Following Frodo~ My Unexpected Journey

Chapter 2~ Strange Encounters

"G-Gandalf?"

My eyes grow wide as I stare at the wizard.

"Ah young Arella, it is time we met."

"What do you mean?" I ask timidly but am eased by Gandalf's kind grey eyes.

"Why don't you come step outside with me." I nod glancing around at the terrible mess that I use to call my kitchen. The dwarfs sit around their faces stuffed like chipmunks and all focus is adverted from me except Kili I look away and shut the door behind me as I stand with the wizard.

"So.." I cross my arms over my chest. "...You were saying?"

"I have been watching you Arella." I stare in disbelief. Now coming out of anyones mouth but Gandalf's it would have sound very creepy and stalkerish. But when he said it, he made it sound like it was an everyday occcurance.

"Oh...but why?"

"Well.." He looks around and lifts off his hat scratching his quickly thinning hair.

"You have been summouned by Lord Elrond, he believes you have a gift, a gift that can help defeat the evil in Middle Earth."

"But what do I have that is different than any other girl out there, I bet there are many girls out there smarter and braver than me...how could you trust something like this in me?"

He stares at me thoughtfully and scraches his beard placing his gray hat on his head.

Resting one of his large worn hands on my shoulder he smiles. "I know not all the answers and nor does Lord Elrond, but there is something about you...your belief in adventure friendship and that even a story can be real."

"But I-how will I know when I need to help?"

Gandalf looked off and then rested his staff on the railing of the front steps. Reaching into his long cloak sleeve he pulled out a yellow envelope.

"Here...keep it hidden, keep it safe."

"But what?"

"It is my time to return to middle earth, but I do not doubt that I will be seeing you soon."

"But Gandalf-"

"Goodbye Young One." I stared at him as he began to shimmer away till there was no trace the wizard had ever been there.

I saw my parents black Toyota pull into the driveway.

"Shit!" I race into the kitchen.

"Guys you need to..."

I look around no sign of them ever being there. The kitchen is stalked back up and everything clean and straight.

A deep voice clears behind me.

"Ah!" I stumble back as the strong arms of Kili grip me to keep me steady.

"You allright."

"Yea..but why are you as tall as me?" My eyebrows raised. He gives me a dark grin.

"Magic."

The doorbell rings.

"Kili you have to leave." I urge if my parents find him here they would admit me into the insanity hospital. Gulping I try to grab his arm but he pulls me aside.

"I will keep you safe Arella, you have my word, please do not be frightend."

"Okay" I say breathlessly as the doorbell rings again.

"I must go." He smiles and bows quickly as he dissapears.

I let out a breath. Oh god.

"ARELLA!" My moms shrill voice calls through the door.