~*~*~
Gil-galad pursed a lip as he stared at the blonde Elf. No longer the naïve changeling they had found on the seashore, now he stood before the Noldor High King, dressed in the velvets and embroidered surcote favoured by the Court, looking every inch a Vanya Noble.
Proud and unyielding gaze leveled on him, blue eyes clear and piercing in their intensity. Blonde hair gleamed golden in the sunlight, flowing over shoulders to mid-back. Lean and lithe, an elf in the prime of his life.
Second life?
He waited as patiently as any of the ancient trees bordering the Palace, unmoved by the penetrating gaze of the Noldor. Looking relaxed, in command - as if he wasn't the one standing before a king.
Gil-galad almost grimaced for the thought. The Vanyar had been eager to reach Aman, loving it more than Arda. Here, before him was one who could have stepped straight out of one of the colourful tapestries lining the corridors and many rooms of the Palace.
As if to remind him that while he ruled the Elves of Arda, Ingwë was indeed the High King of All Elves in Aman.
The thought, born of his own fancy, almost made Gil-galad snort. The Vanyar had long ago left Aman, and would not return. Let them be the favoured of the Valar. While he still breathed, he commanded the loyalties of the Elves of Arda.
"Have you recalled why you were sent back?"
A smile, not quite a smirk, and Glorfindel nodded. "My memories have settled, milord."
And that was all he was going to say on that matter, wasn't it? Gil-galad snorted. He wanted to know precisely why, to hear the circumstances that had precipitated an event that was so rare only one other had accomplished it.
"Will you remain here?"
"Yes, milord." Glorfindel gave a bow of his head. "If I have your leave to do so?"
"Of course." He frowned impatiently, waving a hand. "I would dearly love to hear why the Valar saw fit to return you to life, and why here in my kingdom..." Pursing a lip, Gil-galad shook his head. "But I know evil is growing, looking for another chance to see the Elven Kingdoms thrown down."
Glorfindel's expression was of mild interest, gaining him a dour scowl from the king.
"Fine, keep your secrets." A slight smile stole the animosity. "I would be pleased to have you in my court, Glorfindel of the House of the Golden Flower."
"Milord..." The blonde drew in a deep breath. "My house is no longer." Holding out his hands, Glorfindel offered a wry smile. "I am the last of that line."
"Nay." Gil-galad stood, shaking his head. "The last, but I won't deny you the rightful claim. You might marry some day. Continue the line." Shrugging, he crossed his arms over his chest. "The title is yours."
"Thank you, milord."
"So tell me." The king leaned against the great wood desk, grey eyes assessing his newest lord. "What should I do with you? Would you accept a command in the army, as you had before?"
A grimace, and Glorfindel shifted, bowing his head for a moment. Gathering his thoughts. He lifted his gaze to meet the king's gaze. "Truly? No. I've had my fill of fighting and killing, of sending men under my command to die. I would not ask for that again."
"You were noted as a good commander, Glorfindel." Gil-galad gestured to several parchments. "Turgon's own hand."
"Aye." He shook his head. "I will serve, milord, and do so loyally. But I will not accept a command."
Stymied again. Gil-galad huffed. "What would you do then?"
Now he received a genuine smile. "I've had it from reliable sources that Elrond is in need of an aide."
The king stared in disbelief for almost a full moment. "You ask me to place you, slayer of the Balrog, Eldar, one of whom lays and laments are still sung..." He sighed as Glorfindel frowned. "Very well. I don't understand...and hope to be enlightened one day soon." Significant look that did not go unnoticed.
Glorfindel offered a low bow. "My lord."
"Go." Snorting, shaking his head in mild amusement, Gil-galad walked around his desk to sit. "Glorfindel."
The blonde stopped, turning at the somber tone. "Milord?"
"If we go to war, and I fear it will come to pass...I will call upon you to use that experience of yours."
"Of course." Another bow, and a small smile. "I expect nothing less of the Noldor High King." A swirl of dark blue cape, Glorfindel was gone.
~*~*~
Elrond smiled as he walked along the leaf-strewn path, the blonde elf who would now be his aide at his side.
Elrond Peredhil was not always an easy person to be around. The amiable politeness soured at times to a brooding edge, earning any dull-witted fop eager to gain an advantage by befriending the king's herald a cutting reply.
Yes, he was a bit testy at times. He had no patience for the games and foolishness so many of the court seemed to favour. Even less for those who looked to use him as a stepping stone in their own ascent.
