Chapter 61

Marriage in Matching Time

~o~

The Kaths settled into a pattern of a year in Minas Tirith and a year in Belfalas. Barahir worked on his books but never neglected the army. Fertile Ithilien provided both infantry and cavalry to the Kingdom and they had the most vulnerable border. Gondor also had excellent spies. When Umbar was hostile, that was hard. As a mistrustful trading partner, 'eyes' could come and go more easily along their end of the Harnen.

The witch Chievon was doing rather well. She was introduced to a man of the city who owned property and didn't care about her past at all. He was not of a social class where any of his many friends cared either. She was still exquisite, did not age any faster than everyone else, and he treated her like a lady. They married in 133. If she still had powers, she kept them to herself.

In the year FO 134, Nag Kath accompanied Crown Prince Elhidron to a conference in the Harnon mouth port of Gobel Ancalimon, the highest level meeting among the nobility of Gondor and Umbar ever. The symbolic gesture told the eastern Hûks to enjoy what they had.

That was also the year they lost Reyaldar and Heuris Conath within a month of each other, ending that generation of Nag Kath's great grandchildren. Both were eighty seven, always devoted, always constant. The Kaths were in Minas Tirith. Raniece, Borond, their son, his wife and three children sailed to the city for a memorial. It was also to see her sister in for the first time in eight years. Rey would not have stood for more than a few days in mourning and the rest of the time the families talked old times and let the young people enjoy themselves.

Since he was there, Nag Kath rode, shot and marched in the last two militia weeks when The Zurowen family went to Emyn Arnen. With Tulbar and Sakûn bottled along their respective rivers, the fervor of the last few years had waned, but men were much sharper than five years ago, even in sleepy Belfalas. Raniece's family caught a ferry from a newer dock on the east bank directly across from Barahir's capital after telling her sister that it was her turn to come for home for Catanards!

Tensions to the south had dominated politics for over four years but that was only the bottom edge of the Reunited Kingdom. King Eldarion consulted with Rohan, Dale and his peoples of Arnor agreeing to hold a council in Edoras in the summer of FO. 135. Among the topics were; formally ceding the areas west of the River Running to Dale. Everyone there thought of themselves as Dalish, paid taxes to the Buhr and looked to that King for protection if the Easterlings misbehaved.

~o~

This was the first convocation of its kind in ten years and was, in large part, a reminder of who the friends were. Matters of trade were more important than armies in this day and age along these safe paths. Frör was sending his second son and heir from Erebor. Representatives of the Glittering Caves would come along with a half-dozen Hobbits. Arnor annexed Lindon while Nag Kath was in Angmar. It was seventy years after the last ship sailed, a grace the Elves had requested, reinforced by wards, and was honored. That opened the entire coast for the trading ships of the west.

Inariel had her wakeful rest on better footing. She still slept once or twice a week. Her husband gave her unlimited time, which they had. Considering the turmoil in her body until the change, this did not seem overlong. She had been a Princess, a widow, important every moment of her life, but she had not been much of an Elf. Inariel remembered her mother singing to her in words she did not understand. Songs must have meant more than a lullaby to enter sleep.

When the conference was announced, Inariel met her liege privately to ask, "Dearest brother, I would like to go with your party to the moot with Nag Kath and then to the Woodland Realm, perhaps to stay some time."

"Of course you are welcome. Have you spoken to your husband about this?"

She smiled, "Over the years he has mentioned it many times but has never insisted. Somehow he knew I would want to learn more of what I have become. I am finally learning his patience." She smiled again, "Mother had all but given up."

Eldarion considered, "I cannot speak for Stelhorn of Dale, but I expect their own Lord Kath would be welcome to travel with them on their return, if that is your intention, little sister."

"I should think so, but I will discuss it with Nag. There are places that may have unpleasant associations for him." She said very quietly, "I am ready to see Lorien. It might give me peace and help me understand mother's songs to me. Perhaps that is better done on the way back."

The King smiled at his immortal sister. She would never have the gray hairs now lining his temples. "Just let me know what you decide."

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

Inariel was not sure how Nag Kath would take being invited to travel the length of Middle-earth but this was important to her so she said, "Dear husband, I have decided to take your advice and visit the Mirkwood Elves. I think I am ready."

He looked up from his book, "Splendid! I can show you Dale and Lake Town! If you are not in haste, perhaps we can ride along with your Lord Brother and see some Hobbits."

She was expecting that to be much harder. Nag Kath never seemed to mind long travel. He had certainly done a lot of it. Men would rise sore and a day older. He didn't. In for a groat, in for a Florin she admitted, "I have already asked."

"Good, when do we leave?"

At seventy-five, Barahir would let his son and heir Tyaldran deputize for the Principality. Lord Olberan of Dol Amroth was doing the same for his da. Eldarion was older than either prince at ninety-two but would probably live longer than his own father. He hadn't seen the Governor of Arnor in three years and it was time. Queen Aranthal in her eighties was happy to follow Barahir's example and stay home. Barahir took his old job back as Steward so Prince Elhidron could come with his father. He needed to know these people more than anyone.

There were relatively few women this time and they were mounted astride so the progress moved at almost the speed of cavalry. They made Edoras soaking wet from storms but in reasonable time with no injuries. As royalty, the Kaths were entitled to quarters in the Meduseld. He would rather have stayed at one of the new inns. It was a small price to pay.

