Disclaimer: All rights belong to their respected owners J.R.R Tolkien and Peter Jackson. I do not and will not take claim over any concept or Character that does not belong to me personally.
My Characters: Elora Aldaval, Thalion Aldaval.
Chapter One
"Elora." I look up from my book seeing a man wearing a grey pointed and a staff in hand. An odd sight if you ask me but in this town, I've seen stranger.
"Who are you and how do you know my name?" I ask dog-earing the page I am on and meeting this man's eyes.
"My name, is Gandalf the Grey and I know your name because I knew your birth parents." I sit in utter shock thinking this man is bonkers and I should probably run.
"My birth parents were murdered when I was a baby, if this is a joke it is a very unkind one." I state and Gandalf looks down at me.
"What have your adopted parents told you of your birth parents and place?" Gandalf questions and I look down ashamed.
"They once told me that they were not particularly from around here. Why?" I ask and he offers his hand.
"Trust me dear child, there are answers to your past." I must be crazy but I take his hand and the world around me blurs and suddenly I'm surrounded by trees.
I look around and there is nothing but land spread out before me. I take a deep breath in and the air is so much cleaner here.
"Where are we?" I ask turning to Gandalf.
"We, my dear, are in Middle-Earth, your birthplace." I look around and a smile spreads across my face. Answers to my questions is what Gandalf said I would find here.
"Will I have to go back?" I ask hoping that I won't.
"No my dear, unless you want to."
My whole body feels as if it is protesting against that suggestion. "No, I don't ever want to go back there." I answer and look around in awe. Part of me believing everything my eyes take in the other part still trying to accept that this is real.
"Come, Elora, there are people that are awaiting your arrival." I follow Gandalf over to horses.
One has a beautiful bright white coat and stands proudly. The other a soft brown with white spots. "Hey there, arent you a pretty one."
"That, my dear, is Loriel, she is to be yours. Shadowfax is mine. We are to be your company until we reach Rivendell which is a fortnights travel." Gandalf explains and I look over at him as I climb onto Loriel.
"Gandalf, will my pointy-ears be explained as well?" I ask and he smiles at me.
"Yes of course. I will be explaining many things on our journey to Rivendell, which is where you were born."
I nod then bring Loreil into a nice trot as Gandalf does with Shadowfax. "Um.. how long is a fortnight?" I ask as my cheeks heat up as I feel embarrassed about not knowing this stuff.
"Two weeks my dear." Gandalf answers. From there I continue to take in my surroundings. "This world is not like the one you were raised in which I'm sure is quite obvious to you. In this world there are creatures you have come to know only as myth or fairytale. For me as an example, I am a wizard, one of five. Other creatures include hobbits, elves, dwarves, dragons, and others you may not of heard of. Men do exist in this world as well. I brought you back because I feel that you will be of great help in the future." Gandalf explains and I turn my head to him.
"How so Gandalf, I do not have very many survival skills but those that I have learned while hiding from my adopted parents and ones I have learned in lessons or on my own." I state already feeling that Gandalf has made a mistake bringing me back here.
"Tell me, what are these skills that you have."
"Well I know how to start a fire without using a match or lighter, I have been taking lessons in archery since I was eight, I know how to find water in a forest, I know how to keep warm if it is cold. That's about it." I answer and Gandalf nods then pats my shoulder.
"I have a very sure feeling that you will fit in just fine here in Middle-Earth, after all you have the instincts of an elf." I reached up a hand to my right ear and smiled knowing that finally, after all these years of thinking it was a birth-defect, it is natural and there are people that won't look at me twice.
"So what's a hobbit?" I ask wanting to learn as much as I can.
"A small creature, about the height of an eight-year child when full grown, that is quiet on their feet despite how large they are. They also have a great amount of courage and selflessness. To have a hobbit as a friend is a fine gift indeed."
As I listen to Gandalf talk I realize that I have to adjust the way I talk if I am going to continue to live here. I don't think it'll be that hard.
"Tell me about the dwarves please, I would like to know."
