Disclaimer: Still own nothing really, last time I checked my bank balance
anyway. I only own Lauren/Tarwenmir and the changes made to the plot!
Chapter 2 -
Lauren and Gandalf rode on throughout the day under the hazy sun, not stopping for a break once. Lauren was surprised that the horses could keep going on, each mile to her seemed harder and wearier than the last. However the horses seemed to grow swifter with each minute, galloping along the dirt track leaving a faint trail of dust behind them, concentrated on fulfilling their duty.
At first the journey on the horses had been a relief for Lauren for she was sick of walking and wanted to get somewhere quickly. The wind tickling at her neck and teasing her long wavy hair, washing her face with freedom had at first comforted her in her state of confusion. It reminded her of the times that it was a relief after a stormy battle at school. But now it was bothersome and unwanted, attacking her neck and lashing hair across her eyes so that she was pitched in darkness. Lauren had tried desperately to tie her back in a braid as she sat on Crystal's bare back, but found it impossible and failed miserably and nearly falling off as they rounded a sharp corner, and starting climbing.
Gandalf was faring better than his companion, though he was distinctly aware of her suffering and prayed with his might that the horses would move faster than they already were and that Rivendell would draw closer sooner. He knew that they weren't far off the house of Elrond, but each minute seemed to last an hour. The sun was setting violently in the west, burning bright orange and red making the lands around them burn with fury.
Lauren was finding it harder to keep her eyes open, her lids were heavy with weariness, the cruel wind stinging at them causing them to continually water in pain. She was also aware that she was very hungry, having not eaten anything since her jam on toast the previous evening. She hung onto Crystal's neck as best she could, trying to keep steady to make his journey easier.
The ride had been beneficial to her in a way though. Lauren found that she now had the chance to get a good observation of her surroundings implanted into her memory whilst she rode. She realised right from the start that Crystal was following Shadowfax's lead and pace, and that she did not need to steer him. At first the land was covered in an ocean of green fields and hills, the occasional crystal blue streams weaving themselves in and out of the picture. In the distance she could clearly make out threatening mountain peaks, purple and grey topped in white snow caps. However the land gradually climbed higher and higher, but the dirt track in front hardly swerved left or right, just carried straight on. The few turns that there were were sharp and slowed their pace down greatly.
The land was filled with quietness, and Lauren found herself squirming every time she heard the movement of a hidden creature. She had grown accustomed to the light beating of the hooves, yet she was afraid to move not wanting to disturb the tranquillity of this strange world.
Her conversation with Gandalf earlier that morning ran through her head, pounding for answers and never letting her be alone. Every time that she thought about what he had told her, about her past and the fact that Middle Earth was real, the more ludicrous and unrealistic it seemed. However she only had to gaze at the wizard and open her eyes to the world around her to realise that she wasn't dreaming but that this was real.
The journey continued on, neither speaking but preferring the silence. The sun had nearly set when Lauren was fighting herself to stay awake, desperately trying to keep her eyes open for a little while longer. She knew she would only slow their progress down if she fell asleep, and wanted more than anything for it to now end.
"Gandalf-" she forced, trying to get his attention. Her mind was clouding over, her sunlight being locked away.
"Hold on, we're nearly there. You must hold on!" He quickly stole a glance behind them, noticing a darkness and fear creeping towards them in the distance. They were close. His gaze was disrupted by a loud thud that came from his right, and then he noticed that the horse riding beside him rider less.
"Tarwenmir!" he cried as he brought Shadowfax to a hasty halt. "Daro, Crystal!" he called after the horse in front of him. Crystal obeyed quickly, and made his way to his rider's side, realising foolishly that she was no longer on his back.
Gandalf dismounted and quickly ran to the girls' side; he could hear her moan in pain and anguish. "Come now child, we are nearly there! We cannot waste any time, we are being chased." He lifted her up carefully, realising that she looked more than worse for wear. His gaze was drawn back though to the shadow that was gaining on them, the pursuit closer and closer each second.
"Sorry," she managed to choke as Gandalf slid her carefully onto Crystal's back, who had knelt down on his fore-legs in a bid to gain time. The horse wasn't stupid, he knew that danger was near-by and didn't want to be around to face its wrath. Gandalf mounted Shadowfax hastily, staff strong and proud once again in his right hand. He held it high in the air, and Lauren could faintly see a light radiating from the top. It was bright and burned her eyes. She buried them into Crystal's dark mane, trying to block it out.
"Noro lim Crystal! Noro Lim!" Gandalf cried desperately, urging the horse forward. He took off at once, faster than ever before, faster than Lauren had ever ridden in her life. She clung to the mane with clawed hands, holding on with all her strength. The wind whistled in her ears like a shrill song as the horse ran down the track, causing her to shriek in even more pain. She lifted an eyelid to try and figure out what was happening, but it was battered closed by the force she was riding against. She could hear a noise behind her, and imagined rather than saw a brilliant flash of white light.
Lauren had no idea how long it lasted, but the horse continued to ride faster and faster away from the light. She could hear the sounds of hooves behind her, suddenly worried that it was a nazgul from before, hot on her heels. Her heart rejoiced and felt eased though when she heard the familiar sound of the light pace of Shadowfax by her side.
Suddenly, Lauren fell forward as the track led down a steep slope. She was surprised when she could feel water running up her leg, as cold as ice, yet refreshing all the same. She gasped as it mixed with the sweat that she was drenched it, they were obviously in a river.
Crystal halted when they reached dry ground on the other side of the river, for now it was his turn to be worn out and in pain. The last spurt along the track had taken all of his energy, the danger that was in pursuit of them made him run faster than he could have ever imagined.
Lauren slid off his back, relieving him of his small burden. She gasped for breath on the ground, her throat roaring with fire and her hands white from sheer terror. She opened her eyes carefully; afraid that they would be branded with light but was relieved to find that all was dark apart from a small sparkling of light emanating from Gandalf's staff.
"Are we there yet?" she asked as she continued to breathe deeply. She was a little angry to find that this was the second time in one day that she had found it difficult to breathe, and Gandalf had a part to play in both.
"Yes, nearly. Just a small walk up this path and we shall be in the House of Elrond. Do not fear any longer, the danger has passed." He smiled gently down at her, reassurance written over the fear on his face.
"Well that was fun. I nearly died, and we're still not there yet. You do know that I'm starving don't you!" she scolded as she got up onto her hands and knees and crawled to the river, eager to quench her thirst.
"I highly doubt that you would have died, Tarwen, but we are nearly there. And I am aware that you may be hungry, but food awaits us at the House of Elrond."
Lauren was surprised to find that he spoke the name of the house with a high deal of respect in his voice. She sipped delicately at the water from the river, not wanting a stitch added to her list of sufferings. It cooled her throat, and gave her a little strength. She found that she could stand on her feet now, and wasn't as tired as she felt earlier.
She walked along the soft bank to Crystal, who himself was taking the opportunity to gather more strength and ease his dry throat. He snorted at her happily and she gave him a large hug and tickled his belly affectionately, amazed at his speed.
