A/N: Thanks to all who have added me to their story alerts – it gives me a kick to think about it! I hope that you will find this chapter to your liking.

BTW: Some may have noticed that I have tried my hardest to cancel out any contractions in the dialogue. Also, some may have noticed that I did not follow this for little Rilla's speech – I thought it was acceptable to believe that elflings had problems with learning words etc. just as much as human children, and that allowing her to speak in contractions may show this.

Varne

Chapter 5: Memories - What Trouble They Do Give Us (And the Beginning of Flashback Saga No.1)

Idril was restless. The knowledge that Glorfindel was inside the city gates gnawed away her nerves, which even before had been twitchy at the very least.

Her brothers, knowing this state of affairs much too well, were giving her a wide berth.

She did not know where to be - where to go. She felt persecuted - in a way - that she did not feel like she could go anywhere now, in fear of meeting him unexpectedly. She knew, however, that this meeting would have to come eventually…

Only some few hours before, the Lady Galadriel had requested her presence, and informed her that though Glorfindel's reasons why he returned would have to be explained by he himself, she fully expected all their problems to be resolved during the time Glorfindel spent in Lothlorien…

Idril came away with the unnerved feeling that marriage was a lot closer than she thought it had been only days before…

She attempted not to think about Glorfindel - but eventually found this to be impossible. When she strayed outside the city gates she found that she had strolled to the point where they had first met. She had turned around quickly, and had ended up in Exilien, the name for their old, familiar haunt outside the Eastern gates. When she quickly returned into the city, she somehow found herself where she and Glorfindel had met the second time - on the day of her majority…

-Flashback-

It had been during a Celebration for Midsummer. There had been thousands of glittering, sparkling lamps adorning the trees in large masses, in the place which was commonly referred to as 'the Party Grounds'.

The short-clipped grass was lush, thick and bouncy, making it perfect for dancing upon. Intricately carved benches and seats were melded into the scenery, seeming to be simply an extension of the beautiful old trees that had earned part of Lothlorien's reputation.

It was Midsummer's eve, the crux of the weeklong festivities, for a masked ball marked that night, and all revealed themselves at midnight. All of Lothlorien, with large contingents from Mirkwood and Rivendell were to be present.

Lord Elrond, and his wife, the Lady Celebrian, daughter of the Lady and Lord of Lothlorien, had come with their children, as had (quite unexpectedly) King Thranduil and his sons, the Princes Legolas and Jorluin. Lords Glorfindel and Erestor had accompanied the Lord of Rivendell, the latter finally giving in to months of argument and the less gentle means of persuasion that Glorfindel enforced…

Haldir, having never grown truly accustomed to joining the Lords and Ladies during the festivities, for he attempted to avoid them as often as possible, would have preferred remaining with his family, but due to his sister's enthusiasm and pride and his brothers' teasing, he dared not return to them.

The higher-ranked (there was very little upper/lower class mentality amongst the elves. The rulers, such as Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, were respected very highly, and took precedence in everything, but as those under them there was little differentiation. All maidens were addressed as 'Lady' formally, though the children of leaders, such as Lord Elrond's daughter Lady Arwen and Lords Elladan and Elrohir officially had those titles. Lord Glorfindel, due to his fame, renown, and present position, commanded the respect of all who met him, hence his title) elves ate together somewhat separated from the rest of the elves.

Feeling somewhat out of his element, Haldir had paused on his way towards the appropriate tables. Indecisive, he stood there until he was clasped on the shoulder and addressed by a somewhat familiar voice.

'What is this, March warden?! Having second thoughts?'

Turning, with a wry, yet amused look on his face, Haldir saw Glorfindel, grinning unashamedly.

'Second thoughts, Lord Glorfindel? Well now that I see you, also, are here…'

His deliberate silence spoke volumes, and Glorfindel laughed appreciatively, which Haldir joined him with. If truth be told, Haldir felt considerably relieved.

'Come, let us sit, friend. Tell me of Lothlorien - it has been around half a century since I was here last, was it not?'

'A few years yet from half a century, Glorfindel. Idril was fifteen when you were here last. She comes of age today.'

Comprehension flooded Glorfindel's face.

'The Lady Idril! She is of age today? Forsooth, over all these years I had quite forgotten that she must be growing older…' he turned and looked at Haldir squarely.

'So the little elfling is no more!' his voice held regret and sadness, and slightly amused but sympathetic towards this seemingly sentimental ellon, Haldir spoke.

'Glorfindel, indeed she is not an elfling anymore. However, she is still very young, and has grown very beautiful.' Seeing a slight wrinkle of the Lord's nose, Haldir was curious.

'You do not like beautiful young elleths?' he asked, himself thinking of a beautiful young elleth who had captured his own fancy.

Drawn from his musings, Glorfindel looked up.

'Forgive me, old friend. I find that over the past years I have cherished the memory of that beautiful little elfling in my heart. But now I see it is all too likely that now the Lady Idril, young and beautiful that she is, has not still the same innocent charm about her as she once did. Rather she will be like every other young elleth… elegant, kind, wise, generous, quiet…' he spoke with hidden feeling.

Haldir, evidently curious about this obviously biased opinion of the elleths of Arda (who could definitely not all be described by those words!), but feeling somewhat defensive about his still-adorable sister, dared to once again interrupt Glorfindel's thoughts.

'I must dare to disagree with you, my lord.'

Glorfindel looked at him, allowing Haldir to continue.

'Though your words may describe a number of young elleths, I am afraid that Idril is quite unlike that. Words which I would describe her would be compassionate, humorous, terribly mischievous, sweet and friendly. She is not in the least elegant - her preferred method of moving is either bouncing or skipping, and she prefers to make up her own curtseys than to conform to traditional methods.

I would not have called her 'wise' in the way in which you are thinking. She holds her own peculiar sense of wisdom, but she seems to lack a lot of common sense. The smallest problems are sometimes enough to send her into a panic and run for Rumil's help.

She is kind and generous, but quiet?! Not in the least. She warbles like a bird from sunrise to sunset, and occasionally,' Haldir paused here and grinned, remembering, 'when she feels things are much too quiet around Lothlorien, she starts calling out from the highest treetops, incredibly random and ridiculous messages.'

As Haldir spoke, Glorfindel became more and more intrigued. He had a smile of delight on his face, and his eyes had retained their good-humoured sparkle.

'Indeed! This is what the Lady Idril is truly like, now?'

'I speak the truth, Glorfindel. Also, she is much better known as Rilla - Idril seem much too elegant a name for such a little skittish thing.'

Glorfindel laughed; somewhat delighted to find that perhaps the little elfling whom had endeared herself so much to him all those years ago had not changed.

'Then I believe you, March warden Haldir! Is she present tonight?'

With a knowing smile, Haldir assented.

'She is! No doubt you would like to renew your acquaintance?'

With a cautionary glance at Haldir, Glorfindel spoke.

'Of course! But, my friend, how will I recognise her amongst all these masks?'

'I suppose you expect me to inform you of what she is wearing?!' Haldir asked with a cheeky smile.

'I may as well inform you now, March warden, of what might happen to your dear self if you do not!' replied Glorfindel, with a grin. 'Come, old friend, you cannot refuse to help me!'

Haldir smiled gently.

'Anything for you, my friend!'

Glorfindel beamed.

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