Stardust

"If you came to me with a face I have not seen, with a voice I have never heard, I would still know you. Even if centuries separated us, I would still feel you. Somewhere between the sand and the stardust, through every collapse and creation, there is a pulse that echoes of you and I.

When we leave this world, we give up all our possessions and our memories. Love is the only thing we take with us. It is all we carry from one life to the next."

― Lang Leav, Memories

Kiera

The sound of waves crashing on the shore woke her in the morning. The very idea was impossible as she was camping in the woods and thousands of miles from the ocean. Rubbing her eyes, she slowly woke up and looked around. Her tent was the same, all her belongings were near the door, and she was still sleeping on the air mattress. She reached for her phone, and with a tap, the screen came alive to show the time as 7:42 am. Looking into the corner of the screen, she noticed no service, which was odd. Perhaps, she was hearing things as the waves kept crashing. She rolled out of bed, crawled to the doorway, and ripped it open. Her face fell in disbelief as she scrambled to step out into the soft sand.

She was near the ocean. Laying in front of her is a vast open ocean. Glancing behind her, she saw her tent pitched up on the beach and massive cliff walls. Looking to the west, there is a castle in the distance, high up on the cliff shore. Her knees gave out then as she fell to the soft sand. What is happening? She wondered. How in the world did she get here?

It must be a dream, she thought. The last thing she remembered was camping in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It was thousands of miles to the ocean and even a few hundred miles to the great lakes. She pinched herself to see if this was real, but it hurt. She wondered if her friends were here as she frantically looked around for Kayley and Matt's tent. Unfortunately, there was nothing, but maybe they were further down the beach.

Is this really happening? She wondered again. This can't be real. Though the cold wind from the sea feels real, as does the sand she was kneeling on. She grabbed a handful of sand and let it fall from her fingers in a daze. Perhaps she was having one of those vivid dreams.

For the moment, she was content to just sit on the beach. Minutes passed with no other sounds or people. Shivering from the cold wind, she headed back into the tent to get dressed. Once inside, she reached for her bag and decided to dress for a hike and warmth. Thankfully, she packed warm clothes for the early morning hikes and some lighter clothes for the afternoons. After she pulled off her sleeping clothes, she dressed in warm leggings, a wool sweater, and boots. Sitting on the slightly deflated air mattress, she tied her boot strings tightly. Her stomach grumbled, so she dug in her bag for some food. There wasn't much as they had kept most of the food in the car, packaged up and secure from animals. She only had a few granola bars and a sandwich bag of nuts. Great, she huffed as she knew she would be starving soon.

Deciding it would be best to hike with some food in her stomach, she ate a meager granola bar. Trying to eat slowly to savor everything she could, she thought about what to do. She reached for her phone again, and it still showed no service. Sighing, she was defeated for the moment. She would have to walk to find some cell reception or someplace with people to figure out where she was. Feeling better about her plan, she decided to walk along the beach toward the castle. There wasn't much to carry as she didn't have much in the tent for belongings. Her supplies were a hiking backpack, a day bag, a mattress, and bedding. It might get a little heavy after a while, and she decided to leave some of it behind for now.

Once she finished eating, she packed up her clothes into the day pack along with a water bottle and the food. Letting the air out of the mattress, it deflated quickly, and she folded the sleeping bag. She would take the sleeping bag but threw the bed out of the tent. There was no electricity to fill it, and the manual pump was with Kayley and Matt near their tent. However, she should be alright with just the sleeping bag on the tent floor.

With her belongings packed, she moved everything out of the tent and set them on the sand. A quick glance around showed nothing had changed. After pulling a few pulls from the tent, it quickly disassembled and folded it into its carry case.

After the tent was torn down, she noticed that the stakes were still in the ground, which freaked her out a bit. Grabbing them quickly, she tossed them into the bag. While she was happy that she had only the essentials to carry, the lack of food made her nervous. Kayley and Matt bought all the cooking supplies and set them up on the table near the fire pit. None of it had made the journey with her, so she hoped to find civilization before getting too hungry. Hunting was out of the question as she had no idea how to hunt or skin an animal. Hell, she doesn't even know which berries or mushrooms are edible. Anytime she went hiking or camping, it was only for day hikes or camping in campgrounds.

