Author's Note: I get really annoyed with LotR stories where the OC gets dropped into Middle Earth and there is no explanation as to how or why. Did she go into the past or actually into the book? Because in this story she goes into the past, I wanted this question answered: how the heck did Tolkien know about Middle Earth?! So here is my answer to the question:

Chapter 13

A Pure Heart

Sarah, though she didn't actually faint, fell over backwards in shock. Luckily for her a nearby elf was quick enough to catch her. After she was placed on the ground with a thunk, she began sputtering.

"You're Tolkien!?!" She exclaimed in disbelief, "The famous author!? Th-the-"

"Uh, that's my name," Tolkien cut in warily, "But I'm no famous author-"

"Of course you are!" Sarah almost yelled from her excitement, "You are the one who wrote this book! And about all of Middle Earth! And, and…" She stopped babbling and stared hard at the very confused and frightened young man sitting in front of her. "Y-you do look a little young to be him, though." With that she sat there in silence, trying to make sense out of the situation.

The rest of the Fellowship was trying to do the same thing. They hadn't understood a word of the dialogue that passed between Sarah and the boy, but they could tell something serious was going on. She obviously knew the boy, Aragorn reasoned, but he wasn't her brother…

"Well, we're not going to get anywhere just sitting here," grumbled Boromir, as he gave John the evil eye.

That snapped Sarah back to reality. "Your right!" she said jumping to her feet with newly found enthusiasm. "We are tired and cross, and have no idea what the heck is going on, so let's go see Galadriel and go to bed!" With that she reached down and yanked Tolkien to his feet and marched into the forest.

"Uh," Haldir said trying to suppress a laugh, "it's that way." And he pointed to the left. Sarah stopped, whirled about and marched in the correct direction.

"Right." She said, slightly annoyed, and she and the rest of the Company headed off into Lothlorien.

"What do you mean, 'he can't go any farther'?!" Sarah said angrily, as the elvish guards once again restrained Tolkien, "I dragged him all the way up here so we could get this misunderstanding straightened out!"

"Uh, may I say some-"

"No, Tolkien, you can't. Let me handle this!" She snapped back at him. She turned back to Haldir who, to Sarah's continual annoyance, was not cooperating. "Just what has he done to warrant such treatment?"

Haldir was getting equally aggravated by this human's persistence. "If you must know," He said coldly, "He attempted violence on the Lady." Sarah had to blink a few times for this to register before turning to Tolkien.

"You did what?"

"W-well, it wasn't really aimed at her…" Tolkien mumbled, seeming slightly ashamed, "I didn't know where I was, and-and I panicked and started throwing things. I think something hit a woman who was in the room. That's when they, um, starting acting hostile. She must have been very important or something." Sarah sighed as she put her hand over her eyes. "Of all the stupid things…" Attacking the Lady of Lothlorien would not help Tolkien's case.

"Would it help to say, he won't try anything again, against anyone here?" Sarah said, hoping to appeal to Haldir's better nature. The elf obviously didn't have one, for he shook his head and had the boy marched off to some forsaken dungeon. "Fine." She said, giving up, "I'll just have to act as his advocate." Because I have a feeling he is vitally important.

"Come Sarah," Aragorn beckoned as he and the Company began to walk away, "Or you'll get left behind."

"Ah. Yes…" In all her excitement she had sort of forgotten about the rest of her group. She walked about two paces behind them, as she had been forced to do recently, and she let herself fade into the back shadows as much as possible. So much for my advocacy, she thought sadly, I'll be lucky if Frodo demands I stay behind here instead of having me beheaded. I wonder how elves do executions…beheadings are so messy, I think lynching would be more their style…or poisoning…She was still unconsciously holding her throat when she was startled back into reality by Haldir's voice.

"Here dwell Celeborn and Galadriel," said Haldir, pausing before a long and winding staircase. "It is their wish you ascend and speak with them."

One of the Elf-wardens then blew a clear note on a small horn and it was answered three times from far above. "I will go first," said Haldir. "Let Frodo come next, and with him Legolas. Let the others follow as they will."

It was a long climb, and no sound was heard except the dull thump of their feet, and even that seemed muffled, as if Lorien would not permit any noise that was not peaceful. When they finally reached the height of the staircase, Sarah was awed to see a great floor, like a deck of a ship, and on it was built a house so large it could have served as a great hall for men back on earth. Haldir entered first, followed by Frodo and the rest of the Company.

The room was a long, oval shape, and filled with a soft, silver light that seemed to reach even the far edges of the room. Along the walls there were chairs where elves sat quietly watching the Fellowship move, almost timidly, down the stretch of the room. At the far end, in two great chairs, sat Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. They stood to greet them, as was the custom of even the greatest king. They were tall, Galadriel no less so, and very beautiful.

Untouched; that is how they seemed to Sarah. Untouched by the ages that they had witnessed passing by. The only evidence of their age was to be found in their eyes, which were deep and full of the wisdom of many eras.

Celeborn welcomed the travelers in their own tongue, while Galadriel stood quietly observing the Company. "Welcome, travelers!" He greeted kindly. "Please be seated, that we may speak together. For you have traveled far, and have much to discuss." Just then, a cloud passed through Celeborn's eyes. "Ten supposedly set out, yet only nine are present. Was there some change in Elrond's counsel?"

"There was no change." Galadriel said, speaking for the first time. Her voice was deep and melodious and seemed to demand every aspect of the Company's attention. "Gandalf set out from Rivendell, yet he did not pass the borders of this land. Tell me, where is he, for I have long desired to speak with him again."

"Alas," Aragorn answered sadly, "Gandalf the Grey has fallen into shadow. He fell in Moria, amidst fire and darkness." At this all the elves in the hall cried out in grief and amazement.

"These are evil tidings indeed." Celeborn said gravely. "Tell us the whole tale." As the Fellowship relayed their story, Sarah began to feel an increased uneasiness at everything that was going on. A wave of fear at unfamiliar surroundings combined with the feeling of uselessness, left Sarah feeling afraid and exposed. With her emotions in turmoil, she was on the verge of a breakdown, when the unexpected happened.

"Will, you walk with me, Sarah?" Sarah looked up slowly to see Galadriel smiling at her.

"Yes, my Lady." She said automatically. And in a daze she watched the Lady descend from the stairs and walk quietly out of the room. Sarah followed her closely, too afraid to look behind at the glances of her friends.

All alone, Galadriel slowed her pace so that they stood side by side. They walked in silence through perhaps the most beautiful forest garden, Sarah had ever witnessed. Eventually, the Elven Lady turned her toward the girl saying, "Your emotions are many and confused, yet I see in you great knowledge. No matter what they think of you now, soon they will see the wisdom in your actions. Although, even they are a mystery in my mind."

"I thought you had no unsolved mysteries, Madam." Sarah said shyly. "Your power is great, is it not? You can see things others can't, especially into the hearts of others."

Galadriel nodded gravely. "To a certain extent, yes, that is true. Yet, even the powerful must have limits or they becomes a danger to themselves and others." There was silence, then, as they walked on. "I have seen into your heart," she said looking out over her world. "And I find it full of goodness and purity, and perhaps uncertainty." Sarah smiled at the last, confirming the Lady's words. "Those are honorable traits to possess, yet be careful not to let uncertainty rule your heart. When you see the course you must take, take it without hesitation."

"To what do you refer, my Lady?" Sarah said uneasily.

Galadriel paused as if in deep thought. "Love is a strange thing," She said quietly. "It comes to you slowly, and even then it will sometimes hide itself from you." Sarah nodded not quite understanding, yet understanding at the same time.