Chapter 2 - The forest realm . . .

The wind got knocked from my lungs and my teeth sang upon impact with the ground. A flash of light shot across my eyes and blunt pain webbed through my skull and body.

There were shouts of terror and warning and my head began to spin.

I blinked. The smell of rancid flesh filled my nostrils as a horrid face came into view above me.

It didn't look human. Grimy, dark mottled skin, a long drawn face and sickly yellowed eyes that slithered over me with brutish hunger. The creatures tongue licked its black lips, revealing fangs and purposefully sharpened teeth and snarled, pointing a tarnished knife at my chest.

I abandoned reaching for the root digging into my back and grabbed the creature's wrists, pushing the blade back. The creature was strong and had the advantage of gravity as it leaned into me, driving the dagger down.

"Gunda!"

The cold bite of metal pierced just below my sternum, the blade angled up. Its eyes gleamed with sick delight at the prospect of killing me slowly.

My bladder loosened.

Another high-pitched whistle punctuated by a stomach turning whack had the creature arching its back with a scream.

I grabbed the knife, twisting it inwards and drove it into the creature's gut.

Hot sticky blood gushed over my hands, the putrid smell growing stronger as, with a squawk and bulging eyes, it slowly toppled forward.

A light head of hair appeared and rolled the still warm corpse off me.

Oh my God I killed someone!

I panicked for one alarming instant, rolling onto my front, suddenly thankful for my empty stomach or I would have been sick.

One look at the leather clad body, the black blood rapidly pooling around it and the white feathered arrow in its back, I found myself less fearful for the crime I had just committed.

That thing's not normal.

Scrambling to my knees my eye caught a pair of crescent edged axes lying one across the other where I had fallen. I didn't balk and reached for them, weighing the ornately carven weapons, no longer than my arm, in my hands.

Kimbela grabbed me and pulled me to her back. She held a long spear in one hand with deadly poise. She sent a quick glance over her shoulder to see if I was alright.

Only after a terse nod did I recognise the warm wet in my tights and underwear. I swore.

"Do you know how to use those?" Kimbela's question was a welcome distraction from my embarrassment at soiling myself.

I tried not to laugh. "Swing 'em?" Keeping my eyes on the higher ground above us.

"Aim for the weak spots. Try and hit them with the sharp bit and STAY PUT GLENYS!"

Glenys stopped in her tracks having begun to crawl out from the safety of the cave, ashen face drawn in horror.

Adrenaline rushed through my veins. I gripped the axes harder, my heart pounding in my chest as another creature, then two, careened over the crest.

I wanted to run. As the bow-legged and armoured men that weren't men raced for us I wanted to run. I counted my heart beats again, that touch of icy calm returning.

"Two in front of me." I warned and before I could process my actions, I strode forward to meet the first one, seeking a weak spot.

The creatures wild eyes seemed eager to kill. It swung its sword for my neck. I arced an axe diagonally upwards, catching the blade between the inner curve of the axe and shaft. I hissed as my wrist jarred with the movement.

A neat line ripped through the creatures leather chest piece, but not deep enough to deal a deadly blow, or to slow it down for that matter.

Surprised that its blade was locked with mine it reached forward to grab me. In a bizarre reflex, I hacked at it with the second axe. Blood spurted, the blade cut in so deep only the shaft was visible. I gave the axe a considerable yank, thinking it truly and utterly lodged in it's neck. The axe came free without protest, cutting through flesh, mail and leather as a knife would cut through butter.

Glazed, surprised eyes still gazed at me as the humanoid being collapsed to the side just as the second creature reached me.

No time to gather my bearings or wits I swung for it's neck, its obvious weak spot. The creature ducked, barreling into my legs and flipping me over onto the ground again. My lungs quivered in my chest and refused to expand properly. By the time I'd shaken my tilting vision, it had reached Kimbela.

She was nimble, easily side stepping a downward swipe from the scimitar. Blade met spear and the creature struck again and again. Kimbela deflected each time, face set in grim determination, footwork firm but her assailant had size and experience on his side.

I bared my teeth in a snarl, willing myself to close the ten foot gap between us when Kimbela's feet were kicked out from under her.

I was about to lunge when a figure, silent and swift as the wind, came gliding down the hill. I had never seen such grace and fluid movement in my life as that figure with arrow then knife, executed the assailant.

There was a strangled gasp of relief from somewhere, and I didn't instantly recognise the voice as my own.

It all went very quiet. The world catching its breath. I staggered across to Kimbela who watched her rescuer clean their blade on a cloth, her features set in awe.

I collapsed to my knees and hugged her, relieved beyond what I could comprehend that she was alive, that we through sheer dumb luck had survived.

Kimbela returned my hug, our bodies trembling like leaves in the wind.

Cold fright like a winter wind swept up my spine and an unnerving lethargy settled in my muscles. Whatever had previously fuelled me fizzled out like a bubbly drink going flat in a matter of seconds.

What have I done…I've…killed…someone…

For a moment I felt as though my very existence drained from my body, leaving a hollow husk, frozen and unfeeling. Disgusted at myself yet knowing I hadn't had a choice.

Those things had intended to kill us.

I came back into myself, shocked by the warmth naturally flowing through me.

"Are they gone?"

I glanced back and nodded hesitantly. Glenys stepped timidly out from the cave clutching a pair of long needle like daggers. Her eyes flitting between us and the figure who towered above us—silent and eagle-eyed under his hood.

