The aftershock.

That night as Aragorn was returning from the kitchen from a late dinner he decided to stop by and check on the state of affairs in his son's study. He was relatively sure that the fighting had ended abruptly and not very long ago, if the sounds he had heard were any indication. But now all seemed very quiet - much too quiet for the Ranger's comfort. Slowly and cautiously opening the door, Aragorn stiffened noticeably when he saw Glorfindel slumped and motionless beside Faramir's desk. At least a thousand times as a child young Estel had heard Erestor mumble in rage at one of Glorfindel's frivolities, "I will kill him!"... but surely he hadn't, wouldn't!

Drawing close, Aragorn noted that Glorfindel was breathing shallowly and seemed to be asleep. He knew that Elves could sleep in all manner of situations and positions, even while walking along as he suspected Legolas of doing on numerous occasions during their latest journeys, but this seemed as though it was surely uncomfortable, even for the hard-wearing Vanya. He nudged Glorfindel slightly and the Elf stirred. Sitting upright and yawning, Glorfindel tucked his errant golden locks behind his pointed ears as he looked around concerned at having fallen asleep in an unfamiliar place before he recognized the study from a floor level.

Aragorn had a seriously difficult time keeping from laughing at the deep impression of a flower and trailing vine that was stamped clearly on Glorfindel's forehead from where he had leaned against the desk in anguish. Though when he noticed the redness and slight puffiness around Glorfindel's eyes, he sobered up and felt a wave of pity. Glorfindel stood up slowly, feeling a little discomfited as he tried to think of a way to explain everything to young Estel. Sometimes Glorfindel forgot that Estel was not as young as he looked.

"Glorfindel, my friend, come and speak with me?" Aragorn asked, a brotherly hand on Glorfindel's broad shoulder. Nodding his consent, Glorfindel walked with Aragorn to the King's private quarters, a very comfortable and luxurious chamber that Aragorn had actually yet to use. It was a wonder he had even used his bed chambers yet, he was kept so constantly busy. Passing through the small reception chamber which had only received one guest so far, Aragorn looked in several places, telling himself out loud that he was sure he had left that Dorwinion in there. Glorfindel cringed that King Thranduil had yet to be persuaded to send anymore. Glorfindel had a feeling that only Erestor's way with words could pry another bottle of that stuff loose and the sudden, uninvited thought of the dark-haired advisor hit the Balrog-slayer anew. Glorfindel felt the shudder of more tears welling up in his chest. Silently he reprimanded himself for getting this upset, but it was eating at him intolerably that had done something to hurt Erestor so badly.

Aragorn set aside the mission to find the Dorwinion when he noticed the deep sadness in Glorfindel's eyes. Ushering his old mentor in to sit with him by the fire, Aragorn questioned Glorfindel rather bluntly, but with all compassion, as to what had caused this latest and most violent of arguments and why he was so upset about it. Usually Glorfindel walked away from their arguments looking smug.

Glorfindel sat staring into the fire for a while. "I hardly know the cause, Estel. There has been much stress since Faramir departed, but when the Dwarves came early... i should have known Ere' would have been too tense yet."

"Too tense for what, mellon-nín?" Aragorn quietly.

"To talk to me," Glorfindel replied even softer.

Aragorn could not keep from grinning slightly. This was the first time he ever seen Glorfindel express such emotions and even though he said little, all that needed to be said was evident in the tone of his voice. To Aragorn it was plain that Glorfindel had come to realize what everyone in Rivendell, and several other Elven realms had known for ages, literally: Glorfindel was deeply in love with Erestor.

"Has he talked to you at all yet? I mean, talked, you know, as in a civil conversation rather than merely trading barbs," Aragorn said, trying to keep the tinge of dryness from his voice. He really did feel sorry for Glorfindel's situation, though he could scarcely help but think that he had gotten himself into it.

"We have conversed a few times. Once in particular, though i had the aid of your bottle of Dorwinion...," Glorfindel trailed off sheepishly.

Aragorn smiled appreciatively. "Good, i am glad it went to good use then. It would have gathered dust here, i certainly can't survive that stuff as much as you can, even if i was practically raised on it. No thanks to you!"

Glorfindel felt a slight grin tugged at the corners of his lips. How many times he had sneaked Estel a sip of Dorwinion when he was but a child, he could not count. The smile quickly vanished though when he thought of the disapproving scowl Erestor had always shot him.

"How can i help you, my old friend?" Aragorn asked coaxingly.

Glorfindel laughed cheerlessly. "Can you teach me how to talk to Erestor without incurring his wrath or hurting him?"

Aragorn smiled sadly. "The great lover of Gondolin, Glorfindel, asks for my courting advice?"

Glorfindel shrugged. "Great lover, yes. But that does not mean i know how to love. You should not trouble yourself, though, Estel. You have many concerns and i fear that any advice you might give me would be for naught. Erestor despises me and he shall never change his mind. Whatever i have done to offend him, it must have been terrible, though i do not even know my crime."

Offering an encouraging arm around his shoulder, Aragorn said to Glorfindel, "That is exactly where you should start, mellon-nín. Never has a dispute been settled without each party making plain their grievances. Seek Erestor and see if he will not at least give you the opportunity to make amends. He is one of the most reasonable Elves i have met, and i feel sure that if you simply do not lose your patience with him, he will eventually be willing to try to talking things over with you."

"You seriously think that?" Glorfindel said.

Aragorn nodded. "Yes, Glor', i do. Father would tell you the same."

"Has told me the same... on occasions too numerous to mention. I fear it is different this time, though. Whatever i have done or said, i fear that Erestor is truly hurt by it. It is just that every time i am around Erestor i do not know how to acquit myself. I treasure every moment of life and try to fill my time here with mirth, because i know that it can be ended, even for an Elf, and i just wish Erestor could be the same. But i always just end up acting like a fool."

Aragorn shook his head. "Well, then, you shall simply have to be all the more careful in your apology, am i not right?"

That night as Glorfindel resolved to stop being so hotheaded around Erestor and instead be more receptive of the other Elf, Erestor lay in his bed fighting a losing battle with his anger at Glorfindel. Anger had always eased the hurt of being ignored as a candidate for Glorfindel's affection, but this time Erestor could not even muster the energy to be irritated about the situation. All he felt was pain, encompassing pain. Glorfindel had no idea what he was going through, and that was just the trouble, the fact that he had never bothered to find out. He deeply regretted saying that he hated Glor', nothing could have been further from the truth and that was something that Elves did not say lightly. But at the moment it certainly felt like he hated him and Erestor figured that it would not matter much to Glorfindel anyway what he thought of him.

Erestor did not know what to do. He could little stand to stay in Minas Tirith with Glorfindel any longer, even if Estel had returned. But he felt duty bound to remain until Faramir had also returned. After that, he hoped he could be gone home to Imladris. Maybe it was even coming time for him to seek Círdan at Mithlond, he thought. Unable to sleep, Erestor rose and went down to Faramir's study where he comforted himself with what he now considered his one true friend: work.

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Haldir's Heart & Soul: I believe Aragorn and you agree on the matter of Glorfindel's attitude adjustment. Let's just hope Erestor agrees as well.