"If I'd have known that you were capable of such speeds, mister, then I would have put you through your paces back home. Thank you for your swiftness, I will try my hardest to pay you back for your bravery." He snorted again, accepting the agreement. She laughed sweetly, and patted his nose.
Gandalf watched quietly for a moment, amazed at the interaction between the two. It didn't surprise him though, she had always been like that when she was younger. "I do feel that we should move on quickly now, for I must speak with Lord Elrond immediately." He made his way along a small path that Lauren hadn't noticed; it wound around behind the climbing trees that backed up onto the river. She followed him quickly, with the two horses behind her. She prayed to anyone that Rivendell wasn't too far away; she'd had enough travelling for a year, maybe two.
Lauren gaped in awe when she set her eyes upon the sight before her. It was nothing like she would have imagined it to be, it was amazing, extraordinary. Of course she was referring to Rivendell. It reminded her of a fairy tale story, yet better still. It stood on the other side of a deep gorge, the same river that she had crossed yet one hour before ran along the bottom of it. It was protected from behind by tall mountains that flowed in and out of each other. The house was grand and tall, many points of which stood out from the forest that covered most of the ground. It was a forest like no other that Lauren had gazed upon, for the trees were tall and powerful, yet they held in a peace and source of good. Their leaves were as light as gold, fiery as red, and crisp as green. Many littered the paths, along with small streams and waterfalls that played a strange music as they flowed.
Gandalf crossed a fallen trunk that acted as a bridge to the other side. Lauren followed carefully, as did the horses. She looked down but scolded herself yet again, the fall was long and the end did not look promising.
"Welcome to Rivendell, Tarwenmir." Gandalf said as she reached the other side. She breathed in the sweet scent around her, and was amazed at how familiar it felt to her heart. She noticed an arch that stood impressively behind Gandalf. Her gaze fell though to what it concealed, for she was convinced that someone was watching her within its depths.
"Mithrandir, we have been expecting you." The voice filled her ears and the air all around her. To her ears it sounded sweet and musical, yet serious and collected. It was neither old nor young, but something in between, if that was possible. Gandalf hurried to greet the new stranger, immediately conversing with him in conversation that was private.
Lauren walked in hesitantly, wondering what was going to happen next. Gandalf had said that all of her questions would be answered here, but she was not so sure that she would get any anytime soon. Her eyes were drawn to a million different things inside the arch, fountains, flowers, and even more strangers that were busy performing personnel tasks. She was embarrassed though when she found Gandalf and the stranger staring at her.
She quickly made her way to them, as if she was silently beckoned. She couldn't see much as a light was blocking her view of the stranger, though when it cleared, she screamed in horror.
It was terribly familiar to her, though she couldn't remember seeing anyone like it in her life.
"Welcome home, Tarwenmir. You have been gone a long time."
She didn't hear the last part, for she had fainted and fallen helplessly to the ground. She was so confused.
*flashback*
"Mummy, are you alright? What did daddy do? Where did he go - mummy speak to me please!"
"I'm fine dear, do not worry so. Tarwen, you must get away from here now, you're not safe!"
"Mummy, I'm not leaving you! You're bleeding, you need help. Let me help you!
"No, Tarwen my treasure! You must run, run quickly! Head - head for the large house - ask, ask-"
"Ask for what, mummy?"
"Ask for Mithrandir. He will help-"
"I'll get you help mummy, don't worry! Please don't cry, I'm getting help remember! I promise you, everything will be alright-"
"GO Tarwen, GO!"
*end flashback*
"NO MUMMY - NO!! Save her, SAVE HER!!!" Lauren screamed in agony. She woke up, gasping for air, a cold sweat running down her cheeks. The dream felt real, it was real. Lauren heard her name, her strange name. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she let them flow freely, un-aware that she was being watched.
"Tarwenmir, it's alright. It was a dream. Do not worry over it yet."
Lauren jumped at the voice that came from behind her, and found that it belonged to Gandalf, who was sitting on a large chair in front of a wooden desk, smoking a pipe watching her intently with his eyes. She hadn't realised where she was, for the last thing she could remember besides the dream was standing inside the walls of Rivendell.
She noticed that she had been lying on a large sofa that occupied the centre of the room, taking up most of the free space. It was rather comfortable and soft, not like the sofas that she was used to. It was covered in strange cloth that was smooth and red in colour.
"Where am I Gandalf? What happened?" Lauren asked as she tried to get up yet fell back down with a soft thud onto the sofa; her legs were weak and sore from the strenuous riding from the evening.
"You are in the office of Lord Elrond, my dear. You fainted outside, obviously from the lack of food and sleep."
"Oh," she managed to whisper, her gaze now set on the man sitting behind the desk, a very concerned look on his face.
"I am Elrond, Lord of Rivendell." Elrond felt so familiar to Lauren, but she couldn't remember setting her eyes on anyone quite like him in her lifetime. He had long black hair that reminded her of the shadows in her nightmares. It flowed down past his shoulders, two long braids from his sideburns framing the edges. His eyes were grey and clear, yet like Gandalf's; Lauren would have sworn that stars were twinkling inside them. His face was neither old nor young, yet memories sorrowful and joyous were written all over it. The strangest thing about him though was his ears, they had gentle pointed tips.
There was a very long pause. Lauren couldn't take it all in. How could it be real? She had read the Lord of the Rings when she was 11, and although she hadn't finished the book, she knew enough to know that Middle Earth was a fictional place. Obviously these people were mad fans trying to create the world in which they love. Totally weird, she thought.
Elrond could see the doubt in her face, and was rather glad that she had it. The story of her past was a strange and different one, even to Middle Earth. He was glad that she didn't fall for anything that anyone said. However it made the task of convincing her even harder and time was not on their side.
Lauren focused her gaze on the floor, wooden and polished, unable to find anything to say. She didn't know whether to believe it or not.
Gandalf was watching her closely, seeing the hard choice that he had put before her. "You must trust us Tarwenmir. We mean you no harm. We need your help," he added in quickly, wanting her to know why they had bought her here.
"Why do you insist on calling me 'Tarwenmir' all the time? You know that my name is Lauren, so please use it." She stopped again, pinching herself on her arm to see if she would wake up back home on her bed, having nodded off whilst reading a book. It didn't work; all that she was left with was a nasty mark on her arm. "How can I trust you, when everything that you have told me isn't true?"
"You must understand, here your name is Tarwenmir, not Lauren as you wish it to be." Elrond spoke with authority, forcing the words in to truth into her mind. "We know that it is hard, but you must trust us. Your past is long and complicated, but I feel if your memory is refreshed, you will believe what we are telling you is true."
"What, even if you tell me my 'supposed' past, I still don't believe you? What will happen to me then? Will I get to go back home?"
"I am uncertain, for the situation is complicated," Gandalf cut in, anxious to get started.
