Hi all, it has been... a while since I have posted. Between the last chapter and now a lot has happened, I graduated college, moved into an apartment, got a full-time job, then got a different full-time job, and am finally settling a little bit into life. I am hoping to be able to continue this story more frequently as I think about it often but just lack time.

Thank you to those that keep reading, and for all the comments that have been left. They have all been helpful and prior to this chapter, I made some revisions. While I know I am not the best writer I hope the changes I have made are to better my story. First, I have changed it to be in third-person revolving around Alora. I was very in between writing it in third or first person and felt like this story was a better fit for third person when coming back to continue it.

I hope you all enjoy this chapter, thank you for taking the time to read and have a wonderful morning/day/night wherever you are in the world.


Alora's night was restless after Bainwen left. She spent most of the night sitting by the window, elbow resting on the sill and her chin in hand. The cool breeze licked strands of her hair, and helped her - just for a moment - forget everything. For the first time since she arrived in Rivendell, she was able to relax for a moment and take in the beauty.

A smirk crossed her lips as she thought of how romantic the scene must be from another perspective. A woman peering out of a window with the cool breeze brushing her hair back. A snort passed her lips when she thought of Romeo and Juliet.

"Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou," Alora mumbled. "More like, 'Wherefore art Alora'."

She knew she didn't belong in Middle Earth but had to get past that and accept her reality. Her seat by the window sill suddenly began to feel a bit too comfortable and before she knew it, a crisp morning breeze woke her, her back stiff and her cheek sore after having fallen asleep.

Suddenly, a soft knock at the door echoed in the room. "Good Morning Alora, I am here to help you prepare for the day," Bainwen said as Alora opened the door and stepped to the side letting the Elleth in.

Alora gave Bainwen a small smile in response, happy that she called her just "Alora" today, as "Lady Alora" and "My Lady" all day yesterday were making her feel even more like an imposter. Despite having no claim to any sort of status, especially in Middle Earth, extensive education was presumed to hold status here so the explanation of her career and knowledge lead Alora to be called "Lady."

"I brought water in for the basin, if you would come over I can help you prepare for the day."

Alora nodded before walking over to the water basin. Her face was then scrubbed, hair washed and untangle making her feel more refreshed. Nerves about the meeting were beginning to plague her mind as Bainwen's gentle hands smoothed her hair and began forming an intricate pattern. After having pinned half of her hair up, the rest was left to gently fall to Alora's shoulders.

Sensing that the human girl was feeling nervous, the Elleth put a gentle hand on Alora's shoulder as a wordless way to ask her to turn. Alora couldn't get herself to look Bainwen in the eye despite the comfort her presence brought her since they met. Bainwen has always been kind and gentle with her despite all of the struggles and tears that she let out in the last 24 hours. It was hard for Alora to constantly look at such beautiful beings she thought were alive only in the storybooks, yet here one was catering to her, a girl that is lost and farther from home than she could ever imagine.

"I will be there the moment the meeting is over to collect you, it will be over before you know it. You are strong and will be alright."

Alora's heart warmed and was finally able to look up at Bainwen. The Elleth has only known her for not even two days yet she was kind enough to be there for her. Without any warning, Alora swung her arms around the Elleth, causing her to gasp before chuckling and returning the hug.

"I was able to find smaller clothing for you from when I was an Elfling, hopefully, they will fit properly and make you more comfortable."

The dress Bainwen helped Alora into was quite simple, it was a pale blue color with a scooped neckline that was the proper length compared to the gown from the night prior. Bainwen had also surprised her by having hemmed the grey cloak overnight, so it would no longer be a tripping hazard. The cloak was soon clasped at her neck once more, making Alora feel safe and protected from any judging or questioning eyes.

"You look very presentable, I am pleased to see the dress length suits you!"

Alora gave her a small smile before letting out a sigh and slowly following the Elleth to the door as they made their way toward the counsel. She wasn't sure what to expect, and only remember a couple of key elements from the meeting such as Gimli trying to destroy the ring, Boromir trying to have the ring brought to Gondor, and of course Frodo offering to take it. However, she was not certain that those events would actually take place and was even more scared of discovering whether her familiarity with the story would be accurate or not. If it wasn't, what would she do? Would they think she was a liar? Would she be exiled? Killed?!

"Alora, you look pale, do you need to sit?"

Bainwen's soft whisper shook Alora out of the horrifying worries she had. A forced smile crossed her lips as she shook her head toward the Elleth, signaling that she was fine as they rounded the corner of the hallway and were greeted by none other than Gandalf.

"Ah! Lady Alora, it is good to see you have found clothing better suited for your stature." The smile on his face made Alora feel more comfortable, as she returned the gesture and said goodbye to Bainwen as she departed from the council area.

"Now thank you for coming early this morning, I wanted to prepare you before everyone else arrives. Now from what we spoke of you are familiar with what happens in this meeting?"

Alora gulped, "Oh! Um, yes Gandalf. I am familiar with the events but it has been a while since I read the book so I don't recall every detail."

