It was not long when Alagos managed to gather all his soldiers. They arrived in one group and Oropher heard their voices and clear footsteps on the wooden floor. He didn't expect the meeting to be long so they could be taken away from their duties for the time. Oropher patiently awaited when they will appear in the office, however it was not Taranir who walked in as first but Halloth.

The young soldier clearly lightened up seeing him and in fast steps Halloth was near him and embraced him squeezing non too gently. Halloth had such outgoing personality that sometimes it was hard reminder that Halloth was an adult since quite a long time now.

'Halloth, behave.' Oropher said and the elf let him go looking up at him a bit though Halloth was almost the same height as him, so it was not visible.

'We were starting to miss you.' Halloth said and then his eyes brightened even more. 'You won't guess what happened!' he looked back at the soldiers who were coming in and made themselves comfortable in his office, but Halloth's eyes lingered on two elves mostly. 'Tinnu, Faron tell him!'

Oropher's eyes travelled to Faron and TInnu, but seeing briefly his other soldiers he immediately noticed that they brightened up a bit in delicate smiles. And Tinnu approached him, but there was hesitant smile on his face and just by looking at him it was all too easy to say that he was not comfortable with being in the centre of attention or that Halloth even mentioned his name.

Tinnu handled him a bow and Oropher took it in hand. The weapon had weird stracture – it was quite short, but the ends arched very visibly and also the riser and arrow rest were put very forward. Oropher tracked the weapon cautiously in a bit of wonder. It was a bow he had never seen before.

'You should see how he shoots from this bow!' Halloth said not even letting Tinnu saying it by himself, but Oropher suspected that poor Tinnu would have never been able to display himself like this and he would rather prefer to retreat and stand beside Amrun in wall's shadow where no one would search for him with his sight. Oropher knew there must be something done about this, at the same time being aware that the way he was treating Halloth and Amrun won't be of any use for Tinnu. The way he treated Saida all those centuries ago won't work as well - Tinnu will close himself even more. Besides, Oropher knew the problem was not the lack of his skills, but lack of confidence - Tinnu was shy, but not timid and he handled everything well as soon as there were not many elves around to watch him.

'We are still making it better.' Faron said as he approached him and glanced at the bow. 'And it was not easy to fuse so many different types of bows together. But the results are already great.'

Oropher nodded with content. He knew that by this Faron meant the perfection of the bow, but also Tinnu's skills in archery which was the main problem of his soldier. But by seeing known sparks in Faron's eyes Oropher could tell that Tinnu made huge progress in archery and maybe it will help him build up his confidence. Oropher will have to think about the way to make Tinnu open up. He won't ever be like Halloth or even Saida, but maybe something closer to Amrun. He needed to develop ability of giving order which required resilent composture and confidence.

'Well, I couldn't be more proud.' Oropher smiled to Tinnu and gave him back the weapon. 'I can't wait to see what you can do with this bow.'

'It was Lord Galadhon who made a prototype with Faron!'

Oropher first looked at Halloth who was clearly in perfect mood and then he looked at at Faron who nodded to those words.

'My uncle?'

'He personally tested all the bows we made.' Faron said. 'It was an honour to witness his skills in both archery and weapon study.'

Oropher smiled for a moment lost in his own memories. He spent a lot of time with his uncle and they spoke about all kinds of swords, bows and other weapons – how they were forged from first made sketches and how even a small detail may change a blade as a whole. Oropher was glad for those teaching and hated them at the same time, but now we couldn't imagine doing what he did without this knowledge.

'Yes, he has a keen eye.' Oropher said with still a bit of a smile on his face. He looked at Taranir who nodded confirming every word that was said before and Oropher was more than content. It seemed he didn't have to worry anymore about Tinnu and his archery, but surely he will check his progress with own eyes in near future.

'Alright.' Oropher said, sighting a bit and he looked on his soldiers who made themselves comfortable around the room. 'I'm listening.'

Though he said that freely, his soldiers were silent and waited for Taranir to take charge. It was truly amazing how easily they all accepted Taranir's lead and truly, Oropher never feared that should anything ever happen to him, Taranir will lead their soldiers well. Soon, his friend started to speak concisely what there was to know, sometimes he called someone other to speak about the matter that concerned his regiment. Thanks to this, the report was well arranged and there was no way that Oropher will miss important detail.

Their new regiment of cavalry was formed and Taranir already announced that they will be mustered for Oropher to take a closer look. The soldiers were well trained and no one seemed to stand off with his skills and even some of them were very promising. Orthon quickly got them into cycle of trainings, sometimes mixing division of the new and old regiment, Taranir set everything straight with other generals and there were great plans for manouvers of all the regiments of heavy cavalry.

