Break of dawn found Gil-galad sitting at Círdan's breakfast table in hopes of learning more of Aman and this hero lord. He also pondered a burning question that a night of sleep was forfeited. "You told us many interesting stories about the Halls of Mandos and Aman, but not your reason for returning."

Many lords crowded around the shipwrights table this beautiful morning and focused on our guest for his answer. I also wondered at why the Valar chose him for obviously a very important job.

With a bright smile, Glorfindel provided us an answer. "I am here to insure the line of Turgon does not fail or end. I'm aware of the death of Elros. I saw it on the walls in Míriel's personal wing."

"So he didn't go to the halls of Mandos?" Círdan quietly and sadly asked.

In the same compassionate tone, Glorfindel replied, "No. His ending is in the Halls of the Atanatári among the people he loved. There is no crossing the divides of races in the afterlife. Míriel forever ended his name on the tapestries and his elven linage stops with him."

"Then you seek Elrond?" Gil-galad questioned and support for this stranger wavered.

Glorfindel nodded. "That and my horse. He should be done inspecting all the mares by now. I've sent him to your stables, Círdan."

Círdan motioned for a servant, who was waiting unobtrusively along a wall. "Send a page to inform the stable master that the invading horse is to be treated as if I own it." That done, he turned back to Glorfindel. "Elrond is in the Old Forest visiting with Larwain Ben-adar."

Glorfindel softly whistled his appreciation. "So, the fatherless one still lives there? I met him once when we searched high and low for Aredhel. I always felt he knew where she was."

"I'm sure he did," Círdan agreed.

Glorfindel lodged with Círdan, although Gil-galad pleaded incessantly for him to stay in his home. To be fair, Glorfindel did go hunting almost daily with the king so Círdan could run his community. I was along for most of the hunts and learned much of this golden hair warrior; the first being; his hunting skills were far superior to mine and the king's.

"The only elf with hunting skills that match yours is Lord Celeborn," I acknowledged reluctantly one night around a campfire.

"I concur," Gil-galad echoed. Your shot took that running antelope beyond range normal elves are capable. Did being raised during the Years of the Trees in Aman provide superior training?"

Glorfindel smiled before speaking and we were growing used to it preceding most of his sentences. "I'll let you two in on a little secret. Before Lord Manwë departed these shores, he bestowed Lord Celeborn with lesser Maia powers. I learned about Celeborn from Lord Manwë when he enhanced my natural ability and added special talents above the first born. Celeborn didn't seek what he was blessed with and I'm sure never mentions his superiority. It was his father-in-law, King Finarfin's plea for the safety of his only daughter, who refused to return with him at the end of the War of Wrath. I asked Lord Manwë how close our fighting skills were and he said almost identical in hunting and fighting, but being twice-born, I was endowed with powers to travel in spirit to Aman and have my fëa restored by the Valar when my body is taxed. Celeborn has never left his body, so the best they could do for him was taking an elf off his horse with the sweep of a hand; and they made him stronger than other elves, as they did me."

Glorfindel wasn't boasting, just telling us plainly his abilities.

"Now that's a match I'll not miss," Gil-galad enthusiastically decreed.

Two weeks after Glorfindel arrived, Elrond returned from his trip. Gil-galad told him to bathe and report immediately to Círdan. Thinking he was needed, Elrond complied with hopes arriving at dinner time would garner an invite; which he knew was a formality.

We were gathered in Círdan's living chambers for a pre-dinner libation when unannounced Elrond opened the door and strolled in. All talking ceased, as did his forward progress when the room fell silent. He looked to see what was amiss and his eyes lit on Glorfindel and opened wide. He accepted a glass of wine off a tray offered by a smirking servant and sank onto a comfortable chair across from our guest; expression cautious and eyes never wavering.

"Good evening to you also," Círdan humorously broke the silence and drew Elrond's eyes to him.

"Forgive my manners; which I know you instilled in me." He took a gulp and smiled. "What is your message that Gil-galad pushed me out the door within an hour of my homecoming?"

Círdan pointed to Glorfindel. "He is my message."

Elrond: From the moment my eyes spotted him, I felt a drawing of my fëa; like meeting a long lost friend or kin. Elrond focused once again on the stranger, who resembled the high elves of an age past. "I don't believe we've had the pleasure or I'm sure I would remember you. You have a message for me?"

Glorfindel laughed. "Yes, young Elrond. I am your message."

Elrond looked confused, "I have a personal servant, but you can groom my horse."

