Do not run Away From me (Elrond/Glorfinel)

Chapter 12

The archway into Imladris loomed over in the distance. Swirling and twisting together. Intertwining. Though the Lord always admired the art in the city he set his heels to Asfaloth and went thundering through the gate. Hooves on the stones and the wind in his hair.

The sun was leaving the earth, the day turning to evening, the sun set and framed the mountains. Sadly the Lord was far too unnerved to stop and watch the sun sink lower. He was to worried, to scared, about Elrond. What Haldir had said had been... Vague. 

As he rode in the Elves were not as cheery as when he had left. They did not dance, not a single elf was singing, there was no merriment. The city had gone from marry to somber in a matter of thirteen days.

As worrying as the state of the city was Glorfindel galloped on. He reached the stables where a young man sat grooming Arda, the stallion of Lord Elrond. The boy looked up, startled that the Balrog-Slayer had rushed into the stables with his royal horse in tow.

"My Lord Glorfindel! I-I thought you weren't expected until Enderi!" The young man got to his feet only to have the reigns of Asfaloth shoved into his hands. Glorfindel gave young man a glance.

"I had a complication." Glorfindel spoke quickly before rushing out of the stable, hoping the boy would take good care of his steed. 

The streets were barren. No elves were travling. Many horses were gone and many more elven men, but the streets were void of any living creature except a few dogs, cats, and Glorfindel. He walked down the street at a quick pace, not jogging, but he was walking faster then most prefered to walk.

The buildings all had candles in the window, candles or lanterns. For the windows of many of the houses had lights in the windows. Some of the elves poked their heads out to see if the rumor was true, if the Balrog-Slayer had returned to Imladris. It was indeed true. 

Glorfindel entered the main building and turned down to Elrond's study in the royal wing. If he was anywhere, he would be there. The paintings in the hall were passed by without any sort of glance by the Commander. He had his head up and his eyes flicking from one side to the other.

He came upon the study door as he always did. Quiet. Glorfindel stood at the door with no indication that he was going to move. It was odd. He was both worried and excited. He wanted to see his lord fine, and not injured in any way. 

Gorfindel brought himself to knock softly on the door. The silence was excruciating, but he thought it was just Elrond not wanting to say anything back to him. Glorfindel found that the door was not locked and went into the room.

He found it empty. There was no one in the room other than Glorfindel. He looked around to find that the bed was unmade, though he shrugged it off. Elrond's desk was covered in papers that had not been signed or taken care of. The Commander turned away from it all and walked to the door that lead to the balcony.

Pushing the two glass doors open he was greeted by the autumn wind tustling his hair. If felt better than riding. Glorfindel looked up to the sky where perhaps on or two stars had begun to appear. The sun had not completely sunk below the horizon and the pastel colors leaked across the sky.

"Lord Glorfindel!" The commander whipped around with his heart in his chest. Elvedui stood in the door. Elvedui was a healer who had been left behind when the elves went to Valinor, so he wandered alone in the Northern Lands. He had learned many things about healing from being there. He was the greatest healer in Rivendell other than Lord Elrond.

"Master Elvedui?" The silver-haired healer bent his head. "Where is Lord Elrond?" The healer blinked and looked down at his feet. Glorfindel found himself getting a constant sinking feeling. "Elvedui, what happened?"