My eyes slid down the grey clad frame. Noting the height and strength of this person, the long knives at his belt, the ash recurve bow and more to the point, that he was not like the creatures who'd attacked us. My eyes slid to the corpses littering the small space among the trees.

"What are those?" I mumbled, unable to keep my eyes on the prostrate body who's life I'd ended. Whose blood still coated my skin. I wiped my hands on my already soiled clothes and lifted Kimbela to her feet.

She groaned in pain and clung to me for support. Taking most of her weight on my shoulder I straightened up as much as I could, until I felt a sharp arrowhead press warningly against my throat.

Similarly tall grey clad figures had emerged without my notice, each bow drawn and aimed right at us. The one I took to be their leader, the only one not pointing a death stick at me, caught my eyes and indicated the axe I still grasped.

I chucked my weapons at his feet, not daring to hold my breath. Outnumbered, shell-shocked, lost; the odds were stacking against us, and rapidly unfurling fear made my stomach twist.

The weapons were swiftly gathered and another tense lull followed.

The first words between us and the grey clothed ones couldn't be considered welcoming.

"You will come with us." The voice was low, commanding and grave, and the accent was unlike any I'd heard before—but I understood him. We could communicate.

"Like HELL we're going with you!" Glenys' voice was the definition of unamused. "We wake up in the middle of nowhere. We're forced to fend for ourselves and those—whatever those are attack us. Do you think-" Glenys continued to ramble as she was pulled from her perch on the rocks by one of the men and promptly thrown over his shoulder.

"Hey! Put me down or carry me properly! This is so damn undignified! Put. Me. Down."

"You have trespassed into our lands, and there are more yrch lurking beyond our boarders." The leader of the group spoke. "You are not obliged to remain, but do not encroach on our borders again should you leave."

"~Yrch?~" I exclaimed, jaw hitting the floor. "~That thing's an Orc?!~"

For an instant, judging by the confused or surprised and wary looks I received, I assumed I'd slipped back into Swedish. But the words had felt strange, and yet rolled off my tongue with relative ease.

The tense atmosphere ratcheted tenfold when our confiscated weapons vanished.

I blinked. Then blinked again. Unable to believe my eyes as axes, spear and daggers disintegrated into golden dust.

The men left clasping thin air trailed their fingers through the misty clouds that drifted to the ground, sparkling in a beam of light peeking through the leaves to the forest floor.

Beside me Kimbela's knees went weak and I grunted at the sudden pull on my shoulder and righted us, careful to not impale myself on the arrow still held at my throat.

"You come with us."

We weren't given an opportunity to protest.

Kimbela and I were shunted forward, hands gripping our arms to lead us on. The arrows lowered, but not put away.

My heart hammered in my chest, gut twisting and lungs feeling increasingly compacted. I forced myself to breathe through the rising dread and focused on keeping Kimbela upright.

Somewhere behind us, Glenys' demands of 'where are you taking us? Girls, where are they taking us?' went silent. Was she okay? I tried to look behind but the bodies surrounding us blocked out most of the surroundings.

"Are you okay?" I whispered, concerned for the paling woman beside me.

"I landed on my back badly." Kimbela winced. "Who are they?"

I hadn't dared think on who these people were. I had considered cosplayers, but the mention of 'our lands' and 'Yrch' had me doubting that theory. Doubly preposterous was the idea that we were not in Sweden anymore.

"I'm afraid…I don't know."

"You speak a language they understand." She stated credulously, blue eyes attentive, watching as my features shifted from worry at our situation to disbelief.

"No I don't."

We were told to hurry up by the man steering my arm and I turned my head and snapped, "~We're going as fast as she can!~"

"Just like that."

"~What?~"

"English please?" Kimbela chuckled, raising an eyebrow.

Her eyes flicked up to the leader who had doubled back, stopping right in front of us with his hood pulled back.

From what little I had glimpsed of him, I'd suspected he would be handsome, and it was apparent that was not the case. He greatly surpassed any label such as 'handsome'.

His face was carven, the features perfectly aligned from creaseless brow to almond shaped dark eyes to his stiff lipped mouth. Light golden hair long enough to be braided back to keep it out of his face framed ears that appeared to curve into slight points.

That's it, this has to be a dream.

The strange otherworldliness of this whole ordeal, the creatures who'd attacked us, this unbelievably fair male before us, an alf… had we wandered into an illusion woven by the hidden folk?

He looked down at us from a height close to six foot, not betraying thought or intent as his eyes rested on Kimbela, and then on me.

"~We have far to go, and must make haste. If your companion is going to slow us I insist she be carried.~"

"See, I don't speak whatever that is." Kimbela pointed at him with her thumb and giving me a prompting look, shaking me from my dazed and horrifying thoughts.

If they were älvor then we needed to get away, but the threat of more Yrch and the fact that this illusion had proved to be anything but, made me reconsider.

"He…says if you're going to slow us down they'll carry you."

"Oh, that won't be necessary." She smiled up at the man—alf—thing, whatever he was. "I'm in shock, incase you hadn't noticed. And I landed badly. I'll be fine in half an hour."

His lip curved slightly at her spirited words and the conviction with which she spoke. He then answered so she could understand. "We shall stop at our outpost to see to the injured. If you cannot keep pace," He bowed his head in an overly elegant manner. "You have been warned."

Kimbela accepted that and ambled beside me as the group began to move.

