Disclaimer: Do I look like Tolkien? I hope not, seeing as I'm relatively young and a girl. Looking like Tolkien is not on my list of priorities. Neither, it seems, is owning The Lord of the Rings. All character names and places therein (with the exception of Anna and her "babysitter") are property of the Tolkien Estate. I'm only butchering them horribly in hopes of getting a few points across.
A/N - Please tell me if I have screwed up the time line of events.
It was not a week later she heard the bell that signified the beginning of the Council of Elrond ring. Having become used to the happenings in Imladris, she did not think anything of it until Sîrwen, who was sitting in the chair beside her, dropped book she had been reading aloud and grabbed Anna by the arm.
Having been taught the question, "Where are we going?" in the past three weeks, Anna soon used it to ask Sîrwen where she was being dragged to.
The elf maiden paused in dragging her charge for a brief moment, and rapidly told her in Westron what was happening. Anna, able to make out part of what Sîrwen said, understood that a council was being held, and by the request of Elrond, she was to attend.
Confused, Anna let Sîrwen drag her to the area where the council was taking place and seat her in a chair beside Elrond Peredhel, who had, it seemed, just finished introducing Frodo to those present, for the elves, dwarves, and men seated around the table were looking at Frodo expectantly, as if waiting for him to tell why he was there.
Amused that she had been allowed to attend, Anna studied those present with great interest. There was Gimli, seated next to Gloin, his father, and Legolas, looking resplendent in golden hair, and a few elves she did not recognize, who she assumed were from the Grey Havens, as it had been stated in the books that some of Cirdan's folk were present. Idly, she wondered where Galdor was seated.
Just as she began to grow bored, and wondered what Elrond could possibly want her for, he took her by the wrist and stood next to her, introducing her first in Westron (which she understood seemingly well) then, for the benefit of those of his household present, in Sindarin (which she could barely make out, as Sîrwen had concentrated on teaching her more of the common tongue).
"Here, my friends, is Anna, of the race of Men. Her arrival has been only one of the strange happenings I spoke of, for she came to my house clothed in no garb I nor any of my servants recognized, and did not speak any language that we here knew. She claims that she does not come from Arda. Of that I do not know what to think" Said Elrond gravely.
Anna fidgeted. She had not understood all of what Elrond had said, only that he had told the members of the council that she was human, and that her name was Anna. The rest was a mystery to her.
The Council continued on, with Anna soon realizing that what Treebeard had told Merry and Pippin about listening to council you do not understand true. Occasionally she heard pieces that she understood, and was able to follow from memory, but most of the time she was utterly lost. It was not until Bilbo stood up and began to speak about his finding of the Ring that she even began to realize where the talk had progressed to, what was happening.
To her everlasting delight, she found that she could understand most of Bilbo's telling of finding the Ring. The Hobbit used plain words that she knew from her lessons with Sîrwen, and did not speak in any different tongues. Indeed, when he repeated the riddles that had been exchanged between himself and Gollum, she found herself able to understand almost every word. The feeling of comprehension managed to last until the end of the council, when Frodo announced that he would take the Ring, and Sam jumped out of hiding, indignant, demanding that Frodo not go anywhere without him.
Shortly thereafter, the council disbanded, leaving Anna feeling very pleased with herself.
Almost two months had passed when the Fellowship left Rivendell, and began their quest to destroy the Ring of Power. Anna was there to see them off, along with the rest of Elrond's household, and could not help but be slightly relieved as they left. As much as she loved being able to see the Fellowship (if not talk to them, when the chance came) she was glad to see the Ring leaving Imladris. The thought of being in the presence of what had been the focus of the Tolkien's works was too much, even for her, a stereotypical fantasy geek. Which reminded her. Fantasy - the books. She knew Frodo's fate; what would become of Elrond, of Aragorn and Arwen. The thoughts that had haunted her ever since the making of the Fellowship returned with a vengeance.
"Should I tell him?" She pondered. "Should I tell Elrond about the books, about what I know? Should I tell him how it all ends?" Somehow it didn't seem right to keep from telling him, yet it didn't seem right to inform him either.
She debated what to do all through the evening meal, and well into the night, not noticing that she was able to follow the conversation just as well as if those engaged in it were speaking English.
Early the next morning, she had made up her mind. She would tell Elrond about the books - first The Silmarillion, and then, depending on his reaction, perhaps about The Lord of the Rings.
"I only hope that he doesn't ask me what happens in the end," she thought, worriedly. "I don't think I should tell him - it doesn't seem right."
This and other thoughts of its type played through her mind as she, no longer accompanied by Sîrwen, sought Elrond to tell him all she knew of Tolkien and his writings.
