17

Of course. Take all the time you need. I shall leave you now, I suppose." Miriya gave him a small smile in thanks, nodding silently. He stood up from his chair and gave her a small nod. She watched him leave and after a few moments she heard the front door of the room shut. Sighing, she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes for a moment, feeling drained. After taking a moment to think, she opened her eyes again and looked down at the sketch book she had been working on. Glaring at the page angrily, she huffed in irritation and closed her eyes.

She was torn, conflicted. On one hand, she didn't want to burden Glorfindel with her troubles. He already had so much to deal with already. On the other hand, telling him her fears wouldn't make them go away. And she was sure that he would feel guilty if he thought she kept secrets like that from him.

Glancing around the room, Miriya suddenly realized that everyone else was gone. The other members of Gondorian guard must have gotten bored waiting for Miriya, she supposed. She got up from her chair and set her sketchbook aside on the desk before heading towards the door of the classroom.

A minute later, Miriya walked outside of the classroom and headed toward where she had found a bathroom a little ways away from the classrooms. Glancing over at a wall of windows near the entrance of the school, she could see sunlight streaming in, lighting up the courtyard in a soft yellow glow. As Miriya began walking across the courtyard, glancing down toward the fountain where she had found Dori yesterday, a strange sound filled her ears. It was faint, like someone whispering in her ear. She stopped in place for a second and tried to locate where the noise came from. Finally, she noticed that it was coming from beside her. Looking behind her, she saw Glorfindel watching her curiously.

"What is it?" He asked her softly. Miriya shook her head, realizing she had lost track of time in the middle of her sketching. She turned away from Glorfindel.

"It's nothing important." She responded. Glorfindel raised an eyebrow as a confused expression crossed his face.

"You don't seem happy. Is it because your friends weren't able to come along on the quest to get the Ring?" Glorfindel asked hesitantly. Miriya's expression grew somber.

"They're fine. They're safe." She answered firmly. Glorfindel pursed his lips together thoughtfully.

"But you don't seem fine." Glorfindel remarked softly. Miriya sighed heavily, not wanting to get into such a discussion with Glorfindel of all people. However, he persisted on pushing. "I can tell something is bothering you, but I can see from the look on your face that it's too difficult to share. So, tell me. Whatever it is, I'll listen to every word you say." Miriya's gaze drifted downward in disappointment, she didn't deserve anyone's kindness.

"Glorfindel, please…." She pleaded quietly. Glorfindel looked as though he was debating whether or not he should press on, finally, he decided against it.

"All right. If you are sure." Glorfindel replied after a while. Miriya nodded in reply. "Is there anything I can do to help?" He asked her. Miriya stared at him sadly. Of course he couldn't do anything to change what was going on between her and Fíli and Kíli. He had no idea how she really felt about them, despite being friends with them since childhood.

"No thank you, Glorfindel." Miriya replied sadly. "I just need some time alone, okay? I won't bother anyone." She assured him. Glorfindel frowned slightly as he glanced at her sadly, but he nodded anyway. Miriya gave him a small smile as he left and returned inside the classroom. Taking a seat next to Amariel, who was busy drawing, she picked up her pencil and started to scribble down random lines on her paper, only looking back up when Amariel spoke up.

"That's quite the impressive sword you've built there." Miriya looked up at her, surprised, and blushed lightly when she met Amariel's eyes.

"Uh…thanks…" She replied nervously, picking up the pencil again.

"Why haven't you shown it to us before? I never even saw your drawings until today." Amariel said with a curious expression. Miriya shrugged sheepishly.

"It's still rather new and I wasn't sure how well they would turn out. I mean, my first drawing isn't even finished and I can already tell I suck." Miriya explained shyly.

Amariel giggled softly at her words.

"Well, that does show that you were indeed trying! But it really is impressive. It suits you quite well. You look good when you wield a weapon." Miriya smiled widely, blushing even more.

"Tha–thank you." She stammered out shyly. Amariel laughed happily.

"Oh, and by the way, did you manage to figure out what's causing all that trouble? With Gandalf, I mean?" She asked Miriya curiously. Miriya hummed.

"He hasn't told me everything. But from the sounds of it, I guess it has to do with the ring." She answered nonchalantly. "And yes, I know that he doesn't trust me fully yet. But that's alright, it'll take time for him to understand my intentions…" Miriya trailed off in response, frowning slightly as a pang of sadness shot through her. Amariel stared at her questioningly, seemingly sensing that something was wrong with her sudden shift in mood.

"Miriya, you aren't thinking of leaving him are you? We all love the old man so much and he seems like he'd be a great addition to our little group." She exclaimed cheerfully, grinning broadly. Miriya chuckled slightly.

"Don't worry, I won't. That's not my intention…and even if I wanted to, I don't think that's possible…not anymore." She stated, lowering her gaze, sighing faintly.

"Why not?" Amariel inquired gently. Miriya didn't respond. Amariel furrowed her eyebrows at her. "Miriya. What's the matter?" Her voice was laced with concern, almost sounding desperate. Miriya lowered her gaze, frowning deeply.

"There are some things I'm still unsure about…things you probably shouldn't hear." She muttered slowly. "I'm not sure how you will react." She added. Amariel bit her lip slightly.

"Miriya, you can tell me. Don't worry." Amariel reassured her.

"The night of the attack, when…you know…he kissed me…" Miriya whispered in barely a whisper. She took a deep breath. "He confessed his feelings for me." Amariel remained silent for a moment before she finally understood what Miriya meant. When she did, however, she couldn't stop herself from laughing. Miriya frowned slightly.

"Weren't you listening to what Gandalf told us earlier?! He told us that we shouldn't let ourselves get involved! That you two would end up falling in love with each other anyways if he didn't interfere!" Amariel continued to laugh. "You can't possibly believe that, can you?" Miriya opened her mouth to answer her, but then closed it again quickly. After some thought, she shook her head silently.

"I…don't know." She murmured. "But…the way he looks at me, I just…feel this connection. There's no denying it." Amariel stopped laughing, and turned toward her friend, giving her an encouraging smile.

"It's all right, Miriya." She assured her sincerely. "As long as you realize it, then it'll be fine. As long as you keep yourself clear of unnecessary emotions, then I'm sure everything will work out in the end. Don't lose hope."