"Then please, refresh my memory of my past. And if you wouldn't mind, I would very much like a bite to eat, for as Gandalf is aware I haven't eaten, haven't eaten since-"
Lauren glanced out of a ledge that covered the spare wall behind her, the others were covered in shelves full of books. She noticed that the sky was dark, meaning that the time was near to midnight. "I haven't eaten for 18 hours, and the events of the previous day have rather worn me out."
"I have some food over here Tarwen, feel free to come and join us. Whilst you eat Gandalf and I will inform you of your past." Elrond was gesturing to a tray on his desk that Lauren hadn't noticed before. She carefully managed to lift her legs up below her, and, leaning heavily on the sofa she managed to make her way over to the desk. She sat down on the chair next to Gandalf, and began to eat the delicious food in front of her.
There was a small loaf of bread, warm and fresh from the oven. She was even happier to notice the jar of jam next to it, carefully undid the lid as she helped herself to a section of the bread. The smell of raspberries flew through her nose, and she eagerly spread some over the golden bread. It was deliciously sweet and slightly toasted, just the way she like it. There was also a variety of fruits, from an apple to a bunch of grapes, along with a bottle of water. Lauren was slightly discouraged from the water, for she hated drinking it plain. Only under desperate circumstances would she drink it plain, yet she decided that she was thirsty enough anyway. The water was cool, like the water from the river. But then of course it was, it probably came from it.
She was interrupted from her ravenous feast by a polite cough, Lauren suddenly remembered that the two men were waiting for her to quieten down and listen. She blushed a little when she saw the slightly amused expressions on their faces, smirking lips and lit up eyes. She closed her mouth, and gulped the contents down, realising that she must of looked very un-ladylike.
"Sorry," she said as soon as she had swallowed.
"I think I should be partly sorry, for I had not realised that you would be so hungry. Please forgive me." Gandalf felt a little mean, she must have been starving.
"Well, now that we have your attention and the mood is a little lighter, I feel that we may begin." Elrond looked deeply into her dark eyes as he spoke, hoping for her to be able to relive her past as he spoke. "Let me tell you this now, so that you will not be too shocked when the time comes. Your past is rather sad, and in some ways should not have happened. You must know that you are not Lauren, in any way what so ever. You were also not born on earth, to the people that you have known as your parents."
"Wait," Lauren cut in, a small fire beginning to burn in her eyes. She was now getting angry. "If I was never Lauren as you say, then who am I may I ask? You see I've always, always known myself as Lauren, so I feel that you are incorrect. I have been Lauren for my entire life, all 16 years of them. And if the people who I thought were my parents aren't really, well then who the hell are they? What happened to my real parents?" She gazed at Elrond, who was regarding her with worried eyes. He knew the questions would come, but he didn't like to give the answers.
"Well, Gandalf?" she asked again, this time turning to face him. He was looking sympathetically at her, from his expression she could read it all. "You're, you're not saying - not saying that they died? Are you?" it came out a small croak, her throat was hoarse. She could feel new tears welling up in her eyes, washing out the anger and the flames. But she wouldn't cry again, not in front of them.
She turned away from them, instead focusing her gaze on the world outside the office window. A moon hung low in the black sky that was dusted with stars sparkling in the distance.
"I'm so sorry Tarwenmir, but you're words are correct. Your parents are dead, and have been for many years." Gandalf said, feeling a part of her pain, for he himself had tried to help, but he had arrived too late and unprepared.
"How long?" she whispered, still staring out at the moon.
"Nearly 2000 years ago."
She had not expected that. She whirled her head round to face Gandalf, curiosity and anger now replacing the sorrow. "Say that again."
"You must understand Tarwenmir, time between the two worlds is very different, yet the same in a sense if you follow my meaning. In middle earth, the death of your parents happened nearly 2000 years ago. However, in the world that you have lived in for those years since, only 10 have passed."
Lauren couldn't take it in. When was she 2000 years old? Wouldn't you look like some frail bean, by the time you were 100 at least? She knew she didn't look like a frazzled potato, all wrinkly and weak. She was confused, and Elrond noticed her uncertainty.
"Let me explain," he began. "A day in middle earth lasts for the same amount as a day in the world that you have lived in for so long does. It feels the same, days and nights in both. However time passes quicker in Middle Earth, for a reason only the Valar know. Time passes slower on earth. You were nearly 600 years old when this tragedy began. You were sent to Earth for your protection and safety, yet there you were only 6 years old."
"So, you're saying that I've lived on earth since I was 6, and ten years I lived believing that my parents were the ones I lived with and that I belonged in that world. So 2000 years have passed here since I left. Am I correct?"
Gandalf and Elrond both smiled and relaxed, knowing that she had gotten the hang of the difference in time. But Lauren just stared at them in bewilderment.
"Excuse me, but how exactly can I be 2600 years old?" She knew they were now definitely ridiculous and that she had to get away. "Um, in case you don't know, humans barely live until 100." Lauren laughed, knowing that they would have to have an amazing miraculous story to answer that.
Elrond however went serious, leaning forward in his chair, his gaze fixed on her. She was freaked out by the look in his eyes, it was sorrowful, the stars shining brightly. The gaze pierced right through her; it was like having your soul read. "You are not human," he simply said.
There was an even longer pause this time, Lauren was unsure of how long they remained in silence. Her eyes never left his, never blinking, her breathing slow and quiet. "Then what am I?"
The strange thing about the situation was that Lauren finally understood. She finally understood what she was, and she believed the story that she was being told. She knew in that instance that she was an elf. It suddenly clicked in her head. The age, her slightly pointed ears. Her eyesight had always been good, and her hearing was rather accurate for a human. She'd read the part of Lord of the Rings that described the elves. "I'm an elf?" she asked Elrond confidently for the first time since she'd arrived in Middle Earth.
He nodded his head slowly, relief washing over his face. Gandalf was relieved also; they both knew that she was starting to believe them. However she hadn't gotten the answer completely right.
"Actually," Gandalf said as he relit his pipe, "You are a half-elf. You see, your mother was a mortal." Lauren nodded her head, glad to know the truth. It didn't make her believe them any less though. She had never thought that she belonged on earth. She never felt like she actually fitted in. She was completely different from the other kids at school. More peaceful was one way to describe it, for she never wanted to fight in the school battle, party and drink every Friday and Saturday night. She had always preferred reading and being around animals.
"Is that why my ears are not so pointy as yours are?" she asked Elrond, smiling slightly.
"Yes, and for that reason it made it easier for us to leave you amongst the humans that you have lived with for a great part of you life, without being too different."
"But why? Why did you need to send me to earth, why couldn't I stay here in Middle Earth? What happened to my parents."
"Let me begin from the beginning, Tarwenmir. You see, your father was an elf. In fact he was a rather close friend of mine. He was born and spent most of his life in Rivendell. But occasionally he would wander off for months, even years sometimes. But he always returned. However, the last time that he went off wandering, he returned with a mortal woman."
"Your mother," Gandalf cut in, she gave him a small smile, glad that he was sitting by her side.