Since they were not passing-through this time and not part of the deliberations, Nag Kath took his Princess to the seamier quarters and showed her where he drew the fateful picture of the young girl. There was Dornlas' house, and Lord Altheras' apartments near the great hall. King Halath was poorly but forced himself to greet the lords steadied by Prince Theodred. His interest in hosting the event was to introduce the man they would know as King before long. He remembered the Elves fondly and the return of the sword.

King Stelhorn of Dale arrived two days later with his entourage. Nag Kath made a point of introducing himself, apart from his lady wife. It was forty-four years since Nag Kath was in Dale. How could it have been that long? Stellhorn was Barandor's grandson, thirty three years of age and clean-shaven. The last of Bard I's Northmen were in Minas Tirith! Nag Kath was not forgotten at all. His drawings of the rulers of old were special to His Highness, and would Lord Kath be so kind as to draw him and his Lady Wife Intarciel if he was coming to visit?

The Arnor contingent was the last to arrive. That was typical because they stopped for the Hobbits and traveling with Hobbits is a very slow business. If you are patient, it is also the very best way to travel, but Arnorans are not known for taking their leisure. One of Governor Durantir's counselors was Tougas, a Dunedain of King Aragorn's northern peoples. He was stock of the longest-lived folk in Middle-earth. The man looked fifty and was not quite twice that. It happened that one of his kin was in the Angmar raid of 101 and a more distant relative was in the troop felled by the pox. They spent several hours together, some with Inariel, discussing the details and supposing the gaps. There were very few people on the Arnor side of the Angmar claw and none of them saw the need to visit. The spitted pig story lived on.

Nag Kath was called into one meeting to explain what he knew of Southron tactics. Most was from the Corporal Hanieru's description. He had actually seen those mountains and his maps were long copied as the standard for armies of the west. Inariel and her Elf managed to finagle a dinner with the Hobbits. Five representatives of the Shire came on their ponies. Among their concerns was; now that Gulf of Lhün was open to men, men and Dwarves wanted to use the East-West road to take goods to the port. That contravened the understanding that the Shire was for Hobbits only. Against it was the case that the Hobbits could use it to get their goods to the harbor too but ships would not come for their cargo alone.

After endless meetings on the subject (and Hobbits can do this for years), a compromise was on the table to make a new road above the Shire. The lay of the land meant cutting across a tip of their homeland. Men would have to buy the land of the folk it would displace. It was not especially good land but one old farmer refused to sell. When he died, his son was glad to take the coin and they finally had a proposal to bring to the council.

The Lords seemed to get what they wanted. Dwarves were friendly. People were not quite sure what to make of the two Elves. Few had ever seen an Elf before. These seemed like ordinary folk. They were here to see the last of their kind in the northern forests.

King Stelhorn was more than happy to have the Kath's come home with him. Anymore there was no reason to take the River Road west of Mirkwood and cross it on the Old Forest Road. A new road veered right in the Brown Lands and stayed to the eastern edge of the great forest until it joined very close to the Dwarf road at Celduin Village. It was still a journey of five hundred miles so when the conference was complete, it was time to get cracking. Sister kissed her brother goodbye and set off on a great adventure.

The King of Dale traveled with twenty four outriders, a secretary/scribe, the most senior counselor who could ride twenty-five miles a day for a month and a junior man who did a number of jobs. Inariel was the only woman. And as one of the beauties of the world, the men had to keep their minds on protecting their Lord. She did not travel with any servants and helped with camp chores. The Princess also rode well.

Around the fire, the male Elf told stories of their land they had never heard before. Some seemed too fantastic to believe. Others confirmed tales they heard as children. What was most interesting was the spur bloodline of Dale through Ardatha. The King knew of her but she was either in the Buhrs or Gondor all of her life. The story of Carstor's portrait showed how a small thing could change a nation's course.

~o~

Woodmen were more prevalent on this side of the great forest. Men of Dale had come here to farm well away the brown lands. As the company moved north, it got greener. Nag Kath would have liked to see one of the shape-changers but they were said to be reclusive. He did not sense being watched by other than cautious men. Many men came to their company to cheer the King of Dale and he welcomed them. As planned, the Thain of Nauthauja was at Celduin Village to receive the good news that his lands were now official expanded to where they had been unofficially for a hundred years.

After three weeks of mostly good weather, the company made Esgaroth. Nag Kath and Inariel said goodbye for a week as the King's company continued on to Dale. The couple got rooms on the lake facing east and took a few days to rest the horses and tour the sights. Smaug's tower was somewhat the worse for being made of wood on a lake, but they climbed it just the same and imagined the epic shot.

The King's Arrow was still the place to stay for a night. They had a standing invitation at the palace but it was late and pleasant to just arrive and be pampered. Inariel enjoyed the city. It was a little Minas Tirith with different faces. There were Northmen much like the Rohirrim, northern Easterlings with their curious sheepskin caps, fishermen up from the lake, Dwarves by the wagonload and a thriving community of Halflings. They decided to spend another night at the inn and present themselves to His Lordship the next morning.

One stop they made early was Golord's shop. As always, Nag Kath had to prove he was worthy of begging entrance and the royal couple waited on the same stone bench. A more senior longbeard came out after a reasonable amount of time and showed them inside. Master Golord was 267 years young with fully white hair and beard but he rose as always and gave the Elf a hearty two-handed hand-shake saying, "Welcome back, prodigal Elf. I have nothing but good memories of you!"

