I woke up with a pleasant, warm sunlight on my face and smiled.

Oh, life's good... Five more minutes, please.

I rolled my body and dozed off immediately, but it feels like it was only three seconds when the sound of birds chirping slowly brought my brain to attention.

Strange thing was, I never heard birds chirping coming into my room even in the morning. LA was far too noisy for that. Maybe my neighbor bought a new pet?

The smell of the fresh soil and grass beneath me pleased me and confused me at the same time. My eyes jolted open and realization dawned on me. This is not my bed.

This is. Not. My bed. Where the heck is my bed?

In an instant I was up. My eyes scanned my surroundings and my mind was on high alert. I was definitely not in my room. Questions hit me, flooding on my head, confusion and disbelief brought my jaw to drop and hang open.

I just slept on the ground. In what seemed to resemble a forest. What on earth-

I had no recollection of how I got here or what happened last time. Did someone drugged me and kidnapped me and brought me to a forest?

My eyes went wide like a saucer and I checked my clothes as well as my body. I released a breath that I didn't realize was holding, realizing that I was fine. My shirt was intact, no sign of abuse or assault. I shuddered at the thought.

Speaking of horror thriller.

This was not making any sense. I pinched myself, slap my face lightly. Was I dreaming? Well if this was a dream then what a lovely dream to wake up in the most peaceful, beautiful forest like I never saw before. The air was so clean and crisp, although a little bit chilly, this forest seriously enthralled me; it was as if I woke up in an untouched, magical forest. An enchanted forest, like in Disney. The fact that I knew that I was completely alone here was very refreshing. After a while enjoying the sightseeing, I sighed. Now, back to the situation.

How did I get here? What happened? How do I get back home? I frantically patted my jeans pocket to search for my phone.

I never slept with my phone on the pocket; of course I didn't have it with me. Heck, I had never slept with shirt, jeans and a pair of converse on for that matter. I dug my pockets and found only a couple of one dollar coins and a box of Strawberry Fields Tic Tac.

Damn. I miss my phone. If only I had it with me I could call someone and have them pick me up. Or use GPS to find my way home. Or call 911.

A glint caught my eye. I stared at the silver ring on my finger. I didn't remember owning or wearing a jewelry before. I studied the ring and nodded approvingly at it.

The design was simple and elegant, it had no gem on it, but the carving was intricate and simple at the same time. It was very simple, not so beautiful or grand but just nice to look at.

Then I remembered, like one would remember a dream that she forgotten the night before; I remembered Mike, the old man who gave me this ring. He was very old and homeless.

I remembered him sitting in front of a café by the sidewalk, with his equally sad dog in rugged clothes. He shuddered, looking cold sitting outside in the chilly autumn wind. I felt sorry for him, but walked past him, trying hard not to stare and show my pitying look at him and his dog. Didn't think I would like to see people look at me with such pity. I entered the new café that I have never visited before.

I ordered a cup of nice hot chocolate and walked outside. I looked at my hot chocolate almost too fondly, knowing I was going to need it to cheer up my working hour in the office.

My mind stopped wandering at the sight of the poor old man. Damn, he looked so cold as he hugged his dog. A feeling of slight guilt rolled on to me. Here I was holding my nice hot chocolate that I didn't really need. I thought again of why I wanted this drink- simply to quench my gluttony desires. I was also much more well dressed and warm compared to the old man.

I sighed then walked back towards the man and crouched next to him. I offered him the hot chocolate. At first he refused, but I lied and told him that I ordered the wrong drink, telling him that he might need it more than me. He then received it with grateful smile that reached his eyes. We talked briefly, introduced ourselves and I even patted Ajax, Mike's faithful German Sheppard dog. I bid him farewell and walked to my office with a satisfied heart.

A good deed well done for the day. I ended up doing the same for him every time I saw him on my way to the café.

One day, as I began to stand from my crouching position beside him to walk away, he called me back, "Leigh Ann, wait!" he said placing his wrinkly hand on my elbow.

He reached on his pocket and pulled out a simple silver ring with carvings on it. "Here," he said while putting it on my palm. "I want you to have it. I found it in a box near a dumpster this morning. This is the only thing I can give you to repay the little comforts of hot chocolate you gave me and Ajax. Please take it." he said with a small smile.

