Glorfindel kept true to his word.

He had me make my pencil in front of him, delivered said pencil to Lindir, my case manager, and in the end of the month made Tholin, the dwarf, to pay damages to me, and I came home 201 gold coins and 4 silver coins richer.

That, and my first wage working for Elladan got me an extra 350 gold coins as well, and it was the first time I had so much money in my life at the same time, while having no routine expenses such as rent or food.

To top it all off, Tholin's previous buyer from the House of Elrond approached me as the owner of my Pencil® and struck me a deal. I agreed to sell my products to him regularly at 5 silver coins each–a more reasonable price than what the dwarf previously sell him at. The only downside, I could only produce a couple dozens a month, since I didn't want this business to interfere with my job for Elladan.

Life is very good.

Within the next couple months after, I have completely accepted my fate that I had become the twins of Rivendell's personal plaything. No biggie; as long as they kept me comfortable and rich.

Autumn began to approach. The leaves had began to turn gold and shed like a Golden Retriever; the air turned cold and I looked in resentment at every elf that passed nonchalantly in the face of cold weather wearing the same kind of tunic they had in Summer, while I had to wear thick, long sleeved dresses, and drowned myself under my cloak, lined with fur while walking around outside.

I dressed like Dementors.

Already my wrist flared like crazy, not just at night, but also during the day. I tried to ignore it, but eventually I find myself a healer that wasn't Elrohir, and asked for pain relief.

"Why didn't you come to me and tell me about your wrist?"

I looked up from my bowl of pumpkin soup, looking up at an unhappy twin demon.

"Which one are you again?"

"Elrohir," he rolled his eyes.

"You are?"

"Yes, little sweet pea."

"Are you though?" I asked before taking a sip of the buttery pumpkin soup.

He sat in front of me at the dining hall. "Ulos told me you came to see him for pain reliever. The cold must be bothering you," he said as he took my hand gently and inspected my wrist. "Why didn't you come to me?"

The truth was, I didn't want to see the guilt in his eyes like the one he gave me right now, so I opted to insult him, "I wanted a second opinion."

"Don't be smart with me, mortal. Not while I am holding your injured hand," he warned, "You know I am one of the best healers in all Rivendell."

"So what? Oh, you want to twist it? Go ahead, I dare you," I mocked him with a saccharine smile.

To my absolute horror, he began tugging at my wrist, gently, but enough to make me uncomfortable. He had a very sinister smirk on his face.

"I'll scream."

"I'll twist further if you do."

I took deep breath from my mouth, filling in my lungs till it was at full capacity and about to open my mouth to let out a very annoying scream–

"Alright, you win, please don't," he gently put down my hand on the table, making me chuckle.

I never thought that when people say elves have sensitive ears, it meant they couldn't stand loud, piercing sounds, so I have been fighting back the twins with threats of me screaming into their ears and it has been working so far.

We chatted after that, as soon as Elrohir got himself food and sat back with me.

"So what did the healer give you?"

"Pain reliever potion. I forgot the name. My Sindarin is not what it should be."

"The yellowish looking one?"

"Yes, that one."

Elrohir shook his head. "Ulos is a student of mine. Do you know this?"

"Wow. You actually have students?" I said, surprised, then shook my head, "Poor elves."

The younger twin rolled his eyes and pulled out a mini, round glass container. "That potion will run out quickly. It works, yes, but it takes time, and usually more suitable for headaches. This, is an Athelas salve. Apply on the affected area, and within seconds you'll feel much better."

I took it and unscrewed the lid, taking a whiff of the greenish salve. The scent of sweet smelling herb entered my nose. "Smells almost like mint," I commented, "So anytime I'm affected by you, I should just rub this all over your face?"

Elrohir smiled tenderly–not a reaction I was aiming for. He leaned forward, looking into my eyes, "So I'm finally affecting you, my little sweet pea?" he said in feigned romantic lover voice.

I leaned forward. "Yes, and now I need a sick basket."

He laughed, pointing his finger at me. I couldn't help but laugh too at listening to his contagious laughter.

"Elena 1, Elrohir 0!" I announced like a kid, grinning at him.

