Languages:

'Valari words/ or Erika's mother tongue'

"Quenya/Sindarin"

"Westron/Common tongue"

"Others"

Disclaimer: LOTR and Silmarillion are properties of J.R.R. Tolkien and Tolkien Estates. None of the songs used in the story are mine too and only borrowed for entertainment purposes.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Chapter 14

Of Men and Greed

Kay… so I just want you to know, pissing off elves is never a good thing. Especially elf healers. My experience made me feel like a dissected smoked fish dried underneath the sun. If Nestaron let me get away with it with a sigh of frustration, Ms. Heledh was a whole different matter.

Needless to say, she berated me for almost two hours about the bad effects of recklessness and stubbornness on a 'recovering person'. I felt like a schoolgirl again being reprimanded by her mother after cutting classes, but after those cringing hours, she gave me food and hugged me and said she was just concerned about me as much as she is concerned about her 3 daughters. She has 5 kids by the way. Cool right? She doesn't even look like it.

And so my adventure just started after a very close up assessment of my supposed to be not-so-fragile health by Lady Heledh herself and after confirming that I am indeed okay, she allowed me to assist people in the healing wards who were injured from the attack. I was so pumped to finally do something after being stuck inside my room for days. I didn't help much in dressing injuries or healing stuffs because I don't know shit about those things. I grew up in the age of band-aids and koolfever, folks. Anyway, I was tasked with doing trivial chores like cleaning, washing linens, towels, the medical dishes they used in the healing wards and many more. It wasn't that hard, in fact I'm happy enough doing this at least in my own small ways I could help everyone.

I might not have a watch with me to check the time but I guess it is now in the middle of afternoon and four hours have passed since Glorfindel and the others moved out of the city going towards the other side of the river. Honestly a day here felt slower than Earth, it's not much of a big difference and one wouldn't have noticed it unless you watch it closely. Being here and experiencing so many things, I can't help but to observe and compare all unfamiliar things I see here from the things I am used to.

I'm interested to know more about their solar system. Glorfindel briefly mentioned before that the sun is a fruit and the moon is a flower. Now I have no idea if those were metaphors or something. But it seems significant to how time runs in this world. Maybe? I don't know, it's just a theory.

At that moment, I was in the middle of hanging the perfectly clean linens that I passionately washed when I heard Nestaron called me.

"Penneth…" I was struggling to reach the beam and stick a peg to secure the linnen, I looked behind me and at that moment the handsome healer took the peg from my hand and did it himself. I uttered a small thanks to him with a smile. "Let me acquire a box for you to stand on later." He said with a smirk.

"I swear, if you say one more thing about my height-" Nestaron laughed when I said that and reached his hand out to toss my already messy hair, which I still refuse to tie and still itching to cut.

"I give my thanks to you for lending us a hand, your help is very much appreciated."

I waved my hand once. "Nah, I volunteered to do this and I'm always happy to help. Besides, it isn't that much."

"You are very kind. Are you tired? Do not overexert yourself, remember you have just recovered."

"Don't worry, I'm cool. I could do more if you guys still have things for me to do." I playfully swatted Nestaron's hand out of my head.

"If you will, I may ask you to do one more task and you can take a little respite after."

"Sure, what is it? I'm done here anyways." I removed the apron from my body and folded it. Nestaron took it from my hand and gave me a weird looking paper that I recognized as a parchment. I assumed this is a list of herbs.

"Please head to the kitchen tents and pass this on to the elleth in charge of the food for the sick. She will give you all that is listed here. Bring it back to me as soon as you receive it."

"Okay, sir." I gave him a small lousy salute. "I'll head there now."

"Hanon le, penneth." He said in elvish, which I quite understand now that it's their version of thank you.

'Hasta luego.' My response to him and Nestaron just smiled. I waved him a goodbye before heading out of the healing tents. I pretty much remember the way to the kitchen tent so I think I'm gonna be fine. Lunch time is about to start as well so a lot of working people are heading into it. Some elves I've passed by gave me a smile and waved and I bid them just as much. With so little time, I am quite impressed that the rebuilding progress is so fast.

The broken walls were almost done being fixed and some elves even started reinforcing the rest of it using the materials we have brought along from the city. The debris that's scattered everywhere were cleaned up, some builders and smiths took some items that could be useful and made them new again. They acquired woods, stones, gravel and mud to create bricks that would be used to create a foundation for the houses that would be built later. I found most of the finished bricks laid down on the ground and being baked under the sun. Some people start tilling the soil, removing the destroyed vegetable and other crops that littered the fields. Animal carcasses are also lifted away and mass buried outside the city to avoid air contamination, flies and other scavenger birds.

