ELROND could not help smiling. The smile tugged at his lips no matter how much he tried to control it. To see Gil-galad and Thranduil sitting together and sharing a meal, conversing amicably, it was more than he had ever hoped. Even Lord Gilmagor who rarely laughed in their presence was laughing.

Elrond did his best to steer the conversations toward topics that would not stray to any sensitive topics for Thranduil and the king. But there had been no need to worry. Gil-galad was an excellent student of his uncle who was a master in the art of conversation.

In the end, they had grilled the entire basket of fish and shared them with the guards. The king could not stay long as he had prior engagements. When they came out of the house to see the king to his horse, Gil-galad met Elrond's eyes. The Half-elven could tell what the king wanted even without him asking it.

"Will you be leaving for the White City soon, Your Majesty?" Elrond asked.

"Yes. Soon after the ship leaves," Gil-galad glanced at his swordmaster.

Elrond felt the sorrow there in the glance, but the king hid it well. A soft ache feathered Elrond's heart. Along with Lord Cirdan and Lord Lammaeg, Gilmagor was like the pillar the king relied on. He knew the king's grief at having to lose Gilmagor. Elrond regretted not having been around for most of the past thirty years.

After the event with Sauron at the north, Elrond had spent three years with Thranduil training the recruits. But after that, the king had given both of them a choice of their own commission. Both Thranduil and Elrond had taken commissions at the marches of Lindon. Elrond did because he wanted to learn more about the herbs and plants from the Green Elves who lived around the boundary of Lindon. And Thranduil seemed eager to avoid being close to the cities. Five years ago, Elrond returned to the White City to learn diplomacy under Lord Lammaeg. Despite that, he had not known about Lord Gilmagor's plan to sail until two weeks ago when a formal announcement was made.

"Before the start of the summer, I will be hunting at the East Fort," the king said. "Would you two like to join me?" The king's words were casual, carefully thrown to not add any pressure.

"I don't have any plans. Do you, Thranduil?" Elrond knew not to place Thranduil into a position where no choice existed. When thrown into a box, Thranduil tended to blast holes in it, big and messy ones. But if you allowed him to make his own choices, usually Thranduil chose wisely. Usually.

"Didn't make any yet," Thranduil admitted. It was a good sign when he didn't outright reject a proposal.

Elrond nodded to the king. Gil-galad smiled. "Then, perhaps, I will see you." With that, the king mounted his horse.

"Where is Belegor?" Thranduil asked one of the three guards who accompanied the king.

Elrond had not thought much of Belegor's absence. When the king is within fortified city walls, only a few minor guards accompanied him. But at Thranduil's question, Elrond realized that they were outside the city walls. The part of the River Lune that cut through the valley here was a stray one from the main river where Cirdan's manor sat.

"He's on a leave," Gil-galad said.

"Something happened?" Elrond asked.

It was not usual for the officers to take a leave during the busiest time of the year. It was the start of the new yen which meant the king would be traveling from city to city. And Elrond had seen Belegor just a week and a half ago.

Gil-galad let out a sigh. "Lalaithwen announced she will be taking the ship."

"What?" Thranduil gasped. Elrond saw his friend's eyes widen before Thranduil took control of himself and closed his mouth into a firm line.

"She is unpredictable, but this surprised everyone, it seems," Gilmagor said. "Lammaeg is devastated by the news."

"Belegor wanted to spend some time with his family before his sister sails," the king added. There was regret in the king's voice. Elrond knew how fond of Lalaithwen the king was and could see how much of a blow the news had been for the king as well.

"But why? She is so young. Most of the ladies who want to leave these lands are elder," Elrond said and glanced at Thranduil. "I saw her less than two weeks ago and she had not mentioned anything."

The Sinda's face was emotionless, but Elrond knew Thranduil well enough now and could tell the news had been a shock to him. It was no surprise. The news was a shock to him as well.

"The decision was recent, it seems. She announced it to her family just over a week ago," the king said.

"And the ship, it is leaving in three days," Elrond said more for the benefit of Thranduil who was looking away.

Elrond looked up, following Thranduil's gaze. The Sinda was looking toward Lord Lammaeg's mansion at the Grey Havens which stood on the top of a cliff that stood over Caras Laurelin. A stray branch of River Lune curved away from the main river and the estuary where the Swan Manor stood. It fell over a cliff and cut through a jagged valley of stone running past Lord Lammaeg's manor. Lord Gilmagor's lodge stood about a half league from the chief councilor's manor house.

Once the king left, the three of them went back into the house.

