The evening drew near when Ithildin headed back towards the palace. For many hours, she had wandered about the forest trying to forget about her strange encounter, and though she had met with little success, finally, she had found some peace of mind. There was the sound of laughter emanating from the bridge across the river and Ithildin saw with surprise, many elves leaving the palace gates and crossing the bridge. Still more were already up ahead, setting up in the north many tables and chairs and food and drink.
Ithildin joined the crowd heading north and was greeted with warmth. She asked the elves what was happening and they told her that Thranduil was holding a feast to celebrate the return of his son, Legolas and the other elves. They had been away for quite some time and all of Mirkwood had missed them. Now, Thranduil was up ahead busying himself with the preparations and the evening promised nothing but laughter and merriment.
The excitement was quite contagious and soon Ithildin found herself quite eager to meet the prince of Mirkwood. When all the elves had reached their destination, she looked around for Thranduil. For a while, she could not see him, for a whirlwind of activity was about her. Elves were hanging lanterns about the trees, and stringing tiny bouquets of berries and flowers to each branch. Many were spreading out tablecloths of a silken texture, others were placing baskets of food among the numerous tables and still others were singing or playing instruments of beautiful sound.
Finally, she saw Thranduil at the far end of the field. He was conversing with Iorkann and some other elves. Carefully, she made her way through the buzzing activity. When she approached the king, he saw her and smiled. He came to her and his face was aglow with happiness such as she had never seen before.
"Elen síla lumen omentilmo," he said with a smile.
"Le gelir aen," she replied.
Iorkann came to her side. "He is happy with good reason for our prince has returned!"
"Yes," said Thranduil, "And the sight of my son fills me with more joy than ever imaginable. I sent him on a most dangerous errand and did not expect he should return. He was to journey as far down south as he could, to find news about the land of the East. There is evil stirring in the south and we do not like it. Ever since the arrival of Mithrandir and that strange creature Gollum, we have become quite weary of the land about us. My son and his friends have returned and though the news that they bring is not good, they have returned and that is what matters most."
At that moment, a shadow fell over Ithildin and she saw Thranduil look behind her with an expression of delight and said, "Ithildin, here is Legolas, my son who has returned."
With that, Ithildin turned and her heart leapt to her throat. Standing before her was the strange elf she had met in the woods only hours before. He was more beautiful than before, clothed in great silver with tiny leaves of ivy adorned in his hair. He looked at her with eyes that reflected her surprise, but other than that, his expression did not change. He smiled at her and when he spoke, his voice was soft music. "I have heard much about you, Lady Ithildin. My father speaks of you with great reverence."
Ithildin did not know quite how to reply, and when she turned to Thranduil, she found that he had left and Iorkann as well. Alone she stood with the elven prince and something fluttered in her heart. "Perhaps," she replied, "But your father speaks of you with much adoration. If ever I had desired to meet someone through another's tales, it is you."
And with that, their souls were touched and remained linked forever. He took her hand and together, they walked to the tables of the great feast. When the evening grew late, they wandered away into the woods until they found a fallen tree stump. There they sat for many hours and talked as no two have ever talked before. They shared heartaches and happiness, joys and sorrows, stories of hope and courage. He told her of the many wonders of Middle-Earth that she had yet to see and she told him of her years in Mindon Enedh. When finally they returned to the palace, they bade farewell to one another and both slept that night, more content than they had ever been