Erestor wandered down the cobbled street that led to the harbour. The road was lined with stalls selling all manner of goods; a spice stall lent the scent of rosemary to his meandering, and all about him the sounds of joyful music and the calls of the merchants selling their wares could be heard.

He paused by a stall selling quills and inkwells admiring the craftsmanship of the goods. The proprietor of the stall was a severe looking dark haired elf, who broke off his conversation with the neighbouring stallholder when he saw the young elf and his obvious interest. There were few in Balar who would not recognise on sight the youngest ward of Lords Círdan and Gil-Galad, so the merchant was aware that despite the elfling's age, coin would not be a problem.

Erestor surveyed the array of goods carefully as one might assess fine jewels, before his attention was caught by one set in particular. The merchant smiled, and instantly the harshness of his features softened, "You have excellent taste young Lord."

Erestor studied the quill in his hand, and ran a finger over the delicate ivy leaves that adorned the feather casing, a wistful look on his face. "Doriath," he muttered.

"Aye" the merchant said, "Ivy, in memory of that great realm"

Erestor seemed to snap out of his thoughts and placed the quill back where it had come from on the stall, before smiling at the merchant, "here I am looking at goods for myself when I am suppose to be looking for a gift for another!"

The merchant returned Erestor's smile, and guessing whom the young elf was shopping for replied, "Would Lord Glorfindel not appreciate such a gift?"

Erestor laughed, "I do not think so, thank you for your time."

The merchant inclined his head as Erestor continued on down the hill, and as the young elf moved out of sight, a shadowed figure moved out from behind a nearby building.

Erestor was halted in his tracks at the next corner by the appearance in his path of a bright eyed, fair-haired elfling.

"Where are you going Erestor?" she asked, her smile broad.

"Greetings Mîrgaer, beautiful day, is it not?" Erestor replied returning her smile. Rosuil's youngest daughter was a lively young elleth (elf-maid) and her regular presence in and around the castle and being close to Erestor in age meant that they had become friends over the years.

The young elleth (elf-maid) hooked her arm through Erestor's and replied, "Aye it is; I love this day, where are we going?"

Erestor laughed at Mîrgaer's assumption, he knew that once the elleth (elf-maid) had set her mind on something there would be no dissuading, "We are going to the jeweller's workshop to collect Fin's begetting day gift, but only if you can stay silent till it is given!"

"Erestor! You wound me! I am well able to keep a secret, as you should know by now. Or need I cite the incident with you, Fin and the tanner's oil?"

Erestor chuckled, wandering for a moment into his own thoughts, "Nay, nay, there is no need, come along then."

Mîrgaer grinned and they continued on, winding their way through the crowds.

As they came to the archway that served as entrance to the jeweller's workshop they were passed by one of Gil-Galad's captain's, he inclined his head as he passed and Erestor did likewise, as if it was second nature to him to receive such respect. Mîrgaer released her friend to peruse the jewellery cabinets as Erestor started his business with the jeweller.

She frowned slightly as the jeweller produced a piece of jewellery that was very familiar to her, "Isn't that yours? Were you getting it cleaned?" She said as she came to look around him.

Erestor carefully picked up the moss agate pendant with its simple gold fixing; he removed a gold chain from his tunic pocket and lovingly attached it. This pendant and necklace were more precious to him, than any could conceive; they were all he had left of an old life, the only thing, apart from himself that remained.

"Aye" he replied gesturing for his friend to attach the chain about his neck and lifting his hair to allow her access. "I had it re-fashioned."

The jeweller placed a small cherry wood box on the counter, and proudly remarked, "This came out better than we had hoped; I do hope it will meet with your approval."

Erestor removed the box lid, and Mîrgaer gasped audibly beside him.

"Oh Erestor, it is beautiful!"

Nestled in soft red silk within the box lay a gold ring inset with moss agate and engraved with leaves. Erestor removed the ring, studied it for a moment, before smiling broadly. The jeweller visibly relaxed at his smile.

"It is perfect, thank you."

The jeweller inclined his head at the thanks and accepted the coin Erestor gave him.

-

Erestor entered his rooms; he could hear the whir of the grinding wheel, and the ear-splitting noise that comes from laying metal against stone. If this had been a normal day he would have returned to the library rather than listen to the noise willingly, but this was not a normal day and Erestor would not think badly of his friend this day.

He schooled his expression and entered Glorfindel's room, perching almost nervously on the side of the bed. Glorfindel looked up at his entrance and laid his sword to one side, a broad grin upon his face.

"I wondered where you had run off to!"

Erestor smiled, his eyes coming to rest on a rectangular oak box decorated with a green ribbon.

"A gift from an admirer?" he asked teasingly

Glorfindel came from behind the grinding wheel, to sit at Erestor's feet. "Actually, no" he replied picking up the box and placing it on Erestor's lap.

"It is a gift of thanks from one friend to another, it is for you."

Erestor looked perplexed, "I believe you are confused Fin, did you hit your head? Today is the day when others gift you presents, not the other way about."

Glorfindel chuckled, "I was going to keep it till your begetting day, but these past few months you have taken such tender care of me that I felt you needed to be reminded that I hold you among my dearest friends" ((and dearest to my heart)) he added silently.

Erestor blushed at Glorfindel's sincerely spoken words, and ran a finger along the box lid before reaching into his robe to produce a small cherry wood box.

"And this is for you," he said softly. Glorfindel took the small box from him reverently and placed it on his knee.

"You first," Glorfindel said merrily, his position on the floor allowing him to look directly into Erestor's eyes as he opened the box. The depth of emotion that sparked in those dark eyes confused Glorfindel for a moment, there was joy and tenderness, and as the gift was revealed a look Glorfindel could only think of as longing, before the dark eyes fixed upon his and Erestor's face was lit up by his smile and the look was gone.

"Fin, these are beautiful." He removed the quill from the box tracing his finger over the ivy leaves that adorned the casing. He frowned as he realised, "Were you following me?"

Glorfindel tried to look sorry; lifting both hands in submission, but couldn't help a slight chuckle at his friend's frown. "I wanted to get something that you would like, what better way than to have you pick out the gift! I followed you no further."

The look on Erestor's face gave the impression of irritation at Glorfindel's confession, but he could not deny that the inkwell and quill were beautiful, and despite his methods, Glorfindel's intentions were good. "Very well Fin, you are forgiven. These are beautiful, thank you"

Glorfindel beamed at Erestor's words, his attention returning to the box upon his knee. He picked it up, turned it in his hand to study each side, and asked; "may I open it?"

"Of course."

Opening the box, he opened his mouth to speak but no sound came out as he raised eyes full of wonder towards Erestor's uncertain gaze.

"It's beautiful." He said, his voice thick with emotion, as he slipped the ring onto his finger and admired it.

"This stone, it's like your…" as the words left his mouth his eyes came to rest upon the pendant that Erestor wore and the sight of it silenced him instantly, the pendant once a neat rectangular shape, was now almost square. His brow furrowed for a moment, Glorfindel was well aware of the value of the necklace to his young friend, and it dawned upon him that this was no ordinary gift, it was a declaration of friendship of the most binding kind. He rose to his knees and drew Erestor into a hug, whispering his thanks and admiration of the ring into Erestor's ear, hot tears running down his face at such a significant gift.

They stayed like that for a long time, and as the moment passed pulled away from each other reluctantly before leaving their rooms to go to the dining room for the midday meal.

-

A/N, Roguish Smile, thank you for your comments