"However, you must understand. It was foolish of him to fall in love with a mortal woman, and I tried everything to make him see sense and send this woman back off home."
"But why? What was wrong with him falling in love with a mortal woman? Surely there is nothing wrong with an elf loving a mortal?" Lauren was slightly horrified that Elrond had done such a thing. She had always been taught that love conquered all, and that race nor age did not matter as long as you were in love with the other person.
Elrond was about to protest, but Gandalf suddenly leant forward, blocking his chance. "You know that Elves are immortal, am I correct?" Lauren nodded quickly, eager to hear Elrond's reason.
"Elves, like Elrond and your father, can only die if they are slain, or if they suffer of a broken heart. Mortals die when they reach a certain age, when their bodies cannot hold life anymore, or when they too are also slain. However, if an elf loves a mortal, then he too will die when she does, not out of age or suffering but of a broken heart."
"Elves were not born to die, the Valar did not wish for it to be so. Your father was writing himself a death wish, and he was digging his own grave. He was one of my friends, and I did not want to loose him, as selfish as it may seem to you. So I tried to persuade him to leave this woman. However I then realised how much he loved her, and knew he would suffer from a broken heart one way or another."
Lauren's anger subsided a little, knowing that he was only doing what he thought was best. "So, my father stayed with my mother, and they had me."
"Exactly. They loved you dearly, you were their little angel. Your mother cared for you night and day. Your father worshipped the ground you walked on. You grew up in a happy family, and you were envied by all of Rivendell."
"Hang on a second, I don't get it. You said earlier that I was 600 years old when this tragedy began. But my mother couldn't have possibly lived that long if she was a mortal, and my father would have died from a broken heart when she died. I don't understand."
"Ahh, I'm glad that you bought that up. It is actually a rather strange thing, but you see your father loved your mother so much, that his love spared her, and as long as he stayed true to her and loved her, then she would remain alive."
"But that didn't happen, did it? Something went wrong." Lauren was fascinated by her past, yet she was eager to know what tragedy had occurred to ruin her families happiness.
"Yes and no," Gandalf said, taking over from Elrond. "I will recite the rest, as this part is clearer to me, and I also have a part to play."
"You knew my parents?"
"Yes I did, quite well in fact. Your father was a wise man, and your mother was very interested in my work, we got along quite well in fact."
"But what happened?" Lauren was growing rather impatient. The darkness in the sky was beginning to fade, dawn was fast approaching in the east.
"Your father killed her, in cold blood. He stopped loving her, and murdered her in a blind rage." Gandalf spoke the words slowly and gently, yet nonetheless they slammed into Lauren hard.
"Why?" she managed to say, her voice quivering and eyes watering, though she wouldn't cry. She couldn't even remember them. What kind of a daughter was she?
"He turned to the dark side, became a traitor. His spirit became evil, and he gradually stopped loving your mother. That in itself would have caused her to die, but he wanted her to suffer, so he attacked her one night, when she was putting you to sleep." He squeezed her hand gently, but he knew that he could not repair the damage. She would remember soon enough, and that would be terrifying in its own right.
But Lauren wasn't feeling sad anymore. Instead, a fire was now burning brightly within her eyes, drying out the tears .Elrond saw the flame light up in her dark eyes, and gasped in astonishment. He would speak to Gandalf about it later, now was not the time.
"Did he want to kill me too?" she asked in a whisper, afraid of the answer. She looked at Gandalf, and saw him nod slowly. It attacked her heart to know that her own father wanted her dead. "Then how am I still alive if I was with my mother at the time?"
Suddenly she stopped in silence. Then she remembered her dreams, and it all made sense. They weren't dreams they were memories, of her and her mother. Why she hadn't figure it out before she didn't know.
"COME HERE YOU LITTLE BRAT!" Lauren jumped as a voice screamed in her ear, and she jumped again when she realised that she wasn't with Gandalf and Elrond anymore.
But then it hit Lauren again, she was watching her past. She could see a little girl, a small child with long raven hair that looked like her own. 'That's because it is you, silly!' a small voice said in her mind, yet she pushed it away, trying to concentrate on what was happening, what had happened in her past.
"Mummy, wake up, please! Daddy's gone mad!" Lauren noticed the small child crying over her mother, who was lying on the floor gasping for air.
"Go," she dimly heard, as the man ran over to the child who dodged quickly out of the way, screaming in terror. Lauren noticed that the man had black hair similar to Elrond's, yet his eyes were like hers only worse, flames burning brightly and fiercely swallowing the darkness.
He began knocking over items all over the room, and then Lauren grimaced as she saw the knife that he was holding in his left arm. She noticed the child yelling at him, crying and scared. He lunged for her, but he missed.
"I'll get Mithrandir mummy, I promise," the small voice said as her father lunged for her a second time, even angrier. The girl ran from the house, tripping and stumbling over her little dress. But she never looked back, and for this Lauren was glad.
The man was now advancing for the women; who was knocking at deaths door on the floor. She was writhing in agony, and it ripped Lauren to pieces. She couldn't watch no more, not wanting to see her die at the hands of her father. She turned away, and back into reality.
She choked as she breathed again, her body after sitting still for so long gasping for air. Tears ran down her cheeks, it all made sense now. Gandalf and Elrond watched her carefully, but neither one went to her for she needed to be alone in her time of grief.
"I believe you." The words were barely spoken, but they heard in the silence. She had cried for some time, yet now the tears had begun to cease. Dawn was striking the room, lighting up the darkness that filled the room and Lauren's heart.
"What happened to him?" she asked them, her fists clanged by her sides and gaze at her feet. "Did he die? Did I reach you Gandalf?"
"You found me on my way, for I sensed that something was wrong. Not all of it am I clear on just yet, yet when we arrived back at your house, your mother was dead. I didn't want you to see her, so I left you outside. I did it for the best you know, for you had already seen too much."
"Your father had disappeared, yet we knew that he had fled to evil. We feared greatly for your safety, and I'm sorry to tell you but this was only one reason. You were so young, so Gandalf and I made the decision that we thought best." Elrond said, now awake from his silence. "Gandalf sometimes travelled between this world and the world in which you became Lauren. He decided to take you here with him. There you would be immortal and at risk to new dangers, but you would be safe from your father. He put a spell on your memory, which now only you can break, and gave you a new name. He then gave you to a couple whom he trusted in that world, thought they knew nothing about him. They took you and raised you as their own."
"But why, if I may ask, did you bring me back now? Why is it you took me from my new home?" Lauren was growing weary, and she was filled with much sorrow and anger. Yet she needed to know this.
"Because of one other, who like myself has travelled between both worlds. He needs your help, and only you I'm afraid can help him." Gandalf said, as he turned to the door. Lauren followed his gaze, and then noticed a tall figuring standing there, framed by the light beside him.
May I present, Olthatirad, or as you may recognize him, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, the dream reader of our land."
Lauren sat stunned into silence. This was too much. She stared at the man in disbelief. He wasn't dead, he was alive, and he'd written about a real world, a world that she was now in. But why did he need her help?
