A/N: so, after reading some older reviews, i took the criticism and other suggestions and realized my errors. i rewrote the first chapter. i hope its better this time. it's really hard to admit you're wrong sometimes, and i want to thank the early reviewers for helping me.
Love,
Broken-Rose-Thornesxoxo
The lodge door shut behind me. I sat on the bench. I didn't want to be here, I wanted to be in the warm, sunny field of my England home, rapidly firing arrows from my long bow, or hacking away at my sword instructor as he taught me how to do more difficult moves that the rest of my class wouldn't understand, or even reading a fantasy book, or drawing some fantasy creature, I could probably write a whole book on why I didn't want to be here. Even if I was in Middle-Earth during the last battle at the black gate, I would be having more fun than I was now. Gandalf, I thought, if you can hear me, which you probably can't, take me with you to Imladris. Take me to Rivendell, let me become a member of the Fellowship. Take me away from here.
My friends, Mandy and Amanda, had dragged me here, to this freezing wasteland that was supposed to be "fun". There was nothing fun here, in the heart of Greenland. The skiing was terrible, the air was dry, and there was nothing but snow, trees, and more snow. My friends never understood my drive. Well, Amanda did. Amanda and I had been friends since we were babies. I tried to tell them that I had to do something to fill in the extra time I had from not having a boyfriend.
They had tried to give me a break, and then tried to get me to stop and get a life. Well, Mandy had anyway. "Elevain, when we go back, we need to get rid of your sword and your bow. Plus all of your books, writings and art materials. You need to get a life," Mandy said. "No, Elevain don't listen to her," Amanda kept saying. She was probably the only one that understood me. I stared at Mandy. "What do you mean? I have a life. That is my life." "No you don't. You need to get rid of all that stuff and get a boyfriend." "I am not getting rid of that stuff. It's all I have, my whole life's work. I can't just throw it away. And besides I would still keep it if I did have a boyfriend. It's not like I choose not to have a boyfriend anyway." "No Elevain. We are going to burn it when we get back." "Mandy! No we are not! Don't listen to her Elevain! Please don't!" I couldn't believe what Mandy was saying. I reflected on what had just happened, on what Mandy had said. That was why I walked out on them. I was tired of the cold, of the snow, of not being understood, and of being me. I closed my eyes and the tears that had stung them earlier rolled down my face. They were warm, but I didn't care.
The door opened and I quickly whipped them away. The young couple left quickly, and so I was alone again.
Again I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. And suddenly there was a loud screech and then pain, pain everywhere. My eyes wouldn't open. There were screams all around me, familiar and strange. I could feel warmth flow over my body. There was a point of weight where I could feel nothing, nothing but pain. I gasped and screamed and thrashed, but nothing happened. And then everything went black.
But when I opened my eyes, it was light; and warm. All around me were elves, men and dwarves, not the snow or darkness that had been closing in on me. Next to me was a tall man in a gray robe sort of thing, with gray hair and a long gray beard and a large wood staff. On my other side was another man, with long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes and a gray-brown half robe that opened in the front.
I myself had a blue half robe with a tight vest on top of a long sleeved, light blue shirt with vambraces on my wrists and a long skirt with tight pants underneath and tight fitting boots that came half way up my calves.
As I looked around, I recognized Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli, Legolas, the elf sitting next to me, Gandalf, the man in gray on my other side, and Frodo sitting next to Gandalf. The only one missing was Elrond.
Then I realized what had happened; I had been taken from my world, and put into a different dimension- that of Middle-Earth. But then I wondered, is this just the movie, or a dream? The people I saw were both the actors and the characters from The Lord of the Rings, one of my favorite books and movies. But there were no cameras.
I was staring at Legolas, which was probably why he turned to look at me. His reaction was a little delayed.
"Who are you?"
"Elevain?" I recomposed my voice. "My name is Elevain."
