Disclaimer: The only thing I own is Margaret

" What is your name?" asked Glorfindel.

" My name is Margaret," she said.

" Well, Margaret," said Glorfindel, " Do you mind if I take you with me and the rest of my patrol? Im sure you do not wish to stay here by yourself."

Margaret bit her lip. She really didnt want to stay by herself. She had no idea where she was or how to get food. And she was afraid that another one of those orcs would find her.

The elf in front of her held out a hand, and she took it. As she stood up, other elves began to appear around her. She stared at them in wonder.

" We are on our way back to Imladris," said Glorfindel.

Margaret looked up at him. He seemed much taller now. The top of her head barely reached his waist.

" Imladris?" she asked inquiringly.

" Yes. It is also known as Rivendell. It is a dwelling of the elves, but anyone who wishes, may rest there so long as they have good intent," he said with a smile.

Margaret noticed as they walked that the other elves fell in line behind Glorfindel. She watched them curiously for a moment. 'Elves,' she thought, ' Are strange beings.'

Back in Imladris, Glorfindel had taken Margaret to the healers. He still smiled about the girls reaction to the beauty of Imladris. She had been amazed.

At the moment, though, Glorfindel needed to talk to Elrond.

" It is strange that a human child would be in the woods all alone," said Glorfindel after he had explained everything to Elrond.

" Yes," said Elrond.

" What is to happen to her, Elrond? Should she be taken to a village owned by Men? She still has quite a bit of growing up to do. Perhaps she should be raised in a human settlement. "

" That would seem to be a wise decision," said Elrond, taking a sip of wine, " But I think we should school her first. I find that many Mannish children do not get a good education in old lore and the history of Arda."

" Margaret might become attached though," said Glorfindel, " It would be cruel to change the childs home after she had become accustomed to living here."

" If that is indeed the case, then we may be able to find a place here for her."

" What kind of place?" asked Glorfindel.

Elrond shrugged, " It depends on what kind of person she is. I know we could always use an extra servant"

" Dont we have enough of those?" asked Glorfindel, " You know I hate the thought of others doing my work. Hence why I dont have a servant of my own."

" We will let her decide what she wishes to do when the time comes," said Elrond, " It is her choice. In the mean time, let us help her with an education. Let us also find out more about her past. It seems we know nothing about her."

Margaret sat, staring wide eyed at the elf and room around her. As she had walk through Imladris with Glorfindel, she wondered if she were still breathing. The entire place seemed breath taking in its beauty. There were waterfalls that lead to rivers, great halls all carved of wood or stone, and statues and painting everywhere. It was gorgeous. The room she was in now was nice as well. One of the walls was actually a bunch of windows overlooking Imladris. Glorfindel said that it is called the healing room. The elf next to Margaret was checking over her various scrapes and bruises she had acquired.

" Hello Margaret," said Glorfindel as he entered the room with another elf, " May I introduce you to Elrond, Lord of Rivendell."

" Hello," said Margaret nervously. She knew that this elf was important if he owned all of Imladris. She marveled that he was even speaking to her. People of such high status never spoke to her before. She stared at his long, dark hair and his star colored eyes. There was something about them that made her awed.

" Margaret," said Elrond kindly, " I will have a servant show you to a room, and get you ready for dinner. And, if it is alright with you, I would like to ask you a few questions in my study after."

" It is alright," said Margaret with some surprise. She had certainly not expected to be asked.

"Good," said Elrond, " Then I shall see you at evening meal."

Margaret nodded and Elrond left the healing room. She stared at the door for a few moments until she gasped.

" Glorfindel!" she cried.

" What?" asked the elf in surprise, " What is wrong?!"

" I didnt even curtsy to him! When someone meets a person, I heard they are suppose to curtsy to them! And he is a Lord and everything!"

" You have bowed to everyone you have ever met?" he asked skeptically.

" Well..no," said Margaret after a hesitation, " But I once cleaned this ladys house. She had an awful lot of stuff. My Ma said she was rich. Anyway, the lady told me it is proper to curtsy slightly to superiors. And I could not call her by her regular name. I had to call her Madam."

" Well," said Glorfindel slightly puzzled, " You dont really need to curtsy to Elrond. It isnt a custom here unless there it is a very formal occasion. If it makes you feel better, you can address him as either Lord Elrond or my Lord."

" You dont think hell be angry with me do you?"

Glorfindel would have laughed had the child not been so serious. " Of course he wont be angry. Now, I do believe that the healer is finished. It is time for you to get ready for evening meal."

"Alright," said Margaret. She stood up from the bed that she had been sitting on and took Glorfindels hand.

Together, they walked through the various halls, Margaret still in awe by the beauty of it. She past one particular painting that she decided she would have to inspect at another time. It seemed to be a creature made of fire, battling a golden haired elf.

" Here we are," said Glorfindel pushing open a large, wooden door.

Margaret walked inside and looked around. The room was big. Bigger than the one that her mother and she had shared with the other family. There was, she assumed, a single bed in the room. It didnt look like a bed that she had seen before. It was long, with the head and foot going upwards into a curve. The blankets on it seemed like silk, and the pillow as fluffy as she had ever imagined one to be. Tentatively, she reached out and touched it. She had only seen a pillow a few times.

" What do you call this room?" she asked Glorfindel in an awed wonder.

" I would say it is yours," he said smiling at her.

Margaret whipped around faster than Glorfindel thought possible. " You really mean it?" she asked, scarcely able to believe the truth, " Its mine?"

" Yes," he said, still beaming.

" But- " the smile had disappeared from her face, " I cant pay for it. I have no money. I could work. That is what I did before."

" Oh no," said Glorfindel with a shake of his head, " You need do nothing at all. This is where you shall stay, and it doesnt cost a thing. Nor would Elrond have a child as young as you work."

" It- its mine?"

" Yes."

Again, Margaret found herself staring around in wonder. She noticed a dresser, a table and two chairs, and a vanity. ' Vanity,' she thought, 'I have always wanted one of those since I saw that lady at hers. There are so wonderful!'

Suddenly, it occurred to her that she did not thank Glorfindel. She turned to speak, but he cut her off.

" You do not need to thank me," said Glorfindel.

" I must thank someone!" she cried.

" Then thank Elrond,"he said with a smile, " Now, if you will excuse me, I must be going. Sulwen will help you dress and ready for dinner. Until then."

Margaret nodded and turned to the elf who had entered the room. She smiled at Margaret and said, " Let us see what we can do."

An hour later, Margaret was standing in front of her vanity mirror. Sulwen had helped her bath, pick out a gown, and fix her hair. Margaret didnt know what to do with herself. She had never had such wonderful treatment.

"What do you think?" asked Sulwen turning Margaret to face her reflection.

Margaret gasped. In front of her was a person she didnt know. Her muddy, brown hair had been clean and brushed into a bun with half of her hair let loose. She had on a simple, yellow dress that felt like a light, silky fabric. Her face was cleaned of dirt and grime, bringing out her brown eyes which were currently shining in pleasure. She was dress so simply, and yet, she felt like royalty.

" I cannot believe that is really me," she breathed.

" You look lovely," said Sulwen, " But I believe it is time for dinner."

A/N: Not the most exciting chapter, but a necessary one. Next chapter, Elrond is going to question her on everything. It may be a few days before I get that chapter up, but it will be posted. Review if you have any comments.

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