Chapter 2 -
Lauren and Gandalf rode on throughout the day under the hazy sun, not stopping for a break once. Lauren was surprised that the horses could keep going on, each mile to her seemed harder and wearier than the last. However the horses seemed to grow swifter with each minute, galloping along the dirt track leaving a faint trail of dust behind them, concentrated on fulfilling their duty.
At first the journey on the horses had been a relief for Lauren for she was sick of walking and wanted to get somewhere quickly. The wind tickling at her neck and teasing her long wavy hair, washing her face with freedom had at first comforted her in her state of confusion. It reminded her of the times that it was a relief after a stormy battle at school. But now it was bothersome and unwanted, attacking her neck and lashing hair across her eyes so that she was pitched in darkness. Lauren had tried desperately to tie her back in a braid as she sat on Crystal's bare back, but found it impossible and failed miserably and nearly falling off as they rounded a sharp corner, and starting climbing.
Gandalf was faring better than his companion, though he was distinctly aware of her suffering and prayed with his might that the horses would move faster than they already were and that Rivendell would draw closer sooner. He knew that they weren't far off the house of Elrond, but each minute seemed to last an hour. The sun was setting violently in the west, burning bright orange and red making the lands around them burn with fury.
Lauren was finding it harder to keep her eyes open, her lids were heavy with weariness, the cruel wind stinging at them causing them to continually water in pain. She was also aware that she was very hungry, having not eaten anything since her jam on toast the previous evening. She hung onto Crystal's neck as best she could, trying to keep steady to make his journey easier.
The ride had been beneficial to her in a way though. Lauren found that she now had the chance to get a good observation of her surroundings implanted into her memory whilst she rode. She realised right from the start that Crystal was following Shadowfax's lead and pace, and that she did not need to steer him. At first the land was covered in an ocean of green fields and hills, the occasional crystal blue streams weaving themselves in and out of the picture. In the distance she could clearly make out threatening mountain peaks, purple and grey topped in white snow caps. However the land gradually climbed higher and higher, but the dirt track in front hardly swerved left or right, just carried straight on. The few turns that there were were sharp and slowed their pace down greatly.
The land was filled with quietness, and Lauren found herself squirming every time she heard the movement of a hidden creature. She had grown accustomed to the light beating of the hooves, yet she was afraid to move not wanting to disturb the tranquillity of this strange world.
Her conversation with Gandalf earlier that morning ran through her head, pounding for answers and never letting her be alone. Every time that she thought about what he had told her, about her past and the fact that Middle Earth was real, the more ludicrous and unrealistic it seemed. However she only had to gaze at the wizard and open her eyes to the world around her to realise that she wasn't dreaming but that this was real.
The journey continued on, neither speaking but preferring the silence. The sun had nearly set when Lauren was fighting herself to stay awake, desperately trying to keep her eyes open for a little while longer. She knew she would only slow their progress down if she fell asleep, and wanted more than anything for it to now end.
"Gandalf-" she forced, trying to get his attention. Her mind was clouding over, her sunlight being locked away.
"Hold on, we're nearly there. You must hold on!" He quickly stole a glance behind them, noticing a darkness and fear creeping towards them in the distance. They were close. His gaze was disrupted by a loud thud that came from his right, and then he noticed that the horse riding beside him rider less.
"Tarwenmir!" he cried as he brought Shadowfax to a hasty halt. "Daro, Crystal!" he called after the horse in front of him. Crystal obeyed quickly, and made his way to his rider's side, realising foolishly that she was no longer on his back.
Gandalf dismounted and quickly ran to the girls' side; he could hear her moan in pain and anguish. "Come now child, we are nearly there! We cannot waste any time, we are being chased." He lifted her up carefully, realising that she looked more than worse for wear. His gaze was drawn back though to the shadow that was gaining on them, the pursuit closer and closer each second.
"Sorry," she managed to choke as Gandalf slid her carefully onto Crystal's back, who had knelt down on his fore-legs in a bid to gain time. The horse wasn't stupid, he knew that danger was near-by and didn't want to be around to face its wrath. Gandalf mounted Shadowfax hastily, staff strong and proud once again in his right hand. He held it high in the air, and Lauren could faintly see a light radiating from the top. It was bright and burned her eyes. She buried them into Crystal's dark mane, trying to block it out.
"Noro lim Crystal! Noro Lim!" Gandalf cried desperately, urging the horse forward. He took off at once, faster than ever before, faster than Lauren had ever ridden in her life. She clung to the mane with clawed hands, holding on with all her strength. The wind whistled in her ears like a shrill song as the horse ran down the track, causing her to shriek in even more pain. She lifted an eyelid to try and figure out what was happening, but it was battered closed by the force she was riding against. She could hear a noise behind her, and imagined rather than saw a brilliant flash of white light.
Lauren had no idea how long it lasted, but the horse continued to ride faster and faster away from the light. She could hear the sounds of hooves behind her, suddenly worried that it was a nazgul from before, hot on her heels. Her heart rejoiced and felt eased though when she heard the familiar sound of the light pace of Shadowfax by her side.
Suddenly, Lauren fell forward as the track led down a steep slope. She was surprised when she could feel water running up her leg, as cold as ice, yet refreshing all the same. She gasped as it mixed with the sweat that she was drenched it, they were obviously in a river.
Crystal halted when they reached dry ground on the other side of the river, for now it was his turn to be worn out and in pain. The last spurt along the track had taken all of his energy, the danger that was in pursuit of them made him run faster than he could have ever imagined.
Lauren slid off his back, relieving him of his small burden. She gasped for breath on the ground, her throat roaring with fire and her hands white from sheer terror. She opened her eyes carefully; afraid that they would be branded with light but was relieved to find that all was dark apart from a small sparkling of light emanating from Gandalf's staff.
"Are we there yet?" she asked as she continued to breathe deeply. She was a little angry to find that this was the second time in one day that she had found it difficult to breathe, and Gandalf had a part to play in both.
"Yes, nearly. Just a small walk up this path and we shall be in the House of Elrond. Do not fear any longer, the danger has passed." He smiled gently down at her, reassurance written over the fear on his face.
"Well that was fun. I nearly died, and we're still not there yet. You do know that I'm starving don't you!" she scolded as she got up onto her hands and knees and crawled to the river, eager to quench her thirst.
"I highly doubt that you would have died, Tarwen, but we are nearly there. And I am aware that you may be hungry, but food awaits us at the House of Elrond."
Lauren was surprised to find that he spoke the name of the house with a high deal of respect in his voice. She sipped delicately at the water from the river, not wanting a stitch added to her list of sufferings. It cooled her throat, and gave her a little strength. She found that she could stand on her feet now, and wasn't as tired as she felt earlier.
She walked along the soft bank to Crystal, who himself was taking the opportunity to gather more strength and ease his dry throat. He snorted at her happily and she gave him a large hug and tickled his belly affectionately, amazed at his speed.
