At the Mercy of a Burning Coal

Disclaimer; You know who I own. You know who I don’t own. Need I say more besides I’m not doing this for profit?
Note: I know the last part of ch.18 was a bit odd…

The Outlaw Maiden’s had run into some problems in the middle of that particular field, as you probably found out.

Lathwen immediately started spitting out insults as Glorfy’s group surrounded them, faces grim. “STUPID MORONIC IDIOTIC IMBECLE OF AN ELF!” Nestariel answered, “ARE YOU MAD BESSIE?! SAY THAT AGAIN AND HE’LL SKIN YOU ALIVE!” Lily had a cooler approach to things. “So Glorfy and his gang are back once more…” Edhelwen snorted, “Apparently.”

Glorfindel glared at them, “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t call me ‘Glorfy’ Miss Lily.” Lathwen rolled her eyes, “Shut up Glorfy.” Glorfindel switched his piercing gaze to Lathwen’s face and said in a more gentle voice, “You’re in no position to talk Alanessa.”

Nestariel shrugged and said to Lathwen with a look that clearly said It’s-your-funeral, “I still think you’re mad for doing this.” Glorfindel answered, “Ah, but I suppose you’re used to ‘mad’ people though, Lady Nestariel.” He looked pointedly at Lathwen who growled, “I SAID SHUT UP YOU ROTTEN TOE JAM!” (Weird I know…but my little brother inspired me to say that…)

Nestariel, Edhelwen, and Lily burst into laughter at that odd phrase. An elven soldier near Glorfindel sighed and said, “I think this is going to be a lot harder than we thought…”

Lathwen rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, “Tell me about it. We come here for a little much deserved recreation and whom do we find but the very annoying, not to mention depraved leader of elves…Oh Mighty Glorfindel of Gondolin and his minions, here to sabotage us once more…” The soldier that had spoken before shook his head, “No sabotage Alanessa…we’ve come to bargain.”

Lily frowned, “You’ll be the diplomat, right?” The soldier nodded. Lily said, “I find diplomacy to be the art of saying ‘good doggie’ while looking for a bigger stick…eh? I don’t ride well with diplomats.” The soldier looked at her tiredly, “I’m sorry you feel that way miss. But I’m afraid it’s the only choice we have left.”

Lathwen shook her head and said, “Or…you could leave without the bargain. I don’t want to bargain.” Glorfindel sighed, “You haven’t even heard our offer yet.” Lathwen shrugged, “Well then spit it out man! Wasting daylight…honestly.”

Glorfindel sighed inwardly, cursing the stiff necks of this particular group of maidens. “Well, before we get to that,” He began, “I’ve dropped all charges against you, seeing as it was improper of us to get in the way of something that clearly belonged to you.” Lathwen paled, “How did you know?” She asked in a harsh whisper. Glorfindel answered, “Dolithiel. She was questioned…but not harmed, never fear.” He added at Lathwen’s petrified look. Lathwen opened her mouth but swiftly closed it with a small jerk and motioned for Glorfindel to go on.

“Lathwen Alanessa…we’ll agree to leave the Outlaw Maiden’s alone as long as you cause no trouble and commit no crime…” Lathwen snorted, “That will be terribly easy.” Glorfindel gave her a look, but went on, “And I want my daggers back. I do believe I’ve earned them.” Lathwen raised an eyebrow and he went on with a mischievous grin, “We’ve caught you.” He said simply.

Lathwen rubbed the middle of her forehead in concentration, and silently looked at the other three for their opinions. All gave slight nods. Lathwen heaved a sigh and reached for her back, pulling twin daggers and their sheaths from the extra room in her quiver. Perhaps not the best place to put them, but it was easy for traveling.

She handed them, hilt first to Glorfindel who took them and strapped them to his waist again. Lathwen looked at him and held out a hand to shake. “Done.” She agreed in a warmer, but no less firm voice. Glorfindel took her hand, and she was surprised to find how much strength he possessed. His hand was warm, but comfortable, in spit of the roughness because of his many years as a warrior.

“Done.” He said back, his bright blue eyes locking with her stormy grey ones. Lathwen broke their grip, seeing as he was holding it for far to long.

Glorfindel instantly mourned the loss of human contact the second Lathwen pulled her hand away. No one had even grasped his hand in a friendly handshake since Gondolin…though Maetherion occasionally swatted his shoulder…that hardly counted. He was considered too important…to high above everyone else, and the people around him to unworthy of even the slightest bit of contact.

If someone even brushed his cloak they would immediately babble a lengthy apology, full of bows or curtsies and blushes of embarrassment. How could they not see that he didn’t mind? How could so many people be blinded by his deeds so as not to see what he truly sought was friendship…companionship? Maetherion was a good, loyal friend…but he to abided by the hands-off rule. Glorfindel wanted people to act normal around him...even if that person was a sarcasm perfectionist.

He roused himself from his reverie to see that Nestariel was speaking to him. “You all better be going back to Imladris and Lorien after this…family and friends need you.” Glorfindel nodded with a slight grin, “We are going home…for now.” Lathwen said suspiciously, “For now?”

Glorfindel smirked, “We’ll be back to check up on you…just in case. Pity you all live so far away.” “How do you know we’ll be staying?” Lathwen asked. Glorfindel just smirked harder, eyes twinkling with mischief. “We know.” Lathwen sighed and rolled her eyes at the ‘abominable elf lord’. “Farewell then, my lords…and good luck on your journey.” Lathwen said quietly, sweeping her gaze through the group, bestowing upon each the gift of hope through though her eyes.

“Farewell Lathwen Alanessa…we’ll be back.”

Lathwen smirked back, “Oh, I have no doubt. You can hardly just forget about the person you chased halfway across Arda now can you my lords?”

Before anyone could reply, she turned and walked away with Nestariel, Edhelwen, and Lily at her side. The elves watched as they laughed and teased one another, Lily administering a bip on the head to Lathwen who squealed and swatted Lily back.

The afternoon sun shone bright upon them, obstructing their view of the girls after a while. Most of the company shaded their eyes and watched them go, but Glorfindel sighed and said, “You heard the little ladies…off to Lorien!” Reluctantly, the group gathered their belongings, but froze when they heard Nestariel’s song on the wind.

“…holds captive the wind’s sweetness, and stills the air, to bind the fond goodbye…”

Glorfindel beat back the ache in his chest, and slowly gathered his things like the rest of the group, and walked away toward their horses, which would lead them home. Home. Finally.