"~Orophin, take the rear. Rumil, walk with the Ladies. Keep them together.~" The leader spoke in that language I could understand but couldn't fathom how.

I gripped Kimbela's waist as something within me clicked. A pang resounding in my chest, squeezing my lungs against my ribcage and I stilled a moment. Glancing over my shoulder I spotted the named… elves. Both bore striking resemblances to the leader. The one carrying Glenys unconscious in his arms had slightly rounder cheeks.

"~What have you done to her?~"

The elf, Rumil, seemed startled, but answered. "~Fear not. Those torture devices on her feet were not kind to her.~"

Her feet still looked red and swollen where they poked out from the cloak she had been wrapped up in. At least she was warm, and they were kind enough to carry her given the fact I'd heard her struggle against them.

"~Thank you.~" I offered him a nod, which he returned, and we followed the group deeper into the forest.

x

The outpost was a series of platforms, or 'flets' in the treetops a mile in. We were not taken up, but the elves scaled up and down effortlessly, fetching what they needed.

The first thing they retrieved were clean clothes for me. My cheeks heated when I was handed a cloak, tunic and belt, pointed in the direction of a small stream and told to freshen up.

I did, and was constantly looking over my shoulder to ensure I wasn't being watched.

The tunic, grey and made for their tall beings, was so long it reached below my calves and the belt was supple leather that slipped easily into a knot. It felt a little humiliating wearing a strangers clothes, but not half as bad as wearing the soiled garments I'd rinsed and bundled into a cloth bag.

Gods. I couldn't believe I'd pissed myself, frightened or not.

I stooped over the cold running water and washed my face before staring at my rippling reflection.

Am I going mad?

I wanted to scream, in disbelief or perhaps excited amazement. I was nearly positive, as crazy as it was.

I had, through a couple of shyly spoken questions, discovered we had landed in the Golden Realm of Lorinand, and that I was speaking Sindarin.

I'd felt like a right twit asking 'What language am I speaking?'. Rumil, rightly so, had given me a sidelong look as if to say 'do you have the IQ of a crayon?'—if they had crayons in Middle-earth. Which is where I was lead to believe we were.

I ran my hands down my face. "Orophin, Rumil and Haldir." That was why their names had sounded familiar. "Lothlorien…Middle-earth, elves…orcs…" My breath came out in a wild gasp. "This is absurd!"

Yet…here I am…

I counted my fingers, and affirming I had five on each hand I let out another tense huff. Not an illusion or a dream.

I hugged my knees to my chest, rocking slowly backwards and forwards.

I wanted my parents, I wanted to fall into their embraces, wanted the bottomless, empty well that had opened in my chest to fill—to stop crushing my lungs and making air hard to come by. But they were not here. They were not coming. There was no search party that could find us here.

I shivered, rested my chin on my knees and looked across the murmuring stream. My only hope was that this was indeed a dream, but even that possibility faded into the haze of my last memories before the blank.

The trees had grown in size the deeper we ventured, bark turning silvery and velvety looking. The leaves green and golden, a vibrant mossy floor splashed with purple, orange and white crocuses. The cold ground slowly numbing my buttocks, the rustle of branches and sudden chirps of a chaffinch. The smell of clean untainted air was all so real and alive.

The more I searched for holes the more I gradually was convinced… that this was not a dream.

That well inside me tore open a little more.

"Hey girl."

I jumped a little at the hand pressing down on my shoulder as Kimbela sat down beside me, smiling with a cheerfulness that chased away my helpless thoughts.

"Hej." I greeted, the pit in my chest feeling less empty in her presence.

"I think we're moving soon. They've finished binding Glenys' feet." She said, admiring the view and her mirthful eyes sparkled.

"How is she? Is she awake?"

Kimbela shook her head. "I think her outburst about going with them made them wary of her the most."

"I don't blame them."

Kimbela huffed a sigh, still looking around us. "Speaking of them, do you know who they are?"

I snorted. "It's outlandish."

"I can deal with outlandish. Better than having no idea. It might settle my stomach."

"You're feeling sick?"

"Aren't you?"

I glanced sidelong at Kimbela and swallowed the 'yes' that sat at the bottom of my throat.

"I think…they are elves, and more over," I lowered my voice. "I think they're characters from a book."

Kimbela gave me a semi-incredulous look, and I couldn't blame her.

"Crazy, I know. But Haldir, Orophin and Rumil are three brothers and Marchwardens of Lorien, a woodland realm." I indicated at our surroundings.

She listened intently, but was left as befuddled as I was. "The leader is called Haldir. I've…spoken to him." Her smile turned shy, and she glanced at her feet quickly.

A tightness in her chest had resulted in her dipping in and out of consciousness within ten minutes of our trek to the outpost. True to his word, 'Haldir' had returned and scooped Kimbela into his arms, silencing her protests with 'You were warned my lady'.

Her look of bamboozlement had been both funny and lovable. Better still, she had promptly told him off, insisting 'Lady' was too fancy for her. The exchange made me chuckle. It didn't seem like Kimbela was used to that sort of attention, but it struck me while I walked beside Rumil and Glenys, that in a company of at least twelve, he had chosen to carry her.

Shaking herself from her momentary daze, she softened her voice. "I take it you know this place, sort of?"

I nodded. "Well enough. Though I can't explain my sudden knowledge of Sindarin."

To say I was underwhelmed by my lack of enthusiasm was an understatement.

