Disclaimer: I own only Margaret and Sulwen.
Glorfindel steadied his bow and looked around him. He knew the orcs would come. They always came. And he needed to be sure that his troop was ready. After a quick inspection of their hiding places, he was satisfied to note that the elves would have the advantage of surprise on their side. As the orcs came into view, he waited until they were all insight before releasing an arrow, signaling to the others that they could commence fire.
As the sky rained arrows onto the orcs before him, Glorfindel reflected on the sad thought that, once, long ago, an elfling could have easily walked through this part of the forest without even considering the fact that orcs might be nearby. An elfling could have and did.
They were about ten leagues away from the border of Imladris. This part of the forest had been inhabited by elves before Elrond had founded Imladris as a refuge for anyone who needed a place to live. Glorfindel remembered a small elfling had been separated from his mother, and he had been part of the search. The small elfling had been found in a tree not too far by, and was safely returned to his mother. Glorfindel smiled a little sadly, knowing that if he kept reflecting on the past, instead of focusing on the battle before him, he may not come out unscathed.
Putting his bow aside, Glorfindel pulled out his sword and jumped into the fray. He swung and cut and pushed, killing all orcs that came near. He met blow by blow, never allowing an orc to get through his defense. He felt their black blood spray onto his face and hands. He heard their shrieks and war cries. He could feel the ground shake as their feet trampled the earth and their swords met that of the elves. And he knew that they would easily win this battle.
Glorfindel killed another orc, and waited for another to come, but it didnt. Looking around, he saw his warriors standing with their weapons in hand, soaked in black blood, and breathing heavily from the battle. All the orcs lay dead around them.
" Pile the bodies and burn them. Make sure you take back anything that may have been stolen by them and burry it."
Glorfindel always told the elves to check for anything the orcs may have stolen. They usually found necklaces or small daggers that were probably owned by the orcs last victim. Glorfindel had them buried on the account that they were once owned by someone else, and belonged to that person only. He would only take anything that was eleven, part of his kindred. And those things always went straight to Elrond. What Elrond did with them, Glorfindel had never asked.
An hour later, and the troop was heading back to their camp. The camp was centered in a clearing surrounded by trees. There were spots for a fireplace, and for bed rolls to be laid out. A small tent was used for a head quarters. Not far off, was a stream that they used for water.
Glorfindel dropped his gear inside the tent and sat on a large rock. The rock was usually used as a desk and chair where Glorfindel wrote his reports. Outside, he could here the clatter of dinner being prepared and dishes being readied.
Glorfindel, again, thought about the little lost elfling. He had grown up to be an advisor to Elrond. Because he had such excellent fighting skills and was a good negotiator, Elrond had sent him to places all over Arda as a delegate of Imladris. ' If only he had improved those fighting skills,' thought Glorfindel, ' He might still be alive.' Although, Glorfindel knew this would never be true.
'Enough,' Glorfindel told himself, ' I need to have a clear state of mind. I need to make it back to Margaret alive and well.'
Back in Imladris, Margaret was practicing her flute. This time, she was getting out a full scale. It wasnt perfect, but it was something.
" Well done," said Lindir, " That is the C scale. There are no sharps or flats, just naturals. Now, I want you to make a short song, using the C scale for tomorrow, alright?"
Margaret nodded in excitement. This would be her first song on the flute. She was eager to begin. Eager to please Glorfindel when he returned.
" I believe it is almost time for evening meal," said Lindir, " You have worked long and hard today. You may go."
Margaret thanked Lindir and headed to her room to put away her flute. She wondered if Glorfindel would get the same kind of meal out on patrol as he did in Rivendell. She didnt think so.
" Hello Margaret," Elrond greeted her as she entered the dining hall. She gave a polite hello and looked at her normal seat at the table. Normally, she sat next to Glorfindel. However, now she wasnt so sure where to sit.
" Why not come and sit by us?" asked a familiar voice. Margaret whirled around as two familiar elves walked into the room.