'This plan is still in the making, though.' Taranir said. 'First of all, we must find a space for such movement.'

Such happening would be indeed very time consuming, but Oropher believed in was worth a shot. For sure Orthon worked with the officers of the Wolf and the Cougar who lead their own cavalry and they were slowly making progress.

Finally, their bows arrived from the forges and they no longer had to worry abouth them. Such delay was also caused by the need to make an armor and weapons for the cavalry, but as now everything was done and in place there was no need to keep themselves occupied with this matter.

The next matter got Oropher a bit on edge. Their whole regiment of the marchwardens was on the move. All divisions were out in the forest, but since the winter passed away, driven by the orb, the matter was entirely different than checking the settlements.

'Haerdin and Egnaspen also disposed their archers.' Faron said. 'The darkness stirred in our forests and large groups of warg riders were spotted riding through the woods to the other side of our territory. We don't know the reason for such movements, but they are becoming bold and it's hard to detect them. The enemy seems determined to drive his forces through Doriath, but we won't ignore it.'

Oropher frowned at this. Wargs were always spotted from time to time in Doriath, but the situation must be of concern of three regiments of marchwardens were out patroling the forests. Those were more than twenty five divisions in one, in total more than seventy divisions were on the move.

He wondered if the coming of the Golodhrim could have caused this. From Faron's words it seemed that the warg riders crossed Doriath to get quickly on the other side of the land. If the enemy cared so much to grace them with such strength to pass by the Girdle then Oropher worried for safety of the Noldor in the western wilderness. But even being this short time with them Oropher noticed how sturdy they were. They will manage. And he needed to focus back on his duties.

The army was still mustered for potential war and everyone was keeping themselves at bay. They sticked to this state since the black clouds appeared on the western sky and King Elwë have not yet given an order to stand down.

Oropher heard many other matters, but none of them seemed to be of that importance as the ones said at the beginning. Truth be told, Oropher expected much more to happen during his absence, but maybe it was for the better that it didn't. He assumed that the time was not best for any changes – if the soldiers were suposed to be ready for war, the commanders could not bring up many new orders.

'I will surely meet all of you on the field.' he said glancing at his soldiers one after another. 'I will meet with other generals and Mablung and I will inform you of any potential changes. Now go back to your duties.'

Oropher looked at Taranir and nodded at him once which was a clear message that he wished his friend to stay. He brifly looked at others - Alagos and Faron were as always in good moods and they left the office speaking quietly to each others. Halloth went forth to talk with Orthon and Nelledir. Halloth has not changed as well, neither did Nelledir or Orthon. Amrun spoke with Tinnu who seemed glad and not dimmed out as he used to look like and sparks of hapiness could be seen in his eyes. Now they needed to keep it going like this and Tinnu will walk on the right path. But Tinnu was not the only one with hapiness in his eyes - Saida had those sparks as well.

His soldiers took their leave and soon it was only Oropher and Taranir who remained in the office.

'He made huge progress in archery. The bow had changed balance and the movement of drawing an arrow on a string is much shorter, smoother you can say. He no longer has a problem with this.' Taranir said and nodded delicately. 'The kid needed this. This small success will help him move forth. I know he always compared himself with Amrun and Halloth.'

'He won't ever be like them in character.' Oropher said. 'But he is equal with them in skills. He just needs to believe in it.'

Taranir sighted a bit having this same though in mind as Oropher had earlier. They both knew they were not the best teachers fot character that Tinnu possessed. Their one wrong move will make Tinnu retreat several times. On the other hand they could not treat Tinnu delicately, he needed to learn how to manage himself in the army.

'It's good you are back.' Taranir saidthen. 'But you were delayed for long. I hope there were not many complications on your way.'

'I will get to this soon enough.' Oropher said as he approached his friend and patted his back leading him to armchair in the corner of the office. 'And thank you for keeping everything in place. I can always count on you.'

'You can and you know it. It's no secret.' Taranir said smiling a bit as he sat down on the armchair and Oropher poured them two glasses of wine.

Oropher smiled delicately as well. He remembered his thoughts long ago that he wished it was Taranir promoted to general all those centuries ago. But Oropher suspected that even if he would have proposed such a thing, Taranir would have refused. His friend had loyalty burned in his soul and there was no way he would have accepted Oropher to step down from his rank. Taranir never complained about his duties though Oropher believed that his friend deserved far more than being just his second in command.

He sipped a bit of his wine and he glanced at Taranir closely as he remembered words of Alagos not long ago. Taranir was as always in his calm composture, but Oropher knew well that Taranir's character was potentially explosive.

