Summary: Two girls lives changed for the better after being dropped into middle earth.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything LOTR related. I only own Rin, her family and Steph, well actually Steph owns herself. But you get the point.

Chapter 13

Rin awoke to find she was in her own room and bed. She guessed that last night Eomer had brought her to her own room after she fell asleep. Avath lay sleeping at her feet, soft purrs coming from his body.

She sat up and took him in her arms; laying back down, she began petting him and scratching him behind his ears. The purrs grew louder,

"Your just so cute and loveable!" She cooed. She was so happy Eomer had given in and let her keep Avath.

She looked down at the black cub, "I really don't think he had a choice." She said then laughed thinking about the look Nefaratoiel had given him when he said no.

"Remind me to thank her." She said to Avath as she set him back down on the bed. Rin got up and went to the vanity. She tried to de-wrinkle her dress but only succeeded in straightening a few folds.

"Well I better change, I can't go around Rivendell like this." She said making her way to the closet. She stopped suddenly as the door to her room began to open.

Eomer walked in, carrying a tray full of fruits and some drinks.

"Good Morning, I trust you're hungry?" he asked setting the tray down on the nightstand. Her stomach gave him his answer by grumbling loudly, she blushed.

Rin noticed he had bathed and changed clothes. 'Wow!' she thought 'He cleans up really well.' She surveyed him. 'Tall, very good build, long golden hair, beautiful brown eyes and he's a Horselord... swoon!

"You know, you could have knocked. I might have been naked!"

Eomer blushed and apologized, "I though you would still be resting Rin." She laughed and told him it was ok as they sat down at a small table nearby.

They began to eat when suddenly Avath let out a meow/growl noise, scaring the life out of Rin. She turned around to find him chasing a butterfly that had made its way into the room.

"Avath! Leave that butterfly alone." Rin said as the butterfly landed on her arm. It sat there a few moments before it took off again and landed on Eomer's hand. He raised an eyebrow at it then softly petted it, carefully not injure it or rub off the powder on its wings. Rin laughed, "Someone's made a new friend!"

Eomer glared at her as the butterfly flew away. He walked over to her, brushed a few stray hairs from her face and traced her jaw line with his finger. Rin shivered. "Let's finish eating." She said, her voice hush.

They ate breakfast while Rin told Eomer of her encounter with the white wizard, Gandalf.

"I was told he was traveling to Rivendell but I hadn't known he was here already, nor have I seen him. Did you speak with him for long?" he asked. She nodded remembering the conversation. "I won't tell you what about, not until I speak with him again." She answered. Eomer nodded, "Well my lady I must leave you. I have to speak with Lord Aragorn, you are going to see Gandalf then?" he asked taking her hand. She nodded

"Then, until next we see each other." He said kissing Rin on the cheek and leaving.

Rin sighed and made her way to the closet only to find it was empty,

"Well Avath what am I going to wear. I have no clothes." She said to the kitten in wonder. Avath stared at her for a moment before turning his attention to trying to capture his tail. Rin rolled her eyes.

"Some help you are fur ball." Rin mumbled. A knock came to the door, startling Rin, she went to open it when Arwen walked in with a maid, "Good morning Rin! I brought you some clothes and also a gown for tonight's welcoming celebration." She spoke showing Rin the gown.

The gown was breath taking. It was a deep wine-red in colour with gold trim, the gown just skimmed the floor slightly, the sleeves were snug fitting and ended with a triangular piece of material wrapping around her middle finger. It had a box neckline just barely showing cleavage and it had a cris-cross lace up in the back.

"This is beautiful Arwen. Thank You!" Rin exclaimed hugging the she-elf.

The maid, whom Rin recognize from the night before, laid the other dresses out on the bed. She let out a shriek as Avath pounced on her.

"Avath don't scare her! You apologize mister cat man!" Rin scolded him. His ears went back in shame as he rubbed against the maids' legs. Rin smiled,

"Good boy Avath."

The maid eyed Rin. "I know you. Did you find Lord Eomer's room easily?" she asked. Rin blushed as Arwen raised an eyebrow and laughed.

"We…um…Ah…we had to discuss something." Arwen grinned, "Of course you did."

Suddenly Avath jumped into Rin's arms sensing her discomfort. "So this is the infamous little Tylpeaelen panther I've heard about." She asked while scratching him behind the ears. He purred loudly in response.

"Oh! He's such a darling!" she cooed.

"Well we better get you dressed and get your hair done. The White Wizard, Gandalf seeks an audience with you." Rin cringed, not sure she was ready to hear what he had to say. The maid whispered something to Arwen and she nodded,

"Of course Ellie, you may go." As soon as Ellie left, Arwen turned to Rin, arms folded in front of her chest. "Come on, talk to me! What's going on with you and a certain Rohan King?" she asked grinning.

Rin blushed, "We are merely friends, Arwen." She rolled her eyes. "Right and I am an Orc!"

Rin put her hands on her hips. "Oh be quiet miss nosey."

Arwen smiled. "Do not lie to me, I saw you two after dinner in the garden." My jaw hit the ground.

"It was not what it seemed. So anyways…" Rin said casually, trying to change the subject. Arwen rolled her eyes, "Fine keep your secrets."

Rin finally decided on a pale blue and silver dress. "I love these dresses!" Rin said excitedly. Arwen smiled. "Good because they are yours." Rin thanked her profusely as Arwen braided her hair around Rin's head like a crown.

They then headed for the study where Gandalf awaited a very nervous Rin.

Arwen and Rin casually walked down the corridors chatting about nothing in particular

"Arwen do you know where I can find Nefaratoiel?" Rin asked. Arwen thought for a moment then pointed to the garden. "I believe I saw her last in the garden with Silmaneero." She stated. Rin nodded and picked up Avath, "Be right back!" she called to Arwen as she ran in the direction of the garden.

