Yes, Yes, it is finally here! So, with not further, eh, whatever. Read on!

Chapter 9

Galadriel stood by her horse, trying to find the courage to continue on. When was the last time she had seen her? Celebrian had been coming to visit her, her own mother, and the orcs had taken her. Why? Guilt ran through her, though time and time again Celebron told her it was not her fault. But she still felt as if it were. She could have done something, anything!

"My lady?"

Galadriel turned her head to see a young elf warrior, looking at her nervously. She gave him a reassuring smile, "Yes, you may take my horse. But be gentle."

"Yes, m'lady." The ellon bowed, and took the horse's reins, whispering.

Galadriel started forward as she saw Erestor walking toward her. He was as she last remembered him, though she could see the worry and tension in his dark eyes. His black robes were almost perfect, not a speck on them, and his dark hair hung around his shoulders, the edges pulled back to keep it out of his face

"Lady Galadriel," Erestor greeted with a bow.

"Erestor." She tilted her head in aknowledgement, her eyes searching behind him. "How is she?"

"She-" Erestor started, then stopped. "It would be best if you saw for yourself. This way, if you please."

"Thank you," Galadriel replied, following him.

.-.

The sun had long vanished from the sky, leaving the land in darkness. There was no moon this night, only a few stars, but that was enough to light the elf's way. He jerked to a stop when he heard something like a howl in the distance, his hand on his bow.

The sound faded further into the night, and he relaxed, but still kept his hand near his weapon.

He wondered what had become of his horse, and what of the twins? Were they safe? He had no food or water, it had been in the saddle bags.

He stopped, glanced around him, then slipped behind a tree. A few moments later a doe walked past with her two fawns. Glorfindel let out a low breath, and enjoyed the peacefulness of the small family, then continued on a different way, so not to disturb the deer.

He walked for hours, sometimes back-tracking to throw off any scent trail the wargs might have picked up. The sun rose and edged across the sky, then set down in the west. Not once did the golden-haired elf stop to rest.

It was close to midnight when he arrived, the place was quiet. A pale moon hung overhead, quit different than the night before. His foot hit a stone, and he stumbled slightly, barely catching himself. As he looked down, he noticed that his tunic had a big tear in it, and his shoes were covered in dirt.

He decided to head to Erestor's office and see it he was still up, then get cleaned up and find something to eat.

.-.

"Naneth!" Celebrían exclaimed, rushing forward upon seeing Galadriel. "You came!"

"Of course, my little sunshine," Galadriel murmured as she gave Celebrían a hug. She raised her head as Celeborn approached.

"How was your trip?" he asked, his familiar silver eyes telling her more than she needed to know.

"It went well," she replied. "Where are the twins and Arwen?"

"This way," Celebrían said, leading her mother into the Last Homely House. Not moments later, they were greeted by Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen.

"What happened?" Galadriel exclaimed seeing Elladan's shoulder.

"He fell off a bookcase," Elrohir replied.

"No. I was rescuing Elrohir who had just fallen over the waterfall."

"Erestor."

"Erestor doesn't go near the waterfall."

"I was rescuing you," Elrohir said. "And you hurt your arm."

"That is most certainly not true!"

"Elladan. Elrohir," Galadriel said.

The stopped talking at the sound of her voice.

"What happened," she asked.

"He was wounded by a orc."

"That makes much more sense."

.-.

A little light shone from under the shut door, and he stepped forward starting to open it. He hesitated for a second, wondering what he would say to his friend. With a shrug, he shoved it open.

"Erestor! Are you hungry?!"

There was a screech, and the chair behind the desk was knocked backwards followed by a black clad figure.

"Erestor! Are you hurt?!"

Erestor scrambled to his feet, and straightened out his robe. "No! I most certainly am not! It is very rude of you to come bursting in here! And ask me if I am hungry? What has gotten into you?! Why are you so dirty? Where in Arda are you manners - GLORFINDEL!"

Glorfindel's mouth twitched, a humorless look coming to his face.

"You're back!"

"Yes. Yes, I am. Thank you very much."

"You - you're not dead! We had a patrol sent out and they couldn't find you! Yo-"

"Yes, well, I am hungry."

Erestor looked shocked for a moment, then rushed up and gave Glorfindel a hug. "You're alive!"

"Yes, I can see that. Did you just hug me? You never hug anybody."

"If you ever do that again I will kill you," Erestor said.

"That's nice. How is Elladan faring?"

"He is...much better," Erestor replied.

"Can he have visitors?"

"He - oh, never - in the morning."

"Good. I am going to find something to eat now," Glorfindel said, turning and walking out. As he walked out the door, he stuck his head back in the room. "Have you gotten any sleep since I was gone -?"

He didn't finished the question. Erestor was sound asleep, slumped over his desk.

"Ah, well, I take that as a no."

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