So much bad stuff was brought by the attack and I'm still having a hard time believing that these things were done by creatures that's only seeking destruction and chaos and not because they are fighting for something.

I shook my head and silently walked to the kitchen tents. When I reached the tents, I saw the familiar woman who gave me the spicy stew earlier this morning and I approached her.

"Hello there, madam." I greeted her and the woman's jolly expression became brighter as she saw me.

"Greetings to you, milady. What has brought you here in the kitchen? Are you hungry?"

I shook my head. "Oh, no, I'm good, thanks a lot. But I was instructed by Lord Nestaron to give a note to the elleth who manages the food distribution."

"Oh,apologies, milady, but Lady Malina just left moments before you came in. She wanted to procure the kingsfoil she requested from the scouts that had gone out this morning. The elven folks deem this weed as a wonderful herb and they use it in all possible ways. The lady fears we are running short of it in stock."

I nodded. "I see… maybe I'll just wait for her."

"Hmm… would you mind if I look into that list, milady? What if I procure the items that I can find and if there is anything that is lacking, I shall pass it on to Lady Malina and I shall deliver it myself to the healing tents."

"Oh, wouldn't that bother you?"

The middle aged woman smiled kindly. "Not at all, my dear lady. You see, my daughter's husband is being treated there as well for he was one of the people who defended the city's wall before it fell. I give thanks to the fair gods that he did not perish even as his injuries were grave, if not for the assistance that the elves lent to us, he might have succumbed to his injuries leaving my poor daughter widow and her children orphaned. Delivering these herbs is a small price to pay for the things we received."

I was touched by the sincerity of her words. Maybe this is why she tirelessly helps out to the kitchen even as she too has her own situation. "Thank you, ma'am. May I ask what your name is?"

"Oh, do pardon me, milady, you may call me Bethëa, daughter of Baurir. And may I know yours?"

"Oh, uhm… you may call me Erika." I smiled at her and stopped myself for the last second before I put out my hand for a handshake. In the end Bethëa bowed to me as if giving me the highest honor.

"A delight to make your acquaintance, milady."

"Oh.. ah.." I gave her my very own version of an awkward bow, that is if you can call tilting your head ninety degrees in the right and dipping slightly your hips a bow. Gahd why am I so awkward with this?

The middle aged woman laughed merrily upon seeing my actions. "May I look at the list, my lady?"

"Oh, sure." I gave her the paper.

"Pardon me." She said before taking the paper off my hand. "Hmm, I could give half of what is written here but I have no access to the others because Lady Malina says they have to be stored carefully lest they will lose their effectiveness. Thyme and goldenseal we do have plenty." She said reading closely and with concentration.

"Sorry for asking this, and I hope it won't offend you but how do you know how to read these letters?" They are written in the same manner as Glorfindel's letter to me before and I wonder if it is the universal alphabet here and how in the world I knew how to read it.

"Oh, think nothing of it, my lady. I am not well versed in their language and their syllabary but we do live under the care of the elves. In some way we trade with them and we have grown to learn how to read the most basic of their things, albeit with difficulty. For example in this letter, I barely read some herbs' names as the Lord Nestaron is an elf that might be from a different place and not from the Grey Havens himself. The quirk of his writing seems different. It looks familiar yet unfamiliar to my eyes."

I nodded at her response and somehow I kinda understood what she meant. It gave me more questions though. Was the difference that she was talking about the same as trying to differentiate the tone of accent? Like the difference between all Spanish speakers. In Latin American regions, the people speak the same language and yet they all have their own accent, distinct manners of pronunciation, and even characteristic of speech which is so fascinating.

But is that applicable also to elf language and alphabets¹?

My ponderings were interrupted by the voice of Bethëa who told me to wait as she gathered the herbs that she could find. I headed inside the tent and so far, not many people are inside yet.

Not even a minute of sitting in one of the chairs there, a group of men entered the tent. I wasn't that much interested in what their business is in the kitchen but my attention was stolen as soon as one of them spoke as if he owned the place.

"I came here on behalf of our new mayor, Lord Ubel! For he rejoices in the recovery of our city and wants to celebrate his success. He bids the people here to bring fancy delicacies to the banquet that will be held later in his glorious house." The man with a weird looking moustache said and I had no choice but to hear his words because freaking hell, his voice sounds like it has a built in megaphone. Coincidentally at that time, Bethëa came in from the other side of the tent carrying a basket full of herbs both fresh and dried. The middle aged woman stopped to look at the speaking man. "Truly, honorable guests will be feasting on the food you shall make so I want them to have the best possible ingredients."

