Disclaimer: not mine.

Chapter One

A group of elves rode on horseback through the woods. Not far ahead of them was an elegant stone bridge to an elven city, Imladris, on the other side. Though the path wound greatly, they could not have been more than a quarter of a mile from the bridge.

Roughly in the middle of the procession was a shining, white figure: an elf-maid of beauty rivaling Arwen Undomiel. Her voice far surpassed any among the elves in thousands of years. She was most certainly beyond compare in this the Third Age of Middle Earth.

Beside her rode a tall figure clothed in grey. The hat atop his head was made of blue-grey felt. It had a wide brim to protect its owner's eyes from the elements. His beard was long and his eyebrows were bushy, partially obscuring the bright blue eyes below them. These features were all a part of a weathered, kindly face.

"Are you sure about this, Olórin?" the elf-maid asked, her eyes exuding worry.

"My dear, I am always sure. And remember: while I am here, I am not Olorin. I am Mithrandir," the figure in grey said gently to her.

"But why?" the elf-maid asked. She did not know why this misnomer was necessary.

"These people do not know me by that name. They would only be confused by it. Now, we are going straight to Elrond as soon as we arrive. Also, make sure you talk to Glorfindel. After that, you should meet Erestor," the Istari said.

"Why do you want me to meet Erestor?" the elf-maid asked, tilting her head and raising one eyebrow. She had learned that mannerism from Glorfindel.

"He is Elrond's advisor, and he will be a trustworthy friend and ally," Mithrandir said confidently.

"At least I already know Glorfindel!" the elf-maid said, smiling brightly.

"Stick to those three. They will be good friends in the times to come. Please promise me you will, Sirith," Mithrandir said, turning to look earnestly into her eyes.

"Of course I will, Olorin," she said, smiling innocently. She trusted the Istari completely.

"Sirith!" a shout came from the bridge. They both turned to see a golden-haired elf riding toward them on a shining, white horse.

"Glorfindel!" she called, jumping off her horse and running toward him. The elf leapt off his horse and embraced her warmly, twirling her around in the air.

"Imo mellon, uar le, im na er ar vanwa," (My friend, I was lonely without you) he said, pulling her close in a warm hug.

"Na le si tir?" (Will you be back soon?) Sirith asked, looking at him with a hopeful smile.

"Netta," (Yes) he said as he buried his face in her soft, golden hair.

"Maan," (Good,) she said, releasing him to smile up at him.

"Im keluva si, Sirith. Im henuva le tir," (I need to go, Sirith. I will see you soon,) Glorfindel said, hugging her one more time before walking back to Asfaloth, his beautiful horse.

"Pata!" (Wait!) she said, grasping his arm just before he mounted. He turned quickly, and the elf-maid kissed him quickly on the cheek.

The elves looked into each others eyes for a second before turning back to their respective horses and mounting. As Glorfindel rode past her, she put her hand out and touched his hand as he rode past, like she always did when he left.

Once the elf-maid had remounted, the elven, and Olorin, group continued to the bridge and the beautiful city beyond.

This party of newcomers elicited much attention on the part of the inhabitants of the city they now entered. Yet, their eyes wee most often drawn to the golden-haired vision in white that rode in the middle of the column, the most protected area.

She, Sirith, was one of the most beautiful elf-maids of all time. Unlike Arwen, who only slightly surpassed Sirith in beauty, she was not attached to any one elf or man in a romantic way. She was a loose lady, a loose princess. Of course, she had her many friends, like Arwen and Glorfindel. However, she had no particular interest in anyone. The fact that she was protected by Mithrandir and Elrond helped deter many people from pursuing her.

Beside her rode an Istari wizard, as they were then called. His name was Mithrandir to the elves, or Gandalf to men and Halflings. But he was Olorin to the Ainur and Sirith only. And on his finger, as she well knew, was the elven ring Narya.

Those elves that had watched had seen Glorfindel ride out to meet them, and, most specifically, Sirith. It was obvious by the way they embraced and talked that they were good friends, which some took even farther to mean that they were courting. Such rumors were baseless, at least on Sirith's part.

