disclaimer: I do not own anything.

Chapter 4

The hike inside the mines was a challenge to say the least. It was dark, wet and extremely creepy. Paul was carrying two bags with him, while Alex was walking with soaked clothes and boots. The socks were already mushy, wet and muddy. Her legs were feeling cold, her heels already screaming for her to stop walking.

Alex was shivering not just from the cold, but what they just went through before entering the mines. This adventure is spiraling down out of control very fast and Alex is not one bit enjoying it.

"This is were we rest." Aragorn ordered, probably seeing the pain and exhaustion on everyone's faces. Everybody gave a sigh of contentment, excited to finally be able to rest their feet and to be able to just sit even if it were just for a few minutes.

"How is your feet milady?" it was Sam who asked

"Sore." Unable to give more than just a one word.

"I'll boil some water for your feet. Maybe that would help." not even waiting for Alex to reply, already scurrying off to god knows where to find some water to boil and wood to start fire.

"You were very brave back there lassie." Gimli commented, puffing on his pipe as he observed Alex carefully peel off the socks.

"I just want to get out of this place." bitterness seeping into her voice. She was pissed, tired, hungry and in dire need of a bath. As usual, Paul sat beside her, also in the process of removing his shoes, when he got a sniff of his best friend. "I do not smell that bad!" Alex countered, feeling slightly embarrassed sniffing her foot to find that it did smelled a little funky.

Sam returned with wood and water and immediately started on boiling it. He took out some snacks from his pack and started to distribute it among the group.

Alex denied the offer. If she eats one more of those biscuits she was definitely going to throw up. It had almost been two weeks since they arrived in 'Middle Earth' and it was nothing but biscuits and sausages, she had had enough.

Sam returned with the warm water and it felt nice on her sore feet. She was startled when Legolas sat down on her other side, offering her a toasted bread.

"It is lembas Alex, you need to eat. We have a long journey ahead."

"So now you're being nice to me?" Alex asked looking directly at the elf beside her.

"I did not know where to start and I did not mean to make you feel like an outcast. " Legolas turned, his gaze intent on Alex. Just sitting beside her had brought back memories of her when she was young. She had been impulsive then, but the woman sitting beside him now had definitely grown from that young, impressionable girl. Alex has grown stronger, her perceptiveness her most obvious trait. She had kept an eye on everyone and Legolas saw that. He saw the distance she had placed between herself and the rest of the companions, with the exception of her friend.

And what a peculiar friendship those two have. Legolas couldn't quite know what to make of the brutal honesty mixed with openness disguised in sarcasm whenever the two would regard each other, all propriety be damned. Just like now, when Paul made a straight forward comment about her smell, Alex didn't even flinch and took it in stride. Any maiden Legolas knew, would have slapped him or would have ran away crying for the rude comment, but not Alex.

"But you did." Alex countered, pulling Legolas out of his musings.

"Alex.." He sighed, lost at where to start. There was a time long ago when he could talk to her about anything. The connection was there, but Alex was different now and his hope of picking up where they left off seemed, after him sorting their rift, impossible now. She is sitting beside him, but she felt far away. "I want..I.." Swallowing the lump in his throat, he had no idea how lost he was until he decided to face the very thing he had been running away from. He thought it would be easy, like river flowing without care, he thought his words would flow. Valar! Hadn't he prayed for a chance to speak to her again? How many nights he spent staring at the stars hoping to see her again.

"You don't know me anymore. Save yourself the grief. I wasn't asking nor was I expecting any apology and for that, you don't have the right to make any assumptions about who I am." Alex whispered, praying to whoever is listening that Legolas does not notice her voice shaking, or her resolve cracking, hoping that this would be the end of their discussion. She refused to face him, instead opting to stare on the ground, she wouldn't allow him to see her fighting against her resolve, tears brimming in her eyes that she would not dare let fall. All those years of therapy and medical intervention did nothing to cure her of the sadness. The warmth spreading from him, seeping into her clothes did not to squash the longing she felt.

