I awake to heated whispers. Tuor and Voronwë are arguing about something. I see the sun has recently risen, and I crawl out of my sleeping bag.

I stretch and notice that I am well-rested, and my feet don't hurt nearly as bad as before. I roll up my bag and pack up my dry clothes. They smell clean and are only a little wrinkled. Which is great for me.

I walk over to the boys and they switch from elvish back to my language. "Tuor wishes for us to make haste across the plains. I do not wish to draw attention by running or reaching the other side exhausted. Once we reach the northern edge of the Amon Obel forest, we will have to be on our guard. The area is filled with many spies of the enemy," says Voronwë.

"I don't want that either, but a storm is coming. Autumn is leaving and winter is here. I do not want us to be lost across the plains during a storm. If we can make it to the other side sooner, we can rest during the storm," stated Tuor.

I looked to the skies and noticed dark clouds rolling in. I say "I think you are both right. We should jog and walk as fast as we can. We need to make it across before the storm, but we don't want to be caught by the enemy. If we can make it across the plains sooner and let the storm pass us over that would be best."

They both looked at each other and agreed. While we were packing up our stuff Voronwë said "We only have enough bread for a few more days. Tuor has some dried meat, but we should save that for when we are closer to the mountain. Meat is scarce around the mountains of Gondolin. Perhaps, after we reach the north edge at the Amon Obel forest, we should hunt some game."

Tuor and I nodded and he continued "After we reach the northern forest, we will have to cross the river Sirion at the ford of Brithiach. From there it will be two more days to the mountain's edge, the roads are rocky and filled with many hills. Once we reach the mountain's edge we will have to find the hidden gate. Let us hope Ulmo's blessing will help us, strong magic guards, the area."

Once we were packed, we started our journey across the plains. We jogged and walked with Voronwë leading. Our rest the night before really helped us all. We were all keeping a good pace with each other. We stopped for a short lunch break and continued on.

In the afternoon we reach our first landmark of another river. This one was deep, but the current wasn't that strong. We helped each other across. The water was just as cold and our boots and leggings were soaked. Part of my shirt was as well and it became uncomfortable to walk in after.

By mid-afternoon, we had reached the halfway marker, another river. Tuor made us fill our water packs and beckoned us on. By nightfall, the storm was on our tail and we stopped for the evening. We made camp on a high hill. The plains had us exposed, but the tall grass-covered us if we laid down.

Once we stopped I asked "Should I set up my tent? It might blend in with the surroundings as it is green. I will protect us from the rain and snow. I'd rather stay dry throughout the night, but if not I suppose I will manage."

"It will be difficult for me to see in the rain and snow, so I would prefer we stay dry and out of the elements. I can still hear if anything approaches," stated Voronwë.

I nod and reach for the tent bag that Tuor had dropped. I set it up near the tall grass to hide it a little. The grass came up about halfway up the tent. Hopefully, with the rain coming it won't be visible in the distance.

Within a few minutes, our shelter was up. I showed them both how to open it and I went in first to change into dry clothes. Afterward, I laid out my sleeping bag and put my packs near the wall to block some of the wind. I went out and let Tuor in next to change and lay his stuff out. As he was changing I left for the bathroom and hoped I wouldn't have to go later when it began to storm. Voronwë was last to get changed and once he was done, we all climbed into the tent.

It is a smaller two-person tent, so it was a tight fit, but we managed. Voronwë sat next to the doorway and I offered him one of my blankets. The wind had picked up and it was beginning to get quite cold.

He accepts my blanket and drapes himself. Tuor accepts my other blanket but he also curls up in the cloak that Ulmo had given him. Voronwë breaks off a small piece of bread for us all and we eat quietly. All of us are tired from the day, so nobody speaks. I crawl into my sleeping bag and layer myself with my remaining blanket. Tuor falls asleep before me but eventually, I fall asleep.

I awake in the middle of the night to rain pounding and sleet. Voronwë is asleep, but Tuor is awake by the door. Tuor whispers "It has only been a few hours, but I could not sleep. I let Voronwë sleep."

I nod and see him sleeping with my blanket draped over him. He has the blanket draped across him but it doesn't cover him completely. I reach for my blanket and quietly cover him. I crawl back into my sleeping bag. I try to fall back asleep, but it eludes me.

Finally, I dig out my phone and turn it on. Once it loads I see that it is 1:23 am. I turn down the brightness to zero. None of my apps work so I start to scroll through all of my photos. I probably shouldn't as it will make me sad, but I am bored.

I go through the pictures of me with my family. Pictures of my friends and my travels. I wipe the tears as they come, and I finally realize I will never see them again. If I do, it won't be for a long time.

I let myself cry, I'm sure Tuor notices but he doesn't say anything. After a while, I found my books app and opened it. I need to get my mind off of these sad thoughts.

I don't keep many books, just some of my favorites. I open the first Harry Potter and start to read. I'm a little past the halfway mark of the book when I start to get drowsy again. I read a little more until I feel myself falling asleep. I turn off my phone and fall asleep again.

The next time I wake, the sun is up and shining through the tent. I look over and see Voronwë is up now and by the door. Tuor is asleep again. I can see my breath and realize it is quite cold this morning. Voronwë sees me up and smiles at me. I get up and go over and sit next to him. He drapes the blankets across both of our legs.

"Thank you for the extra blanket. While elves don't usually feel the cold, it is nice to be wrapped in a blanket. I switched with Tuor so he could sleep again. We will let him rest a little while longer. He also told me you were crying last night. Are you alright?" he whispers.

"You're welcome. You can keep the blanket, as I think it is going to get colder now. My sleeping bag is enough. I was crying last night as I missed my family and friends and I realized I probably will never see them again. I think once we get to Gondolin I will let myself have a nice big cry," I replied.