Swinging her backpack on and picking up the day pack, she glanced around one last time and picked the tent. With a soft huff, she began the trek towards the castle. After a few minutes, she grabbed her phone to check for service, but she dropped it in her pocket after a while. If she had no reception on the open beach, it was better to save the battery for later. Thankfully, she did have a solar charger, but it takes forever to charge anything.

A soft, gentle breeze is blowing in from the ocean. In the distance, some seagulls are flying, so at least there are animals around. The walk is long as the castle looms in the distance. She occasionally stopped for water breaks and to check the surroundings, but she rationed the water as there might not be freshwater nearby. The longer she walked, the sides of the cliffs became smaller. The castle became more prominent, and the shapes became more defined. Even from a distance, she could see the place was massive, and she wondered who lived there.

After what felt like an entire day, but probably only a few hours with the sun overhead, she finally saw a stone staircase up ahead. The steps were carved into the cliffside and winded their way up to the top. An open archway led further into the castle, but she couldn't see anything beyond that. The castle wall stretched along the beach with windows carved into the wall, which were made of stone and colored glass. Tall towers were spaced evenly along the walls, with a few remaining flags flying overhead. It's definitely a medieval castle, but exceptionally well-made. When she reached the bottom steps, she sat down for a break. As she sat, she noticed the stairs were finely carved in white stone. They had delicate and fine carvings of different geometric patterns and shapes. The craftsmanship was incredible, and she was pretty surprised to see them in such good condition.

"Well, I'm not in Kansas anymore, or at least South Dakota anymore," she said loudly to herself. After a few minutes of rest, she stood to start her trek up the stairs. Before she took one step up, a voice called out from the beach.

"Mae g'ovannen."

She whipped around so fast that she almost fell over. Her eyes frantically looked around for the person that called out. Quite a ways down the beach, a person, walked toward her with long brown hair. She had no idea how he heard her from so far away, but perhaps he saw her when she stood.

He slowly approached, and she saw he was wearing brown leggings with a long green tunic and dark boots. A dark cloak wrapped around his shoulders, and a small bag was slung across his body. There was a slight hesitation as he approached, not knowing if he was a friend or foe. She was utterly lost, so she would have to take a chance. Unfortunately, she didn't have a large knife, just a small Swiss one, but it was buried in her bag. If the man turns out to be bad, she would have to make a run for it.

As he got closer, his features came into focus. The first thing she noticed was that he was gorgeous. Nobody should be that perfect, as it was uncanny. His long brown hair looked soft and straight. His face was well proportioned with sharp cheekbones that gave way to beautiful blue-gray eyes. He was so close to her now that she was starstruck by his good looks.

"Eithel govannen, nin híril. Im am called Voronwë. Im washed ashore hi. Ceri- cin baur some help? Where na- cín herven ben escort?" he said.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand you?"

"My apologies, my lady. I said well met. I am called Voronwë, I washed ashore here many years ago and wondered if you needed any help. Where is your husband or escort? Or has the war ended, and the lands are safe now?" he asks.

She hesitates, as she doesn't know if she should trust him if he finds out she is alone. Instead, she says, "Hello, I am Kiera Sutherland. I was camping in the Black Hills with my friends when I ended up here. I got a bit turned around from them, and I know they were looking for me. If you have a phone, could I use it or could you point me to the nearest town? That would be great."

"I'm sorry, my lady, I don't know where those places are. We are on the shores of the elven city of Vinyamar in the realm of Nevrast. Nobody has lived here since my kin left many centuries ago. Tell me, what is this 'phone' you speak of?"

Ok, this guy is crazy. How does he not know what a phone is, and did he just say elven like elves? "I'm sorry, did you just say elven like elves?" She questioned. "Also, a phone like a cell phone or telephone to call and talk to people. I have mine, but it doesn't have any service. I was hoping maybe you have a landline or know of a town nearby that has one. I'm sure my friends are looking for me."