"If I'd have known that you were capable of such speeds, mister, then I would have put you through your paces back home. Thank you for your swiftness, I will try my hardest to pay you back for your bravery." He snorted again, accepting the agreement. She laughed sweetly, and patted his nose.
Gandalf watched quietly for a moment, amazed at the interaction between the two. It didn't surprise him though, she had always been like that when she was younger. "I do feel that we should move on quickly now, for I must speak with Lord Elrond immediately." He made his way along a small path that Lauren hadn't noticed; it wound around behind the climbing trees that backed up onto the river. She followed him quickly, with the two horses behind her. She prayed to anyone that Rivendell wasn't too far away; she'd had enough travelling for a year, maybe two.
Lauren gaped in awe when she set her eyes upon the sight before her. It was nothing like she would have imagined it to be, it was amazing, extraordinary. Of course she was referring to Rivendell. It reminded her of a fairy tale story, yet better still. It stood on the other side of a deep gorge, the same river that she had crossed yet one hour before ran along the bottom of it. It was protected from behind by tall mountains that flowed in and out of each other. The house was grand and tall, many points of which stood out from the forest that covered most of the ground. It was a forest like no other that Lauren had gazed upon, for the trees were tall and powerful, yet they held in a peace and source of good. Their leaves were as light as gold, fiery as red, and crisp as green. Many littered the paths, along with small streams and waterfalls that played a strange music as they flowed.
Gandalf crossed a fallen trunk that acted as a bridge to the other side. Lauren followed carefully, as did the horses. She looked down but scolded herself yet again, the fall was long and the end did not look promising.
"Welcome to Rivendell, Tarwenmir." Gandalf said as she reached the other side. She breathed in the sweet scent around her, and was amazed at how familiar it felt to her heart. She noticed an arch that stood impressively behind Gandalf. Her gaze fell though to what it concealed, for she was convinced that someone was watching her within its depths.
"Mithrandir, we have been expecting you." The voice filled her ears and the air all around her. To her ears it sounded sweet and musical, yet serious and collected. It was neither old nor young, but something in between, if that was possible. Gandalf hurried to greet the new stranger, immediately conversing with him in conversation that was private.
Lauren walked in hesitantly, wondering what was going to happen next. Gandalf had said that all of her questions would be answered here, but she was not so sure that she would get any anytime soon. Her eyes were drawn to a million different things inside the arch, fountains, flowers, and even more strangers that were busy performing personnel tasks. She was embarrassed though when she found Gandalf and the stranger staring at her.
She quickly made her way to them, as if she was silently beckoned. She couldn't see much as a light was blocking her view of the stranger, though when it cleared, she screamed in horror.
It was terribly familiar to her, though she couldn't remember seeing anyone like it in her life.
"Welcome home, Tarwenmir. You have been gone a long time."
She didn't hear the last part, for she had fainted and fallen helplessly to the ground. She was so confused.
*flashback*
"Mummy, are you alright? What did daddy do? Where did he go - mummy speak to me please!"
"I'm fine dear, do not worry so. Tarwen, you must get away from here now, you're not safe!"
"Mummy, I'm not leaving you! You're bleeding, you need help. Let me help you!
"No, Tarwen my treasure! You must run, run quickly! Head - head for the large house - ask, ask-"
"Ask for what, mummy?"
"Ask for Mithrandir. He will help-"
"I'll get you help mummy, don't worry! Please don't cry, I'm getting help remember! I promise you, everything will be alright-"
"GO Tarwen, GO!"
*end flashback*
"NO MUMMY - NO!! Save her, SAVE HER!!!" Lauren screamed in agony. She woke up, gasping for air, a cold sweat running down her cheeks. The dream felt real, it was real. Lauren heard her name, her strange name. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she let them flow freely, un-aware that she was being watched.
"Tarwenmir, it's alright. It was a dream. Do not worry over it yet."
Lauren jumped at the voice that came from behind her, and found that it belonged to Gandalf, who was sitting on a large chair in front of a wooden desk, smoking a pipe watching her intently with his eyes. She hadn't realised where she was, for the last thing she could remember besides the dream was standing inside the walls of Rivendell.
She noticed that she had been lying on a large sofa that occupied the centre of the room, taking up most of the free space. It was rather comfortable and soft, not like the sofas that she was used to. It was covered in strange cloth that was smooth and red in colour.
"Where am I Gandalf? What happened?" Lauren asked as she tried to get up yet fell back down with a soft thud onto the sofa; her legs were weak and sore from the strenuous riding from the evening.
"You are in the office of Lord Elrond, my dear. You fainted outside, obviously from the lack of food and sleep."
"Oh," she managed to whisper, her gaze now set on the man sitting behind the desk, a very concerned look on his face.
"I am Elrond, Lord of Rivendell." Elrond felt so familiar to Lauren, but she couldn't remember setting her eyes on anyone quite like him in her lifetime. He had long black hair that reminded her of the shadows in her nightmares. It flowed down past his shoulders, two long braids from his sideburns framing the edges. His eyes were grey and clear, yet like Gandalf's; Lauren would have sworn that stars were twinkling inside them. His face was neither old nor young, yet memories sorrowful and joyous were written all over it. The strangest thing about him though was his ears, they had gentle pointed tips.
There was a very long pause. Lauren couldn't take it all in. How could it be real? She had read the Lord of the Rings when she was 11, and although she hadn't finished the book, she knew enough to know that Middle Earth was a fictional place. Obviously these people were mad fans trying to create the world in which they love. Totally weird, she thought.
Elrond could see the doubt in her face, and was rather glad that she had it. The story of her past was a strange and different one, even to Middle Earth. He was glad that she didn't fall for anything that anyone said. However it made the task of convincing her even harder and time was not on their side.
Lauren focused her gaze on the floor, wooden and polished, unable to find anything to say. She didn't know whether to believe it or not.
Gandalf was watching her closely, seeing the hard choice that he had put before her. "You must trust us Tarwenmir. We mean you no harm. We need your help," he added in quickly, wanting her to know why they had bought her here.
"Why do you insist on calling me 'Tarwenmir' all the time? You know that my name is Lauren, so please use it." She stopped again, pinching herself on her arm to see if she would wake up back home on her bed, having nodded off whilst reading a book. It didn't work; all that she was left with was a nasty mark on her arm. "How can I trust you, when everything that you have told me isn't true?"
"You must understand, here your name is Tarwenmir, not Lauren as you wish it to be." Elrond spoke with authority, forcing the words in to truth into her mind. "We know that it is hard, but you must trust us. Your past is long and complicated, but I feel if your memory is refreshed, you will believe what we are telling you is true."
"What, even if you tell me my 'supposed' past, I still don't believe you? What will happen to me then? Will I get to go back home?"
"I am uncertain, for the situation is complicated," Gandalf cut in, anxious to get started.
