Author Notes: Thanks to Prophet-Song for the review. Just to warn you this entire chapter is going way off into AU. It will also be wordy.
Chapter 3: Finding Family
"Why do you cry young one?" A voice, soft with compassion, reached Rachel's ears.
Raising her head to try and clear her thoughts, so she could at least put a coherent answer together, her eyes were met with a slightly unnerving vision of a person. It was a woman, clearly not elven; her ears and clothes gave that away. It was not that which made Rachel nervous, it was the familiarity of the face that, however hard she tried, she could just not put a name to. Struggling to her feet, her head still feeling hot and stuffy from crying, Rachel started looking for an escape route from embarrassment. Before she could do anything, the woman's soft hand wiped away the tears that still streaked Rachel's face and then gently took her hand and began to lead her through the garden. Rachel finally found her voice, "I'm sorry, but I err…I gotta find Lord Elrond to apologise."
They had reached a small door, half hidden by ivy, "He will not mind. He understands that you are different, that you do not belong." The woman pulled away the ivy and opened the door, leading Rachel through after her.
For one wild moment, Rachel had the notion that this woman was taking her home, away from all of the madness. It was not to be. Rachel found herself in a huge, brilliantly white room. Although no expert, Rachel knew this was definitely not elven. The woman spoke first, "We needed somewhere where we could talk in private Raven."
"I'm sorry, but you're mistaken, my name's Rachel. I also have to be somewhere else. Bye." Rachel was now totally freaked; she was alone in a room with a stranger. That stranger also happened to know a pet name of her Dad's. She had to get out of there.
Turning to grab the door handle, Rachel found that it wasn't there. Neither was the door. Whipping back around to face the woman, she growled, "Let me out."
"Calm yourself Raven. I mean you know harm. I do not believe I have introduced myself. My name is Evelir, but if I go by my human name, I am Eve Walters." She smiled, waiting for the words to sink in.
"Screw you. My mum's very much dead, and you are not her!" But even as she said these words, she had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She realised that she did not recognise the woman as such, but her image could be an older version of Rachel's reflection. The dark eyes and hair, the pale skin, but for now, Rachel was very happy to stay in denial.
"Really? Did you see your mother on her deathbed? Do you remember the funeral? Do you remember anything of your first few years of life? No? Then how can you be sure that what you think you know is the truth?"
Tears sprang to Rachel's eyes as she realised what the woman said was true. Holding her head, she tried to make sense of it all. Making up her mind, she leaned against a wall, "Alright, first, quit it with the rhetorical, designed-to-confuse questions, they're making my head hurt. Here's the deal, I'll listen to you, but I don't have to believe you. After I've heard you out, you let me leave."
Evelir nodded in consent. "You and I are from a race of women known as the Watchers. We have watched over Middle Earth and its people for millennia and are its only inhabitants that have knowledge of other worlds beyond this one. As a rule, we tend to watch and account the history of Middle Earth, but once in a while something happens that means we must interfere; this something is usually an event, or beginning of events that will, if allowed to continue its course, affect all races, including our own.
"If something like this is going to happen, a child will be born that will be more than just a Watcher, she will have the power to interfere, to be seen for what she is by the other races of Middle Earth. For you see, Raven, the Watchers cannot be seen by anyone, not even the elves, unless it is their time to have a child.
"Twenty years ago, I became visible to all races. This meant that I was to have a child. As I have said, the Watchers are all female, so we must find a partner amongst the other races. I chose your father, a rider of Rohan."
At this, Rachel could not contain herself. "WHAT! My Dad is from Rohan? As in Middle Earth Rohan? I-"
"Please let me finish Raven." After being sure that Rachel would have no more outbursts, Evelir continued, "When you were born, I knew that you were not an ordinary Watcher. Normally, when the child is born, both mother and daughter disappear and all who have come into contact with them forget of their existence. When this did not happen, I sought counsel with one of our leaders. She gave me the necklace that you now wear, and told me that it was your destiny to solve the problem of the ring of power and its master, Sauron.
"I raised you in Edoras for two years with your father; you were named Raven, after the Raven's Eye that you now carry. In those two years, I yet again became pregnant. This time I knew that I would 'disappear' when the child was born. I made the decision to tell your father everything. Needless to say he was shocked, and I believe hated me for a long time after. I sent him and you away to live in another world, where you would grow up away from the knowledge of Sauron and orcs, where you could grow without fear for your life. Growing up there would ensure that you turned out with the correct morals. Your father must have changed your name as closure from his old life and me."
Rachel was blown away. This was insane, but more worryingly, it actually made sense, in a twisted kind of way. "So, you're saying that I'm some chosen one who has to, what? Take the ring to Mordor instead of Frodo?"
"Not at all. That task is for Frodo and him alone. You must make sure he manages to complete it."
"But I know he does. I've seen the film and I have it on good authority that he does in the book too."
Evelir sighed, "Some things do not make it to paper, and even less make it to film. We cannot take the chance of failure; we have failed twice in concern to the ring and cannot afford to do so again. You must recognise those things that do not belong, and help defeat them. At all costs, you must protect Frodo."
"What do you mean, failed twice? Have you guys done this before?"
"One like you attempted to stop Sauron forging the One Ring, but was too late and thus was destroyed by him in Mount Doom. The second like you was to ensure that Isildur destroyed the Ring, but she failed also; Sauron killed her before the sword was even broken."
"Why me?" Groaned Rachel, "I can't protect myself, let alone Frodo. I'm also a girl, they'd never let me join them on their testosterone fuelled voyage."
"The issue of protection will be solved after you have a place in the Fellowship. I can also promise you that Frodo will accept you on the Quest, if you ask him directly and not Elrond or any of the others."
"But…but…" Rachel was running out of excuses.
"However," Evelir began moving over to a wall, and out of no where, a wardrobe appeared, "you will not be taken seriously in that balloon of a dress."
00000000000000000
Rachel stared. She did notlook like, well, her. She was dressed in a kind of grey silk. She had a long, ankle length skirt and a matching top with a low neck, leaving her necklace in full view. She wore no shoes and her hair was pulled into a single braid. Although she hated to admit it, she did feel more like a Raven than a Rachel. Evelir finally handed her a long open robe that dragged along the floor, also grey, with long sleeves. What attracted Rachel to it was the many symbols embroidered on it, which she presumed bore some relevance to the Watchers. She then realised Evelir had started speaking, "While you were here, time has moved more than it seems. The Council of Elrond is imminent and Frodo has recovered as much as he will. You must attend." Rachel noticed that the door had returned, "After the council, you are to return here. I will not be here, but your brother will be-"
"Whoa, brother? I thought you said the Watchers were female!"
"That as a general rule is true. However, like those that can be seen, sometimes males are also born. There are two living at the moment. One, your brother and as for the second, I am not sure as to where he is; I do not believe he or his mother were returned to us after his birth. He may have as much of a part in this as you, although I cannot be certain. Do not fear Raven, you will succeed, and I will see both you and your father when this is over."
"I can't do this."
"Raven, I know you don't believe me, but I love you, and know you can do this. After the council, you will meet a boy not much younger than you with golden hair and crystal clear blue eyes. He is your brother and goes by the name of Falcon. Now hurry, you will be late."
"Falcon? You really had a thing for bird names didn't you?" Rachel arched an eyebrow.
"GO!"
"Going! Bye, er…Mum."
Rachel went to the door and yanked it open. Without glancing back, Raven left the room.
To Be Continued…