"I'm truly sorry, but I do not have this 'phone' you speak of." He looked sadly at her as his face now held a slight frown. "The only towns close by are the elvish settlements at the havens of the Falas, which is a few days' walk from here or maybe a week. And yes, an elvish city, for I am an elf." When he finished talking, he brushed his brown hair behind his ear to reveal its pointed ness.

Kiera stared at him and his ear. They couldn't be real because elves don't exist except in stories. He must be cosplaying or pretending. "Ok, very funny. I'm fine with you cosplaying, pretending, or whatever, but I really need a phone or a map. So could you cut the act for a few minutes and help me, and then you can do whatever your heart desires? No judgment from me, but I would like to return to my friends." She replied desperately.

His beautiful face turned to sadness. "I am very sorry, but I am an elf. My king Turgon sent me to follow the streams to the sea. There I was to build a boat and sail for Valinor to beg the Valar for help against the enemy. Sadly, my friends and kin had perished on the seas. I was saved by Lord Ulmo, the lord of the sea. I washed up here many years ago and decided to stay. I saw you approach from the cliff wall and came over. I have not seen anyone for many years, and I've been alone for some time. I am truly an elf, my lady; I would not lie to you."

He said it with such conviction that it made her pause and think.

"I don't think this is real, and I must be dreaming," she offered. "I was camping in the Black Hills of South Dakota with my friends. I woke up here on the beach, which is impossible as there are no oceans or large lakes for hundreds of miles."

"You're not dreaming, my lady. I am real, and we are in Beleriand. It is the year 495 of the first age. Is the 'Black Hills' your home? I have never heard of it, but I am also young for my kin, and this is my first journey from my home. I have not seen that much of this world, but I have never heard of any black hills. Here, take my hand, so you know this is real," he reached out and offered his hands to her.

Reaching out, she grasped both of his hands in hers. They were real and soft, with a few rough calluses on the palms. After dropping both his hands, they continued to stare at one another. This was getting weirder by the second.

"That doesn't help me at all. I'm from Duluth, Minnesota, in the United States. I was camping with some friends in the Black Hills of South Dakota. In a campground near The Black Hills National Forest, actually. Does any of that ring a bell? It's kind of hard not to know where the United States is."

He shook his head sadly, "no, my lady, I have no idea where those places are. I have never heard of this United States or any Black Hills. I was living in the city of Gondolin before my king sent me to the Mouths of Sirion and then to the Isle of the Balar. Círdan, my mother's kin, helped me build the last ship to sail for Valinor. We searched for many years but never found the blessed realm. We were sailing home when our ship got lost at sea. I was spared by the grace of Ulmo for which I know not. I have stayed here for some time, as I did not desire to leave."

"Gondolin," she gasped. "As in the hidden city of Gondolin?"

"Yes, my lady," he replies with a smile.

This guy or elf is a little nuts if he thinks he's in Lord of the Rings. Her ex-boyfriend James was obsessed with the books and movies. Gondolin was his favorite, and she can vaguely remember what happened to some characters. Taking a good look at Voronwë again, he definitely looks like an elf. He's downright gorgeous with straight brown hair, high cheekbones, and blue-gray eyes. Furthermore, he's dressed like they were in the movies too. Maybe she is on a set or something, or this is some crazy guy wandering the wilderness cosplaying.

She is not at her campsite, though, and everything seems real. It's either she is dreaming, which is all a very vivid dream, or she somehow ended up in this world. Sighing loudly, she sat down on the bottom step again. At least he doesn't seem like he will murder her anytime soon, so she can trust him for a little while. Voronwë sits next to her, and they both take a minute of silence.

Frustrated, she cried, "I don't know what to do now. I have no idea how to get home, and I hardly have any food or a place to stay."

Voronwë offered a small smile. "We will think of something together. King Turgon doesn't allow humans, but I could lead you to Círdan. He would be happy to help you and take you in with his people. I have enough food for us for the journey, and he could help me prepare for the journey home. Or perhaps I will stay as well, as I long to be near the sea. I have been alone for quite some time, and I wouldn't mind company. However, let us rest a minute before we decide our route."