Kimbela shrugged a shoulder, maintaining her lazy smile. "Don't knock it. Anything we can use to our advantage is good. Although I would suggest we break this to Glenys as gently as possible. She didn't handle this morning well at all. I suspect she might flip her marbles when she finds out where you think we are."

I giggled. "You mean 'lose her marbles'."

"As long as my point gets across, I don't care." She chirped, poking my arm.

Mental note, don't correct Kimbela.

Broken streams of sunlight trickled through the tree tops, casting beautiful shadows on the forest floor and lining the water with silver.

"It's beautiful here." Kimbela commented, extending her arms out as if she could hug the sunlight and fresh air, sucking in a big breath before letting her arms fall to her side. "I wonder what happened to those cool weapons, and where they came from."

"Beats me. But you seem to know what you're doing with yours."

"Oh, basic manoeuvres. Though I never thought I'd have to use them, and turned out I wasn't that good." She sighed heavily.

A short silence followed.

"You don't suppose there's a way home do you?" Kimbela asked.

"The pragmatist in me says there has to be and that we will find it, and another half of me…" I paused, wetting my lips. "Wants to explore."

"You lead, I'll follow." She chirped, catching me off guard.

"What?!"

"I have always believed in the possibility that other worlds or dimensions exist, just that it's improbable that they are made accessible to us. Why not explore this place?"

I chuckled, at a loss of how to respond to her philosophy or the upbeat positivity radiating from her like heat from a fire.

Someone cleared their throat behind us. Kimbela and I turned and found Haldir standing at the top of the small slope by a tree, his hand resting on the hilt of his knife casually, his eyes alert.

"Ladies, we must continue on our way."

The group had grown in number when we reached the small clearing. Haldir was conversing with a darker haired elf before noticing our presence, and the two looked us over as though they were discussing the implications of our arrival, or something to that effect.

Haldir wished 'Orelion' well and half the elves vanished into the tree tops or through the forest, their clothing blending in with the velvety thick trunks. A change in rotation, I assumed.

My head snapped round when Kimbela let out a squeak.

It appeared Haldir had decided she wasn't healed enough to keep up yet. I sucked my lips into a line to stifle an outright giggle when Kimbela shot me a look over his shoulder.

I slid into line, wanting to keep an eye on both Kimbela at the front, and Glenys who was still passed out and being carried not far behind me.

"~Are you feeling well?~" Asked an elf who sidled up next to me. He too was tall and fair, and I thought I'd get a crick in my neck from craning my head back to talk to them.

I nodded, ignoring the dull ache in my back and side from my impacts with the ground. I had no bruising, yet, nor was there a mark from the Orc's blade—a lucky escape.

"~I will be alright thank you. You are Orophin, yes?~"

He bowed his head in answer, as elegantly as Haldir.

"~I'm Gunda. It's nice to meet you.~" I smiled, wondering if I should extend a hand or not.

"~Likewise, Gunda.~" He turned to indicate behind him. "~This is my brother Rumil, whom you have already met, and up ahead is-"

"~Your older brother, Haldir. Yes.~" I looked at the elf carrying Kimbela, noting how she had her arm wrapped around Haldir's neck and was chatting away happily, her previous woes forgotten.

I glanced back at Orophin who was exchanging a look with his brother. His chiseled expression remained neutral as he continued our conversation.

"~Is your friend usually so…ill-tempered?~" He indicated the sleeping girl his brother carried with great ease, not tiring even after the distance already covered.

"~Who? Glenys? Um…she just…doesn't deal with unexpected situations well.~" It wasn't a lie exactly, and I had only known her for a few very unusual hours.

"~And the odd looking footwear, are they weapons?~"

I covered my face with a hand, trying not to snort in amusement, despite the fact he was likely still sizing us up as potential threats. "~No, they are considered fashionable where we come from.~" I dropped my hand to my side and glanced at Glenys' bound feet. "~And I suppose they can be dangerous just as they are uncomfortable to wear.~"

"~You have worn such contraptions?~" Amusement coloured Rumil's voice behind me, eyebrow arched slightly.

"~Once.~" And then I vowed, shaking my head. "~Never again.~"

We continued through the forest. I kept to the front where Haldir still insisted on carrying Kimbela, and Orophin kept polite conversation with us.

The weariness in us had not abated, but they spoke of Lorinand and how in spring the golden leaves shed, giving way to the young leaves which were silver. They painted an exquisite and dreamlike realm, but divulged nothing more. Nothing about its Lord and Lady, its capital, or what they intended to do with us.

Gradually, I felt myself ease into the calmness that surrounded me. Head angled up, lips parted in permanent awe, my eyes didn't know where to look! At the golden light slanting through the impossibly tall trees, the glint of furry silver bark, the clusters of flowers. I imagined what the heart of Lorien must have looked like, homes perched high in the treetops and made by elves.

You may be crazy, but you'd be stupid to pass up an opportunity like this…

We had to cross a wide shallow stream with flat steppingstones only nearly above the hissing water, perfectly hidden unless one knew where to look.

Haldir turned to me and Kimbela, whom he had finally set on her feet after a lengthy puppy eye treatment session from her, and warned us not to stray from the stones.

Taking Kimbela's hand, he led the way and Orophin insisted on holding mine to ensure I didn't topple over, claiming I was tiring quickly.

I brushed him off but was thankful for the support all the same. My legs were beginning to wobble and I didn't fancy finding out if the stream was enchanted the hard way.

