A/N: HEYYYY! I am back! Does anyone notice that's the very first sentence in almost all of my author's notes? XD I'm so original! XD So I was experimenting on how to write witty things... and I think I am getting better. I want to be good at writing wit... This was hard to write because I honestly didn't know what I was writing, or where it would go. So you will find problems with motivations and I myself think it seems a little rushed. But honestly, if I didn't have a word limit that I constantly override... I think I could have done better. But... here's what I got for you! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Thank you to my wonderful beta reader who edited this, and pointed out mistakes that I could only fix to a point with the word limits. BlackShaftedArrow is a gift from God! I love her so much!

Filling In The Gaps:

Across the room, Gil-Galad stared at the paper in front of him, elven eyes squinting in the dim light.

Odd.

Wind gusted through the encampment, ruffling the heavy tarp walls of the tent and causing the candles to flicker, a chill wind crawling down his spine. Elrond looked over and glared at the open tent flap. The useless hole in the wall provided a view of the darkness outside and the gold flames of the fires. His glare did not fade, and the half elf wrapped his cloak more firmly around his shoulders, shifting closer to the fire. It wasn't cold, but Elrond felt the need to do something to display his discomfort. The frozen wind was simply... a bother. Everything seemed to bother him at the time.

The war they seemed to be losing, the less than adequate housing for their troops, and the miserable weather.

Smile, Elrond. If you stay with that sorry expression for too long, the cold wind might just make it stick. And then what Elleth would fall in love with you? You would have to spend the rest of your life alone with only that scowl to keep you company.

"Shut up Glorfindel," Elrond muttered, unaware he had spoken aloud. Gil-Galad threw him a glance. Maybe he was being a little stickily, he admitted. But he couldn't help it, and the feeling of despair wanted to crush him more and more. He half guessed it was because of isolation, but that would have been a lie. Elrond just wanted to know why others didn't have his same sense of foreboding? It bothered him.

Gig-Galad didn't seem to care, however. Or he did, and decided not to show it in terms Elrond could understand. He didn't seem to care about a lot these nights. He just focused on his work, focused on planning and plotting and strategizing. He and some others spent hours every day, filling in the gaps of stories and reports of enemies, if only to dictate their next moves.

The older elf was so focused... If he was worried, he displayed it in a vastly different way than the half elf. The king overtaxed himself, to the point where any normal elf would have just fallen asleep for days. Fighting, training, studying, talking, planning. And no recuperation to make up for it, not for the last four months.

The Healer in Elrond screamed that the king needed rest. Lots of it. But no, that would not be possible, especially a mere few days before battle? No, it was highly unlikely. But that didn't change the fact that Gil-Galad needed to relax.

What am I thinking? He'll never relax.

Elrond shifted again, armor clinking, and was half tempted to get up and close the flap. Close out the winter and the ice and the noise. The soldiers preparing for the night, smithies sharpening swords and arrows. He especially wanted to shut out the men and elves talking and laughing around a fire, managing to use their down time to do something Elrond so missed, but found difficult to want.

He wanted to be alone, alone with his sullen mood.

And a silent, boring king.

Not that High King Gil-Galad counted for much company; he was like talking to a wall. The elf was almost impossible sometimes.

So Elrond pulled his legs up to his chest and wrapped his heavy cloak about himself as tightly as possible, staring at the king from his position on the floor. Gil-Galad threw him a glance.

"Elrond, you were dismissed an hour ago. Why are you still here?" It wasn't a rude question. It was a good question, and Elrond looked up, blinking.

"I wanted to be alone."

Gil-Galad raised an eyebrow, covering up what looked to be a yawn. "Alone?"

"Yes."

"But you're not alone..."

"I know." The reply came out more terse than he wanted. Gil-Galad didn't seem to notice.

"If you wanted to be alone, Elrond, why come to my tent? I am in here all the time," The High King said, tiredly gliding over to his cot in the corner. Elrond felt his heart twist, ruining the inspiration to reply with something sharp and witty. So many things were wrong, and most of them of no importance. Gil-Galad must have seen his expression change, because he came and sat beside him, yawning once more.

"What's upsetting you? You have been acting like this for weeks?" Elrond blinked, surprised at the question. His face twisted in thought, eyes squeezing shut. Now that he thought about it, clearly, there was a lot. "I've known you for a while, Elrond. You were never one to hold a pity party for so long a time." Elrond sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I don't... know. I guess... My King, we have been fighting this war for so long... and nothing is happening. We lose, we win. But will it ever end? Will we ever be free of this shadow?" The words came out like a river, and as he expected, they were weak. Hollow. A sad attempt at expressing his feelings. And yet, with more prodding from the king, eventually, he found himself ranting about the last few months. It felt amazing, just to talk. He spoke about the war, the battles, the stress, and eventually, about a beautiful elf maiden. Celebrian... even thinking the name gave him hope... and also dread. What was the point of loving someone if you never saw her? If you could never tell her of your feelings.

