Disclaimer: see chapter 1, not that you're really bothered.
A/N: I am really sorry for updating so late. I've been busy with university application stuff.
"Spoken"
'Thought'
red-lasbelin: Your the first one to say it's hilarious, but glad you did. I wasn't too sure if some of the bits would be funny or not.
Haldir's Heart and Soul: I'm glad you like it. I haven't seen any sex-changes for Glorfindel (or really any other characters) and thought it would be interesting.
Ivorybrowneyes: Yes, poor Erestor, unfortunately things will get worse for him before it gets better evil grin. Glad you find Glorfindel "intriguing" (you were talking about Glorfindel right?)
Chapter 2
Glorfindel showed Narelda in to his bedchambers. It wasn't exactly a fancy room; fairly large, with cream walls, a bed against one wall, a desk and chair against the opposite wall. There was a large window next to the bed and another door leading into the bathing chamber.
"These will be your rooms for the duration of your stay. Don't hesitate to ask either myself or one of the servants if you are in need of anything." Glorfindel turned to walk out the door, but a couple of thoughts were nagging at her, so when she reached the door she suddenly turned and asked,
"Why are you here?"
Narelda looked blank. "Pardon?"
"I was merely curious as to why Thranduil decided to bring his son's tutor."
Narelda smiled. "Due to my curiosity. I have read many books describing the peace and beauty of Imladris, and so I wished to experience it for myself." He looked out of the window. "I see now that that the descriptions do not do it justice," he added quietly.
"Why did you look so surprised when Lord Elrond introduced me?"
Narelda looked slightly embarrassed and avoided eye contact. "It was not much. I had just heard much about you and did not dream that you were a maiden."
"And why would that be?" asked Glorfindel, her curiosity quickly changing to anger.
When Narelda entered the healing ward with Glorfindel, Elrond observed with some amusement, that he looked like he had implied that Glorfindel might be incapable of something because she was a woman. When Glorfindel admitted that this was what had happened, his amusement quickly disappeared. Elrond was in the process showing Mirear around the House of healing when the pair entered.
"Mirear, I would like to see how much you have already learnt." Elrond indicated to Narelda. Mirear gave a small nod and started tending Narelda's injuries under the watchful eye of Elrond.
Elrond silently thanked the Valar that Narelda was not seriously hurt (merely a few bruises) and his nose wasn't actually broken. He also noted that Mirear seemed to have a fairly good basic knowledge.
"Thank you Mirear that was well done. You may leave; I'm sure you both have many preparations for tonight. Glorfindel, I wish to speak with you." Accepting this dismissal, Mirear and Narelda left the ward. Elrond rounded on Glorfindel.
"What were you thinking, Glorfindel?"
"He was saying that-"
"I know what happened." Elrond resisted the urge to sigh, "You know this is not merely an apprenticeship. This is to improve relations between ourselves and Mirkwood."
"He is only a tutor, even if he is for Prince Legolas."
"Hopefully, Thranduil will see it that way too."
"I am sorry for any trouble that this may cause you."
Elrond looked at her. "Glorfindel, just try to keep hold of your temper when it comes to situations like this. Mirkwood came out of the Last Alliance far worse than us and not all, especially the race of men, are as understanding of your outbursts as we," Elrond warned, remembering the many men who had come to his wards in the same condition as Narelda, or worse. "I will see you tonight."
Unknown to them, a very similar conversation had just occurred between Mirear and Narelda.
#
The sun was just setting as Glorfindel finished braiding her hair. She checked herself in the mirror. Her hair was in the style of her previous house, the House of the Golden Flowers, a style she only really wore for formal occasions such as these. She wore a deep blue dress, one of the few dresses she owned, having few occasions to wear them. As she surveyed herself in the mirror, she smiled. She found few chances to dress up and generally act feminine. Despite what many thought, she actually enjoyed it, although doing this every day would have driven her insane. She didn't know how Celebrian did it. When she was satisfied with herself, she turned and left the room. She would not outshine Celebrian or Mirindil, but she did not think she had done badly with herself.
#
Erestor heard his name being called as he left his chambers. He turned to see Glorfindel walking towards him. 'Stay calm, Erestor. By the Valar, she is beautiful!' He gave her a nod of acknowledgement, and waited for her.
"I see you have decided to dress appropriately," he commented.
