From Wyoming, to Middle-earth

Chap. 19 - Reunited With A Decision

After Aragorn disappeared, I felt extremely tired. I went to my sleeping pad, and started to take off my boots when a voice sounded in my head. This must be what Boromir was hearing.

"Someone from your past wishes to speak with you," Lady Galadriel's voice whispered. I looked around, and I saw a image in my mind. A small crystal clear pond was surrounded by green, mossy trees. Candles were set upon rocks. I wasn't sure where that was, but I got up. My feet hurt and I was tired. I didn't want to talk to anybody at the moment. I crept around Boromir and Sam, who were asleep. I wandered through the forest floor, and walked through a tunnel that was carved into a fallen tree. At the end of the magnificent tunnel, I had to go through a curtain of vines. Two women stood at the edge of the circular pond. One was Lady Galadriel, and the other I did not recognize. Lady Galadriel turned to face me, and said to the other woman, "She is here."

The woman turned around. Her long, blonde hair covered her face, and she pushed it out of the way. Her emerald green cloak twirled around. I examined her clean face. My face was probably covered in ash, dirt, and dried orc blood. I was still holding my bow, and wearing my quiver filled with blood covered arrows. My clothing was probably filthy. Ripped and covered in blood and dirt. Not to mention my hair. Which was somehow still smelled like that soap I had used back in Rivendell, but was covered in blood, ash, and dirt as well.

"Alex!" the woman smiled. She rushed towards me, and hugged me. I stumbled back, and lightly returned her embrace. Who was this woman? She looked strangely familiar. She backed away, with tears in her eyes. I looked at her neck, where a gold chain with a gold locket hung. Mom. I laughed, and grinned, and started to cry, "Mom!"

Mom hugged me back again, and we were both crying now.

"How.. What.. Why are you here?" I asked her, and wiped my nose on my sleeve. Reality hit me real fast, "You.. You died! If you are here and.. You're dead.. Then am I dead?!"

"No, no. You aren't dead."

"Then why are we here?" I asked, confused.

"When I was hit by that drunken idiot, he died instantly. He was taken to the hospital, as was I. But I hadn't passed away yet. The drunk man's wife came to the hospital. She must have been some kind of gyspy. From the way she was dressed. She came into my room, as I laid there dying. She murmured words under her breath in a different language, and then she yelled at me in English, cursing me. She had said that once I died, I'd have to conquer evil in another world. And by the fate of another, and once all of the evil was gone from that one world, I could rest in peace. And once you and your hobbit friend destroy that ring, I will be freed from the curse. And you will return home as well," Mom explained.

The fortune teller. She had cursed me to have nightmares. And then I was ported here. "Because of your curse, and by my fate, I met the fortune teller. Who cursed me with dreams so I was ported here! Mom! I'm risking my life so you can find peace? It seems like you have found peace here!" I said, my voise raising angrily, and I pointed to the peaceful looking pond.

Mom looked taken aback, and she frowned. I felt guilty. I meet my mom after she died and this is how I treat her.

Lady Galadriel stepped in, "My dear Alex. Think of all the friends you have made on this journey. Aragorn thinks highly of you. And Boromir has also taken kindly to you. You are risking your life for a world that desperately needs peace. You can go back to your normal life back in Wyoming now, and have your friends miss you; or you can stay."

Once she said it that way, being here didn't seem so bad after all. I looked at my mom, and then at Lady Galadriel. I thought about what she had said. I made decision quickly. I couldn't leave this world to rot. I couldn't do it to Aragorn, or the others. I couldn't leave my mom here to live here until someone banished all evil. I looked at Lady Galadriel, who was watching me intently.

"I have made me decision," I said strongly. My mom looked up at me, and she wiped her eyes.
"I wish to stay and help banish all evil here in Middle Earth. I wish to free you, Mom. I wish to stay here, with Aragorn. I wish to help Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin. I wish to free Boromir of his burden! I wish to stay," I said proudly.

My mom smiled with joy, and Lady Galadriel laughed with happiness. "Thank you, my daughter!" Mom said, and threw her arms around me.

Lady Galadriel smiled, "You have made a wise decision, Alex. Come. Let's get you cleansed."

I kissed my mom good night, and followed Lady Galadriel to a naturally heated pond. There were at least 15 of the heated pools. Soap rested near the edge of the pond.

"Does anyone else.. Come in here often?" I asked quietly, nervous of undressing in front of other people.

"Yes, but not at this hour," Lady Galadriel said. I nodded. "I will bring you fresh clothes. I understand that you are not fond of dresses?"

I laughed, "Yes, my lady."

She smiled, "I will fetch you some clothing then. Please enjoy your bath."

I smiled, and watched her walk away. I took off my bow and quiver, and unhooked my sword from my belt. I laughed, and changed out of my filthy clothes and slid into the hot pond. I scrubbed my body clean, and washed my hair and waited for Lady Galadriel. She returned, and set down folded clothes and a towel, with a wooden comb atop it all. "Thank you," I said. She left, and I quickly grabbed my towel. I dried off. I unfolded the dark green legging like pants and put them on. A sapphire green tunic was left, and I put it on. I tightened my belt so it fit around my waist, and dried my hair. I put my feet into my boots, and combed through my damp hair. I braided it, and neatly folded up the towel I had used. I grabbed my dirty wool socks, and put the comb onto the towel.

As I walked through the tree tunnel, I hooked my sword through my belt, and and put my bow around my shoulders. I just held my quiver and I wandered back to the Fellowship's camp.

I approached the door, and noticed Aragorn and Legolas quietly talking next to a small campfire. I walked over and sat on the moss again.

"I thought you went to get rest?" Aragorn asked me, with an amused twinkle in his eye.

"Lady Galadriel wanted to talk with me," I said.

"You seem happy about that," Legolas said quietly.

"I met my mother for the first time in years," I whispered. Aragorn looked at me, and reached for the locket I had given him, "You did?"

"Yes. I learned why I had come here. Lady Galadriel offered my a choice to go home," I said faintly.

"And what did you say? Are you going back to Wy.. yo.. ming?," Aragorn asked sadly.

I stayed silent, and looked at the fire. I know it was mean, but I wanted to see what he would do. Legolas's eyes widened in surprise, and Aragorn stared at me intently, "Are you going home?"

"I chose to stay. I chose to help you," I said and looked at him, and then Legolas. Aragorn and Legolas both smiled. Aragorn touched my locket, and seemed to relax and looked into the fire.

"I'm going to get some rest. See you in the morning," I said, and placed my hands on their shoulders. I left for my sleeping pad, and took off my bow, and set it and my quiver down. I laid down, and listened to the hobbits light snores. Soon, I fell asleep.
This chapter literally took forever to write! (I mean type :P) So did Mines of Moria Pt. 3.

Random fact of the day :D