Nor Bid the Stars Farewell

Chapter 1

This is not a work in progress. It's done, edited, beta'd and any mistakes are mine, all mine. I'll post frequently. :)

Just to clarify, I'm using a map from Michael Martinez' post "Horror in the Woods - How Men Live in Mirkwood" to show the the lands east of the Misty Mountains. It's not exactly like the maps in Karen Wynn Fonstads's "The Atlas of Middle-earth" maps but this story takes place very early in the Third Age, approximately around 160 TA, long before the Istari arrived but not long after Sauron was defeated in the Last Alliance. Thranduil's cavern was not yet his home, and he lived in Amon Lanc, which later became the location of Dol Guldur. If it pleases you to consider it AU, go ahead, but I don't. ;) No Thranduils were hurt in the writing of this story. It is, as best I know, canon, though one idea from the movies was filched.

Eilian is one of Daw the Minstrels' characters. I've borrowed him here with permission, and will return him to Mirkwood when he's done here. Daw writes the best Legolas stories I've read and Eilian was always my favorite, the scamp! Go read her stories. Now! ;)

Dedicated to EverleighBain (my awesome, patient beta - please go read her stories), Nilmandra, Daw and all the others who, over the years, encouraged me with their friendship, their reviews, their stories and by being amazing women I greatly admire. I don't think I can ever tell you how much it means to me. I would have given up long ago but for your examples. Thank you.

The fire was flickering low, more coals than true fire, when Elrohir gave up his pretence of rest and crept past his sleeping brother to approach the lone figure sitting near the coals. "You should be sleeping."

So much for sneaking. Wrinkling his nose Elrohir huffed out a sigh. "I can't."

"You'll regret it come morning."

Ignoring the admonition, he crouched before the coals, adding a piece of wood to coax the embers to more warmth. "You let the fire die down." Elrohir held out chilled hands to the first flickering tongues of flame, adding another small branch when the first began to burn steadily. Glancing sideways to where their guide sat, Elrohir shook his head. It figured. Glorfindel didn't seem feel the cold as acutely as Elrohir and his twin, even riding with his hood down when cool rain had started to fall the previous day.

"Did the cold wake you?"

Moving close enough to the glowing coals that the tips of his boots began to smoke, Elrohir shook his head. "Elladan's dreaming." A pair of brown, scuffed boots settled next to his and Elrohir looked up as a heavy cloak fell over his shoulders and back. "His elbows are sharp."

"Don't set your boots on fire, youngling." Glorfindel pulled Elrohir away from the fire, settling the boy next to him on the log currently serving as a seat. Pulling the cloak tightly around Elrohir, he waited until the boy stopped shivering and pulled the knife out of his boot. Examination showed it needed sharpening, and he pulled a whetstone from his saddlebag then set about remedying its dullness.

The repetitious scraping sound was mesmerizing. Elrohir forced eyelids that felt far too heavy open and swallowed a yawn, focusing on the bright silver of the blade. The fire flickered on the metal and he blinked as Glorfindel caught at his shoulder. Chuckling, the older elf set aside his whetstone, returned the knife to his boot and put an arm around Elrohir's shoulders. "Pitching yourself in the fire will warm even you to an uncomfortable point, Elrohir."

"What do you think Ada and Naneth are doing without us there?" Mind floating, Elrohir leaned into Glorfindel's warmth as his eyelids finally succumbed to the weight of gravity. "They must be lonely."

Suppressing a snort, Glorfindel kept his ideas of what the twins' parents were doing in their absence to himself and stroked a stray wisp of long brown hair away from the boy's face. "I've no doubt it's far quieter without your presence, but don't forget they have Haldir and your grandparents to keep them company."

A scoffing snort and Elrohir fought the pull of sleep on his senses. "They probably don't know what to do without us."

Glorfindel smiled. At twenty, the twins were still decades away from their physical maturity, more akin to a human's pre-adolescent years, though more graceful than the gangly youths he'd seen in the mannish settlements. Growing fast in mind, spirit and body, but still so very young in his far older eyes. "They'll find something, don't fuss."

Elrohir pushed himself away to stare indignantly at Glorfindel. "You don't think they miss us!"

"Of course they do."

There was a trace of laughter in that answer, and Elrohir wrinkled his nose. "Naneth had tears in her eyes when I looked back to wave at her, Gofi. They miss us."