I couldn't help but saw sincerity as well as wisdom in his eyes that came in with age. It was as if he had seen life through his thousand-year eyes.

"Mike, are you sure?"

He nodded and continued, "A simple yet beautiful ring for a sincere, kind hearted, beautiful young woman! Can't see it better on anyone else. May this ring bring you magic that will help you find your destiny and a home."

I smiled at his sincere, touching yet unusual wording.

Old people.

"I have a home, Mike, and what destiny do you have in mind for me?" he raised his brow.

"I said 'home' not a 'house'; those two have very different definitions. And as for you, Leigh Ann, you are destined for extraordinary things. You are no mediocre, my dear."

I shook my head, smiling. How I wanted to believe in this extraordinary destiny. I didn't feel like I should accept the gift, yet I could see that by accepting it would made him feel better, so I squeezed his hand with my hand, thanked him and left for work.

The thought of Mike and his dog Ajax brought a smile to my face. Then I remembered my situation and snorted.

Hmph, I guess I got my extraordinary day right now. Being lost is extraordinarily me, I thought sarcastically.

Speaking of me, maybe I hit my head, sleepwalked and ended up in the middle of nowhere, though that theory sounded ridiculous and unlikely.

"Ugh!" I groaned and throw my fists in the air, mad and frustrated at no one.

I looked around as I tried hard to remember what happened. Nothing came up.

I was lost in the middle of a forest with no sense of direction or time. I raked my brain, trying to find a solution to this predicament. I remembered watching the National Geographic and decided to find any river- if there was any- and follow it- hoping to find civilization as I trace the stream.

The thing was, I saw no river around. I closed my eyes, trying to hear any sound of water flowing. I heard my own heartbeat, the birds chirping, the sound of the rustling of the leaves, and the sound of little animals in the forest. This was very peaceful and calming. But no river or any small water flow to be heard.

I snorted again and decided to just walk, hoping someone, anyone not hostile would cross my path and be kind enough to help me get back home. I walked for what it felt like forever. Hours of walking and walking and nothing but trees laid before my eyes. I was thirsty and hungry and tired. I bet my body would ache all over tomorrow; don't forget smelly.

Gosh, I'd kill for a nice shower, some soap, shampoo and conditioner. Since my dyed brown hair was long and thick, I couldn't imagine how it would look like now on the mirror.

I cringed; I probably looked like Tarzan now. "Ha ha," I suppressed a bitter laugh. The thought didn't help much with my self-esteem.

Great. Just great.

As I thought bitterly to myself, I heard footstep sounds and some shuffling of the leaves. I halted my steps and perked up my ears trying to hear more and my eyes scanned my surroundings nervously. Hope started to bubble up in my chest; I was about to be found!

"Hello!" I raised my voice to no one in particular, hoping someone would hear me and show up to my rescue. "Anybody here?" I said louder.

I sighed as no one responded to my call and started to walk when I felt a cold metal pressed on my neck. I froze at the sight of the weapon beneath my chin and started to panic. I was shaking and tried to speak.

"Please-," I squeaked. "Please I don't have any money with me, please don't hurt me," I begged and lifted my hands slowly in a sign of surrender.

I had martial arts lessons before, but my mind was blank and I forgot all about my lessons as I felt the man's breath on my neck. The man didn't reply immediately- somehow I thought he was taken aback by my response, which was weird and unlikely, but then he replied with a dangerous, icy voice, and hissed, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

By the time I tried to form a reply I struggled to find my voice as my body shook. Either from fear or fatigue or hunger-I didn't know. My knees felt weak and I slid down, fear crippling me. But before I truly reached the ground, a strong arm held me up.

"My lady! Are you alright?" he exclaimed, his voice alarmed.

Dang, my lady? If only it was said in a different situation, I would've laughed. And was that concern I heard from the robber?

The man moved in front of me and I saw him for the first time. I was surprised that I found no hostility in his brown eyes that would match his previous tone, but concern and worry. His hair was dark, cascaded down his shoulder. His face was gruff with facial hair, it was slightly too much for my liking, but beneath all the gruff I could see that he surely was handsome, though he looked like he could use a shave. He wore a black shirt with tunic with a medieval looking belt and silver rim on his arms.

