Author's Note (in homage to Crimson Starlight):

Hey, sorry it's taken me so long! I've had this chapter done for a while, but then I started adding stuff to random parts and lost track and then Thanksgiving happened and then I had to finish a paper about the English Reformation for my asshole teacher and then I started writing another story that I think you guys would like if you like The Dark Knight and—

Glorfindel: Shut uuup! Do you ever stop? Besides, nobody likes Batman! He's just some rich guy in leather and a cape that fights clowns.

Joker: (appears) Just a clown, huh? (does that crazy tongue thing and takes out a knife) Well, you wanna know how I got these scars?

Glorfindel: Eep! No thank you!

Aww, c'mon. It's a really great story.

Glorfindel: (little girl voice) I'm sure!

So if you promise to keep your big mouth shut, you won't have to.

Glorfindel: (nods)

Okay, good. Thanks, Jack. I'll bring you back when needed.

Joker: Don't call me that!

Whatever, you don't own me. I do what I want!

Joker: But... you don't own me, either.

Glorfindel: Or me!

Well, er... no.

Glorfindel & Joker: Then what are we here for?

(shrugs) You figure it out while everyone reads.

--------------

Jane managed to squeeze in a short nap after her bath until Glorfindel arrived to escort her to a meeting with Elrond and Erestor. She opted for a dark green dress, crossing her fingers, hoping Glorfindel would like it. Jane still felt uncomfortable in Elvish clothing, longing for her favorite blue dress from Urban Outfitters, which by some lucky chance, was the dress she had been wearing when she was brought to Middle Earth. It was sitting in her closet. Jane looked down at herself, contemplating if she should be comfortable but possibly inappropriate for the Elves, or traditional and awkward in Elvish garb.

Jane chose the former. Quickly, she ripped off the gown, which was a little too tight on her stomach anyways, and slipped into her own gladiator sandals and dress. She immediately felt better, more like herself as she fixed her hair. She was wearing her bra and underwear to complete her look, making her feel much more like a Bostonian college student and less like a reborn woman seeking refuge in Imladris. Jane started to walk to the water basin to see herself, but she stopped. She felt something heavy in her left pocket suddenly and stuck her hand in.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME???" she shouted happily as she pulled out her 80GB iPod. She did have it in her pocket that night (she remembered leaving her phone at her apartment before leaving for the party)! She had completely forgotten! It was too good to be true! She squealed in excitement, hoping that it still worked from rebirth and unexpected swim.

"Please, oh please please please baby Jesus, Valar, Yahweh, Allah, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Buddha!" she shouted as she put in her headphones and pressed play on the song she had been in the middle of listening to.

By some diving force, it worked. Suddenly, Jane's ears were filled with the brass of European folk and mournful voice of Zach Condon, Beirut. She shouted again as the music continued.

A Sunday smile, you wore it for a while

A Sunday mile, we paused and sang

A Sunday smile, and we felt true

Nothing could be better than this, Jane thought happily as she hummed to herself and waltzed around the room to the soothing Balkan indie folk she so adored. It was beyond lucky that she had a functioning iPod, but who knew how long it would last? The battery life was half full.

Whateverrr, I've got my music back! Jane thought as she danced around, putting her music on shuffle.

She was in the middle of a particularly excellent interpretive dance to The Decemberists when Glorfindel arrived. Jane opened the door still singing O Valencia and sang to its tune what she had to say to the Elf Lord.

"Ooooh, Lord Glorfi-i-indel! Let's go to dinner now with Elrond, and Erestoooorrrr and I swear to the stars, I'll burn this whole city dooowwwnnn!" she sang loudly as the blonde only raised in eyebrow in question.

"What is this device?" he asked, gesturing to her iPod.

"It's an i-Po-o-oood! And it holds my muuusic in it! It's so com-plicated to explaaaaiiiin," she replied. "But I found- it iiiin- this dress and it's noooot waterdamaged! And an ode of love was your dying cryyy."

Jane laughed as she took off her headphones and placed her beloved device from home down on the table. "Sorry," she said. "I was enjoying myself too much to stop."

