Disclaimer: I don't own LotR or the Universe. I do, however, own my OC's. You want to play in their sandbox, just ask me first.

Chapter Eight: The Old and the Senseless

Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait
And I wait without you

-U2, "With or Without You"

Glorfindel's gaze settled on two dark heads, cuddled up together under the shade of a tree. Elladan and Morwen had always snuggled up like puppies together, attempting to protect each other from the unknown darkness which laid in wait. They seemed so innocent as they slept and Glorfindel was reminded of all the times in the he past he had stumbled across such a similar scene. When they had been younger there had been a fear Elrohir would resent his twin's closeness with someone else, yet Elrohir would just join in the pile of sleepy and warm elflings. They would fall asleep in the oddest of places as children; rarely, if ever, in their designated beds. The soft carpet under Elrond's desk had been Elrohir's favorite. Elladan favored the warm patches of sunlight that came unto the main balcony connected to the library. Morwen always enjoyed sleeping in front of Erestor's desk in the library, claiming she felt secure there, on the spot of the carpet next to the warm fire. Glorfindel tended to find a little Thalion hiding under his desk on warm summer days and cold winter eves. Rian enjoyed sleeping in the fluffy linens kept in the cabinet of Elrond and Celebrian's quarters. Arwen, of course, only preferred a warm cuddle with whomever she should find. There was a very long time when one had to be careful of what they said and did within the Halls of Imladris. One could never tell when they would stumble across a very sleepy elfling, very agitated at being woken. Glorfindel missed those beloved moments. No feeling could quite replace that of having a warm and fuzzy elfling cuddling up to your side, seeking protection. All except Arwen were fully grown now. Yet they still maintained a childish innocence, growing up in relatively peaceful times. Glorfindel would do all within him to protect such fragile innocence. No one would threaten his family again for this was his family even if no bounds of blood existed between them. He had such a blessing as this taken away from him and destroyed once. Studying the two "children" of Elrond as they huddled ever closer, he vowed never again to let such an event happen.

Elladan was literally chomping at the bit. Overnight Glorfindel had seemingly changed from a shiny, happy go-lucky, former-Balrog-slayer into the frighteningly strict, over-protecting, Balrog-slayer in the flesh. Elladan and Morwen could not find a way to get out of Glorfindel's sight and they were starting to become insulted. They were adults after all and it was not as if they had never traveled to the Havens before. They knew the dangers which lay in wait. Elladan himself went out on patrols for Valar's sake. Glorfindel appeared to have forgotten all this pertinent information and the minute Elladan tried to ride ahead of the party to scout, Glorfindel barked an order at them to stay behind the Golden warrior. Morwen, who had a habit of never staying in the same place and talking to all in the riding party to see how they were faring, had already been chastised by Glorfindel earlier in the day. He had chastised her for "having the patience of a human child and presenting a perfect target for an orc and if she really did not have both the sense and patience to stay in one spot for long how did she ever plan on being a good counselor and furthermore what was she doing in this riding party?". Elladan had NEVER seen anyone throw such a death glare at Glorfindel. An angry and hurt Morwen was not a nice thing to deal with, she had learned her temper and revenge tactics form Erestor after all. Elladan could not wait until Morwen pulled Glorfindel off to the side and gave him the tongue-lashing of both of his lives. A Balrog was a kitten compared to an enraged elf maiden raised by one short-tempered Lord of Imladris. The thought of Glorfindel having a proper dressing down for his uncalled for behavior was the only thing keeping Elladan from smacking the dense seneschal with the blunt side of his sword. There had never existed such a tense silence in any riding party Elladan had ever been on, but everyone feared Glorfindel's ire. If he had said such a thing to Morwen of all people, the one elf Glorfindel was known for being extremely tender with, than what would he say to those he knowingly disliked? Elladan could not wait until they arrived at the Havens. Hopefully Cirdan could fix whatever was wrong with Glorfindel and Elladan could escape his sudden leash.

Galdor rode up beside Elladan, silently laughing at the perfect picture of agitation the elder son of Elrond made. He softly spoke under his breath to Elladan,

"You look ready to commit murder, my friend."

"Not murder, just a very justified act of violence."

"Ah, yes, what is wrong with your seneschal?"

"Valar knows. Erestor always said that the Valar only gave Glorfindel half a brain and even less of his sense when he was returned to life. I am beginning to believe he was correct."

Galdor's musical laughter could not be stifled, not even by the vicious glare Glorfindel threw his way. Galdor just held Glorfindel's gaze until the Elda finally dropped his eyes. While Galdor held Glorfindel in the highest esteem there was no need to travel to the Havens as if they bore a funeral liter. Galdor turned back to Elladan,

"He will be fine once we reach the coast. The Sea is said to calm all."

"I hope so. I don't know how much longer any of us can deal with an agitated and down-right snappy Glorfindel."

Morwen walked along the shore with Melui. Melui was one of her rare female friends; and even more was an everyday female, being only the wife of a ship maker. Before she had reached her majority Morwen had taken the requisite trip to another elven realm. Her realm was the Havens and she had stayed with Melui's family. They had been close friends ever since.

