As I walked through to the throne room my heart was racing. Lord Elrond had sent for me in a great haste and asked for me to arrive as soon as I was able. A million thoughts entered into my mind and I nievely wondered if they had found my home. As I turned around the corner into the main space, I saw a face that I knew, but it was a face that I had barely spoken to.

This face belonged to a bar person from my mothers pub. When I was at home with my mother, I visited the pub she worked at frequently and became known as the managers daughter. I have always had a problem with being known as something and not somebody. During my training as a nurse I became infurated with being called 'the student'; I stand by my belief that everyone is to be known as a person and not an item. It was clear he had ended up here in probably the same fashion I had done. Dressed in his own clothes with a face like thunder, it was clear that he was not responsible for his actions in ending up here. Perhaps he knew how my mother was? Then I realised he had a son, which he had left behind in our universe.

His name was AJ and I eyed him up and down before even acknowledging anyone else in the room. It was at this very moment that I realised how different I looked to before. I was slim and tall; with a figure that I could have only dreamed of back home. My hair was thick and framed my face as I wanted it to and my face didn't possess the classic, resting bitch face I was acustomed to. He was wearing jeans and a hoodie with trainers. I secretly wondered if he was wearing his pub uniform on underneath. It would have been strangely comforting to see something familiar. He was stood before lord elrond, clearly uncomfortable and almost on edge because of the guards standing around him armed. He looked at me and instantly felt relaxed at seeing a familiar face. I almost had a sense of jelousy at that moment, wishing that I had that privilege when I came to middle earth.

I stepped forward feeling the front of my gown hitting my toes as I walked forwards. The feeling was almost alien to me as I saw his jeans and remembered the feeling denim on my skin.

'AJ' I said softly. 'I can't tell you how amazing it is to see someone from home'

'Where am i?' He asked me. 'Your mum has been worried sick since you left'

'I didn't leave by choice, I was taken. And I strongly suspect that you were too' I replied.

'I suggest that you take your friend and explain everything to him that we know about how you joined us here victoria' Lord Elrond added. My gaze never left AJ's and his to mine.

Despite hardly knowing each other back in our universe, we seemed to be able to walk in a comfortable silence until we reached the river far below the main bridge and courtyard entrance. This walk seemed to be getting easier in my rather high heeled shoes, than it was originally.

'Are you alright?' I asked AJ.

'I suppose so' He replied with a sigh. I could he was trying to find the right way to say something so I waited for him to continue. 'Is this the lord of the rings world?'

'Yes' I couldn't deny him the truth. I watched as his face fell to the realisation of where he was and the reality of the chance he may not be returning. 'My little boy is with his mum but I can't see him. How do we get back? Why havent you been back to us? Your mother has been worried sick about you.'

I walked away with my hands together. Did he not realise that I wouldve come home if I could? Did he really think that I cared so little about my mother that I was staying here by choice?

'I can't get back AJ,' I sighed. 'I've tried, but we don't know how I got here so therefore we cant find out how to get back…I was found in the middle of an opening in the wildwood forest. Woodland elves are a bunch of bastards if im honest and they tried to get information out of me. Thinking I was from this world. It took several days before they realised I didn't know anything about this world or anyone in it. The damage they did will scar me.'

I turned with my back facing AJ and I knew from the top and sides exposing my back from my dress that he could see the scarring of the blades. They were still red and angry despite the marks being made almost a year ago. I suddenly felt his cold hands on my back. I don't know if he felt the need to touch them to make sure he wasn't dreaming or just to check im actually here talking to him but it felt…..nice.

'I'm sorry Toria' He whispered in my ear. I still couldn't quite believe we were talking like this. We barely knew each other and yet just having someone you knew from a previous life, you feel more at ease and almost like you've known that person for years.

I remember when I started my second college course during my late teens; one of the tutors said to us that we should move away from the people we knew before. Even though you may know one person from a previous group or school when you start somewhere new, you will stick to that person no matter what because you like the feeling of familiar face.

After this short catch up I then took AJ to get some new clothes because the look of the ones he was currently wearing, suggested that he had been in middle earth for some time.

When the group reconvened for dinner I spoke with Lord Elrond.

'What do we know about AJ's appearance here?' I asked.