"Then please, refresh my memory of my past. And if you wouldn't mind, I would very much like a bite to eat, for as Gandalf is aware I haven't eaten, haven't eaten since-"
Lauren glanced out of a ledge that covered the spare wall behind her, the others were covered in shelves full of books. She noticed that the sky was dark, meaning that the time was near to midnight. "I haven't eaten for 18 hours, and the events of the previous day have rather worn me out."
"I have some food over here Tarwen, feel free to come and join us. Whilst you eat Gandalf and I will inform you of your past." Elrond was gesturing to a tray on his desk that Lauren hadn't noticed before. She carefully managed to lift her legs up below her, and, leaning heavily on the sofa she managed to make her way over to the desk. She sat down on the chair next to Gandalf, and began to eat the delicious food in front of her.
There was a small loaf of bread, warm and fresh from the oven. She was even happier to notice the jar of jam next to it, carefully undid the lid as she helped herself to a section of the bread. The smell of raspberries flew through her nose, and she eagerly spread some over the golden bread. It was deliciously sweet and slightly toasted, just the way she like it. There was also a variety of fruits, from an apple to a bunch of grapes, along with a bottle of water. Lauren was slightly discouraged from the water, for she hated drinking it plain. Only under desperate circumstances would she drink it plain, yet she decided that she was thirsty enough anyway. The water was cool, like the water from the river. But then of course it was, it probably came from it.
She was interrupted from her ravenous feast by a polite cough, Lauren suddenly remembered that the two men were waiting for her to quieten down and listen. She blushed a little when she saw the slightly amused expressions on their faces, smirking lips and lit up eyes. She closed her mouth, and gulped the contents down, realising that she must of looked very un-ladylike.
"Sorry," she said as soon as she had swallowed.
"I think I should be partly sorry, for I had not realised that you would be so hungry. Please forgive me." Gandalf felt a little mean, she must have been starving.
"Well, now that we have your attention and the mood is a little lighter, I feel that we may begin." Elrond looked deeply into her dark eyes as he spoke, hoping for her to be able to relive her past as he spoke. "Let me tell you this now, so that you will not be too shocked when the time comes. Your past is rather sad, and in some ways should not have happened. You must know that you are not Lauren, in any way what so ever. You were also not born on earth, to the people that you have known as your parents."
"Wait," Lauren cut in, a small fire beginning to burn in her eyes. She was now getting angry. "If I was never Lauren as you say, then who am I may I ask? You see I've always, always known myself as Lauren, so I feel that you are incorrect. I have been Lauren for my entire life, all 16 years of them. And if the people who I thought were my parents aren't really, well then who the hell are they? What happened to my real parents?" She gazed at Elrond, who was regarding her with worried eyes. He knew the questions would come, but he didn't like to give the answers.
"Well, Gandalf?" she asked again, this time turning to face him. He was looking sympathetically at her, from his expression she could read it all. "You're, you're not saying - not saying that they died? Are you?" it came out a small croak, her throat was hoarse. She could feel new tears welling up in her eyes, washing out the anger and the flames. But she wouldn't cry again, not in front of them.
She turned away from them, instead focusing her gaze on the world outside the office window. A moon hung low in the black sky that was dusted with stars sparkling in the distance.
"I'm so sorry Tarwenmir, but you're words are correct. Your parents are dead, and have been for many years." Gandalf said, feeling a part of her pain, for he himself had tried to help, but he had arrived too late and unprepared.
"How long?" she whispered, still staring out at the moon.
"Nearly 2000 years ago."
She had not expected that. She whirled her head round to face Gandalf, curiosity and anger now replacing the sorrow. "Say that again."
"You must understand Tarwenmir, time between the two worlds is very different, yet the same in a sense if you follow my meaning. In middle earth, the death of your parents happened nearly 2000 years ago. However, in the world that you have lived in for those years since, only 10 have passed."
Lauren couldn't take it in. When was she 2000 years old? Wouldn't you look like some frail bean, by the time you were 100 at least? She knew she didn't look like a frazzled potato, all wrinkly and weak. She was confused, and Elrond noticed her uncertainty.
"Let me explain," he began. "A day in middle earth lasts for the same amount as a day in the world that you have lived in for so long does. It feels the same, days and nights in both. However time passes quicker in Middle Earth, for a reason only the Valar know. Time passes slower on earth. You were nearly 600 years old when this tragedy began. You were sent to Earth for your protection and safety, yet there you were only 6 years old."
"So, you're saying that I've lived on earth since I was 6, and ten years I lived believing that my parents were the ones I lived with and that I belonged in that world. So 2000 years have passed here since I left. Am I correct?"
Gandalf and Elrond both smiled and relaxed, knowing that she had gotten the hang of the difference in time. But Lauren just stared at them in bewilderment.
"Excuse me, but how exactly can I be 2600 years old?" She knew they were now definitely ridiculous and that she had to get away. "Um, in case you don't know, humans barely live until 100." Lauren laughed, knowing that they would have to have an amazing miraculous story to answer that.
Elrond however went serious, leaning forward in his chair, his gaze fixed on her. She was freaked out by the look in his eyes, it was sorrowful, the stars shining brightly. The gaze pierced right through her; it was like having your soul read. "You are not human," he simply said.
There was an even longer pause this time, Lauren was unsure of how long they remained in silence. Her eyes never left his, never blinking, her breathing slow and quiet. "Then what am I?"
The strange thing about the situation was that Lauren finally understood. She finally understood what she was, and she believed the story that she was being told. She knew in that instance that she was an elf. It suddenly clicked in her head. The age, her slightly pointed ears. Her eyesight had always been good, and her hearing was rather accurate for a human. She'd read the part of Lord of the Rings that described the elves. "I'm an elf?" she asked Elrond confidently for the first time since she'd arrived in Middle Earth.
He nodded his head slowly, relief washing over his face. Gandalf was relieved also; they both knew that she was starting to believe them. However she hadn't gotten the answer completely right.
"Actually," Gandalf said as he relit his pipe, "You are a half-elf. You see, your mother was a mortal." Lauren nodded her head, glad to know the truth. It didn't make her believe them any less though. She had never thought that she belonged on earth. She never felt like she actually fitted in. She was completely different from the other kids at school. More peaceful was one way to describe it, for she never wanted to fight in the school battle, party and drink every Friday and Saturday night. She had always preferred reading and being around animals.
"Is that why my ears are not so pointy as yours are?" she asked Elrond, smiling slightly.
"Yes, and for that reason it made it easier for us to leave you amongst the humans that you have lived with for a great part of you life, without being too different."
"But why? Why did you need to send me to earth, why couldn't I stay here in Middle Earth? What happened to my parents."
"Let me begin from the beginning, Tarwenmir. You see, your father was an elf. In fact he was a rather close friend of mine. He was born and spent most of his life in Rivendell. But occasionally he would wander off for months, even years sometimes. But he always returned. However, the last time that he went off wandering, he returned with a mortal woman."
"Your mother," Gandalf cut in, she gave him a small smile, glad that he was sitting by her side.
"However, you must understand. It was foolish of him to fall in love with a mortal woman, and I tried everything to make him see sense and send this woman back off home."
