Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Please don't sue me I'm poor.
Over the next two months Adlanna had made a bit more progress with Lindir. He had started sitting in the chair next to her, he did the ink blots with normal answers and he used the building blocks to make a bridge. The only thing he was still refusing to do was share his feelings, but Adlanna wouldn't push him.
Lord Elrond, Erestor and Glorfindel had also noticed a change in Lindir. They noticed he had become calmer, swore a little less and sometimes offered to help them do chores. He still kept his distance from most people and was still weary of new things, but they were glad for the progress he had already made.
If only they knew what he was doing in the shadows.
Lindir was proud of his acting and manipulation skills. Who knew a few good deeds and less swearing would get people to trust him a little more and stop following him around. During his spare time he snuck out into the training field and picked the lock to the weapons storage. He would take a few weapons and then train, before cleaning up and putting them back. And other time's he would go swimming and look for treasures. He had amassed a nice little horde in his hidden drawer in the healing wing. And it wasn't just money he found, oh no, he also found glass beads, keys, locks, small ornaments, small jars, broaches, bracelets, hair clips and much, much more. He had found so many trinkets that he had to expand his hiding hole. He took up the floor boards to keep things in. Finding so many treasures filled him with so much joy.
Another thing Lindir did was listening in on school lessons. He knew it was unusual and could have probably asked someone if he could attend, but he found it much more interesting learning in his own way. He was surprised to find himself admitting this, but he had actually learned a lot by listening in. Because of this he had been able to read a book from back to front, albeit a very small thin book, but a full book none the less. And he felt proud of this accomplishment.
In his next session with Adlanna Lindir used the blocks to make a castle tower.
"Very nice Lindir" Adlanna said.
"Thank you" Lindir said shyly.
"And finally how do you feel today?" she asked.
"Fine" Lindir replied with a shrug.
"Lindir you've been seeing me for a while and there is something new I wish to ask you" Adlanna said.
"What is it?" Lindir asked.
"I want to know about you're past" Adlanna replied.
"My past?" Lindir said a bit suspiciously.
"Yes. I was wondering if you would tell me something about you're past. Something like when you first became a thief" she explained.
"Why do you want to know about that?" Lindir asked.
"Because I want to help you with your problems and do to that I need to know the cause of those problems. You don't have to tell me anything personal if you don't want to, so maybe you can tell me something small?" she replied.
Lindir looked at her with untrusting eyes. The more he thought about his past the less he wished he remembered. There wasn't much he could tell her that wouldn't result in her asking more intimate questions. He was about to tell her there was nothing he wanted her to know, but then he came up with an idea.
"Alright" Lindir said and took a deep breath "I don't winter. I don't like cold weather"
"Really?" she asked writing down notes.
"Yes. Because when I was younger I almost froze to death"
"Oh you poor dear" Adlanna said sadly.
"There I've told you something. Happy?" Lindir said.
"Yes and no. I'm glad you've opened up a little, but it was such a sad memory" Adlanna replied honestly.
"Are we done?" Lindir asked.
"Yes, you may go" Adlanna said. She watched Lindir leave and took a look back at her notes. She frowned when she read the words 'almost froze to death' elves don't feel the cold like other races and for Lindir to have felt it so badly meant he must have been very young when this happened. She should have asked how old he was.
Lindir left Adlanna's office feeling good about his answer. He used her words against her in a bid to not make her ask more questions. He told her what he didn't like and told her his reason for not liking it. So no more questions were needed, right?. Feeling chuffed with himself he decided to go to the weapons storage and practice some archery.
When Lindir got close to the weapons storage he made sure the area was clear before making his way to the door. He pulled his lock picks from his hair and started to pick the lock. When he had successfully picked the lock he opened the door and went inside. To Lindir's absolute horror there was Glorfindel and two guards looking at him with disapproving eyes.
"Uh-oh" Lindir whispered.
"Uh-oh indeed" Glorfindel said crossing his arms.
Lindir shot them a quick nervous grin before turning around and trying to flee. He was stopped by Glorfindel grabbing him and picking him up. He flailed about in his arms before stopped and folding his arms in anger and scowling.
"Are you done?" Glorfindel asked referring to Lindir's temper tantrum.
"Yes" Lindir huffed.
"Good. Then it's off to see Lord Elrond" Glorfindel said. He put Lindir down, but refused to let go of his hand and took him to go and see Lord Elrond.
Lindir let himself be dragged off to see Lord Elrond and braced himself for whatever was going to happen.
Glorfindel knocked and waited outside of Lord Elrond's office. When he heard his Lord beckon him in he went inside with Lindir.
"Hello my Lord" Glorfindel said.
"Hello Glorfindel" Lord Elrond replied looking up from his work "What is going on here?" he asked when he saw Lindir.
"We have found the one who has been breaking into the storage room" Glorfindel said.
"Oh Lindir" Lord Elrond sighed in disappointment.
Lindir wasn't sure why but the older elf's sad tone made him sad.
"Sit down please Lindir" Lord Elrond said pointing to a chair.
Lindir sighed and sat down.
"Why have you been breaking into the weapon storage?" Lord Elrond asked.
"Because I wanted to train" Lindir answered.
"You're too young to use the training field. Breaking an entry was not the right thing to do" Lord Elrond said.
"I know" Lindir said.
"Then why did you do it?" Lord Elrond asked.
"Because I wanted to" Lindir replied.
"Lindir you cannot do this like this just because you want to, especially if it is the wrong thing to do" Lord Elrond explained "How have you been breaking in?" he asked.
"I picked the lock" Lindir replied.
"Where did you get the lock picks?" Lord Elrond asked.
"I found the metal and made them myself" Lindir replied.
"Well I'm glad you have been honest about this situation. Now I want you to hand over all of your lock picks" Lord Elrond ordered.
Lindir glared and then sighed in defeat, he could always make more later. He pulled a couple of lock picks from out of his sleeve and placed them all on the desk.
"All of them please" Lord Elrond insisted.
Lindir rolled his eyes and pulled another few from his boot.
"And the rest" Lord Elrond said.
Lindir groaned and pulled the last of his lock picks from his hair.
"Thank you. I will make sure these are disposed of" Lord Elrond said "Now for the next few weeks you will be helping Glorfindel set up the training field at five in the morning to make up for your actions"
"Five in the morning!" Lindir said with disbelief "For fuck sake"
"Language Lindir" Lord Elrond warned "Now I suggest you go back to your room and think about what you have done"
"Let's go Lindir" Glorfindel said and led Lindir away. As the two of them walked down the path Glorfindel asked "Why would you do something like this? I thought we were starting to come to an understanding with one another "
"Because I'm still me and I'll still do what I want whenever I want" Lindir replied with a smirk.
"Well I certainly hope doing what you want when you want will now include going to bed early and waking up early" Glorfindel chuckled.
Lindir didn't respond to Glorfindel's heckles and went back to his room. He said good bye to Glorfindel and lay on his bed. He was not looking forward to tomorrow morning at all. Feeling bored he opened up the floor board and admired his treasure hoard 'It's nice to have things' he thought.