Gandalf turned to me, so did everyone else. I tucked my hair behind my ear, a sign of my embarrassment. And then I felt my ears; they were pointed. I leaned back, trying to escape their stare, but that didn't help. It just made it worse. I felt arrow feathers, two hilts and a bowstring on the back of my head. That's when the full realization sunk in—I was an elf, in the council of Elrond, in middle earth, and it was not a dream.
Thankfully, Elrond came in at that moment, but Boromir and Legolas continued to watch me. It was boromir that made me uncomfortable.
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate — this one doom. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."
Frodo stood and walked slowly to the pedestal and placed the ring in the center.
"So it is true…" Boromir murmured.
I thought I heard a small whisper in my ear. I couldn't understand it, yet it continued.
Then Boromir stood and addressed the council, "In a dream, I saw the eastern sky grow dark. But in the West a pale light lingered. A voice was crying: 'Your doom is near at hand.' Isildur's Bane is found." He walked to the pedestal and hovered his hand over the ring.
Elrond leapt up. "Boromir!"
And then Gandalf began the black speech of Mordor; "Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul."
The sky darkened as the Ring echoed the words and thunder rolled.
I was horrified.
As soon as Gandalf stopped, so did the Ring and the sky cleared. Everyone was sitting down, perhaps as frightened as I was.
"Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris!" Elrond sounded a bit, upset, if you will.
"I do not ask your pardon, master Elrond, for the black speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the west!" Gandalf's voice was harsh after the chanting. "It is all together evil!" he sat down, but not before giving Boromir a warning look that he paid no head to.
"It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor." Boromir stood and began to pace. "Why not use this ring? Long has my father, the steward of Gondor kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe! Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy! Let us use it against him!"
"You cannot wield it! None of us can. The ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master." Aragorn was definitely defiant, but not in a bad way.
"And what would a ranger know of this matter?"
It was Legolas that answered him, "This is no mere ranger." He stood up. "This is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
Boromir looked at Aragorn. His gaze would be anything but pleasant. "Aragorn? This… is Isildur's heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor."
Aragorn didn't like all the attention he was getting. "Havo dad, Legolas." (Sit down, Legolas.)
"Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king."
I wanted to slap Boromir's face. Gondor needed a king.
"Aragorn is right, we cannot use it," Gandalf said.
Elrond was the next to speak. "You have only one choice. The ring must be destroyed."
I lowered my gaze, knowing my face would turn bright red in embarrassment even though I wasn't the one embarrassing myself. It always happened.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Gimli grabbed an axe and lifted it above his head. Internally I winced. There was an earsplitting crack as the axe shattered and then a thud as Gimli landed from being thrown back.
I couldn't believe it, the ring had withstood the impact, with out even the slightest scratch, and it had been strong enough to throw Gimli backwards onto his back.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Glóin, by any craft that we here possess. The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you, must do this."
Boromir spoke again. I really just wanted him to shut up, but I didn't want to draw any more attention to myself. "One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. And the great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland. Riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly!"
Legolas started to say something, but I was louder. "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The ring must-"
"And what would a woman know of this?" Boromir asked.
Oy ve. "Alright dude, Boromir, what ever you want to be called. I'm an elf, not a woman. See?" I pulled my hair behind my ear. "And secondly, I know more about this than you do so I don't want to hear it. Just shut up. As I was saying, the ring must be destroyed."
"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?" Gimli challenged.
"And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" Boromir sounded like he was agreeing.
At that point, everyone started to yell. I couldn't stand it.
"Hey! I've got a good idea. Y'ALL SHOULD SHUT UP!" Everyone stopped at my outburst and turned to look at me. "No, I don't think I'm the one to destroy the ring. The impending doom hangs above all our heads by a hair! And all you can do is argue about who is going to destroy it? Does it really matter? As long as the Ring is destroyed, I don't care who takes it. And you shouldn't either! You need to put aside your differences and other arguments and debate this like civil people!" I was surprised at how nice my voice sounded even though I was really angry. It was fair and high, very nice.
Boromir took a step towards me and I took an instinctive one back.
"You are very bold to be saying these things," he said, taking yet another step closer to me.
