Hey guys! Here's chapter 2! Thank you to everyone who favorited and followed this, I am really excited to see where it goes and I have a ton of ideas for it. Let me know if you have any suggestions!
Chapter 2
Melody's head was spinning from the realization of her location as well as her inebriated state. Her mind was flitting with millions of questions and a lack of answers to quench her growing anxiety. Melody felt as if her throat was beginning to close and she knew very well what would ensue; she was going to have a panic attack. Now, she usually had not been one to experience these body numbing instances, but for right now, this revelation was enough to invoke one quickly. If only it wasn't for the large quantity of booze circling her bloodstream…
She began to laugh; outright double over in an unstoppable fit of hilarity. There was no way that she could actually be in Tristan's favorite fantasy flick. It was preposterous! This had to be some alcohol induced dream that her brain had conjured up somehow. The men continued to stare at her with piqued interest until she saw their eyes harden with seriousness.
"Oh my god, I can't believe that I dreamt this one up! Ha! Tristan is going to love this one!" She said between gasps for breath; for she was still cackling about her supposed 'dream'. Melody began to rise to her feet when she was met with a sword, axe, and an arrow all pointed dangerously close to her body. That seemed to sober her right up.
"This is no dream, my lady. From whence do you hail?" A man with short brown hair who looked uncannily similar to Sean Bean asked vehemently. His expression was one of undulating anger that held but a flicker of fear. She swallowed hard, they seemed pretty realistic to be in a dream.
Melody tried to say something but her balance failed her, she fell to the ground but not without being scraped by the arrow. It was a very small scratch, but even so, she hissed in pain. Looking down at her arm, she realized that specks of blood began to appear. It was as if alarms began to blare in her head and the entirety of her body felt singed with petrification. Her eyes danced around the surroundings wildly, as if seeing them again for the first time.
"Holy shit, I'm not dreaming… I'm actually in Tristan's favorite movie," She voiced aloud. A tightening sensation again began to appear in her throat. Melody might have gone into shock right then and there if it weren't for the same man asking her the same question again; this time with less patience.
"My lady, I have already stated those words. Answer the question or your fate will be grim!" He was almost yelling. The Sean Bean lookalike was beginning to scare her as he turned to Gandalf, "She could very well be a spy Gandalf. I think it would be best if we…"
The man motioned to his sword and that was when Melody's fear consumed her. She began to ramble and put her hands up in surrender, "No, no! I'll answer your questions, just please don't touch me with that sword. I'm Melody Garner, twenty-four years old, and from Philadelphia. See! Completely harmless to you guys!"
Melody was only met with blank stares and even more dread building in her bones. She mentally slapped herself. Of course they wouldn't know what any of that meant! They were from a different world! That, for a matter of fact, she knew next to nothing about! Only one or two lines were engraved into her memory and the old guy said one of them.
She averted her gaze towards the childlike creatures behind the five men. Two held their short daggers with trembling hands, but one with dark curly hair sheathed his after a moment. Melody's eyes met his and silently pleaded for him to grant mercy upon her.
"Gandalf, look at her and the way she trembles. I do not suppose that she means to do us any harm," He started, still eyeing the woman with caution, "The enemy would have not been asleep in the forest without any aid."
The company considered his words carefully. It was a game of chance in their opinion, trusting someone who seemed outlandish and odd. For the success of the quest was imperative to the survival of the free peoples of Middle Earth. They could not dare to allow any loose ends to persist. Gandalf mulled over his observations and found himself slightly amused by the woman. Yes, indeed, she was completely frightened. Her body did tremble with unease and he could sense that she was utterly bewildered by her surroundings.
The wizard cleared his throat, "I believe we have reached quite the impasse. This woman seems to be truthful with her words, as strange as they sound," He peered into her with a calculating stare, "However, the enemy can poison the minds of even the fairest beings…"
His thoughts were brought back to the events with Saruman; the person he held the most respect for had even fallen to the temptations of unyielding power granted by the Dark Lord. This decision at hand could cost them their lives if their judgment faltered even the slightest.
"What say you, Gandalf? How should we continue?" Another man with darker hair questioned. His voice was rather raspy and his countenance was one of maturity.
Melody felt her stomach flip at the idea of her being killed by the group of men. She had no clue what to do; especially since she understood that in her world these people were fictional. Should she offer up precious information about her homeland and their fate? She understood that the quest ended joyfully, but what movie doesn't end happily? The woman drew in a deep breath as Gandalf conversed with the dark-haired man.