The room erupted with laughter and Círdan wiped his eyes and responded, "Elrond, he will do much more than groom your horse. Do you have any idea who this elf is?"

Elrond studied his face and a niggling at the back of his mind said he'd seen that face before. "You seem familiar, but no, I don't know you."

"No reason you should. I died before you were born."

Elrond downed his glass and held it out for a refill while we chuckled at his reaction. Once again with something to calm his hands, which shook slightly at the revelation he was in the room with a twice-born, he asked, "And who are you that the Valar prize enough to return to the living and send to our shores?"

Galdor couldn't take the guessing game any longer, "You have one more guess, Elrond, before I spill the beans."

Elrond put deeper thought into his identity now that he knew was a twice-born. "Who would die and be reborn and sitting in Círdan's home?" He mused aloud and looked around, noticing the king for the first time. "Our leaders are here and our guest looks to be their equal." He snapped his fingers, "You are Galadriel's long dead brother, Finrod. He had golden hair and was tall."

"I spent much time with Finrod in the palace of Tirion, along with Fingolfin's iôns and Galadriel's two other brothers. I also spared and played with Galadriel and Aredhel. Now who would also grow up in the palace of the High Ñoldor King?"

We all waited to see if Elrond could put the missing pieces together. "You are not a Fëanorian, so I'm at a loss."

"Let me introduce him then," Círdan stated as he stood. Being a formal introduction, both Glorfindel and Elrond rose. "Lord Elrond Eärendilion, presumptive heir of Ereinion Gil-galad, High King of the eastern elves, allow me to introduce the hero of Gondolin, Lord Glorfindel Glorwëion of the house of the Golden Flower."

Elrond saw amusement on Glorfindel's face and remembered to close his mouth and wondered how many shocks his fëa could handle before waking in the Halls of Mandos. "Of course, Galadriel told me about her cousin," he snapped, peeved he couldn't guess and as soon as the name was thrown out, he placed a painting in Galadriel's home when visiting as an elfling with this face and blurted out, "Why? Why are you here?"

"I'm sure Galadriel would have preferred her brother, Finrod, but he is happily married and his father's regent in Tirion, whereas, I was doing nothing except trying to keep myself amused in the Halls of Mandos. I believe I was asked to leave."

When Glorfindel skirted an answer, Elrond decided to allow the pompous elf his fun and send him on his way; back to Aman if he had any sway with Círdan.

Glorfindel suddenly smirked at Elrond, but continued talking. "Why, I'm here is to guard and assist you."

"Are you playing me for a fool? I am very capable of protecting myself and these lands are at peace," Elrond raised his voice.

"War will come again and you need to be ready for the task the Valar will lay upon your young shoulders." Glorfindel lost his pleasant expression and for the first time we saw a serious side. "My task is to stay by your side and protect you. I have the ability to return in spirit to Taniquetil and get orders or report. I haven't gone yet, but will soon. And as for your fighting abilities; I will be the judge if you can weld a sword more proficiently than an elfling."

"I don't need a nursemaid," Elrond vehemently protested; anger in his eyes and stance rigid. "If you insist on staying here, protect our king."

"My last king was Turgon," Glorfindel calmly answered. "I still am bound to the line of Fingolfin until all his linage departs Middle Earth. I took an oath on bended knee to Lord Manwë when he bestowed lesser Maia powers and ordered me to these lands once more. I will stay until your offspring sail or die."

Elrond thought to himself, 'Bet he bloody well reads my mind,' but spoke aloud, "What exactly are your duties? I mean what are you to be doing while waiting for catastrophe to strike?"

"I'll keep myself amused and train you and Erestor for battle."

"We were trained by Círdan and the captains. I doubt you can add to our skills." Elrond wanted to see him get angry, but the infuriating elf just laughed. He wondered what it would take to ruffle Glorfindel's feathers and the thought of finding out soothed his irritation. "Just don't let me trip over you." Sitting, he turned back to Círdan and dismissed Glorfindel, but was actually quite stunned to be in the same room as a twice born and a thousand questions surfaced.

Glorfindel sat back down looking pleased.

"You don't need to come with me tonight," Elrond howled when he rose to depart with Gil-galad and Glorfindel also motioned for his cloak.

That grin was back and I almost wished Elrond would ask for my assistance so I could accompany them. I caught Círdan giving me a surprised look.

