"Well that was a good movie", Marlon exclaimed stretching on the couch. "I mean, it had its flaws but in the end it told an inspiring story and.."

His movie companion, his best friend, Coraline had started laughing out loud, like there was no tomorrow. "Wow, Marl, do you listen to yourself? 'It was a good movie, but it had its flaws'. You sound just like the critics from the magazines or newspapers. We've just watched the final movie of the best triology of all-time and you are practically saying that it was decent enough", Coraline continued.

Marlon just watched her, deeply amused. To be honest with himself the movie was actually brilliant, it actually recreated the last war incredibly well. Of course he was not going to tell Coraline that, she didn't need to know who he really was, it was enough for her to know that he was just an orphan from Chicago whose parents died when he was only eleven years old. She didn't need to know that he was practically coming from an alternate universe.

"Well you know me Cora, it's pretty hard to impress me. Do you remember when you made me watch that romantic movie named 'The Notebook'?" When she nodded, again surpressing a smile he continued. "If my memory doesn't trick me, I wasn't impressed with that movie either, still not, but you keep promoting it as the best romantic movie you've ever seen."

"Because it is", she said pouting. "Anyway let's just change the subject. Tell me do you have anything planned for my birthday next week?" she asked deeply staring at him.

"Course I do, but I'm not gonna spoil the surprise to you. You my dear Coraline would have to wait and see", he said faking a smile, knowing that he didn't find yet a suitable present for her. He could just throw her a surprise party that things always worked, but this was his best friend after all, who was going to be 25 after her birthday, and to be honest he actually wants to spend that day alone with her. Maybe he will finnaly be brave enough to tell her how much he likes her. 'Maybe', being the key word here. For him, Coraline was the only person who really cared and spent time with him since he arrived on Earth from the Middle Earth. Many times he was tempted to go back there, because know that Sauron was finnaly defeated peace reigned upon his real home, but there was nothing for him there. Yes he may be a long forgotten general, a respected one, but he didn't want the glory or the responsibility that would come with his return. Here on Earth he had everything he needed, a normal life, with a suitable job and a person who cared for him, for the real him, not only for the great general who stood in front of his army at the Last Battle, helping Aragorn and his friend to defeat the evil. No here, he was an anonymous guy and he had the life that he would have never thought that he'd want.

Marlon could still remember the day when the great wizard, Gandalf told him about the Earth. He spoke about it as a long forgotten universe, that the Middle Earth knew nothing about, but fortunately he knew how to get the general there if he ever wanted to leave the world he grew up in. Surprising both of them, Marlon jumped on this train immediately, telling Gandalf that he just couldn't wait to see the other world. So, that's practically the story of how he arrived on Earth.

"You know after watching this movie, I have a perfect gift in my mind", Coraline said dragging him from his thoughts. "I know it's impossible, but it would be amazing if I could see The Middle Earth and its amazing landscapes", she said, her eyes full of passion. She really wanted to see that world, if only she knew who she was talking to. Marlon smiled lightly, thinking that he could give her that gift, but he wasn't stupid. He hasn't been there for enough years, who knew what might have happened, he wasn't going to risk her safety only for that. After all he never tested the portal the old wizard gave him to come back one day. If Marlon would tell her that he could get them ot there, and than the portal wouldn't work he would just make an ass out of himself, looking incredibly stupid. 'Let her dream, it's better', a voice said inside his head. But still, a question went out of his mouth.

"Do you believe in this story? I mean, do you believe that exists or it existed a land called Middle Earth?" Marlon asked curiously waiting for her answer.

"Well of course I believe, you know how I am Marl, I like to believe in this things. I believe in Harry Potter too", she said sending a wink in his way. "Do you mind if I sleep here tonight? It's already 1 o'clock in the morning and I got ver comfortable on this couch, let's not add that I;m going to be a zombie in the morning and your home is near the place where I work".

"Of course you can stay here, no need to ask" he said, getting a blanket from a cupboard." But I'm gonna disappoint you about the comforting part, If you sleep here, you take my bed, I take the couch. No lady will sleep on that thing in my home, while my bones are still intact," Malcom said and with a quick move he threw her over his shoulders. Coraline gave a surprised cry, but laughed after that. "Lady? We're not in the medieval times anymore, Malcom".

"We might be not", he said placing her on the bed. "But that doesn't mean I am not allowed to be a gentleman".

"Be it your way", she said making herself comfortable in his bed. "Good night Malcom and please don't do anything extravagant for my birthday. If you want to know all I really want is to spend time with you". He was surprised at the news at first, but quickly recovered. "I'll keep that in mind", and with that the former general switched off the light, letting the darkness pierce the room.

A/N: So my first LOTR story is a an alternate universe one. Hooray! Don't forget tell me what you think in a review.