Summary: Three Thousand years into the fourth age, a modern era has taken hold, and the races of middle earth live side by side in a technological world much like our own. But when Lord Elrond receives news of his son's untimely death, he returns from Valanor to M.E. to meet his granddaughter.
Rating: T for language and implied sexuality
Disclaimer: I Don't own Lord of the rings. That should be apparent, since I am after all on FANFICTION. NET
Thank you to this chapters BETA reader Elfpen!
EDIT: So I have read the books, but it's been a while, So I forgot some major things (damn) wikipedia failed me (crys). And so I have re-written this, added some things, and added some info. I hope you forgive me.
Misc. information
Time period: So, we had the medieval time not to long ago… About 1000 years ago? Well, I think that 3000 years is enough time for the humans of middle earth to make the same progress as we have.
Aging: I know all about what people think of elves and how they grow, but I have decided that the elves in my story, don't age slowly, like some like to portray (can you accept that?). the reason behind this is the fact that I NEEDED her to be enrolled in a school of some sort, and befriending humans and hobbits, and that would not work if she aged differently.
Different races: Much like people of different color in our universe have come together, I imagine the different races in Middle earth to come together. Yes a lot of drawves still live in the mountains, and yes hobbits live in the shire, but they have 'spread out'
Thank you for the help from the first two reviewers (before I removed the story)
-A gifted Life-
Chapter one "Family"
At the end of the third age, the elves left the lands of middle earth to return to the Elven homeland of Valinor.
The race of men thrived during the fourth age, the rein of kings in Gondor bringing upon a time of prosperity.
As time moved on, the mortals of Middle Earth grew in their knowledge. Technology began to emerge as peace progressed. And Middle Earth moved in a direction of modern science rather than war bearing.
The rein of kings descending form the great king Elessar still ruled in the white tower of Minas Tirith. And by their power Gondor grew and formed the Western Men Alliance with the neighboring country of Rohan. Working together the two kingdoms of men expanded their domain and kept peace to all lands.
Time passed and Middle earth no longer resembled what it once was. No longer was it a land where the horseman rode through the fields of Rohan. No longer was it a land where the travel was long and grueling. No longer was it a place where the different races were separate.
Now it was a place much like the world we live in now. A modern world with the history of a fantasy epic.
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"Aranel, please read from the text." I heard my teacher ask from me. I grunted in reply. Speaking in front of class was not fun. Standing up I glared at Mr. Bruni, the teacher of my History class. He was a short man, a long grey beard covering his face. But what else would you expect from a dwarf? Looking down to the open book below me I read silently
"Please Miss Aranel, not all of us have elvish hearing." The teacher said, his remark earning several snickers form the rest of the class.
"During the second war of the ring, the people of Gondor were put in a state of emergency as the threat of the neighboring country of Mordor grew. The steward in charge at the time sent troops to protect the borders." I made sure my voice was louder as I read the text. When I had finished the article I sat back down in my seat. My friend Morwen leaned over to me.
"Racist bastard. I swear he has it out for you. Mr. Bruni doesn't give the rest of us half the crap he gives you." She said in a hushed voice. I giggled at her statement
"Well what do you expect? It all goes back to the ancient rivalry of dwarves and elves". With a smile she replied
"He just wishes he could be as tall as you. He like 70 years old, and he's what? 3 and a half feet? And here comes a student, only 17 years old peaking 6 feet."
"I'm only 5'8." I corrected her. "Your still freaking tall compared to him."
The rest of the class went on as usual, the teacher giving me crap for not turning in my research project, all the while conveniently ignoring the fact that I was not the only student in class not to do so.
The bell rang and I ran to catch up with my friends. Pip, the only hobbit in our little group of outcasts was chugging a bottle of soda as I walked up. While Morwen complained about a boy from our class. "So that 'lil freak had the nerve to say to me 'Human girls have nothing on dwarven women!' Can you believe that? I swear one day I will punch him in his chubby face..." she went on.
"Well none of you girls have anything on elvish women." Eomir said looking over to me. It was a well known fact he had a crush on me, and no matter how many times I told him I don't date (I'm WAY to young! Doesn't he understand that elves don't start dating until WAY later?) he still insisted on hinting that he wanted to go out with me. Pip, finally done with his soda entered the conversation at that point.
"I don't care what race she's from as long as she has a nice rack." We continued to laugh and joke until the burley security guard came over telling us to get off of school property if we were just going to loiter.
"I don't want to stay here anyway!" Morwen shouted as we left the property of GonRoh Academy. Our supposedly elite school.
"Damnit I hate snow!" Pip complained as we walked threw the snow drifts along side the road
"Then become an elf so you can walk on top of it" I said smugly as I nimbly made my way on top of the snow, leaving no foot prints behind me. He glared at me in respond.
"Well Sorry Ara, but not all of us have the 'grace of the elves.'" Morwen complained as she tried to avoid the icy patches.
"Well that sounds like a personal problem to me" I replied, smiling. "I'll show you personal problem." I heard Her say under her breath right before a snow ball landed smack dab in the middle of my head, my dark brown hair now holding clumps of snow.
"I hope a Balrog eats you!" I shouted as I turned around.
"Aww, is our poor lil eleth mad she got hit?" Morwen sad in mock sadness, Pip and Eomir laughing hysterically. Turning my attention to the audience enjoying the brawl, I glared at the mortal male I called my friend.
"I wouldn't laugh Eomir, you just stepped in dog shit." I said smirking. He instantly looked down to find that I spoke the truth. A look of disgust on his face.
I'll admit that it was fun at times to be the only elf in my school. The way I could enter class after the late bell without anyone noticing. The way I already knew elvish better than our teachers thanks to tutoring from my mentors. How I never got sick, and how I knew I wouldn't die in this world. But it was also lonely. I was -after all- the only teenage elf in middle earth.