We made it to the other side and stopped for a rest. I collapsed onto the ground, having stumbled over thin air on my way to the mossy patch I sat on. Kimbela plonked herself beside me and a few moments later, Glenys was laid beside us, groaning slightly.

"~She will wake soon.~" Rumil said quietly, handing over a water skin which we accepted gratefully.

I checked over Glenys quickly, brushing some hair from her face. Her cheeks were flushed and salt had crusted the corners of her black lined eyes.

"Le fael." Kimbela attempted in Sindarin as we were handed an apple each. It was a good attempt, but needed practice if the interesting looks we received were anything to go by.

I tried not to concentrate too much on the five or six elves still keeping watch over us. Arrows nocked and ready should we try anything.

Kimbela seemed completely unfazed as she lay back on the grass with her hands behind her head, absorbing the world around us. It wasn't a bad idea, I decided, leaning against the tree and looking around me. There were daisies. Lots of them. I found them comforting - a bit of home, something I recognised in this weird world. I lay back and closed my eyes too.

Light flickered red through my eyelids, gentle heat prickled my cheeks and high above, the loud rustling was interrupted by the content chirps of birds and some other animal I couldn't name.

A hand rested on my thigh, small and warm. I instinctively took it in mine, letting a faint familiarity filter through my senses. Strangers, yet not.

I took a deep breath of the crisp air, and let it out, imagining all the fear and negative feelings in me vanish with the exhale—just like Pappa taught me.

"Do you ever feel as though the forest sings?"

I let out an elated chuckle and squeezed Kimbela's hand. "There is certainly nothing like the sound of nature."

"Hmm, they've always seemed alive too—which sounds stupid, I know, but I can't quite explain it."

"You are not wrong Kimbela." The baritone voice of the Marchwarden had my eyes cracking open in surprise. Haldir's dark eyes snapped up to the rustling canopy. "The tree's have voices of their own."

"You can hear the trees?" Kimbela's awe shone from within as she sat up to look at him properly. He nodded, a wide smile spreading across his lips. He stepped closer and handed us another apple, and one for Glenys who was stirring.

"Yes. All Eldar have a close connection to nature." He hummed with a slight smile.

Glenys chose this moment to wake, blinking her eyes groggily. I rested a hand on her shoulder, intended to make her aware of our presence. She batted away my hand with a gruff groan and looked around with bleary eyes.

"Hey, are you okay? How are you feeling?" I asked, rubbing my hand up and down her arm in spite of her earlier protest.

"Oh…hey." She replied, blinking sleep from her eyes and stretching aching muscles as she sat up.

Her drowsiness vanished the moment she realised she was still here, and the fall in her expression articulated as many creative and foul curses as she had displayed on the grassy plains.

I gave her a sympathising smile before handing her an apple. "Here."

Quick as an adder, Glenys's hand swiped for my face, knocking my apple out of my hand as I went to take another bite.

"Hey!" I complained, watching the fruit roll away through the grass. I scowled at her and received a glare in return.

"Oi! What was that for?" Kimbela scolded, leaning forward to see Glenys properly.

"Don't eat anything they give you! Rule one. What if they've drugged it?" Glenys turned her eyes to Haldir who stood closest to us and giving her a disapproving look. "They might be the ones who've kidnapped us!"

The look in Haldir's eyes sharpened at the accusation.

The hair on the back of my neck stood on end as the aura around him turned icy, as though his indignation might manifest itself to frighten some manners into her.

On my other side Kimbela shook her head, perhaps preparing for the losing of Glenys's marbles.

"Glenys, I understand that's the easiest assumption to make, but they have not kidnapped us." I spoke slowly, trying to buy my brain time to piece together a plan. This was not the place for 'the truth'.

"Right, 'cos this is totally normal!" She shot back at us, her tone of voice strident.

I raised my hands in defence, hissing, "Gods would you let us explain?!"

Throughout the clearing tensions rose. A few vigilant Marchwardens nocked their arrows.

A few moments passed and Glenys' expression remained cold and angry. Something brewed within her dark, almost ink black eyes.

"None of this is normal. It's because this is so abnormal that we felt it prudent to comply with their request to go with them. Besides, they only found us when we ventured into the forest." Kimbela spoke finally.

"And you know this how?" Glenys' tone had less of a bite to it having noticed the archers ready to strike on command, but maintained a level of condescension.

"I spoke with them." Kimbela stated plainly, leaning against the tree as though she had nothing more to say—which she didn't.

"And you trust them just like that?"

"We don't exactly have a choice." I interjected solemnly. "It was go with them or risk facing more of those things from outside the cave. And after our weapons simply vanished…our choices were narrowed down to one."

"But why? Where are they taking us?" Glenys sounded more desperate than angry.

"Perhaps to see their Lord and Lady." I shrugged.

"What? How do you-"

"I don't." I hissed. "At least…it's my educated guess."

"Oh." Was Glenys' final word on the matter.

She accepted her apple and curled up beside me, inspecting her warm cloak, neatly bandaged feet and my sudden change of clothes.

"So…who are they." She asked eventually, watching Kimbela and Haldir converse in the distance.

"Elves." I sighed, linking the last daisy in a chain to make a crown.

"You sure they didn't spike your apple?" She snorted, and it sounded like an attempt at humour.

"I rather think enchantment is more their style." I smirked, then added, "If you can promise to go along with this and bear with me, I'll explain it all later. I promise."

