Chapter Two~
When morning came I was already up having woken several times in the night thinking that maybe if I did that I'd be home. But each time I woke I found myself still in the same bed I had been placed in within Lothlorien. I watched the sun rise over the trees, watched the golden glow consume the city and the Elves begin their day. I watched with raw eyes as they flitted about the city not caring that I was there, not knowing the pain I was in, and not caring about the pain I was in. Still dressed in my jeans and bloody shirt I finally went over to the chest and picked out a dress that was dark blue to suit my mood. Changing quickly and laying my old cloths on my bed, I ventured outside to find a sitting room just beyond my bedroom along with a small kitchen. Making my way into the kitchen I found food already laid out for me on the same silver tray that Rumil had brought in before and smiling sat on the counter to eat. The food was soft moist bread with butter, an apple, a hunk of cheese and a goblet of water. I ate quickly before returning back into my bedroom not wanting to go out just yet; I still felt horrible and really didn't want to deal with anyone right now. When in the bedroom I sat down in front of the vanity and looked at my reflection in the mirror, my hair needed brushing, there were circles under my eyes and my face was red and splotchy from crying. Looking at my shoulder in the mirror, I turned my head to inspect the wound that had been so generously given to me and pulling the shoulder of my dress aside found the skin already healed over and a light pink color.
"Well, I gotta say, Elvish medicine is really really good." I said smiling to myself. It was then I noticed in the mirror a female Elf standing in the doorway. Turning towards her she motioned for me to follow her and sighing deeply stood to follow. We made our way out of the house I was in, down the stairs to the base of the tree and towards what I recognized as the area where the Mirror of Galadriel is. When we came to the clearing the female Elf stopped and curtsied to the Lady who stood beside the Mirror. Not about to embarrass myself with a curtsy, I instead bowed causing the Lady to smile. When we rose the Lady came over towards us saying in Elvish to the woman who brought me to leave. As she hurried away the Lady said,
"I wish to talk to you about how you came to be here." not saying anything, I took a seat on a stone bench that she indicated I sit on. Taking a seat beside me, she sighed deeply before beginning what I guessed was going to be a long tale,
"Many ages ago it was said that there would be a Rift between this world and another, that one day someone would come through the Rift and change the fate of Middle-Earth. The three Elves told this were promised to lookout for any sign of the Rift or the person who was to come through it. Now that the One Ring is threatening this world it seems only fit that you should come now."
"But what about my brother? I'm guessing he never was supposed to come." I asked interrupting her. She nodded her golden head and said turning to look at me,
"No, he was never meant to come."
"So what happens now?" I asked looking down at my folded hands not wanting to look up to see her face. Galadriel laid a soothing hand on my shoulder before saying softly,
"You are to have a great part in this word." not understanding, I looked up to find her gone already leaving me alone sitting on the bench near the Mirror. Standing, I headed back to the house given to me though I did have to ask a few Elves the way. They all smiled and pointed trying to be as understandable as possible since there was a language barrier between us. When I came to my tree I found before me the whole fricking Fellowship being lead into the city by Haldir of course. I couldn't believe I was actually seeing people I only assumed to be fictional characters in books and movies, yet here they were breathing and looking so tired. When Haldir noticed me he nodded before saying,
"This is the Fellowship of the Ring." the group noticed me then and looking at me with mild interest. Glancing over the group I realized they were much more rugged looking then they made them look in the movies, worn out and sore as well.
"Hi, I'm Anna." I said bowing low to them and causing both Merry and Pippin to laugh, Frodo and Sam to chuckle and Legolas to raise an eyebrow. Gimli I couldn't tell his expression and Aragon was only smiling.
"You're not an Elf then?" asked Gimli holding his axe a little higher as if to warn me not to lie.
"No, only a visitor from another world." I said before turning back to Haldir and saying,
"I bet the Lord and Lady are waiting for them." he nodded and began walking indicating the group should follow but they didn't, instead they stood where they were and now it was Aragon to ask a question.
"What do you mean 'another world'?" rolling my eyes, I sighed and said shortly,
"Well, I'm not from Middle-Earth but from a small town that you probably never heard of." as everyone's eyes widened at this Haldir cleared his throat before saying,
"Come, you are wanted." so as the group left it was Frodo who hung back from the group and when the rest were a good ways away he looked up to me and said,
"You've seen him." it was a statement not question and I instantly knew who he meant. Nodding my head I bent down to be eye level with him since he only came up to my waist before saying,
"Twice." he looked shocked that I was willing to emit seeing the Dark Lord's Eye but his face returned to normal as he spoke again asking,
"How do you keep him out?" sighing, I looked him straight in the eye and said,
"I don't."
"Frodo!" came the voice of Aragon and so standing back upright I let him go my head turning round to see Aragon looking none to happily at me. I have to say, they all look just like in the movies except Aragon, he was much more handsome in real life. Smiling my most winning smile, I turned around to head back to my house. Once back inside my bedroom I lay down on the bed and tried to sleep but sleep wouldn't come to me. Instead every time I shut me eyes I would see the Eye. Groaning, I sat up in bed and looked out the window to the world beyond feeling as if someone was watching me despite the fact I knew I was alone. Standing, I walked to the window and said with a strong voice,
"Go away!"
