Hi guys around the world!

In the last chapter happened something unthinkable: the king scolding very severely to the Elf-lords because of Lord Salgant and Lord Maeglin. But also happened the different forms that Elyéta and Laura tried to comfort the two Elf-lords for whom they deeply care of. What will be the reaction of Lord Glorfindel and Lord Duilin to them?

I want to thank Celridel for her help as well as d'elf for her review.

Waiting for your reviews, guys!

Chapter 23: To Repent

(Aldúya, Day of the Two Trees. Yavannië {September}, Yávië, Summer Waning).

The sky lightened to a pale silver in the East. Golden rays of sun rose over the Echoriath, heralding a new day come to Gondolin. Dawn set the sky awash with color, and Tumladen glittered with dew, white mists rising from the grasses. The wind, which had held the bite of autumn during the night, grew warmer and wet, carrying the dew with it.

Elyéta and Duilin had not moved from the wall and watched in pleasant silence as a new day dawned, taking with it the darkness of a difficult night to bring new hope.

The Swallow watched an eager lark skim over the white heads of the grasses and then turned to his beautiful companion. She was bound in rapt delight as she walked the dawn: while he delighted in watching that beautiful creature called Elyéta. Her silky hair was loose and fluttering around her face, and her large eyes, in which a silver forest dawn was trapped, showed eternal youth and tenderness.

As if sensing his gaze, she looked round to meet his eyes, and then dropped her gaze, blushing intensely. Why did he look at her like that? She was not beautiful, at least, she did not think she was. Why then did the Elf-lord look at her so? And what was that light in his eyes? Why did that light make her fëa tremble?

'What should I do?' she asked herself, 'I do not want to appear a fool by staring at him mutely….but my heart and mind wish to look at him. But ... what will he think of me? '

"If I may pry, what are you going to do today, Elyéta?" He asked after a moment.

"Oh! Um ... well, I'm going to the palace and then I have to accompany the Celebrindal. You see, my lord, the Princess will most likely want us to attend her today. And then there's Ardyl ... " She broke off when she saw Duilin smiling at her. "I am sorry, I am rambling again." she murmured. "I am going to the palace." "Would you allow me to accompany you?" He asked, with a leap of eagerness in his words.

Elyéta's eyes grew wide. He was no longer escorting her, he was accompanying her. A sudden joy overcame her heart. He was not angry with her!

"Oh, yes! It would be an honor, my lord!" she exclaimed with equal eagerness, nodding several times.

"The honor is mine," he answered softly, and stood, offering her his hand to help her down the stairway carved into the stone of the wall.

Elyéta's blush grew when she saw he was treating her as if she were of high nobility! Nobody but her brother had shown such kindness towards her! And her surprise grew even greater when instead of walking beside her, Lord Duilin offered her his arm.

Elyéta swallowed hard, putting her hand on his arm. Her heart was being with the quickness of hummingbird wings, but her fëa sang and shuddered at an unknown feeling that had gradually taken possession of her.

Lord Duilin smiled at her and began to walk.

"We take the third gate."

"Yes, my Lord."

Glorfindel sighed. Astaldil, his second-in-command, already knew, of course. He always knew, and sometimes Glorfindel wondered if Astaldil would make a better Lord than him. He was clever and brave, one that would never fail a friend, much less forgive or forget a foe.

"I assume Finyissë has recovered from the training mishap?" he asked.

"She has." Astaldil smiled. "She was quite insistent on her complete healing."

"Good. She may return to training in a day."

"That cannot come too soon."

Glorfindel did not smile. He would have, knowing Finyissë's personality, had it been any other day, but not today. Not after what happened last night.

After repeatedly insulting Hwa-Young, he had realized it was for the better to remain mute and had not spoken a single word since. Deep down, the voice that was nearly a whisper, warned him to be careful of his treatment towards her. She had no bearing on what had happened, and she was sensitive... in her own way. She had suffered too much already and did not need to suffer anymore because of him.

Early in the morning, he had taken up his harp and left to go arrange the affairs of his House.

Laura did not make any movement but watched him go until she lost sight of him.

