One friend in a lifetime is much
two are many, three are hardly possible.
Friendship needs a certain parallelism of life,
a community of thought, a rivalry of aim.
Henry Brooks Adams


Chapter 12

A Night of Worth

There weren't two more uncomfortable elves on Middle-earth at that particular moment than the Prince of Mirkwood and his dinner date. Though Legolas had the presence that would be expected of an elf born to and raised in a royal family, such could not be said for the she-elf seated to his right. Anayah possessed the natural grace and beauty common to her race, and her ambassadorial skills stood her in good stead in most social situations. She and Legolas were close friends, but at that particular moment, Anayah would have been more comfortable sitting on the back of a towering horse, in the middle of a battle, with a sword in her hand than sitting at a table during a formal dinner and dressed in something that she had once vowed never to wear.

Legolas had escorted many she-elves to the table over the millennia of his life but none had made him as nervous as the one sitting to his right on this particular night. There was no way that he could explain to anyone, least of all to himself, why the palms of his hands were sweating or why he kept dropping his dinner fork.

From another table where he sat with his Rangers, Greyfell kept a tactful eye on his young friend, fully prepared to catch her if she bolted for the door. For her part, Anayah would occasionally catch his eye and shoot him looks that promised painful retribution at a later time.

Galadriel leaned closer to Elrond and whispered, "I think it's cute."

Elrond looked at his mother-in-law, surprised that she would express her observations in such a fashion but then had to agree with her, for the two did remind him of two elflings nervously meeting each other for the first time. He smiled and continued on with his meal.

Though the meal was formal, most of the diners were comfortable eating and talking to the elves and humans around them and so the otherwise formal atmosphere was lightened somewhat by the sounds of laughter. There were three diners sitting at the same table as the children of the Lord of Imladris, biological, foster and by desire, that were almost beside themselves with excitement. Raina, guardian of young Hyadar, young Hy and Orion, his service companion, were specially invited guests for the evening for it was because of Hy and Orion that Elladan had quickly received the care he needed on the night he had fallen ill. Hy leaned closer to his guardian.

"Nanna Raina, Orion has his own bowl of food!"

"And why should he not, Hy, for wasn't he your most worthy partner on the night that you found me in the kitchen?"

Elladan laid a hand on Hy's shoulder and if such was possible, the young boy's smile got even bigger. Hy had spent too many years as an abused slave in Hoth, without any kind of approving touch or recognition for anything he did - the effect of having both, now, was almost more than he could bear.

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When it finally looked like everyone had finished eating, Lord Elrond rose from his seat and while walking towards the grand door of the Hall, stopped and invited various elves and humans to retire to the Sitting Room for an informal after-dinner tea. It was the perfect ending to a perfect meal but when the Lord of Imladris stopped and invited Hy, Orion and Raina to attend, Hy was almost speechless. In later years, when asked what was one of the most memorable moments in his life, Hy would tell them that it was the night that the Lord of Imladris stopped at his dinner table and invited him to tea.

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When all who would come were gathered in the spacious Sitting Room, Elrond began to circulate from one group to another, greeting them and making sure that they had an aperitif of choice as well as access to one of the many trays of after-dinner snacks if their appetites disposed them to such a thing. It was also his duty as host to make sure that everyone had the opportunity to meet and greet new guests.

After his duties as host had been fulfilled, Elrond looked out over the room then nodded his head, satisfied that everyone was enjoying the informal get-together.

"Lord Elrond."

Elrond looked to his right and smiled at the Ranger.

"Captain Greyfell. I hope that you are enjoying yourself this evening?"

Greyfell nodded.

"I am, Lord Elrond, although it does surprise me a bit."

"How so, Captain?"

"It wasn't that long ago when I had thought that I would never be comfortable among my own kind." He turned fully to the Lord. "I wanted to thank you for helping me through my awkward and difficult period of transition."

Elrond nodded then, in a more subdued voice, said, "And I want to thank you as well."

Greyfell frowned.

"For what, my Lord?"

"For giving Lady Galadriel, Lord Celeborn and myself something that we have always wanted and had long given up hope of realizing." He winked at Greyfell. "You got Anayah to wear a gown!"

Greyfell looked at the Lord in puzzlement for a moment then burst into laughter. When some of the other guests looked in his direction, he quieted down.

