Walking Inside A Book
London has always been a busy city and this day was no different. Many people walked past me, doing their own thing, paying no heed to me. I was walking in the pouring rain, my umbrella was busted and I was soaked right through but I refused to let the weather dampen my spirits.
I wrapped my long coat tightly around me and carried on walking. I was searching for someone. Unlike looking at the shops or seeing a show, like many do when they arrive in London, I was seaching every street alley, searching for my friend.
My friend had mysteriously vanished without a trace and I knew something had happened to her. Remembering my friend's last words,
'I'm going to London, one day, I'll be on stage and my name will be in lights.'
I had at first thought Maddie had decided to follow her instints and try her luck in London. I was fine with that, until I entered her bedroom and saw all her clothes in disarray with her suitcase half packed, lying on the bed. I remembered looking through all her clothes and jewellry and I noticed her necklace that her mother had given to her for her eighteenth birthday. It was left behind, she would never leave that.
I had placed the necklace in my bag for safe keeping as I knew in my heart that something wasn't right here. Other than Maddie, I had no one else. My mother had died when I was sixteen and my dad had ran out on all of us when I was six years old.
London was a big place, I knew that but, I had to start somewhere and for the next two months, I searched and asked around for my friend, coming up with nothing. It was must disheartening for me every night, knowing I had no idea where Maddie was. I knew she was alive, call it gut instint but with each passing day, I was losing hope.
That was until he came along!
The day started out much the same way, looking under bridges, shops etc, etc, when I had this feeling I was being followed. Trying to act like nothing was wrong, I carried on walking. I began to walk faster when I saw a crowd of people coming out of a cinema building. I discreetly merged into this crowd and acted like I was part of this group of people.
I glanced over my shoulder and the man was still following me. This person was wearing a brown pinstripe suit and a long tench coat. He had short dark hair and was quite tall. I had no idea why he was following me, but he was and I didn't like it, one bit!
'I have to get out of here,' I thought to myself 'I have no idea who he is and I don't want to know.'
Walking with the crowd, I look out of the corner of my eye, that strange man was still nearby. However he had slowed down and was looking in the opposite direction now. Taking this as a sign, I ran away from the crowd and carried on running until my lungs could not take the strain anymore. I took a chance and slowed down by slipping in a dark alleyway and sighed in frustration.
'Just who was that man?' I thought, trying to get my breath back.
I stayed where I was for a few more moments, before deciding to walk away from the alleyway. I saw the shops up ahead and cautiously walked towards the shops once more. When I was a few yards away from the exit of the alleyway, a hand had latched itself around my wrist and pulled me in a strange box.
"You know, walking back into the open, will only encourage them to get to you!" came a voice behind me.
I spun around and saw the very person I was trying to excape from. Looking closely at him, I realised he was wearing red converse boots, that looked out of place with his pinstripe suit. He really reminded me of an old English teacher I used to know, except his man in front of me was young.
He walked past me towards a strange table like thing in the middle. It had many levers and buttons and in the middle were strange collums that went upward. I watch him, pull something, not quite beliving what I was seeing. Just where the hell was I?
"Why was you following me?" I finally ask him.
"I wasn't at first," he began typing something into a computer "The other person was after you Alexandria Fairfax!"
"H-how do you know my name?"
"I know everything about you Alexandria," began this strange man, who pulled a chain making this strange room move "And right now, I'm all you got to get your friend back safely for you!"
I just stared at him flabbergasted.
"You know where my friend is?"
"Yes, but it won't be easy getting her back."
"G-getting her back, where is she?" I asked, not quite believeing on what I was hearing.
At first this strange man did not answer me, until I got angry and repeated what I just said.
"Where is she?"
"Your friend Madeline, is somewhere in Middle-earth!"
I just looks at this strange man like he was nuts.
"Look mister, I am not in the mood for idiots who love playing mind games," I snapped at him "Now, I'll ask again, where is Maddie?"
'Why do I always get the nutcases?' I thought 'Is this pick on me day?'
"I'm not a mister, I'm The Doctor and in answer to your question," began The Doctor watching me intently "Your friend Maddie, is in Middle-earth, though I'm not to sure where. We will find her though!"
"Middle-earth is fiction though!" I pointed out.
"Is it indeed."
"Yes, the author 'J.R.R Tolkien' wrote those books!"
The Doctor only smiled at me, like he knew a long forgotten secret.
"And where do you think those stories came from, hmmm?"
"From his own imagination!" I snapped back.
"Wrong, from Bilbo and Frodo's diaries."
I just looked at The Doctor like he had grown another head. The strange room suddenly stops and The Doctor walked towards the blue door, before turning to look at me.
