YES, I KNOW GLORFINDELÂ’S A MAN!!! Sorry about that, but I keep on getting people telling me that GlorfindelÂ’s a man. Yes, I know this. Yes, I changed it. Yes, I mentioned that I had done this in Chapter one. Yes, this is an AU. Yes, I would really like people to stop pointing it out. Thank you for reading.

Heya!! Stupid coursework! Some teachers donÂ’t know what half term BREAK means! Never mind. The first couple of parts of this chapter are mainly about Mirear and the last part is Glorfindel and Erestor again. (Yay, short A/N) Oh, and thank you to those who have put me on their favourite and/or chapter/author alert list (IÂ’ve just figured out how to find that out), it made me very happy.

By the way, if you were wondering, or are about to wonder, why (after the first chapter) I donÂ’t put any words in elven like many other fanfic writers do, e.g. instead of writing father writing adar/ada, itÂ’s because IÂ’m assuming that as all the characters are elves, theyÂ’d all speak elven to each other (or is it Elvish?).

Chapter 7.

Legolas walked between Elladan and Elrohir, toward the kitchens. Elladan carried a basket containing bait and the fish that they had caught that morning, while Elrohir carried the fishing rods. It was early afternoon, and they were returning from a morning spent fishing in the woods. They had brought a picnic and had lunched under the trees. Elladan and Elrohir agreed to take the equipment so that Legolas could climb the trees on the way back.
Even though Legolas was happy with the day, he was still a little disappointed at how small the fish were. Elrohir comforted him by telling him that fish would be small here because it was so close to the riverÂ’s source in the mountains, and so most fish were still small. Legolas had told them about how much bigger the fish were in Mirkwood, and of some of the times when he had gone fishing with his father.
As they walked down the corridor, talking about their day, they met Mirear holding her young daughter by the hand. Mirear greeted them, while Galenorn just continued to cling to her mothers hand while smiling up at them.
“Going to the library, Mirear?” Elladan asked, grinning.
Mirear wore a slightly strained smile. “Yes, I am.”
“Mummy is going to read to me,” Galenorn piped up. Legolas had noticed that she had become a lot bolder around other elves recently, although she still remained shy around Elrond, being such an important elf, and Erestor, being, well, Erestor.
“I am sure you will find a wonderful book,” Elrohir said, smiling down at her, and Galenorn smiled back.
“Just make sure your mother does not forget to read to you,” Elladan warned.
“I see that you have been fishing,” Mirear said, quickly changing the subject.
Legolas, pleased that she had noticed, answered, “We left at sunrise and took a picnic.”
She smiled at them. “May I see?”
“Of course,” Elladan smiled back, offering her a look inside the basket.
“Well, that is a fine batch,” she said in a sweet tone that nonetheless put Legolas ill at ease. He knew his sister, and the only time she used that tone was when was making some sort of threat. “However, I must confess that I am confused,” she continued. She was definitely getting at something.
“Confused?” Elrohir replied.
“I thought that fish in Imladris were few and very small. Why, these types of fish I would only expect to find deep in the forest, where Legolas is not allowed.” She gave another sweet smile. “Perhaps I am mistaken.”
A corner of Elladan’s mouth twitched in a half smile, half sneer. “Perhaps you are.”
“Mummy,” Galenorn said impatiently, trying to drag her mother away.
“Good day,” and with that she left the trio.
“She knows,” stated Elrohir.
Legolas shrugged. “Probably.”
“Will she not tell Thranduil?” Elladan sounded worried.
“No, she just wanted you to know that she knows. She does that sometimes, either as a warning to make me stop doing something, or when someone irritates her.”
“She wants you to stop going into the forest?”
“I think you are annoying her as well.”
“Us?”
Legolas wasn’t sure whether his surprise was genuine or not, so he just settled for saying, “Yes, you have,” and continued on his way to the kitchens.

