A/N: Yeah, I know, this is kind of a slow-moving chapter. Actually, so are the next two -- or so. Bear with us, ok?

Anyhoo, I (Isis)'m sorry I took so long to upload. Life invaded. You know how it is. But it'll be another four or five days before I can upload again, because I'm going on holiday to Long Island this weekend to perform with the Russian Chorus that Sasha & I are in, blah blah blah Did you really want to know that? So anyway, Sash can't go because she has math homework from summer math school, and we're both unhappy. L So y'all can offer your condolences to her in your reviews, which you will do so as to make us both both very happy. J Hugs from Isis XoXoX

P.S. The other reason that it'll take longer than just three days is that probably I'll have a hangover when I wake up on Monday -- I'm gonna be partying in Long Island! Yeah baby yeah! Ahem so what I meant was, the next couple of chapter haven't been finished, so that's gotta be done. Isis XoXoX

Chapter 6

In Rivendell

Isis awoke the next morning, and could not recognize her surroundings. She thought for a moment, then, sitting up in bed and looking around, said, "Sweet Eru! I'm in Rivendell!"

"You are in indeed," said Gandalf, who was standing by the window.

"Oh my gosh" said Isis, "so"

"So yes, don't complain, simply understand," replied the old wizard, smiling at her and pulling his pipe out of his pocket, along with a bit of leaf. "What, you thought it was all just a dream?" Isis merely nodded. "Well, there's no need to think that any more." he said, packing the pipe. With few words of power, "Naur en edraith ammen!" he lit his pipe, and, taking a pull from it, continued. "There's also no need to be sitting about in bed, when Elrond has been wanting to talk to you for the past hour. Get up, lazybones!" Isis grumbled, but got out of bed and found her hair brush, and brushed her hair and braided it. When she was done, she was surprised to find that she was still wearing her jeans and teeshirt, the one that said "Princess University" across the front.

"Now that you are ready," said Gandalf, "you must go and talk with Elrond."

"With these clothes on?"she asked, tugging at her shirt.

"No time for it!" said he, shoving her toward the door. "Go! Elrond is waiting in the Hall of Fire. Run!"

It was fifteen minutes or more before she found the way to the Hall of Fire. There she saw Elrond, who rose from his chair when he saw her.

"Mae govannen, Master Elrond," she said.

"Welcome, daughter of men," he said, smiling, "and well met! Gandalf did not inform me that one of your talents included speaking the Ancient Tongue."

"That's probably because it's not a complete talent, sir. I'm not fluent."

"It seems that the only hindrance between you and fluency is time, is it not?" he inquired. He gestured toward a door in the back wall. "Come, let's take a walk. We have much to speak of."

They went through the door, and for a while they walked in silence. Isis breathed deeply, enjoying the clean air, so different from the air she was used to in Lower-earth. Elrond stopped, and walked into a small pavilion, and beckoned for the girl to follow him.

He looked out over the valley, and turned to Isis. "From what Gandalf has told me, you have many questions." He paused for her to affirm his statement. She nodded, and he went on. "I can understand that, and likely I can answer most of them. However, before I do, I must explain some things to you. Most likely the explanation will answer your questions."

"Okay," said Isis, nodding. She sat down on the bench and waited, but it was a few minutes before Elrond spoke.

"First of all, you are not who you seem. No, wait, do not interrupt me," he said, holding up a hand. "Allow me to continue. You have not been summoned here by accident. You are not, as you thought all your life, a normal child."

Isis rolled her eyes. "Please. Tell me something I don't know."

"I will, if you will allow me to continue. Nor are you an Elf, as I know that you wish you were."

"Bummer. So what am I? A Numenórean?"

"Precisely," answered Elrond.

Isis stared at him. Finally she spoke; her voice was hoarse. "Holy crap I'm sorry for asking this, but are you absolutely out of your mind?"

"Certainly not. I am as sane as you are."

"Well," Isis grumbled, "That certainly affirms what I just said. If I was always mad, then you must be just as mad as I am." Elrond looked at her puzzledly, but she waved her hand and said, "Never mind. So keep talking."

*This child must have been very happy in Lower-earth for her to be so unfamiliar to me now* reflected Elrond before he spoke. *Her rhythm of speech is so strange, not at all like my own daughter's* He said aloud, "Yes, you are a Numenórean, a descendant of my brother Elros-"

"Whoa, cool! So I'm a princess? You know, a princess or something of Númenor?"

"Not exactly," admitted Elrond. "You are —— or rather, you should be, and will be, once we have trained

you -- a Ranger."

Isis stared at him, then punched both fists into the air and yelled, "All right! Rock on!" She put her fists down and smiled sweetly at Elrond, who was looking rather frightened. "Oh, it's okay," she said, giggling. "I'm just happy. That's what I say when I get happy."

"I can see, then," said Elrond gravely, "why you think you are mad'."

"Yup," she said proudly. "So, um, when do I start?"

"Well," said Elrond, rising to his feet, "if you are willing, I would say, right away."

"Great!" Isis jumped up. "What do I start with? Archery? Swordfighting? Riding? Hand-to-hand fighting?"

Elrond smiled. "I think you should start with getting dressed. These clothes," gesturing at her shirt (she looked down and grinned), "would not stand you in good stead for fighting. I will meet you in the armoury in twenty minutes." With that, he was about to leave the pavilion, when he remembered something. He turned and said, "Oh, and also, please pin your hair up." Then he headed back toward the Hall.

"Hey, wait!" Isis yelled after him. "What about Sasha? When will she get here? Is she a Ranger, too? And where do I get different clothes? You said you were going to answer my questions. How bout it?"

Elrond turned. "In the armoury," he repeated, and disappeared around a bend in the path.