Chapter Three

Dinner with a side of Suspense

Gandalf the Grey sat at one of the feast tables not too far away from where the two humans had been placed, on the left-hand side of Thranduil's throne. Nothing could get past the quick eyes and wit of the supposed 'old man', who had spotted the two immediately, just before one had run the other into a pillar. Recalling this, he chuckled to himself.

Throughout the meal, Gandalf regarded the two with a suspicious interest. Neither seemed to be able to understand what the elves around them were saying.

Waiting impatiently for Thranduil's nightly speech to end, the wizard studied the teens closely. They were unlike any he had seen before. One was obviously lost in thought, her hazel eyes bright, staring in the general direction of the king's son. She seemed quite short compared to the other girl. Her pointed face suggested a bold personality and, he darkly sumised, a stubborn will. Gandalf knew from experience that such a thing was not always good.

The other girl, a round purple bruise now quite evident on her forehead, was having trouble seeing. Her eyelids were closed, just slightly, as though she were sleepy and Gandalf could see that her eyes had turned a misty white-silver. Both wore clothes of a strange make, trousers of an unknown blue cloth and flimsy shirts that could not possibly withstand the weather of Middle-earth. Over all, they were really quite unheard of.

Finally the Maia realized that this windbag of a friend had finished talking. Excusing himself from the table, Gandalf walked over to where the girls were sitting and sat down beside them. The smaller one jumped up in her seat, trying to look innocent, as if she had not just been staring at Legolas.

"You know," he began, "I don't believe we've met."

Both girls' eyes' widened as they realized that they could understand him.

"You're speaking English!" Lily shrieked, amazed.

The wizard could see that Jessie looked very confused. Lily had cocked her head to stare at him, but broke into a huge smile, when she finally recognized the old dodger.

"Gandalf!" she cried.

He chuckled.

Lily studied him as though he would disappear.

"How can you speak Engliah? I didn't think that is existed in Middle-earth, or, well, I thought it was the same as Westron.."

Nodding, the man continued.

"I can understand your confusion. I am of the Istari, however,; I can understand any and all languages that have ever been created. It is part of being a wizard, to use that for the betterment of peoples" he paused. "What is your business, here?"

Jessie smiled. "I'm sure you know why we are in this palace, Gandalf."

The wizard nodded. "Yes, you are correct. I do know, it is because of your sight, but I also know because you were found in the forest, alone. Thranduil is a noble man, but I can tell you his resolve faltered at your coming" He leaned closer"I also want to know how it is that you got here from 'your' universe?"

Lily scowled, 'Curse the F'n wizards and their magic! Why do they always want to know everything,' she thought angrily. The old man turned to her and for a moment was about to answer her. Instead he changed the subject. Standing, he hid his smile at the confusion on their faces. He gestured wit his staff.

"If you both will follow me"

The night air was cool and fresh against the wizard's old skin as he guided the two girls out a side passage and into a garden. The old king may have been cold and harsh at times, but he still enjoyed the garden and pathways that surrounded the fortress. Gandalf found this slightly amusing. Leading Jessie to a nearby bench, he waited for Lily to sit. The stubborn one was obviously content with standing, and so the wizard slowly began.

"I have traveled all over the world, ladies, and yet in all my journeys I have never found anything quite so.. " he paused to smile. "different as you two"

He sat down across from them and watched the girls' faces for any sort of reaction. Lily was staring at him defiantly.

"So?"

Gandalf scratched his head and sighed.

"I'd like an explanation, if you'd be so kind."

There was silence as none of them said anything. Jessie shuffled her feet. The wizard watched the moon reflect off her milky-white eyes.

"Gandalf, we know little more than you do. Neither of us can remember anything except passing out one night when we tried to get some sleep."

She paused, a worried expression flashing across her face.

"It was the last time I ever saw anything."

Nodding, the old mage scanned through the many shelves of memory and knowledge he had stored up in his ancient mind over the years. He had never heard of an instance quite like this.

At that moment one of the younger elves walked up beseeching that Gandalf and the ladies come back inside; Thranduil was about to make another important speech. Gandalf brooded as he guided Jessie back to the stronghold, knowing Lily would follow behind.

The only thing that the Maia could think of was one of the most terrifying images he had ever conjured up.

If inter-dimensoional gateways were possible, what would keep Sauron from finding them?

Or worse..

From using them?

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