The Gendered Crown: Rise of the Felinor Lady

"As I lay there, the first sensation that hit me was noise—screams, shouts, and cheers. I opened my eyes to a clear blue sky.

Strange. The last thing I remembered was sitting at my computer, ready to eat a quick meal after a night out with friends. Had I fallen asleep at my desk again?

Sitting up, I found myself surrounded by a crowd. Some faces were unmistakably human, but others were entirely foreign: stout figures with barrel-like chests stood beside tall, slender beings with pointed ears, along with those sporting tails and animal ears. Dwarves, Elves, and Beastfolk—creatures I had only seen in games and anime.

My head swirled with confusion, and my hair whipped across my face as I shook it in disbelief.

Everyone around me wore white robes cinched at the waist with simple ropes. They were moving and shouting while armored men directed them where to go. As I tried to piece it all together, someone walked over beside me.

Turning my head, I saw a tall human with blonde hair and blue eyes. He looked almost like a model, his robe clinging to him. He extended a hand.

“Excuse me, miss, we should get moving,” he said.

I glanced around to see if he was speaking to someone else, but there was no one. When I looked back, he raised his eyebrows, keeping his hand extended. “Me?” I squeaked.

He laughed good-naturedly. “Well, yeah. Who else?” As he reached down and grabbed my hand, he suddenly pulled me to my feet. The swift movement caught me off guard, and I struggled to find my balance.

As I stood, my long hair fell into my face, blocking my view. “Thanks,” I said, softer than I meant.

“Happy to help. Let’s head over to them. Best to follow the crowd.”

“Uh, sure.” The hair was annoying—it wasn’t usually this long. I tried to tuck it behind my ears when a sudden tingle shot through when I grasped the top of my head. I flinched, pressing them flat against my head. “Wait, what?” I gasped.

My hands roamed over my head, but along with my hair, I felt... pointed ears? Panic surged as I glanced down and froze. There was a protrusion from my chest. My heart raced. They were... breasts? Confusion turned to shock, and I instinctively yanked back, shouting “sorry!”, stumbling as disbelief washed over me. What was going on?

As I hit the ground, I felt a sharp pain ring out from the top of my tailbone till part way down and out away from my body. I hissed in pain.

“Woah, hey, is everything okay? What’s wrong?” The beautiful stranger asked in shock.

“A lot! A lot of things do not make sense right now. Where am I? Who am I? Why do my ears feel strange and why am I a girl?” I stated. My voice rising until I shouted my biggest question of all.

The man stared at me, his eyes widening as he took in my frantic state. Then, to my utter bewilderment, he burst into laughter. It wasn't a mocking laugh, but a warm, rich sound that seemed to ripple through the air like sunlight on water.

My confusion quickly turned to frustration. Here I was, in the midst of what felt like the most surreal and terrifying moment of my life, and this stranger found it amusing? The lush grass beneath me suddenly felt prickly, and the warm breeze that had been pleasant moments ago now seemed to mock my discomfort.

"What's so funny?" I demanded, my new voice rising in pitch. The words felt strange in my mouth, lighter and more melodious than I was used to. Even my frustration sounded musical, which only added to my growing sense of disorientation.

The beautiful man's laughter subsided, but his eyes still sparkled with mirth. He looked at me with a mixture of amusement and understanding that I couldn't quite decipher. The sun caught his golden hair, creating a halo effect.

"We're similar, that's all," he said, his voice smooth and reassuring. "I'm Elise, or at least, I was. I was a woman before I got this man's body. But I’ve decided to go by Elias now."

My jaw dropped. The world around me seemed to blur at the edges as I tried to process this information. The mix of voices from the crowd faded into a distant hum as I focused on Elias's words. The realization that I wasn't alone in this bizarre situation washed over me bringing with it a mix of relief and new questions.

“You mean... you’re going through this too?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. The breeze picked up, carrying the scent of unfamiliar flowers and stirring my newly long hair. I brushed it away from my face, annoyed.

Elias nodded, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I guess and to be honest, it's not so bad. I've always felt more comfortable as a man, so this..." He gestured to his body, "...this is actually a dream come true for me."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. While he was living out a fantasy, I was trapped in a nightmare. We were nothing alike. The contrast between our situations made my head spin, and I felt a surge of irrational anger towards him.

