The Games
We Play
By Stephanie aka lotrangel17
Contact Email:
lotrangel17@cox.net
Beta Name: Aglarien
Rating: PG
Main Characters: Glorfindel/Lindariel OFC
Written For: Carrie
Original Request: Glorfindel/ Lindariel (OFC) Things to include –
friendship, love just about anything. Lin is a free spirit from Imladris
with dark hair and green eyes who is up for just about anything.
Genre(s): Romance; FPHet
Word Count: 3547
Summary: Will Lindariel ever be more to Glorfindel than an annoyance?
Chapter 1
The sound of hoof beats could be heard throughout the valley. That in
itself was not uncommon, but what was unusual was the fact that one
could tell there was only one rider. There were a few who would ride
alone, but not many would ride so fast and unbothered by the sound that
announced they were alone. Of course Lord Glorfindel of Rivendell was
indeed an unusual elf.
Glorfindel, riding his trusted horse, Asfaloth, was always a sight to
see, however, on this day he was truly magnificent. He was dressed in
his finest garments, their golden color reflecting in the sunlight and
picking up the hue of his long golden hair. He carried nothing but his
sword and a small pack; but had anyone come across this lone elf, they
would think twice before engaging him.
Every few moments Glorfindel would reach down and touch the pack
attached to his waist. The message he was carrying from Lord Elrond to
the Golden Wood was tucked neatly inside. In the grand scheme of things
it wasn’t a very important missive he took to the Lord and Lady, but
Elrond had asked him personally to see to its delivery, and that made it
an important mission.
Realizing he had finally crossed over the border, he slowed a little,
knowing the Galadhrim would soon be upon him to escort him the remainder
of the way. He drew a deep breath and took a few minutes to enjoy his
surroundings. Like all elves, Glorfindel loved the trees, and the
Mallorn trees that grew in Lothlorien were some of the most beautiful on
all of Arda.
Suddenly, a horse appeared out of nowhere, and before he knew it
Glorfindel was unhorsed and flat on his back. Many thoughts went through
his mind as he lay there on the ground, staring up at the sky. He knew
who the rider was, so fright was not one of them, but he did feel anger
at himself because he failed to hear her approach.
“Why hello, Glorfindel the Great. How are you this fine morning?” a
melodic voice asked.
Biting his tongue and taking a minute to calm himself, he finally
looked up at Lindariel. Lin never really looked like she fit with the
other elves in Lothlorien. She had long black hair that shone in the
sun, and eyes as green as the forest that surrounded her. Truly, she
looked like a Rivendell elf, but Glorfindel knew she was born and raised
here in the Golden Wood. To be honest, Lin already reminded him of a
free spirit, always looking ahead for what was coming next and always
ready for anything.
“Lin, how many years have we known each other now?” he questioned.
Lin smiled, “Too many to count, oh Great and Powerful Lord of the
House of the Golden Flower.”
Sighing loudly, Glorfindel asked, “Then do you not think you could
call me by just my given name for once?”
Lindariel laughed so hard she almost fell off her horse. With a
twinkle in her eye, she answered, “Well of course I could.” And with
only that for an answer, she tugged on the reins and rode off, her
laughter wafting behind her.
Glorfindel just shook his head. He stood up, brushed himself off, and
mounted Asfaloth. Now he knew how Elrond felt when he and Erestor went
at it sometimes – very exasperated.
His mind on Lin, Glorfindel did not hear the new sound of hoof beats
until they were right on him. Looking up he saw Orophin and Rumil
smiling at him.
“Don’t even start,” he warned them.
The brothers just laughed. “Got you again, did she?”
“Can we just ride please? I need to get back to Rivendell where the
sane elves live.”
Chapter 2
The party from Lothlorien had been in Rivendell for only a day, and
speculation was running rampant. Where normally it would have been the
elves from the Golden Wood on one side, and the elves from Rivendell on
the other, this time it was the ellith versus the ellyn. The question on
everyone’s mind was the same: would Lin be able to sneak up on
Glorfindel, or not?
The ellyn knew without a doubt that no one could sneak up upon
Glorfindel, especially if he was expecting it – which he was. The ellith
on the other hand, had all the faith in the world in Lindariel. They
knew Glorfindel would let his guard down, and that was all the chance
she needed.
Glorfindel himself had no idea of the rumors circulating about him.