I took another step back and bumped into someone, probably Legolas. He took my arms like he was ready to throw me out of the way if something happened, then he growled. "Its nothing but the truth," I replied.
"And yet my question still stands, what happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"
"Does it matter? If he does we will all be begging for death before the end!"
The silence was unbearably tense.
Suddenly, startling all but me, a young voice said the words we'd all been waiting to hear:
"I will take it. I will take the ring into Mordor. Though- I do not know the way."
We all turned to look at Frodo. Gandalf's face was saddened. "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear." He went to stand next to Frodo, placing his hand on his shoulder.
Aragorn rose and went to kneel in front of Frodo. "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword." He stood beside Gandalf.
"And you have my bow," Legolas said.
"And mine." Everyone looked at me, but I didn't care. I was going weather they liked it or not.
"And my axe." Gimli looked up at Legolas and me, a little worriedly.
There was a pause as Boromir walked slowly toward us. "You carry the fate of us all little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, Gondor will see it done."
Sure it will, I thought.
Then we all heard a voice none of them expected. "Heh! Mister Frodo is not goin' anywhere without me." Sam jumped from behind the bushes and stood decidedly by Frodo, crossing his arms.
"No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you two even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not." There was a hint of amusement in Elrond's voice.
I saw Merry and Pippin poke their heads out behind two pillars at the other end of the room.
"Wait! We're coming too!"
Elrond turned to watch them come running towards us, his face disapproving.
I managed to keep a straight face, but inside, I was laughing. Ha ha! Yes! Eyebrows of doom!
"You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us." Merry continued.
"Anyway you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest… thing."
"Well that rules you out, Pip."
"Ten companions… so be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!"
"Great! Where are we going?" We all looked at Pippin; we were slightly amused, but also slightly annoyed.
Boromir and Legolas were both standing close to me. I almost became claustrophobic. I was also almost sure that there was a reason for this, because when I had watched the movie, they didn't even want to be near each other after what just happened.
Everyone broke up then, Frodo went to see Bilbo, Aragorn went off by himself, and everyone else went to get their gear ready. I suspected I didn't have anything other than the bow, arrows and two short swords behind my chair. I went to collect those and for some reason, Legolas followed me. He waited beside me until I had everything.
"Can I help you?" I asked, standing up to look at him. He looked so much better up-close and in real-life than in the movies. I didn't let this show because something came to his eyes when I looked at him.
He started to say something but then stopped short. He just stared at me, with a smile that spread across his face and then disappeared as fast as it had come. It almost reminded me of William Turner.
"Yes?"
Still nothing. He just continued to stare at me.
"Legolas?"
He blinked and shook his head as if coming out of a trance.
"Is something wrong?"
"No. Everything's fine. It's just… you're so-"
"Don't even think about saying the word beautiful!" I snapped. It's not like I didn't like hearing it, it's just that too many dill-hole guys had said that right before breaking my heart. I realized, too late, how cold hearted and empty I sounded. "I'm sorry. It's just…" well I couldn't tell him that I had my heart broken too many times because that would mean I had died and nothing would make sense. "I'm sorry. Was there something you needed?" I softened my voice.
"Yes. I was wondering what you were doing. Where are you going to go?" He looked a little… upset.
"I don't know. I have no idea what I'm doing. Why?"
"You need some where to stay for the night, don't you? My company and I have an extra room."
"Thank you." I was still wary of everyone, making sure it wasn't some scheme. But everything was real. And once again, I marveled at the fact that the characters I was with were both the characters, and the celebrities that played them in the movies. It was almost unbelievable. The reason it was believable was that I was totally sane and convinced I wasn't dreaming. Well, I wasn't totally sane, but you get the picture.
I followed him out of the council room, conscious of Boromir's watchful gaze. Watching him, I started to wish that I had seen him coming into Rivendell. He looked good, jumping off his horse when he first arrived the day before. But I would have plenty of time to see him anyway, so I guess it didn't matter. Much.
