Kiera
The following day, she found it hard to get out of bed: it was warm and comfy. When she sat up, she saw that both Tuor and Voronwë were already up and looked well-rested.
Voronwë informed her, "we will leave soon. There is a river past the gates of silver where we can bathe and get ready to meet our escort. It will take an hour to reach the end of the gates, but it is half a day's ride from the gates to the city."
"Alright," she replied with a big yawn. "I'm packed already, so we can leave quickly." She swung her legs out of bed and slipped on her boots. Voronwë led them out into the courtyard where Elemmakil was speaking to other elves.
When they reached him, the other elves left, and they started the journey to the next gate. It was not a long walk to the next gate. Archers in white tunics lined the top of the wall. The stone structure was made from white stone and had a large tree growing out of the top. They passed through, and Kiera waved shyly to the elves, who waved back. She was attempting to stay positive and make the most of the day.
As they kept walking, the mountain cliffs on either side of them gradually decreased in size. Eventually, beyond the gentle inclines, the walls opened up and allowed plenty of sunlight to flood in. The sloping hills were filled with trees and wildflowers while towering cliff walls created a picturesque valley. At the end of the valley was a large golden gate with elves in golden armor watching it from high above.
When they crossed the threshold, they were met with a large group of elves training and lounging in the tall grass. Archers were shooting at targets on one side of the path while others trained with swords. Further up the trail, there was a great stone next to a river, with an arched bridge close by. The water was cascading from a waterfall from the top of the cliffs, and it seemed as if the house had been built around it.
Elemmakil ushered them inside the house, where the sound of running water was loud. He showed them to a long corridor with several doors. He explained, "we have individual bathing pools for privacy. The waterfall provides water to the main pool, and then it flows downriver. The water is usually quite pleasant since it's heated by the sun most of the year."
Elemmakil led her to the first door and told her to take her time. He would wait for them in the main room until they were finished. She felt so relieved as she opened the door. The small chamber contained a wooden bench plus some towels hanging on the wall. Across from her were a mirror and a few bottles of soaps on the bench. Past that was wooden screens that stretched across the top of the stream, blocking the view from others.
Kiera placed her bag on the bench and began to rummage through her clothes, picking out an outfit of leggings, a shirt, and a sweater. With a quick sniff test, she grabbed the cleanest items she had. She undressed and grabbed her towel and soaps before heading over to the stream.
The stone steps made for a shaky entry into the water, but it was much warmer than she had expected. She wanted to take her time and enjoy the feeling of being clean for once. She began by massaging the soap into her hair, then running it over the rest of her body until she felt like all the dirt had been washed away. When her fingers were wrinkled from too much time in the water, she finally headed out of the stream, content with the feeling of being truly clean.
When she touched the towels, she was surprised at how soft they were and how well they absorbed the water. After she wrapped her body in one of the towels and sat on the bench, she started to dry out her hair. As she waited for it to dry, she packed her belongings, then took a brush and started to get out all the knots. When she was done, her hair was soft and silky, cascading around her shoulders in soft waves. She put on her clothes and hung the wet towels up to air-dry. Grabbing her brush and checking herself one last time in the mirror, she was ready to leave.
Kiera was surprised again when she got to the main chamber. She had beaten the boys out of the bath, and she thought she had spent a long time there. Elemmakil was leaning against the door, waiting for them, so she walked over.
As she drew closer, she uttered her appreciation for his hospitality. "Thank you for letting us bathe. I really needed a good bath. The whole place is beautifully designed, and the gates are extraordinary. Seeing as we are alone now, perhaps you could tell me what you said the other day?"
Elemmakil gave her an amused smile. "We wouldn't want you showing up to see the king, reeking all the way to Valinor," he said with a gentle laugh. "I appreciate your praise. The Noldor take pride in their craftsmanship. I hope you'll get to enjoy the city. It's a sight to behold."
His eyes glinting with amusement, he then said, "As for what I mentioned to Voronwë, I proposed that the two of you get married before you reach the city. My room would have been perfectly adequate for such a ceremony, but he is a romantic at heart and preferred a more spectacular setting for your nuptials."
