Here's another. We!!! LET'S KEEP THOUGHS REVIEWS UP, EH?? Hehe, just kidding. I'm so tired, just finished watching a movie, so, I'm out! Nighty!

~Hoshiko

Troubles for the Marchwarden

Thinthar and Haldir spent the next years with this schedule. Thinthar would wake up; Haldir would take her to go play, then go to work. When he came home, she would fall asleep during their Sindarin lessons, though she always seemed to learn.

 As years passed, though, Thinthar would sleep less, and her need to eat would become a slighter thing. It was plain to see she was growing, like all other elves. With time she would get irritable, many times fighting with Haldir. It was frustrating to the both. There was a time, though, when it was too much, and Thinthar, now a few years from her coming of age, stormed out of the house.

The evening had started well enough. She and Nerwe had been doing their normal activities together. This, because Nerwe was slightly older, consisted of discussing the elven males. They were giggling at a certain one, when Thinthar got an idea.

'Let's go exploring!' she proclaimed, and Nerwe stopped giggling. Now, you must understand what each maiden had become. Nerwe was a very proper girl, never rude, and most certainly never one to get very dirty doing anything. Her silver hair fell neatly in long locks down her back and over her shoulders, the front pulled back in the regular fashion. Her dress was of bright colors, elegant, like most of her kind. Thinthar, however, was a different story.

When she was a still young, in her twenties, she had asked Haldir to cut her hair. He was hesitant, but her insistence would not be shaken. So, he took his scissors and cut her hair. She had ignored the fact, though, that he was a male, and he cut her hair too short for a female.

'I am very sorry…' he said, apologizing, but she looked at it in the mirror and waved it off. She liked it like that. She quickly braided it like his, and went to her business. From then on she kept it like that, finding playing and other things easier to do with shorter hair.

Her clothes were also very different from Nerwe's. Instead of flowing gowns, like most elven-maids wore, hers were always straight-sleeved, easily maneuverable, with the flowing part only at the wrists. Her dress itself was always loose, with a belt fit around her waist.

'I do not know, Thinthar…' Nerwe said, but Thinthar stood, pulling at her hand.

'Oh, come along!' Thinthar said impatiently, and pulled a bit harder. Nerwe followed reluctantly, but when Thinthar led her to the outer forest, she stopped.

'We are not supposed to be here! There could be orcs, or goblins, or something out here!' Nerwe said nervously, and Thinthar laughed.

'Now, now, Nerwe! What are the odds-' she said, but at that point an arrow whizzed by her head. The two off them hid under a bush, and could see a battle going on.

'I told you!' Nerwe said, getting flustered. Thinthar did not hear her, though; she was too busy watching the battle. It lasted a quite long time, and Thinthar's mouth was still open in awe.

'Do you see the way they fight?' she asked, amazed. 'Their motions are so fluid, like they are part of their weapons…' she said, it was obvious she was studying them. When it did end, though, Nerwe pulled her back to safety.

'Are you mad?' she scolded, and Thinthar shrugged.

'I very well could be… it is none of your matter. I must talk to Haldir when he returns…' she said, and Nerwe sighed.

That night, Thinthar went home first, with out meeting Haldir, and he found her reading a book. This was not normal for her, so he looked to see if she seemed ill. Though he knew this was quiet impossible, it was a worry he had always had.

'Are you all right?' he asked, and she nodded, not looking from her book.

'Yes.' She said, and he put his arrows up in the closet. 'Haldir?'

'Hm?'

'What did you have to do to become a Marchwarden?' she asked, and he raised an eyebrow.

'Why do you ask?'

'I was just curios…' she said, and he sat in the chair next to her. She set her book in her lap, and looked him inquisitively in the eyes.

'When someone comes of age they can apprentice an experience Marchwarden, and when the Marchwarden sees that his apprentice is ready, he will tell the Lady. Galadriel and Celeborn will then mark them a Warrior of the Goldenwood.' He explained, and she nodded. Her thoughtful look told him there was something more than just curiosity running through her mind. 'Why?'

'Well, I had a little adventure today, now do not look at me like that, I was not hurt. But, I did see you and the other Marchwardens fighting a small group of orcs. It was… amazing, I've never seen any one fight like that. It has crossed my mind before, but I've never thought this much about it. I… I would like to become a Marchwarden.' She said, and he immediately stood, shaking his head.

'No.' he said sternly, and she sighed.

'Why not?' She asked, voice rising.

'Because it is too dangerous! I will not let you be killed.' He said, his rising too.

'But If I get the proper training, then I will be as good as you are, and there would be no chance of me being injured!' she said, and he sighed.

'I am in danger everyday. It is not a job I would want you to do.' He said, his voice quieter now.

'You are so frustrating!' she cried, stamping her foot.

