Summary: One night rookie police officer, Risa Burke, is found in His Majesties royal stables. After speaking with her, Gandalf is convinced she is from their neighboring realm called The Outlands. Risa later discovers she is spitting image of the Lady Lothiriel, the king's deceased wife. Gandalf has promised to help return Risa to her home, but it turns out it's easier said then done.
Genre: Romance/Fantasy; Eomer/OFC - original character Risa Burke
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings.
A/N: Hello again! First, thanks to everyone who reviewed and alerted this story thus far. And a big THANK YOU for letting me know Lothiriel was spelled wrong...don't know how I missed it. I think I corrected everything. This would have been posted earlier, but the site was doing upgrades. Anyways, I feel really good about this chapter. Looking forward to your thoughts. Happy Reading!
Chapter Two
Her sleep was broken by a strange whisper sounding in her head. It was a language that she did not recognize. The dreamy figure that was David Boreanez disappeared and her eyes opened. Leaning above her was an old man watching her closely. "Hello," he said kindly.
Startled completely, the young Risa Burke, rolled onto her side, scurrying away from the bed. Her back met the wall as the old man continued to approach her. The garments he wore, Risa noticed briefly, were very strange. He wore a white robe, which looked to be quite warm. His hair was also white and went down the length of his back.
"I mean you no harm," he said to her softly.
"Oh please," Risa retorted back to him, picking up a silver candlestick on the table next to her, "that's what they all say! Who are you?"
"I am called Gandalf," he said, ceased his advances, gently clasping his hands in front of him. "What is your name?"
"Risa," she snapped. "But I'm sure you already knew that!"
Gandalf smiled politely. "Risa," he repeated. "That's a very beautiful name-"
"I hope you don't think this little introduction is going to make me trust you," she said quickly. "Where am I," she demanded, holding the candlestick like a bat, ready to strike him down.
"Just as I expected," he mused to himself. "You do not know where you are."
Risa furrowed her brow for moment, trying to decipher his accent. Definitely not American, she concluded. Perhaps English or Irish? Hell, maybe Scottish? She hadn't a clue. "Where am I," she asked again.
"There's no need to be frightened-"
"You abducted me," she yelled, tightened her grip on the candlestick.
"No," Gandalf replied calmly. "No one abducted you."
"What are you talking about," she asked, her frustration getting the best of her.
"As it turns out, you were found on private property."
"See, now I know you're lying," she said matter-of-factly. "I rarely leave my house, except for when I go to work and when I need to buy food."
"One of His Majesties guards discovered you in the royal stables while returning his horse," Gandalf explained, taking a small step forward before continuing. Risa's eyes widened. "It is to my understanding that you have already been inspected for physical injury. Worry not, you're in sound condition," he added happily.
"Wait a minute," she said, holding up a hand to stop him. "His Majesties royal stables? That's the story you're going with?"
"You do not believe me," he questioned.
"No, I do not believe you," she replied mimicking his accent.
A small smile crept to his lips. "You truly are a stranger to this place."
"Now your getting it!"
"You are in the realm of Middle Earth, the Land of the Horse Lords to be precise. You are currently standing in Edoras, the home of his majesty Lord Eomer, King of Rohan." Risa lowered her weapon as Gandalf continued. "I believe you came to our world through a time portal. The world is made up of two realms, you see. The first is Middle Earth, my world. Many magical thing shape our world, both light and dark."
"Magic? Really," she asked, eying him curiously. "And the second?"
"Oh, yes," he began. "The second world is where I believe you came from. Here, that realm is known as The Outlands. No magic can be found there. It is a land of technological advancements, so I've been told," he added.
"So, you're saying a time portal brought me here?" Gandalf nodded. "Why exactly?"
"The two realms are connected," he said, crossing his right pointer finger with his middle, "by the portals. But it's also connected by it's people. You see, because there are two worlds," he started, "there are two sets of people. It's sort of like twins. "
"This is crazy! Are you telling me that there is someone running around this place that looks exactly like me," asked Risa, in utter disbelief.
"Unfortunately no," stated Gandalf sadly. "The only time an Outlander can pass into our world is when their double no longer exists."
"She died then," inquired Risa carefully.
He nodded. "She was very special to us."
"Well, this is awkward," Risa began, unsure of what to say. "I'm sorry for your loss. Who was she?"
Without warning, the door on the opposite side of them flew open, nearly coming off its hinges. Risa jumped at the sudden outburst, dropping her candlestick to the floor. A tall, muscular man stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room. His attention landed on Gandalf first and then immediately after, he found Risa. She could see both confusion and bewilderment upon his face.
The man took a small step forward, seemingly entrance by the sight of her and utter only one thing. "LothÃriel…"