I Lant Dad O Calina Brethel - The Downfall Of Calina Birch

As good as his word, Aragorn with Arwen and their entourage returned to the Wood three months later. Again, Thranduil gave a large feast, attended by all the members of Court and the nobility of the forest. Lathrin was present, beside Verlat, but Calina was not there. There had been no change of heart between her and Legolas and both of them blamed the other. News of Calina reached the ears of her friends in the Palace via Lathrin and Verlat, who was now a regular visitor to the little village, and they were always pleased to hear of her continuing prosperity. However a deep sadness now fell on the whole of Eryn Lasgalen. There was no one who was not losing a relative, friend or acquaintance to the migration. Whole families were leaving to travel to Ithilien leaving the trees of the wood for the freedom to reclaim another part of the forest. The workshop was losing several members of its staff, but there were always new apprentices to be had for such a prosperous business but, in truth, Calina barely noticed. Her main attraction was once more furthering the name of Birch among not only the last elven communities, but making sure that her work would be shown to the Dwarves and Men of the outside world. Her mind would not dwell on Legolas.

The day of the departure came. Many of the elves made the trip to the edge of the forest to watch the sad sight of the many horses and wagons winding a line across the plains. Lathrin was there, watching the leading horses carefully. She had not reckoned on feeling such an ache at this departure, but there Verlat went. Her mind went back to their last night together. Their lovemaking had become desperate, rather than passionate. Both of them wanting to cling on to the short time they had left together. Neither slept after, but lay awake wrapped in each other's arms until the stars told them it was almost dawn and time for Verlat to leave. She kept her tears at bay until Verlat had ridden off into the darkness of the trees and then wept bitterly, as she still did. She could have gone with him, but she stayed for a short time at least for Calina's sake, for that elf would need someone in the years to come. Lathrin wiped her eyes, as she could no longer see the rise and fall of Verlat in the saddle. She looked left and right and all alone the forest's edge the groups of elves turned sadly away and went back to their homes. She reached into the neck of her robe and pulled the chain there over her head. She threaded her finger through the silver ring that rested on it. Verlat and she had exchanged rings only a few weeks before. The engagement was supposed to last a year and then they would swap the silver rings they both had for wedding bands of gold, but Lathrin knew it would be longer than that. They had told no one, not even their closest friends for they believed the pain would be more if others knew and watched them with pitying eyes. What she felt at that moment was enough. Finally she tore herself away later that afternoon. The line had become a dot on the horizon even for elves to look at but not before over taking a smaller line of the dwarves leaving for Rohan. One rider stopped and a dwarf was lifted onto the back of his horse and then they continued south together.

The elves had stopped to rest for the night. They were in no hurry to get to Ithilien. They were going south and winter would be a long time in the future. They were travelling down the edge of Eryn Lasgalen and past the realm of East Lorien. From there they would find a place safe to cross the Anduin and down to Edoras. There, they would take their leave of Gimli and also of Eomer before travelling further to Minas Tirith and then to Ithilien. The King had been busy even in the short number of years since the War. The River was much more passable and Gondorians and Dwarves had been working alongside to construct crossings across the fast flowing water.

Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli were gathered around the fire talking together. Aragorn spoke of seeing the Hobbits again on his journeys in Arnor and seeing Sam's children. The thought of young Merry, Pippin and Sam having children of their own made Legolas and Gimli sigh and shake their heads. Had such a long amount of time past? Gradually the conversation was steered very gently by dwarf and man until the topic of the Forest came around. Neither knew why Calina was not also coming to Ithilien. No one would speak of it to Legolas, fearing his reaction, but these were his old friends, battle comrades, there were no secrets amongst them. Soldiers on the night of their doom often revealed the greatest secret their heart held. It was Aragorn who finally broached the subject,

"Legolas, my old friend, why is Calina not here among us? She has chosen to remain behind?" There was a silence as the wing blew and made the fire crackle. The smoke from Aragorn's pipe blew into his face but his steely eyes never flickered from Legolas' for one moment. Legolas met their silent challenge,

"There is no love shared between us. I saw no reason to ask her to come. The offer was made to all the Wood. It was her choice." No one bit those who knew him the best would have detected the tinge of regret that stung his words. Gimli grunted and shifted,

"You could have fought for her. I never knew you to resist a fight whether you could win it or not,"

"Love is not about conflict, Gimli," Legolas said, his eyes looking into the darkness. What his mind saw they could not say. Was it happy, was it sad? His face did not reveal it. Aragorn inhaled deeply on his pipe and blew a pensive smoke ring into the cool night air and watched it drift towards Legolas. Gimli muttered to himself in Dwarvish and shook his head. Legolas turned back to look at his friends, "One sentence will not be enough for you this night will it?" Aragorn simply raised an eyebrow but Gimli spoke his mind,

"I do not profess to be an expert on elves and I have only met her twice now, but there is a spirit in Calina, the same as the one in you Legolas. You are both so passionate about your lives and you were so passionate about her."