His words made her cheeks flush, though she tried to conceal it. Unfortunately, he noticed, and a grin spread across his face. "I see that you are also affected by my words. What Tuor told me is correct, then. Alas, I told Voronwë this morning that he should have taken my offer. It would have been better for you both to have enjoyed each other's company and spent the night exploring one another. At least for a bit of pleasure, so you don't go in front of the king proclaiming love but blushing like maidens at the mere thought."
Now she could feel her entire face was on fire as she blurted out her confusion. "I thought the bonding was special. I thought elves only married once in their life, but you're suggesting that we rush into it for the sake of our story?"
Elemmakil let out a hearty laugh and explained, "elves that are courting or are thinking about courting spend intimate time together. A full bonding experience is saved for marriage, but elves are often encouraged to explore each other's bodies and give pleasure to their partner in other ways. I thought it was the same with humans, given what I've heard from the few men I've met. Maybe it's different for human women – I'm not sure."
She understood now and filed that information for later. "Well, that is nice to know, I guess. I can't speak for other humans, but I have no desire to jump into bed with anyone. I prefer to get to know them and be committed to them before doing anything physical. Voronwë is my friend first. Anything after will come with time, and I won't rush it. If nothing happens between us, I don't want to lose him as a friend."
Elemmakil gave her a friendly smile and a strong pat on the back. "That is exactly what he said last night after you fell asleep," he said. "Voronwë and I have been friends since we were children. I have always enjoyed poking fun at him, but seeing him excited to be here with you has made me happy." He added, "I won't tease either of you anymore about it since it's clear you both care for each other deeply."
Her heart warmed at his words, so she asked, "any good stories from when you were kids?"
Before he could respond, Tuor emerged from the hall. Kiera barely recognized him; his hair had been washed and combed, and his face fresh and clean. He now wore a borrowed tunic, but it fit him well. His armor and shield were missing, but he made his way over to where he had left his belongings. As he donned his armor and started packing up their bags, Voronwë stepped forward. She noticed that he was wearing new leggings and a different tunic - likely gifts from the elves or perhaps even Elemmakil due to their friendship.
Once they were ready to go, Elemmakil guided the group out of the house and back to the bridge. It was peaceful as they ventured out of the valley, with the sun shining warmly on them. Up ahead, there were two large pillars attached to the cliff walls. Strung in between them, it looked like a massive metal fence. The closer they got, she could see the fencing material was made from large round steel pipes. At the top, near the connection, was a giant golden helmet in the center.
The entrance opened upon Elemmakil's command, and they stepped through. No sign of any elves was visible, so she assumed they were hidden. A brief walk later, they found themselves standing at the edge of a steep bluff. Once they reached it, she finally got the first look at Gondolin. From this distance, she could see a large white city built upon a rocky shelf in the center of the large mountain valley. A large white tower stood in the city's center, with high white walls surrounding it. Spread out below were plains of wildflowers and crops growing. There was also a large lake and fountain area in the plains, with small rivers running throughout the valley. It was truly a magnificent sight, and she could feel the excitement coursing through her body as she took it all in. Even from this distance, she could see that it was massive.
She was so in awe of it, along with Tuor. Both of them stared at it for a few minutes to take it all in. It was a spectacular feat of architecture, and she hoped that she would get the chance to explore it. While soaking in the city, she didn't notice a horse and rider coming up the path.
The faint clopping of a horse's hooves and soft bells made her turn around. A large white and gray stallion came toward them with an elf clad in silver and blue armor riding it. He approached them and stepped down. As he removed his helmet, it sparkled like a thousand glittering crystals in the sunlight.
When she finally looked at his face, he was like the sun rising from behind a cloud to illuminate the day. While Kiera didn't think elves could get any more attractive, she was wrong. This elf made Voronwë and Elemmakil seem dull if that was even possible. He glowed brightly, even in the sunlight, and his long black hair was shiny like ink and braided away from his face. In his hair were diamonds and jewels strung between the braids.
His face was finely sculpted, but his eyes were quite remarkable. They were a deep blue and shown with a light halo around the iris. This must have been what Voronwë was describing before about the light of the two trees. He was very tall as he stood easily over her 5 '8 frame and even towered over Voronwë and Elemmakil. While those two were lean and willowy, this elf was muscular and broad-shouldered.
