Glorfindel came to as a sharp pain lanced his side jarring him awake. A red haze swam in front of his eyes a moment as he blinked trying to clear his vision. He blinked again the red haze dispersing as Erestor's worried face came into view. Part of him wondered at the bedraggled appearance of the normally pristine advisor before memory served and he remembered the storm. His hearing seemed to decide to work then as the Noldor's voice became a sudden constant.

"Lord Glorfindel? Lord Glorfindel?"

Actually the advisor was starting to sound annoyed at his lack of response. Glorfindel shook his head wanting the other elf to be quiet as it felt like hundreds of dwarves mining in his skull. Blackness drifted at the edge of his conscious and he was quite willing to let himself drift off.

"No!" Came the sharp command before Erestor slapped him sharply.

Glorfindel cursed loudly. "What! You annoying arrogant son of Morgoth!"

Erestor seemed unfazed. "Well we are pleasant. Stay awake."

Glorfindel growled. "Erestor I feel like a cave troll has been using me as a toy and you want me to focus."

"Yes. You may have a concussion."

"Fine." Glorfindel muttered. He wanted to close his eyes just to get his bearing but he figured Erestor may take that as a hint he was going to pass out. Instead he focused his eyes around him. The storm seemed to have passed and there was a small fire burning cheerily away warming the cave. "How long have I been out?"

"About an hour or so." Erestor answered. He did not tell the Vanya that he had trouble waking him.

Glorfindel bit back a groan as he raised himself up into a sitting position with Erestor's help. A light sweat broke out on his brow and he fought not to pass out again. When he felt he could talk again without voicing his pain he asked, "how bad is it really?"

"Pretty bad Glorfindel." Erestor replied gravelly. "You've lost a lot of blood. I don't know if you have any punctured organs. I packed the wound as best I could." Erestor shrugged helplessly. "I am not a healer I do not know how to help you."

Glorfindel nodded. "Do we have any water left?"

Erestor nodded quickly retrieving the water skin.

"Thank you." Glorfindel muttered raising it with shaking hands. Erestor had to help him as he was trembling too much. He nodded. "Again thanks."

Erestor fidgeted a moment. "I hate to do this to you but we should leave for Imladris immediately. You need Elrond's skills."

Glorfindel nodded. He looked about the cave then. "Has Alysa returned?"

Erestor shook his head. "I am sorry."

Glorfindel snorted as he slowly made it to his feet leaning on the wall and Erestor. "I don't think I could ride by myself anyhow. You'll get the pleasant job of making sure I don't fall off and crack open my skull."

Erestor gave a short laugh. "You are mentally challenged as it is what would it really matter."

Glorfindel started to laugh but that caused his side to ache fiercely so he stopped. "How long have you been waiting to say something like that?

Erestor gave him a quick smile. "I will get the horse ready."

Still smiling Glorfindel slowly made his way out of the cave in measured steps. This was going to be a painful ride. He breathed deeply stepping out into the sunlight willing the pain to stay away.

Erestor came out than leading Meril. "Lord Glorfindel?"

"Glorfindel just Glorfindel."

"Glorfindel."

"As ready as I will ever be." Glorfindel sighed. Meril had kneeled making it slightly easier for the elf lord to get on but it was still painful. Glorfindel wrapped his hands tightly in the horse's mane fighting the urge to pass out.

Erestor mounted gently up behind him trying not to bump the other elf. "Ready?"

Glorfindel nodded. Erestor nudged Meril and the horse began to move forward, carefully as if knowing one of his rider's were injured. "Erestor?"

"Yes."

"Keep talking will you." Glorfindel growled through gritted teeth. "I need to focus on something."

Erestor was baffled. "What about?"

Glorfindel rolled his eyes even though the other elf could not see it. "How about yourself. I don't know much about you."

"Not likely." Erestor grunted.

"Then find something for Valar's sake." Glorfindel growled. "And not bookkeeping and accounting, something that isn't going to put me to sleep."

Erestor pursed his lips a moment before a wicked grin spread over his face. "Did you know that Elrond had a stuffed dolphin for a toy as a child?"