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Glorfindel pulled on a tunic over his head, leaving his hair flowing and unbound as he left his rooms. He was filled with nostalgia. To an elf, it had just been yesterday that Estel had been a toddler, unable to lift a heavy stick, always hungry for sweets, and yet it was this morning he was departing with the Fellowship of the Ring. Of course Glorfindel feared for his young friend. If he was quite honest with himself, he would admit that the fear he held for Estel now had given him flashbacks of seeing his friends from Gondolin go off to fight other Balrogs. He was terrified of letting the human go out into the wilderness. He had nearly lost control when Estel had decided to leave with the Rangers, but it did not mean he wasn't any less proud of him.
Glorfindel found himself falling in stride with the beautiful lady Arwen. He inclined his head. "My lady Arwen." He greeted her softly, offering her his arm.
Arwen took it, unable to meet his eyes. "My lord Glorfindel." She smiled weakly.
"You know, it is the most painful thing in the world to let a loved one go." His voice wobbled slightly, but he regained himself by clearing his throat. "But do you know what the most joyful thing is?"
Arwen looked up to see his face. "What?" She asked.
"It is seeing that loved one ride over that hill to meet you once more." Glorfindel answered her, covering her hand with his own. "Estel will return to you. Have faith in his great skill and have faith in the Valar."
"I have tried, Glorfindel, it is so hard. Every time he leaves, I know he shall return, but he is facing Sauron himself!" The beautiful elleth was only barely holding in her tears. "He is walking out to death."
"Or to great glory." The Balrog Slayer countered. "He shall conquer."
"How do you know?" Arwen asked him, blinking away her tears.
"Because that is how the stories always end." He told her confidently.
"Hannon le." She left his side to join her father and Glorfindel walked up to Estel.
"Ah, my young friend." Glorfindel greeted him. "It is here we must part ways."
"Indeed. Thank you, Glorfindel."
The elf nodded and smiled. "Of course. Now, you must guard these hobbits well and do me proud. Kill a couple of Orcs, make sure Legolas doesn't kill himself and kill the dwarf." Glorfindel sighed. "You have already proven your worth a hundred times over." He whispered as he embraced Estel.
"Again, thank you." Estel replied as he pulled away.
Glorfindel smiled and walked back to stand by Erestor. He nodded to Legolas as Elrond began to speak. He felt a thrill of hope as the Nine Walkers departed from Imladris, but it was quickly extinguished as he saw Estel disappear into the wood as rearguard. Despite his words to Arwen, he felt as if that was the last time he would ever see that human. He bowed his head.
"Do you think they will destroy it?" Erestor asked Elrond.
"They say a fool's hope is better than no hope." Lord Elrond replied softly, watching his daughter walk slowly back into the Last Homely House.
"Then let us all be fools." Glorfindel interjected. "And let us hope for a happy ending, or at least let us be able to see the good from whatever destruction may occur." He felt a sting of regret, for that is what he had been trying to do ever since the fall of Gondolin.