He led me to an open room where there were many different branching rooms. Legolas took me to one that was a little separate of the others and I wondered at this.
It was open like the rest, but comfortable, possibly more than the others. I didn't really pay attention.
"I'll be back in a few hours to give you some time to rest up and get ready and such."
"Okay. I'll be here." I said, stating the obvious. I had nothing else to say. Once he left, I flopped down on the bed. It was more comfortable than it looked. I had no idea how I got here, or what had happened right before I got here. I remembered being upset and closing my eyes, and then pain, screams, and nothing. Then I opened my eyes and I was here.
I jumped up and went to an opening to just look. I sensed someone coming and then heard them. When I turned around, Arwen was framed by the doorway. I felt like I knew her from somewhere. I recovered before she could sense my hesitation.
"Arwen." She was absolutely gorgeous.
"My father said you were here. He wanted me to help you, in a way. He wanted to know if there was anything you needed. Maybe an extra set of clothes or something." She talked with a sort of reluctance, and I detected something in her voice, like she didn't want to leave me, or let me leave, or something. I didn't know what it was.
I nodded slowly.
"He also wanted you to know he was, impressed, with the way you handled the council."
"He was?"
She nodded. "Is there anything you need?"
"Um, yes, actually there is. I may need an extra set of clothes."
"Of course. I'll have them given to Legolas and he can bring them to you."
"Thank you."
She turned and left. I could see why Aragorn loved her. She was beautiful, elegant, graceful, very kind, and somewhat familiar. I envied her; she had everything someone could ever want. I quickly pushed the feeling aside, I didn't need it.
Suddenly I realized that I had to keep my origins a secret. As far as anyone needed to know, I was from Mirkwood, where Legolas was from. How I got here from there was a mystery that didn't need any other explanation other than I came with Legolas.
But how long could I keep my secret?
I walked to the balcony, and looked out over Rivendell. It was so beautiful. My mind was still fixated on how I got here, and why I was here. I still didn't know.
I jumped off and walked aimlessly. I couldn't believe I was actually here, in middle earth, and I was staying just around the corner from Legolas, not to mention I would probably be spending the next year with him. But then it hit me. I was here.
I stopped mid step as the realization sunk in. I was here, not on Earth, where Mandy and Amanda were, and so Mandy could burn my things. I looked around me and noticed for the first time Legolas and Boromir glaring at each other.
Suddenly, Legolas looked up and noticed me at the same time Boromir did.
An ice tear slid down my face.
"Lady Elevain." Boromir took a step towards me and Legolas bowed slightly.
I looked away and continued walking. My things, my paintings, drawings, writings, bow, sword, everything, would be burned since I wasn't on Earth.
Why was this cruel fate thrust upon me? I guess it wasn't that cruel since Legolas was here. So what was this?
"What's your name?"
I stopped, startled, and looked down at Pippin. Merry was with him (not that I'm surprised) and they both had awed and worried looks on their faces.
"What?"
"What's your name?"
"Elevain."
"I'm Peregrin Took, but most people call me Pippin."
"And I'm Meriadoc Brandybuck, but most call me Merry."
They bowed low.
"Why are you crying?"
Oops. "Oh it's nothing. Nothing important. Not anymore." I quickly wiped the tears from my face.
"Are you alright? Merry and Pippin aren't bothering you, are they?"
"Trust a Brandybuck and a Took. I bet they are."
I looked up to see Frodo and Sam walking towards us. How am I not hearing anything? "No. they aren't."
"You look sad. Is something wrong? I haven't heard of many elves that cry. Especially not beautiful ones. And you seemed so strong during the council. Is everything alright?"
"Yes, everything's fine. I guess I'm just saying goodbye to something that has always been a part of me. It might take me a while to get used to it."
"What was it? The part you have to say goodbye to?"
Pippin was so innocent, so young, and he seemed so carefree in the books and movies that I was surprised that he was so sentimental. It really just made me love him more. "there are some things I've been doing my whole life that will be destroyed because I'm not there."
"Why would someone do that? Where is 'there'?"
