Later that day.

By the time Erestor found a place quiet enough to read night had fallen, and though all of the tree-city glowed of its own volition, it was not really adequate to read comfortably, not even for an Elf. By this time Erestor was beginning to feel dejected. He wished he really had convinced Elrond to let him stay in Imladris, even with Lindir's singing and Bilbo's smoking. Feeling annoyed was still better than feeling mocked. In frustration Elrond's advisor left Caras Galadon, climbing over the north wall and down into then up out of the Deep Fosse since he had done so much climbing already that day and the bridge was much too close to her garden to risk. He thought that maybe the rest of Lorien would be a little more hospitable than the City of Trees.

Wandering northward, Erestor came upon a grove that looked like a miniature version of the grand city, only without the light. He reasoned that he could pass the rest of the week there without being missed much. Here Erestor felt relaxed and walked along looking for a place to rest comfortably until he felt another's presence. Suddenly he was cautious, but he noted that whoever was nearby seemed to take no notice of him at all, which really made Erestor only more curious. He was relieved to find that it was only Arwen who was in the grove with him, but a bit startled to realize that she had not heard him approach, or at least had not acknowledged it in any way.

"Elleth-nín?" Erestor asked quietly, wondering if she was quite well.

Arwen turned then, a reflective smile still about her features. "Erestor," she said, reaching out to take his hand. "This is where Estel and i pledged our eternal love to one another."

Erestor sighed and nodded, feeling a little guilty that he had interrupted her thought. He moved to leave, but she still held on to his hand. The elder Elf could tell that she was drawing support from having a trusted friend nearby, but he tried hard to hide the things he was thinking about, knowing she possessed a bit of her father's abilities and not wanting to spoil her serene mood. A voice in the back of his mind told him that he was not actually doing himself any favors by keeping his thoughts and feelings suppressed, but he chose to smother that thought as well.

"I am very happy for you both, Arwen," Erestor said sincerely, yet more as a way to stop himself thinking about his own situation. "You deserve such a love and you should do all that is in your power to keep that love. Never let anything come between you, elleth-nín." Erestor smiled regretfully and couldn't help but think of the fact that he knew what he was talking about from personal experience. "I believe i shall seek out your father, Arwen. Farewell," he said, using Elrond as an excuse to wander off alone again. Then again, he thought he might just go talk to Elrond after all. He used to share his burdens with his Lord, but of the last several hundred years he felt that he was burdening Elrond too much (certainly the Lord of Imladris had more important matters on his mind) and so took to the old habit of denying that anything troubled him, ever.

But Erestor decided that he did want to speak with Elrond, even if he didn't say anything about his own burdens, he definitely had wanted to discuss the next part of their journey, and perhaps changing the riding formation.

Somewhat hesitantly Erestor sought Celeborn's chamber, knowing he could find Elrond there even late into the night. The two ellyn always had much to discuss when they met. He hated to interrupt them, but Elrond usually welcomed him to such meetings as it was. The few stares he received as he made his up the grand tree to the highest flet only served to exasperate him further. No matter, once he found Elrond he would find out where the other Rivendell Elves were keeping and that would be where he stayed for the rest of the week.

As he approached he could hear Elrond and Celeborn's "conversation" from some distance but as he contemplated letting the Elf-lords argue alone he had already been spotted, no walls separated anything in these flets, anything point Erestor did not care for. Elrond calmed himself enough to beckon Erestor to join them. Celeborn cleared his throat, took a deep, calming breath and bowed to Erestor, welcoming him. Erestor returned the gesture respectfully, if not cautiously.

Celeborn sat down wearily. "Elrond, my apologies, mellon," he said.

"And mine to you, mellon," Elrond replied with a forgiving smile. "I believe that perhaps we are both feeling a little tried of late?"

Celeborn laughed appreciatively. "At least you had not the attacks we had. For how many years have i been saying that it was not wise to remain so close to the eastern threat. At least five centuries ago i was telling my wife that Imladris was located much more securely than Lorien." The blond Elf-lord turned to Erestor, who still looked rather cautious. "Master Erestor, my apologies to you as well, please make yourself comfortable. My flet is your flet."

Erestor realized himself relaxing as he noticed that he could not suppress a wry grin. Celeborn knew how ridiculous Erestor found their living arrangements to be. For a while the three Elves spoke comfortably, all trace of the previous argument vanished. After some while (and some wine) Celeborn decided to take some rest. Elrond agreed that he too needed sleep and invited Erestor to come along as sleeping accommodations had been comfortably prepared for all of the Rivendell host. Erestor was just about overjoyed that they were put up in a lovely, ground level pavilion which had housed the Fellowship of the Ring several months previously.

When Elrond noticed out loud that Glorfindel was not among those from Rivendell at their rest, Erestor pretended that he did not hear Elrond and so did not comment. Just the mention of that imbecile made him see red. Elrond sighed, wondering again if he had not made an error in judgment about this. He decided to leave the issue alone for a while then. Perhaps when they reached Edoras circumstances would be more conducive to Glorfindel and Erestor reconciling their differences.

Erestor was still fighting the urge to give in and once, just once, react emotionally. He utterly refused to allow himself to show any kind of feeling when it came to Glorfindel though, and he decided that he was too stubborn to start.

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Thank you, thank you, thank you to all my reviewers! Next chapter will be up before too long too, i hope. I believe that it is going to do with Glorfindel more than Ere'. He does have feelings that need exploring too.