(^)

Mirear walked towards the library; she had been given permission to do as she pleased for the day. She was tired after all the work she was doing. In fact, she had never worked so hard in her life. In Mirkwood, when she was taught, her lessons would consist of no more than a few hours at a time, due to her position as Princess. But she had a feeling that things would soon become harder. She knew that both her father and Elrond had doubts as to whether this apprenticeship would actually happen. Relations between the two realms were shaky, and an argument between Elrond and Thranduil could finish everything. Elrond obviously, and understandably, didnÂ’t want to pour a lot of energy into something that wouldnÂ’t come to anything.
Well, at least everyone seemed to be getting along at the moment. Her mind was cast back to the recent encounter with her brother and the twins. She knew that Legolas was lying about his latest misadventure. He surely couldnÂ’t think that they would believe he had merely been playing in the grounds when he came back with more dirt on him than a dwarf! Their father had been angry with LegolasÂ’ state, demanding an explanation and giving him a LONG lecture. Their mother, however, seemed happy with the excuse. Mirear wasnÂ’t sure if she believed him or not. Mirindil had always been able to tell when she was lying, so why not Legolas? Not that it ever made much difference: if she was worried, she would tell their father, otherwise she would let it lie.
Normally, she wouldnÂ’t have said anything, but she had been meaning to wipe the smiles off the twinsÂ’ faces all week. Not that they had done much, she admitted to herself, just let her know that they out-ranked her. They did things like dropping all titles form her name, and recently they spent a whole day countermanding her orders to servants. She probably sounded like a spoiled brat, but then she realised as she walked into the library, she probably was. It was a realisation that she didnÂ’t really like. She always tried to be kind and just to all, but she had also always had power and the knowledge that everyone (besides her mother and father) had to do as she said. The sudden loss of power was just beginning to sink in.
Once inside the library, Mirear knelt down to her daughter. “What sort of book would you like to read?”
Galenorn smiled and said, with a small jump, “Something new!”
Mirear smiled. “I think that is a very good idea,” and, standing, she began to search for a thin and easy book. Something new did sound good. Mirkwood had its own library, but it was nothing when compared to Elrond’s (or was it Erestor’s library, she wasn’t sure). Mirkwood’s archives were limited, and many of the books were not stories. For that matter, many of the rest were not suitable for young children. Mirear had even tried to read Galenorn a medical book, but Galenorn quickly lost her attention. But here, she was sure she could find a book on almost any subject. It was the kind of place she had always dreamt of finding. With so many new books, she was positive that she would never be bored here. After the first day in the library, her husband, Romendir, had nearly had to carry her out.
“Found one!” Galenorn came running up, a thin book in her hands. Mirear took the book, noticing that it contained many pictures alongside the writing. The book was a small collection of children’s stories. She sat down in a chair and flicked through the pages. To her delight, she found that she had never heard of any of the stories before. Pulling Galenorn onto her lap, she placed the book in front of them, so that Galenorn could turn the pages, something she always insisted on doing.
So Mirear began to read to her daughter. It was a charming story about a hobbit and an elf who went looking for a magical coin, where-
Suddenly, she discovered that the book was no longer in front of her and there was a thud of the book hitting the floor. Galenorn was standing next to the book, teary eyed. Mirear was about to scold her daughter for standing so rapidly, possibly damaging the book, when Galenorn spoke.
“You stopped reading!”
Oh dear. She had only done this once to Galenorn and that was when a new book arrived. She also noticed, with some annoyance, that this was exactly what Elladan had warned Galenorn about. She had had this habit in her youth, so much that her tutor would make her read the work the night before. She could usually stop it happening if she concentrated. But she had now done it while reading a simple childÂ’s story. She felt her face become very hot.
“I am sorry, Galenorn. I became a little distracted. Shall we begin again?”
Galenorn looked unsure.
“I promise not to get distracted.”
This seemed to satisfy her, as she scrambled back onto her motherÂ’s lap. Mirear reopened the book and noticed, with some disappointment, that some of the pages were bent by the collision with the floor. She would have to apologize to Erestor. She hoped he wouldnÂ’t be too upset, she really did like him. He seemed to be the only person who enjoyed books as much as she did.

