This whole updating on a schedule thing is weird. ;) Last chapter!

First Parting

"My Lord?"

The voice was soft, pitched to avoid startling him. A voice he knew as well as his own. A voice he'd known longer than his wife's, than his children's.

Elrond let go of the balustrade he'd been clutching, and turned away from the magnificent view of the ravine he'd built Imladris in, so long ago. He smiled softly, meeting the concerned blue eyes of his friend.

"Yes?" he responded to the elf lord's query. Instead of answering, Glorfindel moved beside him, staring as Elrond had just moments before over the valley.

"Its beautiful," he commented finally. "Despite the fact we chose it for military necessity, it's beautiful."

"Security and beauty do not have to be in opposition," Elrond responded. "You would know that best." Glorfindel nodded.

"I never thought I would call another place home after Gondolin," he said. "But Imladris has woven itself into heart."

"As it has in mine," Elrond responded. "Which is why I plan to sail." He sighed.

"I cannot watch it fade, Glorfindel," he continued. "Now that Vilya is fading, a part of me dies, and all that I protected with it fades as well. I cannot sit here, and watch what I love fade." He broke off, and Glorfindel knew he was talking about more than just his home.

"I've lost too much," he finally said in a whisper. "I would rather sail now, and let all that I love on these shores remain unstained in memory, than to stay and watch them fail. I cannot do that. It would destroy me."

"I never advised you not to sail," Glorfindel said. "I think you should. The time of the elves is over. You have fought valiantly, and now it is time for the last Lord of the Noldor to take ship. Your wife is waiting, as are your parents."

"Celebrían," Elrond whispered. "How can I face her; tell her that our daughter has chosen the fate of men, and our sons may do the same?"

"Tell her Arwen did so for love," Glorfindel said softly. "And I do believe Elladan and Elrohir will sail, once their siblings have passed from the circles of the world."

He hesitated, just for a moment. "And I will stay with them, and protect them," he added, softly. Elrond turned towards his oldest friend, worry clear in his grey eyes. Sail without him? Elrond couldn't imagine life anymore without the solid, comforting presence of Glorfindel at his side.

It had been long ages since the Golden Lord of Gondolin had returned to these shores. It had been nearly as long that the son of Gil-Estel had come to rely upon him, as protector, advisor, friend. And to lose that now…

"And what will you do if Elladan and Elrohir decide to follow Arwen and Estel?" Elrond asked, trying to cover his sudden anxiety. Glorfindel shrugged.

"Then I will stay until they too have passed beyond the circles of Arda, and then will sail back to the land of my birth," Glorfindel said simply. "But I do not think that will happen. They will sail, and I will bring them back to you."

He paused, meeting Elrond's troubled gaze. As always, it was as if the reborn elf lord could read his soul, understand the worry and love that lived there.

"I will follow where you lead, my brother," Glorfindel said softly, placing a hand on Elrond's shoulder.

And with that, the worry faded. Elrond smiled, looking into the clear eyes of his protector, advisor, friend, brother.

"I know," he said simply.

And he did.

Wow, I can't believe this is over. Its an odd feeling when you post the last chapter of something... Thank you to all of my lovely reviewers. To everyone who's read this, I hope you enjoyed it!