Author's Note:

Well, here we are again! I had to take a little bittle break from this one; the Joker story I'm writing has me totes occupied. Sorry about that, y'all! And you, too, Glory.

Glorfindel: (huff)

Are you still mad at me?? I apologized like 8 million times. The Joker's just a new fancy, love. You're still my one and only!

Glorfindel: Hmph. (cold shoulder)

Ohhh, dear. Looks like we've got a pouty Elf. No funny send off into the chapter today, guys. Sorry!

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Jane hardly had to worry about her crazed feelings the next morning. Glorfindel had been sent away on secret business of Elrond's. It had certainly been a blow to hear that he would be gone for a week at the least. Her lessons had been halted until Glorfindel's return, so now Jane didn't even have the distractions that came with focusing on the wrinkled, aged maps in Erestor's study, or the metallic crashing of her blade as it connected with Glorfindel's during their combat lessons. Jane found herself visiting Roosevelt often in the stables, sometimes even waking up early and riding before sunrise. She was slowly finding her way around Imladris and was becoming briefly acquainted with the other Elves. While they never spoke of her origin, she could tell that after leaving a group of elleth at a small garden, that she was going to have to come up with a quick story to soothe everyone's curiousity.

Arwen had become a close friend in Jane's many hours unoccupied. They had run into each other walking to the stables one afternoon and after taking a ride north, Jane realized that if her older brothers would keep their overactive mouths quiet, Arwen would certainly lose her reputation as the beautiful, silent daughter of Elrond. Jane was beyond relieved to have someone to confide in about many subjects, ranging from the most miniscule of issues with horseback riding, to the very concept of existence. Arwen taught Jane almost everything she could about the Valar and their ancient powers, the Undying Lands in Valinor, and many other Elvin matters that Jane had never even thought of.

"I can't believe you don't have a period!!!!" Jane shouted in frustration for the eighth time that hour. It had been almost sixteen days since Glorfindel had left (not that she was counting... okay, she was). She and Arwen had gone to a small tributary near the river Brunien and somehow, the discussion of menstruation happened; such is the way with a conversation with two females, regardless of race, setting, or mood. When Arwen told Jane about their gift of forbearance of "The Gift," Jane hit the proverbial roof. She tried reasoning that it was impossible, unfair, not right, so annoying, unfair, lame, unfair, totally bizarre, so weird, the coolest, and sooooooo unFAIR that Arwen never knew the suffering of period cramps, the terror of hormonal mood swings, or the satisfaction of stuffing your face with the most bizarre food combinations (Jane's personal favorite was fried chicken and Cool Whip with cheap red wine).

Arwen only laughed and shrugged. "I can say that I have not heard any positive knowledge of them, so I do not envy you for that."

"Pfft, you better believe they're awful!" Jane exclaimed. "I'm getting cramps just thinking about it. I mean, they're easier to deal with in my world, we have medication that regulates it for certain times. It helps, but the only way I'll be happy is once I hit menopause and I can't have kids anymore."

"Do you not wish to have children?"

Jane shrugged. "I mean, I'm nineteen. And I guess here, that's marrying age, but where I'm from that's incredibly young. I was studying at a university, getting a degree so I could do something with my life, like find a career and that sort of thing. But I'm like every other girl who dreams about being a mom with a gorgeous husband and adorable kids. I just don't want it know—especially now."

"I understand."

"What about you? Any wee ones on the horizon for you?" Jane asked, knowing very well that Arwen wanted kids and with a certain "ranger from the North."

"I hope to have children some day," she said longingly, not elaborating any further on the subject.

As the pair began their return journey to the stables, Jane launched into an extremely complex explanation on the concepts in Italian Renaissance Art, her area of study in school. Arwen enjoyed to hear about the art of a different world and Jane was more than pleased to tell her about it. The young woman became very engrossed in sharing her knowledge, eager to recall everything she thought she had forgotten over the summer. Even as the companions returned to the stables and returned their horses to their respective stalls, Jane was still explaining the differences in Classical and Romantic, particularly Impressionist, art. She was so focused as she and Arwen walked to Jane's rooms that she had not noticed the golden figure, illuminated in the sun light, riding on his brilliantly white steed towards her.

