Druadan.

After riding passed every tree in the Druadan forest over the last two weeks, Glorfindel was starting to get mildly annoyed. Perhaps Faramir had not even come that way, he could not be sure, but he had certainly expected there to be proper pathways through the woods. Even Mirkwood had paths. He wondered if Gondorians didn't just go around the woods every time they needed to get somewhere. The Balrog-slayer laughed at that thought as highly unlikely in its impracticality.

He had just begun to sing an Elven riding song, one he had started many times on the journey to Gondor. This time, however, he was able to get through the first few lines without a seething stare from the Noldo beside him. Still, it seemed that Glorfindel was never meant to take over for Lindir. Riding the very edge of the forest, Glor' looked out where the road lay beyond the trees. There lie a vaguely human form. Glorfindel sighed and rode over to Faramir.

Kneeling beside him, he immediately observed that Faramir was indeed fine, his breathing was even and his pulse was perfectly normal, he was just sound asleep. Glorfindel lifted Faramir into his arms, feeling sorry for the young Mortal. Though as he tried awkwardly to get the sleeping human to stay still atop Asfaloth he seriously wished he had stayed to rescuing injured Hobbits. At least they were small enough to handle.

As Glorfindel had suspected it would, all the movement woke the young Steward. When Glorfindel mentioned that Faramir had been asleep for the last two weeks the look of terror in Faramir's eyes alerted him to proceed with caution. Clearly this young man was still stubborn enough to attempt to see through his mission. Apparently, Faramir had had a vision in which he saw some harm done to the Lady of Rohan and he was determined to make sure that what could be stopped was stopped, or that what had to be avenged was avenged. Glorfindel, knowing a thing or two about the will of the Valar, knew very well that young Faramir's visions were not likely to be portents as much as simply a way of giving Faramir an added advantage in compassion. Glorfindel understood that there was naught that Faramir could do now to prevent harm to his lady, but the purpose of his vision was to show Faramir why he needed to be gentle in his dealings with her.

Glorfindel also knew that there was going to be only one way for him to handle to the situation at hand. He "agreed" to ride with Faramir to Rohan, since he had sent Faramir's horse back to Minas Tirith when he found it wandering riderless (a move for which Erestor was currently plotting all the different ways a Vanya could be strangled, and just hoping the people of the city didn't get to him first). As they started off, Glorfindel suggested that Faramir take a sip from his canteen, since he had been out for two weeks. The Vanya was very glad that Faramir did not question how he had survived for two weeks without eating or drinking. Glorfindel did not have long to wait then until that little sip took effect and Glorfindel was able to make for Minas Tirith again without Faramir's protest. He only hoped that Faramir wouldn't kill him when he woke up in his own bed. Though he was hopeful that Erestor might at least be pleased with him for bringing the Steward back unscathed.

Riding back into the city people clamored around them so much that Asfaloth was making negligible progress up through the seven levels. Glorfindel sighed, seeing that he would have to take charge of this. "Good people of Gondor," he said in a raised voice, "I must ask that you let me pass to the Citadel. Your Steward is very well indeed, but he is in a state of exhaustion and he needs rest." Glorfindel suppressed a grin as the people seemed to agree that Faramir definitely deserved a rest. The Vanya wondered what else he might lead the people to agree with and knew that had Erestor attempted to explain the situation the people would have seen his exasperation with him and not trusted. A smug expression threatened to appear as Glorfindel thought what an excellent commander he really was. Encouraged, Glorfindel continued. "Young Faramir is in the best care in Middle-earth, i myself have assisted Lord Elrond of Imladris for centuries now and i can assure you that i will have Faramir back to his office in a matter of mere days!"

Luckily, before Glorfindel's ego ran away with him, Erestor stepped out from the gate to the sixth level and ushered him up the Citadel immediately. Erestor had noticed how well the people received Glorfindel's explanations, and had also clearly noticed the looks of suspicion some of them wore when he appeared. Though Erestor was wholly relieved that Faramir was all right, he reminded himself to be angry at Glorfindel for a number things, sending that lone horse back (and causing a panic with the people that he was hard pressed to quell), for taking two weeks to get back, and for being so damned popular.

For the next two days until Faramir woke again, Glorfindel had taken over speaking to the people of the city who wanted answers. By the end of the first day, Glorfindel had noticed a decided trend that the majority of those who wanted to see him were in fact females. Minas Tirith was indeed reminding him of Gondolin. He was actually almost relieved when on the third day since arriving in the city again a guard told him that Master Erestor wanted him to come directly to the Steward's quarters as the young Man was showing signs of waking.

After a rather hesitant explanation of what had happened to Faramir and what his visions really meant, Glorfindel was relieved, though not as much as Erestor was, that Faramir seemed to admit that matters would be best if he did not rush off to Edoras just then. Glorfindel was also greatly surprised to learn that Erestor did not seem to mind looking at him or hearing his voice. Not that he seemed exactly friendly, but certainly tolerant, at the very least. Perhaps, Glorfindel thought, absence did indeed make the heart grow fonder. Maybe... just maybe.

That night as Glorfindel lie down for the night he found himself wondering what it would be like to have another beside him. Glor' shuddered, wondering where in Arda these thoughts had been coming from. Maybe it was due to his reincarnation, certainly he had never thought of any one in Gondolin in such a manner. Or maybe, he thought, he was going mad somehow. He always suspected that it could not be truly healthy to live in the home of the Terrible Twins for a long while.

With the rising of the sun the next morning Erestor found himself arguing vociferously with Faramir not to leave again. Glorfindel accepted that Faramir truly felt that it was responsibility to go to Éowyn, no matter what. Erestor contested every single point the two of them made until finally he grew sick of the whole situation and agreed to continue to keep Faramir's study for him. Sinking into a nearby chair Erestor cursed himself for his concession, the one he made way back in Imladris. He should have refused, he thought again, not for the last time.

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Stuck together again... perhaps this time someone will give in - maybe, or maybe not. Warning: Next chapter contains excessive Dorwinion consumption.