Disclaimer - I do not own Lord of the Rings. (Not gonna put this in every chapter. Just this one!)
Chapter 1
I walked into my apartment and locked the door. Another day another dollar. My keys made a loud sound as they hit the surface of my kitchen counter. I looked around my apartment and like many times before, I sighed. This studio apartment was small but at least I could live comfortably on my own.
My days were spent going to work at the local Wal-Mart and watching YouTube and other online videos. I didn't have many friends, in fact, I felt like I wasn't a big part of their lives. I was never invited to hangout and no one ever texted me. Of course I had family, but they lived so far away I only got to see them on holidays. Not to mention I don't really have a relationship with my older brother anymore. I felt alone and detached from my life. It was as if most of the time I was just going through the motions.
I got dressed into something comfortable, sweatpants and a hoodie a few sizes too big for me. I enjoyed the cozy warmth the clothes provided as I sat down on my bed and grabbed my computer from its usual spot on the floor. I turned on YouTube and picked a random episode of Good Mythical Morning. Even though Rhet and Link were nearly as old as my parents, they were pretty cool guys who made me laugh. After a few episodes of their "Will it" series, I got a text on my phone,
Jacob - 'Yo.'
I blinked and started texting back.
Me - 'What the hell do you want?'
Jacob - 'I was wondering if you wanted to hangout ;)'
Me - 'No.'
Jacob - 'Come on, don't be like that. It'll be fun, promise. :*'
Me - 'We both know this is just a booty call. How about you find a girl who will fall for all your tricks!'
I slammed my phone down on the mattress and ignored the buzzing noise it made. Jacob just didn't understand that I wanted nothing to do with him. He would text me, and I would reply just to tell him no. I wish he would just leave me alone, it had been over a year since we had done anything together and yet every few months he would try to "hang out" with me.
I sighed and continued watching my YouTube show. I needed to get a hobby. Looking around I knew I could read one of my many books, or I could draw or paint. Even do a puzzle. But it felt like it would be more of a hassle at this point than fun. I got up and decided to eat something. It was about 7pm and I hadn't eaten supper yet. I walked the ten steps into my kitchen and opened the fridge, grabbing a lunchable and a cup of yogurt. I didn't feel like making anything tonight. Maybe tomorrow I could fry some potatoes. Grabbing a spoon for my yogurt I went to go sit back down on my bed when I spotted my parents copy of Lord of the Rings trilogy by my TV. Last they had visited they had forgotten it here and they said I could keep it. I haven't seen the movie in a long time, why not watch it?
Putting the movie into the DVD player I grabbed the remote and sat back down on my bed. I began stuffing my face with my poorly made meal and pressed play. I was happy that my parents let me have the extended version. It gave more details, like how Saruman is killed by Grima. In the theatrical version I thought he just stayed in the tower for Treebeard to guard forever.
The four little hobbits had just arrived in Rivendell and I could only imagine what walking around in a place like that would feel like. Sometimes I wish I could escape into that world. But wait, then I would have to deal with orcs and Balrogs and Sauron and the Ring… I would just end up dead.
By the time the fellowship reached Lothlorien I was beginning to feel tired. I decided it was time to go to bed, it was already a quarter to midnight anyway. I shut off the TV, happy that the DVD player would keep my spot for me. Once I had brushed my teeth, washed my face and brushed out my hair, I headed to my bed and took off my bra. I got into my bed and shut off my lamp. I took a peek at the clock, it read 11:59. My body suddenly became extremely heavy and just before my eyes shut, I saw the clock strick midnight.
XOXOXOXOX
I woke up to a chilly breeze. Damn it was cold. I reached down to grab at my blanket and pull it up, but there was nothing there. Then it occurred to me, I didn't have my window open, how could there be a breeze?
My eyes shot open and I sat up, suddenly wide awake. I looked around confused. There were trees everywhere, and not the kind I was used to. These were huge! If I wanted to hug one I wouldn't be able to get my arms around it! I had been lying down on the ground on top of grass and a few small bushes. My mind quickly thought of all the spiders I could have laid on and I shot up as my hands went to shake out and brush off anything that could be on me. As I was rubbing my sweatpants down I noticed I didn't have any shoes on. Lovely.
