Shadow of Hope(Book 2)

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Even after I managed to stop crying, and meeting Clint's family, I needed some time to myself, so I took a walk. There was a patch of forest near where they lived on their homestead, so I went there. After getting back to the city life of New York, I found myself missing the quiet of nature. The subtle silence of the wind in the swaying trees, and the crickets at night. I missed Middle Earth but returning was impossible without help.

I had crossed dimensions only twice, once to Middle Earth and then to get back home. The first time had been an accident, while the second was because I had Aria's help. I had no idea how to truly do it myself. No matter how much I willed, or wished, my powers would only allow me to go so far.

I had asked Sam, once, and she explained that it was because, mentally, I did not wish to go back. There was something keeping me rooted to this world. Something deep in my soul. A connection I hadn't yet seen. Sam said that until I had fully realized that connection and was able to let it go and fully disconnect, I would never be able to cross of my own free will.

But how? How did one disconnect from everything they knew and cared about? How could I let go of something that important, whatever it was?

" You'll understand, one day, Alice." Sam said appearing in front of me on a hollow log, twisting a fallen leaf between her fingers. It was withered despite it still being the middle of spring. " Your progress proves that." She stated, glancing up at me.

" I dont feel like it sometimes." I admitted. " Sometimes, I just feel like the world is moving while I'm just standing still. " I sighed, and Sam let go of the leaf in her hands. As I watched, it caught a air current, and twisted through the air, before settling on the ground at my feet. " Is that really what's bothering you?" She asked with a knowing expression, and I looked away.

" My dream..."

"It is only in our darkest moments that we truly know what we want, Alice. in your heart, you desire something above all else, but something is holding you back."

A flicker of Thranduil's face filled my mind, but just as quick I also saw that orc with his axe bearing down on me, and I turned away from the image. " Its alright to be afraid, Alice. It just means your human."

" When did you turn into a fortune cookie?" I asked, and she gave me a look. " I was only trying to help." She muttered, before vanishing as the trees behind me rustled and Steve pushed through. " Hey, you were gone a while. You had us worried."

" Sorry, I just needed a minute. " I told him.

" Well, Laura said lunch will be ready soon, if your hungry."

I nodded before following him back to the house.

Behind me, the withered leaf caught another air current and was carried away on the breeze.

As Steve and I walked back toward the house, I caught sight of a freshly cut pile of logs. Deciding I still needed a bit of stress relief, I picked up the axe from where it had been left. " Alice-" Steve started to say but was cut off as I brought the blade of the axe down, slice a log in two with one clean swing.

The blood of the Dunedain. Not only did it make me age slower, but in a way, I was stronger and faster then most. Especially in this world. I had read that they had also been blessed with a great wisdom, something that made them exceptional rulers and leaders. I think I missed out on that gene; I never felt like I had that kind of mentality. In high school I hadn't been at the top of my class, nor the bottom, I had always been somewhere in the middle.

Even after three more logs, Steve never walked away. I would have thanked him for his concern, but the words wouldn't come out.

*********

I nearly lost my footing as I landed on top of the rouge train, catching myself as I dug my staff in  the top of the train. Time slowed around as I took a breath, before I yanked it free and began to spin it around me, across my shoulders and arms, twisting it between my hands. as I moved objects in the path of the train began to disappear, with every moment my range grew wider and wider. A blur flew back and forth in front of the train, picking up people and moving them to safety, while a red energy field yanked the train to complete halt just as I tapped the ground at my feet lightly with the end of my staff, my head bowed as I blew out another breath.

Steve looked up at me as he climbed off the train, before walking toward the two enhanced who had come to help us. I sat down on the edge of the train, my legs hanging over the side and my staff draped across my lap. " The Cradle. Did you get it?" The female enhanced, Wanda asked.

" Stark will take care of it." Steve said.

" No, he won't."

" You dont know what your talking about. Stark's not crazy."

" He will do anything to make things right." She stated, and after a moment Steve called out over the comm. system." Stark, come in." But there was no response." Stark." He repeated." Anyone on comms."

" Ultron can't tell the difference between saving the world and destroying it. Where do you think he gets that?" She questioned, and I dropped my head with a sigh, cursing under my breath in elvish.

Sorry this update is coming later then it was supposed to, I got distracted and forgot what day it was.

Happy holidays everyone.

Next update should be on the 28th, and will be the last update until next year.