They sat in comfortable silence again. It felt a little better knowing she had a plan now and that she was not alone. Perhaps, this Círdan guy can help her get home. Just then, they both hear the sounds of a person walking on the beach. She and Voronwë turn to see a man walking towards the water's edge in the sand.

The man is dressed in gleaming armor. He was wielding a large shield and sword to match but no helmet. His hair is long, blonde, and very dirty. They watch him, and just as he reaches the water's edge, a giant figure made of water rises above the waves.

Voronwë started to speak in elvish, muttering to himself almost in amazement. Not understanding anything he says, she rubs her eyes to ensure it is real. When she opens them again, the water figure is still there. This figure must be important or powerful, so maybe he can get her home.

Without a second thought, she jumped up and raced towards them. Voronwë follows close behind, muttering all the way. After a short jog down the beach, they were close enough to hear the two finally speak. The figure seems like he is giving the man some instructions, but they are talking in elvish. As they got closer, she could finally see the figure's appearance.

The water shrouded his lower half, but his chest was covered in a scale-like shirt. His hair was long and whipped about him like the waves. In his hair were various sized shells braided in and other fine jewels. His eyes were a deep blue-gray, with a beard partially covering his handsome face. In one hand, he held a trident staff adorned with more gems and shells. This is definitely Poseidon or Lord Ulmo, as they call him here. The man and the figure spoke at length. She had no idea what they were saying, but finally, the figure turned to address her.

"My child, you have been brought a great distance to this world and have farther yet to go. Much lies ahead of you before your destiny is complete. You must go with Tuor and Voronwë to Gondolin. Your path will be long and full of struggles, but it will also bring great happiness.

"Yeah, that's nice and all, but can you send me home? I don't want to go to Gondolin or wherever. I just want to go home," I begged.

"No, I cannot send you home. That lies beyond my power. You were brought here from Eru Ilúvatar himself, and I will not go against his wishes. Yet, as much as you call your world home, you also belong to this one. I hear small whispers of the music in my waves, but I do not know your full purpose. Perhaps you will discover it with time, but I will aid you however I can."

Lord Ulmo looked at her one last time, "your destiny is woven into the very fabric of this world. I cannot undo what has already been written. You will have my blessing, and should you ever need my help, I will come. However, I do not foresee our paths crossing for many years. Voronwë was spared by my hand to guide you to the hidden city. Go now, and may the rivers and waterways aid you on your journey."

Kiera wanted to speak again, but Voronwë spoke to Lord Ulmo in elvish. After a few minutes, he bowed low, and the figure spoke one last time to the man. However, this time, Lord Ulmo gave him a cloak and bid them all farewell. Neither one of them received anything.

Voronwë looked at her with awe, "you are very important if he gives you his blessing and Eru Ilúvatar brought you to this world himself." He was staring at her in wonder, and she was uncomfortable with the look. She didn't want to be unique. She just wanted to be normal and to go home.

So Lord Ulmo is a god, like Poseidon. This definitely isn't her world anymore. They certainly didn't have any real sea gods. The more time she spent, the more she didn't think this was a dream anymore. She really is in the world of the Lord of the Rings.

Not only that, but she remembers James telling her about some human man who talks to a god and goes to the hidden city. This must be him. Still slightly pissed that Ulmo wouldn't send her home, she didn't think Eru would ever speak to her personally. Maybe some other Valar god people could convince him, but they are across the sea. As she was lost in her thoughts, Voronwë was talking to the man; Tuor Ulmo called him. She turned to look at them, waiting for them to finish talking. They were speaking in rapid elvish.

"My lady, I am Tuor son of Huor," he said.

Sticking out her hand, she replied, "Kiera, daughter of Susan."

He grasped her hand and shook it. He then continued, "It seems we both were tasked to go to Gondolin. I have to let King Turgon know of the future of the city. I would be honored to travel with you, but what of your husband or escort?"

Again with the husband and escort shit. "No husband or escort. I was camping with some friends, but I was separated and brought here. I am all alone." She said with a slight shrug.

