I set my mount into a canter for we are almost there. Behind me the escort my Adar insisted travelled with me increase their speed to match my own.

I have spent the last year in Eryn Lasgalen, and I have enjoyed it very much. Well much of it I have enjoyed, I amend, for spending time with my Adar is almost always a mixed blessing for someone who is on the cusp of reaching adulthood. Well, of course I have another two hundred years before I actually come of age but to an elf that is hardly any time at all. Still despite that my year under the canopy of the giant beeches has been a good one. I have learned a great deal, for now that I have my own demesne I was willing to take more notice of the goings on at court and the way my Adar, Beliond, and Selinde deal with the politics. I wish I had taken note of those lessons earlier in life but better late than never I suppose.

But now I am riding south and soon I will see the great fortress of Helms Deep beneath which is the realm of my second father Gimli son of Gloin, the great Lord of Aglarond. I chuckle to myself at the thought. I am escaping one parent only to place myself in the hands quite literally of another.

Yet I would not be without either of my fathers for each brings their own strengths to the task of educating their recalcitrant child. I do my best to be an apt pupil but I suspect that neither Ada nor Gimli think I have learnt my lessons well. For now, I look up at the White Mountains and know I am almost home again. I promised Gimli I would be here in plenty of time for Greirr's birthday. It is to be a special occasion for it is Greirr's coming of age.

It is an important occasion for a dwarf, just as it is for any youngling of any race who reaches his or her majority. Of course each race sets its own time limit, and elves to my chagrin, set their age for adulthood as a thousand years. Hobbits come of age when they are thirty three, most men other than those of Númenórean descent are considered to be men at the age of twenty. And dwarflings do not come of age until they are forty years old. I suppose it is all to do with the eventual life span of their race.
Anyway I promised Gimli I would be here in time to share in the celebrations and ceremonies that form part of that move from youth to adulthood for Dorbryn's son. I would not wish to miss it despite the fact that it is yet another occasion when I am left behind as another of my mortal friends and family move on into the adult world. It is both irritating and frustrating, but it can hardly be accounted to be Greirr's fault so I am determined to put a good face on what lies ahead and not to repine too much on my own situation.

I spent quite some time trying to come up with a suitable gift for my dwarven brother but in the end it was Adar who found what I hope will be the perfect present for Greirr. It is a dagger, which came originally from Gondolin. Although it is an ancient elven design, Adar says he believes that some of the work is definitely dwarven. The design is simple but elegant, and I spent much of the winter making a sheath and belt that will enhance the beauty of it. I hope it will prove a suitable and welcome gift to mark Greirr's move into full adulthood.

I carry other gifts as well from my Adar and others in the stronghold. Most have never met Greirr but all know Gimli and Lady Vonild and wish to honour them by sending presents for the birthday celebrations. I have been very careful to watch over the packages which are stowed on one of the pack horses and will be happy to hand them over to Mam to keep safe until the feast.

It will be an interesting experience to be part of or at least to be allowed to observe the ceremonies that mark a dwarf's transition to adult life. Each race seems to have their own traditions and while men and Hobbits seem to have no desire to keep their customs hidden, dwarves are a different matter altogether. I have been privileged indeed to have witnessed all that I have, for outworlders are not normally given access to dwarven practises They guard their civilisation closely not using their own true names outside and not encouraging non dwarves to learn their language. Again I have been fortunate in being adopted into Gimli's kin, and therefore have had more opportunities than most to share their lives.

I had thought that I knew quite a bit about dwarves, for I was considered to be well taught, but what we knew of dwarven society was in fact very little, an ignorance that only served to foster suspicion and ill will between our peoples, and Gimli tells me that was true also for his own folk. Between us we are doing what we can to end that distrust. Sometimes I wish that were not the case for I was foolish enough to make a critical remark to Selinde about the dearth of factual books on dwarven society within our own library and he of course seized upon the idea and suggested, very strongly I might add that one way to end that lack would be for me to write a history of dwarven life as I observed it. I said that I did not believe Gimli would approve of such an intrusion, which I hoped would put an end to what could only mean many hours of hard work for me. But Selinde then wrote to Gimli behind my back explaining the idea and somehow got not only his permission but also his enthusiastic approval as long as he could help oversee the project, so now I am tasked in writing and illustrating a history of the dwarves of Aglarond from an elven point of view. Greirr's coming of age will mean yet another long chapter I do not doubt. Ah well it is my own fault I suppose and in truth I enjoy the illustrating at least.

