A Second Chance

A Second Chance Part 4

It is a further three days before we reach Rivendell and I am by now completely despondent and totally convinced that I was either to be killed or told that I must go home or that, either that or no one would believe me. This whole experience had very quickly gone from being my greatest fantasy to the worst experience of my fairly shitty life so far.

"You must follow me child you are injured," the voice is gentle and so far removed from what I had become accustomed to over the last, well, ever, that I start in surprise and look up to see a tall elf standing before me.

"Lord Elrond," I whisper in awe and he raises an eyebrow at me slightly,

"You know me?" he questions and I am glad to see that at least he does not throw me against a nearby surface and hold a sword to my throat, I am not sure how much more of that I can stand. As if reading my thoughts, although knowing his gifts perhaps he has seen already what has happened or at least bits of it, he smiles reassuringly, "I will not harm you child,"

"I... have read about you," I answer truthfully and he nods before moving to take my arm at which point I automatically flinch away from him and take up a defensive stance, It was more instinct than anything. A lifetime of being beaten had taught me that at least, that and never trust anyone because it's the ones who are supposed to protect you that hurt you the most and so far it looked like Middle Earth wasn't going to do much to dispel those views.

"Come, we will save any further conversation for when you have rested and been healed," he says backing away slightly to give me space and I don't miss the look he throws Aragorn's way as we pass him.

I wake to the feeling of softness surrounding me and a feeling of safety, something I had not felt in a very long time. Sitting up I become immediately aware of the fact that I am wearing a long gown and have been cleaned thoroughly, my wounds dressed and I feel more well rested than I had in a long time, those aches and pains gone the only residual pain a dull ache in my shoulder which had also been fixed.

"Ah you are awake good, now maybe we can get some answers," the voice startles me and let out a little yelp of shock as I spin round to see the old man by the fireplace.

"Gandalf," I exclaim and notice the brief flicker of surprise on his own face before he smiles at me.

"They were right then, interesting, come get dressed and then we shall try to work out what your coming here means," he says and I nod numbly picking up the dress that has been laid out and moving towards the room he indicates and pulling the dress on. I briefly admire the beauty of the garment before I am once again dragged back to the moment as a knock on the door indicates that I need to follow Gandalf and I do so silently, praying to any god that may exist that they believe me and this whole thing doesn't get any worse than it already is.

We make our way down several corridors and despite the fact that I keep my eyes firmly directed at the floor I can tell that everyone we pass is staring at my strangely and it makes me wrap my arms around myself in protection, I hate being stared at, I hate being the centre of attention so this was effectively my worst nightmare.

"We are here," Gandalf's voice is gentle and I look up quickly to see that we have appeared in the doorway of a large room, which is open to the valley with balconies and beautiful views that under any other circumstances would take my breath away and keep my attention for hours but right now my attention is focused on the men staring at me. I shift awkwardly from one foot to the other until a hand appears at my back making me jump and flinch away and then cringe as I see the looks passed between them.

"Sit down Finley," Elrond commands and I nod moving quickly to the chair he has indicated and sitting in it.

"Aragorn tells us that you have a strange story about who you are," he continues after a while and I glance up, taking in his posture before I glance around the room, stifling a gasp as I spot who else is there. Standing in the corner beside Aragorn, looking more beautiful and unobtainable than any story could possibly describe him as being was an elf that could only be Legolas.