Her dark eyes seemed to weigh the very sincerity of my soul. The colour of freshly tilled soil mixed with the dead of night, potent and promising no remorse if you crossed her.

"Fine."

With a nod, our agreement was sealed.

I helped Glenys to her feet as the group showed signs of moving again. She clung to my arm for balance and tested how her feet felt. While she didn't complain, she didn't look thrilled at the prospect of walking either - enquiring as to who had carried her before.

I shook my head slightly in amusement and smiled when Kimbela caught my eye.

As we three grouped together, Haldir, Orophin and one other elf approached us with measured steps. All three regarded Glenys carefully for a moment before Haldir spoke.

"I can understand that these are unusual and anxious times for you ladies, but from here on we insist you be blindfolded."

Defiance bubbled in Glenys' throat which I silenced with a sharp nudge against her side. Glenys shot me a warning look, but said nothing further.

"Why do we need to be blindfolded?" Kimbela asked in Glenys' stead.

Haldir did his best not to look too apologetic. "We cannot permit strangers to know the exact location of the city."

We agreed and had thick cloths tied over our eyes. I held onto my companions as my senses readjusted to the sudden darkness. It was unnerving to have to rely on my hearing alone to try and place the soft footed elves and their bows around us.

The soft squeak to my left and my suddenly empty hand was all I needed to guess Kimbela had been swept off her feet again.

"What was that?" Glenys' grip on my hand tightened.

Giggling, I teased, "Are you alright there Kimbela?"

A heartbeat later a voice spoke right next to my ear. "~Allow me Gunda.~" Strong arms curved around my back and behind my knees, picking me clean off the ground in one effortless movement. I tried not to sound too alarmed, and wrapped my arms around Orophin's neck, the brim of his quiver pressing against my arm was an odd reassurance of safety.

Orophin had already begun moving by the time I heard Glenys' yelp of surprise.

The elves seemed to sprint the rest of the distance, either to make it before nightfall or to disorientate us further. The latter seemed more likely. Orophin veered sharply to avoid trees from time to time, air rushed past my face and bare legs and I became increasingly aware that I wasn't in my usual clothing.

I had never been carried before and the experience, aside from having been literally swept off my feet, was 'first kiss' level underwhelming.

I wondered what sights I was missing. The slow morphing from pure forest to elven structures tucked away in the treetops, elves going abut their day like nothing out of the ordinary had transpired so close to home…what else waited for us in the city. Lady Galadriel perhaps? How would she receive us? I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat at the thought, sensing I would soon find out when we began to ascend in a wide spiralling motion.

I blinked like a vole coming out its hole when my blindfold was removed. The light wooden platform, the smoothest carven floor I had ever seen was several stories off the ground and above, the tree ascended further into the sky. The setting suns rays glared through the leaves, illuminating the forest floor in golden light.

On the far side of the flet, either side of steps leading to another level, pillars shaped to look like twining willow reached up into the leaves like fingers, disappearing to hold up the ornate roof peaking through the foliage.

Kimbela and Glenys' awed expressions mirrored mine. Looking around and scouting out just how high up we were and the ginormous trees.

The otherworldliness that surrounded us, from the floor beneath my feet to the very scent of the air…I wanted to squeal with excitement and fan-girlish delight. So this was what Lorien looked like, felt like…was like. It was the arrows that remained poised, but thankfully pointed at the floor, that persuaded me to keep a lid on it.

"Okay, now you have to tell me everything you know." Glenys gawped, eyes cast above us to the silvery canopy and lilac tinted bark. Her expression caught between wonder and skepticism as she sidled up to me.

"I promised I would, didn't I?" I whispered, catching Haldir's expression shift slightly. Had he overheard that?

I didn't follow up on that thought when all the elves present bowed their heads to something behind us.

Two fair haired and elegantly dressed elves soundlessly descended the steps. The lady was as tall as her counterpart, and lithe where her husband was broad built. I needed no introduction for them.

Celeborn wore flowing robes of silver and blue with a simple brown leather belt. A pearl handled sword hung by his hip. Silver white hair fell over his shoulders, pulled back from his remarkably young looking face which bore a stern yet friendly expression. Then there was Galadriel.

Golden silvery hair cascaded about her in beautiful gentle waves, framing soft features. A deadly trap to lure the eye to her own. More intense orbs of crystal blue surely didn't exist, and certainly not with the same impact. I felt an innate fear to look her in the eyes, so I averted my gaze to the ground before their feet. So intense was her gaze I hardly took note of the form fitting dress she wore, though I was left with the sense that it was a bit plain for a ruler. She too showed no sign of age, and wore a blank expression save the slight and friendly smile on her lips.

They stopped at the bottom of the steps and I bowed. My movement quickly prompted Kimbela and Glenys to follow suit, which is when I felt something was off. Both girls looked awe-struck. Glenys was still scraping her jaw off the ground. Whereas I had simply stared at them. I had anticipated this. Would they think my behaviour strange?

My heart stumbled over itself.

Act natural, act in awe, follow their lead. Don't let on you know anything!

My mouth went dry, forcing measured breaths in and out of my nose.

Until I know this is a dream. I told myself. I will treat this as real life.

"The Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel." Haldir announced and I almost turned faint with excitement. THE Lord and Lady of Lothlorien.

"Are you serious!?" Glenys exclaimed, righting herself to further inspect the Lordly couple.

