Hello to all my readers, as well as to those of you who are imensely pissed off because I have failed to finish off what I have started. I'm getting there- but laetly I've been working on a final project for two classes, which just happens to be what you are about to read.

I do not own, JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings- nor any of the movies or have any property claims over plot, storyline, characters. etc- save for Laiste and her story.

I hope you all enjoy, comment please!

Elvish translations:

Namárië, Brand, ná Elbereth veria le, ná elenath dín síla erin rád o chuil lín- Farewell, Brand, may Elbereth protect you, may her stars shine on the path of your life.

Belain na le- The Valar be with you

Ada- father

Namárië, mellon- Farewell friend

Hannon le- Thank you

Im gelir ceni ad lín, mellon-

Manen nalyë? - How are you?

Im maer- I'm well

Gen hannon- I thank you

Elleth- female elf

Eldar- the word used for elves who left the shores of Aman and took the Great Journey

Secret Souls

Chapter Three-

The night had passed into dawn which in turn had grown to about mid-morning by the time he and his friend had risen from their rough night. Ecthelion had not taken his news well and after a great deal of struggle, Glorfindel's lover had come up with the best solution which was to divide up a few bottles of the strongest Dorwinion wine that there was. Erestor had quit their joined chamber not long before the sun broke the horizon, wanting some sleep and a bath before the rough day truly began.

"I do believe that that idea of Erestor's will be put down as not bad- but regretfully painful in the mornings." Ecthelion groaned slightly, as he slowly sat up trying to keep the sun from hurting his eyes too much. Glorfindel could do naught but let out a groan of total agreement.

"I recall the Moonshine Turgon once had made was even worse."

"Do not dare finish that statement." Was the grunted reply. Glorfindel smirked before wincing as the pounding in his head made his entire face ache and slowly he moved to first stand, then to slowly make his way to the bathing room. The hot water running across his skin was a blessing and as soon as he was finished his fellow warrior of Gondolin jumped in.

Glorfindel sighed as he dried and pulled on his robes; today both he and Ecthelion would be remaining within the House, though whether for ill or good was hard to say at his point. A soft knock interrupted his musings and Glorfindel pushed back his pain to go and answer the door. The dark hair and eyes of his lover greeted him with a warm if somewhat shy smile. He held two cups of tea that held a distinct fruity scent. The normally brusque councilor walked into the room he had left hours before, "I brought tea for you hangovers, since it is so rare that the two of you drink."

Touched by Erestor's concern, Glorfindel reached out and pulled the councilor close, tilting his head up so that he could see his smirk, "And how would you liked to be thanked for such a drought?"

Erestor had yet to get used to the teasing movements and words of his lover, and blushed at the closeness. "I-I don't need to anything thanks." He stuttered out, mentally wincing at his sharp tone.

Glorfindel smirked down slowly he leaned down, eye lids sinking to cover his blue eyes as their faces grew close. "Then permit me to thank you in my own way?"

Before the Noldor could answer, not that he would refuse, Glorfindel's lips were already sealed against his own. They were gentle and sweet though pressing as he took all of what he wanted using both lips and tongue to taste and love, and Erestor pressed closer gripping the warrior's tunic to press their bodies closer. A loud cough interrupted their brief moment, and Erestor abruptly jerked from the warm arms of his lover, blushing a dark red. With a quick bow he stiffly greeted his lover's friend and fellow seneschal before rushing out of the room.

Glorfindel glowered at his dark haired friend, as the warrior gracelessly downed the tea the councilor had brought. "I will not ask for forgiveness this morning- I am not well enough at the present to tolerate such things."

Glorfindel twitched as he watched his longtime friend dress himself. Last night's drinking had done nothing to healing the gaping wound of hurt that his friend's heart suffered. Walking over Glorfindel grasped his shoulder in support before he brushed out his long blond hair and then braiding it back. For today the warrior's braids would not decorate his hair, instead the intricate braids of nobility were placed with practiced ease. Ecthelion mere tied back the front of his hair, binding it with a thin leather thong. Both men examined each other and fixed small things about one another's appearance, a habit thousands of years old, before heading out of the chamber.

Breakfast was a quiet affair even with the chatting of Elrond's young twins and girl. Ecthelion ate with automatic movements, his eyes either glued to the plate or the door. Glorfindel held his lover's hand under the table, trying to keep an eye out for both himself and his dear friend. Breakfast usually consisted of Elrond's family, himself, Ecthelion, and Erestor- although sometimes on important days the entire House would gather and break their fast together. This day was like any other, in that at the circular table the Lord and Lady sat beside each other, the twins either sat at the father's left side and young Arwen sat on her mother's right. Beside Arwen sat Glorfindel and the Erestor and then beside the twins sat Ecthelion. Another seat was added to the table this morning only for it to end up empty. Glorfindel had just resigned himself to not seeing Laiste until the evening, when a servant led a young elleth through the door.

She was lovely in her own way, though her beauty was less than even young Arwen's. Plain, for an elf, was the most apt description for the young woman, though she surpassed any human in beauty. She had pale blonde hair that hung a little below her shoulder blades in thick curls, and she had bright eyes of deep blue. Her figure looked well enough, though much of it was concealed from view as she wore a loose short tunic and breeches of grey and black respectively.

"Forgive me Lord Elrond," she bowed, "I couldn't even think about wearing such fine dresses."

It was her voice that did it and Glorfindel tensed in wide eyed shock. That was the voice of Laiste, low, calming, and musical. How had he forgotten her looks yet had long remembered her voice?

