Disclaimer- I own nothing- if you recognise it- it's not mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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All was well in the last homely house.
Yesterday had been strange. Thranduil and Eloria had spent the day with myself and Elrond while Legolas, Haldir and the twins had gone off on a well deserved hunting trip. They would be back tomorrow.
Thalia had spent the day with her mother, rediscovering and re-building their relationship. I had spoken with Thalia last night, she had burst into my room after dinner and had proceeded to give me all of the details of her day, unfortunately, she had been far to excited to sleep. Therefore, we had both stayed awake and had used the quiet air of the night to talk.
My stomach was churning. The sickly feeling in my stomach was increasing as I paced the floor of study. I was more nervous about my upcoming meeting with Katlin than I felt when I went into battle. And right now, facing orcs seemed somewhat more appealing.
At this moment Imladris seemed claustrophobic. The house was buzzing with activity and nowhere was private. I had resigned myself to staying in my study, but the walls were threatening to close in on me and the glint of the blades on the wall seemed mocking of the absent sunlight. The papers on my desk needed my attention, but my mind was somewhere else. My daughter occupied my every thought at the moment. I know that Katlin would not contend my adoption, but I could not settle without hearing the words from her.
Thalia had given me a new purpose. For centuries I had listened to Elrond talk about his children and I had watched them grow and mature from small elflings, the twins had become fine warriors and Arwen was a graceful lady, and a part of me had yearned for a family of my own.
I stood watching the waterfall from my balcony, the silvery droplets slid down the curtain of water, the sun catching each and every drop. It reminded me of the blade of a sword, both deadly and beautiful.
A knock sounded on the thick wooden door. It slowly opened, revealing Katlin. I was as captured with her appearance as I had been yesterday. If I hadn't have know that she had been Edain, I would not have suspected anything she was beautiful and fit in perfectly among the elves. She had donned a pale lilac dress and stood, looking slightly nervous.
I smiled, hoping to put her at ease, it seemed that I did as she immediately relaxed.
"My lady" I crossed the room and bowed low to her. She blushed, a lovely pink hue spreading on her cheeks.
"Please my lord, call me Katlin. It is rather disconcerting to be constantly addressed as something other than my name"
"As you wish Katlin. I only hope that you will return the favour and use my name. I agree with you, and after thousands of years of being addressed as 'my lord' it becomes irritating"
She smiled and fully relaxed.
"I must admit Glorfindel, that I am somewhat wary of your intentions. You must understand that after what my husband put Thalia through, I wish to make certain that she does not have to go though it again"
As she spoke, we made our way over to the chairs that had been situated next to the fire. As I sat opposite, I noticed that she had a long scar running across her neck. I ignored the burning heat that radiated from the flames and made its way up my legs. I lifted my gaze and locked my eyes with hers. She turned away and stared at the fire.
"I know, it's not the most attractive thing is it?" she tried to laugh but it came out as a heavy sigh.
"He did it, a few years ago. I hadn't done what he'd asked me to do that day. I think it was washing or something. It was something pretty insignificant. But he always got angry rather fast. He was quicker than me, and I as made to leave the room to go and do what he wanted he grabbed me. He pushed me up against the wall, there was a mirror there, and it smashed against my chest, cutting my neck. It wasn't deep. I only needed a few stitched. But he said he was sorry"
I could feel my body begin to tense against my will at her words. She shifted slightly and looked back at me.
"But that doesn't matter now. I mean, he's dead, so he can't touch me. And I've forgotten it now"
She said her words with conviction but the far away look in her eyes said something else. She would not forget, like Thalia, she would carry it with her all her life.
"Anyway, we're not here to talk about me are we? What about Thalia?"
I sighed and sat forward in my chair.
"I have taken her as my daughter. I do not wish to create any animosity between us. In truth, I do not see any reason for a rift between us."
She looked thoughtful, chewing on her bottom lip and her fingers idly playing with the sleeve of her dress. She looked at me, her brow furrowed.