"Meleth"Legolas whispered, "please, speak to me." His eyes pleading,

Taking a much needed breath, Alex spoke "Stop. Please, just leave me alone. You have done it before, you can do it again."

A sharp stab of pain pierced his being. It was singular that Legolas almost felt that he was being literally stabbed. Regret, hurt coursed through his veins, until it morphed into anger. He was not accustomed to feeling this way towards any one, especially not towards her but her obvious stubbornness is creating a rift between them, and in that short span of time he decided he will not go down without a fight. If it's a fight she wants, he would give her his everything.

"Elvish ointment. For your feet, it soothes the soreness. " his gaze hardening as he looked at her form, her eyes still refusing to meet his, "Drink your water and try to get there rest you need. This is not over, meleth nin. " whispering the last part and handing her the small bottle. His gaze softening when he saw her head snapped up to meet his, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, understanding swimming in her stormy green depths, fear, hurt apparent, but something else, a fleeting emotion she quickly tried to hide, but he saw it. It was almost enough to make his resolve crumble. He shook his head, no. If she was making him work for their connection, then this is a two way road. He meant what he said, feeling sorry for her state right now. Nobody, especially her should suffer what she is going through. He watched her snatch the bottle from his hand, that simple touch sending volts like lightning up his arm.

"I apologize again my lady, I will not bother you anymore." then he stalked off, sitting beside Aragorn right across from Gimli who was grinning quite widely for his taste. "It would be to your best advantage dwarf that you keep your opinions to yourself." still couldn't stop the grin on Gimli's face to spread even wider. Turning to his long time friend by his side who is quietly smoking on his pipe, "The same goes to you."

Aragorn chose to remain silent, raising both his hands in surrender indicating that the elf will not hear anything from him, yet.

"In time elf, in time" the dwarf answered, taking a long puff from his pipe.

0-0-0

The walk further into the mines was a lot more tedious, it was dark, with steep stairs leading to nowhere.

"Is it just me, or is it damn cold in here?" Alex asked to no one in particular, walking slower and slower as time went by.

"Alex, I think you have fever." Paul said, walking closer to his friend, placing his palm on her forehead feeling for her temperature. If Alex felt worse, there was no describing how she looked. She was pale, way too pale, and she looked weak barely keeping up with the group. She refused any help from the others, keeping her distance except for Paul. At one particular point when Gandalf had to wrack his brain to remember the correct route out of the mines, staring at three passages, Alex slumped against a rock. Thanking whoever was watching over that she had to finally rest her feet, feeling a little better not to have to put her weight on them.

It was hours later when Alex woke to the sensation of being rocked back and forth, did she force herself to wake from a much needed sleep. Her legs and feet still hurt like hell and she still felt cold. Slowly opening her eyes, easily adjusting to the darkness to find Legolas cradling her.

"Where are we?"

"We are inside the Dwarf City, you passed out not too long ago and we had to take turns to carry you. You could barely walk." Legolas offered,

"Put me down!" Alex ordered horrified that these men she barely knew took turns in carrying her, startling the elf and immediately alerting the group that she was awake.

"Alex you shouldn't be standing up." Paul ordered,

"I'm fine. I don't want to be passed around like some disabled person. I can walk on my own."

"But—" Paul was cut off, with Gimli suddenly running at a different direction, towards what looked like a room, light streaming through,

"Here lies Balin, Lord of Moria." Gandalf read, and Gimli started crying for his cousin he never thought was dead.

Alex slumped on the floor, barely able to stand. She insisted that she could walk and now she regretted it. Her entire body were excruciatingly painful she had to fight to hold back her tears. Distracting herself with looking around to find in her utter horror, remains and skeletons lying everywhere. She saw Gandalf, pick up a book and started reading from it, zoning out on what he was saying. Her attention was caught at Pippin which was slowly inching his way to a particular skeleton perched on a side looking like it was sitting on the edge of a deep well.