Elrond let out a small laugh and rose from his seat. Walking over to Laiste he led her to the open chair and soon she was eating the delicious breakfast that the head cook had made. For a moment he forgot where he was and Glorfindel watched with concern as she ate. Her hands and frame had never been so frail all those years ago. She had always been a sturdy presence by his side that had never gone away, even after she had been declared a true warrior of Gondolin.

Dark eyes of blue looked up, as though she could feel his stare and for a moment the two gazed at each other. Long ago they had been able to trade many thoughts with such looks, now her eyes were as empty as they had been on their first meeting- no even less so- for even when she was in training she had recognized him, but now as they looked at each other there was not even the faintest hint of recognition.

Many eyes brightened on seeing the major Captains of Gondolin, so much youth and hope lay within such innocent eyes. Glorfindel found himself smiling at the nervous trainees a small chuckle bubbled at the back of his throat. The trainees' movements grew sharper and nervous.

"Glorfindel, remember why we are here." Ecthelion said sharply his dark eyes wandering over the movements his sharp eyes catching every mistake the young group made.

"Go easy on them my friend they have barely reach forty and five- if at all." Glorfindel said. Suddenly he caught the movement of a young one who moved with a little more grace and fluidity than the rest, "Ah. So that's the girl…" He murmured, watching her as she easily followed the block strike pattern, it was obvious that she had long ago memorized the movements both mentally and bodily. The boy next to her fumbled and suddenly she jerked forwards in an over exaggerated attempt at an oddly clumsy strike.

"Laiste! How many times must you do this? I have told you over and over…" The teacher, an old elf with far too many grey hairs and sharp words for Glorfindel's liking ranted at the poor girl making some of the older boys in the session smirking and giggle as the stiff traditionalist noble warrior whipped the girl verbally. Hearing the giggles the warrior whirled around and scowled fiercely at the rest

"And you lot- no I dare not continue on that or you'll all be starting mucking duty. Rest, but be here when I whistle! If I see any more mistakes or if you are late- it will be a week in the stables and extra lessons added to your current ones."

The students split away from their lines and headed for their separate areas. Glorfindel felt his eyes narrow and more than one boy smirked and egged the girl as they passed her. Five young men though gathered around her, one of them being the lad who had make the mistake nearby her.

"Are you alright, Laiste?" The tallest of the group, was the heir to Penlod the Lord of both the House of the Tower of Snow and the House of the Pillar. Looking at the lad Glorfindel struggled to place the name with the strong chin and dark eyes…Ceril! How interesting that the girl was friends with him.

"I'm fine. I ought to be used to it by now!" The girl smiled and laughed lightly.

"You most certainly should, seeing as you're the one who makes the worst and most obvious mistakes." Another lad sneered as he walked past the group of six with two other boys at his side. The silver tinged black hair gave the child away almost at once- Rahannon, the only son of a Noldor and Silvan union. Ceril scowled and started forwards only to be stopped by a hand holding his arm.

"Let it alone, Ceril, he's just trying to bait you in front of the Captains." Her voice was low and barely discernible.

"But-!"

Her gaze was sharp as she looked up at the older lad cutting him off, "Let it alone." She went on to murmur something that was too low to hear but Glorfindel already understood the situation, having been in a similar one when he was in training with the Captain who now stood at his side.

"She's wise for one so inexperienced." Glorfindel noted to his companion, leaning close so that none would hear or read his lips.

"Indeed, and she looks out for her comrades as well. That mistake was too obvious- forced and deliberate." Glorfindel barely managed to cover up a snort at the put out tone of his friend.

"I recall someone else doing something similar once on my behalf." He teased lightly, "As I remember it, you ended up looking like a drowned puppy."

Ecthelion scowled fiercely, "I am finished here." Turning on his heels the tall elf strode off heading towards the castle and laughing, Glorfindel followed.

"Ah! My apologies, Laiste these are my three advisors- Glorfindel of the House of the Golden Flower, Ecthelion of the House of the Fountain, and Councilor Erestor." Elrond's voice broke through ancient memories and Glorfindel smiled warmly at the girl before munching on a fruit turning to watch Ecthelion's expression. As the two looked at one another Glorfindel waited with baited breath, hoping against hope that there would be something that could give his friend heart, but as he watched Ecthelion's expression grow stiffer and he knew that he had seen the same thing in her eyes that he too had seen. Nothing but blank neutrality.

"And this is my family. My wife Celebrian, our twin sons Elladan and Elrohir, and our daughter Arwen." Each person mentioned and indicated greeted Laiste kindly, though a little shyly on Arwen's part, for she had seen very little of the world and other elves and was therefore uncertain about meeting new people. Laiste smiled warmly but reservedly as she greeted each person and then politely thanked the Lady of Imladris for the dresses that were lent to her. The daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel smiled and replied easily, making the whole thing appear to be a non-issue. The conversation turned to news of the lands beyond our borders, and though he paid attention and listened well, Glorfindel's mind was more preoccupied on his friend, whose eyes had darkened and despair seemed to war with some twisted sense of relief.

Recognizing that his fellow seneschal would be useless and be bent down murmured in Erestor's ear, asking the councilor to tell him what went on while the blond Noldor took care of Ecthelion, who had now managed to worry Elrond's sons. Excusing himself, with a quickly thought up yet believable excuse Glorfindel and his friend, who stood, bowed, and walked out of the room. Glorfindel followed Ecthelion watching with dark eyes as the dark haired man struggled to keep calm. They exited the room and moved briskly down the hall to the paths that led to the stables where he silently bridled his horse. Following the same pattern, Glorfindel quickly did the same and together the two former captains of Gondolin trotted out of Imladris riding bareback.