"And because Impressionists didn't feel the need to—AHH!!" Jane was interrupted in her harangue to see Glorfindel and Asfaloth trotting in their direction.

Glorfindel smiled beautifully in the midday light as Jane rushed to him. He quickly dismounted and laughed as the raven-haired girl cried out in joy and hugged him tightly.

"You're back, you're back, you're baaaack!" Jane chanted rhythmically. "I missed you so much!"

"I am pleased to see you, too," he laughed and placed an arm around her shoulders as she held him tightly. He nodded in greeting to Arwen. "And you, Lady Arwen."

Jane suddenly froze in her celebration, wide eyed. In her jubilation, she had completely forgotten that Arwen was there. She quickly jumped away from Glorfindel, feeling beyond mortified and blushed as Arwen gave her a knowing smile that the golden-haired lord missed, thankfully.

"So you just got back?" Jane asked, following Glorfindel into the stables to ignore the teasing glances from Arwen.

He nodded as he led Asfaloth into his stall. "But now, I must go see Lord Elrond. We have important matters to discuss."

Jane raised her eyebrows in interest. "Ooh top secret, hmm? Well, come and find me whenever you finish. We can go to the archery fields," she suggested, trying to find a way to make up for lost time away from him. She missed him much more than she would let on.

"A very good idea," he agreed. "I had a very strong feeling that you would not be practicing while I was gone," he teased.

"I did!" she defended herself with a smile. "I did archery. But you know I hate the sword and knife business. I'll just stay far away from battles and shoot at the bad ones from there."

"We will see how well your tactic works. But, I must go. It is very good to see you both." He bowed in parting and walked toward the palace complex, undoubtedly to Elrond's study.

Jane sighed happily and fell to the ground in elation as Glorfindel walked far enough away. Arwen only laughed at her friend and joined her on the forest floor. "You love him," she said, causing Jane to shoot up from her spot, red faced and wide eyed.

"I don't!" she proclaimed loudly, but feeling her face get even hotter.

"You do," Arwen said all-knowingly. "You spoke of him all the time he was gone and I have never seen you look happier than when you saw him approaching us."

"Yeah, well..." Jane began lamely, "that's because... I, er... he just... you... wait. Oh, sweet baby Jesus." She tried to reason her way out of her friend's declaration, but as she thought about it, she realized that there was reason to think so. She thought about him constantly, got girly and silly whenever he was around, and she had talked endlessly about him when he was gone! But these feelings she felt towards Glorfindel, they weren't so foreign; when she dated her ex-boyfriend, these similar emotions had been there. And Jane knew she hadn't loved him. So maybe with Glorfindel it wasn't love... yet.

"Maybe I do..." she said quietly, feeling a huge smile emerging on her face. "But not the right kind. Oh, fuck. I don't know."

Arwen rested her hand comfortingly on Jane's shoulder. "You will know soon," she said kindly, before adding, "And when you do, I have to be the first to know!"

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Glorfindel had been busy all day with Elrond, so he had no time to see her. But Elladan and Elrohir visited Jane in her chambers to tell her they would be having another small feast to celebrate his return. Jane was more interested, however, in what had sent Glorfindel away in the first place. Her brothers were ignorant to the mission, as well, but quickly dismissed it. They were important parts of the council in Rivendell, but Elrond did have certain affairs that had to be kept secret for a time before others could know. They told Jane they would know soon and it was best to wait until then.

Later that night, Elladan escorted her to dinner, saying Elrohir and Arwen were going on their own. He also complimented her dress, the one she had worn when she was found, and Jane replied by telling him to stop being a pervert. He only laughed as they linked arms.

Upon arriving, there were more members of the council present, making Jane and Arwen the only females present. Jane sat next to Arwen and across from Elladan and Elrohir; Glorfindel sat further towards the head of the table, next to Elrond. But the moment she entered the room, he smiled beautifully and inquired to her about her day. Jane was finding his constant interest in her extremely attractive; it was becoming harder to focus on being a normal human being in the company of other Elves when Glorfindel's presence in her mind was augmenting as she watched him speak to others and occasionally catch her eyes in a warm smile.

