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Once outside the dining hall, Alex went to the garden. She was delighted to find it empty, so she went to the bench to pout. She sat, crossed her arms, and began to dream up ways that she could severely damage Mark. It started to get dark, and Alex thought that she should probably go back to her chambers before the elves started checking to make sure everyone was staying out of trouble for the night. Just as she got up to leave, she heard a deep, but soft voice saying "I wouldn't be going anywhere just yet if I were you, young one". Alex instatnly recognized the voice to be Gandalf's, and as she turned to see him standing there, staff in hand, she knew that he probably had a few thousand words for her.
Alex looked up into his eyes and said "I'm sorry about tonight, really, I didn't mean to cause such a display and-" she stopped when she heard Gandalf begin to laugh. He had a good laugh, and it would've made Alex happy any other time, but she didn't like not being in on the joke. Gandalf sat on the bench and motioned for Alex to join him. When she'd taken a seat, he said "Oh my dear girl, you think thats all I came out here to speak with you about?" Alex bit her bottom lip, and tried to look like she had no idea what Gandalf was getting at, so he continued "I know that you are not from Middle Earth, though how you came here is still a mystery to me. All will unfold with time. However, it is clear you've been set here for a purpose, one that must not be cast aside.
Alexandria, you must tell me what you know of The One Ring". Alex took a deep breath, looked up at Gandalf and said "I know everything, everything about the fellowship, everything thats going to happen on the way to Mount Doom...I know the past, present & future". Gandalf raised an eyebrown, and mumbled something under his breath as Alex continued "Ok, ok, maybe I don't know EVERYTHING, but I know a heck of alot..." Gandalf grabbed her wrist with desperation, as if he was about to speak his last words ever and asked "Who have you told? Who is aware that you posses such knowledge?" Alex was begining to be frightened, she tried to push away Gandalfs hand, but his grip never loosened. She pulled on her hand as she replied "No one, ok? Stop freaking out!".
Gandalf let go of her hand, and looked her square in the eye "Then it must stay that way. You must tell no one, and do not try to interfere with events that are yet to take place. If you do, or if you try to change anything, you will regret it forever. Your actions here could mean great victory, or unimaginable doom"
Alex instantly thought of Boromir. She knew that if she changed absolutely nothing, he was to die very soon. She barely knew him, as a real person, but already she couldn't bear the thought of losing him. As if reading her mind, Gandalf said "You may try to persuade people to change their views on certain issues, but you may not tell them the consequences of their current actions". Alex felt a tear trickle down her nose. She nodded and said "Its just that this is so much more than I ever bargained for...I don't even know how I got here, I don't want to lose anyone...I feel so confused..." she buried her face in her hands.
Gandalf put an arm around her shoulder, and began to rub her back softly. He whispered "There there, everything is not as it may seem. This will be one of the greatest adventures of your life. Do not only see the downfalls of your heroes, but think of what you can do to try to change people's hearts, and minds, for the greater good". Alex began to understand what he was trying to say, and she realized that he knew more than she ever thought he did about the future. She wiped her tears, looked up at him and smiled "Thank you Gandalf, I promise to do the best I can". Gandalf reached up and rubbed her cheek with his thumb "Thats all anyone could ask of you"
With that, he got up and left.