"I have something to give you two." Gilmagor walked into the room with two items in his hand. "I didn't know I would see you before I left. In which event, I would have left it to Elrond's care, but I want you to have this." Gilmagor handed one of the twin swords to Thranduil. "These two are meant to be together, and perhaps they will in the end, but for now, I think they are meant to remain here." Gil-galad handed the other to Elrond.

Thranduil looked down at the sword, sheathed in the silver scabbard.

The one in Elrond's hand was the twin to the one Thranduil held but was in a gold scabbard.

"Why would you give me this?" Thranduil asked. "I had desired it the moment you had loaned it to me that first time at that waterfall, but…"

"Shouldn't you leave them with the king? He is your acknowledged disciple," Elrond agreed looking down at the sword in his hand.

"The king has Aeglos. He will not have any other weapon, for that spear is made from the shards of Ringil that Morgoth broke when Lord Fingolfin hewed his feet with it."

"I thought the sword was lost." Elrond knew Ringil was the sword of ice made for Lord Fingolfin, but there had been no mention of its whereabouts after the famed duel.

"Morgoth lost the king's body to Thorondor, but the sword and the shield the eagle could not save." Gilmagor let out a long sigh. "Perhaps it was the hand of Eru at work, but at the time of the duel, there were several Silmacils near Angband who were out there to find information on the dragons and on Aegnor's people who were taken as slaves after the Battle of the Sudden Flames. The Silmacils infiltrated Angband when the captains of Morgoth were distracted by the duel between the Dark Lord and Lord Fingolfin. Only two Silmacils, actually three, returned alive, but they managed to procure the broken shards of Ringil and the king's shield. The shards and the shield were reforged for Fingon. And when he died, his sword was remade into the spear for Gil-galad."

Elrond could now understand why Gil-galad's spear had similar qualities as Ringil he had only read about.

Gilmagor stroked the silver scabbard of the sword in Thranduil's hand. "Helcil (Ice). This one, like Ringil, has the essence of water. Fingolfin's House had the love of Ulmo. And yours, Ruinil (Fire)," Gilmagor placed his hand on the gold scabbard of the sword in Elrond's hand. "This one contains the essence of fire like the one Feanor had, the chief element of Aule. They are special. Forged by the dearest friend in friendship and hallowed by Aule to guard against the shadow. They are made with the same materials used to make Fingolfin's ice sword and Feanor's fire sword. Rarely have they left my hands." Gilmagor's eyes glistened. "Astalder and Astarno were the last ones to whom I had entrusted them. Now, I entrust them to you two."

"Why?" Thranduil frowned.

"Because they can be put to better use here with you than with me. I am afraid, my lads, that you will have the need for them. But where I go, there are no more wars."

Thranduil took out his blade from the scabbard. The sword sang a clear note as a white light danced along the blade.

"Be warned. These blades will not tolerate a hand that is evil. If it finds you unworthy, it will burn you and it will leave you." Gilmagor ran his hands over each of the blades again then stepped back with a sigh. "They are meant to be together, despite their opposing nature. I hope you two remember that." With that, Gilmagor met Elrond's eyes. An image flashed into Elrond's mind. He gave a silent nod to the swordmaster and glanced at Thranduil.

He wondered if Thranduil will accept. His friend rarely, if ever, accepted any gift from the king, or from anyone for that matter. His worry, however, was wasted.

Thranduil placed the sword back in its scabbard, then holding the sword out before him, he bowed low, surprising both Gilmagor and Elrond.

"Thank you, master. I will keep it with me always."

Gilmagor laughed out loud. In Elrond's memory, it was the first time Thranduil had ever called Gilmagor 'master.'

The late afternoon sun reached in encasing them in her golden light. Gilmagor took out another bottle of wine.

When the sun was low on the horizon outside, Elrond got up. "Since Thranduil made lunch, I will make dinner."

"I am afraid, not, lads." Gilmagor sounded regretful. "As much as I want to spend them with you, Lammaeg made me promise to sup these last days with him. He is still sore that I am leaving. And is grieved that his daughter is leaving, too. I don't want to add to his grief by breaking my promise to him."

"Then, may I ask you a question, sir?" Elrond decided this was the time to ask when Thranduil was here. He had wanted to talk to his friend first, but Thranduil had risen and left for Gilmagor's place before Elrond had a chance to talk to him.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on Gilmagor's door at that moment.

"That probably is a servant from Lammaeg's house. Here to remind me."

Gilmagor answered the door, and reluctantly, Thranduil and Elrond got up, picking up their new swords. Elrond decided he will return later for his questions.

"You are coming today, aren't you, my lord? My father is in a very fragile state. You must come and help me calm him." Lalaithwen stepped into the room holding a basket of baked goods. "Oh, forgive me. I did not know you had a company."

