"Varoic, you have got to be kidding me," Abendago complained to his brother.

Varoic laughed shortly. "Come now. Be a good brother and go do the groceries."

"But Varoic -,"

"Everyone has to do their part."

"Yeah, but doing groceries? That's a woman's job."

Varoic chuckled and gestured to his brother that he had to move. Abendago sighed and gave up, there was no use in continuing this discussion. His brother could be as stubborn as a mule. Most said Abendago was stubborn too, but his brother was even worse. He was a true dwarf: rock-hard and stubborn till the bone. Varoic only had a weak spot for his younger brother but he still liked to get on Abendago's nerves.

Abendago felt a push in his back and he glared back over his shoulder.

"Chop chop," Varoic said with a twinkling in his eyes and Abendago grumbled something under his breath. He grabbed some bags and money, and left Erebor. Outside the gates he enjoyed the early morning sun for a moment and then set course towards the city Dale. After the Battle of the Five Armies the city had been rebuild and repopulated. The dragon-slayer Bard had become their first King of the renewed city and the people led a good life, ensured by the alliance between Dale and Erebor. Just the same as before Smaug had taken the Lonely Mountain.

It didn't take Abendago long to reach the city. After all, he had been a nomad for most of his life. The distance between Erebor and Dale was nothing to him.

He was still a few meters away from the city walls but he could already hear the happy laughter of kids. He was stopped by a guard when he wanted to enter the city.

"Master dwarf, what brings you to the city?"

Abendago sighed, he knew this was going to happen. They always asked that by the gate before the visitors could enter Dale. But still, that didn't made it less embarrassing. "I have come to visit the market." He hoped the guard would be satisfied with that and luckily he was. The guard gestured he could continue, so walking Abendago did. He followed the crowd towards the centre of the city. He had of course picked just the right time to go to the market, around noon... Dwarfs and men were everywhere and Abendago had to do his very best not to get cranky by the crowded place.

Just stay calm, do not worry. You'll be out of here before you know it. He took a deep breath and dodged some people to get to the stall where they sold vegatables, but the queue was long, very long. Abendago groaned internally. Next time, Varoic could go do the groceries. He was not going to do it again, it was just a waist of time.

"Well, you look like you've just stepped inside your greatest nightmare."

Abendago turned his head to his side to see where the voice had come from. Next to him and a bit behind him stood a young woman, although it was hard to guess her age. Her hazel eyes stood wise and old, but her appearance didn't fit her eyes. He turned his head back forward when the queue moved, and he did one tiny step forward. Well, this was going fast. In this pace, he maybe could be home by tomorrow evening.

The woman chuckled and Abendago looked back at her. "Don't laugh. How's it even possible there are so many people here at once?!"

The woman shrugged. "I'm just glad it's going well in this city. Only a few years ago, it were just ruins."

"That's true. Still, there are way too many people in my opinion."

"You must have come from a very small place then."

Abendago raised an eyebrow. "Small? No, I've been a nomad for most of my life. I'm used to peace and quiet."

"A nomad? Interesting. You must have experienced much then."

"Yes, I have." He paused for a moment. "Who are you?" he asked her, realizing she wanted something of him. He may not be a people-person, but he could pick up hints very easily.

She smiled and stroked a stray of her chestnut-brown hair that had come lose of her ponytail, back behind her ear. "I'm Arianeth, and I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure."

~*~*~*~*~

"Haldir," Amarië whined shocked when she was faced with an arrow pointing her way. "You said the Mirkwood elves would welcome us with open arms!"

"I've never said that, I said I suppose they wouldn't mind. That's something competely different."

"Well, obviously you thought wrong."

Haldir rolled his eyes and wanted to answer something back, but a suprised voice interrupted him.

"Haldir?"

He smiled when he recognized the voice. "Melwin," he acknowledged her and the elves of the Guard lowered their weapons but they did not slacken their vigilance.

She stepped out of the shadows and greeted her friend from Lórien. "Mellon, what are you doing here?"

"Just dropping by. Which I now wouldn't be doing ever again."

Melwin laughed. "If only we would have known you were coming." She glanced at the other elves that had come with Haldir but she only recognized his brother Rúmil. She didn't know who the blonde elleth was. Haldir saw her looking.

"This is Amarië. Actually, Rúmil and I are escorting her. She had never left Lothlórien before and was determined to go visit the other Elven cities."

Amarië nudged his shoulder. "Now you're making it sound as if you didn't want to come at all. Do I need to remember you, you were the first in line when my father said I couldn't leave Lórien alone?"

Haldir shifted his weight to his other foot, and Melwin mentally made a note. There was more going on than he was telling them.

"Now how could I resist paying a visit to my friends here?"

Melwin shook her head and turned her attention to Amarië. "Mae l'ovannen, Amarië. But even though, as delighted I am to see you all, the King has requested to bring you to him as fast as possible. So, if you would follow me."

Haldir nodded that he understood and the three elves started to follow the Forest Guard, when suddenly a black-haired elleth of the Guard froze in her pace.

Narsil had sensed something and decided to tell the leader of their group. "Caladhiel, wait. There's someone else, hiding between the branches of the trees..."

~*~*~*~*~

Characters introduced this chapter:

- bj10082074 as Abendago

- bodyguardsofrohan as Melwin

- IrisvanBommel as Amarië

- TheNextDragonlord as Narsil

- -unicorns-- as Arianeth

~*~*~*~*~

A/N: I have officially finished my Marvel chatroom which means, I can now start writing this one! Whoop whoop!

Remember, ideas are welcome :)

I still have a lot of characters to introduce, but do not worry; they'll come soon!