"Ah, yes … the infamous "gown" incident. I had heard of that from Prince Legolas. Actually, Lord Elrond, I did have some co-conspirators in Lady Elenath and Lady Míriel who picked out the gown then helped persuade Anayah to put it on. However," he sighed deeply, "if you find out tomorrow morning that I have disappeared and cannot be found, even after diligent searching, then I was probably throttled while I slept and buried in Elias' stall."

The two laughed as they both looked out over the elves and humans. Seeing that two of his young Rangers were starting to argue, Greyfell bowed to the Lord and after complimenting him on the fine meal, left to supervise.

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While Elrohir escorted Lady Raina around the room, introducing her to those elves she had not yet had the opportunity of meeting, Elladan, with Hy holding on to his arm, did the same. Both Hy and Orion were almost glowing in their excitement though neither forgot their manners. When Hy was introduced to someone he had never met before, he would bow then hold out his hand. Unfortunately, as he did, so did Orion who over the course of the evening probably shook as many hands as did his human partner.

When Elladan caught Súrion's eye, he led Hy to where the Silvan Guard was standing.

"Hy, do you remember Lieutenant Súrion? He is one of Lady Anayah's Thurin Tirith Guards."

Hy held out his hand and when the formal greetings were over, Súrion knelt so that the boy wouldn't have to look up into the air at him while they talked.

"Hy, I have a little problem that I think you can help me with."

Hy's eyes widened.

"Anything I can do sir, I will do if I am able."

Súrion smiled.

"I have a small four-legged friend, no more than a weanling, that I must find a friend for. This friend would need to see to his care whenever I am away. That means you must feed and groom him every day and see that he stays out of trouble. Do you think you can do this for me?"

"Feed and groom? Is it a horse, Sir? I am very small and I don't know if I could reach up very high to groom him properly."

Súrion and Elladan both looked around until both were sure they had not been drawing notice to themselves as they stood at the side of the room. Then Súrion reached around one of the overstuffed chairs and drew out his friend. Carefully Súrion put Hy's hand on Tinu's head. With a gasp of surprise, Hy dropped to his knees then began to feel the tiny donkey's fuzzy head, long ears and soft body.

"His name is Tinu, Hy. I cannot always be here to take care of him and he would get lonesome and like many children when left unsupervised, might get into trouble. Do you think you can take care of him for me whenever I am away?"

Hy nodded his head eagerly.

"Yes, sir. I think I can - I know I can."

"Good. Now I must leave for a bit and put Tinu to bed. You go ahead and enjoy your evening."

After the Silvan Guard had snuck out with his furry companion, Elladan and Hy continued their circuit of the room.

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It was at that particular moment that every noise in the room disappeared - just like that - no warning, no advanced notice. Everyone's attention turned to the door, and to the two individuals that walked in. Most of the elves already knew the male but even though many had never seen the woman as she was now, the aura of magnificence that surrounded her was unmistakable. Every elf and human in the room bowed deeply.

Elrond quickly walked to the two, took Lady Ederyn's arm, and escorted her to a comfortable chair.

"Lady Ederyn, I would like to welcome you to our little gathering. You are well?"

Ederyn smiled.

"I will never be well again, Elrond. The darkness of this world saddens and wearies me and now that my mate is no longer at my side to share these burdens with me, I find that my weariness and wound threatens to overwhelm me. It was Sauros that suggested that we attend this gathering, for he feels that if I bask in the light of the elves for a bit that I will find the strength to continue for just a while longer."

"Sauros is a wise dragon, my Lady."

Elrond turned to the others in the room and motioned to them. There wasn't an elf present who had not felt the sadness, as well as the physical and emotional weakness of the dragon/woman. When Elrond motioned to them, they came, one by one, each taking the dragon/woman's hand for a moment before they silently moved on, making room for those behind them. Each elf, as they touched Ederyn's hand, left a small part of their own grace, a small token, in repayment of the kindness and diligence of the Lady and her kind since the birth of Arda.

As the last elf turned away, the tears were flowing freely down Ederyn's cheeks, for she was not so great that she could not feel the love that came with the strength that each elf had shared. Elrond knelt in front of where she sat and tenderly wiped away the tears.