"We cannot get out, we cannot get out. They are coming." Gandalf finished looking up horrified and finding Aragorn staring at him, understanding in his own eyes that something was coming their way, as the fellowship heard a loud crash and everyone turned around to find Pippin looking guilty. The skeleton must have fell way deep for the fellowship had to hold their breathe and wait for the sound of crashing bones and armor to stop.

"Fool of a took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!" Gandalf scolded, unceremoniously snatching his hat from Pippin's hands.

It was at that exact moment that loud drums could be heard, the rest of the group had to strain their necks, looking around to locate the source of the sound.

Alex's heart was beating against her chest, her breath caught silently waiting for the source of the sound. Goosebumps erupted along her arms, not because of the chilly air.

Boromir ran to the wooden door, peaking to see the source of the sound. This time there were screams of unknown creatures. As two arrows flew past his head, connecting at the wooden door.

Alex screamed, shocked at the sudden turn of events for the worst. Everybody was on high alert. Frodo had his sword out, glowing bright blue. Boromir and Aragorn had the door barricaded, with Paul helping them by gathering things to barricade the door.

"Everybody get ready. Stay close to Gandalf!" Aragorn yelled, pulling his bow and arrow. Boromir standing close by with his sword. Gimli was standing by his cousin's tomb with his axe out, "Let them come! There is still one dwarf in Moria that still draws breathe!"

Alex watched as all men stood with their weapons drawn, all prepared to fight. She was speechless, what could possibly go through those doors that would have everyone on edge. She saw Legolas standing in front, closest to the door, his bow and arrow drawn, eyes cold, his stance rigid, calculating, his whole demeanor became dangerous.

"Alex c'mon!" Paul yelled, pulling Alex by his side, pushing her behind one of the pillars. Just as Sam crossed in front of her to stand next to Frodo.

"May I?" Alex asked, grabbing one frying pan hanging behind Sam's pack. She glanced around, she was the only one unarmed even Paul had managed to snag himself a sword.

"Alex! You are not in any condition to fight," Paul exclaimed, panic lacing his tone.

"So are you, but here we are." Alex countered, her earlier fatigue forgotten. Adrenaline was coursing though her veins. She had travelled to this world before and it has always held wonder and magic for her, but this is the first she is going to face the horrors it holds and she will face them all standing.

Just then, the door started to shake on its hinges, banging and cracks were being made from the other side of the door, Alex watched in horror as slowly Legolas shot one by one whatever creature was trying to come through the door, each shot planting firmly on something and then a scream of agony could be heard.

It wasn't until the door finally gave way that all hell broke loose.

0-0-0

Hours. They have been walking for hours. And all around them still looks the same. The trees, the greenery and the cold. It was a long climb up the mountain and an even longer climb back down. The old pathways they used where covered in snow so they had to make a detour and find another way down.

One day of hiking down and the white snow slowly faded to a green grassy plain, they had successfully trekked down, now to find the door that lead to Moria.

"Alex, how do you suppose can we go back? Paul whispered, walking along side his friend.

"Back?" Turning her hair to regard her friend,

"Yes, 'back' as in 'home' as in Fontanellato, remember?" Paul answered sarcasm and exasperation dripping from his tone, "I don't know how." Alex answered honestly, her brow furrowing, only now realizing that she really had no idea. "What do you mean , 'you don't know how'? How were you able to cross worlds before?"

"It just happens." Trailing off and shrugging her shoulders, it has never really occurred to her until now to question when and how she was able to jump between worlds. It just happens!

She would walk into her Nana's garden and enter another world, but on how she was able to get back, she was not entirely sure. But she would always get the feeling that she knew where she was going. Every time she get to sense to return home, she just does. Or sometimes, she'd find herself awake in her own bed, as if everything was just a dream. She had never questioned anything before, since she actually thought everything was just in her imagination, that and that almost during half of her existence she has been trying to prove to herself that this place was not real. Alex was cut short from cursing herself for her stupidity and naivety.