The insistent tone was delivered with an earnest plea. Ah. Was that what was keeping the youth awake? Homesickness? It wasn't the twins' first foray into the wilderness, but it was the first time their father hadn't come with them this far from home. Elrond, Celebrían, Galadriel, Celeborn and a host of escorts had gone to Khazad-dûm to negotiate with the Dwarves about a trade agreement. Elrohir had been very put out at not being allowed to go with them. His fascination with Dwarves was a source of amusement to his mother, but she had insisted that Dwarrowdelf, with its steep stairs and deep drops was no place for energetic, curious boys. Especially, she had added to Glorfindel when he agreed to take the twins out on their own journey, while tensions were so tense between the races. "Elrohir." Smoothing hair behind the boy's ear, Glorfindel met the earnest gaze. "They will count the days until you return, believe me."

Searching the azure eyes a moment longer, Elrohir nodded and tucked himself against Glorfindel's side again. "Rainion said he'd make honey cakes when we return."

The cook doted on the boys, but then who didn't in Lothlórien? Children were precious to Elves, but these two... They'd stolen his heart from the moment he'd first seen them, tiny hands reaching to grasp his finger with a strength that had surprised him. He'd looked up with a delighted smile to see Elrond grinning. 'I told you they wouldn't break if you held them!' His friend had been right, but the twins had been so small when they were born, each of them easily fitting into one cupped hand. They had looked fragile. Breakable.

Elladan and Elrohir had proven to be remarkably break-resistant, regardless that they had pushed to the very edge of their limits and those of their frazzled parents. "Honey cakes, hmm?"

A smile curled the boy's lips. "I'll give you some, Gofi," Elrohir slurred softly, and reached out to pat his mentor's arm.

Glorfindel sighed. The name had been bestowed on him when the twins had been barely more than a year, and seemingly unable to pronounce his name correctly. They were long past that, easily able to pronounce his name, but the moniker had stuck, much to his dismay.

Soft snores announced the boy was asleep, but Glorfindel only settled him closer. Elrohir was, by far, the more restless of the twins, and it was a rare night that he slept without at least one foray out of his and his brother's room. He was convinced that the night held far more entertainment than the day. Elrohir hated to be left out. More than once he'd dragged his twin to the Hall of Fire to listen to the singers only to fall asleep there and be carried to bed. Glorfindel had once found them curled together beneath a blooming apple tree, and Elrohir had protested when he'd tried to carry them to bed, claiming he'd only been resting for a moment from watching the stars. Explaining to a toddler that he had made his parents frantic with worry was a waste of breath. Glorfindel had sat with the twins, keeping watch, after sending a nearby star-watcher to alert Elrond and Celebrían where the scamps were.

They were still pushing limits. Questioning boundaries. Glorfindel had shaken his head and gripped Elrond's shoulder before setting out on this trip. "My friend," he had said with a knowing grin, "They have only begun to test our strength."

"And yet you still agreed to this journey."

Of course. He had returned from Aman, hadn't he? He accepted that there would be times that tried the patience of even a re-embodied elf who had known the hard truths of losing everything: friends, home, love. Life.

Death was but a passage, a journey further up, further in.

He had basked in the presence and illumination of the Secret Flame. What in this life could compare to that?

Elrohir sighed in his sleep and twisted his fingers into the cloth of Glorfindel's sleeve as if to be certain of anchoring him in the present. Glorfindel smiled and cuddled the boy closer. How easily he and his brother had twined themselves into his heart. Effortlessly, and he had welcomed it, hadn't he?

What was life if you did not welcome those journeying? Oh, the paths they wandered might take them away at times, sometimes for long stretches of years.

But Glorfindel knew with unshakable certainty that all roads had but one end and there was no one with enough will or power to obliterate it. They tried, but warping and wresting did not diminish it and never would.

Gaze rising to the night sky and the brilliant jewels scattered across the darkness, Glorfindel smiled. There was always light in the darkness for those who had eyes to see.

"How much longer?"

"Are we there yet?"

Laughter met the questions, and Glorfindel leaned forward to pat his horses' neck. The mare snorted and shook her head, sending the small bells on her headstall chiming. She arched her neck, and pranced forward, each step accompanied by the ching of bells before finally settling into a ground-eating trot.

"Why did you put bells on her?" Elladan frowned slightly, brow furrowing in a look reminiscent of his sire. "Shouldn't we want stealth?"