Finally, Gandalf spoke, "You will accompany us, young one. However, much more information will be needed for you to gain our trust."
Melody sighed in relief and she felt her body relax slightly, "Anything you want. I am probably just as confused as you guys are. I promise that I am not of any 'ill will'."
A quizzical look registered on Gandalf's face, "I hope it to be true, but nonetheless, you still have much to explain."
She nodded understandingly and stood up while wiping the small streak of blood from her arm. Then, the man with pointed ears shifted uncomfortably and began to speak.
"Shall we set up camp and rest for the night? I feel that much is to be discussed and the sun hangs low in the sky." The sound of his words emanated seriousness. He held a large amount of disdain towards this occurrence and felt that no soul could be trusted; especially an unexpected one. The need to bind and watch her wrestled in his heart with the urge to accept the strange woman. For he knew that harming the fairer gender was not in his comfort zone.
Gandalf shook his head, "Yes, I believe that would be the best course of action, Legolas. We will continue on foot at sunrise."
The company placed their bedrolls around a large tree and lit a very small fire to prepare some meats. It sizzled on a small pan and Melody was mesmerized at how much cooking people could do without common household items like a microwave.
Turbulence spread over her thoughts and she knew that everyone was against the idea of her continuing with the Fellowship. Hell, even she was against the idea! Melody just wanted to go back home and graduate college with her best friend. The thought of her not being able to return home brought tears to her eyes and she only hoped that Gandalf might have some answers for her. All of the members of the company, save Gandalf, were either sleeping or taking turns watching for unfriendly foes.
The wizard sat beside her on a large rock and she could tell he was analyzing her character. It was odd being almost scrutinized by the old man, but she understood why it was happening. If the fate of the world was in the hands of a small group of people, then inquiry would be most welcome when it came to a surprise guest.
"Hmm," Gandalf mused, "Your fea emanates a different tone than those who were born into the race of men, and you are obviously not an elf, dwarf, or hobbit. It is quite otherworldly. For I have never seen or felt anything like it."
Melody gulped worriedly as he continued to inspect her with his magical powers. She wondered if he could read her thoughts as well and that sent shivers down her spine.
"My dear, I do not sense anything evil about your presence. Although, that does not mean you are not quite the puzzle to solve. Tell me about your birthplace and where you come from," The wizard instructed carefully while keeping an eye on the other members of the company who all were shooting glares in Melody's direction.
She drew in a deep breath, "Well, I can't exactly say that I'm from here Gandalf. My world is very much advanced in technology and architecture so I know for a fact that I do not belong here. All I remember before being dropped in this place was that I was walking home from a party and a bright light hit me."
Gandalf's eyebrows lifted upwards at her last comment, "A bright light you say? Did it speak to you or feel a certain way when it struck you?
Melody tried to remember the agonizing sensations that the glow afflicted her with and she grimaced, "It was like the air inside of my lungs was being sucked from me and I was terrified. I heard no voice either, it was only the light."
With a puff from his pipe, Gandalf continued to ponder her strange situation, "Very interesting. Well, young one, I do not think I have an explanation for you as of now, but if there is anything more you could reveal that would be appreciated."
The woman bit down on her lip. She was trying to decide whether she should tell Gandalf of her slim amount of knowledge about their situation. After a few moments, she chose to uncover this knowledge, even if it got her into a predicament.
"Well there is one thing," She paused, "This world, is actually a tale of sorts in my world. I never got around to reading it but I know some events that will happen. Like I know there is this evil ring-" She was sharply interrupted by the wizard's commanding whisper.
"Do not speak of it! There are many spies both in air and tree that would benefit from those words being voiced," A frantic tone was placed upon his voice and then he relaxed a bit, "You said that the events of the present are similar to a tale in your world? What do you know of what has already come to pass? And be wary of what you say, for it could affect the future if my assumptions about you are correct
Melody's eyes widened. No pressure there. She tried desperately to remember one of the character's names but could only picture his eyebrows and a headband, "Well, there was a council in…was it Riverdale? No, that's a TV show! Um, anyways, well there was a council and Frodo decided to take the Ring to this volcano and I am guessing that is where you are headed right now."
