As the spring sun shone its shy beams down on earth, Ani put on her jacket and wrapped her fresh knitted scarf around her neck. It was a bright green and she was very proud of it, as she knitted it herself. She was going to post two letters and as the postbox wasn't that far, she only put her key in her pocket. It would not take that long for her to return home to get ready for the girls night out that evening.
The 27 year old woman looked at the tiny green tips that started to grow in her front yard, as she closed the door with one hand, holding the two envelopes in the other. She took a deep breath, smelling spring in the air, and the warming air made her soft smile to herself. It had been a very long winter with snow and ice and though she loved it, she was looking forward to the more warmer days. The snow had melted away in the last week, and her neighbours and friends were enjoying the outside in the winter.
The two letters in her hand were franked correctly and a steady handwriting had written the address on the smaller envelope. It was a birthday card for the daughter of one of her friends. She would turn 2 in two days, and inside the envelope was a sparkly pink princes wishing the girl a happy birthday.
The other letter was for the IRS, where she had filled in the form they had sent to her. It was already printed with an address and did not even need a stamp. The letters were tucked between her arm and the side of her jacket as Ani had put her hands in her pockets. She took the road through the park and was surprised how empty it actually was. It was very quiet, as Ani saw something move behind the trees. Curious about it, she walked closer, her high boots stepping firmly off the path. It looked like a huge soap bubble, filled with a whirlpool. It was floating softly between the trees. To her surprise it suddenly changed directions, coming straight for her. Ani took a few steps back, but the strange bubble now started to move faster. Instinct took over and Ani started to run away, back toward the path, but the bubble overtook her and swallowed the young woman whole before it disappeared.
A birthdaycard and a letter to the IRS were blown into a bush by the wind.
Ani felt a push in her back, sending her to the ground. The brown leaves softened the blow. Darkness had surrounded her as the day suddenly had turned to night. The trees around her were a lot bigger and wilder then the ones in the park.
A panic and disorientation filled her, as she heard talking very close to her. Her hands found a thick branch as she picked it up, ready to defend herself. Her mind was racing in overdrive. Someone must have hit her on the head, or drugged her. She heard a sound behind her, and something nudged her in the back, sending a scream across her lips. As she looked what it was, she saw a small pony, pushing its head against her arm, hoping for food. Ani stepped away from it quickly holding the thick branch in front of her.
"Betsy! Where are ya dear?" She heard a voice call out. The pony looked up and whinnied. Ani walked backwards as she saw a light approach. It wasn't the steady light of a flashlight, but more like fire. Ani started to panic even more. Someone was setting something on fire.
Unable to move she saw a man walking up to the horse, He wasn't very tall, but he looked strong enough. "There you are.." The man spotted her, looking a bit surprised in her direction. "Well hello dear, what are you doing all alone in the forest?" The man had grey hair, braided over his head, as he was smiling friendly at her. "there is no need to be afraid, I mean you no harm." He spoke kindly, as he looked at the stick in her hands.
"Don't they all say that." She snorted, not trusting him at all. "I am Dori, what is your name lass?" He kept his distance, as he grabbed the leisure of the pony. At that moment another man jumped from behind the bushes. "Did ya find Betsy?" He asked, unaware of Ani standing only two feet away from him. Ani jumped backward, looking at the two men. This one had a strange haircut. "I did, as someone else." The other looked at her, a bit surprised. "Go get Thorin Ori," Dori looked at her and smiled. "And Gandalf." He whispered, sending the other man off into the forest. "Stay away from me." Ani pointed the stick back at the man, realizing he was going to get help. If she was to decide if he was going to help her, she had to do it fast.
"Don't worry lass, I was just getting me pony. What are you doing here in the forest?" Ani looked around her eyes flashing to the side. "I.. I don't know. I was walking in the park, and then that strange bubble came." Dori nodded. "Ah, so your travelling alone?" "I am not travelling." Ani said, "I was going to the post office." At that moment, the other man came back, followed by a tall man with a beard and a large pointy grey hat wearing a dress, and another smaller man wearing a large fur and an impressive hairstyle. "What is wrong Dori?" He started, as he suddenly noticed Ani. "I found meself a lass." "Stay away from me." She swung the stick at them, stepping backwards. The man with the fur glared at her. "And what do you think you are going to do with that stick?" "Calm down Thorin, she looks upset." The grey man spoke. His voice warm and comforting. "What is your name my dear." He asked. "Ani.." She spoke, looking from one to the other. "Ani Johnson. I .. I live in Bourton. I.. I just want to go home." "You lost your way then dear?" Dori asked with a kind smile. "No, It.. it was that strange bubble. It took me here."
The man in grey suddenly looked surprised. "A wirlport?" He asked her. "Oh no Gandalf. We are not taking her." The one with the fur spoke. Ani raised her stick back up. "Oh no your not, I know self-defense!" She took another step backwards, bumping into someone. Ani jumped away, but he already grabbed her hands, pulling the stick away. "No worry lass, We are not going to harm you." He spoke, as he let go of her. Ani was filled with fear, striking the man in his stomach, before running off. She then saw to her fear she was surrounded. "Please, calm down. I am Gandalf the grey, and this is Thorin and his friends. Why don't you come with us to our camp, you must be hungry." It slowly came to Ani that they had not yet harmed her, and she was not going to stay in the forest alone.
"So you are like... a larp group or something?" She asked carefully. Her sister had a period she played it, and these looked pretty good. "What is a larp group?" The one with the strange hair asked her. "Live action role play. You know, you pretend you are someone else and slap the other with plastic swords." "Why do you want to do that?" He asked confused, earning a snicker from Ani. "That was the same thing I asked myself." She sighed. "Look, if you just tell me where I am I can get home by myself." "You are in the wild," Thorin answered. "Middle Earth," Gandalf added. Ani stopped, placing her hands to her side. "Haha.. very funny. That place does not exists. Can I use your phone? I can call a cab." "What is a phone?" The haircut asked, looking curious.
Ani froze as she reached the campside. It suddenly hit her as she saw all the belongings and ponies and more dwarves. This was not her home, this was not her country. This was probably not even her planet. She was in a whole lot of trouble. "You sure put your foot in it this time." She muttered to herself.