Prescient

Chapter Fifteen: Found

Her cheeks were tinted red by the time he released her – from the hug that was. His hand still found its way into her own, fingers intertwining with hers even as his attention returned to Lord Elrond who stood regally in front of them.

Rithrien swore she could see a slight smirk on his lips, but that was likely just her overactive imagination. Elves didn't smirk as such, especially not those like Lord Elrond. She swallowed a laugh at the thought. She had embarrassed herself before her previous liege enough times. Sighing softly, she too returned her attention to the situation before her. Though she did occasionally catch those grey eyes flickering over to her, his hand occasionally tensing around her own as though to double check she was still there.

He didn't hate her then, it seemed. Her eyes flickered over to the suddenly very interesting wall of the office. Was it really alright for her to be there? She shifted nervously on her feet, chewing on her lip as the strategy meeting began around her.

She didn't have much to input, and she had a feeling she was mainly there thanks to Elrond's meddling. He had definitely ascertained the relationship she had with Glorfindel before he had summoned both of them to his office. Rithrien fought the urge to pout as she listened to the talk of strategy. They were to be split into two groups, with the larger entering the tunnels directly, whilst the other dealt with any stragglers or that which escaped the tunnels.

"Though I would beg of you to send me into the tunnels in this one's place," Glorfindel intoned then, lifting their clasped hands. "I can guarantee you that she will find the worst foe encounterable—"

"That was one time," she complained, a scowl painted on her lips as she stared into those startlingly grey eyes. She'd missed them. Their clarity and depth. The wisdom they held. The way they reminded her of the stars above. The way they stared at her flatly whenever she said something to counter his arguments.

"Sixth excursion," he muttered pointedly, and Rithrien winced. Yeah, that had been the worst one of their few ventures outside the safety of the city.

Clicking her tongue, she glared at the floor, pouting furiously at the irrefutable words Glorfindel had thrown her way. The sixth excursion all those years ago had not gone well to say the least. In fact, it was the last excursion she had gone on. After that it had been more training than any fighting.

"I feel as though it would be best for you to hold the rear this time, old friend," Elrond said, face clouded with an expression she couldn't quite get a read on. Foreboding? Concern? Rithrien shook her head slightly, clearing her thoughts as she once again focused on the little strategy meeting. "There will likely be other entranceways to the tunnels, and should they decide to advance upon us while the majority of our warriors deal with the infestation."

Glorfindel frowned, seemingly sensing he wouldn't be able to change the other ellon's mind on the matter, turning on her then. "Rithrien, should you encounter anything vaguely above your skill level, then you are to retreat and regroup – because undoubtedly you'll find yourself facing it on your own," he said, sounding far more like his old, commanding self back when he'd still been the Lord of the House of the Golden Flower.

"I feel like you are making a lot of assumptions here," she grumbled, wrapping her free arm around her chest. "It's not like I am going to encounter another balrog anytime soon."

"I simply do not want to risk having to wait a few thousand odd years to meet with you again, or worse – to never see you again," he remarked, staring at her flatly, concern hidden in the depths of those sterling grey eyes. Rithrien felt her cheeks turn a traitorous shade of red. "In fact, I would beg of you to stay behind, but that would be an insult to you... I also know you would never stand for that, because you are a stubborn fool who does not heed her own safety."