Alright guys, this one has been eating at me enough I finally turned my thoughts into physical words. The introduction is pretty straight forward, and is something I think a lot of us on here can associate with. Don't know how much of this I will continue, it mostly depends on the response I get from it (so review if you want more)as well as my time commitment, because yes, I actually am studying engineering in college. For any future engineers that may be reading this, bless your soul.

I don't own anything except my thoughts and my story. Without further ado, here we go.

Do you ever wonder what you would do if your life had become extraordinary? Not like you suddenly become wealthy or you became insanely popular at school or maintained your 4.0gpa. I'm talking about something truly extraordinary. Something magical. Something that could never actually happen. Until...one day...it does. Now I've done my fair share of reading fantasy novels and when they ended I was not content. So naturally I look to fanfiction. I am invested in many stories and their characters. I pegged it as my longing for adventure. For sown thing extraordinary. Something magical. It was an outlet, or rather an inlet, to the possibilities. One of my favorite authors has said "If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world." That was CS Lewis. I find this statement as much more than a longing. I find it as a fact. It is now that because of these events to follow I know that I know this. The events to follow are not concocted for a fanfiction. They are made to send hope, hope to those who like me look for more than seems to exist in our mundane world. Don't think less of me for the following tale. I merely wish to fulfill the longing I know I am not alone in. I long for more. So much more than this world can give me. And somehow, by some miracle, that wish was granted.

Background to start. My name is Juliana Evans and I am nearly 19 years old. I study engineering at a fairly popular Christian University in Texas. My life is fairly regular. I have poor eyesight. My right knee clicks painfully when I walk due to eight years of soccer abuse. I'm a musician, which is a part of my soul. Music is how I connect to my spirituality. I play bassoon, djembe, ukulele, baritone, and various other percussion instruments. Yes, I am a Christian. Episcopalian. I love the Lord and I have no doubts to His existence and the entire Trinity. I have a few close friends I am still in contact with from high school. My college friends are either from marching band or my hallway. Besides my brother Ford and his fiancé Jane, my closest friend at school is Matt, two years older, medical humanities major, and Emily and Sam, two girls from my dorm. My goal with my degree is to minor in mathematics and religion and take the humanitarian track so I might do ministry or mission work through engineering. I love my friends and my family. I love to climb trees. I love my cat. Being outside makes me happy. Green is my favorite color. I occasionally get social anxiety and I struggle with self-esteem. I was often bullied throughout my life so social interactions with me Vary from a joking, sarcastic, comfortable ease, to an uncertain aloofness. So basically, I'm your normal semi-adult. I'm stressed about my GPA, exams, finals, debt, my lack of love life, my occasional depression, and my future. I'm nothing extraordinary. Which is why when something extraordinary happened to me I knew what to do. Not because I had experience but because in my mundane life I've run nearly ever scenario through my head. What would I do if that guy tried to attack me? What if that girl started to have a seizure? What if magic was real? What if I could use magic? What if one of the books I cherish so dearly was real? What if what if what if. Well my what ifs soon went away. They went away when one of them came to pass. It all started with a walk through Dawson Park.

Dawson Park is a beautiful and stunning escape from reality in the middle of a busy college town. I occasionally walk to trails through the trees, reveling in God's creation and the speckled shadows shed about from the overhanging trees. I had gone this time to enjoy the beautiful Texas day and to clear my mind from the petty stressed of exams and homework. The trail I was on during this time is called Highlander and is one of the more challenging routes. I had just rounded a tree and begun to think about turning around when my thoughts and my body came to a halt. I was face to face with a man not much older than myself, possibly young 20s. Seeing he was equally startled, and not making any move, I gave an awkward half smile and mumbled an apology and sidestepped around him. He turned his head to follow my movement and looked at me quizzically. He looked familiar. As if from a dream...he did not look real. He seemed not to belong here yet seemed perfectly suited to the forest around us.

