Do Not Go Gentle

History Ain't Such A Mystery

"I heard you and Lord Glorfindel sparred yesterday," Alma spoke while looking down at the book in front of her. A thin, wry grin slowly slid onto her lips as she leaned forward in her chair. We were in the library, where a few tables with chairs had been set up for this exact reason: to study.

How disgusting is that?

I tried not to be too irked at the elleth so I shrugged, ignoring the heat that quickly started making its way to my cheeks. "It was good," I murmured, trying to make myself busy with the elvish words in front of me.

Too bad I was dyslexic and they all seemed to blend together. It made reading a foreign language almost impossible unless I concentrated enough. At least, that's what Alma has been telling me for the past two hours.

Sigh.

The last time I had been forced to study with a curly blonde had been something quite similar, although, this time it was in a completely different world. With a new, completely different language that I apparently have to learn.

No, before you all ask, I am not salty at all. Just slightly sugared.

Alma turned her body to peer into my eyes curiously. "It was... good?"

A low groan escaped past my lips. "Alma, it went well, I gained some new friends-"

Her eyes brightened considerably. "Who? Oh, Persie, I am glad you are able to connect with-"

"Alma, really, you don't need to-"

"Of course I worry for you, we both know what happened the other night-"

My eyes narrowed. "What? Do you think I'm gonna do that again?"

A sliver of silver started to glisten in the corners of her eyes, causing my heart to tighten in my chest. "It pains me to see you in pain, mellon nin. Of course, I worry for you when you feel as such. I like to believe that I am a good friend who cares for you as a friend should."

I moved my gaze to the book below, not wanting her to see the glistening in my eyes.

"Thank you for being such a good friend, Alma."

The elleth placed a hand on my arm in reverence. "All is well, Persie. I just hope you will one day understand that it is okay for someone to worry for you and care for you just as you worry and care for others."

I gulped, not daring to look up from the blurry pages below. "I guess I just don't see why I'm worth all this worry for."

Alma let out a harsh breath and her hands tightened around my arm. "Look up into my eyes, mellon nin, so you can see the truth in them," she goaded. I slowly looked up, unable to hide the unnatural sheepishness that spread through me. "I am your friend, and you are mine, correct?"

I blinked. "Of course!"

A single eyebrow raised precariously. "Think for one moment how you would feel if I came and spoke this to you?" She paused, squeezing my arm in comfort. "How would you react if I came to you and claimed I was unworthy of your friendship?"

My jaw fell as my eyes widened at her words. "But you would never think that way, right? Because you know it's not true-"

"Persephone, mellon nin," she cut me off, her deep chocolate brown eyes digging into mine. "Do you understand what you just told me?"

I felt my eyebrows scrunch together at her words. "I was trying to tell you that you're worthy of my friendship!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands in the air before letting them drop on the forgotten book exasperatedly. "I don't know how that even came into question!"