Glorí was nearly blind with rage when she returned to the clearing, all eight horses in tow with a white wolf following behind. Glorfindel turned toward her when they entered, a smile of welcome upon his face.
With the speed only her people possessed she dismounted before the elf. Before he could speak she sent her fist sailing into his face. He fell back from the unexpected blow as the others all turned to look, some gripping the hilts of their swords.
Glorí ignored them all. She gave Glorfindel no time to regain his senses before she was upon his, gripping the collar of his robes tightly, her face mere inches from his.
"Who are you! Why do the orcs seek you! I have lost many horses because of you!" She spat the words in his face, shaking him in her rage. Glorfindel was speechless from the change over her and could not answer.
Glorí noted the fear in his eyes and realized what she had done. She released him and stepped back, breathing heavily as the rage subsided, her composure returning as well.
"Forgive me. I know not what overtook me." Her voice was low, barely audible for even his ears. She reached out a hand, which he accepted and helped him to his feet.
Glorfindel sighed and gripped his jaw tightly, wiping the blood that trickled from the corner away with the back of his hand. "You hit hard." He said, the jest of it breaking the tension of the air. "You said you lost horses? What happened?"
Glorí paused for a second before replying. "Orcs are searching the land. They came upon the horse pasture to the south of here and attacked the animals. Only nine of the twenty-four are left, and a small foal."
He looked past her at the animals that had followed her into the clearing and counted them before returning his gaze to Glorí. The silence grew, broken only by the uneasy pawing of the horses. It was Glorfindel who broke the silence.
"Gil-galad has been asking for you."
"Thank you." She said passing by him, pausing to say, "I truly am sorry."
"There is naught to be sorry about. It is I who is sorry."
She smiled but turned again towards the cabin. Upon entering she found Gil-galad lying upon his back as she had left him. He smiled at her when she entered and attempted to sit up.
"Don't, you might hurt yourself." She spoke urgently as she came and gently pushed him back down, enjoying the contact with his soft flesh.
"Where were you? We began to grow worried."
"I came across a group of orcs in the woods," she started, noting a look of surprise and worry spread over the elf's face. She told him the entire story, leaving out the part between her and Glorfindel.
When she finished Gil-galad took her hand from her lap and placed it to his lips. "I am sorry for your loss. I fear it may be caused by the presence of me and my companions." Glorí reassured him it was not their fault but deep down she felt it was a contribution to the attack, though she did not voice it.
It was growing late and the day's events were weighing heavily on her mind, causing fatigue. With a final check of Gil-galad and a whispered goodnight she took her leave of him. When she returned outdoors she found that the horses had been cared for. Theo came to her and together they approached the circle of elves surrounding the fire.
Again they ceased their chatter when she came near but she paid it no heed as she cast herself exhaustedly to the ground.
"We have set up an extra bedroll for you." She looked up to find Glorfindel speaking to her, pointing at a small lean-to to the right of them.
With a smile she stood and thanked them. Theo followed her into the small space, ducking under a blanket that had been cast over the entrance to serve for some privacy.
It was not as small as she thought it would have been and she and Theo easily fit. She bent to pull her boots off before leaning back on the soft blankets beneath her. Within minutes she had fallen asleep to the sound of soft singing and the crackle of the fire.
***
Glorí awoke to the sounds of gentle voices conversing near the lean to. She stretched out her towards Theo only to find him already gone. She sat up rubbing her eyes and working the kinks from her back. Suddenly she noticed something off. There were no birds singing in the trees.
With sudden alarm she pulled on her boots and stepped out from under the blanket, glancing about her as she exited. The group of elves was sitting in a circle surrounding the center fire, each with a notched bow in hand. Their eyes were searching the eaves of the trees, still dark from the night.
"What has happened?" She asked as she approached, taking up her own bow from where she had left it two nights before. She placed an arrow upon the string as one answered.
"Wargs. They encircled us during the night. For now they seem content to stay beyond the borders."
Wargs? She thought to herself. She doubted it but she wasn't going to walk into the midst of a pack of wolves to find out. Instead she let a low but sharp whistle slip through her lips.
