When I woke, Glorfindel was still holding my hand, though he looked to be asleep as he leaned against the cavern wall uncomfor

When I woke, Glorfindel was still holding my hand, though he looked to be asleep as he leaned against the cavern wall uncomfortably. I sat up haltingly, wincing every one and a while from various injuries I had not noticed during the battle. I had managed to wake Glorfindel in the process, and I looked back at him to find him gazing intently at me.

"You've been asleep for three days. I was beginning to worry," he said noncommittally, as if he were commenting on the warmth of the fall day. I smiled sheepishly, though the smile was wiped from my face as he embraced me fiercely. I relaxed into his hold after a moment of shock, and let a soft smirk grace my face. We just sat there until a throat was hesitantly cleared behind us.

"Sorry to interrupt," a teasing and familiar voice said, "But I haven't admonished my sister yet, and I have exclusive rights as a family member."

"Randir!" I exclaimed happily. I had seen him go down when the wall was breached and did not know of his fate. I tried my best to get to my feet, leaning on Glorfindel a little as I stood. Rand embraced me tightly.

"I'm afraid I don't have any witty threats or potential punishments for your lack of attention during a deadly battle, but I'm sure Naneth would be happy to arrange something." I paled in a terror only my mother could induce, thinking of what tortures I would endure if put at her mercy. "I won't give you over to her though. Not yet, at least."

"What do you mean, not yet?" I asked suspiciously.

"If you two," he said, nodding to Glorfindel and me, "do not begin courting soon, I will hand both of you over to Naneth!" I looked upon my brother in absolute shock at his bold statement, while Glorfindel merely encircled me with his arms again. Randir took that moment to slip away, and I turned to face Glorfindel.

"I think that was as obvious an approval from your brother as I will receive," he observed. He then leaned forward and captured my lips in a searing kiss. I pulled away in shock for a moment before recapturing his lips with mine.

We left for home the next day. My shoulder was tightly bandaged for the journey and most of the pain had subsided. I walked with the twins and Randir to Edoras, but I looked over at Glorfindel now and again. He looked as if he had not a care in the world, and I know I did as well. When we reached Edoras and our horses, we rode without haste. Many of the elves, like me, were riding wounded, and there was no rush to reach our destinations as there was on the journey to Rohan. I rode beside many of the elves that I knew, including some of the nobles from Mirkwood. It was good to hear news of home after so many months away. However, my thoughts constantly drifted to Glorfindel, and I rode beside him often. We would join hands and converse quietly as we rode. I never felt more utterly content as I did in those days.