"Hm, yes, yes. Well, to see what you recall. If you think something you remember is about to happen, I would like you to clap your hands together as a way to signal to me that you know. Is that something you're able to do for me?"

"Yes Gandalf, however, I am worried my presence could change something. Will they all question a stranger being present?" Gandalf tilted his head as he thought of her question.

"You will be addressed as a friend of mine that I have asked to attend and had approved by Lord Elrond, it will all be alright." Alora let out a sigh and gave the old wizard a smile. Shortly after their chat the rest of the guests had arrived and everyone was seated. She could feel eyes on her as everyone settled down, and the looks she was receiving made her squirm in her seat.

"What is a woman doing here?" - "Do you know who she could be?" - "What is this all even about?"

Alora sunk into her seat at all of the whispers and felt about ready to pass out as Elrond began the council. The story of the Ring was shared with those in the small circle, she could feel the tension rise as the power and danger the small piece of jewelry brought to all of Middle Earth. She listened intently as the members of the meeting, and those of the fellowship described why they came to Rivendell in the first place, followed by the most heated part of the discussion from what she recalled best, the discussion of what to do with the Ring.

"We have only one choice," Elrond spoke, standing from his chair. If the tension wasn't already thick enough to slice with a knife, Alora thought they would soon need to ask Gimli for his ask to hack at the tension that was piling onto the shoulder of everyone there.

Alora's thoughts of Gimli came at the right time as she saw a slight movement from him and immediately clasped her hands together.

"Well, what are we waiting for!"

Her eyes closed shut quickly as the ax came down and broke apart against the ring that lay before them. Alora cracked her eyes open and glanced a Gandalf who gave her a sharp look. Alora did not see a couple of other looks that she drew, from having reacted only a couple of seconds too early at that moment, and little did she know that this was only the first in many moments to come where suspicion would grow from her behavior, especially under trained eyes.


With hands clasped in her lap as the Men, Elves, and Dwarves fought over who should bring the ring to Mordor, Alora's eyes kept glancing between Frodo who was looking pained and unsure, and Gandalf who had peered over at their agreed gesture and was waiting for whatever she thought was going to happen. It was when Frodo stood, calling to everyone that he would take the ring to Mordor, did she see the pained smile cross Gandalf's face as yet another Hobbit that he knew was going to embark on a journey with a high risk of return. The Wizard's eyes turned to her briefly, and Alora simply bowed her head down in a silent way of saying 'yes.'

"Though, I do not know the way."

"I will help you bear this burden Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear."

Alora felt her heart tighten as the rest of the fellowship bound their fate with the Hobbit, and the breath in her lung left her as Boromir proclaimed his wish to help Frodo. Her hands stayed clasped together in her lap as Sam, Merry, and Pippin came out of hiding and joined their friend in front of the very shocked group. There they were, the group of nine that Alora has read about, laughed with, cried with, and celebrated their victories with through the pages of the masterpiece written by J.R.R Tolkien. Everything around her buzzed as she was sucked into her thoughts of fear, anxiety, and the all too common feeling of disbelief.

The feeling of disbelief stayed in her system when later that day she sat with Gandalf and he relayed to her his plans.

"You want me to what?!"

Gandalf gave the human girl a small smile as he tried to rationalize his thought to her. He has expected a shocked reaction and knew it would take some persuasion.

"I think it would be wise for you to see Lady Galadriel in Lothlórien. Now I understand the journey may be dangerous but I will personally take watch over your safety and we will arm you."

Alora was in utter shock. Gandalf wanted her, a mortal woman with no experience in fighting or experience journeying in their world to join the fellowship for part of their quest.

"It may be helpful for us to understand more of your knowledge, so joining us for this part of the journey can help us ensure the path we are going on is correct to what you best recall from these stories you told us about."

"I understand Gandalf, but what will the others think of me? I am a complete stranger, they will question why I am there and feel like I am a burden to them."

"You will not be a burden but a companion to the fellowship, and you are under my guardianship so they will have to be content with my decisions."

It was useless arguing with Gandalf, especially since she had no right to ask to stay in Rivendell. The Elves owed her nothing, Gandalf owed her nothing. Yet, they all have given her so much and the least she could do was follow Gandalf and be of whatever help she could.

Seeing the crack in her resistance, Gandalf smirked knowing that she was going to join them. "Now, we must go over the details of you joining us. First, with the power of your knowledge, we must do our best not to make any changes to the future that you know. We do not know the repercussions it could have in this world. If you are feeling the need to make changes or advise the fellowship of anything, you must speak with me first. Is this agreeable?"

Alora gently nodded her head, understanding Gandalf's rationale before they got into more of the specifics of how the Elves would prepare her clothing to travel in and other necessities.

When it came to a weapon of choice, Alora gave Gandalf a crooked smile before sharing with him an uncommon weapon of choice for a human, let alone a woman, as the daughter of a lumberer was raised to know her way around an ax.