At the time, he hadn't had the courage. And now he was at war, and any battle could be his last. The thought sent Elrond into another pit, dragging him down further. Gil-Galad was smiling at him. An exhausted, friendly, and a very relieved expression. Elrond's frown deepened.

"Elrond, we are nearly finished with this whole affair, my friend. I promise to you, that by the end of the year, we will have our freedom. The planning we've been doing? The tracking? It will pay off. And honestly I should be over at that desk looking through letters and papers." He muttered something inaudible. "The point is that Sauron can't rule forever, just like Morgoth could not." The High King clapped him on the back—it unnerved him how cheery the king was. How could someone that tired and drained have so much energy? "This war can't last forever, my friend. And when it ends, the Lady Celebrian will be waiting for you. Smile and all."

Gil-Galad looked him in the eyes, suddenly serious. "She will be there, and you will come back."

"But what if she doesn't? Isn't? She doesn't know how or when this war will end. She would have more hope marrying a scribe or someone who risks less chance of dying."

Gil-Galad shrugged and pushed himself to his feet, offering a hand. His smile never left. "Elrond, you think too lowly of yourself. Celebrian loves you, she will wait. Of that I have no doubt, and as of now, I am too exhausted to argue a point I know is fact." Elrond hesitated. His words of comfort were more rushed than he'd expected. But, oddly, that didn't matter. The simple confirmation was enough to lighten his heart, if only slightly. His heart rate quickened, and warmth filled his chest. Elrond took the king's hands and was hauled to his feet. The King turned away—where on Middle Earth was he heading? Elrond still didn't feel much like moving...

"Come, follow me." Gil-Galad paused. "Elrond, you never did give me a reason you didn't go to your tent to be alone."

The half elf snorted. "Glorfindel has been watching my every move. He senses my dour mood, and for some strange reason thinks pestering me and making jests will help. And though they are done in love, and are very good natured... they are also... over bearing... He respects this tent too much to enter without being called." Gil-Galad laughed and shook his head in pity. Elrond flushed. He knew the golden-haired Noldor was trying to help.

"But if I am present in the tent with you, how are you alone?" The King asked, voice carrying an old, familiar tone. Elrond grinned.

"You were present in the room, my King? I hadn't noticed. I guess you really are a wallflower." The two stepped out of the tent and into the cold wind. King Gil-Galad gasped, clapping a hand over his heart.

"Are you calling your king a flower? Elrond, I am surprised. Do I look like a pansy?"

"In your current state, my king? No. Just a dead one." He paused before grinning once more.

Gil-Galad raised an eyebrow and his eyes narrowed. "I don't think it is agreeable for you to be alone so often, muddles your brain. Makes you witty. Come, let us join Glorfindel and his rowdy group of... friends."

Across the lines of white tents, dusted with snow, was a large fire. Men and elves surrounded it, drinking and laughing. They made so much noise that Elrond winced. But Gil-Galad seemed to have no trouble with it and marched forward into the fray. He was greeted by many shouts and cheers, and some even looked surprised that he had joined them.

Elrond paused, his heart becoming less heavy. He hadn't had a banter like that in years, and he missed it. Oh how he missed the feeling of carefree joy. So, for now, Elrond made the conscious decision to stand straighter. The worries that plagued him were unlikely to leave. He would wake up the next morning and they would greet him. But blessedly, for now, maybe he could put them away. Maybe he could smile and talk? Elrond ran a hand through his hair, nodding. Yes, he could do that. So quickly, he followed his king to where Glorfindel was telling a rather... colorful story.

A/N: Glorfindel strikes me as an elf who would tell bloody and horrifying stories to scare young recruits... XD And if I have any facts wrong, do not be afraid to tell me! I need to know! I like learning!

Review replies:

ShadowTravel: AWWWWWWWWWWWWW! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am honored! XD I am trying to use the drabbles to get rid of extra plot lines in my head so I can focus on other stories... XD I am glad they are turning out well! Your reviews are always so amazing! THANK YOU!

Lord Illryen: It is a weird race! XD I couldn't think of much else... XD I am so happy it was an enjoyable read! THANK YOU!

Gre3nleaf: I figured since you really like Nestor, you'd appreciate this... XD Nestor is so fun to write... especially when Erestor is in the room... XD I am so happy you like him! This makes me really happy! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Guys, I am so happy you all review... you guys are so loyal, all of you! And to those who don't review, I love you to. And if you ever want to voice an opinion, there's a beautiful review box down below! LOVE YOU! Thank you all!

SSD~