Arwen was crying tears of joy when she saw her father and brother sitting next to each other talking. Elrohir cleared his throat and the two looked up, and showed their surprise and happiness at seeing Arwen.

Elladan leapt out of his seat and toppled the chair over to get to her quickly, and when he did he kissed her cheek and hugged her. "Im alnauth im harma tirad lle ad," he told her happily. (I thought I'd never see you again.)

Arwen couldn't hold back anymore. She began to sob. "Im meleth lle," she replied. (I love you.) They parted and gazed into each other's eyes, then Arwen looked to Elrond and ran up to him. They, too, kissed and shared hugs. Then, teary-eyed, Arwen introduced her daughters and Yrinvan, then Legolas introduced his own children and Elviondel.

"You must have traveled far," Elladan said. "Would you like to rest?"

"Yes, please," Zerameth said instantly. Arwen cast her a sharp glance. "What?" the princess demanded. "I said please!"

Elladan smiled. "Don't be so hard on her, Arwen. Come, we have plenty of beds." He led everyone including Elrohir away, but Legolas stayed behind with Elrond.

"Lord Elrond," he began. "I seek your wisdom. Something terrible has happened… more than one thing, actually, and we need counsel."

Elrond motioned to the chair next to him and his mood sobered. "Yes?"

"Have you heard of the Lady Galadriel disappearing?"

Elrond looked surprised. "Disappear? When did this happen?"

"Maybe a month ago."

"No, she was here only a few days ago."

Legolas's face showed his surprise. "Did she say anything about leaving the Wood?"

"No, I was under the impression that she was merely visiting. She travels here on occasion. However, she usually does this with a company, and this time she came alone."

"Did she say where she was going?"

Elrond shook his head. "She told me nothing. And she did not seem troubled or disturbed. She did not hint at anything about disappearing, so I don't know what could have happened."

Suddenly it dawned on Legolas that maybe Aragorn was right about Elviondel. Maybe Galadriel wasn't gone and she had lied about that. After all, he hadn't heard about that, nor had anyone else in the company. Maybe for some reason she lied.

Legolas sighed. "Have you heard of these Ums?"

"Ums?"

"Creatures created in the Northwest, on the tip of Middle-Earth."

"Oh, yes. But here we refer to them as Taur. Why, what have you to do with them?"

"They are after Arwen, and that is why we have made this journey. Rivendell is not the end of it, but merely a marking point. A station to stay at and rest until it is time to continue."

"Where are you going?"

Legolas hesitated naturally, because he has been reluctant to give away any part of his plan. Then he consented. "The birthplace of these Ums, these Tauri."

"What do you wish to accomplish?"

Legolas looked away. He did not want to deny anything from Lord Elrond, but he also did not want to tell him any more information than he had already given out. "I wish to shake them from Arwen's trail. They sense her somehow, but I don't know how. They at all times know where she is, though sometimes it may take them awhile to catch up." He did not want to tell Elrond about how he felt like Sauron was near, for he knew that the idea was ludicrous and that he should withhold that information from anyone that would deem him instantly insane.

"How long do you wish to stay here?"

"For only a day or so. I don't feel comfortable staying in one place for long, for the army may be stupid but they are not slow."

Elrond and Legolas talked for a few more hours, at first about matters such as these, but eventually the mood lifted. Legolas ended up telling him about Gwilith, and then Elrond told him about how he met Celebrain. Then they spoke of Arwen, and Legolas then told Elrond about his own daughters. They were interrupted much later by Elrohir entering the room.

"Dinner is served," he reported to them. He smiled at Legolas. "How are things in Mirkwood?" he asked as Legolas and Elrond made their way to the door and down the hallway.

"Much the same as they have been, no better, no worse. The kingdom is doing well, the people are happy."

"And how about the Royal Family?"

Legolas instantly thought of Ohtar and how he was mad at him, but he felt awkward spilling out personal problems to Arwen's brother, so he only told him that things with the family were also "normal" and "well."

They arrived at the dinner table and sat down. Ohtar and Anywien were not there, and that was the first thing that Legolas noted.

"Has Ohtar not returned?" he asked Elladan.

"The boy? No, he hasn't. But I may send someone to retrieve him if you wish."

Legolas considered it. He would feel much better if he knew where Ohtar was, but then he reminded himself that his son may be angry, but he still knew better than to get into trouble. And he knew that with Anywien with him, Ohtar would be extra-responsible. Besides… Elladan had assured him before that Ohtar couldn't stray far, so Legolas's worries were soothed. Maybe for better, maybe for worse.