Bethëa might have found the man's word as utter bullshit and just continued to walk towards me. "Milady, here are some of the herbs you needed. I will pass the parchment towards Lady Malina and I shall deliver the rest of it as soon as she comes back."

I reached my hand up as Bethëa held the basket towards me. "Thank you so much-"

"Halt, woman. You shall not yet give these to others. Did you not hear what I just said?"

"These will be delivered for the elves to be used in the healing wards." Bethëa said, her voice has a tone of annoyance.

"Surely they have more of this than to rob the kitchens of their ingredients." The man said with a scoff. "This shall not depart from the kitchens. Bring it back."

"Excuse me?" I ask as one of his possé stepped towards me as if he was about to take the basket out of Bethëa's hands. I pushed Bethëa behind me, which for sure looked quite amusing as she was a head taller than I am. "Who are you again?" I asked in annoyance.

"And who is this mannerless wench that has the audacity to question the men of our new chief?"

"Oh, yes I do have the audacity to question whoever the fuck you are and whoever the son of the bitch that sent you here." My temper flared as soon as his words entered my eardrums. How dare this ugly frog call me wench when he is here trying to rob the people of the donated goods from the elves. And for what? A party?

The moustached guy gasped in surprise as he might not have expected that I'd retaliate filthier than they did.

"Mannerless indeed to speak in such disrespect of peers older than her!"

"Bruh, if having manners means being you, I'd rather stay mannerless."

"In any way, no items shall pass the doors of this tent. It is the city's property and shall be in the authority of the city's new leader." The guy said in anger and one of the bigger men roughly snatched the basket of herbs out of Bethëa's hands.

"How could you do this to us!" Bethëa said in anger. The people inside the tents are also pitching in their opinion.

"If you take these supplies then what would we feed our children on the latter days?"

"Silence! Silence, you lot!"

"No, you shut up! While it's true that this is now the city's property, none of you faggots have any rights to claim this. Why instead of lending all these goods to the people who are suffering you will take this to yourselves in the name of celebrating what? Having your city destroyed? None of these shits would have been here and none of your city would be standing if not for the aid of the elves."

"Silence your filthy mouth, you whore of these elven pests! What, are you bedazzled by these cretins' beauty that it blind you out of serving your own lords?"

What? Does this guy think I'm one of the citizens here? "My lords who? You? Excuse you, I belong to no one. You know what? Get out of here. Your mayor who should be doing all the work to rebuild the city hasn't been seen by anyone and yet he has the balls to take the people's supply for himself to enjoy." I took the basket's handle from the guy and pulled it. The guy fought my pulling off and we were like at a tug of war game. "Your people are sick, hungry and suffering and they need the most of these supplies than your party. If your so called city leader can't process that with his pea sized brain, then tell him to go fuck himself!"

I might have angered the moustache man so much that he lunged at me and pulled my hair off. I snarled as I felt the pain in my scalp.

'Aray, punyeta!'

"You, slut! Filthy mouthed whore! I will kill you!"

"My lady!" I heard Bethëa shout and from the side of my eyes I saw her pull the hand of the man away from my hair, trying to wrestle his grasp away from my head. I let the basket of herbs go so I could get my hands on the face of the guy. Some of the herbs fell down on the floor and were stomped on by the men. But before I could claw the shit out of his face, Moustache man and his bros were being attacked by four shrieking angry owls.

"Ahh! What the- ah!" Moustache man shouts as one small snowy owl pierces its talons into his arms, making him let go of my hair that's in his grasp. One owl also mercilessly hit his wide wings on the faces of the men. I fell on the floor as soon as I was freed. There was chaos of screaming men after that.

Bethëa and one old man pulled me up and away from the men and at that moment people flooded the entrance of the tent. Both the men and the elves saw how the angry owls attacked the people and me being pulled up from the ground.

"Yeah! Slap the shit out of him, Hedwig!" I shouted in cheer. The owls flapped their wings harder and the man had his mouth full of feathers. Artemis had her two cute little talons on the hair of one guy and pulled them up almost like the way Moustache guy pulled my hair. "Wahahaha! Yeah, that's it!" I laughed of course. These idiots are not even having second thoughts about hurting others, they at least deserve the supreme owl punishment.

"Elbereth, my lady! What has happened here?!" One ellon with dark brown hair and big crystal blue eyes came in from the entrance. He approached me and pulled me out of Bethëa's hands. "Tell me, milady Erika, are you hurt?"

Okay, I have no idea who this guy is, but I'm thankful for his concern. "Oh, ehh, not that much. But that guy over there pulled my hair off, goddamnit that was annoying. I felt like I've lost a lot of brain cells-"

"He what?" He blurted out, cutting through my rambling and I saw anger crossed the handsome face of the ellon and his eyes glinted murder, before he could turn away I grabbed his arm with my two hands. It took everything for me to stop him because he is so tall and strong but nonetheless, he stopped the movement he was about to do.

