Song: Free Bird
Artist: Lynyrd Skynyrd

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* Apostrophes in italics are thoughts 💭
- Example: 'this is actually based off a dream.'

* Words in italics without apostrophes put emphasis on certain word(s)
-Example: this might start out confusing...

* A/N's (which will be rare in the middle of the story) will be bold.
-Example: I will update you on things at the end of the chapters

Feel free to give me input, ask questions, comments, etc!

TeresSue (because I know you love Thorin stories and need some time/something to read no doubt!)
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Brianna West that was my name, and I was nearing my 30's. Yes, I said was. Not "is". That wasn't a mistake. Far from it.
Since my early teens, I had vivid dreams. And by vivid I mean unusually realistic dreams. Normally, I couldn't control what I said nor did in those said dreams but in a select few... I could. However, I forgot everything when I woke up. Questions came to mind if my body looked different... Etc.
How do I know this?
long lost friends, family.

I shall start with one particular dream, that started to change everything as I knew it.

One cold winters night, I fell asleep not long after midnight, drifting off into a somewhat familiar dose. Another vivid dream. I was going their again. Though, I didn't know it - yet.

I ended up in a forest, looking around I noticed a few things.
That there was still daylight but by the shadows looked like it would be dark soon. Within hours.
Two, it was far too quiet. No squirrels, birds, nothing. Which usually indicated that danger was near.
I looked around at the various kinds of trees, none were climbable.
I cursed under my breath.

In the distance, I heard heavy, heavy panting.
The fight or flight instinct quickly kicked in.

I ran, as quietly as I could towards where? Only my gut knew. It was normally correct so I followed my intuition. I'd be dumb not to.

Running with my arms and legs pumping, I heard the panting grow closer with paws hitting the ground. It wasn't just one. But two.

In the distance, a couple of figures appeared. I yelled "Run!" They hadn't heard them yet. They were talking amongst each other, laughing.

They turned sharply in my direction, weapons drawn. One had a bow and aimed it in my direction. "Duck!" He yelled. My eyes widened. 'Is he serious?' I did as he told.
However, the beast that was closest was able to injure my left leg before the other man rushed at us, his sword drawn and taking down the wolf-like beast killing it.
"Thank you, for that..." I said, nodding my head towards the beast.
He nodded his head with a smile, "stray Wargs have been a problem as of late. One must be careful."

The other beast, was full with arrows from the brown-haired archer.
I looked between the beast and the archer, amazed.

The blond helped me up and we soon got to who I was informed, his brother, Kili.
Who I also thanked.

"Come, we'll tend to your wound at our campsite. It's getting dark."
"I assume it's more dangerous at night?" I asked.
Fili nodded. "By far, though Wargs tend to come too close for our liking any time of day, as you just witnessed."

Not that long after, we reached their camp.

One more man sat at the fire, he was tall, greying hair, and had a certain aura around him. What that aura was... I couldn't put my finger on it, just yet. In time, I knew I could. - It was a gut feeling.

"Uncle, we found someone." Kili said smiling.
"And who might that be?" Thorin asked, staring at the fire. - Seemingly mourning.
"She got attacked by Wargs." Fili spoke.
I looked at all three of them nervously. 'What's going on? Am I safe here?'

I coughed. "Well, uhm... I can see that I'm not really welcomed, so I think I'll be going." I started to hobble away.
The man's head snapped up at my voice.

"Wait, please stay." He spoke, coming over to me.
I was shocked. What changed?
I stared at him, then the two who saved me.
Vague, very vague images went through my mind. They were blurry images.
My eyebrows scrunched together. 'Why are the images blurry? Who are these people?'

"Fili, Kili bind her wound please." He ordered.
"What's your name, if I may ask?" I questioned.

He came and knelt down beside me when they were binding my leg.
"I'm Thorin. These are my nephews, Fili and Kili. We're the Dwarves of Erebor." He explained.
I looked off into the distance, my head hurt, I knew this story. The Hobbit. I've seen the movies, also.
"You look troubled. What's on your mind, Brianna?" Thorin asked.
"I never told you my name. How do you know my name?"

