Months passed, and summer gave way to autumn.  Legolas, Glamren, and the other Mirkwood Elves finally finished the improvements they had been working on since arriving in Ithilien.  They hoped to bring another group of their people down from Mirkwood before winter.

Early one morning Legolas made his way toward Lord Faramir's home, hoping to catch Nori alone.  When he got there he found this was not to be, but he wasn't disappointed.  Calenmir had ridden over from Minas Tirith to see his cousin, and Legolas looked forward to seeing him.

The friends greeted each other warmly, and talked for a short time about the happenings in Minas Tirith.  At a lull in the conversation Nori, who had been unusually quiet, sighed abruptly.

"Cal is returning to Dol Amroth," she said.  "He came here this morning to tell me that he and Thalestel are leaving, and has asked me to return with them."

Legolas looked at Nori, who was obviously upset, and his face fell.

"This is terrible news!," he exclaimed.  "I came on purpose to ask you to come with Glamren and me to Mirkwood!  I thought Calenmir and Thalestel might come with us, at least as far as Rohan.  But I suppose you must all return to Dol Amroth together."

Nori had been upset before; now she felt like crying.  Invited to Mirkwood!  She bit her lip, but could say nothing.

"Yes, I must go, and right away," said Calenmir.  "My business with King Elessar is finished.  As for Norusell, I don't see why she may not go to Mirkwood, if she wishes.  She is grown, and does not require my permission to go anywhere.  She may do as she pleases."

Nori's eyes lit up, and she threw her arms around Cal's neck.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!," she cried.

Cal laughed.

"I suppose this means you will be going to Mirkwood.  My father will be disappointed, but I think he will understand.  You will at least have many stories to tell him when you finally come home!"



Within a week they were ready to depart.  Nori and Thalestel were invited to a farewell dinner with Queen Arwen, and Lady Eowyn joined them.  The three elder women surprised Nori with gifts they felt would be of use to her in King Thranduil's court in Mirkwood.  Thalestel gave her a silver belt with a clasp in the shape of a swan, Lady Eowyn offered a thin band of silver to wear on her brow, and Arwen gave a delicate chain of mithril with a pendant of mother-of-pearl.

The next day the cousins parted, both of them with mixed emotions.  Now that it came to the point, Nori realized how much she really missed her uncle and the people of Dol Amroth.  But she knew she still wanted more than anything to see Mirkwood, and the thought of parting from Legolas made her heart ache.  She watched Cal and Thalestel ride slowly away, and then turned to Legolas and Glamren.

"Let's go," she said, and smiled.