If he had, he might not have been helping Erestor with the preparations
for the party. In his mind, he and Lin always played this little game
when no one was around, so he felt that once they had greeted one
another all was well. She had even managed not to embarrass him in front
of everyone, and just called him Glorfindel of Rivendell.
However, on the other side of Imladris, Lindariel was carefully
planning her move. She had heard all about the bets going on from one
Arwen Evenstar, and she was convinced Glorfindel had started the betting
himself.
Arwen had heard the grown ups talking about Linny and just knew she
had to tell her. Linny was her idol and the elfling wanted to be just
like her when she grew up. Linny did everything Arwen wanted to, she
knew how to fight and went out on patrols, but still she looked like an
ellith. That was exactly what Arwen wanted – to keep up with and do
things with her brothers, but still be as beautiful and put together as
her Nana.
Things remained normal for the rest of the day and into the evening.
The talk continued, but it had died down some. Almost everyone had given
up waiting to see when “it” would happen. The only person still plotting
was Lindariel herself – she had it all worked out in her mind, and all
she needed was Glorfindel to cooperate. After careful research, she knew
Glorfindel would be in the courtyard at the end of the evening doing one
final round before going off to bed. The perfect time to make her move,
she thought, and his guard would definitely be down. Smiling to herself,
she finished getting ready and headed off to the party.
Feeling a little tipsy Glorfindel made his way down the steps and out
into the fresh air. It had been an outstanding party and all he had to
do was this last chore. Then he could off to bed and a much needed
wine-induced sleep. He began to hum a familiar tune, and when he
realized what it was, he laughed. The music running through his head was
the song he had danced to tonight with Lindariel. Perhaps they had both
finally gotten over the silly game that they played. He could not even
remember how it had started.
Hearing the last remaining party-goers saying their personal goodbyes
on the balcony, Glorfindel finished his last round, turned, and headed
back toward the house. As he turned, he saw something out of the corner
of his eye: a leaf floating down towards the ground. Now maybe if he had
not been a little too drunk, he might have realized a Mallorn leaf had
no place being in Imladris. Giving it no more than a passing thought, he
turned back around.
As he turned, he suddenly came face to face with someone who was not
there a moment ago.
“Gotcha!” Lin yelled.
Letting out a yelp, Glorfindel tried to step back, but his too drunk
feet wouldn’t cooperate. As he went down, he heard laughter wafting up
from above. “Manwe’s balls!” he cursed.
Glorfindel lay there for a minute, not truly believing what had just
happened. Taking his time standing up he kept a smile on his face,
knowing there were others on the balcony watching. Leaning down to make
it appear as though he was kissing her goodnight. Glorfindel whispered
into her ear, “You win this round, but I will get you for this one
Lindariel – of that you can be sure.”
Smiling and kissing his cheek, she whispered back, “I will be
waiting, oh Great and Powerful Lord Glorfindel of Rivendell.” Laughing,
Lin turned and went off to bed.
Watching her walk away, all he could do was to laugh along with her.
Who was he kidding? He loved this game just as much as she did.
The next afternoon everyone was gathered in the courtyard saying
their goodbyes. Glorfindel was walking to the stable to check on the
status of the departing horses when he happened upon the twins. After
listening to them going back and forth, he realized they were talking
about him. Rounding the corner, he heard Elrohir’s voice.
“Linny isn’t Glorfy’s girlfriend.” Elrohir stated. “He’s too smart to
have a girl for a girlfriend.”
Walking up to them, Glorfindel put his arm on Ro’s shoulder, “Why,
thank you for taking my side, Ro,” he praised.
Smiling up at Glorfindel he answered, “Elladan was just being silly
anyway. Everyone knows Linny and Haldir are going to be mated.”
“Why would you say that Ro?” Glorfindel asked a little too intently.
“I heard Ada talking to Nana about expecting a mating ceremony for
them next fall,” Elrohir said. “Come on, Dan, let’s go say goodbye to
everyone.”
Glorfindel watched the twins run to the courtyard to wish the party
from Lothlorien goodbye. Not sure why, instead of following the boys, he
turned toward the armory.
Chapter 3
It was the best season to be in Mirkwood – the trees were magnificent
in their bloom, and the weather was just right. It was like Anor had
shined his light down onto this little spot on Arda to make it perfect.
Elves had been arriving for over a week now in preparation for the
celebration King Thranduil was hosting for his son Prince Legolas.
