(Requested by a friend on Tumblr: Hi! Girl I love how you write for Lindir! Can I request something where he's shy to talk to the reader? Maybe she is visiting from Lothlorien and he's trying to work up the courage to go and talk to her?
Author's Notes: I'm so happy that when I wrote Kalinaw for Lindir, a lot of requests for Lindir came because I have always wanted to write more for him, I just didn't have ideas that fit him so thank you guys! Spread more love for Lindir woooo! I tried my best with this, although Lindir became not so shy towards the end sooo 😆 I also don't speak Afrikaans but I really want to learn the language while we're here in South Africa. Correct me pls if my title is wrong. I hope you like it!
Warning: none)
Lindir heaved a sigh, placing his chin on his palm as he rested his elbow on the desk. Out of the window he looked and out of the window he continued to stare. There was something, or rather someone, that caught his eyes and Lindir could not find it in himself to look away. And even if Lindir could control himself, he would choose not to avert his gaze.
The view from outside the window of his study was indeed a gorgeous view. It showed the valley and the trees and it was quite near to the waterfalls. The sound of water calmed him and the orange glow of the sun that casted shadows in the room ever reminded Lindir of how glorious and ethereal Imladris was.
But if he looked at one of the balconies that could be seen from his window, one would notice an elleth sitting on a velvet love seat with her feet up. She wore a gown in a beautiful shade of (favorite color) and her (hair color) was free from any braids. They tumbled down her shoulders and gently swayed with the breeze. Her eyes were glued to the book and her fingers gingerly turned its yellowing pages.
You were far more beautiful than any view he could get from any window in Imladris.
Oh how breathtaking you were. Lindir could not help but smile whenever your lips would turn upwards as you read something amusing or how your eyebrows would meet when something troubling happened in the story.
How he wished he could sit with you and read the words to you. To have you in his arms as you lean your head against his chest while he holds the book in front of you two. To have his arm around you and absentmindedly run his hand through your hair. To have you look up at him with that beautiful smile.
Such a beautiful image he would love to make into reality.
But his sweet daydreams were interrupted when your gaze suddenly left the book and you turned your head to look his way.
Lindir jumped and luckily turned just in time to avoid getting caught. He looked down at his parchment (which he was supposed to be writing lyrics on) and pretended to be deep in thought as he held his quill in his other hand.
He continued to pretend for a few minutes more before looking up. A sigh of relief left his lips when he saw that you went back to reading.
Lindir didn't know, but your cheeks felt quite warm at the sight of him.
As Lindir heaved another sigh, someone cleared their throat to get his attention. Again Lindir jumped and quickly swiveled in his seat. There standing a few steps away from him was Elrond. And the Lord of Rivendell was raising an eyebrow at him. Elrond's eyes looked out of the window and when he saw you, both of his eyebrows were up. A teasing smirk appeared on his lips.
"What a lovely view, Lindir," Elrond said. "I suppose this is why you are spending more time here."
"Y-Yes," Lindir stammered, "this room has a magnificent view of Imladris, Lord Elrond. Quite an inspiration for me to write my songs."
"Mhmm, quite an inspiration to start writing love songs, is she not?"
Blood rushed to Lindir's cheeks and he was left trying to defend himself. His mouth opened but no words left his lips. Lindir looked like a fish at that moment and Elrond could not help but laugh. The minstrel groaned, leaning back on his chair and sighing in frustration. He had given up trying to hide how smitten he was. None can hide from Lord Elrond. Even if Elrond was a mile away, he would still see how Lindir acted around you.
"I highly suggest you talk to her, Lindir," Elrond said. "She will appreciate a conversation with you."
"But I cannot find courage in myself to approach her." Lindir straightened up and began opening up to Elrond. "She is too...beautiful, too lovely. I forget what to say whenever I am around her. And I am afraid to make a fool out of myself in front of her."
"Ai, Lindir, you are the most eloquent speaker I know." Elrond placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "But if you find it difficult, you still have one way of expressing your feelings. There is something you are good at."
Lindir looked down at his blank parchment and then to you. Even though he was nervous, he put on a brave face and picked up his quill. Elrond smiled and left him in peace. The rest of the evening, Lindir spent writing what he could not say into lyrics and composing a beautiful tune with his harp.
A day or two after Lindir composed a song, Elrond decided it would be wonderful to hold a rather small gathering for their visitors. You were part of the elves who visited from Lothlorien to escort Lord Celebrian who wanted to visit his daughter and talk with Elrond about other matters. In this small gathering, Elrond had assigned Lindir to sing a song for them.
It was Elrond's way of helping Lindir get closer to you.
Lindir took his place and sat down. Taking a deep breath, his eyes found yours in the crowd. His heart sang when you met his gaze and offered him an encouraging smile. Feeling more confident than ever, Lindir began to sing.
He sang of how he felt when he first saw you and how his heart felt something he had never felt before. The feelings and thoughts that were once all over the place were finally organized into this song which he hoped would reach you. It contained what he hoped he could say soon.
And what he hoped you would feel for him too.
When it ended, they all clapped their hands and some even had tears in their eyes for they remembered the time they met the love of their lives and the love they felt and still feel. But to Lindir, at that moment, their opinions and praises didn't matter. He only looked at you and a shy smile appeared on his face when you bashfully beamed at him. Lindir felt braver as if he could take on any challenge at that moment.
But the minute Lindir was out of the spotlight, he began to feel nervous again. He thought he'd have the courage to walk up to you and start a conversation after the song but no, his hands that played the harp steadily began shaking. Words were stuck in his throat. Why on earth was he being like this? Look, someone else is going to talk to you and whisk you away before he could have the chance to properly introduce himself!
Drowning in frustration, Lindir didn't notice Elrond sigh and walk up to him.
The Lord of Rivendell had had enough of Lindir being like this. He wanted his friend to find someone to love and he was going to do what he can to help. The bright look in Lindir's eyes was something Elrond wanted to stay. Also Celebrian was itching to start arranging for a wedding the moment she saw Lindir's love struck gaze on you.
And so with a silent apology (but truth be told, he didn't feel remorse at all), Elrond discreetly walked behind Lindir and gave the minstrel a push.
A push that sent him staggering towards you.
If it weren't for your gentle hands that helped him regain his balance, Lindir would have fallen onto the floor.
Looking behind him, Lindir glared at Elrond who smirked and walked away as if nothing happened. But his glare melted away when you spoke, worry laced in your voice.
"Are you alright, my lord?" you asked.
"Yes, I am alright. Thank you very much," he said. "And please, call me Lindir. No need for formalities." He was surprised at how easily the words left his lips.
You smiled and said, "My name is, (Y/N), Lindir. It is a pleasure to meet you. You have a beautiful voice. Your song moved the hearts of many."
Lindir's shy demeanor was surprised by the courage that he found at that moment. "I indeed even saw tears in their eyes. But tell me, (Y/N), was your heart moved as well?" he asked.
You blushed and averted your gaze. "Well, yes, for how could it not be moved? You sang with so much emotion."
You were quite startled when his hand reached out and took yours. His touch was very gentle and quite warm and you found yourself wanting to intertwine your hand with his. Gingerly Lindir lifted your hand and brought it to his lips. The kiss he left on the back of your hand made you blush even more. But a smile appeared on your lips when you realized his cheeks were also red. How adorable and how lovely he looked to you.
"But why do you ask?" you whispered. "Why do you seem interested and terrified of my answer?"
Still holding your hand, Lindir stepped closer and answered,
"Because I would have been devastated if you felt nothing after I have poured my heart in a song I made just for you."
Liedjie vir jou
—(Afrikaans; South Africa)
Meaning: song for you