Stardust
"If you came to me with a face I have not seen, with a voice I have never heard, I would still know you. Even if centuries separated us, I would still feel you. Somewhere between the sand and the stardust, through every collapse and creation, there is a pulse that echoes of you and I.
When we leave this world, we give up all our possessions and our memories. Love is the only thing we take with us. It is all we carry from one life to the next."
― Lang Leav, Memories
Kiera
The sound of waves crashing on the shore had awoken her in the morning. She sat up slowly and rubbed her eyes before taking a look around her. Her tent was the same, all her belongings were near the door, and she had been sleeping on an air mattress. As she sat there, trying to wake herself, she reached for her phone, and with a tap, the screen came alive to show the time as 7:42 am. She scrolled down to see if anyone had texted her or called, but there was no service, which was odd. She placed the phone back down on the mattress, thinking that perhaps she had been hearing things as the waves continued to crash. She looked out into the corner of her tent and gasped as she saw soft sand.
She was near the ocean. Laying in front of her was a vast open ocean. Glancing behind her, she saw her tent pitched up on the beach next to massive cliff walls. Looking to the west, there was a castle in the distance, high up on the cliff shore. Her knees gave out then as she fell to the soft sand. What was happening? She wondered. How in the world did she get here?
It must have been a dream, she thought. The last thing she remembered was camping in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It was thousands of miles to the ocean and even a few hundred miles to the great lakes. She had pinched herself to see if this was real, and it had hurt. She wondered if her friends were here as she frantically looked around for Kayley and Matt's tent. Unfortunately, there was nothing, but maybe they were further down the beach.
Could this really be happening? She wondered again. This can't be real. Though the cold wind from the sea felt real, as did the sand she was kneeling on. She grabbed a handful of sand and let it fall from her fingers in a daze. Perhaps she was having one of those vivid dreams.
For the moment, she was content to just sit on the beach. Minutes had passed with no other sounds or people. Shivering from the cold wind, she headed back into the tent to get dressed. Once inside, she reached for her bag and decided to dress for a hike and warmth. Thankfully, she had packed warm clothes for the early morning hikes and some lighter clothes for the afternoons. After she pulled off her sleeping clothes, she dressed in warm leggings, a wool sweater, and boots. Sitting on the slightly deflated air mattress, she tied her boot strings tightly. Her stomach grumbled, so she dug into her bag for some food. There wasn't much, as they had kept most of the food in the car, packaged up and secure from animals. She only had a few granola bars and a sandwich bag of nuts. Great, she thought as she huffed. She would be starving soon.
She then decided it was best to hike with some food in her stomach, so she ate a meager granola bar. As she savored every bite, she thought about what to do. She had reached for her phone again, and it still showed no service. Sighing, she was defeated for the moment. She would have to walk to find some cell reception or someplace with people to figure out where she was. Feeling better about her plan, she decided to walk along the beach toward the castle. There wasn't much to carry as she hadn't had much in the tent for belongings. Her supplies were a hiking backpack, a day bag, a mattress, and bedding. It might get a little heavy after a while, and she decided to leave some of it behind for now.
Having finished her meal, she swiftly packed away her clothes into the day pack, along with a water bottle and the remaining food. She quickly let out the air from the mattress, and it deflated rapidly as she folded the sleeping bag. She would take that along on her journey, but there was no point in bringing the bed with her. With no electricity to fill it and the manual pump left behind with Kayley and Matt near their tent, she was content with just the sleeping bag on the tent floor.
She gathered her belongings and set them out on the sand. Everything was in its place. She pulled the stakes from the tent, quickly folding it back into its carry case. With a few last looks around, she was off.
After the tent had been torn down, she noticed that the stakes were still in the ground, which freaked her out a bit. Snatching them up, she quickly threw them into the bag. Although pleased that she only had the essentials to carry, the lack of food left her feeling uneasy. Kayley and Matt had purchased all the cooking supplies and laid them out on the table near the fire pit. Not a scrap of it had come with her, so she desperately wished to locate civilization before getting too hungry. Hunting was out of the question, as she hadn't any knowledge of how to hunt or skin an animal. She couldn't even tell which berries and mushrooms were edible. Every time she'd gone hiking or camping, it was only for day hikes or camping in campgrounds.