Laura's POV

'Oookk, that was something I did not expect. I thought that the good Glorfindel would come out of his ... trance; but it turns out he didn't. He did not even seem to realize that I was keeping him company! That ... that ... that hurts. It hurts me a lot. I shouldn't have done it. After all, that's how everyone behaves with me when I try to help them. Either I do not really know how to help, or my past is so black that my help is despised.

The truth is sad and painful. Glorfindel does not have the slightest idea of who I really am or of my past, and yet he puts me aside. Apparently, I'm a lost cause. No matter how hard I try, no one will ever appreciate what I do. It seems a lie, but when I was a cold, cruel and ruthless assassin, it was when people liked me or at least respected me.

Anyway, I shouldn't be surprised. Lord Glorfindel is an Elf, a self-described half Fair-Elf. How else would a Fair-Elf react to the help of a firíma?

However, I do not blame him and, strangely enough, I'm not angry with him either. It's nobody's fault but mine and I have to face it. Glorfindel has been kind to me, many times in his own way, but he has been.

So, I'm not angry. I can't be, even if I wanted to. I'm just sad that he pushed me aside when I tried to help him too. The strangest thing of all is that, even though he did not say anything to me and simply left without even looking at me, I am willing to go back to ... trying to help him. If he has done it so many times facing my temper, I think it's fair that I do it too. After all, apparently he has a temper too.'

They were standing in the marble courtyard in front of the palace, by the great fountain, which cast a shower of shadows on the pavement and a shower of clear water in its basin.

After wandering randomly for nearly two hours through Gondolin, Duilin had finally taken her to the palace. During their walk, he had asked her about the art she loved: painting. At first, Elyéta had responded nervously, terrified of beginning to babble, but the tone of his voice and the clear interest he showed in what she liked encouraged her, and after a while, she began to talk enthusiastically. Her conversation became vivacious and pleasant. There was still a certain timidity in her, especially when she saw his face; but she was more confident now.

The Swallow listened attentively, paying attention to the smallest details of both her words and her beauty. He longed for the walk would have lasted longer, but both had duties that they could not neglect; so very reluctantly, he led her towards the palace.

Elyéta gently untangled herself from the Elf-lord's arm, glancing towards the palace and then at him, who had never lost sight of her.

"Thank you for walking with me, my lord," she murmured, blushing again. "It has been an honor to be accompanied by the Lord of the House of the Swallow."

"The honor has been mine, Elyéta. Not only the moment you allowed me to accompany you, but also the one you stayed with me, saving me from my own fury," he replied in his swift, eager manner. "That is something I will never forget. No one has ever been able to calm my anger…..but you," he added after a moment. Duilin paused again. "You are a very wise person, Elyéta. Wise and beautiful," he said in a low voice, and it seemed to Elyéta she could hear the words in her heart, so quickly did it thump against her chest.

She smiled a smile that was very different from any that had been addressed to anyone before.

"Thank you, my lord," she said, looking straight into his eyes "That ... that means so much to me."

Duilin did not answer, he gazed intently at her. He could never be weary of looking at her, nor listening to her voice. A feeling, born when they had first met, but that he had ignored in the midst of his impatience towards himself, led him to delicately tuck a black lock of her long hair behind her ear.

The elf-maid blushed, but held his gaze, still smiling at him. Ah! How she wished that time would stop there! A sigh nearly escaped her lips as she felt his hand.

The world halted there, the song of greeting that rose to the new day, ceased to be heard, the breeze that blew with autumnal force was arrested. Nothing existed outside of themselves, nothing, except each other. Elyéta and Lord Duilin, and that strange feeling that had been gaining ground without either of them understanding what was happening.

He was lost in her eyes, grey of a dove's wing, soft as down; the grey of the ocean an instant before dawn's first rays strike the water: she saw nothing but his blue eyes, intense, forceful, reflecting the intensity and forcefulness of the Swallow.

"Elyéta! Elyéta!"

A voice jerked them out of that enchanted moment, calling, "Elyéta! Ah! Here you are!" Elyéta turned sharply as she recognized the voice, and grew pale.

"Linwe!" She called out to him, her voice nervous again.

"Linwe?" Asked Duilin. A strange feeling clenched his heart, and his jaw tensed. "He is my brother. My older brother," Elyéta answered anxiously.

"Ah!" he said, and the tightness in his chest was gone.

