What's the story on Glorfindel, in the Lord of the Rings? He is in Elronds household at Rivendell. He is said to be a mighty Elf-lord, but i've never read of him before, or is he the same Glorfindel that killed the Balrog in the Silmarillion? Help, please....

Second:

Can somebody please give me a clear account of the Palantirs? I've just reread LOTR but i'm still confused. Where were they to start with, where did they go, and what became of them at the end of the Third Age?

Thnx