A/N: Dedicated to my beta Azzie(Inkfire) and my first reviewer, kaototchi! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review! :D
Finding the Light:
Chapter One: Winds of Change:
"These ships will be able to support our race to a new era of living in space. They will be clean and made safe for all who wish to join us in this glorious new age."
The TV screen abruptly went blank. "Well, that's that." Melody sighed. They had no way of fixing whatever problem had shut it off.
"They're so stupid." her father laughed from behind her. "One of the infected will be snuck onto each ship by some desperate family member and doom us all to extinction!"
"At least they're trying." Melody muttered.
"If you want to rush out there and die just like everyone else, go right ahead." he told her, waving in the general direction of the door. "No one's stopping you."
She growled in frustration. "Yes, why are you still here?" her stepmother chimed in.
"Not for long." she retorted harshly.
"All these so-called 'friends' of yours are dead, turned, or missing. Not a single one thought of you. You didn't even deserve that much from them!"
"You have no idea what you're talking about." Melody hissed, but she was shaking now, and the woman knew she'd hit a sore spot and kept talking.
"Shut up!" the young woman yelled suddenly. She froze, but her parents kept laughing and berating her for being the unwanted child. She locked eyes with her thirteen-year-old brother and shook her head. "They're here." she said calmly. "I, for one, am not going down without a fight."
"Suit yourself. We're going to get on those ships!" Melody raised her eyes to the heavens at her family's cowardice, but rushed out of the safe house after her family.
After several hours of scanning the sea of faces waiting to board, Melody gave up. She couldn't see any of her friends anywhere, no matter how hard or how often she searched. They were just…gone. She could only hope they were in a better place.
A few days later, the ships took off, and disaster struck once more. People panicked, and the disease only spread more quickly. The second day found Melody and her family cornered by a vicious mob against the terminal for the light excursion ships. Her parents and brother bolted, but Melody stayed back to block the path. They could only be safe if it was just them.
She heard the engines starting, and the doors begin to close. With one last blow to the head of the mob, she turned and ran like never before.
Her feet landed in the excursion ship, and her father extended his hand as the little vehicle began to maneuver out into the open. Melody reached out to take it, and found herself falling backwards, into the empty abyss. Her lungs seized, and spots swam before her eyes as she watched the scene unravel above her like a horror movie in Imax 3D. Her eyelids closed as she relaxed, and let herself fall away.
The first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was quite different.
It was dark, but she could feel grass beneath her body, and hear the gurgling of water over falls rather than the carnage from what seemed like just moments ago.
What the hell?
"Hello?" she called, then cursed herself. She had no idea what was out there!
But how else was she supposed to figure this out? Is this what it's like to be dead?
Melody snorted. Not like you've ever really had to rely on anyone before. Or when you did, you were unable to. You can handle this on your own!
The music of the night changed slightly, a new instrument joining the chorus, a soft drumming. Even with her lack of actual horse sense, Melody recognized the faint sound of hoofbeats.
She scrambled for cover, and ended up climbing a tree. She crouched on one of the lower, but well-concealed branches and gazed down upon the falls. A white horse pulled up just below her branch. A tall old man sat astride the animal, and gazed around thoughtfully.
"Did you hear anything?" he asked his horse. The creature tossed its head, looking right up at Melody. She put a finger to her lips, but the horse whinnied and reared slightly, tossing its head up towards her hiding place.
Melody swore softly under her breath. The figure turned, and her eyes widened. She hadn't heard herself make a sound...his hearing was extraordinary. But now, she had to move. Silently.Yeah, right!
As she reached for another branch, the old man gave a cry, and, startled, she slipped, falling directly on top of him. He grabbed her gently, holding her in his lap so she didn't fall and crack her head upon the ground.
"Why hello there." he said, amused. "And who might you be?"
"Melody." she replied, not sure as to why she was trusting him, other than he looked like someone's kind old grandfather. His eyes twinkled, and she realized he reminded her of a cross between Gandalf from Lord of the Rings and Dumbledore from Harry Potter. Two of her favorite book and movie series ever!
Well, Gandalf and Dumbledore were both good guys, Melody thought. Why not? He hasn't tried to hurt me...yet.
"I am Gandalf the Grey, otherwise known as Mithrandir in some parts. Where are you from?"
"A long way from here." she muttered, eyeing the forest she was now in. Not heaven, but Middle-Earth?
He chuckled. "I have traveled far, perhaps I know of it?"
"Doubt it. Aurora?" Melody asked.
Gandalf/Mithrandir shook his head, looking puzzled. "What country is that in?"
"The United States of America."
Now the poor wizard looked completely lost.
"Do you know of Earth?" she asked. He shook his head.
"No, I cannot say that I do. Is it another world, perhaps?" She nodded. He remained silent for some time. Melody sensed that he was thinking hard about something and decided to disturb him no further than sliding off his horse to stand on the ground. He let her go, and sat astride the horse for some time more, deep in thought.
"Hey, there." Melody whispered to the horse. "Does he do this often?" The horse nickered and nudged her hand, sniffing as if he suspected she held a treat.
Melody smiled. "Sorry, I don't have anything for you." she said softly. The horse lifted its head and met her gaze. She smiled, stroking his nose.
"Do you know where you are?" Gandalf asked suddenly.
"I assume I am somewhere in Middle-Earth, but I am not sure where. Mirkwood or Lothlórien are my guesses." Melody replied.
Gandalf laughed softly. "There are other forests in this world besides those two. You are not far from the Shire, lass."
Melody's eyes widened. "Can I meet some hobbits?" she asked eagerly, for a moment forgetting her traumatic recent experiences. "Or some Elves?"
Gandalf chuckled at her wide eyes. She looked so excited!
"Hobbits first. Bilbo Baggins' one-hundred-and-eleventh birthday is in two days! I am on my way there for that very occasion. Perhaps you would like to join me?" he offered.
Melody's face fell. "I'm not a party crasher type."
"He won't mind another guest, I am sure. His nephew Frodo much enjoys news of places beyond the Shire. Do not tell him you are from another world, but you may tell him you are from somewhere far away, and a bit about your world couldn't hurt. It would be a much appreciated break for me." he said, his eyes twinkling.
"In that case, I'd love to!" Melody cried.
"Until I can get you a horse of your own, you must ride with me. Come," He gestured towards the saddle in front of him. "We must hurry, for I am late getting back to my camp."
Melody nodded and took his hand, leaping lightly onto the horse's back. They set off across the stream and traveled along in silence for some time before they reached a clearing with a cart and little else in it. Gandalf slid down from the saddle and helped Melody down.
"Due to my side adventure, we must travel through the night, but you may sleep in the back if you wish." he offered, and Melody accepted with a yawn and a grateful smile.
Gandalf is a good guy. I'll be fine.
Soon after, they were on their way, Gandalf up front driving, and Melody curled in some blankets in a space amongst the fireworks, sound asleep, her troubles locked away in her memory, as she tried hard to forget all her pain. She was in Middle Earth now, far away from all her worst nightmares, but so much closer to all her dreams.