As the coombe comes into view from the hill my heart lightens. Snaking across the valley floor from the Keep to Edoras in the far distance is the canal system Gimli devised some years ago, now it is a well-known landmark although still much remarked upon for its engineering feats and the benefit it has brought. I know from my correspondence with Gimli, Eomer King and Estel that a similar canal is being planned between Minas Tirith and Osgiliath. No doubt Gimli will tell me all about it when we sit down to catch up on news and that thought makes me smile for it will not be long now before I am back with Gimli and we can share stories over what has happened over the last year. I last saw him when I was on my way north and I have missed him terribly, although to an elf, of course, a year is not a long time. Maybe I am beginning to think like a mortal.

I see the Deeping Wall and my eyes move automatically to the right where Gimli's folk have built an entrance to their new realm. There is a sweep of broad stairs which lead to gates which are of solid stone, carved with a deceptively simple design but one which incorporates not only his own emblems of the House of Durin but also the sigil of the House of Éomer Éadig and also there is an acknowledgement of Gimli's association with Gondor, the Shire, and Eryn Lasgalen. In my eyes the entrance is a far more beautiful than the one to Erebor.

The guards must have been on the watch for us for the gates open as we arrive and there framed in the open door way is Gimli who claps his hands in delight and hurries down to greet us.

"Welcome home my Lamb."

I leap down from my horse and embrace my dwarf with just as much enthusiasm as he is hugging me and I notice with some concern that in my absence my guardian has collected a few more grey hairs in his hair and beard. My heart clenches at the thought of him getting 'older'.

He has no such concerns for he tells me that I am looking well. "Your Ada has been taking good care of ye. He is well of course?"

I laugh, "As ever"

"Ye have not teased him overmuch I trust?"

"You will have to read his letter to you to find out his opinion on that matter. Personally I think I behaved with propriety. Ada may have a contrary view of course. He usually does."

"Aye, I wonder why that is?"

I have so missed the mischievous note in that gruff voice and the twinkling light in the dark eyes that I choose to ignore the question, and instead merely bask in the fact that I am with Gimli son of Gloin once more.

"It is good to be here again," I manage

His eyes glisten as he answers "and it is good to have ye here. It would not have been a proper family occasion without ye and this is going to be quite an occasion."

Before I can respond to this with questions as to what the celebrations will entail he is ordering his guards to guide my escort to where they can stable their horses and find accommodations for the night as they will travel home tomorrow no doubt carrying with them letters and other items from Gimli and his family to my Adar. Ada and Gimli and Ada and Mam have become quite regular correspondents. I wonder sometimes what is written about me in the letters that go back and forth but I am rarely made party to the contents, unless of course I have managed to do something outrageous.

"Bring in Prince Legolas' baggage," Gimli calls, and when I whisper to him he adds, "And take care with it all, as there are fragile items within. Come Lamb Mam is waiting."

Together we go into the cave system, and down through the levels until we reach Gimli's private apartments. As we walk I take the time to ask about the upcoming birthday celebrations. Gimli grins and taps the side of his nose.

"All in good time, Lamb, all in good time."

It is frustrating but I know well Gimli will not answer until he is ready to do so, so I follow him down through the hallways and as he pushes open the door he calls out, "I found this waif and stray hanging about outside Mam"

Lady Vonild drops the towel she is holding and holds out her arms.

"Lambkin!"

Once again I am enfolded into a dwarven embrace. Mam brushes hair away from my forehead and kisses me.

"We have missed ye laddie, welcome home. I will get ye something to eat, for ye are still too thin to my way of thinking I have made your favourite fruit bread."