"A lady shouldn't travel alone in these times. I am glad you are accompanying us. Voronwë has agreed to guide us, although King Turgon doesn't allow humans in his realm. I hope that with Lord Ulmo's blessing that it will be enough. We should leave quickly, as the journey is long and dangerous. My rations are dwindling, but Voronwë has elvish bread that will help with the journey."

Turning to Voronwë, he smiled at her. Thankful that her new friend is leading them to his home. The city should be safe for a while. She'll have to write down what she can remember from James and hope it is enough. She vaguely remembers the overall story and bits and pieces from more minor events.

"Come, let us leave, as the journey to Gondolin will be long. I have enough food for us; hopefully, the weather will stay good. We cannot afford any delays; if we are, we must hunt and look for food. The journey should take 15 days if we don't run into trouble or are delayed," Voronwë said as he started towards the stairs.

Voronwë led them as she trailed behind both, lost in thought. So this is the Lord of the Rings. Or the first age, at least. James used to tell her some of the stories of the first age. He always simplified them, but she knew the general story and main events. There were a few she remembered in more detail as this age was filled with many terrible deeds and heroic events. Glorfindel was always her favorite from the stories. She paused mid-step as she realized she was actually going to meet him, or at least see him in Gondolin.

Voronwë and Tuor didn't notice her stopping, so she hurried to catch up to them on the stairs. As she jogged, she gasped in wonder when they reached the top doorway. The castle was breathtaking. The white stone was built around the cliff edges and seemed like something out of a fairy tale, which it kind of was. The towers and buildings were finely crafted and had empty courtyards around each.

Voronwë noticed my wandering eye, "it is a beautiful city, but Gondolin is much more. I wish we could walk around and explore, but we must keep moving."

Nodding, she jogged to keep up with the guys. Tuor seemed to be on a mission, and the city didn't even phase him. To them, this was an average city. They snaked and walked through the empty and deserted streets until they finally reached the large main gate. It lay open, and they passed out into an open plain and an overgrown path.

It seemed that Tuor picked up the pace and urged Voronwë and her on more. The plains spread on for miles in each direction. As far as she could see, there was a long and extensive mountain range on one side while open plains were on the other. In the distance, she could see a small patch of trees, but they were pretty far away. The sounds of the sea became less and less as we walked. Keeping a constant pace, they walked all afternoon, sometimes talking but mostly in silence.

Each of them lost their own thoughts for the day. She was making a mental list of the stories she could remember and the events that happened. A lot had passed, like Beren and Lúthien. Once they got to Gondolin, she would have to obtain a notebook or paper and make a physical list. Her mind also wondered what Ulmo had said about belonging to both worlds. That didn't make any sense, as her family is all humans. She brushed it off as nonsense.

When the sun started to set, they stopped to make camp. Exhausted, she dropped the tent and bags and flopped onto the grass. They were still in the plains, but Voronwë said it was open enough that he could see if anybody came near them. Voronwë gave each of them a small piece of bread. After, she pulled out the sleeping bag and one blanket and laid them on the grass. She was so tired from the long day of walking that all she did was take off her boots and crawled in. She fell asleep immediately.

When she woke in the morning, the sun was just starting to peak over the horizon. Voronwë and Tuor were talking in elvish quietly. She also noticed that she really had to pee. They didn't even stop once yesterday, or maybe the guys did once they made camp.

Tuor saw that she was awake and said, "good morning. I hope you slept well. We must leave soon, as we must reach the stream close to the forest to refill our water packs. Voronwë says that it will take most of the day. I am sorry we are moving fast, but these lands are not safe, and I would prefer not to run into any of the enemy's minions."

Kiera agreed and crawled out of the sleeping bag. She certainly didn't want to run into any orcs or goblins. Although she shivered as she remembered this age has far worse things as well. After packing her bag, she brushed out the snarls in her hair. Hopefully, when they reached the stream, she could wash. For now, she would stay in her clothes from the day before. Lacing her boots, Voronwë breaks another piece of bread and hands it to her. They were waiting for her, so she ate quickly.