She must have looked ridiculous standing there with her jaw dropped, gawking at the otherworldly elf, yet she couldn't tear her eyes away. He handed off his helmet and shield to another elf, both of which gleamed in the sun. His eyes flicked across her two companions, then paused when they reached her. Suddenly an intense wave of warmth rolled over her body, and everything went black.
—-
When she woke, her first thought was how embarrassing. As she blinked her eyes open, she noticed a warm arm wrapped around her middle. Also, that she was on a horse. Kiera looked behind her and saw Voronwë was holding her in place.
"Lady Kiera! You're awake! We were all so worried when you fell over and fainted. But Lord Ecthelion managed to catch you so that you didn't hit your head. He was also kind enough to let us use his horse to take us into the city," Voronwë told her.
Kiera spun around to find Tuor and Ecthelion walking up the path, with Ecthelion leading his horse. Reins in one hand and her backpack in the other. Kiera's cheeks burned as she realized what must have happened – she had swooned at the sight of an elf! She felt a wave of embarrassment ripple through her. "How embarrassing. I travel for days in the wilderness and run from dark creatures, yet I faint in the presence of an elf," she muttered.
Voronwë muffled a laugh, and she saw Lord Ecthelion had a smirk playing on his lips. Stupid, elf hearing, she cried internally. Tuor, however, didn't seem to pick up on her embarrassment, too busy discussing and pointing out the city.
"I would like to get down now if that is alright?" Kiera asked.
"Certainly, my lady," replied Voronwë.
He tugged the reins and brought the horse to a halt. He leaped from the saddle and then assisted in helping her down. Glancing around, she realized they had traveled halfway to the city. Voronwë and Kiera joined Tuor as Ecthelion introduced himself.
"Well met, my lady. I am Lord Ecthelion of the fountain. I am also the Warden of the seven gates. I apologize if I had anything to do with your fainting. I am here to escort you into the city and the king," he answered with a bright grin.
She beamed at him and said, "It's nice to meet you as well. I'm Kiera Sutherland, and I am excited to see the city and meet the king. I have no idea why I fainted, but I don't think it was your fault. I think I was just overwhelmed by everything."
Ecthelion nodded, and Tuor eagerly led them on. Voronwë walked with Tuor while Ecthelion walked beside her, leading his horse.
"I can take my bag back if you don't want to carry it," she offered.
"It is no trouble, my lady. May I ask you a question?"
"Sure," she chirped.
"Tuor tells me you have the blessing of Lord Ulmo," Ecthelion asked, "did you ever live in the blessed realm? Or have you seen the two trees? I don't recall any mortals being allowed in when I was young, yet your eyes have a golden hue similar to that of the Noldor who have gazed upon the trees." He inquired with curiosity.
She shook her head, "no, not that I know of. Voronwë asked a similar question when he first met me. I never lived in this blessed realm or saw any trees. Honestly, I'm not even from this world. I have only been in Middle Earth for about a week. People commented on my eyes in my own world, but I was born with them, so I don't know. We all got them from my grandma. My mom and my two siblings all have the same colored eyes. They are called hazel eyes in my world."
He stumbled back in disbelief. His eyes widened, and his mouth gaped, "truly, another world?" he managed to stammer, and his voice quivered. "I did not think that they existed. Are you speaking honestly, and if so, how did you end up here?"
Voronwë heard their conversation and answered. "Lord Ulmo said Eru Ilúvatar brought her here. Her fate is unknown, but Lord Ulmo gave her his blessing and said she was to come with us to Gondolin."
Ecthelion's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly mouthed silent elvish phrases. Tuor winked at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes while Voronwë smiled warmly. Ecthelion's stares lingered a bit too long, and Kiera grew uncomfortable with his gaze and hastily spoke up. "I don't know much about this world, but I know whatever brought me here is powerful. I just want to be treated normally, though. I have no special powers or magic," she said, her voice wavering a bit. "I'm just a normal mortal girl who ended up here."
Ecthelion gave her a small bow but then said, "very well, my lady. I will have to tell the king, though, and possibly the other lords."
