Authors Note: Thank you guys for your support so far! It's incredibly encouraging! I hope you enjoy the chapter :) Please review your thoughts. Constructive criticism wanted only.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of Tolkien's characters but my own OC's.
I reach out to touch the night sky...
Chapter 2
Consciousness became my friend as my eyelashes fluttered open, tickling the purple undertones that sagged tiredly under my cobalt eyes. The sizzling sound of flames licking at wood and dried leaves reached my ears. Blinking, I found myself in a fetal position on the forest floor with my wrists tied together with rope. A gold cloak that looked orange in the fire light draped over my figure as though one of the men placed it on me. Shrugging the warm substitute of a blanket off, I struggled to push myself into a sitting position. My brown coat was tattered and covered with black fluid, which I could only assume was the spider's blood. Wrinkling my nose in disgust, I found four armored guards resting on mats around the campfire. My eyes immediately flickered to the sheathed dagger on the belt of the closest guard before landing back to my bonded wrists. If I could just crawl over undetected, I could cut through the rope..
"You're awake," a female voice interrupted my thoughts as I sensed a presence behind me. The voice was oddly musical, a pleasant sound that reached my ears like a soft hum. Boots met my vision as the owner of the voice circled to stand above me. Squinting, I could barely make out her features in the dark as the fire light only reached her back. "It would be wise not to escape, human." The word 'human' was emphasized. I could feel myself bristling at her amused tone. As if she didn't take me seriously. Sure, I was no threat. I was covered in grime and blood, fainted like a little girl, and was completely unarmed so her assessment was not unwarranted. But my pride refused to leave its high seat on the metaphorical horse as I narrowed my eyes.
"I was not escaping," I settled on mumbling childishly. It was a half-truth. I was only thinking of escaping. Big difference.
"Save your lies for the Elvenking of Mirkwood when we bring you to kneel before him for your transgressions." Her tone was less amused as the words became clipped and short.
Elvenking of Mirkwood… Is she talking about Thranduil of the Woodland Realm? This was bad. Somehow I landed in Middle Earth. These guards are Sindarin elves.
"What transgressions?" My eyebrow raised in indignation before letting a nervous chuckle escape my lips. "I don't even know how I got here! First I was somehow whisked away from campus to land in some forest with man eating spiders, then I find myself held hostage by Robin Hood's merry men!" With a soft 'schinkt', the elloth unsheathed her dagger and pressed the blade against my neck. Forcing myself not to cringe backwards in fear, I glared at the warrior's face that was hidden from the shadows.
"Dina! (Be silent!)" She hissed.
"Tampa Tauriel! Mani naa lle umien? (Stop Tauriel! What are you doing?)" An elf appeared from the tree line with cross features. Silky transparent hair that seemed emit a luminous glow cascaded across hiss back that was tied back into a braid. The air of authority and the way the woman stiffened signaled his high status of command. His jaw was clenched and blue stormy eyes fierce with warning. "Kela! (Leave)" The elloth nodded to whatever the elf commanded and sheathed her weapon before stepping back.
The light flickered across her features as she gave a slight bow in respect. Red hair fell like rain down her shoulders and green eyes bright as emeralds caused her features to appear pixie like. Watching as the beautiful guard stiffly walk from view, I did not notice the other elf approach me.
"I would not antagonize her, human." His voice was also beautiful as it reminded me of the flowing river waters as they wash up against the rocks leaving me mesmerized. "I suggest sleeping. We have a day's journey ahead."
"I have a name, you know." The words tumbled heatedly out of my mouth without my mind registering. It was taking me some time to adjust to the fact that I was in Middle Earth and a captive of woodland elves from a fictional story. I did not appreciate the term 'human' as it reminded me that I was nowhere near home. Although it was silly as everything screamed its unfamiliarity. I suppose my name cemented me back to reality.
The blonde elf, whom I subconsciously nicknamed Robin Hood, allowed a brief smirk to grace his lips for only a second. If I had blinked I would not have noticed the slight lift of his lips. "I care not. Sleep, human." Sticking out my tongue as his back turned, I awkwardly laid back down against the forest floor. Thoughts of the inevitable meeting with the cold Elvenking who bore no love for any race except his own swirled tirelessly in my mind along with unanswered questions.
