Disclaimer: I forgot to put this on the first chapter. So I will post it here now. I do not own anything except that which is not familiar in the Middle-Earth world (such as Rayne, the music box, the pendent, etc, those I own.) All rights remain with their respective creators, producers, etc.

A/N: I would like to thank everyone who read and reviewed the first chapter. I have received a lot of good feedback, and I can only hope that I do not disappoint you with this and future chapters. Until next week, your author: Lost Before The Dawn.

Chapter 2 – Identity Crisis

…Please take all else away,

hear my cry, I beg, I plead, I pray…

…Fall afresh on me
End this crisis of
Identity…

Identity Crisis – Thrice

The fist thing that registered in Rayne's mind was the sensation of something wet on her face. She groaned and turned her head, trying to rid herself of the wet feeling. When that failed, she lifted her hand to wipe it away only to realize that it was futile, her arms had no strength. .

Panic began to swell in her, but she forced it aside when something was pressed to her forehead again. Mustering all of the strength she could find, Rayne finally forced her eyes open.

She was surprised to see a young woman with golden hair and glistening green eyes gently dabbing her forehead with a damp cloth. "What the hell?" Rayne whispered, her voice hoarse.

The woman set the cloth down and smiled gently. "Welcome back to the land of the living." Rayne stared at the woman, shocked. After many minutes of staring, she finally averted her eyes to take in her surroundings.

"Where am I?" Rayne asked as she observed the room. It was overly adorned with decorative furniture of white wood and silver patterns, all of which looked extremely expensive/ "How did I get here?" She looked back at the woman. "And who are you?"

The smile vanished from the woman's face. "You do not remember me?"

Rayne lifted an eyebrow. "I know you?" The woman jumped to her feet, running towards the door. Rayne could hear the whispered conversation, but could not make out what they were saying. Finally, the woman returned, nearly shaking with worry. She was followed by an old man with a saddened look on his face.

The man pulled a nearby chair up to the edge of the bed. He began doing some strange tests on Rayne. It lasted for the better part of an hour before he sat back in the chair, somehow managing to look older.

"She is suffering from memory loss." The man said with a tired sigh. "I shall prepare some herbal tea, that should help." With that, he left.

"I do not suffer from memory loss." Rayne proclaimed to the blonde woman. "I'm fine. Now could you please tell me who you are and where I am? I want to get home before anyone notices I'm gone."

The woman's green eyes looked to the ground sadly before meetingRayne's blue ones again. She walked to the bed and sat down with a sad sigh. "I am Muina, your highness."

Rayne's eyes widened. "What did you say?" she asked.

Muina blinked at the question. "I said I am Muina."

"No, after that. What did you call me?"

"I….called you 'Your Highness'." Muina hesitated. "Are you sure you're alright?"

Rayne shook her head in amazement. "Why did you call me that?"

Because…you are our princess." She said, confused.

"What?" Rayne laughed nervously. "You got it all wrong. I'm not a princess." Rayne thought the idea funny, that she, an 18-year-old from the USA, could be mistaken for a princess.

"Yes you are." Muina said, confusion stretching each word. "You are Princess Evana."

'Evana,' Rayne thought, 'That sounds familiar. But, why do they think I'm her?'

Muina lingered for a moment in confusion, before she curtsied deeply. "I must be going. Is there anything you will be needing?" Rayne was silent for a moment, not sure if she should ask for anything. Finally, one need rose in her mind, and it was something she desperately wanted.

"A warm bath, if it will not be too much trouble."

"No, no trouble at all, your highness. Your wish is my command." And she left.

Rayne leaned back onto the pillows. How did I get here? Where am I even? The moon necklace penetrated her thoughts. Desperatly she grasped her neck, relieved to find the necklace still there. She untied it with shaking fingers and examined it. It was this, wasn't it? This is what brought me here. But what triggered it? She began to wrack her mind for anything that could have triggered. Nothing came to her mind except that phrase. Was it the phrase that did it?

An idea then struck her. Holding the necklace in front of her, she closed her eyes, reciting the phrase, hoping against hope that it would take her home. She waited until impatience settled in her. Slowly she cracked her eyes, wishing to see the familiar surroundings of her home. But all she saw was the brilliant white of her new surroundings. Maybe I need the music box as well.

Slight depression began to settled deep within her heart as she placed the pendent back around her neck. She missed her home, her friends, but most of all she missed the familiarity of it all. She had taken everything for granted, and unfortunately, that old saying was true: You never miss it until it's gone.

Rayne sighed as a single tear slid down her cheek. For the moment, she would just have to make do with what she had.

After many maids had scrubbed her body, even though Rayne said she could do it on her own, she was dragged out of the bathing room and literally shoved into a highly ornate white dress. It was beautiful, with silver blossoms and pearls sewn into the fabric, but it was not very comfortable.

Currently, she was sitting in front of the white vanity as Muina styled her hair.

"Muina," Rayne said, hesitantly.

"Yes, Princess Evana?" The blonde woman replied. Rayne flinched at the name. "Is something wrong? I felt you flinch."

"Oh, it's nothing. I was just wondering, do I really have to where this dress? It isn't very comfortable."

"Your highness, you know your father insists that you dress to your status." And as she finished her statement, she placed a fairly large, very heavy crown of silver roses on her head. "And if you do not uphold his wishes, there will be consequences." 'Hmmm, I'm not sure I like this king. I'd better try to avoid crossing blades with him.

A thought then pushed its way to the top of Raynes mind. "Muina? Have you seen my music box?"

"What does it look like?" Muina asked, placing some final pins in Rayne's hair.

"It has…" What was that language called? "elvish inscriptions and played the most beautiful music I have ever heard."

"No, your highness, I am sorry to say I haven't. But you could always ask the elves to make you another one, if you can find one to talk to." She said matter-of-factly.

"Elves?!"

"Yes, your highness. Elves." Muina said, confused by her outburst. "Though they are not on too friendly terms with us. So you might not have much luck." Well sure, why am I so surprised? If there is elvish, there must be elves. But still....elves....

Rayne stayed silent as Muina brushed the hair that was not pinned up. When she was finished she took her leave, giving Rayne some time to sort through her thoughts. Why happened to the music box? Why isn't it here with me, like the necklace? Maybe it's just lying around somewhere in the palace. I need to go look for it, and if I can't find it, then I'll find an elf.

With those thoughts, Rayne stood. She needed to begin searching. The only problem was: Where do I start?