Alternate ending:

Two days later.

Erestor had successfully stayed hidden from Glorfindel since the night he had been trying to repress. Moreover, he had done his best to convince himself that Glorfindel meant utterly nothing to him. Keeping himself in Faramir's study night and day, Erestor managed to finally get everything set in order just as day was dawning. The young Steward had unexpectedly arrived the morning after the duel and Erestor had worked with all efficiency to get his study back into shape by the next day. Erestor glanced about, ensuring that everything was in place before removing to the room adjoining the study to freshen up. When he heard Faramir enter his study, Erestor greeted him succinctly then quickly made his way to his chambers to sleep, thinking that anyone who was foolish enough to wake him would deserve precisely what they would receive.

Through the day Erestor did sleep, though he wished he hadn't. Having finally gained control over his waking thoughts, he found that he still could not control the paths that were set before him by the Vala Lorien as he slept. Waking roughly after dreaming of Glorfindel's kiss, Erestor decided that he had had quite enough. Night had fallen about the gleaming white city, aiding Erestor in traversing the corridors unnoted. His plan was to go to the stables, tack up Mornië, and leave Minas Tirith for the sanctuary of Imladris. He hoped Glorfindel would refrain from riding out after him.

Sighing, Erestor realized that his conscience would not allow him to leave without alerting Estel. Going to his study Erestor found the door closed and had nearly decided to go to Faramir instead when the door opened. Of all people, why did it have to be him? Why could he never escape the Golden One?

Glorfindel, emerging from an encouraging talk with Estel, halted to see the subject of their discussion had materialized there in the hallway. This was not exactly in their discussion, nor as Glorfindel had imagined it, but taking a deep breath, the Balrog-slayer reminded himself of one of Elrond's favorite sayings, "There is no time like the present." Finding a smile, Glorfindel respectfully asked Erestor if he would consent to talk with him.

Erestor straightened and forced himself not to look into Glorfindel's pleading eyes. Why did the Vanya look so desperate to talk to him? Erestor's mind spun, going from telling him over and over to hear Glor' out to prodding him to turn and run. Within the moment he stood in indecision, fear of rejection won out and sent the advisor dashing away leaving only the word "no" ringing in Glorfindel's ears.

Glorfindel's heart beat in distressed disappointment. Estel had him so convinced that if he just asked Erestor to talk that surely he could not refuse something so simple, but Erestor had refused, and moreover, he had fled from him. Glorfindel lowered his head for a moment, whispering "what did i do to you?" before rushing after Erestor. The Noldo had been wearing a riding cloak and thus Glorfindel ran immediately to the stables. "Erestor! Dartho!" Glorfindel called pleadingly, seeing Erestor leading Mornië out his stall. "Erestor... saes, dartho," he said softer, walking up to the dark-haired one. "Do not go, i beg of you," Glorfindel repeated as he stared into the dark pools of hurt of Erestor's eyes.

Erestor fought to keep the tears from his eyes and he trembled slightly from the effort. "What care you if i leave or stay? Does it trouble you that you might not have someone to torment? Or that without me you have no new plaything to conquer?"

Glorfindel closed his eyes, realizing now that Erestor had entirely misread his actions. He cursed himself for not making his feelings more plain sooner, but then again, he had only just come to understand them since arriving in Gondor. Erestor had grown impatient waiting for Glorfindel's reply to his rhetorical question and brushed passed Glorfindel, walking beside his horse out of the stable. As Glorfindel opened his eyes to see the one who had awakened the heart of the strong warrior walking away, his words stuck in his throat. They were simply too new to him and he had never before learned how to get his lips to utter them. Turning away and shutting his eyes tightly against the hot tears that streamed out despite, Glorfindel could manage no more than a whisper that even Erestor's Elf ears probably could not hear.

Erestor turned one last time as he stopped to readjust Morni's saddle skirt before mounting and hurrying away. Erestor saw Glorfindel had turned back and allowing one last moment of weakness to take in Glorfindel's beautiful glow, which seemed less perfect now, Erestor told himself that he would technically have nothing to regret this time as he whispered the three words he had waited ages, literally, to say to the Vanya.

Erestor stared as he heard his own words spoken in unison, just as softly, in Glorfindel's voice. Glorfindel lifted his head and the flow of tears that assaulted him ceased, he was sure he had just heard his own words mirrored in Erestor's unmistakable voice. Turning, he walked toward Erestor, seeing it all plainly in those dark eyes. A smile formed on Glorfindel's tear-stained face as he took the reigns from Erestor, and holding Erestor's hands in his own, leaned in for another of those kisses he had been dreaming about.

Fin.

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I ask you, the reader, which ending you liked best. Both were happy endings, but this was a little more angsty. In the orginal ending, i just wanted them to sit down together and talk to each other, rather than putting them both through more suffering. Perhaps i will also include their conversation that Aragorn did not overhear all of in an appendix (what could be more canon for a book verse writer!) if my readers would like that.