Triwathon bade goodnight to Hador and his wife, wishing them a joyous Yuletide before heading back to his own rooms. It was strange, still, being in the larger quarters that came with the honour of his new role, but he was getting used to the space. Passing the junction of the corridor that led to the barracks exit, he was hailed by one of the duty soldiers.

'Your friend was looking for you… you didn't find him yet? He said he knew where you roomed…'

'Who exactly was looking for me?'

'Glorfindel. He's back…'

Hurrying his thanks, Triwathon hastened home, but his rooms were empty…

Was this a joke? How unkind, if so… but…

But Glorfindel had left on his errand before the new guard companies had come into being, so he could not possibly know about the new rooms…

Triwathon turned on his heel and almost ran through the corridors, back to his old, single quarters, back to his past life.

He held his breath and shoved at the not-quite closed door.

And there he was, curled up on the bed like a little lost elfling.

Glorfindel.

Triwathon felt the smile starting and he crossed to the narrow bed to fold himself around the resting form. He slid one arm under the Balrog-slayer's neck, eased his leg over the warrior's thigh, held him close with his other arm and reached to gently take the delicate ear tip between his lips, teasing gently with his tongue.

'…tickles,' Glorfindel said eventually.

'It's all part of the infamous Triwathon cuddle,' Triwathon said softly into his ear. 'Or had you forgotten?'

'Never forgot. Just…' Glorfindel broke off. One of his hands came up to touch the enfolding arm and hand of his friend, and he shifted suddenly, trying to sit up. 'Triwathon? You're back?'

'No. You're back. I'm just here.'

In an instant Glorfindel had turned him, rolled him to lie over him and try to hug and kiss him simultaneously. Presently, coming up for breath, Triwathon placed a restraining finger on his lips.

'You know, I have much nicer rooms now. There is a window, and everything. Would you like to come and see?'

'I'm quite happy here, as it happens.'

'Yes. I can tell. But in my quarters, there is honey beer.'

'Oh. Ah, well, in that case… it would be rude not to…'

Glorfindel sat up on the narrow bed, a silly grin spreading on his face.

'I've got something for you.'

'Yes, once more, I can tell.' Triwathon said, laughing, standing up and reaching out his hands. 'Come on, then, iphant-nin, hir-nin, melleth-nin! Let me kiss you and take you back to my rooms. Let me show you how pleased I am that you made it home for Yulefest Eve.'

'But the feast is over…'

'Truth to tell, I didn't have much appetite in the feasting hall. The kitchen will have plenty to spare, I will send for food. Now come with me. I want to see you, properly, to show you my new rooms. Are these yours?'

He indicated the saddlebags.

'Yes, I told you, I do have something for you…'

'You are very kind.' Triwathon hoisted the saddlebags over his shoulder and took Glorfindel's hand. 'I've something for you in my quarters, too. I… what does one get for the one who has everything, has done everything?'

'All I wanted for Yule was a Triwathon cuddle, so I'm happy,' Glorfindel said, following Triwathon out of the room, keeping tight hold of his slender-fingered hand. 'But I'll take another, if there's one going?'

'For you, always. It is not far, I promise.'

They passed into more populated corridors, and here the Yule decorations were more abundant, the lamps brighter, and Triwathon turned between a festooned gateway, gates wide and polished and glinting.

'I know this place! It's where the Court Guard had that drinking session… the one where we missed Arwen dancing on the tables…'

'Yes… because you wanted to take me home and cuddle, so you pretended to be very, very drunk…'

He tapped lightly on a gong suspended at the side of the gates, and a servant appeared in one of the doorways.

'May I be of service, Captain?'

'Please. Can you bespeak a Yulefest meal for two from the kitchens? My friend has just ridden in and is starving. If you can get them to part with some honey beer, too…'

'And a bottle of fine red wine, if they have it,' Glorfindel added. 'Most grateful.'

'Before I get side-tracked again, Glorfindel, tell me of Erthor and Calithilon? Are they well?'

'Like me, wet and cold, but looking forward to their families and their feasts. Good fellows to ride with.'

'Thank you. I should have asked earlier, but there you were, filling up all my attention. Well, these are my rooms. Come in, be welcome, make them yours while you are here.'

Glorfindel followed Triwathon in, looking around. The chamber was spacious, with a wide window out into the dark, and a warm fire burning in the hearth around which a sofa and two chairs were grouped. Shelves cut into the rock walls provided space for books on one wall, dishes and glasses on another. A table with chairs was set beneath the window, the sill of which was covered with ivy and holly and fragrant pine branches interwoven and punctuated with bright red and luminous golden berries. An arch led through to another chamber, curtained off at present for privacy.

Bright rugs made splashes of colour on the floor here and there and the walls were decorated with more evergreens. Lamps and lanterns burned brightly, making the room glow golden.

'This is… very different!'

Triwathon grinned.

'I know. I sometimes can't believe it's real. I can believe it now, though. Nothing makes a room feel like home like having someone you care about in it with you.'

Triwathon reached to a low shelf in the outer wall of the chamber and brought out two bottles of honey beer.

'One for now, to share from the glass,' he said with a smile as he collected glasses. 'And one for later, to play with, if the thought pleases you.'

'That particular thought has pleased me through many a long night…'

Triwathon breached the bottle and poured its contents into two glasses.

'And you have been in my thoughts, each day, every night. Welcome home, Glorfindel.'