"...We've bandaged you four times before this." Fili said hesitantly.
"Excuse me, but did you say four times?"
"Aye, we have." Kili said.
Their faces, showed honesty.
"Do you not remember?" Fili questioned.
She shook her head.
Thorin sighed, putting his head into his hands. "Just as I feared..."

She looked at their faces, and slowly memories came back - clearly.
Brianna saw them as toddlers. Their father had just passed away. Dis was her best friend, in the Blue Mountains. Thorin and her had so many conversations she couldn't count, she spent the most time with him.
Though the boys loved to play and spend time with her.
Frerin and her weren't close, but they weren't distant either. Mutual friends.

She had watched them grow up, spent time with each Durin, through different dreams so why didn't she remember until now?

"Why didn't I remember before now?" She asked, confused and angry.
Thorin had gone across the camp by now.
"It's the work of the Valar." Fili stated.
She sighed.
"You always come back." Kili smiled, happily.
"I have memories of the time I spent with each of you."
The brothers smiled at each other. "Thats great, Brianna."

"Thorin?" She called to him across the camp.
"Hm?"
"What's our relationship like? I couldn't figure that out from the memories I received."
"Boys, why don't you take watch for now?" He ordered.
They smirked at one another.
"Alright, uncle." Fili replied.

"We were close enough for me to start courting you, Bri."
My eyes widened. "Really? Even though I keep leaving?"
'So that's the other aura I was feeling...it's Love.'
"Mhm, you always return."
"But it seems as if time has erased feelings as well." He replied, sadly.
I put my hand on his arm, "give it time Thorin, time." I spoke softly.
"Lets hope I can stay, for good."
Thorin nodded.

"You...also witnessed us travel off to the Battle of Moria." Thorin informed me.
"I did?"
"Yes, you did. Thror, Thráin, and Frerin didn't return as you probably know."
"So you know that I've read the books and seen the movies?"
He nodded.
"How many know?" I questioned.
"Fili, Kili and myself."
"Good. Word can't get out, I could be used."
"We know, Bri." Thorin smiled sadly.
"How...many times have I visited Middle Earth exactly?"
"Enough times for us to start courting, to see the boys grow up, become best friends with my sister, Dis, and be acquaintances with my brother, Frerin." Thorin smiled.
"That...is a lot of times, it sounds like."
Thorin nodded.
"However, if we're courting...or were? Why don't I have a bead in my hair?"
Thorin smiled. "Because I gave you something else, and I wanted to officially court you when, and if you can come to Middle Earth." Thorin explained.

"So, you believe that I'll one day come to live here?"
"Indeed. With how many times you've drempt of this land, it's nearly certain."
I smiled, 'best news I've heard in ages' I thought.
"Will I remain human, do you think?" I wondered.
"That, is up to the Valar to decide, Bri. Whatever their choice... I wouldn't have you any other way, know that."
A tear slipped from my eye.
"Thank you, Thorin." I hugged him the best I could.
"But... What happens if I never return?"
"Then, we search for you." He said, smiling.
"How?"
"One visit, you gave us your exact location and to seek you out if it ever happened. If you didn't return in a month." Thorin explained.
I nodded my head.
"How often do the dreams occur?"
"It differs, but once a week, once every two weeks I'd say."
I couldn't believe it... 'that often!?'
"And I've missed you all this time..." I sighed.

Thorin called the boys back to camp, as I was becoming translucent.
"All will be well, Bri. Have no worries." Thorin spoke.
"Farewell until next time, Fili, Kili. Be safe! And keep an eye on one another. I'll see you again soon..." I smiled softly as I was awakening, a powerful voice spoke "your destiny lies in Middle Earth." Loudly in my head. I opened my eyes to see my own ceiling, and to have those words stuck in my brain.
"Your destiny lies in Middle Earth..." I whispered to myself.
"But how does one get to Middle Earth?" I asked myself.

I now realised why my bandaged injuries in the past, always seemed different. It was them. My unknown (until now) heroes.

Problems lay ahead of me I now realised, if it was possible for me to goto Middle Earth... I'd have to save lives. And many of them.

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So, most of this was an actual dream I had on February 9th, 2020.
Weird, huh?
Hope you like it!