I hold onto Mam a moment or two longer than usual because I do not wish her to see the shock in my face. Since last I saw her Lady Vonild has aged a great deal. She is thinner, and her back no longer straight. Has all that happened in just a year? Of course I know she is a good age for a dwarven matron, but to see her so changed is frightening. First Gimli, now Mam. How grateful I am that I did not accede to Ada's pleas to stay another year or so in Eryn Lasgalen. He said a year was far too short a time and talked of me staying for ten or more. Of course to an elf it is less than the blink of an eye but for my mortal friends each year brings them closer to the time they lay down this life and move beyond the veil and out of my life forever.

That thought is too terrible to think on. Instead I say as cheerfully as I can that I am very much looking forward to tasting her cooking again.

"Of course ye are. Go and tidy yourself up then, not that ye have a hair out of place it seems to me, always so neat and tidy, aye and clean too. I wish young dwarves were so impervious to dirt."

Laughing Mam bustles about the kitchen and I take my saddlebags to the chamber usually set aside for me when I visit and make use of the facilities. Gimli follows me and as soon as the door is closed asks me what is amiss.

"And do not say everything is fine for it clearly is not," He adds

I do not know quite how to say it so in the end I blurt out, "Mam is old."

For a moment or two Gimli looks confused then his brow clears.

"Aye Lamb, so she is."

"But she has never, that is she … Gimli … " I give up trying to explain what I mean shrugging instead.

Gimli pushes me to sit down on the side of the bed, and takes both my hands in his huge strong ones.

"The last winter took its toll on Mam, lad. She had several bouts of illness, and when you get to be her age it takes longer to recover from things. She tires more easily now, and her bones ache when it rains, but never think she is not as indomitable as ever aye and more than capable of taking on the both of us should we displease her."

"But she looks so frail"

"I should not let her hear you say so lad. Tis only that ye have been away for a while and ye see the changes more than those of us who see her every day but like all of our kind she gets older and will die one day. It is the way of things but not any time soon so ye need not worry so."

"You are certain?"

"As far as I can be Lamb. Now come put those dark thoughts away and come and tell us all your news from Eryn Lasgalen. How is your aunt?"

We go back into the main room together and Mam hustles me to the table and plies me with enough food to feed even a hungry hobbit, all the time demanding to know how my year has gone. Once I have answered to her satisfaction I am able to ask about Dorbryn, Thorûr and Greirr and am told that they will be joining us for a family dinner later.

The trunks and boxes arrive as the table is cleared of our meal, and I immediately open the largest trunk for in here is the gift that Adar has sent for Lady Vonild and I am hoping that it has survived the journey south unscathed. The last time Mam was in Eryn Lasgalen she had remarked on the beautifully crafted amber lamps and Adar had one made for her, and charged me with delivering it.

Mam unwraps the many layers of cloth with care, and then gasps in pleasure at what she finds.

"Oh it is beautiful, and look Gimli tis just the right height to stand behind my chair and give me more light for my sewing and knitting. How kind Thranduil is to have remembered how I so admired them."

I am just happy that the lamp has arrived safely and happy also that Mam seems so taken with her gift. She immediately desires me to set it up so that she can begin to make use of it "for I still have Greirr's shirt to finish for the Nar-un-yar-ul-Kheled."

"What is that?" I ask trying to translate, in my head and coming up with something like the day and night of mirrors.

It is Gimli who answers, "The Nar-ul-yar-ul-Kheled is the first part of the ceremonies that mark Greirr's coming of age. He will spend a day and night alone, fasting, and thinking of his past and putting aside his childhood ways before he takes his oath of fealty to his lord and takes on the mantle of full adulthood with all its commitments and duties. Two of his male relatives wait with him during this time but do not interrupt his vigil. They then help him dress in new clothing, which is an outward symbol of his change of status. Greirr has yet to say who he will choose as his guardians during his watch. He said he would announce it tonight when all of his family is present."

The ceremony itself, now that it is explained, is something similar to how a young warrior is inducted into the Greenwood Brigade save we would hold our vigil outside under the stars and beneath the trees and I suspect that the dwarven one will be deep beneath the earth where Greirr can hear the song of the stones. I would think that the mirror part is where he looks in on himself and decides what he wishes to be in the future which again is like the exercises we do during the day and night we spend alone.