"Sometimes you can have too much passion Gimli," Aragorn cautioned, but Gimli had not finished,

"You would always speak of her when we were in Gondor and poured over letters from your father for news of her. I was anticipating at least one young elfling by now, growing gradually taller than me from the way you talked."

Legolas sighed, a long sad, wistful one but his face hardened visibly during it and then said,

"Our love is as dead as the trees she carves." This statement had an air of finality and Legolas stood and left the warmth of the fire to wander in the edge of the East Lorien by moonlight.

He walked among the trees until he found an old, gnarled tree. It still bore the scratch marks from the days that orcs had roamed free in that part of the forest, the days before the Fellowship and before Calina. Legolas remembered clearly the early days when the shadow had fallen on Greenwood the Great and it was renamed Mirkwood. He had never seen his father look his years before that dark time. Legolas had been his father's support during that time, ordering the soldiers, helping plan the building of the great Halls where part of the Wood, at least would be safe. It felt strange now to perhaps never seen him again for possibly centuries - Thranduil was determined to remain there until the end. Legolas climbed the tree and let the moonlight wash his face. He cast his mind back to the night before and his last long conversation with his father.

They were in Legolas' study in the Halls. Legolas spoke to his father about the calling of the sea that ached his heart,

"Father, there is one more thing that I have not discussed with you."

"What is that my son? You are moving to Ithilien, it cannot be worse than that!"

"When the Fellowship has departed Middle earth, I shall depart too. I do not think I shall ever be back here." Thranduil was silent for a moment, digesting these words,

"That is no surprise to me Legolas. I know your heart, my son, despite what you may think. I was prepared for this. I know how the Sea calls you, I am just surprised you have stayed this long. Your loyalty is greater than any other I have seen, even amongst the greatest warriors. You do not know how proud I am of you." Thranduil embraced his son and held him tight to him. The old King thought of the first time his son was set into his arms, a red crying baby, and then of the Prince he had become. Not only the Prince, but the caring and compassionate elf. He could be at ease with everyone, be it visiting nobility or the lowliest member of the palace staff, and they would be at ease with him too. Legolas had an unmistakable skill with people. Probably why so many were willing to follow him to Ithilien. But there was one thing that Thranduil was not so pleased with, "Tell me my son," Thranduil now looked his son in the eye, "is there no one else you would like me inform when the time comes." Legolas held his father's gaze and took a step back,

"I know who you speak of father, but I must ask you to promise not to get involved. It is finished now, unless the Valar intervene, which I doubt strongly. It is over, you must accept that too now. It can never be while she is still here and I am in Ithilien. She would never come with me."

"Why do you not stay then and try again?" Legolas shook his head,

"Promise me father, promise me not to get involved. Do not tell Calina when I leave Middle-Earth." Thranduil sighed,

"If this were any other day I would fight with you some more Legolas. She is a good girl and you are meant for each other." Thranduil paused, pushing his frustration at Legolas and Calina back down. He sighed quietly and continued, "But I cannot bear for you to leave with us on bad terms. You have been grown for many years, grown far beyond my expectations and I shall just have to learn that you are no longer the boy that I have watched with pride and loved with my whole heart and soul since the moment he was conceived." Tears appeared in the corner of the King's eyes,

"Oh father. We shall see each other again over the Sea. You will not be that hard to find, I am sure. Do not worry for me, I have been on far more dangerous journeys than this!" Thranduil smiled,

"Yes we shall see each other again. You will probably be causing trouble somewhere so no doubt I shall find you, my son." They both laughed and embraced once more. Legolas looked at his father,

"I am sorry you have not seen me get married in this world father. But one day I shall find the right one and then you shall be there as we are wedded in bliss and then you will have many elflings to dote on. That is a promise."