Clearing his throat, he spoke. "My apologies, but I seem to be lost. Could you direct me to someone of knowledge to where I might be?"

Turning on my friendly smile and camp counselor helpfulness, I responded with, "Oh yeah, no problem. This trail goes about a mile west and then hooks up to the river trail that will take you to one of the main park areas. Someone down there can help you find your car."

He responded with a nod and a pleasant face but I could sense his continued confusion. To myself, I thought I could easily walk back with him, considering I was about to turn around myself, but given the scarcity of people on the trails today, I would rather not be left alone with a stranger. With a casual smile and wave I turned to take my leave. Continuing on my with my walk, my mind made its way back to the stress I was avoiding. As a female in engineering, I'm already out numbered, but as the semester goes on, more and more people start to drop this challenging major. I know I can make it through this program, but it was going to take a bit more tooth and nail than I was expecting.

After having walked another 5-ish minutes I decided to turn around, assuming the man from earlier was very much on his way out. Generally I have a good sense of who to trust and who to be suspicious of. This man didn't seem harmful or of ill intent, but with a dad as a cop, you can never be too aware or cautious. Making my way back, I decided to turn off from the trail as my friends and I often did, trusting our sense of direction and bearing relative to the river that ran through the park. Paths were nice, but sometimes they just don't evoke the thrill of wandering through the forest on your own whim. Now as many of you probably saw coming (but at the time I did not) I caught a glimpse of blonde hair through the trees. My subconscious mind had stored the image of the man from earlier, even though I thought it forgotten. Evidently this man also enjoyed veering from the path.

Calling out ahead, I jokingly said "Is this how you got lost the first time?" The man whipped around remarkably fast, and this time my mind did register his full appearance, bow with notched arrow and all. I was still a good ten yards away, but by the smooth draw and steady grasp he had on the bow, I figured he wouldn't miss. Smile dropping and hands raising, I did what any ration human would. I froze. Not wanting to aggravate or push him, I stood shock still, waiting for his move. It came slowly and much too long for my taste. The man lowered his bow and began to walk towards me, eyes sparking in recognition.

"My apologies, you move quietly and with ease, I had not heard you approach. You startled me". Hunting was definitely a thing here, it was Texas after all, but normally you don't hunt right off pedestrian trails.

With his weapon now down, I let the tension in body go but remained light on my feet, running self defense through my mind and simultaneously attempting to form a calm and logical response.

"So sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. People normally don't venture off the pathways when trying to find their way out of the forest. I was just heading back to the main trail."

Carefully watching his movements I started to turn back towards the path a little ways off. As I moved I remained alert and attentive to any sounds behind me. It was again his voice that stopped me. Here was when I noticed his misplaced accent.

"I'm sorry again to ask, but I really do seem to be finding myself turned around, I hear a river off to one side and the rest is drowned out by an awful roaring commotion. It makes it quite hard to follow the river in all that noise."

Great. This guy needed me to guide him. Considering he did not shoot me, and weapons themselves don't intimidate me, (dads a cop) so long as he kept it slung over his shoulder, I don't see there being a problem.

"Uh yeah, the roads through here don't help with trying to find total peace and quiet. I can walk you back to the highlander trail that will take you right to the river. Just...don't pull your bow out like that again. Really isn't necessary at the moment." Offering a conceding nod and smile he gestured for me to lead the way.

Starting off once again, I noticed he carried himself easily through the brush and rough terrain. It was with almost a practiced ease. Interesting how someone so familiar with traveling this landscape would be so easily turned around in it.

Attempting to lighten the social load of conversation, I asked this question. His reply was "Oh, well I'm quite comfortable here in the forest, but the strange sounds from the...'roads?' You said? Yes from the roads was drawing me towards them in curiosity. I failed to realize the road sounds were coming from all sides and wasn't consistently from the same spot".