An ellon who looked the age of Duilin came running towards them. He was taller than Elyéta. Jet-black hair fell over his shoulders. His eyes were a grey that was bluer than his sister's: expressive, but lacking Elyéta's brightness. He was slender and tall, with the muscles of a whipcord, while his features were both handsome and discerning. It was clear to Duilin, that this Linwe was indeed Elyéta's brother.

" My lord," he said, bowing his head abruptly. An undertone of impatience was in his words, neither of which pleased the Lord of the Swallow. Common folk did not greet Lords with a bow of the head, which was a token of greeting used by how and low, but with a reverent bow. But he remained silent out of respect for Elyéta.

"Elyéta', I have looked everywhere for you. You were not in the house, nor the Markets, nor at the palace." exclaimed Linwe, ignoring the Elf-Lord.

"Do not worry, Linwe," Duilin answered for Elyéta, who had been frozen in the face of her nervousness. "She and I were walking together. There is no danger."

"No doubt," Linwe answered in a tone that caused Duilin frown in annoyance. The veiled import of what he was saying was very clear.

If Linwe had noted the Elf-lord's reaction, he did not care. He turned to his sister, who had paled even farther when she saw Duilin's frown. It was all known that the Elf-lord possessed a quick temper and what she wanted least was for him to get angry with her brother.

"Let us go, Elyéta! The Princess is waiting for you and Ardyl is lonely. We have no time to spare." he said, taking his sister's hand in his. "My Lord, have a blessed day."

"Likewise, have a blessed day," Duilin answered coolly.

Elyéta turned and looked at him with eloquently pleading eyes. She was trying to apologize and advocate for her brother, but the words were missing. A gentle smile from the Elf-lord reassured her, and she turned and ran after her brother.

A sudden impulse called Duilin to spring after them, calling "Elyéta!"

He was by her side nearly before she had turned, and she looked at him questioningly. To her untold astonishment, he took one of the white feathers from his braids, the largest and most beautiful. Then taking her right hand, he laid the feather in her palm.

"Thank you," he said. "I hope to see you again soon," he added, covering her delicate hand with his own. She could feel that his hands were marked with lines and callouses, that told a story, that he had not always been the greatest archer and spearman in Gondolin. She had never seen so beautiful…..so masculine a creature.

She blushed and returned his smile. "Likewise, my lord," she replied.

"Elyéta!"

Elf-maid and Elf- lord turned. Linwe was standing an ell away, his arms crossed: clearly impatient.

"May you have a blessed day, my lord," said Elyéta, bowing.

"May you have a blessed day, Elyéta," he replied smiling, as he bowed his head in answer.

Elyéta smiled at him one last time and ran away to her brother, who had seen everything with clear annoyance. Duilin stared at him, showing that he harbored no affection for Linwe's actions. annoyed and frowning heavily. To his astonishment, Linwe held his gaze without flinching, which was rare.

Then he took Elyéta by the hand, as a brother would do with his little sister and both left hurriedly, losing sight of the Elf-lord soon.

"Please, Linwe, please calm yourself!" Elyéta pleaded once they had lost sight of Lord Duilin.

"No Elyéta, do not ask me to calm down!" He exclaimed hotly. "Do you not realize what is happening?"

She looked at him in surprise and confusion. No, she did not understand.

Linwe stopped his hurried walk and released her hand.

"Elyéta I looked for you all night," he said, "And I found you nowhere. First, I looked for you in the places you usually are, but when I did not find you in any of them, I looked for you everywhere. Do you know how much anxiety you brought on me?"

"Linwe, you know that the city is completely safe. No one knows of its existence," she reproached. "I was with Lord Duilin. Even if Gondolin was suddenly, I would be safe."

Linwe sighed with exasperation "No Elyéta. You are not safe with him."

"Of course I am!" she contradicted quickly. "He is an Elf- Lord! He is the Lord of the House of the Swallow! He is fastest and most agile elf of all Gondolin! He would protect me from any assailant!"

"Yes, he would protect you from assailants, but not from him. He is precisely the danger."

Elyéta alternately paled and flushed with indignation. What was her brother trying to tell her?

"Listen Elyéta. I am telling you this for your own good:: we are from the common people and he is Lord. Do not forget it," he said, his voice gentler. he

"And what does that have to do?" She answered angrily. "What is wrong with us being….being…..friends!"