Swinging her backpack on and picking up the day pack, she glanced around one last time and grabbed the tent. With a soft huff, she set off on the trek toward the castle. After a few minutes, she reached for her phone to check for service but eventually dropped it back into her pocket. If there was no reception on the open beach, it was best to save the battery for later. Thankfully, she did have a solar charger, but it took forever to charge anything.
A soft, gentle breeze blew in from the ocean. In the distance, some seagulls flew, providing solace that there were still animals around. The walk was long as the castle loomed in the distance. She occasionally stopped for water breaks and to check the surroundings, but she rationed the water as she knew there was unlikely to be freshwater nearby. The longer she walked, the sides of the cliffs grew smaller. The castle became more prominent, and the shapes became sharper and clearer. Even from a distance, she could see the place was immense, and she pondered who lived there.
After what felt like an entire day, but probably only a few hours with the sun high in the sky, she finally stumbled upon a stone staircase up ahead. The steps were intricately carved into the cliffside and wound their way up to the top. An open archway led further into the castle, but she couldn't make out anything beyond that. The castle wall stretched along the beach, with windows carved into the wall, made of stone and colored glass. Tall towers were spaced evenly along the walls, with a few flags still hanging limp from the poles. It was definitely a medieval castle, yet surprisingly well-preserved. When she reached the bottom steps, she had sunk down for a break. As she sat, she took notice of the stairs, which were finely carved in white stone with delicate and fine carvings of different floral and geometric patterns and shapes. The craftsmanship was remarkable, and she was awe-struck to see them in such good condition.
"Well, I'm not in Kansas anymore, or at least South Dakota anymore," she had said out loud to herself. After a few minutes of rest, she rose to start her climb up the stairs. Before she could take a single step, a voice called out from the beach.
She whirled around so quickly that she almost tripped. Her eyes frantically searched for the person who had shouted. A ways away down the beach, a figure with long brown hair moved towards her. She had no idea how he had heard her from such a distance, but maybe he had seen her when she had been standing.
He slowly approached, and she saw he was wearing brown leggings with a long green tunic and dark boots. A dark cloak wrapped around his shoulders and a small bag was slung across his body. There was a slight hesitation as he approached, not knowing if he was a friend or foe. She was utterly lost, so she would have to take a chance. Unfortunately, she didn't have a large knife, just a small Swiss one, but it was buried in her bag. If the man turned out to be bad, she would have to make a run for it.
As he got closer, his face came into focus. The first thing she noticed was that he was gorgeous. Nobody should be that beautiful, as it was uncanny. He had long brown hair that curled down over his ears, and it looked soft and straight. His face was well proportioned, with sharp cheekbones that tapered to a small, rounded chin. His deep-set eyes were a clear blue-gray, the color of a storm on the horizon. She could not take her eyes off him.
"Eithel govannen, nin híril. Im am called Voronwë. Im washed ashore hi. Ceri- cin baur some help? Where na- cín herven ben escort?" he said.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand you?"
"My apologies, my lady. I said well met. I am called Voronwë; I washed ashore here many years ago and wondered if you needed any help. Where is your husband or escort? Or has the war ended, and the lands are safe now?" he asked.
She hesitated, unsure if she should trust him if he found out she was alone. Instead, she said, "Hello, I am Kiera Sutherland. I was camping in the Black Hills with my friends when I ended up here. I got a bit turned around from them, and I know they were looking for me. If you have a phone, could I use it? Or if you could point me to the nearest town, that would be great."
"My apologies, my lady, I am unaware of those places. We are on the shores of the elven city of Vinyamar in the realm of Nevrast. Nobody had lived here since my kin left many centuries prior. Pray tell, what was this 'phone' you speak of?"
Ok, this guy was crazy. How does he not know what a phone is, and did he just say elven like elves? "I'm sorry, did you just say elven like elves?" She questioned. "Also, a phone like a cell phone or telephone to call and talk to people. I have mine, but it doesn't have any service. I was hoping maybe you have a landline or know of a town nearby that has one. I'm sure my friends are looking for me."