"There is a home here for you and in time you will gain some of the most loyal friends and I am sure that in time you will become as much a part of our family here as Thalia has"
"I admit, that I am somewhat confused and overwhelmed. Leaving my two children has been hard, and I feel…in truth I am not quite sure what I feel. But I know what it is like to need a family around you. It's a nice feeling. To know that no matter what you are always protected and secure. You have my gratitude Glorfindel"
She looked me in the eyes before moving to the balcony to look out at the waterfall.
I stood and joined her. I silently marvelled at her beauty. She was intelligent and beautiful, qualities that are cherished in a woman. I know that asking her to take my name was a little selfish. But I was doing it as much for Thalia as well as for myself. I felt an immense need to protect this woman. She was not only the mother of my daughter. She had been her protector and her saviour when she needed someone. I had known Katlin for less than three days, but she felt like a kindred spirit. She was a feisty woman, that I had already discovered. She was as quick to praise as she was to anger. She was stern with Thalia. But Thalia did not complain. She simply did as she was asked. If they disagreed, they would discuss the problem.
"It's beautiful here"
"It is" I agreed.
She turned as stood in front of me, there was strength in her gaze that could, if she chose, be quite intimidating.
"You are her mother and nobody can or would challenge that. You know this. I feel your anguish over your separation from your other children. I only wish to crate a stable family for her to grow within. I do not wish to cause you any discomfort or distress"
"Shut up Glorfindel" she laughed at me, stars dancing in her eyes.
I did not know what to think as I watched her pace on the stone floor. The light from the fire cast an elegant shadow on the wall.
"Glorfindel. My lord…All I want is for my…our daughter, is for her to feel safe. I know that Legolas will look after her. But still, that is not enough. I fully understand what you are saying, and I believe that it would be foolish to dismiss and ignore. You have shown no wrong intent to anybody, as far as I know. I would very much like to get to know you a little better"
I do not know what came over me, but I stepped forward and embraced her. She relaxed in my arms and returned my embrace with vigour. She stepped back a smile gracing her features.
"Well, that was horribly…formal. I didn't mean it the way it sounded"
I couldn't help but laugh at her sheepish expression.
"I will be extremely honoured to call you a friend Glorfindel. It means more to me than you know"
A feeling of warmth spread through me as I watched her. The resemblance between mother and daughter was astounding. I looked forward to spending many hours in her company.
We spent many hours talking and getting to know each other. She was a forthright woman and her very presence demanded respect. She was a woman who was well versed in poetry and writings and she had strong views on the freedoms of others and she would not be persuaded otherwise, she held fast to her beliefs and I admired that.
The dusk had settled and we were still in the heat of a discussion when Thalia knocked on the door.
She popped her head around the door childishly, an impish smile lit her face as she saw Katlin. We were sat on the floor in front of the still blazing fire drinking wine.
"Oh, sorry didn't mean to interrupt"
She said and went to leave. I called her back and she walked over to us, smiling.
"What?"
"Thalia" Katlin warned. Thalia rolled her eyes discretely.
"Sorry Adar. What can I do for you?"
Her polite words almost made me laugh, I made the mistake of looking at Katlin, who seemed to find it equally amusing.
"We have something to tell you" her eyes narrowed and she sat down on her heels.
"Thalia, as you know. Your Adar wishes me to join the two of you here"
She looked suspiciously at the two.
"I have accepted. I will stay here. And who knows, I might even stay when you move to Mirkwood"
She smiled widely, "Really. You're not kidding?"
She looked at me her eyes dancing. I shook my head and she launched herself at me. Her arms went around my neck tightly. Luckily she let go of me before it became painful, unfortunately, she was now hugging her mother with such strength that she was almost turning blue.
I leaned forward and pulled her onto the floor beside me. She looked like a child, her wide eyes and her smiling face.
Two of the occupants of the room were thinking about what a good opportunity it was for them. While one was thinking about playing matchmaker. Although- she would keep her mouth shut for a while- no point in rushing things.