Linwe did not know whether to laugh or cry or get angry. How innocent his little sister was!

"No, Elyéta. He wants more than friendships."

"What do you mean?" She asked, but a voice in her heart had already supplied her with an answer.

Linwe groaned. "A lover, Elyéta! He wants to be your lover!" he exclaimed, drawing a curious look from a fellow lady-in-waiting, Melimë, who was passing by on her way to the palace. Lowering his voice, he continued. "Why do you think he gave you his feather? And why do you think he behaves so gallantly with you? Why do you think he accompanied you around the city?" He took her by the shoulders when she drew a shuddering breath. " Elyéta, you are my little sister, my only family and I have sworn to protect you from anyone who wants to hurt you."

"Lord Duilin would never hurt me!" She exclaimed in a trembling voice, her eyes full of tears.

"That's what you think. And ... maybe that is not his intention; But sooner than later he will. You are beautiful, and you have an unparalleled talent for painting. You have a heart of gold and you are noble, but that does not matter when he is a Lord. They will fall in love with ladies of their own rank. He cares about you for the moment, but sooner or later he will live you for a lady. That is the way of life, inwilitse¹." He sighed when he saw her tears and hugged her. "Ah, Elyéta! Do not cry, little sister, do not cry! Only do not forget: he is a Lord and you are a commoner."

Elyéta pushed away from her, her mouth set. " No, you're wrong, Linwe," she said determinedly. "It is true that he is a Lord and I am commoner. But that is not a barrier to friendship."

Linwe opened his mouth to answer, but Elyéta did not allow him.

"So, don't you dare think of Lord Duilin like that. He has always behaved kindly to me. Although it was my fault, he tripped on the Alley of Roses, he did not get angry, instead, he apologized."

Linwe drew a quick, startled breath. He did not know that!

"Yes, he apologized," she repeated firmly, "So do not think poorly of Lord Duilin, Linwe. It is true that he is a Lord known for his quick temper, but he is also kind and gallant and understanding." she paused. "Now, I have to go look for the Princess. Please, give my greetings to Ardyl!"

She turned and ran after Melimë. Linwe watched her go.

Linwe's POV

'Elyéta must always be stubborn, and that has led her into trouble. In Válinor she would get trapped in trees because she was afraid to climb down. I told her not to, but she never listened, and then I was forced to carry her down.

But I cannot be angry at her, even if she is obstinate. She is my little sister, the only family I have. After our parents died in the Helcaraxë, lost forever in those mountains of ice, we were alone in the world.

Since we left Válinor, along with the Second Host of the Noldor, those whom Fëanor left behind, I swore to myself I would protect her from danger, at any cost to myself. Until now they have been physical dangers, like that of the tree or crossing the Grinding Ice; but now, I have to protect her from emotional dangers.

Elyéta is sweet, she is tender, she is noble and sensitive; she is a treasure among all Gondolin, and the one who can win her would be the most fortunate in Ennor and Válinor. But Elyéta has never given any importance to any ellon save me. She has always been immersed in serving the Princess and in her art; but apparently now an ellon, and what is worse ... an Elf- Lord…even worse Lord Duilin, has appeared in her life and won her attention, and he is very likely earning her heart too.

However, everyone in Gondolin knows the quick temper of Lord Duilin. He scorns mawkishness, but seeing his behavior towards Elyéta fills me with misgivings and anger. If he thinks because he is a Lord, he can do as he wishes with my sister, if he thinks he can win her heart and then leave her for a Lady and destroy her, he is very, very wrong.

It is true that he is the fastest Elf in Gondolin, and the greatest archer, and a fearsome warrior. It is true I am not a warrior, but I am Elyéta's brother and one who has never forsworn his word. If Lord Duilin is to be my enemy, so be it! '

Elyéta's POV

'I do not know what's wrong with Linwe! He had never behaved like this before with me! How dare he think Lord Duilin is going to hurt me?! Duilin would never do it! I'm ... I'm special to him! Yes, yes, I am! He wanted me to accompany him all night, he wanted to keep me company on the way to the palace, he was interested in knowing about my painting ... he gave me his feather and he liked my painting! No, he would not hurt me! What Linwe thinks that nonsense! He is very intelligent, he always has been, but now he's suddenly babbling foolishness.