The final party from Lothlorien came through the gate, and as Lin
walked into the courtyard, she noticed several parties from Rivendell
had just arrived. Hearing a loud squeal, she turned just in time to
catch Arwen as she ran and jumped into her arms.
“Linny! I knew you would be here!”
“Of course I am here. You know I never miss a party,” she answered.
“Did you bring a pretty dress? I did! It’s blue and long and has
puffy sleeves and it took the dressmaker forever to get it done,” Arwen
rambled on. “The boys say it looks too frilly but I told them I’m a girl
and that’s what girls wear – frilly stuff.”
Laughing and giving Arwen a big hug, Lin answered, “I’m sure it is
the most wonderful dress in all of Arda. I did bring a pretty dress, and
you are more than welcome to come and see it before the party. Maybe we
will even walk in together so everyone will see what beautiful elves we
are.”
“I’m going to tell the boys. They are off sulking right now. They are
mad because Uncle Glorfindel didn’t come this time. Uncle Erestor came
with us this trip.”
“Glorfindel isn’t here?” Lin asked.
“No, someone had to stay at home and he volunteered to do it.”
Spotting her friend Rieth from Lothlorien, Arwen ran off. “See you
later, Linny.”
Later, as she was walking along the garden path, Lin felt sad. She
had hoped that Glorfindel would have come as well. Smiling, she
remembered their last encounter and his parting threat. If only he
could, she thought. In all the years of trying Glorfindel had never been
able to sneak up on her.
Knowing the timing had to be exactly right, Glorfindel waited just a
moment, and then stepped out and yelled, “Oh, Lin!”
Lin was so shocked she tripped on the hem of her gown. Next thing she
knew she on her bottom looking up at the sky. Seeing those laughing blue
eyes above her, Lin smiled, “You got me. Truce?”
Holding out his hand to help her up, Glorfindel smiled back, “Truce.”
For the remainder of the visit, Glorfindel and Lindariel did
something they had never really done before: they talked. They had both
spent so much time in the past trying to best the other, and they
realized they didn’t really know a lot about each other.
Glorfindel even had the honor of escorting Lindariel and Arwen into
the banquet. They were quite the trio. Privately, everyone commented on
how well the golden lord and the Lorien maiden looked together. Others
were watching Haldir as Lin and Glorfindel danced, but he showed no sign
of being jealous, so the gossipers went in search of someone else to
talk about.
On the morning before the planned departure of the visiting elves,
the two were taking a walk along the river and enjoying the beautiful
forest of Mirkwood. Finally deciding to ask Lin something that had been
nagging at him for some time Glorfindel asked, “Lin, Haldir isn’t going
to be angry that we are spending so much time together, is he?”
“Of course not,” she answered.
When she didn’t say anything else, Glorfindel asked, “So when are you
and Haldir going to have your mating ceremony.”
“We aren’t,” Lin simply stated.
“But I have heard that you and he have been quite serious for a
while, and that Lady Galadriel has been talking of a large celebration
for the two of you.”
“You probably should not listen to rumors Glorfindel. You should know
that more than anyone,” Lin chided.
“Seriously Lin, I would like to know,” he answered.
Sighing, Lin decided to tell Glorfindel the truth. “Haldir and I have
always just been friends. We just let everyone think we are in love. We
each have someone whom we love, but have chosen to keep it secret.”
“Why do you feel you must hide your feelings, Lin?” he asked. “If you
love someone, why don’t you tell them?”
“There are always reasons not to reveal one’s feelings, Glorfindel.
Life isn’t always simple.” Not liking where this conversation was going,
Lin turned and started walking back the way they came.
“Love is something to be shared and celebrated. I would imagine the
person you love has the same feelings as you.” Glorfindel countered.
“Believe me, Lindariel; I learned a long time ago not to wait, for you
never know how your life can change in an instant.” Glorfindel waited
for her to answer him, but she kept walking. Touching her arm, he asked,
“You can trust me, Lin. Maybe I can help? Who is it that you love?”
Lin looked away and finally decided to take the biggest risk of her
life. Looking back at Glorfindel, she answered, “You are the one that I
love, Glorfindel. I have loved you since the moment we met.”
Shocked to his core, Glorfindel took a step back. “What do you mean?”
Had he just heard her right? Did Lin just tell him she loved him? What
did that mean to him? He turned to ask her and realized she was gone. He
caught a glimpse of her gown and yelled, “Lin! Come back Lin!”
