Falasglin was, as Haldir had predicted, rather nonchalant about the incident. He heaved a great sigh and asked what else he could expect from the pair. Knowing that his liege and the other wood-elves might not feel the same, Falasglin quietly took Legolas's side instead of objecting.
On the other hand, Celebrían and Elrond responded with mixed-feelings. Though they both had guessed something of the kind was possible, Legolas was their responsibility while he was in Imladris. He had already been exposed to undue danger and partially mutilated his own head because of Isilya's influence over him.
Isilya was also in their care, and that confused the issue further. The lord of Imladris was inclined to be more indulgent toward her, and in most ways Celebrían agreed. The girl was younger and more naive, and she was so easily swayed by the words of the other children, due to her inexperience in social matters.
That the pair felt sincere affection for one another was never questioned. Inseparable was the general descriptor applied to them. Yet, their age ought to preclude them from certainty in matters of love. Time could change their feelings, though even Elrond and Celebrían doubted this to some degree.
Their own children had proposed this whole incident, and this Celebrían took issue with, particularly because Arwen admitted to deliberately excluding all those who might object. This time the lady of Imladris chose their punishment. She summoned them to her room and quietly explained that she was hurt by their subterfuge, and alarmed by their disregard for convention. The trio was sentenced to work silently cleaning the floors of the Hall of Fire, that they might understand how speech was a privilege and not to be abused.
After much discussion, Elrond swayed Celebrían, and Legolas and Isilya went unpunished. Instead, Celebrían spoke long with Isilya about matters of the heart, and Elrond did the same for Legolas. Hand fasting, both adults pointed out, did not prohibit the pair from separating if they should desire it. This was met with disdain from Legolas and Isilya. They felt they knew better.
Celebrían did prevail in one matter, for she forced Elrond to write a letter of apology to Thranduil. Many of the misadventures this summer had not been avoidable, but this they ought to have foreseen, given the children's penchant for mimicry. Also, Legolas was Thranduil's heir, and his marriage plans should be under his father's watchful eye. Though love was not a thing to be controlled, Legolas could have been promised to another and this would upset such plans. In the end, Thranduil dismissed the matter as the play of children, but the gesture had been made.
On the morning of the departure of Legolas, Linduin and Falasglin, all of the children were subdued. In fact, much of Imladris was quiet. Isilya had started the day by weeping, and it did not promise to improve by any great degree. The prince of the Greenwood had a constant sniffle, as did Arwen. Even Elrond's sons were silent and grim. Their melancholy seeped into the adults around them, until breakfast became nearly intolerable.
At last, Falasglin went to saddle the horses, and the children were brought to the entry to await the imminent departure. Linduin had been given a mare by Elrond and Celebrían, and so she accompanied Falasglin to the stables. More tears began to appear, much to the dismay of Elrond, who had hoped for a sunnier leave-taking.
All of the children would miss Legolas, for he was a cheerful companion and had proven himself capable of thinking up good capers and a staunch ally in times of trouble. Legolas would miss all of his new friends, because he had not had their like before and was aware he would not have them at home. Though he and the twins had all privately resolved to be strong, it took hardly two tears each from Arwen and Isilya to set them all off.
"One thinks we shall be flooded," Haldir commented to Elrond, looking at the crying assembly.
"One would not be far from wrong," Elrond replied, distraught.
"Farewells are often hard," Celebrían soothed him. "Let them shed tears for one another, for it shows their affection is genuine. Nienna will teach them how to bear their pains, for she comes to all those who mourn."
"My lady is wise," Haldir approved. "Be at peace, lord of Imladris. It is well that they love one another enough to cry when parted."
"I suppose your brothers cry when you depart," Celebrían teased.
"Alas, they do not. Yet, they always weep with relief when I return."
Chuckling, Elrond said, "I am sure that is why they weep. It could be nothing else."
Haldir nodded solemnly and said gravely, "Indeed." Then he grinned broadly.
Falasglin came up then, leading his stallion and Legolas's mare. Fresh tears were squeezed out, and the hunter shook his head at the sight of the mournful group. With a murmured command to the horses, he came over and plucked Isilya from the center and held her to him.
