Many people are unsure as to why I have a pet wolf. I'm not certain myself. All I know is that the white wolf cub has followed me round since my parents moved out, and I kind of adopted him. Now he's my best friend, and we even share a unique telepathic communication link. Very occasionally, we are able to link this telepathy to other animals and humans, but mostly, when it works, they run off, fearing that someone is entering their mind. Animals are very tuned in with the way the world works.

We tend to not use full telepathy, only making use of it when one of us is far away. Generally, we're always close enough to allow me to talk normally. Of course, wolves can't talk, so to a normal person it'd be just me, talking to myself.

Romulus bounds onto my bed, winding me and sending me sitting straight up. I groan. "Hello, Rommy," I cough.

Hi. You're late. It's morning, and I'm hungry, he deadpans. Two things I learnt about Romulus very quickly upon adopting him – 1) he has a very dry sense of humour, and 2) he never, and I mean never, stops eating.

"Yes, yes, but you're a wolf, aren't you? You're physically capable of hunting for yourself – which I might remind you, you do every day!" I protest, climbing out of bed and rummaging around in the wardrobe for something warm to wear in the snow outside.

The door is locked.

"Of course it is," I mutter sarcastically. "Now either turn around while I change or wait for me by the door, please."

Yes master, Romulus slinks out the door, mumbling sarcastic comments under his breath.

I slip quickly into skinny jeans, an old blue hoodie that once belonged to my father, and thick woolly socks. On top of the socks, I wear warm leather boots that I've had for ages. They've moulded to fit my feet, and are the most comfortable shoes I own.

After winding a scarf around my neck and pulling a hat and gloves on, I head to the door. Romulus is leaning against it, tail thumping against the wall. Finally, he comments. I just laugh and unlock the door. He bounds out into the snow, leaving a messy ravine where the grass is barely visible. I follow him at a fast jog, right into the woods. From there, I make my way down to the stream, picking up a dead branch and swinging it around like a sword.

I know that in a real swordfight, the opponent would have me on the ground with his blade against my neck within seconds. I'd be dead. Which is why I'm grateful that I don't have to sword fight.

Upon reaching the stream, which is miraculously still flowing, I find Romulus prancing around in the freezing water, washing dirt and blood from his muzzle. He's already eaten. I stand watching for a while, before he notices, and jumps. "Having fun?"

How long were you there?! he asks, chest heaving.

"Long enough, come on. Before we freeze to death out here," I begin to turn around to head back to the house, but just then, it starts snowing again. Heavier than before. Much heavier. Dark clouds are beginning to cover the sky. Of course, in England, we're used to bad weather, but that's generally rain. Snow is a different matter. We panic in snow.

"Looks like a snowstorm! Let's go!" I shout to Romulus as the snowflakes blur my vision.

No! It's this way! He bounds off to my right.

"I think it's this way!" I call back, running off. Expecting him to follow me, I keep going. Snowflakes fly into my eyes, making them stream. The tears freeze on my lashes, and pretty soon, I'm running blind. I feel my foot catch on something, probably a root, and I fall. But I don't meet ground. I find water. It is freezing, and deep.

I fall below the surface. It is dark, obviously a lake. I didn't know there was a lake in the forest, but I suppose that explains the stream. I must have ran further than I thought.

I kick up to the surface and call out to Romulus. My clothes are soaked and heavy as I tread water, and I run out of breath quickly, trying to stay above the surface in the rough, iron grey water.

My waterlogged hoodie weighs me down, and I find myself slipping below the icy surface again. My lungs strain for air as I kick and paddle, but no matter how hard I try, I can't reach the surface. As black spots dance around in my vision, a white shadow plunges in next to me. It swims underneath me and paddles to the surface easily. We surface, and I cough up water. Next time, I advise you don't go for a swim, I hear Romulus pant as he flops down next to me on the ground.

"I'll do my best..." I reply as sarcastically as I can manage. That's our way of saying thank you. We don't go in for mushy stuff.

