Disclaimer. Do you know Tolkien? The characters are his.

A/N: Sorry again for the delay. My computer currently has a virus. It's usable, but I have to fight with it before it lets me type. Of course, it keeps interrupting me. Hehe. I caught it some two days ago, I think. Any way, the continuation is here. I hope you like it.

A lot of you have been getting a little pissed with Glory, and even Ecthe. But you have to understand Glory, until a few months ago, he was still holding on to Ecthe. And when he finally lets go, well, Ecthe comes back. So maybe cut him some slack? Hehe.

Haldir walked further away. He wanted to put as much distance as he could between himself and his lov…Glorfindel. They were no longer lovers.

/I should stop thinking of us as lovers./

He knew he had no right to feel this way.

/Like I lost him./

It was not like Glorfindel ever belonged to him. Just because Erestor got the wrong impression that the eldar loved Haldir was no reason to think that the adviser had been right. It was his fault. Glorfindel never really gave him a sign that the seneschal felt something for him, so it wasn't the older elf's fault if Haldir had assumed wrong and got hurt in the process.

/I have no right to feel this way. Ecthelion and Glorfindel are the ones who are in love. If I really love Glorfindel, then I should be happy for him./

But it didn't stop the pain.

/I am selfish. I want him to love me when he can't./

But he only wanted what any elf in love wanted. To be loved in return.

/No. If I truly care for him, I should do everything to make him happy. And being with Ecthelion makes him happiest./

He was tempted to look back, to catch a glimpse of the eldar one more time, but he didn't.

/I just wish making him happy didn't hurt so much./

/Damn it. This is killing me./

And it was.

/At least, when I am dead, the pain would be gone./

He paused and nearly fell to his knees when pain washed over him. He struggled to breathe as it threatened to suffocate him.

/I love you so much./

Tears blurred his vision. He continued to walk, but he could no longer see where he was going, nor did he care.

/I can't stand this anymore. I need to let him go./

But could he? Letting go was not easy. He had tried. These past months, ever since Glorfindel had left him, he had wanted to forget. But he couldn't.

/Let him go, Haldir. He doesn't love you. He never did. Your love will trap him./

Maybe he should never have told the eldar his feelings. Now, Glorfindel would surely feel guilty.

/And it would only be guilt that would make him come to you, if only to explain why he can't…/

Haldir stopped himself.

/But I won't let him do that. I already know what he will say. He would explain why he can't love me, that he is sorry for hurting me…/

Haldir clenched his fists.

/But I can't bear to hear it, can't bear to hear him say goodbye again. I can't./

Tears coursed his cheeks.

/I won't let him. Forgive me, Glorfindel. I am selfish. But I just can't bear to hear you say goodbye once again, to hear you tell me that you love Ecthelion and not me./

/I know you'd feel the need to explain to me. But I can't bear to hear it. I'm sorry. I can't…/

/You'd probably feel guilty. But you'll get over it. You will be fine. Ecthelion will make you happy. Let me have this one thing./

/I can't let you say goodbye./

/I'll just leave./

But he couldn't. Not yet. Sauron had to be dealt with first.

Haldir chanced a look at the wall. Ecthelion and Glorfindel were no longer there.

/I'll leave as soon as this war is over. I'll go home. Lothlorien. So I can die in peace. Be happy, my love./

He turned around, vowing to never go near Glorfindel again.

/I'll only cause you more pain and confusion./

/I have to stay away, so you will have space with Ecthelion…and to make sure I will never have to hear you say goodbye./

/I love you./

Glorfindel and Ecthelion were left alone on the wall. The dark-haired elf came closer. Placing his hands on his lover's shoulder, Ecthelion wondered what was happening. He had begun to draw his own conclusions, and they scared him.

"Glorfindel?" He said softly.

The seneschal breathed deeply and closed his eyes. He had to face Ecthelion now. The other elf had the right to know what was going on. It would not be fair to keep him in the dark any longer.

"Ecthelion, I have to tell you something."

The other elf stiffened slightly. He was not sure he was ready to hear what the blond eldar had to tell him. But he forced himself to nod.

"Let's find a place where we can talk. A wall is hardly suitable."

They walked towards the keep, and went to a small, secluded room inside. They needed some privacy.

They sat on cold floor, facing each other. Ecthelion reached over and held Glorfindel's hands in his. The eldar looked lost.

For a while, they were silent. It was needed. Ecthelion did not want to pressure Glorfindel.

"When you died, I died as well. Both emotionally and physically." Glorfindel began. "When the Valar brought me back, I was devastated. Angry, Hurt. I didn't want to live." He closed his eyes at the remembered pain. "I shut out everyone. I was determined to return to Mandos. But Lord Elrond wouldn't allow me. He kept me here, kept healing me when I hurt myself. He posted guards to make sure I would not take my own life." Glorfindel managed a smile. It seemed so ridiculous now. But then, it had been the only way. "He wanted me to live. I wanted to die."