"I'm truly sorry, but I do not have this 'phone' you speak of." He looked sadly at her as his face turned down into a slight frown. "The only towns close by are the elvish settlements at the havens of the Falas, which is a few days' walk from here or maybe a week. And yes, an elvish city, for I am an elf." After he finished talking, he brushed his brown hair behind his ear to reveal its pointedness.
Kiera stared at him and his ear. They couldn't be real because elves didn't exist except in stories. He must have been cosplaying or pretending. "Ok, very funny. I'm fine with you cosplaying, pretending, or whatever, but I really need a phone or a map. So could you cut the act for a few minutes and help me, and then you can do whatever your heart desires? No judgment from me, but I would like to return to my friends." She replied desperately.
His beautiful face shifted to sorrow. "I am very sorry, but I am an elf. My king Turgon sent me to follow the streams to the sea. There I was to construct a boat and sail for Valinor to plead with the Valar for help against the enemy. Sadly, my friends and kin perished on the seas. I was rescued by Lord Ulmo, the lord of the sea. I washed up here many years ago and chose to stay. I saw you approach from the cliff wall and came over. I have not seen anyone for many years, and I've been alone for some time. I am indeed an elf, my lady; I would not lie to you."
He said it with such conviction that it made her pause and think.
"This must be a dream," she declared. "I was camping in the Black Hills of South Dakota with my friends. But, when I awoke, I was on the beach, which is impossible as there are no oceans or large lakes for hundreds of miles."
"You're not dreaming, my lady. I am real, and we are in Beleriand. It is the year 495 of the first age. Is the 'Black Hills' your home? I have never heard of it, but I am also young for my kin, and this is my first journey from my home. I have not seen that much of this world, but I have never heard of any black hills. Here, take my hand, so you know this is real," he reached out and offered his hands to her.
She reached out, grasping both of his hands in hers. They were solid and supple, with some sharp calluses on the palms. After reluctantly releasing both his hands, they continued to lock eyes. It was getting increasingly bizarre with each passing second.
She ran her fingers through her tangled hair in frustration. "That doesn't help me at all. I'm from Duluth, Minnesota, in the United States. I was camping with some friends in the Black Hills of South Dakota. In a campground near The Black Hills National Forest, actually. Does any of that ring a bell? It's kind of hard not to know where the United States is."
He shook his head sadly, "no, my lady, I have no idea where those places are. I have never heard of this 'United States' or any 'Black Hills.' I was living in the city of Gondolin before my king sent me to the Mouths of Sirion and then to the Isle of the Balar. Círdan, my mother's kin, helped me build the last ship to sail for Valinor. We searched for many years but never found the blessed realm. We were sailing home when our ship got lost at sea. I was spared by the grace of Ulmo, for which I know not. I have stayed here for some time, as I did not desire to leave."
"Gondolin," she gasped. "As in the hidden city of Gondolin?"
"Yes, my lady," he replied with a smile.
This guy or elf was a little nuts if he thought he was in Lord of the Rings. Her ex-boyfriend James had been obsessed with the books and movies. Gondolin was his favorite, and she could vaguely remember what had happened to some characters. Taking a good look at Voronwë again, he definitely looked like an elf. He was downright gorgeous with straight brown hair, high cheekbones, and blue-gray eyes. Furthermore, he was dressed like they were in the movies too. Maybe she was on a set or something, or this was some crazy guy wandering the wilderness cosplaying.
Kiera was not at her campsite, though, and everything seemed real. Either she was dreaming, all a very vivid dream, or she somehow ended up in this world. Sighing loudly, she sat down on the bottom step again. At least he didn't seem like he will murder her anytime soon, so she could trust him for a little while. Voronwë sat next to her, and they both took a minute of silence.
Frustrated, she cried, "I don't know what to do now. I have no idea how to get home, and I hardly have any food or a place to stay."
Voronwë gave a slight smile. "We will think of something together. King Turgon doesn't allow humans, but I could lead you to Círdan. He would be delighted to help you and offer you a place to stay with his people. I have enough food for us for the journey, and he could help me prepare for the journey home. Or perhaps I will stay as well, as I long to be near the sea. I have been alone for quite some time, and I wouldn't mind company. However, let us rest a minute before we decide our route."
They sat in comfortable silence again. Kiera felt a little better, knowing she had a plan now and that she was not alone. Maybe this Círdan guy could help her get home. Just then, they both heard the sound of someone walking on the beach. She and Voronwë turned to see a man making his way toward the water's edge.
