Here is another chapter. Let me know if I should continue.

Rupture Between Worlds

Chapter Two

Cries of pain roared in the darkness, cold as ice winds stinging against flesh. Ice and snow seemed black, devoid of the natural whiteness that snow and ice should be. A voice, dark, mesmerizing was calling her name, "Rose."

The scene shifts and she finds herself standing before the one that had brought her here. Icy fear grips her being as she cries out, "Who are you and what do you want with me?"

He only grins wickedly his hand reaching out for her. With a gasp her eyes snap open and she is no longer within that place but lying within a bed. The sheets are soft, silken and are soothing to her skin. Relieved that it was only a dream yet knowing that part of it was not, Rose tried to rise but was gently pushed back against the soft pillows a woman's voice soothingly caresses her ears.

"You must rest, you are still weak."

Blinking away the fog of sleep she looked to the source of that soothing voice, she tried to speak but her throat was dry. She was relieved when the woman, correction, lady elf helped her to sit up slightly as she gently pressed a glass to Rose's lips.

Grateful for the soothingly cool liquid that wets her throat, Rose nods signaling that she is done. As the glass is pulled away she asked, "What happened? Where am I and who are you?"

The elfin woman with eyes of blue and long fair hair, smiles warmly, "My name is Ellein. Legolas of Greenleaf caught you when you passed out and brought you here within the home of King Elrond who has decreed that you shall be his guests."

Rose lay back against the pillows, her brow furrowing, "Do you think that I could speak with King Elrond? There are some important things that I need to tell him."

Ellein nodded her head in affirmation, "He has already requested that you be brought before him after you have rested and fed. If you are feeling strong enough I will have someone bring up a bath and water so that you may bathe and change. I have already selected something appropriate to wear."

Not wanting to wait for answers Rose nodded as she pushed herself up again, she felt dizzy for a moment but that soon passed, "I feel better, thank you, a bath would definitely be welcomed!" for some reason she felt dirty and wanted to scrub it away as soon as possible. The memory of that being's touch made her shiver.

Legolas sat with King Elrond, his mind in deep thought as to the meaning of Lady Rose's words before she passed out. Looking to the King their eyes met, "Before she fainted Lady Rose said something about someone being after her and then she spoke of evil, darkness, and it being cold. I do not like this."

King Elrond was thoughtful with lips pursed after hearing Legolas tale, pausing for but a moment he said, "Nor do I. There is something within the air that I do not like. It is almost as if there is a dark power beginning to awaken. I have already sent a word to Gandalf for his council, he is due to arrive tomorrow, I will speak to him of this and possibly have him meet this Lady Rose."

King Elrond was about to continue when a tall elf approached and whispered into his ear. Raising his brow, he nodded his head in dismissal, "It seems that our guest has regained consciousness. Perhaps she will be able to provide us with answers."

Legolas nodded, "I did not sense anything dark about her but there was fear within her eyes when we first met her. I wonder just who it is that brings such fear to those eyes." He was curious about this woman and was to deep in thought wondering about her to notice Elrond's knowing gaze.

 Feeling refreshed and human once again Rose adjusted the dress that Ellein had provided. It was a lovely shade of green bringing out the green within her eyes. The bodice comfortably hugged her upper body, showing off her figure in just the right places. The neckline was just right, not too low and not to high, and the sleeves of the dress were long and triangle down midway to the floor at her elbows as another layer of sleeve tightly clung to her arm reached to a triangle point at her wrists.

Her long red wavy hair was behaving and flowed softly over her shoulders meeting to just above her elbows. Rose smiled at her reflection she looked like a princess. She was grateful that she never had much use for makeup, with her complexion always clear and nice light skin tone; makeup had never been a priority. It always felt confining when she did put it on.

She had already eaten the bread and soup that they had brought to her room and was mentally preparing herself for this encounter with Rivendell's King. Part of her was struggling with the fact that she was actually going to meet someone, that was from her worlds point of view, a make believe character from a book. She had always thought that some stories that were told came from dreams sent by other worlds. It was one of her strange beliefs that she often kept to herself. In the world where she lived to openly speak and admit to such beliefs would lead her to the funny farm or she would be even more alienated than she already was.

Shaking herself from her inner reverie Rose made her way to the door, pausing a moment before she opening it. Immediately she was met by a rather tall elfin man, just like most that she had seen thus far, with fair hair, pale skin, soulful eyes, and pointed ears.

Smiling she spoke confidently to the elf, "Hello, I was told that I was to see King Elrond?"

The elf nodded, "Yes, My Lady. Please follow me."

He gave her no time to reply as he turned from her and smoothly yet quickly made his way down the hall. Sighing, Rose hurried to catch up with him. One thing she was learning about elves was that they were light on their feet and very fast. Not long after traversing down beautiful winding hallways the elf stopped before a large door and opened it and waited, indicating for her to make her entrance. His voice announcing her arrival almost made her jump, as she was not expecting him to speak, since he had been so silent on the journey towards the room.

As the door closed behind her she glanced the parameter of the room before focusing on the two within. The room was a quaint study with open windows that made it so the room was spacious and not confining. It was a very relaxing atmosphere and Rose was grateful for it. She was a bit shy when first meeting people.

Standing in front of their chairs she immediately recognized Legolas, the elf Prince that she had already met and concluded that the other dark haired elf to be none other than King Elrond.

Smiling in greeting Rose was the first to break the silence, "Hello, thank you for seeing me," she was trying not to notice the way in which Legolas was looking at her.

Legolas was speechless as he watched the enchanting woman enter; she looked nothing like the vision presented before him now. There was a radiance that glowed from her making his heart skip a beat.

