Glorfindel stood on the balcony and watched as Elladan and Elrohir, Elrond’s sons, chased after young Estel, a boy whom Elrond had taken into his family. Glorfindel smiled slightly as the two elves made yet another futile attempt to catch the little human, who just proceeded to evade them by crawling through a small crevice that they were too large to enter.
~I wonder what Elyndiriel was like as a child,~ he mused. ~Was she like Estel is, wild and full of laughter with an insatiable desire for merriment; or was she solemn and withdrawn because of the evil that surrounded her as she grew up?~ He sighed. How he wished he had been able to take part in her childhood. To hear her laugh and to have her look up to him as all daughters did to their fathers. ~It breaks my heart that I missed your childhood, Elyndiriel, but I promise you that I will miss no more of your life.~ He shuddered as he thought of the growing darkness in Middle-earth, and of the horrible perils that were facing travelers. ~Elyndiriel, please return soon, for I miss you and worry for your safety in these dangerous times.~
He turned as he heard another enter the balcony. He smiled half-heartedly as he saw Lord Elrond approaching.
“Good day, Glorfindel,” Elrond greeted.
“Good day, Elrond,” Glorfindel replied. He stood silent for a moment, expecting Elrond to speak, but Elrond merely remained silent and continued to study him. Glorfindel shifted uncomfortably under his friend’s intense perusal.
“Thinking of your daughter, my friend?” Elrond asked.
Glorfindel sighed. “Yes. I miss her and am concerned for her safety. As you know, it is terribly dangerous for even groups to travel, and yet, she always insists on traveling alone.”
Elrond nodded in understanding. “Daughters can be so terribly frustrating and stubborn,” he said wryly.
Glorfindel laughed softly. “Indeed, they can be. Stubbornness is something that Elyndiriel possesses much of.”
Elrond smiled. “I have noticed that it does seem to be a quality that your family has in rather large amounts,” he said, his voice lightly tinged with sarcasm.
Glorfindel chuckled slightly at Elrond’s comment, but his attention was quickly diverted by the sight of a rider entering the city. The rider dismounted and removed her hood, and Glorfindel grinned as he recognized his daughter. He turned and looked at Elrond, who was smiling.
“If you will excuse me, my friend,” Glorfindel said.
“Of course,” Elrond replied.
Glorfindel nodded and left the balcony. He walked quickly along the pathway, and began to make his way to the city entrance.
* * *
Alexa smiled as she and Spitfire entered Rivendell. She was home! She dismounted easily and removed her hood. Spitfire whinnied with delight, and she grinned and stroked his neck.
“Yes, we are home. Come, my friend. I will take you to the stables so you can rest,” she told him. “And see your lady friend,” she added with a mischievous smile.
She took his reins and began leading him towards the stables, but stopped as she heard a familiar voice call out her name. She turned and grinned as she saw her father approaching.
“Father!” she called and ran into his arms. They embraced each other tightly for a long moment, and then drew back.
“Elyndiriel, I have missed you so, my daughter,” he told her.
Alexa smiled. “And I have missed you, Father.”
“How was your journey?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
“Uneventful. Nothing happened,” she replied, trying to reassure him.
He smiled. “I am glad to hear that,” he said and lightly squeezed her arm. “Come. Let us go home.”
Alexa smiled and nodded. Her father accompanied her as she stabled Spitfire, and they then began walking towards their home.