For a few minutes, we lay there in the snow, with the storm raging around us. "I suppose we should try to get back to the house," I say, finding the strength to stand. Shakily, we start walking in what we hope is the right direction. I cling to Romulus's ruff, and he clamps one end of my scarf in his jaw. This is our foolproof way of making sure we don't lose each other again.

As we trudge on and on, the snow dies down. And then, it stops. The snow just stops. There isn't even any on the ground. I don't know where we are, but I don't like it, I think to Romulus, deciding to do complete telepathy.

Agreed. Stay close, he replies, hackles raised. We walk on, and I find myself rapidly losing energy. Romulus too is tiring, though much slower than I am. I see it in his yellow eyes. They are downcast, and closed slightly. His fur is soaked, like my clothes.

It's then that we exit the forest. But instead of home, there are mountains, waterfalls, a narrow river, and a thin, expertly carved stone bridge leading to the most beautiful city I've ever seen.

What do you think? Should we go there? I ask Romulus, who is lapping water from the stream. He looks up and nods. Okay. We tentatively cross the stream. I've had enough water for a life time. Luckily, it barely laps against my ankle, tame. Evidence suggests that it flooded, quite recently. I point this out to Romulus, and we make a mutual decision to speed up to pass quickly through it.

Along the cliff path, we head in single file. It isn't wide enough for both of us. This annoys me, as I'd quite like to enter this place with the protection of Romulus.

We reach the bridge, and immediately, there are shouts of surprise. They speak in another language, and I find myself stepping back next to Romulus.

"Daro!" a man appears and shouts, pulling back a large wooden bow and aiming it at Romulus. (Halt!)

"Wait! He's my friend! Don't shoot him!" I beg, leaping in front of Romulus for protection. Romulus nudges my ear to prove my point.

A second man, much more regal than the first, with a silver robe on, appears, pushing the man's bow down. He mutters something in the man's strangely pointed ear, his long white-blonde hair masking his lips and stopping me lip reading.

Who are these guys? I think to Romulus, hugging him tightly despite his wet fur.

I don't know, but keep safe, he replies, watching them.

The second man approaches carefully. I stand up and face him, one hand resting on Romulus's head.

"Draughên?" he asks urgently. (Wolf Child?)

I look at him blankly. "Err... What?"

"You do not speak Elvish?"

"Elvish?"

I must seem like a right idiot.

"Elvish. Elladan, alert your father! We have found Draughên!" The man who aimed his bow at us leaves quickly, running through the city. The man dressed in silver stands up and motions to me to follow. I do, rubbing Romulus's head as we walk.

About a minute later, 'Elladan' returns, with a third man with pointed ears and a silver crown, who must be his father.

"You have found Draughên?" The new man watches us as he speaks with Elladan and 'White Robe Man', as I've dubbed him.

"Aye. She doesn't speak Elvish, and the White Wolf walks with her," White Robe Man says, glancing back at us. "It is as the prophecy fortold."

"Prophecy?" I blurt out. The three weirdos turn to look at me, and I shrink back slightly.

"She does not know," The third man says softly. He approaches us. "What are your names?"

"Renn, and this is Romulus, my wolf. What prophecy is this? Why do you keep calling me Dra... Drow... Why are you calling me that? Where am I? Who're you? Why do you have pointy ears?" my brain sends a rapid stream of questions.

The man pauses. Faltering, he says finally "Perhaps you should come with me."

And so, Romulus and I follow this man through the city, into a large door, down many hallways, until we reach a library. On the way, we pass many tall people with long hair and pointed ears. They all give Romulus a wide berth, but stare in awe at us.

He pushes the door open, and we enter the library. It is silent in there, but full of many dusty volumes, stacked on shelves, which seem to speak all at once. They speak of ancient knowledge. I love libraries, just for their calming atmosphere. I could easily live in a library.

We head right to the back, where a table is. I am told to stay here, while the man disappears to find something. I am left alone with my thoughts. So, why are we here? Did we die? Is this a part of the forest that we never knew existed? I think to Romulus, who is lying on the floor next to me.

This may sound crazy to you, but I think we're in a new world. I think that the lake we were in was a gateway of sorts, to this strange new place. I think we were meant to come here, and it's something to do with this prophecy, Romulus replies. He speaks effortlessly, as though he's been thinking about this for a while.

