"Where will you go?" Thranduil asked.

"Places," Calaerwen said vaguely. "But don't worry, I'll stay alive. I'll probably go to Erebor and see what's happened when I was in the Halls of Mandos."

"It's been a great number of years," Thranduil cautioned.

"I can't stay here, though, not with Laithen-" the elleth cut herself off. "I'll come back, though, promise."

"So it goes, people come and go while the king remains tethered to his kingdom. So it goes until the king grows old and rules no more. Everyone moves on, while I remain behind.

"As I said, I'll come back." Calaerwen's eyes twinkled. "You know I will."