"Okay..how are we suppose to go back this time?" Paul added, they've been gone for a week, they would've been reported as missing persons by now.

Looking to her best friend hoping to miraculously find the answers she was looking for, "Well, that depends.."

"Depends on what?" Paul hissed,

"On how much time has actually passed since we disappeared." Alex hoped that her tone made Paul know she was making some sort of sense,

"Alex, for the love of all that is holy, you are not making one bit of a fucking sense."

Looking for a chance to escape being interrogated but finding none, Alex continued "Well, um, time passes differently between this place and home," at Paul's silence and blank stare Alex added, "sometimes time passes at home and there were times that it does not. Um, At all."

Swallowing before responding to his friend, Paul tried to piece together what his friend was actually saying, "Hold the phone, you mean to tell me, we have no way of knowing how long we are actually gone until we get back?" Alex held her hand together and slowly nodding her head to affirm her friend's thought process, but Paul plowed on "So, a week here may mean nothing back home? That there is the slightest chance that nobody might know we are missing?!" His high tone suddenly attracted the attention of the group.

"This is where we make camp." Aragorn announced to the group, cutting Alex and Paul's conversation short. The companions needed their rest, the hobbits are already dead on their feet and the lady in the group was looking pale by the second.

Slowly making her way to Gandalf's side, she spotted the old man unrolling his blanket and pulling out his pipe, while watching Sam meticulously setting up fire with Frodo trying to keep him busy. If there was anyone in this group that might have any idea about how her current predicament, it would be the wise old man.

"May I sit with you sir?" Alex asked timidly, nervous of the questions she have for the old grey man.

"It would be my honor to be of service my lady." Tapping the end of his pipe with a stick and proceeded to poke the end to remove the dried herbs, patting the seat beside him with the said stick. "Alex, sir. Just Alex." Shaking her head, recalling the title Old Franny use to call her.

"Then it is Gandalf to you too." Leaning in with a smirk her way.

Alex felt her shoulders relax, the tension and anxiety leaving her body. Taking a deep breathe, she steadied her self and proceeded to ask her question, "Do you have any idea how we can go back?" Nodding her head towards Paul who was seated between the two playful hobbits who looked to be in an entertaining conversation.

"There are paths in between worlds that have yet to be discovered. Paths leading to dimensions and other timelines that may or may not come to pass nor am I aware of." Lighting his pipe and slowly placing the tip between his lips.

"oh-kay. Could you repeat that again, but this time slower?" Sheepishly emphasizing her point with hand gestures.

"Are you aware that there used be five of us?" Gandalf questioned, slowly lighting up his pipe and producing the smoke. Earning the attention of Frodo and Sam who had decided to sit closer to the pair and listen to Gandalf's tale.

"Five, sir? Of you?" Alex asked, unsure of where the conversation was going.

"Saruman the White," the name was said with a hint of disdain, "Radaghast the Brown, and two blue wizards only known to me as Allatar and Pallando, and of course me—Gandalf the Grey." Leaning back gazing at the lady beside him, waiting for her to comprehend what he was telling her.

"You seem to know at least two, if I am correct."

"You are correct. You see, the blue wizards which I have never met last I heard were sent to the east, but word does seem to spread fast and information has been unreliable during these times, stories have been deducted and added along the way because there are tales that they do not travel in a singular dimension nor were they expected to operate in a singular plane."

"I don't understand." Alex can already feel her frustration at the riddles the old wizard was saying,

"-which of course is absurd since there are no records of being able to travel to another world, or any records of another world before." He continued as if he was not interrupted, at this Gandalf pointedly gazed at Alex.

"Meaning?" Alex hesitated to voice what she thought she understood from what Gandalf is saying directly, "It means we are the first two people known to have traveled between this two worlds."Paul finished for his friend. Alex looked between Paul and Gandalf, disbelief in her face.

"If that is so, then how can we go back? I mean, is there a way to go back?" She frantically asked the wizard.