"My place is at your side," Glorfindel reminded him. "There will come a day when you will not feel whole unless I am there. Might as well integrate our fëas from day one. Having lost a twin, you are accustom to sharing your fëa and I feel it needs a companion once more."

"Why did the Valar choose you to fill that need?" Elrond asked and we could feel his fëa was irritated and it reflected in his odd mix of Maia, man and elf features.

"Because I know what it is like to have had a special best friend." Glorfindel pointed to me, while keeping gazes locked with Elrond. "His adar was that friend. We grew up together in Aman and crossed the Helcaraxë and became as close as brothers. Ecthelion is still with Lord Mandos, as is Erestor's naneth. Someday they will join the living and I will introduce their iôn to him when Erestor sails or joins them in waiting should his fighting skills prove to be that of a librarian." He laughed at me and continued. "I have already spoken with Gil-galad and he has agreed to turn you over to me." He looked towards Círdan. "I have foreseen that Erestor will join us until the end. We three will rule the Misty Mountains."

Círdan bowed his head respectfully, while Elrond and I exchanged shocked looks.

"I think Celebrimbor, Oropher and Celeborn might take issue with that last statement," Elrond protested. I am not High King, nor shall I ever be."

Glorfindel once again smiled. "No, you won't."

"I'll arrange to have Erestor relocated to your home, Gil-galad," Círdan stated when nobody spoke.

I threw a stunned look to the elf whose home I resided in for centuries. "Are you no longer requiring my services?" I asked in fear. What would I do for a living should I be displaced from the only home I really knew.

Círdan smiled kindly at me. "Your time here is over. You now will start the next phase of your life; one I pray I trained you well enough to handle. Glorfindel is correct; you must form a close alliance; you three."

"Tomorrow, we greet my cousin, Galadriel," Glorfindel suddenly announced with a smile.

Elrond rolled his eyes in disbelief and I offered a wager, which Glorfindel accepted.

Thráin marked his place and started eating the cooling food, Picket, placed before him silently several minutes before. As he ate, he contemplated his time with Glorfindel. The elf attended all the meetings and other than being entertaining with his coveting of wine, didn't appear to protect Elrond. In fact, Thráin remembered when the Nazgûl attacked; Glorfindel chose to fight beside Celeborn, but not before insuring Lord Elrond had Erestor at his side. He hurried through his meal and returned to where the light was better for reading with his one aging eye.

Halfway across Middle Earth, another glorious day dawned in Caras Galadhon. Celeborn and his building crew were working on his home in the tallest Mallorn and Galadriel slipped down to her mirror, enjoying the spring day alive with colorful song birds, serenading her and the flowers that opened peddles to catch the first rays of sun.

Galadriel wasn't sure what she would find, but a niggling thought that events were going to shift pulled her onward. She dipped pure water from a statue of an elleth maid holding a basin, and poured it into her mirror waters to mingle living water with stagnant. A beautiful sunrise burst forth across the waters and she almost looked up until she realized the mirror had come to life. Mist was rising off waters and the bow of a boat with a graceful swan neck and head leading the way parted fog and burned it away from the vessel. Interested, Galadriel wondered at this vision. Rarely did she receive a gift from the sea. She could see a golden haired being on board and what looked like a white horse, but his features were obscured in the fog. Stone walls and the docks of the Havens formed on the outside of her mirror, so she knew the location. Patiently she waited.

Far above, Celeborn was guiding another hewed beam into place that would serve to support the floor for the great receiving hall he was building. Each timber was cut from Mallorn branches and shaped square on all four sides with axes welded by masters of their craft and was thirty feet in length. He designed the total length to be ninety feet and width sixty. He assisted lifting with the help of pulleys and strong backs to move the timber into place on a joist; which was also a cut branch of the giant tree. He grabbed an iron spike that was four feet long and two inches wide and with a mighty hammer drove it through the drilled beam into living wood. He placed a hand on the tree afterwards, 'I know this is uncomfortable. We will be finished soon and not have to break your skin and disrupt your flow of nourishment for a long time.' Done talking to the tree, Celeborn rested on the handle of his sledgehammer and waited for elves to finish tacking the other end down.

Sun burnt the final vestiges of obscuring vapor and Galadriel gasp aloud and murmured, "What in the name of the Valar is going on?" She knew that face and her heart raced and hands trembled with excitement and fear.

Celeborn threw a frown downward. He called out to his foreman, "Bring the next beam up. I'll be back." He let the handle drop and jumped onto the beam he just anchored; leaping beams until standing on the edge of the great staircase he already finished. Racing around the tree in a downward spiral, he was soon at her mirror. "What did you see?"

