When I woke, I sat upright in the soft bed, wondering if it was all a dream. That was until I looked around to see that I was not in my bed, nor in my room. I was in an extra-large bed, in a white room that was open and airy. I stood to walk over to the window and gasped at what I was wearing.
It wasn't my shorts and t-shirt that I had fallen asleep in, no; it was a long silvery dress. It pooled around my bare feet as I walked over to the window. I sucked in a breath as I looked out the window, seeing the breathtaking views of one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen in my life. Rivendell.
I heard the door opening and I turned around to see who it was. In walked a tall Elf maiden who looked almost surprised to see me.
"You're awake! I must go inform Lord Elrond immediately." She said but I quickly walked over to her.
"May I come with you? It would be easier than having Lord Elrond come here, don't you think?" I asked and she looked at me a little stunned for a moment then nodded her head, motioning for me to follow.
We walked through the halls of Rivendell coming upon a large open room that I recognized immediately, Lord Elrond's chambers.
"Yes, Emeriell?" I heard Lord Elrond say from inside as I stood near the door, waiting.
"My Lord Elrond, she is awake, and is just by the door." The Elf maiden said back to him.
"Thank you, Emeriell, please bring her in." Lord Elrond said in a regal voice. The tall Elf came back to the doorway and ushered me in before politely dismissing herself.
I stood there awkwardly for a moment while Lord Elrond placed the book he had been reading back upon one of the many shelves in his chambers.
"Lady Amarianna, welcome to the Valley of Imladris." He said, once facing me.
"It's just Amari, and at any other time, I would say that I am glad to be here, but seeing as I was whisked away from my two sleeping boys, only to be told that I cannot see them for more than a year while going on a highly dangerous quest, trying to save the lives of three people I've never met, at the same time as trying to keep myself alive… Well needless to say, I am not in the grandest of moods." I said with ferocity. He just looked at me with a sad smile and motioned me to sit.
"I apologize for the circumstances by which you were brought here, but I assure you, your presence is greatly needed in Middle Earth. As for your two sons, it will be difficult to be apart from them, yes, but it will also fuel you. I, myself, have two sons. Having something to fight for makes a much better warrior."
"And no time will pass for them while I am here?" I asked in a small voice, this time with no conviction.
"If anything it will only be a moment or two. They both will still be sound asleep when you reunite with them, whether they are brought here or you are taken back." He told me reassuringly.
After taking a deep breath and realizing that I really had no option but to be optimistic about this, I opened my eyes and looked back up to Lord Elrond.
"When do I begin?" I asked confidently, trying to weed out any sounds of weakness from my voice.
"Mithrandir will be here in a weeks time to collect you, but until then you will train with my two sons in combat with swords, daggers, and the bow, starting this afternoon." He told me before dismissing me back to my room to get changed into my training outfit.
The next week went by in a flash. I had managed to do pretty well with all of my weapons, but that didn't exempt me from being blindingly sore for a few days before my body fully adjusted. I was still getting used to my shortened stature, but luckily I didn't notice any hair growing on my face. I sighed in relief when Lord Elrond said that I shouldn't worry about it. I still felt lost without my sons, and that feeling couldn't be quelled by any amount of training I did.
Today was the day Gandalf was coming, or 'Mithrandir' to the Elves. I gathered my few belongings in the bag that I was given, along with my bedroll, and closed the door to my room before walking down to Lord Elrond's chambers to meet with Gandalf.
I knocked on the door to be polite and it was quickly opened, letting me inside.
"Ah, you must be the young Miss Amarianna." I heard the tall man in grey say as I realized that it was indeed, Gandalf.
"It's just Amari, Gandalf." I told him, having to look up several feet to see his face.
"Well then, Miss Amari, I suppose that you are ready to be on our way?" Gandalf asked, seeing my bag already upon my shoulders.
"I am," I told Gandalf before turning to Lord Elrond, "and thank you, Lord Elrond for your hospitality and guidance."
"You are most welcome here anytime, mellon nîn." I smiled to him in thanks. "I wish you both safe travels."
After departing Rivendell, it took us nearly a week to get to the Shire. I was quiet for the most part, listening to Gandalf's tales of Middle Earth, as if he were trying to brush me up on my history –not like I didn't know it all to begin with-.
When we arrived in Bree, Gandalf handed me a small pouch of gold, telling me to get any supplies I needed, and that he would be back before lunch.
Kind a basic chapter before we get to any of the exciting stuff. Reviews are welcome!