Chapter Two: A New World
Thomas blinked before asking, with a hint of fear, "Who or what the bloody hell are you?" A frown appeared above Galadriel's eyes as she replied: "There is no need for foul language, human."
"No need for foul bloody language? Where on earth am I? Who are you and what have you done?" He took a step backwards, observing the beautiful scenery that looked like nowhere on this planet (other than the photos he'd seen once of his dream country, New Zealand).
"Where on earth? Or where on Middle Earth?" asked Galadriel. Perhaps this was supposed to mean something to Thomas… but it didn't.
"Galadriel, what have you done?" asked a new voice, and Thomas turned around to see a new face joining the conversation: another elf, but male, with long greying hair.
"There is no need to fear, Elrond. I looked into the waters and saw this man's face… I knew he served a purpose here. There are points when the universes align, and I spoke to him. He needed to escape his life. We needed somebody new in ours. It worked out better than I could've hoped – I believe he's just what we need."
"Are you insane? Who is he? Where did he come from? And why did he need to 'escape his life'?" asked Elrond angrily.
"For those questions, you must ask him." Galadriel gestured at the tired and bewildered Thomas.
Clearing his throat and trying to regain some control, Thomas spoke. "My name is Thomas Barrow. I'm from Downton Abbey. I work… worked there as a footman and a temporary valet to the Earl of Grantham. And anything else is my business and no-one else's, if you don't mind, ah, 'Elrond'." A hint of his old smug smile flitted across his face.
Elrond and Galadriel exchanged uncertain glances – apparently most of Thomas' speech meant as little to them as theirs did to him – but didn't have time to speak, because yet another elf entered their vicinity.
"Elrond, I was thinking about what you said and I –" Legolas stopped, because stood in his midst was the most handsome man he'd ever seen. For a few seconds he stood and gazed open-mouthed at Thomas, before noticing his clothes and lack of pointy ears and realising that something was wrong.
"What the…" he glanced at Elrond and Galadriel, who both looked away uncomfortably.
"Who is this?" he asked, having received no answer. After an awkward pause, Galadriel said: "We're not entirely sure yet… but, ah… I felt two universes align and was able to speak to this boy telepathically… after we connected he was able to slip through the crack in time and –"
"But why did you speak to him in the first place?" asked Legolas confusedly. But before Galadriel had to think of a response, Thomas interrupted:
"Wait a second, are you saying I'm stuck here forever?"
Galadriel's pause was as much confirmation as Thomas needed. Feeling torn, confused and most of all tired, he started running for the second time that night (well, it was day here).
But either extreme fatigue or (more likely) a mystical force overcame him, and he fainted into a deep sleep.