A glorious spring month passed. Daechir spent his time mostly locked in the library or with his father. There had been a few awkward moments at first, as well as questions from everyone. They all wanted to know why they had left and where they've been, and he could only thank his father for the education he'd been given that allowed him to avoid answering, while giving the impression he was nothing but truthful. In fact he wasn't lying just avoiding giving straight answers. He realized soon enough that both his father and Lord Elrond were on to him, but they had never said a word. His friendship with the twins it seems had not survived his absence. They were friendly but that was about it. It seemed they resented him for something, something they were not willing to name. With a sigh he set the books to the side. As much as he loved reading, he needed to move, he could only sit still for so long. He put the books back on the shelves, and headed for his father's study.
He went in after knocking no longer caring if he was intruding. His father wasn't alone. Elrond and Glorfindel were with him.
"Good morning"
"Morning, penneth? It is almost lunch time."said Glorfindel making a face at him.
"Careful my Lord, father says if you make faces you might get stuck like that and then what will you do? You'll no longer be Glorfindel the balrog slayer but Glorfindel funny face." He jumped back in time to avoid Glorfindel that was mockingly trying to hit him.
"Come now you two, save the fighting for the training area."intervened Elrond.
"Good idea, what do you say Daechir, let's go spar."
"Perhaps another time, Glorfindel, I was going to go for a ride. You're welcomed to join me. You too Ada. What do you say?"
"Aye , I'll go with. I've nothing to do right now." Glorfindel stood up. "I'll meet you at the stables."
"Ada, Lord Elrond?"
"I'm sorry, but your father and I have things to do. And Daechir?"
"Yes?"
"I told you to call me Elrond."
"Sorry" he grinned "you know, old and wise."
He was already out the door when he heard Elrond shout after him.
"I'm not old."
Glorfindel was standing beside his horse, being quite the sight. Tall, strong and beyond handsome. For a second he entertained the thought of a little dalliance with him, but he knew his father felt a bit more than friendship towards Glorfindel, so that was a no way.
"Something wrong?"
"No, sorry."
"I tried to saddle that black beast of yours, but he wouldn't let me."
"I know, he has an attitude."
"Like his master I'd say."
"No, really?!"
"Get moving you rascal, or we won't get to go for a ride."
They rode slowly until they reached the woods. He had to let Shadow go. Glorfindel cut in front of him, but to his satisfaction Shadow was keeping up quite well. After a wild ride, they reached the Bruinen and let the horses loose. Glorfindel laid down, stretching and groaning in satisfaction. Daechir sat down next to him, looking over at the river.
"Glorfindel, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Why aren't you and my father together? It's obvious that there's something going on between the two of you."
"You can never ask easy questions, can you? Well, if you must know... I don't think your father ever got over the fact that I chose Echtelion back in Gondolin. And then I died and he met your mother."
"That was a long time ago. Things change. And mother is gone."
"True."
"Are you going to do something about it?"
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Talk to him for starters. Clear things up."
"Yes, we probably should."
"I recommend doing it over a couple of bottles of wine."
"Doing it?!" Glorfindel's eyebrows were rising.
"Talking... or whatever..."
"Penneth, I think you feel like taking a swim with your clothes on."
"No, and besides, I doubt you'd get up just to toss me in the water."
"Don't test me. But let's talk about you. A youngster like you should have plenty of prospects."
He frowned.
"You mean lovers?"
At Glorfindel's nod, he continued.
"Not really. Nothing serious. Exploring Middle Earth gets me there in ways that no lover ever did. If I may be so blunt."
"Perhaps you didn't find the right one."
"Well, I'm not in a hurry. So what were you arguing about?"
"When you walked in?"
"Yes."
"Elrond wants to send a messenger to Mirkwood, but he doesn't know if Thranduil will allow any Noldo in Mirkwood."
"Really, oh well..." he laid down in the grass squinting at the sun. And then it hit him.
"I'll go."
"What?"
"It's perfect." he was getting all excited. "I'm already getting a bit bored here, that's one; two I already went down the Old forest road and survived it. And three I can meet Vanya in Dale and we can come back together. It's perfect!"
Glorfindel gave him a look that said exactly what he thought about it.
"The Old Forest Road? Does your father know about this? And why would you meet your sister in Dale?"
"I sort of told him something, not everything. What he doesn't know can't hurt him. And Vany comes with some men, traders from Gondor so she doesn't travel alone. But they're only going to Dale."
"And how exactly do you know she's going to Dale? And with men, you're letting her travel with men?" Poor Glorfindel was starting to turn red.
"We far-spoke."
"You can do that?! The twins aren't very good at it yet, but you and your sister can?"
"Can you say that any louder? Valar, Glorfindel I don't want everyone knowing."
"They're not going to let you go."
"Why not? Vanmoriel and I traveled for almost twenty years on our own, it's not like we need someone holding our hand."
"You're mad" Glorfindel was shaking his head, obviously not knowing what to say.
Early the next morning he was in the yard getting his things on Shadow's back. Shadow was not happy. But he didn't take much, because he wanted to travel fast. The truth was he was looking forward to seeing King Thranduil, and he missed his sister. He wasn't sure which of these two made him argue his case so passionately before Lord Elrond. His father took his side once he realized his daughter would be traveling alone all the way to Imladris if Daechir wouldn't go. Of course Lord Elrond insisted on an escort, but he begged and pleaded, and finally got his way. He hugged his father, and then on an impulse he hugged Glorfindel, whispering in his ear "don't forget the wine".
He left without looking back missing his home already, but feeling confident that in a few hours he'd be happy to be on the road again.
And he'd been happy, until he drew closer to the mountains and the rain settled in. And when it wasn't raining it was cold and foggy. It seemed like autumn, not late spring. And then there were orcs. And, and... The whole thing was turning very fast into something like a chore, or a punishment. He started daydreaming about the library in Imladris. Books, heat and everything was dry. By the time he crossed the Old Ford he was well and truly miserable. The only thing that cheered him up was the thought that he was getting close. The ride down the Old Forest Road, which he'd solemnly promised to avoid, was almost over and it had been without any remarkable incidents. He kept going, sleeping very little as the darkness surrounding him gave strange dreams.
But everything came to an abrupt end when he all but ran into an arrow pointing at him. And the gods were with him, because the owner of said arrow wasn't an orc but an elf. He made it.