"He will choose you and Thorûr of course," I say and wonder at the exchange of grins between Gimli and Mam.

Mam is now settled in her chair with the new lamp and tells me to come and sit beside her, which I do, stretching out my legs and letting myself relax in the company of my dwarven family. We spend the rest of the afternoon exchanging stories and watching Mam's deft fingers flying over the seams of the fine wool shirt that Greirr is to wear.
Dorbryn and Thorûr are the first to arrive for dinner, and both welcome me kindly, asking after my elven family and how things fare in Ithilien in my lengthy absence.
They tell me that Greirr will be a trifle delayed as he is working on a special project and wishes to have it completed before he takes time out of his work as a jewel setter to prepare himself for his coming of age celebrations. Dorbryn looks very proud as she speaks of her son, and how he is showing good progress in his chosen work path.

"His master is very pleased with him too and has said he will take him on permanently once he has completed his journeyman status."

"That is good news," I answer even as Gimli looks a trifle discomfited. Perhaps he was hoping that Greirr would follow in his footsteps as a warrior but to be truthful Greirr has never shown interest in the arts of war. He was fortunate to be born too late to be involved in the War of the Ring and since then there have been few major wars. That is not to say of course that he is not a consummate fighter. He has been well taught and is very strong and can use both a bow and axe but he has rarely had need to use them against an enemy such as Gimli and I have had to face.

As if thinking of him can conjure him up the door slams back and Greirr stands on the threshold and I have another surprise for in the time since I last saw him, Greirr has indeed changed. Gone is the adolescent lankiness. His body has filled out and he is as muscular as Gimli or Thorûr. His beard has also thickened, although he still wears it in the style of his uncle Kili, rather than the traditional style of the longbeards that Gimli prefers.

He spies me and advances taking me in what is meant to be a crushing embrace, but while I may look as if a breeze could knock me sideways as Gimli always asserts I am just as strong as Greirr and I have no intention of being overpowered so I return the embrace with one of my own lifting Greirr from his feet. He laughs and pounds on my back until I release him then we clasp hands.

"Legolas it is so good to see you. It would not have been the same if you had not been with us."

He gives me the sort of searching look that I have become accustomed to receiving from my guardian then reaches up and ruffles my hair, ending provocatively, "elfling."

Of course such provocation cannot be allowed to go unchallenged, so I snatch at his beard and tug on it hard. If others were not present it may well have degenerated into a tussle but a meaningful cough from Mam brings us both to an appreciation of our situation and we settle down in our allotted places as the meal is served.

Conversation during our dinner is general. It is almost as if we are all avoiding what is on our minds, but when the last plates are removed and I have brought in the beer as is my role as the youngest family member present that we all turn to Greirr, and Dorbryn asks him if he is finally ready to name his vigil guardians.

He blushes and then nods, "Aye, I have. It is a time when I need those closest to me to give me their strength, guidance and friendship. I never knew my own da, but Thorûr has been as good a father to me as I could ever have wished for and so I would ask that you are one of my sponsors da."

Thorûr beams, "I would be honoured Greirr. Ye are the son of my heart, aye and when this is done I intend to be inked as a permanent acknowledgement that my son has come of age."

There is general hubbub at this announcement and Dorbryn and Thorûr embrace each other and then Greirr. Once things have settled down again we all look expectantly at Greirr waiting for him to announce his second sponsor. I look from Greirr to Gimli waiting to see his proud face when Greirr chooses him, but I am all but left speechless when Greirr instead looks straight at me and asks "My brother, I would choose you, if you are willing?"

I cannot help but say, "Me? But I thought it would be Gimli!"

Gimli claps his hands together, "No it should not be me. I am Lord of this demesne, and it would not be appropriate for me to act as a sponsor and take Greirr's oath of allegiance. It is quite right that Greirr would wish his brother to be with him, aye and ye will do him proud Lamb that I do not doubt. Well now this calls for a special toast."

He lifts his tankard and we all stand as he says "To Greirr and his two sponsors"

"To Greirr" we all reply and I know I have the most foolish of smiles on my face for this has to be one of the proudest moments of my life.