"Perhaps now you will have the strength to continue until we can once more reunite you and your beloved, Lady Ederyn."

"Yes, my Lord, I believe I do feel a bit stronger."

Elrond sighed.

"I understand something of what you are feeling, my Lady."

Ederyn looked sharply at Elrond.

"Indeed you do, Lord Elrond." There was a momentary silence. "Do you still miss your twin?"

Elrond's breath hitched and Ederyn laid a comforting hand on his arm.

"Every day … and every minute of every day - there is an ache," he laid his hand over his heart, " in here, that neither disappears nor even lessens its intensity. Though I try to bear my own sadness with grace and dignity, such intense emotions are still a part of me … a part of everything I do. If it were not for the love of my family and the greater purpose I serve, I believe I would have either faded or sailed into the West long ago."

Ederyn smiled.

"But like me, when your heart is most tired, you rest in the loving arms of your family, gathering what strength you can, so you are able to do what you know you have to. Over the long years of your life you have nurtured many beings, Elrond, of all races, and have done a fine job. Perhaps it is in you that Ilúvatar's dream of a world of beauty and life is most realized and in your children and in their children will such beauty and life be given as a gift to others. You have done well."

There were tears in the elf Lord's eyes.

"We will miss you and Lord Asgorath, Lady Ederyn, when you finally leave for Dragonhome."

"As we will miss all of you. Just remember that we will always live on in your hearts and memories."

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Though the Lord of the Grey Havens was known to all of the elves as he who built ships for those of his kind who were sailing home, there were some, mostly the younger humans who didn't know that Lord Cirdan was also a great warrior. However, if asked what his greatest love was he would be quick to tell whoever asked that it was the union of the sea and the heavens that held his heart. The vast beauty of the stars and the grandeur of the oceans fascinated him and so he spent his time building ships in the Havens and teaching others to do the same.

He was standing in front of a picture of the Star of Eärendil as seen from the prow of an outbound vessel with a look on his face that some could almost have called wistful. He acknowledged the elf approaching him on his right with a casualness that spoke well of a comfortable friendship.

"I never get tired of looking at the stars from the prow of a ship - whether or not I am on a ship or just looking at the picture of one." He finally turned his head and looked at the woodland king. "Do you ever hear the sea calling to you, Thranduil?"

Thranduil laid a hand on the mariner's shoulder.

"No, Lord Cirdan, I do not … at least not in the same way that others hear it. I choose not to focus on it and choose instead to listen to the heartbeat of the elves who still call Mirkwood home. Their voices overpower any desire I might have to sail into the West … I still call Mirkwood my home and it is her and those who love her as I do that I will stay for. When I can no longer hear the voices and when the Lady gives me my travel blessing - it is then that I will travel to the Havens - not before."

Cirdan nodded in understanding.

"I serve a different mistress, Thranduil. It is the sea that I listen to and hold tightly to my heart. Long ago she and I came to an understanding that it was not so much a longing to sail, or that it was her voice that called to the elves, or even to myself, as much as it was an overwhelming desire to go home. Once that I understood that and what exactly it meant, her song no longer tore at my spirit. Now it lulls me to sleep and comforts me in times of stress."

The Lord of the Grey Havens and the Mirkwood King continued to talk about the sea as well as the beauty of Mirkwood, no matter the blight of darkness that was now crowding her border to the south. In truth, they would more than likely be the last rulers of their respective realms but the time they had left to them whether it be a decade, a hundred years or a millenium, would be years marked with love and dedication.

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Hy was sitting on one of the many couches in the Sitting Room when he felt an elf sit down on one side of him. At Hy's feet, Orion "woofed" his greeting then once more laid his head across his companion's feet.

"Hy, it is just me - Elrohir."

"Hello, my Lord." Hy greeted the youngest twin.

"May I ask you a question?"

"Yes, my Lord, and I will attempt to answer you if I am able."

Elrohir laughed then when Orion raised his head to see what was going on, scratched the dog behind the ears. Orion sighed heavily and plopped his head back down.

"Hy, most elves and humans, even those we have known for some time, have problems telling Elladan and I apart. I am curious as to how you knew it was Elladan, just by touching him, the night he was sick."

For a moment Hy sat silently, his brow furrowed as he thought about what Elrohir had asked him.

