Author's Notes:

I do not own the characters, only my representations of them, as well as my plot. Some plot elements are canon to JRR Tolkien's works.

Title means: Reborn Again

This is beta read by Hakeber, a member of the Archives of Our Own site.

The feeling that something was rocking him made him feel a little confused. Glorfindel blinked, as he took in his surroundings. There was no movement in Mandos' halls like the one he felt now, or so he had found in the years he had resided there.

I suppose I better walk around and see what is going on. Wait a moment, walk around and see? That was not something he had thought to do when he was in the Halls. One could see everything going on in the halls simply by hovering about, as they were only spirits.

Wasn't I just talking to Ecthelion?

Glorfindel looked about, getting more confused as his eyes made out wooden paneling around himself. He knew he hadn't been buried, the elves of Gondolin didn't bury the dead in wood. This place was not anything like Mandos' Halls.

He reached a set of steps and went to go up them. Instead of floating, as he thought he would, his knee jarred as he stepped up one of the steps. Instead of going through the steps, his feet were touching them! They were solid under him!

Aren't I meant to be dead?

He made his way up the stairs, still not used to the rocking movement of the wood below him. Once he passed through a door and out into the open, he felt as though something was very strange. He could see blue sky, and he smelt salt. No matter which way he turned, he could see naught but blue.

He appeared to be on a ship, but why was he on one? That made no sense. Where am I being taken? He could hear no one else on the ship which also confused him. I wouldn't know how to control this ship.

Glorfindel chose to go back down under the deck of the ship, and to find out what else was on board. There had to be other things. He knew now that he was alive, and that was something he had not hoped to happen any time soon. Not while his friends were still in the halls.

I suppose I need to find out if there is food on this ship. If there were not, then there were every chance he might end up back in Mandos' Halls again. When did Eru decide to remake me, and why me? Where are the Valar sending me?

Last time there had been an ocean to cross, he remembered that he like the rest of his people, or most of them, anyway, had crossed via the Helacraxe. I'm glad I do not have to find a way past that again.

He doubted one elf alone would be able to make it in that frigid land. It was surprising that he and the others had made it in the first place, considering the many others who hadn't.

Some of those who hadn't made it he had met in Mandos' Halls once more. It seemed cruel, that he was going somewhere none of them could.

Down in the galley of the ship, he found there was a room with a bed in it and a bag of clothing, which he didn't bother to touch for now. He also noted a very familiar looking sword as well.

That's my old sword. If he was being sent back with it, he doubted he was going anywhere peaceful. He would likely need it before he knew what was going on. Picking up the sword, he unsheathed it, checking the blade for any damage after the fight he'd had with the Balrog that had been the cause of his downfall. There did not appear to be any damage, and the sword was clean as well. I wonder which of the Valar thought it was wise to send this back with me.

"Lord Círdan!"

The Silver haired member of the Teleri turned as he heard one of his kin calling his name. The ellon coming toward him had pale white hair, as was usual for their people.

"Yes?"

"There's a ship coming toward the docks, it is not one from Númenor however."

A ship that's not from Númenor?

"Well… what does it look like? Could it be one from our friends in Valinor?"

The ellon flinched at that one.

"Well, yes, it almost looks the same as one of the ships Fëanor stole from Aqualonde and then burned. I don't know who's on board."

Círdan sighed. "Very well, I will go and see who is coming to us this time. They will not be able to fool me."

He would never allow someone to cross into his lands if they were not friends to his people. Not after spending so much time working on the friendship between himself and Ereinion. He had known the High-King of the Noldor since said elf was an elfling, and he wasn't about to lose his trust now.

"Send word to Elrond that I will bring the strangers up to the palace to meet the High-King once I have met them myself."

The ellon nodded.

"I'll head straight there."

Círdan nodded and watched him leave, before he himself headed down toward his docks.

Some time later, Glorfindel stood out on the deck once more, eyes searching for any sign of land. He was getting tired of staying on board the ship, having walked its length so many times he was starting to get quite bored of being at sea.

At least when Fëanor crossed the seas he had other company with him.

He had never considered thanking the heavens for anything, but just when he was starting to really hope for land he heard the call of a bird. Glorfindel could not help but look up at the sound. Am I finally nearly where the Valar want me to be? He searched, finally spotting the sea bird and then behind it, he noticed that he was nearing a gap between two cliffs.

I really hope there is no waterfall between the cliffs!

He did not want to be reborn only to find himself plunging over a waterfall to his death. I doubt that was why they sent me back. There was no point in him being returned to life, only to have things end in such a ridiculous manner.

Through the gap he sailed.

He did not recall the bay that he had entered, and he took in the buildings scattered around before noticing the stone jetty that his ship was fast approaching.

It seemed this part of his journey was over at least. He would find out soon enough where he was. A glance down at the clothing he wore surprised him. Ai Valar! He was dressed in the same clothing he had worn in Gondolin! Why hadn't he thought to look down sooner?

There was no mistaking the small celandine flowers embroidered into his golden tunic. Any who saw them would know who he was.

Find Elrond Eärendilion.

The words suddenly appeared in his thoughts, and he knew one of the Valar had sent those words to him. Eärendilion? Last time he had seen Eärendil, it had been just prior to his own death against the Balrog! The Eärendil of his memories was only a very young child, and yet now, the child he remembered had a son?

How long was I in Mandos' Halls? Are any of my kin still here? Or did they all die? Yes, now he knew Eärendil, at least, had survived, but were there others who had made it through the fall of his home? He knew there had been very few from his House who continued to flee while he fought the Balrog. The Balrog had claimed his life, yes, but he was - in a way - glad to be returning to Middle-Earth. That was the only place he could think of that he could be approaching while on the small ship.

He then spotted a figure coming out to meet his ship, and he knew this person would be able to tell him where he was at least. The boat stopped beside the docks, and Glorfindel looked at the elf that had come to greet him.

Glorfindel blinked. Though he could tell quite plainly that the other figure was an elf, since when did elves have beards? As soon as the ship was securely docked, Glorfindel got off and stopped on the jetty, looking at the other elf.

"Greetings, stranger," the other elf spoke. Glorfindel understood the words, they were Sindarin, and he had had a few Sindarin friends in Gondolin.

"Greetings," Glorfindel replied. It was good to know he had the same voice as he'd had in his former life.

He was not sure what to say to this elf. He knew that his destiny was connected to Eärendil's son, but this elf could not be him at all. For one thing, Eärendil had had dark hair, and this one was silver haired. He could guess that there was Sindarin blood in this strange elf though.

I would rather not stay around here, he thought. So perhaps it was best that what he sought was elsewhere.

"Do you happen to know where I might find Elrond Eärendilion? I was told when I arrived here - though I am not sure where 'here' is - to find him."

The bearded elf nodded. "I know Elrond, quite well, actually. Who sent you to find him?"

Glorfindel groaned. "I think…" he paused, " the Valar."