Jana POV
Matai and I have been growing steadily closer to one another as each day passes. I think that I have fallen in love with him. I just hope that he feels the same about me. Matai comes up behind me, puts his hands over my eyes, and says.
"Guess who." Matai
I already knew who was there so I say.
"Matai." Jana
He removes his hands, and I turn to face him with a smile on my face at the sight of the adorable pout on his face. He looks at me with an interesting look on his face, one I have never seen there before. He says to me.
"Jana there is something very important we need to talk about." Matai
"What is it?" Jana
He takes a deep breath to steady himself, and says.
"Jana we have become very close in the time we have spent together, and I have fallen in love with you." Matai
I love you too Matai." Jana
We kiss, and when we part he says.
"We should celebrate our new relationship, but how?" Matai
"Why don't we take a break from the city, and run with my fathers pack?" Jana
"That does sound like fun. Let's do it." Matai
The two of us slip away before anyone notices that we are gone. By the time morning comes we are half way to my fathers territory. Traveling in wolf form has made it much easier to cover long distances in a relatively short amount of time. About midday we are traveling through a ravine I had traveled through thousands of times; When out of nowhere we hear a rumbling sound, and the earth begins to shake. Huge rocks are rolling down the side of the ravine coming right at us. Just before they reach us Matai pushes me to safety, but he does not have the time to escape before the rock slide buries him completely crushing him to death. My mournful howl fills the silence of the wilderness. It would not surprise me if my father's entire pack could hear it.
Once I am certain that the rock slide has stopped I head off in the direction of my father's territory. When I arrive Aran notices the pained look on my face, and runs off most likely to find my father. My father and Aran arrive in a few minutes. When my father sees the look on my face he instantly knows that something is wrong. He cups my face, and says.
"What happened Jana?" Alric
"Me and Matai confessed our love for one another, and decided to celebrate by coming here to run with your pack. When we reached the ravine halfway between the city and here a rock slide comes out of nowhere. Matai pushes me to safety, but was unable to escape himself. I let out a long mournful howl, and came here." Jana
"Oh Jana, I'm so sorry." Alric
"I cannot stay everything is filled with so much memory, but I have nowhere to go." Jana
"That is not true. I can take you to the howling cave, and there you can have a fresh start by gazing into The Silver Mirror. It will show you the ideal place for your fresh start." Alric
"Do you know what I will see when I look into the mirror?" Jana
"No. It could show you anywhere from another country to a whole new world. It all depends on what is best for you." Alric
"Let's do it." Jana
"Very well. We set out at first light." Alric
I head out to hunt to distract myself from the pain in my heart.
Morning comes and my father and I are preparing to leave. When all the preparations are complete my father comes up to me, and says.
"It is time to leave Jana." Alric
"Lead the way." Jana
We transform and take off running in a direction I have never gone before. When we arrive at the mouth of the cave we can hear the mournful howls of thousands of wolves. Though not very loud where we are standing at the mouth; hearing the pain filled sound brings tears to even the most stouthearted persons eyes. I look over at my father, and see that very thing happening to him. I hug my father, and say.
"I love you father, goodbye." Jana
"Goodbye Jana. I love you too." Alric
I walk into the cave with tears already pouring down my face. By the time I reach the cavern the howls are so loud that I am a sobbing mess for the pain resonating in those voices. I see the most beautiful mirror I have ever seen. It is so beautiful. The mirrors glass looks like it is made of pure silver, and the frame is made of moonstone. I walk up to the mirror, and look into it. I see the wilderness, but nothing looks at all familiar either from personal experience or pictures. My father did say that The Silver Mirror can take you to another world if that is the right place for the person to make their fresh start. I guess that the world shown in the mirror must be the right place for me to start fresh. Not quite sure what to do I reach out, and touch the mirror. I feel a tingling sensation flood my body, and know no more.
When I wake up there is a man standing over me with medicine in one hand, and water in the other. He notices that I am awake, and hands me the cup of water. I take it from him, drink my fill, return the cup, and say.
"Where am I?" Jana
"You are a few leagues south of Bree." ?