Besides, Lord Duilin is not interested in me more than as a friend. Although…..I wish he was. I want it so much… But, although Linwe said nonsense about Lord Duilin hurting me ... I cannot deny that what he has said about Duilin being a Lord and I a commoner. It's true, and I do not have the slightest chance.

Ah! How painful! Anyway ... overcome it, Elyéta! If he never cares about you as more than a friend, at least there is a unique friendship. With that, I will be content.'

Lord Duilin's POV

'It seems one besides Hwa-Young lacks manners as well! Does he forget I am Lord of the Swallow, part of the Council of the High King

But that does not matter so much…what matters is he thinks I am going to hurt his sister. I would never hurt Elyéta! She is beautiful to me, she is the one who has helped me out of this difficult moment. She is sweet, tender, wise, understanding and ... so beautiful! I would never hurt her! And that meddlesome ellon should recognize it! Besides, I am an Elf-lord. If I mistreated or hurt a maiden, I would not deserve to be a Lord.

No, Elyéta is unique and different. She ... she ... she ... oh, Válar! Could that have happened to me?! It has never interested me but now ...! Oh, Válar! Have I really fallen in love with her? No! No, it is not possible! It's only been a month since I met her!

I will think on it later. The House of the Swallow needs its Lord, and tonight they watch the Gates.'

A sweet sound stopped the hurried footsteps of Glorfindel, who was going to speak to Elemmakil about a confusion over changing gate-guards. He paused and going over to the windows that opened on the terrace, listened. After a few moments, a delicate and painful melody was be heard: a melody full of sadness and pain. At the sound of the notes, Glorfindel was filled with sadness, and to his memory, unbidden, came the situation that had occurred yesterday. And yet, that melody, however much it reminded him of that unpleasant incident, managed to soothe his heart and calm his fury.

Directed by the notes of such a beautiful melody, he found its author: Ecthelion.

The Lord of the Fountains sat on a marble bench a great elm, its rust-colored leaves swaying over his black head. His eyes were closed, and his fëa directed his fingers. Beside him were several sheets of paper, an inkwell, and a quill. Surely, he was composing, Glorfindel thought, for when a great emotion shook his friend, instead of training, he took refuge in the art he loved most: Music. Many of his melodies and songs had been composed at some point out of happiness, melancholy, sadness, and, this time out of frustration and anger. The melody had no lyrics: it was exclusively instrumental, but Ecthelion's flute needed no accompaniment, so much was his music imbued with feeling. His face was peaceful, so peaceful it was sad.

So lost was he, in the world of music he had created for himself, he had ears for nothing else, and Glorfindel remained silent, listening to the mournful melody, submerging his heart in it and achieving in this way a fleeting calm.

Finally, when the last mournful note had died away the air, Ecthelion opened his eyes, full of wisdom, intelligence, but there was anger, sadness and, above all, frustration, in their steel-colored depths.

" Heldo ²," he said, in a quiet voice. "What do you think of it?"

"One of your best compositions," replied the half-Vanya, leaning on the engaged pillar that was carved into the gateway of the gardens. "What is it titled?"

"I do not know," replied the Noldo. "I have not even written the notes. Can you think of a name?"

Glorfindel shook his head. "No. You know that Music has never been my strong point. In addition, it is your melody, and the feeling you have expressed in it is exclusively yours."

"And yet, I think we both share the reason for that feeling," Ecthelion said.

Glorfindel laugh was hard and scornful. "Indeed. The king believes Lord Maeglin and Lord Salgant above all others. Six Lord who have the same mind about one! But he only believes the one who admires him. That is wise and just, I am certain."

"The "one" is his nephew, Glorfindel," Ecthelion replied in a tone of resignation. "He's always going to give his family more authority than those who are outside it."

