'I wasn't too rude, was I, Thel?' Fin asked once Erymes had departed. 'That is, I wasn't happy with what she said, and I had to say something, and I didn't really care if what I was saying was a bit rude, but then, it wasn't she who said it, really, but Thranduil, so it wouldn't be right to be too rude and she is a queen…'

'Although she is not our queen,' Ecthelion said. 'You were hardly rude at all, in fact; you were simply expressing yourself. But, alas, it would not do to be caught out in an excuse… let me see, you said we cannot leave the goats, and I said there was an appointment later… so that presupposes we do not have to be out all night, but to be back before the staff leave for the night – which would make it late enough that getting to the camp for supper would be awkward…' He sighed. 'It would have been so much simpler had Lady Erymes not pushed! I shall need to inspect the huts used during lambing at some point shortly; the arrival of Dancing Queen and Prince Charming reminds me the sheep will be birthing soon… we could make an evening of it, ensure the facilities are equally comfortable after dark as before…'

'That sounds like fun.'

'Good. Then that shall be our destination and on our return we shall bed down with the goats again.'

'And it will be your turn to go up the ladder first and my turn to ogle!'

Thel laughed and picked up his cushion flute, beginning to play softly. The kids were interested in the sound at first, but not startled and, of course, Gassy Galadriel was well-used to Thel's playing.

It wasn't long, however, before a little stream of visitors wishing to look at the kids interrupted the music. One of the first of these was Araspen, who made gentle cooing noises and whose eyes grew moist at the sight of the babies.

'You will think me very silly,' she said, blinking a few times. 'But they are so sweet…'

'Not at all,' Thel said politely. 'New life is always wonderful.'

'Yes.' She smiled and collected herself. 'Now, I am charged with a message… more of a suggestion, or a request…'

'What, another one?' Fin said. 'No, sorry, don't mind me, just being grumpy today…'

'It is… normally, we lunch here, and it is lovely of you to have us. But there are so many today, Merlinith and I thought we should take everyone back to the camp; your housekeeper has promised to feed us cake in a little while, which is kind, so we shan't starve!'

'We're happy to have you two,' Glorfindel said, 'just send the rest of the class home, why not?'

'Well… perhaps… in our place… Lady Erymes might stay? I know Oropher wants to spend time with her, but he does not know how to ask, and then, he might think, he is your guest, it is not his place to invite her himself…'

Ecthelion glanced at his husband. It was a good idea, really, if Fin didn't mind… but with his mood still obviously fragile…

'No, I don't mind, Thel,' Fin said with a shrug. 'But it'd be better if Araspen and Merlinith stay too, you know. Send the rest packing. It'll make it more normal… no, that's not what I mean… I mean, it's more what Oropher's got used to, you two staying for the day meal.'

'Thank you, then, that's kind,' Araspen said. 'And my thanks, too, for letting me greet your new babies; but I will return, now, for I think Celeguel said she wanted to see…'

The day meal was quieter than usual, the more formal air caused by a slight hesitancy on the part of Lady Erymes and cautious silence lest he lose his temper again on Fin's; it was mostly left to Ecthelion to carry on the conversation, which he did mostly with Merlinith and Araspen. Oropher, unaware of the undertones but still careful lest he offend his friends again, spoke mostly to his wife.

Once the meal was cleared and Merlinith and Araspen beginning to look around for stray crochet hooks, Erymes laid her hand on her husband's arm.

'Oropher,' she began, 'will you take me on a tour of the gardens, while our friends are getting ready?'

'Well, I would, my girl, but I don't really know them that well…'

Erymes pressed her lips together in exasperation, but before she could say anything, Glorfindel came to her rescue.

'What your lady means, Oropher, is she wants to go off with you for a bit. A chat, I expect. In the fresh air. And she doesn't want it to look like it's private, but you two could do with a bit of private time, I expect. Only not too private, you might frighten people…'

'…and what my husband means,' Ecthelion put in smoothly, trying not to laugh at Fin's explanation and the alarmed look on Erymes' face, 'is that the fountain looks delightful in the early afternoon light, and there is seating close at hand.'

'And we can find our own way to the camp, my lady,' Merlinith added. 'So do not think you need hurry.'

'How thoughtful! Yes, a splendid plan! Although I cannot be too long,' the queen added. 'For I happen to know our hosts have an appointment which they cannot defer.'

Her eyes looked a challenge and Ecthelion bowed, a polite smile on his face.

'We do not need to leave until mid-afternoon, in fact. And glorious though the fountain be, I doubt it will occupy you for more than two hours… do not worry about us.'

'When we get to the camp, we can send an escort out for you, my lady, if that helps,' Araspen added.

Her gentle tones seemed to break into the brittle, good-mannered sparring and Erymes replied with real warmth in her voice.

'That won't be necessary, my dear; you and your Merlinith set off whenever you like; I shall be fine.'

With Oropher and Erymes headed towards the fountain area, and Merlinith and Araspen taking their leave, Ecthelion and Glorfindel walked through the house together.

