Glorfindel stood on his balcony and looked out. Today he did not see the gardens of Imladris. He saw, instead, the view from the hidden city of Gondolin. It was daybreak on a feast day. The sunrise was glorious, but by nightfall, all would be lost, even his life.

He turned away from the rail and went back into his room.

He spent his days now in this hidden paradise … but more and more, he felt as if his second life was only a half-life. He missed them, Turgon, Idril, and especially Ecthelion. They were more than his friends. They were family to him.

He was an anachronism. His world had died and all he loved had died too. Why had the Valar seen fit to send him here?

His reverie was interrupted by a knock at the door.

Elrond smiled gently when Glorfindel opened the door for him.

"Come out into the courtyard, my friend. The twins have brought you something." Elrond was ever mindful of Glorfindel's loneliness and tried to help in the small ways he could. He knew it was not enough but it was all he could do. He also knew grief so deep it could not be assuaged.

Glorfindel nodded and followed.

For one shining moment in time, all his grief and sadness were forgotten. Elladan and Elrohir stood in the center of the courtyard. Between them stood the most exquisite creature he had ever seen.

The horse was white, so white that he seemed to glow from within. When he saw Glorfindel, he raised his head and whinnied at him, as if greeting an old friend.

"He is Asfaloth," Elladan said.

His heart was light as he climbed upon the Meara's back and rode away. He'd save the sadness for another day.

~end~