𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬

𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘴

That night, the elf had spent her time pacing back and forth in her room, anxiously awaiting the break of dawn. She would go straight to Elrond to ask for explanations. The night helped her calm down, soothing that impulsive and fiery nature she had inherited from her mother. Part of her thought she couldn't challenge the way the elves had decided to handle the situation. On the other hand, there had been a promise of honesty, and a promise was a promise. Lasgalen would never forget one in her entire life. As soon as she had the chance, she went looking for the elf. He wasn't in his chambers, nor in the library, and not even with the King.

"He's probably in the nearby forest if you haven't found him elsewhere" Myria had told her after being asked if she had seen him that day.

Near the forest where the memories of the fallen elves were kept, there was indeed another small grove, less dense, with shorter and slender trees. The young elf headed in that direction until she saw a figure sitting in a tree, writing something on a paper scroll. When she got closer, she confirmed it was Elrond, with that lock of brown hair falling over his face every time he lowered his head.

As soon as he noticed her presence, he placed the paper and pen on his lap and turned to her with a smiling face. Lasgalen returned the gesture with a faint smile.

"You've been quite busy these days" she said, having seen him rarely of late.

"The Buttercup Festival is in three months, but the King seems rather eager to start organizing" he replied.

"Buttercup Festival?" she asked, sitting on a branch, careful not to damage the golden leaves.

"It's just one of many elf festivals where we drink and enjoy ourselves for no great reason" he summarized with a playful tone, noticing how the redhead was holding back in her demeanor.

"Is something wrong?" he asked her right after.

"It's just that... last night, Daenor took me to a place to-"

"Did he do something?!" he asked, standing up and looking down at her.

"No, no, he didn't do anything. He said something" she replied, standing up to face the elf. Elrond rolled his eyes.

"Daenor is a skilled and loyal warrior, but he can be a real idiot sometimes" he replied, imagining what kind of things the blond might have said.

"He told me he was part of the group of elves who brought me here" she cut in, staring at him. Elrond was pulled back to reality, and the shock was visible in his eyes.

"He told me not to be angry with Galadriel because she made him promise not to say anything. Why didn't you tell me? When I wanted to thank everyone who helped bring me away from that place."

The truth was, Elrond hadn't even thought about it. "I... didn't think it was that important to you" he said with a bitter tone. Honestly, he didn't even think Daenor had confided such a thing to her. For what purpose?

"It is important! My mind needs to know who has seen me in my true form. It might seem silly, unnecessary, or whatever you want, but my brain and soul need it. It brings me comfort. Is he the only one I didn't know about?" she asked, not taking her eyes off his. The tone was slightly angry.

Elrond averted his thoughtful gaze before nodding.

"Yes, he's the only one. I'm sorry, Lasgalen, I thought I had introduced you to everyone."

The girl saw a sincere look of apology in her friend's eyes. In that moment, she felt guilty. On one hand, she believed she was overreacting; on the other, she was angry, and perhaps not even due to the incident itself. She sighed before speaking again.