All eyes fell on us, especially her. I turned to Glenys and whispered a low warning growl, advising her to behave. Her dark eyes instantly conveyed deep suspicion. Her trust in us already dwindled. How willing would she be to accept this—as dream or reality?

The Lord and Lady did not look surprised at her sudden outburst, nor for that matter of fact did the other elves.

The Lord's eyes watched us intently for a moment.

"Three daughters of men." He spoke finally, his voice silky and wise. "Strangers before today. Not a team yet not forsaking any member."

Glenys nearly turned to stone beside me and I felt myself tremble beneath my tunic. Had they been expecting us?

My eyes flitted to Galadriel briefly. To my frustration, her expression gave nothing away.

"Dine with us, and rest." Came a voice that tinkled through the air. My knees almost turned to jelly as I realised that Galadriel had just spoken. Her eyes then moved to survey my companions.

"For you are wearied with uncertainty, and have much to talk about." Galadriel finished as her eyes came to rest on me alone.

Galadriel held my gaze, and by my will or not, I couldn't break eye contact. It were as though she held my mind captive. The instinct to squirm became difficult to ignore. I disliked this irrational sense of being trapped, of being unable to cry out for help.

I forced my fingers to twitch. Proof that I was not restrained in any way.

Something flashed in Galadriel's blue eyes. It seemed to unsettle her for a moment but she never lost her composure. My heart sped up and sensing I was free from her grasp I averted my gaze to the ground.

x

Lead away by a few Wardens, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more going on. What had unsettled Galadriel? Why had I felt threatened so suddenly.

I pushed those questions to the back of my mind and allowed myself to be swept away by the fantastical sights that opened up around as as we wandered along the flets. Spiralling stairs wound around the tree's thick trunks to the flets and houses that sat nestled on the strong branches and between splaying boughs.

We were left by an arched doorway. It swung open and we were invited in by another comely elf-maid.

Vanya introduced herself in conversational 'common tongue', and kindly gave us simple instructions—which were self explanatory considering we had walked into a bathhouse—while she sorted out clothing for us.

With a sweet smile, the dark haired elf left us alone. Leaving us three to look awkwardly around the communal pool we were expected to get cleaned up in.

That was until Kimbela chirped, "Oh come on, what's to be shy about? We're all girls!"

I was beginning to feel my exhaustion creeping up on me, so with a nonchalant shrug I pulled my tunic over my head and dived in. It wasn't as if my pride could get any more damaged after today.

I kept my back turned while Kimbela joined me. Glenys looked utterly uncomfortable, stripped down to her underwear, arms crossed over her body and looking at the water.

"Don't worry Glenys, you'll be fine." I smiled, reaching out a hand.

"I…I'd rather bathe alone." Glenys' voice dipped, making her discomfort known.

"I don't think we have time to bathe individually, plus, you have nothing to be ashamed of." Kimbela said, closing her eyes and submerged herself for a moment. "We can turn around if you wish."

Glenys let out an 'ahem' and gestured to the other side of the room. Only then did it click as to what she objected to.

Gossamer thin curtains dropping over a nonexistent wall except for the few pillars that served to hold up the ceiling. The view was only barely visible through the thin curtains. A sea of tree tops, their green leaves swaying in the breeze.

"You have nothing to worry about, no one is going to be spying on us." I reassured Glenys kindly. "Elves are not that indecent. They don't sway towards perversion."

Glenys' nervous expression didn't dissipate one bit. Her brow knitted together as she pressed her arms into her stomach.

"Guys, I cant'!" She protested.

"This isn't a matter of 'can't' Glenys. You can wear your underwear if you want, but I don't think you want to turn up to the dinner table smelling of orc." I pointed out. My otherwise understanding nature smothered by rising exhaustion. All the questions I had, and those I'd have to answer. Thinking about them gave me a preemptive headache.

Glenys took a moment to mull over my words, and then slowly - crouching low so she didn't slip on the wet stone steps - slid into the pool. Gasping at the soothing heat of the water.

"How are your feet?" We asked when Glenys had resurfaced, wiping the water from her face.

"Fine. They don't feel sore or anything." She observed her feet through the rippling water. "They look worse than they feel."

Satisfied with her answer, we set about scrubbing the dirt from our bodies using the sponges and oils left in small woven baskets on the poolside. I did my best to explain where we were. Reiterating the importance that we not give anything away until Glenys gruffly stated that they got the message.

"I'll admit I was taken by surprise back there. I've only heard of 'Galadriel' from the trailers." Glenys mumbled quietly, rinsing Kimbela's hair with care. With her face scrubbed clean of makeup and dirt, her skin tone was much warmer, and very faint freckles speckled the bridge of her nose and faded as they swept across her cheeks.

"I can't say those films interested me very much. I don't like fantasy."

"Well, I'm afraid that for the moment, we may well be stuck in one." I huffed.

"Is the danger real?"

Glenys' question stunned me momentarily. I swallowed thickly. "Treat it as though it is. Until we know more."

I inspected my hands. My fingers more closely resembled raisins. "I'm going to find the towels."

Wading to the steps I scanned the room. When nothing was obvious I stepped out and investigated a cupboard.

The cool air prickled my skin and I shivered as a sudden colder gust of wind brushed against me.

My cheeks heated.

"Ah, you are already out. Here, take this." Vanya handed me a cloth at least half the size of a normal towel.

"Thank you." I mumbled, taking the cloth and covering myself as best I could.