You're right – it does sound crazy, I respond with a laugh, but I think you have a good idea as to what happened. I mean – Elvish? And that weird word they call me... It's all very strange.

The man returns, carrying a great leatherbound book carefully in his arms. He sets it down on the table and sits opposite me. "My name is Elrond, and I am the Lord of this House – the Last Homely House – of Rivendell. You asked about my pointed ears – I am an Elf. We speak in Elvish, and the word Draughên means Wolf Child. We believe you are part of an ancient prophecy written long ago by the Valar."

The first thought that comes to mind is 'This guy is nuts'. But as he opens the book to a certain page, and starts to read, I begin to realise striking similarities.

When the world be in danger, when it be in need
From an old world, a child must be freed
With the help of a wolf, white and pure
the darkness of the world, they will cure
When all seems lost, when a Ring is found
to it, they will be bound
Joining a Fellowship, they will aid
lest all peace and hope in the world shall fade...

I lean back. "Blimey. Well... I don't see how it can't be us. Have you not had any other guys with wolves to help?"

Lord Elrond sighs. "We are certain it is you. You are the Draughên, and Romulus is the Breigfaer, or Wild Spirit. Together, you will aid in the destruction of the Ring."

"What Ring?"

Elrond sighs. He calls for an Elf named Lindir, who I hadn't previously noticed. "Lindir, do you have a free afternoon?"

"Aye my lord Elrond," Lindir replies, confused.

"Good. Would you be so kind as to educate Renn about the history of Arda?"

And this marks the start of the most interesting, yet tedious, history lesson I've ever had.

Several hours later, brain hurting, I trudge to my allocated room with Romulus. Mulling over the history of where I am, Middle Earth as it's called in the 'Common Tongue', takes up too much brain power when I am trying to find my room, so I ignore it until I'm there.

I push open the door and step inside. The bed is what immediately catches my eye. It is what would be a kingsize bed at home, with white sheets. Folded up at the very end is a maroon blanket, which I decide to use tonight – I'm freezing!

A large trunk is at the foot of the bed, containing clothes that should fit me. There's also a blanket set out for Romulus, if he wants to sleep on it. He makes the decision to sleep on the bed. Across the room is a door, leading to a bathroom with two baths in it. This immediately confirms that this room is meant for a couple. Both baths are filled with steaming water in, and I assume one is for Romulus.

"I guess we should take a bath then?" I ask my wolf. His response is to slide into one of the baths, careful not to splash water anywhere.

I pour shampoo onto his fur. It says on the note that it's for sensitive skin, so it should be okay. Slowly massaging Romulus's ruff, I think Well, this has been a weird day. Did you actually listen to anything Lindir said or did you sleep like the last time I took you to a lesson?

Contrary to your beliefs, I did listen. Weird place this is, isn't it?

Aye. I wonder what the Council tomorrow will have in store...

When Romulus's fur is clean, I empty the bath while he is in it. The water drains away, giving me the opportunity to wring the water out of his fur. It takes a while, and my hands are sore by the end of it, but it's a good job I did, because the moment he is allowed out of the towel, he bounds onto the bed and settles down.

"I'm just going to have my bath now," I call softly to him. He's already asleep. "Okay then."

I shut the door quietly and strip off, climbing into a now less warm bath. It's still nice to warm up and relax though, and it allows me to think about my history lesson. In short, there are many different races in Middle Earth, and many different regions. There was a bad guy, called Sauron, a long time ago, and there was a war. They thought Sauron had been destroyed, until a Hobbit (short person) named Frodo, and his three Hobbit friends, Sam, Merry and Pippin, brought Sauron's Ring to Rivendell (where I am now) which shows that Sauron isn't dead. This means that the Ring has to be destroyed, and there is a Council tomorrow about that. The races of Middle Earth are finishing their journeys here tonight.

So basically, a bunch of men are fighting over a piece of jewellery. Sounds fun.

AN: So this is the first chapter of my new story! Leave a review, guys, it is greatly appreciated!

Much love,

-CC-