"It's okay! I'm okay, no need to get back to them about this, alright? But most importantly, these assholes were trying to take the supplies for themselves using their so-called authority in the city." The ellon's face turned darker. Makes me wonder if I should shut up already or this will turn messier than it already is.

The owls are still attacking the men but not in their faces anymore. The men are now cursing the birds and trying to grab them in the air, however the owls were swifter and flew like bullets around them. They dodged away and screamed in the men's faces after.

The elf scanned my whole body as if checking if I had any damage or what. "My lady, may I please ask you to return to Nestaron's tents, there you will be safer. I shall handle the situation here."

"Oh wait, I was tasked to get some herbs here and take them back to the healing wards."

"I shall task that to others. Do not worry about it."

"Uhm.. okay. Err, but what about them?" I look back to the men who were fighting with the owls.

"That burden I shall bear." The ellon smiled at me kindly. I guess I'm just gonna make things more complicated if I don't follow his advice. Time to yeet. And yeet I shall.

"Okay. Err- I'm sorry for making a ruckus, I was just really angry. Those guys were being such an ass and thought they could get away from it."

"I admire your courage to fight for what you think is right, penneth. There is no need to apologize. Although I find them hurting you very much unpleasant, the right to ask for retribution is not mine. They shall answer when my lord comes back." Wait who?

He smiled before turning his back to me. He did not say anything after that and I went out of the kitchen tent in reluctance. When the owls noticed my exit, they also stopped their assaults and went after me as if nothing happened.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Bronwëg turned his head back to face the men who are now silent in the presence of an elf.

Ten are those who were personally taught by his lord since they were but a novice warrior eager to impress the great ellon of their legends. Eight of them rode to battle, two were left to care for the city and it was him and Nestaron. This morning, his lord tasked him to look out for the city in case anything transpired, and Nestaron to be ready and receive injured warriors upon their return for he knows even as they try to do their best to avoid casualties, accidents are still bound to happen. Such is the trust his lordship has bestowed upon him.

But as he was watching over the fortification of the city walls, Bronwëg was notified by a young man who helps in the kitchen tents about a commotion and a certain young woman whom his lord is deeply fond of is involved. On his way to the tent he heard a scuffle and the loud voice of the young lady cursing like a sailor, one would be amused to hear that under normal circumstances.

But it was not.

Anger arose in him as he remembered that one of these men laid his hands upon Erika. As soon as the young woman left the tent, Bronwëg spoke in a grim voice that sent fear upon those who heard him.. "Hearken to me, you who called themselves servant of a leader. Our people expected nothing in return upon lending our help in this city even as we put our own lives on the line. We turn blind eye from your selfishness for we know that is none of our concerns anymore. But you assaulted the lady who is held dear to my lord and one who is a guest of Círdan, Lord of the Grey Havens. That is most unforgiving. I will remember all your faces and all of you will answer to my lordship's wrath upon his return.."

Bronwëg, even as he was known to be a gentle and kind ellon to others, still possessed the proud heart of a true Ñoldo. He held small love for men, for they could be cruel and foolish. And if there was love to give, it was reserved for friends whom he made over the years. Bronwëg restrained himself and pushed his feet to move away from the kitchen tents.

If they already turn silent to see the anger in his face, then they have bigger things to fear. And one of those is the wrath of someone who once threw a Valaraukar down to the abyss.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

It was high time at night when the militia commanded by Glorfindel had reached the glades surrounding the west side of Mamgobel. The battle has been won and he himself has made sure that no orc nor a warg was left breathing. The warriors have swept the forest clean like a raging fire seeking to purge anything evil on its way.

And though as if it was a blessing from the Valar, none has perished in the fierce battle. However, many elves received grave injuries that Glorfindel had to hasten their return as soon as they made sure that no enemy was left wandering the vicinity.

With their tall horses, they crossed the river's most shallow parts carrying injured warriors. Glorfindel and the others with knowledge in healing arts provided small treatment to suppress the bleeding of their injuries, they were carefully loaded into the carts that were waiting at the banks of the river. As soon as they were set and enemy carcasses were burned away from the woods, they departed.

Riding atop Rhosfein at the front line, he led everyone back to the city. Glorfindel pondered about what Feredir had told him before the battle began. About the fact that the information of the enemy's location came from the dream Erika had the same morning they arrived at Mamgobel and not from any scouts Círdan had sent out to gather information. Feredir shared to him all the things he thought about who the young woman was and if she was someone who is blessed by the Valar.