"Thank you, Master Dwarf. My I present my wife, Princess Inariel?"

He made his version of a mannish bow and shook her hand too. To the lady he said, "I had heard you married this rogue. I hope he has not put you to sleep with his stories."

"He keeps me up at night with them, Master Dwarf. Thank you for your gracious welcome."

Tea arrived and they sat to drink it. With forty years to catch-up, Inariel listened patiently and added a few recollections of her own. The orcs were behaving, Frör was not gold-sick but kept Dwarvish business under the mountain. Very little of Nag Kath's mithril had seen the light of day, not that Golord hadn't tried to get his hands on some. Nag Kath got on rather well with Prince Rahrbagh at the moot. If he arrived back from the Glittering Caves conveniently, the Kaths might visit Erebor.

It was good to see the Master, now the oldest living person in Nag Kath's life. He ran his shop as he always had. Golord was a natural bridge between the confusing world of Dale and the orderly Dwarf realm. They mentioned their plans to see Thranduil's Halls and would be back through to say hello at least once more. The Elf floated that idea in case the canny craftsman had heard anything about those lands. Nothing surfaced.

~o~

The Kathen office was in the same place with the same name. The youthful-looking couple opened the door and peered inside. A stout young woman was coming from the back with tea and saw them. They were not scheduled so they must be looking for lodgings. She said, "Good day, sir, ma'am. I have a lovely home just off the Chandler's District that came available last week."

The Princess said, "We have accommodations, thank you."

Nag Kath added, "I was associated with the firm some time back. I wondered if any of Brenen's or Bard's families are still involved."

There would be no commission from these two but she could be helpful, "They still own it, don't they?"

"Is there family at the 118 or Pine View properties?"

She wondered how he knew that and slowly said, "Could be."

He said, "We will wander by. My name is Nag Kath and anyone who is interested can leave a message at the Arrow."

The woman had a sip and said, "I will let them know, sir."

The next stop was Wallach Grandenar's, the helpful young relative who organized the party forty-four years ago. He might still be around. He was but had moved when he retired. They visited that house and the elderly man swung the door wide open. He didn't recognize his Uncle Nag because of aging vision but when Nag Kath said his name the fellow exclaimed, "Why yes! Yes indeed! Please come."

Wallach showed them to a modest sitting room and fetched his wife. They had more tea, talked about the vast number of children generated by the two families and something of Dale itself. Members of Brenen's line were now Lords in high-society, one of them a retired Minister of the Purse. Wallach and Shielda were not shareholders but had made a solid living and enjoyed their retirement. In the end, it was good to see someone from the old times and they wished each other well.

Nag Kath was quiet walking back to the inn. Inariel held his arm and said, "I do not suppose there are dance clubs here?"

"No, we will have to hum."

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

King Stelhorn welcomed them warmly. After three weeks on the road, they knew each other well. His father died young so he became heir-apparent when he was in his twenties. Queen Intarciel was of the East Emnet region of Rohan, near to Dale. They had a girl and a boy with hopes of more. The Queen joined them for luncheon. There were topics that hadn't surfaced on their journey for a reason. Nag Kath explained the original orc deal, the mithril, the political situation in Rhûn after the war and the state of magic in the land. Troopers are hardened men but only like ghost stories around the fire when the ghosts aren't telling them.

For his part, the King had more details about relations with Erebor. Confidentially, he wondered if Durin's Folk were fading like the Elves. In the light they were their usual boisterous selves but still had made no quests to reclaim old lands. Nag Kath took a bit of time to explain what little he knew of the seven cursed rings. It seemed likely that they had driven the great age of Dwarvish expansion with the ensuing collapses. Sauron could not bring them to his service, but he knew no good would come from his sorcery.

Queen Intarciel was a pleasant woman nearly as tall as her husband with the broad shoulders of the plains. Like most Rohirrim, she was not well-read. She made up for that by being sharp as a tack and seeing to the heart of matters. Inariel was the first Princess Royal to visit here since a state visit from Rohan for their marriage. Inariel put her at ease admiring 'upstairs'. They agreed to stay another week and Nag Kath would draw them tomorrow.

By prior arrangement, the Princess stayed in the palace while her husband strolled the healer's district. No matter the city, healers were never in new buildings. He wandered into most of them getting a few herbs and elements not available in the south and generally acting the Gondoran tourist.

In the second to the last shop, he found a thin woman and asked if she could pull a mild infection.

"Usually, depends on what else you have tried. Let me have a look."

He admitted, "My question was just for general knowledge. I try to keep track of these things."

Inductive healers had not been in favor when the Easterlings were encroaching but this generation was not so bashful. She looked at him and said, "You're the Elf, right?"

"One of them."

"One of one. You're a legend. And no, I can't put anything in, just take it out. What brings you by?"

He sat on a stool and answered, "Like I said, I keep track. You ladies are hard to find. I know a healer in Minas Tirith who gave a drunk his hangover back. There is an actual sorceress there too, but she is retired. Some of the bad 'uns died in the surge."

"Remember that, like I was gut-punched. I was just a kid."

"That was it. The last of Sauron's tools. I'd like a silver's worth of herbs. While you are getting them, do you mind telling me if any girls have been born since then with the gift?"