'I don't know im afraid my child,' He responded. 'When Cirdan saw him in the woods, he recognised the clothes the man was wearing. He brought him here in the chance you would be able to identify him.'

'He worked with my mother,' I said. 'In truth I barely know him…But-'

'It is a comfort to see a familiar face.' Lord Elrond responded looking at me. 'Perhaps now is your chance to know him and allow yourself some comforts knowing that your arrival to us was not of your own doing….I know you have been punishing yourself for leaving your mother worried and perhaps thinking your selfish in not searching for land you arrived in. The land is over run with orcs and I will ensure that as soon as it is safe, we will search for you.

'Thank you Lord Elrond' I took his hand and spoke. 'How can I repay you for your kindness?'

'By living the life your mother would have wanted you to' I nodded and he kissed my forehead. 'Now I suggest you go and see Cirdan, he has been concerned about you since he returned'

I walked along the bridge and saw AJ speaking to others in the palace, clearly interested in the new world he was a part of. My gaze was then given to a rather tall and strapping, younger elf. He walked towards me with a soft smile on his face; I keep wondering why he cares for me so. At home no man ever paid any attention to me and I reconciled to fact that my face only ever attracted drug users and alcoholics who spent most of their free time in the pub.

'I was worried when I didn't see you this afternoon, my lady' Cirdan was always very formal towards me despite my knowledge that he had requested to Lord Elrond to court me. He hadnt actually asked me yet but I knew that someday it would come.

'Cirdan,' I said with a small sigh. 'Please call me victoria.'

'Only if you insist', he replied with a small laugh. I took his arm and walked with him away from the noise of the dining area. As we did so and reached the river under the bridge, I noticed he was leaning over slightly as he walked.

'Cirdan?', I asked. 'What happened?'

I was trying to get him to sit down and he refused. Cirdan tried to tell me that his horse bolted and whilst the rest of the guard managed to get it; Cirdan bruised some ribs as a result of the horse being suddenly irate.

'It is of no matter Victoria I promise you', he told me. 'I would rather have bruised ribs than have walked all the way back to you.'

It was clear he felt for me, feelings that I did not know if I returned. He stroked my face with his hand and I leaned into him; I enjoyed the feeling of being cared for, of being wanted. It was this moment I realised that I didn't know how I felt but I wasn't repulsed by Cirdan. I didn't love him either. Plenty of people always say in the movies back home that love comes with time; but I also knew that people here marry a lot sooner than people back home do. If I kissed Cirdan now I would be as good as engaged, I decided right then that I wouldn't try to explain a one night stand or a friends with benefits arrangement. I made a mental note to tell AJ to do the same.

'Cirdan, I cannot commit to someone', I told him without looking at him. 'In my home, people can stay together for years without being married, have children even without being married…..I know you asked lord Elrond permission to ask for my hand in a courtship.'

I looked into his eyes and he looked almost ashamed of his actions.

'I care for you Victoria' Cirdan spoke softly.

'I care for you but I'm not sure if I love you.' I could hear the shaking in my own voice. I worried for a moment, thinking that Cirdan may be angry with me. Instead he held my hand.

'Give us time to see if we can feel that way', he whispered. 'because, in truth, I feel the same about you.'

I didn't say anything, there wasn't any need to say anything at all. We had an understanding, some kind of attachment to each other that meant we may be involved with each other but we were by no means, courting or exclusive as we would say at home. We walked back to the dining area in contented silence. I could see AJ was still thoroughly enjoying himself; chatting to a young elven woman. I made a mental note to ask him about that later.

The rest of the evening was very much the same as the previous for me. I ate a small portion of vegetables and retired as discreetly as possible; until I ran into Cirdan again just before my bedroom door.

'Goodnight Victoria,' he bowed. I smiled and returned with a curtsey, saying my goodnights. My hand was caught by his as I walked past and a firm kiss planted upon it before he allowed me to retire.

Whilst I sat in bed that night I seriously thought about my future; could I be in middle earth indefinitely? I finally began to think about how I may have to accept the possibility, I may not return home. I knew the books were complete but tolkin was never able to continue the story. So I suppose it didn't matter if I did something that wasn't part of the plot. Sure there were orcs still roaming all over the place but there were also germans still running riot after the great war came to an end in 1918.

Perhaps giving cirdan a chance would help me to adjust. I knew I had been in a state of denial and acting so, since my arrival.