Glorfindel leaned back in his chair as he watched the twins attempt to sing a silly tavern song they had learned somewhere on their travels in the Hall of Fire. A vast misconception among the visitors of Imladris was the Hall of Fire singing and dancing and merriment was not a serious thing. Some nights, it was a solemn affair, true enough, but most nights it was time to laugh off all of the cares an elf might be carrying on his shoulders. The Balrog-Slayer snickered as Elrohir slipped on his brother's foot and crashed into the floor.
He turned to Elrond who was rising from his seat. "Is Legolas and his entourage due to arrive?" He asked, standing up as well.
"No, but I believe they took a few shortcuts and made good time." The Lord of Imladris said, leaving the twins to entertain the guests.
Glorfindel followed him and they walked out into the night air to greet the prince of Mirkwood who galloped up to meet them and dismounted with a flourish. He approached Lord Elrond and bowed. He smiled at Glorfindel.
"My Lord Elrond, I thank you for your hospitality, once again." Legolas greeted the dark-haired lord.
"Again, I must say, any time, prince." Lord Elrond nodded his head. "Come inside and let us see if the cooks will be opposed to feeding twenty hungry warriors. Glorfindel will take you and I must see to some things."
Glorfindel nodded to Lord Elrond and turned to see the stable hands rushing out to take the horses from the Mirkwood warriors. He smiled at Legolas who was pulling his dirty cloak from his shoulders. The two blonde elves walked inside together and headed towards the kitchens.
"Glorfindel, what ails you?" Legolas asked in his light tenor voice.
"What? I do not know what you are speaking of." He stated.
"You are gaunt, you are pale, your eyes are slightly sunken, and you walk with exhaustion." Coming from the elf who spoke perhaps a hundred words during his entire stay, Glorfindel blinked and sighed.
"It is nothing." He brushed it off.
Legolas looked at him incredulously. "I didn't spend most of my life learning to find weaknesses for naught, Glorfindel. Tell me."
Glorfindel sighed. "They are memories… of Gondolin. Every moment of the day, I see flame and darkness."
Mirkwood's youngest prince sighed and nodded. "You have suffered much, mellon-nin. Why did you not speak of this before?"
"I had managed them for a long while, but then Elrond asked me. I have told him and the night Elladan and Elrohir brought little Estel back, I had a panic attack and was consumed by thoughts of fire." Glorfindel looked away from the younger elf. He felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder and looked into the wise blue eyes of Legolas.
"I know where the kitchens are. You look like you could use some sleep." Legolas clapped Glorfindel on the back and left him standing there.
Glorfindel sighed and headed down the left hallway towards his chambers. He put his hand on the knob and sighed once more, entering. He pulled his tunic and shirt off, collapsing onto his bed. He stared up at the ceiling and then stood up, walking over to his balcony. He closed the door behind him and stared up at the stars. He glanced over to the next balcony where Elrohir was holding his small brother and singing softly. The sides of his mouth quirked upwards.
"Well, aren't we becoming a mother?" Glorfindel teased the younger twin.
Elrohir looked up, rolling his eyes. "Thanks." He grinned and cradled his brother closer. "He's finally getting to sleep."
Glorfindel closed his eyes and stumbled backwards as an image of the Balrog roaring and jumping at him assaulted him. He gasped for breath, leaning against the door. He took a deep breath, letting the starlight soothe him. He heard the accusing voices of his dearest friends who died that day, telling him he failed and it was his fault.
"Glorfindel?" Elrohir asked, his voice carrying from inside the room where he was putting Estel into his bed.
"I'm fine." He snapped, closing the door with a loud slam as he entered his bedroom again.
Glorfindel sat down on his bed, raking his fingers through his loose hair and looked down at the floor. "It wasn't my fault." He hissed into the silence. "I fought for you, I died for you!" He snapped at one of the voices, lying down and closing his eyes, trying to block out the guilt and regret.