Might as well walk around and see if I can find anything. I lived where pinetrees were the norm, so being able to walk barefoot without needles stabbing my feet was cool. I did step on a rock every once in awhile, but I could handle that. The longer I walked the more I came to think it was all a dream. The last thing I remember is going to bed after all, so it made sense. But, I've only had one other dream that I knew I was dreaming. In that dream I was able to fly on command...
With that in mind I jumped. I jumped up and tried to fly into the air, but I came back down on my feet. Okay, that didn't work.
I continued my midnight trek through the woods, thoughts racing through my head. Where was I? How did I get here? Why was I here? My boobs were really starting to bug me. I loved my bra. I knew most women hate them because they are constricting, but I loved mine. I wish my C cup was an A right now.
After walking a while longer I came to a small clearing and I could see the stars. My eyes grew wide as I craned my head up to look. There were so many stars. I had never seen so many in the sky in all my life. Now that I thought about it, the air here was fresher somehow. Like it was cleaner. Maybe I was in the middle of nowhere? Logically I couldn't be anywhere near home.
I sat down on the ground in the clearing. The grass was soft and I laid down, making sure to put my hood under my head. I was hit with a sudden feeling of hopelessness. Even though I didn't want to believe it I knew I wasn't near my home. I was alone and cold and hungry. It felt like I had been walking for hours through this never ending forest. I looked at the sky I felt my throat close up and my eyes water. Since no one was there I let the tears fall. Soon I rolled onto my sides and cried, hoping that this was just a cruel dream after all. I hugged myself, giving my body as much warmth as I could manage. I must have looked so pathetic.
In the middle of my crying I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned quickly, nearly giving myself whiplash. I wanted to scream, but the sound was caught in my throat and instead I gasped. I rubbed my eyes with my sleeves as I heard a voice, "Are you alright?" The voice was smooth and calm and held a hint of curiosity.
Once I felt that I had my face as presentable as it could be after such a strong crying fest, I looked up. No words came from my mouth. Instead I stared like an idiot at the beautiful man in front of me. His blonde hair came to his shoulders, his features were soft, but now like a woman's. I couldn't put my finger on it, but he was a handsomely pretty man. He also seemed… familiar…?
He repeated his question, "Are you alright?"
I nodded, "Where am I?"
He got down onto one knee to come to my level. "You are outside the realm of Imladris. How you have wandered this far on your own is unknown to me."
I wanted to tell him I have no idea how I got here, but what then? He would think I'm crazy! Not to mention he wasn't dressed like a normal person. It was like he had never been shopping for clothes before. Wait… did he just say Imladris?
"What are you wearing?" His question shocked me out of my thoughts. He was looking at my clothes with a confused expression.
Even though my hoodie was a thicker material, I was probably nipping out and I didn't want him to see that. Pretending I was cold, which wasn't hard, I crossed my arms over my chest and said, "This is what is normal."
"It is normal to walk through a forest without any boots?" he said eyeing my feet.
I was silent for a second, "Well… No."
He nodded, "And why are you here all alone with no supplies?"
I sighed and rubbed my face a bit more, "Look, I have no idea why I am here or how I got here. The last thing I remember is going to sleep in my own bed, everything after that is a blank."
There was a long silence before the man stood and extended his hand out to me. I looked at it for a moment and took his hand. Even if this guy ended up being some sort of serial murderer, I probably would end up dead without him. "I will bring you to Imladris. When we arrive, we will see if someone there will be able to help you."
I nodded as I stood, "Thank you, umm..."
"Legolas." He bowed his head to me, my hand still in his. My mind was racing as it suddenly hit me. Imladris. Legolas. Was I in fucking Middle Earth? The Middle Earth? My eyes flew to his ears and loandbehold they were pointed… Fucking hell...
The look on my face probably betrayed my inner shock. I smiled awkwardly, "Samantha." I nodded and slowly took my hand from his.