"You seem troubled. Is there any reason why?" Melui asked.

"Truly?"

"Always truly."

Morwen sighed, "I came to the Havens primarily to seek solace from that which troubles me at home. This time the trouble has accompanied me here and kept me on a very tight leash. I know this time of year is always difficult for him. Everybody knows. But this year he does not like to have Elladan or myself out of his sight. It's as if we are elflings in his charge once again."

"He simply does not wish to lose you. You and Elladan are dear to him, Morwen, very dear. He could not stand to lose those so precious to him again. You must forgive him his madness."

"Aye. And I do forgive him. I just….I wish he would be calm. The sea should soothe his soul."

"Or it should cause past grief to rise to the surface. He should talk to someone."

"Yes, yes he should, Cirdan will most likely seek him out soon."

"Why do you not speak of it to him?" Melui asked.

"He hides those darkest memories from me. And truly I have no right to be angered by that; I am only his former student."

"Stop that; you are much more than that."

"Fine. His fellow worker."

"Morwen, must we play this game today?"

"Nay. I suppose we should return. Galdor can only have a conference with himself for so long."

"Pardon?"

Morwen looked at Melui with a deceptively innocent visage.

"Well, you see…as I said Glorfindel has attempted to keep me on a tight leash; watching me like a hawk. Galdor plainly saw I needed to get away and so he asked to converse with me on a private matter. Once we were alone and the door was closed and locked, Galdor helped me out of the window so I could get away. He has been in that room for at least two hours, I hope if Elladan is listening at the door, and he has done so since he was ten, he will not enlighten Glorfindel to the truth of the matter."

"That is a sketchy and yet complex plan based mostly on Fortune's Good grace. How do you and Galdor plan things such as these in such short moments?"

"We are advisors, Melui, 'tis what we do."

Elrond knew he was not fully informed of all the goings-ons in his household. He had advisors to take care of such things for him. However, he would have never believed he could have been so preoccupied these past few Ages not to notice the relationship between his Chief Advisor and one of the noblest of ladies of Imladris. He had always believed Erestor as one to have abandoned the notion of love and Faeleth as a lady waiting for a lost love to be re-born in Aman. And those two had never bothered to correct such assumptions. And yet here the two sat before him asking him to preside over their engagement and eventual bonding. Shocked would be putting it mildly. He studied the two elves before him. No, they did not seem to be suffering a temporary fit of insanity. They were certainly not acting as if they were being forced to do this. In fact, they had not even started to appear nervous until Elrond had begun his third hour of silent contemplation.

Erestor finally spoke,

"My Lord, I do not wish to appear hasty, but a simple yes or no would suffice."

Elrond counter-acted with a question,

"For how long has this been going on? Truly?"

Faeleth exchanged a look with Erestor and then spoke,

"Since sometime late in the First Age. The exact date has passed from my mind."

Erestor nodded, "Mine as well."

Elrond slowly nodded his head and then braced his hands on his desk as he leaned forward,

"And in all those oh, probably two and a half ages, you never saw fit to bond? And further more never thought to inform me? Who knows of this?"

Erestor responded,

"Well, my Lord, circumstances kept us from bonding earlier. You know the Fall of Gondolin, Sauron, the Last Alliance, the twins. We were just waiting for the correct moment."

Faeleth continued,

"And to answer your other question, Glorfindel knows the most. Morwen is close behind him. Elladan probably suspects something."

Elrond, uncharacteristically, rolled his eyes, "Yes, well, he has a penchant for listening at doors."

Erestor snorted, "Only during council meetings. Lady Celebrian also knows, but that is only because she threatened us with a look very akin to her mother."

"Yes, I have been on the receiving end of that look. Sauron himself would flee from such a thing. If you have half the brain both of you are rumored to have, you will not mention that comment to my wife.

Erestor slyly smiled, "Your insulting comments about your wife are safe with us my Lord, I assure you."

Elrond nodded and sat back in his chair, "Yes, well, I certainly can not deny two elves I've known my whole life their long deserved happiness. I will of course preside over these ceremonies; it would be an honor."

Erestor and Faeleth looked much relived. However, something was bothering Elrond and before he dismissed the two he had to ask.

"What has made you decide to bond now of all times?"

Erestor coughed into his hand, "Some advisors -in- training are very scary and make the perfect threats."

Elrond raised an eyebrow, "Which was?"

"To reveal our relationship to Crabanon. And while Valar knows Crabanon is a wonderful painter, he can not keep his mouth shut to save his life."

"Hmm, that is the perfect threat. You have done well, Erestor. Yet another formidable advisor. Two actually, when one counts Rian. Perhaps I shall raise your pay."

"Thank you, my Lord, but that is not necessary."

"Nonsense. Elflings are expensive. Trust me. I foresee at least five of your own. Four being lovely little girls."

"Elrond, Do not give her any ideas!"

Erestor's indignant yell was heard throughout the Last Homely House.

A/N: I know this is long in coming, and should be longer, but I have gaps in what would have been the later part of this chapter. I figured something was better than nothing, and since it has been over a year…I just apologize for the wait.