'It's nice, seeing it empty,' Fin said. 'Knowing it's just us, and the staff. Back to normal.' He paused to open a door and looked in. 'Oh, apart from a room full of Silvan luggage, of course…'

'I am sure the luggage will disappear, in due course,' Ecthelion said. 'Come, I want to sit on the veranda with you and look out to sea.'

'Bring your flute? The proper, big flute this time? And I'll have a word with Lalbes, shall I, tell her we'll want a late supper leaving and something for the afternoon…'

'Thank you, my joy, that would be very helpful.'

It was pleasant, looking out across the moving waters, the air filled with soft surf sounds in harmony with the flute, and the time passed easily. Fin smiled and, in a pause of the music, voiced his thought.

'I never thought before, how special this is; I've always been watching for a ship, somewhere at the back of my mind. This is much better, I can really feel the music and the love in it now, Thel.'

'It is for you, my light. Always.'

'Then I'm sorry I missed any of it, love. I suppose you've already thought, but… we won't need to stay at home now, will we? I mean, once the kids are bigger, and the lambing's over… we really could go to New Gondolin.'

'If you wish, golden love. Or we are invited to visit Erestor and Arveldir whenever we like.'

'I think that might be better. For a first journey. Not that I don't want to see New Gondolin, but… well. They might expect us to stay, or something. And this is home now.'

Thel smiled and played a melody he'd learned from the music box which spoke of how there was no place like home… Fin laughed and joined in, and when Thel moved the tune easily into 'Heroes Coming Home' looked round and saw Oropher approaching from the beach.

'Company, Thel, love.'

Oropher raised a hand in greeting and as the music ceased, nodded.

'That's more what I expect when I think of you playing the flute, Ecthelion,' he said. 'Far more impressive than that little thing you were blowing the other night.'

'Ah, well, sometimes I like a change. Erymes has gone, then?'

'Yes. Asked me to go back with her. Nearly did. Lost my nerve. Walked her along the path, some distance, talked a bit. She's got an idea, and, well. Been thinking about it. Opinions welcome, but first, got something for you, Glorfindel. When you're done here, that is. No hurry.'

'In fact, we will be leaving in a little while,' Ecthelion said. 'But if you will give me time to stow my flute…'

'I'll wait by the fountain, then.'

Oropher was pacing when they joined him and eyed the basket Fin was swinging with alarm.

'What's that for?'

'Us,' Fin said. 'We've something we have to do later, only it's a long walk, and we won't be back at proper dinner time.'

'I see. Erymes said you might suddenly find yourselves free tonight. Don't know what she meant, really.' Oropher sighed. 'It seems there is much I do not understand at present.'

'Shall we sit?' Ecthelion gestured towards the table where they usually broke their fast. 'It may be easier, if there is something you wish to discuss…'

Once settled at the table, Oropher pulled at his tunic and cleared his throat once or twice.

'Are you well, Oropher?' Glorfindel asked.

'Yes, fine, perfectly fine, nothing wrong with me, don't need a healer, not one, let alone be surrounded by a bunch of them…'

'I think my husband meant simply that you seem unsettled,' Ecthelion said. 'You are certainly not ill, my friend, but has someone said anything to make you think otherwise?'

'No, no! Erymes said, there's a place. Not her idea, she said, but she thought it was a good one. A retreat. Up where the healers all work, you know, Lady Estë's lands… there's places to stay, if you need to. With Healers around, and they think a few days there, with Erymes…'

Ecthelion lifted his head. Was this the plan for which the queen had wanted his support?

'Would you not like a few days with your wife, away from the bustle of the camp?' he asked. 'Your lady has had many cares, and a respite from her responsibilities might be of benefit to her…'

'I would, yes, more than anything, I want to spend time with her, talking and… there's a lot to say. But it's not like for you and Glorfindel, you had all that time in the Halls to do your talking…'

'Yes,' Fin began, 'but…'

'And don't be reminding me it's my own fault. I know it now. Didn't know at the time what I was doing, though. That wasn't good of me. But I thought I was making penance. Anyway. Yes. There's a lot to say and I want to be with her, to start making amends there. If I can do that, perhaps my Silvans will come to forgive me, if they see my queen has.'

'Oropher, how often do you need to be told? Your Silvans have always forgiven you. Or have found nothing to forgive. It is more, I think… you need to forgive yourself.' Ecthelion glanced at Glorfindel, knowing the words would make sense to him, as well. 'Those who love you and serve you see nothing that needs pardoning. They simply want you back amongst them once more.'

'Well, I… those I've met have been kind,' Oropher admitted. 'Erymes says… there's a lot to sort out, but it's not a question of forgiveness or atonement. She thought it was a workable plan. Thranduil's idea, I think, or that new wife of his… she was a Healer, you know, she can't help herself, wanting to make everything better. Do you know her, at all? You might like her.'

'She came to supper last night, Oropher,' Ecthelion said. 'Or do you not recall?'

'Well…'

'I knew her back in the Greenwood,' Glorfindel said. 'Nestoril. I've worked with her, and I travelled as her escort once. She's nice.'

'Nice?'

'Good at what she does, really cares about people, wants to help. Liked the traditional ways of healing.' Glorfindel shrugged. 'Better than me at some things. I'd say you could trust her to have your well-being at heart.'