"And what about the Celebrindal?" Glorfindel cried angrily. "She is his daughter! His DAUGHTER! But he does not believe her. He was angry with her during that 'lengthy conversation. Ecthelion, we must do something," he said after a moment when he saw that the Lord of the Fountains was silent, watching the grass. ,

"And what do you want us to do, Glorfindel? "He finally asked raising his. "What do you want us to do? You heard the way he spoke to you and me. The words that yesterday addressed to you about what happened a few years ago indicate that neither you nor I have been forgiven for what happened to his sister. He may not have punished us, he may have shown us benevolence when we returned ashamed, humiliated and hardly alive…without the Princess. But his words he said yesterday, clearly indicate what I have always noticed in him: a silent resentment towards us."

"Then why did not he just punish us?" shouted Glorfindel.

"Glorfindel, he is doing it! Do not you realize?" Ecthelion exclaimed. "Knowing him as I know him, he is doing it involuntarily, perhaps even unconsciously, but he is punishing us. Is not benevolence after such a failure enough of a humiliation? We are humiliated not before others, but before our own eyes, which is worse. You cannot deny it, Glorfindel. I assure you that you too must feel ashamed because even though you deserved, like me, punishment, the King was kind, although we lost his sister."

There was a heavy silence. Both remembered clearly, as if it had been yesterday, Írissë contending with her brother, shouting "I am your sister and not your servant, and beyond your bounds, I will go as seems good to me!"

Írissë was weary of Gondolin, as she had been weary of Valinor. There, she said, she had been locked in staid, unbending custom, here, she was locked in a beautiful cage of white stone. She longed for the freedom, the danger. She wanted to wander.

Lord Glorfindel could not help feeling angry that he and Ecthelion were accused of being the culprits. He had never understood Írissë's impatience towards Valinor's customs: they were free there, free in Aman, but she had left, willingly, eagerly.

In his opinion, Írissë was both capricious and proud, and that had cost her dearly. And so had Turgon's weakness. The King was strong, both in body and mind, but in matters that concerned his family…that was the weak point, the place where the iron that had never been tempered into steel. If someone wanted to harm him irreparably, hurt his family, and it would harm Turgon in a terrible way. Wrath would fall instantly on his head, not only from Turgon but all the Noldor, as Turgon knew how to attract sympathy.

Glorfindel did consider himself or any of Írissë's escort culprits. Certainly, they were largely to blame, but they did not have all the blame. The king refused to accept his part, but he was sure Turgon knew that he was too guilty and his way of redeeming himself was protecting and loving his sister's son above all else ... including his daughter.

"And what do we do?" He finally asked the Lord of the Fountains who had been studying his silver flute of the finest silver. He was very thoughtful and that was a characteristic that appeared when something worried him unduly.

"What do you mean?" Ecthelion asked.

"Concerning Maeglin and Idril." replied his friend impatiently. "You and I know better than anyone what the Celebrindal is suffering because we are well acquainted with both parties. Therefore, we both know how it will end if we do not intervene."

"Protect Idril, there are no other means, Glorfindel" replied Ecthelion. "As soon as we say a single word against Lord Maeglin, the king's wrath will fall on our heads. Although the king thinks he has the whip-hand, he is very wrong. It is his nephew who has it," he added bitterly. Ecthelion hated the way the Prince manipulated Salgant at his whim and his excessive influence over the King.

"There must be another way! Perhaps if we found evidence to show the king how wrong he is-"

"What more evidence do you want us then the word of nine Lords!" interrupted Ecthelion. "He would not hear, Glorfindel! Even if Maeglin told him he was hounding Idril, the King would give him some mild rebuke and forgive him! There is no way to make a blind man see if he does not want to recover his sight." Glorfindel cursed under his breath, which strange for him.

"You have to calm yourself, Glorfindel," Lord Ecthelion told him, standing up and putting a hand on his shoulder. "If you react unfavorably, you might have a serious problem and, this time, the King will punish you. Remember what happened between Hwa -Young and you, and the punishment that it incurred?"

"It has been one of the most humiliating moments that-" Glorfindel stopped, his blue eyes suddenly widening.

" What is it?" Ecthelion asked.

" Hwa -Young!" Exclaimed the other.

"What of her?"

"Yesterday I went to see her." began Glorfindel excitedly.

"Considering the temper of both of you, that mixture must have been deadly," answered Ecthelion drily.

"No, no, Ecthelion! "he exclaimed, his excitement growing. "Nothing was farther from the truth! Válar! What have I done? "

"It is certainly a riddle ... did you insulted her?" asked his friend with a deprecating look.