"Milady, he-"gesturing to Paul, "has only been on this plane once. You however.." Gandalf trailed off, studying Alex with kind eyes,

"I'm what?"

"How long have you been crossing between worlds and how young were you when you first started?"

"I was five the first time I crossed here, it was the summer of June. And every summer since until I reached fifteen, which was the last time I was here." She chanced a glance at the elf on her last sentence and found him looking at her solemnly.

"and am I correct in assuming, that you did it without knowing?" Gandalf asked at which Alex nodded her head in answer. "Well then, like I said, there are paths in between these worlds that have yet to be discovered, except for you." Nodding his head towards Alex. "But I'm afraid there is a power at work here, one that I cannot yet decipher. Perhaps the Valar may have plans for us that we do not yet know."

"She is a witch. That is what she is." Boromir muttered, looking to find that nobody agreed and finding a glare from both Aragorn and Legolas sent his way that silenced him.

"Have you met anyone other than Aragorn and Legolas when you crossed here?" Gandalf continued to ask.

Thinking really hard about that question, Alex was assaulted with memories of her younger self, memories that she and her family had try to erase. "Yes, I met an Arwen, and a Lord Elrond before, and an elven warrior with shining silver hair and armor. I was eight at the time."

"Well then, it seems this has certainly turned in our favor." Gandalf seemed pleased with the realization, "Did they know who you are or how you came about crossing to Rivendell?"

"I think so. I asked for Aragorn and Lady Arwen looked at me funny because she told me she didn't know him." Aragorn bristled at the information, which did not escape Gandalf's sharp eye. Placing his hand at her back, Gandalf urged Alex to continue. "Lord Elrond just laughed and said I was a few years too early, said Aragorn was not born yet."

Aragorn and Legolas both exchanged confused looks, "You went back in time?" It was Aragorn who spoke up, earning surprised looks from everyone at the revelation.

"How was I suppose to know? I was a kid at the time and I was just having fun running into the woods from my Nan's garden and I would always meet either Legolas or you. I did not expect to meet a beautiful angel with dark hair with striking blue eyes."

"and I believe the silver knight you were referring to was Glorfindel." Gandalf inserted,

"Yes! I remember now, he would always laugh because I couldn't get his name right. But they were all so nice to me then. I can still remember Arwen tearing up when I told them I had to return home." Alex looked down, staring at her hands unsure of her next step. Everything was real, everything she tried to suppress and erase all these time was real.

"If I maybe so bold, but how old are you now?" Gandalf asked again, seeming to formulate some kind of picture in his mind,

"Thirty."

"Well then, with the time crossing you have been doing, some of those you have met might see you as a hundred years old by now. Not only are you unaware that you are crossing worlds, but you are also jumping forward and backward in time when you do so. The Valar it seems does work in mysterious ways." Looking amusedly at the ranger and elf.

"I am even more confused now than before. Is it dangerous that I can somehow cross worlds?"

"Only in the hands of the wrong people. Your ability had only grown stronger with your age milady, hence the reason you were able transport another being with you." This time Gandalf chanced a glance at Paul. "That is why I suggest, we keep this just between the group. No one should know about you and Paul" facing the rest of the fellowship he added, "We keep them close with us. Not a soul or breathe of their origin or the lady's ability. The Dark Lord has eyes and ears everywhere, if by chance word has not gotten out about their existence, we must keep it that way." His request was met with a series of nods from the members. "Now let's see about dinner." Gandalf smiled at Alex, lighting up the mood of the group.

Alex offered a kind smile of thanks to the old wizard. She may not have the answers she was looking for, but at least someone offered a comforting understanding of her bizarre predicament.

0-0-0

Run. Just keep running.

Alex thought to herself. She was beyond tired, running for her life through the now non existent doors, for their lives. It was dark and cold. White hot fear coursing through her. It was only the adrenaline that was keeping her awake. She had to fight off the darkness from taking her. Holding on to whoever she could get hands on for her life. Praying that the group will not leave her behind.

