A/N: So I thought, that since today is my 19th birthday, I would post a chapter. It may be shorter than other chapters I have written, but it still has a lot of important information in it. Unfortunately, Saphira, your idea of disguises and nighttime for the Fëanorian introduction clashed a little bit with some other ideas I had, but I think you and everyone reading this tale will like the yarn I spin next. I guess we will all see. But until then, please read, review, and enjoy!

Elrond sat in a corner of the gardens; hidden up a tree and out of sight. What the Fëanorians message had contained was running through his head, and it was confusing him immensely. It was dated almost four days before. It must mean all of Himring was coming and that they were moving slowly.

The words played before his eyes once again:

We wish to fight side-by-side with you against Morgoth.
No tricks, no deception. Himring was overrun and we have fled.
We make our way to Mithlond. We come with all who survived.
We are willing to subject ourselves to whatever the king deems necessary
for us to negotiate in terms of guards and security measures.
All we ask for are healers and food for those that survived.
See you in about four weeks.

Greet the king and Shipwright for us,

Maglor and Maedhros

'"All who survived" Does that mean Lainor and Maeassil survived? But wait...what does it mean that I care for them? What will it mean that Maglor and Maedhros love us in their own way? Will we be made to chaperone them?' his thoughts were so confused and tumbled over themselves so much that all he could do was hide his head in his knees as tears slide down his cheeks and quiet sobs wracked his frame. He cried for – he did not know what he cried for. For his parents, Gil-galad and Círdan, his confusing childhood and his extremely confused feelings and emotions?

Hiding his emotions away before had always worked, but now they were all trying to make their way to the fore and he did not know how to regain control.

True; he may not have liked the soldiers in Himring, especially after the way they treated him and his brother, but Maglor and Maedhros had grown to be exceptions. The same could be said for Lainor and Maeassil.

All four elves had shown that they cared for two young, orphaned half-elves that spent the first few months in Himring homesick and terrified beyond measure.

Just because he understood them better than the vast majority of the city did not mean he could understand his feelings on this matter, or what the city would think of him and Elros when it learned what they thought and that the Fëanorians were coming. The king was keeping the news quiet until he met with Tegolon and Daeron, as well as Heledhon, Belegon, and Barhador, to decide what to do.

So confused were his thoughts that he did not notice another person climbing the tree until arms quietly encircled his sobbing frame.

When the arms did wrap themselves around him, he jumped slightly in surprise and almost pulled away.

At the same time, a quiet voice started singing in his ear a song he had not heard in years. He calmed almost immediately, for it was the song his mother would sing whenever he was upset.

It did not seem to matter that it was now an elf singing it and not his mother, for it calmed him and helped him feel safe.

The song soon died down and Elrond lifted his head a moment later to look into the worry-filled eyes of Glorfindel.

Below him he could sense Erestor waiting impatiently.

"Gil-galad said you would be here," Glorfindel stated quietly, "He said if you were not with your brother in your secret place you would be here. I doubt your brother's bedroom is your secret place, but since I just came from there and he said as well that you would be here it was not too hard to guess. They are both worried about you."

Elrond said nothing for a while, which was fine with Glorfindel. He took that time to let Elrond gather his scattered thoughts and admire the gardens from this vantage point. From here he could see everything in the garden, as well as the paths. Anyone in this tree would know who was looking for them before that person could find them. It also appeared as though a person in the tree could not be seen from the path.

"I am not sure about anything anymore," came the near-silent admission from Elrond.

"They say nothing is for certain in life. I say almost nothing," Glorfindel hurried to say as Elrond looked at him in confusion, "For example: while I know that Erestor will not reveal we are here since I have asked him to say nothing, it is not for certain that he will not repeat this conversation later to anyone who asks, for I have not asked him to keep this conversation between the three of us."

From below came a "hmpf" as well as something that sounded almost like a snort. It seemed that a friendship was blossoming between the two elves.

Glorfindel smiled and laughed. Elrond still looked troubled, and Glorfindel immediately stopped laughing and regarded him carefully. 'Here is one who would blame himself for rain falling and getting everyone wet,' he thought to himself.

"What happened to Gil-galad and Círdan is not your fault," Glorfindel had never been one who could be able to beat around the bush, as the expression went.

Elrond shook his head negatively, "Yes, it is my fault. You do not know what our history with Halon is."

Glorfindel nodded, "You are correct, I do not know. What I do know," he said as he raised Elrond's chin, "is that he acted on anger and hatred that he should have let go of. You did not act on it."

