"Atar?"

Ránevaryar turned and paused at the sight of his son walking towards him. "Laure…" He sighed and shook his head. "I cannot get used to it."

"Then don't." Glorfindel walked over to lean against the paddock fence, and looked out over the green grass and the white horses grazing there. "I will forever be two people, I think. Laurefinde, who grew up here, and raced the shadows, and Glorfindel, who …"

"Who is rightfully lauded as a hero, and whom I am proud to call son."

Glorfindel looked at his father then. Met his gaze and held it. He saw the truth of the words, felt the unspoken regrets and longing for something Glorfindel had long ago forgotten. Forgiven. He smiled, mouth quirking. "Damned fool, more like. Ecthelion told me to tie my hair back."

Ránevaryar reached out to grasp his shoulder. "I am proud of you. I always have been, even when I did not agree with you."

"Amil cried." Glorfindel bowed his head, forced to wait until the ache eased enough for him to continue speaking. "I made her cry."

"She doesn't wish for you to leave again. Nor do I."

Glorfindel looked up. He didn't want to argue, or try to persuade his father to his point of view. He wanted to soak in being home, and being with those he loved before he left again.

"But you are as determined in this as before. Ah, my bright one." Ránevaryar pulled his son closer, resting his forehead against Glorfindel's for a moment before hugging him fiercely. "There is a destiny in this, in you, that I cannot deny, despite what I want to say. You always were fearless."

Something that had been sharp in him, had been cold and frozen as the Helcaraxe, loosened and broke. Glorfindel eased back from his father. Let the moment hold. Let it pass, and he could breathe again. "Do you remember when I told you I could fly?"

Ránevaryar nodded. "I do. You were worried your amil and I would fly away if you told me how."

"I will come back." Glorfindel knew that with no uncertainty. Felt it in his bones. This was home. But he was as certain that he had to leave. Had known it from the moment he spoke with Eärendil.

"You will." Ránevaryar met his gaze. "And we will be here for you."

Glorfindel smiled.