As if there was such a thing with two rambunctious younglings riding with him? Only a league earlier Elrohir had been singing loudly enough to startle birds out of the trees. "Alfirin likes them." Glorfindel slowed the mare to a walk and turned his gaze upon Elladan, now riding next to him. "We go to meet friends. We have no need of stealth." Not to mention they were riding along the Anduin, and had already seen several groups of dwarves traveling towards Moria.

Elrohir had been clearly delighted, so much so that even the dourest of the Dwarves had pleased enough to answer a question.

Arms stretched straight out from his sides, reins on his horses' neck, Elrohir went trotting past, posting perfectly until the mare bobbled and he quickly grabbed for the mane, laughing. "Eilian is bringing Legolas, right Glorfindel?"

"If his father allows, yes."

"Why wouldn't he?" Circling his mount around, Elrohir came up to ride on Glorfindel's other side, opposite his twin. "Legolas is fun!"

The twins had made Legolas' acquaintance several years earlier and had immediately found him a kindred spirit. A wry smile and Glorfindel privately reflected that Celeborn might have regretted bringing his grandsons with him when he met with Thranduil. Not that the meeting had gone badly. It had proceeded with just as many sarcastic remarks and drawled imprecations about Noldorin influence as expected. Upon reaching an agreement about the problem in question the two rulers had set out to ride to their respective havens, breaking apart the younglings who had become fast friends.

There had been a great deal of complaining on the way back to Lothlórien. Glorfindel had his suspicions that Thranduil had heard more than his share of grievances as well.

"Will they beat us there?" Always the more competitive, Elladan urged his horse back into a trot, leading the way along the road.

"It is possible."

"Where exactly are we meeting them?"

"Who cares?" Elrohir left off posting to bounce. "Ungh! Ungh! Ungh!"

How the boy's bottom endured was a mystery, but Glorfindel only glanced over and reminded him, "You'll be riding home. Be sure you can sit the saddle."

The thoughtful look was swift as was the ability to once again post the trot. Elrohir settled for humming, giggling as his voice bounced in time with the horse's hooves hitting the ground.

Elladan would not be distracted and the frown was a sure sign he was thinking. "There are mannish settlements along the river and Daeradar said there were many Silvan Elves living in the forests."

"And dwarves!"

"Why do you like stinky dwarves?" His brother's fascination with the tunnel dwellers was a mystery to Elladan.

"You stink, orc breath!"

Elladan's eyes flashed as he turned in the saddle to lean towards his brother. Fortunately Glorfindel rode between them and proved to be an insurmountable obstacle. Settling for sticking out his tongue, Elladan pretended to ignore his brother and turned his gaze to Glorfindel. "Adar said that Lord Thranduil's people trade with the Dwarves and some of the Men. Shouldn't they also trade with Lothlórien?"

The boy was blessed with his sire's thirst for knowledge and the budding intellect of a rapacious dragon, always seeking to understand. "What do you think?"

Elladan had learned not to assume that meant the adult didn't know as he'd first assumed. Asking questions of Glorfindel was always something of a game. You asked, he countered with his own question, and so on and so forth. Elladan loved it even as it frustrated Elrohir endlessly. Slowing his gelding to a walk, Elladan pondered what he knew of Eilian's home and the surroundings. "Legolas said his ada has little to do with Daeradar and Daernaneth, but I think it would be good for both havens if they would trade with one another. Imladris is too far and the trip in the winter over the Hithaeglir would be impossible for trade wains." Grey eyes met Glorfindel's gaze. "Lord Thranduil and my grandparents don't like each other much, do they?"

"Your grandparents are quite fond of one another." A wink and Glorfindel smiled for the boy's roll of eyes. "Thranduil would rather not have Noldorin influence so near his kingdom."

Busy braiding what he could reach of his horse's mane, Elrohir leaned forward to look past Glorfindel to his brother. "He means Daernaneth."

"I know, warg face!" Face flushing as his gaze tracked up to meet Glorfindel's mild look, Elladan squared his shoulders and sat very straight. "Thranduil is not fond of the Men of Gondor because of all the trees they have taken. Daeradar said that was one thing they could agree upon." He straightened the long twist of reins, smoothing them across his leg. "They resent the Men because of the war too, don't they? I heard Haldir use a word for Men that Naneth told me I will not repeat or she will be displeased."