(^)

By early evening, the meeting was well under way. It had started soon after lunch, and the time was now drawing towards dinner. They had read though and confirmed the agreements of MirearÂ’s apprenticeship, making only minor changes. They were now discussing the arrangements for ThranduilÂ’s departure and the journey back to Mirkwood.
As the meeting progressed, Elrond became increasingly frustrated, but not with the meeting itself. Glorfindel and Erestor had been making little snips at each other throughout the meeting. More than once, he had to glare or clear his throat meaningfully to make them stop. It was becoming embarrassing.
Things would have come to nothing if Thranduil had not asked one simple question:
“Glorfindel, ahem, will you be joining us? In Mirkwood?”
Erestor narrowed his eyes at Glorfindel. “Joining them?”
Elrond noticed Glorfindel bracing herself. “Narelda asked me to go with him to Mirkwood.”
“Why was I not informed?”
“I told my friends.”
ErestorÂ’s jaw tightened slightly.
“Glorfindel! Erestor! Contain yourselves!” Elrond hissed. This was a meeting, not a place for childish arguments. Both elves were old enough to know how to behave and how to exercise discretion, especially in the company of other nobles.
If they heard him then they ignored him, acting as if there was no one else in the room.
“So, after centuries of friendships and duties forged here, you would drop everything just to follow a tutor you met a fortnight ago. What for?”
Elrond turned to Glorfindel, watching her temper rising.
“For love. Do you know what that is?”
Erestor voice, when he replied, was low and deadly calm. “I assure you, I am fully aware of what love is.”
“I am not talking about what you have read in books. I am talking about real feelings. Do you have any?”
Elrond stared at Glorfindel, trying not to gape. He wondered if she realised what she had just said; he could barely believe it himself. After a few moments, he saw the tell-tale signs on her face and eyes. She had just realised fully what she had just said, but still kept her face straight, not wanting to back down in front of the others.
Elrond turned towards Erestor. For a brief moment, he saw his face pale and the sting that the words had caused. Then Erestor slipped his mask over his face, shook his head and turned, nearly running form the room. Glorfindel sighed, and went after him.
“I believe the meeting is over.” Elrond looked up at Thranduil, who had spoken. Before Elrond could make up his mind whether or not he should apologise for his friends’ behaviour, Thranduil spoke again. “There is no need to apologise.” Elrond was slightly surprised by this comment. It really wasn’t something that he expected from Thranduil, but he was now beginning to see his fellow ruler in a different light…

(^)

Glorfindel caught up with Erestor in the corridor. She reached out to him, placing a hand on his arm. “Erestor, I-”
“Don’t!” he said, jerking his arm away from her touch, “Do not touch me, do not talk to me, just … just stay away from me. Leave me alone,” he said in such a quiet, raspy voice that she could barely hear it. Before she could form a reply, he had left.

(^)

Erestor quickly entered his bedroom and closed the door. He leaned against the door and slid down until he hit the floor. Burying his face in his hands, he let tears silently slip down his face. How could she? It was like she had just rejected his love for her; he could have taken anything else but that. Did she really think that he was emotionless? NO! That was stupid, she knew him too well for that. But then why had she said it? Part of his mind informed him that he probably deserved it, in the same way that he deserved the bruise that had only recently faded from his face. But this didnÂ’t help any thing, it still hurt more then any physical wound could. Oh yes, he definitely had feelings, whether he wanted them or not.

End of Chapter 7.

There you go everyone, Chapter 7. What did you think? Liked it, hated it? Not enough detail? Too much detail? Tell me. REVIEW!!! I know youÂ’re lurking.
YAY! I got feedback this time! *hugs reviews*

tigerlilymoss: ItÂ’s great to hear you like it, especially as youÂ’re not a romance reader. IÂ’m not really a romance reader either . . . makes me wonder why I wrote a romance fanfic. *shrug* Thanks for the tip! HereÂ’s another chapter, hope you like it as much. 😀

Shandora: *points to notice at the very top of the chapter* IÂ’m sorry I confused you. Maybe I should have made a bit clearer; itÂ’s good you still liked it though.

_Ithilwen: I hope this wasnÂ’t too long a wait for you and your abstinence didnÂ’t get too bad.

LaurelinNenharma: Good to hear from you again. Well you got to see some vulnerable Erestor in this chapter. By the way, youÂ’re close about Glorfindel and Narelda.

Brilamarth: Thankyou. I hope you this was just as engaging.