Well okay, his answer does make sense but usually people are more aware of how the roads work around here. Making it now back to the main trail I had no choice but to keep walking with him since the sun was going to be setting soon, and I would much rather be out in the setting sun with a guy who has yet to actually attack me(although there was a close call) and seems lost, than some other thug who isn't lost and knows exactly what he's doing. Dawson Park is a sketchy place, increasing exponentially as the sky gets darker. The trail from here to the place I parked was about a half hour trek, so hopefully that puts this guy where he needed to be. So far he seemed nice enough, a bit quiet, and despite my encounter with the weapon threat, he seemed sane. I do live on a college campus, so while his appearance wasn't necessarily conventional, I have definitely seen stranger. I live in an engineering dorm for crying out loud. Besides, the arrow deal was a legit startle so reaction, so it's mostly understandable. As we walked I attempted the small talk that one who works at a summer camp and goes to college perfects. The "so what's your name? Your major? Where are you from? Oh that's neat, I think I know where that it. What year are you?" kind of small talk. Apparently he was not as well versed as I.

First thing out-"Well I'm Juliana, what's your name?" He seems to think a moment and then replied "You may call me Leo".

Smiling politely, I continued, "Okay, so Leo, are you a student here or just in the area?" "I do believe I'm just in the area for now".

Well he hasn't been the most forthcoming with information yet, but since I'm used to awkward antisocial college kids, have yet to be kidnapped, and was becoming increasingly intrigued by his accent, I continued on.

"Did your friends give you the slip on y'alls hike then?" "I'm actually out here alone"-was his response-"I came upon this place by mistake actually"

Well if he accidentally got here, then where was I taking him? I continued on with my pleasantries until I relaxed enough to notice a slight clinking sound that persisted in following us. Now originally I had just taken in a cursory look at the guy, long blonde hair, green shirt, light brown pants tucked into brown soft leather boots, and a smooth and fair face. Obviously I was already aware of his bow and subsequently a quiver of arrows (seemingly handmade?) on his back. With this new sound however, I cursed myself for not noticing he was carrying a sword. A freakin' sword? Okay sure I'm a nerd, I own a replica of the sword of Gryffindor and a few nerd swords, but no this was a full out medieval knights sword that even sheathed at his opposite hip I could tell had seen some damage. Noticing my look, he stopped and looked directly at me. Yeah wow okay he had some blue eyes.

Opening my mouth to question why he had a sword, he quickly answered for me. "I mean you no harm Juliana. I appreciate your help thus far, but I am afraid I'm going to need a bit more help than you may have originally thought. You seem friendly enough, and your help and trust of me to this point shows of your good nature. So now I ask you to allow me to explain and ask a few things as we continue. You will think me crazy, and I very well might be, for I am at quite at a loss still, but please try and hear me out."

Now again, I've read enough fanfiction to know where this was going. Something was not right with this guy and the more I looked at him the more I began to figure out why he looked so interesting and oddly familiar.

When I didn't start walking again with him, he glanced to the darkened sky and said "Unless you wish to be out here in the dark and I know not where we are, I suggest we get to where it is we are going. I will explain what I can along the way. To begin, I apologize again for taking aim at you earlier, I'm usually much more aware of my surroundings. And next, I must apologize for having already lied to you. My name is not Leo. That name just seemed it would sound less surprising to you in the moment. You many call me Legolas. Legolas Greenleaf."

Now that, that was definitely not something expected to hear today, a yet I couldn't find it in myself to find a lie in his words. My confusion and shock were evident on my face, which is when why he looked so familiar finally clicked into place. This man looked more or less like I had originally pictured Legolas as in my mind before the LoTR series took the screen with Orlando Bloom. He wasn't far off from Orlando, but in that moment I decided I was either with a very dedicated cosplayer, or my wish for something extraordinary had finally been realized. Despite my reservations I began to move, and he began to tell his tale.

