Glorfindel

[Glorfindel]

I have heard a couple of varying stories concerning Glorfindel. Is the Glorfindel that was killed by the Balrog after the fall of Gondolin allowed to come back to Middle-earth as Glorfindel in Lord of the Rings? Or are they completely different people? If they are the same person why was he allowed back from the Halls of Mandos?
Can someone just tell me what the true story is.

[Finrod Felagund]

If I'm not mistaken (true Tolkien scholars correct me) they are the same person, G that appears in LOR is G of Gondolin reincarnated or reformed or something. The Elves spirits were tied to Arda and this one decided to return to ME after staying in the Halls of Mandos for a while, hopefully someone else can answer why.

[Maedhros]

The answer that you're looking for is in HOME 12: Peoples of ME.
From the Peoples of Middle Earth: Last Writings
The Elves were destined to be by nature 'immortal', within the unknown limits of the life of the Earth as a habitable realm, and their disembodiment was a grievous thing. It was the duty, therefore, of the Valar to restore them, if they were slain, to incarnate life, if they desired it - unless for some grave (and rare) reason: such as deeds of great evil, or any works of malice of which they remained obdurately unrepentant. When they were re-embodied they could remain in Valinor, or return to Middle-earth if their home had been there. We can therefore reasonably suppose that Glorfindel, after the purging or forgiveness of his part in the rebellion of the Ñoldor, was released from Mandos and became himself again, but remained in the Blessed Realm - for Gondolin was destroyed and all or most of his kin had perished.
We may then best suppose that Glorfindel returned during the Second Age, before the 'shadow' fell on Númenor, and while the Númenóreans were welcomed by the Eldar as powerful allies. His return must have been for the purpose of strengthening Gil-galad and Elrond, when the growing evil of the intentions of Sauron were at last perceived by them. It might, therefore, have been as early as Second Age 1200, when Sauron came in person to Lindon, and attempted to deceive Gil-galad, but was rejected and dismissed. But it may have been, perhaps more probably, as late as c.1600, the Year of Dread, when Barad-dûr was completed and the One Ring forged, and Celebrimbor at last became aware of the trap into which he had fallen.
The same elf, it seems.

[Finrod Felagund]

Man... he's goodnotworthy

[Maedhros]

Hey FF, who wouldn't happen to be my pal FF from lotr would you?

[Finrod Felagund]

???, Changed my name from Longshot