Disclaimer: nothing familiar is mine, rights belong to Tolkien.

Chapter 1

It was a late Spring evening on the last day of May, warmer than any Spring day before that, the Sun sank in lower in the sky and in the welcome rose glow time seemed to stay still.

A shadow with open eyes lay in the grass, content to be absorbed in the music of crickets, letting the energy of nature wash in.

Cecilia had endured a very long day, dealing with saying goodbye to her friends in the city and leaving to clear her head to her family's country house up North. The train ride was horridly exhausting and all that was on her mind was to finally catch time to have a smoke and relax by the familiar childhood stream, like she did whenever the hardships of life attacked her young mind. Running away from problems was, sadly, the easiest thing to do for Cecilia for she talks without thinking and cries over spilt milk afterwards , especially when the milk is writing a particularly offensive article on any given topic, most commonly poking fun at someone bigger than her, as was the case now. Giving away comments and photographic evidence into press of the Duke's questionable private life turned out to be not so admired from the high top, she knew she looked at the great possibility of losing her job. She decided to not dwell on it any longer as it was doing her rest no good. Still, she wished that at least one of her friends had agreed to accompany her.

It would be torture to stay here, alienated from friends and family, but perhaps her return would prove to be even worse, she fumbled with the thought for some time.

The night grew darker still and her heavy thoughts leaned her into saving her relaxation for tomorrow, she thought it for the best, she had, after all, come to take rest from the fast London life and every drop of sleep was welcome for her bruising nerves. Yet, she hesitated to pick up her stout bags and depart.

There was such a sadness in leaving this place of fond memories and she decided to stay just a little bit longer, even if she was going to come back in a matter of short hours. It was doubtful she would feel this calm any time soon so she gave in, laying her head in the grass once more. Returning a half full box of Winston lights back into her backpack was the next movement in some time, then fumbling with a lighter whose time seemed to be coming to an end. Once she managed to take a puff out of the flimsy thing all became quiet. The bright moon released the smallest light fathomable. It was later than she had presumed to stay.

And soon it came to pass that dear Cecilia had fallen asleep.

It must have been early afternoon, she concluded, the sun was high in the clouds and the birds were giving away small melodies still.

It was high time to return to the manor and unpack, and as she got up one small thing caught her mind: the stream seemed a bit odd taking turns it had never taken before. It soon became clear that there were many small alterations in her favorite place, why were there so many bushes and almost no flowers, so many pebbles and not enough grass, had someone ruined her spot overnight?

It seemed so.

She quickly parted with the little hill and bags in hand, set out to journey to her other home not far off the hill she was on now. The usual path was somewhat peculiar, having crossed it many times it looked as if she has never crossed it, yet it was familiar. Dazed with confusion she rushed upwards, halting when she reached a clear plain. The house has gone missing.

She understood nothing, was this a dream or had someone really taken away her summer home, had she simply lay next to a different stream, it was dark and she was tired, was it possible that she took the wrong way from the train station to her home? It was the only explanation she could stand behind. Hidden by the excessive bushes she turned around, wishing to go East so to find the cursed station, the bags were a heavy burden and on more occasions than one she wished to toss and leave them on the fields. Sweat gathered on her upper lip, the frying sun had taken its toll on her. Has this bloody path to the station ever been longer?

Quarter of an hour passed since she sat below an old tree with branches and leaves shielding her from the afternoon sun, she had unbuttoned two additional buttons on her blouse; her modesty still guarded by the simple satin underdress. She promised herself a short break, hopefully giving someone of her family's countryside neighbours a chance to make a welcome appearance and direct her anywhere familiar. This was all so strange, she did not think herself dense enough to get lost so close to home. Perhaps someone moved me to another destination overnight. Crude trick indeed, but why would someone play it on her?

Her circle of thoughts had finally been cut short when a familiar ruckus was heard from the vast field, it had to be her neighbor Albert with his jockey horses and his young sons who resided not far from her. They must have come to practise. Thank God. Cecilia thought, peering through the branches, just before she got up the noise was no more. She soon came to realize it was not Albert nor his sons, or anyone else she might have known.