Gandalf nodded slightly, "You could not have had any knowledge of that happening if you were not telling the truth about your origins. There were few high individuals who knew of this quest. Someone who hails from an unknown place would have no knowledge of this, unless you are a sorceress which I would have known upon a glance."
The woman's gaze was fixated on the ground and then to the wizard, "I promise I am telling the truth. In all honesty I would just like to go home. I don't even belong here!"
Frustration was evident in her voice and she felt like crying, Gandalf placed a hand on her shoulder, "Do not fret, Lady Melody. For I believe what you have said. It takes quite a bit of devilry to deceive me, and I sense none of that in you. I will inform the others of this occurrence and we will try to send you to the Lady of Lothlorien for answers about your purpose here. But for now, you will need to continue with us. The knowledge that you have, even if it is slim, could still be of value to the enemy."
His words instilled a bit of hope within her and she smiled, "Thank you, Gandalf. I only hope the others feel the same as you." She could sense the kindness of the wizard as well as his undulating power. It was magnificent how such a daunting person could offer up so much grace without even knowing her.
Gandalf's lips curved upward, "I think they will come around. Just give them time, child."
A few hours later, Melody found herself in a restless sleep. The ground beneath her served as the worst mattress she could ever imagine and the biting chill of the wind caused her teeth to chatter incessantly. Comfort was definitely a luxury that she would have to forgo in the coming months with the Fellowship, but she was determined to not let her weakness show through. Oh, how she wished that she would have worn a jacket to the club instead of the baby blue crop top that still received critical stares from the other men in the company.
Constant stress flooded her brain and she found it almost impossible to have a good night's rest. Emotions of uncertainty and insecurity were engulfing her being and she could sense a lump forming in the back of her throat at the thought of her if she never saw her sister, parents, or Tristan again? They would be devastated for sure and she didn't thik that she could make it without them. Those were the people that truly cared about her and helped her through every tough situation life had to offer. Melody sighed and finally, after a few hours of trying to decipher the best way to find rest on the rocky surface, she fell into a fitful sleep; hoping that she could someday return to her own world.
Meanwhile, Legolas and Aragorn were watching the night for any evil that lurked near their camp and they both gazed at the peculiar woman. A sense of unease filled the young Prince of Mirkwood as he watched her toss and turn multiple times. The golden curls that framed her face were glowing slightly in the faint gleam of starlight and he shook his head before turning to Aragorn.
"I do not believe that this woman is everything that she says. Do you think her past to be true?" He asked in his native tongue. A stern tone was casting out his usual joviality.
The ranger sighed, "I do not know, mellon nin. As Gandalf said, she will have to prove herself to us. We must trust in that."
Legolas diverted his sight to the sky above. A shroud of darkness had been clouding his mind since they departed Rivendell and every step they took this devilry intensified. The anxiety in his soul stirred up many emotions that had been lost on the young Prince; they were all new and foreign to him which only increased his inner turmoil about accepting the woman so freely. He knew that receiving her would take much for him. Trust and loyalty were the most important aspects of companionship and friendship in his opinion and it took a valiant effort to build.
The elf watched as his friend yawned, "You should rest, Estel. We need you to have strength on this perilous journey. I will keep watch for the remainder of this eve."
Aragorn nodded, knowing that elves did not require as much sleep as mortals, "Hannon le, Legolas. Do not let your heart be troubled by the darkness. All will be well eventually."
The Prince nodded in agreement, but he understood that peace would not find him until this evil was defeated. With the quest already being so dire, he simply could not understand Gandalf's reasoning for letting some random person enter the Fellowship. This group was formed out of the most exceptional leaders and warrior that Middle Earth had to offer. Of course, the hobbits were around the help lighten the burden that Frodo had to bear. However, a woman who most likely knew nothing of weapons would certainly be a liability and could cause much turmoil.
He let out a breath as it flowed into the air as a thick white cloud, signaling that the air was very growing colder. Legolas let himself glance at the woman, Melody, once more. He could sense her fatigue and that her temperature was low. Should he offer her his cloak for warmth? No, you know nothing of this woman and to offer her kindness without proof of her intentions is foolish. Legolas' mind kept going back and forth between aiding a helpless shivering woman and simply letting her stay in that state out of spite.
Ultimately, Legolas walked over to her and unclipped his cloak while draping it around her body.
She still has much to prove, but I would not have a woman suffering in the cold. He justified his actions to himself quietly before returning to watch the swirl of navy hues circling the skies.
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