"But why? What was wrong with him falling in love with a mortal woman? Surely there is nothing wrong with an elf loving a mortal?" Lauren was slightly horrified that Elrond had done such a thing. She had always been taught that love conquered all, and that race nor age did not matter as long as you were in love with the other person.
Elrond was about to protest, but Gandalf suddenly leant forward, blocking his chance. "You know that Elves are immortal, am I correct?" Lauren nodded quickly, eager to hear Elrond's reason.
"Elves, like Elrond and your father, can only die if they are slain, or if they suffer of a broken heart. Mortals die when they reach a certain age, when their bodies cannot hold life anymore, or when they too are also slain. However, if an elf loves a mortal, then he too will die when she does, not out of age or suffering but of a broken heart."
"Elves were not born to die, the Valar did not wish for it to be so. Your father was writing himself a death wish, and he was digging his own grave. He was one of my friends, and I did not want to loose him, as selfish as it may seem to you. So I tried to persuade him to leave this woman. However I then realised how much he loved her, and knew he would suffer from a broken heart one way or another."
Lauren's anger subsided a little, knowing that he was only doing what he thought was best. "So, my father stayed with my mother, and they had me."
"Exactly. They loved you dearly, you were their little angel. Your mother cared for you night and day. Your father worshipped the ground you walked on. You grew up in a happy family, and you were envied by all of Rivendell."
"Hang on a second, I don't get it. You said earlier that I was 600 years old when this tragedy began. But my mother couldn't have possibly lived that long if she was a mortal, and my father would have died from a broken heart when she died. I don't understand."
"Ahh, I'm glad that you bought that up. It is actually a rather strange thing, but you see your father loved your mother so much, that his love spared her, and as long as he stayed true to her and loved her, then she would remain alive."
"But that didn't happen, did it? Something went wrong." Lauren was fascinated by her past, yet she was eager to know what tragedy had occurred to ruin her families happiness.
"Yes and no," Gandalf said, taking over from Elrond. "I will recite the rest, as this part is clearer to me, and I also have a part to play."
"You knew my parents?"
"Yes I did, quite well in fact. Your father was a wise man, and your mother was very interested in my work, we got along quite well in fact."
"But what happened?" Lauren was growing rather impatient. The darkness in the sky was beginning to fade, dawn was fast approaching in the east.
"Your father killed her, in cold blood. He stopped loving her, and murdered her in a blind rage." Gandalf spoke the words slowly and gently, yet nonetheless they slammed into Lauren hard.
"Why?" she managed to say, her voice quivering and eyes watering, though she wouldn't cry. She couldn't even remember them. What kind of a daughter was she?
"He turned to the dark side, became a traitor. His spirit became evil, and he gradually stopped loving your mother. That in itself would have caused her to die, but he wanted her to suffer, so he attacked her one night, when she was putting you to sleep." He squeezed her hand gently, but he knew that he could not repair the damage. She would remember soon enough, and that would be terrifying in its own right.
But Lauren wasn't feeling sad anymore. Instead, a fire was now burning brightly within her eyes, drying out the tears .Elrond saw the flame light up in her dark eyes, and gasped in astonishment. He would speak to Gandalf about it later, now was not the time.
"Did he want to kill me too?" she asked in a whisper, afraid of the answer. She looked at Gandalf, and saw him nod slowly. It attacked her heart to know that her own father wanted her dead. "Then how am I still alive if I was with my mother at the time?"
Suddenly she stopped in silence. Then she remembered her dreams, and it all made sense. They weren't dreams they were memories, of her and her mother. Why she hadn't figure it out before she didn't know.
"COME HERE YOU LITTLE BRAT!" Lauren jumped as a voice screamed in her ear, and she jumped again when she realised that she wasn't with Gandalf and Elrond anymore.
But then it hit Lauren again, she was watching her past. She could see a little girl, a small child with long raven hair that looked like her own. 'That's because it is you, silly!' a small voice said in her mind, yet she pushed it away, trying to concentrate on what was happening, what had happened in her past.
"Mummy, wake up, please! Daddy's gone mad!" Lauren noticed the small child crying over her mother, who was lying on the floor gasping for air.
"Go," she dimly heard, as the man ran over to the child who dodged quickly out of the way, screaming in terror. Lauren noticed that the man had black hair similar to Elrond's, yet his eyes were like hers only worse, flames burning brightly and fiercely swallowing the darkness.
He began knocking over items all over the room, and then Lauren grimaced as she saw the knife that he was holding in his left arm. She noticed the child yelling at him, crying and scared. He lunged for her, but he missed.
"I'll get Mithrandir mummy, I promise," the small voice said as her father lunged for her a second time, even angrier. The girl ran from the house, tripping and stumbling over her little dress. But she never looked back, and for this Lauren was glad.
The man was now advancing for the women; who was knocking at deaths door on the floor. She was writhing in agony, and it ripped Lauren to pieces. She couldn't watch no more, not wanting to see her die at the hands of her father. She turned away, and back into reality.
She choked as she breathed again, her body after sitting still for so long gasping for air. Tears ran down her cheeks, it all made sense now. Gandalf and Elrond watched her carefully, but neither one went to her for she needed to be alone in her time of grief.
"I believe you." The words were barely spoken, but they heard in the silence. She had cried for some time, yet now the tears had begun to cease. Dawn was striking the room, lighting up the darkness that filled the room and Lauren's heart.
"What happened to him?" she asked them, her fists clanged by her sides and gaze at her feet. "Did he die? Did I reach you Gandalf?"
"You found me on my way, for I sensed that something was wrong. Not all of it am I clear on just yet, yet when we arrived back at your house, your mother was dead. I didn't want you to see her, so I left you outside. I did it for the best you know, for you had already seen too much."
"Your father had disappeared, yet we knew that he had fled to evil. We feared greatly for your safety, and I'm sorry to tell you but this was only one reason. You were so young, so Gandalf and I made the decision that we thought best." Elrond said, now awake from his silence. "Gandalf sometimes travelled between this world and the world in which you became Lauren. He decided to take you here with him. There you would be immortal and at risk to new dangers, but you would be safe from your father. He put a spell on your memory, which now only you can break, and gave you a new name. He then gave you to a couple whom he trusted in that world, thought they knew nothing about him. They took you and raised you as their own."
"But why, if I may ask, did you bring me back now? Why is it you took me from my new home?" Lauren was growing weary, and she was filled with much sorrow and anger. Yet she needed to know this.
"Because of one other, who like myself has travelled between both worlds. He needs your help, and only you I'm afraid can help him." Gandalf said, as he turned to the door. Lauren followed his gaze, and then noticed a tall figuring standing there, framed by the light beside him.
May I present, Olthatirad, or as you may recognize him, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, the dream reader of our land."
Lauren sat stunned into silence. This was too much. She stared at the man in disbelief. He wasn't dead, he was alive, and he'd written about a real world, a world that she was now in. But why did he need her help?