It had the desired effect as she watched Theo break from the trees and come towards her. A shout went up from the elves seconds before six bows were sighted on the white wolf. Theo stopped abruptly as his sharp eyes took in the weapons, letting his teeth show.
"Don't fire!" Glorí spoke before stepping in front of the archers. "He is friendly, and so are the others."
"What do you speak of? They are wargs!"
"No, they're not. They are wild dogs, and friendly to whom I deem them to be." She said reassuredly as they lowered their bows. "I will prove it!"
With the last words she turned and sprinted into the woods. Stopping just within sight of the others. She let another whistle loss, the subtle differences in the two pitches only distinguishable by the dogs they were meant for.
Again she the call had the desired affect as a group of about fifteen dogs surrounded her.
"You see? They are my friends!" She called back before dropping to her knees and petting all that came within reach. A few moments later she stood again and retraced her steps to the clearing.
Theo came to her, as did the others.
"Why do they circle like that?"
"They are guarding us from the orcs, I do believe."
"How do you get them to do your bidding? Are they trained?"
"No they are not trained as they do not belong to me. If I wish for them to do something for me, I simple need ask. But I did not request this, I believe that Theo did." She said, motioning to the dog obediently standing beside her. "He is the leader of the pack." She added at the bewildered looks exchanged throughout the group.
After a moment the tension broke and the elves returned to the fireside, an air of relief hanging over them. Glorí did not follow them but instead turned toward the cabin, Theo following on her heels.
Glorí paused at the door, unsure how to proceed and in the end decided to knock. She had never had to knock on her own door and hearing a reply was just as unnatural.
"Enter." Was the rough and almost strained reply that returned. As gently as she could she eased the door open and peered around the corner. Glorfindel sat in a chair near Gil-galad's sleeping frame and motioned her to silence.
She crept near the two elves and sat down on the floor, crossing her legs and leaning forward to look at Gil-galad.
"How did he fare through the night?"
"Fairly well, he did not wake once and was able to move without much pain."
"'Tis a good sign." She replied almost absentminded as she lost herself in thought. "So, how are you faring? Your leg is healing well, I trust?" She asked, berating herself for forgetting the elf's' injuries as she was lost in Gil-galad's.
"Yes. Quite well. Thanks to you and Elrond."
Glorí smiled at the thought of Elrond and the others, wondering when they would return. Not for another nine days. She was brought out of her musing when Gil-galad began to stir. His eyes focusing on the ceiling first before he turned his head toward her and Glorfindel.
"Good morning." Glorí spoke brightly when his gaze fell upon her. "How do you feel?"
"Stiff." He muttered as he reached over to his bad shoulder and massaged the surrounding flesh.
"Let me see." Glorí stood and stretched out to remove the dressing over the wound. She pulled it back slightly before peeling it away completely. She ran a hand over the spot where the open hole had been, pleased to find nothing more but a mere scratch. The surrounding tissue was red and puffy but the wound was nearly gone.
"Well, I am happy to say that this has nearly healed. I don't see why you can't be up and about by tomorrow. Although I would you wear a brace and no heavy exertion." She said with an air of warning.
"Yes, mother." Gil-galad answered, a smile playing around the corners of his mouth. Glorí smiled warmly back down at him.
"The others are starting breakfast. Are you hungry?"
"Yes." They said in unison and all three started to laugh. "I'll be back in a moment." She said, still chuckling to herself.
A minute later she returned with a tray of food, from sausages to fresh venison readily supplied by Glorí. They ate together, talking and laughing over a mouth-full of food. Glorí even allowed Gil-galad to sit up to eat, admitting it was much easier than trying to feed him while laying down. Besides he was seemingly much better.
After breakfast, Glorí removed the dishes and took them outside, leaving the two elves to themselves for a while. Theo was still waiting patiently by the door when she left and together they took the dishes to a nearby stream to be washed.
When they returned Glorí placed the now clean dishes with the rest of the supplies and again went towards the cabin. After waiting for a reply she entered, this time allowing Theo to come with her. He sat down near the foot of the bed, greatly disturbing the males until she explained that he was tame.