"I am glad, for there is no greater joy than finding the mate that your soul craves." Thranduil paused, seeing the conversation was over, "Are you packed?"

"Almost. There are a few more bits in here I need. All my bags are in my bedroom to be taken down to the horses in the morning." Thranduil nodded and left his son. He wandered into Legolas' room to check his packing in the way all parents do. There was one thing left out in the room, not noticeably, but tucked in the corner against a cupboard. Thranduil picked it up and looked at the little frame in his hand. Sadly he shook his head and tucked it down in the bottom of a bag, carefully inside the folds of clothes. Legolas saw him do this, he had been watching his father through a tiny crack in the door. Let him have his dreams, Legolas thought, we all have them. And before his father would catch him, Legolas returned to his study.

Legolas sat in the boughs of the tree and remembered the frame was still there, he had forgotten to remove it. It looked like he would be taking Calina to Ithilien after all, with or without her permission.

The journey to Ithilien continued without incident. They dwelt for a time in Rohan with Eomer and then said goodbye to Aragorn and Arwen as they travelled to Minas Tirith. The elves began to set up home near the lands populated by the people of Faramir, Prince of Ithilien and his wife Éowyn, the White Lady of Rohan, but gradually the years went on the elves spread out and populated all areas of the country. Ithilien was beautified by their presence and the wounds from war began to heal. There were still scars, but these faded until they were no longer noticed. Ithilien became the most beautiful land in the northwest of Middle-Earth and all who were there were happy and the calling of the Sea was stilled in their hearts for a short while.

Some thirty-odd years later in Eryn Lasgalen, Calina was still there working. The day came of Turel's coming-of-age and a large party was thrown in the village. She took her first day off in a time so long she could not remember and went along to smile and laugh with her friends and for one day, pretend there was no aching in her soul. She had felt it for years. Calina put the pain down to the loss of her family, but a small voice inside her, which she sometimes listened to and sometimes not, said that she yearned for Legolas. But the short time she considered this was soon over and she shook herself and admonished herself and got back on with whatever work she had been distracted from.

She took a bottle of her best wine to the party and the best gift she thought she could give - an apprenticeship at the workshop. She had not discussed it with Turel or his father for years, but she felt sure this would still be what the boy, she corrected herself, elf, would want. The exodus from Eryn Lasgalen had begun to pick up pace in the past years and many of her workers had left, but the workshop continued as before. Calina did her best and the Birches continued to renown.

It took her several hours to get Turel on his own. Calina had not grown fond of large groups of merry people over the years and she shied back from approaching him with anyone around. She took both his hands and kissed his cheek and wished him joy at coming of age. She had watched him grow from a little elfling into a sensitive and caring elf,

"Turel, I would like to talk to you, would you come outside for a little while?" He nodded and she led him down from the large talan that had been constructed for the occasion. He looked nervously at her, but she smiled and continued, "Turel, you have nothing to worry about, this is nothing bad. Many years ago you spent much time in the workshop watching your father and everyone work. You had a good eye Turel and I was impressed even then. I would now like to offer you an apprenticeship with me at the workshop. I could train you in all the arts you wish to learn and then when those years are over, there would be a full position for you, if you want it of course." She paused for a moment and then said, "What do you think? You can have more time to think about this if you wish."

Turel shook his head sadly at Calina,

"Calina, I am honoured, deeply honoured, that you would ask me to work with you. I would say yes in an instant, but I cannot. My father has not spoken to you of it, but we are leaving Middle-Earth. My parents and my older brothers and sisters need to cross the Great Sea. I could not be parted from them and I too feel the calling. I am young and I still need their guidance, no matter how little I want to admit to that. I have watched you work for years Calina, and father says there is no one that has even been so talented, but I will have to learn from someone not so great, for I fear that your time here will be long and I cannot wait for you in the West. I itch to learn the craft, but I yearn to see the Sea. Calina do you understand what it is to be torn between two things when you cannot have both?" She nodded softly to him, "Then you will know how sorry I am, but I have to choose the Sea." Calina nodded again, she understood all too well. She wiped a little tear from her eye, but then smiled as Turel looked at her concerned,

"Turel, I am sure that whoever you work with they will train you well and your skill will surpass their expectations. I wish you luck and I am sad to see you, your father and the rest of your family leave. When will you depart?"