"'There' is my home land, where I'm from. The people I lived with thought I needed something more in my life and since I'm gone, I can't stop them from what they will do."
All four hobbits looked at me with sympathy in their eyes.
"But you don't have to worry about it. It'll take some time, but I'll say goodbye and everything will be better. By the time we leave, I'll be better." I tried to give them a smile.
"Don't worry. You could probably something to help you get through saying goodbye and you won't have to hurt as much."
"I think I just did."
We spent the next week in Rivendell. I was happy to stay in the room I had, though I was offered two other rooms: one by itself, close to Arwen's room, and one near Boromir's room. If I had to choose between the two, I would've chose next to Arwen, but I didn't have to choose so I stayed where I was.
Besides, I liked knowing that the object of my largest "obsession" as some put it, was right outside the door. I wouldn't exactly call it 'obsessed', something more like, almost in love.
The day after I arrived, Elrond sent Arwen to get me.
"Am I in trouble?" I asked when she got me.
"No, he just wishes to speak with you."
"Oh." So I followed her out of the room and to the study/office/library room where he spoke with Gandalf.
"Thank you, Arwen. You may go now."
She bowed her head to me and left.
"As I understand it, you are Elevain?"
"Yes my lord Elrond."
"And you are accompanying the Fellowship?"
"Yes."
"When and where did you arrive here, in Imladris?"
"Just before the Council started, in the council room." Guess I couldn't keep my secret for long.
"How did you get here, precisely?"
"I- I'm not sure my lord. It's rather complicated."
"Then we shall confer with Gandalf as well." He rang a small bell, summoning a maid or servant and sent them for Gandalf. He came within five minutes, and as you can expect, I was nervous the entire time.
"Lord Elrond, Lady Elevain."
I just bowed my head, unable to speak.
"Gandalf, it seems as though we've reached some, complications." Elrond said, raising his eyebrows.
"Oh really?"
"Yes. Would you care to explain, when, where, and how you arrived here?"
"I arrived just before the council started, in between you and… Prince Legolas. I'm not exactly sure how I got here. It is rather complicated."
"Well, then, we shall look into it. Shall we sit?" Elrond gestured towards a few seats and we sat down. "So tell us, what happened before you arrived here."
"I was skiing with my two friends, and I think a car crashed into me, and suddenly I was here."
"Where were you before you arrived?"
"In Greenland… its far, far away from here… in another world."
"Past the grey havens? I've never heard of this 'greenland' that you speak of," Elrond said.
"Try a different universe…" I supplied. "this place, this beautiful place, doesn't exist where I come from, just like my world doesn't' exist here"
"What are skiing and a… car?" Gandalf asked,
"Umm, well, skiing is like, sliding down a hill covered in snow with… long, things strapped to your feet. And a car… is like a cart with out horses and they can go… really fast. A metal monster… I guess."
Elrond nodded and Gandalf stroked his beard, contemplating.
"You don't believe me, do you?"
"It's not a matter of believing and disbelieving, Elevain. It's a matter of determining if your presence with effect the Fellowships quest in a good way, or in a bad way." Elrond said.
Oh boy.
"Elrond, if I may be so bold, I do believe that I could have had something to do with her… appearance."
Gandalf say what?
"Please, explain."
"It is quite possible that I heard her, in a way."
"You heard me?" I can't believe this.
"It was very strange. I heard someone calling my name with some sort of plea. I tried to answer, but I suppose that instead of answering like one would answer a question, I answered by summoning her here."
"So, that car crashed into me because you were trying to summon me here, and if you hadn't heard me, I wouldn't be here?"
"It is quite possible."
"That's impossible!" I exclaimed.
"No, it's implausible, nothing is impossible." Gandalf corrected.
Except slamming a revolving door, I thought to myself.
"Well, I suppose we should hope for the best," Elrond said. I forgot he was here. "I will allow you to go with the Fellowship, although it would be best to keep your origins to yourself, until you believe it is necessary to reveal them."
