Haldir paced about the end of the hall, weaving in and out of the two pillars that graced the corners, gazing at times at the elf who still sat by the wall, silent and brooding. As he paced, he talked in an easy manner 'I should like to tell you about an elf I have heard of' he stopped by the elf's slumped form, bending from the waist he cocked his head to look into the elf's eyes and asked, 'We are friends are we not? Will you listen to my words?' He received no reaction to his question but continued.
'I have heard tell of an elf of the House of the Golden Flower, great in stature and well respected amongst his kind, a guardian of Turgon's hidden city of Gondolin' Haldir paused, he noted the elf appeared reticent and was now watching him warily, so he smiled at him reassuringly and continued.
'I have heard it said that he possesses hair the colour of spun gold, of ripened corn kissed by the sun on the day of harvest. His face, they say, is of the most alluring shape and proportions and the tone of his skin most pleasing to the eye. His eyes, they say, are the blue of a summer sky and hold such light within their depths that it has been said that they shine brighter than a silmaril, In other words he is considered very fair' Haldir stated bluntly. The elf, now staring unashamedly at the man, blushed scarlet, and the man continued.
'He favours tunic and leggings over formal robes and blue above all colours. He is no lover of books. Indeed, he has not been seen to set a foot inside the extensive library of his city, yet he is wise and well versed. Some call him arrogant, but I have heard it said that he is merely proud, distant by design.
He generally wears warrior braids in his hair, except when he is late, which is rare, when he pulls his hair back and fastens it with a golden clip, depicting two golden flowers amongst enamelled vines of green' Glorfindel stared at the man incredulously fidgeting in discomfort.
'He is known to be immaculately attired at all times, even in the heart of battle, or so I have heard. His prowess in the arts of war and his valour is unmatched and many an evil has fallen to his sword. He favours men over maids and is desired by many and loved wholly by some, most notably a dark haired captain with green eyes who is guardian of the city gates, his name I do not recall'
'Ecthelion' the elf said quietly, eyes downcast. 'Excuse me?' Haldir asked not hearing his words. 'His name was Ecthelion'. 'Of course, I thank you' Haldir answered with a nod of his head before continuing
'It is not known if he has ever given his heart to another, I would say not, perhaps due to fear of losing his beloved, or of his beloved losing him. He is known to be unfailingly loyal to his men, his kin and his Lord. His humour is dry but his disposition is happy and his deeds often mischievous! Of his deeds I can tell you little, though his occupation I have stated. He was present at the Battle of Unnumbered Tears and with his men guarded the flank of the elves of Gondolin in their retreat'. Haldir paused at this point and sat on his haunches before the elf.
'Here ends my speech' he said looking directly into Glorfindel's uncertain eyes 'though the tale does not end here, if you have heard tell of this elf, perhaps you can finish the yarn? I should like to know it's end'
Glorfindel was stunned, struck dumb by the man's description of him, for he described no other elf, his description so accurate, right down to his favourite hair clip.
'How come you to know these things?' he stuttered
Haldir's eyes sparkled in mischief 'This elf had an admirer in my father's court, I am a good listener' he replied with a dismissive shrug.
'He was the moon to my sun' the elf mused, Haldir looked at him questioningly when he paused. 'Ecthelion and I, like Arien and Tilion destined never to come together'.
Such was the remorse in the elf's eyes at this time that the man felt himself compelled to wrap an arm about him in comfort and the elf responded to him, sinking into his embrace and placing his hand over the man's, his eyes full of gratitude.