The portal just had to appear over a river. So freaking typical I thought when I broke the surface taking one big breath. After pushing myself up the edge of the river I looked around for the others, I saw no one. Looking around in the dark I could only see trees and the river I had fallen into.
"Hello" I yelled. "Enzo, Matt, Julia, where are you guys?"
A pained groan to my left caught my attention. "Selena," I could hear from a weak voice behind one big rock.
"Shay is that you?" I asked. Not waiting for a replay I ran around the rocks by the river.
I froze at the sight before me. There laying on the rocky ground was Shay. His leg bent in an unnatural angle and his face covered in blood from a wound on his forehead. He had to have landed face down on the sharp rocks when the portal dropped us here.
"No, no, no! Where is Julia? We need her!" I stressed not knowing what to do.
"I couldn't control the portal and it collapsed, I knew I wasn't strong enough. I don't know where they ended up," he said weakly while his eyes fought to stay open.
"Hey stay with me," I said shaking him lightly "you can't go to sleep, you probably have a concussion." I said, as I sat down on my knees beside Shay and ripped off my wet sleeve to use to stop the bleeding.
A groan was his only response before he closed his eyes.
"No no no! Don't do this, stay awake please," I cried, shaking Shay more urgently. But he didn't move.
As I looked down at Shay's bloody face I could feel panic take hold of me. What can I do? I can't treat a head injury in this place. I need Julia, or a doctor. I don't know which time or place this is but it must be some sort of doctor here who would know what to do. If I could just find some kind of civilization and call for help. But I couldn't possibly leave Shay, who knew what creatures were out there in this forest.
But if I don't go Shay won't get any help…
"I don't know what to do, help me please!" I cried out looking up at the moon, praying to whatever higher power who would hear me.
With my heart beating loud in my ears and my vision blurry from tears I almost missed the tall figure standing on the other side of the big rock. The figure stood still and I could make out that it was in fact a man, a handsome tall man with dark long straight hair past his shoulders and clothes who looked to be taken from a renaissance fair and a bow in his hand.
"Who are you? Are you in need of aid?" He asked in a beautiful language. Not knowing what he was saying but seeing his concern in his eyes I know he didn't mean any harm.
"My brother is injured, can you help me?" I ask, motioning to Shay who laid still as a corpse as blood was running down his face. My attempt to stop the bleeding was completely useless as my wet sleeve could not absorb any blood seeping from his wound.
I could see the confusion of my words, but when seeing Shay's bloody face he understood. Slowly he walked closer to look at Shay and his injuries. Seeing his condition he turned to me.
"I will get my horse, stay here," not knowing again what he said but understanding the hand gesture "stay" I sat back down at Shay's side waiting.
Hearing hooves galloping I looked behind me seeing mystery guy again, appearing on a large black horse. If I wasn't so desperate for help I would probably have been fearful of this man.
Leaping off his horse he came toward Shay and with his hand gestures I could understand that he meant to carry Shay. Not seeing any other options I agreed with a nod and backed up to give him some space.
He immediately picked up Shay and carefully laid him across the horses back. Shay didn't move but I could hear him groan in pain.
Mystery guy started to lead the horse and gestured for me to follow, which I of course already was going to do, I wasn't going to leave Shay with a strange medieval dude.
We started following a small path in the woods, the further we went the wider the path became. Suddenly a sharp whistle stopped us, turning around to see where the sound came from, I saw several men emerge from the woods. They looked similar to mystery guy with their clothes and long dark hair, and as they came closer I could make out their features and just like mystery guy they were extremely good looking. What was this, top model forest edition? I thought to myself, making my mouth pull up in a small smile despite the grave situation.
One of the men came up and talked fast with mystery guy in their own language and gave me a suspicious look as I stood there looking like a drenched cat covered in blood. But as mystery guy gestured to Shay he understood the urgency of the situation.
Mystery guy turned to me and tried to tell me something but again I did not understand. In one swift movement that was too fast and limber for him to not be a professional gymnast, he jumped up on the horse with Shay and galloped away.
"No what are you doing? Take me with you," I cried out. Starting to run after, but a gentle hand stopped me and I turned toward the other man.