"I honestly cannot tell you, Lord Elrohir. When I touched his face with my fingers … I just knew. It was almost as if my fingers knew and told me what they had seen."

Elrohir smiled.

"I think that you are an elf at heart, young Hy, for not many sighted beings can claim to be so sensitive that a simple touch tells them what they need to know. You are truly gifted."

The couch on the other side of Hy sank slightly as Elladan joined his twin. He put a companionable arm around Hy's shoulders and with the other hand placed two small objects into Hy's hand then folded the boy's fingers around them. With both hands, Hy explored the objects as both Elrohir and Elladan sat, silently watching.

"These are pins for the collar of a tunic - an 'H' for my name and an 'O' for Orion." He looked in Elladan's direction. "I don't understand, Lord Elladan."

Elladan and Elrohir both put an arm around Hy and hugged him.

"It is but a small thing, Hy - a small thank you to you and Orion for helping me that night. They are mithril pins and while you would put one on your collar, you would do the same thing for Orion."

The four, one dog, one human and two elves then sat for a bit and talked like old friends. One incident, never to be repeated, had brought them together and all four of their lives would be the richer for the friendship that had been formed because of it.

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"Lady Ederyn."

Ederyn turned her head and smiled at the she-elf and the Prince.

"Lady Anayah, you are looking particularly lovely this evening." There was an evil gleam in the dragon/woman's eyes and her eyes flicked slightly toward the Prince of Mirkwood. "The look suits you."

"Hush your mouth!"

Ederyn laughed with Anayah and Legolas and her heart was light for she knew what was to come even if it was to happen after she and Asgorath had returned home - and it made her very happy.

"Lady Ederyn, Legolas and I were talking and we were wondering two things. First, what happens if one of the Old Ones dies before they go to Dragonhome. And the second question is … how is it that there was an Avari elf present when the vow was made to protect the Old Ones?"

Ederyn motioned to two nearby chairs, indicating that Anayah and Legolas should sit. She smiled at the two.

"Just like a young one … so full of questions." She smiled sadly then sighed and took a sip of her wine before she continued. "I have personally never talked to a dragon who has died here on Arda, so I cannot answer your question. However, I would like to think that eventually we will all be united once again for I have said goodbye to many friends since Asgorath and I first arrived on your world and I miss them all dearly. I cannot believe that it would be in Ilúvatar's grand design to keep two loved ones apart so I hold firmly to the hope that there is a place for them to wait … and be healed of the hurts suffered in service to their Lord … before they are once more united with their beloveds."

She took another sip of her wine.

"As to the Avari that was present … a young elf accidentally happened across the gathering, and being curious to see other elves not of his own kind, hid behind a rock and when the vow was spoken by the others, whispered it aloud. It was my Asgorath, standing nearby, that heard the elf whisper the vow and after the others had departed, stayed and spoke to the young one, counseling him in his new responsibilities. I would like to believe that it was that encounter, with young Banion's grandfather, that acted as a catalyst to bring the Avaris out of the shadows - to where they should have been long ago."

Ederyn looked across room to where Banion was talking to Anayah's Thurin Tirith Captain.

"Young Banion looks so much like his Grandfather. He has the same look of excitement in his eyes that his ancestor had, and even the same laugh. Yes … I think the Prince will do well."

She turned to Anayah and Legolas and after taking Anayah's hands smiled.

"Now … I want the two of you to go have a good time for it might be awhile before we can all gather again for casual talk and visiting with old friends. Go … Lord Sauros will take care of me."

Anayah and Legolas stood and after the two had caught the eye of Sauros, bowed to him and walked away.

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"Anayah, a moment of your time?"

Anayah and Legolas had been walking back across the room to where her brothers were standing and laughing when they were joined by the Avari Prince. Sensing the need for a private conversation, Legolas took his leave of Anayah and after kissing her lightly on the cheek, continued on across the room. When Anayah finally turned her attention back to Banion who was looking at her with a raised eyebrow, she was still smiling, but after seeing the expression on the Prince's face, schooled her expression to an acceptable neutral status.

"I think my baby is all grown up!"

Anayah gave Banion's cheek a playful tweak.

"Would it help to know that I don't have a clue as to what I am doing?"

Banion chuckled.

