We watched for a moment or two more, and I lifted my hand to wave back to Iauron and Tharmeduil. Then Ness gave my arm a squeeze.

'Well, Lady Baralinith is not riding towards us with arrow nocked and reproaches colouring the air,' she said. 'We should, perhaps, take that as a good sign...'

'In any case, I am sure I will get the blame. If there is any blame to be shared, that is...'

Ness managed a laugh and we looked back towards the 'Uinen's Gull'.

The Noldo contingent had preceded the Silvans off the vessel, more from my peoples' reticence than from any real pushing and shoving. Finally a few Silvans began slowly to approach the gangplank, as if they could not quite believe we had landed, that the Valar were not going to turn up and order them back aboard. Parvon and Triwathon, amongst the first to disembark, waited on the jetty, Parvon issuing reassurances to the Silvans hesitating near the gangway.

'As you can see, we are here, we are unharmed, we are Silvan! There is Healer Ness, she is fine, and Commander Govon, he was welcomed, even after he hit Elrond! Come, it is really a very nice place, look!'

Suddenly his voice was drowned out as a stentorian shout went up from along the coast to the right.

There, standing atop a sand dune, golden hair waving dramatically in the breeze, was an ellon I remembered of old; Glorfindel of Gondolin, poised magnificently in the sun.

Everyone turned to stare at the former Lord of the House of the Golden Flower who was now bellowing one name at the top of his voice, yelling it over and over, starting to jump up and down in his excitement.

'Triwathon!' he trumpeted, 'Triwathon!'

I glanced towards Parvon and saw a flicker of resignation cross his face, even as Triwathon took his hand for a brief moment, stoking his thumb across the backs of Parvon's fingers in a gesture of affection more telling than any effusive embrace could be.

'You know I love you.' I heard him say.

'Yes, I do. Go, then, be greeted by the Balrog-slayer! Let him get it out of his system, I suppose we owe him that, at least.'

'You are gracious, always. Thank you.'

'Triwathon! Is that you, Honey-beer?'

Triwathon grinned, loping towards the golden splendour awaiting him, and I was not the only one whose eyes followed, keen to witness the reunion of these erstwhile lovers with more than polite interest...

'Hir-nin, Iphant-nin!'

Glorfindel opened his arms wide and ran to close the last of the distance between them. He swung Triwathon around in a huge, whirling hug, burying his face in the Silvan's hair, his voice growing muffled and indistinct, but we could all hear Triwathon laughing and exclaiming.

'Ai, but it is good to see you! You look amazing, my dear iphant!'

The Balrog-slayer lifted his head up to look into Triwathon's eyes and as he started to release his hold and back away, Glorfindel moved in again, his mouth shaped for a kiss.

I heard Parvon gasp, saw Triwathon's hands come to rest on Glorfindel's arms, fingers spread to push him away, his head moving back out of reach, but then a slow, lazy drawl, beautifully modulated to carry clearly and conveying tolerant amusement interrupted the awkward drama of the moment.

'No tongues, dearest, you promised, remember?'

Glorfindel broke away as if scalded, Triwathon glanced around to make eye-contact with Parvon with a relieved smile.

The Balrog-slayer grinned, abashed, and threw his arm around Triwathon's shoulders as the owner of the perfectly-timed voice sauntered up.

The new arrival's hair fell in a smooth sheen to below his hips and was a lustrous shining black. His eyes sparkled and glinted and he was one of the fairest beings, I think, that ever I had seen. Dressed in robes that shimmered and flowed as if the silks and satin were liquid, he looked completely self-possessed, coming to an elegant halt and bowing first to Parvon.

'Please forgive my husband,' he said clearly. 'But ever since they said there was a ship on the way, it has been, 'do you think Triwathon's coming this time? When will they be here?' It's been Triwathon this and Triwathon that until I wished to the high heavens he'd taken up with one who owned an easier name! I am Ecthelion, spouse of that old war horse over there.'

'Parvon, advisor to the king and married to Triwathon. I knew this day would come, when my husband and his old friend would be reunited.'

'As did I. But the knowing and the seeing... Well, I hope we two can be friends because of our spouses and not only in spite of them... you will have noted, of course, that it was my terrible lover who had no restraint...' He raised his voice once more, grinning, and Glorfindel came over, dragging Triwathon with him.

'Ecthelion, look! It's Triwathon!'

'I thought it must be, otherwise I wouldn't have let you take such liberties with him!' Ecthelion inclined his head to Triwathon. 'You're the one who saved him from the world, at last, and from himself. You restored him and I have ample cause to be grateful to you.'