Glorfindel would be lying if he said he never thought about the things he heard from Feredir. Seldom that the quendi visits the Path of Dreams and sometimes to thread on it there has to be a guide that came directly from Lórien or from the Ainu who serves the Fëanturi. Some used items that held small power that could channel it for a little moment, like the Mirror of Artanis², who could show one the possibilities that time carries. To the will of the Valar, one who is most loyal to the highest powers of Arda could receive clear visions mostly through dreams. Elrond may have the gift of foresight however it is as what he always said, that every foreshadowing he sees, one cannot be all certain about it as the future flows uncertainly.

Who is Erika to have one of those visions that is so accurate even when she herself has no knowledge of this world and the ones who are in power? She was a stranger. And yet Glorfindel cannot sense anything that is dark within her, for he felt her heart. And he felt nothing but goodness.

The gate of the city opened wide and immediately Nestaron was there to receive their injured kin. Both men and elves worked together to carry them to the healing ward.

Glorfindel jumped down from Rhosfein's back and one ellon came forth to take the steed from him and he gave the fair steed some rubs in his head. "Do we have enough space and supplies for everyone?" Glorfindel asked Lady Heledh after the elleth greeted him.

"Worry not, Milord, for Lord Círdan sent more supplies this afternoon. We have arranged them as per Lord Nestaron's instruction." The elleth said in response.

"My thanks to your hard work, milady. I will leave their wellbeing into your hands."

The silver haired Teler nodded and smiled. "May the Valar shine their light in the time of our need."

"You and the others may rest, milord. You may leave everything to us." Nestaron, who was passing by, says.

"That I shall do. But may I ask you to closely look upon the Son of Feredir? For I am afraid that the arrow that pierced his shoulder is embedded with a nasty poison. I might have given him a treatment but that is not enough." As he spoke, Bronwëg, whom he had left to overlook things in the city, came towards him.

"Hail thee, my lord. I thank the Valar for you and everyone's return." The younger ellon said with a respectful bow.

Glorfindel grasped the arm of his second in command. "And praise Eru for guiding us. Did anything occur while I was gone?"

Bronwë who has always been an honest and earnest ellon since his younger days wears a face Glorfindel cannot fully fathom. He tried to read his emotions and his thoughts but surprisingly, he sensed annoyance and weariness from him.

"Is there something that is amiss, my friend?"

It took moments for Bronwëg to respond and there was uncertainty in his face. "May I talk about it somewhere?"

Glorfindel gave him a single nod. "Alright. Let us head to the command post." With them came Aeglos, the younger brother of Bronwëg who bears so much likeness to his brother, only he possesses eyes as green as leaves in bright summer rather than crystal blue. Both are completely loyal to Glorfindel.

With their fast pace and long strides, they reach the central tent in a short while. There, Bronwëg spoke.

"The walls have been completely repaired by this afternoon and the construction for the people's houses have proceeded. The following supplies from the Grey Havens were led by Master Gweithir, son of Lord Galdor. He however returns back to the Havens along with his company as soon as he has grasped all that needs to be passed to Lord Círdan." Bronwëg paused and for a second, Glorfindel wondered what had made his second in command look as if he was angry.

"What is it, brother?" Aeglos can not help but to ask.

"There has been unrest among the Edain, one man has claimed to be a servant of the new leader of the city who is called Ubel, son of Dilne. That man came to the kitchens and demanded the supply both remaining and the ones we had provided to be surrendered upon the men who claimed authority. He also ordered the people to present dishes they would have served at the banquet they planned to do right at this hour."

"How preposterous! First they dare to demand the presence of milord and now a banquet in the middle of crisis? Has this adan lost all his wits?" Aeglos cannot help but to exclaim.

Hearing that Glorfindel might have felt disappointment but he has somehow expected this to happen, for the old kind mayor chose a successor who is nothing but a stupid fool.

"That is not everything." Bronwëg turned his sight to Glorfindel. "At the time the men came to the kitchen tent, young Lady Erika was present, who was running an errand for Nestaron." At the mention of the young woman's name Glorfindel's eyes hardened. "Hearing what the men demanded, the lady voiced out her opinions and tried to stop them. The men said many insults to the lady but she retaliated with her own. As we know that her ladyship could spit quite… colorful words, the men felt insulted and thus laid their hands upon her."

"They what?" Glorfindel's voice was coated with sheer coldness and his eyes glinted sharper than a dagger. The two ellyn who were with him felt the fluctuation of his fëa. Bronwëg's reluctancy was due to this reaction of his lord. He knew it would anger him but it is something the ellon could hide.