She stared at the silver on the counter for a while and would get herbs later. "Not that I've heard. That was you got ate by wargs?"

"They were saving me for later."

"Just curious. My sister married one of the Kathen boys, Grevault?"

Nag Kath admitted, "Then she knows them better than me."

"To your question; no haven't heard of any. There was tell of a woman in the Buhrs long ago. Never came here."

"That is my old stomping grounds. Did some of my best work there."

The woman stared at the silver again and said, "What did you need for that?"

He gave her three names only found here, about twenty groats worth if you took a handful. That seemed a fair deal to him and he thanked her before wandering towards his first house. Two small children were playing in the yard. As he looked at the home, they looked at him. A lass of about ten said, "What do you want mister?"

"Just looking. I used to live here."

She gave him a stare and followed with, "Da said the roof needs repair."

"Forgive me, young lady. This was a long time ago. I am just visiting friends now."

The older girl wasn't sure about this and said, "Maybe you should come in and look at the roof just the same."

"If you insist."

He trooped in with the girls to the consternation of their mother. She put her arms akimbo and demanded, "Who are you?"

"I am Nag Kath and your daughters wanted me to look at a leaky roof?"

She relaxed a little and said, "About time. Are you with the landlord?"

"No, I was just wandering by and was told by your young ladies that I needed to do something. I used to own this place but that was a long time ago. In fact, I think I had this same roof put on when I lived here."

Mother became concerned again and said, "This roof is a hundred years old."

The Elf walked around looking at the large beams and said, "One hundred and thirty. Cost me dear, it did."

"Then I thank you for looking and I will speak to my daughters about bringing strangers into our home."

He looked at her as if he hadn't heard a word she said and asked, "Do you have a long pole or rope?"

"See here, mister. I think you should go."

Still looking up he said, "I think so too, but there may be money on the beam just over the window. Brenen used to leave a coin hidden against an emergency. If no one has been up there since then, it is worth a look."

Now she was in the cleft stick. A woman and two girls with a stranger full of nonsense in their home was balanced against the possibility of cash. It seemed absurd so she split things down the middle and decreed, "All right. You look. Then you leave or I call the guardi."

He looked up again and repeated, "Stick or rope?"

She managed a coil of clothesline. He tied a stone from the garden around the end and threw it at the beam. It took three tries but when it was over, he pulled either end back and forth like a boot-shine as he dragged it towards the wall. A foot from the end, the rope caught something that fell to the floor with a clunk. It was a Numenorean nipper. The younger girl grabbed it on the bounce to keep her sister from getting it. Mother walked over and demanded to see what she had. Her mouth dropped. Was the blonde man a spirit? More importantly, had he come to claim the coin? He solved that by saying, "Check the beam over the door too. You never know. Are there still Hobbits down the block?"

She nodded with her mouth still open and he bid them a lovely morning. There were Hobbits enjoying their little yards with pipes and tea. He waved but did not stop. Upstairs, the palace guards let him in on sight.

~o~

Picture drawing went well. The children were attractive and well behaved. In wondering where to put the two they would keep, Queen Intarciel asked about his other works. "Lord Kath, there is this picture of the lake. Can you tell us about it?"

Nag Kath was a little surprised that story had not stuck. The King walked over too. The Elf said, "Your Highnesses, that is the view from the tower on the lake where your kin shot Smaug. I have it on good authority that the beast had circled and was returning for another attack when Bard put the arrow in his heart."

Inariel added, "We climbed it just a week ago."

The man was speechless for a long moment. He looked at the Kaths and his lovely Queen before saying softly, "I had no notion. Has it been so long that the Kings of Dale have forgotten?"

Nag Kath answered just as softly, "I took my grandson up there when he was a young man. The spitting image of his grandfather Brand, he was. We imagined the shot just like every boy with a bow has ever done in your realm; the last chance to get it right."

King Stelhorn exhaled, "I have never climbed it, not once." He called over to his children and said, "Grath, Fanni, that is where your grand-da of old killed the dragon."

Seven year-old Bengrathan said regally, "I will do the same, Father King."

Inariel offered a little royal advice, "My Lord, the tower is a bit the worse for time. Please be careful if you take the Prince." The adults could see in the King's eyes that the tower would be restored starting tomorrow. It was a superb way to remind his family and the softening gentry of Dale that sometimes a price is asked for what they enjoy.

~o~

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~o~

Two days later they were on their way to the Elven Halls around a turn that only an Elf would find. Nag Kath knew it well. They rode slowly and quietly through the dappled sunlight filtering among pines and leafy trees by the Forest River. It took an hour to reach the turn and there they made sure their horses made noise. Two sets of Elf ears listened for others.

About where expected, two ohtars walked onto the path and one raised his palm. In Westron he proclaimed, "Men are not allowed here. You are in the Elven realm and must turn back."

Nag Kath said in Sindarin, "Your pardon. We are not men and wish to visit our kin. I am Nag Kath and am known to Fearnold if he is still here."

What he said did not matter that much. Nag Kath looked like an Elf but he had made his life looking like a man. The Quenda was another matter. One glance at her and they knew she was very much of their kind.

The soldier who raised his hand said, "We will take you. Please dismount."