"He is riding ahead so your companion can find aid in Rivendales house of healing," he said in perfect english with a slight accent I couldn't place.
"You speak english?" I asked out loud.
"No, I speak the common speech," he said as if it was obvious.
I gave him a confused look at this but didn't comment. "I need to get to Shay, where is Rivendell?" I asked instead.
"You are at the border of Rivendell and I am to escort you to the city my lady," he said with a slight bow of his head.
"Okaay great," I said, not expecting to get such a formal display. Wondered once again where and when we had gotten ourselves thrown into.
"This way," he said and I followed silently behind watching carefully around me for the other men, but the others seemed to have disappeared into thin air.
Time moved slowly as we walked through the woods with my anxiety growing, feeling my heart beat faster in fear for Shay. Please let him be okay, I repeated in my head.
At last I could see buildings emerging. A gasp left my mouth when I took in the sight before me, temporarily distracted with its beauty in the morning sun.
I could see the high stone buildings and their elaborate design as we walked past them through a path along beautiful trees with leaves in vibrant shades of green, yellow and red. We continued up a staircase to what appears to be a courtyard with all kinds of flowers adorning the sidewalk.
"Welcome to Rivendell my lady" I heard from my guide. In awe of the city I struggled to find my voice but nodded in thanks.
As soon as we passed the courtyard I was led to a building I assumed was the house of healing after passing mystery guy and giving him a slight wave in greeting.
I walked through the entrance and was directed toward a wooden door, opening the door I walked into a sunlit room, and there laying on a bed in the middle of the room was Shay. He had a large bandage around his head and a splint around his leg.
"Shay?" I said and carefully walked towards him, "I'm here, can you hear me?"
"He will not wake for many hours I'm afraid. He has been put down in a healing sleep," a deep voice said from the doorway.
Turning around I was met with once again a tall beautiful stranger. But this time with my anxiety wearing off I could now take in my surroundings more and the person in front of me.
He had long dark hair as the others and long robes that brushed the floor. But what really stood out was his eyes, he looked to be in his thirties but his eyes told a different story. They were grey with such depth and intelligence that his gaze told of many years of experience and pain. But lastly my gaze lifted and I gasped.
"Your ears?" I said before I could stop myself. Clamping a hand over my mouth in horror. "I'm so sorry, that was so rude of me, forgive me, I'm just...and I don't…" I stuttered, but thankfully he stopped my rambling with a dismissal hand gesture.
"Do not fret I take no offence, am I to assume that you have not met an elf before?" He asked me, slightly amused.
"An elf?" I said dumbly, not comprehending what that meant other than pointy ears and fairy dust maybe.
"Yes this is Rivendell the last homely house of the elves." he explained. "and I am Elrond lord of Rivendell"
"Ooh" I said, making myself sound even more like an idiot.
"Can I ask for your name and the name of your friend? Earendil told me he found you by the river with your companion in dire condition," lord Elrond asked, looking intensely at me, making me squirm under his gaze.
"Selena sir" I said clearing my throat "or I mean my lord" I said as an afterthought "and this is Shay my brother" I said pointing in Shay's direction.
If he was surprised to hear me reference to Shay as my brother he didn't show it. Me and my latina features and Shay with his asian features was far from looking alike and no one would think us to be siblings. Me and Shay were obviously not biological siblings but that didn't matter when you have grown up together from the age of four.
"Well why won't you take some rest and change out of your wet clothes as your brother here won't be waking up in several hours. When you are well rested I will send for you to hear your story of how you came to be here." lord Elrond suggested.
"Yes, that sounds very nice, thank you." I said just realizing how truly tired I was. Before I could ask where I could go to rest, a beautiful woman or she elf appeared and gestured for me to follow.
Turning around to look at Shay, I felt guilty leaving him with a bunch of strangers.
"Do not worry I will look after your brother. You can rest with a light heart." lord Elrond said seeing my conflicted emotions.
"Thank you,'' I said again, turning around to follow the she elf. I was led to a cozy room with a high ceiling and large open windows where you could hear the sound of the river below. In the middle of the room stood a large bed. And had I had the energy I would have cried of joy. Nothing had felt so wonderful as lying down in that soft bed with a dry set of clothes after a very very long and horrible day.
