Title: By Sunlight and Moonlight

Author: Elvensong

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: I know I had said only a couple days wait for this chapter and I hope you will forgive me for taking a bit longer. During my vacation I spent less time at home than I would have had I had been working. Now I am very happy to have this chapter completed and hope you enjoy!

Chapter Thirteen

Most people and many books will tell you that elves ride horses bareback. That we communicate with the horse on a deeper level and simply ask the animal to please carry us to our destination. This is all true, of course, but not the complete story.

In combat, into battle, we ride with tack. It is simpler that way. Besides helping to keep the horse a bit calmer, there are complex maneuvers that may be needed and that is something a bridle and saddle make infinitely easier on both horse and rider.

The bridle the stallion wore was made of thin leather and very light with a small bit so as not to be too uncomfortable. A blanket of pure cotton was on his back, cotton being the only material used, wool is too warm and silk will slide and bunch up on his skin. The saddle was also small in keeping with his leaner frame. Stirrups were trimmed short for ease of riding at fast speeds, which I was sure we would do. Altogether, he became the most beautiful and perfect horse I had ever ridden into battle. Though he knew the equipment was coming, once he had it on him he got a little temperamental. I had to talk to him constantly in order for him to keep his front legs on the ground long enough for me to mount.

When we were together once more, I gave a wave to our friend. She smiled and bowed gently. We headed out of her garden and onto the road. The destination in plain view already towering above. I still had no real idea of what to expect once I reached that stone fortress. Our nemesis was a complete enigma and as a warrior, I do not appreciate any surprises from my foe.

My companion was also a bit wary. He startled easily and took some persuasion to keep on course. It was still early in the morn and few people were out and most of the shops were still closed. The town had an eerily quiet feel to it and that did little to improve my mood.

As we climbed the hill to that stone structure waiting for us high above, I saw that the early morning haze was burning off and that the sun would shine bright and clear this day. Perhaps this was an omen, I could not guess.

Arriving at the fortress met us with a great bridge spanning a deep moat. My suspicions grew even higher. Why would the bridge be down? Would that not be normally raised for the protection of those within? I had no time to consider such options. The horse had to be in position on the temple floor of moon jade precisely when the light shone through the series of windows. Nothing else mattered and time was precious. If I failed, I had a terrible oath to fulfill and the thought of actually having to do it sent shivers through every part of me, even my soul.

The courtyard we passed through was large and filled with hedge bushes and seemed well maintained. Yet there were no people there, not even a passing servant. Two massive doors that lead into the great hall again stood open and I waited for the trap that would for sure come down upon us.

"Come on, my friend, we cannot delay." I said to the black horse and he walked forward sure of the path in front of us. Of course he was, for he had been here before.

Again we were met with silence in the great hall and the passages beyond were plenty big enough for us to pass through. It was almost as if this place was built for a horse and rider to venture in. How very odd.

Coming down the hallway, I could see an odd light ahead and I knew this was the destination we were seeking.

The temple was grand. It was a curved dome so perfectly in a circle that the curve extended right through the walls and into the ground. I almost wondered if the rest of this sphere was completed beneath us. The walls were a simple, unimpressive rock and not even the raised platform at the other end of the room was impressive. It was the floor that took your breath away. From that small point of light I had seen on Ranyla's necklace that same stone gave a glow like I had never seen before. Blue white light seemed to come from within and this was only with a small breath of sunlight coming from above, not a direct hit like that which would happen soon. I looked up and saw the small circular window slightly to the side of the top of the dome. There was not much to it. Looking through the window you could see a small portion of tunnel that extended beyond, no doubt to catch the light reflecting from the next window in the lineup that I could not see, but knew was there.

We stood there alone for a moment waiting for something to happen.

We did not have to wait long.

"Glorfindel of Gondolin." A voice said from beyond the alter. "I have been waiting for you." I heard footsteps and soon a figure came into view as she ascended the stairs leading up to the platform.

"Asenath, I presume."

