On the road to Edoras, via Fangorn, fifth day out.
"Erestor?" It was the first time Glorfindel had dared to even attempt to speak to the dark-haired one who rode beside him. Elrond had insisted vehemently that the riding formation remain as it was, saying that he needed his two dearest friends as close at hand as possible.
In return, Glorfindel received exactly what he expected: silence. Erestor, sitting tall and straight as usual, made utterly no sign that he acknowledged that there was anyone at all on the rode other than himself.
"Erestor, come, i am only trying to be friendly...." Glorfindel said pleadingly.
At the suppliant tone in the Balrog-slayer's voice, Erestor could not suppress that aura of self-satisfaction about himself. However, silence reigned.
"ERESTOR!" Glorfindel shouted, thoroughly infuriated with Erestor's disregard for his petitions.
Still the composed, dark-haired Elf did not acknowledge him at all. The rest of the group, however, certainly did, including those from Lorien, with the exception of Haldir. Even Elrond gave him a watered-down version of "the look." It was enough to make Glorfindel quiet, with a slightly awkward, mortified grin. His grin quickly gave way, though, to a scowl. Damned Erestor! That would be the last time he tried to be friendly on his account, that was certain.
Fortunately there were no further incidents for the next two weeks of the trip. When the hosts of Imladris and Lothlorien broke for camp each night, Glorfindel wisely made his way to the Lorien side of the camp where he slept among his friends there. Most nights, though he was glad to retire with the brothers as he had before they departed, he found himself unbelievably angry that he was the one who had to distance himself from Erestor, even though he did so without anyone mentioning that he should. In his opinion, it was all Erestor's fault for being so uptight anyway.
Still, there were also those very annoying nights when he felt a strange feeling deep in his heart made him feel terribly about distancing himself from Erestor when he should have just apologized. And yet even that angered him when he thought that had he attempted to apologize Erestor would probably pretend to be the only Elf without the legendary Elven hearing, as always. Perhaps Galadriel's Enchanted Mirror was failing. There was no way possible those two could ever sit together and smile about anything. And he still felt rather ill when he remembered that the dark-haired one was holding a infant.
And yet every day they rode side-by-side in silence, at least between one another. Finally came the morning that two riders, identical riders, were seen approaching as the Elves broke camp. Immediately they went to Elrond, who held them tightly and was hard pressed to stifle a tear when he said, "Thank the Valar you are both safe," as he did every time he saw his sons after a long absence. True, they were always off doing dangerous patrols with the Dunedan in the North, but never had Elrond worried about them so much as during this war.
The brothers received no less a welcome from their little sister, who allowed herself several tears every time her brothers came home from long patrols. Together, the family rode into Edoras and were greeted by the King of Rohan, as were the Lord and Lady of Lorien, the three brothers, and Glorfindel and Erestor.
Within Meduseld, Erestor looked around the vast hall. Pulling either Elladan or Elrohir aside he asked, "Where exactly is Lord Éomer's palace and why are we asked to wait in this stable?"
The twins broke out in laughter, drawing almost as many stares as Glorfindel's outburst two weeks ago had. "Erestor, meldir... this is his palace!" said a twin, calming his laughter and speaking in a low voice.
"Ai... here i had thought that Mornië would finally have some decent accommodations. Glorfindel as well," Erestor said wryly.
Both twins nodded and went looking again for their father. After some conversation in the rather small room the three of them were afforded, Elladan asked what had been on their minds since they met the host out on the field. "Has there been any luck with Glor' and Ere' yet, adar?"
Elrond rolled his eyes, sitting at the end of his bed. He shook his head wearily. "Those two do not stand a Hobbit's chance in Mordor."
Elladan and Elrohir glanced at one another, grinning. "So there is still a chance," Elrohir said.
"Aye, a chance, ion-nín, but Frodo and Samwise are loyal companions and do not shout at one another over nothing whatsoever. They are driving me slowly mad, those two, and if they do not learn to see passed one another's peculiarities i may have to revert to my idea of locking them up together for a night. Glorfindel and Erestor are still love each other, and you did not hear this from me, but some of the things they think about might haunt me even into Valinor," Elrond said with a shudder.
"That should teach you to go about reading people's thoughts, adar," Elrohir said almost smugly, though he himself did not know whether it was comical or disgusting.
"Well, what am i do? They will not even talk civilly to one another anymore!" Elrond sounded wearier and wearier.
"Have you divined their futures at all yet?" Elladan asked.
"Yes, several times," Elrond said dismissively. "All i get is a hazy picture of them both sailing West, which means nothing at all for my mental health. I have been hoping so that they will come to accept one another on this journey. I had hoped our stay in Edoras would serve that purpose, but since we must depart the morn after next, i have my doubts."
Elladan and Elrohir smiled to one another. "Aye, adar," Elladan said, "but now you have our aid as well!"
"I think you should make a change to the formation, adar...," Elrohir said conspirator-like. "Allow us to be the van, and the good Masters Glorfindel and Erestor should ride directly behind us."