It can only get better from here, I told myself as i drifted off to sleep.
—-
Hours later I woke to the urgent need to pee. Sleeping next to a river will do that to you. Slowly stretching out my muscles and stepping out of bed I looked around the room. Not able to see another door that could be a bathroom or any other sign of running water or plumbing. I turn to the little chamber pot behind the room divider and sigh. "Well I guess I would have to get used to this." I mumble to myself.
After relieving myself and washing my hands and face in the bowl on the small table next to the bed I looked around again wanting to find something to wear. The night dress I borrowed before going to bed would probably not be okay walking around the city in. My old clothes were also out of the question. I sadly looked at the pile of wet, bloody and torn clothes on the floor.
Walking to the closet in the room, I found several beautiful dresses. Taking one in light purple out to examine. It was a long dress and it would be a tight fit around my chest and hips, but after seeing the other dresses being in similar size and design I put the purple one on.
The dress was in soft material with wide sleeves with a flower pattern. Beside it being slightly too tight and long it was fairly comfortable. Looking myself over in the vanity mirror I saw my tired face looking back at me. My long dark curly hair in a mess down my back and dark circles under my big brown eyes. I definitely did not look my best, I thought to myself even though I didn't really care about such superficial things, there were other more important things to worry about than my appearance.
After quickly braiding my hair away from my face I walked out of the room to find my way back to Shay.
After many wrong turns and one stop to ask the she elf I met earlier for directions, I found the house of healing. Walking in with light steps to not disturb anyone, I walked into the room I knew Shay was in.
"Hi buddy," I whispered. Not getting a response I sat down on the chair next to him waiting for him to wake up. Before I could get comfortable, an elf cleared his throat from behind me.
"I am to escort you to lord Elrond's study, my lady," he said to me, gesturing to me to follow him.
The walk to Elrond's study didn't take long so before I knew it I was standing alone before two big oak doors. Knocking hesitantly I heard lord Elrond telling me to enter.
Walking into the study I saw lord Elrond standing in front of a fireplace with his back turned to me with a wine goblet in one hand.
Looking to my right I saw a tall old man in grey robes with long gray hair and a long beard sitting in a chair with a staff in his hands.
"I hope you could find some rest," lord Elrond said to me while turning around to face me.
"Yes It was well needed, thank you again, and for the dress, my lord" I said while studying the room. The room was big and entirely built in stone, paper rolls lying around on the tables and candles lit everywhere making the room feel warm and homey.
"Let me introduce you to Gandalf the grey," lord Elrond said to me and turned to the old man. "This my friend is Selena, who I mentioned before".
Raising from his seat Gandalf walked towards me. "Selena, lovely to make your acquaintance my dear. But I feel we have a lot to discuss you and I.
Tell me, where are you from? Or should I maybe ask when?" Gandalf said while raising one grey bushy eyebrow.
"How..?" I stuttered in shock. How could he possibly know that me and Shay were from another time? Then I remembered what Kai had said about going to a place and time where magic was everywhere. Maybe this sort of thing was not that uncommon.
"When healing your brother I could feel his power from within. You must know that these are dark times so I had Gandalf examine your brother and his unusual abilities to establish that you were not in fact spies of the enemy. "
"Spies of the enemy? Do we look like spies?" I cried out feeling my frustration welling over from what felt like days of stress, heartbreak and anxiety. Where was I even and where were the others? Enzo, Matt, Klaus and Julia, they had all gone through the portal but not landed with me and Shay.
"Calm yourself child and sit down." Gandalf said in a voice sounding exactly like a grandfather talking to a child.
Reluctantly I sat down in the chair Gandalf had previously occupied.
"Now tell us how you came to be here." Gandalf requested.
At hearing this I sighed and put my head in my hands. How do you explain to someone about the academy, my family and of course about Kai and his power hungry hands.
"Where do I start?'' I muttered" in my hands.
"How about starting from the beginning," lord Elrond said, who had heard my muttering all the way from across the room.
"Okay," I said with a big exacle.
"Well...It all started when we were born 23 years ago…"