The sun was in the final stages of setting and the two of us sat on a large rock structure that over looked the river below. We sat in silence, both staring off into the distance and the lowering sun. Legolas has described to me a series of events that led to him being here. A quest for an enchanted crystal gone horribly wrong. In the final battle for the crystal, all of Legolas' company has been slain or incapacitated. As he dove at the foe in one last attempt to subdue him, he had knocked them off the ledge, the crystal going flying through the air. As they all tumbled into nothingness, Legolas has grabbed for the crystal. The instant his hand touched it, his world went black. The next thing he knows, he is waking up in an unfamiliar forest, dressed in garb more suited for this time, weapons restored, and wounds healed.

Generally I'm a pretty good judge of when someone is lying or not, and I couldn't find any hint or discomfort in myself to suggest his dishonesty. It sounds absolutely insane, just as he said it would, and yet, there was a genuine spirit to this Legolas. When his hair had shifted in the evening breeze, his ears became easily visible, and as a cosplayer, I know fake elves ears when I see them, and this was not fake. Call me crazy. Call me stupid. Call me whatever you want, but I believed him. I still wonder to this day why.

"So it's all true then? The books that JRR Tolkien wrote about all of you?"

"Tolkien you say? I've heard that name before...but yes the Tale of Smaug and the Lonely Mountain and the Fellowship. That was all many decades ago however, many years have passed since I have seen the Fellowship, outside of Aragorn on business from stately matters. Middle-Earth has been rebuilding since the last accounts of your tomes...scattered Orc raids and typical banditry are the extent of it. This whole crystal business was meant to be a simple excursion. But, as you know it seems to have gone horribly wrong. I lost many good elves in that fight. I just pray it was somehow worth it."

The look in his eyes was one of deep sorrow and loss. I placed a hand on his shoulder for a moment before standing.

"We really should be going. This Park gets dangerous at night, and I don't think your story would bode well with the authorities should you get caught up in anything. Let's head back to campus, I've got a few guy friends from band who may be able to hole you up for a while."

By the time we arrived at my car, I was glad I had brought a full bottle of water and had worn my knee brace. The weather was pleasant so as soon as I started the car I opted for windows down instead of AC. Noticing Legolas had to yet to get in the passenger side, I got back out to see the problem.

Legolas was walking around the car, giving it a quizzical look. "You can control this thing?"

"Yeah, I learned almost four years ago, it's very common. It's a car. Those loud roaring noises you heard on the roads earlier? Those were cars passing by. They are a bit loud and smelly, but they are the best way to get around now-a-days."

Noticing his continued hesitation, I smiled with reassurance and gestured him to take a seat as I sat and buckled myself in. He followed my lead and continued to inspect the inside of my car. Thank goodness I'm very picky about keeping my car clean. I turned the CD in the radio system up a tad to alleviate the foreseeable awkward silence. The only CD in my car at the moment was that of my favorite band, a cello group. Yeah, band nerd remember?

We started our drive, Legolas marveling at how smooth the ride was compared to a horse, and continuing to be impressed by my ability to control it. We passed through downtown, and despite this being a fairly small town, the street lights and taller buildings encapsulated him. His quiet observation was very suited to how I imaged this character, learning from observation on his own and only asking few questions his deductions couldn't quiet fill in.

Feeling my own hunger return, I remembered the dining halls would be closed by now, and Legolas' last meal had probably been long before their battle. We were practically back on campus now, so rather than drive to get fast food, something I'm not sure Legolas would enjoy, I figured I had enough small things in my room to manage a sort of meal.

When we pulled onto the Main Street through campus, Legolas made a small sound of appreciation at the campus' unique beauty. It was no forest, but for me, it was home. The lights around campus at night gave it a special ambiance of beauty that you can't get many other places.

As we pulled into the parking garage by my dorm, Legolas' continued to move, taking in the many different shapes and colored cars that nearly filled the four story garage. My dorm building was only a few years old and was in fantastic condition, sporting the classic red brick and elegant architecture customary throughout campus. I advised Legolas to leave his weapons in the trunk of my car since they were kind of a big no no on the property. He seemed uncomfortable at first, but upon seeing my own bow in the trunk of my car he conceded as well as giving me a appraising look.