"I am not sure. My mother wished it to be as soon as possible. She feels the calling like a weight around her neck, and it is getting harder and harder for her to bear. I am sure that we shall be gone by the turn of the season in a few weeks. I shall miss you Calina. You always treated me like an adult even when I was young and foolish."

"You were never foolish Turel,"

"Perhaps not, but I was always impatient to be grown and you saw that. It was a great kindness I shall never forget. Thank you." He hugged her.

That was the last time Calina saw Turel. His father came to her the next day to say they were leaving. She wished him good fortune and they left the following day. It was a great sadness for everyone. The workshop became silent and sombre. There was no laughter anymore and barely enough work to go round. There was no call for the extravagant furniture that Calina longed to work on and design. All the orders were for travelling chests and boxes or for small parting gifts. Calina decided on one drastic course of action - a trip to Rivendell. There were still a few elves living there, including the Sons of Elrond who had delayed their departure to the West. Perhaps there was work to be had there?

She spoke of the idea to Lathrin who still remained in Eryn Lasgalen, even though unseen to Calina, her heart belonged elsewhere, and she agreed to accompany her. The mountains were now safe and they could travel to Rivendell together in the matter of a few days. The Wood was safe to cut straight through, but they decided to stick to the road so it took them a few days longer than usual. The day of their departure dawned. Calina had to shut up the workshop while they were away. The work had dried up and more of her staff had decided to leave to go West. She hated to see her life and soul begin to crumble like that. She heard horses ride up behind her and turned to see half a dozen palace guards on horseback. One dismounted and spoke to her,

"King Thranduil wishes us to escort you to Rivendell, my lady. The mountains are supposed to be safe, but you never know what is lurking in the dark places of Middle-Earth. You do not carry a sword and he wishes for you to be safe." Calina was less than pleased,

"How did the King learn of this?" she demanded, "This is an unacceptable intrusion."

"Nevertheless my lady, he wishes you to be accompanied."

An argument ensued, but in the end, with the help of Lathrin's mediation, Calina was appeased to take three guards with them, and the other three were sent back to the King. Calina was still none the wiser as to how Thranduil knew she was going to Rivendell.

After days of travel they were met on the road near the valley of Imladris by another elf. He bowed low and greeted them saying,

"Lady Calina, we received word of your coming to us. I am I was sent to greet you and to bring you safely to Rivendell." Calina was seated on her horse, but she bowed her head and then dismounted. The others followed suit and led the horses through the winding tracks into Rivendell. It was autumn there and the colours of the leaves caught the sunlight and gold light danced everywhere. The view into the valley was breathtaking. They all stopped for a while just to watch the light as their guide smiled on at them, "I have lived here centuries now, and still the words to describe this fail me. I love this time of year so much I am now called Iavas." They all smiled,

"Thank you Iavas. I think we are ready to continue." Calina wrenched her eyes away from the scene before her.

"Tonight you are to dine with The Sons of Elrond, my lady. They know you are aquatinted with their sister and I believe they also have business to discuss with you. The Lady Lathrin is also asked to join you." Both elves bowed at this. It was indeed a great honour for them both as they were only visiting Rivendell as traders,

"Is Lord Celeborn no longer here?"

"No, he has gone West to join Lady Galadriel and be with his kinsmen from the ancient days."

They continued on in silence until they reached the main buildings of Rivendell. The soldiers left them and took away the horses and Calina and Lathrin were led to their rooms. Together they would be sharing a suite of rooms with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a small day room and also a study where Calina could conduct her business. She was grateful to whoever had warned the Twins of her arrival, even if it was the King. If he was intent on meddling in her affairs, at least he was not doing any harm. The guards had been good company and they always managed to hunt and return with food swiftly. She could have asked no more from them.

That evening she dined with Elladan and Elrohir, the twin sons of Elrond Peredhel. They enquired as to her health and to the state of affairs in Eryn Lasgalen. Clearly news had reached them of the departure of Legolas and the other elves to Ithilien. She told them how everyday the population grew smaller and smaller as elves either sailed West or journeyed South. Elladan asked,

"Have you ever thought of going to Ithilien, Calina? Surely with your talents you could be of great use there?" She shook her head,

"My heart belongs in Eryn Lasgalen still, I would not leave." Lathrin shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She had been noticeably quieter for months now. Every time Calina questioned her on it, Lathrin changed the subject, but now Calina was beginning to get very concerned for her friend. Dinner carried on quietly. Calina and Lathrin were not bothered with the conversation going on around them. They were no High-Elves after all and could not assume to be party to their discussions.