A/N - It's short, I know - but don't worry. The next chapter should be longer. If not . . . well, I make no promises.
Notes to Reviewers:
For everyone that asked a question, I have a reply!
Firstly, Mary Sues. I know that a few people asked what a Mary Sue is. To be brief, a Mary Sue is an original character who enters Arda, is from an unknown kingdom, etc, and is, in a sense, perfect. Usually she's an elf who is better with a sword than Aragorn, better with a bow than Legolas, can use magic, and is wiser than Elrond or Gandalf. Generally, she falls in love with a canon character, usually Legolas, joins the Fellowship, and saves Arda single-handedly. On the flip side, Mary Sue can be an ordinary girl who is dropped into Arda and wreaks havoc with canon before being sent home again.
There. I hope that cleared up any confusion anyone might have had.
Renata - Yes, Anna will do *something*. I have plans for her. :o)
carlas-gone-crazy - Yes, Anna *will* be able to speak Westron - not well, but she'll be able to speak it. See the above for the definition of a Mary Sue. I hope it helps!
galadh - I carried on! Are you happy? :o)
Huinesoron - Wow! I'm a good writer? I feel so warm and fuzzy inside . . . *Laughs* Anyway - Sîrwen. I did not mean to make her seem less elf-like with the language thing - I suppose I was remembering a teacher I once had that made us speak only in Spanish when we were trying to learn it. She used to yell at us for speaking English - so, that's probably where it came from. Transcript - nice idea, but I'm too lazy to use it. ;oD Namarië is fine.
Nightbird*Songbird - Ah! Someone noticed. I purposely left out any description of Anna, so that the reader could form their own opinion of what she looks like, in the way that Tolkien did with Legolas. (Except his was unintentional, I believe.) Thank you! I will keep writing. :)
AlmightyIshboo - If you need anywhere to hide from the crazed Legolas/Orlando Bloom fans, I think that they're avoiding Alakardiel, another story of mine. You're free to hide there, if you like. :oD
Ainu Laire - Tolkien said that The Lord of the Rings was a translation of The Red Book of Westmarch, which was, of course, written in Westron. However, in some of his earlier writings, he did say that Westron was akin to modern English, so I don't know. It depends on what you believe it.
Before I leave you in peace, I would like to know - how old do you believe Anna is? If you would please leave your ideas as to how old, it would be very helpful. :o) Also welcome are any comments on what you believe she looks like, as is constructive criticism.
A/N - Please tell me if I have screwed up the time line of events.
It was not a week later she heard the bell that signified the beginning of the Council of Elrond ring. Having become used to the happenings in Imladris, she did not think anything of it until Sîrwen, who was sitting in the chair beside her, dropped book she had been reading aloud and grabbed Anna by the arm.
Having been taught the question, "Where are we going?" in the past three weeks, Anna soon used it to ask Sîrwen where she was being dragged to.
The elf maiden paused in dragging her charge for a brief moment, and rapidly told her in Westron what was happening. Anna, able to make out part of what Sîrwen said, understood that a council was being held, and by the request of Elrond, she was to attend.
Confused, Anna let Sîrwen drag her to the area where the council was taking place and seat her in a chair beside Elrond Peredhel, who had, it seemed, just finished introducing Frodo to those present, for the elves, dwarves, and men seated around the table were looking at Frodo expectantly, as if waiting for him to tell why he was there.
Amused that she had been allowed to attend, Anna studied those present with great interest. There was Gimli, seated next to Gloin, his father, and Legolas, looking resplendent in golden hair, and a few elves she did not recognize, who she assumed were from the Grey Havens, as it had been stated in the books that some of Cirdan's folk were present. Idly, she wondered where Galdor was seated.
Just as she began to grow bored, and wondered what Elrond could possibly want her for, he took her by the wrist and stood next to her, introducing her first in Westron (which she understood seemingly well) then, for the benefit of those of his household present, in Sindarin (which she could barely make out, as Sîrwen had concentrated on teaching her more of the common tongue).
"Here, my friends, is Anna, of the race of Men. Her arrival has been only one of the strange happenings I spoke of, for she came to my house clothed in no garb I nor any of my servants recognized, and did not speak any language that we here knew. She claims that she does not come from Arda. Of that I do not know what to think" Said Elrond gravely.
Anna fidgeted. She had not understood all of what Elrond had said, only that he had told the members of the council that she was human, and that her name was Anna. The rest was a mystery to her.