"You are an archer? I did. Not think this world would have the need for them"

I laughed a bit before explaining, "I'm not an archer. That bow is from a costume I made and wore recently. I was a popular hero a lot of people like who is an archer. It was for a party. I can do a bit of shooting, but it has been a long time"

"Maybe I can help you back into practice some" was his polite reply, considering he probably didn't understand most of my explanation.

I made a noncommittal hand gesture and headed towards the large dorm building.

"This is where you live? Surely, this is much like a palace. You are not royalty are you Juliana?"

Laughing for real this time, I replied, "No I'm definitely not royalty. This is called a dorm, it's where students live while we do our studies here. Only one of the rooms is mine. There are many other building like this one around, most of them are bigger."

I swiped my ID card to open the door and continued up the side staircase with a wave to a group of friends who were undoubtedly working on the engineering homework due in the morning.

Legolas did a good job of remaining quiet and by my side as I led him to the third floor girls side of the residence hall. He seemed well aware of the low profile he would need to maintain to avoid causing any problems. Unlocking my door, I was relieved to find my roommate was absent for the time being. She spent most weekend nights with her boyfriend who lived on the boy's side of the same floor. Luckily we didn't pass by any of my close friends in the hallway. I certainly didn't need them teasing me about being friends with ANOTHER guy.

I have this reputation of always ending up being "one of the bros" as my friends say. Growing up with an older brother and spending tons of time outside doing sports and work with my dad had left me in a place where being friends with guys was much easier and comfortable than trying to find common ground with girls. So essentially this gives me a few close girl friends and an abundance of guy friends who all have the protective older brother vibe going on with me. (When in all honesty most of them I could easily beat up or out smart in a calculus problem. They were mostly band nerds or engineering majors anyways.)

I told Legolas he was welcome to sit at the desk chair and make himself at home while I rummaged through my food drawer and found two EasyMac packages. Perfect. Nothing says welcome to college like watery, fake Mac&Cheese. As I heated up the water in the microwave and stirred the cheese powder into the bowls, Legolas asked me polite questions about my modest decorations. Mostly I just had pictures of my friends and family. The friends were almost all the people I had worked on staff with at a summer camp. So needless to say we were all laughing and making silly faces and just in general having a blast.

"Do you play music Juliana?"

Apparently he had now noticed the small collection of instrument in one corner of the room. Handing him his Mac I answered.

"Yeah I do. I have for about 9 years I guess. Nothing I have here I can pull out quickly to play, or play it quietly as not to disturb people. Bassoon isn't exactly a subtle instrument. Do you play anything?"

"I suppose so. I can read music and I've done some singing, but nothing outside of what all elves participate in."

He then took his first bite of the food I handed him, and I've got to say, if I was in his shoes, I would have been a bit more suspicious of eating some random dish from a world I had just appeared in. Thankfully he seemed not to be completely disgusted by it and we ate in silence, him sitting at my calculus covered desk, and me sitting on the floor against the wall opposite trying my hardest not to make my stares too uncomfortable.

One of the girls I share an adjoining bathroom with decides to come into my room through the bathroom that connects our rooms. Katy is another engineering major, but frequently gets behind on homework. I'm not surprised to see the first of four cal 3 assignments that are due tomorrow morning in her hand.

She starts a bit when she sees a random guy in my room, but assumes he is another of the many other baritone players from the marching band that I hang out with, she apologetically begins talking.

"Juliana I'm so sorry to disturb you again. I can come back later if you guys are bus-" I cut her off, grateful for a quick distraction to take a step away from the interesting man in my room.

"It isn't problem at all, what you got this time?"

Swiftly, I explain to her how to work this specific partial derivative chain rule problem. Gushing her thanks and returning to her room with an awkward wave at the guy I introduced as "Leo", Katy closed the bathroom door and left the two of us once again alone.