"I am not a liar Alexandria, your friend Madeline is in Middle-earth. You have to trust me on this!"
"Trust you," I hissed at him, "You grab me, pull me in this room that moves, then tell me my friend is in a bloody fictional book. Why should I trust you?"
The Doctor walked up to me and calmly said,
"Because, I saw them pull her into this world!"
"Them?"
"I have no idea what they are Alexandria but," began The Doctor walking towards the blue door "I'm hoping Gandalf will know more on the matter...Are you coming?"
Sighing, I grabbed my bag and stepped outside. Looking around I thought at first I had stepped in Smurf Village. Everything was neat and tidy and...small. Quaint little houses filled the place out just right and I knew I was in The Shire, where Hobbits lived their lives to the fullest.
Glancing at the sky, I realised it was night time now and was very confused, while in London, it was mid afternoon when that strange Doctor grabbed me.
Everything was immaculate, all the homes matched each other with the exception of the different colour doors. All the gardens were neatly trimmed and taken care of. I could stay out here for ages.
"Alexandria!"
I spin around and caught The Doctor's amused look on his face.
"Come on!" The Doctor said, grabbing my hand and he pulled me inside a hallway.
Once inside, The Doctor thankfully let go of my hand and I followed him through to another room. This room I realised, was the living room. There were many people here but, I was looking at the furnishings and portraits around the room.
There was a massive map on the wall and I went up and looked at it. The Doctor saw me looking at the map and sighed.
"Don't touch anything Alexandria!"
I glare back at him.
"What am I, four years of age?" I scorned him, hearing laughter behind me.
"No," smiled The Doctor "Your just curious...Stay here while I talk to Gandalf!"
"What do you mean?" I ask him "Do you mean I should stay in this exact spot in this room or, can I walk around?"
Again I heard some laughter around me but I focused on this Doctor.
"Alexandria! I shall not be long. Mingle with the others."
"Mingle?" I whispered "That word went out with the ark!"
I return my attention back on the map, shaking my head while The Doctor left the room. Over the map, were many portraits of smiling Hobbits. I wondered who they were. Glancing under the map was a mantlepiece filled with little ornaments and plates.
"Your husband has trust issues, doesn't he?" I heard someone say.
"Husband?" I gasped in shock, turning around "He is not my husband, I barely even know him!"
"We saw you walk in together!" said a shy looking dwarf.
"Oh my!" I mumbled, holding my bag tighly around my fingers
This was going to be a long night/day/whatever.
~~Thorin's POV~~
So this lady was out sixteenth member was she? I only hoped she could take care of herself. When Gandalf informed me earlier that another member was found, I was at first delighted. Until he mentioned this member was a lady, I was not pleased but Gandalf insisted she would be able to look after herself and help out. Still, I had my doubts, first a hobbit, now a lady.
That man came back in and went to her, while I watched and listened to them both quietly, observing everything.
"Alexandria, I think you should stay with these fine fellows for a while."
I watched her reaction and she was not amused. In fact she looked angry.
"I'm sorry what did you say?"
"My mind would be reassured if you stay with Thorin's company for a while!"
"First you kidnapped me."
"I did not kidnap you!" insisted The Doctor.
I raised my eyebrow and crossed my arms across my chest. noticing this lady had narrowed her green eyes.
"Yes you did! Then you take me to a place which until now, I thought was myth! Now you leave me, while my friend is somewhere out there," she points out the window "while you dash of to kidnap someone else!"
I continue to watch, wondering what had happened to her friend. She now turned away from this Doctor, clearly hurt by this turn of events.
"Alexandria!" said The Doctor.
Silence.
"We will meet again!" said The Doctor.
"Oh joy!" replied Alexandria sarcastically, causing me to smirk at her remark "I can hardly wait!"
The Doctor then left, without saying another word.
I return my attention back on Alexandria and for a second when she turned around, I saw a very sad, lost lady who had a lot on her mind. Just as suddenly as it appeared, she sighed and acted like she was fine again. I was not fooled though and only hoped her emotions would not slow our journey up.
~~Lexi's POV~~
I sat in the corner, not really listening to what was going on around me. I felt more alone then ever. Why did everything have to happen this way? All I wanted, was the safe return of my close friend.
All my life, I had felt different from everyone and I often wondered why that was. Even my mother more or less blanked me. Maddie was the only one that understood me and now she wasn't here.
o0o
I must have dozed of as I suddenly heard some humming. Keeping my eyes closed, I listen as the hymn turned into a song.
"Far over the Misty Mountains cold,
To dungeons deep and caverns old,
We must away, ere break of day,
To seek our pale enchanted gold.
