By Elbereth's Hand

Glorfindel wove his way slowly through the tangle of verdant vines
and over growth, the slivered glow of moonlight illuminating the moss
covered statues and stone hewn benches of the cemetery garden.

The golden Lord shivered suddenly, finding himself chilled despite
the mildness of the evening, It had been centuries since he had
ventured to this secluded part of Imladris. In fact, for personal
reasons that now seemed unimportant, he had quite avoided it. Many
had found comfort within the walled sanctuary, a place of memory and
consolation, but Glorfindel had seen it as nothing more than a bitter
reminder of a bound fate he would never share.

Pausing beside a delicately carved likeness of an elven child, he
brushed his fingers softly across the smooth curve of a cool marble
cheek. Lush patches of green snaked across the once alabaster
memorial, its pristine elegance enhanced, but not altered, by the
passage of time.

Glorfindel traced a slender finger along the deeply carved stone
plaits that lay forever tucked behind delicately pointed ears,
Nothing changed here. It was as if time stood still and allowed the
past to catch up with the present. Perhaps this is why he was drawn
here in the middle of the night. The ghosts of his past needed a
place to rest and he needed to set them free.

The startling of a pair of nesting doves drew Glorfindel's attention
to the central part of the garden where a graceful statue of Elbereth
stood beckoning a comforting hand to those who sought her solace.
Unlike the viridian gowned ladies in waiting that shared her garden,
the Queen of Light remained untouched and pure in her vigil, her
waist length hair caught for all eternity within the fingers of an
unseen breeze.

Glorfindel approached the statue reverently, her flawless beauty and
comforting gaze drawing him closer.

Without further thought the golden Lord retrieved the pendant from
its hiding place and held it aloft before his eyes. The amber sphere
turned slowly upon it's chain radiating a glow that tugged at the
ancient lord's heart. Within its central core lay a single golden
flower forever trapped within the ochroid resin. This was Elrond
flower, his memory, and just as the Lord of Imaladris had released
himself to the peaceful shores of Valinor, so would Glorfindel
release this memory.

Gently he laid the pendant within the statues outstretched hand, the
chain delicately slipping through the slender cool fingers. He was
not prepared for the force of emotion that suddenly rushed to the
surface and found that his legs no longer wished to support him.
Dropping to his knees, his hands came up to cover his face as long
denied tears rolled unheeded down his cheeks. Though it pained him to
do so, Glorfindel spoke the words he hoped would ease his pain and
allow Elrond the peace he had so desperately sought.

"Elrond.....my dearest confidant and companion.... you and I shared
more than a friendship... more than physical love. We shared an
understanding and a trust that I will carry with me for the rest of
my days.

I miss your strong embrace and your gentle wisdom, but I know this to
be a sweet namaarie. You have gone in search of your heart's ease
and I shall grant you that journey, for even though I do not yet hear
the call of the sea, I do understand.

Watch for me upon the shore my friend, for one morning as the sun
rises I shall pass through the mists to embrace you once again.

Elrond Peredhil, Lord of Imladris, though you take with you a piece
of my soul, I shall grant you release. Your memory will no longer be
bound to my selfish heart, but be allowed to fly free, unchained, to
dwell forever in peace."

Glorfindel's head drooped from his shoulders, this final goodbye
having left a gaping hole in his heart.

He remained still for quite some time, his body drained from the
emotional release. He had retreated so far into himself that he
barely noticed her movement as she reached to lay cool fingers upon
his slumped shoulders.

A tingling warmth spread quickly throughout his body and his eyes
fluttered open, though he did not startle. Bared feet peeked out from
beneath a gauzy white gown that seemingly glittered with starlight,
snowdrop flowers blooming spontaneously from where she stood upon the
ground.

"Glorfindel.....Knight of the Golden Flower, step into the light and
walk with me upon your path. Let not your heart be heavy, for you
have truly given wings to your past and your future has yet to be
fully grasped."

The voice that soothed his heart was so liltingly beautiful and
calming, that Glorfindel was unsure as to whether the vision was
speaking or singing.

Daring to move, he raised his head and almost swooned from the divine
radiance that efd frd from the resplendent being.

With a chiming rustle of starlight she reached out a pale delicate
hand gesturing for the awed lord to rise.

Slowly he wrapped his fingers around the luminescent flesh, a gentle
humming reverberating through his body as he made contact.

Rising to his feet, Glorfindel stood face to face with the most
exquisite being he had ever beheld. Her hair fluttered behind her
like gossamer strands of sliver light and the eyes that held the
golden Lord rapt within their depths were the darkest if indigo, a
hue so intense that the night sky paled in comparison.

"Speak my Son, let not my presence silence your voice"

The being spoke to him directly, a smile as bright as Ithil herself
softening her already supernal features.

Glorfindel lowered his eyes, unable to bear the profoundness of her
gaze.

" " Elbereth....my Lady.....I know not what to say."

The golden Lord's voice was barely a whisper.

Elbereth tipped his face with her hand and forced him to meet her eye
to eye.

"Then I shall speak for you", she replied taking Glorfindels arm as
she led him away along the cemetery path.