The Council continued on, with Anna soon realizing that what Treebeard had told Merry and Pippin about listening to council you do not understand true. Occasionally she heard pieces that she understood, and was able to follow from memory, but most of the time she was utterly lost. It was not until Bilbo stood up and began to speak about his finding of the Ring that she even began to realize where the talk had progressed to, what was happening.
To her everlasting delight, she found that she could understand most of Bilbo's telling of finding the Ring. The Hobbit used plain words that she knew from her lessons with Sîrwen, and did not speak in any different tongues. Indeed, when he repeated the riddles that had been exchanged between himself and Gollum, she found herself able to understand almost every word. The feeling of comprehension managed to last until the end of the council, when Frodo announced that he would take the Ring, and Sam jumped out of hiding, indignant, demanding that Frodo not go anywhere without him.
Shortly thereafter, the council disbanded, leaving Anna feeling very pleased with herself.
Almost two months had passed when the Fellowship left Rivendell, and began their quest to destroy the Ring of Power. Anna was there to see them off, along with the rest of Elrond's household, and could not help but be slightly relieved as they left. As much as she loved being able to see the Fellowship (if not talk to them, when the chance came) she was glad to see the Ring leaving Imladris. The thought of being in the presence of what had been the focus of the Tolkien's works was too much, even for her, a stereotypical fantasy geek. Which reminded her. Fantasy - the books. She knew Frodo's fate; what would become of Elrond, of Aragorn and Arwen. The thoughts that had haunted her ever since the making of the Fellowship returned with a vengeance.
"Should I tell him?" She pondered. "Should I tell Elrond about the books, about what I know? Should I tell him how it all ends?" Somehow it didn't seem right to keep from telling him, yet it didn't seem right to inform him either.
She debated what to do all through the evening meal, and well into the night, not noticing that she was able to follow the conversation just as well as if those engaged in it were speaking English.
Early the next morning, she had made up her mind. She would tell Elrond about the books - first The Silmarillion, and then, depending on his reaction, perhaps about The Lord of the Rings.
"I only hope that he doesn't ask me what happens in the end," she thought, worriedly. "I don't think I should tell him - it doesn't seem right."
This and other thoughts of its type played through her mind as she, no longer accompanied by Sîrwen, sought Elrond to tell him all she knew of Tolkien and his writings.
A/N - It's short, I know - but don't worry. The next chapter should be longer. If not . . . well, I make no promises.
Notes to Reviewers:
For everyone that asked a question, I have a reply!
Firstly, Mary Sues. I know that a few people asked what a Mary Sue is. To be brief, a Mary Sue is an original character who enters Arda, is from an unknown kingdom, etc, and is, in a sense, perfect. Usually she's an elf who is better with a sword than Aragorn, better with a bow than Legolas, can use magic, and is wiser than Elrond or Gandalf. Generally, she falls in love with a canon character, usually Legolas, joins the Fellowship, and saves Arda single-handedly. On the flip side, Mary Sue can be an ordinary girl who is dropped into Arda and wreaks havoc with canon before being sent home again.
There. I hope that cleared up any confusion anyone might have had.
Renata - Yes, Anna will do *something*. I have plans for her. :o)
carlas-gone-crazy - Yes, Anna *will* be able to speak Westron - not well, but she'll be able to speak it. See the above for the definition of a Mary Sue. I hope it helps!
galadh - I carried on! Are you happy? :o)
Huinesoron - Wow! I'm a good writer? I feel so warm and fuzzy inside . . . *Laughs* Anyway - Sîrwen. I did not mean to make her seem less elf-like with the language thing - I suppose I was remembering a teacher I once had that made us speak only in Spanish when we were trying to learn it. She used to yell at us for speaking English - so, that's probably where it came from. Transcript - nice idea, but I'm too lazy to use it. ;oD Namarië is fine.
Nightbird*Songbird - Ah! Someone noticed. I purposely left out any description of Anna, so that the reader could form their own opinion of what she looks like, in the way that Tolkien did with Legolas. (Except his was unintentional, I believe.) Thank you! I will keep writing. :)
AlmightyIshboo - If you need anywhere to hide from the crazed Legolas/Orlando Bloom fans, I think that they're avoiding Alakardiel, another story of mine. You're free to hide there, if you like. :oD
Ainu Laire - Tolkien said that The Lord of the Rings was a translation of The Red Book of Westmarch, which was, of course, written in Westron. However, in some of his earlier writings, he did say that Westron was akin to modern English, so I don't know. It depends on what you believe it.
Before I leave you in peace, I would like to know - how old do you believe Anna is? If you would please leave your ideas as to how old, it would be very helpful. :o) Also welcome are any comments on what you believe she looks like, as is constructive criticism.