Kiera offered Ecthelion a small, understanding smile. "I get it and understand. I'll let Tuor do the talking, though. He's got a message from Lord Ulmo. I'm just along for the ride."
Everyone bowed their heads in agreement, and they kept moving toward the city. Voronwë pointed out the sights to Tuor while they spoke and walked ahead of her. Ecthelion remained by her side, but Kiera could feel the soft glances he sent her way. As she took in her surroundings, she wished Voronwë had only mentioned that she was sent by Ulmo and nothing else.
On a winding cobblestone path surrounded by wildflowers of many hues, she spotted a lake in the distance and a stone fountain with elves seated by the shoreline. In another direction were crop fields and faraway figures of elves working in them, preparing for the end of harvest season and the upcoming winter.
She turned back and gazed at the city. The walls were made of pristine white marble that encircled the entire city in a ring. In front of them, stone steps snaked up to a giant steel door. There were spiral towers on the wall and rooftops of numerous structures jutting up beyond them. In the middle, one giant white helix tower soared above all others. The city was remarkable, and she couldn't wait to stroll its streets and marvel at all its designs and architecture. Though they still had a long journey ahead, she started speaking to Ecthelion.
"So, could you tell me a little about yourself?" she asked.
A broad grin spread across his face as he smiled at her. "Certainly, my lady. I am the Lord of the Fountain. We maintain all the streams and fountains found in the city; I am also responsible for training the soldiers and guarding the gates. I was born in Valinor, but when Turgon created this city, I followed him here. I've stayed ever since, though I have left to fight in a few battles." He smiled sadly, his gaze never leaving her face. "I have never met a mortal female before."
Kiera gave a slight shrug and replied, "there are no elves in my world. No orcs or nasty creatures, just humans. Voronwë was the first elf I met, and I thought I was dreaming."
"I am saddened to hear there are no elves where you are from. You will meet plenty here in the city, for there are no mortals here," said Ecthelion.
She chuckled softly but added, "I am excited to learn all I can. I really want to learn elvish to understand everybody."
He paused, considering her intently before speaking. "That would probably be for the best, my lady. Many of the elves do not speak the common tongue. Only the guards, the city's lords, and a select few others ever learned the language. We have excellent scholars who would be glad to help you, of course, with the king's blessing."
"I hope we're able to stay in this city. Everything looks so pretty here, and the people seem friendly. I'm curious to find out what people do for fun around here. I'm sure the hobbies that I'm used to from my world don't exist here, or some of them at least. Voronwë and Tuor mentioned a few things they like to do while we were on our journey, but I still don't know what's popular in this world to pass the time."
Ecthelion smiled brightly and said, "Elves have a wide variety of interests and hobbies. We have plenty of time to pursue them and develop our skills. We are smiths, jewelers, artisans, soldiers, healers, and many more. We love to sing and dance and often hold festivals in the city. I love playing the flute and sparring, but I also have my responsibilities that keep me quite busy. Do you have a craft or an instrument that you're good at?"
Kiera lit up at the question. "I was going to school to be an architect. That's like a builder here. My father was one, and I always had a passion for it. I don't play any instruments. I sing, though, but only when no one is around, as I have terrible stage fright."
His laugh echoed across the plains, and it was like pure music to her ears. Elves seemed almost too beautiful to be real, and Ecthelion was no exception. He stood tall, his black hair falling in gentle waves to his shoulders. His blue eyes were kind, and he was calm and curious as he asked questions. Elemmaki and Voronwë were just as beautiful but more playful in nature.
"Perhaps, you will join the builders in the city. Although, they lack work as the city has been built. They mainly build new dwellings and fix areas around the city."
Kiera was disappointed to hear that, but she had so much to learn and see that it would be a while before she was settled enough to learn a new trade. She wondered about the future and figured she should ask if Ecthelion was in charge of training. "Are women allowed to train or learn to wield a sword? I admit I didn't really look around at some of the elves at the gates. I was too tired, but now I'm curious."
Ecthelion nodded and smiled, "we have many female elves who guard our city and the gates. They prefer to use a bow over a sword. I am in charge of most of the training along with my good friend and fellow Lord Glorfindel. Do you have a desire to learn?"