'It is just the thought of being with healers,' Oropher said. 'With Erymes, yes, but I'm not ill…'

'No, of course not. Elves do not become ill,' Ecthelion agreed. 'And yet…'

'Could not Erymes come to stay with us?' Oropher suggested. 'Consider; if…'

'No.'

'No!' Ecthelion's rebuttal was much brusquer than Fin's, surprising his husband who grinned at him. 'No, Oropher, we do not have the facilities for a lady to live amongst us, or the ability to properly support you through the emotional impact which would surely follow her arrival.'

'Anyway,' Fin put in, 'the walls are not soundproofed.'

'I had noticed,' Oropher said. 'However…'

'It really is too much to ask,' Ecthelion said. 'It is a time when you will need privacy together; there is always someone around, at night, we are invariably home, during the day, the staff are present…'

'Servants don't count,' Oropher said. 'But I thought… '

'They count to us,' Fin said. 'They've been very kind to us, Lalbes and Bruiven, and to just expect them to cope with yet another elf to look after…'

'But I'm not ill! I don't need to be near healers, there is nothing wrong with me, I am fine, perfectly fine! Back to normal!'

'Did not you just say that there were many things you did not understand lately?' Ecthelion asked in gentle tones. 'And forget that Nestoril had dined with us?'

'And, not to be unkind, Oropher, but did you know you've got an extra loop at the top of your tunic on one side and a spare hook on the other?'

'It's… I was in a hurry! And… I have worn clothes every day since that first morning…'

'Yes, but mostly because Bruiven stands outside your door and says, "Has my lord remembered that leggings are not optional at breakfast…?" I've heard him,' Glorfindel said with a grin. 'So don't try to deny it! Still,' he added. 'You're a lot better than you used to be.'

'What should I do? Go to this retreat, put myself in the hands of strangers? How will that be of use?'

'Erymes isn't a stranger, is she?' Fin said. 'And I think people are probably just trying to help, though. Up to you whether you let them or not.'

'Need to think on it, I think. That's why I didn't go back with Erymes, thought there might be all manner of persons there, waiting to carry me off whether I would or no…' Oropher gave a sigh and made a vague gesture. 'Thought she was trying to recruit you to the cause.'

'We have no cause,' Ecthelion said. 'Other than to care for each other, and our livestock, and try to assist our friends as they need us. It is true Erymes had hoped we would dine at the camp this evening – all of us – but we explained it was not possible.'

'Funny thing, she didn't think you'd anything planned. Not really. But… you could have supported me.'

Ecthelion did not think it would be helpful, at this point, to mention Erymes had hoped he and Fin would have supported her…

'We would not like to see you persuaded against your wish, of course,' he said. 'Personally, I have heard only good things of the healers here, working as they are directly for Lady Estë.'

'My grandson, Legolas. They seem to have helped him. He might know if it's safe.'

'Safe?' Glorfindel queried.

'You know what I mean. It's hard to put yourself in the hands of strangers.'

Glorfindel sighed.

'Yes, yes, it is,' he said. 'But I'm sure nobody would try to keep you against your will.'

Oropher nodded. 'Good. Thought you'd understand.'

'I suggest you consider the matter this evening,' Ecthelion said. 'We will be back later, and if you wish to talk more then…'

'Although we will be bedding down near the kids tonight,' Glorfindel said. 'So it won't be all night…'

'The kids…yes, that reminds me; I said I had something for you… made you this, Glorfindel.'

With an abrupt motion Oropher pulled a bundle of brightly coloured crochet from his pocket and thrust it towards Fin who almost backed away in surprise. Recovering himself, he took the offering and hold it up for inspection; it proved to be two long tubes, twisting around, tapering towards the ends and joined with a diamond shaped panel decorated with little tassels.

'Er… for me?'

'When I say "for you", rather, I mean for Evil-Eyed El… it is a horn cosy.'

The absurdity of the gift took hold of Ecthelion and he struggled not to laugh. From the gleam in Glorfindel's eye, he was not unaware of the farcicality of the moment himself.

'Of course it is. What lovely colours, he'll look very… distinguished with these on. Well. Singular, certainly. Thank you. It must have taken hours.'

'Well, several mornings. Had to make sure it would be long enough.'

'Oh, I'm sure it will be fine…'

'Can I try it on him? Do you think he'll let me?'

'Shall we see?' Fin said.

Talking Thel's hand, he gestured Oropher to proceed, and they set off towards Evil-Eyed El's enclosure. The billy came over, expecting treats, and so was a little taken aback when Oropher vaulted the fence and began pursuing him, the horn-cosy trailing from his hands in a cacophony of colour.

Glorfindel leaned on the fence and grinned at Ecthelion, who was trying hard not to laugh at the spectacle as the erstwhile king of the Greenwood dodged and wove around the field shouting after the goat.

'Of course he's fine, perfectly fine,' Fin said. 'Back to normal. Nothing wrong with him!'

Across the enclosure, Oropher commanded Evil-Eyed El to stand still and come and get his nice present at once...

'Of course not,' Ecthelion agreed. 'Completely back to normal.'