"Elladan! Elrohir!" Margaret exclaimed. They smiled at her and each gave her a kiss on the head.
" Hello little one," Elrohir said, " I hear you are learning to play the flute now."
" Oh yes," said Margaret, " It is such a lovely instrument. I cant wait to work on my song tonight."
Elladan laughed and pulled out a chair for her to sit in. " Why dont you tell us about it over dinner?"
Margaret jumped at the chance. She had only seen Elladan and Elrohir a handful of times, for they were always out of Imladris. But she had very fond memories of them. They had taught her many things, and told her many stories. She was glad they had come to visit.
" How long are you to stay for?" asked Margaret after she had told them about her flute lessons.
" Only few days," said Elladan, " And then we are going to Lothlorien."
" Why?" asked Margaret and then blushed, " I mean...sorry... I didnt mean to be so nosy-
Elladan just laughed. " It is good to ask questions sometimes," he told her, " You learn more when you ask. For instance, you should ask our Adar a question everyday. He likes being asked a question. And when he gets done answering, ask him why."
" And keep asking why when he is done answering," cut in Elrohir, " Just keep asking why."
" Elladan and Elrohir," said Elrond in a stern voice, " Do not teach the child bad habits."
" Why?" asked the twins together.
" Because- oh never mind," said Elrond with a grumble.
" Why?" asked Elladan.
" Silence," said Elrond.
" Why?"
" So I may eat in peace."
"Why?"
" Because I am hungry."
" Why?"
" Because I have not eaten."
"Why?"
" Because I have been busy."
" Why?"
Elrond glared at the two in silence.
" So you see," explained Elrohir to Margaret with a smirk, " We now have the information that our Adar is hungry and has been busy."
Margaret nodded in understanding and then looked at the twins.
" Oh yes," Elrohir said, " Lothlorien."
" You see Margaret," Elladan went on, " Our grandparents, as you know, are Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. Well, Arwen is visiting them right now, and we wish to see her."
" Who is Arwen?" asked Margaret.
Many elves around the table turned to stare at her in silence. They all had a strange expression on their faces.
" Our sister," said Elladan.
" You have a sister?" asked Margaret wide eyed.
" Yes," said Elladan, " Arwen Undomiel, the evenstar of our people."
Margaret gaped at them even though she knew it was rude. She could not believe that they had a sister and she did not know. Suddenly, Margaret realized that others were staring at her and blushed.
" Oh," she said simply, " Ive never met her."
The twins and Elrond just smiled.
A/N: Wow, have I taken a long break from fanfiction. I dont think Ive read anything for a few weeks. Well, except maybe a Tale of Two Cities by Dickens. Great book by the way. And now Im starting Little Women by Alcott. And guess what? There is a girl in it named Margaret. Kind of Ironic. Anyway, sorry for any grammar or spelling errors. It happens : ) Especially when you have a band aid on your index finger.
Alright, so I had this really strange idea for a Margaret fic. I kind of would like a few opinions about it. Keep in mind that it would be very AU, and very, very unrealistic. It has to do with a dream, Margaret, and the Titanic. It would be extremely strange, and I wouldnt necessarily tie it in with the series. Let me know what you think about the idea.
Thank you to my reviewers! Next chapter should be up by March 13.
Idril Miriel- About that 'Glorfindel said' thing. Which line was it? Sorry, its just that if Im doing it, I have probably done it a lot. I read the story over, and I didnt see where it was. Im not a grammer person : ) Thank you for pointing it out though. Anyway, Im glad you like it so far. Thank you!
elfiehead- Hi! Im glad you like it so far.I was hoping to get Margarets reaction just right. I triedto picture that I was eight, and someone I loved said they were going away for a while and leaving me behind.Thank you for your review.
lhuntathraeil- Your friends sound like they would be a fun group to hang out with. My friends always get strange looks when we are together. : )lol.
IwishChan- Yes, Margaret is always thinking about Glorfindel. And I just couldnt let him be left out of the fic while he was gone, because I would miss him too much. : ) Thanks for your review!