Despite the lack of evidence in their rumours, the elves thought that Glorfindel was wrong to bestow his heart on such a low-born elf as she. They were completely wrong.

By birth, Sirith was just as noble, in a way more so, than Glorfindel. Her mother was Finduilas, whose father was Orodreth son of Finarfin. Finarfin's brother was Fingolfin, most noble High King of the Noldor in all of history. She was royalty and Elrond was her Uncle, indirectly but somewhat applicable.

Glorfindel was an extremely powerful and influential Elf Lord, but he was not royalty. However, Sirith's parentage was a closely guarded secret kept by a select few: Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn, Cirdan, and Mithrandir.

As these visitors poured into the elegant city, Sirith's beauty caught the eye of a bridge guard, one who was not all that he seemed. His name was Telperin.

oooooooooooooooo

Sirith walked into her room after a long day of sword training. She tossed her elvish sword onto the bed and sat, taking several deep breaths. Only then did she notice a folded piece of paper on the table.

She rose and picked up the paper before sitting down again to read it.

It was from Telperin, and it was…poetry?

Thine eyes!

Thy emerald eyes!

Thy skin!

It glows like the moon!

Thy hair!

Black as night!
Thy lips!

Red as blood!

Eru! What is wrong with him?"Red as blood?"

She crumpled it up and threw it into the fire. There is nothing that can be done, so why worry?

ooooooooo

"Sirith, are you done drawing, yet?" Glorfindel called from thirty yards away.

She looked up at the sound of his voice and said, "Almost. Just let me finish this last touch of the cliff."

"What are you drawing this time?" he asked as he got within ten feet of her.

"The valley from that waterfall to that cliff face," she said, pointing out the boundaries of her drawing quickly.

"Alright. Enough of your solitude. Come sit with me," he said, pulling her up by her arms.

"Have you been settling in well?" Glorfindel asked her as they walked back to the library.

"I feel surprisingly comfortable here already," Sirith said, smiling.

"I am glad to hear it. You should come train with me tomorrow. I don't want you to get out of practice," he said, laying his hand over hers.

"I would not want to intrude on your training," she said.

"Nonsense! It would be good for the other warriors to have someone else to duel against, especially with how good you are with the sword," he said, trying to convince her.

"Very well," she said, smiling again.

"Great! I was hoping you'd agree," Glorfindel said. His face seemed ecstatic.

In this way, their friendship had deepened into a sort of love, though it was not the same type of love that they were so often accused of harbouring. Sirith believed that this was love was like that between siblings, though they were not actually blood relatives. Glorfindel, howeve,r had something else in mind.

"Mithrandir! Mithrandir!" Sirith called, running toward him as he strode toward the library.

"Sirith?" he said, surprised. He turned quickly to see her running toward him still. That sight made him stop completely and wait until she was there.

"Mithrandir!" she said happily, running straight into his arms.

"The warriors said that you are leaving soon," she said, worry showing on her face.

The Istari began to laugh merrily and said amidst this laughter, "Have no fear. I will not leave you here just yet!"

"Oh, good! I thought you were going to leave without even telling me!" she said. Her face betrayed her worry for such an event.

"Sirith, I promise you I will tell you before I leave," Gandalf said, smiling and hugging her again.

"Thank you, not just for this, but for everything. You are like a father to me," Sirith said, smiling radiantly.

Gandalf was shocked for a second, but he said in return, "And you are like a daughter to me."

ooooooooooo

"Gandalf, have you had the chance to see Glorfindel and Sirith when they are together?" Elrond asked, looking out an upper window.

"Only once," he said, glancing up at the half-elf.

"Come here. They're talking by the edge of Bruinen," Elrond said, smiling. He gestured out the window towards the edge of the water where two golden-haired elves sat in the grass.

Gandalf hurried over to observe the couple. They sat close together as they talked and laughed. It was obvious to both of them that these two were close. The question was, how close?

"It is good to see him smiling. He has not truly smiled in many years," Elrond observed.

"She is different with him. She treats him like a true friend," Gandalf said, smiling.

"Do you know how she thinks of you, Gandalf?" the half-elf asked.

"She…she asks me for advice, and she asks me to explain things…it's like she's my daughter," Gandalf said, struggling to explain their relationship.