Dinner passed with little incident; the twins kept her entertained while she and Arwen whispered about going riding the next day ("Unless I start my lessons with Glorfindel then," Jane teased Arwen. "If he does, you'll have to find a new friend."). Jane had looked hopefully at Glorfindel, that they could spend time with each other that evening, but Elrond had other things in mind. He, Erestor, and Glorfindel, along with other seemingly important Elves left the room, but Glorfindel did not walk away before giving Jane an apologetic look, promising to see her as soon as he could.

She felt slightly downtrodden as everyone else began to trickle out of the hall. She finally understood Glorfindel when he complained about the seemingly endless tasks Elrond had waiting for him. It was more than enough to be teased with the prospect of spending time with him once, but if she had to do it again, she didn't know what she'd do.

The sudden movement of the twins caught Jane's attention. "Jane, let's go riding!" Elladan exclaimed as he and his siblings stood from their chairs with wide smiles.

"To where?" she said, momentarily forgetting her moment with Glorfindel.

"Wherever you desire," Elrohir almost purred, immediately approaching her.

Jane looked at Arwen. "Are they looking to get me into trouble?"

Arwen simply smiled and shrugged. Jane grinned back, always loving the stark contrast between her and her brothers, who never seemed to stop talking. "Fine, let's go."

---------

Elrond's children quickly went to their horses, the twins' steeds as identical as them, while Jane coaxed Roosevelt out of his stall with an apple from dinner. The four rode off, far from the palace and their chambers, into the night.

"Where are we going?" Jane asked Elrohir, riding up next to him.

Elrohir winked. "You'll love it, I promise," he replied vaguely.

Jane rolled her eyes and sped up to ride with Elladan. They talked animatedly, until Elladan looked around, stopping his horse, Eruwestiel. "Here," he proclaimed, quickly dismounting and holding onto the sack he had brought with him from the stables.

The other three followed suit, Jane still worried if they were about to partake in some kind of cult-like animal sacrifice to appease the gods of nature.

Elrohir took a blanket from his horse's back and laid it down, gesturing for her to sit down. Elladan reached into his bag, taking out a bottle and Jane couldn't help but laugh. They stole some bottles of wine. For some reason, it felt like such a human adolescent thing to do, she found herself laughing even more as Elladan uncorked the bottle with a devious grin.

"My lady Jane," Elladan chastised, "you have no right to judge. We all saw you take that fifth refill at dinner."

Jane felt the warm, buzzing feeling from the wine from dinner and sat down on the blanket, still laughing lightly.

"How much does it take to get you drunk? Aren't Elves pretty resistant to alcohol?" she asked, remembering the drinking match between Legolas and Gimli in Return of the King.

Elrohir shrugged. "We do not do this for the after-effects. We're—"

"They just want to see what you act like when you have drank too much," Arwen interjected, revealing her brothers' true motive.

Jane scowled at the twins, who were going between smiling innocently at her and glaring darkly at their sister. But Jane simply rolled her eyes, snatched the bottle from Elladan, and took a long swig. She figured it was high time to get shitty; she hadn't been for over a month and in the life of a college student, that was one month too long. So, she figured she could entertain the Elves for her own gain. She didn't mind being their little dancing monkey for the night, doing as they wanted, especially with booze involved.

"I need to get drunk," she justified after she had chugged almost a third of the bottle, noticing the shocked faces of her three companions.

"Jane, you do not drink Elvish wine very often, do you?" Elrohir snickered.

She shook her head. "Not on its own, why?

Elladan grinned. "We do not notice, as alcohol does not affect us like Men. But from what we have seen from our mortal guests, our wine, this kind in particular, is very potent."

As Elladan finished, Jane felt the affects of that half bottle hit her like a freight train.

Oomph! He was riiiiiight, Jane thought as she suddenly had trouble sitting up. She giggled with the twins, who had been stifling their laughter, and Arwen, who only smiled at the results of her brothers' antics.

"No drinks for me, thanks!" Jane said in a very proper British accent, breaking into more laughter.

"For now, anyway," Elrohir laughed.

Jane grinned at her immortal counterparts. "I really like you guys, I hope you know that."

Elladan nodded. "Not as much as you like Glorfindel!"

Jane punched him on his arm much harder than she intended to, but at least she got the message across. "You can shut your dirty mouth, Elly. He rescued me," her voice cracked. "And I missed him soooo muuuuuuuchhhh! So, sshhhhhut up. It's not like you pervies are innocent of fawning after someone. I've seen you two with those elves visiting from Lórien!"