Lalaithwen seemed flustered when her eyes came to rest on them. Her smile froze when she turned to Thranduil who looked down at her with an unfathomable look on his eyes.

"You are back," she said to Thranduil, her voice softened almost into a whisper.

"Just visiting."

"Leaving soon?"

"After the ship sails."

The two of them seemed as if they were in a world of their own.

Gilmagor cleared his throat loudly. "Elrond, what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?" the swordmaster said. He turned to Thranduil and Lalaithwen. "Will you two excuse us? Tell your father, Lalaithwen, I will be there after I talk to Elrond."

Thranduil bowed to Gilmagor, then pulled the door open for Lalaithwen. His eyes grazed Elrond silently before Thranduil followed after the lady.

"Those two…" Whatever Gilmagor meant to say, he didn't. Instead, he turned to Elrond with a frown. "If I felt it, then I am certain Lammaeg suspects if he doesn't know already. I am afraid you may have to be a shield for your friend."

"My lord?"

"I am sure you noticed by now, Elrond. Lammaeg is generous with his friends and those he cares for, but with those who he feels wronged him, he can be quite impossible. I am afraid, Lammaeg may blame Thranduil for his daughter's leaving."

THRANDUIL glanced at Lalaithwen. He walked with her toward her mansion on the top of the hill, but she stopped at a cliff overlooking the city. He could see the harbor where the single-masted ship was docked. The sun was sinking over the horizon, and the sky above the sea was drenched in rose and gold as twilight descended like a net of shadow over them.

She was usually the one who started and maintained a conversation when they were together, but today, she was silent. Her sculpted cheeks looked leaner, making her look wistful. It seemed the thirty years he had been absent from the White City had changed her.

"You lost weight. Your father not feeding you?"

Her lips pulled up in the corners. "Do not speak ill of my father." She looked sideways at him.

"Who would if I don't."

That made her lips pull up again. Her eyes laughed, but she did not laugh out loud the way she used to.

"When did you arrive?" She screwed her face towards him.

"Last night."

"To see Lord Gilmagor?"

Thranduil nodded.

"Waited until the last minute to see him off? You are too cruel."

"I only knew a fortnight ago."

"Fortnight?" She turned towards him. "Weren't you serving at the southern marches? Takes more than two weeks of travel."

Thranduil was surprised that she knew where he was. But, then, Elrond knew so maybe it wasn't too surprising.

"Is your poor horse alive?"

"He is recovering."

"They shouldn't let you have horses, Thranduil Oropherion."

"I don't always abuse them."

A howling wind from the sea whooshed past them, billowing Thranduil's cape and intermingling his golden hair with that of Lalaithwen's glossy, black tresses. He waited, but she did not say. When the winds calmed, he turned to her.

"Why are you leaving?"

"You heard?"

"Were you, lady, planning to leave without a word to me?"

"Would things have changed if you knew?" She turned to him fully now. "If you had known, would it have changed anything?"

Would it? He didn't know. He thought she would always be here. Even if he left, he thought he could always come back when the longing became too unbearable, and she would be waiting.

"Stay."

Lalaithwen laughed, then. "Do you know what it is that you are asking?"

"Why can't we stay the way we are?"

"I asked myself that. And if I loved myself less, perhaps it would have been enough. But, I know myself. It is not enough for me. This glorious shell of yours is just that—a shell made of ice. Shiny, cold and glittering. But through this clear wall of ice, I saw the fire and warmth inside. And I wanted it all, Thranduil. Both the fire and ice."

"Neither is good, I assure you. Both are extremes. Both are destructive. They are best at a distance."

"There will be distance enough between us now." She looked away at the sea. Then her gray eyes sparkled with mischief, the way he remembered her. "You know that you will regret and will long for me as soon as I am gone. Then, it will be too late. I shall have plenty of lofty lords clamoring for my attention. By the time you come to Valinor, I would have become a grand lady. You may, then, beg for my friendship, Thranduil Oropherion. And we shall be friends again."

Thranduil laughed. "Yes, I would like that."

Lalaithwen pulled her arm through Thranduil's and they stood together, their heads touching.

"What will you do there?"

"This was not unplanned. Several of us Yavannildi wanted to sail to be with Yavanna, to see Valinor with our very eyes. I have been to all the civilized parts of Middle-earth. And I finally accepted that you wouldn't take me to see your father's woods." Lalaithwen gave Thranduil a mock pout. "I suppose I have lost my wonder. Perhaps I can see things with my own eyes all that our loremasters wrote. A new world."