Glorfindel smiled. "I understand. Now, shall we go?"

"Yep!" Jane replied happily, taking the arm he had offered her.

Glorfindel was enjoying Jane's company more and more. She was very different from the others of her kind he had encountered. Perhaps because in Middle Earth, the rule of so many rulers was failing, that the people were losing hope and becoming bitter because of it. Jane, from her own world, had yet to face the hardships of her race here. She was energetic and cheerful; Glorfindel was drawn to her joyful spirit.

As they walked, he found himself comparing her to the other elleth in Rivendell. The females of his race were tall, lithe, serene, and flawless. While Jane was not short in stature, she was still about a half of a foot smaller than he was. Her figure was different than Elven women; her hips and chest were fuller and in her dress, Glorfindel could see some of the blemishes and scars on her arms and legs, something no elleth he had ever seen had. Some might call these differences imperfections on Jane, but Glorfindel only thought it enhanced her persona. And he wanted to know more of this enchanting young woman.

She walks as though she is always late, in a hurry, Glorfindel noticed to himself as he opened the door for her, going toward a main room in the palace complex. She swayed her round hips almost voluptuously, as though she were luring him in. He had watched her stride many times before when at the archery fields or simply walking around the wood; it was no different then than it was at that moment. But her own attire seemed to accentuate that feature about her. Glorfindel was shaken from his thoughts when Jane turned around to look at him.

"Which way are we going?" she asked lightly, her green eyes captured his pale blue ones.

Glorfindel smiled at her and took her arm gently, leading her left down the hallway after the main corridor, and brought her to a large door. As they walked closer, Jane commented on an entrancing aroma that seemed to be getting stronger. They finally reached a large set of opened the one on the right and the pair entered. Jane's eyes widened in excitement, her nose flared in curiosity, and her stomach growled in anticipation. Before her was a table adorned with an array of food, with many different meats, grains, and produce. At the head of the table sat Elrond and to his left was Erestor. Two seats to the right were left empty, she assumed for herself and Glorfindel. Next to Erestor was Arwen and the twins sat on the end. They eagerly greeted Jane, whisking her away from golden-haired Elf and escorting her to her seat.

"Why the huge feast?" Jane asked, eyeing the pheasant and potatoes next to it hungrily.

Elrohir laughed. "This is hardly a feast."

"We simply asked our father if a meal to suit your tastes would be appropriate," Elladan finished.

Jane smiled widely at the two pairs of identical grey eyes. "Thanks, you guys! This all looks so good." They bowed, looking rather pleased with themselves, and walked back to their chairs.

Elrond smiled warmly. "Lady Jane, it is more than a pleasure to provide a small feast for you. Please, eat."

That was the only encouragement Jane needed. She immediately went for the potatoes and pheasant, followed by the green beans and another meat, which she assumed to be chicken. She was in Heaven. Glorfindel poured her wine as she took her first bite. She sighed in euphoria.

"This is delicious," she exhaled happily.

"I am glad you are enjoying it," Elrond replied.

Arwen smiled sweetly at her. Jane was happy to have met her; being surrounded by a group of males was exhausting. The two girls were at similar times in their lives, Arwen aging much more slowly, so they quickly got along. While Arwen was usually silent, the pair found themselves enjoying each other's company.

Jane ate her fill and then some. Light conversation occurred during the meal. At a certain point when Jane was handing her goblet to Glorfindel for another refill, their hands touched. Jane blushed lightly and looked around, but the twins and Arwen were deeply engrossed in their conversation, while Erestor and Elrond were debating over a subject that hardly interested her. Nobody, thankfully, had seen, and Jane pulled her hand away, mumbling a thank you when Glorfindel replaced her goblet onto the table.

Stop, stop, stop, she repeated the mantra in her head as she took a small sip, finally beginning to feel the affects of the strong red wine. Don't let Blondie get to you, don't be the Mary Sue, don't, don't, do—

"Lady Jane, how are your lessons progressing?" Elrond asked, giving her something else to think about besides the very attractive lord to her left.

