Title: By Sunlight and Moonlight

Author: Elvensong

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Glorfindel wishes to know more about the elusive advisor to Elrond and in so doing gets caught up in his story and his curse.

A/N: Many of my reviewers have said they think they know what Glorfindel's plan is. I hope you were right! Maybe I need to try to be more mysterious from now on! Enjoy and let me know if you guessed correctly. Forgive me for taking so long, but I really haven't been home since Tuesday, to say nothing about having time to write.

Chapter Nine

Elrond and I stayed together that night coming up with the best laid out plan. This would be perfect as I spent more time polishing my work. Soon all would be in place and we would have time to compete the mission.

One afternoon I decided to take some time to give Asfaloth a loose workout. Usually I would take him out riding but I thought some time just to be outside and without constraint was called for.

As he went lazily about the side training fields I could see my wild friend out of the corner of my eye. He was surely watching me and this other horse together. Asfaloth slowed and looked at the mysterious intruder from the shadows. Suddenly, my old friend began to neigh and buck at the black horse.

The stallion called back and took a defensive posture to Asfaloth's aggression.

The gray horse's eyes shone brightly and like a bolt of lightning realization came to me. Asfaloth could see through the spell, he could see something was different about this black being and did not trust him. I wondered what the stallion looked like to Asfaloth's eyes. Did something of Erestor show through to his eyes?

Shock came over me when Asfaloth leapt over the fence and outright charged at the black one and the one on the defense quickly bucked up to meet the attack. They kicked at each other and I ran to try to get Asfaloth under control without getting between them. Either of them had the power to do me in if I got in the way of a well placed sharp hoof. They were fighting all out and I knew both could receive great injury or even break a leg. Especially the wild stallion since he was built lighter and sleeker than the more powerful Asfaloth.

"Asfaloth!" I called, "Calm yourself, my friend! Peace!"

Hearing my cries my partner in battle relented and the black stallion took the opportunity to turn and flee from the confrontation. Even a horse knows when he is outmatched. Asfaloth attempted pursuit but was easily left behind by the fast black horse. My poor friend looked a little dejected, never before having been outrun so easily.

I calmed Asfaloth down and took him in the stables for a rub down. It was not his fault this happened, but now my plans would need to change due to this encounter.

"This development might hinder you greatly, Glorfindel."

I nodded, "I thought of that, Elrond, but given the time frame I think everything can still be accomplished."

Elrond murmured his agreement, though I don't think he was completely convinced.

"Do you have the location discovered?"

"I believe so. I'll have directions for you soon."

We broke off our topic when Erestor entered. Quickly, I turned my attention to the food being served and tried to avoid the look of death that he still gave whenever he saw me.

If he is still sore about my nagging I fear to think what he'll do after tomorrow.

Finally, it was the day I would put the stallion's trust in me to the test and implement my great plan. As a tactician I had put together many plots and strategies and I had to admit that this one would be the crown jewel in my record if I could pull it off. I loaded my pack with all necessary supplies including plenty "secret weapons" to be used in emergency. Once I had a good amount of arrows and weapons for whatever I might encounter I headed out from the Last Homely House. Elrond bid me farewell as I began my journey.

"Good luck, Glorfindel!" He called and I waved back. This had to work!

As I headed out I kept my ears and eyes open for any sign of my four-legged friend. As I passed through a clearing I finally saw him towards the edge watching me.

"Greetings!" I said and he began walking to me. "I am going on a trip. Perhaps you would like to come?" I inquired. The horse neighed and I laughed. I turned and kept walking leaving him behind me.

I kept listening and soon heard his steps behind me. He was walking with me as we had done together these past days.

Relief washing over me however I knew the first big test was coming soon; the border of Imladris.

With steady strides I went beyond any path or trial I had walked with my friend and I knew this was not a stupid animal. He was territorial and would know we were going beyond his realm.

After I had gone a short distance beyond the woods and into the open fields beyond I heard the call. Turning, I peered back at my companion. He was standing at the edge of the woods hesitating to go any further.

I simply looked at back and waited for him to join me. He called out once more, a distressed call that spoke of conflict.

'Where are you going?' his voice almost seemed to say, 'Come back, that is too far.' he snorted 'You are leaving me behind!' Two stamps of his right hoof were his exclamation points.

I whistled out to him, hoping maybe that would encourage him to step beyond his barrier. It only accomplished another questioning whine.

A "secret weapon" was called for and I pulled out a granola oat bar from my pack. He spied the treat and shook his whole body. That was the breaking point and he sprinted into the field. I gave him his snack and kept walking and he walked along side me. Next to me, but not close enough for me to reach out and touch him.

We were not horse and master, we were companions on this voyage.

All afternoon we walked and I knew I would have to stop before sundown. I found a nice clearing in the protection of some woods and set down my pack and looked to go off hunting. I had packed for two and brought along a blue tunic with brown breeches for Erestor. I put them out on some branches and went in search of something for our dinner. There were some wild foul about and I was able to get a couple pheasants.

As the meat was cooking on the campfire, Erestor appeared from the woods wearing the clothes and looking insanely upset.

"What have you done?" He shouted.

I looked up and made eye contact with him and suddenly had thoughts about grabbing my sword and preparing to defend myself.

"Where have you taken me? Why have we left Imladris?"

Sometimes even Erestor can be a little thick, "I am going to see Elrond's prophesy fulfilled and you are coming with me."

"I am going no where with you!" He said quite firmly. "I am returning to Imladris now." Turning on his heels he started off.

"You're going in the wrong direction." I called after him and he stopped. "Besides, the minute dawn breaks the stallion and I will simply continue our trip together. Your taking us off course will not detour me but will add miles to an already long distance. You cannot win, Erestor, and you know it."

He stood by the fire and looked me over. Knowing I spoke the trust he gave up. "This is my choice."

"It is the wrong one."

"How can you know that?"

"Because I am wise and brave and you are no doubt hungry since the stallion did not graze all afternoon." Sending a glance at the pheasant meat, he knew I was right. "You would not find your way back, Erestor. We made good time today and it will take forever if you keep wondering off every night. We would have made better had Asfaloth been able to come along, but you two don't seem to get along."

No one spoke for a while and the silence was a bit deafening to my ears.

"How did you get him to go with you?" Erestor asked.

I reached into my pack and pulled out one of my lures.

Erestor looked exasperated as he peered at the item and swiped it from my hand. "Granola bars?" he exclaimed, "You bought him off with granola bars?"

Shrugging, I nodded.

The advisor sat down on the log and stared at the offending item and almost had an embarrassed looked on his face. "Granola bars." He laughed at himself, "I'm almost ashamed of him." He whispered and looked up at me. You can only imagine my surprise when he smirked at me, "Nothing is beyond you, Glorfindel, and I see that now. Even baiting a poor defenseless animal."

"There is nothing poor or defenseless about him. He trusts me, as you used to do." I said, "Trust me now. I mean you no ill but only the life you deserve, not this half-life of darkness and despair. What do you have to lose?"

He almost seemed surprised, as if he had not considered that question before. "Nothing I suppose." He said. "I will go with you, Glorfindel. In return I ask one favor."

"What?"

He shook his head, "Not now, a favor to be called upon when I wish and you will do as I say."

It was not a great request, so I agreed, "I promise."

We sat together and ate, awaiting the sunrise when we would walk again, but not together as we are now.

TBC