~o~

They walked past the noisy falls flowing from the bluff where the hall stood. One of the ohtars stayed with them as they tied their horses to a stone post while the other went inside for the steward. He emerged a quarter-bell later and walked down the steps to receive them. All three bowed and he said, "Nag Kath, welcome back. I am Peransöe. We spoke at your last visit."

"Forgive my forgetfulness, Peransöe. This is my wife Inariel."

The Elf wracked his memory before saying, "I do not remember you, Lady. Welcome. Are you new to these Halls?"

"I am, good sir. I have always been of the south."

The Steward said, "Please, Fearnold knows you are here and looks forward to seeing you."

Inariel marveled at the place. How could those columns possibly be so tall?! Thranduil's throne was still intact but not used. It was little changed since Nag Kath's first unintended visit. Elves coming to and fro were dressed less ornately than in the Elvenking's day. They looked at their kin dressed as men without staring.

Fearnold was sitting at his same long table with two other Elves when the couple was presented. Nag Kath had told her these were not formal Elves so be respectful but not fawning. Her blood was of those gone so they might be cautious at first. The others left as the leader walked around the table to exchange equal bows and said, "It has been some time, Nag Kath."

Fifty years, if I remember correctly. Sir, this is my wife, Inariel."

Leader Fearnold said, "We have heard of you, young lady. Welcome to the Woodland realm."

She said, "Thank you for your hospitality, sir. I am honored."

"Please, sit. Have you eaten?"

She replied, "Not since porridge." Elves eat twice a day so that wasn't longer than anyone else.

Logass was right; they were aging. Fearnold always looked about thirty. That was more like thirty-five now. He, and everyone else they saw, were fit and moved gracefully. The difference was the understanding of time. It had begun to matter. By mannish measure it was lifetimes. By theirs; it must seem very fast.

They talked quite a bit about the rest of the world. Woodland Elves still had dealings with men trading goods and materials. Fearnold knew Nag Kath had useful tidings and did not mind sharing. The Southrons were rebuilding. The Witch-stone was destroyed. They felt that. The Elves already knew about the mithril circle and that it was destroyed in exchange for some of Thranduil's gems.

Nag Kath asked, "There wasn't time for chat but was the necklace his?"

Fearnold smiled, something these Elves still did. "He would have said so. We tease the Dwarves we see in good humor, but our kind has their obsessions too. His were the stones. Thranduil got quite a few back but I have it on faith that the Dwarves kept some of the best. You did not take the box. I commend you for that. There is always more to take than one should grasp."

That was high praise from an ancient soul. Nag Kath appreciated it and said, "Yes, the world has many who only take. I used some of the diamonds to build a retreat in the old enemy lands for people to heal and count their blessings."

The leader nodded that he hoped these halls offered the same. Then he said, "Lady Inariel, your arrival was unseen. Do you come with your husband to see the old things?"

She replied, "It was time to understand myself better. I have only been an Elf these eight years. Like my husband, I did not start this way."

Fearnold recalled, "I remember your great grandmother when she was of the north. You look quite different but have her eyes. I think you favor your grandfather more."

She giggled, not an Elvish reaction, and responded, "I never met any of them. In mannish and Elvish count, I am but forty-nine."

Addressing his question to her he said, "You are welcome to stay as long as you like. I am sure Nag Kath will have told you that we offer nourishment and shelter in exchange for honest labor."

"He has, sir. I will do my best."

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

Inariel had not told Nag Kath how long she wanted to stay. She did not know and had gotten used to immortality enough to understand he did not care. If they were here a week or two years, it was all the same to him. They would miss family in the south but knew their lives only intersected.

Nag Kath liked physical labor in the morning and was instantly appointed assistant archivist in the thin library late in the day. Inariel purposely chose to work primarily with women gardening and weaving. Everyone spoke at least enough Sindarin to be conversant. Both Kaths started learning a bit of Silvan. She had the advantage of growing up with her mother and knowing that silence was not awkward among the Firstborn. They showed her how to do things that would have given her fishwife hands if they did not repair themselves so quickly.

The Kaths were given modest quarters near where the artist Denethiur had lived. After intimacy one night, they lay together wondering about Logass' other prediction that there would be no more births. They were rare during Nag Kath's first visit, but rare was more than none. Inariel considered if these beautiful people joined like they just had for no other reason than it felt good. Perhaps Elf hearing would inspire passion.

Most meals among the Silvans were communal. Food was prepared in quantity. Folk could eat it at the tables or take it to their quarters. The Kaths almost always sat with others. It took two weeks for real conversations. He was his usual self but some were a bit intimidated that she was the highest royalty in Elvendom. Her rank among men mattered as well. The lady was happy to do the same chores as everyone else so she was one of them. Sometimes the couple ate apart to make them more approachable individually. Later that week they had the evening meal with another couple who were fascinated with life outside their borders. It was on the tip of Inariel's tongue to ask why they didn't go to Dale for a month.

~o~

The Elven Halls had two artists. It was not a court position like in the Third Age. Two women used their spare time to draw or paint the things around them. Nag Kath joined them one evening before the sun set. They were astounded that one could add perspective and shading the way he did. He had thought little of it since it came naturally after Quastille showed him the rudiments. On a whim, he walked around to the throne room to see if his waterfall picture had surfaced. It hadn't.

Inariel paid special attention to wakeful rest. Her husband was a poor example but she was the only one who still slept. Her ability to submerge unwanted thoughts improved. There was less to think about. Maybe that was how they did it. Nag Kath still held her while she rested and made her feel a part of him. She was. Half of her was him.