" You there! Dweller in the shadows!" A smooth velvety voice called to her, it spoke strangely but she was sure no danger would come upon her, not in broad daylight at least. She was about to step outside of the shade the tree threw around her when it called again. "Reveal yourself, traveler or face your doom." He ordered, abruptly separating his horse from the other two in his group, Cecilia stood straight and could not move from a sudden shock. He carried a bow and it was aimed right at her. She forgot to speak and stood in the shade still, not thinking if showing herself would be better. He was nearing her dangerously.

"Do you not understand the common tongue? Man ci? Am man theled? " - who are you and with what purpose are you here?- He seemed somewhat reluctant to fire it, perhaps he noted she was trembling a great deal and perhaps he noted that she was indeed an unarmed woman. Why was he so hostile and why did he have a bloody bow and arrow on him? Was this some cruel medieval play her friends set up to scare her? Was it a dream? It mattered not at the moment, the only thing that mattered was that he had to lower the weapon and let her explain, she felt like she would fall dead from horror before his shot even fell. She tried to yell out her name and have him relax, but couldn't find the voice to do so. He was a mere ten yards away from her and was coming closer, and then he spoke again.

"Bedo, Glorfindel i eneth nin. A le?" - Speak, I am the one called Glorfindel. And who are you?- He had finally put the bow to rest and she was free to speak.

"I- um… I don't understand you. " She admitted, not daring to gaze upon him for he seemed as strange in an even stranger way. He looked somewhat feminine but it was clear he was a man, a strong one at that. His long golden hair flew around his calm face. Cecilia wondered if long hair was back in style for his companions, not far behind him also wore their hair long.

"Ah, so it would seem. I apologize for spooking you, seldom is it that any friend hides away in the shadows from our keen eyes." His friends had now joined in circling around her with their white horses. One had long white hair up to his waist, and a pale, strangely beautiful face, the other was lithe and tall with pale blonde hair reaching over his shoulders, he seemed the youngest of the three, and far more friendly. He wore a soft smile on his face but did not speak.

" I am the elf of Imladris, called Glorfindel." Elf? She pondered on the unfamiliar word, was that a joke status of some kind or was she truly dreaming? She hopped it was a dream for nothing could explain the three men, elves as they called themselves in front of her. "These are my friends, Galdor of Lindon. "

"Well met. " The white haired Galdor quietly looked away, scanning the area for movement, he seemed eager to leave.

"And this is Legolas of Greenwood the Great. "

"A star shines brightly on the hour of our meeting, mellon nin. - my friend" Cecilia thought it a weird greeting but did not want to seem rude by pointing anything out of the ordinary of this most curious meeting. Legolas listened to the following conversation intently, but remained silent.

"We wish to know your name, if not too much to ask. " Galdor said, still looking in the distance. She scanned their faces, each fair in its own way, stopping on the smiling face of Legolas who was without a doubt trying to make her feel secure around them. She looked away instantly, still alarmed by the strangers with his welcoming face not being the exception.

" My name is Cecilia. " She let it be known, speaking while shielding her eyes from the many golden rays and from their prying eyes all the same. She felt reluctant to share any information other than that amongst these strange men. She was quiet again, hoping they would point the station out and soon leave her be.

"You seem far from home, child." Galdor, the tallest of the three stated. "This road is dangerous and most commonly empty, and by chance, closer to Imladris than one could call accidental intrusion. What business have you got with the elves of Rivendell? Are ye friend or foe? " His tone grew more suspicious with each word. She hoped one of his kinder friends might speak next.

" I apologize for hastily accusing, but… " and so it was that Glorfindel spoke next " We are in fact, in haste, and you, my lady are curiously nearing the borders of my home, one cannot presume it coincidence in these troubling times. Who are you and where lies your destination?"