The man was dressed in gleaming armor, the light reflecting off its polished surface in a thousand different directions. He held a large shield and sword that seemed to match the armor perfectly. But he wore no helmet, and his hair was long, blonde, and very dirty.
The man slowly made his way down to the edge of the water, walking with an unquestioned purpose. He paid them no mind as he kept his eyes fixed forwards.
As he reached the water's edge, a giant figure made of water slowly began to rise from the depths of the ocean. It was awe-inspiring and intimidating at the same time, a creature of the sea that seemed to embody the very essence of the ocean.
The man did not flinch. He simply looked upon the figure with an awestruck expression, as if such a sight was more than he had been expecting. He then bowed his head low in greeting before speaking.
Voronwë began to chant in elvish, his words tumbling out of his mouth in disbelief. She couldn't comprehend a word he said, so she rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't dreaming. When she opened them once more, the water figure was still there. He must be important or powerful, so maybe he can help her make it home.
Without a moment's hesitation, she sprinted towards them, with Voronwë not far behind. After a short dash down the beach, they were near enough to make out what the two were saying. It appeared that the figure was giving the man some sort of direction, speaking in Elvish. As they drew closer still, she could finally make out what the figure looked like.
The water lapped at his lower half, but his upper body was covered in some type of scale-like garment. His hair moved with the undulations of the ocean, and it was braided with shells and jewels. His eyes were a deep blue-gray, with a beard partially covering his handsome face. He carried a trident staff decorated with gems and shells. She had no doubt this man was Poseidon or Lord Ulmo, as they called him here. The two spoke for a while, a conversation she couldn't understand before the figure turned and addressed her.
"My child, you have been brought a great distance to this world and have farther yet to go. Much lies ahead of you before your destiny is complete. You must travel with Tuor and Voronwë to Gondolin. Your path will be long and full of struggles, but it will also bring great happiness."
"Yeah, that's nice and all, but is there any way you can send me back? I'm not interested in Gondolin or wherever else; I just want to go home," she pleaded.
"I cannot send you back to your world, as that is not within my power. You were summoned here by Eru Ilúvatar himself, and I will not go against his wishes. Though you will miss your home deeply, you belong here too. I can hear the small whispers of the music in my currents, but I do not know why you are here. Perhaps you will discover its meaning in time, but I will aid you however I can."
Lord Ulmo stared at her one final time, "your fate is intertwined into the very fabric of this world. I cannot undo what has already been foretold. You will have my blessing, and should you ever need my help; I will come. However, I do not foresee our paths crossing for many years. Voronwë was saved by my hand to lead you to the hidden city. Take this blessing, and may the rivers and waterways guide you on your journey."
Kiera desperately wanted to speak again, but Voronwë jumped in to speak to Lord Ulmo in rapid elvish. After a few minutes, he bowed low, and the figure spoke one last time to the man. However, this time, Lord Ulmo gave him a cloak and bid them all farewell. Then, Lord Ulmo disappeared beneath the waves. Neither Kiera nor Voronwë received anything.
Voronwë gaped at her with admiration, "you must be important if he bestowed a blessing upon you and Eru Ilúvatar personally brought you here!" He was in awe of her, yet she felt uneasy due to his intense gaze. She wished to just be an ordinary person and return home.
So Lord Ulmo is like a god, similar to Poseidon. She was sure she wasn't in her own world anymore since they certainly didn't have any real sea gods. The longer she stayed, the less and less she thought this was all a dream. She had really been transported to the world of The Lord of the Rings.
She recalled James mentioning a human man who spoke to a god and journeyed to hidden city. This must be the same person. Despite her anger at Ulmo's refusal to send her home, she was dubious that Eru would converse with her directly. Maybe the other Valar could persuade him, but they were miles away, hidden beyond the sea. As she pondered this, Voronwë was conversing with the man. She turned to the two of them, waiting for them to finish speaking in their quick Elven dialect.
"My lady, I am Tuor son of Huor," he said.
Sticking out her hand, she replied, "Kiera, daughter of Susan."
