Note: Hi all! This is my first fanfic. After reading many LoTR fanfics, I decided to write one of my own. I don't own any of the characters in this except for myself. This takes place on an alternate Middle-Earth, but nothing really changes except some of the characters.

Stuck in Middle Earth

Chapter 1: Packages You Don't Open

It was a typical day in Los Angeles. It was blazing hot, the streets were crowded, and people were going about their everyday lives. I was currently in my apartment blasting the AC, fans, and the windows were open as far as they could be. I had been watching the Lord of the Rings movies and had read the books and am currently hooked. They inspire me to be the greatest version of myself. They fuel me with confidence and inspiration, knowing that even the simplest of creatures could save the world.

Who am I? You may be wondering. My name is Liam Hebert (a-bear). I'm 25 years old and I live in Los Angeles, California. I love music, and have developed a very extended taste in it over the years. I have been playing guitar for 10 years and decided I want to make something of myself out of it as it has become my favorite past time. I could play for hours if I wanted. When I play, it feels like everything around me dissolves and the music is the only thing that matters.

I was sitting in my living room strumming a few chords for warming up. I was snapped out of my reverie when I heard the doorbell, causing me to jump. I headed downstairs to see who could be at the door. I wasn't expecting anyone, so I deduced it might be the mail. My suspicions were right as I opened the door. A small, brown cube-shaped box sat at the doorstep. What puzzled me is that I hadn't ordered anything recently, so I decided further it might've been from family. I was surprised to see that it had no mailing or return address on it. Who don't I know knows where I live? This had suspicion written all over it. I picked it up to take it inside. I felt that it had something solid moving around in it. I placed it on the living room table.

I began to get a little anxious. Why was I obsessing suddenly over a box that had nothing written on it? Whoever sent me this went to serious lengths to cover their identity. How did they know where I live? My mind went crazy with different theories. Could it be a bomb? Something delivered to the wrong place? All questions of the sort raced through my mind. After more contemplation, I decided it wouldn't hurt to open it. If it were a bomb, it would've gone off by now. I cut the tightly wound thread then tore open the paper. What made it more interesting is that the box was made out of wood and looked like something you'd find in the back of an antique shop. Feeling a bit more anxious, I lifted the lid of the box with extreme caution and sighed of relief to realize it's only a pink quartz crystal ball. It's perfectly polished and fits in my hands well. It's mesmerizing to look at. But who would send me such a thing? And why now? I loved rocks when I was a kid and still find crystals of this sort fascinating.

"Wouldn't hurt to use it as a decoration."

I walked over to the entry shelf to place it on. All of the sudden, the sphere starts vibrating.

"What the hell?"

I almost dropped it but realized it could crack so I held on. I tried to see if it might've been vibrating due to a vehicle going by but that wasn't the case. The vibrations increased, and I can't seem to let go of it. Then, the lights start flickering and the house shakes. An Earthquake? Electrical interference? None of the sort. Just then, the shaking stops.

"Anything else you want to show me?" I felt silly talking to a rock.

As if answering my question, a blue swirling portal opens in my ceiling, distorting the space around it. My own gravity seems to reverse itself, and I float upward. I try to grab hold of the edge of a sofa to stabilize myself, but the pull of the portal is too strong. I seem to be the only thing in the room falling upwards. My grip releases and I fall into it.

"Why is this happening to me?!" I shout, but the void of the portal suppresses my voice.

I begin literally on a downward spiral. There seems to be a grid pattern all around me as if I'm seeing the fabric of space. Soon, the pressure of the void intensifies and I lose consciousness.

I awake some hours later on a grassy field. I get up and look around. This grassy plain is surrounded by a forest, whose foliage and trees radiate a lushness. Is this a dream? It seems to real to be one.

"Looks like I'm not in LA anymore." I say, scanning the forest.

The whole area seemed to flow with a magical energy. It felt like a place out of a fairy tale, but I could guarantee this wasn't one. I noticed I still had the crystal ball in my hand. I was still surprised that all that ruckus was caused by this one rock. Did the damned thing teleport me here? Where was I. I reasoned that the only way to get some answers would be to explore until I find some sign of civilization.

I make my way into the forest. The air feels almost subliminal and the trees have strong bases. I hear sounds of birds I had never heard before. That crystal must've transported me to another planet or an alternate dimension of Earth. It did feel Earthy but alien and unknown at the same time.

I walked for what seemed like hours. The sun was high, so I determined it must be noon. Feeling exhausted, I find a tree to sit under. As I bend down, arrow strikes my shirt causing me to call out and pin my shirt against the tree.

"Great! My first day in an alternate universe and I almost get killed by an arrow." I try to pull it out but it's no use.

"Whui gar- cin tul- na hin grounds, stranger?" I hear.

A beautiful woman emerges from the forest, holding a bow ready with another arrow. She has smooth brown hair and is dressed in silken robes, and has gorgeous sparkling brown eyes. Her ears are slightly pointed. I could only pick out two of the words she said, so she's probably wondering why I'm here.

"Honest to goodness, miss," I hold both hands up as if to defend myself. "I don't even really know how I got here. This swirl of light opened up in my home. It pulled me through and I end up here."

That was the best explanation I could give her.

"How do I know you speak the truth?" She questions, nearing.

"Uh, sun is shining in the sky, there ain't a cloud in si-" I jump as she launches another arrow above my head.

"Ah! Ok! I'm telling you the truth! Please don't kill me!" I close my eyes waiting for another arrow, but instead I feel her hand touching my face.

"Why are you-"

"It's you!" She says, her eyebrows raised. She then takes my hand.

"You know me?" I ask, confused as ever.

"Ta really naa lle."

"I'm sorry, but could you please tell me what's going on?"

Her eyes continue that hauntingly beautiful gaze, as if they're trying to tell me an age-old secret.

"It's you. The stranger from another world." She says, a hint of excitement in her voice.

"I really don't know what's going on." I stammer. "How do you know it's me?"

"Come with me and I'll explain must go to my home." She says in English.

She leads me to another part of the forest. It seems as if she's gliding over the ground. I follow her to a spot further into the woods, and I see a majestic white horse standing in a clearing. She helps me up and herself onto it without hesitation. She then whispers something to it in her language, and the horse gallops fast yet gracefully.

What an eventful day I was having. First I get a crystal ball, then it transports me to this land, and next thing I know I'm riding on a beautiful horse with a beautiful woman who I just met and she claims she knows me. Had I only knew where I really was, I would be shook to my core.

Note: Hope you all enjoyed the first chapter. I know it's short, but I will get better at writing longer chapters. Feedback and comments are much appreciated!