"Do you like my uncle, Lord Glorfin'l?" Rían asked, holding tightly to
the warrior's hand as they walked back from the stables.
"Please, little one, do not call me lord. I am your friend… Glorfindel,"
he smiled nervously, hoping the elfling would forget her question.
Alas, it was not to be…this child was not easily distracted!
"Ever since the picnic you watch him a lot and smile. Sometimes you
have silver sparklies in your eyes, too."
Glorfindel seriously thought about lying but was afraid Erestor's niece
would see right through it.
"Yes…I like him…but it must be our secret."
"Why?" she asked as she came to a halt, her beryl eyes full of
questions.
With a sigh, Glorfindel tried to come up with an easily understandable
explanation.
"Have you ever liked someone but you were afraid if they found out they
would tease you…or ignore you…because they do not like you the same way in
return?"
Rían shook her head. "I like you and my uncle and my parents and you
all like me back."
Glorfindel rubbed his face in frustration. "What about other elflings?"
Immediately, Rían's features darkened. "The only ones I know are those
horrible twins! One of these days I am going to be big enough and by the
Valar ---"
"Trouble again?" he sighed.
"When is there not trouble with those two?" Rían huffed. She fumed for
several more moments before remembering the blonde's question.
"Worry not, Glorfin'l!! My uncle likes you the same way," she grinned
as she folded her arms across her chest.
"H-how do you know?" the warrior asked as he felt his heart begin to
pound in his chest.
"Rían!!" came a familiar call.
The two elves look up to see Erestor walking toward them. "Ah, little
one. Have you forgotten you will be leaving tomorrow with your parents to
Lothlorien? You still have to pack."
"We were checking to be sure her horse was ready," Glorfindel
explained, his stomach doing somersaults as the advisor smiled in
greeting.
"Will you be joining us for dinner?" asked Erestor as he fought to
maintain his calm.
"Of course. Rían would not let me miss spending time with all of you."
"Good." With a nod, Erestor turned to head back to the Last Homely
House.
Quickly, Rían tugged on Glorfindel's sleeve so he would bend down to
her level.
"His eyes look like yours when he sees you," she whispered.
"Rían, hurry along!" Erestor turned to see what was keeping his niece.
Glorfindel forgot how to breathe when the advisor's gaze landed on him.
The elfling had been right…silver sparklies danced in those beautiful
chocolate eyes!
END