After the meal, Elrohir took Calina aside and said,

"My lady, my brother and I wish to speak with you on the small matter of some business. We were not told how long you intended to stay and we do not wish to pass up the opportunity to purchase your fine work." Calina blushed and bowed,

"You are too kind, Lord Elrohir. But please tell me, who did inform you of my arrival here, for I know no one except the people in my village who knew and yet six Palace Guards turned up just as we were about to leave." Elrohir laughed,

"Well as you only brought three with you, that explains the presence of three of Thranduil's guards in Rivendell for the past two days. Evidently they rode on without you." He paused for a moment and his eyes twinkled, "It seems the King likes to keep his eye on you Calina. I wonder why?" He gave her a quizzical smile and called his brother. Calina only had a moment to wonder about whether her past with Legolas was common knowledge throughout Middle-Earth, or just with those who knew Aragorn and Arwen.

Elladan and Elrohir led Calina to an old part of Rivendell. They explained that this was their father's private quarters that had not been used since he left many years ago. Elrond had left many of his books of lore behind. It was the most detailed record of the history of the Third Age in the west of Middle-Earth and they did not want it to perish with Rivendell. Calina had expected a commission to build something great in Rivendell, perhaps as a memorial to past deeds, but no, all they had wanted were travelling boxes. A great number, but still only simple boxes. She did her best to hide her disappointment with this order and with the money they gave her for it. They would send for the goods several months after her return to Eryn Lasgalen.

Calina returned to the main room and was immediately taken aside with Lathrin who had taken several orders, but also for travelling chests and boxes. Calina was upset. She feigned tiredness from the travelling and retired to her room. Lathrin returned a few hours later and found Calina pouring over the Workshop's books in the little study. There were tears in her eyes as she sat pen in hand staring at the columns of figures. No matter what she did, they would not make any money from this trip, unless hundreds of orders flooded in during the next few days. Her tears made the ink run on the paper and she rested her head on the table and wept bitterly. Lathrin went up behind her and stroked her hair. She knew this was not the time to tell her but the deception was killing her,

"Calina it is not so bad. There is one person you can leave out of the expenses. That will save some money." Calina looked up at her. Lathrin continued, "I am leaving for Ithilien. I have had this far too long." She pulled out the little silver ring from inside her robe. Calina took it in between her fingers,

"No! Lathrin why did you not tell me about this? Thirty years you have been keeping this secret from me. I never knew. I never even thought. I am so sorry, I cannot imagine what you have been through?"

"Can you not?" Lathrin asked cryptically,

"What do you mean?" asked Calina,

"If you do not know what I mean then you are more silly than I took you for Calina. I will tell you anyway. Legolas. You know? Prince of Eryn Lasgalen? He moved to Ithilien about thirty years ago. And you love him, with all your heart. Close the workshop and go to him. Come with me. We will be with the ones we love and your heart will not ache anymore. Do you not feel it? The way it pulls at your insides until sometimes all you can think about is the feel of their skin on yours and the feel of their lips when they last kissed you?" Calina shook her head, but Lathrin carried on, "No one believes that either of you will last longer without each other. Just because you try and convince yourself that Legolas does not matter does not mean your soul is not mourning for him. You will fade Calina without him, is that what you want? Do you actually know what you want?"

"Yes, I want my workshop and my family around me. That is all I have ever wanted. Just that. And Legolas had to go and ruin everything."

"Is that what you think? That he ruined everything? You would have died without him. If not the first time, then definitely the second. Having Garin force himself on you would have killed you, but Legolas came and saved you. Calina stop this. Come with me. Be with us all in Ithilien. Do you think your father would have wanted to see the Birch name reduced to this? Scrabbling around in Rivendell for work? The girl who thirty years ago produced the best piece of work seen for generations is now sawing and bolting together squares of cheap wood to make cheap boxes for those leaving the Wood. What are you going to do? Stay there until there is no one left except you and their ghosts? Look at yourself Calina. You are a mess. There is nothing left to fight for!"

"Enough!" Calina stood up angry and red-faced. The tears poured out from her eyes. "If that is what you think Lathrin, then I do not expect you want to be part of this. Go now. Go to him. Just leave me. I have started from nothing before, and now I will do it again. Just go." Calina left the study and went to her bedroom. She heard an upset Lathrin throwing clothes into bags and then a door slam. As soon as dawn came she took three of the Palace guards and went back over the Misty Mountains. Calina returned home three days later, but Lathrin was already gone.