'How do you feel, Taranir?' Oropher asked. 'I know my cousin is back in Menegroth, but I heard your father arrived here with marchwardens as well.'

Oropher clearly saw how his friend tensed. Even a lone mention about this elf woke up such hatred.

'He keeps to himself. And for good, no one wishes to see him.' Taranir said as he sipped a bit of his wine. 'I am well enough, tough. You don't have to worry yourself about this.' then his eyes flashed powerfully. 'But I swear if he will even come close to my family.'

This unsaid threat was all too clear to Oropher and he had no intentions to drive his friend away from it. He had never met Taranir's father, but he hoped that this elf will stay away, cause Oropher had no wish to stop Taranir if it will come to any confrontation. If anything Oropher will stand beside his friend - he needed to explanation to chose a side.

'And I've been thinking if you should not spend more time with your family.' Oropher said. 'You will have your time of peace and you won't have to worry about them.'

'There is no need for this.' Taranir said, immediately shaking head at his words. 'I must stay and help you get back to work.'

'You always say there is no need.' Oropher said. 'While there is. And I mean it. If not now than in few rises of the sun. You must have your rest as well.'

'I will think about it.' Taranir finally said reluctantly and Oropher knew he will have to probably send his friend away either way cause Taranir will not step down on his own.

Then Oropher stared for a bit at his glass with wine. He knew the thing he wanted to speak about was very risky, but he won't hide this away from Taranir. The thing why they did such a great team with Taranir was implicit trust – Oropher never hid anything from Taranir, even if he spoke about some matter with Mablung, other general, the Council or even the King, he always passed all the news to his friend.

'I may know why there are so many warg riders in our forests. Or so I believe.' Oropher said lowering his voice a bit and he looked up at Taranir. 'I spoke about this only to the King, the Queen and my father and they inluded only few councillors.'

Taranir nodded, very well aware of the seriousness of the matter. They would have both many problems had anyone found out that Oropher spoke to Taranir about things his friend was not supposed to know. However, Oropher couldn't imagine it being different, all the more that sometimes it happened that Oropher was taken away from the army with his duties of a Prince. Tough it happened not that often it was still too many times for his liking and during his absence it was Taranir who took care of their Banner. How could he do that not knowing what matters were brought up in the Council or in the army?

'I was wounded in the west. I fell in the trap.' Oropher said and he sipped a bit of his wine remembering the bitterness of this thoughts when he was dying in the forest. 'Don't think I've been hallucinating. I know what I saw and I even spoke with them.' he said and Taranir was still silent, waiting until he will speak what he wanted. 'I met the Golodhrim in the west. They are back to the lands of Beleriand.'

'That almost seem impossible.' Taranir said and frown on his forehead only deepened. He placed his glass on a round small table before him and shook his head in thought, trying to mull the news that were presented to him. 'How is this even possible? They were on the other side of the ocean.'

Oropher realized there were many things about which he didn't bother to ask. He should have, though Elwë told him there was no need to speak with the Noldor further and he seemed to mean it. Elwë knew the Golodhrim definately better than anyone. Maybe his King was right about this and Oropher should for once stay in line and not sniff around.

'I don't know how they ended up here.' Oropher said coming back from his memories. 'I didn't think about asking this. I came to Doriath as soon as I was able to.'

'Maybe for the better.' Taranir muttered. 'Since those are the Golodhrim, our allied kin in the west and not the enemy, then the King may order our army to stand down. The soldiers are in vigilance for long and the tidings you brought may bring a bit of peace to Doriath.' he sighted a bit. 'But you may be right. Most likely, the enemy knows by now about the Golodhrim and he leads his scouts and riders through our territory. He gives them protection freely, and powerful spells allow them to pass the Girdle.'

'I will speak with Egnaspen and Haerdin to increase the divisions in the forests. It would be better for them to move in larger groups.'

'We can dispose our swordsmen.' Taranir agreed and after he took his glass back in hand sipping a bit of wine he eyed Oropher a bit. 'Have you recovered enough?'

'I did, my wound is but a scar by now.' he said grimacing a bit at lone remembrance of the awful feeling of crawling through his body. Oropher sighted then. 'I spoke with my father. He fears the King will decide to send a division to the Golodhrim. And most likely it will be us disposed for this duty.'

'Most inconvenient.' Taranir grimaced a bit. 'But understandable. We must do what we have to be done before that will happen. Do you wish to revise plans for eventual battles?'

'Yes, the sooner the better. I suspect there must be made some changes to them and we have to include our new regiment of cavalry.'

'I will make sure we will have plans of strategy. And then we can get to work.'