"Yes," Kiera spoke eagerly. "I realized on our travels that I'm not prepared to protect myself in this world. While this city is safe and hidden, I still would like to learn if possible. If I'm not any good with a sword, then maybe a bow. I know we will have to wait and see if we will be allowed to stay, but if we are, I would like to learn if you have the time. Or if someone you know has the time, I don't want to be a burden if you are busy."
Ecthelion gazed at her with a broad grin, his face beaming with delight, "I hardly train anyone new these days. We are all skilled warriors. We mainly spar together and teach the younger elves who wish to learn. I would be glad to find you a teacher if I do not have the time. My good friend Glorfindel has fewer duties than me and might train you. We shall have to see."
A gentle curve of her lips warmed into a warm smile. It was possible she could be trained by Glorfindel. Her favorite hero from the tales. She sighed softly as she said, "no rush. I'm sure if we stay, I will spend a little while learning elvish and getting to know the city. I haven't thought much about what I'm going to do. Since we are talking, I figured I could ask and see if it was even possible."
"Certainly, my lady."
Eager to keep talking about the city, she asked kindly, "could you tell me about some of the festivals you said the city has? I enjoyed all the summer festivals in my hometown. We hosted many throughout the year, and I enjoy a good party with music."
That must have been the magic word for Ecthelion because his eyes lit up even more, and he began to talk about the city festivals. Kiera only understood some of what he was describing, but the overall theme was that the elves made every excuse to party. A birthday; party. A harvest; party. A wedding;' party. There seemed to be a reason for a celebration every other week, and the lords of the houses did an excellent job of organizing so that everyone could enjoy the festivities.
Ecthelion said some smaller gatherings were held at the lord's houses, like weddings and birthday parties. The more significant seasonal and honorary festivals were held all around the city. Everyone was given a day off, even most of the guards. They rotated with a small crew for each festival, so everyone enjoyed the celebrations.
She focused so much on Ecthelion and the conversations that she completely ignored the two ahead of them. They had both stopped talking and seemed to be listening to their conversations about the festivals. Kiera felt bad for ignoring them, so the four of them spoke together for the rest of the walk. Tuor was pretty excited by all the parties as he had been lonely most of his life. Soon, though, their walking and talking made the time fly past as they arrived at the city's main gate.
As they approached the city walls, Kiera started to get anxious. What if they didn't let them stay? She remembered from the story that Tuor was allowed to stay, but perhaps, she messed it up by being here. It was hard to tell, and that made her more nervous than anything.
It was hard not to panic as they passed through the main gate. Kiera admired the beautiful craftsmanship of the wooden doors while Ecthelion gave his horse over to a smaller elf. Then, he led them down the path toward the palace. She focused on her breathing while she was lost in the architecture of the city. It was everything she could have dreamed of and more. The further they walked into the city, the more people started to come to see them to whisper and point. Voronwë noticed her uneasiness and reached out to squeeze her shoulder.
"It will be alright, lady Kiera. I'm sure the king will allow you to stay. If not, I promise to lead you to Círdan's kingdom myself."
"Thank you, that means a lot to me."
The cobbled streets gleamed like they had been polished and newly washed. The road wound around homes made of marble and white stone, with golden wood doors and shutters. The buildings were grand and imposing, topped with golden domes. Everywhere they went, elves seemed to come out of their houses to watch the travelers walk by.
As they climbed the road, the street was divided into two, with beds of colorful flowers in between. More and more elves gathered on either side of them while some trailed behind. She felt the eyes burning her and heard the whispers, but they were speaking in elvish, so she couldn't make out if it was friendly or not. Eventually, she became overwhelmed, so she tried to focus on Tuor's back ahead of her.
Voronwë must have noticed her distress and reached over to squeeze her in comfort. Though Kiera appreciated the gesture, the crowd soon became an even bigger nuisance, with people brushing Tuor and her shoulders and a few tugging at her hair. She released a nervous laugh, jerking her head away from the unexpected contact. Ecthelion saw what was happening and shouted something to the crowd that made them step back. With the newfound space, Voronwë gently rubbed his thumb in circles on Kiera's hand as she glanced around at the people of Gondolin. It was like looking into a sea of beautiful faces, and made her feel incredibly small and insignificant. The thought of having to stay or leave this place had her feeling equally scared. There was no going back now.
