Gifted //Éomer / LOTR

Prologue

Genny Lloyd is finished with school and now has the chance to explore the world. Hogwarts was facing a hard time, with the rise and violent actions of this new "Lord Voldemort," but Genny is pretty confident that travel to other continents is still possible - especially the muggle way. So, the 18-year-old boards a plane and heads to her first dream location: New York City, USA.

Growing up in a complicated household (absentee father, a lack of a mother, and quite eccentric godparents who raised her) made for one tolerant woman in Genny. Her godparents constantly traveled Europe and brought Genny along whenever they could, so she had already seen and named her favorite spots on that continent. She adored the beaches wherever they went, the busy streets of crowded cities, and the empty and calm lands of moors and countrysides. The sea called to Genny, however, in a way that she couldn't describe. She was happiest with her toes in the sand and an ocean breeze in her hair. So, going to see New York was no challenge to accept. The daunting streets wound excitement in Genny and the image of coastal views was prominent in her mind's eye as she flew over the Atlantic.

JFK airport is busy and crowded, and Genny finds it hard enough to catch a taxi without being trampled, let alone enjoy the scenery. MACUSA knew she was here, but left her alone, thankfully. The taxi drops her off at her hotel, a handsome building close to the Empire State Building and 5th Avenue, and she takes the time to make herself ready to explore and wear off her jet lag. She giddily holds her muggle camera that has been altered magically to her chest as she leaves the hotel, turns to her left, and immediately crashes into another person. She expects to fall flat on her butt and back but is surprised when the stranger grabs her and holds her steady.

"I am so sorry," she begins, straightening her hair out. "I wasn't paying attention to the people around me and-" She cuts herself off. The stranger is a beautiful man in a Hawaiian shirt, khakis, and a brilliant smile. She is momentarily dazzled by his deep green eyes, black, windswept hair, and easy-going posture.

"Did I hurt you?" The man chuckles at her question as if the thought of anyone hurting him was impossible.

"No, you didn't hurt me. What's your name, and what are you doing so far away from home?" Genny is confused for a second but remembers her Scottish accent.

"Ah, yes. I'm Genny. Genny Lloyd. And I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure," she smirks. The man laughs at her insinuation. "And who might you be?"

"You can call me Don. Who might this 'adventurer' be, Miss Genny Lloyd?"

"Mayhaps it might be you, good sir," she puts on a posh attitude and jokes with Don.

"Perhaps it is," Don is grinning at Genny as if she might be the next best thing for him. "Might I show you around New York?"

Genny is delighted.

"I would expect nothing less of a New Yorker."

...

Genny planned on spending 3 weeks in New York. She did so, and the entire time was spent with Don. She told him of her plans to visit as many beaches of the State of New York as she could. And like the gentleman, he was turning out to be, offered to drive her to wherever she wanted to go. Genny agreed. He couldn't really hurt her, so what was the harm? Each time they stopped, he would help her rent a motel room for the night, they would enjoy the beach of their choice, and he would love her until they fell asleep. This routine was nothing short of a long-imagined summer's dream. Don was kind and good, he loved the ocean and all that lived in it. When they reached Montauk, Don grew sad, and they didn't stay long. He drove her to a marina and told her he owned a boat in the area. He took her out to sea and showed her the beauty of the Atlantic from the Western point of view. The sea creatures curiously came up to them, but who was Genny to question such a thing. They were beautiful and gentle - just as Don himself was. She found herself falling in love with the nature of the Atlantic and in the nature of Don himself. She knew she would probably never see him again once she returned to Europe, so she kept her feelings to herself.