Chapter 4

I was groggy when I awoke and felt like I had more sleep than I should have had. I looked around the room, it seemed that someone came in and my old clothes were cleaned and folded on the table. There was a tray of food on the table with a glass and a pitcher of water. It was daylight but I was confused on if I really did sleep through the night or has it been longer?

I stumbled to the table, drank a whole glass of water and started to munch on the food. I settled to going to the bathroom and freshening up, debating on the idea on if I should go to find Lord Elrond. I changed into a dress that was left for me to use. It was beautiful, a soft rose color that had long floor length sleeves that cut at the elbow. It was cut modestly at the top where I was exposed but it defiantly flattered. The best part was the dress was not skin tight, it was loose but form fitted enough where the dress didn't flood you out. I had decided to risk venturing outside my room to talk to Lord Elrond. I glanced in the mirror and saw my face was a little burnt from the sun but my hair was a bit crazy. I dug in my purse and found a bobby pin! Thank the lord! I needed to pin back my bangs they were a nightmare.

Walking out the door I looked around and there wasn't a soul in sight. Taking a left down the hallway where I originally came from when first brought to my room I tried taking a left turn here, a right turn there, guessing at the complex pattern of the route to the room I met Lord Elrond.

I was lost, simple as that. A few Elves walked by but none wanted to make eye contact with me so I didn't want to yell to them I was looking for Lord Elrond. I would look and sound crazier than what they already thought of me. I did however find myself in a court yard of some sort. It was the most beautiful set up I have ever seen. It was similar in thought as a Chinese garden. It was meticulous and had a design in which to make every path flow as if it was part of nature. I couldn't even begin to tell you what types of trees or flowers but they were beautiful and colorful. I gazed all around while I followed the trail until I found a stone bench that sat in the shade of the sun.

'I was told that a human was wandering around the halls and last seen coming towards the courtyard.' a voice called out from behind me.

'Lord Elrond. Hello and yes I was trying to remember my way back to the room I met you at yesterday but I found the courtyard instead.'

He smiled and took a seat next to me. 'Iit is quite all right, I was worried about how long it might take for me to locate where you headed. How are you feeling?'

'I'm feeling good; although I feel as if I have slept too much. How long have I been asleep?'

'You have been sleeping for two days. We would come in and check on you every so often and leave you the tray of food. Aegnor came as much as he could when he wasn't on patrol.'

I nodded in response and we both looked ahead at the landscape in front of us. Two days! I wouldn't have imagined that I was asleep for that long, even though I was very hungry. 'It feels strange to be asleep for that long. I know we had a lot more to talk about before I slept away two days.' I state glancing at him trying to gauge an emotion.

'Yes, but for now we will just sit and relax. There is much to discuss so there is no need to rush. Have you eaten since you awoke?'

'Yes, I have. Thank you for the tray of food; I needed to eat when I woke up.'

It seemed that this garden does not get a lot of traffic. We sat for a while just enjoying watching the birds and animals move about unaware of us. Yet no one ever walked through.

'If you don't mind me asking, did I stumble into a private area. I am just surprised that no one else has come by.' voicing my thoughts out loud

'It's not a private garden but it's just one many do not visit. Come, let's move to my study and I'll to have drinks and food brought'

We stood up and I followed him as we made our way through the home of Lord Elrond. I was close to his study, I made a few wrong turns but I was closer than I expected. Stepping into his study I could really appreciate how beautiful it was. There was large bookcase behind his desk. Various plants lined the window sills or in planters on the floor. Beautiful paintings and sculptures also lined the room. I sat in a big comfy chair by the front of his desk and he talked to me about Rivendell while we waited for the food to arrive. With a knock at the door an elf came in and left a tray of fruit, cheese and meats. There was a pitcher of wine and water. We munched on the food and when we hit a spot when we both seemed satisfied to start we settled in our chairs.

'From the first meeting that we had together. You had stated that you were lost and was not actively trying cross our boarders. How did you get lost? You mentioned that is was difficult to explain.' Elrond began gazing at me intently.

'Yes, that is correct.' I began, leaning forward to delve into the story.

We were in his office all the way up until dinner; Elves would come in every so often and refill the pitchers and the food. We had a lot to talk about. I had to explain the fact that I was from another time dimension and that I'm not from Middle Earth. It took time to try and explain an elevator and the fact that I don't even know what the heck the point is for me to be here or why it was even possible for me to show up here.

'It's very curious that you should find yourself brought here so suddenly. However, you must let this question go, there is no answer that could be given to you. The reason for all of this may reveal itself to you later.' Lord Elrond began 'I will try and find answers to see if this has occurred before but I have never heard of it.'

