Rosuil knocked upon the door, and at the Elf Lord's beckoning he entered. Gil-Galad was seated behind a desk littered with papers and tomes, quill in hand.

"Rosuil" Gil-Galad said as he looked up from his papers.

"Forgive me for disturbing you My Lord, but I wished to talk to you about Erestor."

"I always have time to talk of those in my charge" Gil-Galad stated, gesturing for the healer to take a seat. "How does he fare?"

The healer shrugged, "it will take time for the emotional scars to heal, He has been deeply distressed by what he has witnessed"

"Were our suspicions correct?"

"Aye he claimed them as kin, but still something does not sit right with me, My Lord"

Gil-Galad raised an eyebrow, "In what sense?"

"When you brought him to me aboard the ship, My Lord, it was clear the elfling had not eaten in several weeks, not just several days."

"It is winter, perhaps the company of elves had not had much success in the hunt," Gil-Galad offered by way of explanation.

"Perhaps" Rosuil answered thoughtfully, "Perhaps it is nothing, another thing, My Lord, he is concerned about his future, about what will happen to him."

Gil-Galad nodded, "Of course, I will speak to him of this when I visit him again."

"I believe I have taken up enough of your time, My Lord," the healer said rising.

"Rosuil?" Gil-Galad said with a frown, causing the silver haired healer to turn to him by the door. "Will Erestor survive this?"

Rosuil shook his head slightly, "My Lord, I am really not certain, he has proved to be strong thus far, but I fear he will need the strength and support of us all to pull through."

"Thank you"

The healer bowed his head in deference and exited the room silently. He could not help but feel that they were still missing something important.

He shrugged to himself as he walked down the corridor.

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It was several hours after dark before Gil-Galad had finished his duties for the day and was able to make his way to the healing house, though he was tired from the day's negotiations, he knew it would be unwise to delay the talk that he intended to have with Erestor.

Even before entering the corridor to the healing rooms he could hear the sounds of a heated discussion taking place, and quickened his pace. He entered the room soundlessly, his presence initially unnoticed.

"I do not care what Rosuil may have said Glorfindel, I say that Erestor is still not well enough to be venturing outside"

Gil-Galad cleared his throat, and the healer and Glorfindel jumped at the sound.

"Why is Erestor dressed?" Gil-Galad asked in an even tone, "Glorfindel?" he added to make it clear who he expected to answer his question.

Glorfindel chewed his bottom lip nervously before answering, "Erestor wishes to see the ocean and I have agreed to accompany him."

Gil-Galad raised a brow in disbelief "and he needs to see the ocean tonight?"

"I do," came a small voice from the elfling sitting on the side of the bed, his dark locks hiding the features on his face and his eyes downcast.

"Or he will not rest," added the golden haired elfling, who was shifting from one foot to the other in the centre of the room.

"I see" Gil-Galad said with a slight frown. "How would it be if we were to wrap him in my cloak to keep the cold at bay, and if I were to accompany him to see that it is not a long excursion?" The Elf Lord directed his question to the healer.

Finuial looked uncomfortable, "My Lord, I still feel it is unwise, however if he will not rest then he should go," he knew that he could say no and Gil-Galad would think no less of him, but if the elfling was not able to rest that would cause more damage. "But you should not be long."

Glorfindel, who had relieved Gil-Galad of his cloak, beamed at Erestor as he securely fastened the warm fabric about him.

Gil-Galad sought out the healer's eyes to be sure that this was acceptable to him, as Glorfindel fussed over the dark haired elfling, the healer shrugged back at him.

"Though I wonder how you will manage Erestor" Finuial said, "as you are barely able to walk to the bathing rooms without aid."

"I will help" Glorfindel answered determinedly.

"Nay" came an answering word, Gil-Galad crossed the room and gently swept a startled Erestor into his arms. "You, Glorfindel, will return to your chambers and rest, your tutors will be expecting you to attend your classes tomorrow."

"But…" Glorfindel started before The Elf Lord swiftly interrupted his plea.

"But naught, Glorfindel, you have already missed almost a full week of classes, Erestor will be well and your studies are not to be forgotten, get yourself gone."

Glorfindel's shoulders sagged dejectedly and he pouted, before bidding Erestor, the healer and grudgingly Gil-Galad a goodnight. As the door shut rather loudly behind him, Gil-Galad smiled at Erestor who was observing him warily.

"Do you still wish to see the ocean, young one, now that you are stuck with only my company?" he asked with amused but kind eyes.

"I must," Erestor answered shyly.

"Very well, I know just the place, we will not be long" he assured the healer, before adding conspiratorially, for Erestor's ears alone. "It is a beautiful night, we can take as long as you wish."

Erestor couldn't help a small smile at that. He was confused, this elf seemed kind and although he knew he should be frightened, he felt calm in his presence.

((How could you?! The voice in his head chided, you know what he is capable of! What he is responsible for! He will kill you. Nay,)) his voice of reason countered, ((not if he does not find out who you are!)) Erestor closed his eyes against the warring words, but they only got louder.

Instead, he attempted to concentrate on his surroundings as Gil-Galad carried him from the healing house.