As we eat, Elladan joined us and unceremoniously began eating with us. At the end of our meal, the three of us ended up playing Bingo. Sylvanna and Glorfindel ended up joining our table, watching the game intently.

"Elena 1, Elrohir 0, Elladan 1," he announced, before showing his parchment to us, "Bingo!"

Both Elrohir and me groaned in defeat while Elladan chuckled, victorious.

"How do you keep winning this game? I was the one who taught you Bingo," I complained.

"I demand a rematch," Elrohir said, being a sore loser that he was, "Sylvanna, Glorfindel, you in?"

I produced two sheets of parchments and two of my Pencil® and gave it to them. Sylvanna then sat next to Elladan and Elrohir who gave them instruction, while I invited Glorfindel to sit next to me and briefed him on the modified Bingo game that I had taught the twins.

After that, we all started playing, with Sylvanna scoring her first Bingo.

"First timer's luck," Glorfindel commented.

"No it wasn't. It was pure skill, captain," Sylvanna defended herself with a proud smile.

"We play on dinners. You both can join anytime," I told both elf warriors.

While Sylvanna was into it, Glorfindel only sat back and folded his arms to his chest, making the muscles in his biceps and chest look even more prominent under his gray tunic.

A few moments after that, I excused myself, wanting to spend time alone to continue my side business. I exited the dining hall and made my way into the garden again, towards the many flowers, under the stars with my bag in hand. The scent of Alfirin flowers soon indulged my nostrils, making me feel pretty.

A gust of cold Autumn wind blew and I shivered, only then remembering that I had forgotten my cloak on the back of my seat in the Dining hall. But it was too late to turn back–I was close to the garden court with the fireplace in it.

I hurried myself to there, and once arriving at that place, I began lighting up the fireplace and sighed at the warmth it offered. I sat on the floor this time; close to the fire due to the cold and the lack of my cloak. I worked with my craft, carefully shaped and putting final touches on my Pencil®. This time, learning from my mistake, I always engraved them with "Pencil®" to let people know that it was my authentic work.

I massaged the tiredness that grew on my neck after bending down after a while to work. I put aside the working tools for a while and went to sit at the seating in the court and curled up on my side, watching the flame from the fireplace slowly licking at the cold air.

I had worked diligently on two jobs these past couple months. And now, in the deserted place I called dibs on, fitting for an introvert like me, I let myself relax despite the cold, knowing tomorrow is my day off and I don't need to hurry back to my chamber to catch some sleep.

My wrist began flaring again. I pulled out the Athelas salve Elrohir gave me and applied some to my left wrist and put the jar on top of the tea table in front of me and closed my eyes.

I woke up freezing and coughing from the cold. Fire had died some time ago. I hurried myself to gather my stuff and made my way home towards the garden, eager to leave the cold as I shivered along the way.

The next morning I woke up in my bed with a pounding headache, regretting me napping at the garden last night. I felt icky with myself, so I decided not to go out and pulled my blanket closer and went back to sleep again.

Someone knocked on my door and woke me. I reluctantly left bed and walked barefoot and opened the door, assuming it was the cleaning lady.

Big mistake.

Glorfindel stood at my door, surprised to see me in only my sleeping gown. He stared only for a moment, then retreated his eyes. "Please put something on, Elena," he said as he looked away.

I quickly went back inside and put on an outer for my white sleeping gown and came out again, "Sorry, I thought you were Ilya," I said exhaustedly.

He remained quiet, piercing azure blue eyes studying me. "You're unwell," he stated as he gave me my cloak that I had left at the dining hall last night.

"Thanks for this," I accepted the cloak, and folded it in my arms. "I'm a little peachy but fine."

"Have you had anything to eat?"

I shook my head. "I'd rather sleep."

"Go back to sleep. Keep your door unlocked. I'll bring food."

"Oh no, you don't have to–"

"–I insist. Go back and sleep, Elena," he ordered gently before turning and left.

With that I closed my door without unlocking it, and returned to bed. I fell asleep again instantly after pulling the blanket to my chest.

I woke up with my name being called by someone with a deep, angelic voice, and a warm hand brushing my hair back. When I opened my eyes, I found Glorfindel sitting at the edge of my bed, looking down at me with his stoic expression.

