That night, Farothwen was fine. Elladan and Elrohir had overestimated her condition and truly thought that she was in mortal danger. No harm was done to her (or them) except for a large fright. At star-opening, as usual, they came to the board with the rest of Elrond's numerous household and were enjoying a friendly feast.

Elrond stood to make various announcements, as was his role. The whole of Rivendell was abuzz with wedding rumours slipped by one of Celebrían's maids, Glorwen. Elrond confirmed the scuttlebutt with a smile that the wedding shall take place two days from then, in the morning, and everyone was certainly most invited. Farothwen and Glorohtar could hardly contain their glee as everyone looked at each other excitedly. The happy atmosphere was brought to an abrupt end as Elrond told everyone of Elladan and Elrohir's morning exploits and made them publicly apologise, which Erestor accepted with as much dignity he could muster. Everyone retired to bed happy, some going on to the Hall of Fire for the nightly short tale as told by Lindir.

Come morning, the whole of Rivendell was being prepared. The central square was being set up and decorated. Celebrían and her maidens enlisted as much help as they could muster, Arwen leading a team to gather blossoms and greenery. The air was warming up and nearly all the snow had melted. The air was heavy with birdsong and also lone minstrels practicing for the next morning. Harps and flutes also sounded in the valley. Two of Celebrían's maidens, Bainwen and Tauriel, tied up Beleglor for the day, trying out various robes to see which one fit. Glorwen and another maid, Mornel, helped put the finishing touches on Glorohtar's set of robes. Celebrían worked solo on Farothwen's gown, Arwen eventually coming to help her as the sun set. At the evening's feast, Celebrían and Arwen looked smug as they refused to tell Farothwen anything of her dress, no matter how sweetly she pleaded.

'Come on, Celebrían, please, will you even tell me of the colour?' Farothwen begged.

Celebrían smiled sweetly and shook her head. 'No, my dear. This has to be a complete surprise.' Mother and daughter shared a mischievous look as they ate. Farothwen shook her head and smiled.

'Fine, fine, I suppose I shall have to wait until tomorrow.'

'I suppose you shall,' replied Arwen. At that moment, she also looked up and smiled at Glorohtar, their Elven eyes exchanging some secret message unknown to Farothwen. Glorohtar smiled back and blushed slightly. Beleglor observed this and smiled knowingly. Farothwen's eyes widened with disbelief as she realised her father and her beloved also knew what her dress looked like.

'Eru, everyone knows except me!'

Beleglor chuckled. 'We had to know. I had to keep your inquisitive eyes from searching for it, since that is your nature.'

'Ada, do you really mistrust me that much?'

Beleglor exchanged looks with Glorohtar and smiled. 'Yes.'

Farothwen laughed. 'I have always been an inquisitive soul, that is true.'

'You were the bane of my existence when you were small, young lady. At least Rochatar looked after you. He always used to find you when you wandered off.' Beleglor sighed. 'I wish I could have let you have your freedom, Farothwen. But it was far too dangerous. You always had that wanderlust.'

'I understand, Ada, but I'm free now, and I'm happy.' She reached over and grabbed his hand. 'Don't worry about me. I'm fine.'

Beleglor smiled and squeezed her hand. 'I know. You have no idea how happy it makes me to see you like this, like a wild animal released from its cage. And how proud I am of you.'

He looked up at the moon. 'Goodness! It is getting late, you must away to bed.'

Farothwen looked up. 'Ada, it is only seven o'clock.'

Beleglor squinted. 'Oh. The moon is different in Mirkwood. But alas, I feel like an old man, the journey's weariness catching up to me. I must away to bed, so I may enjoy tomorrow.'

The feast was slowly starting to end, most leaving the hall for the Hall of Fire or other places. Lord Elrond and his house and his guests were virtually the only ones who remained. Beleglor stood up and kissed his children goodnight. He lingered with Farothwen.

'Please try to sleep tonight, iell nin. I want you to look beautiful for the morrow, and that means not staying up till dawn with worry. Everything will go perfectly tomorrow, I promise. Good night.'

Farothwen smiled. 'I will try, Ada, but you know me, I worry far too much. Good night.'

Beleglor left the table as everyone else prepared to leave for their nightly pursuits. Erestor was off to the library, Glorfindel to visit Asfaloth, Elladan and Elrohir to the archery range, and Celebrían and Arwen to make the final touches to the wedding clothes. Elrond smiled at his two young charges, whose impending union brought a happiness to his people that he had not seen for a long time, and for that he was eternally grateful. Already talk of children was buzzing among the gossip merchants. Elrond would have normally put a stop to it, but hope was hard to find in Imladris, now that the time of the Elves is over.

