The Passing

The battle

Kohana didn't know what to do with herself.

She was still livid with anger at the actions of the previous day.

Sure, her neck had been cleaned and the healer had given her an herbal relaxer to make her sleep, but damn it! She was still pissed!

Today she was sitting on a blanket in the garden and doodling in her journal. She didn't want to ever talk to an elf again.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the garden separating Kohana from the rest of civilization was a very flustered Glorfindel joined by an amused Elladan and Elrohir.

Glorfindel ran his hands through his hair.

'This is horrible.' He thought.

"Be strong, Glorfindel." Elladan smiled. "After all, she is only a girl."

Glorfindel gave Elladan a look that could kill. The twins grinned at each other and Glorfindel started to pace the grounds in frustration.

After explaining himself and his actions to Lord Elrond, it was decided that a sincere apology was in order.

And a lot of groveling.

Because Lord Elrond declared that no one could still talk to Kohana in person the only form of conversation Glorfindel could use was letters.

With parasols in hand and Glorfindel feeling as if shame covered his very soul, he walked in the direction of Kohana.

He approached the guards that patrolled Kohana's garden. The guards nodded that the elf lord and let him pass.

He saw the human girl sitting on a bench down one of the many paths that surrounded the garden. Her shoulder length hair was held back by hair pins and her green frock flowed about her body as she read a book. Her frame lay lazily against the tree behind her, and she seemed relaxed and peaceful.

'She won't be peaceful for long.' Glorfindel thought.

Kohana didn't hear him approach until he was standing right in front of her. Her head tilted and his eyes met hers. She folded the book in her hands and looked at him with a scowl on her face.

Glorfindel placed two packages on the bench next to her and then dropped to his knees before her. He wished with all of his heart that the maiden didn't hate him as much as she appeared to do.

He lifted his head.

"Absenen, nessa heri."

She seemed shocked at his presence and confused at his speech. Glorfindel could tell that she had no idea what he had said but still hoped that the girl would get the idea that he was groveling.

The elf rose to tower before her.

"Namarie." He whispered.

By the time Kohana looked up he had gone.

Kohana retired to her room. She sat on her bed and opened the letter that sat on top of the package that Glorfindel gave her.

Aiya vende vanya,

I have not the gifts of the Valar to find the word to say to you. I have mistreated you much and all the while thought only of my own ambitions.

I am sorry for these injures that I must have caused you, and I hope that you can find it in your good heart to forgive me.

Here is a gift for you. I hope that it may appease your animosity for me on some small scale.

Forever your servant.

Glorfindel

Kohana didn't want anything to do with his stupid elf. First he attacks her and then he hands her gifts to make it all better!

If he had been a man she knew she could hold a grudge. However he was an elf and that was an entire different story.

When she found this elf standing in front of her earlier in her garden she had bit her lip to stop gawking at him.

Glorfindel had not only an elf's beautiful appearance, but he seemed to radiate his beauty into the very air around him.

His presence radiated sorrow and shame. She knew it the minute she had gazed into his eyes.

And she hated him for it.

'Stupid elves! They can get away with murder.'

Curiosity got the best of her and she began to open the package he had left her. Inside the wrapped cloth laid a beautiful hair pin inlayed with cut glass and pearls.

Kohana had never seen something so intricately beautiful.

A smile spread across her face.

Glorfindel may have won the battle, but she would win the war.

The next day Glorfindel sat under one of the trees on the edge of the training fields. He was concentrating on cleaning his knives when he heard a party approaching. His

hearing estimated four or five elves, although one of the elves was walking especially loud.

He lifted his head to see who it was that was approaching.

To his shock it was the human girl followed by three guards following her. She was dressed in boys breeches and a cotton tunic and carrying a quiver with arrows on her back.

A bow was in her hand.

She approached Glorfindel with a defying expression. The girl stood before him.

"You are 'forever my servant' no?" Kohana smiled. She was very much enjoying his discomfort.

Glorfindel nodded his head in shock.

"With Lord Elrond's permission you will teach me archery."

Glorfindel seemed to remember his tongue.

"Maiden, wouldn't you rather learn a more gentile art?"

"My name is Kohana, and no, I want to learn archery."

Glorfindel stood up and looked the girl over.

"Kohana, I will teach you archery, but I will warn you- I am a strict teacher. I will treat you no different from an elf warrior."

"Agreed." Kohana smiled with a wink.

'This will be fun. Kohana thought.

Glorfindel looked at the eagar and confidence maiden with amusement.

'he has no idea what she is getting herself into.'

Notes:

Absenen nessa heri- Forgive me, young lady.

Aiya vende vanya- Greetings beautiful maiden