As they approached a large archway, the group of elves continued to grow. To take her mind off the crowd of people staring at her, she focused her attention on the archway. It was huge and built from the same white stone. Each of the pillars was adorned with intricately carved trees, animals, and flowers that extended all the way to the top. It is so beautiful that Kiera was at a loss for words as she stared in amazement.
The people behind her huddled together, making it impossible for her to turn back to view the wondrous archway they had just passed through. As they ventured further into the courtyard, she was truly taken aback by the next sight before her. It was an ethereal fountain, four stories tall and decorated with intricate carvings of nature scenes. Water cascaded down from the topmost tier, creating a mesmerizing effect that was almost too beautiful to believe. She marveled at the elves' ability to construct such a masterpiece and one that was also grand.
Navigating around the fountain, they ascended small steps to another courtyard. As they moved closer, she was struck by its beauty. Two magnificent trees stood tall in the courtyard. Both were identical in size and shape but differed in color. One being silver and the other gold. Behind them was a tall spiral tower attached to the main palace. Finally, her eyes settled on the group of elves arranged in a semicircle before the doors, with one sporting a large, golden crown.
Ecthelion led them through the courtyard while her eyes wandered among the mass of elves. They numbered in the thousands, and all were intently watching their approach. Kiera felt like she was going to be sick. Ecthelion then bowed low in front of the king and addressed him in elvish, which did nothing to help her uneasiness. Kiera was unable to comprehend a single word of what they were saying.
Voronwë must have read her expression and provided an interpretation. "Lord Ecthelion is introducing us to the king and informing him of what he knows so far."
Ecthelion finished his speech and went to stand near a tall blond-haired elf, who must have been Glorfindel. Kiera had just enough time to glance at the elf before Tuor stepped forward and bowed to the king. Turgon's face grew pale and a frown formed on his face as Tuor began to speak.
"Tuor is delivering Lord Ulmo's message. That king Turgon needs to abandon the city and seek refuge in the area protected by Lord Ulmo. Should he refuse to heed this warning, Gondolin will fall. Tuor is now telling the king about his travels."
Kiera observed as Tuor spoke and surveyed the lords of the city. Kiera focused on the king as Tuor talked. The king had an air of superiority, and his flowing clothes, which were beautifully tailored to fit him splendidly, were adorned with precious gems. The crown atop his head appeared to be composed of delicately crafted branches adorned with gold and silver threads. His long, dark brown hair was woven back from his face, illuminating his sharp cheekbones. His gray eyes gazed upon everyone, and his lips revealed a thin smile.
As Tuor spoke, her attention was once again in his direction. It wasn't long before he gestured to Voronwë and her, and she knew she was about to be introduced.
After a few more words, Voronwë spoke, "come. The king wants to meet you."
Tuor stepped out of the way, and Kiera walked on shaky legs to the king. She didn't know if she should bow or curtsy but settled on bowing low and then addressed the king.
"Your majesty, I am honored to meet you. I am called Kiera Sutherland, and I am grateful to be allowed in your city."
The king spoke in the common tongue to her, "well met, lady Kiera. I am king Turgon, and I welcome you to the city."
Voronwë bowed, murmuring a phrase in elvish. After the king gave his response, he spoke to the gathered elves, and the crowd began to disperse, leaving only a few behind. Then the king beckoned for them to follow him into the palace.
They trailed after the lords, and she noted that she was the only female aside from a blonde-haired elf walking close to the king. Kiera guessed that it was either his daughter or wife.
As they entered the palace, the elves dispersed, sitting in chairs that formed a semicircle around him. The king took his spot on the throne in the middle while the women stood by his side. The chamber was spacious, with numerous windows that let in natural light. Other than the seats, there was nothing else inside the hall.
