Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story except for Julia. Any music that s used does not belong to me, but to the original artist who sang it. In this instance Enya.
Authors Notes: I haven't tried LOTR fanfiction yet so this is new territory for me. I understand that there are a lot of readers who have an incredibly advanced perception of grammar and lack there of in a story. So, as I'm trying my best to learn how to write in a proper manner I am always appreciative of creative criticism. However, I would rather you not flame me. Please? ::puppy dog face:: Review if you like what you read. This is going to be quite a learning experience for me.
Chapter 1The lights were bright and almost blinding. But that blinding was almost a comfort to Julia Monahan as she walked proudly onto the stage. The crowd screamed wildly as they saw her uniquely shadowed form take it's place behind the microphone stand.
Her hands rose as her eyes closed and she swayed gracefully to the Celtic sounds coming from the keyboards. It was this moment that completely captivated and mesmerized the audience for the first time, but definitely not the last.
It was her only addiction. The one thing she couldn't live without and would most likely never have to. Her music was angelic in sound and it instilled a sense of peaceful urgency inside the heart and souls of every person to be exposed to it's melodious sounds. And as it was her addiction so was it theirs.
A gentle smile formed on her full, yet perfectly formed lips as her arms lowered and she took a single step forward. Her hand grasped the microphone and she leaned into it's stand, bringing her mouth as close to the metal screen as she could without touching it. It was then that her mouth opened and she released the building tension that grew inside her before every show. As she began her song, her body relaxed and she shared a delicate intimacy with the listeners.
I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls
With vassels and serfs at my sideAnd of all who assembled within those walls
That I was the hope and the pride
I had riches all too great to count
And a high ancestral name
But I also dreamt which please me most
That you loved me still the same
That you loved me
You loved me still the same
That you loved me
You loved me still the same
I dreamt that suitors sought my hand
That knights upon bended knee
And with vows no maiden's heart could withstand,
They pledged their faith to me.
And I dreamt that one of that noble host
Come forth my hand to claim.
But I also dreamt which charmed me most
That you loved me still the same
That you loved me
You loved me still the same
That you loved me
You loved me still the same
Marble Halls By: Enya
She let the last note carry and opened her eyes to scan the crowd as she did every night. It brought joy to her heart to see the warmth and sense of unity that spoke loudly on their faces.
But on this night, she saw something that she hadn't expected. A familiar face. A face that she hadn't laid eyes upon since her childhood years and she smiled knowingly at him. With a nod of her head, her security staff immediately positioned themselves at his side before leading him back stage.
She made one last glance in his direction before continuing on with the concert. There was a lot to be talked about, but her mind wasn't on that at the moment. Her mind was drifting back into it's state of pure ecstasy as the next song rolled on.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
He sat in her extravagantly decorated dressing room in front of the mirror, gazing at his reflection and running his hand down his long white beard. Thinking perhaps it might have been a good idea to have altered his appearance a bit to blend into the background of this times society more perfectly.
With a brief shrug of his shoulders he settled down on the couch and waited patiently for her to arrive. There was much he had to tell her and very little time left.
The scent in the air that he breathed reminded him of the small child he'd left behind all those years ago. A scent of roses in bloom and strawberries in cream. He sighed at the distant memory at the edge of his old mind. She had depended on him then to return and as he promised he had. But, how would she take ill news brought in such a manner. Would she be willing to step up and accept her birthright? Or would she choose to turn her back on that chapter in her life.
As his hand lay on the armrest of the sofa, he felt the softest touch of fabric beneath his fingers. A smile formed on his face as her recognized this particular article of clothing.
The small girl sat at the desk, her head bent over a book and her right hand effortlessly writing notes without her even having to glance at the paper.
Gandalf watched in amusement as she continued her studies, unaware she was using her powers. It had come easily for her and she could accomplish many things with merely a thought. She was already more powerful that some wizards one hundred times her age.
"That is enough for now, Julia." His voice boomed, echoing against the walls and startling Julia from her studying.
Immediately her eyes met his and a sound squeal sounded as she jumped up out of her chair and flew across the room into his already open arms. "Gandalf! It's so good to see you."
Her arms wound around his neck tightly and she found herself on the verge of tears, much to her distress. She hated crying. It seemed like such a weak thing to do and she was so set upon showing everyone just how strong she was.
"It is good to see you as well, my child." He replied his voice engulfed with a rare sound of tenderness. A tenderness that Julia always managed to bring out in him.
