Every place and every character mentioned by name is Tolkien's not mine, save Mellolaes. I give him and God all the credit for them, for Mellolaes I only give God's inspiration credit. :)

This story is not meant to bring me financial gain, so please just read it and enjoy. Maybe tell me what you think.

"Why?"

"Why? Because I can see you beginning to fade already."

Erestor stiffened, and Glorfindel knew why. Elves barely noticed, if they realized it at all, when they faded. The farther you were along that path, the less you were aware of it until it was too late. Glorfindel's once gentle expression had become a hard scowl now. "How could you be so reckless?"

The golden-haired Noldo strode around the bed. He went to the nearest window and flung it open. Then he looked back into the scowling face of the other ancient elf; he flung an arm out to gesture to the land beyond the window. "Do you not see? There are many elves in that valley, and all of them depend on you!"

"They do not."

Glorfindel's face fell as his arm returned to his side. He shut the window before turning fully back to Erestor and crossing his arms over his chest. "Do they not?"

"No. They depend upon Lord Elrond."

Glorfindel sat down in the chair nearest both the window and head of the bed, it was too small for his long limbs. Then he leaned over staring at Erestor. His voice gentled again. "And does Lord Elrond not depend upon you?"

Erector sighed. His voice came out tired, wistful even. "Galadriel said it a few years back. No one really needs me anymore. The servants know what to do. They've done it all hundreds of times."

"Have they now? And does that matter. Here, it is still the highest of compliments to do something you deem 'well-done' is it not?"

Erestor nodded. "It is, but … I begin to say it more and more … then I raise the standard, and then they meet it again. And so, the circle continues endlessly …"

"And does that not bring Elrond's house more glory?"

Erestor only blinked and stared at his coverlet, but Glorfindel could tell he was thinking and that was good. He had to keep him thinking. He leaned over and whispered into the face that still refused to look at him. "Do you really want to abandon him, Elrond, descendant of your queen, who took you in when you lost your first master?"

Erestor's eyes filled with tears. "Elrond does not even know. Her descendant, doesn't even know of him. Neither did she."

"Galadriel knows, and so do I."

"You didn't know him. Neither of you knew him. Neither of you cared. No one misses him, but me."

Glorfindel sighed. "I admit to not knowing him well. Galadriel knew him better, but does it matter?"

"It matters … It has always mattered … but only to me."

Glorfindel let out a huff of breath. "So, what are you going to do? Go after him, search for him in the dark corners of The Halls?"

Erestor fell silent. Glorfindel leaned forward again, very close to the other elf's face, and played his last card. "What about Estel?"

Erestor's face flushed. His gaze shot up to meet Glorfindel's. The golden elf nodded. "Oh yes, when he leaves us, you won't find him in the halls. What will you tell your friend then? That you left before you saw perhaps the greatest king among men, also descended from one of our own, ascend to his throne? You left him, when he was still a small child, to grieve for you?"

Erestor stared daggers at the golden elf, but the grey was completely gone from his complexion. He snarled at the warrior. "That was a low blow."

"You drove me to it."

Glrofindel turned and headed for the door. "I am going to tell Lord Elrond to come up and see you, and explain things to Mellolaes, if I can."

Glorfindel stepped out the door and met the accusing gaze of Mellolaes. She crossed her arms over her chest as she stared up at him. He grit his teeth with wide eyes while gently closing the door behind him. After he accomplished that, he took her by the arm gently before even more gently turning her toward the stairs. He spoke to her in a soft voice, hoping none, including Erestor, could hear him. "Let us go somewhere we can talk."

God Bless

ScribeofHeroes