Erestor sat staring into the fire in the hearth of his room.

It had been four years since he had been found by the Nimbrethil and been brought to reside in the castle in Balar. His life had quickly fallen into routine once he had left the healing house.

The mornings spent in classes were his favourite time of the day, he had come to regard Master Corupeth with something akin to awe, his tutor always pushed him to learn more, to develop diplomatic skills, to become cunning in his way of thinking, he was most grateful for the Master Councillor's interest in him.

It wasn't until the healers had declared him fully fit that his views on weapons and training had became known and had caused the first argument between himself and Glorfindel.

He remembered clearly the day that Glorfindel had brought him a training sword and attempted to persuade him to join him on the training grounds. He recalled how he was unable to even look at the sword, for all he saw there was blood, the blood of friends, of family, of loved ones. He had lashed out then and Glorfindel had not understood, thinking that he was criticizing his aspirations, even his skill.

Their words had been so ferocious and loud that day that Gil-Galad had been called from a meeting to attend them as none dared to intervene. Gil-Galad had called him to his study after the evening meal that night, and though hard pressed, he had given an explanation for his words that had been acceptable, though they lacked the weight of the truth.

Gil-Galad had decreed that he was to train to become a healer and he was apprenticed to Finuial that day. It had taken a while for Glorfindel to forgive him fully for his actions, but their friendship was strong and it was not long before these events no longer stood between them.

If he were to be honest, he was content, the elves here had been ever kind, Gil-Galad and CĂ­rdan in particular had treated him like kin, and Glorfindel held a special place in his heart for his companionship and constant support. He had been fortunate beyond his own imagining, and could not help but feel that The Valar themselves must have had a hand in his rescue. He missed his family, but over the years his grief had lessened, and he still held fast to the oath he had made to his brother.

Glorfindel's clear voice cut through his musings.

It was not uncommon for the golden haired elf to call him through the door, but it was many hours after dark now, and Glorfindel had retired to his bed early.

Erestor rose and drew his robe about him as he left the room. In keeping with their characters Glorfindel's door was open, as it always was. Erestor tended to leave his door closed, even during the day, much to Glorfindel's irritation.

He crossed the common room, cold at this time of night, now that the fire had burnt down to mere embers.

"Take your men to the second gate!"

Erestor frowned, Glorfindel's words made no sense to him. He passed the threshold of Glorfindel's room and advanced on the bed. Glorfindel tossed and turned in his sleep, his features lit only by the moon's rays.

"Take the wounded to the citadel!"

Erestor was at a loss, should he wake the sleeping elf? After a moment of thought he removed his robe and climbed in beside the dreaming elf, pulling him into his arms, in the hope of calming him.

"Aiya, Elbereth! Retreat! Retreat! The City is lost."

Glorfindel sagged into Erestor's arms, his fight lost.

"The City is lost," he whimpered into Erestor's ear.

"Shh, I have you, you are safe" Erestor whispered in answer, "'twas only a dream."

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Glorfindel awoke the next morning, still secure in Erestor's embrace. He could not help smiling, the elfling was still sleeping; his features normally tense during the waking hours were relaxed in sleep, giving the dark haired elf a softer look. ((Ai, you are handsome little one.))

He would have been content to hold Erestor till he woke, but his treacherous body reacted to his thoughts and he knew he had to distance himself.

He had been struggling with the desire he had begun to feel for Erestor since his body's first awakening. After many weeks of worrying about this change in his body and in his outlook he had summoned enough courage to speak to Gil-Galad about his new feelings towards the elfling. Gil-Galad had been understanding and had reassured him that what he felt was perfectly natural, but that given Erestor's age it would be improper to act. So Glorfindel had resigned himself to keeping his attraction for the young elf from all, but especially from Erestor, for he did not wish to make the elfling uncomfortable, or to risk losing his friendship.

Having untangled himself from Erestor's limbs, he began to dress. He was just pulling on his boots when Erestor stirred and the fathomless dark eyes that he found so enchanting fixed on him.

"Good morning," Erestor said sleepily.

Glorfindel smiled at him fondly, "Good morning, Not that I mind overmuch, but was there a reason that you came to my bed?"

"You do not remember?"

Glorfindel shook his head slightly as he combed through the tangles in his hair.

"You were dreaming, giving orders, strange orders I did not understand; I merely wished to comfort you." Erestor felt suddenly shy about having to explain his actions.

"Oh that, I'm sorry if I disturbed your rest," Glorfindel replied, his head hidden by the tunic he was donning.

"You have had these dreams before? Why haven't you told me?"

"It is not important Erestor, they are only dreams."

"Tell me about them?" Erestor's tone made it clear he would accept no refusal.

Glorfindel sighed heavily and sat in the chair by the bed. "They are always the same, I'm in a city I've never seen before surrounded by mountains, there is a great battle," Glorfindel laughed humourlessly "every evil creature I have ever read about is besieging the city, and I am right in the middle, fighting for my life, and the city always falls." He paused, "It is only a dream Erestor."

Erestor looked thoughtful, "Are the walls white?"

"What?"

"Are the city walls white?"

"I don't know, maybe, why?"

"Elbereth! Fin, we need to seek out Lord Gil-Galad, now!" Erestor scrambled to his feet and exited the room swiftly; Glorfindel gazed in confusion at his retreating form.