Disclaimer: Tolkien owns LOTR stuff and CS Lewis owns Alice Through The
Looking Glass. It just happens to be one of my favorite stories and I
always loved the title – it's very trippy, no?
Chapter 13 – Through The Looking Glass
Alania awoke alone. She couldn't know that Legolas had lain against her until the first rays of sun peeked through the window. Shaking off the last remnants of sleep off, she got up quickly to pack a large leather knapsack. Throwing in only the bare necessities, she made sure to leave plenty of room for a few things no one in Middle Earth had any knowledge of. Specifically a few choice weapons for Malficent and his minions.
Heading down to the study to collect the pistols and ammo she preferred, she could hear her three friends busying themselves with preparations. As she was packing and securing the trunk, Roxy came in. Seeing the look on Roxy's face, Alania reopened the trunk and allowed Roxy to take a few items herself. With a promise from Roxy to keep the guns out of sight and unmentioned unless their situation was dire, Alania relocked the trunk and they headed out.
Outside, Legolas and Georn watched the bodies of the dead orcs slowly disintegrate in the sun. Noting the surprised looks on the women's faces at seeing the bodies slowly disappear Georn said "That's the only good thing about orcs. They don't fare very well in the sun."
"It's a very good thing. I was wondering how I'd explain a bunch of orc bodies if last night ever got out" replied Alania. As she opened the car doors she asked "So, um, where exactly are we going?"
"I traveled to this world from Rivendell. Gandalf's instruction for returning was to open the portal at the same location I arrived in to secure passage directly back to where I started from. I will show you were I entered as we drive" answered Legolas.
An hour later, Alania and Legolas watched as Georn stepped through the portal and was followed by Roxy. Turning to Legolas with a worried look on her face, Alania admitted "Legolas, I'm scared." Legolas chuckled lightly and replied teasingly "I cannot believe the fighter who fought at my side last night is the same woman standing before me now."
Alania frowned and said "I can't believe you're mocking me."
"No, Alania. I only tease. I did not mean wound your pride."
He gently play with a lock of her hair and studied her face. After a short silence he said "Only a true warrior admits their fear, Alania. I will be right behind you. I promise." He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. As he straightened, he gave her a smile and a wink for encouragement, and then gently nudged her towards the portal.
Taking a deep breath and feeling a little like Alice, Alania closed her eyes and stepped through. It lasted only a few seconds, but she had the feeling as though she was being pulled forward. When she opened her eyes to see what was going on she was surprised to find herself in a room, standing next to Roxy and Georn. Turning back to where she came through, she saw Legolas pass through the portal.
As he closed the portal, Legolas said "I am surprised there is no one here to greet us. Perhaps we are not expected. Come, let us find a friendly face."
As they followed Legolas, Alania reached for Roxy's hand. The two looked at each other and simultaneously began laughing. Their nervousness and curiosity combined with a delayed reaction to the speed at which they simply traversed from one world to another, something neither of them even believed possible only a few months earlier, exploded from them in the form of hysterical laughter. Had either of them been alone their reactions would have been much more serious, but they were together and able to lean on each other to deal with the reality of the situation the best way they could – through laughter. Georn and Legolas watched them having fits of laughter so strong that both women couldn't walk.
"Oh man, tell me I'm not having some crazy flashback" cackled Roxy.
"You're not. I think someone spiked out KoolAid" laughed Alania.
Their exchanges went on this way for a while. Lost on the references exchanged, Georn and Legolas found themselves shaking their heads with surprise at the outburst. Of course, laughter like that is contagious, and all four soon found themselves laughing.
A few minutes later, as the group calmed down, they were greeted cautiously by several dark haired elves. "Welcome home Legolas, Georn" said Teleris. Glancing at the women and smiling, he said "I see you have brought back souvenirs from your journey. Perhaps an introduction before I escort you to Gandalf and Celeborn."
Legolas introduced Teleris as Captain of the Guard for Rivendell to Alania and Roxy. Legolas had always felt cautious around Teleris no matter how highly Celeborn spoke of him. Celeborn and a few of the Lorien elves made their way to live in Rivendell when Galadriel had gone west. Teleris had been in Haldir's guard in Lorien, and was elevated quickly through the ranks when Haldir followed Galadriel. Though he was a fine warrior and had never acted suspiciously in any manner, Legolas's instinct was always alert around him.
Teleris led the group to a large inviting room, kept warm by the fire in a hearth large enough for five men to stand in. Awed by the beauty and simplicity of the decoration and architecture, Alania didn't know where to look first. Feeling a tug on her arm, she allowed Legolas to pull her forward towards the others in the room. She had been so overwhelmed with the room itself she hadn't seen the other elves and wizard also in the room.
Introductions and welcomes were made, and refreshments served as the group sat to discuss their situation. Alania and Roxy were relieved that Georn and Legolas did most of the talking. They only spoke when asked a question directly. It was slightly imposing and intimidating to the women to be ushered into a new world, dragged around a large building without direction and then brought before a council of powerful looking elves. It seemed the only openly friendly face among the group was the only one that did not belong to an elf. The old wizard kept silent throughout the discussion, and watched both women intensely though it seemed to them curiosity.
Instinctively Alania knew the old wizard could be none other than Gandalf. She caught his gaze and held it for a long while. Seemingly impressed with her, he smiled broadly. He stood up and excused himself. Just before he left the room he paused and said "Perhaps Alania and Roxy would care for a tour of Rivendell." Grateful for the excuse, both women practically jumped at the opportunity to get out from under the elves eyes.