"Of course, you knew I would." He could have sworn she actually enjoyed all this.
"I see you are wearing black again."
"Yes. Is there a problem with that?"
"Yes."
"Tough."
"You should be wearing your other dress robes, the midnight blue ones."
"And when did you become so interested in fashion, especially the fashion of others?" replied Erestor testily, deciding he didn't want to find out how she knew the contents of his wardrobe.
"I merely wish to see you in another colour apart from black."
"I wear other colours."
"Yes: blue-black, green-black and sometimes grey. How silly of me to forget," she replied sarcastically.
'That is not true; they aren't all something-black! I have those midnight blue robes; I've just never worn them.' The doors of the great hall came into sight, quickly breaking off Erestor's train of thought.
They walked together into the large hall, and made their way to the head table. For this evening, three tables had been placed into a U-shape. Mirindil, Thranduil, Elrond and Celebrian seated at the central table. To the left hand side sat Mirear, Legolas, Galenorn and Romendir; on the right were Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen. There were two seats beside Arwen for Erestor and Glorfindel.
Glorfindel paid little attention to Elrond's speech (something to do with relationships, Mirear, Healing and Homes, nothing really exceptional), but she maintained her politely interested expression until the food was brought in.
Music was played during the whole meal. After the main courses were done, Lindir began leading his musicians in a dancing song. Many elves dragged their partners up to dance. Mirindil's eyes lit up and she turned onto Thranduil, who smiled indulgently and spoke to Elrond.
"You will have to excuse us for a moment, my wife is very keen on dancing," he said, standing.
Before he could leave, Elrond was on his feet as well. "Mayhap, then, you will honour me with the first dance, Mirindil ... with your consent of course, my Lord," he added afterwards, not wanting to anger Thranduil.
"As you wish, my Lord."
"Then, Mirindil, you must allow me to dance with Thranduil," Celebrian said, and they went off to dance.
Mirear and Romendir seemed content to just sit and watch. Mirear leaned over and whispered something to Legolas. He pulled a dissatisfied face, but got up and walked over to Arwen.
"Would Lady Arwen like to dance?" he asked. Arwen blushed slightly, but agreed. Well, that would please her; normally she only ever got to dance with her father. She had learned not to trust Elladan or Elrohir if they asked.
When the next dance began, Celebrian and Mirindil came back to sit down. Elladan danced with Mirear, while Romendir danced with Arwen. Glorfindel was trying to convince Erestor to dance with her.
"Please Erestor, just one dance."
"Glorfindel, I keep telling you, NO!"
"If Erestor will not dance, then I wish to steal a dance from this Golden flower." Glorfindel and Erestor turned to see that Narelda had come over from one of the lower tables. 'What did he call me?' was Glorfindel's main thought as they stared at him.
"Consider it an apology for this afternoon," he quickly added, thinking that he had offended them in some way.
"It would be my pleasure, Narelda." As they danced neither of the couple notice Erestor's extra-watchful eye, or Mirindil and Celebrain's conversation as they watched both them and Erestor.
"I must apologise to you, Lady Glorfindel. I should not have implied that you were incapable, just because you are a maiden. I had no real reason to jump to conclusions."
"But are there not many women in the Mirkwood army?"
"Since the return from the Last Alliance, yes, but none of them are of high rank. We lost most of our men in the war and therefore have needed to recruit women into our army. But it is still in its' early stages. Are there many women in the Imladris guard?"
Glorfindel didn't reply. She hated to admit it but there indeed only few. Not many she-elves choose the path of a warrior; some, yes, but not many. This was something she had never really noticed before.
Their dance soon drew to an end.
"Glorfindel, I wish to see the woods surrounding Imladris. They seem so beautiful and untainted in darkness. It would be a pleasure to have you accompany me for a ride through them by day."
"I have duties to attend to..."
"Of course, it was a foolish request," he interrupted.
"Friday."
"Pardon?"
"I will be free on Friday. Romendir should have settled in by then, and my duties do not tie me down so much as to deny me time to myself."
Narelda smiled. "Friday morning, then." He lifted her hand to his lips and gently kissed it. "I will long for that day." With that he turned and left.
End of Chapter 2.
Sorry if you got a bit bored with that. I promise the next chapter will be better. It was one of those important, but not very interesting chapters. Well say what you thought of it, and I'm very sorry again for the delay, the next one won't be so long in the coming.