He laid a hand on Farothwen's shoulder. 'Farothwen, go to the Hall of Fire. Lindir is singing a beautiful lay tonight, one that is very calming. I think it would be good for you.'

She smiled. 'Thank you, Master Elrond. I fear I may need as much calm as I can get.' Elrond was right; Farothwen was looking very frazzled and she and Lindir were friends, although she no longer sang as she used to. The Hall of Fire would do her the world of good.

Elrond and Glorohtar, the only ones left at the table, watched her leave. Elrond turned to him. 'Glorohtar, come for a walk with me.'

Glorohtar nodded and followed Elrond out into the garden, seen by none. He and Elrond walked in the moonlight under the blossoming trees, Elrond carefully steering him away from the main square, taking paths known by very few.

'How are you feeling?' Elrond asked.

'I'm excited. I just can't wait to see her in her dress, it is the most beautiful one I have ever seen. Lady Celebrían must have skills that extend to the mind.'

'Why do you say that?' Elrond replied, clearly amused.

'Because she will look as beautiful as she did the night I first met her.'

Elrond smiled. 'I am glad. After the hardships you have both faced, you deserve happiness.'

Doubt cast a shadow over Glorohtar's fair face. 'But what of the hardships we may face in the future?'

Elrond stopped. 'What do you mean?'

'This kind of union is very rare, and we have faced many difficulties back in Mirkwood. Will we face them here?'

Elrond smiled. 'Of course not. For I myself am a product of such two loving unions between Man and Elf, and I promise you no harm will come to you within Imladris. Outside, though, I cannot make such a promise.'

'I don't think that either of us shall make such a journey again for a long time.' Glorohtar looked at Elrond. 'But, if we have children, what difficulties will befall them?'

'They will have a choice to make that is very difficult. I have made this choice, and due to my human blood, my children will make this choice as well. They shall have to choose whether to belong to the Eldar or to become mortal.'

'When will the choice have to be made?'

'I do not know. For my children, it is when I leave these shores. For yours, I guess it will be when Farothwen's life ends.'

Glorohtar sighed. 'I do not want to think such thoughts, but eventually the time will come when I will lose her. How much time we have left together, I cannot tell.'

'My guess is that she will live into her third century. She has only just come to womanhood in the measure of her people. Don't worry, Glorohtar, she will live for many long years yet. But have you thought about what will happen when she does fade?'

Glorohtar nodded. 'I would die to be with her, hope that my soul is counted among the mortal, for I will gladly suffer that fate.'

Elrond sighed. 'Sometimes I wish I had chosen that fate, as my beloved brother did. It has been many long years since he passed, and yet I miss him so. It breaks my heart to linger upon this earth and watch the Elves fade, our time over. I have known no other life. But then I look upon my wife and children and I am reminded of why I chose to be counted among the Eldar, for I would not be parted from them, even to see Elros again.'

Glorohtar smiled slightly. 'Should I see him, I will give him your love.' He looked grave. 'When will you leave?'

'I do not know yet. There is something I must do before I go, and I have to make sure it is done.'

'Shall it be within Farothwen's lifetime?'

'I do not think so. It may be within the lifetime of your children, but my foresight cannot let me see that far. But never mind, Glorohtar. Focus on more present things, like tomorrow morning!' Elrond looked at the skies. 'Goodness, it is getting late. Go to sleep, child. Tomorrow will be wonderful, I promise you.'

Glorohtar smiled. 'I know. Thank you, Master Elrond. For everything.'

'Feel no need. It brings me much happiness to see you in love. You have no idea how much hope you have given us.'

'It is all we can give to repay our debt to you, for sheltering us, loving us, and saving my wife.'

Elrond smiled. 'Your debt has already been repaid twice over. Dream of happiness, Glorohtar. Good night. I have a feeling Glorwen and Mornel will come and get you in the morning.' He had forgotten to mention the part where the excited maidens would probably drag him bodily from his bed.

Glorohtar bowed. 'Good night, Master Elrond,' he said, and walked off to bed, where Lindir had placed Farothwen after enchanting her with his words, singing her to sleep, as he knew that she would not sleep on her own. Glorohtar smiled when he found her there, being careful not to disturb her, falling in the dream-sleep of Elves.

Elrond sat on a bench with his thoughts. He was very fond of Glorohtar, but what he saw when he looked into his future disturbed him. All he could see was sorrow.