Glorfindel saw Mandos as his life slipped away. The Vala had cradled him and the pain of the fall was relieved in his last moments. Mandos gently took hold of the warrior's soul and guided him to the Halls. The Halls of Mandos were peaceful, filled with the souls of the lost Eldar. His friends greeted him, telling him all about what he had missed. He had found some peace in the Halls. Etchilion, his only friend who knew all his secrets and was the truest friend one could ask for, was a constant companion throughout his stay. For millennia, he dwelt within the Halls, peace and friendship starting to heal the wounds within his soul. Then he was summoned by the Valar. They had decided that he was to be returned to Middle Earth to fulfill a mission they had assigned him. His body had been remade, yet the scars that told the tales of his life remained. A new scar, from the Balrog, marred his already terribly scarred body.
He awoke with a mighty gasp, being carried by one of the Maiar and the last of the emissaries to be sent by the Valar. He found that moving was painful when he shifted to try to move on his own. The Maiar only glanced down at him and offered a small smile.
"The winds of Manwë will be in our sails, Glorfindel. The voyage will be short. Only a week of sail, I would assume. You may call me Mithrandíl. I will only guide you to a horse and point you in the correct direction to find your charge. You will have to tell the people your name as the Valar have gifted you with a powerful glamour no one will sense. It is your choice on how you will complete your task. For now, rest. I will try to soothe the pain." The Maiar gently placed the elf on a padded area before preparing the boat to sail. Glorfindel's eyes closed and dreams soon came to him as the wizard, soon to be called Gandalf, used his magic to soothe the pain and cast the suffering elf into a healing sleep.
Gandalf awoke the elf from his slumber minutes before they docked. Glorfindel placed the hood of the cloak he had been dressed in upon his head, hiding his face from view. Many of those in the Grey Havens had gathered to meet the ship from the Undying Lands. Gandalf raised his hands to silence the almost deafening noise from the gathered elves.
"Would someone be as kind as to provide my friend over here with a horse and point him towards the Hidden Valley? This elf here needs to make haste there as he has been ordered to by the Valar."
The whispers of the elves where growing in volume before an elf, white hair and a beard as white as snow, walked up the cloaked elf.
"May you lower your hood to give us proof of the claim?" Círdan asked calmly. The elf moved the hood in a way that only permitted an ear and some strands of hair to be visible. The ear had a delicate point and the hair was as golden as rays of sun upon pure gold. Círdan smiled and ordered a guard to fetch the fastest horse.
"Would you like an escort, mellon nin?" Círdan inquired as the elf deafly secured his weapons and a pack of clothing to the saddle of the horse provided. The elf sighed.
"I appreciate the offer, I truly do. I cannot accept as it takes guards away from their duty to this haven. I only request that you point me in the correct direction." The voice that drifted to Círdan was rough from lack of use. Círdan simply shook his head.
"As you wish, mellon. Will you enter the grieving period?" The concern of the Mariner was plain to all. The hood bounced in answer. "The Hidden Valley is to the east. There is a map in one of the saddle bags. Safe journeys." The elf bowed in response and expertly mounted the horse before riding away, quickly vanishing from sight.
Rumors of the elf that had sailed with the wizard spread to all the elven realms in a matter of weeks. The only realm to not have been informed was Elrond's realm. The messenger that bore a sealed scroll arrived two days after Glorfindel had. He had journeyed for a week and three days, faster than any others had traveled. He had been welcomed to the Valley with open arms, his cloak long lost in a skirmish with orcs. His hair had been cut to right above his shoulders, still as curly as it had always been. He had bowed to Elrond, never speaking a word. Elrond had raised a brow at that before signing something. Glorfindel's face of confusion caused laughter from those who also stood in the courtyard. His horse was taken to the stable and he was shown to his room by Lindir.
"Are you planning to stay here for long?" Lindir asked hesitantly. The elf walking beside him nodded, a faint smile upon his lips. Lindir sighed mentally.
"What's your name?" Lindir glanced at the new elf. The elf shrugged with an apologetic look. Lindir's brows furrowed before realization flickered in his eyes.
"Can you speak but choose not to for reasons such as mourning?" The look in the elf's eyes caused Lindir to gasp. "I am so sorry for the loses you have suffered. If you ever need anything, I will help you. Until the period of mourning has passed we will need a way to communicate. Does your custom allow writing?" A shake of the head.
"Sign language or far speaking?" Another shake of the elf's head. Lindir thought for a moment before sighing.
"Point to something that is the meaning of your name, elf." A voice caused Glorfindel to swiftly turn and face the possible threat. The elf was in fine robes of a black coloring, hair midnight black, and skin a strange tanned color. Glorfindel's shock caused the elf to snort.
"Have you never seen an elf with skin my color, Golden?" The elf stated with amusement sparkling in his eyes. Glorfindel nodded weakly as he shakily raised a hand to touch the elf's face to make sure what he was seeing was real. The elf smiled and stepped closer, letting the hand ghost over his cheek.
"My name is Erestor. Are you a Vanyar elf?" The golden haired elf nodded distractedly. Erestor laughed as he put is hand over the other elf's and squeezed the hand.
"You may touch my face after you give us a clue on your name, alright?" Erestor asked softly, the usual disposition of cold and uncaring no where in sight as he tried to help the grieving elf a little. The golden one touched his hair, only causing Erestor to raise an eyebrow.
"I do not understand," Erestor was interrupted by a servant saying that Elrond needed him. "I need to go. It was a pleasure to meet you." The meeting had fled Erestor's mind only moments after leaving the two elves.
"That was the chief councilor. If you'll follow me the rest of the way, I'll show you to your room. I'll bring you a tray of food when the evening meal comes. Rest." Lindir helped Glorfindel to his room and made sure he knew how to find him if he wanted anything. Lindir closed the door on his way out, hoping to become a friend with this lonely soul. Hopefully this elf would love music as he did!