I raise my eyebrow in confusion, and say.
"Who are you?" Jana
"I could ask you the same thing my lady." ?
"I'm Jana nice to meet you mister..." Jana
"I am Aragorn, but in these parts I am known as Strider please address me as such in public." Aragorn
I nod, and then a horrible smell reaches my nose. I look to Aragorn, and say.
"There is a foul stench in the air, and it's getting stronger by the second." Jana
Right after I say this some type gruesome monster comes over the hill. Aragorn looks at the monster, then at me, draws his sword, and says.
"Orcs! Get behind me Jana." Aragorn
I can tell by his posture alone that those things are enemies. I wolf-out and stand next to Aragorn ready to fight beside the only friend I have in this world. He looks at me, and momentary shock flashes across his face before he returns his eyes to the approaching enemy. Make that enemies as there are a great many of them by the time they reach us. I watch as Aragorn effortlessly kills the orcs. I immediately begin doing the same. By the time the battle is finished Aragorn and I slump against each other in exhaustion. I change back, and fall asleep.
Aragorn POV
The skin-changer behind me is different than any I have ever heard of; So willing to help a stranger with no thought to her own safety. I can tell that there is something very different about her, and I intend to spend enough time around her to find out what. In the mean time I set up camp while Jana is sleeping peacefully. After some time spent deep in thought I decide to go hunting for breakfast since the sun is going to rise in a few minutes, and Jana will probably wake up shortly after especially if there is breakfast. Just as predicted Jana wakes up as soon as breakfast is ready. After breakfast has been eaten we head out again, and I notice Jana thoroughly studying her surroundings like a trained professional. I know that she is not a ranger, because I have never seen her before. It probably has something to do with her being a wolf. I look forward to getting to know this intriguing woman. I watch Jana learn to find her way around unfamiliar territory as if it was second nature. At noon we set up camp for lunch, and Jana goes to hunt without even being asked. By the time I have made a roaring fire Jana has returned with a large buck. I walk over to her, and wait for her to hand me the buck to skin for our lunch. When she hands it to me I begin preparing it to roast over the fire. As I work I think about Jana, and wonder where exactly she came from. It's almost as if she appeared out of thin air.
Narrator POV
Jana has left behind all of the pain and feelings that she had on Earth, and is going to fully embrace life in this world. Jana will start by learning about the world that is now her home, but she has no idea how to do that, and she doesn't know how to ask without sounding like a crazy person. Jana is pulled from her thoughts by Aragorn calling her for supper, and as she is eating Jana notices Aragorn watching her curiously. Jana gets an idea of where to start learning about this world, and says.
"Aragorn could you teach me how to read?" Jana
"Yes I can, but if I may ask; Why do you not already know something so basic?" Aragorn
Jana sighs, and says.
"Where I come from that kind of knowledge was strictly forbidden." Jana
"And where do you come from were a leader would make such a barbaric law?" Aragorn
"I don't think you'd believe the answer to that question. Are you going to help me or not?" Jana
Aragorn raises an eyebrow at the aggressive tone, and says.
"Yes my friend I will help you. We will go to Rivendell tomorrow the library there will be most helpful in this endeavor." Aragorn
Jana nods, and returns to eating hoping that Aragorn was not offended by her behavior. Aragorn can tell that Jana regrets speaking to him like that, and Aragorn hopes to get close enough to her that she does not feel the need to snap like that when a sensitive subject is touched upon.
The next morning Jana is following Aragorn as they are traveling to Rivendell, and Jana is being careful not to run to fast when they pick up the pace. Although sometimes the thrill of adventure gets the best of her, and Jana runs at full Wolfblood speed causing Aragorn to shake his head. Jana always finds Aragorn when ever they are separated, because Jana has memorized Aragorn's scent. As they are traveling Jana and Aragorn are getting to know each other better, and there is definitely some kind of connection between them. The more accustomed Jana becomes with this world the more she notices that there is something different about her, and it makes Jana wonder if these changes include getting rid of the effect no moon days has on her. The other question that comes to Jana's mind is what is going to happen on the full moon now that she is in a world that feels so different than the one she came from. By the time they camp for the night Aragorn tells Jana that they will be in Rivendell sometime tomorrow, and Jana smiles at Aragorn before falling asleep.