"Oh I will never be away from you little one." the sickly dark voice responded in my head and then a rush of pain came over me and I grabbed my head, sinking to my knees. With my eyes closed I could see the Eye glowing and the voice was laughing madly in my head.
"Stop it." I said weakly.
"STOP IT!" I screamed ponding my fists on the floor and hearing a sob of fear come out of my mouth. The door opening made me turn round to see Rumil and Orophin rushing in bows drawn along with an arrow ready. When they found no intruder they looked to me with confusion but I pointed to my head and they instantly understood. Rumil reached out his hand to me and taking it he helped me stand before he gently tugged for me to come with him. Shaking my head I said 'no' in Elvish before pointing to the bed and raising my hands to my face closed my eyes telling them all I wanted to do was sleep. When I reopened my eyes they both nodded though they looked worriedly at me. As they left I told them thanks and both nodded before leaving through the door, shutting it behind them. Sighing deeply, I flopped down on the bed and closed my eyes at last falling into a peaceful sleep. It was a while before a noise caused me to wake, it sounded like a foot on a loose board. I knew by now that the Elves made no noise when they moved so this must be an intruder. Sitting upright, I looked to the door and then around the room for a weapon. But I got surprised when someone actually knocked on the bedroom door and wondering who it was got up to open the door.
"Who is it?" I asked when beside the door.
"It's Frodo." replied the voice and opening the door indeed found him standing behind the door. Confused, I asked,
"What is it Frodo?"
"Well, I wanted to make sure you were alright." he said sounding sheepish and rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. Smiling down at him I couldn't help but feel bad for him, he looked like a twelve year old kid and yet he carried the fate of Middle-Earth around his neck. Since this world was getting more and more real I knew he must feel terrible and yet here he was concerned about me.
"I'm fine Frodo." I said but he shook his head and said,
"No you're not, I know-" and stopping here he sighed deeply before finishing his sentence,
"I know what it's like to have him in your head all day and night." I couldn't disagree with him there and so stepping out of the bedroom and into the hall said,
"Shouldn't you be with your friends?" he smiled weakly before saying,
"There all busy."
"Won't Sam be worried 'bout you?" I asked and this got a chuckle out of him. Closing the door behind my back, I waved my hand and said,
"Come on, let's get you back before they think you vanished." he followed me and together we made our way to where Frodo said the group was resting. When we arrived I found Sam looking worried along with Aragon but when they saw Frodo instantly brightened up.
"He's fine, not a scratch." I said smiling at them all though it wasn't returned. Aragon smoking on his pipe came up to us and putting a protective hand on Frodo said to him,
"Where did you wander off to?"
"I had to see if she was alright." Frodo responded in a cool voice before walking away from him towards Sam, Aragon's hand falling from his shoulder. When Aragon returned his gaze to me he said,
"Why would he be worried about you?" shrugging, I didn't give him an answer but instead said,
"Anyone hungry?"
"I am!" chimed Pippin but Merry smacked him behind the head hushing him. I realized that by the way they were acting they didn't trust me, and so sighing said,
"Look, I don't want the Ring, I don't want to hurt any of you so give me a small drop of niceness would ya." but my words set off Aragon for he drew out a knife and went to press it to my throat but I raised my left arm blocking his right and with my right fisted arm wrapped it around his exposed neck bringing him down to my waist. Everyone gasped at this and Aragon letting go of the knife said,
"Unhand me!"
"Not until you promise not to get mad at me, that or try to kill me again." he sighed deeply and I tightened my hold round his neck before he said,
"Alright fine." and so letting him go, I stepped back and raised my hands as a sign of peace. He grabbed the knife from the ground and putting it away back in its hiding spot stood saying,
"How do you know about the Ring?"
"Well; I know the Dark Lord wants it, that only Frodo can carry it without being too badly affected, that you all were brought together to destroy it and that Gandalf fell trying to help you all." I said shortly crossing my arms over my chest in slight irritation.
"What else do you know then?" asked Legolas stepping over towards me though he had no weapons, that I could see at least. Rolling my eyes I said,
"Only enough to know that the war WILL end despite the fact none of you believe it." Legolas looked less than impressed but Aragon who I had chocked looked intrigued to say the less.
"Who are you?" asked Boromir and I had to wonder if this was twenty questions time or something. Sighing, I said,
"I already gave you my name Boromir, what else is there to know?"
"How a mortal came to be in the Golden Wood is a good question." said Legolas and I realized he was really going to be the pain in the ass everyone thought he was. Looking straight at him I said,
"Through a portal that was opened between my world and this one." he looked ready to laugh but it was Aragon who said,
"So you're the one Gandalf said would come." I felt an eyebrow rise at that and had to ask,
"What?" but he didn't look like he was going to tell me so looking around him to Frodo asked,
"What does he mean?" Frodo looked from the back of Aragon then back to me before deciding to tell me what the hell was going on.
"Gandalf was told by Lord Elrond that the one who came from the other world would come with us on our journey." at that I had to laugh, me, go with the Fellowship to destroy the Ring of Power? Never mind the fact I was still getting used to waking up in Middle-Earth but going to help them save it was beyond my understanding. They all looked at me as if I was mad but shaking my head said,
"No, I'm only going to find my brother before going home." and realizing that that had opened up more questions raised my hand before anyone could ask and said,
"I refuse to answer that one." and then turning around, left them in their clearing back to my house letting them wonder what they please, but honestly I didn't care a damn bit.