Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any characters and/or places thereof
Author's note: A blue moon is when the full moon rises twice in one calendar month. In this chapter, Elrond says that he loves Glorfindel--let me just make it very clear that the term "love" is in this instance used to express deep friendship and there will be no slash in this story. And thank you to my reviewers, I love hearing from you!
*****
"Glorfindel?"
The Elven lord awoke, hearing a sound of soft knocking and someone calling his name. For a moment he hoped who ever it was would simply go away and leave him be, but glancing at the window he saw a small stream of light filtering in from beneath the shade, and knew he had overslept already. He heard his name called once more, and recognized the voice. "Peredhil," said Glorfindel in an exhausted voice, opening the door just enough that he could see through it. "You have disturbed my rest and interrupted a very pleasant dream, will you not desist that infernal knocking while I dress? Or would you have me going about Imladris in my sleeping clothes?"
Elrond could not help but grin; he always felt playful around Glorfindel. The blond-haired Elf misinterpreted the grin, and with a sigh slammed the door in his friend's face. Elrond stood for a moment, an expression on his face something a mixture of disbelief and offense, and then he began to laugh. Why was it, Elrond wondered in the back of his mind, that when the two were together, they somehow managed to act less like two respected and dignified Elven lords, and more like…more like what? Here it occurred to Elrond that the perfect phrase to insert here would be "more like the twins", and he found himself laughing again.
"There," said Glorfindel, stepping from the room and closing the door behind him. "Now, I pray thee, say why it is you have awoken me?"
"I want to show you something," Elrond replied. "Will you come?" His voice was light, but it held an undertone of pleading and giddiness.
"Dare I?" asked Glorfindel. "Lead on!" He motioned with his hand, and as Elrond began to walk on Glorfindel followed him. "And will you be telling me exactly what it is you intend to show me?"
"Would I ruin a surprise like that?"
"Honestly, Elrond, some times you act just like your sons."
"I had that same thought today…"
*****
"Beautiful, isn't he?"
Dumbly, Glorfindel nodded. Elrond had really done it this time. Some how he had chosen a perfect day, a perfect time, a perfect creature…The sky was heaven that day, a blue that proved that indeed the sky went on for ever, a deep blue in which one might lose themselves and fly, a for ever blue as light as air--for indeed, it was air. The sun had hidden itself, yet its radiance remained unblemished, carving a time of light and warmth. Even the air was full, laden and heavy with heat. Some how on these sots of days the grass and trees were always greener and far more alive. It was a perfect day, almost as perfect as the snow-white stallion, trotting slow circles in the ring.
"He is yours."
Glorfindel could feel his lip quivering. His muscles twitched as he fought to keep them still. The Peredhil had tried this same trick before, a few hundred years ago, and it had not worked then. Why was it so successful now? Why did Glorfindel's body and even his mind, against his own will, cry out for that horse? The Elven lord could not deny his heart…no. He closed his eyes and shook his head. "I said long ago that I would never again ride a horse, Peredhil."
Elrond shrugged. "No one said anything about riding. Just a bit of work, that's all; you spend too many hours in idle."
"What business is it of yours what I do with my own time?" Glorfindel shouted, angry.
"You were happier with the horses than I have ever seen you else," Elrond said quietly, not telling his friend to calm down, a hint of sorrow in his voice as his eyes fled to the treetops, where a raven flew over the highest branches.
"Do not tell me how I feel!" Glorfindel shot back, then, turning, left his friend standing alone, the pureness of sorrow marring the day's perfection.
*****
Night fell, and a blue moon rose. Glorfindel had not returned, and Elrond had looked in every logical place and not found him. It was strange; no two people seemed to think alike. When Elladan was upset, he could always be found in the armory or practicing swordplay. Elrohir liked to sit in the library and read. Celebrían, on the rare occasion that she was in such a state, enjoyed the company of the river, flowing smoothly over stones. These were the last places Elrond had sought his friend, seeking him first by the waterfall, among the trees, and countless other places. And in none of these varying and numerous locations had the Half-Elven found his comrade.
The night air was as full as the day had been, but cooler, easier to endure. The eerieness of moonlight was not so strong as it might have been, but when the wind blew, every thing had before been so motionless that the rustling sounds were a whisper, uncanny, as though the Valar themselves had something to say. This spurious grace silenced any who trespassed upon the silent night, and so it was in silence that the Half-Elf stood, the grass whispering a message he could not hear, remembering days of old and knowing that truly, truly that part of Old Glory had not died.
As simple as that, Elrond knew where his friend was. Turning his back on the silence and stillness, the imitation gods, he walked to the stables and made his way up to the hayloft. He was not surprised to see a form of a seated Elf, blond-haired and tense, with his arms wrapped around his knees. Without a word Elrond went to his friend and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"It took you long enough," Glorfindel scoffed.
"I knew you would wait."
"You know more than is good for you, my friend."
"I know too much and you know not enough. That would make us perfect companions, would it not?" with a wry grin.
"I do not need this horse, Elrond. Give him to your sons to ride; that would be far more logical."
"You may not need him, Glorfindel, but he needs you. You want to be miserable, and you are your own person and may make this decision for yourself. As I love you I will fight it, but after a time will submit to your choosing. This is not about you; this is about what you can do for some one else. Lindir said, if you recall, 'To sheep other sheep no doubt appear different. Or to shepherds. But Mortals have not been our study. We have other business.' There is none in Imladris that knows the ways of horses as do you."
For a while the two stood in silence, hearing the horses below snort on occasion or stamp their feet. Before turning to leave the loft, the Hal-Elven said, "I will meet you by the ring on the morrow."