He reaches out and takes one of my hands and says "I'm sorry that you miss your family and friends. While I miss my mother and father, I know I will see them again someday in Valinor. I cannot begin to understand how much it hurts that you might not ever see your family again. I do not know where humans go when they leave this world, but I hope someday you will be reunited with your kin. I promise you though, that I will always be your friend and be there for you. If you ever want to talk about them, I will listen."

I start to cry a little and he squeezes my hand. I look at him and reach out and kiss him on the cheek. He blushes and I say "thank you, that means a lot to me. I hope you know you can come to me with anything as well. You and Tuor are my best friends here and I would be lost and probably dead without you."

He laughs a little and nods. I rest my head against his shoulder and he relaxes into me. He is quite warm and it is a nice feeling sitting next to him. His thumb caresses my hand in a circular motion and he hums a soft song. We sit together with each other until Tuor wakes up.

He rolls over and sees us together and winks at us. I blush and so does Voronwë. Tuor says "I'm happy that Voronwë can give you some comfort. I don't have any experience with women crying and I didn't know what to do. I hope you are feeling better today."

"I am missing my family and friends. Voronwë and I talked about it this morning while you were sleeping. I will be alright though, in time. I'm glad that you two are my friends as I would be lost without you."

They both smile at me, and Tuor gets up and stretches. I move away from Voronwë and pack up my bags. The other two do the same and within a few minutes, we are ready to leave the tent.

As Voronwë opens the door, I see the first sign of morning frost on the ground. The rain had turned to sleet into snow in the night. A light dusting of snow covered the ground. Once we were all out, I made quick work of folding up the tent and pulling up the stakes. After it was all packed up, I handed the bag to Tuor who slung it across his back.

We all started walking, ready to begin another day. We moved a little slower due to the snow, but we had made good time yesterday. Voronwë looked around the plains and said "I'm glad we made a good pace yesterday for today will be slower. We will reach the old south road by midday, we will have to hurry across the area as many people use the road. After that, we need to put a good distance between us and the road. We should reach the forest's edge by late afternoon but we should be cautious as this area is treacherous."

We all walked together taking our time. We kept an easy pace as the sun rose overhead. I expected there to be a little awkwardness between us but there wasn't. We talked to each other as we walked. Tuor asked what my phone did and what I was doing the night before to make me cry. I explained my phone as best as I could and promised that once we reached Gondolin I would show them the photos, music, and books that I had. The battery was close to dead and I didn't want to carry my solar charger in my hand all day.

I got to learn a little more about the two as we walked. Tuor didn't have many hobbies living his life as an outlaw, but he enjoyed long walks and listening to tales and stories. He also enjoyed sparring with a sword. I was useless at that and Voronwë doesn't like to fight for sport.

Voronwë told me he loved singing and listening to poetry and music. He also enjoyed walks and just being around nature. His greatest passion now is sailing and fishing, but there won't be a chance for either in Gondolin. And while he was good with a sword and crafting jewelry, he had no passion for either.

I told them of my other hobbies. How I like to read and write, and sometimes draw. I was terrible at it, but I hoped maybe I would get better with time. I enjoy listening to music and I like to sing when no one is around. My other passion was helping my dad around the house with his projects and spending time with my friends.

"Will you sing a song for me? I am curious to hear what music sounds like in your world," Voronwë asks me.

"OK," I say. "I really don't like singing in front of people, but because you are my friends and no one else is around."

I think about a song that I wanted to sing out loud. I picked a song from my childhood that I sang over and over.

"I've heard there was a secret chord

That David played, and it pleased the Lord

But you don't really care for music, do you?

It goes like this

The fourth, the fifth

The minor fall, the major lift

The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof

You saw her bathing on the roof

Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you

She tied you to a kitchen chair

She broke your throne, she cut your hair

And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah….

I finished my song and both Tuor and Voronwë clapped loudly. Voronwë wiped a small tear from his eye, "what a beautiful song. You have a beautiful voice and I'm happy you shared a song with us. Will you sing us another?" he asked.

"Just one more," I reply.

"He said, "Let's get out of this town

Drive out of the city, away from the crowds"

I thought heaven can't help me now

Nothing lasts forever, but this is gonna take me down

He's so tall and handsome as hell

He's so bad but he does it so well

I can see the end as it begins

My one condition is

Say you'll remember me standing in a nice dress

Staring at the sunset, babe

Red lips and rosy cheeks

Say you'll see me again

Even if it's just in your wildest dreams, ah-ha

Wildest dreams, ah-ha….

Voronwë was blushing like crazy now and even Tuor had some rosy cheeks. I laughed a loud laugh and said "that song is really popular in my world. I thought you would like it, Voronwë."

"It is a beautiful song as well. Thank you for sharing it with us. I don't know what all the words mean, but it was quite pleasant. I can sing you a song from my home if you would like to hear it?"

I nodded enthusiastically and Voronwë started to sing. The song was slow and light, but it was in elvish. I have no idea what he was saying, but it was beautiful nonetheless. After Tuor offered to sing but he joked that he wasn't very good and would prefer not to. We didn't make him, but we spent the rest of the afternoon listening to Voronwë sing and hum. I declined to sing again as two songs were enough.

Finally, by late afternoon I could see a large forest that spread on for miles. We were close to the northern edge of the forest and I could see a large mountain range in the distance. We picked up our pace and by nightfall, we had made it to the edge of the forest.

Voronwë said we should make camp just inside the forest edge, but go no further. He would keep watch all night and be on alert. Tuor and I were given bread and Tuor gave each of us some meat. We didn't want to be hungry if we had to fight or run in the night. We ate quickly and soon we were both lying down and asleep.