Bronwëg pulled his eyes down and did not meet the overwhelming stare of the golden haired elf. "To sum everything up, one man came towards the lady after calling her a 'whore' and pulled a fistful of her hair. If not for the lady's owl companions who attacked the men fiercely, they might not have let her go. Lady Erika herself told me that it was quite a pain though asked me to just let it go and to not do anything."

Glorfindel's jaw tightened the anger he felt had started seeping into his aura and for a while, Bronwëg felt pity for the edain. "After all the things we have and risked, they had the gall to hurt my people." And even as Glorfindel knew that not everyone in the city has the same thought, he still felt bitter in his mouth. Above all whom they laid hands on, it was Erika. "Where is she?"

"She might now be with the smiths."

Glorfindel's brow knotted in puzzlement. "What is she doing with the smiths?"

This time the blond ellon noticed a small smile on his deputy's face. "She asked them to create a contraption her people use to eat their food."

Glorfindel left the tent without a word and the two brothers reluctantly followed behind. There are only two smiths remaining in the city and this morning they established a small, temporary forge for them to work. On their way to the place, people both elf and man alike had second thoughts about greeting their lord for his face is grim and his eyes piercing.

"Are you sure you can use this to eat, young one?"

"Now I do not see any possible way for you to eat with these things unless you use it as a skewer. My poor mother would kill me using her sharp cleaver if she sees me skewering her sourdough with those."

"Sirs, you overreact but the only way to show you how to use this is for me to eat, if I have food then you will know. Also we don't use this to eat bread or soup, a spoon is still a necessity, these things are just an option."

"Dear me, child, I fear for our livestocks while you are here. You eat like you have an endless pit inside your stomach and yet you remain thin and small in stature."

"Sir, repeat that and I will summon your mother to chop you with her cleaver."

"Valar bless her, she passed away a long time ago. Strong woman she is."

"Oh, well… sorry to hear that but I'm not gonna pay you with my pearls, I swear to god."

"Alright, I'll stop. But you cannot deny the fact that you are still small."

"Sir! It's not my fault I was born vertically challenged!"

Light conversation is what the elves could hear upon approaching the smithy. Aeglos even thought, though he hadn't formally met the young woman, it seems like she gets along just fine with people. Maybe more comfortable with the edain, might be because of their kinship.

The two smiths who saw the elven lords approaching stood up from the bench that they were sitting on and gave a bow in respect to the three, most especially to Glorfindel.

Erika who is crouching down next to a cart full of iron ores turned her head on their way and for a moment she was silent, then her surprised face lit up in a big smile.

She also stood up from her awkward sitting position. "You're back!" She exclaimed. "Oh, my God. Come here and gimme a hug!" The young woman stepped towards them and wrapped her arms awkwardly around Glorfindel's still armoured body. Though hindered by mithril reinforced metal plates, her embrace is as warm as the summer sunshine.

The golden haired warrior cannot help but to smile. Almost getting used to her being very affectious.

However, when he was about to wrap his arms back, the young woman pushed herself away. Her eyes are locked on to Aeglos' form. And like a thunder, Erika moved away from Glorfindel to also give Aeglos a hug. Needless to say that the younger ellon was nothing short of surprised.

"I don't know who you are but I'm happy you are safe as well." She murmured before pushing herself away from Aeglos. The ellon did not even have enough time to react and just stood there dumbfounded. Then Erika saw Bronwëg and her eyes lit up in recognition. "Oh, hello there! Nice to see you again."

"Suilánte, herinya." Bronwëg gave a single nod to the young woman, trying to conceal his complicated reaction with calmness.

Erika might have noticed the unhappy faces of the elves who came for her face shifted in cluelessness. "What's up?"

Glorfindel, who remembered her manner of greetings, spoke in answer. "To the news I have heard, I think I should be the one who has to ask you that." For a while the young woman fell silent and her face was the picture of a child who was caught in the act of doing something. Her eyes turned round and her mouth flatly closed. Glorfindel, though toned down his hard expression, spoke in a strict voice. "Bronwëg…" the ellon who's name was mentioned slightly dipped his head down in recognition "whom I left here to watch over everything, has told me everything that happened earlier at high noon."

Bronwëg looked away and refused to meet her eyes when Erika turned her attention to him.

"Look, I am sorry that I made trouble. But those guys were trying to rob the kitchens with the supplies the elves brought from the city. I can't just stand there and do nothing, especially as those assholes stopped me from going out of the tent just because I was carrying a basket of herbs."

"Then you should have simply left to tell everything to Nestaron. You are a woman, they can do more than what they inflicted upon you."

Erika huffed in disbelief. "This isn't about me, seriously. I was in that situation because I fought for what I think is right." She said back to Glorfindel. The people around the two started to feel uncomfortable. One, the elves are not used to having someone who talks back to their great commander. And two is because the two smiths knew about what Ubel and his men did in the kitchens. Their hearts are also swimming with anger and thought the young lady who fought on their behalf is absolutely incredible.