The boy missed nothing. Glorfindel nodded, smiling in mild amusement as Elrohir pulled a feather out of his cloak pocket and pursed his lips, considering what to do with it. "I would suggest to you that Eilian's meeting us is not motivated solely for reasons of trade or state."

Tongue between his teeth, Elrohir leaned forward, balancing precariously as he tried to lodge the feather behind his horse's ear.

"Your adar is not here to patch up any injuries, youngling." Glorfindel held his young charge's startled look, noting the quick grin without answering it with his own.

Elrohir plopped his butt in the saddle with a sigh. "I thought the feather would look good in her mane."

Naturally not the mane within his reach. Glorfindel nudged Alfirin close enough to bump his leg against the boy's and plucked the feather from his fingers. It took but a moment to lean forward and braid the feather into the mane of Elrohir's mare, just behind her ear. The blue feather was a nice contrast to the mare's bay coat. "Is that satisfactory?"

"Perfect!" The smile of delight called forth Elrohir's dimples. "Thank you, Gofi!"

Had he just been thinking that someday the scamp would break the hearts of elvish maidens everywhere? Valar help them all. A snort and Glorfindel nudged his mare back into a trot. "Come on, you two. We have a ways to go before we reach the next stopping point."

It was dusk when they finally reached the spot Glorfindel had chosen for them to spend the night. The copse of woods provided shelter from the wind without blocking out the stars just beginning to gleam forth as Vasa guided her vessel beyond even Elven sight. "Make sure you check his hind right foot," Glorfindel reminded Elladan. "Let's make sure that rock didn't bruise his frog."

Running a hand down the horse's leg, Elladan picked up his gelding's hoof and carefully cleaned it of dirt and debris. "It isn't hot and he's not flinching."

"Good." Setting Alfirin's hoof down, Glorfindel patted her shoulder. "What did I tell you about crossing that mare, Elrohir?"

Shifting the right fore hoof to let it down, the boy shook his head. "She's standing and letting me."

"But she doesn't like it with her back feet, so walk around her and do it properly."

"Roccandil said it was safe to cross." One hand sliding around the mare's hindquarters, Elrohir slid his hand down the mare's leg and sighed when she refused to move her leg. "See? She doesn't like it this way."

A pat for Alfirin, and Glorfindel walked over to Elrohir's mare. Crooning softly to her, rubbing her neck, he waited until she licked her lips and shifted. "Pick up her foot, Elrohir. That's it, give her time to relax that leg. It's not natural for them to stand this way."

"Why doesn't she trust me?"

The impatience of youth. Glorfindel combed his fingers through the mare's mane, undoing the small braids. He left the braid with the feather and scrubbed the 'v' of her chest. "She's only known you for a short time, and this isn't her barn where you usually take care of her. She just needs a little extra reassurance."

With a sigh, the boy nodded. "I miss Rochael."

Kneeling, Glorfindel met Elrohir's gaze. "And he very likely misses you but he has served you well for many years. You know he didn't like that he could no longer fly across the meadows as you did before." The faithful gelding had pain in his shoulder joints and walked stiffly when it was cold. His huge heart was willing, and if put to it he likely would try whatever Elrohir asked of him, but they had decided it was best to let him spend the remainder of his years in the valley, safe and loved.

"Do you think..." Elrohir leaned in closer, and glanced at the mare before whispering, "Do you think he would mind that I care for her too? I think he misses me and I don't want to be perfidious."

He caught back the laugh and paused, as if thinking. The boy was utterly earnest, and chose the most unlikely moments to borrow words from his brother's extensive vocabulary.

Glorfindel squeezed Elrohir's shoulder. "Rochael is the most forgiving of horses." That was true. He'd shepherded the energetic young elf for over twenty years, and was sturdy, steady and utterly unflappable in an emergency. "And Tuilinneth is from the same line."

"So maybe he wouldn't mind a sister's daughter taking over?" Elrohir bit at his bottom lip. "Kind of like how Mirith's daughter is learning to weave from her naneth?"

Certain the elven ladies in question would not appreciate being compared to horses, Glorfindel nonetheless smiled and nodded. "Tuilinneth was the first horse from the herd who came forward to greet you. She is eager to please you, Elrohir. You two will learn to become a team."

Bouncing on his toes, Elrohir beamed a smile. "We shall be the best team ever!" He walked to the mare and offered his hand. "Would you like that, Tuilinneth? Maybe someday you and I can see how fast we can go." A glance to the adult and Elrohir leaned in closer to the mare. "But not on roads we are unfamiliar with or you might injure yourself."