I was surprised to see Legolas looking at me with a peculiar expression. "You are very intelligent Juliana, what is it you are studying here?"

"Ah, um well I'm studying to be an engineer. Basically someone who uses a ton of math and science to design, build, and fix things. I want to be a missionary engineer, to take my work to other places that really need the help but can't afford it. To help strengthen them so their people can grow."

"That's very noble of you, I must say. I'm fairly versed in mathematics as part of my earlier century educations, but from what I just heard, you are strides far beyond anything I was ever taught."

I shrugged a bit. "Math has always been easy for me. That isn't my biggest concern right now. Actually, my biggest concern right now is what to do with you. My roommate won't be back tonight by the looks of it, so I guess as long as we keep you being in here quiet, and find a way to sneak you out with me in the morning, we shouldn't have a problem. Tomorrow maybe we will have time to figure out what it is exactly you are doing here and what you need to do to get back."

When Legolas looked down, I knew something was off. "Well Juliana, I'm sorry to say I might already know the answer to part of those questions. You see, as I grabbed for the crystal, my foe had a hold of me. It is very likely that he and the crystal were dropped off somewhere else in your world. I can't be here in good conscious without finishing what he and I started as well as securing the crystal."

Sighing, I said, "This is becoming more and more like a bad fanfiction every second. Alright, well tomorrow I have classes, but you are welcome I join me for the first morning ones. I can say you are an exchange student who is looking into the school of engineering here. After lunch I can drop you off at Dawson Park so you can check things out while I'm at my band rehearsal and take care of some homework. I can pick you back up when it gets dark. That sound alright with you?"

Seeming intrigued to attend my classes, Legolas agreed and at my request, made himself busy with memorizing the Dawson Trail maps while I finished up the last part of my engineering program and got ready to sleep for the night. I continued to work at the never ending pile of assignments after I showed him the shower and gave him my one extra towel and an extra men's t-shirt I had from camp and some of my brother's old running shorts I had kept due to their comfort.

Rubbing my eyes and seeing it was already past midnight, I shut down my laptop and stood up, stretching from my desk. I was already uncomfortable sharing my room with a guy I only knew from the apparently real books j had read, and it certainly didn't help when he emerged from the bathroom, shirt clinging to his muscled chest and arms and blonde hair nearly braided back on the sides out of his way.

Yep, I thought to myself as I tried my hardest not to look at him too much, this was definitely turning into a bad fanfiction.

I had printed out the Dawson maps at his request, and given he wouldn't be sleeping anyways (it's not often we elves sleep, he had said) I expected him to be up all night studying them.

I crawled into my bed, as we continued to exchange easy and casual conversation, mostly back and forth questions. His were mostly about the peculiar things he had noticed so far in his time here, and mine about the various things I remembered from the many tales of Middle-Earth I knew. We shared a bit more about ourselves, and as it grew to the point when I was beginning to fade, I forestalled his next question, promising he could continue in the morning, and bid him a good night.

"If you need anything, just let me know. Please don't leave the room, I could get in so much trouble for having you in here. Plus my friends would never let m wheat the end of it. Well happy hunting, I'll see you in the morning."

"I will try my best. Thank you, truly, Juliana, for the kindness you have shown me. I fear for what would have happened should a less understanding and accepting person had stumbled upon me. Sleep well, and may the stars bless your dreams"

Leaving the desk lamp on for him, I turned out the main light and pulled up my covers, rolling to where my back was to him. I smiled to myself at first, not quite believing my time for something extraordinary had finally come. The smile fell from my face for a moment, though, as I began to think about what the next few days would bring. You can do this, I thought to myself. Just relax and get some rest. Pretend there isn't one of your favorite, most attractive characters sitting right behind you. Yeah. That's it. This is definitely turning out to be a bad fanfiction.

Well there is the first chapter. Send me your thoughts. The response to this story will determine its future.