Jane smiled. "Very well, thanks," she said politely. "I'm getting better at sword combat and my archery's really good, too. But I'm having a lot of trouble with my history lessons with Lord Erestor." Elrohir sniggered, receiving a glare from said Elf in response.

"You often lose focus, my lady," Erestor replied gently. "I know it is difficult to retain all this information, but it is important for you to learn."

"All the same," Jane continued, trying to be as bashful and polite as possible, "I think because I have no prior knowledge about Elves, it would be easier for me to learn the language first, before I delve into these documents and texts you give me. I can't speak or understand Elvish, let alone read it. Sometimes the translations into Common Tongue aren't the easiest to grasp."

Erestor nodded in agreement. "I understand your frustration. If you would prefer to terminate your studies and continue later, we shall."

Jane smiled in relief. She thought that conversation would have gone much worse than it did. "Thank you, my lord."

"Well, in that case, who would tutor you in Elvish?" Elrond asked.

Glorfindel interjected before Jane could. "I offered my instruction to Lady Jane, my lord. We would begin before the combative lessons, in the early afternoon."

Elrond nodded. "Very well, that is all settled. Lady Jane, I hope you continue to enjoy your stay here in Imladris," he said, raising his goblet to her.

Jane smiled in reply. "Thanks so much."

"Now, if you will excuse us," said Elrond as he and Erestor stood up, "we have important business to attend to. Lord Glorfindel, will you join us as well?"

Jane almost didn't notice him glance at her, as if he was silently apologizing, as he stood to join the other two. The three bid the rest good night and left through another door, probably headed to Elrond's study.

"Well, Jane," Elrohir practically crooned, standing to approach her chair with the utmost grace, "what shall we do to entertain ourselves tonight?"

Jane yawned, exaggerating her exhaustion. She really had planned on spending the night with Glorfindel, walking, talking, or even just sitting with him—she felt that he had been planning to do so, too, until Elrond called him away. Jane would have liked to spend time with the twins and Arwen, but she was feeling a bit down; she just wanted alone time.

"I'd love to," she said sleepily. "I'm just feeling a little tired. All of that work out with Glorfindel is getting to me," which wasn't a lie. She said she was going to be sore the next day after her lesson and she was more than right; Jane was feeling a very prominent pain in her legs and arms. All she wanted to do was lie down on her bed and sleep away the ache.

"Are you certain?" Elrohir pouted. "We had plans to go riding."

Jane shook her head and looked apologetically at Arwen, feeling bad for leaving her with the Terrible Two. "I'm just really sore and tired. Maybe another time?"

"Very well," Elladan consented. "Another time. But for now, let us escort you to your rooms."

Jane smiled. "Thanks."

The four left the dining hall and spoke of light, conversational things during their walk; Jane asked the twins about their Lórien ladies and they teased her about her secret attraction to the two of them.

"We are irresistible to any female," Elrohir proclaimed proudly. "And you are certainly no exception."

Jane laughed. "I beg to differ. I could tell from the moment I saw you two saunter over to me that you'd be biiig trouble," she explained vivaciously, complete with intricate, drawn-out hand movements. The after-effects of the wine finally getting to her. "Besiiiides," she added, "Glorfindel warned me 'bout you two lady killersss."

Elladan raised an eyebrow as Arwen laughed, glad to see her brothers' plan was backfiring. "And what did our dear Lord Glorfindel divulge to you, Jane?"

"Only that you're lurkers that love to jump on innocent women like, mahself," Jane hiccuped as they passed Glorfindel's study. She squealed lightly and ran to the door. "Maybe he's insiiiide!" she whispered animatedly to the others.

"That is not likely," Elladan said, amused at the girl's antics, "he is surely still occupied with his conference with my father."

Jane sighed unhappily and huffed. "I wanna see hiiiim! He's so nice to me," she breathed euphorically. "And his hair is so shiny and he's so lovely and attractive and—oops." Jane's eyes widened, realizing what she said in her tipsy state. Her eyes quickly darted to the twins, who were grinning widely and Arwen, whose eyes were, Jane assumed, just as wide as hers.

"Why, Jane," Elrohir began in a very patronizing tone, "we had no idea you were harboring such feelings for Lord Glorfindel! How charming."