Sure enough, there sat Nefaratoiel watching Silmaneero chase a rabbit. Rin approached her nervously, Nefaratoiel looked up. "H-hi…um…could you um….watch Avath for a couple of hours while I speak to Gandalf? I would normally just leave him with Eomer but he's also busy and you're the only one he trusts." Nefaratoiel nodded, a slight smile appearing on her face. "Of course I will watch him." Rin set him down with Silmaneero and the two went off. "Thank-you so much." Rin said happily.

She returned to Arwen and she led her to the study. "Thanks" Rin said, Arwen nodded and walked away.

Rin knocked on the large, wood door; waiting patiently for any sign of life or voice to let her know she could enter. Minutes passed until the door eventually creaked opened. Gandalf's face appeared and he was smiling,

"Come in dear girl!." He said closing the behind her.

"I trust you slept well?" he asked with a twinkle in his eyes. Rin blushed and nodded.

"How did you know?" Gandalf chuckled. "I am a wizard I know everything. But this time wizardry had nothing to do with it, for I see it in your eyes." He paused. "And…I saw him bring up your breakfasts back to your room."

Rin mock glared at him. "You really are an arsehole." He laughed again as he sat down in a large chair on the balcony.

The mood went from cheerful to serious. "Well we should discuss what we spoke about last night."

Rin agreed and sat down. 'Finally I'll get an explanation for all this.'

"I really don't understand Gandalf, how could you have even known of my existence?" she questioned him.

Gandalf sat in his chair puffing on his pipe for a few moments before he answered, "To be honest, I am not entirely sure myself. You came to me in a dream. Your birth played in my mind. That was the first and last vision of you I received for many years. I found it strange indeed but since no more came I pushed it aside. That is until it happened again, except you were no longer an infant but a little girl. The dream showed you being beaten by a shadowed figure. I was outraged of course, that someone could do such a thing to a small child. So I strayed behind after the figure left the room. And then by some strange power I was able to communicate with you, telepathically of course. I knew you could not see me but you would be able to hear me. So I put you in a trance like state and spoke to you, calming you down, I was able to comfort you enough so you could rest. I arranged it so that whenever you needed me I could hear you, and so I created a star. One that you would be drawn to speak to when you lost hope. That is how the star came to be. I felt you would have a part to play in Middle Earth but even now I still do not foresee what that part is."

Rin sat across from him and stared at him intently trying to take in all this new information.

Gandalf smiled and continued, "I made it my job to watch over you and keep you safe until I thought it the right moment to bring you here. And when I received another dream that showed me the shadowed figure posing a threat to your life I immediately took action and transported you and your friend here."

Rin nodded. She had no doubt that 'He' was a threat to her life; after all it was she who sent him to jail 4 years before. Ever since he had been trying to come after her.

"I know of what you speak Gandalf, for that nightmare has also been in my mind. The shadowed figure was my stepfather and he went by the name of Jack, a foul character he was, and I fear he is still looking for me." Rin stated sadly.

"Rin, you must know that he may find his way here. When I transported you here, the portal would have stayed open for a few hours. If he had reached you in that time he may have passed into Middle Earth as well."

This frightened Rin immensely, she was not safe then. "Gandalf how will we know?" she asked nervously.

"We would not, only if you see him with your own eyes." Gandalf said solemnly.

Rin nodded standing up. "Gandalf, although I do not fully understand all of what has happened, I trust you entirely. I know you would never put me directly into harms way. I'm very grateful that you brought me here and I could never thank you enough for it. I've never been happier or felt more belonged." Rin then hugged the wizard, fighting the tears of happiness and fear that threatened to fall.

He chuckled, "I knew you would be. You seem to have captured everyone's hearts. Your company is loyal and they care for you greatly." Rin nodded in agreement, they were wonderful.

"I couldn't ask for better friends. Speaking of which, I should go find Steph. I've rarely spoken to her since we met up." Rin said trying to sound cheerful but nervousness took over after she thought about what Gandalf had said about Jack. She turned away quickly as tears sprung to her eyes. She began to leave hoping he hadn't detected them but received her answer when he spoke again,

"Rin, should Jack be in Middle we would never let him harm you. Rivendell has well protected borders and as long as your friends are near, he would not be able to get even a simple glance at you. They would risk their lives to protect one of their own." Gandalf took another puff from his pipe and stared intently at the young woman's' back.

She spun around, feeling slight anger, but it was more that she was upset and disappointed that she was not really free,

"Can you really promise me that Gandalf? He's already captured my nights, what will stop him from capturing my days? He has some power over me so maybe he is here and has come as some kind terrible monster."

Gandalf stood walking towards the frightened girl, "You MUST let him go from your thoughts! If you allow him to have such a hold on you then you cannot be truly happy. I will not stop protecting you my dear Rin, and neither will Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Eomer or your other friends. Trust me child, he will die before he is able to lay a hand on you."

Gandalf pulled her into a gentle hug and she cried into him. "Thank you Gandalf, for saving me." She said pulling away. Gandalf smiled and returned to his spot on the balcony. Rin wiped her eyes and ran happily to Steph's room. 'I can't wait to talk to Steph, I've missed our weird conversations', she thought, chuckling at some memories, all the while unaware of Gandalf's worried gaze..

A/N- It sucks, I'm sorry. I've had writers block for this story and I can't think of where to go with it. I'll get my act together I promise. Just don't expect regular updates until I get the ball rolling again. LoL SORRY. REVIEW PLZ! OR I MAY CONSIDER NOT CONTINUING THE STORY AT ALL IF I THINK NO ONE IS READING IT….