"I did not say you were in the wrong, melwen." Glorfindel sighs in frustration, something the two dark haired ellyn rarely see from their lordship. "Listen to me, Erika. Above all things that happened, what I do not like is them hurting my people. Tell me what they did to you and I shall give it ten folds."

"What?"

"I have turned blind eye to their selfish deeds because I knew it was beyond my power. What is happening inside this city's inner problems is beyond my control for my duty is to ensure the safety of Illúvatar's children against the power of our enemy." The golden haired ellon stepped towards Erika and took her shoulders on his graceful two hands. "But it is another thing if they do something to my people. And that I shall address."

"Wait, I'm one of your people?" Bronwëg kept himself from falling down the floor. "Okay, well. Like I said this isn't about me. I did and got into a fight with them because of their ill plans. If you are gonna face them, have that as a reason coz everything's gonna be pointless. And if you can't point that out because you are duty bound, which is of course not bad at all, then I will come with you. And I'll seriously beat the crap out of them because I'm still pissed."

"Absolutely not." Glorfindel quickly said.

"Absolutely yes." But Erika countered. Stubborn as a mule.

Glorfindel, after a century of fierce battle, was defeated for the first time. "Elbereth Gilthoniel…" he murmured and Erika just crossed her arms with a smug look on her face. "You're making it too hard for me to protect you from the harshness of this world." The ellon pulled his hands back from her shoulders.

"You don't have to, you know." She shrugged. "I'm not some kind of a fragile glass or something. I'm as tough as an overcooked steak." With that Bronwëg cannot help but to chuckle.

"Aeglos." The youngest ellon in the group straightened up. "Summon those who are involved, especially this newly seated official they call Ubel. Bring everyone to the command post, for they must answer for all the things they have done."

"By your command, milord."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

I was tapping my foot impatiently on the ground while sitting down on one of the seats inside the tent. The interior has no sophistication, in fact the tables that are set inside the huge, wide tent are filled with papers and weapons. There are shields which I have no idea how one can possibly carry coz it's just huge and heavy, helmets made with steel, small swords and daggers and even chains. Glorfindel, Bronwëg and even Nestaron who is supposed to be at the healing tents, are present. They are talking among themselves using their language.

Why is he so freakingly tall by the way? Even among his men- errr- his elves? I don't know anymore. Anyway, like I said, even among the guys with him, he stood the tallest. And he looked like a model even as he was just standing there with his hands crossed. Well all of them look like models to be honest and each have their own version of looks, you know what I'm saying? There are these two brothers who look identically dashing and have fierce looking faces, like the younger Hugh Jackman mixed with deadly Chuck Norris glare. Then Nestaron with his angelic countenance and his luscious chocolate brown hair.

Wait, why am I simping now? I should have been used to their beauty by now, but seriously they are all so bright. My eyes cannot take anymore the power of their beauty

(´-﹏-`；)

As my imagination flows, Aeglos calls from outside the tent and announces his return. With him there are at least thirteen men including an old man who looks so out of place next to the huge men that came with him. All are silent as lambs. I know these men, they are the ones who came in the kitchen. Moustache Man is there right beside Fatty who looks like the ugly version of Harry Potter's uncle. They stood stiffly, forming two lines in front of the tall elves and they almost cowered as Glorfindel glared at them.

The old man spoke with them. "I greet thee, Lord Glorfindel." He simply said with a bow.

"Héor." The blond acknowledges the greeting, formal yet without the coldness he obviously gives to the other twelve men.

"Apologies for I came without your summon, milord, for I felt responsible for the actions of these men." The old man spoke respectfully.

"Hear me, Héor, when I say I free you from all the bounds that ties you with their actions. For they are grown men and not children and thus know all that they have done. However, you appointing a foolish man as the new chieftain of this small city is out of my concern." Glorfindel said straight. And though I want to tell him to give the older people at least a break from his wrath, I barely remember that he might be the oldest of all folks that walks inside this city. Gahd, this is complicated. "But what I found so displeasing is the fact that he claims the things my kin have given as aid for his own. Worst is that he inflicted pain upon my people."

All of a sudden, everyone's attention was on me. And though I find all this quite awkward, I had no choice but to keep silent.

"Pardon me for speaking, elven lord, but that woman has said foul words upon my men and even dissed mine." Fatty said, who I realized must be the new mayor. The tone of his voice sounds like he doesn't even feel a bit sorry at all for what he and his men did. Rather, he sounds like they were the ones who were wronged.

