Chapter Two: Welcome to Middle-Earth

Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli rode through Fangorn Forest, continuing their search for Merry and Pippin after the battle at Helm's Deep. Legolas' keen elven hearing suddenly picks up laughter as they near the edge of the forest and are about to come to Isengard. Then…

"I feel like… I'm back at the Green Dragon after a hard day's work," said Pippin.

"Only, you've never done a hard day's work," replied Merry. The two of them laughed. Legolas smiled, then the four of them emerged from the trees.

The hobbits spotted them and Pippin laughed, holding up his tankard. "Welcome, my lords… to Isengard!" said Merry, standing up and throwing his arms out.

Aragorn and Legolas smiled, glad that they were alive, and well by the looks of things.

"You young rascals!" Gimli exploded from behind Legolas. "A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you feasting and… and smoking!" his voice was dripping with jealousy.

"We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well earned comforts," said Pippin as Merry blew smoke rings through his pipe. "The salted pork is particularly good."

Gimli's expression softened. "Salted pork?"

Gandalf rolled his eyes. "Hobbits…"

"We're under orders from Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard."

They all rode towards Orthanc and they met Treebeard, his deep voice echoing through what was left of Isengard.

"The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come back to live here—"

Suddenly, a scream pierced the air and suddenly there was a splash, showering everyone with water.

"What was that?" asked Merry.

But Legolas was way ahead of him. He had already jumped off his horse and landed in the water. He stuck his arms out and supported a body so that it was sitting upright.

"Bless my bark…" said Treebeard.

Jenn had a cut on her head from a rock below her. She was unconscious. Legolas scooped her up out of the water and put her on his horse in front of him.

"She needs medicine," he said. "We'd best get her to Edoras."

"Yes, let's go," said Gandalf. Just as everyone was about to set off, Pippin jumped down from behind Aragorn, having spotted something that was glowing orange in the waters. He bent over and picked it up, transfixed by the light inside of it.

"Peregrin Took! I'll take that my lad," said Gandalf, riding up behind him. Pippin handed the palantir to him, and Gandalf hastily wrapped it in a blanket. "Come," he said, looking at his company. "We ride for Edoras, this lady needs healing!"

…

The sweet sound of a violin and the sound of a horse's hooves on a grassy plain woke Jenn. Her eyes flickered. Someone was holding her, and by the feel of things, galloping to Edoras. Wait… how did she know that? The music of the violin continued for a few more seconds then stopped.

Music? What the heck was going on?

Her eyes opened and she almost screamed. Instead, she fainted.

…

When she next awoke, she was laying on a soft bed of furs. She opened her eyes and tried to sit up, but had no avail and groaned, slumping back on the pillows and clutching her head.

"You should be more careful, that's quite a cut you've got there," came a voice from a corner.

Jenn jumped; she thought she was alone. A tall lean figure stood up from his chair in the corner and walked over to the bed. He had soft blue eyes and blonde hair that cascaded down past his shoulders, quite handsome in real life.

Legolas smiled. "I am Legolas Greenleaf, son of King Thranduil of Mirkwood." He bowed his head, he spoke in a proud manner. Of course, Jenn already knew who he was, but she decided to play along.

"Uh, Jennifer Evans, daughter of Carrie and Ben Evans of… Chicago."

Legolas cocked his head questioningly. "I've never heard of such a place… where is it?"

"Not around here, that's for sure," said Jenn a little quieter, taking a clearer look around where she was. Legolas heard her and laughed.

"Well, obviously! Now, are you feeling better?" he leaned forward, placing a hand on her forehead, just near the cut.

"A little better…" she breathed.

Just then the door opened and two people stepped in. One was an old man with a white beard and white hair, basically everything about him was white except his eyes which were blue, but not as breath-taking as Legolas'. Behind him was a woman with long blonde hair that fell to her waist. She was carrying a dress.

"Ah, she's awake!" said Gandalf, striding forward using his staff as a walking stick.

"I am Gandalf the White, and this is Éowyn, shield maiden of Rohan."

Éowyn nodded to Jenn, smiling at her and setting down the dress on the foot of the bed.

"I'm Jenn Evans," Jenn said to them all. She could still feel Legolas' hand on her forehead.

"King Theoden said the feast is about to begin," said Éowyn, "and he requests that Lady Jennifer join us. Are you well enough?"

Jenn tried to sit up again without pain, and she succeeded this time. "Yes, I think I am."

Éowyn smiled. "Here is your gown, we'll be waiting for you down in the Great Hall."

They all exited the room and Jenn got up off the bed, reaching for the dark green dress that seemed to bring out her eyes perfectly. She put it on, then opened the door to her room, finding Legolas standing outside.

"Gandalf thought you might need an escort, so I volunteered." They linked arms and walked down to the Great Hall. Once they entered, everyone stood up and faced the front.

"Quick, we need to get something to toast with," he whispered. "King Theoden is about to honor the dead."

Jenn found a couple of mugs on a nearby table. She could only hope they weren't drugged or already used as she handed one to Legolas and kept one for herself. Theoden made the toast and they all drank.

Gandalf walked over to Jenn and Legolas afterwards. He smiled at Legolas but his gaze became more serious when his eyes rested on Jenn.

"Come," he said, beckoning her and Legolas to follow him into an unoccupied corner.

"Jenn, from the moment you came here, I knew that something unusual and extraordinary had happened. You are obviously not from this land or this time. And I must say, for the three hundred lives of men I have walked this earth I have never seen anything like this happen. So, I must ask and know at a time like this, where are you really from?"

Jenn could feel Legolas' eyes on her as well. Under Gandalf's piercing stare that seemed to see into every corner of her mind, she knew she could not lie; she needed the trust of the Fellowship and they needed hers. She took a deep breath. "You're right, Gandalf, I'm not from this time or place. Legolas, do you remember up there when I told you I was from Chicago?"

He nodded.

"Well, Chicago is in the United States of America. In a whole different world than Middle-Earth. I'm from the year 2003, nearly 2004, and… there's something you two should know. This… entire place… every little thing, including you two and all the people around you… are just a fantasy. About 50 or so years ago, a man named JRR Tolkien wrote the books and a few years ago another man named Peter Jackson decided to make it into a movie… which is like a moving picture."

Legolas and Gandalf exchanged glances. "So, this is just a made up fantasy world according to you?" asked Legolas, a frown forming on his perfect face.

"No!" said Jenn hastily. "It's much more… so much more to me. Whenever I watch the movies or read the books I've always felt like I was there with you guys; kicking orc butt at Helm's Deep or running from the Balrog in Moria. I've felt your pain, seen what you saw, heard what you said… I find this world… incredible…" she finished in a whisper.

The two stared at Jenn for another moment, then Gandalf broke the tension and smiled, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Why don't you travel with us for the rest of our journey, since you already know about," he stopped, looking around for any eavesdroppers, "Frodo and the Ring," he whispered.

Jenn nodded.

"Can you fight?" asked Legolas. "I sense a battle coming…"

"I've been wielding a sword since I was ten," said Jenn, grinning.

"Well, I don't see any problem with it," said Gandalf. "You will join us for the rest of our journey."

Jenn nodded again. "I won't let you down."

Sorry about not updating for a while… but please review!