Arwen laughed out loud as her brothers were put in their place. Jane turned at smiled at the giggling elleth and hugged her. "I like you the best, Arwen."

"Don't let Aragorn see you," Elrohir shot back.

Arwen's smiling demeanor was dark and irate in less than a second. She glared at her brothers, who were laughing loudly at their sister's expense.

"Who?" Jane hiccuped, still sober enough to remember that she had never met him.

"Aragon, son of Arathorn," Elrohir explained, winking at his sister, "grew up in Imladris. And Arwen loves him."

"That's so lovely, I love weddings!" Jane said happily. "I've got the wine," she giggled hysterically to herself.

Arwen did not respond, she only stood up quickly and stormed away, much to the protests of her brothers.

"Arwen, we were joking! Come back!"

"Please, don't be upset!"

Jane shakily stood up and scolded the twins. "You big dumbies!" she shouted. With that, she stumbled after Arwen into the forest.

"Arwen, it's only me," Jane yelled. "Don't let your stinky brothers bother you! I bet Aragorn's really great!"

"I'm here, Jane," Arwen called out, only a few yards from where Jane was standing.

The drunk girl staggered over to her upset friend and patted her shoulder. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Aragorn is mortal," Arwen said sadly, her hand resting on the pendant around her neck.

"Well, love is love, right?" Jane tried to reason. "I mean, it'll be hard to watch him get old, but as long as you're together."

Arwen stayed silent, so Jane tried again. "Does he love you?"

Arwen nodded. "He told me before he left. I have not seen him for almost two years."

"That sucks," Jane said drunkly, before pushing inebriation to the side in order to help counsel her new friend. "Lookit, next time you see Aragorn, tell him. Tell him how much you love him and how much he means to you."

"He is so troubled," Arwen replied mournfully. "He has a destiny he does not wish to fulfill and I would help him, I would," her voice began to shake as a few stray tears fell from her brilliant blue eyes. "But he is afraid—afraid of what he must become."

"King of Gondor?" Jane asked skeptically, before adding, "Erestor told me about Isildur and the Dúnedain."

"He must rise to his rightful place," Arwen cried. "The Darkness in the East is growing and my people are leaving; we cannot fight this war for Men. They need a leader."

Jane sighed and placed her arm around Arwen, letting her cry into her shoulder. "Just give him time," Jane assured her distressed friend. "I'm sure he will realize his fate."

Arwen smiled. "Thank you, Jane," she said. "Your wisdom precedes your age."

Jane shrugged. "What can I saaay?" she replied proudly. "I'm good with these kind of things. Boy troubles, not the trials of love and immortality."

Arwen laughed. Without a word, the two walked back to the clearing where the twins still sat, taking swigs from the wine. Jane shouted.

"Oi, don't drink it'aaalll!" she slurred, her drunkenness coming back at full force as she stumbled towards the brothers. She grabbed the bottle from Elrohir as he rose it to his mouth and took a long drink for herself.

Arwen laughed. "I am going back," she said, walking to her horse.

"Meee too!" Jane shouted loudly. "I'm drunk, I don't wanna be out in the middle of the woods. Lame idea, twinsies."

"Would you like to return to your chambers?" asked Elladan.

Jane nodded. "Only, don't leave me in there alone and bored and drunk. Hang out with me!! Glory just drops me off there and it makes me so saaad," she whined.

"Glory?" Elrohir stifled a laugh.

Jane grinned. "That's what I call him. Ohh, he's so naaaiice."

"Very well, we will 'hang out' with you," Elrohir promised, helping her to her feet, only to have her stumble and fall into his arms again.

"I can't ride Roosevelt!" she yelled in frustration. "I'll get a DUI! Oops, hehe. I mean an RUI!!!!" She howled with laughter as Elrohir put her on his horse.

"Don't worry. He will follow us," Elladan assured Jane as she stared longingly at her horse.

Jane sighed as she wrapped her arms around Elrohir's waist and rested her head on his back. Roosevelt did gallop off with the four riders, much to Jane's delight. She called out to her steed, telling him how beautiful he was and how much better he was than the horse she was on.

