.

I could still remember my frustration when I was unable to act against Smaug when he assaulted Erebor and made it it's home. There were things that I had not been prepared for, things that were not a part of what I had known from the Literature and Films. There was another war that had been happening in the East and my help was requested, I was not able to be there to help face Smaug.

When I did return from the war, I offered King Thror to help take care of Smaug, but the prideful fool, rejected my offer saying a Dwarf does not need a Wizard's help to kill some lizard. He even accused me of it all being a plot to try and steal his gold. Fine, the bastard wants things to be that way, I don't mind, maybe his grandson will be more forthright. The Dwarves are strong, they will survive. I will wait for the day that I can kill that dragon.

That day it seems is soon. I have just received a message from Gandalf. He requests my help in reclaiming The Lonely Mountain. I accepted eagerly, but told him I would be a few days even traveling by air as I was far in the northern mountains. He agreed and told me to come to Bree, to a place called the Prancing Pony. He said that he would be there in some days as well. I was already familiar with the place as I made sure to visit it as it is one of the staples of the first films I had seen.

——————————————————

(Outside The Prancing Pony)

Gandalf had just arrived and as he was getting ready to go inside he sensed something, and turned to a dark alley. As he was getting curious, he seemed to have figured out what that something was.

"Ah Rozahr, I'm surprised you made it before me." Gandalf said to a barrel sitting at the side of the alleyway.

"Never could fool your senses Gandalf." A voice said before the barrel magically transformed into me and I walked over to him.

"I just know what your magical signature feels like. There is nothing like it after all, except maybe a dragon. Now, shall we head inside." Gandalf said smilingly.

——————————————————

(Inside The Prancing Pony)

Just as the two men stood up and were sure to start some trouble with Thorin, Gandalf and myself sat down, him choosing the seat across from Thorin, and myself grabbing a chair from another table.

"Mind if I join you?" Gandalf said as he sat down before flagging down a waitress.

"I'll have the same." He said gesturing toward Thorin's meal.

"Me as well." I said before she could get too far.

The two men were wary of another person being in their way, not to mention two wizard's.

"I believe I should introduce myself and my friend. My name is Gandalf and this is Rozahr." Gandalf said to Thorin.

"I know who you are...Who you both are." Thorin said as he looked at me after his pause.

It was generally known that I was the stronger of the wizards. Not many had seen my magic, but those that did, or heard of it, would be able to tell I was definitely stronger.

"Well this is a fine chance. Now what brings Thorin Okenshield to Bree?"

"It can't just be for the food." I said as I gestured to the simple meal in front of Thorin.

"I had heard that my father had been seen wandering the wilds near Dunland, I went looking and found no trace of him." Thorin said.

"Thorin it has been a long time since anything but rumor has been heard of Thrain." Gandalf said solemnly. Implying that his father was dead.

"He still lives, I am sure of it." Thorin replied

"That remains to be seen, but surely there is more from high or low of middle-earth that we do not know." I said.

Thorin nodded at what I said and then looked to Gandalf.

"My father came to see you before he went missing, what did you say to him?" Thorin asked.

"I urged him to March on Erebor, to rally the seven armies of the dwarves, to kill the dragon, and take back the lonely mountain. And i would say the same to you." Gandalf explained.

"It is high time the Dwarves get back what is there's." I said in agreement.

"This wasn't just a chance meeting was it?" Thorin asked knowingly.

"No. The lonely mountain troubles me Thorin. That dragon has sat there long enough. Soon enough those with wicked minds shall turn their eyes toward it."

Thorin seemed to agree as Gandalf continues.

"I ran into some unsavory characters whilst traveling along the Greenway. They mistook me for a vagabond." Gandalf said as he took out a bit of cloth and pushed it toward Thorin.

"I bet they regretted that." Thorin said to Gandalf in regard to being mistook as a vagabond.

"One of them was carrying a message. It is Black Speech, a promise of payment." Gandalf said.

"For what?" Thorin asked seriously.

"Your head. Someone wants you dead. Thorin you can wait no longer. You must unite the armies of the dwarves. Together you have the might and power to retake Erebor. Summon the dwarf families demand they must fulfill their oath" Gandalf said solemnly.

"They swore an oath to the one who weilds the King's jewel, the Arkenstone. It is the only thing that will unite them. And in case you have forgotten, that jewel was stolen by Smaug." Thorin said.

"What if I was to help you reclaim it?" Gandalf asked.

"How? The Arkenstone lies half a world away buried beneath the feet of a fire breathing dragon." Thorin said.

"Yes, which is why we're going to need a burglar." Gandalf explained.

"And don't worry about Smaug, I can handle that overgrown lizard." I said which caused Thorin's eyes to widen.

"You can?"

"I have been plotting his defeat since the fall of Erebor and would have achieved it already were it not for the request of your grandfather." I said with more venom in my voice than I meant.

"Have care how you speak, he was the king of the dwarves." Thorin snapped angrily.

"He may have been the king, but his foolish pride had kept his kin homeless for that last years." I replied back.

Thorin was going to say something else but held his tongue as he thought that if what I said about being able to take down the dragon was true, his father's choice had only prolonged the sufferings of his people. Thorin then looked up and seemed to have regained his composure and said with a kingly aura emanating from him.

"We shall see if your words are more than just that. If they are, I will be there to watch that beast take it's last breath." Thorin said finally.