Disclaimer: Nothing mine and will never be.

Word count 1811/10199

For the first time Glorfindel hesitated before entering the tent, remaining in front of the flap, swallowing hard. He had put off this certain conversation as long as possible, but he knew that he couldn't wait any longer. It would only complicate things and, above all, it was unfair towards Erestor. He deserved to know what was going on and a chance at deciding about the future path his life would take. Resolutely he pushed the curtain aside and walked through the diminishing lines of wounded to where Erestor still lay.

A bright smile appeared on the youth's face as his gaze fell on Glorfindel's advancing figure. Glorfindel tried his best to smile back as happily but considering how Erestor's smile fell his attempt probably wasn't very successful. He sat down next to the cot and took a deep breath.

Erestor raised himself onto his elbows, staring at the warrior, waiting for him to speak. But Glorfindel remained silent, not sure how to broach the subject. "What's wrong?" Erestor finally asked, the worry in his voice only too evident.

Glorfindel opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out, and he could only stare unhappily at the elf next to him.

"Is it about me?" Erestor asked hesitantly.

Glorfindel nodded slowly and then took a deep breath. "Thranduil is gone."

Erestor stared at him for a moment, trying to make sense of this development. "What… do you mean?"

"He is gone," Glorfindel repeated, feeling like it was his fault that Erestor was stuck here, even though he knew perfectly well that no one was to blame but Thranduil. "Back to Mirkwood. Already weeks ago. He took all of his people and supplies and left. I know I should have told you earlier, but…" Glorfindel trailed off, unhappily.

Erestor was staring at his lap, face blank. "He just left?"

Glorfindel nodded, staring at his feet as well. "Everybody not fit to walk or ride stayed behind." Erestor let himself fall back onto the cot, covering his eyes with one arm.

This was exactly what Glorfindel had been trying to avoid all those time. Making Erestor unhappy and adding the burden of having been abandoned when he was most in need of help and support, having been left behind to fend for himself.

Long minutes passed in silence, Erestor trying to take in this information and Glorfindel not daring to interrupt him. "How could he do this?" Erestor finally asked, his voice tight with tears.

Glorfindel shrugged automatically, even though he knew Erestor wasn't looking. "I don't know. I don't have any explanation and even if I had, there's nothing to justify his actions. It's a horrible thing do to."

Erestor didn't reply, remaining as motionless as before. "What am I going to do now?" He sat up once more, unshed tears having given way to fury, and glared at Glorfindel angrily. "How the fuck could he do this?!"

Glorfindel couldn't answer, there just wasn't any, and only looked at the youth sadly.

Suddenly a look of horror passed over Erestor's face. "Oh Valar… My family! When I don't come back with the others… They'll think me dead!"

Glorfindel turned his gaze away, staring once more at his feet. "I'm sorry."

Erestor put his head in his hands, elbows resting on his legs. "What the hell am I supposed to do now?" he whispered desperately.

"Well…" Glorfindel hesitantly started. "About that… there's another thing I wanted to talk to you about." He waited for an answer, urging him on, but as there was none he dared to raise his head once more, seeing Erestor gaze at him expectantly. "There is a new place… It's most near to Lórien, but on the other side of the mountains. It's called Rivendell." He looked at Erestor, who seemed to listen to him attentively, before he continued. "Elrond build it. It lies in a large, hidden valley, full of waterfalls and with a river and a wood… at least I heard so…" He took a deep breath, trying to stop babbling. "Anyway… Elrond is still looking for people who'll come with him. He asked me if I'd like to accompany him and live there."

Erestor said nothing, lowering his hands to play with the blanket, looking at Glorfindel sadly and thoughtfully. "And will you go?"

"I'm not sure. I think I will," Glorfindel admitted. "The point is… Elrond would gladly receive you should you choose to go with him."

Erestor snorted unhappily. "I don't want to go there. I want to go home."

"I know. But you can't. It's too far and still too dangerous for the moment and…"

"I know," Erestor snapped.

Glorfindel flinched at the hard tone.

Erestor sighed, passing a hand over his face. "I need to think about this," he said, seeming depressed and tired.

Glorfindel nodded, rising to his feet. "I understand. Things like that take time. I'll… just leave you alone to… think." Erestor nodded, gaze still directed at the blanket, not looking up as Glorfindel quietly left the tent.

During the next days he carefully made sure not to look in on Erestor, even though every time he found enough time to spare his steps led him involuntarily towards the healing tent and he had to force himself to turn away, not wanting Erestor to feel pressured by his presence. He was impatient, though, waiting for the youth to take a decision, but urging him on would probably only prolong the process.