The friends arrive in Rivendell by mid-day, and an Elf walks down the stairs saying.
"Greetings Estel. I see you brought a friend with you." ?
"Greetings Lindir. We are going to be here for a while could you ask Lord Elrond if he has a spare room for my friend Jana?" Aragorn
"Certainly, wait here I will return." Lindir
Jana watches the conversation curiously, but she trusts Aragorn so Jana looks around in awe of the village they are standing in. Jana has never seen anything like this in her life; It's like the village grew out of the surrounding nature. It is the most amazing thing she has ever seen in her life, and then Lindir came back saying.
"The room is being prepared as we speak. I you will follow me you can refresh yourselves after your journey." Lindir
Aragorn and Jana follow Lindir who shows them to their rooms, and when Jana gets to her room she bathes like Maddy showed her. Just thinking about Maddy makes Jana wish that her friends were here with her in this wonderful place.
Back on Earth...
Maddy wakes up with a start, and says.
"Rhydian we need to go back to Stoneybridge Now!" Maddy
"Why Maddy? What's going on?" Rhydian
"Jana needs us. We have to go to her." Maddy
"Alright Maddy. We'll go first thing in the morning." Rhydian
Maddy smiles at Rhydian, and goes back to sleep.
The next morning Maddy and Rhydian pack their bags before booking two first class tickets back to the UK, and when they get there Maddy and Rhydian settle into the Smiths house. They meet up with their friends only to find that they are Wolfbloods, and when asked about it Shannon explains all about Dr. Whitewood's research. Just as the explanations finish Aran walks through the door, and sits down next to them before saying.
"You are Jana's friends...Her pack?" Aran
"Yes we are? Why are you here Aran?" Maddy
"I have come to inform you that Jana has left this world." Aran
"Why would she do that, and how is that even possible?" Maddy
"Jana left for a fresh start after losing the man she was falling in love with. I will explain how when we are somewhere we will not be overheard by humans." Aran
Shannon totally discards the glasses she no longer needs upon hearing the news about her friend. They all leave, and go to Maddy and Rhydian's house. When they get there Ceri and Gerwyn are waiting for them. Everybody goes in the house, and Aran says.
"Alric took Jana to the howling cave so she can look in the Silver Mirror." Aran
Ceri gasps at this, and Maddy says.
"It was this Silver Mirror that took Jana away to another world?" Maddy
"Yes." Aran
"Mum what do you know about this?" Rhydian
"The Silver Mirror can indeed do as Aran has said, but it was hidden away in the howling cave to prevent whole packs from following after one who has fled through it." Ceri
"That's possible? To follow Jana I mean." Maddy
"What you on about?" Rhydian
"Last night I heard Jana's voice in my head saying that she wishes her friends were with her, and then I woke up before anymore could be said." Maddy
"So that's why we packed up, and came home ahead of schedule." Rhydian
"If Jana wants us there then we have to go to her." Tom
"I agree with Tom." Maddy
"I agree as well. Our friend and pack member needs us, and we should be there for her." Rhydian
Ceri sighs, and says.
"Since that is what Jana and the pack wants I will help us to follow after her, but you can only follow Jana with the clothes on your backs nothing more is that clear?" Ceri
Ceri is staring pointedly at Shannon while she is saying this. Shannon nods her acceptance, and Ceri goes to prepare what she will need get the Silver Mirror to send them to the same place it sent Jana.
While Ceri is getting ready Maddy calls her mum, and says.
"Mam you and Dad need to come to Stoneybridge Now!" Maddy
"Why? What's happened?" Emma
"Jana has gone to another world, and the pack is going to follow after her." Maddy
"What do you mean Jana's gone to another world? What is going on young lady?" Emma
"I mean that Jana is not on Earth anymore, and we are going after her." Maddy
"We'll be on the next flight back. Don't do anything until we get there." Emma
"Yes Mam." Maddy
"Good. See you tomorrow pet." Emma