Vanya smiled, amused by my embarrassed self, but she was kind enough to turn her attention to the girls.

Glenys hid behind Kimbela.

Vanya lifted the various bundles in her hands in turn. "Drying cloths. Clothes. I will be behind the screen to help you get dressed."

We had no say in that either it seemed. I was allowed to dry myself behind a hidden screen and pull on a chemise before Vanya came to help me into a dress. Laced into the comfortable deep blue cotton dress, my hair wound and pinned to the back of my head with a hair stick, I stepped out from behind the screen.

Both Kimbela and Glenys had managed to wrap themselves in multiple cloths and stood waiting their turn. Glenys cast a scrutinising eye over me, then nodded in approval.

"That colour suits you. Brings out your eyes."

I almost blushed. "Thanks."

We were through the bathing process within an hour. Kimbela's tiny frame was swamped in the mass of grey tunic and trousers she had insisted on wearing.

"I will not wear a dress." She'd stated with firm resolve. "I refuse."

My mouth curled into a childish grin at Vanya's soft mutterings in elvish to find trousers and tops for the 'short thin one'.

Glenys wore a lilac dress and seemed fairly chuffed with it. "I can live with it." Was her only comment on the matter.

x

Following Haldir up a flight of steps and into a vast room built in-between three trees, I remembered to act a little more awe struck than I was. It was easily done. The impressive dining hall mimicked the forest, painted silver and purple, the leaves on the carven trees inlaid with gold leaf. Everywhere we looked, elves gathered for their evening meal. Fetching platters of food and pitchers of drink. Few visibly payed us attention. Some waved to Haldir, and his brothers greeted us from a table on the far side.

"Mae govannen. I trust you feel refreshed?" Lord Celeborn asked, appearing beside us as we marvelled at the crystal chandelier that hung in the centre of the hall.

We bowed, thanking him for his kind hospitality.

"How do you get that bluish light?" Glenys asked, pointing to the various lanterns that emitted a pretty but strange light. I would have reprimanded her, but my curiosity was peaked too.

The Lord took a moment before answering, "Magic, Lady Glenys. I took the opportunity to gather information from the Marchwarden while you bathed. So do not feel alarmed." He soothed when our eyes went wide.

"Or they're burning copper wire." Glenys muttered into our ears as we joined the Lord and Lady at their table. Which was not the head table. Perhaps they had also requested everyone ignore us? I thought. Too tired to think of anything else other than hot food and a warm bed.

As to be expected, we engaged in polite conversation about where we had woken up, what happened before the Marchwardens showed up and helped us during the Orc attack.

Lord Celeborn seemed dismayed that Orcs were so close to the borders, but kept most of his cards close to his chest.

"It is never wise to let one's guard down. No land is ever truly safe." Lord Celeborn spoke as if he were reciting poetry.

Is this what is meant by elves answering with both yes and no?

The Orcs had chased the Fellowship to the borders of Lorien from Moria. I convinced myself that was the reason for his calm attitude. This had happened before.

"Peace ever stands on the edge of a knife." I said, lifting my goblet of berry juice to my lips.

"There is something…unusual about you." Lady Galadriel spoke for the first time in a while.

I choked on my drink. Kimbela coughed, nearly spitting out her mouthful and Glenys glared at the Lady. A nudge from Kimbela reminded her of her manners.

Once my lungs had stopped spasming, I composed myself and asked in as straight-forward a manner as I could.

"In what way, my Lady?"

"I do not know." She spoke softly. The power her presence alone commanded made me want to harken to her words, despite the undeniable sense that I wouldn't get satisfaction from them. "I sense something strong within you three. I have not come across it before."

Her eyes rested on me again. I gulped, then realised we had all three leaned in to listen. She smiled kindly at us.

"Fear not. In time all things reveal themselves. For now, focus on resting. Your journey has only just begun."

x

We found more clothes folded on our beds when we were shown to our room. It was spacious; light coloured walls and wide open windows, and three large beds with luxurious sheets and quilts, and irresistibly fluffy pillows.

Haldir bid us goodnight, eyes lingering on Kimbela a moment longer before he closed the door. She lowered her face with a goofy grin plastered all over it and a blush creeping up to her cheeks.

Once again, with a gentle knock on the door, Vanya came and distributed nightwear, including trousers and a top for Kimbela. The ensuite lacked a pool, but we were otherwise living in luxury.

"I am in the talon across the flet if you need anything else." Vanya said by way of goodnight, and left quietly.

I approached the bed closest to the door and nearly gasped when I saw the ring placed neatly on top of the clothes. A polished clear quartz set in silver. I never took it off unless I was afraid I'd lose it.

Quickly sliding it back on my finger, the cool metal felt like a much needed touch of familiarity. It seemed to be the only thing to have come with me to Middle Earth.

The stone glinted. The light of those strange blue lamps reflecting off the misty flecks within it.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, remembering who gave it to me. I hoped my parents were alright. Maybe I'd wake up soon and this dream would come to an end.

Some strange dream.

We settled down quietly. My eyes grew heavier by the second. The fatigue of the day finally taking its toll.

"Goodnight Girls." I yawned as I pulled the soft covers over me. I got no response, or I wasn't awake to hear one, for the moment my head rested on the pillow I was asleep.

Thanks for reading!

Elvish

Mae govannen - Well met

La fael - Thank you. Lit: you are generous

Swedish

Alf - elf

Hej - hello