Elrond began to smile and said, "Perhaps she has found both a father and a match, finally."

oooooooooooooo

First when Sirith hade entered the city, she brought her faithful horse to the stables. She took the bridle off and unbuckled the saddle. Quickly, she prepared herself for the great weight of the saddle before lifting it up and off of her horse.

As she struggled to carry the saddle over to the edge of the stall, a strong pair of hands took the saddle out of her hands and placed it with ease on the wooden half-wall of the stall.

She looked up to see whose hands they were, only to be pulled into a tight hug before she saw the face. However, these arms felt familiar and warm, and the long, black hair gave away their identity.

"I missed you, Sirith," Elrond said, tightening his arms around her.

"I missed you, too. It's been so long," she said, breaking away to smile at him.

"Oh! Come! You still need to meet Erestor!" Elrond said, taking her hand and pulling her out of the stables quickly. Perhps I have finally found a friend for him.

"Slow down, Elrond!" she said, hurrying to keep up with him.

"It's only a little farther, Sirith!" Elrond said, smiling widely as he led her to the library. She laughed at this, sensing her friend's enthusiasm.

Sure enough, not ten seconds later, they ran into a two-level library. "Erestor! Come here! There's someone here you should meet!" Elrond called, still smiling and holding her hand.

A few seconds later, a dark-haired elf appeared on the upper level. He gracefully jogged down the steps and walked over to stand in front of the pair. "Yes, my lord Elrond?" the elf asked.

"This is Sirith. She's been my friend since we were in Lindon, and for as long as she is here, she is welcome in the library, or any other part of the house. I'd like for you to get to know her. Sirith, this is Erestor, my advisor and friend. He likes to have the library to himself," Elrond said eagerly, introducing the two.

"Elen sila 'lumenn omentielvo," Sirith said, smiling at Erestor. He has been serious for far too long. I should change that.

Mae govannen, Sirith," Erestor said in return, smiling slightly. He's smiling! Finally! She's the key to his happiness!

ooooooooooo

Once Sirith had met with Elrond and Erestor, she took her time walking to her customary room and changed from her white dress to a purple dress made specifically for her to wear to and from bathing. Once she was changed, Sirith skipped happily down to the river Bruinen.

After bathing for awhile, Sirith heard voices approaching the banks. She quickly ducked underwater and swam into the reeds on the other side of the river.

Not two seconds later, Elladan and Elrohir, twin sons of Elrond, came walking down the path to the river. They came to the waters edge and tested the temperature before disrobing and jumping in.

As they did that, Sirith blushed and turned away. She dipped under and swam away as silently as she could. She went back to where her clothes were around the bend of the river, hearing the twins fooling around in the water.

Quickly, Sirith pulled her dress back on and walked back to the path. As she walked back, she heard a call, "Sirith!"

She turned and saw none other than Elladan and Elrohir, only half-clothed. She blushed and turned her head.

The twins took one look at each other, both getting the same idea. They silently got out of the water and snuck towards Sirith. They simultaneously grabbed her arms and pulled her up off the ground. They carried her over to the water and threw her in, still in her clothes.

She shrieked when she landed in the cold water. She brought her head up to the surface and quickly grabbed the twins' arms, pulling them in behind her.

The three of them began to laugh altogether. They all climbed out and shook the water off. Elladan and Elrohir quickly grabbed their shirts and used them to dry off a little.

"Come on, you need some dry clothes," Elladan said, taking Sirith's hand in his own.

"So do you," she said, sending them all into a fit of laughter.

"Your room or ours?" Elrohir asked, taking her other hand.

"Mine first. They're closer," Sirith said, shaking her head at their antics.

The threesome walked up the path and back to the city. However, they had to walk by the library to get back to Sirith's quarters. As they did, Elrond walked out of the library.

When he saw them sopping wet, hand-in-hand, and walking down the corridor, he burst out laughing. When he could speak again, he asked, "Who pushed whom?"

"They carried me," Sirith said, beginning to laugh. This bit of information sent Elrond into another fit of laughter.

"And I suppose you pulled them in after," Elrond observed, still laughing.