Oropher nodded in thought. The arrival of the Golodhrim may have stirred unstable peace in Beleriand. The future was now uncertain. It always was, but until now the shadow of war was still somewhere far away. Enough for some to almost forget about it. He hoped that the Noldor found their place to sette in and that their stable home would be enough to face the unpleasant interest of the Dark Lord.

'Alright, my friend.' he sighted as they both finished their wine. 'I will take a walk around the fields. I want to check on the others on the field and I will surely find you somewhere around.'

'You will, I assure you.' Taranir smiled and they both got up and took their leave from the office and from the building. 'I will speak with Orthon. We will schedule the cavalry to be ready as soon as it can be possible. They will muster on the main field.'

'Very well.' Oropher said and smiled delicately. There was no discussion with Taranir when he set up a schedule and he just accepted the plan his friend had, knowing that Taranir also made is smooth with his own duties.

They split up in different direction and Oropher found himself on round sandy fields where the swordsmen trained. He looked at them with great attention, not paying attention if those were soldiers of his Banner or a different one.

Until finally Oropher noticed a well known figure. It seemed he participated in some kind of gathering as there were quite many divisions standing around and an officer of a Wolf Banner referred some matter to them precisely and briefly. Oropher watched his young cousin with a delicate smile on his face, but Arvellon was turned from him, so he had no chance to notice him in turn.

When the briefing was over Arvellon turned to his own soldiers discussing the orders with them. Oropher sighted a bit and smiled. It was always a pleasure for him to watch his young cousin in this role of commander and to witness with his own eyes the progress he made through all those seasons. He couldn't be more proud seeing how great warrior he was becoming.

Oropher took away his eyes from Arvellon when the officer of the Wolf Banner walked out of the field.

'Ethiron.' Oropher greeted the soldier of Egnapen's division and the elf halted near him.

'Oropher.' Ethiron said. 'I heard of your return to Menegroth. Welcome back.'

'Thank you.' he smiled a bit and tilted head towards Arvellon. 'Do you mind if I will take him for a bit?'

Ethiron briefly looked back at the field and then smiled a bit as well and shook his head.

'Not at all. They are not mustered for immediate duty.' then he turned back to the soldiers on the field and called loudly. 'Arvellon!'

His cousin immediately turned to his officer hearing his name, but first surprise quickly disappeard when he glanced from Ethiron to Oropher and smile appeared on his face.

'A Wolf Banner has a great plans that concerns him.' Ethiron said. 'He is already a great soldier.'

'He will be even better.' Oropher smiled with pride and Ethiron nodded to himself in though and then left his side, but Oropher was not alone for long.

Arvellon approached him and Oropher immediately cought him in firm embrace that was returned. Arvellon was as tall as him and realising this made Oropher think of the time when he used to pick up his little cousin to carry him on his back. How long ago this was? Was this really this same little cousin who stood now in front of him, so tall and broad shouldered, carrying his armor with pride?

'I am so glad to see you.' Oropher said coming back from his musings. 'I have been worried about your way back from Ossiriand.'

'It was us who were worried about you.' Arvellon said as they stepped away from each other and held themselves at arms length. Then his face betrayed great worry. 'Whatever happened that you were gone for so long?'

'It's not of that importance.' Oropher waved the matter away immediately changing the subject and he smiled to his cousin. 'More important is what you did on this ride back.'

Arvellon shook his head dismissing what Oropher refered to.

'I had a good position, that's all-'

'Don't say it like this.' Oropher said as he frowned a bit, but he brightened up immediately. 'Oh, my cousin, I couldn't be more proud. Three wargs! I only wish you had something to remember this battle.'

'There is no need.' Arvellon said. 'I am sure I will have other occasions to gather something.'

Oropher felt both pride and sting of anxiousness at the though of this. Arvellon was becoming a warrior and right now there was no stopping it or coming back. Even if someone would want to stop it, Arvellon won't let anyone to take it away from him. He stood on his own legs, independant and strong - everything Oropher ever wanted for him.

'On the other hand, I wish you won't ever have another occasion.' Oropher muttered analysing his own thoughts that crossed his mind and Arvellon huffed a bit in an answer.

'Now you are talking like my father!'

Oropher frowned a bit, knowing that Edwethon tried all he could to pry Arvellon away from becoming a soldier. In the end he chose to accept it rather than allow himself to be parted from is second child.

'He loves you very much, Arvellon.' Oropher said more softly. 'You need to understand him a bit.'