"Well, good for you," I snapped, immediately regretting my tone. After a moment I added "Sorry, I just... this is a lot to take in."

Elias's expression softened. "I understand. It's overwhelming at first. But hey, let's start with something simple. What's your name?"

"Landon," I replied automatically, then winced. The name felt wrong now, like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

Elias raised an eyebrow. "Landon? That doesn't really suit you anymore, does it? How about... Lira?"

I bristled at his suggestion. "Lira? I'm not changing my name just because I've suddenly got... these!" I gestured wildly at my new body, feeling a mix of embarrassment and frustration.

Elias's voice was gentle yet firm as he spoke. "Landon, I understand this is difficult for you, but you must adapt. This is not our home, and we have new bodies. Holding onto your old name will only make the adjustment more challenging."

“You don't know that” I argued, even as a part of me recognized the logic in his words. “I can't just... erase who I was.”

"You're not erasing anything," Elias countered. "You're evolving. Becoming someone new. Lira could be a fresh start."

I felt tears prickling at the corners of my eyes, a maelstrom of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. Fear, anger, confusion, and a tiny spark of curiosity all warred within me. What is wrong with me, I need to keep a straight face?

Elias nodded, understanding in his eyes. "Okay, okay. No pressure. But think about it, alright?"

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. As I did, I became acutely aware of my new body once again. My hands trembled as I ran them down my sides, feeling the unfamiliar curves and contours. Where I once had a flat chest, I now felt the soft swell of breasts. My waist dipped in before flaring out to hips that were wider than I was used to. Despite the changes, I could feel lean muscle beneath my skin - I was still fit, just in a different way now.

I lifted a lock of my hair, marveling at its deep blue color, so dark it was almost black except when the sunlight hit it just right. My skin had a warm, sun-kissed glow that I'd never achieved before. As I moved, I felt the swish of a tail behind me that seemed to evade my grasp, and my new cat-like ears twitched at every sound.

My exploration was interrupted by a commotion nearby. I looked up to see more of the armored men herding people into groups. They moved with purpose, their armor glinting in the sunlight as they shouted orders.

"What's going on?" I asked, my new voice still startling me with its lighter tone.

Elias sighed, his expression turning serious. "I was hoping we'd have more time before they started organizing everyone," he said. "I was one of the first to wake up, you know. I've been trying to help others, answer questions, but those men in armor..." He shook his head, frustration evident in his voice. "They keep pushing me away, won't let me near most people. I think they're trying to keep us separated and confused."

I felt a chill run down my spine despite the warm breeze. "But why? What do they want with us?"

Elias shrugged, his eyes scanning the crowd. "I'm not sure, but I don't think it's anything good. We need to stick together, Lan- I mean, whatever you want to be called. There's strength in numbers."

I nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and apprehension. As scary as this situation was, I was glad I wasn't facing it alone. "Okay," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "What do we do now?"

Elias opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, one of the armored men approached us, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "You two," he barked, "get moving. Join the others in the eastern group."

We nodded and the guard sneered at me, his eyes lingering on my new form in a way that made my skin crawl. As we walked to the east, the field became a sea of bodies, a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes I had never seen before. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, fear, and something else—a sweet, almost floral aroma that seemed to emanate from some of the beastfolk.

Languages I had never heard before assaulted my ears. Guttural growls mixed with melodic trills and sharp clicks. Some words seemed to shimmer in the air, leaving traces of light that faded like fireworks. My new cat ears twitched and swiveled, trying to make sense of the cacophony.

Elias noticed my struggle and tried to steady me, his hand warm on my arm. "What's wrong?" he asked, concern etching lines on his handsome face.

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't come. How could I explain the sensory overload? The way my new body seemed to pick up every subtle shift in the air, every minute sound? The world was too bright, too loud, too much.

"I... I can't..." I stammered, my voice barely audible over the din.

Elias leaned in closer, trying to hear me better. "It's okay," he said softly. "Just breathe. Focus on my voice."

I tried to focus on Elias's voice, but it was like trying to grab smoke with my bare hands. The world around me swirled in a dizzying array of colors and sounds. The sweet floral scent that had been pleasant moments ago now seemed cloying, sticking in my throat and making it hard to breathe.

