When I opened my eyes again, I thought for a horrible second that I had gone deaf and blind. It was silent in a way I'd never heard before. The shuffle of blankets as I stood brought me back to my senses, and I realized with a pang that it was simply the silence of a world without electricity or plumbing or passing cars. I'd never realized how dark the world got without street lamps or headlights or even the glow of an alarm clock, and it took me a second to find my glasses. Even though my eyes were already adjusted to the dark, I was blind as a bat without my glasses, and I felt around for a moment before shoving them on my nose and looking around.

The room Rose had given me was beautiful. Like most of what I had seen of the city, it was white stone, but the tapestries and rugs kept it from seeming cold. I had a small desk and vanity mirror in one corner next to a large wardrobe, and on the other side of the room were French doors leading out to a balcony overlooking the street. On my bedside table, I noticed someone had left a tray, filled with a goblet and what looked like a sandwich. Next to the plate was a small note, which I picked up to read.

Leigh,

I thought it best not to wake you for dinner, so I left the sandwich instead. It's not much, but it's one of my comfort foods when I'm homesick. I hope it makes you feel better. When you've eaten, go out to the balcony; there are some perks to being in Middle Earth.

See you in the morning,

Rose

Smiling at her thoughtfulness, I ate the sandwich, surprised at how good it was. I suppose it was different because it lacked preservatives. Finding myself parched, I gulped down the water in the goblet, before it occurred to me that it might not be a good idea, like when tourists visit Mexico and drink the water. Still, it was too late to worry about it now, and, lacking anything better to do, I took the younger woman's advice and walked out onto the balcony.

I gasped when I looked up. The stars were brilliant in the sky in a way that they had never been on Earth with all its light pollution. I backed up against the railing as I craned my neck, my jaw falling open in shock. I couldn't recognize any constellations, which should disturb me, but for the moment, I was filled with too much awe to care. I stood out there for several minutes, just enjoying the breathtaking view. I could see some sort of galaxy up there, some Middle Earth version of the Milky Way. "My God," I breathed with an incredulous shake of my head. "This is absolutely incredible."

"So she speaks the language of the Steward's bride," came a male voice below me. "Wondrous must be the land from whence they came, for more lovely maidens have never before graced my sight."

I turned and peered over the balcony to see a man standing on the street below. He was built like a linebacker, that was for sure, all shoulders and height, but I'd never seen a more handsome man in my life. GQ had nothing on this fella'. I was tempted to drool over him, but I frowned instead.

"Forgive me, my Lady. I was passing by when I saw you, and could not tear myself from such a lovely sight," he said.

"Pretty smooth, Romeo," I acknowledged, resting my chin on my hand as I regarded him with an arched brow. "Do you always spend your free time creeping under women's balconies? I bet the girls go crazy for you."

He grinned and held his hand to his chest. "You wound me. I see you are as clever as you are lovely. Might I have your name, Lady?" I thought for a second, torn. For all I knew, he could be a serial murderer, but on the other hand, how often did something like this happen? I should go back inside, but I couldn't resist playing with him a little.

After a moment of silence, I smiled. "No."

He gave a surprised grin. "No?"

I shrugged at him, still smiling. "No," I repeated. "You're going to have to work harder than that to get my name, Romeo."

"Who is this Romeo you speak of," he asked in amusement.

"It's from a play I grew up with. It involves a handsome man climbing up a balcony to kiss his lady," I explained, shaking my head at the memory of a long ago high school play.

"I see then what I must do," he said as he walked under the balcony. I frowned and leaned over the railing, and burst out in surprised laughter when I saw the giant man climbing up to me.

"What are you doing," I asked, torn between shock and amusement.

"What does it look like I am doing? I am coming to kiss you," he said as he climbed.

"You're out of your mind," I said, shaking my head.

"Admit it," he said as he swung himself easily over the ledge, "you think me charming."

"I think you cocky," I retorted, putting a little distance between us. At 5'10, it was a rare man that could make even me feel short, but I'll be damned if he didn't tower over me, and I swear he seemed to take up all the room on the balcony. He seemed to sense that I was a little unnerved, because he kept his distance. "You're really big." I wanted to kick myself as soon as the words left my mouth. He chuckled.

"I would have your name, my Lady," he said softly.

"I don't know yours either," I pointed out. "And I don't care. No names. Shoo."I flapped my hands at him.

He looked surprised. "Did you just 'Shoo' me? No one has ever 'shoo'ed me before."

"Well, they should. You clearly don't understand the meaning of 'No'," I shot back. He regarded me with amusement.

"Would you truly send me away without a kiss," he asked with a smile, leaning towards me. My eyes seemed locked on his lips, and I discovered that I seemed to have a new fascination with beards. "What's the harm in a kiss?"

"Lots of harm. Lots and lots of harm," I muttered distractedly at the lips, which responded by widening their smile. Someone should definitely punish those lips; they were wayward and stubborn and were really, really close now.

He put a finger under my chin, and tilted my face up to his. He was so close now that I could feel his breath on my face. I stepped closer into him, bringing my lips just a hair's breadth away from touching his, and I saw him close his eyes.

"Nice try," I whispered, before stepping back from him and leaving the balcony with a grin. I could swear I caught a wondering smile on his face as I closed the door.