Tei woke as the sunshine danced on his eyelids. The boy let out a groan as he sat up, waiting for his eyes to clear of their sleep. He was thinking of another day at school, and tried to brighten himself at the high points of the day. But he was puzzled when he noticed a change in his room. The walls were the same color, yes, but the room was much bigger. It was not clustered with toys and books as his room was. A wide window looked out onto a cast garden, puzzling him even more. He lived in an apartment. This world of wonders was not his.
"Can we visit Frodo today?" Whiskers' voice sounded from his shoulder. "To see how he is doing?"
Tei blinked as memories came back to him. He was in Middle-Earth. A pain of guild shot through him as he remembered his family. He had not missed them at all. Why, however? Were they not his family? People who he should respect throughout his life and mourn at their passing? Why had he not even had a thought of them since the day his legs had brought him here? Shuddering somewhat, Tei got out of bed. He looked around, and saw a door that holds the promise of leading to a bathroom.
A yawn escaped his mouth as Tei looked into the mirror. A boy of 12 looked back. His hair stood from all directions, their jet black color highlighted by whites from the light. His dark brown eyes were dull, as they always are in the morning. Tei was not quite good looking, not that kind that would attract girls in school. But that does not matter. He kept to himself most of the time anyway, just him and his books. His imaginary friends would usually abandon him for the grass and squirrels during break time. A chain of fake silver hung from his neck, and Tei was reminded of his family once more. He touched the lump that showed through his t-shirt, hanging from the chain. Not many know what that item was, and he kept it a secret.
Tei splashed water on his face, giving himself a wake up call. His earring flashed as light ran across them. It was probably the only cool thing the boy had, a gold earring on his right ear. It was small, barely visible, but it was crafted by his father himself when he was a smithy, so he kept it.
"Let us go." Whiskers said excitedly as he peered over Teis head.
"Alright." Tei grabbed a cloth he had spied nearby and dried his face.
He stepped silently out to the corridor, unsure of why he felt the need to keep silent. All along the hall were doors, leading to other rooms. It wasn't hard to find Frodo. There was a door open at the end of the hall, and Tei walked towards it. His fingers ran over the elven scripture on the wall as he passed them, admiring at how well carved everything was. It seems that beauty is the signature of the elves. When Tei peered into the open room, he saw Gandalf sitting next to Frodo, who seems to be asleep; his face had a calm look about it.
"You must be Tei." The wizard had turn around when he heard the boy.
"Yes." Tei nodded, stepping into full view. "Though I am still unsure of why I am here."
"It is best you do not know of it now." Gandalf fingered his pipe, smoking thoughtfully.
"How I despise secrets kept from me." Melina growled. Tei laid a hand on the lioness' head.
"Where am I?" Frodo asked, stirring from his sleep.
"You are in the house of Elrond." Gandalf replied, grinning slightly. "And it is ten ol' clock in the morning, on October the twenty-fourth, if you want to know."
A bird called outside. Melina and Whiskers both licked their muzzle. "Go." Tei bid them. "But do not hurt any creatures." Melina and Whiskers trotted to the window and jumped out into the garden. Paint had stayed with the boy.
"It is a marvelous place, is it not, my sister." Whiskers said as he padded along the path.
"Beautiful, yes." Melina had to agree. "But too calm to my taste."
"Should my bearings prove true, I believe the elves come today, accompanied by the prince of Mirkwood."
"What are you to take part in my feelings?" Melina turned on her brother. She was known to be quick tempered and bitter most of times. Whiskers shrank back visibly.
"You've no feelings for him then?"
"I cannot lie." The lioness growled, wishing terribly for another subject to come to mind.
"True, but he is an elf." Whiskers smiled, playing on his sister's embarrassment. "Though elves do care for all things of wildlife."
"Hush that muzzle of yours'. It is best not to talk of such things."
Whiskers was about to protest, to opposite what his sister had told him, but footfalls caught his ears.
"Come." Tei told them. "Should we hurry, the sight of the council's arrival may be blessed upon our eyes."
Smiling defiantly, Whiskers dashed down the path, Melina hot on his trail, jaws eager for a bite of that red tail tipped with black. Tei rubbed his temples. What turmoil was due to occur when the Fellowship's journey started? Tei ran a hand through his hair, ruffling them –a habit taken up when he entered middle school-, and ran after the lioness and the fox, Paint trotting beside him. The light sounds of hooves reached the boy's ears as they neared the gates of Rivendell. Tei was the first to spot Boromir, being the tallest. He hissed at Melina and Whiskers, pointing urgently at the bushes. Taking the hints, the canine and feline ducked behind the shrubs, keeping out of view.
Mares and stallions cantered into the clearing: white equines for the elves, black mares for the dwarves, and a chestnut stallion for Boromir. Tei caught Paint eyeing Boromir's stallion and gave a sigh. The prince of Mirkwood reined his stallion, landing to the ground in one swift movement.
"A spy." He said, his voice pitched in a soft tone.
Tei shrank back as Legolas took a step toward the boy. Grasping the knowledge that the elf would see him if he had stayed where he was, Tei ducked behind a tree. He hoped that the elven prince would not spy him. The boy closed his eyes, restraining his breathing to a soft breath. Silence. Tei opened his eyes and jumped, bumping his head against the branch above. He looked warily at the blade held by the prince.
"Who are you?" Legolas asked.
"A boy picked up by Aragorn." Tei uttered, amazed at how silently the elven prince had moved and how swiftly he had found him. Melina, Whiskers, and Paint backed away into the bushes, watching the scene with amusement.
Legolas seem to be thinking. After a minute, he lowered his sword, still keeping a keen eye on Tei.
"What have you there, Legolas?" Came the voice of Boromir.
"A human child." Legolas answered. "Come." He motioned to Tei, walking out of the shrubs.
Tei felt the eyes of elves and dwarves keen on him as the boy emerged. He fidgeted nervously. "I am taking refuge in Rivendell." He muttered.
"Come Legolas." Boromir said, turning his attention elsewhere. "Tis' only a child. Elrond is waiting."
The group guided their horse to the stable, before taking leave to Elrond's house. Tei uttered a sigh of relief. His friends emerged from the bushes.
"Legolas is cold." Paint commented.
"Come." Tei motioned to them. "I was given bread and cheese should I grow hungry, and it is midday."