King Elrond nodded, "It is a pleasure Lady Rose. I am King Elrond of Rivendell and I think that you have already met Prince Legolas of Mirkwood."

Having heard his name Legolas regained his composure and inwardly hoped that it did not outwardly show. Who was this woman to enchant him so? Though she was obviously of the world of man she seemed different somehow, that in it self peeked his curiosity.

Stepping more into the room Rose answered, "Yes we have," looking to Legolas she continued, "and I am thankful for your help Legolas, if I did not run into you and your friends I fear what would have become of me."

Legolas approached her, gently taking her hand in his as he guided her towards one of the chairs within the study, "I am glad that we were able to help. Please have a seat?"

Rose allowed his touch, pushing back the impulse to pull back from the contact as an pleasant yet unexpected electric shock ran through her arm, "Thank you." Did he feel that as well? He did not look as if he had.

As Rose sat, Legolas returned to King Elrond's side and they both were seated before her. King Elrond continued, "Lady Rose please tell us how you came to be alone within the woods of Mirkwood and who is it that you claim is after you?"

Rose closed her eyes at his question, though she new perfectly well that he would ask, it did not make it any easier to speak of it. Taking a slow breath she opened her green eyes too look into his, "What I am about to tell you is something that I even find a little hard to believe but please know that I do speak the truth. I am not from this world and was brought here against my will. I have no idea why this has happened to me nor do I know who or what this… being is. What I am sure of is that he is pure evil. I have never felt such… darkness from anyone."

She felt herself shudder from within as she continued to explain from the beginning how she came to be within their world. As she finished describing her tale she looked down to her hands that were currently folded tightly within her lap and softly continued, "I've never fit in with the world I am from. This is hard for me to explain but I am different, I can sense things that others cannot and sometimes affect things around me. I've tried all of my life to understand this but have tried not to allow anyone to know this about myself. Where I'm from they would view me as cursed, a freak of nature, or merely think that I was somehow faking it and that I was mentally ill."

Concern creased both Elrond and Legolas's features at the sudden shy and quiet countenance of the Lady before them. Not only were they concerned for this Lady but for what she had just revealed to them. Their lands had just recovered form their last war with the forces of evil and it looked as if their was now another to be concerned about and this woman seemed to be the evil's focus and that in itself proved that she was in danger and needed their protection.

King Elrond knew now that the disturbance that he could sense within their lands must be in affect to this new evil. Once again it would seem that Middle Earth was in danger and it would seem that Lady Rose was the key.

Legolas was moved by the last of her words, there was such pain within her voice and if he saw her eyes he knew that he would also see sorrow. To have to hide oneself because of outward prejudices… Quickly he was at her side kneeling before her as he took her hands in his.

Rose was startled from his touch and as her eyes locked with his her breath caught in her throat. He looked so concerned for her. How could this be when he did not even know her?

"Fear not Lady Rose for you are not alone in this. We will help you as much as we can and will protect you from whatever this evil is that is after you."

King Elrond stood from his chair as he approached the two, gently laying his hand on her shoulder, "Legolas is right. Lighten your heart for you are no longer alone. If what you speak of yourself is true we will try to help you to understand these abilities that you speak of."

For the first time in a long time, Rose felt hope rise within herself, hope that she would finally understand why she was the way that she was and maybe just maybe be able to fit in, to belong somewhere. Looking up to the King with tear filled eyes she weakly smiled to him in thanks, "Thank you, you and your people have been so kind to me. I am a stranger and yet you offer to help me. I fear for this world and my own. Whatever he is doing I fear that it will affect both of our worlds. I only wish that I could reveal to you just what it is that he is planning and just what part he has planned for me to play in this."

The King's voice was gentle, his eyes full of warmth and compassion, "Rest your fears for now Lady Rose, our world is no stranger to the forces of darkness and have defeated it before and we will defeat it again. For now please feel free to enjoy the hospitality of my Kingdome and my house."

Rose smiled weakly; she knew that he was only trying to belay her fears for there are no certainties in life. This she knew all too well. Watching him leave she looked down to Legolas, who still held her hands, "I'm okay."

Legolas gaze was intense, the blue of his eyes pulling her in. He reached up, his hand lightly caressing her cheek, "Lle naa vanima you are beautiful"

Her brow furrowed in confusion, "What did you say?"

He smiled.

Standing he held her hands awaiting for her to rise, "Please allow me to show you Elrond's home and its gardens."

Smiling shyly she looked away from those captivating eyes of his and allowed him to escort her from the room. She inwardly sighed with relief when he let go of her hands; she was beginning to feel a little awkward. True, he was charming and handsome but she did not know this elf though she hoped that she would be able to get to know him.

His heart was fluttering faster than normal within her presence, he was a bit confused at such attraction to someone that he had just met but to know this beauty was too enticing an opportunity to pass by. There was just something about her that was unlike anything he had encountered with anyone. She was so innocent but there was wisdom within those forest green eyes of hers.

But she was mortal… he refused to think of that. There was just something about her that seemed different from any mortal woman, let alone any woman, that he had ever met. Not that he had anything against mortal women. Elves were attracted to all things beautiful and were never known to shy away from beauty or allow it to pass by without admiring it.

They were both silent as they walked the halls, Rose walked beside him mentally making sure that all of her mental walls were up. She was sure that the reason that that thing was able to affect her so was because she had forgotten to put back up her mental barriers that kept unwanted sensations from invading her senses.

Glancing to her side towards Legolas she quickly looked away. Inwardly she found herself confused by her reaction to the elf. What was this feeling inside that his mere presence evoked and would she be brave enough to try to confront it or would she shy away like she always did when she was around with those of the opposite sex? Biting her lower lip she felt very unsure of herself.