The couple settled-in. Weeks became months. Time passed very quickly as winter was on them. Warm clothes were provided. One of the benefits of Elvendom was that they don't wear through clothes fast, or even get them very dirty. The Kaths were about the right size. Silvan Elves were a bit shorter than the Ñoldorin or Teleri. Her mother had an assortment of Silmaril-age bloods but they had no idea where Nag Kath's ancestor hailed-from. Inariel was about the average height here. Like Phylless, she was taller than most women but shorter than Tal, Eniece and, especially, Florice. Nag Kath was the tallest Elf here, but not by much.

As they got more comfortable, Fearnold shared more. He let it be known that the Kaths could be trusted, but that is not the same as being willing to broach any subject. The leader thought there might be six hundred of his people. The estimate was rough because some Elves had completely independent communities in the forest, including another two hundred who came with Galfandros from Lorien and made their home about twenty leagues further west. They saw each other as friends. Nag Kath asked about the effect Radagast might have had. The wizard was at the other end of the huge forest but that made him much closer than many other forests. Fearnold did not see the change. The little wizard's healing may have been directed at Dol Guldor below him. None had seen an Ent since before the war.

At three months, folk finally started talking about not sailing west. There was finality, but not sadness. Most folk were Silvans and did not want to live under the same social restrictions as in the Third Age. But there were folk of other lines here who made a conscious decision to stay because this was their home and there were worse things than living an entire life where you loved. They said they could feel the taking. It was not like aging in the way of men. They did not get sick. Injuries still repaired themselves, even if slightly slower. Nag Kath helped set a broken arm the month before and it was fine in a week.

Quenda alone with Inariel were more forthright. None had been fertile in fifty years, even women merely a thousand years old. The Princess got the tiniest hint that her nocturnal pleasures had been noticed. The Quenda were curious how that was possible but could not bring themselves to ask. When asked about Valinor, Inariel told them she had not felt the pull to the west yet. At only eight years an Elf, it might simply be too soon. Her mother never talked to her about it but she had chosen mortality and relinquished Aman's claims. Inariel did not mention her transition to this life was a result of sorcery with black origins. Nag Kath's unconventional mix of life force was not common knowledge and it could stay that way.

Nag Kath's manly conversations were not as intimate. There were three Elves who had been in Legolas' Emyn Vieren community who chose to stay. They had journeyed first to Lorien and then here when Lorien was abandoned. He did not remember them. They certainly would have remembered him. Legolas understood the healing need of fresh water but never liked the Dwarvish water pipe from the mountains. They also remembered he was more than just a stray Elf.

~o~

The couple stayed until mid-April. Inariel felt she knew herself better, just as her husband had in eastern healing after being reborn. Like ladies anywhere, the Quendi of the Woodland realm baked them a going-away treat, in this case, a sizeable batch of genuine Lembas bread from the Lorien recipe. Against all his whining against making it in penance, he spent a week in the kitchen watching closely. That might come in handy.

One of the Quenda who was friend to Inariel approached Nag Kath privately. She told him his wife would eventually feel the draw to the Undying Lands. Inariel had not escaped by being late. It was not terrible, but she would have to decide just as they had. If they must leave and could find a way, would he please tell their people on the other side that they would someday see them in the Halls of Mandos?

He kissed her on the forehead and said he would try.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

Dale is pretty in the spring. They stayed at the Arrow this time. As promised, Nag Kath and Inariel visited Master Golord again. He was glad to see them. Prince Rahrbagh was long returned from the Glittering Caves. If the couple would like to visit Erebor, he would be delighted to welcome them on behalf of the King. That seemed like a splendid idea so a note was sent by one of the daily carriers and they got a reply three days later that that two days hence was satisfactory.

New to Elvendom, Inariel was not squeamish about caves. Just as in the Elven Halls, she drank in every line of the massive Dwarf city. Nag Kath was sorry to learn that Tombor had died a few years back but he was nearly three hundred and had done well with his chances. Prince Rahrbagh welcomed them and showed the Princess sights Nag Kath had never seen before. He was a changeling Elf but she was the daughter of the Elessar. Her father's line mattered a great deal here.

That evening they had dinner with King Frör. He was as lordly as the great Dwarvish Kings of old. For the occasion, Inariel wore the circlet Milli gave her from Arwen's things and a necklace with the Traybor stone received from Nag Kath. She had worn neither in the Elven realm. The conversation was mostly about old deeds favorably remembered. The King raised no new issues about the direction of his peoples so the Kath's didn't either. They spent the night and were back in Dale by lunch.

~o~

It was time to go. They nosed their horses back down the Celduin but then took the Forest Road across Mirkwood. Merchant traffic was strong and the road was no wider so they took their time. The water had been clean for three lives of men. Nag Kath still checked the streams. He was tempted to find Radagast's home but decided that chapter was closed. From there it was down the Anduin to Lorien. It rained a lot. They had their slickers and Elves are tough, but not so tough that they didn't spend a night at the nice inn positioned on the Celebrant for a dinner and evening of snuggling, as she called it. They didn't get an early start either.

Powerful wards against men remained, probably Galadriel's doing. It was late afternoon when they turned the bend into Caras Galadhon and beheld the Mallorns that looked like thunderclouds with the rain as their trunks. Nag Kath unsaddled the horses and let them graze while Inariel explored the flets in other trees.