"But why? Why hurt them? We were not even born; our parents were no younger than us when Doriath fell and then they left and he began to hate us," Elrond's eyes filled again with tears. Glorfindel reached over and drew him close, taking careful note of how much paler than was normal for him and the shaking that had decreased but not disappeared completely..

"I can only tell you what I told your brother: You can not anticipate the actions of others, or control their actions. Especially when those actions concern matters of the heart. You did not let what this elf did stop you from doing the right thing."

Elrond was silent for a moment then said, "I think I understand, my lord."

Glorfindel shook his head as he let Elrond go, "You do not have to call me 'lord'. You are the great-grandson of my king. I should be the one to call you that."

"I am too young," Elrond objected, "And I have sworn no oaths yet."

Those words reminded Glorfindel of his task, "I almost forget why I sought you out here today. I swore to your parents I would deliver their message to you as soon as possible."

Below them Erestor could be heard moving away to give the two elves more privacy.

Next to him Elrond turned his head away, feigning disinterest, but Glorfindel knew he was listening closely.

"They have many things they wish to say. First and foremost: they love you and your brother more than life itself. They wish more than anything to be allowed to return, but they cannot. But never give up hope. Your parents have won favor with the Valar for their courage and determination. The Lady Elbereth Gilthoniel has set your father's ship in the night sky, him at the helm, with the Silmaril upon his brow. But you know this already, do you not?" he questioned as Elrond looked at him.

Elrond nodded and said simply, "I had a dream of Vingilot in the night sky a few weeks after we arrived in Himring. I recognized the star as the one I saw in my dream. My brother dreamed the same."

Glorfindel nodded and continued, "Your parents also wish for you to know that you and your brother will have a Choice that must be made once the war is done. This Choice your parents have made in Valinor, and so they may not return ever to these shores. Both chose to be counted among the Eldar. But they wish for you to know that their love is unbending and unbreakable, no matter what."

Elrond nodded thoughtfully; then smiled suddenly, eyes distant as he recalled a distant memory of happier times. He turned to Glorfindel, "Thank you for telling me this. It settles some of the unrest in my heart."

"But not all of it," Glorfindel said as Elrond looked down towards the ground.

Elrond nodded, then said, "I do not know what to make of my feelings concerning the Fëanorians. I am uncertain of what the court and the city will think. Many here have lost loved ones and friends because of Maglor and Maedhros and their long-dead brothers."

"I cannot help you there, for my feelings are confused as well. I sacrificed my life so that some of Gondolin could escape, and I was partially successful. Do not interrupt," Glorfindel said as Elrond opened his mouth, "Where did the survivors of Gondolin settle and live?"

The dawning realization in Elrond's eyes spoke volumes, and Glorfindel smiled painfully, "As you can see, my feelings are almost as confused as yours. Unlike the court however, I choose not to cast blame needlessly about. You barely survived the Sack as it is. Why accuse two young elves of having anything to do with what happened when they did not understand why Maglor and Maedhros swore an Oath that has killed almost as many as Morgoth?"

Those words seemed to be of help, for Elrond smiled, "Thank you...Glorfindel...for your words, they help more than you know."

"I am glad to be of help, and please seek me out if you need advice. Now...shall we get out of this tree before Erestor begins to think it ate us?" Glorfindel asked teasingly, to which Elrond laughed and nodded.

Once on the ground they were greeted by an extremely annoyed Erestor who seemed quite affronted about what Glorfindel had insinuated.

One look at the crooked smile and the gleam in his eyes said he was teasing as he said, "Next time I will not stay if this is the thanks I get."

Glorfindel grinned and said, "I was trying to get young Elrond here to smile. Seeing how it worked I think you should just let it go this time."

Erestor only huffed and started walking back to the palace.

Glorfindel and Elrond traded rueful smiles and followed; teasing each other and Erestor all the while.

Once back in the healing wing, Gil-galad said, "I have decided that for now I will say nothing to anyone. We will keep quiet about this until they are at least a week and a half away. At that time, I should be healed enough to speak to the full council and I will send out a group to meet with the Fëanorians and bring them in."

Tegolon and Daeron soundlessly agreed, as did the twins, Heledhon, Belegon, and Barhador. Erestor said nothing, as did Glorfindel.

Gil-galad speared everyone with a look that left no room for arguing, "Secrecy is an unfortunate necessity at the moment. Not a word to anyone. Hadlathon and Faneth already know and are getting ready to gather what supplies will be needed. Heledhon and Belegon?"

"Yes, aran nín?" Heledhon asked. Belegon nodded.

