1 Chapter 2: The Land Across the Sea
"I suspected that you would be showing up sometime soon." Josie spun around to see whom the voice had come from. A figure clothed in shimmering gray robes stood before the forest. His long black hair was arrayed so it hung down to his waist and upon his head sat a band of gold with a small almond gem in the center. His gray eyes shown bright with wisdom and years of age. "Gandalf claimed you contacted him recently in a dream."
At the name Gandalf Joslyn realized that she had successfully found her way to Middle-Earth, though she had no idea where in the land she was. The elven figure stepped closer to her and for a moment Josie had a vision. Three figures stood over her. As the faces cleared she saw that one had this elf's eyes, this same elf.
Josie, suddenly realizing that this elf was the famed Elrond, assumed that she must be far away from the lands she read about because it was said Elrond traveled across the sea. Clumsily, Joslyn stood and bowed, not really sure what to do in the presence of an elf with such a high status. Rather than speaking, like she often did in awkward silences on Upper- Earth, Josie waited for Elrond to break the ice. "Come with me, Joslyn. I know Gandalf and Galadriel would like to help when we discuss that matter of you being here."
'Gandalf and Galadriel! Wow, I wonder if perhaps I'm not some nobody here.' Unable to no longer obtain self-control over her many questions, Josie ventured in an unusually timid voice, "How come you know my name?"
Elrond spoke carefully, almost to give away some sort of secret. "You are my heir. Or shall I say you were bred by magic by Galadriel, Gandalf, and myself. A portion of each of us was put into you, therefor you have the power of us three combined." He then turned into the wood with Joslyn obediently following.
Soon enough they came to a clearing. In the center, perched on low rocks, sat and fair elf and an older man with a staff resting on his lap. The elf rose and strode towards Elrond and his new comrade. 'Galadriel!' "You have been long awaited here, Joslyn. We have missed you greatly." Galadriel's melodious voice filled the air and again Josie had a vision. The three figures standing over her she could see clearer now. On was Elrond, the other this fair woman, Galadriel. Coming back to the present Josie searched for the face to with the third figure.
Joslyn's feet brought her to stand in front of the man still remaining on the rock. He did not look up but continued to smoke his pipe, the pleasant aroma filling her nose. "I have returned," found it's way out of the girl's mouth. He looked up and his eyes found hers. She gasped and for a moment Joslyn thought she was seeing her own reflection. Her eyes were an exact copy of his!
'And this is Gandlaf!' Thoughts raced through her mind as her three new mentors just observed her. She glanced at Elrond finding that her face shape, hair color, and freckles duplicated his. She was startled to find also that her hands and hair texture mirrored Galadriels. Though she found most of herself in Gandalf. Along with her eyes, he also had a protruding nose, frizzy hair, and her physical structure (except he was 8 inches taller.)
Like a four-year-old on Christmas morning, Josie ran and hugged them all. They all warmly welcomed her embraces. No longer feeling knowledgeable she questioned, "So they weren't my parents? Was I born there? How come I look so much like you all? How come you were expecting me here?"
She sat down hard and earnestly looked for answers in these new faces. Gandalf chuckled. He explained how and why she was created patiently answering her questions and letting Elrond and Galadriel add in various facts he happened to leave out. Joslyn listened, hanging on every word. On Upper-Earth she was a normal average girl and here she was expected to defeat a great evil? It was hard to believe, but Joslyn gladly accepted her fate, relieved her beliefs in the land had not been in vain.
"But I can't fight or use magic or do anything! How am I suppose to defeat Sauron's apprentice?"
Galadriel knowingly smiled. "You won't do it alone. You will make alliances, but you will be a great leader when all hope may be lost. We three will train you in the use of magic and some healing. There are other elves in the land that master in fighting and riding. You will learn their trades as well. You will train hard and well, but beware, do not abuse your power.
"You may make friends, enemies, and you may even encounter love. I ask you please, remain faithful to this task. For across the sea, the lands there may come into peril."
"So!" Joslyn exclaimed, "When do I start?"