As everyone else took their seats, she and her companions were left standing in the center of the room. King Turgon spoke up and addressed her directly. "It's my understanding that you don't speak elvish. We can try to communicate in the common language if that's easier. Tuor has not spoken much about you except that you have the blessing of Lord Ulmo. Would you be so kind as to tell us a bit more about yourself?"
Facing the panel of elf lords was quite intimidating, but Kiera took a deep breath and started to tell her story.
"Well, I'm Kiera. I am 23 years old, and I was in the last year of my architecture degree. I was camping with my friends in the Black Hills, and when I woke up, I found myself on a beach. There is no ocean near the Black Hills, and I was quite confused. I saw a castle in the distance, so I walked toward it because I was lost. Once I reached the castle, I ran into Voronwë and thought I was dreaming. In my world, there are no elves except in stories. Voronwë offered to take me to an elf named Círdan to see if he might be able to get me home."
"However, Lord Ulmo rose out of the water and spoke to Tuor, who had come walking onto the beach. Voronwë and I went to him, where he told me I was brought to this world by Eru Ilúvatar, and he couldn't send me home. He said my destiny was to follow Tuor and Voronwë to Gondolin. He gave me his blessing and then disappeared. I have no idea why I was brought here. I have no special powers or any magic. I'm just a normal human girl."
Nobody spoke for a second. Her tale has shocked most of them. The first to break the silence was an elf seated next to the king. His hair was jet black, and his eyes were the color of night. He was dressed in fine material that was entirely black. He was quite handsome, but the minute he opened his mouth, a disgusting snarl formed on his face.
"Lies, nothing but lies!" he bellowed. "The very thought is absurd, as other worlds cannot exist. Uncle, she is nothing more than a pawn of the enemy, do not be fooled by her false promises. Eru Ilúvatar would never bring a useless human woman into this world. She is a witch, and she has entranced her companions," he screeched.
Before Kiera could say a word, Voronwë yelled back. "How dare you accuse her of being a witch. I was present when Lord Ulmo spoke of her destiny and gave her his blessing. He admitted she was from another world. You would dare question a Valar and the one himself," he raged.
"Lies!" He roared, his words echoing off the walls of the hall like a thunderstorm. "Eru Ilúvatar does not meddle in the affairs of this world! How could he bring this wretched mortal to our city while Melkor rules and terrorizes these lands? He would leave us to our own destruction, yet brings this worthless woman here? Nay, uncle. Hear me now! She is a spy sent by the dark lord himself to sow ruin in this city. The Valar have been fooled before! Did they not allow Melkor's influence to spread across these lands, causing chaos and destruction?"
His words filled the air like thunder, rumbling through the hall so that no one could deny his presence. He pointed an accusing finger at the woman, and his voice held an edge of malice. "We cannot turn a blind eye to her dark powers! Voronwë and this man have been bewitched into thinking they have seen Lord Ulmo, but who's to say that's not a lie? Perhaps this is all a ruse to gain entry into this hidden city and feed the enemy information. I don't trust their words, and I say we kill them."
Kiera stood frozen, her mind racing to comprehend the implications of the elf's words. The lords of the city had started to clamor, their faces a mixture of confusion, outrage, and agreement as they argued in an incomprehensible jumble of elvish and common. She glanced at Voronwë, whose eyes showed his fear as he understood their heated exchange. A heavy dread settled in her stomach as she realized what might happen—she might be killed, as they believed her to be the servant of the enemy. All of her hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the future were crushed in that instance.
"Silence," the king bellowed, and the hallowed chamber fell eerily quiet. "You have regaled me with an unusual story, Lady Kiera. Pray tell, what more can you tell me about your world and your family? Are you married? Do you have children?"
She nervously responded, "my world is very advanced. It's different from this world, but we share some common things. However, my world doesn't have any magic or gods that we know of. No elves or evil creatures, just humans. My mom is a healer, and my dad is a builder. I have two older siblings; a brother and a sister. My sister is also a healer, and my brother builds houses. I have no husband or children."
The king's eyes narrowed in suspicion as he intently studied her. His gaze lingered on her face before his eyes slowly traced her lithe frame. After a few moments, he spoke, his voice ringing with authority, "your world is a strange one indeed if a woman as beautiful as you could remain unmarried and be able to survive alone in the wilderness." He paused for a moment as his expression hardened. "You are quite old for a mortal woman to be unwed and one as beautiful as you. Most human women are married and wed by the time they reach their 16th year and already have children."