She found what must have been a lordly flat two trees deep from the opening. They nibbled their Lembas and watched the stars. There is no silence in a forest. Squirrels scamper. Branches break. Water flows. He sat holding her in front of him in wakeful rest.

He surprised both of them. "Orc Six. Welcome back. You have a friend."

"Hello Mr. Logass. Thank you. This is my wife, Inariel Telcontar."

The gnome walked to a few feet away and said, "Yes, yes I see it."

She answered, "Good day, Mr. Logass. Thank you for having us."

The gnome growled, "Hughmmmph, you are welcome. Will you be staying long, Orc Six?"

"A few days at least. Inariel is new to this life and wanted to take in Elvish places. We are also here in respect to her mother."

Logass chewed on that for a moment and said, "Are you here to see her grave?"

Inariel had been gazing in the distance but she snapped her head like a hooked trout, "Do you know where it is?"

"Certainly, we buried her. She rests on a hill about twenty miles from here. Cerin Amroth it is called, near King Amroth's house."

In a gasp she asked, "Can we go?"

"Hughmmm, yes. I could take you, but it will be faster on your horses. I do not ride horses. Keeper Ohdouth and I were here when she came. We spoke to her but she asked us to let her be. There is a small stone on the mound. It is unmarked. You can tell."

Nag Kath said, "Forgive my manners. May I enquire after the estimable Mrs. Logass?"

"Same as ever. She assists me in my labors. It will take you a day to get there. The path is overgrown but it the only one. Take your comfort and we will watch for your return."

~o~

Inariel neither slept or rested that night. She wanted to go but did not want to see what she would find. Mother's eyes had lost their light when she kissed her children goodbye. Arwen went to the place where she met her handsome ranger and died utterly alone. The keepers had done her an honorable service. The path was bad but they only had to lead the horses twice for about a mile each time. They were there an hour before sunset.

It was a small mound, now grown over in grass except for the rock placed in the middle. Inariel knelt beside it and started crying. Nag Kath was not needed now, but he soon would be as never before. Inariel stayed two bells, holding her hands and wiping her cheeks with her sleeves. After the sun was down she returned to the little clearing where the great King Amroth's home stood thousands of years ago and sat in the grass by their bedrolls. He walked behind her and sat with his legs to either side of her and held her like he had the night before. She was absolutely still. She needed this. A little piece of her heart had been restored, first in pain, then in understanding.

Later in the evening, her husband fetched Lembas and fresh water from the stream before sitting behind her again. She sipped the water. When the sun rose, Inariel asked in a tiny voice, "Must it be this way?"

"Pain is the price of love. Love is always worth it, thought it breaks our hearts. I have buried everyone I ever loved. I cried for them too. But I will do it again because without love, we fall into darkness." He kissed her cheek and whispered, "You are stronger now. You fell into grief like your mother and now you are reborn. This is the chance she did not have. Treasure it, honor her and be happy with me."

She walked up to the mound and put her hand on the grass for a moment. Nag Kath saddled the horses.

~o~

They were back in Caras Galadhon in the late afternoon and camped back on their little Flet. Mr. and Mrs. Logass walked underneath. She said heartily, "Hello, Orc six. I have baked fish."

He looked at his wife to be sure she was ready. She nodded and he called down, "Thank you, Mrs. Logass. We will be there presently."

At the flet used by the keepers, Inariel was reminded of Mr. and Mrs. Fencïl. Logass seemed much the same. They were homely with little creatures with those beaky noses and curious legs, but their hearts were true. She asked him more about her mother's decision. He only knew what he had already explained to Nag Kath but hearing it first-hand made a difference. Before story time, Nag Kath told the Keepers of their stay in the north, confirming Logass' conclusion that the Elves were diminishing. He asked, "When they are gone, where will you go?"

"Hughmmmf. We will be called away."

Inariel asked, "Will you need to take a ship?"

The missus answered, "Oh no, child. We are where we are needed. Now we are here. Later we will be somewhere else. It is not so confusing."

The Princess thought that was very queer, but if it made sense to the gnomes, that was all that mattered. Perhaps they were a form of Maiar who the Valar could move by thought. Nag Kath asked what seemed like a related question but addressed Arwen's difficulty and possibly Inariel's if she was called, "Will you return to Valinor, Mrs. Logass?"

They couple looked at each other and he said, "I don't remember ever being there. We go where Elves have left and, by all accounts, there are plenty there now."

Whatever happened, they would not need a ship. Nag Kath was suddenly struck with the question; was Aragorn really asking about him returning to the sea on behalf of his younger daughter? For story-time, Nag Kath told a romantic tale of kissing a beautiful Princess awake and falling in love with her. The gnomes agreed that was one for the ages and Logass would use it in his repertoire.

Before they retired, Nag Kath took out a sheet of the troll papers that Fencïl said were about the Valar. Logass had a hard look and said, "Before my time. Hughmmmph, before anyone's time. It was said the Valar created a language to speak to the Elves. The Elves didn't like it so the Valar abandoned it and learned to speak the Elvish tongues, and you know what a fright they are."