"There is one minor glitch that I must mention before this committee is let out. She is not a full elf; yet. The elf in her still has yet to fully develop, but it will in due time."
"Very well. I shall see you in the future, Lady Elevain. You may go now."
"Thank you." I sighed a breath of relief, left the room, and headed back to my own.
The room had a nice balcony, and I really liked to just stand there looking around. I went on a lot of walks, and on every single walk, I saw Legolas. He was either walking, or sitting, or climbing a tree, or laying/sitting in the roots of the tree. I can't say I didn't like seeing him on my walks, because it wouldn't be true.
It was when I saw Boromir on my walks, who was being less than conspicuous about him watching me, that I got uncomfortable and went back to my room. Only I didn't go by the other rooms that mine was connected to, I would lose him somewhere, and then move from tree to tree and then climb the one next to my balcony and hide in there. If he knew I was there, he wouldn't hesitate to come and talk to me. I knew that for sure.
He had come to the rooms that Legolas had, asking to speak to me. I'd seen him following me on my walk and so I went back to my room. And he followed me there. Then he and legolas had gotten in an argument.
That was the last time I ever went that way when I knew he was watching. So I evaded him as much as possible.
It wasn't that hard. I just had to go to the range.
I liked it there, it was rather peaceful. very much so. and where i thought i would be shunned, like i was at home by... someone, i was welcomed. perhaps Elrond spoke with some of the elves and then they spread the word around... or something. when i didn't feel like going to the range, i would go to the 'hand-to-hand' combat field... if that's what it was called. i was welcomed there as well, and also got a few tips on how to improve. i guess i wasn't as good as i had been at home, and it wasn't as easy to avoid Boromir at the sword fighting field.
But anyway, I stayed clear of Boromir as much as possible until we had to leave.
This leads us to today, the last day spent in Rivendell. I stood on my balcony, watching the world go by, leaning on the rail and my elbows. The elves passing by waved and smiled.
The sound of a running horse reached my ears, and instantly I knew it was Legolas. He rode his horse, Glostriana, a lot. He was a good rider too, and I liked to watch him. His horse stopped about 15 - 20 feet away from where I was standing, and he jumped off, just like in the movie when he first arrived here. I smiled, unable to contain it. Everything about him made me smile. Whenever I saw him I smiled, when I heard him I smiled, when I heard his name I smiled. Even if I just thought about him I smiled.
I sighed, and stared at Glostriana. She was absolutely beautiful. I would've loved to ride her, and there was really only one thing I would give to ride her.
A kiss. It doesn't sound like much, but it was the only thing I would give. It would be my first kiss. Ever. I had never kissed anyone before, so it was a fair trade, I thought. Then I thought about who I would have to kiss. Legolas. I started thinking about what I would give for a kiss from Legolas. What about a ride on Glostriana? Ha, yeah. I'd give my first kiss to ride her and then give my ride to get my first kiss. And this presented a problem; which would I enjoy more: The kiss or the ride? My head started hurting.
I sighed again, trying to shake off the pain.
Said elf looked up at me, and smiled the smile that I had labeled, "Heartbreaker."
My knees went weak, and I looked away after a small smile, my cheeks aflame. Definitely the kiss. I would have to spend the next year or so with him, and in my condition, there was no way I would make it the whole time without saying something that would probably make him scared of me. Oh but it would be worth it, if he gave me "heartbreaker" again. I went to change for the feast that Elrond had prepared for us for our last day here.
I had to wear dresses all the time because 1) the people helping me wouldn't let me wear pants, 2) I hadn't got the extra set of clothes from Arwen yet, and 3) someone had hidden the clothes I had been wearing when I first arrived here.
Someone came in, and when I turned around, she was carrying my original outfit, and another one, presumably for me, but it wasn't the clothes that made me cringe and stagger back, as if trying to escape another punch from someone.
The elf that carried the clothes was obviously trying her hardest to contain her anger, though why she would be angry with me was a mystery. Her eyes held a fire that would've scorched me and killed me then and there if looks could kill.