'You are acting as a chil-'

'AS YOU TREAT ME!' she screamed, and walked out the door, slamming it shut. His fists clenched, and he let out his breath slowly, letting her go. He sat in a chair and drummed his fingers on the arm, thinking. Being rapped up in his own thoughts, he did not hear the door opening behind him.

'All of Lorien heard that fight.' Orophin said, standing in front of his older brother.

'What was it about this time?' Rumil asked, sitting on the bed.

'She is becoming more difficult everyday…' Haldir muttered, standing. 'She wishes to become a Marchwarden.'

'Ah, like Ada!' Orophin said, but the look of death Haldir gave him told him not to go on.

'And what is the problem with that?' Rumil asked, and walked over to him.

'She is serious.'

'No, I mean why will you not let her?' he asked, and Haldir looked at him in disbelief.

'She would surely be killed!' Haldir proclaimed.

'You can not live her life, my dear brother.' Orophin said, but Haldir snorted.

'Orophin is correct, you can not. She is coming to age soon, Haldir. It will be her choice as to what she does the rest of her life, not yours. She's a bright maiden, she knows of the dangers.' He said, Haldir's mind dwelling on the subject.

'She does not know how to shoot a bow.' He said, and Rumil shrugged.

'You teach her. Since you are so concerned with her safety, correctly so, would it not be in your best interest to have her apprentice you?' he asked, and Haldir nodded.

'Yes, it is. But I do not want her to do it in the first place.' Orophin shrugged.

'She has to grow up some time, brother.' He said. Over the years he had become rather close to Thinthar, both having the same odd sense of humor. 'She just might change her mind. Give her a chance.'

'Fine. I will give her a chance. It is against my better judgment, but you are correct… it is her choice.' He said, and the Rumil nodded.

'Now she must come back.' Orophin pointed out, and Haldir nodded.

'Yes… that might not be until midnight.'

'True. Good luck.' Rumil said, and they left. They had just served a day and a half's work, they were hungry. Haldir, on the other hand, sat at the table and thought to himself. All the years, while Haldir was Ada, Rumil and Orophin had played uncle, helping him when they could. Orophin had normally been the one she could joke to, while Rumil was the one who understood children more. This was the first time, though, when they counseled him as they just had. But, they were right, he decided, she was old enough to start making decisions on her own.

Thinthar stormed passed Orophin and Rumil as she left her quarters. She did not recognize them, nor hear their greeting. She automatically walked to Nerwe's house. She was about to rap on the door when she thought better of it. Nerwe had not agreed with her decision either. She took a few deep breathes and decided to take a walk. The trees had always calmed her. She wandered aimlessly until she tired a little. She then sat down next to a fountain and stared at her reflection in the water.

She had wanted to follow in Haldir's footsteps since she was a small girl. Everyday she imagined herself at his side, shooting orcs from talans. It had never crossed her mind that he would not want her to. As time passed it grew dark, and slowly the lights were lit in the Goldenwood. She took no notice, and was only brought back to reality when there was another face in the water besides her.

'I have not seen you since you were a young child.' The reflection said, and Thinthar stood, bowing. It was Galadriel.

'Milady, I am sorry, I was not looking at my sur-'

'My dear child!' Galadriel said, putting her hand on her shoulder, 'stand! I can not talk to you whilst you look at the ground.' She said, twinkle in her eye. Thinthar raised obediently. 'Now, I have heard that you have a wish, am I correct?'

'It was that loud?' Thinthar asked quietly, Galadriel laughing.

'Yes, it was. But it's no matter. Now, I normally am not one to dwell on other's affairs, but I have kept an eye on you since I put you in Haldir's care. He has evolved into a fine father, though his protection ethics can be… extreme. It's nothing to be surprised of, though, he is the only one taking care of you. With a bit of convincing, you will find his decision more to your liking.' She said, and Thinthar gave her a questioning look.

'How do you know, milady?' she asked, and Galadriel nodded slowly.

'I have known Haldir for many years. He has been my best captain for the majority of those. A female Marchwarden? A bit unconventional, but I do believe there is nothing wrong with it.' she said, and Thinthar smiled.

'It is allowed?'

'Allowed? I know of no law against it.' Galadriel said, and Thinthar bowed.

'Thank you, Milady.' She said, and Galadriel smiled.

'It is nothing at all. Now, he will get worried if you do not return. It would be a fine idea.' She said, and nodded. 'Good night.' Galadriel turned, and walked silently up the stairs to the Grand Hall. After a moment of thought Thinthar too walked back up to her quarters. When she returned she found Haldir, asleep. He was still on top of his blankets, arms under his head and knee up, in his warden clothes. She quietly put one of her blankets on top of him, went to her bed and pulled the curtain that separated their rooms, going to sleep herself.