Chapter 6- Elrond and Company

Hayley stared at the house of Elrond for some time. Although it was immensely beautiful, she found it daunting. She wished she were back at home…or did she wish she were at the Shire? Thoughts such as these ran through her head like wild horses.

The door opened, a tall man…no elf…was standing there. He appeared intimidating at first; he looked as though he were an elf of great power. His expression softened and he smiled warmly at Hayley.

"I have been expecting you, young hobbit." He told her, the smile only slightly fading from his face.

Hayley swallowed the lump in her throat. "Err…Lord Elrond?" she squeaked, in hope that her guess was correct.

"Yes, my child. You must come inside, there is nought to fear." He ushered her thorough the door, closing it softly behind her.

"Mmm…okay…cool." Her voice cracked.

Elrond's smile turned into what could have passed as a silent laugh. He turned on the spot, urging her to follow him to his study, which she did.

Hayley sat across from Elrond in his study. She was extremely nervous. She was frightened to look at Elrond, acting much like a small child.

"Gandalf has told me of your predicament, do you wish to speak of it?" Elrond asked calmly.

"No!" Hayley squeaked, "I mean, yes…yes, I do, um…Lord Elrond."

Elrond's face softened, "Speak clearly, child, do not fear, I will not harm you."

"Umm… well…My friend and I, we were in a…" How could she explain this? "We were in a collision of transportation!-yes that's right! Then I…I well…I woke up here…well not here…I mean Middle Earth, but I'm not from Middle Earth, I'm from Australia, just plain Earth…"

"Intriguing, but I fear to tell you I have not heard of a situation such as this. Since the eve of Gandalf told me of you, many weeks ago, I have found none such reasons for your arrival in Middle Earth. But I believe you have been brought across here for a reason." Did everyone say that? "I was aware of most of the information in this tale, except that regarding your friend, Gandalf failed to mention her. Did she awake in the Shire as well?"

"No." Hayley squeaked. "I don't know where she is."

"Okay," Elrond sighed and leaned back in his chair "I shall mull over this information in the following days, we will have another meeting soon. For now, you shall stay in one of the guest rooms; you are welcome to stay In Rivendell."

"Umm…thanks, Lord Elrond." Hayley stuttered.

"Tell me one thing, Hayley: do you wish to go back to Earth?" Elrond asked

This took Hayley aback, she had not expected this question, nor had she thought of it in the past, it had not crossed her mind…Did she want to go back home? What about Vanessa? Vanessa needed Hayley. Or did Hayley need Vanessa? Hayley looked at Elrond; she could see a knowing look twinkling in his eyes. Hayley's breath caught in the back of her throat before she nodded quickly-This answer would suffice for now. She did want to go home, didn't she?

Hayley was taken to a room in Rivendell. She was able to stay in a room with a bed, to her great relief; she had not seen one of those couches before and would have been hesitant to sleep on one. She thought it funny that Elves did not require sleep.

"You say you do not require sleep," She said to Arwen one night at dinner. "But are you able to?"

Arwen's lips formed a smile. "You have a curious mind, little one." She told her simply, but did not answer the question, causing Hayley to frown deep in thought.

Hayley enjoyed staying with the elves, she would jump up and down with delight whenever one of them would announce they were going to sing. She greatly admired the Lady Arwen; often striking conversation with her, Arwen did not seem to mind. Despite her joy in staying with the elves, Hayley's mind was often distracted; her thoughts would often drift back to Vanessa, and then to Frodo and Sam. Where was Frodo? She hoped that Gandalf had kept his promise when he said that he would meet them in Bree.

Hayley was wandering around the gardens of Rivendell one morning, she had been looking for Arwen, but had no such luck in finding her. The gardens in Rivendell were magnificent. She would often stop and smell the flowers; laughing as the temptation always seemed too great. On this particular day, the day of the search for Lady Arwen, her face turned to the distance, with an inkling that Arwen would be there. Hayley smiled at first when she saw Arwen riding, but then she noticed how fast the horse was barrelling towards Rivendell. Hayley felt curious about the way in which the Lady was riding, there was something wrong…Hayley's eyes drifted away from Arwen, Widening as she noticed the person…or Hobbit, should she say?... seated in front of Arwen. A gasp escaped Hayley's lips.

Frodo.