I frowned at his attire; and the knife- it wasn't a knife. It was a sword. A full blown medieval kind of sword. However I could tell it was a real sword, as it was as sharp as it could be, even looking at it hurts. This guy looked like he came out of a medieval movie or Comic-con.

Holy mother, as if this whole day wasn't weird enough.

I didn't answer him for I was too stunned and confused by the whole revelation. At my silence he spoke softly.

"I'm sorry my lady, I believe I startled you earlier; I was being cautious, I thought you were a spy".

I frowned. Finding my voice again I whispered, "You're not going to rob me?" I asked timidly.

The man lifted his brows in surprised and tilted his head in confusion.

"You think I was going to rob you?" he asked me back, not bothering to hide his surprise.

We were both baffled at this. Somehow knowing he was not a hostile, I decided to ask him nicely.

"I'm sorry sir, I must be confused," I said with soft voice and respect to show him my good intention. "I've been lost for several hours now, and the sword didn't really help," I told him, eyeing the sword and he exhaled. "Why did you call me my lady? And why do you dress like that?" I paused and concluded, "Is there a comic-con going around?"

I laughed nervously and he squinted his eyes at me for a second, confusion written all over his face before he put up his calm, sorted expression abruptly.

"First thing off, I would like to offer my apologies to you for my action earlier. I can see in your eyes that you have no ill intention toward me or my companion. Secondly, what is this comicon that you are talking about? And about my choice of attire, I could only say that this just how men around here would dress," he gave me a once over glance and continued, "I noticed that your choice of clothing is rather unusual, my lady. Are you not from around here?"

"No, sir. I am from Los Angeles. I'm rather lost. Could you tell me where is here?"

For some reason I had the urge to speak very formally like he did. Maybe it was the way people speak around this remote forest?

I tried my best to be as formal and as (unusually) respectful just as this gentleman (I finally decided to think that he was way too polite and too nice to be a robber). I hoped he could be my ticket out of this strange, beautiful forest.

He mouthed the word Los Angeles to himself as if trying to remember where it could be. What kind of cave man never heard of Los Angeles? Everybody knew LA.

After deciding he couldn't place Los Angeles anywhere in his brain (I think) and when he realized that I was looking at him intently, he replied, "My apologies, I almost forget my manner. Please, call me Strider. And you are now in the forest on Rivendell's border."

He saw my shocked face that accompanied with disbelief and he concluded that I was truly a lost girl and not some spy, so he continued with a soft, comforting voice, "I have given you my name. May I have your name, my lady?"

"Leigh Ann," I said with a small voice.

Strider nodded, "It's a pleasure meeting you, Lady Leane."

"Me too, um, Strider," I replied with a small smile, rather absent-mindedly ignoring the wrong spelling of my name.

Strider. Rivendell. Strider was Aragorn son of Arathorn, Isildur's heir. Frodo. The Ring. The Fellowship. Lord Of The Rings.

There, my LOTR fan side got in my head again. I wanted so bad to laugh at his face, but all I could feel radiating from him was only sincere sympathy and curiosity. He was being truthful. No joke.

So I kept my mouth shut, and decided to see if I really just lost my mind (I might have hit my head) or him that had lost his. I played along. But before I could open my mouth, he looked away and called to the nothing particular at his right, "Legolas, Arwen, tolo (come)."

I jerked my head up at that. Is that Sindarin that I'm hearing? Legolas? Arwen? Just as my brain frantically search for answers that were nonexistent, that was when my mind is massively blown; out of a high and big tree on my left, came out two most beautiful creature ever exist that I ever land my eyes upon.

If Strider here-or Aragorn- was handsome like a rough rock n roll celeb (minus the guitar and the kohl), these two were ten times as beautiful that it was not even worldly.

They walked with grace, their appearance and attire immaculate. I didn't need to see their pointy ears to know they were Elves. Real one.

Wtf.