'It's possible but still, it is hard for me to not think about. Especially since I don't know what my path is supposed to be.' I murmur in response.

I was frustrated, I decided not to tell him about my knowledge about Middle Earth. How was I supposed to know how he would take it? What if he asked me to tell him everything? Would that even be a good idea? What if the books had it wrong, or what if him knowing changed things for the worst? No. I would keep it a secret until there came a point where it was necessary for others to know.

'I can only suggest that you try to start over here in Middle Earth. You are more than welcome to stay here while you adjust.' Lord Elrond states with sympathy.

'Well thank you, I really appreciate you allowing me to stay here.' I felt honored to be able to stay. I had to admit I didn't know if he would want me here or just send me off to the first civilization that Men were living in.

'Of course, perhaps tomorrow we can talk more about what you'll do while you are here and what you need to learn.' Lord Elrond glanced out the window, 'it seems we talked most of the day the way. Why don't we retire for the day and I'll see you at dinner if you would like to join us? Otherwise I'll have food brought to your room'

'I think that I'll join everyone for dinner tonight.' I state following his example and standing up.

'Excellent. I think that is a good decision. We'll have someone come and show you to the dining area. Until then.' he walked me to the door and I followed Laineth who I haven't seen since the first night here.

Smiling at her in greeting I followed her to the room and tried to pay more attention to all the turns we took to get back to my room. I needed to start knowing how to get around without getting lost. We past the court yard that I first ran into Lord Elrond and after a left and right hand turn we were at my room again. There was a bath waiting for me and a dress laid out on the bed that I assumed I needed to wear for dinner. I washed up, changed and had just finished pinning my brown hair back along with the bangs when a knock came to the door.

'Aegnor, how are you?' I state smiling. I had not seen him since he brought me to Lord Elrond. He was taller then I remembered and had a matching light green collared shirt and pants.

'I'm doing well now that I know you're finally awake. A messenger was sent to me this morning saying that you finally woke up. Yet when I got to your room I found out that you were going to be with Lord Elrond for most of the day.' he smiled playfully as he took my arm and we headed towards dinner.

'Yes, we were discussing the whole situation of me being here and all that. It's good to see a familiar face, it feels weird being here but not knowing anyone or the language.' I reply nervously as we head to dinner.

'Well I'm sure we can help you get adjusted here if you plan on staying long.' Aegnor states patting my arm in reassurance.

I smiled warmly at him. Was he always this handsome? I don't remember him been this attractive? Focus! Shaking my head to get rid of my thoughts I replied, 'I appreciate you wanting to help. Tomorrow morning I'm meeting again with Lord Elrond to talk about what the plan is. I cannot go home so I must start a new life here.'

'I am sorry to hear that you cannot go home. I can only imagine how devastating that is.' Aegnor began looking down with at me with sympathy. 'If you ever need anything please just ask.'

He smiled warmly as we walked into the dining area with other Elves. They greet him but only smiled a hello at me. I'm sure by now everyone knew that a strange human showed up here. The dining room was beautiful; lit by hanging candle chandeliers with beautiful wood tables. Which gleamed of polish under the candle light. The tables were organized by status it seemed as, Lord Elrond and his daughter were sitting on a higher place compared to the rest of us.

Aegnor pulled my chair out and I found I sat next to a few other Elves who smiled warmly at me but had no interest socializing with a human. Aegnor sat across the table and soon dinner was brought out.

The food consisted of fruits and vegetables, fresh bread rolls, meat I wasn't sure of and there were pitchers of water and wine. I tried everything and enjoyed all of it, I tried to find food I was familiar with since I know that any new food usually does not sit well with your stomach until you get adjusted to it. When dinner ended Lord Elrond and his daughter Arwen escorted everyone to a room adjacent to the dining area.

It was a dimly lit room where majority of the light came from the fire place. Musicians were playing and there was a soft musical voice singing in a language I didn't know. I felt very odd being in a room full of strangers who all spoke in a language I didn't know. It was peaceful listening to the music and the singing; it could put you to sleep if you concentrated.

I sat for a bit wondering how I should find my way back to my room, this wasn't my kind of event. I hung around watching everyone but I couldn't find Aegnor when he left to talk to other groups of Elves.

I decided that trying out my luck at finding my way back to my room was better than having to ask someone to escort me back. Leaving the room and walking through the dining room that somehow has already been cleaned I made my way through the halls.

I was astonished that I could make it back to my room with no mistakes. I fell asleep instantly that night.