Sirith smiled wickedly and nodded.

"What would I do without you three," Elrond said happily, smiling.

ooooooooooo

Glorfindel's mission was to find Aragorn and the hobbits accompanying him and escort them to Imladris. He had found them somewhat swiftly and now led them to Imladris with all speed.

As Glorfindel walked at the head of the group, he kept touching his cheek where Sirith had kissed him. He could still feel her soft, moist lips against hs skin. It tingled pleasantly.

Aragorn noticed this and asked the elf, "Glorfindel, hi na engwana?" (Glorfindel, does it hurt?)

"No. I have a…friend that just arrived," the golden-haired elf said, turning to look at Aragorn for only a second. He was too embarrassed by his own feelings to maintain eye contact.

"Ar?" (And?) Aragorn asked, probing further.

"I-I-Im…Im mel híril," (I-I-I…I love her) Glorfindel admitted.

Aragorn looked at the Elf Lord, astonished that he had only now found an elf-maid he truly loved. The Dunedain asked, "Man?" (Who?)

"Sirith Aralin. Le golodh i hiril?"(Sirith Aralin. Have you met her?)

"Letta, an im lhawa hirilo. Na hiril ve?" (No, but I have heard of her. What is she like?) Aragorn asked.

They heard Pippin, one of the hobbits interrupt just then saying, "What are you two talking about?"

"I hope it's food," Merry, another of the hobbits, interjected.

"They speak of a lady, an elf maid and friend of Glorfindel's," Frodo, the most important of the four hobbits, said. He surprised all of them by even speaking. He was the ring-bearer, and he had been stabbed by a Morgul blade. For that reason, they did not think him strong enough to speak.

Glorfindel turned bright red before forcing out a laugh to hide it. He was embarrassed that Frodo had heard, and, worse still, understood.

"Hiril na lissi, ar i mir, ar oniel, ar vana, ar alata, ar..." (She is sweet, and innocent, and kind, and beautiful, and happy, and…) Glorfindel said in a whisper before sighing and closing his eyes.

"What are they saying?" they heard Pippin whisper to Frodo.

"Nothing of consequence to you, Master Took," Glorfindel said, warning them against any intrusion into the matter.

"Nai le lasto lo oree," (May it be you listen to your heart, and introduce me to her) Aragorn whispered back.

oooooooooo

Once Sirith had returned to her room, she took her time to change from her sopping dress to breeches and a tunic. She ate and found some drawing supplies in the library after changing.

Once she had that accomplished, she went to the River Bruinen. She soon found Glorfindel sitting in his usual place on the grass by the riverbank.

"Glorfindel!" she called, running toward him. She had thought that he would not return for another day at the very least.

"Sirith! Hi na maan hena le!" (Sirith! It's great to see you!)" he called, standing up to embrace her in joy. He twirled her around in the air a couple times before setting her back down and pulling her to the ground with him. Both of them smiled and laughed the whole time like the old friends they were.

"Hi na annen yen im dagor uar le. Uva le…?" (It's been a long time since I've sparred with anyone. Would you…?)" she did not need to finish the sentence.

"I'd love to," Glorfindel said, smiling kindly.

She smiled excitedly and ran off to the practice fields. Glorfindel ran after her, eager to see if she had improved her already tremendous skill with a blade.

ooooooooo

Two elvish blades glinted in the sun. The combatants carefully watched each other, waiting for one to move.

Suddenly, one blade whistled through the air, darting toward their opponent. The other blade whirled into action, blocking and attacking with ferocity.

The blades darted back and forth in a deadly dance. Neither combatant showing weakness to the other, until a blade slipped from weariness.

The other blade darted into the weak spot, quickly disarming the opponent. Within seconds, the elf was disarmed and on the ground, a sword at their neck.

"Alright, Sirith. You win," Glorfindel said, smiling tiredly and holding his hands up in defeat.

Sirith smiled and threw her sword away. The elf lord took advantage of that. He grabbed her hand and pulled her down on top of him just before he rolled on top of her, pinning her underneath him.

"Nice try, Glorfindel. I still beat you. You've got that bruise on your arm to prove it," Sirith said, poking the bruise on his upper arm.