'My lord Ecthelion.' Triwathon bowed. 'Thank you for your gracious words. It was, forgive me, my pleasure.' The Silvan grinned. 'You have met my fëa-mate, I see. Glorfindel, you remember Parvon, who waited for me until I'd got you out of my head?'

'I do. And forgive me, Master Parvon, if I was a little too enthusiastic... but I've missed him so very much! Truly, I'm very happy for you both.'

Glorfindel let go of Triwathon, finally, and went to stand with Ecthelion.

'Thank you,' he said, looking up at his friend. 'I'm sorry if I worried you; I just needed to remember it, all of it. By hugging.'

Ecthelion smiled down – and that was a surprise in itself, that there was someone taller than Glorfindel – and draped an arm around the Balrog-slayer's neck.

'Good, fine, very well... but if you attempt to do the hugging with the lips again on an ellon not myself, it will be the Námo Special for you, beloved! Now, Triwathon and Parvon did not arrive alone... who else is there for us to welcome – properly, formally, welcome, that is? No. More. Hugging. With. Your. Mouth...'

Each word was emphasised with a small kiss on Glorfindel's nose and when Ecthelion finished he grinned up at the Lord of the Fountains, widening his eyes in mock-surprise

'Are there others?' he asked. 'And so there are! Forgive me, I was distracted... well, here's my friend Nestoril, a healer, and that's Thranduil the Elvenking...'

Ecthelion drew in a sharp breath and looked at Glorfindel with astonishment.

'There is royalty present, and you rush for a cuddle without bowing first? Really, 'Fin, what has become of your manners?' He looked back at us, inclining his head and spreading his arms in formal greeting. 'My lord king, your pardon, I beg... be welcome amongst us, you and your family and your court and warriors... if I may be of service...'

'We are at something of a loss, Lord Ecthelion, as to procedure...'

'Your majesty, as you can see, the official welcoming party is on its way led by that magnificent elk... there was a discussion, I think, as to how long it would take your vessel to make landfall... and by rights, we should have waited, we should have arrived with them... except that my Glorfindel, of course, could not wait another minute... so much for the legendary patience of the elves... but, see, the company is not far away. The general procedure, once everyone has disembarked, is usually Welcome to Valinor, and there is a feast on the nearest available piece of ground... I would suggest, just over this rise is a fine spot for a picnic.'

'I see.' I looked about for assistance. Govon having gone with Legolas, Triwathon busy reassuring Parvon (and Parvon needing his reassurance, I would not interrupt) I turned to beckon Thiriston forward. 'Would you mind passing the word, Thiriston?'

'Not at all, my king.'

'Thiriston?' Glorfindel queried with a grin. 'There's a name I remember! Well met! Where's Canadion...?'

He broke off to stare as Canadion sashayed forward with a friendly wave; he'd dressed in his best for leaving the ship, in the red-soled shoes and a tight dark green skirt suit.

'Just here,' he said. 'But I must go and help round up the stragglers, and their luggage.'

'I... interesting choice of clothing,' Glorfindel said. 'We've had arrivals turn up in modern garments all the time, of course, but usually the ellyn wear the skirts...'

Everyone realising all at once that it was safe, there was a sudden eagerness for the shore, Silvans disembarking, spilling out onto the jetty, making their way to the land, and looking about them, stroking the grass, exclaiming about the colours, the air, the beauty of the light. Ness put her hand in mine and we walked a little way along the path from the dock and...

Oh.

The welcome party was upon us.

The magnificent elk came to a stop a short distance away and the gleaming, shining figure whom I recognised with both love and dread slid from its back and flew towards us, and even as I debated whether to release my wife and put myself in front of her, or to draw closer to her, the rider launched herself at Nestoril in a delighted babble.

'Congratulations, oh I am so happy for you, my dear friend! I knew, when I told you to take care of him, that you would, if he would let you, for I was right, was I not? You loved him all along only never said and...'

'Baralinith?' I whispered, and my former consort released Nestoril and it was my turn to be hugged, although with less affection than my wife had been...

'Indeed, Thranduil, it is I.'

'Except... it is not... is it? You are not as I remembered, I am sure I would not have forgotten the glowing skin and incandescent eyes...'

She laughed as she linked arms with me, and with Ness, and led us towards the rest of the group.

