"He will be waiting upon the shore when our ship crosses the sea, he will believe that he has come to welcome his Lady," Galadriel smiled, a twinkle in her eye, "You and I, we shall know better."

Glorfindel rose from the seat overlooking the market place, Elves were going about their daily business and it all seemed too ordinary to Glorfindel in his grief stricken haze.

His body, still ached from the beating he had allowed Rúmil to bestow upon him, he had felt it deserved. But after Rúmil's anger had fled from him, he was able to listen to Glorfindel's words and their 'sparring' had ended with them comforting each other, two elves clinging desperately to some semblance of hope. Orophin had been altogether more taciturn and reasonable, though he clearly felt his grief keenly; he was not so prone to anger.

Glorfindel was lost, what was he to do now? Continue on as if nothing had occurred? Return to his Lord and claim that all was well? How could he do this? This said, he knew that the Lord and Lady were correct; he would sail with his Lord and would not succumb to grief or to suicide.

He sighed and sat on his bed, his heart heavy.

He heard the commotion, but no part of him was curious about the reason for it.

Thus he rose startled when the Lady Galadriel came running into his room. She stopped just passed him and turned, her face bright and joyful.

"They have returned!"

Glorfindel looked at her perplexed.

Galadriel attempted to pull Glorfindel into a dance pose, to have him dance her across the floor, but he just stood unmoving. So she removed her hands dancing alone across the floor.

"They have returned, each and every one of them."

At last her words seemed to make it through his fogged thoughts, and he looked at her with hope, the first that Galadriel had seen since his arrival, "Haldir?"

Galadriel laughed, "Aye Haldir and Idrenir, and Culannûn, and Lothluin, and Lingaer…" on and on went the list, Glorfindel suspected that the Lady had indeed named every single elf that had left for Rohan. "They are all returned, I shall throw a great feast in their honour, I must hurry."

With these words Galadriel swept out of the room.

Glorfindel stood motionless in the centre of his room, profoundly shocked by the news; it was inconceivable, wasn't it?

He moved to the wash stand and splashed water over his face, looking up he caught his reflection in the mirror, so long had passed since he had truly seen his reflection, and now he did, he despaired, he looked dreadful, grief stricken and callow.

He straightened his clothing and resolved to find out if the news was true or some cruel trick. Thus decided, he left the room.

The talan was in chaos, elves moving every which way, he caught a glimpse of the Lady, arms flailing and servants scurrying at her words. It almost made him smile, almost.

The activity in the talan was quick to dizzy him, and he made his way out of the main entrance. Set in no task, yet hurrying just the same he found himself in the direct path of an elf, their collision brought them both to the ground.

The pale haired elf cursed, "I apologise, I am most distracted, and my errand most urgent."

"Rúmil?" Glorfindel asked, recognising the felled elf at last.

The young elf looked up, "Ah, Glorfindel, I was on my way to you, it seems I have found you." The elf laughed, Glorfindel was sure it was the first time since he had arrived that he had heard the sound.

"Rúmil is it true? Is what they say true?" Glorfindel looked at him in silent plea.

Again the pale haired elf laughed, "Aye and Aye, it is true, They were spied from the borders, returning, they counted all present, a guardian was sent upon horseback to the city with the news, they shall arrive tomorrow at their current pace.

Glorfindel stared at Rúmil dumbfounded and then wiping his face burst into tears.

Rúmil laughed and drew Glorfindel into his arms.

"And so it is your turn, I believe Orophin is still weeping in the arms of some hapless maid, but I have had my release, come cry your fill, show your relief."

The Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood stood in the courtyard. Around them their guardians stood in honour dress, and the servants of the house carried baskets of mallorn blossom to adorn the returning throng.

Glorfindel stood, a nervous wreck, in his finest clothes, flanked by Rúmil and Orophin. Rúmil was quick to tease that they stood so, so as to ensure that he could not escape, he was, the younger brother stated, under indefinite arrest.

Glorfindel smiled at that, there was actually, if he were true to himself, no place he would rather be at this moment, save for locked within his beloved's embrace.

The trumpets sounded, a joyful sound to all those awaiting their kin. The Lórien company entered through the gates, five abreast, with Haldir marching proudly at the fore.

There was silence as Celeborn bid them welcome to their homes, and after he had spoken, Lady Galadriel moved forward, pinning a mallorn blossom upon Haldir's cloak, she kissed his brow and bid him come forward and greet his kin.

The waiting Lórien brothers threw propriety to the winds and ran forward embracing the weary elf, Glorfindel stayed back, he had no rights to a part of this greeting.

The Lórien brothers informal greeting gave rise to other families waiting to welcome their loved ones home, and soon the brothers three had disappeared from Glorfindel's sight.

He felt Galadriel's hand upon the small of his back, and looked at her quizzically, "He senses your presence, he will come for you."

Even as the words passed her lips, the crowds parted and Haldir strolled forth out of the throng, he looked tired.

Haldir did not stop his advance, until he stood within a pace of Glorfindel, and they regarded each other for a moment in silence.

"Are you come for me at last?" Haldir asked.

Glorfindel could find no words, and feeling the pressure from the hand still at his back he stepped forward, closing the distance between them. His hand slipped through the silken hair to rest at the base of Haldir's head, and gently he brought their lips together. Their kiss was born of love, and their fervour was born of trials and time.

Breaking apart, Haldir blushed to be caught in such an intimate gesture by his Lord and Lady, though neither seemed overly concerned. His eyes sought out Glorfindel's.

"Let us not be parted again?"

Glorfindel nodded, "never again, this I swear."