"I'm so drunk I can't even ride you! You're too good to have a drunk master!" Jane told him. "But don't leave me, I won't get this drunk again, I promise! Love you, Rosieee!"

Jane continued confessing her adoration for her horse until they brought him back to the stable. She held onto Elladan for support as he, Elrohir, and Arwen walked her back to her chambers. As they walked, the four saw Glorfindel and the twins froze in terror. Jane, however, was more than ecstatic to see him.

"Gloorryyyy!" she shouted, running to him and embracing him tightly. "Tonight was sooo lovely, eating all that food was great and then we went ridiiiing! I missed you, though! You can't go leave like that all the time, I get tooooo saaaaaadddddd," she slurred, elongating her words.

The golden-haired lord could tell Jane had been subject to much more drink. If her actions were not enough, the smell of Miruvor poured out of her mouth as she spoke. He held her up as she began to sway from inebriation. She grinned up at him sleepily, the alcohol finally slowing down her body.

"Ima be so good at Elf-lish," she slurred more slowly as she leaned against Glorfindel. "Jus'... wait." Jane felt her eyes begin to close and quickly succumbed to a very drunken sleep.

Glorfindel did not say anything, he only glared darkly at the twins, promising to deal with them later. In the meantime, there was a sleeping woman in his arms he had to attend to. He picked her up and walked her to her room, leaving Elrond's children feeling slightly guilty.

Jane mumbled as Glorfindel held her and moved her head into the nook of his shoulder and neck. She breathed deeply, each exhale lightly caressing Glorfindel's neck. The Elf lord had trouble focusing on walking. With Jane wearing a dress that exposed her legs, he could feel the softness of her thighs as he held her. Glorfindel looked down, only to see her ample cleavage from the dress. Thoughts clouded his mind as he tore his eyes from her body. He sighed in relief as they reached her chambers, his mind suddenly running wild with images of her he wished he could quell. He brought her to her bedroom, took off her shoes, and placed her in her bed under her warm blankets. She snuggled into her soft pillows happily and yawned, suddenly waking up. She regarded Glorfindel as he made sure she was comfortable.

"Can I have a glass of water?" she murmured quietly, feeling her eyes closing for good but wanting to prevent a hangover the next morning.

The Elf lord smiled and brought her the goblet in her room with water from her pitcher. She sat up in bed and drank it slowly. "Thanks," she said as she finished and placed it on her bedside table.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to get this drunk," she apologized sheepishly. "Elvin wine is reeeeally strong."

Glorfindel laughed and nodded. "Men are very prone to the effects of Miruvor. Do not apologize."

Jane smiled and looked out her window. "The stars look so beautiful tonight," she said serenely before turning to Glorfindel. "Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?"

"Of course, Jane," he consented, bringing a chair next to her bed. "I will stay."

The young woman couldn't help but smile at the Elf lord as the moonlight illuminated off of his golden hair. His eyes did not leave hers, making her feel all the more safe and comforted as she felt sleep overcome her again.

---------STOPHERESTOPHERE--------

Well, did that help at all, little buddy?

Glorfindel: Hmph, welll... maybe a little. I mean, I got a peak at Jane's goods.

Glad I could help.

Haldir: Ew, pervert.

Glorfindel: You're one to talk!

Yeah, seriously. Don't think I didn't see you trying to watch me shower this morning!

Haldir: I have no idea what you're talking—

(shows pictures of Haldir trying to look over the shower curtain, dated today)

Haldir: Well, okay. But it was just one time!

Glorfindel: (shows more pictures of Haldir doing the same thing, with different dates)

Haldir: (shrugs) I've got needs, too!

(eye roll) Whatever. We'll find you a woman or something later. Just... stay out of my bathroom.

Haldir: By the way, I like that little beauty spot on your—

OKAYYY, moving on! So, little readers, be a reviewer! Pretty please? It'd make me really happy!

Glorfindel: And I'm still oh-so-upset! Reviews would do wonders for me.

Haldir: Maybe let me know if I can watch you shower!

Ew, stop being a creep. Nobody'll read this anymore.

Haldir: Oops, sorry. Umm, well I'll... shower with them if they review?

(sigh) You're gonna need some work, buddy.