Right, first things first, I am really sorry for not updating in Forever, but basic reason is that life got in the way, and I couldn't do anything about it. Because of this, I will have the fourth chapter up really soon, I promise! For those who it may concern, I will update my hetalia story soon as well, but I am still in the process of sorting out the next chapter, but it will at the very least, be up by Wednesday-ish (April 2nd at the latest). Also, don't own anything from Lord of the Rings. Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 3

Tommy's POV

As Tommy stared at the wall in front of him he thought, because he had already contemplated the inner workings of every mechanism in the room, why the walls of cells always had to be plain. He supposed it really wouldn't put them too out of their way to decorate the cells while they were doing so to the rest of the building (which was nicely colored and furnished), so he came to the conclusion that they just couldn't be bothered with an extra hour of work and so had discarded the thought of ever doing so. The creaky cot that Tommy was currently perched on was, as to be expected, very uncomfortable and had only a pillow resting against the wall.

Tommy's eyes flickered to the glass door to his right, where he observed various guards, if one could even call them that, going about their daily business. They hadn't even bothered to check on him since his little talk with Brandon. Brandon, the name echoed in his mind. The idiot had no idea what he was doing, or he obviously wouldn't have closed the only connection between this world and Middle Earth. Stupid. Brandon clearly didn't understand the mechanics of links between worlds, and the consequences of staying in one for too long.

Tommy watched as the majority of the guards began to leave for the night. Right on que. He thought to himself, as he rose from the cot and walked over to the door. Waiting was the hardest part, he hated waiting, for anything, much less for the guard to notice him.

Eventually, the guard glanced up and rolled his eyes. Tommy stared at him evenly, waiting for the right moment.

"What do you want?" The guard asked with a tone of boredom.

"To go for a walk."

"No. That's strictly against orders." The guard was eyeing him carefully.

"Oh please," Tommy rolled his eyes, "It's not like I'm going to escape, where would I go? Knowing Brandon we are in some deserted area of the world, with no hope of escape whatsoever."

Tommy watched as the guard thought about this. Watched as the truth of Tommy's words settled into his mind. So his assumptions would be right then.

"Well, I suppose a quick walk around wouldn't hurt…" The other's voice trailed off, but nonetheless he rose from his chair and approached Tommy's door.

The door opened, and Tommy stepped out in front of the guard, "I am hoping for something outdoors though. A bit of fresh air would help me from going insane."

"No, not outside. We'll walk to the staff room and back, that's all. No detours. And give me your hands."

Tommy offered his wrists to the other with a bored expression. He got lucky, this one was new (as by the evidence of his stiff stature and his need to follow the rules.

The guard led Tommy down a fall colored hallway, passing many closed doors on the way, and turning to the left when it ended. Their path continued until they reached a door simply labeled 'staff', and the guard opened it with a keypad code. Tommy didn't bother trying to see what it was, after all he wasn't trying to escape (he had already had plenty of opportunities to do so), and instead had a different agenda in mind.

Inside the staff room, there were three computers tucked into a corner, some foldable tables scattered around, and a miniature kitchen in another corner. The room was empty of anyone, and there wasn't even any video cameras. Good, Tommy thought and a trace of a smile flickered across his lips. Luckily the guard didn't notice, as he had headed immediately towards the mini fridge. Tommy silently followed behind him.

The guard grabbed a canned beer and popped it open.

"What was that?" Tommy asked suddenly, and as predicted, the guard spun around looking alert.
"What?"

"That noise, coming from there." Tommy gestured towards a door with a family restroom sign by it.

"I didn't hear anything." The guard told him with a searching gaze.

"Sounded like footsteps or something. I'd check it out if I were you, it's always that sort of thing that gets rookies done for."

The guard put the can down, and drew his little handgun, and crept towards the bathroom. He opened the door, and entered. Luckily, the door was an outward swinging type, as Tommy was able to quickly lean against it, and close it. He kicked a nearby chair into the way of the door, as the guard inside began to shout at him, or his radio.

Tommy ran to the computers, one of which was still logged in. Sitting sideways on a chair, he awkwardly typed away at the keyboard, bringing up different programs and commands. When his familiar desktop flashed onto the screen, he opened the bracelet commands. Unfortunately, it was impossible to see if the girls were near his bracelets, but he had to try. He opened the command matrix and typed in a code for an area transport.