"But you are doing whatever you don't have a clue about so well, my young Princess."

Anayah frowned as she tried to think of a snappy comeback.

"Let me get back to you on that one, Banion, as it seems the requirements of my position have temporarily stolen away my ability to respond in an appropriate manner."

There were few beings in the vicinity or in the entire room, for that matter, that didn't look toward the two as Banion laughed - loudly. Seeing that he was drawing attention, he lowered his voice to an acceptable chuckle.

"There is no chance in Mordor of me winning in a battle of snappy comebacks with you around, is there?"

"Probably not, my most favorite Avari Prince."

Banion took Anayah's arm and walked to one side of the room.

"Anayah, I wanted to let you know that I had a serious discussion with my Guards about their conduct and I have been reassured that there will be no reoccurrence of the confrontation. Captain Erenol will personally apologize to you tomorrow before the council meeting."

"That is really not necessary, Banion. I think that Captain Erenol and I came to a common understanding already."

Banion kissed Anayah's hand.

"Please indulge me in this, my Lady, for disrespect to a Lady under any circumstances is not something that I am able to tolerate."

Anayah bowed slightly.

"As you wish, my Lord."

"I see your Captain Rahan looking in this direction like he has something on his mind."

Banion motioned to Rahan and the Captain walked to where they were standing.

"I am confident that I am leaving you in good hands until your escort for the evening returns so I will leave you now. Please give Prince Legolas my regards."

"Again, as you wish, my Lord."

Banion winked at her before he turned and walked away.

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Like Banion, Anayah could tell that there was something on Rahan's mind and when it appeared he was not going to be the one to start the conversation, she did it herself.

"I sense that you are troubled, Rahan."

Rahan sighed.

"I keep expecting you to punish my elves and I for what happened earlier with the Avaris."

"Why?"

Rahan looked at her sharply.

"You sounded just like young Bellas when you said that."

Anayah smiled as she took her Captain's arm then snagged a small piece of fruit off the tray one of the kitchen servants was circulating through the room with. After she had finished eating it, she once more faced her Captain.

"Believe me when I say that we are going to sit down and have a serious talk about what happened at the first opportune moment, Rahan. You showed disrespect for my father's house and that is not something I will tolerate. However, I will tell you that I understand why such a confrontation took place.

The Thurin Tirith Order is made up of some of the biggest elves our respective races have ever seen. You are all big enough and skilled enough to protect what is yours in any environment and under any circumstances. Part of this instinct to protect what is yours is primal and has been around since the Great Awakening as is the instinct not to back down from any aggressor - such as another Thurin Tirith Unit - especially in territory that you perceive as your own.

While this might be cute and funny out in the wilderness, in a house of peace, such as my father's house, something like this cannot - and will not - be tolerated. I also hope you understand that I was being sarcastic about the 'cute and funny' part. I respect the historical significance of what happened, Rahan, but if it ever happens again - well, suffice it to say that I will definitely not be amused."

Rahan nodded in acknowledgement of the lecture he had just received and was privately content with the knowledge that Anayah would not back down from any of them when the need arose. He was also surprised that Anayah seemed to know exactly what he had been thinking when she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

"But I love you all anyway."

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The evening wound down and elves began paying their respects to their host then leaving. Sauros and Ederyn had left some time earlier, for the dragon/woman was tired and needed to rest and Sauros had to see that his dragons were bedded down peacefully for the evening. Though he and his dragons lived in a protected realm, attentiveness was still something he wished to maintain.

Finally, Anayah and Legolas came and said goodnight to Lord Elrond as well. Though Anayah lived in the same house, there were some elvish customs that were not laid aside just because she did. The courtesy of the elves was legendary but in the House of Elrond courtesy abounded not just because it was expected but also because the family members truly did care for one another.

Legolas walked Anayah to her room escorted by two of her Guards who had mysteriously appeared out of nowhere, the moment her foot had stepped on the bottom step of the landing that led to the family's living quarters. Semoro and Saeros did have enough tact to turn their backs and give the two some privacy to say their good-byes. When they heard her bedroom door click shut, they turned back around then watched as Legolas walked past them. Their eyes twinkled as the Mirkwood Prince looked at them out of the corner of his eye then involuntarily shivered.

Ah yes … life was good.

TBC