Note: I know there is a lot of controversy concerning Glorfindel and whether or not he was in fact Glorfindel of Gondolin returned and if so when did this happen. Although I haven't mentioned this so far I have assumed from the beginning that he came across to middle earth again in SA1600 with the blue wizards.

Also there has been much discussion on the meaning of Erestor's name. Here I have gone for 'Lonely brother' (Ereb- lone/lonely, tor- brother) A very strange name for a child. But I have tried to explain this here. I have given Erestor and Athriel's father the name Erynsael (forest wisdom) and their mother Tinduriel (twilight maiden).

Raising Athriel

Chapter 2- Athriel

TA135

Glorfindel dismounted and looked around. It had been a long time since he had been welcomed to Arda by Cirdan here in his realm. He breathed deeply inhaling the smell of salt. Many elves feared the sea. So many had seen it and felt the compulsion to sail, but not him. He had a job to do, and he had a life here. A life that would soon become much more exciting. He wouldn't miss Erestor's attempt at parenthood for anything. He laughed quietly to himself as he imagined the cool and collected advisor running after a four year old elfling. Sadistically Glorfindel caught himself hoping that she would be a complete handful. But he stopped himself. That was not why he was here. He had to be serious now.

Handing Asfaloth off to one of the stable hands and made his way to find Cirdan. It didn't take very long however as the shipwright had been expecting him. "Glorfindel!" The warrior smiled to see the ancient elf once again. There were few of them left, who had lived so long. He himself had only managed it because of his resurrection. "It is good to see you my old friend" he said before following him through the corridors.

The mood turned more melancholy when they stopped outside of a door. "How is he?" Glorfindel asked. He had only met his friend's father once, for years ago. Having learnt of Athriel's impending birth, Erestor had travelled to Mithlond accompanied by the great slayer. The entire time Glorfindel had felt like an intruder and yet now he was here to take the child back with him. "He does not have long" Cirdan said. "If he is to keep from fading he must sail soon." The blonde nodded. He was suddenly glad that Erestor had not been able to make the journey himself. It would have been far too painful for the advisor to see his father in such a state. He wondered how it affected his sister to see her father's failing health. He couldn't wait any longer; it wasn't doing any of them any good.

Glorfindel raised his hand and knocked, then held his breath as he waited for a reply. "Enter" The voice was quiet but commanding, so like his son's. They were so alike father and son, both advisors to their lord, heads of their profession. He opened the door slowly and stepped inside. Looking up the first thing he saw was the long chair in the centre of the room and the elf lying in it. Erynsael was a shadow of his former self. Erestor had inherited his sharp mind and intimidating nature from this elf, but you wouldn't know it to look at him now. The once great advisor could hardly move. Silently Cirdan moved forward to help his old friend to sit up. Glorfindel could hardly believe how skinny the raven haired elf looked.

"Glorfindel" The voice snapped him out of his shock. "Come sit by me" Quietly the warrior moved across the room to sit across from the reclining figure. "He didn't come with you then" The voice rasped. Glorfindel shook his head. "He couldn't, and he didn't want to force you to wait any longer. He knows how much you miss her." The dark head nodded slightly. "It's better that he isn't here. He shouldn't see me like this." Unconsciously Glorfindel wiped a tear from his eyes remembering the last time he had been here.

TA 131

They had ridden harder than they should to get here on time. Erestor refused to miss the birth of his little sister, not after waiting so long. His mother Tinduriel had wished for another child for centuries, but everyone had assumed it would not be possible. Erestor's birth had been very traumatic for her. Resigning himself to the truth Erynsael had named their only child Erestor, lonely brother. Now Tinduriel was about to give birth once again and Erestor refused to wait.

Dismounting in the courtyard Erestor didn't wait for his friend before he ran towards his parents rooms. Although he hadn't visited them often, he knew the way well enough. Dismounting himself Glorfindel laughed at his friend's excitement. He couldn't blame the advisor for his reaction. He could however blame him for leaving him out in the courtyard with no idea where he was going.

For two days they stayed in Mithlond waiting for Tinduriel to give birth. During that time Glorfindel had completely fallen in love with dear Erestor's family. Erestor it seemed was the very mirror of his father, it was no wonder they were so close. And Tinduriel was beautiful, so bright and cheerful sitting in her seat by the window sewing. By the end of the second day Erestor was getting impatient. After dinner that night he had made his excuses and left to sit with his mother. Letting him go Glorfindel had gone to walk by the shore. After only a few short minutes however a servant had come to find him. Tinduriel was in labour. Laughing at his friend's foresight he walked leisurely towards the couple's rooms.

Whistling as he walked along the corridors he wondered what the child would look like. Would it be an Elleth or an Ellon? Would they look like Erestor with his dark hair and deadly glare? Suddenly he stopped. Suddenly a gut renching scream was heard throughout the building. Glorfindel broke into a run. Childbirth was always painful, he rationalised. Just last year Celebrian had screamed the house down when she gave birth to her twin sons. This was perfectly normal. But this had sounded different. This wasn't the usual slur of anger directed at her husband for inflicting this upon her. This had been more like the screams he had heard as his first life came to an end. This was true anguish and unbearable pain. Skidding to a halt when he reached the open door Glorfindel noticed how quiet everything was. The only sound the crying of a small child.

Hardly daring to look the warrior crossed the threshold and his heart broke. Standing to one side with the baby in his arms was Erynsael. He was trying to calm the child, but his attempts were in vain as tears streamed down the side of his face. Erestor was kneeling by his mother's side her hand in his while he tried to catch enough breath to voice his grief. Without thought Glorfindel moved behind his friend and pulled him into an embrace.

Bringing himself back to the present, Glorfindel glanced around the room. "Is she here?" he asked finally. That was why he was here after all, not to relive that day. Erynsael nodded. "Athriel?" From a balcony on the other-side of the room a small dark-haired elfling emerged her eyes full of curiosity as she spotted the blonde. "Yes Ada" Glorfindel noticed that the advisor sat a little straighter as if he was putting on a show of strength to protect her from his sickness. "This is Lord Glorfindel. He's going to take you to Imladris, remember how we talked about Imladris and Erestor" She nodded "Erestor's going to look after me now" Erynsael nodded. "That's right."