He grasped her hand tightly and shook it as he said, "It seems we both were tasked to go to Gondolin. I have to let King Turgon know of the future of the city. I would be honored to travel with you, but what of your husband or escort?"
Again with the husband and escort shit. "No husband or escort. I was camping with some friends, but I was separated and brought here. I am all alone." She said with a slight shrug.
"A lady shouldn't travel alone in these times. I am glad you are accompanying us. Voronwë has agreed to guide us, although King Turgon doesn't allow humans in his realm. I hope that with Lord Ulmo's blessing that it will be enough. We should leave quickly, as the journey is long and dangerous. My rations are dwindling, but Voronwë has elvish bread that will help with the journey."
When she turned to Voronwë, he smiled at her. Thankful that her new friend is leading them to his home. The city should be safe for a while. She'll have to write down what she can remember from James and hope it is enough. She vaguely remembers the overall story and bits and pieces from more minor events.
"Come, let us leave, as the journey to Gondolin will be long. I have enough food for us, and hopefully, the weather will stay good. We cannot afford any delays; if we are, we must hunt and look for food. The journey should take 15 days if we don't run into trouble or are delayed," Voronwë said as he started towards the stairs.
Voronwë led the group as she trailed behind both, lost in thought. This was the Lord of the Rings she had heard about since childhood, although James mentioned a few of the stories from the first age. She recalled the greater details of some events of this age; it was filled with many amazing and horrifying deeds. Glorfindel was her favorite character in the stories, and it suddenly dawned on her that she was going to see him in Gondolin. She stopped mid-step as this realization struck her.
Voronwë and Tuor didn't notice her stopping, so she hurried to catch up to them on the stairs. As she jogged, she gasped in wonder when they reached the top doorway. The castle was magnificent. The white stone walls were built around the cliff edges and seemed like something out of a fairy tale, which it kind of was. The towers and buildings were finely crafted and had empty courtyards around each.
Voronwë noticed her wandering eye, "it is a beautiful city, but Gondolin is much more. I wish we could walk around and explore, but we must keep moving."
With a nod, she hustled to keep up with the guys. Tuor strode forward with determination, barely acknowledging the city he was passing through. To them, this place was like any other city. They navigated the deserted streets until they made it to the large main gate. It was open, and they went through it out into a plain with a path overgrown with grassy vegetation.
Tuor sped up, prompting Voronwë and her to walk faster. As they traveled, the landscape shifted from long, rolling plains to a massive mountain range along one horizon. On the other side, they could see a small patch of trees in the distance. With each step, the sound of breaking waves faded further and further away. They continued on their trek, walking in comfortable silence most of the afternoon.
All of them lost their own thoughts for the day. She was making a mental list of the stories she could remember and the events that happened. A lot had already passed, like the tale of Beren and Lúthien. Once they arrived at Gondolin, she would have to obtain a notebook or paper and make a physical list. Her mind also wondered what Ulmo had said about belonging to both worlds. That didn't make any sense, as her family was all humans. She brushed it off as nonsense.
When the sun started to set, they stopped to make camp. Exhausted, she dropped the tent and bags and flopped onto the grass. They were still in the plains, but Voronwë said it was open enough that he could see if anybody came near them. Voronwë handed out a small piece of bread to each of them for dinner. Then, she spread out the sleeping bag and blanket and laid them on the grass. She was so tired from the long day of walking that all she did was take off her boots and crawled in, and was asleep in a matter of seconds.
The sky was just starting to lighten when she stirred from her sleep. Voronwë and Tuor were speaking softly in Elvish. She also noticed that she really had to pee. They didn't even stop once yesterday, or maybe the guys did once they made camp.
Tuor saw that she was awake and said, "good morning. I hope you slept well. We must leave soon, as we must reach the stream close to the forest to refill our water packs. Voronwë says that it will take most of the day. I am sorry we are moving fast, but these lands are not safe, and I would prefer not to run into any of the enemy's minions."
Agreeing, Kiera climbed out of her sleeping bag, shuddering at the thought of running into orcs or goblins. But those creatures were nothing compared to the balrogs and Morgoth that lurked in this time period. She quickly gathered her belongings and untangled the knots in her hair. Hopefully, they would reach a stream, and she could wash. For now, she remained in her clothes from the day before and laced up her boots. Voronwë broke a piece of bread in half and offered it to her as they waited patiently for her to finish. She gobbled it down quickly.