Tommy silently hoped that the bracelet that Brandon had wouldn't activate as well and he activated the return sequence. The guard's banging on the door was getting more aggressive. So Tommy turned the computer off, and quickly sat down at one of the tables. He looked completely relaxed when the guard finally opened the door and hurried out.

"Tsk, getting yourself locked in a bathroom. I've been waiting to return to my cell, what kind of guard are you?" Tommy reprimanded him.

The guard only huffed in response and, after grabbing his can and putting his gun in the holster, forcefully grasped Tommy's arm and practically dragged him out of the staff room.

Jemma's POV

I was a little dazed when I landed on something soft. It felt like my bed at home which, after a moment, I realized was an accurate observation because it was my bed. I looked around, and found Andrea sprawled across the lower part of the bed.

"What….? Andrea, are you ok?" I asked, a mix happiness and complete confusion mingling in my voice. Andrea groaned, which was a better sign than nothing. I also heard noises coming from the living room, and quickly scrambled off my bed to investigate. What I found was Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli assorted scattered around the room. What are they doing here? On second thought, how did we get back, I thought Brandon had the other bracelet… I thought as I walked towards the group to make sure they were ok. They all seemed ok only a little dazed.

"What was that?" Gimli asked, pulling himself out from behind the loveseat.

"Um…." I started, quickly thinking through various explanations I could give them.

"What kind of magic was that?" Gandalf looked astonishedly out the window, no doubt shocked by the bustling city below.

"Alright, um, everyone calm down." I started, not that they really needed to be told that, but I felt it was a good start.

"Jemma, do you know what's going on?" Aragorn asked, picking himself off the coffee table (which was so cheap I was surprised it had held his weight) and turned to me. Of course, at his words, everyone did likewise, and their steady eyes watched me expectantly.

"Well, I know where we are, although I'm not entirely sure why you're here as well.."

"Just get to the point, lass." Gimli said.

"This is my apartment, I mean house."

"This doesn't look like your little cottage I found you in." Aragorn stated.

"This is my homeland." I told them, feeling a little relief at not having to lie again.

"I thought you said you came from a small village." Aragorn told me.

"Well, I grew up in a small town, yes."

"Then why did you lie?" Gandalf asked.

"Well, I didn't exactly lie, more like avoid important details…." My voice trailed off.

"What else did you 'avoid'?" Gandalf peered into my eyes.

"Well, this...I mean we're not in….Middle Earth."

They all gave me really confused looks, apart from Gandalf who was looking rather thoughtful.

"I know that sounds crazy, but we're in what's called America."

"How is this possible, how can we not be in Middle Earth?"

"Well, my brother made a device that allowed travel between here, America, and Middle Earth." I answered, "And I know you have more questions, but right now I need to go check on my brother. He could answer all of your questions, that is if he isn't in trouble, as I suspect he may be."

I headed to the door, and grabbed my coat off the hook. Turning back, I saw the group looking confused and uncertain.

"Aren't you coming? I might need your help." The words were out of my mouth before I could realize the possible consequences of them in walking around modern day America. I shrugged because there was no backing out of them now. The group looked to me and nodded.

"Yes, I believe that would be the best choice of action." Legolas stated.

"Good, let's go then," I paused before looking back at them, "Um, right, there are no dangers present, so mind leaving your weapons here? The people here aren't exactly used to openly carrying weapons anywhere….or the use of magic."

Aragorn was hesitant, but he nodded, and unbelted his sword, the rest followed suit.

"Thanks. Yeah, just follow me." After scribbling a note on the whiteboard we had near the door (for Andrea), I led the group out of my little apartment.

Seeing as how it was on the fifth floor of the building, I was forced to use the elevator. I sighed, this wasn't going to be easy.

When the elevator doors slid open, the group was very reluctant to enter, but I eventually was able to coax them in, and convince them it wasn't evil magic or anything.

Regardless of how tired I was, I knew it was going to be an even longer day. If they acted suspicious of an elevator, I wondered how they would react when they saw my little Camry.