He said something else but my mind was in another place. As I followed him I thought about the movies. I had literally just watched the first movie and I could hardly remember it. An image of Orlando Bloom as Legolas entered my mind. This Legolas looked similar, but he looked more… angelic. It was the best word to describe it.
How was I going to get home? Maybe Gandalf could help me? But what if he didn't believe me? This world revolved around magic more than science. The multiverse theory probably wouldn't fly here.
We came upon two other elves and three horses. Legolas gracefully mounted and reached his hand out to me. I extended my hand and he pulled me up onto the horse in front of him. I had never ridden a horse before, but it was extremely uncomfortable on my back side. Kinda like riding my bike after not riding it all winter.
After a few hours of riding it looked as if the sun was beginning to rise. We reached a shallow river and crossed to the other side. I felt a shiver run along my skin and up my back. Legolas seemed to notice and I thought I heard a quick laugh come from him. "It is an old elvish magic you sense. The river is old and has long protected these lands."
I nodded in response, not really sure of what to say. It didn't take much longer for us to come across a magical sight. I'd never seen such a beautiful place in all my life. I thought of the Rivendell from the movie and it couldn't compare. Legolas led the horse into a small stone covered area and dismounted, quickly turning to help me down as well. It was a big horse and it was a long way down so the help was greatly appreciated. I said thanks and stood and watched as the two other elves led the horses away. I assumed to a stable of some kind.
Legolas motioned me to follow him and I did. It was at this time I noticed how tall he was. At my 5 feet and 3 inches, I think he was a good foot taller than me. For a split second it made me wish I was taller. I hated being short, you could never reach anything!
"I must announce my presence to Lord Elrond and at the same time, I will let him know you need a room prepared."
"Thank you, Legolas." I wasn't sure if I could call him by his first name. Afterall, wasn't he a prince if I remember right? Since he didn't correct me, I'll just go with it.
It didn't take us long to reach Elrond's study. Legolas knocked on the door and walked in several steps before bowing formally. "Lord Elrond, I assume I do not make an intrusion."
"Not at all, Prince of the Woodland Realm, I have been expecting you." Elrond stood and I took in his appearance as I shyly entered the room. He had long raven black hair and even though he had a few age lines, he held the same angelic beauty and grace as Legolas. Speaking of age lines, weren't elves immortal or something? If he had signs of aging he had to be older than dirt!
Elrond looked at me and I bowed my head, "Hello, Lord Elrond."
He eyed me curiously, with a hint of suspicion he looked between me and the prince, "Who would this be, young Legolas?"
Without turning to me he looked Elrond in the eye and told him, "I found her in the woods, crying and alone. She is young, if I had left her there she would have surely died. She has no memory of how she arrived here and I thought your wisdom might help her."
I frowned. He said it all in Elvish. Damn. With my luck he was probably telling him about how I was a blubbering mess. How embarrassing.
Elrond looked at me again and nodded. He walked over to me and he was almost as tall as Legolas. Were all Elves giants? "What might your name be, young miss?"
"Samantha." Came my uncertain reply. Get a hold of yourself! It's only your name, no need to be nervous. At least not yet.
"Well, Samantha, I will have a room set up for you and we will talk of your predicament later. I assume you are tired from the trip here."
Even though I wasn't tired at all, I nodded and didn't say anything. I mean, what could I say? I was in a magical world that I never thought existed. Surrounded by people that should only be real in movies and books!
Even though the sun was about to rise, I wasn't looking forward to the discussion with Elrond when I woke up.
A/N - Hello everyone, so there you have it. First chapter to my story. Samantha's personality is my personality, I wanted to immerse myself into the story as much as possible, and that was the easiest way to do it. I've missed writing and haven't done much writing in a while. I would love to return to some of my older stories, but I have lost a lot of my passion for the things I loved due to depression. (Much like Samantha) I am trying to gain it back, and now that I am out of hell *cough* *College* *Cough* I'm doing better.
It would mean a lot to me if you reviewed and tell me what you think and/or favorite and follow this story.
Bu-Bye~!