I must have fallen asleep sometime after speaking with the two elves as I found myself being roughly shaken awake. The camp fire was extinguished and elven guards were preparing to move as they packed and put on their armor. Little light hit the leafy floor in small circles to signal it being daytime. A guard yanked me upwards by my wrists and none too gently pushed me forwards. Almost stumbling from the sudden movement and temporary blindness with my sleep addled eyes, I felt my arm being steadied by a tight grip. Tauriel gave me a fleeting nod before walking forward barking orders in Sindarin.
The walk through the underbrush and hanging tree limbs was treacherous. More than once, I found myself being ridiculed for my noisiness as the elves soundlessly trekked through the woods. I was compared to a dwarf to which I would retort that they should all eat dragon shit. Other than the exasperation of my captors, we traveled in silence.
When we reached the gate, I could barely hold in my astonishment. The intricately designed wooden bridge greeted us as we passed over it. Two guards opened the two large doors that led inside the woodland palace. The sight that greeted me as I peered at the arch dome ceiling and wooden carvings was difficult to process and put my imagination to shame. The march towards what I guessed to be the Great Hall was awkward. Elves and elloths peered at me curiously as they gave room for the sentinel. I supposed I did look pretty strange. With my bloodied caramel colored overcoat, blue skinny jeans, and converse sneakers, I must have looked unworldly. My hair was matted with grime and dirt as some strands clung to my face and the stench of sweat and blood reached my nose. I definitely was no vision to look at.
The group stopped in front of another set of doors. Legolas spoke softly in elvish causing the rest of the guards to stand attention. Tauriel gripped my arm and urged me forward as the doors opened.
Swirling pools of ice blue that reminded me of the ocean pierced through me as I was led towards a throne. My heart thudded in my chest like a drum at the sight of a sculpted god. He was beautiful in every sense of the word. Although long silvery hair fell past his shoulders and his features were soft, he emitted masculinity. The Elvenking sat in a relaxed position as he appraised me. I felt my cheeks heat up as his blue irises draped over my figure taking my haggled appearance in. Squaring my shoulders, I lifted my chin to prove that he was not affecting me. His fingers adorned with jewels beckoned us to approach and the intimidating gaze increased tenfold as he gracefully stood and ascended down the steps. The silk cloak trailed behind him.
Tilting his head, eyes never leaving mine, he spoke. "Legolas, what is the meaning of this?"
Robin Hood stepped forward, his hand forming a fist on his chest. Thranduil reached his arm towards him in a sign of greeting before nodding for him to speak. "Ada, my scouts and I came upon the human fighting off the spiders. She killed one before we came to her aid. Tauriel found some strange instrument on the human's person. We believe it may be dark sorcery of some sort."
Seeing Tauriel pull out my cracked phone from her satchel, I protested. "Hey!"
Thranduil inspected it carefully, his eyes widening in awe before he approached me. "Is this true? Are you a sorceress of the dark arts as my son suggests? Tell me, how can one unarmed girl fight off beasts that takes one of my best elves to take down?" His words were measured and his tongue rolled out each one as if they were precious. Eyes pierced into my own as he waited for my response.
"No!" I was affronted. "That's my phone. In my world before I somehow plopped into your woods, it was used as a communication device. As for the 'beasts', I just used intuition and luck to kill that spider."
"Stop speaking nonsense, filth," Tauriel growled reaching for her hilt. The Elvenking shook his head and raised a hand to stop her. If looks could kill, the beautiful red haired elloth would be a pile of dust. Filth? Yeah, I get I'm a mess right now but really?
"I sense truth." The king studied me with an arched brow. "Who are you? The one who claims to travel beyond worlds."
I paused. Not out of fear or the way my body reacted to the way the Elvenking's brows dipped into an effortless frown as he stalked closer to me. Those eyes studying me with awe and another emotion I couldn't define like I was the most interesting thing to step into his throne room which I probably was. But I paused because I didn't know myself. Such a simple question, yet recent events caused my tongue to still and heart to pound.
The court was silent as no one made a move to speak, all waiting for my answer.
"Nadel." I sighed. "Nadel Calloway."