Lathrin met several other elves on the journey south so it was no where near as unpleasant as she had expected. She arrived in Ithilien in the middle of winter, but the air there was still warm and the wind smelt salty like the Sea. She learnt from some of the elves there that Verlat was to be found with Legolas, Mineta and Nithin another half-day's ride south. He was not expecting her, although the recent lack of letters may have made him suspicious. She rode into a beautiful glade with the building perched delicately in the boughs so that they looked as if they had been there for centuries, not decades. There was the sound of songs and laughter coming from one large flet. Lathrin knew the voice even after so many years and leapt off the horse and ran to the foot of the tree. She climbed the ladder and stood on a small platform outside the main room. Her hand shook as she knocked lightly on the door. The noise inside did not stop so she knocked again harder and the door was opened to her. He was there in front of her so close after so many years.

Verlat stood there shocked. He rubbed his eyes as if he thought they could be deceiving him and then smiled and shook his head,

"It cannot be. You cannot be here." Taking her hand in his he brought it to his lips and kissed it and then laughed and Lathrin laughed too. Verlat took her in his arms and kissed her neck and then in a little line, tickling her skin with his hair until he reached her mouth. He claimed her in one moment of burning desire. Branding her once more his and his only. His heart soared and hers with it. A feeling of wholeness filled them both. Lathrin broke the kiss and smiled at him through the tears in her eyes and said,

"I could not take it anymore. I had to be with you. Do you mind?"

"Mind?" He laughed, "Of course I do not mind," and he kissed her once more, but there was a cough from inside,

"Verlat, who is there? You do not normally greet all our visitors like this!" Verlat stepped in from the platform and pulled Lathrin in by the hand,

"She is come. She is here," he said, unable to believe it, "I think my heart will burst," and he kissed her one more time. Legolas, Mineta and Nithin all laughed, they were happy for their friend, "There is one more thing to tell you though," he nodded at Lathrin and they both pulled silver chains from round their necks. Taking them off they placed the silver rings onto their fingers. After thirty years they could finally show everyone what had only been seen by them and the stars before. There was a unilateral gasp from their friends,

"Why did you not tell us? Have you kept this from us for all these years?" Lathrin answered Nithin,

"We did not tell you because we did not want you pity. I needed to stay behind, but now I cannot bear to be apart. This engagement has been far too long for my liking." She looked at Verlat and he took her lead.

"Legolas, my old friend, will you marry us?" Legolas smiled and let out a short laugh,

"Verlat, you need not ask, I would have no one else perform the ceremony! When would you like it done? It is not long till the next festival."

"I think we would like it sooner that that, do you not think Lathrin?" She smiled and nodded her head, "Will you do it this afternoon?" Verlat squeezed Lathrin's hand that was enclosed in his. Mineta clapped her hands and they all laughed, but that afternoon was settled on.

As the Sun sank beneath the trees, in the golden light of sunset, Lathrin, in a borrowed dress and Verlat, who could not stop smiling, pledged their souls and bound themselves together for eternity. The marriage was only witnessed by their closest friends, but neither cared. Verlat had carried two gold rings with him since leaving Eryn Lasgalen having the faith that one day the event would happen. Lathrin could not bear to part with the silver ring she had never really worn so she placed it on her right hand instead. Verlat placed his back on the thin chain it had been on because there it would rest on his heart and be a constant reminder of their love.

Lathrin settled into life in Ithilien very well. She joined the others in the planting of trees and beautifying Ithilien. She watched the plants grow daily and delighted as they grew tall and firm over the years. She had never imagined Legolas as a gardener, but she watched as the Prince planned and then carried out the most wonderful additions to the landscape. More than once was Lathrin's mind drawn back to Eryn Lasgalen and to Calina as she watched him tend trees and flowers lovingly, as if they were his children. Letters from Thranduil contained news of Calina though. The workshop had dwindled and Calina was scraping by a living, a shadow of her former safe. It made Lathrin weep to think of her friend like that, and there was nothing she could do. She hated the way she had left things between them and grieved for their friendship for not one of the letters she sent to the Wood was ever answered. Calina was fading fast, and she could do nothing to aid her.