She pulled away from his welcomed embrace and wiped a stray tear from her cheek quickly. "How long can you stay?"
He smiled softly. "for a short time. Your grandmother wished for me to come check on your progress."
Her heart plummeted a bit at his words, but she smiled back and him nonetheless. "I wish I could see her again. It has been far too long since I last spent time with my grandmother in Lothlorien. Nor spent time with Haldir. I miss them so much."
"And they you." He could see the sadness in her eyes and was unable to hold the sudden urge to bring her hope at bay. "There will come a time when you will be able to spend as much time as you want with them. But you must be ready." His hand grazed her small face. "That is why your studies are so important. They will prepare you for the choice you will have to make."
"What choice, Gandalf?"
His smile faltered a bit. "That I cannot tell you. It's not time yet."
She felt a surge of impatience at his vagueness. "Well, when will the time be right?"
"When the time is right."
She groaned loudly and rolled her eyes. "You are incorrigible."
He laughed and turned her towards the table. "That I am, child. Now get back to your studies."
Julia glanced over her shoulder briefly before turning to sit down at the desk, all the while humming a haunting tune and pulling a delicate silk shawl closer around her shoulders. The melody and the article of clothing were something that Gandalf was quite familiar with. He only wondered if she knew where it had come from.
The sound of the door opening and shutting loud him shook him from his moment of reminiscing. He released the soft cloth and glanced across the room where standing in front of him stood, not the child that he had once known, but the form of a grown woman with her hands placed stubbornly upon her hips and a look of annoyance upon her well defined face.
"You're timing could use some work, Gandalf. You almost distracted me from my show."
"Almost?" He grinned in amusement. "I must be losing my touch."
Julia could not contain the smile for another moment. "Oh, it's good to see you, Gandalf." She said walking towards the sofa and waiting until her had stood up to throw her arms around him.
It was such a comforting feeling to have him so near after such a long time. Never a day had past since their last parting that she hadn't thought of Gandalf. Her mentor. Her protector. The one whose opinion of her always mattered most, even above her Grandmother's.
In the same manner, Gandalf felt as if something that was missing from his life had been found and placed it's proper spot. He'd always treasured Julia above any of the other beings in his life. Most likely because he'd had such a big part in raising her for the first fifteen years of her life.
"You've grown into a beautiful young woman, Julia." He said a slight waver in his voice that shocked them both.
"How long will you stay?"
It was this question that she always asked when they were reunited each time.
"For a short time."
She sighed and nodded her head knowingly. "As always." She turned away from Gandalf and strode over to the table and though angry, began packing what few belongs were left in her dressing room. "I do not understand why you even bother to come back here if you only stay 'For a short time'."
"Julia…" He began only to be interrupted by her continuing rant.
"No, Gandalf. For the last six years of my life I've seen you maybe twice and each time you've only stayed for a couple of days at the most." Her hands flew up dramatically. "As far as my grandmother. I can't even remember the last time I saw her. I don't even know if I would recognize Middle Earth if I saw it."
Gandalf took a step towards her. "Julia…"
"I'm so tired of this. How long do I have to wait?" She turned towards him and found him right behind her. She hadn't even heard him move. "How long do I have to be alone, Gandalf?"
"Julia, if you're quite finished." At the raise of his eyebrows her mouth shut and she gave him a nod signaling that her rant was indeed over. He took a breath and placed his hand against her cheek. "My child, it is time."
She frowned in confusion. "What?" Then a light clicked on inside her mind and she sucked in a gasp of air. "It's time? For me to visit my grandmother?"
He smiled softly. "Are you prepared?"
In that instant she was unable to speak. He was telling her the one thing she'd wanted to here since she was a child. Now after she'd accomplished so much on her own. A successful music career, a following of dedicated friends and colleagues, and now Gandalf was asking her to up and leave them, just like that.
Oh she knew she was contradicting everything she'd been feeling. She did want to see her grandmother—quite badly in fact—but how could she just drop everything and leave. But it was then that she realized, whatever she had here in this time, there was something infinitely more important waiting for her when she returned to Middle Earth.
So with that last thought in her mind, she turned to Gandalf. "I'm prepared."
I know this is just the first chapter, but I would definitely love to know what you guys think. I'm going to try my best to finish at least 3 chapters a week if not more. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and please know that this is only the introduction and it might take a few chapters to truly get into the storyline.