"An improbable sight. For some reason the Valar are allowing me to think a dead ellon is coming back, both from the dead and to these shores. I'm sure is it an allegory for an event yet to appear on the horizon."

Impatient, he interrupted, "What did the blasted mirror show you?"

Peeved at his tone, she snapped back. "Nothing much, hervenn nín; just Glorfindel on a small ship, with a smile for those gathering at the docks."

"As in your cousin?" Celeborn clarified.

"As in something unlikely. I remember Adar telling of Fingon returning from the Halls to act as regent of Tirion before he sailed here with his army. Why would they return an elf and why him?" The mirror went dark and she turned questioning eyes to her mate. "I need answers and they are in the Haven's. I'm going there."

"I can't get away right now," he protested.

"I don't want Celebrían to leave her projects right now either," Galadriel agreed. "I'll ask an eagle to fly me for a short visit."

Celeborn pondered her suggestion. "Well, that would leave me peace to finish the floor without having to run every few minutes down here because you can't control your fëa. I don't need this distraction right now."

"I just turned my short visit into a several year hiatus."

"You can't leave your daughter for that long," he scoffed, but inside felt a twinge of fear; she might be telling the truth.

"Elrond needs my attentions also," she reminded him of their duty to the young elf. "We practically abandoned him and his brother and I'm sure are responsible for Elros' choice. We shouldn't have listened to Lord Eönwë and allowed the boys to grow up in the palace of Círdan, with only sparse visits from us. It's settled; I'm getting ready." She made to go around him and had her arm snagged in a vise grip.

"Why don't you wait a few days and see if your mirror explains what you just saw."

She arched a perfect eyebrow, "We have established that I'm a distraction; I'm leaving."

He was stunned. Never before had she left their daughter and he hastened after her to their temporary home in a smaller Mallorn he built centuries before while waiting for his chosen tree to reach the desired height. "What if Celebrían has a female issue?"

"The only issue of that nature she is having involves all the young ellon her age. I'm sure you can handle them while I'm gone."

Celeborn frowned at her departing back and in a few strides was at her side as they wound up the tree. "I'm not sure what you're saying. I've not seen any improper behavior and our daughter is well chaperoned."

Galadriel graced him with a mischievous smile. "That's because they would have to face me. I'm sure when they realize the witch is gone and the adar lenient; they will suggest she go walking with them and their handpicked chaperones."

"They have to ask me first," he gloated.

"I'm sure they will," she laughingly teased and opened her armoire.

"If any try, they will face me with sword. I'll make an example of the first and not have any problems with the rest."

She turned and patted his cheek as she slipped by him, "Just remember, you need the young ellon's swords in future wars."

"Not if they are inappropriate with our only child."

Gwaihir floated high above trees, fields and waters as he carried Galadriel west. Landroval carried her luggage and flew a few paces back as not to block her view of the vast woodlands sprinkled with meadows and lakes. She summoned them with her mirror and said she had urgent business in Mithlond.

Elves stopped their work and pursuits when the two great eagles descended into the Havens and landed on Círdan's manicured lawn. He hurried from his palace and greeted them warmly. Seeing it was Galadriel that caught a ride, he laughed and hurried to hug her when her feet touched grass after a graceful jump. "Somehow I am not surprised to see you." He gestured; first to his servants to take her bags and then her to walk with him; stopping to thank the eagles once more, as did Galadriel.

"Return in four months for me," she requested.

Círdan guided her down a path instead of through his front door.

"I see my bags are taken to your home, but I am to be boarded elsewhere?" she asked when he led her down a cobblestone path she knew led to the king's palace a short distance away.

He chuckled, "If you are here then you know about our guest for your reason of an impromptu visit."

"So my mirror didn't lie," she almost whispered. "I so longed to see anyone from the First Age I convinced myself the vision could not be real and shock to my fëa had Celeborn racing to my side and most unhappy that particular cousin drew him from his labors."

"And why did husband not come?" Círdan queried with sideways look at her.

"He is building his dream home in the Mallorns. He plans on being moved in within a hundred years, so is overseeing construction and driving his workers to exhaustion. I am a distraction; his words, not mine."

Círdan laughed. "I am glad you brought your distracting self for a visit, but must take you to task for not bringing your daughter."