And to that, I lost my temper. "Oh, so it's my fault now?" I blurted out. Fuck being silent. This is war.

"Many have heard the things you have said and thus deem that what my men did is only justified." The old man tried to pull the arms of Fatty and yet he swatted those hands off. He still doesn't get it. "For what right you strangers held upon this land to gather us like this. You freely gave this city your aid, nobody asked for it."

"Hold thy tongue, ye fool. You spoke in the presence of milord." Nestaron, who is known to have a gentle personality, spoke in annoyance. I can't blame him though.

I got up from my seat and stood in front of the men. "I never thought that you have a smaller thinking capacity than my owls."

Glorfindel stepped and placed his arm in front of me, shielding me away from any possible movement Fatty and his possé might do.

"You said many people saw why these ball-less idiots attacked me, then you should've known the reasons for my actions. You can't just claim the items meant for the people, that is not right. You are nothing more than thieves hiding behind the power of authority."

"Of all the things they have done against my lady and of their wrongdoing, I held myself responsible. For I made him new chief with hopes that even as he is not the brightest stone upon a horde, Ubel will be at least upright. For he is my son in law and I trusted him. However he was blinded by greed even at the hour where his people lay dying." The old man said, I'm starting to feel afraid of his health. Stress is not good for old folks. "Therefore I shall take over once again. And at least let my youngest daughter lead for later days."

"What?! You cannot just do that, Héor! I am the mayor! I own this city!" Ubel the fatty roared, lunging at the old man. But Glorfindel was faster and he pushed Ubel away with one hand. The fat mayor stumbled and fell on his ass. Nestaron then pulled me away from the center and hid me behind him.

From there things escalated and the men took daggers from their sides but the elves remained calm as they might have already known that these guys can't even match their strength. There was Moustache Guy and he went forward, attacking Glorfindel with his dagger. But the ellon is faster and he dodge the knife before disarming the man. It happened so fast, I didn't even see how he did it. Glorfindel then twisted Moustache Man's wrist and pushed him down to the ground, pinning him underneath the sole of his iron plated boots.

His eyes went up quickly to the men. Nestaron took a bow that was sitting atop the nearest table and notched three arrows into it, ready to fire anytime. Aeglos pulled the old man to the sides and away from the idiots.

Then Glorfindel spoke, his voice was so loud and his glowing appearance became shinier and brighter than ever. To my eyes, though he is like a walking lantern, the light did not hurt me, but the men covered their faces with their hands and couldn't even open their eyes. "Halt your actions, you fools!" His voice sent chills upon me and when I looked upon the men, they were trembling in fear so uncontrollable that their weapons fell down on the floor and their bodies almost fell over.

"Your filthy selfishness has no room here in my presence. If all of you still hold on to your greed and attack my people, I will take all of you as enemies. I will not think twice and cut your heads off." This is the first time I see Glorfindel like this. He was always jolly and gentlemanly when talking to me and I forgot the things he is capable of doing. That he is someone held so high and mighty. The men must have been taken over by fear, I can see it on their faces.

And at that time, Glorfindel toned down the light shows. Phew! Sorry, I can't help it. But he really is bright. Like his hair is literally shiny. And as he did that, the pressure he emits also disappeared. The men then fell on their knees, exhausted from the pressure that envelopes them.

"I would punish you all with death had I not wanted for more deaths to happen upon this land." He said in a calm yet authoritative voice. "And above all that is wronged here, you shall seek forgiveness to Lady Erika, whom one of you has attacked. For whatever she will say, there your fate lies."

"Eh?"

-.-.-.-.-

Author's note:

¹Letters of Sindarin in the mode of Beleriand - in Silmarillion, the language that was mostly spoken by the elves of Arda was Sindarin, the language and script of Beleriand and was adapted by the Ñoldor after they came to Arda as they sought Thingol's help. Ñoldor, who came from Aman, only spoke of Quenya and used Tengwar, which was created by Fëanor. Erika, who was illiterate with the history of the elves, has observed and thought about it.

²Mirror of Artanis - the Mirror of Galadriel only called at the name in quenya. The origin of it is unknown so I just thought since it gives vision, it is something that is kinda connected to Irmo Lórien.

Also! Just to be clear, Erika can speak 3 languages. Her local dialect which is Spanish, then Filipino and English. It is also part of the story's kinda twist thingy… or whatever you call it lol.

Translations:

'Aray, punyeta!' - (Filipino) Ow, asshole!

Hantanyel, hèrinya - (Quenya) I thank thee, my lady.

Hasta luego - (Spanish/Broken Spanish) see you later

Valaraukar - (Quenya) Balrog

Suilánte, herinya - (Quenya) greetings, milady.