She was quiet for a moment, then she looked up. "There is something I always wondered. That day, under the beech tree. In the rain. Why did you kiss me?"

Thranduil knew what day she meant and thought back to that early summer day just after he became the captain of the Royal Guards. The king had been hunting. Belegor was with the king, and Thranduil was tasked with keeping the perimeter of the hunting area secured. He was standing under a young beech tree, avoiding the rain that came suddenly and unexpectedly. As he was far from where most of the hunting party was, Thranduil had been surprised when Lalaithwen, without her maid or her escort, ran in for shelter.

"How come you were there? I was farthest from everyone."

"I was stalking you as I always did, and you were standing under the best tree for shelter. But, you didn't answer my question. Why did you put your cape over my head? I never expected that from you."

The sudden summer shower had turned into a storm and they had retreated to the base of the tree, their backs to the tree trunk. He saw tree branches and stray rain falling on her head and had lifted one end of his cape over her head.

"The debris was falling from the tree. I didn't want them falling on you. I was a Royal Guard. It was my duty to protect you from harm."

"Truly? Was that all it was? You didn't need to kiss me although I had wished and prayed for it. And you had never given in to it before."

Yes, why did he? He didn't know. She had looked up, her eyes wide. Then she moved closer. The wind and the rain had shaken the tree, but he had heard none of the howling, felt none of the relentless wind, except that she was warm and soft. She was the warmth of the sun amid the chill of the storm outside.

"It was the first and the only time you willingly kissed me."

"It was the first and the only time I willingly kissed anyone."

Lalaithwen laughed then, her silver tinkle of laughter.

"Oh, so you did care for me."

"Of course I cared for you. I care for you still."

She laughed again. "Yes! My pride is appeased now."

Thranduil took her hand in his. Her hand was warm, and he didn't want to let it go.

"If I ask you to stay, will you?"

"A moment of weakness?" She looked up at him and laid her hand on his cheek. "If I knew you a little less, perhaps. I don't know you well enough still, but I know this: had I truly moved your heart, you would have carried me off already. Nothing would have stopped you. It took me a long time to realize and to admit it to myself, but I was but a warm hut in the snow blizzard and you the lonely traveler in the relentless storm. But the loneliness and the desire for rest are just that, Thranduil. Nothing more and nothing less. It is not love. And I will not settle for anything less. It is not fair for me and is not fair for you when we have but one chance to get it right."

Thranduil knew she was right. And yet, he didn't want to let go. Outside, the snow was still falling and the road ahead was long, bitter, and lonely. In his heart he knew the fire within the hut would not last; still, it was hard to step out of the door when he could still feel the warmth of the fire inside.

"Kiss me again. Like that time under the beech tree," she whispered.

Thranduil pulled her close and kissed her as fervently as he dared, letting her feel all that he felt for her, his warm regard, respect, and affection, as well as his regrets. It was not until he tasted the salt of her tears on her lips that he let her go.

"Farewell, Thranduil Oropherion," she whispered before she pulled away.

"Lalaith…" he reached out, but she turned and walked away, her head held high like a queen. He stood there watching her as her white dress was swallowed by the darkness that fell like the mists of the sea.

THRANDUIL sat dangling his legs over the edge of a cliff, looking out at the darkness that was the sea before him. Thousands of stars twinkled above and the faint chorus rose from behind him in praise of Elbereth, their beloved Lady of the Stars.

Twin stars whizzed past him, then turned back to hover about him.

"There you are." Elrond's warm voice came from behind. The Half-elven walked over gingerly, chasing away the darkness with the light he cast. He looked down at the deep valley below.

"You weren't planning to jump, were you?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Elrond."

"Here." Elrond handed Thranduil a jug. "I brought wine."

The liquor had a pleasant, flowery scent. Thranduil took a gulp. An unexpected fire burnt through the lining of his throat as the liquid went down, giving him a fit of coughs.

"What is this stuff?"

"My own special brew." Elrond sat down next to him. "I figured you need something stronger than the usual tonight."

Thranduil took another gulp. The sear of the fire warmed him, as well as the presence of his friend. The night deepened, and the stars glittered in the sky.

The wine, the stars, and his best friend by his side. These are enough, Thranduil told his aching heart.

Grey Havens. March 1, SA 721

"THRANDUIL, are you all packed?" Elrond stepped into the room.

Thranduil looked up to meet Elrond's calm gray eyes.

"Not much to pack. I go as I came."

Gil-galad had offered boxes of treasures. He said it was in return for his loyal service, but Thranduil had refused them. His service to the king was in payment for what Gil-galad had already given. He wanted nothing more from the king. But Thranduil did plant a tree in the courtyard alongside that of the king. Gil-galad had said the two trees will represent a symbol of their friendship.