I looked at Arwen, her pale navy dress fell beautifully and perfectly over her features, flattering every curve she had. Just like Tolkien's description, her face was a picture of beauty that I believe would make a high-end make-up brand model looked like a beggar next to her as her skin was as flawless as alabaster without any trace of make up in it, I was almost sure that her skin was radiating a soft glowing light with blurring effect all around her. It was as if I was staring at a full moon, only that was impossible because it was not dark yet. Her face was of a calm one, and I couldn't get a read on her expression. Elvish's perks, I guess.

I was under impression that she must wonder about me, as if I was some specimen she never saw before. I inwardly applauded her poker face though.

Next I looked at Legolas, he was wearing a cloak over what I thought to be an Elvish tunic for guys, his bow and arrow ready though it was pointed to the ground. I looked at his handsome- no- beautiful face (you thought 'beautiful' was only limited to females, but this guy- ellon over here is just beautiful in a masculine way, that was confusing and amazing at the same time). Everything about his glowing alabaster-skinned face screamed 'beautiful man!' and I wasn't surprised when I saw his expression gave away no emotion just as Arwen's, though I thought that he looked at me with as much curiosity and distrust just as Aragorn must be moments before.

Something about his handsome look and his intense stare was intimidating and unsettling; so I looked away, hoping that I didn't blush and fixed my eyes at Aragorn instead.

"Lady Leane, these are Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood and Arwen Undomiel of Rivendell," his gaze softened at Arwen and I saw great love and adoration on his face for a split second before he turned to me again, "They both are my companion."

"It's nice meeting you, my lady," said Arwen.

Melodic voice rang from her lips as she said her greeting with a smile. Elves are impossible. I looked at Legolas as he upturned his lips very slightly at me although a bit forcefully. Seemed that he already decided that I was no threat for them, I bet he could see that I was being genuine, though I could feel that he still didn't trust me fully. However I still felt very much intimidated by him (the bow and arrow, as impressive as it was, was not helping), so I bowed my head awkwardly at them both and avoided Legolas' piercing blue eyes. I turned to Aragorn and talked as I glanced at the two elves.

"Ar- Strider," I said trying to cover up my slip, he didn't introduced himself as Aragorn yet, "...if it is not too much to ask, could you help me? I was not suppose to be here in Rivendell, let alone in Middle Earth;" he raised a brow at this, "...and I couldn't remember very much on how I got here but I just woke up this morning in the middle of this forest," I said with a pleading eyes, "I need to get home. I don't know how and I need answers as to how I ended up here. Please," my voice went shaky with desperation and tears that threatened to wet my eyes, but I forced it down and sucked it up.

If this was really happening, and stood before me were really some actual strong people, heroes, even if they came from a fiction book, I was not going to show my weakness- although I bet they already saw some of it earlier, but I sure as hell was not gonna show more. Seeing the pity in Aragorn's eyes, I scolded myself, cleared my throat and continued,

"Is there someone around here that I can talk to that might know about my predicament?"

"Aye, Lady Leane. I believe Gandalf may yet have the answer you seek that can help you. He happens to be here in Rivendell."

"And my father, Lord Elrond, would be happy to welcome and help you with this matter," added Arwen.

"If I may ask," spoke a melodious male voice, "...where is this Los Angels that you said you came from earlier?"

Legolas spoke for the first time. It was crazy yet so pleasant to hear that a male's voice can be so manly and melodious at the same time. This whole elvish thing was so not helping with my self-esteem. And how the heck he knew about Los Angeles, since I haven't told him where I came from before?

Then I remembered.

Elvish super hearing. As if being beautiful was not enough, extra super hearing and eyesight was added to it. Dang. Life in middle earth is just hard. I suddenly felt incompetent already.

"It's a city in United States, the country where I'm from," I told him, trying to avoid prolonged eye contact.

"Never before have I heard about that city, nor the country that you speak about," he responded with suspicion and curiosity in his expression.

I hesitated for a moment before decided to come up with the truth, since I knew that they would be able to spot a lie out of me right away. The fact that I was a terrible liar didn't help.

"This is gonna sound a little...crazy. But I promise you all that I am going to tell you is the truth. All I ask from you is an open mind," I turned to Aragorn, "Could you give me that?"

I asked more to Aragorn, somehow he became the person that I trust the most between the three that I believed would not kill me now. He nodded. I exhaled shakily.

