Author's Note: I wrote this about 5 years ago and finally decided to post it. Please be gentle, this is my first ficlet; constructive criticism welcome. Sorry the ending is so lame but I wanted to finish it quickly without going into too much detail. It was never intended to go beyond the story that I told.

~BC03

DISCLAIMER: I only own the 'me' character; all the other characters, places and ideas belong to J.R.R. Tolkien

First Attempt: Battle Tactics

"I'll be back soon", he told me as he turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

'Soon, aye, soon', I though. But as five minutes turned into 15 minutes, I started to wonder just how long he was actually going to be.

Boredom had long set in so I turned to the bookshelf next to his comfy reading chair – in which I was seated – and selected a book. I didn't particularly care which book I'd selected as long as it occupied my mind until his (Haldir's) return.

'Battle Tactics,' read the title. I wasn't over the moon with my selection but I wasn't motivated enough to make a re-selection. And besides, I was somewhat interested in the contents of the book and how could I (completely) not be; courted by the March Warden and Captain of the Guard, Haldir's interests were rubbing off on me.

Despite the title, the book was quite interesting; I especially liked/enjoyed the chapters on all the different defense force/ military-battle formations and modus operandi (code of behavior).

I was getting quite into it, picturing a great army before me assembled in a slightly curved semi-circle. Though it all became too much of my mind when I tried to picture the individual assemblies (archers and sword-masters, etc). Realizing I was heading for an imagination overload I decided to rearrange Haldir's interior ornaments and furniture to role play the formation and individual assemblies/ elves. I figured Haldir wasn't coming back anytime soon, so I'd have more than enough time to put everything back in its place.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

(Five Minutes Later)

Looking down/up at my makeshift army, sculpted from only the finest pots, pans, tea tables, shoes etc, I was content and settled myself back into Haldir's comfy reading chair to discover more of the secrets to a successful battle or skirmish. In the back of my mind, though, I did wonder where Haldir had got too and hoped he would be back soon.

But not so soon that I wouldn't be able to tidy up…which was the case.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I was so absorbed in the book that I only noticed Haldir was back when I felt his breath of my neck (even though he was standing right next to me), and then saw him leaning over me.

"What are you doing?" he asked with a slight smirk and teasing smile just visible on his features.

*Gulp*, I swallowed hard. I knew I wasn't in any real trouble but as I was a quiet and shy person, it unnerved me a bit to be caught by the March Warden playing out battle tactics on his living room floor.

Looking up I gave him a sheepish smile hoping against hope that it would explain away the 'mess' on the floor. Knowing me well, he let this one slide; however, he did have a few questions to ask.