Ecthelion tightened his hold on Glorfindel's hands.

"But no matter what Lord Elrond did, he could not get through. He tried very hard. I often wondered why. It was not like I was part of his family. He almost gave up. But then, I met a friend." Glorfindel looked at Ecthelion. "Not a lover. A real friend." Ecthelion had been his best friend, and then they had become lovers. "Erestor."

"The adviser?" Ecthelion inquired.

"Yes. It fits him, being an adviser. He gives great advices." Glorfindel laughed a little. "Although some may not agree. But he was able to reach me. He…showed me a reason to live, though unwittingly. Because of him, I wanted to be well again, to live. I missed you, but I knew that the Valar sent me back for a purpose. And Erestor showed me that. I owe him my life."

"But he is not the reason you are so lost now." Ecthelion said. He had always been straightforward. As a warrior lord, it was demanded of him. Glorfindel knew this.

The eldar smiled. "No, he is not."

"Haldir?" Ecthelion volunteered.

Glorfindel nodded. "My life was perfectly well-ordered. I was seneschal and I defended my home. I had a family I cared about, and a friend that I had formed a close bond with, though not so close as to turn into love. It was perfect." He sighed. "I didn't have lovers though. I was never interested." Glorfindel paused.

"Until Haldir." Ecthelion watched Glorfindel's face as he said the words.

"Until Haldir." Glorfindel confirmed. "I never saw it coming. But when I first saw him, I…was attracted to him."

Glorfindel inhaled deeply. "We became lovers."

He could not look at Ecthelion, not sure how the other elf would react.

"And you convinced yourself that it was only physical." Ecthelion supplied, remembering that Glorfindel had for a time pretended as well when they were just beginning to become lovers.

"Yes." Glorfindel's voice hinted at pain. "I made a mistake. I convinced myself, and convinced him as well."

Ecthelion became quiet.

"You have been dead as far as we knew for three thousand years. But I kept you alive, in my heart. Until a few months ago, I could not accept that you were truly gone. I hung on to the hope that we would be together again. I did not have lovers because I feared I would…forget you. It was because of that determination that I managed to hurt Haldir so much. He loves me and I…wouldn't let myself love him. I wanted to love only you, forever. But you were gone, and I…I did not realize that…I was…losing my own battle."

Glorfindel looked at Ecthelion, finally meeting the other's eyes.

"Ecthelion, I…I love Haldir."

A long, awkward silence followed Glorfindel's confession. Finally, Glorfindel could not stand it any longer.

"Ecthelion?" He whispered.

"I'm okay. You are right, I had been gone a long time, and you needed to move on."

Silence fell once again. Glorfindel closed his eyes.

"But…" Glorfindel opened his eyes as Ecthelion spoke once again.

"Do you…I mean…do you still…love me?" Ecthelion's voice held an edge of pain, and fear.

"I…I do. You will always be in my heart. But somehow, Haldir ahs also found a way in….I am so confused right now."

/Please don't ask me whom I love more. Don't make me choose right now. Please./

Ecthelion smiled and pulled Glorfindel in a hug.

"I..I am sorry. I shouldn't have asked that. I…It was stupid." He said to the blond elf.

"It's understandable." Glorfindel let Ecthelion hold him. "Ecthelion, I have to…Haldir…"

He felt Ecthelion nod.

"You have to talk to him. I know. I…I promise to keep out of the way."

"Thank you."

Reluctantly, Ecthelion let him go.

Glorfindel was at the door when the dark-haired elf called his name softly. The eldar turned around, and was slightly surprised when he felt lips upon his.

The kiss was tender. The dark-haired elf brushed his lips against Glorfindel's, before deepening the kiss. Ecthelion's tongue slipped between the eldar's teeth, seeking entrance and Glorfindel parted his mouth. Their tongues met and dueled. Ecthelion explored Glorfindel's mouth. He moved closer to the eldar, cupping the back of Glorfindel's neck and bringing them closer. He felt the blond elf's hands upon his chest.

Glorfindel was the one to break the kiss. Both were breathing hard.

"Sorry." Ecthelion whispered. "But this might be the last time I kiss you, and I had to take the chance."

Glorfindel's eyes misted. Why was he hurting the ones he loved?

"Ecthelion…"

But Ecthelion waved his hands.

"Go find Haldir before I change my mind and never let you go." But he knew better. He would give Glorfindel a chance to make the right decision.

Glorfindel did not move.

/I am hurting you. Both of you. I am sorry./

"Go."

"I'm sorry." Glorfindel stepped outside.

/I am so sorry for everything./

TBC

A/N: Good? Bad? Let me know. By the way, this chap was a little rushed. Like I said, I am having compu probs and can't type or edit quite well without getting extremely annoyed. So pardon if it's a little whacked. Sorry again.

THANKS FOR REVIEWING AGAIN.