Standing awkwardly, she asked, "I need to pee, but I don't have anything to wipe. Do either of you have leaves or anything?"
Tuor's face reddened with embarrassment, but Voronwë laughed and rummaged through his bag. He pulled out some large leaves and handed them to her. Kiera assumed that the leaves would be hard and stiff, yet they were surprisingly soft.
"Thanks," she said. "I'll be quick."
She located an area a good distance away from them through the tall grass. Thankfully, they both were facing the other direction, but she still made sure to stay far away. She certainly didn't want Voronwë to hear her pee, but there was not much else she can do. When she finished, she put the extra leaves in her bag for later. When she rejoined them, they started on their way with the sun shining over their heads.
Voronwë offered to help her with her day pack, and Tuor shouldered the tent bag. Knowing they needed to make good time, Kiera was grateful for the help. Tuor only had a small pack and his armor and shield. Voronwë, too, only a small bag filled with food and another set of clothes. The only weapons either of them carried were small knives, leaving them vulnerable if anything unsavory found them.
Tuor stepped out at the head of the group, eager to set the pace for the morning journey. Voronwë followed alongside her, their strides falling into a rhythm as they walked. All of them stayed quiet for a couple of hours until Kiera finally broke the silence, her voice still a bit hoarse.
"I can't stand silence. Could you tell me more about yourselves, seeing as we will be traveling together? I will tell you about myself in exchange."
Voronwë perked up at this and said, "Certainly, my lady. I was born to a Noldor father and a Sindarin mother. My mother was akin to Lord Círdan at the Mouths of Sirion. The Noldor are the elves who left Middle Earth and lived in Valinor across the sea. They lived for a long time before Morgoth killed the trees and fled back to Middle Earth. The Noldor followed after. Many tales there are of this time, both sad and tragic. I will be glad to tell you more about our history."
She nodded eagerly, and he continued, "my father came to the Mouths of Sirion, where Círdan and his people lived. There my father met my mother, and they married. My father, Aranwë, and my mother, Vena, left with King Turgon's people to the hidden city. I was born in Nevrast, but I was still small when we left. I grew up in Gondolin and trained with my father in his craft of jewelry making. However, I had no love for it and longed for the sea and the tales my mother would tell."
He paused, and a hint of sorrow passed through his expression. "My father and I fought in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, where my father was slain during the retreat. My mother faded from grief, as many did during that time. A year later, Turgon called me to travel down the river and to the sea. There, I was to build a boat with the others, sail to Valinor, and plead to the Valar to help fight Morgoth."
"However, I tarried in a clearing for some time and didn't make it in time with the others. Instead, Círdan helped me build the last boat. Then I sailed with just a few other elves, as none had returned that had left before. We sailed for years searching, but the shores of Valinor are well protected. We tried to sail back when our ship got caught in a storm. I was spared by the grace of Lord Ulmo to be your guide."
Her expression softened with empathy. "I'm sorry for your loss," she said in a quiet voice. "But I'm glad to have met you, and I hope we can be friends." Her smile seemed to make his sadness dissipate, and he smiled back, brighter than before.
"I am honored to meet you, and my heart is glad to have met you."
"You will have to tell me more about yourself later, like your hobbies or interests. What about you, Tuor?"
"I am Tuor, son of Huor of the house Hador. My father also perished at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad while my mother, who was with child, fled. She fled to stay with the elves at Mithrim. After I was born, I was fostered by the elves as my mother died of grief. I am grateful, for they taught me much, and I learned a great deal while I grew up. When I came of age, I wished to fight the servants of Morgoth, but instead, we had to flee our home from the evil men who serve Morgoth."
"While fleeing, I was captured and sold as a slave to the Easterlings. I was a slave for many years until I escaped. Afterward, I lived as an outlaw, killing orcs and Easterlings who crossed my path. But alas, the sea called me, and two elves showed me the way to Nevrast and the city of Vinyamar. Once there, I was entranced by the city and found this suit of armor. Eventually, the sea called me again, and Lord Ulmo found me and gave me this task."
