I'm thinking about writing a Harry Potter fic too, but the seventh book is coming out next month, so I think I'll write one after Deathly Hallows comes out.
Chapter 2: Out of PlaceCody was still staring intently at me. "Randy?"
I looked at him, excitement burning in my eyes. "Cody…I think…we're in another word."
"Another world? What the hell!! This isn't one of you fantasy stories, Randy! There has to be a reasonable explanation for all of this!" He fumed.
"Really? What's YOUR explanation 'O Wise One?" I really got annoyed when people told me I was wrong, especially when I'm right 99 times out of 100.
He grumbled.
"I thought so," I said superciliously. I listened for the music that he pulled me away from. I sounded so familiar. It was driving me insane. The woods were resonating with the sound. I released his hand and started walking toward what I hoped the music was coming from. I heard a sigh and rustling and Cody mustered himself to follow me.
While walking, it occurred to me that there were hardly any leaves on the ground. There were no fallen trees, no twigs on the ground, nothing. It was all very unnatural…and tidy. There was little underbrush, but the plants that did grow were clustered neatly around the base of the trees. Mysterious music forgotten, I stooped by one of the trees and examined them. I'd taken classes on plants and I thought I could identify them. There was a large plant that resembled a fern, only it had red flowers blooming in neat rows along the leaves. The red flowers had white spots on them. There were more flowers of indescribable colors and many sizes. I didn't recognize any of them.
"Cody," I called softly. He came and knelt beside me. "Do you recognize any of these plants?" His hand reached into my field of vision and touched the ferny-looking plant.
"This looks like a breed of fern." It was very hard to suppress rolling my eyes. "Yea, I thought so too, but it's not." I stood back up and stretched. He did the same. My aura of calmness must have been affecting him, because when I turned, he wasn't nearly as frightened as he was before.
"You really stick out with that bright yellow shirt, ya know."
"Want me to take it off?" He winked. I gave him a "shut-the-hell-up" look. I started walking toward the music again.
About two minutes of walking produced a path. There was a gap on the trees about fifteen feet wide that had hoof prints in the dirt. This was also the first time I saw dirt in this world. The music suddenly stopped.
Trepidation coursed through me now. I ran to Cody and we both looked around frantically. I looked up the path and a saw a tall, blonde man wearing a white robe about twenty feet away. I could see that he had intricate designs braided into his hair even from this distance. This man was giving off…calmness, yet that did not stop me from being afraid of him. He walked elegantly toward us.
He looked down at us and spoke something in a language that filled my body with the familiar music. I recognized what language he was using, and my heart seemed to stop beating. My eyes widened and the man frowned. I tried to glimpse his ears for conformation, and discovered they were pointed. I fainted.
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I woke up in a warm, blankety cocoon. "Mmmmm" I sighed. I had such a nice dream. I dreamed I somehow traveled to Middle…I sat bolt upright in bed. EARTH!! Wha..? It was dark and I couldn't see. I wish I could see, and then suddenly, I could see. Strange..I thought..and then my mouth fell open.
I was in a room of some kind. The walls were made of a unknown material woven together that was quite elegant. I was in a feather bed next to the door, which was elegantly carved. Next to the bed was a small table and a couple of carved wooden chairs. The room must have been 10 feet by 10 feet and had a cozy feel. The light seemed to be coming from nowhere. Then a woman came into the room, she had dark hair and a gorgeous face. She seemed startled that I was awake, but then she smiled.
"Good morning, did you sleep well? My name is Lorinia" She gave me a once-over look. My eyes narrowed more.
"Umm…how do you know my language?" She laughed, a rich musical sound. I warmed up immediately.
"My father, Gleneth, looked into both your and your…um…partner's minds.."
"CODY!!! Is he ok?!" I forgot that I fainted on him, leaving him to fend for himself.
"Yes..he's fine. Gleneth gave you quite a shock though. As I was saying, he looked into your minds and discovered your language memory bank. It was relatively simple to learn you language after that, so he taught us last night."
"How long have I been here and where am I?"
"Ah…you are in the land of Middle Earth. You were discovered by a group of elves on our way to the Gray Havens, where you are now. I believe you know of us?"
"Yes…but how do you know I know?" This was utterly ridiculous…and yet…it wasn't.
"I said that my father looked into your mind, and to answer you other question, it is September 26, 3017" My mouth fell open. It was one year almost to the day before Frodo's quest.
This was all very exciting. My wildest dreams seemed to be coming true. I'm living in a storybook! It seemed like an odd coincidence that I came so close to the beginning of the Lord of the Rings. Maybe these elves can help. But, how much do they already know? Their leader had looked into both of our minds, and I was just a knowledge bank about their supposedly fictional world. I wonder how much he knows.
"How much…DO you know…?"
"Oh, I'm not going to be the one to tell you that. Later this afternoon, you may see umm…Cody..," The word sounded like it was difficult to pronounce, "and my father will explain matters to you. Right now, I'm supposed to make you presentable for your meeting. I have breakfast ready for you, and I will bring about a bath in a few minutes."