Jane immediately ran in between the two elves who mirrored the other's smirk. She gave them the most pathetic, pleading look she was capable of. "Ohhhh, please oh please please, don't tell hiiiim! Please promise me! I'll be so embarrassed and I need him to teach me to fight and speak Elf, pleeeease don't tell!"

Elladan widened his eyes, feigning shock. "Jane, what would make you think we would tell such an intimate secret of yours?"

"Just promise me!" she whined. "He can't knooow."

The twins nodded in synchronism. "He will never know, as long as you promise not to drink too much around him," Elrohir teased, but Jane was beyond relieved to hear them promise. She kissed them both heartily on the cheek.

"You're all angels, I'm sorry I ever doubted you." Jane went to hug Arwen tightly, who only laughed melodically and returned the embrace, silently promising the girl to hold her tongue on the matter.

Moments later, Jane reached her chambers. She quickly bid the twins and Arwen good night, still feeling woozy for the booze. She took her iPod to her bed and after a quick change into a night gown, she laid down and came down from her tipsy euphoria, thanks to the raspy vocals and scratchy guitar of Ray LaMontagne.

Can I stay here with you til the morning

I am so far from home

And I feel a little stoned

Can I stay here till the morning

There's nothing I want more than to wake up on your floor

Jane was throughly embarrassed with her actions; she never had any desire for others to know about her attraction to Glorfindel. Even though she knew they wouldn't have spilled the beans, promise or not, but just the vocalization of it made Jane worry. She had no intentions of becoming a Mary Sue in this world, but it looked like there was a force working harder than she was to make it happen. It's just a tiny crush, she tried to reason with herself, but she secretly knew that there was more behind her physical attraction to the golden-haired lord. He had rescued her and was constantly finding ways to protect and rescue her, whether it was providing fighting lessons or getting her out of lessons with Erestor, Glorfindel was always making sure she was comfortable, occupied, and most importantly, happy.

He not only doted upon her so often, but was so intrigued by her. Glorfindel was so full of questions about her old life and herself as a person. She tried not to notice, but there were moments over the past few days she had been there when she would be observing her surroundings, only to land upon Glorfindel's eyes, making her think he had been staring at her before. Jane wasn't certain if it was fascination in her race or her person, but she always found herself blushing when their eyes would meet unexpectedly.

I've gotta get my shit together before anyone else finds out about this—word of mouth or otherwise, she told herself, remembering her constant habit to act like an absolute loon when she was around an object of her affections.

Jane finally felt the events of the day overwhelming her. After promising to keep her often wild emotions in check, she fell into a well-deserved sleep.

-----------------STOPHERESTOPHERE----------------

Sooo, any ideas why you're here?

Glorfindel: Nah-uh.

Joker: Nope.

Pippin: (raises hand and jumps up and down wildly) Ooh! Ooh! Missus! Pick me, I know!

Why are you always here, huh?? Okay, Pip. Tell 'em why.

Pippin: Because you're just borrowing them for your story! Besides, it's the Author's Note! Didn't you tell them that last time?

Well, we all know they're not very good listeners. Except for you! (high fives Pippin) I'm gonna take you out for ice cream, buddy. C'mon, let's go!

Pippin: Hooray! (leaves with author, hand in hand)

Glorfindel: (looks around awkwardly) Ummm... well, what now?

Joker: I dunno, you've done this before, not me.

Glorfindel: Ooh! Okay. I'll tell the readers to review! That sounds about right, huh?

Joker: Can I show you my magic trick, too? I have the pencil ready and everything!

Glorfindel: Maybe later. Look, readers. If you've made it this far, you might as well review. So, go do it!

Joker: Unless you want me to put a smile on that face! (shakes knife angrily)

Glorfindel: No, don't be angry. They don't like that. Just be cool, dude.

Joker: Oops, sorry. But yeah, it'd be kinda boss if you reviewed. Also, go read Time to Get Serious! Cuz it's all about meeeee!

Glorfindel: Okay, bye, guys! (waves)

Joker: Byeeee! (waves)

Glorfindel: Okay, so what's all this about making a pencil disappear?