Taking his time walking back to the caves to give himself time to
think, Glorfindel finally entered the courtyard. Going in search of Lin,
he made his way to the wing that held the elves from Lothlorien. He
still had no idea what he was going to say to her, but he knew he
couldn’t leave things the way they were.
Coming up to the three Lorien brothers, he asked if they had seen
Lindariel. When they didn’t answer him, he asked again. “I asked you if
you have seen Lindariel?”
Rumil and Orophin looked at Haldir who spoke for the three of them.
“If you know what is good for you, Glorfindel of Rivendell, you will
stay away from Lindariel.”
“But...” he started to speak again.
“She has gone back to the Golden Wood, and you would do best to
forget her, for I assure you she will do the same about you!”
With that, they all turned and left Glorfindel standing alone with
his thoughts.
Chapter 4
The sound of hoof beats could be heard throughout the valley. The
rider was tall, blond and in a great hurry, although he was not quite
sure why. If he was honest with himself, Glorfindel knew what he was
going to do, and that made him scared. He had repeatedly thought about
what he should do, and he kept coming up with the same answer. And that
answer is what brought him to this place again.
Suddenly, a horse appeared out of nowhere, and before he knew it,
Glorfindel was on the ground. Looking up into green eyes, he smiled.
That is, until she spoke.
“What are you doing here, Glorfindel?” Lin asked without emotion.
‘And what was it that drew me here to this place at this moment?’ she
thought to herself.
Slowly getting up, Glorfindel thought of his next words carefully.
“Lin, how many years have we known each other now?” he asked quietly.
Refusing to fall prey to any game that was being played, she asked
again, omitting his name, “What are you doing here?”
“Lin, I think you know why I am here.” Glorfindel said.
Ignoring the pull in her chest, and refusing to hope and take the
chance of getting hurt, Lin turned her back on the Rivendell elf. “Go
home, Glorfindel. There is nothing here for you.” Grasping her horse’s
reins, she suddenly felt the air leave her lungs when she was swung
around. Finding herself in Glorfindel’s arms, she refused to meet his
gaze, pulled herself from his grasp, and stepped back.
“No! I don’t need your pity,” Lin said heatedly, and turned her back
to Glorfindel once more. “Go home!”
“Oh Lin, pity is not what brought me here today. You have only to
look into my eyes and you will know why I have come.” Glorfindel waited.
“Please Lindariel, turn around and look at me.”
Hearing his gentle voice was the only that kept her from mounting
again and riding away. Taking a deep breath, and making the biggest
decision in her life, Lin turned around. It took several long moments to
let her gaze travel up to those blue eyes that she knew so well. She
held her breath, praying to Eru that what she would find in those eyes
was not pity, but the same thing he would see shining from her eyes.
Glorfindel watched the maiden taking her time to look at him, and
when she finally met his gaze, all the love that was in his heart poured
out.
After meeting his gaze and reading his thoughts, Lin did the only
thing she could; she laughed out loud and ran straight into his arms.
Laughing himself, Glorfindel swung Lin around holding her tight.
Stopping for a moment, but not letting her feet touch the ground he
smiled and said, “You certainly took your time!”
Slowly Glorfindel lowered his mouth to hers. He touched her lips with
his and knew he had never felt anything more perfect. He ran his tongue
along her lips; she tasted just like nectar. Feeling Lin shudder and
deepen the kiss, he swept his tongue over hers and heard her moan. He
pulled her close, and her body molded to his perfectly. Slowly he began
to kiss his way along her jaw down her neck. He had to see if every inch
of her tasted as sweet.
Lin felt like she was in heaven. She could feel Glorfindel’s heart
beating wildly and knew hers was going just as fast. It seemed like she
had waited forever for this moment and now that it was here it was more
than she had ever imagined. Glorfindel brushed light kisses along her
cheek and down her neck. When he reached her shoulder she forgot to
breathe it felt so good.
Pulling his mouth away from that perfect spot on her neck he vowed,
“You are mine Lindariel, for now and forever.”
Running her fingers through his long golden hair, Lin returned the
vow, “For now and forever, Glorfindel, you have my heart.” Suddenly a
thought ran through her mind. Grinning, she asked, “So does this mean I
can’t call you Great and Powerful Lord of the House of the Golden Flower
anymore?”
Laughing, Glorfindel swept Lin up into his arms again, his lips
finding their place against hers. As warmth flooded through him, he felt
something he had not thought possible – he felt like he was home.