"Get your patrol ready discreetly. You can tell them what you are about to do after you have left the city. You will meet them. Elrond and Elros will be accompanying you. I am trusting you and your patrol to keep your heads and not do anything wrong, no matter what the Fëanorians do or say to try and make you angry," the High-king said, then winced when he moved a little and pain increased for a moment in his chest.

The two captains nodded, bowed, and left.

Gil-galad turned to Barhador, "Captain, you will be in charge of security at the palace and in the city."

"Yes, my lord. Where do you want them to stay? No one in this city will consent to them being inside the walls," Barhador questioned.

"The field outside the city should be big enough," Gil-galad said after some consideration.

Barhador nodded, and then left to arrange everything as discreetly as possible.

Finally Gil-galad turned to the remaining elves, starting with the twins, "Do not be here when the council learns of this. I want your patrol to be too far away to be easily recalled back to the city. Do you understand?"

Both twins nodded, looking slightly glum, and Gil-galad said, "I know you do not want this, but it is the best way to ensure cooperation from the Sons of Fëanor. They will likely listen to you instead of Heledhon and Belegon."

Both twins again nodded, only this time they bowed and left as well.

Glorfindel turned to Gil-galad with a question in his eyes. Gil-galad nodded and Glorfindel left as well; leaving the king and two lords and Erestor alone.

Gil-galad turned to the two lords with raised eyebrows and said, "I do not suppose that you have any ideas how to break this to the counsel?"

The two lords just looked at each other and the king sighed slightly, "I did not think so."

"You could always be blunt, my lord," Erestor said. When the three elves looked at him he hurried to say, "If you tell them after the patrol leaves it will hardly make a difference. It will be a formality above all else that they can do nothing about."

Gil-galad stared at him for a moment, then shook his head and smiled, "That is a brilliant idea. I think you will be a fine counselor before you know it, young one."

Erestor ducked his head and blushed a bright red color.

He and the two lords then left so that Gil-galad could get some rest.

Glorfindel caught up with the twins just as they reached Elrond's room. They were greeted by the falcon, who was dining on some fish.

"She would have eaten the doves if we took her to Dúlinnor," Elros said simply as Glorfindel raised an eyebrow and the falcon flew over to land on Elros' shoulder and rubbed his head with her head and shoulders.

"It seems she knows you," Glorfindel said.

Elros nodded, "We left her in Himring in case we ever needed to be reached by the Fëanorians. I raised and trained her. Her name is Mithien."

Glorfindel smiled as the almost completely white falcon returned to Elrond's headboard and tucked her head under her wing to sleep. He then turned to both twins who were mechanically tending their weapons and checking them over. It seemed that they were still trying to understand what was happening and thinking as well about what they should do.

"I know that you do not want to do this, but you know that you must," Glorfindel said into the silence.

Elrond dropped his blade and stood so quickly that Glorfindel was not sure how he moved that fast.

"We do not want to do this. It will be hard enough seeing familiar faces that were our friends at one point, but how do we explain to others that think of them as nothing more than killers of their own people? Especially when Maedhros shows his love for us in the form of insults and strange comments. Or when Maglor wants to take us aside for a few moments just to ask us how things are going and if we are happy? How are we supposed to justify ourselves to anyone?" Elrond was not shouting, but it was a near thing.

Glorfindel only shook his head, "I do not know how to answer those questions. I doubt anyone can but you yourselves. But if it makes you feel better, I can go with you if you like. I would like to see more of these lands, and I could use a change from the monotony of palace life. And besides, Heledhon and Belegon's patrol knows your feelings and are more open to the strange and new. They will not think any less of you."

"You would do that?" Elros asked quietly, to which Glorfindel smiled slightly and nodded.

The twins exchanged glances, then Elrond said, "Thank you. I think we both could use a change from palace life as well."

Glorfindel nodded and turned to leave, but stopped when Elrond said, "I am sorry I snapped at you."

Glorfindel turned back and said, "There is nothing to apologize for. You needed someone to let out your emotions at. I remember your great-grandfather doing the same to myself and Ecthelion a few times. I am used to it."

Elrond shook his head, "That is no excuse."

"Maybe not, but your frustration, confusion, and anger needed a way to get out. And besides, better me than someone who might not be as forgiving." Glorfindel stated, "I will see you two later, I must go see how my sword survived the journey. I also need to see about a horse to ride. Namárië."

The twins nodded and he left, all three knowing that the coming weeks would be difficult and hard to get through as the Fëanorians came closer and closer and it would be harder and harder to keep their arrival a secret.

Little did they know that the Fëanorians had run into something that chilled their bones and would haunt many of them for many years to come. It seemed that the expression "what goes around comes around" was about to prove how true it could be.

Translations:

aran nín - my king
Namárië - farewell