Before she could answer, Voronwë interrupted, "your majesty, the lady Kiera did not complain once during our travels. She was a wonderful traveling companion and showed me and Tuor great kindness. She answered all of our questions and shared her food with us during the long journey. She never complained as we ran for days and helped out whenever she could. She has been brought to this world without her say and has taken everything in stride."
"Many elves would have broken down after being torn away from their families. Although her story is unusual, everything she says is true, and she has been open with us. Lord Ulmo gave her his blessing, just as he did with me when he pulled me from the depths of the sea. He has brought us all together, Kiera, Tuor, and I, so that Tuor could tell you Lord Ulmo's message. We are telling the truth, and I hope that my words will convince you as such."
The king looked thoughtfully at Voronwë's words, as did some other lords. Kiera glanced around the room as the other lords were murmuring amongst themselves. Ecthelion was leaning close to the blonde-haired elf as their heads were bent together, whispering.
The black-haired elf spat out his words with a snarl, "you are certainly bewitched by her. I've heard that mortals have no morals. Tell me, Voronwë, did she let you into her bed? Is that why you are defending her?" His eyes glinted with rage, and his teeth were set in a menacing scowl as he awaited an answer.
The entire hall was stunned into silence by the elf's words. She could feel the rage boiling within her, and before anyone else could utter a word, she shouted out in her own uproar of defiance. "Excuse me," she hissed, her voice like ice. "I have never thrown myself at any man or elf, and how dare you accuse me of such. First, you accuse me of being a witch, and now you are accusing me of sleeping with Voronwë. I am disgusted and have had enough of your baseless accusations. I have been ripped from my world and thrust into this one. Voronwë was the first person to help me in this world and offered to take me to a safe place. He has shown me great kindness, and you will not disrespect him in my presence."
The black-haired elf opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. "I'm not finished," her voice trembling with rage. "I have met the great Lord Ulmo, and I begged him to send me back to my world. He couldn't, and I had to say goodbye to my family forever. I will never see them again or speak to them again. I will never hug them or tell them how much I love them. My loved ones will be left forever wondering what happened to me. They will never stop searching for me, yet they will never see me again. That very idea makes my heart stop. I have lost what is most dear to me and dropped into this world. I have struggled, made friends, ran for my life, laughed, and cried. I have worked hard to put it behind me and look forward to the future because that is all I can do. I have traveled a great distance and risked my life to come to this city with Tuor and Voronwë, so you would be able to hear Lord Ulmo's message."
She straightened her back and stood tall as she faced her accusers. She wouldn't go down without a fight, nor would she allow them to continue to insult her. "Now, you stand before me, accusing me of being a witch and a whore," she uttered with sheer disgust. "You are debating whether to kill me for existing. I will not stay in this city if this is to be my fate. I have not gone through so much just to be cruelly and unjustly slaughtered by elves who have no idea what it is like to be me. If you will not accept me into the city, then I would rather take my chances on the open roads than die here by your hands. Perhaps then I can find Lord Ulmo again and beg him to help me get back to my home and family."
The air in the room was thick with the silence of grief. The blonde elf woman standing with the king was on the verge of sobbing. Voronwë had a few tears pooled in his eyes as he tried to blink them away. Tuor's expression was one of sorrow directed at her. The dark-haired elf was seething with rage. It appeared that no one had ever spoken to him so harshly before, but she did not regret her words - he was fucking prick, even if he was a high lord of this city.
Kiera looked back at the king and waited for him to speak. His face was unreadable, and she wasn't sure how she felt about that. She laid everything out for them, but in the end, it might not matter.
The king bowed his head slightly, then said, "I apologize for my nephew's behavior. He had no intention of offending you. We must now decide your fate. I ask that you please leave the hall while we deliberate."
Kiera turned and headed to the doors without one glance back. She heard the soft pitter patter of Voronwë and Tuor's feet behind her. As they exited the hall, the doors closed behind her with a loud snap.