"Alright, alright, Sirith," he said, rolling off of her to lie beside her.

They laid there for several minutes before Sirith sighed and said, "I should be getting back soon."

Glorfindel got up slowly and offered her his hand, saying, "Coming?"

As they returned to the city, they met Elrond.

Elrond noticed when Glorfindel winced as Sirith put a hand on her arm. He asked, "Engwana, na le?" (Injured, are we?)

"Sirith nant maan," (She has improved,) Glorfindel said, smiling slightly.

"Sirith na uengwana," (She is no longer the one with the bruises,) Elrond observed, laughing heartily.

"Neta," (Indeed,) Glorfindel said, smiling widely and laughing now as well. He hugged Sirith close with his not bruised arm. She laughed and hugged him close.

What a perfect match they are, Elrond thought, waiting patiently for their friendship to turn into something more.

ooooooooo

The next day, Sirith sat on the edge of the bridge, waiting for Glorfindel since the early morning. As she waited, she became entranced by the waterfall in front of her and far below. She began to sketch it. She was so enthralled by the beauty that she did not notice the golden-haired elf riding towards the bridge on a white horse.

Glorfindel, however, did notice her. He rode up behind her silently and dismounted to wrap his arms around her from behind. Sirith immediately recognized that it was him and leaned into his embrace, closing her eyes happily. He pressed his face into her hair before gently picking her up and turning around so that she could embrace him as well.

After awhile, he released her and said, "Im tiruva le i lumenn' omentielvo nev Bruinen, ve oiale." (I'll meet you by the banks of the Bruinen, as usual.)

The two elves smiled at each other while Glorfindel gently placed a hand on her cheek. They stayed motionless for several seconds before the Elf Lord turned back to his horse, Asfaloth.

Sirith gathered up her drawing supplies and deposited them in her room before walking out to a rather secluded area right at the river's banks.

From there, she could not hear the sounds of a skirmish at the bridge that she had left not five minutes ago. However, while Glorfindel was meeting with Elrond to report about his mission, they both heard the clash of steel and the twang of bowstrings.

They both paled and Glorfindel whispered, "Sirith!"

Elrond looked into the Elf Lord's eyes for a second before saying, "Go!"

Immediately Glorfindel took off at a dead run to the stables. He jumped onto his horse and urged Asfaloth to run to the river where the elf-maid awaited him.

Sirith heard him coming and turned to smile at him. That same smile faded when she saw the grim set of his brow and jaw. It boded ill. "Ride with me!" Glorfindel said, holding a hand down for Sirith to take. She took it without hesitation and he pulled her up behind him.

As soon as she was mounted, he urged Asfaloth off into the forest. They rode for more than ten minutes before stopping.

After she jumped down, Sirith asked Glorfindel, "What happened?" She placed a hand on his arm to convey her worry.

"There is an attack underway. Orcs have attacked the main bridge. I had to get you away from the fighting," he said, calming down now under Sirith's gentle touch.

They stayed there for more than an hour talking quietly in atmosphere of slight tension and worry. Finally, they heard a distinctly elven voice calling, "My Lord Glorfindel! It is safe!"

Quickly, the two golden-haired elves rode back and went straight to Elrond. The half-elf looked relieved that they were both unharmed. It showed in his face and his bearing, though he was not as open about it.

"The orcs are defeated! We have only minor injuries, no deaths!" he said, obviously relieved.

Sirith breathed a sigh of relief as Glorfindel said, "That is good."

Elrond smiled slightly and said to Sirith, "If they attack again, find Glorfindel immediately. He will take you to safety."

As he said that, Glorfindel's eyes flicked to Master Elrond, wondering why he wanted her in particular protected. Elrond ignored that and said, "You may both go now."

After the two elves left, holding hands and walking in unison, Elrond thought while turning to a window. She CAN NOT be killed or taken! At least Glorfindel can take care of her. Thank the Valar she wasn't at the bridge anymore!

After that, the orcs led many direct attacks on the city. They had never been successful, but Sirith still learned to stay away from the main bridge. Glorfindel wanted her to remain safe during these attacks and was happy to take her away from there, where she might be harmed…or killed.