I stood up and took in what I was wearing. It was a loose white tunic, made of the softest fabric I'd ever touched. It was tied at the waist with a golden belt. Under that was a pair of green leggings that fitted to my skin nicely. I felt my chest and bum. No underwear or bra there…I began to feel uncomfortable. "Um…where are my clothes?"
"We burned them."
"WHAT?! What am I supposed to wear?" I was embarrassed as well as angry. I felt my cheeks flush from both emotions."
"We will provide garments for you, do not worry."
I grumbled and murmured a "thank you".
"Do not be distressed, it will all be worked out at the meeting. Here is breakfast for you." Lorinia held out a tray that had food on it. My stomach grumbled. She smiled. "I'll leave it with you to eat."
She set the tray on the table and left through the opening to the room. The breakfast she left was looking quite delectable. It had many types of fruit, some crystal clear water, and a bread of some sort. I hope it wasn't lembas bread, because I wasn't a hobbit and could eat four in one sitting. I nibbled and found it all very delicious. I devoured the whole meal.
Lorinia came in a few minutes later with a couple of other raven-haired girls who were carrying a tub of steamy water. Lorinia nodded to the girls and they bowed and left without a word. "I have put herbs and soaps in the water that with help calm you. They also have properties that will make you irresistible and likeable, not that you aren't already." She beamed at me. "You may bathe for as long as you like.
She did not move to leave, however.
"Umm…" I was uncomfortable again. I really didn't want to get naked in front of her. I haven't been naked in front of anybody since I was like…four. She must have sensed my discomfort.
"If you are worried about exposing yourself, have no fear, for how else would you have gotten into those clothes if you hadn't been exposed already?" She grinned wickedly. I laughed. A wicked elf? There's an oxymoron for ya.
"All right…but I'm still not that comfortable."
"Nonsense, it's not like you have anything I haven't seen." She grinned.
With unease, I started to undress and got into the tub. The water was heavenly. It was absolutely incredible. It felt like my whole body was melting into bliss. I let out a sigh. Embarrassed, I looked down. She simply laughed.
"Yes, that's the reaction we generally get from humans when they bathe in our herbal waters."
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Hours later, I emerged from my room all dolled up. I was fussed over until I was ready to scream. I was poked and prodded for hours about how to do my hair and how to behave and act and what to say. The end result was worth it though. If I do say so myself I looked gorgeous. The elves had given my a blue dress that changed colors when I moved. It was embroidered in silver metal that had to be mythril. I was stunning. The team of five who had been my "beautifiers" all sighed.
Lorinia beamed, "You know, for a mortal, you don't look half bad."
I came into Middle Earth thinking that Elves were well-reserved people. After knowing Lorinia, however, I realized that they really weren't the stiffy people I'd read about and seen. I'm basing this on one elf, though. It might not be accurate yet. Lorinia and I were fast friends though.
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"Where is she?" Cody scowled.
"Patience, young master. She's coming soon. You'll be in for a surprise."
"As if I haven't had enough surprises yesterday and today already!" he snapped. Baro winced. "Oh, I'm sorry Baro, but I haven't seen her in a day and a half, I'm thrust into a completely new world I hardly know anything about, and I'm wearing tights!!"
"'Tis all right, young master," the old man replied.
"So, are we really in a city of the elves?"
"Yes, the Gray Havens is the last stop before the elves would cross over the sea."
"Why are you here, then?"
"Oh, well, I always liked elves. Proud people, and they give me works and are nice to me. I had a running out with my own folk a while ago."
"What was it?"
"I'd rather not say." He fell silent, his wrinkly face concentrating. He grinned suddenly. "Ah, here comes your little lady."
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"Ok, now my father is a generous and caring man, but be careful with what you say to him. He might do all the talking himself and only ask you questions. He works for the Valar, though, so he might have a solution for you."
"Ok, thank you very much." We were walking arm in arm and about to round the corner. I stopped.
"Do you want me to come with you?" she asked kindly.
"Yes, please. Just til I go in to meet him." We started again. I didn't know why I was so nervous, it was just Cody after all. I mean..sure we where in an Elven domain right before the War of the Ring with no way of getting home, but I'm always one for adventure. I mean, I dreamed of being involved in my storybooks.
Around the corner, I finally saw him. I stopped. His unruly hair was cut short and combed. He wore a doublet that matched the color of my dress…and…leggings. I giggled. Lorinia gave me a knowing look and smiled. She kissed my cheek and went back the way we came. Cody looked up and saw me. He broke into a wide, goofy grin. An old man was at his side. Cody walked up to me.
"You look beautiful." He kissed my cheek.
"Thank you." I smiled at him. I examined the old man. There was something….out of place about him…it made me uneasy. He walked forward.
"G'day miss." He took my hand and kissed it. At his touch, I KNEW something was wrong. In one the books Frodo said something about Aragorn…"If he were our enemy he would look fairer, and feel fouler." I felt this way. "Baro at your service."
"Nice to meet you." I replied. "Well, let's go then." I took Cody's offered arm and we followed Baro to the grand Audience chambers of the Gray Havens.