She crossed the room and opened a chest located under the many shelves opposite of the door. Pulling back the lid she rummaged inside until her hand closed upon a clean and long cloth in the shape of a square. Folding it in half she returned to Gil-galad's side and ordered him to sit up, assisting him slightly.
Within minutes she had constructed a sling. It was makeshift but would work just fine.
"There. Try that." She said as she took a step back and allowed Gil-galad to move his arm slightly.
"When can I get up and walk around a bit?" He asked, rather hopefully with a puppy-dog look that Glorí found difficult to deny.
"Although against better judgment, I think it would be alright if you wished to stretch your legs this evening."
Gil-galad smiled as Glorí and Glorfindel both helped him to his feet. The poison was still making him light headed, although he would not admit it. They helped him until he was steady on his feet and seemed capable of walking on his own.
When he appeared in the doorway the bustle of the camp died down and all eyes turned towards Gil-galad as he climbed down the steps to the ground, breathing deeply. The elves began to crowd around to wish health to Gil-galad before they returned to their duties.
Glorfindel was called away by an elf having difficulties with his task and politely took his leave of the two. Although Theo was walking with them she stopped to grab her bow and quiver and slung them over her shoulder.
The three of them struck the path towards the lake. They hardly talked at all, Gil-galad seemed content to being close to the trees and open air while Glorí was content with being with Gil-galad.
Glorí was watching the woods for any sign of danger, ever conscience of the threat of orcs in the shadows. It didn't take her long to realize that two wolves were tracking them a little ways removed. She was so lost in her thoughts she was startled when Gil-galad spoke to her.
"How did you come to be in these woods alone?"
After recovering from the initial shock of sound she answered him. "I was born here. My parents were killed alongside my brothers when I was but ten and six years of age. I grew up on my own with no one but Theo and the animals for company." Silence followed in the wake of her confession until at last he spoke again.
"I am sorry. If you don't mind, how old are you?"
"I don't mind. I am 118 as of last spring."
"So you are an elf?"
"Yes, but only half so."
"Oh." Was his only other sound until they reached the lake.
The sun was near its peak by the time the lake came into view. Glorí lead him towards a large rock in front of the water. It had been fashioned into a bench that overlooked the water. A large weeping willow was next to the bench and hung down over them though it did not obstruct the view.
Glorí guided Gil-galad down to sit on the bench before she sat next to him. He breathed in deeply and gazed out over the water.
"'Tis beautiful here." He stated simply, not taking his eyes off the lake.
Glorí sighed beside him. "Yes it is. My father used to bring me here. We would read my favorite stories, sit and watch the stars, even swim when it was too hot to bear. My brothers and I used to wrestle under this very tree. We nearly caused my mother an attack when I knocked my brother out." She spoke with a sense of sadness shadowing her tone as she dropped her head to stare at her feet.
Gil-galad glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "You miss them, do you not? Have you no other relation in this world?"
Glorí glanced up to meet his eyes for the briefest of seconds before looking back at her shoes. "I have relations of men, though they do not except me. They distrust me because of my father. They had disowned my mother when she married him, that is why they moved out here to be alone."
There was another bout of silence following this so Glorí decided it was her turn to ask a question. "Where do you come from?"
"What?"
"Well, I have told you all about me, now tell me about yourself."
"There isn't much to tell. I was born to a poor servant under the High King. I had no brothers or sisters. One day my parents decided to go to the Grey Havens. I don't know why, they just didn't care for Middle Earth any longer. I was left behind in the palace to take my father's place as servant. I was dismissed long ago and have moved on to Lorien and made a new life."
"That is all?"
"Yes."
Glorí seemed to contemplate this as well as she could. For some reason she doubted his sincerity. But she thought the better of pressing the matter and settled on watching Theo chasing rabbits on the far side of the lake. He could have easily caught it had he wanted to, but he was having more fun just chasing the helpless creature.
They sat for quite some time, no sound was made by the two, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally Glorí broke the monotonous silence.
"We should be getting back."
Gil-galad grunted in reply but stood nevertheless, turning onto the path back.