Chapter 34

When Elizabeth arrived in the ritzy area of London, she looked up at the tall building of apartments.

"You need help?" the taxi driver asked. "Who you lookin' for up there?"

"Um…" Elizabeth pulled out the address. "I'm supposed to speak with a 'Sir Ian McKellan'. Do you know which flat is his?"

The taxi driver stared at Elizabeth blankly. He blinked and swallowed before speaking.

"O' course I know which flat is his. Everybody knows that Sir Ian McKellan has the top flat, the best one in the building." The taxi driver said. "What you meetin' with him for?"

"He knows about my parents. I just want to ask him a few questions." Elizabeth said. "Did Patricia pay you before we left?"

"What? You mean that skimpy blondie? Yeah, she paid me double. Can't do mathematics, that one." The taxi driver said.

"Well thank you, sir." Elizabeth said. She turned and entered the apartment complex lobby, one hand resting on the side of the black satchel that Patricia had given her.

"May I help you, Miss?" the secretary asked, eyeing Elizabeth's clothing (They were Emily's old clothes). She could obviously tell that the girl wasn't rich.

"Yes, I'm here to see Sir Ian McKellan." Elizabeth said.

"Ah, yes," the secretary said. "We got a call from a woman saying that you'd be arriving around this hour. Let me call up there and see if anyone's around."

The secretary dialed the number. Elizabeth took the opportunity to look around the lobby. A moment later, she heard the secretary calling to her.

"You can go up. Top floor. Take the elevator." The secretary instructed, as if Elizabeth had no common sense. Elizabeth smiled politely.

"Thank you."

Elizabeth stepped out of the elevator and found a single door before her. She took a step forward and allowed the elevator door to close behind her. Taking a deep breath, she rang the door bell.

A woman dressed rather common clothes (like Elizabeth) answered the door. She wore a dull look, but the moment Elizabeth's face was seen, her eyes widened.

"Oh my goodness!" she cried. "Come in, come in!"

She ushered Elizabeth in quickly and waved to another woman. Elizabeth decided that they were maids.

"Stella, look! It's her! She's come home!" the woman said. "Call Mr. Ian immediately!"

"But, Mia, he's in New Zealand, on a shoot!" Stella exclaimed.

"No shoot is more important than his grandchild returning!" Mia snapped.

Elizabeth's eyes widened and she remembered Manwe telling her that Gandalf's soul in her world was her own grandfather. But he had never revealed to her his name or location, or the fact that he still lived!

She sat down on a couch, dazed and confused about what was happening. It was all so fast. One moment, she was stuck in a world that wasn't her own, without any family or friends, save Patricia and her family. The next, she had a family of one person and it was no longer just someone else's world, it was hers too.

Mia began fanningElizabeth with a wooden fan and asking her questions. Did she need water? Was she thirsty? Did she know about her grandfather? Was she tired? What could they do to help her settle in?

Elizabeth shook her head warily and closed her eyes, asking Mia to just let her sleep. What a way to spend a Friday! Just before sleep took her, she vaguely heard Stella on the phone.

"Yes, sir, she's really here. In fact, I'm watching her fall asleep on your living room couch, sir." Stella said. "Yes, sir. We'll be expecting you."

Elizabeth slept. Mia carried her into the extra room that had been decorated for a seven year old, pink and white princess style. Mia changed Elizabeth into some pajamas and thankedGod that they had ordered larger ones every year that passed by just in case she returned. They were pink flannel pajamas.

Mia tucked Elizabeth into the large full size bed and closed the net around the bed.

Stella was still talking on the phone when Mia exited Elizabeth's new room, but this time, to a national fitter.

"Of course it's urgent! Sir Ian McKellan's granddaughter just arrived and she needs clothes appropriate for public! Yes, yes, noon will be fine. Thank you!" Stella said and hung up the phone. She turned to Mia. "Master Ian will be flying home tomorrow. The director has given him emergency leave. The clothing fitters will be here at noon, we are to purchase travel bags for her and things needed."

"Why all the new things?" Mia asked.

"He's taking her back to New Zealand with him on Sunday." Stella answered. "She's to accompany him on set."

"Marvelous." Mia said. "Order everything express off the internet."

Far away, in a magical and supposedly mythical world called Middle Earth, souls were crying out. The Undying Lands were no longer happy. Those who lived in the Undying Lands mourned for their lost child.

Celebrian, who'd been reunited with her husband once he'd journeyed to the Undying Lands, had grown fond of Elizabeth. She, too, mourned for their lost, adopted child.

"She will come home soon, my love." Celebrian comforted her husband.

But something in Elrond's eyes told her that they would have to wait a while before they were reunited with their daughter.

Elizabeth yawned and opened her eyes. She could hear the two maids bustling about noisily outside of her room. She studied her room, the one her grandfather had decorated for her. It was marvelously pink—her favorite color. She pushed away the see-through netting around her bed and exited her room.

Upon entering the living room, the two maids stopped their noisy bustle and looked at her.

