Beleglor still was not completely happy when Glorohtar and Farothwen told him of their mutual decision – they were leaving for Mirkwood. But it was not his decision to make. He was also nervous for himself. He had to tell Farothwen the news of his own big decision. If she was travelling, it would have to wait until she came back.

They were busily preparing for the trip – taking food that would not perish easily, and plenty of extra clothing and blankets. Glorohtar was also busily studying and planning possible routes through the treacherous Misty Mountains with the help of Glorfindel. It was best to go through the passes before they were shut with snow – to go around the mountains would take far too long. Beleglor wanted his daughter back as soon as possible. Keeping his news to himself was growing harder by the second.

As Elenion helped Farothwen prepare some emergency medical supplies for her just in case, he noticed something was extremely different. She had a strange radiance about her. A different light was in her eyes, whose fire was now gone. A new clarity was in her voice. He did not know what had changed within her, although he knew she had been ill recently. Unfortunately he did not know as much about mortals as Lord Elrond. He would have to ask him later.

Elladan and Elrohir were recently returned from an expedition of their own, to where none knew. Elladan couldn't help but feel a strange sense of foreboding as he came to the courtyard, but he paid it no heed. If something were wrong with anyone, his parents would certainly know.

Finally, the eve of Farothwen and Glorohtar's departure came. They ate in the halls together as usual. They were seated with Beleglor and Faerien, and also with Lindir, Glorfindel and Erestor. Glorohtar could not help but notice Beleglor looking sidelong at Faerien with unspoken love in his eyes. So that was to be his news. Glorohtar smiled and hoped that Farothwen did not notice. He would hate to ruin the surprise.

Lindir looked over. 'Excited about going back?'

Glorohtar nodded. 'Much as I love this home, I do miss my first home.'

'As do we all,' Glorfindel said quietly, his eyes showing that he was thinking of a home far away, a long time ago.

'Well, tell us all about it when you get back,' said Erestor. 'I've never been to Mirkwood, I would love to hear about it.'

'Of course we will,' Farothwen replied. 'I might bring back some things I forgot to take when I first left.' She gave Glorohtar a wry smile.

'Of course, blame me for it,' he grinned.

Beleglor just shook his head. The remaining four Elves gave each other puzzled looks and shrugged. Woodlanders were a strange lot.

The next morning, Farothwen and Glorohtar awoke with the Sun. Farothwen sleepily packed the last of her bags as Glorohtar filled their water bottles from a cool stream below. She noticed someone was standing in the doorway. She looked up.

'May I come in?' Faerien stood in the early light, holding a parcel in her hands. Farothwen nodded.

'Of course.'

'I just came to wish you all speed and safety. And to give you this.' She held forward her parcel. Farothwen took it from her in astonishment and unwrapped it to let a hunter green riding gown unfold, its split skirts touching the ground. It also came with a pair of matching leggings.

'Faerien… this is beautiful. I know not what to say.'

'You need not say anything. Your joy is thanks enough.' Faerien smiled. 'Your father told me you needed a new one.'

'Indeed I did.' A sudden flash of memory came to Farothwen's mind, of how she lost her last riding dress. Suppressed memories of her torture in the mountains came flooding back. Her throat was dry. She was terrified of going back there, although Glorohtar was with her. But it was too late. She could not back out now.

'Farothwen? What is amiss?'

'Nothing,' she answered quickly. She smiled. 'I am fine.'

'Are you sure? You look pale.'

'I'm all right. Not much sleep. Glorohtar gets restless sometimes.'

Faerien laughed. 'Husbands.' She embraced Farothwen.

'Come back to us soon.' She touched Farothwen's cheek. 'Both of you.'

Farothwen smiled. 'We will, I promise. I have a feeling Ada's keeping something from me, and I'm desperate to find out what.'

Faerien almost had a smirk on her face. 'You will find out soon enough. Have a safe journey, my dear. Farewell for now.'

'Farewell.'

As Faerien left Farothwen's room, she prayed silently to the Valar to protect and keep the pair. Like her husband-to-be, she loved them as her children.

Farothwen stood in front of her looking-glass, fastening her mantle about her throat and adjusting her new dress. It was light yet warm, and still beautiful. As she did so, she looked at her scarred right hand. It had been almost two years since she received those wounds, and yet the scars would not fade. The memories were buried, as were the pain, but the scars would always remind her. No matter how long ago it was, or how happy she was, they would always be there. She dreaded explaining them to anyone new she met. She told no one except her family and Elrond and his family. She would not even tell Morandir, one who was dear as brother. If she were to have children, how could she explain it to them?

It was not the first time that she wished that she did not survive. Not the first time she wished that Elrohir left her for dead. