Disclaimer: All rights belong to Tolkien

Chapter 3

Something had shook Cecilia from the heaviest slumber she had experienced in months, the few stompings and yells from above, if that which was heard had been correct. She awoke instantly, relieved upon seeing she was safe and sound, not that it came as much off a surprise, since it was only logical she had dreamt the whole ordeal. She had not experienced a dream this vivid since she had been a child, still, she was more than glad to be where she was now. Even so, something was off, she was sure of it.

Had she not fallen asleep by the stream?

The thought made reality crawl back to her mind.

She briskly sat up straight, a bit frightened of what might await in the dark so, as not to invite ill fate, she looked around very, very slowly. Nighttime fell like a film noir curtain bringing life to the shadows, making them move and dance in a sickening way, as to welcome her to join the charade. It took a minute for the silhouettes to leave and for the dark to become clearer so she might decide what was it that bothered her so, and then it was certain;

this was not her room.

The vast lodge was mostly empty, the only real pieces of furniture were the bed she sat on, three arm chairs which seemed comfortable and practical, but by no means plush. Something alike a bookshelf was fixed in the north end of the room, but stood empty. A few candles which she would have gladly lit, if provided with the tool to do so, lay on the small table between the bed and a tall, beige wall which opened up a passage to a different quarter, the most possible being a veranda of sorts.

It seemed as if she was the first and only inhabitant to occupy it, but she was sure looks could deceive, not that it mattered.

How long had she slept?

Long enough, it seemed, as the afternoon sun gave place to a ripe moon, early hours of the night, two and change was the most probable hour of day.

They had, evidently, arrived at the promised land, where her trial awaited. Cecilia ruled awakening unguarded a good sign, if she was thought guilty for whatever crime she was trialed for, surely, she would be seated somewhere less comfortable.

She had strained to pierce the murk of the room with her gaze, searching from one corner to another, hoping to lay eyes upon her belongings.

The bags were neatly stacked one upon the other right next to her bed, where she did not think to search for some time, the one with most weight on the bottom.

Things were looking up. This was almost as if they allowed her to leave, and she wanted nothing more. After all, she had come here to relax, enjoy; not to be abducted by men wearing prosthetic ears and be forced to flee maniacally from a fancy prison cell.

She coveted now, just as she coveted the day before, to go back in time and alert her past self to not venture here at all. She had never believed that something like this might come across her path, or that these situations were even possible outside of books and movies.

Her three companions were nowhere in sight, thank God. Their company had become tedious as of late, but she presumed that it was not the last she had seen of the men.

Yearning for meeting another presence, a female one if possible, was overwhelming. It would be a most welcome encounter, that with another woman or with any other that would be saner than those already met.

Well then, she had decided it high time to be up and going, leaving, if possible.

She had managed to step out of the covers and made to put on her ballet flats which were were laid in front of the bed, waiting eagerly to be put on. They were quite comfortable and rarely fell out of place, as was the case with the shoes of a similar style, but they were also quite dirty which made Cecilia a bit nervous, but she could resolve that problem in a moment's time. Not this moment, of course, there were far more important things she had to see through. Trying to be as quiet as possible but fast enough so the shadows in the room might not come to life while she was not looking, she reached for the door handle, a cold feeling running through her neck as the door made an ever so silent creek. She had felt as if sneaking out of her parent's house, knowing something quite bad would come upon her if caught, but a hundred times worse.

It was best to scout where she was and only then make a run for it, she knew it foolish to act without thinking, and did not wish to do so, for being caught bolting yet again would have to result in something which she did not intend to find out.

Once she spotted the exit to this most strange place she could easily make a return for her bags, carrying them now would be an unnecessary burden, and would slow her down. She was a dull runner as it was, something holding her back would prove her run to become a fast pace walk, and therefore she ruled the bags out. But, perhaps, the small backpack would prove to be of use, yes, if worse came to worse she would leave this place with a few of her things, it was better than naught.

She let herself out of the room, closing the doors behind quietly, as to not leave a trail and found herself standing upon a rocky porch, with doors to the left and the right. These were the sleeping quarters. The constructions surrounding her were quite elegant, made out of stone and wood with tiny details crafted on the surface of the walls. It seemed ancient and very well kept, easily mistakable for something recently built. The distance between the slightly elevated porch and ground was small enough to jump from injury-free and as there were no other detectable exits in sight she swinged one leg over the wooden fence, the other holding her balance, lastly inspecting for any curious eyes and when found none, she lept.

The fall was not as refined as she had wished, being loud enough to alert any who were nearby, at least that was what it sounded like in her ears.

The grass she stood on was freshly cut, and the flowers had bloomed into a full blossom, streams of water here and there intervened making this vision of deep spring almost impossibly beautiful. She walked underneath the strong, yet young oak trees, which were the only ones she recognized, but knew that she was looking at an array more than just the oaks.

It was displeasing to have just arrived and to leave so soon, but she hesitated not, for she knew that beautiful gardens could await their turn for a moment longer. Her quest could not.

It was soon after that the long walk resulted in a change of landscape, the small streams finally colliding into a brook, which grew thicker and rushed quicker with each step she took. As the water dived fast so did she, trying to match its pace, hoping she was following the path correctly.

The trees had stopped sprouting from every corner, now being seated one every few yards and after some time even lesser than that. The water was flowing almost as brisk as a racehorse, producing enough noise to conceal her heavy breaths which were a result of waddling swiftly for longer than ten minutes.

"You will find following a waterfall quite treacherous, my dear. " A deep, wise voice spoke up, leaning against the closest tree. The old man behind it wore a tall pointed grey hat, which Cecilia though quite ridiculous, a long grey cloak, and a silver scarf. He had a long white beard and bushy eyebrows that stuck out beyond the brim of his hat. The smoke around him was very thick, making his other features invisible. "They tend to lead nowhere. " His gray robes matched the color of his pointy hat, which looked somewhat funny.

She was stopped in her tracks, overlooking the pilgrim. He made to speak again: "I am known by many as Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey. "

"Yes, well. " He did not give an impression of a mighty warrior, true or false, simply of an old man wandering about. He had been striving after her, that was certain. "I wanted to see-"

" To escape? " He had interjected. "If you wish to leave you would find the exit to Rivendell this way. " He flicked the tip his pipe East, to where the mountains looked down on them.

"So I am allowed to leave?"

"None have an authority to keep you. Then again, some would think it better to wait for a wiser council than a foolish old man provides. "

"A wiser council? " The man spoke truth, sadly, she was not sure she could find the way home through the forest alone, she had not thought this through. The men did say someone would be found to escort me home if their suspicion of me ruled to be ungrounded. "Was I already trilled then? "

"I would not call the brief examination a trial, but indeed, we now know there is little to fear from you. You are welcome to both leave and stay. "

"And that is certain? "

"You doubt my words? " He was amused, which pricked upon Cecilia's senses. He seemed he knew much more than he let on.

"I simply find it strange to capture women on the fields and take them here, wherever here is, just to tell them they are free to go back. "

"Many things fall into strange places, particularly in these troubling times. You crossing path with the elves. " He blew another puff in the pipe, and blew it out her way. "Was a fine turn of events."

"I don't know how being taken here against my will can be called a fine turn of events. "

"And you were heading somewhere other than here? " The man asked curiously, he had an odd feeling about him. Different than any other old man she had met, but he too spoke in riddles and that agitated to no end.

"I was heading home. "

"You were far from home, dear. "

"How so? "

"I can see that you have many questions, perhaps, if you stay until morning some will be answered. "

"And why do you not answer me yourself?" She spoke with despair, but with respect just so. It was easy to see that this pilgrim was someone of importance. "I just want to go home."

"Home may be found in the most curious of places. "

"Can you at least tell me where we are? " She asked, afraid that another riddle might come her way.

Thankfully, he had given her a clear answer for the first time since they spoke, but it did not help in any way other than raise more questions.

"We are in the house of lord Elrond, Imladris, Rivendell, whatever one may call it these days. The elven lands are full of wonders, many things to explore, only few fortunate ones can boast about being hosted by the elven lord himself, and yet, here you look to flee," The elven lord? Was this a dream? "We shall meet again, my dear Cecilia, of that i am certain. " And with that he turned to leave, putting out the tobacco in the pipe and hid it somewhere underneath his robes, his kind eyes glancing at her brown ones for the one more time before departing. He must have spoken with the three, for she had not provided him with her own name. She called out for Gandalf the Gray twice more, but he was already gone. What was to be done now?

The exit to this foreign land lays East, and behind it a deep forest under the mountain. If she did decide to pass through the woods, who was to say that she would manage to detect the road home? She could wager her right fist that wolves and other wild animals ran about the area as well.

Who sane would venture through an unknown forest during the wee hours of the night, alone, unguarded and lost? Not one would dare.

She was trapped, unable to leave even now when finally permitted. Freedom was lost.

She had kept her head still, not giving into tears and horror as she walked towards where she had initially left from, her assigned room.

There were issues concerning getting across the fence and climbing onto the porch, but the deed was soon completed and Cecilia managed to enter the room, leaving the heavy worries behind, for the time being.

Staring through the translucent curtains was as empty as staring into the ceiling of the room, and her heartbeat would skip each time she heard a hushed voice, each time the wood would crack underneath a foot. But this night was as beautiful as the night upon her capturement; calm, warm and the moon shone brightly, as in offering constellation for abandoning her earlier. It provided little comfort, but still, it breathed hope into her chest. The air here was quite pleasant, perhaps that meant the people were too.

She awoke as if in an emergency, as if sleeping had become a dangerous thing, stern knocking from the other side of the door awoke and left Cecilia in fright, whoever the figure was, they were very impatient.

"Echuio! Echuio! " - Awaken! Awaken!

A woman was shouting from behind the entrance, displeased for being kept in waiting. A woman!

She did not hesitate to yell louder and if any presence slept still, her doings were the end of that. Cecilia had hoped she looked presentable as she was just about to cautiously open the door.

She came face to face with the displeased woman, a very gentle looking one at that, it was strange that she had been so furious moments ago and now seemed as if nothing had happened.

"Your presence is requested. " She was well taller than Cecilia, with big, beautiful blue eyes, staring down at her. She was very well groomed, and if not for a meeting of this nature, Cecilia would have asked the lady about her hairdresser.

The woman scrutinized her from head to toe, and was vexed, it was true, Cecilia had not been given the chance to bathe since being embarked on this journey. She felt quite grimy but did not find the right moment to plead for a cleanse.

"Follow me. " The woman stood between Cecilia and the door, observing her while she pat on her shoes and buttoned her dusty blouse. Cecilia tried to be as brisk as ever, feeling uncomfortable about keeping the woman from other duties.

"Where are we going?" The shorter girl cried, trying to keep pace with her senior once they let themselves out.

She seemed annoyed with the question, and threw an ill fitted glance her way; "You are unpresentable. "

It was best to keep quiet, Cecilia knew,but found it hard to do so, still, she obeyed her better senses. Now was not the time to pretense cockiness. Slut.

"A bath will be arranged."

These were great news, yet sour spoken, and thus not so joyous. The rest of the path was spent in silence.

Passing the wooden halls of the manor was an adventure of its own, not as pleasing as it might have been with better company, but enchanting nonetheless.

The house was welcoming and warm from every open door to any chamber you might have stumbled upon. The floor was an old-fashioned parquet with a blend of deep homely browns and the walls were the beige and gold of summer gardens meeting a bold white baseboard. The banister was a twirl of a branch, tamed by the carpenter's hand, it's grain flowing as water might, in waves of comforting woodland hues. Under the sun it was nature's art, something that soothed right to the soul.

A staircase stood before them, and this was the way to go, yet the woman beside Cecilia stiffened. They had arrived much too soon, as she desired more time to prepare for what followed next. She was excited as well, surely, they were sending her home.

The woman stopped on the tenth stair offering one last cold glance, and spoke before turning. "You enter alone. Farewell. "

She gave no information of the promised bath and left as swiftly as a doe, which had left Cecilia alone. The way to go was up, and so she kept ascending, hoping to arrive soon.

Two figures awaited at the top, she had not seen them move since first spotting them from below, but they were still seemingly distant.

One of them she had already met, the old man with the gray beard and wooden staff, and another, on which she had laid eyes for the first time since arriving. The one next to the old man was the lord of the county, you could see it from afar.

The face of the lord was ageless, neither old nor young, though in it was written the memory of many things both glad and sorrowful. He was calm and noble, greeting Cecilia warmly, yet seeming lost in thought while doing so. His name was Elrond, lord Elrond of Rivendell.

"My friends have sung me many songs about the strange maid they encountered on their way. " He told, casting his eyes upon the crown of her head while strolling, he on one side, Gandalf the Gray on the other. "I now wish to hear the tale sung by you."

The elf left the hallway first, settling in a terrace which overlooked most of the estate, it was still early and not many things were to be heard, even the birds were particularly shy this morning, had they all noticed the intruder in their land?

Elrond stood pacing about, as if in a great deal of distress, Gandalf, on the other hand was bemused still, just as he was the last time he and Cecilia met, now only lacking the pipe, he had lowered himself onto a discarded stool with the help of his staff, placing himself so to shield his eyes from the sun, and once Cecilia made her way inside Elrond spoke again.

"You have been spotted almost at reach to my home's door, alone and unarmed. " He eyed Gandalf and then Cecilia, making sure to speak as clearly as possible. "And yet Gandalf claims that there is little to fear from this creature. Few sturdy warriors would manage this that a green human child managed. You knew not of the many dangers that laid on your path but accomplished to evade them all." His voice was no longer stoney but a bit warmer, yet concerned still. Gandalf seemed as if not listening, eyeing the gardens beneath the terrace, but he heard all and was waiting for his turn to speak.

"If I did not trust Mithrandir i would have thought you a spy of Mordor; for these lands are swarming with orc scouts and wargs. "

What was this guy talking about? Were they all mad here? orcs? Wargs? What in the bloody hell even were those? Surely, this was a dream, a joke, it was not real!

"I don't understand… " She whispered, praying that he would explain his charges against her.

"You must! I do not know of a single orc which would hesitate to attack, much less a defenseless woman such as yourself. There is little honor in their wretched hearts. And yet, you slipped past them, one would only assume they were ordered to let you pass. You know of who I speak."

"How did you come into the company of the elves? " Asked Gandalf, even though he already knew the answer.

"I had asked them for directions to the train station-"

"Train station? I am afraid that i am not familiar with the term. " Said Elrond, earning a confused glance from Cecilia. Why were these people so strange?! Not knowing what a train station is, unheard of!

"I-um, i, the train station? You don't know what that is? " Caught off guard by the elf's statement Cecilia stutered, not knowing how to react on the obvious lack of understanding of the modern world. The three men did not know what London was! These did not know what a train station was! Where in seven hells did she end up?

Gandalf had finally stood up, reaching into his gray cloak, pulling out something strange. A map.

"Show us where you hail from. " Said Elrond, both of them towering over her as she darted her eyes left and right, trying to detected something of recognition.

"What kind of a map is this? " Truly, this was not a map of Britain, not a map of anything she could identify.

"It is a map of Middle Earth." Gandalf said, not as confound as the other man upon hearing that she did not recognize the paper. "You must have been born somewhere. Show us. "

She felt the panic begin like a cluster of spark plugs in her grew in her face and limbs, her mind replaying the last words spoken. How was she to explain that she had never heard of this land? They would think her mad!

"I don't know any of these places. I have never heard of them, not one. "

"That is not possible, for Middle Earth is all there is."

"Is this some kind of a joke? " She stepped away from the cold stone on which the map lay, angry upon being deceived. She wished that this charade would come to a halt. "I don't know them. I'm not from here and i don't know where this is. "

She stood near the door, her front facing the two, ready to leave the quarters when Gandalf the Gray spoke, dismissing her presence completely he spoke to lord Elrond. "It is as I feared. "

Hi guys, thank you for reading yet another chapter and you can hope for the next one in two weeks or less.

Honestly, this was the hardest one to write and i hope i captured the shock and all of that to your liking.

Please do not hesitate to leave reviews as they aid me quite a bit :) Also, sadly i could not have squeezed in Legolas into this one as I dont want to ruin or rush the events so please, bear with me. The next one will contain more of him.

Thank you to all that followed and favorited and special thanks to for leaving such a lovely review