"Little maiden, do dry your tears. Farewells should not be spoiled with weeping. They are meant to be beautiful memories."
"They are?" the child asked, wiping at her face ineffectively. Falasglin gave the child a handkerchief and explained,
"This will be the last view Legolas has of you, and you of him, for some time. Let him see your loving smile as he goes, and then he can return it. Thus you will both have charming images of one another to treasure while you wait to be brought together once more."
"Falasglin smiled for me before he left," Linduin commented as she brought her mare to stand with the other horses. "And I always thought of that smile while we were apart."
Isilya's lip trembled, and she said very softly to Falasglin, "I am scared that he will forget me."
The hunter placed a kiss on her forehead. "Yet, he did not forget you in all the time between when you first met and a year ago. Now you will exchange letters and pictures at a rate to dismay any messenger's horse. He could not possibly forget you, any more than I could."
"Or I," Linduin added, coming to kiss the girl herself. "Take heart and be brave as we know you are."
"I am not sure how to do that," Isilya admitted.
"Take a few breaths. Remember, this is not forever and one day you will be together again. After all, you are hand fast," Linduin added with a wink. "Nothing truly separates you."
Isilya still looked distressed, but her tears had dried. Gently, Falasglin set her on her feet once more, and she went to Legolas. The prince had dried his own tears, and gave her a strained smile.
"I still have my twig," he whispered. "When our trees start to grow, it will be easier to remember that we are connected."
Isilya nodded. That would be important. Physical reminders of their bond would make the long days seem less so. She still had her willow leaf on the cord woven from his sunlit hair, and he had his oak leaf. They were not really apart, just as Linduin said. Mother had said love carried people, not burdened them. She smiled suddenly, like the sun breaking through clouds.
"I love you like the moon loves the sun," she told him in her Quenya.
"And I love you as Manwë loves Varda," he replied, scandalizing Celebrían. "For you make me better than I am alone."
They smiled at one another, knowing this was only a brief parting. The day would come when nothing could hold them apart. As Luthien and Beren, they were destined for one another. In time, all would come to understand it as they did.
Falasglin gave his prince a boost into the saddle, and suddenly, they were riding away. Isilya waved as Arwen instructed, for the Avari had never bid anyone farewell before. At the bend, Legolas turned and waved back with a radiant smile. Then he was lost to sight.
Elrond sent his children inside. He and Celebrían each took one of Isilya's hands and they walked her down the path to where she might see one last glimpse of the party. Watching the party ride on, Isilya thought how well they looked together, sitting straight in their saddles. They looked, she thought sadly, like she had always pictured a family might.
Gently, Celebrían suggested she go and visit Pig. "I am sure he will be happy to see you, dear."
Her heart strangely heavy in her chest, Isilya went to the stables. Pig was in the yard, bothering another pony, but when he spotted Isilya, he came right to the fence. She climbed up to stand on the bottom rung and let him sniff her.
"I am sad today," she told the pony, confident no one else was listening. "Legolas went away."
Pig snorted softly and Isilya stroked his soft nose. "He is going to be gone a long time, I think."
Pig lipped her hand and she smiled a little. "I cannot ride you, Pig. You are not wearing your saddle. I am supposed to plant my acorn now, I think. Where should I put it?"
The pony backed up, and then trotted along the fence to the southern end of the corral. He looked back at Isilya and she hopped up on the top rung to follow him. Balancing easily on the wide logs, she walked with her pony to the southwest corner. There Pig stopped and pawed at the ground. Lightly, Isilya dropped to the earth on the outside of the fence and inspected the soil critically.
"You knew just the spot," she praised her pony. "There used to be an apple tree here before it fell down. My oak tree will be very happy here."
She knelt down and carefully dug a small hole for her acorn to rest in. Taking a deep breath, she laid the precious seed in the hollow. With one finger, she tapped the acorn and whispered,
"Grow strong, little seed."
A tiny green shoot popped from the shell. Quickly, Isilya filled in the hole around the tendril. It sprouted a single leaf and then stopped. Smiling, Isilya caressed the newborn tree. When Legolas came again, the tree would be strong and sturdy. Just like their love.