You see not all of the elves left for Valanor. Some stayed behind to keep an eye on the way things progressed in middle earth. My Father, and mother being two such elves.
When my mother got pregnant, my father wanted to return to Valanor, to make sure that she would have a safe delivery, but my mother was having none of that. "We've lived in middle earth for so long. I don't want our child to miss out of this experience" she had said.
But as it turned out, remaining in middle earth was her down fall. She died the night I was born. The complications of my delivery being too much for her. And a few years after her, my father followed in sorrow leaving me behind. The newest member to the elvish community in M.E.
I don't miss her. I never knew her. But I do miss him. He lived up until I was three years of age. I remember the songs he would sing to me at night, I remember the way that he always seemed so strong… But I also remember how incredibly sad he was. People who knew him said that with out my mother he was like a shell of his former self. That it was no surprise that he would follow her. But I wish he did live longer. At least until I was old enough to ask all the questions that pool in my mind. Questions no one else can answer.
I wish I got the chance to ask my father what it was like to be the son of a great elf lord during the second age. What it was like to be Elrohir, son of Elrond. A person I read of in history books of the ancient world.
I left my friends and made my way home in a slow pace. I had no desire to arrive at the hill top manor I called home. What good was living in a fancy home when you were the only inhabitant? Of course that wasn't entirely true. I wasn't entirely alone. But I hardy call the grounds keeper, cleaning ladies, and maids a welcoming party to return to.
After the death of my parents I was put into the care of their closest Human friend, a man named Eldacar. Some of the Elves wished to take me in, they said that I should be with my kin, but Eldacar was whom my father left me with, and they did not dare go against his last wishes. He was my Godfather and closet friend growing up. But now he was away in the east at some alliance conference, and wouldn't be home for a month or so.
I shouldn't complain, I'm the one who insisted I could take of myself for a month. It wasn't like I didn't have people to cook or clean for me, you see, thanks to my parents I lived a very 'comfortable' life. After their death's all of the money they have accumulated over the years was passed on to me. So here I am, a young girl with enough money to run a small country.
When I did finally arrive at the front door of my home I was greeted by my butler, Mr. Halith. "Lady Ara, a letter came for you today, it's from lords Voronwe and Herion." I instantly perked up in interest. Voronwe and Herion were two Elvish lords who inhabited this part of Gondor. Every now and then they would check in on me, and give me lessons in elvish and archery. Herion was like a fun older brother while Voronwe was like an overprotective uncle. I grabbed the letter and tore it open. In elegant script it read:
"Dear young Aranel,
As the daughter of our most beloved friend, the departed Lord Elrohir, we have kept you in our sights... But it is not unknown to us, how hard it is for you, a young elleth, to grow up as the only one of our kind in your age group. It has been a point of concern for us, as to weather or not to return with you to our elven homeland of Valanor, and when reached, return you to your family. Your Grandfather Lord Elrond and your uncle Lord Elladan. As you know it is nearly impossible to communicate with our distant kin, and with this we fear that your family do not yet know of the untimely death of your parents. Or of the fact that you, our dear friend and student was even born. But two years past one of our kin made his last journey over the sea to Valanor and relayed a message to your kin. We now bring you news of a ship that makes way to our shores holding with it, your family. They come to claim you Young one. You should delight in this fact. No more shall you be alone in this world. There arrival is estimated for the 23rd of November. That morning we shall pick you up and bring you to the meeting place.
May the stars shine upon you,
Voronwe and Herion"
I stood frozen for a few moments, reading and rereading the letter.
My family was coming for me?
The thought was odd. Could these people who never met me before, who didn't even know of my existence until a little while ago really be coming over here for me?
It both excited me and terrified me.
Compared to Voronwe and Herion I was the least elf like person I ever met. I was rude, I cursed, I would rather sing rock songs than ballads, and for the Valor's sake I wanted to go on a vacation in Mordor! (in my behalf it was one of the largest tourist destinations now that no more Orcs inhabited it) What would it be like to stand next to a great Elf Lord like Lord Elrond. Yes he was my grandfather, but he was also a complete stranger. I can just imagine us standing side by side: Him, proud, strong, and wise, and then me… Stubborn, ignorant, and weak. The though made me shudder.
And did I truly want to go to Valanor?
I quickly shoved the thoughts form my mind. No, I wouldn't make myself think of such things; not yet. The twenty-third of November was two months off and I still had along time to think of it.
That night I went to bed without touching my dinner. I colasped into my feathery bed and fell instantly asleep. As I slept a dream surrounded me, engulfing me in a familiar setting.
In the dream, I heard a soft voice singing in elvish. The voice was beautiful. I couldn't understand what they were saying; I hadn't yet learned the dialect they spoke.
The voice continued to sing, as a face came in to my vision. The women was beautiful, with long dark hair, and piercing blue eyes. I knew who she was. It was my mother.
I tried to call out to her
"Naneth!" I said in barely a whisper. But her attention was never drawn to me.
"Naneth!" I called again, my voice stronger. But still my call was unheeded.
I knew that I could never reach her; that she existed in another time, and, no matter how many times I called out, she would never here me.
I cried as I watched her sing, her voice pure and delicate.
"Naneth." I whispered before I woke up.
I lay in bed with silent tears escaping my eyes. I don't know how many countless times I dreamed that dream, but no matter how many times it entered my mind, every time it made me full of sorrow.
I did want family. I wanted a mother and father, I wanted siblings, I wanted aunts and uncles. I wanted it all. But over the years I have come to accept the fact that I would never have it. But now that has changed. I had family... They were all on the other side of the world, but they wanted me. These people wanted to know me, to love me. I had family.