"Several times ... I even called her 'firíma'," Glorfindel muttered, lowering his eyes. Lord Ecthelion shook his head reproachfully. "Why did you see her, Glorfindel? Why did you go if you were so angry?"

"Because I thought she would get angry if I did not go," he murmured.

"She would be angrier if you insulted her."

Glorfindel shook his head. "No," he replied, "although I insulted her repeatedly, she did not answer a single word. I…do not understand why. Then, I decided that the best thing was to keep quiet before I caused irreparable damage." He looked up and saw his friend who had his arms crossed over his chest. "She kept me silent company all night, Ecthelion." He groaned, passing a hand through his hair in frustration. "Oh, Válar! Why did I leave when she finally showed kindness and sympathy with me!"

The Noldo put a hand on his shoulder to show sympathy. "So, why are you standing here? Go to correct your error as soon as possible "

"I cannot. I should not even be here-I needed to speak to Elemmakil over some confusion at the gates. But I'll go tonight."

Ecthelion smiled. "I will pray to the Válar that they have mercy on you, and give you more wisdom. What you have now is not worth a rush."

Glorfindel frowned but said nothing. His friend was right.

Laura was reviewing her notes. She did not know how to read or write Tengwar and she did not have pen or paper, but she used pieces of wood and her adamantium claws to write down everything that Lord Glorfindel taught her.

Laura had a prodigious memory, but she had a bet to win, and so followed the Chinese proverb: 'a simple piece of paper written in the poorest way is better than the best of memories'.

So, every night when the Elf-lord finished teaching her her nightly harp lesson, Laura wrote it down and reviewed it each day, or on the nights he did not come….like tonight.

Her window was open, and she lifted her head at a familiar scent. Glorfindel did not often visit on Aldúya.

He knocked and called her fictional name. Laura sighed impatiently. She hated being interrupted while reading, more so, while studying; but she remembered that she had promised herself to be kind to Lord Glorfindel, even if he had behaved like a real jerk. She hid her notes, got up and, gathering her short patience, opened the door.

Glorfindel's POV

'Every time I remember my behavior towards her, I am so ashamed! I have striven to teach her that she is a kind and agreeable person. I set myself the goal of knowing and helping her; and now that she has finally shown herself not only friendly but also understanding, is when I had to fail.

Anyone would say that she deserves it, and the truth, to be honest, she deserves it: but I believe her unpleasant behavior is the result of suffering. I have tried to make her see what is the best, I have tried to help her, I have asked her to give me an opportunity to help her and to trust me ... and just when she finally dares to show a different attitude, it is just when I show her ill-treatment.

Oh, Válar! Listen to my request! May she listen to me and, even more, to forgive me! You know that she is a woman with a temper like I have never seen before. I beg of you that my behavior has no repercussions. I do not want to retrace the path I walked with so much work! '

Laura immediately noticed his nervous behavior.

'And now what's wrong with this elf-guy?' she thought

"Hwa -Young, would you let me talk to you for a moment?" he asked quietly.

Laura raised a black eyebrow. "As far as I remember, Lord Glorfindel, my harp lessons aren't scheduled tonight," she said with some harshness, much to her chagrin. It was because of the interruption, but he interrupted it as rejection and winced.

"It's true," he said, his blue eyes penitent. "But please let me talk to you for a few moments."

Laura sighed reluctantly but closed the door behind her and they both went to the bench. For several minutes they sat in silence, as Glorfindel struggled for words, and Laura reminded herself to be understanding with the Elf who done her so much good.

"I came ... I came to apologize to you" he said, at last, his words slow.

Laura turned to him. She would never have imagined that he would have come exclusively to apologize to her!

"What I did and said yesterday was thoroughly wrong," he continued " I was very angry, as I have rarely been, and in the midst of my fury, I did not realize ….how terrible my deeds were." He looked up and fixed his blue eyes on her green ones. Her face showed no emotion, but inside, her astonishment had no limits

From time to time these Elves show qualities, real qualities and very praiseworthy ones at that,' she thought

"Forgive me, Hwa -Young," he said, his words full of truth. "I should not have done that. My attitude was not anything lordly. And, instead, you gave me this time, a standard."