"You are correct." She responded with a hint of a smile. "I cannot tell you how happy I was to see my horse once more when you came into town. Thank you for finally breaking him, he proved too great a challenge for my stable hands."

'Of course,' I thought to myself, 'she knew we were here from the moment we arrived. How long has she been watching us?' But there was no time for contemplation.

I nudged the stallion forward so I could get a closer look at her. She had elven blood in her I could see, but I also saw the signs of a mortal heritage. Asenath was only partially an elf, but no human would probably be able to see that so well had she hidden her human traits. The woman wore robes of blue that very nearly matched the stone upon the great floor. Her eyes and her hair were brown. Those eyes were difficult to read and I wondered what she had in store for us. I seriously doubted the idea that she was here simply to see her curse confounded.

"You are probably wondering where my forces are? The wish for a fight is strong is you and I can feel your pent up energy rolling off in waves." She said.

I inched ever closer. "You are not here in good will, Asenath, you cannot be trusted."

"Nor can you! I know your history and I know the power of the horse you ride. This is no castle, dear Glorfindel, but a simply structure to the powers of existence. My few temple guards would not last few long against you. Why would I send them to certain death?"

"Then why are you here? Come to see your life's dream shattered?"

"Hardly." She snickered. "I have come to see him for a moment." She gestured to the stallion. "It has been a long time and I am glad to see him doing well. None of his spirit has been lost."

I grew even angrier, "His spirit is greater than you. You cannot defeat him just as you could not keep him for your own. Live with your loss, Asenath, there will be no more slaves to your obsessions."

"You are wrong, Glorfindel, and you were defeated well before you took your first step into my domain." She looked to the window and before I could breathe a word she made a sweeping motion with her arms. Suddenly, the ground shook, rock fell, and the horse bucked and cried out in surprise. I had to hold on tight not to be thrown.

Darkness surrounded us.

Torches, which lined the walls, began coming to life on their own and soon the temple was no longer bathed in the blue light of the stone, but the red glow of the fires. I looked to the floor, it was dark and the stone seemed as ordinary as anything you'd find under your feet.

The magic was gone.

Laughter came from the dimmed alter and I turned to face her. "You have much to learn, Slayer of Balrogs, I will do anything to keep him thusly. Erestor cursed me with more power than I could ever wield." She said softly and for one moment she truly sounded broken, "My heart was no longer my own from the first moment I saw him, yet he would never be mine. The pain I felt was unlike anything I had ever known." She snapped out of her thoughts, "He deserved every bit of what he got!"

I once more looked above and saw what had happened. Great pieces of stone from the tunnel had fallen and came between the windows, blocking the light. Blocking our hope. There was no way the sunlight would reach the stone; there was nothing I could possibly do in time.

We had failed.

"Now you see, Glorfindel, that I will sacrifice everything. Even the power this place gives to me." She clapped her hands twice and I heard footsteps in the hallway behind us.

A large group of men appeared and were waiting her command. They were well armed. She bluffed well and was only waiting for the spirit to the crushed before unleashing the gauntlet.

The yelled her commends to them, "I want the horse for my own. Take him to the stables and bind him with the thickest chain. Guard him and do not leave him alone!"

"And the elf?" One asked.

"Take him away but do not kill him." She commanded, "He has much to think about in the days ahead."

Asenath turned her back and walked off, leaving us alone with her soldiers. They advanced on us slowly and I knew what I had to do.

I dismounted and went to the harness on his side to pull out my sword. I loved this sword; it was silver with gold inlay in the handle. It had been with me in Gondolin and was one of my few possessions from that other life. I took the blade delicately in my hand and looked to my companion with the deepest regret. Capture was not an option for this beautiful black being. How could Erestor survive the upcoming night finding out not only that we failed but also that he was a prisoner of Asenath? It would tear out his soul.

My wonderful friend seemed to know what was coming and to my amazement nuzzled the sword.

I now had only one option left to me.

I raised the blade up.

May the Valar please forgive me.

TBC