Standing awkwardly, she asked, "I need to pee, but I don't have anything to wipe. Do either of you have leaves or anything?"

Tuor blushed like mad, but Voronwë chuckled and reached into his bag. He pulls out some large leaves and gives them to her. Kiera expected them to be rough and rigid, but they were soft.

"Thanks," she said. "I will be right back, and then we can leave."

Walking a good distance away from them, she found a spot in the tall grass. Thankfully, they both turned their backs to her, but she hoped she was far enough away. She certainly didn't want Voronwë hearing her pee, but there's not much else she can do. Once she was finished, she put the rest of the leaves into her bag for later. Walking over to the boys, they head out together with the sun on their backs.

Voronwë offered to carry her day pack, and Tuor took the tent bag. They wanted to move fast today, but she's not complaining. Tuor only has a small pack with his armor and shield. Voronwë only carries his small side bag, which holds the bread and one change of clothes. Both of them only have a small knife, while Tuor has a sword. They will be screwed if anything unsavory finds them.

As they leave the camp, Tuor takes the lead as he wants to set the pace. Voronwë walks beside her, and they fall into a comfortable step for a while. Still a little sleepy; she doesn't have much to say at the moment. After an hour or two of walking in silence, she breaks it.

"I can't stand silence. Could you tell me more about yourselves, seeing as we will be traveling together? I will tell you about myself in exchange."

Voronwë perks up at this and says, "Certainly, my lady. I was born to a Noldor father and a Sindarin mother. My mother was akin to Lord Círdan at the Mouths of Sirion. The Noldor are the elves who left Middle Earth and lived in Valinor across the sea. They lived for a long time before Morgoth killed the trees and fled back to Middle Earth. The Noldor followed after. Many tales there are of this time, both sad and tragic. I will be glad to tell you more about our history."

She nodded eagerly, and he continued, "my father came to the Mouths of Sirion where Círdan and his people lived. There my father met my mother, and they married. My father, Aranwë, and my mother, Vena, left with King Turgon's people to the hidden city. I was born in Nevrast, but I was still small when we left. I grew up in Gondolin and trained with my father in his craft of jewelry making. However, I had no love for it and longed for the sea and the tales my mother would tell."

He paused, and a sad look washed over his face. "My father and I fought in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, where my father was slain during the retreat. My mother faded from grief, as many did during that time. A year later, Turgon called me to travel down the river and to the sea. There, I was to build a boat with the others, sail to Valinor, and plead to the Valar to help fight Morgoth."

"However, I tarried in a clearing for some time and didn't make it in time with the others. Instead, Círdan helped me build the last boat. Then I sailed with just a few other elves, as none had returned that had left before. We sailed for years searching, but the shores of Valinor are well protected. We tried to sail back when our ship got caught in a storm. I was spared by the grace of Lord Ulmo to be your guide."

She frowned sadly at him. "I'm sorry about your parents and your fellow companions on your ship. I am glad to have met you, and I hope we can be friends." She smiled at him then, and his sad face turned into a bright smile.

"I am honored to meet you, and my heart is glad to have met you."

"You will have to tell me more about yourself later, like your hobbies or interests. What about you, Tuor?"

"I am Tuor, son of Huor of the house Hador. My father also perished at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad while my mother, who was with child, fled. She fled to stay with the elves at Mithrim. After I was born, I was fostered by the elves as my mother died of grief. I am grateful, for they taught me much, and I learned a great deal while I grew up. When I came of age, I wished to fight the servants of Morgoth, but instead, we had to flee our home from the evil men who serve Morgoth."

"While fleeing, I was captured and sold as a slave to the Easterlings. I was a slave for many years until I escaped. Afterward, I lived as an outlaw, killing orcs and Easterlings who crossed my path. But alas, the sea called me, and two elves showed me the way to Nevrast and the city of Vinyamar. Once there, I was entranced by the city and found this suit of armor. Eventually, the sea called me again, and Lord Ulmo found me and gave me this task."