"She is finishing her final projects in with her tutors. Celeborn and I are planning at least a hundred years on the shores of the sea for her to seek higher learning among your brightest educators."

"You plan on her attending my university?" Círdan asked, afraid he misunderstood.

"She must learn healing, architecture, all manner of plants and animals and much more as granddaughter of the High King. She will be well prepared when she takes a husband and I foresee many centuries before that occurs."

They stopped at Gil-galad's door and a bowing guard quickly opened for them to enter the large hall, where his subjects milled about, seeking advice from the lords who operated out of the palace. Círdan didn't stop to talk with any of the lords, but they all bowed to him and Galadriel when she passed. He gave a quick rap on a door and threw it open when his attendant quickly opened for them at Gil-galad's statement that Círdan was visiting.

Galadriel entered and immediately was engulfed by Glorfindel in a hug that lasted several minutes. She had tears in her eyes when they parted after several kisses to cheeks.

I, Erestor, in the meantime collected coin from my pocket and Elrond and when the irritating elf managed to pull away from the blessed lady; he reached without looking for his payout.

Galadriel stayed for the summer. Daily, she could be seen walking with Glorfindel along the quays and their conversations private. We would pump him at night for a tidbit and his face would light from within and he would sip wine and speak not.

I moved all my possessions to a set of rooms on the same floor as Elrond. Glorfindel was given an exact suite across the hall from me and most mornings found him waiting for me to join him to break the fast. To my relief, Gil-galad latched onto my services and soon I was keeping his records and managing part of his household. Elrond resumed his training as a master healer during the days and evenings were spent dining with Galadriel and Glorfindel at the residence of Círdan. Slowly we became accustom to his being there. Parties were numerous and everyone of note wanted to meet the twice-born. I never saw him throw a cross look or sharp tone and accepted praise naturally as if born to it. He freely answered many questions and I started to get a mental picture of Aman and Taniquetil. It dawned on me that I should be writing all this down, so nightly upon retiring, I penned all he said. The volumes of Glorfindel are many and I accept my humble part in his life. We developed a rapport over me clarifying details for the books I would write. Elrond wasn't so quick to warm up to him and didn't want Elros' place in his heart and fëa to be displaced, so guarded himself around Glorfindel.

The day before Galadriel departed on the backs of the great eagles, Glorfindel stated, "Tomorrow we begin training. I will make top soldiers out of you both."

"What about my duties to King Gil-galad?" I protested.

"I will not run off like an elfling ditching studies and my healing skills," Elrond echoed.

Galadriel's musical laughter rang forth. "I daresay, Gil-galad will survive, Erestor. And as for you, Elrond; my cousin was one of the best warriors and only one to kill a Balrog. You can learn much from him; both in fighting and leading warriors in battle."

Gil-galad, quickly added, "It's an order from your king. Many would give all they have to learn under the tutelage of this great lord and you two whine like elflings tasked with making your own beds."

"Instruct them well, Glorfindel," Galadriel commanded the next morning, as Gwaihir stretched his wings for flight.

"And you inform Oropher, Amdír and Celeborn they must be here in no more than fifty years for another trade meeting," Círdan called up to her.

She smiled and nodded, "I shall endeavor to part all of them from their building projects."

Círdan: I withheld an opinion of Glorfindel. I only met him a few times while he walked in the First Age, for my path diverged from King Fingolfin's. Stories would come our way of the hidden elven city, closed off from commerce and Glorfindel's name was frequently mentioned. I remember him prevalent in the group of lords who accompanied the king when traveling. I also witnessed the group that guarded the king easily route Elu Thingol's finest in games at Celeborn and Galadriel's wedding. Those elves lived off the land and were completely self-sufficient.

That Elrond and Erestor could learn much, I had no doubt and it was time to finally speak. The evening feast on the day Galadriel departed, I issued my opinion of Glorfindel to Elrond and Erestor. "Galdor serves as my right hand; mainly due to his being one of twelve lords to serve the late King Fingolfin. Fingolfin demanded the finest warriors at his side, and they were the best that crossed the ice. I've watched Glorfindel these five months he has lived among us. He lost nothing in the Halls of Waiting of his previous knowledge and skills. I recognize a fellow Maia touched spirit, and Elrond; you would not be chosen for this honor if not for the Maia blood in you. Mere elves cannot have their fëas seared by Maia and endure without the help of the Valar. Your duties are hereby suspended until Glorfindel informs Gil-galad and I that you both meet his approval with sword and bow."