My apologies for not answering PMs and comments - you are all AMAZING and WONDERFUL and I am perpetually behind! Thank you for your words and for reading! I wish you knew how you make me smile with each one! :D

Today is Everleigh Bain's birthday and I wish I had something more Ranger'ish or with Halbarad or Aragron, but alas. Glorfindel was the only voice that spoke up. Happy Birthday, Ev! Thank you for being a beautiful person whom I am blessed to know! May you have many, many more years!

Prompt: How do you pick up the threads of an old life?

The language had changed, of course it had. Even in Aman the language was not what it had been before he had walked away, the Doom echoing in his ears. In Middle-earth it had mingled with Sindarin and other languages, pilfering words here and there and becoming its own, unique language.

He felt ancient for the first time in his lives. Ancient as he never had in Aman where some of the Awakened even now lingered in Lorien's gardens and the ageless Valar walked the land. His body was stronger than it had ever been, even in Gondolin, facing down the wolves, dragons and the balrog. His mind was keen and sharp, and a power was his to call forth that had never been, not even in the mountains of his father's people.

Glorfindel laughed more and a twinkle lived in his gaze along with the light of the Trees that gave people pause, made them look twice.

But his old life, his friends, his people, his king, the very lands, were gone; under the depths of the sea, across the sea or in the fastness of Mandos.

There was no old life to return to. It was, as Finrod had told him, a chance to be who he wanted, free of family intrigues, politics and traditions far older than the sun and moon.

But loyalty. That had proven stronger even than death. Oaths, once sworn, were not so easy to forsake, and he had known as soon as he met Elrond Eärendilion, that his fate would be bound once again to the line of Finwë.

Not that Elrond had been keen on the idea.

Glorfindel was, if nothing else, persuasive and stubborn, graced with a steadfast nature that would make water wearing down rocks seem a quick process.

In time Elrond had accepted the presence of one who seemed determined to make up for all of those he had lost. Neither of them believed it to be possible, but Glorfindel delighted in proving the word impossible wrong.

Centuries later, standing on a trail that descended into Imladris, Elrond, looking down on the waterfalls and graceful buildings, so beautiful and unsullied after all the death and horror of war, had smiled. "I never thought to find a true home, you know. Not in a location. A place."

Glorfindel nodded, well aware of how cynical his friend could be. Who could blame him after all he had lived through?

"Can a person truly be content in one place?"

There was a wistful quality in his voice that belonged to someone much younger. Someone far more innocent. Someone who still trusted, still hoped for all that was worth fighting for and saving. Seeing the glint of silver hair on a balcony far below, Glorfindel smiled. "With the right person, most definitely." He nudged his companion and pointed to the graceful figure, eagerly watching for the return of one particular person. "There is your contentment, my lord."

Wincing as Elrond almost fell off his horse in eagerness to get down the trail and greet Celebrían, Glorfindel followed at a more sedate pace, the better to arrive after the pair of would-be lovers had reunited. He would do what he could to distract Galadriel, though she might be equally caught up with Celeborn's return. There would be laments to sing for the lost, not the least of those a king of Elves and a king of Men, but they all looked forward to a time of peace and new beginnings.

Middle-earth was dangerous and fraught with trouble in a way that Aman never would be, but Glorfindel had no regrets for returning. He much preferred the challenge of this life, even though he had forsaken the familiarity of family and friends for the unknown.

Hearing laughter and joyful voices, Glorfindel smiled and nudged his horse forward to greet the future.