'Here he is! Thranduil the Elvenking of Eryn Lasgalen, Greenwood the Great, and my first love, the father of my children... the boys will be along presently, Thranduil, I wanted to have you and Ness to myself a moment first... but I want you to meet Lauretindor again... You remember? In the woods, Urulosson, and Lauretindor and Oromë...'

'Yes, I remember... you thought I was trespassing and my forfeit was to help you for the day, and the hunt disturbed us...'

'And Lauretindor soothed Urulosson, and Oromë said his friend liked me but I'd better stay with you first... did you not ever wonder...?'

'What business of his it might be? Oh, frequently. But we had enough opposition without adding to matters...'

'You see, I am Maia... my mother lived in the forests, caring for the elk, and my father found her and loved her. Three times they ignored the call of Oromë, and, at the last, were told stay, and diminish, or go and protect the place they loved. And so they decided; my mother stayed, my father left, and my light was hidden. I did not know and so, when I had my troubles, the light began to burn in me again as I tried to protect us... but now, all is well, I am whole. I am loved, you are loved, and all has come to good.'

She took my hand and placed it into Nestoril's and I saw her old humour shine through the light in her eyes.

'Can you imagine the look on your Adar's face when he realised he was right, we really were not a well-matched pair, except not for the reasons he believed...? I must confess I did rather enjoy his shock...'

'You have seen my father? Where is he, did he come with you...?'

'Oh, Thranduil... Yes, I have seen him... we met in Námo's care, in the Halls of Mandos, long ago. He is not with the welcome party, I am afraid.' Baralinith took a breath and the light in her seemed to dim, to settle just a little. 'So, what some people like to do, is renew their vows here, in their new home. Think about it; you might have fun, marrying your Ness again. But now, take your ease, eat and drink, and you will find old friends coming to meet you all through the rest of the day and the night. And by the time you are tired, there will be pavilions spread for you tonight, while you decide where you wish to go and with whom you wish to dwell.'

The rest of Baralinith's train had been busy while we talked, unloading of food and spreading blankets to sit on, the sudden activity giving the newly-arrived and uncertain Silvans reassurance and purpose. Others from the party now came forward, calling out the names of our fellow travellers. My Silvans found friends coming up, family, and from every side came joyful cries of welcome and reunion.

Although most of my Silvans had now decided Valinor was safe, Thiriston and Canadion were still busy organising the ship, encouraging the last elves off, and bringing luggage onto the jetty. I wasn't sure why, at first, they were so determined not come and join in the festivities, but Ness squeezed my hand lightly.

'Would you know Thiriston's parents, if you saw them?' she asked, lowering herself to sit on the salty grass.

'To my shame, I would not... they died long before my father did, and until I took the crown, I mostly knew palace officials, warriors... elk tamers...'

She smiled. 'Well, there is a little cluster of elves over there who seem to be looking for the same person... or couple, perhaps... and... oh, look, look! There is Arveldir coming over, and Erestor with him...!'

She scrambled to her feet and set off, and I followed, in time to see her try to hug both elves at once.

'Oh, my dear friends! How lovely to find you again! Are you well, are you happy?'

My former advisor and his spouse certainly looked as if the air of Valinor agreed with them; they had a calm air about them and had eschewed the formal robes of yore for simple leggings and tunics.

Whatever answers they may have had for Nestoril were lost as they saw me and bowed. I shook my head.

'I feel as if I am a restraint on everyone! Arveldir, Erestor, how are you both? I hope the blackberries grow well enough here to please you?'

'The strawberries, too, are excellent in season,' Arveldir said, coming forward and allowing me to shake his hand. 'In fact, we have hot-houses and so are assured of soft fruit for many months of the year... so you are married, at last, Nestoril? Congratulations. Sire, if you need any assistance settling in, we would be pleased to help.'

'Most kind. Erestor, you are looking well. Soft fruit obviously agrees with you.'

'Indeed, it is rich in vitamins and good for the skin besides, sire. Welcome to the Undying Lands.'

'Oh, look, look! Over there, Thranduil! It's your other boys!'

'Indeed. And Feril... Ness?'

'It is fine, really... you go and talk to your boys, Thranduil, I'll find Seamus...'

Released from whatever task Baralinith had set them to, my sons now made their way towards me. Tharmeduil looked wonderful, tall and strong, any traces of his old illness eradicated, a shimmer to him that I guessed was his mother's Maia blood peeking out. Iauron looked, if anything, shy.

Tharmeduil stood back, smiling, pushing his older brother forward.

'Go on, oldest first!'

'Adar, I... Naneth has been telling me, perhaps I wasn't the best of sons...'