"I suspected that you would be showing up sometime soon." Josie spun around to see whom the voice had come from. A figure clothed in shimmering gray robes stood before the forest. His long black hair was arrayed so it hung down to his waist and upon his head sat a band of gold with a small almond gem in the center. His gray eyes shown bright with wisdom and years of age. "Gandalf claimed you contacted him recently in a dream."
At the name Gandalf Joslyn realized that she had successfully found her way to Middle-Earth, though she had no idea where in the land she was. The elven figure stepped closer to her and for a moment Josie had a vision. Three figures stood over her. As the faces cleared she saw that one had this elf's eyes, this same elf.
Josie, suddenly realizing that this elf was the famed Elrond, assumed that she must be far away from the lands she read about because it was said Elrond traveled across the sea. Clumsily, Joslyn stood and bowed, not really sure what to do in the presence of an elf with such a high status. Rather than speaking, like she often did in awkward silences on Upper- Earth, Josie waited for Elrond to break the ice. "Come with me, Joslyn. I know Gandalf and Galadriel would like to help when we discuss that matter of you being here."
'Gandalf and Galadriel! Wow, I wonder if perhaps I'm not some nobody here.' Unable to no longer obtain self-control over her many questions, Josie ventured in an unusually timid voice, "How come you know my name?"
Elrond spoke carefully, almost to give away some sort of secret. "You are my heir. Or shall I say you were bred by magic by Galadriel, Gandalf, and myself. A portion of each of us was put into you, therefor you have the power of us three combined." He then turned into the wood with Joslyn obediently following.
Soon enough they came to a clearing. In the center, perched on low rocks, sat and fair elf and an older man with a staff resting on his lap. The elf rose and strode towards Elrond and his new comrade. 'Galadriel!' "You have been long awaited here, Joslyn. We have missed you greatly." Galadriel's melodious voice filled the air and again Josie had a vision. The three figures standing over her she could see clearer now. On was Elrond, the other this fair woman, Galadriel. Coming back to the present Josie searched for the face to with the third figure.
Joslyn's feet brought her to stand in front of the man still remaining on the rock. He did not look up but continued to smoke his pipe, the pleasant aroma filling her nose. "I have returned," found it's way out of the girl's mouth. He looked up and his eyes found hers. She gasped and for a moment Joslyn thought she was seeing her own reflection. Her eyes were an exact copy of his!
'And this is Gandlaf!' Thoughts raced through her mind as her three new mentors just observed her. She glanced at Elrond finding that her face shape, hair color, and freckles duplicated his. She was startled to find also that her hands and hair texture mirrored Galadriels. Though she found most of herself in Gandalf. Along with her eyes, he also had a protruding nose, frizzy hair, and her physical structure (except he was 8 inches taller.)
Like a four-year-old on Christmas morning, Josie ran and hugged them all. They all warmly welcomed her embraces. No longer feeling knowledgeable she questioned, "So they weren't my parents? Was I born there? How come I look so much like you all? How come you were expecting me here?"
She sat down hard and earnestly looked for answers in these new faces. Gandalf chuckled. He explained how and why she was created patiently answering her questions and letting Elrond and Galadriel add in various facts he happened to leave out. Joslyn listened, hanging on every word. On Upper-Earth she was a normal average girl and here she was expected to defeat a great evil? It was hard to believe, but Joslyn gladly accepted her fate, relieved her beliefs in the land had not been in vain.
"But I can't fight or use magic or do anything! How am I suppose to defeat Sauron's apprentice?"
Galadriel knowingly smiled. "You won't do it alone. You will make alliances, but you will be a great leader when all hope may be lost. We three will train you in the use of magic and some healing. There are other elves in the land that master in fighting and riding. You will learn their trades as well. You will train hard and well, but beware, do not abuse your power.
"You may make friends, enemies, and you may even encounter love. I ask you please, remain faithful to this task. For across the sea, the lands there may come into peril."
"So!" Joslyn exclaimed, "When do I start?"