Laura could not suppress an expression of amazement.

"Yes," Glorfindel said with a slight smile when he saw her face. "Although I insulted you, you did not answer; and although I simply stopped talking to you, you did not leave as you were entitled to do; but stayed with me all night, keeping me company." he paused. "What you did, Hwa -Young shows that, when you want, you are wise; and you have, as I imagined, a good and noble heart. I am in debt to you forever."

Laura blinked several times, trying to really make sure her eyes were not deceiving her. How many times to the people she had helped, put her aside! And instead, they had pointed at her, judged her and mistreated her! Moreover, she was astonished that Glorfindel was so sure she was kind and noble of heart. Really that Elf had great faith in her. At the thought of it, she dropped her eyes and stared at the grass. Her heart was beating hastily. That was so ... so ... beautiful! So wonderful! She could hardly believe that it was so!

Glorfindel frowned slightly at the attitude of her. It seemed she did not believe him.

"What is it, Hwa -Young?" He asked softly.

"Nothing," she answered in a forced voice. "It is just that I am ... surprised you consider my attitude something ... amazing and worthy of eternal gratitude." she paused "No one had said it before. They all pushed me aside if I helped them, they never thanked me. Remmy and Logan were the only ones who didn't."

Lord Glorfindel frowned in surprise. Why would they do such a thing? And if that was so, how had she dared to help him? He voiced his question aloud, but she did not answer and kept her eyes fixed on the grass.

"Hwa -Young," he said softly, but she remained silent.

Moved by a strange feeling, Glorfindel moved beside her and took her hand. He could not have told why he was doing, or what that strange tingle that ran up his hand was, that was so pleasurable to his fëa.

Seeing that the Elf- Lord took her by the hand, Laura stiffened and turned her face sharply to him, only to be stunned at his proximity.

"Why did you do it?" Glorfindel asked again

Laura turned her face to the grass once more. "I do not know." She shrugged. "I only knew…I thought, I felt it was the right thing to do. I only knew and felt that I should help you and show you support. I did not know how-I'm very clumsy, and nobody cares or likes or accepts my help. They all run from me and if I help them, they push me aside; but ... why in spite of that did I try to help? I do not know. I guess because you've always been there, in difficult times. Sometimes you are very annoying, but I cannot deny that if there is someone who has shown me kindness, it is you. I thought the least I could do was to stay with you and keep you company, and not talk to you because nothing good would come out of my mouth." she paused. "I hope I have not screwed it again "she murmured, tears welling in her eyes as she had remembered how many times her good deeds had been mocked and judged.

She felt the Elf-lord squeezed her hand gently. A sensation ran through her entire hand and arm, all the way to her mind and, most strangely, to her heart. Laura frowned inwardly, who knows what that meant? Maybe it was something Elves did when they were showing gratitude...

"Hwa -Young, I do not know why you have been put aside and judged when you have helped others, but I will not," he said softly "What you did for me….I do not have a way to thank you for it."

Laura looked up then, seeking the truth in his blue eyes.

"I'm not going to be like those other people who have misjudged you," he continued. "I know you are a noble person, I know you suffered a lot, and that is why you are so aggressive; but what you did has only reaffirmed my opinion about you, and it encourages me to keep working to know you, no matter how long it takes me. Do not fear, Hwa-Young. Do you forgive me?" And for some reason he did not understand until many years later, he grasped her hand. Once again that tingle was felt, running up until it touched his fëa as if it were the soft touch of a feather falling. He frowned, not understanding and glanced quickly to see if she had felt it too but seeing that Laura had not made any gesture, he decided to ignore it.

"Ok," she said. "You're forgiven… Blondie!"

Glorfindel looked at her in astonishment. Apparently, now she was going to revenge herself by insulting him. He was going remind her of the agreement when in the light of the stars, he saw something in her eyes something he had never imagined: a playful gleam in the intelligent green, and laughed instead. "Very well, I will give you that one. This time, I deserved it."

¹ Little Fairy

² Quenya masculine noun for "friend".

A new character appears: Linwe. And seems he will try to mess everything and give a headache to Lord Duilin. Will he get it and more importantly: what will happen if the Elf-lord and if Linwe fight each other? What will Elyéta do?

Waiting for your reviews, guys!