First to Remember (Wattys2015)

Chapter 4

I stare at the garden from under the balcony. Do I want to do it? I can see that he is there... but, I feel uncomfortable with the prospect of voluntarily walking up to somebody and talking to them.

And then again... I guess he isn't just somebody. Should I take the leap? Should I try to make a friend? Oh... whatever. I take a deep breath and walk towards the gardens.

He is staring at a bird quite intently. I am about ten feet behind him, and I think of how to approach this. Suddenly, a plan of sweet revenge comes to me. I sneak quietly up behind him, and try very hard not to giggle. When I am directly behind him, I lift up my hand, my index finger pointing in between his shoulders.

Just as I am about to go for the poke, he says, "I know you are there."

I practically scream and jump back. Glorfindel turns around, chuckling. "I am going to say now. Nobody can ever sneak up on me."

I pout at my loss of revenge. "I will," I say, albeit rather sullenly.

Glorfindel merely snorts. He turns back to the bird, only to find that it has flown away. Probably due to my almost scream. He sighs and turns back to me, "See what you have done now?" he says with a mock scowl. I raise my eyebrow.

"So, what brings you to the garden on this lovely day?"

I stare at him, "Um... maybe... because it's a lovely day," I deadpan.

"True."

There is a moment of comfortable silence.

"I have not seen you anywhere but here," Glorfindel says, looking at me out of the corner of his eye.

"So?"

"So, I do not think that is very healthy," he says, in an almost reprimanding voice.

I stare at him blankly. "You've met me twice, and you are trying to tell me what is and isn't good for me?" I say slowly.

Glorfindel holds up his hands in surrender. "Sorry!"

I narrow my eyes at him, "Where else would I go anyways?"

Glorfindel sighes, "Oh, I don't know. Library, waterfalls..." here he pauses and looks up at the sun, "Lunch."

I roll my eyes. "I should be going back to my room then."

Glorfindel's eyes widen a fraction as I turn. "Oh no you don't."

Before I know what's happening, Glorfindel grabs my arm and practically drags me towards the dining hall.

"HEY!" I struggle indignantly against his strong grip.

"You will socialize, wether you like it or not."

"YOU'VE ONLY KNOWN ME FOR TWO DAYS! WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO DO THIS!" I yell.

"Hmm... maybe the fact that I am one of the highest ranking elves here?"

I pause in my struggles. Say what? What does he mean?

"You can't pull rank... it's not fair. I'm a guest," I mutter sullenly.

"Actually... since you have nowhere else to go, I believe you could classify as a resident of Rivendell. Therefore... I can pull rank," he snipes.

I begin struggling again. By now we are a good three quarters to the dining hall. "But... but.. I'm not even hungry!" I growl angrily, wrenching at my arm. Glorfindel opens up the doors to the dining hall with a bit of a flourish. I feel a blush creeping across my cheeks as everyone looks up at us.

"Glorfindel..." I mutter in a deadly tone.

"Laaesse.." he mutters back. Dragging me over near Lord Elrond, he plops me into the chair that is next to what I presume is his.