"Very stubborn creatures, but have good hearts if you get to know them, but elves and dwarves do not get along very well they will tolerate each other if needed." My eyebrows furrow at that and I look down at Loreil's mane.
"Are dwarves shorter than hobbits?" I ask braiding Loriel's mane.
"No they are about two inches taller than a hobbit most of time. Another thing I must tell you about hobbits, they do not pick sides unless it is a matter of evil or good. They only wish to see good in the world." Gandalf explains and I begin to hope that I meet a hobbit.
"What about elves?" I ask since that is my own race.
"Ah, the elves are elegant creatures, they are wise, some more than others. They are said to be the most beautiful creatures to exist. They are light on their feet and are immortal." My eyes widen at the last part and I look up at Gandalf.
"It's a good thing you brought me back here." I point out and Gandalf returns a look that says i still have much to learn.
"Yes it is. You must not only be taught about the creatures and the land, you must also learn the history and languages of Middle-Earth. Your uncle, Lord Elrond of Rivendell will be overseeing most of your studies but in a few years I will be returning for you." Gandalf explains and I give him a blank stare.
"How fast do you think I can learn?" I ask, not sure of how much I will be studying. Gandalf only smiles at me.
"You are an elf, they are known for their memory and quickness to grasp things, do not tell me that you have not noticed these things about yourself?" Gandalf asks and I blush.
"I have noticed these things as well as others." I state and Gandalf smiles.
It has been thirteen days since I have arrived in Middle-Earth. The place of my birth. Gandalf has taught me lots in the short time I have been with him. The things I have learned are all interesting and heartbreaking and scary and a good amount of other things. I have noticed that naturally I have caught on to the way of speaking and I was right it is very easy and becomes a habit which I am glad for. I also believe that it is easy for me because I was born here and must have heard my parents speaking.
"We should be in Rivendell by late tomorrow afternoon. It is now that I must have you make a very important decision. One that will alter your life. This decision is if you will stay in Middle-Earth or if you will return to the world in which you were raised. If you decide to stay here all access to the other world will be closed. If you return to the other world, you will never be able to return as the access will once again be closed." Gandalf states and in a heartbeat I have made my decision because nothing will ever want to make me go back there, also, I am immortal it sort of would be inconvenient for me.
"I wish to stay here Gandalf, this is my birthplace, I feel this is where I truly belong." I state and Gandalf nods his head.
The moment we arrive in Rivendell my words have fled. There are no words to describe the beauty and calm. The running water, the cascading water falls, the trees that whisper in the wind and the birds that happily chirp their songs. It's all breath taking. To think that I was born here warms my heart.
"Ah Gandalf, I see you have brought our long awaited guest here safely." My attention turns to a tall man with a lean build and brown hair and wise grey eyes that also held a kind warmth in them.
"Elora, this is Lord Elrond of Rivendell, your uncle."
"It is a pleasure to meet you my Lord." I put my hand to my heart and bow my head in respect.
"The pleasure is mine dear child, the last time I saw your face was when you were just a baby."
"Uncle is she here?!" An excited voice floats over to me and a young ellon, at least ten years older than me comes running over.
"Yes Thalion. Elora, I would like to introduce you to your older brother, Thalion." I stare in shock as new questions form in my head. So many questions that, if I wasn't overwhelmed by everything, I would have a headache.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." I greet him as I regain my composure.
"Is everything all right Elora?" Lord Elrond asks, looking at me with concern.
"Everything is a bit overwhelming right now."
"My deepest apologies. I will not rush into your studies, I will let you get used to things first. Just let me know when you feel comfortable starting." Lord Elrond replies gently and I look up at him.
"There is no need to apologize. About my studies I was hoping to start tomorrow, after breakfast. Knowing more might help me adjust and feel comfortable." I state and he looks at me approvingly.
"If you feel it will help. Now why don't we give our long awaited family member a tour of Imladris."
At those words I follow Lord Elrond with Thalion and Gandalf still with us. The more I see and take in, the happier I am to be here.