My new senses were in overdrive. I could hear the heartbeats of those around me, smell their fear and confusion. The rustling of clothes sounded like thunder in my ears. Even the grass beneath my feet seemed to scream with each step I took.

"Just breathe," Elias repeated, his voice a lifeline in the chaos. But as he leaned closer, his scent – a mix of sweat and something distinctly male – hit me like a tidal wave. My stomach lurched.

"Get back!" I shouted, my new voice ringing out sharper than I intended. Elias stumbled backward, his eyes wide with shock and hurt.

The world tilted and spun. I felt my tail lash out involuntarily, connecting with something solid.

"Hey, watch it!" a gruff voice snapped.

I whirled around, my vision blurring. "You watch it!" I snarled, baring teeth that felt sharper than they should be.

The crowd around us shifted, creating a small circle of space. I could feel their eyes on me, hear their whispers. My skin crawled under their gaze.

I can feel myself slipping. I thought as I started to lose myself completely. Just then another figure stepped forward. She was tall and lithe, with sleek ruby red fur covering her tail and pointed ears that twitched atop her head. Someone like me only she wasn’t dressed in white robes.

"Easy there, kitten," she said, her voice low and soothing. "First time in a crowd is always the roughest."

I opened my mouth to respond, but all that came out was a pitiful mewl. The woman's eyes softened with understanding.

"I know it's overwhelming," she continued, taking a cautious step closer. "But you're not alone in this. We've all been where you are."

The woman gently approached, her movements fluid and graceful. In her hand, she held a small leather pouch, its surface worn smooth with age and use. A thin rope dangled from it, swaying slightly with each step she took. As she drew closer, an earthy aroma wafted from the pouch, cutting through the cacophony of scents that had been assaulting my senses.

The scent was a complex blend of herbs and spices - rich loam and sun-warmed bark, hints of lavender and chamomile, with undertones of something musky and primal. It reminded me of walks in the forest after a rainstorm, of hidden groves and secret places. As the aroma enveloped me, the world seemed to quiet down. Thank God. The overwhelming bombardment of smells began to fade, replaced by this single, grounding scent.

My stomach, which had been churning with nausea, began to settle. The dizzying whirl of colors and sounds receded, like a tide pulling back from the shore. I could feel my racing heart slow, my breathing becoming deeper and more regular.

Around us, the crowd began to shift. People moved away, creating a small bubble of space. Their voices, which had been a constant roar in my ears, dimmed to a low murmur. Some cast curious glances our way, while others seemed eager to put distance between themselves and whatever was happening.

Elias, who had been hovering uncertainly nearby, took a tentative step forward. His brow was furrowed with concern, his blue eyes searching my face. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and gentle.

I nodded, surprised to find that I meant it. The panic that had been clawing at my chest was subsiding, replaced by a fragile sense of calm. My new tail, which had been lashing wildly, now hung still behind me.

The woman smiled, her amber eyes crinkling at the corners. With slow, deliberate movements, she lifted the pouch over my head. The rope settled around my neck, the pouch resting just below my collarbone. Its weight was comforting, like an anchor in a stormy sea.

"There," she said, her voice a soothing purr. "That should help balance out your senses. It's not easy, suddenly having heightened awareness like this. But you'll adjust, in time."

I reached up to touch the pouch, feeling the smooth leather under my fingertips. The scent seemed to pulse from it, a steady rhythm that matched my pulse. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice steadier than it had been since I woke up in this strange new world.

The woman nodded, her tail swishing behind her in a graceful arc. "We look out for our own," she said, gesturing to her own furry ears. "Welcome to the pride, Kitten."

 

 

 

Authors Note: 

"Dear Reader,

Thank you for taking the time to dive into my world and join Lira on her journey. Your support means everything to me as an author. Every page you turn and every moment you spend with these characters fills me with gratitude and inspires me to create even more.

I appreciate you for choosing to explore this tale of identity, transformation, and the challenges that come with it. Your curiosity and imagination breathe life into my words, and I hope that as you turn these pages, you find moments that resonate with you and evoke your own emotions.

This journey is as much yours as it is Lira's, and I’m honored to share it with you. I look forward to exploring the twists and turns ahead, and I hope you’ll stick around for the adventure!"

With all my gratitude,

Islorae