"Here." Thranduil handed the silk package to Elrond. "I should have given it to you a while ago, but I had given it to Glineth for safekeeping. Durion had brought it with him when he was here last, but I had been making a copy with translations for my father's healer." Actually, he had completed the copy and the translations a while ago, but it had been hard to let it go.

Elrond opened it and looked through the leather-bound journal.

"This…" His eyes glittered with delight. "But…I can't." He closed it and handed it back. "I can't accept it. It is your mother's. I know you have a very few of her things left."

Thranduil pushed it back to Elrond. "My mother made this journal for Elwing. She never got to give it to her. I know that she would be happy to see it in such capable hands, being used for the good that it was intended."

"But…"

"Keep it, please. Follow your dream, Elrond. You have many talents, but healing is what you were born for. I see it. You are happiest when you are healing people."

Elrond opened the journal again.

"It is written in my mother's tongue, Vanyarin Quenya. It differs slightly from the Quenya you know, but I am certain it is not a problem for you."

"Perhaps there is information that could help with your dragon blood. You remember what I told you?"

Elrond had been researching the effects of the dragon blood, but there was not much known of it. There were no Elves known on Middle-earth who had survived the dragon fire. He had even spoken with Lord Gilmagor before he sailed, but while he and the Silmacils knew much about the dragon fire, they had no knowledge related to dragon blood.

Elrond had conducted several tests on him and they believed that Thranduil's ability to understand the variety of tongues derived from the dragon blood, and that his ability to heal himself was enhanced. These were good things. But both knew these things were not the only things the blood conferred. And knowing what they know of Morgoth, from whom the blood originated, they knew that whatever 'gift' the dark lord gave, it also took. They just didn't know what.

"I am going to continue my study, and will let you know if I find something."

Thranduil nodded.

"Hopefully, I could convince Lord Lammaeg that I will make a good ambassador to Lorinand. Or even to Eregion. We could be near each other."

"Eregion?"

"Celebrimbor wanted to call the new place Eregion, the Land of the Holly."

"How lame. I know the area has a lot of holly trees and bushes, but it seems to lack imagination, especially coming from a Noldo."

"Well, the rule of the new province is given to Lord Celeborn rather than to Celebrimbor who had originally suggested the idea. I think the king felt obliged to allow Celebrimbor to name it."

"The place doesn't even have a dwelling yet."

"The plan is, within three decades or so, they hope there will be enough settlements there to become a self-sufficient city. Once that happens, the king will be there to celebrate its foundation. Perhaps, you will be there, too?" Elrond's eyes were hopeful.

"Lord Amdir will certainly send a representative."

Elrond's eyes glittered. Thranduil sighed with a dramatic gesture of hands. "I'll see what I can do."

"You do that. I am hoping to put together a reunion of the cadets at that time. With Lassiel, Cellon and Saldor already there, it will be a reunion to remember."

Lassiel was traveling with the first group of builders as the main healer, and Cellon commanded the warriors under Lord Celebrimbor. Saldor who had given up wanting to be a warrior had become a jeweler when he met his young wife, and he planned to move to the new settlement once it was established.

Elrond opened a bottle of wine he brought, and they drank to the future. Thranduil looked outside at the view of the Grey Havens fading into the darkness of the night.

Farewell, Lindon.

Ringil (Quenya, Cold, chilly)—Name of Fingolfin's sword he used against Morgoth. It is said that the sword bit with a chilling cold and that it "glittered like ice."

Aeglos (Quenya, Snowthorn)—Name of Gil-galad's spear

Yavannildi (Quenya, Maidens of Yavanna)—Elven women who were entrusted with the handling of the special corn used to make lembas.

A/N: 1) This mention of the Silmacil activity at Angband is from Chapter 79: Fact and Truth of What It Means to be a King. The three Silmacils who survived the Angband are Astalder, Astarno, and Asumo, the Three Aces/Asses.

2) Anyone familiar with Part 1, What It Means to be a King, would know that I gave Grey Havens two cities located across from the river: Caras Laurelin (City of the Gold Tree) on the side of Forlindon and Caras Tilperion (City of the Silver Tree) on the side of Harlindon. This is modeled after the two cities of Falas, Brithombar and Eglarest, ruled by Cirdan during the First Age.

3) Eregion is mentioned in the LOTR as a realm founded by Celebrimbor in SA 750, but in the Unfinished Tales, it says Celeborn and Galadriel established it in SA 700. My version, I suppose, is a compromise.