So it was rather odd how easily the other fit into his life, stepping gracefully into a role that had run others before him ragged in trying to keep up. Glorfindel seemed perfectly content to abide in the silences that often overtook Elrond. Seemed to harbour some secret inner joy that made the blue eyes brighten as he took in the world around him.
Was it simply the newness of life again? Whatever it was, Elrond found it refreshing. A change from the dour, nervous chaps who had tried to fill the role of his aide previously. Glorfindel had an abundance of confidence. It was proclaimed with every step, every evenly-met gaze. No nervous stammering or twisted hands here.
Indeed, he almost walked as if he were a king. Much as he had behaved when sitting bare as a babe on the rock when found. Self-assured, finding no shame in who he was. Arrogant? Doubtless he could be, and yet he was quick to smile, or make a quip that revealed a sharp humour.
Bronwe seemed to have been a good choice in completing the elf's acclimation. No surprise, really. Though she could be sharp if she thought a situation warranted it – as it should be with a healer. He'd had to remind her of that relentlessly when he was training her. Bronwe's nature leaned towards peace. The strong empathy she felt for living things was both a blessing and a problem, depending on the situation.
"Círdan showed you sword and bow work, then?"
Glorfindel nodded, absently pushing back a braid. "And Bronwe." Wry smile. "She's a good shot."
Elrond nodded, smiling. "She's Silvan. Some of us swear they're born with bows in their hands."
"That would be painful."
With a snort, the dark haired healer nodded. Stopping he turned to face the blonde, cloak swinging against his boots. "Gil-galad is going to introduce you as Chief of the House of the Golden Flower tonight. That certainly puts you on equal footing with me…and the rest of the Court, for that matter." Shaking his head, he pursed a lip. "Though they will not appreciate him doing so. Or you."
The blonde regarded the dark haired elf before him appraisingly. "May I speak candidly?"
Spreading his hands, inviting him to comment, Elrond nodded.
"I did not return to Arda to lead, though some," he nodded, "like your King, would push me to do so." Glorfindel shook his head. "I had my fill of that last time." His light blue eyes raised skywards. "My purpose for being here…" A cryptic smile as he returned his light gaze on Elrond. "..will play out." The smile faded suddenly. "I will not serve as a Noldor King's freakish oddity who has no will of his own and dances to the games of a court."
The way he said Noldor King was not quite disdainful, but Elrond had seen his contempt for Galadriel. No doubt he had his reasons for his hard feelings towards those of that blood. As long as they didn't interfere and cause a problem, he saw no reason to comment on it.
Odd they didn't seem to extend to him though.
Elrond chuckled after a moment, shaking his head. This was not quite how he had thought the blonde would be when his memories returned. What had he expected? A typical noble? A warrior bent on vengeance and perhaps a place with a powerful king?
"I don't covet power."
Said so softly Elrond almost didn't hear it. He turned a startled gaze on the other who was staring up at the sky, watching a hawk riding the wind. "What do you covet, Glorfindel?"
Slight sigh and a smile as he shook his head. "Nothing." Turned a clear blue gaze that did more than anything to convince Elrond that he was sincere.
The sly smile, therefore, was a surprise. "Aside from a few trivial things like food, shelter…perhaps the company of a fair companion once in a while."
The mirth in the other's eyes was irrepressible and Elrond chuckled. "Certainly very attainable goals, those." A sigh and his manner grew somber. "I cannot guarantee an easy path. It has never been as yet."
Glorfindel gazed at him for a long moment, looking at him as though seeing a memory of something else, and his smile was surprisingly gentle. "We shall have to see about that, then, won't we?" Another of those flashes of sudden humour. "My own has not been strewn with roses, but I've muddled along well enough." Cocked his head. "I found it was always easier if I had a companion to distract me from my own broodings."
Elrond raised an eyebrow, uncertain for a moment if the blonde was deliberately charming him, seeking something more than he was saying, or just making an innocent statement.
As if sensing his uncertainty, Glorfindel sighed dramatically, eyes twinkling with suppressed mirth. "Keep corrupted maiar out of my path and I shall be content."
Elrond nodded, his tone droll. "I shall endeavor to do my best, of course." Chuckled as he glanced up at the sky. "From the looks of the sun I would say the archery tournament is not far at hand, and I am to help officiate. Would you care to accompany me?"
"Lead on."
~*~*~
TBC