Author's Note: Good lord! I didn't mean to go this long without updating this story. I've neglected my writing in favor of schoolwork and side projects…but how long has it been?

Well, I'm back for the moment, and I intend to update the stories under this account. Sorry for the break.

Thanks for reading and being patient.

Disclaimer: Tolkien's characters and settings are his own. I don't claim them; I'm just borrowing.

Chapter 2: Some Call It Fate, Others Call It Kidnapping

No one spoke. Hallie coughed, but other than that, there was silence. Finally, Laura whispered, "Should we open the door?"

"No!" her sisters screamed in unison.

"Well, I wasn't going to. I mean, I'm not leaving this closet."

As if to prove her point, she tugged noisily on the closet door, trying to make sure it was shut as tightly as possible.

"Come out of there, you baby!" Hallie snapped.

"Big talk coming from someone hiding under MY bed."

"Oh shut up, Allie."

"Allison, damn it!"

"Excuse me, ladies." The stranger spoke again, this time a little louder. "I fear I have no time for your irrelevant squabbling." He tapped once, and suddenly the hall was filled with a blinding light.

Swearing, Hallie pulled the blankets down in front of her, and Allison, shaking, reached over and unplugged her lamp. She swung it once, making sure she had a good enough grip. She planned to take this person's head off.

Without warning, the door flew forward, neatly freed of its hinges. It slammed directly into a surprised Allison, sending her flying over her bed and into the wall.

The light from the hall disappeared. In its place was a tall old man with a big hat, large nose, and a long grey beard. He was dressed in all gray and leaning slightly on a long wooden staff.

"I'm sorry about that," he said after a moment. "I suppose I used too much force. That is what happens when wizards lose their tempers…or worse. You should have opened the door."

"Yeah right!" Hallie shouted from under the bed. "You're just a weird old man with homemade bombs. Just wait! Somebody probably heard that explosion and called the cops. You're going to jail, grandpa!"

"That's Gandalf," He corrected, waving his staff. Out from under the bed slid Hallie, screaming.

"You two are coming with me."

Dumbstruck and terrified, Hallie could only stare up and the elderly wizard.

"Now, where is your sister? Come out!" Another wave of the staff, and out came Laura, who landed with a thump beside her twin.

Allison, who had been knocked out, came to. She was briefly surprised by the fact that she was upside down, pressed against her wall. Kicking her door backward, she was able to tumble sideways, placing herself to somewhat of a sitting position.

"Allison, help!"

The oldest girl immediately recalled how she had come to be in that state, and stood up. She didn't quite know what to make of the oddly dressed old man, but one thing was certain, he wasn't going to do anything to them if she could help it.

She looked around desperately. The lamp! It was on her bed, halfway between her and the uninvited guest.

She looked at him and he looked at her. Allison made a dive for the lamp, only to see it move swiftly away from her.

"We will have none of that. I am quite tired of this nonsense. I would like to for us to be on own way."

"So go!" Hallie sobbed, clinging to her sister, "Just leave us alone!"

"I am afraid that is something that cannot be done. You will be coming with me."

Allison blinked. What was it with his voice? It was like he was speaking in layers, and there was a jumble of words underneath that she couldn't make out or understand.

"W-Whatever," Allison said, trying to regain her composure. "You have until the count of three to get out of here…or-"

The wizard wasn't interested. He held his staff high over their heads. His voice became loud and his words indiscernible to the startled trio of girls. What was once their ceiling bent, cracked, and flew away into nothingness.

Alison scrambled over to her sisters, hugging them to her. What the heck was this guy doing?

The room began to spin. The walls, her pictures, and even Allison's bed spun around the group until at last they were thrown away into oblivion, just like the ceiling.

Finally, everything stopped.

Fearing the worst and horrified of what she might see, Allison kept her eyes closed.

"Oh my goodness, look!"

"Wow, what is this place? Allie? Open you're eyes. It's okay. We're alive!"

"Of course you are," Gandalf said, "It was a short journey but a safe one."

Allison opened her eyes. They were in a garden and it was a bright sunny day, which struck her as odd, since it had been raining non-stop…at home.

"What the…where are we? This is not home and this not normal and-"

"We're in Middle-earth!" Hallie declared, "Duh!"

Allison stared at her sister. She heard her but she couldn't quite believe that she was saying. Middle what? When? How?

"She's right, Allie," Laura added, "I mean, where else would you meet a guy called 'Gandalf'?"

"I can think of a few places," Allison mumbled, standing. She turned towards the wizard.

"Look, um, Gandalf was it?"

He nodded.

"I don't know who you are supposed to be and frankly, I don't care. I demand that you take my sisters and I home, or give us the antidote to whatever drug you've given us."

He laughed at that. "It was no drug that allowed for that journey you and your sisters have made. And no drug will return you."

"So what will get us back then?"

"Fate."

"I'm…sorry?"

"I sincerely hope your sisters can complete the task appointed to them. Otherwise..." The wizard walked away.

"Otherwise what?"

No answer.

"Otherwise WHAT?"

Someone tugged at her hand, and Allison turned. It was Laura. Turning completely around, Allison could see that a man was standing there, watching them contently.

The girls noted he was dressed strangely, as the old man had been, but his robes were a clean shade of blue, giving him a look of royalty or of similar importance. His long dark hair hung far past his shoulders combed neatly back. Despite this, what stood out most was his eyes, a haunting shade of gray.

The girls looked at each other, and the man spoke.

"There is no need to be rude or loud. I will answer your questions, as I am certain there are many."

The man paused, looking from face to face.

"I am Elrond, and the place you now find yourselves is Rivendell. Come with me and I will explain why you are here." He turned to leave, motioning for the girls follow.

Laura and Hallie prepared to do so eagerly, but Allison took their hands and forced them to keep a small distance between themselves and the departing lord.

As they left the quiet garden, one thing was certain. Home was a long way away.

Author's Endnote: Well, that's all until next time. Thanks for reading!