"We didn't wake you, did we?" Stella asked.

"Oh no, of course not." Elizabeth answered truthfully.

"Well, it's good that you're up because you'll need to tell us what else you'd like for your trip." Mia said.

"My trip? What trip?" Elizabeth asked. "I have to go back to—"

"Back where?" Mia asked. "Where you came from? What, have you got a husband back there or something?"

Elizabeth stopped. They wouldn't believe her if she told them that she needed to go back to a forest and step through a portal to get back to her elven family. And then it hit her. There was no going back. She was stuck here forever. These maids and her grandfather would never let her out of their sight now that she was back. And how would they react if she took them to the forest and disappeared into a magical portal?

"Well?" Mia asked again.

"No, no husband." Elizabeth said. Then, smiling humorously, she added. "Gosh, Mia, I'm only ten!"

The maids laughed.

"Your breakfast is on the table. Eat and then wash up. The fitters will be here in an hour." Stella said.

Elizabeth brought the washcloth to her face and sighed as she wiped away the water. After tucking the washcloth away to dry, she leaned against the wall, her back facing the mirror.

"Oh Gandalf, am I destined to be so punished for the rest of my life? Can I not have peace with my family?" she whispered.

Behind her, the bathroom mirror rippled and a face appeared. It was a man's face, an older man, and he had shoulder length white hair with a beard to match.

"Elizabeth," the man said softly. Elizabeth let out a single, short shriek as she spun around to face the mirror, causing her hands to immediately go to her mouth to cover it.

Elizabeth forced herself to calm down and stop breathing so fast before giving the man in her mirror a shocked and bewildered look.

"Gandalf?" Elizabeth asked in a loud whisper. She heard footsteps approaching the bathroom door.

"Miss Elizabeth? Is everything all right in there?" Stella asked.

"Yes, perfectly fine." Elizabeth answered. She waited until Stella had gone before turning back to Gandalf and calmly asking, "What are you doing in my mirror?"

Gandalf chuckled. "And those are the first words that my young friend says to me after such a long period of time between us. 'What are you doing in my mirror?' Really, child, I thought you would be overjoyed to see me."

Elizabeth's eyes widened and she smiled widely. "Oh I would hug you if you were not in my mirror!"

Gandalf chuckled. "That's my girl."

"What news do you bring, Gandalf? Am I returning home soon?" Elizabeth asked.

"I am glad that you refer to it as home, but sadly, you must stay here until your grandfather sends you on your own or he dies." Gandalf said. "And believe me, it will not be the latter."

"So I have to stay here until I graduate from college?" Elizabeth asked. "You must be joking, Gandalf. That's eleven years!"

"Ten years as of next week, my dear. You will be eleven. But do not worry. I will be with you. As you may know, in your world, I am your grandfather. I shall be occupying his body sometimes.

"He will be taking you to a set in New Zealand where he is filming a movie about the quest that you went on. I warn you: stay away from those who portray enemies in this 'movie'. Although their real life counterparts may be dead, their spirits can still occupy their bodies just like I can.

"Stay close to your grandfather at all times, or at least one of the people who portrays a friend. And beware of dark places. Lady Galadriel dreamed that you were in some dark place in this world and you were being hurt, so stay clear." Gandalf said.

"Miss Elizabeth!" Stella called from downstairs. "The fitters are here!"

"Coming Stella!" Elizabeth called.

"See? You'll fit into this life perfectly. You are kind and people will respect you for being humble." Gandalf said. "Now go on, your grandfather will want to see you properly dressed. Shoo!"

Elizabeth smiled. "Can you come to my mirror again? And can you bring my family with you?"

"I shall. Every Saturday, whenever you are near a mirror, it will be occupied by friends and family." Gandalf assured.

"Hannon le, Gandalf. Namarie, mellon nin!" Elizabeth bid farewell to her friend and waited for him to leave.

Gandalf stalled a moment longer to look around the bathroom.

"Hmm…" he said, examining it. "What an interesting place to have a conversation."

Then, with a ripple, he disappeared, leaving Elizabeth laughing. Elizabeth turned away from the bathroom mirror and exited the bathroom. She had stalled long enough. There were fitters waiting for her, to design an outfit for her on her every whim. What a privilege to look forward to. Elizabeth smiled and realized that these years in her modern world would pass quickly with so much to do.

At least she still had Gandalf in her mirror. They could talk about everything every night. And who knew what that would bring…

The End?

((Author's Note: Well that concludes Elizabeth's tale for now. Anyone want epilogues? If you don't then prepare to wait awhile for the sequel. I need to work on some other fics for a bit. But if you do want epilogues, then I will be glad to write them. You must tell me though.

IN YOUR REVIEWS, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1) DO YOU WANT EPILOGUES?

2) IF YOUR ANSWER TO QUESTION #1 IS YES, THAN WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HAPPEN IN THE EPILOGUES?

THANKS TO ALL MY WONDERFUL REVIEWERS!

Music is my Muse))