They were surrounded now, these vile, horrible, disgusting creatures came from nowhere. When a loud noise Alex could not identify bursted through. It is something big. Something that these creatures seem to fear, immediately spreading out and disappearing back into the darkness.

A light. Orange and bright at the far end of the wall, but it was not good. The fear evident on all of their faces, Legolas said something, a name that she couldn't understand and then they were running again. Finally reaching the end of a tunnel into a huge room filled with staircases, running down while arrows were flying everywhere. Prying to whoever was listening that she would not mis a step. It's a long way down.

Then the gap! One by one, they all jumped over it.

"Legolas! Take her!" Aragorn yelled, gently tossing Alex over the gap into Legolas' arms. And then they were running again.

"I have you, princess." Legolas whispered, noticing Alex's state. Barely able to keep herself awake. Keeping a firm hold on her waist as Legolas took most of her weight and ran for the both of them.

It seemed like they ran for forever until they reached a bridge. Slim and terrifying, an abyss waiting for them below.

Alex was almost on the brink of exhaustion, fully relying on Legolas to run for her. Days of little to no sleep and hunger finally taking its toll on her body. On any given day, she would have avoided any situation like this, but not now. No, she couldn't care less. Paul was running ahead of them, keeping of track of the little people. Hobbits, she recalled. That was what they were called.

On their right, a figure appeared. Tall and dark. As black as the night itself, horns sprouting from its head, fire everywhere. Alex screamed in fright, eyes as big as saucers, not understanding what is right in front of her, and she fainted.

She was awoken. Not a minute later by some shouting. Realizing it was Frodo. Hysterical and on Aragorn's arms, screaming for Gandalf. She was still in Legolas' arms but it was quiet now and then a light at the end of the dark tunnel and more stairs. Finally they were out.

Everyone collapsed on the ground, Boromir was quiet, still shocked at the turn of events. The Hobbits were all crying, Aragorn and Gimli also somber.

"Where is a Gandalf?" Alex asked to no one in particular.

"He fell." Paul answered, still shocked and unsure of what he just witnessed. Gandalf was right there, in the middle of the bridge. Standing between the 'Balrog' and them. And then he was gone.

Alex stared at Paul, unsure of what to say. She was hungry and weak and tired. Feeling fatigue crawling into her system. Grief has not settled yet, her shock at the dark creatures and that horned demon of fire still fresh in her mind.

"Legolas gather them up." Aragorn ordered,

"Give them a moment for pity's sake!" it was Boromir who argued, sympathy clearly etched on his features.

"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs!' Aragorn countered, pulling Paul up and gesturing to the hobbits who were all huddled together crying.

Legolas move towards her slowly, gently pulling her to her feet. His hands cradling her face, this thumbs wiping away at her cheeks. She was crying and was not even aware of it. Her eyes a blank stare, not even recognizing the severity of their current situation. "Stay close to me." He whispered gently.

Then they were on the move again.

The sun was already up after two days of running when they reached a clearing, Paul took turns between assisting her and the traumatized hobbits. She was pale, and cold to touch having not eaten for days, only sleeping if time permitted it. They now reached the woods, everyone was suddenly on alert again.

"Stay close hobbits. They say a witch roams these woods." Gimli said, obviously being the only one in a talking mood.

These part of the woods were quiet now, it was until a voice spoke that goosebumps erupted along her skin, it was foreboding and unwelcoming.

"Stay away stranger from a distant time. You and your companion are not welcome here!" Alex turned her head. Noticing that she was the only one who heard it. Was this the witch Gimli was talking about?

"Well this is one dwarf she won't snare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox-" suddenly cut off after noticing arrows aimed at them.

"The dwarf breathed so loud, we could've shot him in the dark." said a dark, rich voice.

Alex looked up, face to face with a man that looked like Legolas but at the same time not.

And then blackness finally consumed her.