For a moment, I had no words. Indeed, I had no breath... but here were my sons, healed, whole, and if they were well, then surely Legolas would be...?

I needed to speak; Iauron was looking more and more hangdog by the second, misinterpreting my silence, and a flood of sudden memory came to me.

'Not the best of sons?' I repeated. 'Indeed, I remember saying I expected you would disappoint me one day. For that is the way of things; sons disappoint their fathers... neglecting your brother's training, the incidents in the bawdy houses... a certain human female and the disappointed hopes of Imladris to name but a few incidents in your colourful history...'

'Yes, Ada, I... can see why I was a disappointment to you...'

He looked down at the rich, green grass at his feet and scuffled a foot, just as he had as an elfling, as a young ellon, a grown-up ellon old enough to know better and I thought my heart would break with joy...

'You were not,' I told him. 'In spite of all, I was proud of you. At the end, your thought was of someone else; you saved Govon from the dragon-breath.'

'I did? That's good, where is he, where's Legolas?'

'Sent off to the healers, Govon with him. Your brother was close to fading, but they tell me he will be well now... You are married, Tharmeduil, I think? Congratulations to you, and to Feril, also... where is she?'

'Waiting, with some other of Ness' healer friends... was she very sad, when she got home?' Tharmeduil asked.

'Well, perhaps at first. But she has since married me, so I think it's fair to say she recovered from her disappointment. Iauron, come, there is someone you must meet; he came on the ship with us, saved us from disaster, in fact...'

'Who?'

'Ness is bringing him.'

Tugging Seamus by his arm, Nestoril approached. We heard her talking.

'No, not him, I'm afraid... the other one... well, you see, he was a hero, eventually, but a bit of a scamp first... Iauron... there is no easy way to say this, and enough time has been wasted... This is Flora's child. Delivered in the forest by Thiriston and Canadion, no less – is there ever an end to the service from those two? He chose elvenkind, and he has been so helpful, he saved us from almost certain death, although we didn't know who he was until the night we sailed...'

Iauron stepped forward, his eyes wondering, a smile starting, and I thought I had never seen my eldest son look so sincerely glad, so surprised...

'You are my son, my child? Ai, you have the look of her, your mother...'

Iauron reached out, but Seamus stepped back.

'I... so long, I have thought about this moment. I... so much to say, so many questions! I thought I would... well, I thought I should not... my mother talked of you often, why did you abandon her...?'

Iauron shrugged.

'Because I was stupid, and shallow, and didn't think. And... well, we were going to take care of Flora... did this not happen...? But... I had an accident with a dragon and I did not wake up until I got here...'

Typical Iauron, using only that of the truth that would make him sound better.

'That much is fact,' I said. 'And, Iauron, we did all Flora would permit us to. But she had her pride, and I would not hurt her feelings. I wanted... I would have moved her into the palace, if she would, but perhaps it was best that she stay amongst her family. So. This is Belegornor, as his mother named him...'

'What? That is...'

I shrugged.

'We call him Seamus; I will leave you to get to know each other, a little. Seamus, when you are done, feel free to seek us... or go where pleases you. But I would like it, if we were near each other.'

'Thank you, sire – Daeradar.'

'Seamus?' Iauron queried

'Long story,' Seamus – Belegornor – said. 'It's how I was introduced to your father...'

Ness patted my arm.

'I think I can see Maereth over there; she looks like she's desperately trying not to wave, in case she's intruding, but at the same time...'

'I remember Maereth fondly, always an air of uncertainty, unless she was dealing with horrific injuries, and then, as bossy as anything!' I said. 'If you would like to say hello...'

'Will you be all right?' she asked. 'There's a lot happening; so much to take in...'

'You go,' I said. 'Bear them all my greetings, and tell Healer Mae I am no longer her king, she need not fear me. I will walk with Tharmeduil for a time.'

Ness reached up to kiss my cheek before setting off towards Maereth. I beckoned Tharmeduil.

'Come with me, ion-nin,' I said. 'I have our luggage to collect. But first, how about a hug for your old Ada?'

'Oh, you do hugging now, do you?' Tharmeduil did, indeed, hug me, and it felt wonderful to have my second son vibrant and alive and moving freely, healed and whole and happy. 'Ai, I have missed you, Ada...'

We headed for the ship, talking lightly and freely, and I found my heart laughing, freed from worry about Legolas now, about Baralinith – and to say her name again, to see her so shining and happy...

'Adar... is that...?'

'Canadion in a skirt. Yes. He likes the shoes.'