The mare gave a low rumble and nudged the young elf, closing her eyes in contentment as he scrubbed the flat of her forehead and whispered to her.

The beginning of a beautiful friendship. Glorfindel smiled and turned to see how Elladan was faring. Again, he had to hold back a laugh as Elladan shook a finger at the gelding who snorted and nudged the boy. "I don't have any, I told you! So stop slobbering all over my tunic. I don't want Legolas to think we're entirely uncouth!"

Returning to Alfirin, Glorfindel cupped her jaw and laughed quietly as she nosed at his tunic before nudging his chest. "Yes, I hear you, my lady. You know where the river is and the grass is awaiting your attention." Another snort, and he rubbed her neck. "No rolling in the mud, hmm? Unless you want to show Eilian how entirely uncouth we of Imladris are." He pushed her shoulder as she nudged him harder. "Away with you. And take the others with you."

A stomp of hoof, and the stepped back before throwing up her head. A short, low call and she turned to amble towards the stream, the other two horses falling in with her. Glorfindel sighed as he followed the boys to where they had left their gear. Odds were good he would have a mud-crusted horse to deal with in the morning, but as Erestor would undoubtedly say, "What do you expect when you insist on riding temperamental horses?"

She was not temperamental! She was...energetic.

Funny how it was the same argument Elrond used when defending his often rambunctious children.

"You started the fire last night, it's my turn!"

"I gathered the wood, balrog brain!"

Both boys halted and turned with wide eyes to find Glorfindel standing just behind them, arms crossed forebodingly across his chest.

Without another word, they both knelt to dig out a slight pit and began to place rocks in a circle.

An inward sigh that never would be heard, and Glorfindel headed to the packs to find the supplies for their supper. He had been exactly the same with his brothers, like tussling pups wrangling over every little thing just because.

His brothers were far away, likely still in the Halls. Ah well, that was Námo's problem, wasn't it? A wistful smile and Glorfindel turned to return to the brothers who were coaxing a tiny flame to grow. "Will one of you go to the river and fill this?" Elrohir hopped up and took the pan. "Be sure to fill it upriver from the horses."

"I will!"

Settling to his knees, Glorfindel set a bit of waybread on his cloak along with the last of the vegetables they would use for dinner. Tomorrow they would likely reach Rhosgobel, barring any unforeseen circumstances, and he would welcome the chance for a warm meal and hot bath.

"Gofi." Elladan rarely used the nickname. It must be a momentous occasion for the boy to call it forth now. "I...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I just..he's such an infuriating warg at times!"

Growing up, yes, but still boys. Still uncertain and brash and so golden hearted. He could never stay angry at them. All the same... "Words carry weight, Elladan."

"I know." The grey eyes that met his gaze were shimmering. "I won't use it again, I promise! I know it... It hurts you."

It didn't. The word had long ago ceased to have the power to make him tremble. "Child." Glorfindel took Elladan's shoulders, turning him to face him. "The memory of that day is behind me and holds no sway over my heart or mind."

A tear shimmered at the edge of his eye, and slid a slow path down a cheek still rounded and flawless with childhood. He remembered the first time he'd heard the story and how sick he'd felt to find that the very Glorfindel living with them, the person who told them stories and didn't yell when they muddied their knees or brought frogs in from the garden, was the very same Glorfindel in the stories. "I hate that story. It was awful."

"Yes." Horrific. Not worthy of clinging to, not then, not now. "It's in the past." Thumb wiping the tear away, Glorfindel smiled gently. "It cannot hurt me."

"I did though. Adar warned me to be cautious with my words. My tone."

Such a quicksilver temper this one. One day he would be honed to a fine young man, mind sharp as the edge of a blade. But now...now he was a child trembling on the cusp of something more and sometimes it terrified him. "Elladan, you're forgiven." He squeezed the boy's shoulders, willing the tense muscles to relax. "Now let it go and let's make sure this fire doesn't die, hmm?"

But still, he hesitated.

Glorfindel waited and held the grey gaze patiently. This child saw deep, past layers that many would rather not reveal. He held no such reservations, not with these boys. They were family.