'It's a bit hard you know.' he said and Oropher thought he heard a bit of regret in his voice. 'Everyone in our family is fine with you doing your duty and no one says a word, even when you are gone for so long like now. But as it goes to me, I think that they would rather prefer to hold me in cage rather than allow me to perform my orders.' he sighted a bit. 'I won't go far with their constant worry. I know they have power to influence the army and I fear they will.'

Oropher knew what was on Arvellon's mind. Part of it was true. Their family, but especially Arvellon's parents, would rather see him in another, more safer role in the army than the commander of division. Everything, but not seeing their son leaving the gates of Menegroth.

'Arvellon, my little cousin. Now that I am as old as now I must say that I understand their worry.' Oropher said and he placed hand on his cousin's arm. 'Our Elders have seen elves loosing their lives. I saw it as well. I lost many of my companions during the war, in warg clashes like the one you fought in not that long ago. This danger is real, Arvellon, and everyone may loose his life. Nothing can be taken for granted.'

Arvellon watched him in concentration, but there was no frown on his forehead nor refusal in his eyes. In his age he was wiser than Oropher had been.

'Your soldier's path has just begun and you need to understand your parents.' Oropher continued. 'Our duty is not easy nor safe. I saw elves loosing themselves to grief after the loss of their loved one. No one can shield himself from this, it affects everyone.' he dropped there and his eyes darkened a bit and Arvellon seemed to cought his thoughts. He was always clever.

'I never asked my parents about them.' he said quietly. 'And they are not included in the family tree.'

Oropher knew they weren't. He didn't know if it was done on purpose to not awaken painful memories or it was that the memory of them was lost even to the chroniclers of Doriath.

He smiled encouragingly to Arvellon.

'I didn't know my mother. She was lost when I was an infant and I have no memory of her.' he said. 'She was Iveril of House Silevon, the oldest child of Lord Silevon, the Head if the House.' then he sighted a bit, it was a mix of sorrow and grief, a bit of longing as well. 'But I do remember our aunt, Túrel, mother of Celeborn and Galathil. She was a warrior as our uncle. Just like us. I think she would have been proud seeing all of us.'

'No one ever speaks about her. They would rather speak about you mother than about her.'

'Uncle took her loss severly.' Oropher said. 'He never speaks about her. Even to his own sons. As if she existed only to him and nobody else.'

Then he smiled to Arvellon and patted his arm to comfort him. Their conversation went on to much sadder matters than Oropher wished it to.

'We can speak about it one time, if you would like. We can ask Celeborn if he would like to speak about his mother, I bet he has much more memories of her than me and Galathil.' Oropher said, but then came back to the topic the spoke about before. 'But the last thing I want you to remember, is that loosing you is your parents worst nightmare, every parent fear about thir child. But despite this they support you, truly and against everything, even their own fear.'

'I know.' Arvellon sighted. 'But I have a hunch that they accepted me being a soldier to not loose me just as they did Amdír.'

This was a part that was truthful. Amdír didn't let anyone to take his future away from him. And tough Arvellon was different than Amdír, he would not have forgave easily if Edwethon or Arradis decided to interfere anyhow in the future he freamed about. But he would have stayed close and within the safe walls of Menegroth, just as his parents wished, something Amdír didn't let anyone do.

'If only your father had wanted he would have got things done his way long ago and you would have never been a soldier.' Oropher then smiled to Arvellon encouragingly. 'And it's not that our family is fine with my duty. They more got used to it, I guess. I feel my father's fear everytime I leave the city. Even now I feel his grief after my long absence. And uncle Galadhon was as always ready to say what he thought of it.'

'He didn't.' Arvellon frowned, but nonetheless he smiled a bit amused.

'He did. I could even be Primus General and uncle Galadhon would still say what he wanted.' Oropher laughed a bit. 'We won't ever be free of him, cousin.'

'He knows everything. You just sentenced yourself!'

Oropher shook his head and decided to get Arvellon away from his soldiers for a bit more time. He lead his cousin away, back the way he walked before towards the wooden building. Maybe they will get a bit of wine, since Arvellon didn't have immediate orders to take care of. And at the back of his head, Oropher had to remember to get done his own duties - he had to admit that he was getting too easily distracted from them.

Yes, they aunt would have been proud of them all. For a moment Oropher wished that Arvellon had met her, on the other hand he was glad that his cousin didn't have to get through her loss. His young cousin had never experienced such loss and he had not seen the terrible strength of grief that could bring down everyone. He hoped Arvellon will never have to see someone falling apart and dimming down like a candle fire knowing that there was nothing he could do.

Since the Girdle was established, there were only wounded during occasional clashes with wargs. Those were centuries since the army of Doriath lost a soldier and Oropher, like nothing other, intended to keep it that way.