"The reason why you never heard of my city is because it is not even in Middle Earth," I paused to see their reaction, which was stoic-no help there from Aragorn-but I continued anyway, "I think I just came from another world."

There, I dropped the bomb.

I braced myself, expected them to snap at me and told me that I lied, or laugh at me, or shake their heads, thinking that I must be a stray mad woman.

But none of it happened. Instead, Aragorn looked at his friends and Arwen decided to break the silence and delivered the final sentence.

"That explains your unusual attire and your foreign accent. I suspected that earlier, but I wasn't sure myself and decided to hear you out," she said comfortingly with a wider smile this time, probably relieved I wasn't a spy like they thought I was before, "So I was correct. You must be tired and famished; the people of Rivendell would be glad to assist you during your visit here."

Hope bubbled inside me; as much as beautiful and magical this place was, I would want to go home to where my family was. Oh my family. I turned back my focus at the matters at hand and replied.

"You believed me?" I said with a genuine, relieved smile for the first time. "I assumed this happened before? Since you suspected that I was from another world?"

Aragorn and Legolas looked at Arwen questioningly, apparently as blind as I was in this matter, but Arwen shook her head and smiled sympathetically, "No, your arrival here is unprecedented, never before a foreigner from another world walk on Middle Earth, other than what was told in an old prophecy I read once."

I frowned.

"Prophecy? There's a prophecy about me?" Okay, this is crazy and creepy, but somehow it would make some sense and might have the answers I so seek.

"Can you stand, my lady? I believe we can find your answer if you follow us. Arwen is right, Lord Elrond shall know about this matter. Let us go now, the sun is going down very soon," said Aragorn.

He helped me stood and I let go of him, feeling slightly uncomfortable holding unto him in the presence of his ethereal girlfriend around. Though I knew he was as intrigued by my situation at that moment, yet he kept his composure and led us on to the way to Rivendell.

Already I could see the leadership charisma emanating from him. He would make a fine king someday. That, after the ring is destroyed in the very fires of Mordor.

I shuddered at the thought; the fact that Aragorn was still a ranger (judging by his appearance, no crown present) meant that the ring was still out there, and seeing Legolas here, I bet the secret council regarding the Ring soon would be held at Rivendell.

I was so lost in my thought that when Aragorn stopped my train of thought I was startled. He declared, "Welcome to the realm of Rivendell of Lord Elrond, Lady Leane."

My breath was taken away by the sight. I didn't remember to hide my awestruck as Arwen and Aragorn smiled knowingly, while Legolas burned a hole on the back of my head with his stare, but I was too stunned with my findings to even care.

Rivendell was the most beautiful, stunning dwelling place like none other; a city that could only exist in a fairytale, here laid before my very eyes. The city was not even nearly a quarter as big as LA, it was rather small, built upon the valley with natural waterfall around it.

This was like some fantasy imagery you see in your computer's wallpaper, only this was ten times better- even the smell was heavenly.

Elves were strolling around the city (holy mother, they were all beautiful), minding their own business, while some that were walking past me kept walking but not without giving me a curious look that reminds me of what I was.

I was a foreigner. I didn't belong.

One elf walked past me and studied me; my eyes were following him and I was met with Legolas' intense, intimidating, piercing blue eyes.

I wanted to look away so bad when suddenly his eyes turned yellow and fiery as it stared at me and whispered in the most disgusting and horrible speech that I couldn't understand but knew that whatever it was, it was altogether an essence of evil and it was horrible. My surroundings turned deathly cold and dark, all the heat seeped out from my body as if the eye itself sucking the life out of me.

Legolas' eyes then went back to its normal striking blue, intense, but this time wide and wild with alarm on it; the image of a perfect dwelling place came back to my view all around him as it spun out of control and everything turned dark once again and I felt myself being sucked into it.

***

[Author's Note: There it is the first chapter of my Legolas fanfic. I hope you enjoyed it! If you do please consider to vote, they mean the world to me ♥️ What do you guys think about this chapter? Feel free to leave your opinions and critics on the comments, I do read them and they help me become a better writer. Thankyou again for reading. I appreciate it a lot! Cheers, precioussss]