" As i told you, " She began, trying to stand her ground in front of the men that had become a displeasing company however beautiful they might have been. Her voice cracked and burned while she spoke and she hesitated to lock eyes with any of them, letting it be known she was uncomfortable and in despair to get away from them. " my name is Cecilia, i had come here by train from London yesterday evening and i came to rest by a place next to the stream before taking my bags to my family's summer house which should have been a few minutes walk north, i unfortunately fell asleep before i could return to my home and when i woke up i found the house missing."

She felt embarrassed telling this to a stranger, knowing they would think her mad for it, still they made her feel out of place and she wanted to leave as fast as possible. " I know it sounds weird and what not but if you could point me to the train station i would like to take my leave, i have many things to do and little time. " She had nothing to do, and was afraid her lies were see through.

"You speak strangely and we do not understand, o fair one. " the one on far left mused but she could not say if it was sincere or meant as a mock. "I do not recognize your place of birth, London unless it is where i hail from, which is doubtful. " said Galdor of Lindon.

"And i do not recognize yours, as well. " Cecilia countered.

Legolas flashed his friends with a smile: "Goston anden, Uhunc ylf ú-nedui." - I am afraid for our friend, it seems she had too many cups of drink.

Whatever he had saidwas responded by a fit of laughter from all of them. She would have paid all she had to make them leave. Glorfindel spoke next.

"Forgive us, lady Cecilia, for making jest, but the things you speak of are too strange for our ears." Which were pointy. Why were they pointy?

"Then i will ask someone else, thank you anyway but i must go, my friends are waiting for me." She tried to get away with lies yet again, if they knew someone waited for her they were sure to let her be.

" I see no other but you." Legolas was the one betraying her, smile still on his face. "I am afraid that if you were to stumble upon any other presence on this road, it would hardly be a pleasant meeting. You lack the company of brave warriors to defend you should any alarm arise, which is sure to happen if we leave you to defend yourself. "

"Brave warriors such as yourselves, i imagine?" What were these men talking about? Danger? Right next to her summer house? Were they trying to kidnap her or were they high on some substances? Perhaps she had left the waking world because of severe stress and was now in a coma? Perhaps.

"Aye, no better than three elven warriors to defend your honour. You will find no better protectors for this short journey." Glorfindel offered, it seemed Legolas agreed with the thought, but Galdor looked displeased at best.

"I agree, there is no better man to ask for directions than Lord of Imladris himself, he is sure to aid you in whatever trouble you find yourself in, and you are in luck" Legolas spoke eagerly, he was glancing at her most curiously in an almost childlike manner, but he soon became calm again. "for we are distanced but a day's ride."

" You would be foolish not to accept. " Glorfindel said as in jest, but it was obvious he was serious. "There have been many orc sightings in these lands lately, unless you wish to be feasted upon this fine day it would be best that you venture with us."

" Feasted upon? " They did not seem dangerous, on the contrary. But wasn't it stupid to ride away with three unfamiliar men or whatever they claimed to be, on a day's ride no less, she did not want to end up a murder victim and them speaking foolishness did not help their case. No, she would not go, of course. It was time to depart from the handsome three. "I'm afraid i can't go with you, my friends will probably be worried if i don't come back soon so it would be best if i left. I apologize for keeping you." She made to turn around but was stopped when Galdor hurried down of his horse to put a hand on her shoulder. She did not like it.

"I'm afraid we must insist, lady Cecilia. " Glorfindel said, but not with menace and not with kindness either. Urgency was most like it. "We shall not let you wander around the elven lands unaccompanied. I hope you do not hold it against us. "

"We do not yet know what to make of you. Forgive me. " With the last word his hand traveled down her neck and in a moment's notice all became black.

Hey guys, this is my first attempt of writing something like this so if you notice any grammar or any kinds of mistakes please let me know as i strive to write correctly

The rating is M for further chapters

I will try to submit once a week

And i will try my best not to be a trashy fan fiction writer, thank you for reading and be sure to leave a review as it will help me a great deal.