"My Lord Glorfindel."

Glorfindel looked up from the scarce meal he was sharing with some soldiers, to see an elf standing next to him of whom he knew that he was assisting Elrond in the healing tents.

"Please excuse my interruption. I have been asked to go for you. Your presence has been asked for in the healing tents."

"By Elrond?" Glorfindel inquired, swallowing a bite of dry lembas.

"No, my Lord. His name is Erestor and I think…"

Glorfindel instantly left his food behind and jumped to his feet, his heart beating fast with excitement. He remembered in the last moment to throw a 'Thank you' back over his shoulder as he marched with long, quick strides towards the tent.

Erestor was sitting up and staring at the entrance when he arrived, calmly waiting for his arrival. Glorfindel quickly slowed his steps and forced the impatient expression off of his face, not wanting to be too obviously excited about what Erestor had, perhaps, to say. "You asked for me?" he asked, a little breathless after all.

Erestor nodded, dark eyes directed at his face. "I'll come with you."

Glorfindel's heart leapt with joy in his chest and it was only now that he realized how much he had hoped for this answer. "To Rivendell?" he asked, to make sure. Erestor nodded once more, his expression turning slightly melancholic. "Where else should I go? Mirkwood is far, far away and there's no way I could go all that way by myself, or even with the few of my people that are still left here. If I could even walk, that is." He laughed humourlessly. It is as good a place to go to as any other. At least there are people there I already know."

"It won't be that bad. I'm sure you'll like it there," Glorfindel tried to cheer him up.

Erestor smiled slightly. "I might. But just now is just not the best of times to be happy about such a thing."

Glorfindel nodded, sitting down next to him. "I know what you mean."

"Elrond is there," Erestor continued, trying himself to think a little more positive now. "That's good, he can continue to take care of my leg. It's healing too slowly, he says. And besides from that…" He sighed deeply. "I really hope it will carry me once more one day."

"It will," Glorfindel reassured him. "Elrond is a good healer, probably the best."

Erestor smiled shakily, still looking anxious. "If you say so."

Glorfindel reached out to squeeze Erestor's shoulder. "All will be well."

He rose to his feet, reluctantly, half-heartedly excusing himself. "I'm sorry to have to leave you, but I don't have much time right now. I have duties to take care off..." His voice trailed off, trying to find an excuse for himself to stay, not wanting to leave, but there were things waiting for him he couldn't put off.

Erestor nodded understandingly, but the disappointed expression on his face showed that he would have preferred for Glorfindel to stay as well.

"I'm glad you'll come with us," Glorfindel told him, eliciting a smile on the youth's face, before he turned to leave once more.

It was nearly dark when he finally had enough time to go look for Elrond. The half elf wasn't in the front part of the tent, but one of the other healers told him he would properly be found in the supply tents.

Hurrying over Glorfindel entered the big structure, eerily empty, most of the food and water having gone long ago.

Elrond was standing in the midst of it, frowning at what few of the food was left.

"I've been thinking," Glorfindel started, stepping next to his friend.

"Me too," grumbled Elrond. "We eat too much."

Glorfindel nodded solemnly, looking around, before turning back to his original topic. "I've decided to come with you."

Elrond's expression instantly brightened up. "I'm very glad to hear this, my friend. I had really hoped you'd decide to join me."

Glorfindel nodded in acknowledgement. "Erestor wants to come as well," he broached his actual question.

"Oh, with pleasure!" Elrond instantly replied, seeming sincerely delighted. "There's more than enough space yet. And I could finally properly take care of that leg of his." Elrond passed a hand over his face, sighing loudly, not being able to linger on the joyful announcement for long, his worries weighing him down. "One way or another, we need to leave soon. The wounded use up much food and with Thranduil and part of the men already gone and having taken supplies for the way… Besides, I want to get away from this cursed place as quickly as possible."

"What about the wounded?" Glorfindel asked, worriedly. "Could we take them with us?"

Elrond nodded, a sad smile on his face. "Most of them have healed enough by now to be able to walk… or they have died. From the few that aren't able to walk, some would be able to ride, Erestor, for example. The rest of them are few enough to be carried without causing too much trouble."

Glorfindel nodded, agreeing. "I'll be glad to be gone from here. There is still some organising to be done, and the soldiers need to be informed, but I think we could leave this place within the week."

Elrond nodded, giving his approval, visibly relieved. "Finally."