"No fever. That's good," he informed me, "I brought you soup and some bread."

I sat up and thanked him as he handed me the food tray. "Thanks so much for this. I'm too lazy to go to the dining hall."

"It's a pleasure," he smiled kindly, and for the first time I saw concern behind his gaze despite his stony expression, "How are you feeling?"

"Just headache. And tired," I replied as I began eating the soup.

"Alright. I'll leave you to it then. Eat then rest up. Don't lock the door."

He left just like he owned the place. So weird.

***

[Third Person's POV]

The next time Glorfindel visited her again was near dinner time. He had brought her his own stash of potions that might help with common cold symptoms. He knocked on her door twice as a courtesy, and when the human girl didn't answer, he took the liberty to enter her chamber again, finding her fast asleep.

He put the potion at her bedside table and sat at the edge of her bed. He gently shook her shoulder to wake her up, but she didn't budge. "Elena," he tried again. The fact that it took a long time to wake her caused him concern. "Elena, wake up."

Impatient, Glorfindel pulled down her blanket slightly to see her face as she buried herself completely under it as she slept. Again, he didn't like what he saw. She was noticeably paler than she was before; dark lashes pressed together as she shut her lids close, concealing her vibrant green eyes from him.

He took a strand of her soft red hair and brushed it back. When his hand came into contact with her hot skin, it was then when he realized that normal potion would not help her. She needed a healer.

Glorfindel gave her forehead a brush one more time before getting up to fetch for Elrohir. When he didn't find him, he stopped Sylvanna and Ruvyn who was in the middle of a conversation, and sent both to look for the young twin with a message to find him by Elena' chamber.

He found himself back at the edge of Elena's bed, looking at her peaceful sleeping face. Sleep made her face looked younger than her age, which in turn, along with her sickness, just made her look more fragile than she already was when she was well and healthy.

Somehow, that didn't sit right with him.

Elena coughed as she slept and proceeded to shift in bed and let out a soft sigh.

Again, Glorfindel didn't like this.

Elrohir finally came. "What ails her?" he asked in concern when he arrived with the door ajar, and the little human girl asleep as Glorfindel watch over her.

"I was hoping you can tell me," replied Glorfindel as he got up and move to give Elrohir a space to examine her.

"Fever," Elrohir muttered to himself as he felt her forehead, "Quite high." He then took the girl's hand and felt around her wrist when she started coughing again. "I don't like that cough," he said as he gently turned her small body and pressed his ear on her chest, listening to her breathing. Elrohir looked disturbed then.

Glorfindel didn't like that at all.

Elrohir turned to the Balrog Slayer. "When was the last time she eats?"

Glorfinde looked at the remains of the food he brought her. Elrohir followed his gaze and noticed the bread left uneaten.

"Someone has to keep an eye on her. I'd like to move her to the Houses of Healing," Elrohir finally said then turned to Elena, gently shaking her. She only groaned softly in response.

Glorfindel unfolded his arms. "Get someone to pick some of her clothes. I'll carry her there."

Elrohir's healer's mask fell, revealing just Elrohir, who was now beginning to smirk at his mentor. "Have you gone soft on little Elena here, uncle?" teased the elf.

"I brought her here, which makes me somewhat responsible for her wellbeing," reasoned Glorfindel.

Elrohir got up to give space for Glorfindel, who he eyed with suspicion. The Balrog Slayer never shown that kind of affection to anyone the way he did the little sweet pea. He wondered if there was something there...

Glorfindel slid each of his hands behind her back and her knees. She weighed so little, which was another cause for concern for him. Ignoring the looks that Elrohir threw at him, he pressed the human girl to his chest, and proceeded to walk towards the Houses of Healing.

He found that he couldn't keep his eyes away from her sleeping face for long. He was drawn to it; troubled to feel her so weak, almost brittle in his arms.

By the time he reached his destination, he picked a clean bed laid her down gently.

So fragile.

The mythical elf warrior pulled a blanket to cover her. A rather strange, nonsensical feeling disturbed him. He worried that he won't get to see those green eyes of hers again.

***

[Author's Note: I'd say it's a bug. A love bug 😏❤️🐞Do you guys like the 3rd Person POV? Comment if you want more. Thanks for reading!]