All he ever wanted

"Hannon lle." Glorfindel said and he left the room. He rushed to the infirmary.

He found Cimorene teaching Estel the names of certain healing herbs in elvish. The one Estel seemed to take the most interest in was the athelas, a powerful healing herb.

'Erestor was right.' Glorfindel thought. 'There is no hope or joy about her. She seems so frail.'

"Why is Erestor right?" Cimorene asked, not looking up from Estel, who was examining a leaf of athelas.

"In Estel taking interest in the healing herbs we have." Glorfindel lied quickly. 'Did I say that out loud? I hope I didn't say anything out loud.' he thought.

None of the other healers and Estel did not hear him, so he could not have said anything aloud. Just as he was about to ask Estel if he could leave, when Elladan and Elrohir burst into the infirmary.

"Where is our new little brother?" Elladan asked. He looked around and saw Estel hiding behind Cimorene. "Is that him?"

"Yes that is him." Cimorene said, "Estel, come out from behind me."

"No! Scared! They scary."

"Estel, they are not scary. They are your older brothers."

"Estel, do you want to see the horses?" Elrohir offered.

"I wanna see horses! I wanna see horses!" Estel said, and he ran toward the door.

"Hey!" Elrohir said. "Wait for us."

Then the twins took Estel to the stables.

"Lady Cimorene, take a break, you are not needed now. You will be alerted if you are needed." Glorfindel said.

Cimorene left the room and Glorfindel followed.

"Why are you here alone?" He asked.

"I do not need anyone." She replied.

"Why do you not smile?"

"I do not have a reason to smile"

"They are many reasons to smile in life. Why don't you smile? You used to always smile. Your eyes no longer sparkle with delight, and your voice is void of emotion. You look frail, and look pale."

Cimorene stood there and just looked at him. Unshed tears welled up in her eyes. She started to confess to him, but he stopped her.

"Tell me more when we get to your room. The whole household does not need to hear it." He said as he led her to her room. When they got inside, he closed the doors and windows. "Now tell me what happened."

"We were in Mirkwood, and we had only been there a week before it happened. I was passing by the Princess Araglas's room, and I heard it. I opened the door, and there was Princess Araglas and Linhir in the bed. They were so, well, busy, that they did not notice I was in the room. I fled Mirkwood immediately, and I left everything behind. It hurt me to tell Estel the story of Gondolin, because I had so many happy times there, so many years of feeling loved. I come here and I still remember so much of him. I don't think I will live here much longer. Either I will leave here for Valinor soon, or I will fade, for I thought I had love, but I was betrayed. Now I have none. Nothing to hold onto, nothing to stay here or live for."

Glorfindel was shocked at her statement. Then he spoke to her. "You have love, and you always will. Elrond loves you like a sister, and so do the twins and Estel sees you as a second mother. I love you, and I always have. From the moment I saw you in Gondolin, I fell in love. I knew I loved you, but could not have you for you were with Linhir, and you seemed happy. All I wanted was to see you happy, to see you smile. When I died, I thought I would never see you again, never see your smile. When I was reborn, I rejoiced, for I could see you again...if I found you. I did find you. You were still with Linhir, and you still were happy. All I want is to see you smile again, to see you happy again."

"That was a long time ago. I can no longer find any hope or joy in life."

"Then let me help you."

"NO! Let me be. I do not wish to be helped. Get out." Cimorene screamed.

"As you wish my lady, as you wish." Glorfindel said quietly as he left.

She once again shut herself in her room for days. Only this time she did not lock the door.