A/N: I haven't written a story about Margaret in a long time, but this one takes place just after Strawberries and Sugar. For those of you who haven't read that story, I don't think it's necessary to read both.

Disclaimer: I do not make any money from this chapter or any of the chapters to come. I am not claiming ownership or rights to any of the story setting or recognizable characters from Tolkein's beloved world. The only thing that is mine is the character Margaret and the plot of the story. That said, I still am not making any profit or attempting to sell any aspects of this fanfiction.

White Crystals

Margaret danced as large, white crystals fell from the sky. Glorfindel laughed at her joy in the snow. She had seen snow before, back when she lived with her Ma. But this snow was different. It was not as wet and cold as she had always thought. It was beautiful, and danced in the wind with all the grace that Margaret had known. She had not liked the snow in New York, for it meant cold nights and sickness. It meant more people cramming into the already full tenement building. Here, in Imladris, she could truly enjoy the wonder it held as it fell from the sky.

Laughing, she held her arms out and whirled in a circle. She spun until she could stand no more, and fell into the soft powered beneath her feet. Glorfindel lifted her into his arms, and kissed her head.

"It is growing late, little one," he said with a small smile, "We must return for evening meal."

Margaret sighed happily, and grabbed the horse's mane as Glorfindel hopped up beside her. They had been out in the forest for several hours enjoying the first snowfall of the year. Margaret had begged Glorfindel to take her out riding, and he finally gave in. Putting aside the papers he'd been reading, he sent a message to Erestor to let him know that he would be spending the afternoon outside.

Riding through the forest, Glorfindel looked down at the dark haired child that sat in front of him. He was glad he had left his desk and reports behind on this day. Margaret's delight in the snow had stirred up fond memories of his own joy in the winter days. Often elves forgot what wonder their was in the simple things, such as the rain, the sun, and the snow. For thousands of years Glorfindel had been a part of Arda, yet on this day, he again was able to close his eyes and be happy. That had happened a lot since Margaret became a part of his life several months before. He had found much happiness in little girl.

The House of Elrond soon came into view, and as Glorfindel rode into the court yard, he realized Margaret was sound asleep, her head resting against his chest and hands on his arm. He smiled and carried her to her room. He carefully removed her cloak and shoes, then tucked her into bed. Planting a kiss on her forehead, he bid her sweet dreams.

Sulwen sighed as Margaret splashed water, and covered the stone floor in suds. She knew the child enjoyed the warm bath water. Every morning she had to coax her to get out before she was late for breakfast.

" Glorfindel and Elrond will not want you to be later, Penneth," she said sternly. Margaret nodded and stood so that she could climb out of the stone bath. She stepped on the cold floor and shivered as Sulwen wrapped her in a large, gray towel.

" Sulwen, when we have Elvish lessons today, can we read a story?" Margaret asked with hope. She loved it when she was able to read about the founding of Imladris. She liked how elves from many places moved in. She enjoyed reading about the visitors Elrond had entertained in his home, and learning about Elrond becoming the lord and keeper of Imladris.

"If you finish translating everything, then yes, we can read. Now be still while I braid your hair."

Margaret continued to fidget for a minute, and then gave in as Sulwen tugged slightly on the hair she held in her hand. The child was becoming more and more comfortable around the elves she now lived with. It pleased Sulwen to see so, but really, she could not style her hair with all the moving about.

"Off with you now," she said with a smile, " I hear the cooks have prepared a fine meal this morning."

Margaret thanked Sulwen and went on her way.

It was afternoon by the time Margaret finished her lessons with Sulwen and Calin. She decided to take a walk down by her favorite spot near the stream. It was where she spent much of her time during the months she had been in Imladris.

Reaching the stream, she sat on the small wooden bridge that crossed the stream, and stared. The water not moving, for it had frozen with the coming of winter. She saw the slick, white color of ice, sun glaring back at her. She felt a slight sadness that the ducks and frogs would not be around for her to watch. Sighing, she got up to find something more interesting to look at.

As she stood, she felt her foot slide out from under her, and fell backwards. She landed half on the bridge, but the rest of her body did not, and Margaret tumbled sideways towards the stream. She landed with a thud on the ice. Slowly sitting up, she realized that she was sitting on top of the stream. Wow, she thought with delight. I have never walked on top of the water before. Margaret stood and tried walking, but began to slide. She stopped, arms flailing, and tried to regain her balance. Despite her slippery stance, she smiled to herself. Back in New York, during the winter, sometimes her Ma and her would see patches of ice on the side walk. Ma would take her hand, and they would run up to the patches of ice, and slide across. It had been the most fun they would have during the winter.

Margaret tried it, but found she could not hold her balance. She ended up falling on her stomach. She got up and tried again. When she fell this time though, she slide slightly down the ice. Grabbing clumps of snow on that had built up on the surface of the frozen water, she pulled herself along the stream. Laughing, she grabbed more snow, and pulled her self further along the ice. Eventually she came to an area where the stream curved and then dropped downhill. Taking a breath, she pulled on the snow and launched herself down the embankment. She flew over snow that was strung across the ice, and glided down the stream. Arms up high, she laughed as she continued her flight over the water.

Margaret came to a stop as slush splashed at her and hit her in the fast. She noticed here that the stream became much wider than where the bridge was. She frowned as she heard the gurgling sound in front of her. Sitting up, tried to brush the wet snow and water from her cloak. Standing, she turned to head for the high up bank on to her right, wondering how she was going to climb up such a steep pile of snow.

Suddenly Margaret felt her feet go out from under her. Icy water surrounded her, and panic took hold as she realized she couldn't breath. Her ears pounded with pain and her head ached. Her body began to burn with cold, and she realized she was in the water.
Sunlight hit her face as the water churned her to the surface. It was only for a second, but Margaret tried to take a breath. She whirled back into the water, not knowing which was up or down, and not knowing how to swim. The inside of her chest felt like it was going to break to pieces. Her legs and arms felt heavy. A giant weight had been placed on her back and shoulders. Things seemed to slow down. Darkness over took her, and she felt the world fade away.