Kiera felt her heart breaking as he spoke of his past. "I'm so sorry that you had to endure the suffering of slavery and the loss of your parents. Nobody deserves that. I'm glad to have met you as well, and I hope we can be friends."
"I thank you for your kind words. I don't have any friends anymore and would like some again," he smiled.
"You'll have to tell me more, but I'll tell you about myself. Like Lord Ulmo said, I come from another world, except my world doesn't have any magic, elves, or evil creatures. My mother, Susan, is a nurse who is like a healer, and my father, Robert, is an architect who designs buildings. I have two siblings, an older brother Greg and an older sister Jennifer. I lived in Duluth, Minnesota, where I grew up. It is a beautiful place next to a huge lake and full of nature. I was going to school to be an architect like my dad."
"We were on a break for a holiday, and my friends and I were camping when I ended up here. I'm still sad and a little confused about why I was brought here and my purpose. Although one of my favorite mottos is onward and upward, so I'm just taking it as it comes. I am glad to have met you both. I was freaking out a bit, as I didn't know where I was, but I am glad we are together."
Kiera and the two strangers, who were now her friends, grinned at one another, and Tuor suggested taking a break. She took out a granola bar and split it up between the three of them before Voronwë handed them each a slice of bread.
Once they continued walking, Voronwë asked, "Do all humans look like you where are you from?"
"Kind of, I guess," she answered, a little puzzled. "I'm not sure what you mean?"
He blushed a little and continued, "You are lovely. Your hair is soft, and I have never seen brown hair with streaks of gold. Your eyes look like some of the Eldar who have seen the trees. Your blue eyes have a gold ring that reminds me of water reflecting on the sea. Sometimes they appear green instead of blue, and it is quite strange. Your clothing is also odd but fits your body well, which is also very lean. I admit I have not met many humans, but the few who live in the mouths of Sirion do not look like you."
Her cheeks flushed as she accepted the compliment. "Thank you, but I guess it is normal. My hair has highlights, which are quite common for women in my world. My eyes are hazel, which is rare where I'm from but not special. Everyone in my family has the same color eyes except my father. We get them from my grandmother. They can change color depending on what I am wearing, but they are usually blue or green with a gold ring around the center. My clothes are pretty normal in my world. I'm sure we have some clothes that would be considered odd here. This is what I normally wear. I was hiking when I came here, so the clothes I have were built for the outdoors."
Tuor cast an amused gaze in her direction and winked at her. "You are quite a beautiful woman," he said. "I must say, your eyes, hair, and clothing are most unusual. During my travels, I have never encountered someone who looks like you. It is not a bad thing, however; it makes you unique."
She had a good chuckle at them both, but in her mind, she wasn't anything special. She was just average in her world. "I can't really say much since I haven't seen any other humans here. But I'm considered normal in my world. I'm not rail thin like an elf, but I hike and kayak with my friends, so I'm in fairly good shape. I think it is important to take care of yourself, and some of my hobbies require you to be in decent shape."
The conversations gradually shifted to lighter topics. Kiera had to explain a few things to the two, like what school was and some of her hobbies, like kayaking. For the rest of the afternoon, they asked each other questions. Voronwë was most curious about her job and the plants and animals around her home. He mentioned that the craftsmen and builders in Gondolin would welcome her if Turgon accepted them. Voronwë enthusiastically shared information about Gondolin and the places he had visited during his journeys.
Tuor was most surprised by the lack of creatures and other beings. "Your home seems like a paradise if there are no evil servants. Although, the world sounds sad without elves," said Tuor.
Voronwë gave a gentle smile and remarked, "I, too, am saddened by my lack of kin. Your world seems like a fine place if there are more people like you."
They continued to talk most of the day, as there wasn't much to look at except the grassy plain. Voronwë said Turgon chose the location for Vinyamar because you could see anything or anybody coming for miles. He talked about the history of the area and the city, but it was short, as they left shortly after he was born. Sometimes they would walk in silence, while other times, Voronwë would sing softly. They had to stop a few times for bathroom breaks, which was awkward for everyone.
Just as the sun was setting, they made it to the edge of the forest. Voronwë guided them a short way into the woods to a stream with a clearing. The area was private, making it perfect for their camping spot for the night. The trees and foliage surrounded them on all sides, providing privacy and seclusion, and this was where they would make camp for the night.