The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells,
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.
For ancient king and elvish lord
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught,
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.
On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, on twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun.
Far over the Misty Mountains cold,
To dungeons deep and caverns old,
We must away, ere break of day,
To claim our long-forgotten gold.
Goblets they carved there for themselves,
And harps of gold, where no man delves
There lay they long, and many a song
Was sung unheard by men or elves.
The pines were roaring on the heights,
The wind was moaning in the night,
The fire was red, it flaming spread,
The trees like torches blazed with light.
The bells were ringing in the dale,
And men looked up with faces pale.
The dragon's ire, more fierce than fire,
Laid low their towers and houses frail.
The mountain smoked beneath the moon.
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled the hall to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.
Far over the Misty Mountains grim,
To dungeons deep and caverns dim,
We must away, ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!"
I slowly got up and to get some fresh air, unaware that someone was watching me. I had never heard anything so beautiful in my entire life.. I noticed a bench and I sit on it thinking again of Maddie and the situation I was now in.
I wanted to be back in London, searching for her, not be in a strange new world which I had always thought was fiction. I have heard of The Hobbit book and had read it when I was younger, but seeing all those dwarves made me realise this was very real.
If Maddie was here, then where was she? Was she alright or was she injured. I would have asked that Doctor but his waltzed off to wherever, leaving me to comprehend my own problems.
I had yet to meet the host Bilbo Baggins. I hoped he would not mind me being here I could imagine the shocked look on his face when those dwarves arrived.
I lean my elbow on my legs as I ponder all that is in my head. Silently rock myself to, thinking up answers to where Maddie could be. I was so deep in thought, that I did not notice a presence, until he put his cloak around me. My head snapped up and I saw Thorin sitting besides me watching me with concern etched on his face.
"You should not be outside Lady Alexandria," said Thorin, gently. "It is very chilly out here."
I look ahead again, I had not even realised it was cold.
~~Thorin's POV~~
Seeing the others disband after singing about our home, I saw the lady Alexandria get up from her chair and walk out. I followed her as silently as I could and noticed her slip out the front door. I waited for a few moments before following her again. I saw her sit on Master Baggins bench, rocking herself.
Against my better judgement, I took of my cloak and sat next to her. I placed my cloak around her shoulders. I jumped when she finally acknowledged me. She had that lost look on her face again and that troubled me.
"You should not be outside Lady Alexandria," I finally say to her "It is very chilly out here."
She looks ahead again. Had she not heard me?
Why was she so quiet? That was puzzling me. Before she was rather sarcastic towards that tall man in those strange clothes.
"I'm used to the cold!" I heard her say, breaking me out of my own thoughts.
"Even still, you would be much warmer inside Lady Alexandria." I inform her "We shall be travelling soon and we won't know when and if we will enter villages for the night. You should take advantage of Master Baggins warm home."
"And where is this Master Baggins?" asked Alexandria, turning slightly glancing back at me.
"He fainted!" I admitted to her, seeing her shocked face I quickly went on "Then he recovered and had a private conversation with Gandalf. He then went in his room, where he resides in now."
"Is he alright?"
"I believe he won't come with us and maybe that is wise."
If the hobbit would not come with us, well no love lost. I could see straight away that he would only hold us up with his inexperience.
Glancing at Alexandria, I knew she too should stay here with the Hobbit but Gandalf would never let that matter drop. She would be much safer here. Mahal knows what Gandalf is up too.
"Well, I never asked to be part of this journey and yet here I am. While I should be searching for my friend."
"What happened to your friend?"
Alexandria then explained what happened and her search through the streets of London, wherever that was, before being grabbed by a tall lanky man.
"The Doctor said Maddie was somewhere in this world, though he did point out he knew not where she was."
"Can you defend yourself?" I ask her.
She looked at me and chuckled.
"Well I don't have any weapons on my presence, except for my hands."
"Hmm," I nodded "I shall get Fili and Kili to train you better. Using your fists can do damage but when there are several enemies around you, you should still have a weapon to block any advancing blows that could really hurt you."
She never said a word, but I could tell she had listened.
"Come, let's get back in the warmth."
We both got up and Alexandria followed me in the living quarters. I saw Fili lean against the wall, watching her as she sat back down in the chair she vacated earlier. I beckoned him to follow me away from her.
"I want you and Kili to teach Lady Alexandria on how to use a weapon."
"So she is coming with us then?" asked Fili.
I sighed.
"Yes, it seems that way. Please inform Kili on this matter. Get some sleep, we leave early."
I went back to where Alexandria was and saw that she was now asleep. Sighing, I went to the window thinking of tonights activities.