Elladan nodded and looked down. He took a step back and then suddenly lunged forward to throw his arms around Glorfindel's neck. Gathering him close, Glorfindel rubbed his back and cupped the back of the boy's head. These moments were growing fewer and he treasured them, these last remnants of childhood.

A sniff and Elladan pulled back, offering an uncertain smile. He nodded again and Glorfindel winked before standing up.

Squelching sounds preceded Elrohir, and he grinned as he held the half-empty pan of water to Glorfindel. "I saw a fish and tried to catch it but it went under a log. I kind of got wet, but I got the water!"

Unquenchable. "So you did." Graciously taking the half-filled pot, Glorfindel ruffled the imp's hair as he scooted past.

"Look, Elladan! I found this rock. Isn't it neat?"

Two dark heads bent together to look at the rock. Glorfindel peered at the water and snorted. There was grit at the bottom and a fragment of greenery. No doubt the scamp had used it to sift a bit of dirt or dig out his rock. Ah well. He would make sure Alfirin wasn't indulging in a mud bath and get some water.

That's what he got for sending an elven magpie for water.

He couldn't sleep. Not that it was that unusual. Elrohir was a restless spirit and his adar had told him many times he was too curious for his own good.

Whatever that meant. How was being curious a problem? How else was he going to learn if he didn't explore and ask questions? Adults were so odd sometimes.

Somewhere a cricket took up its fiddle and began to play. Another joined in, then another. The young elf grinned as the night air filled with the song of crickets. He really liked the cicadas and the sonorous buzz their song created in the heavy summer heat. Elladan had found one the previous summer and they had kept it in their room for a while. Naneth had found it and told them it had to live outside, with the rest of the cicadas and wildlife and so they had taken it to the small garden that was just outside his parent's rooms.

He wondered if Legolas knew about cicadas. Did Greenwood have other creatures different from those in the valley? Elrohir was envious that the younger elf was traveling with just his brother. What freedom! He wanted to do that someday, just him and Elladan and no adults to tell him when to sleep or when to wash his face. He couldn't wait to do what he wanted!

But for now... Elrohir sighed as his brother stirred restlessly. Dreaming again. He frowned and touched his brother's chest, feeling the frantic beating of Elladan's heart. Adi dreamed a lot, and sometimes the dreams were bad. Adar said it was all the books he read about battles and the Last Alliance, but Elrohir knew that wasn't it. Something very real bothered his twin, but whatever it was, it was...elusive. He liked that word. Elladan had said it meant something hard to find, and that was exactly what those dreams were.

Elladan groaned and Elrohir scooted closer, hand slipping up to grip his twin's shoulder. "I'm here, Adi."

A shudder and Elladan jerked to wakefulness. He stared hard at his brother for a moment before burrowing closer, shivering. "'Ro."

If only the dreams were something he could hunt down and hurt! Elrohir wrapped his arms around Elladan and frowned fiercely at the night. He hated whatever it was that did this to his brother.

Elrohir looked up as a piece of the night shifted and became a form. Aman-bright eyes met his and he blurted, "It's hurting him again!"

Kneeling, Glorfindel ran his hand over Elladan's head, stroking back the sweaty strands of dark hair. "Shhhh...peace, young ones. Nothing can touch you here."

Elladan relaxed, sighing and Elrohir hugged him again. Adi told him that he saw Gofi in his dreams sometimes, shining a brilliant white that drove off the bad things. He'd never seen that, but he believed his brother. All elves had a slight gleam in the starlight, but some, like Gofi and his Daernaneth, glowed brighter.

"You should sleep, Elrohir."

Elladan murmured something and drew in a deep breath before relaxing into sleep. "I'm not sleepy." He loosened his grip on his brother but stayed close just in case the bad dream came back. "Will you sing?"

It was a childish request, and Elrohir almost regretted asking, but Glorfindel just smiled and settled on the ground. Lifting his face to the stars he began to softly sing. It wasn't a song Elrohir had ever heard and he was surprised, but pleased. Smiling, he shifted to his back, still close to Elladan, and listened to the song. It was in Quenya, so probably old, and was about the stars and sailing on a ship of white.

He meant to ask Glorfindel where he'd learned it but it was just so beautiful...

Glorfindel smiled as the younger twin finally gave up the battle against sleep. Still singing, he settled his cloak across the sleeping boys, and let the song twine with the song of the crickets and the wind in the pines.

TBC

Title is from Sam's song in the Tower of Cirith Ungol. More soon. Thank you for reading!