~o~

In the morning, Inariel was more herself. Her mother was properly mourned and remembered. She would tell brother and sister to put their minds at ease. Now it was time for Nag Kath's next adventure. He took a swaddling rag from his saddlebag and a handful of clay from the creek-bank before following a rivulet into a gully. Then he started tearing vines away from a very old stone base revealing a tarnished bowl on the top. Access secured, the Elf put the clay in the bowl and poured water on top before rubbing the surface with the rags.

Inariel watched patiently but was not sure what this was about until he stepped away to get more water. It was the mirror. Her husband wiped the surface with the back side of the rags and filled it about half full. Satisfied, held the edges with both hands. He felt he was drawing power from it but the reflection would not speak to him. Turning away he looked at her and said, "It was your great granna's."

She had imagined this since she was ten. Inariel approached and bent over to look straight down into her reflection without touching the basin. Nag Kath knew it would only seem a few moments but she was there fully two minutes completely motionless. Whatever she saw had an effect. The Princess stepped away and started walking back up the path to the flet. Her Elf collected the trash and followed. He did not ask what she saw. She did not say. She was Elfkind and Elves have secrets.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~

They were gone exactly a year. Inariel was different, more confident, more comfortable in what she was becoming. They returned to the palace first to see her family. Learning of Arwen was bittersweet but both Milli and Eldarion were glad she was at rest. They saw the Conaths over the next week.

After so much travel, they would spend the rest of the year in Minas Tirith and look to Belfalas in the spring. Fieldar Conath was now a grandfather twice over and pleased as he could be. Nag Kath presented a proclamation from King Stelhorn wishing Shurran's line all his best. There was another for Eniecia's brood on the coast. The youngsters though it was very special to be related to a King. It all came from imagining Smaug closing on the tower. Everyone greeted, the Kaths made for Emyn Arnen to see the bookworms.

~o~

Little had changed in Harad. The Hûks had the eastern rivers, Umbar clients controlled the west, Harondor was still not worth invading and Gondor would not be caught off-guard. Righters whispered in the Elf's ear that Khand took the same view on their side of the world. Nag Kath spent one militia training week teaching slow-swords.

They intended to spend about half of their time on the seventh and half at his house but his house saw more of it. There was not a lot to do on the seventh or the sixth levels unless you worked there. They saw Chievon and her husband at a restaurant and had them join their table. She was much more alive. Both Nag Kath and Inariel thought despite all her looks, she was like other women they had known whose husbands had never considered their desires until now.

The Elf never got around to taking his failed Elvish language papers to the scholars. A generation of well-heeled men embraced the discovery of the Black Numenoreans and argued over those texts, replacing the old halfers. He studied there sometimes but did not give them anything to fight over.

Kathlie, who named Orlon 'Daisy', was a big girl and married her childhood sweetheart in October. Uncle Nag was good for another generation of diamond earrings. He found it easier to give them all at the same time. Haldor had his Syndolan party and before you knew it, it was 137.

~o~

Light snows that winter would make going downriver easy whenever they chose so they chose the first part of April. Nag Kath presented the Dalish King's letter to his relatives in Dol Amroth to great acclaim. Inariel renewed a few acquaintances and used her Sindarin from the Woodland realm conversationally. There were still pockets in the city that spoke it as their preferred tongue. They enjoyed themselves, saw the next generation take shape and gave Raniece her sister's best. The Kaths even caught a few Catanards in the Ivandred boxes and one in the Prince's box. Nag Kath was secretly relieved that none of the next generations here or in Minas Tirith was elderly. When the next group got old that would be continuous owing to the range of ages but the oldest of them was in her mid-sixties and quite healthy.

Alas Forten was pretty, as always. A fire consumed about a third of the town. Patron Kath funded the restoration. The Coloma trees produced a bushel of fruit that did not last the day since everyone was invited to enjoy. The other crops ranged from excellent to a complete loss of the peaches because of a rare freeze in the spring. Nag Kath had a special place in his heart for peaches.

He trained with the militia this year. It was not the shambles it had been although the two farmers despised each other more than ever. After-hours, he taught slow-swords and youth archery. The march was orderly. Sarnt Brittanal was getting up there in years but he still demanded his men be soldiers the whole time. In the pretty autumn they decided to visit little Inara in Nargond. The mineral springs in Zevalth were relaxing and they made the farm in the mid-afternoon.

Delthander and Bekas saw them ride up and walked out to investigate, recognizing them after the couple dismounted. Everyone knew a high Elf had married a royal Princess in the lordly parts of the realm but they had not made the jump to Nag (having forgotten his last name) and Inara. The Kath's were prepared for either contingency.

Beksa had filled-out but Delthandir was spare as ever. Inara was their only child and she ran in a few minutes later from her chores. Miss Enedith was still the cook/housekeeper. Pati had been quickly rehabilitated by a more honest young fellow and had a family of her own.

Inara showed visiting Nag and Auntie Inara that she would count and read from the modest collection of children's books that made their way from the scribes of Osgiliath. After dinner, she read to them by candlelight and the tall healer told a story about great deeds in the north. The child was ten and tall, like her father. She looked like her parents too with nothing of King Aragorn's features.

Since they had forgotten his last name, he didn't mention it. Uncle Nag was good enough. Inara said they continued to travel and while they were close, wanted to stop by to see the lass. She beamed that anyone would want to see her and asked the pretty lady to explain a few words in her books no one in the family knew.

~o~

~o~o~o~

~o~