******
Review time folks! Thanks.
Chapter 13 – Through The Looking Glass
Alania awoke alone. She couldn't know that Legolas had lain against her until the first rays of sun peeked through the window. Shaking off the last remnants of sleep off, she got up quickly to pack a large leather knapsack. Throwing in only the bare necessities, she made sure to leave plenty of room for a few things no one in Middle Earth had any knowledge of. Specifically a few choice weapons for Malficent and his minions.
Heading down to the study to collect the pistols and ammo she preferred, she could hear her three friends busying themselves with preparations. As she was packing and securing the trunk, Roxy came in. Seeing the look on Roxy's face, Alania reopened the trunk and allowed Roxy to take a few items herself. With a promise from Roxy to keep the guns out of sight and unmentioned unless their situation was dire, Alania relocked the trunk and they headed out.
Outside, Legolas and Georn watched the bodies of the dead orcs slowly disintegrate in the sun. Noting the surprised looks on the women's faces at seeing the bodies slowly disappear Georn said "That's the only good thing about orcs. They don't fare very well in the sun."
"It's a very good thing. I was wondering how I'd explain a bunch of orc bodies if last night ever got out" replied Alania. As she opened the car doors she asked "So, um, where exactly are we going?"
"I traveled to this world from Rivendell. Gandalf's instruction for returning was to open the portal at the same location I arrived in to secure passage directly back to where I started from. I will show you were I entered as we drive" answered Legolas.
An hour later, Alania and Legolas watched as Georn stepped through the portal and was followed by Roxy. Turning to Legolas with a worried look on her face, Alania admitted "Legolas, I'm scared." Legolas chuckled lightly and replied teasingly "I cannot believe the fighter who fought at my side last night is the same woman standing before me now."
Alania frowned and said "I can't believe you're mocking me."
"No, Alania. I only tease. I did not mean wound your pride."
He gently play with a lock of her hair and studied her face. After a short silence he said "Only a true warrior admits their fear, Alania. I will be right behind you. I promise." He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. As he straightened, he gave her a smile and a wink for encouragement, and then gently nudged her towards the portal.
Taking a deep breath and feeling a little like Alice, Alania closed her eyes and stepped through. It lasted only a few seconds, but she had the feeling as though she was being pulled forward. When she opened her eyes to see what was going on she was surprised to find herself in a room, standing next to Roxy and Georn. Turning back to where she came through, she saw Legolas pass through the portal.
As he closed the portal, Legolas said "I am surprised there is no one here to greet us. Perhaps we are not expected. Come, let us find a friendly face."
As they followed Legolas, Alania reached for Roxy's hand. The two looked at each other and simultaneously began laughing. Their nervousness and curiosity combined with a delayed reaction to the speed at which they simply traversed from one world to another, something neither of them even believed possible only a few months earlier, exploded from them in the form of hysterical laughter. Had either of them been alone their reactions would have been much more serious, but they were together and able to lean on each other to deal with the reality of the situation the best way they could – through laughter. Georn and Legolas watched them having fits of laughter so strong that both women couldn't walk.
"Oh man, tell me I'm not having some crazy flashback" cackled Roxy.
"You're not. I think someone spiked out KoolAid" laughed Alania.
Their exchanges went on this way for a while. Lost on the references exchanged, Georn and Legolas found themselves shaking their heads with surprise at the outburst. Of course, laughter like that is contagious, and all four soon found themselves laughing.
A few minutes later, as the group calmed down, they were greeted cautiously by several dark haired elves. "Welcome home Legolas, Georn" said Teleris. Glancing at the women and smiling, he said "I see you have brought back souvenirs from your journey. Perhaps an introduction before I escort you to Gandalf and Celeborn."
Legolas introduced Teleris as Captain of the Guard for Rivendell to Alania and Roxy. Legolas had always felt cautious around Teleris no matter how highly Celeborn spoke of him. Celeborn and a few of the Lorien elves made their way to live in Rivendell when Galadriel had gone west. Teleris had been in Haldir's guard in Lorien, and was elevated quickly through the ranks when Haldir followed Galadriel. Though he was a fine warrior and had never acted suspiciously in any manner, Legolas's instinct was always alert around him.
Teleris led the group to a large inviting room, kept warm by the fire in a hearth large enough for five men to stand in. Awed by the beauty and simplicity of the decoration and architecture, Alania didn't know where to look first. Feeling a tug on her arm, she allowed Legolas to pull her forward towards the others in the room. She had been so overwhelmed with the room itself she hadn't seen the other elves and wizard also in the room.
Introductions and welcomes were made, and refreshments served as the group sat to discuss their situation. Alania and Roxy were relieved that Georn and Legolas did most of the talking. They only spoke when asked a question directly. It was slightly imposing and intimidating to the women to be ushered into a new world, dragged around a large building without direction and then brought before a council of powerful looking elves. It seemed the only openly friendly face among the group was the only one that did not belong to an elf. The old wizard kept silent throughout the discussion, and watched both women intensely though it seemed to them curiosity.
Instinctively Alania knew the old wizard could be none other than Gandalf. She caught his gaze and held it for a long while. Seemingly impressed with her, he smiled broadly. He stood up and excused himself. Just before he left the room he paused and said "Perhaps Alania and Roxy would care for a tour of Rivendell." Grateful for the excuse, both women practically jumped at the opportunity to get out from under the elves eyes.
******
Review time folks! Thanks.