Aragorn had told Laura to pack as he was taking her to her true home, the Elven refuge of Rivendell. Her parents were born there as so was she, so it was only right it was her home. As she packed her few belongings, Meg came into the room a look of sadness on her face. She was holding a soft, dark blue blanket. "I'm sorry I didn't tell ye lass", she handed the blanket to Laura; she took it only, confused. "You knew who I truly was?" Laura asked.
"Ay I knew lass, I knew. Lord Aragorn had left me a letter explaining everything, bless him. It sounded as if he didn't want to leave you in such a place. You got everything?" Laura looked around; she didn't have much to forget anything. Looking back at Meg, she knew Gwen felt as if she was a mother to her. They were quiet for a while, until Meg pointed at the blanket, "that was the blanket your mother wrapped you in when you were a babe". Laura smiled and wrapped her arms around her. She only prayed that deep down; Gwen was hugging her more than her.
Aragorn was waiting for her in the stables. His hand held two reins, his own horse (a bay stallion) and other, a dappled-grey mare. "Her name is Shadow," he told her, as they mounted. They rode on into the night; Shadow was an obedient mare, peaceful to ride so Laura felt at ease with her.
They had been riding for three days, through small forests, past the fly-infested swamps and onto Weathertop. Laura felt uneasy as they travelled up to the top. Memories of Frodo being stabbed by the Witch King swamped her memory. Aragorn handed her a small sword and she looked at him rather scared. "In case we come up against unwanted creatures" he whispered and Laura only thought of one thing, orcs. "I may be an Elf Aragorn but as I was brought up in Bree, I have never touched a sword before". The ranger smiled at her,
"Elves are quick learners, mellon nin" he simply replied (my friend). Laura recognised what the elvish term meant and was rather surprised, "you call me your friend?" The ranger stood up, searching the lands before him. "I will go find some firewood, and yes we are all friends here, save for the dark ones". He then left Laura, in the dark, surrounding strange statues, which held no comfort to her.
They had spent then night on top of the foreboding hill, and still Laura only had dreams of her past life. Yes, Elves did not entirely sleep but only walked down a path full of dreams to them. This frightened her somewhat, as she felt so alive in these "dreams". Getting up, she noticed Aragorn was putting out the dismal fire. "You kept watch all night?" she asked, rather touched at his chivalry. "You are not used to sleeping out rough mellon nin, it was only right to let you sleep the night". Laura felt as if she wanted to know more about the real Aragorn as not much was told in the great books. "Where do you hail from?" She decided to use their English for once, always wanting to know what it sounded like from her mouth. The ranger paused for a moment and she wondered if he was going to say Gondor or Rivendell. "I was born in Gondor, but like you, for my safety I grew in up Rivendell". She decided not to pressure him in asking personal questions, even though she knew most of the story anyway. Then that hurt feeling came to her, she was not Galadhwen, but a simple teenager who kept praying this was all a dream. Looking at the rugged yet somewhat, handsome ranger she felt she could not keep up the lie any longer. Wondering if he would believe her, Laura spoke out. "Aragorn?" He looked at her, asking her what she wanted. Daring to believe she was telling someone she was from a different world she then told him. "I am not who you say I am", putting it bluntly as she possibly could. Before he could stop her, she hurriedly explained. "I am from a different world…it is strange as I feel asleep and I woke up in a book". Aragorn's dull blue eyes widened slightly. "I do not understand, you are not from this Earth?" Laura stood up, not daring to look at him. "I do not understand myself, this is all fiction to me. You…Middle Earth, it's all in some book a man all thought of".
Aragorn came to her, placing his hand on her arm, making her turn around. A long-awaited tear fell from her eyes, "forgive me", that's all she could say to the crownless king.
"Why? It was not your fault, you did not be asked of it". Laura did not fully understand why he was being so calm about it all. "For taking this Galadhwen, it feels to me, like I have stolen a soul which was not mine to take". More tears fell and Aragorn felt pity for the young girl. Trying to help as much as he could, he tried to soothe her. "Do not blame yourself mellon nin, if one cannot understand such a thing, they can not solve it themselves. So, what is your true name, traveller?" Laura smiled a little,
"Laura Evans". Aragorn smiled.
"That is a strange thing, you say your name is Laura, that is the Elvish tongue for your name, meaning of the Laurel tree". Laura felt a surge of happiness for such a trivial thing, could this mean anything? Trying to calm herself, she asked, "but how could I be here? This is all a book to me, the future of Middle Earth I have read!" Aragorn tried to calm her once more,
"Shh, do not fret mellon nin, we shall consult Gandalf…although no one seems to know where he is". He looked down and Laura could only guess where he was. "What Age is it here?" she asked. "Tis the third age…you say this is all in a book, do you know where he is?" he replied, gladness in his eyes. Laura then looked down, could she tell him he was being held captive? That Saruman, their head wizard had turned evil and joined Sauron's side? "We must get to Rivendell, there I will explain". Hurrying, they packed up their horses and took to a gallop onto the grassy plains, which lead them to Rivendell.