Kiera's heart crumbled at his words. He had such a hard life already. "I am sorry about your father and mother. I'm sorry that you were a slave for many years. Nobody deserves that. I'm glad to have met you as well, and I hope we can be friends."

"I thank you for your kind words. I don't have any friends anymore and would like some again," he smiled.

"You'll have to tell me more, but I'll tell you about myself. Like Lord Ulmo said, I come from another world, except my world doesn't have any magic, elves, or evil creatures. My mother, Susan, is a nurse who is like a healer, and my father, Robert, is an architect who designs buildings. I have two siblings, an older brother Greg and an older sister Jennifer. I lived in Duluth, Minnesota, where I grew up. It is a beautiful place next to a huge lake and full of nature. I was going to school to be an architect like my dad."

"We were on a break for a holiday, and my friends and I were camping when I ended up here. I'm still sad and a little confused about why I was brought here and my purpose. Although one of my favorite mottos is onward and upward, so I'm just taking it as it comes. I am glad to have met you both. I was freaking out a bit, as I didn't know where I was, but I am glad we are together."

They both smiled at her, and Tuor called for a break. Kiera shared a granola bar with them, and they each ate a smaller piece of bread.

Once they continued walking, Voronwë asked, "Do all humans look like you, where are you from?"

"Kind of, I guess," she answered, a little puzzled. "I'm not sure what you mean?"

He blushed a little and continued, "You are lovely. Your hair is soft, and I have never seen brown hair with streaks of gold. Your eyes look like some of the Eldar, who have seen the trees. Your blue eyes have a gold ring that reminds me of water reflecting on the sea. Sometimes they appear green instead of blue, and it is quite strange. Your clothing is also odd but fits your body well, which is also very lean. I admit I have not met many humans, but the few who live in the mouths of Sirion do not look like you."

It was her turn to blush now, "thank you, but I guess it is normal. My hair has highlights, which are quite common for women in my world. My eyes are hazel, which is rare where I'm from but not special. Everyone in my family has the same color eyes except my father. We get them from my grandmother. They can change color depending on what I am wearing, but they are usually blue or green with a gold ring around the center. My clothes are pretty normal in my world. I'm sure we have some clothes that would be considered odd here. This is what I normally wear. I was hiking when I came here, so the clothes I have were built for the outdoors."

Tuor turned around and winked at them and laughed. "You are quite a beautiful woman. I, too, agree that your eyes, hair, and clothes are strange. I have met many humans and have never seen anything like them. It's not a bad thing, as it makes you unique."

Laughing at them both, she didn't think she was anything special. She was pretty average in her world, "I suppose I can't say much, as I haven't seen any other humans of this world. But I'm considered normal in my world. I'm certainly not rail thin like an elf, but I like to hike and kayak with my friends, so I'm in fairly good shape. I think it is important to take care of yourself, and some of my hobbies require you to be in decent shape."

The conversations turned to less awkward topics. Kiera had to explain a few things to the two, like what school was and some of her hobbies, like kayaking. They spent the rest of the afternoon asking each other questions. Voronwë was most curious about her job and the nature surrounding her home. He said the craftsmen and builders in Gondolin would welcome her if Turgon accepted them. He told them all about the city of Gondolin and the things he had seen on his travels.

Tuor was surprised by the lack of creatures and other beings. "Your home seems like a paradise if there are no evil servants. Although, the world sounds sad without elves," said Tuor.

"I, too, am saddened by my lack of kin. Your world seems like a fine place if there are more people like you," Voronwë said with a smile.

They continued to talk most of the day, as there wasn't much to look at except the grassy plain. Voronwë said Turgon chose the location for Vinyamar because you could see anything or anybody coming for miles. He talked about the history of the area and the city, but it was short, as they left shortly after he was born. Sometimes they would walk in silence, while other times, Voronwë would sing softly. They had to stop a few times for bathroom breaks, which was awkward for everyone.

Finally, as the sun was getting close to setting, they reached the forest's edge. Voronwë led them a short distance into the woods to a nearby stream. There was a small clearing with dense foliage covering the other sides. The place was secluded, and this was where they would make camp for the night.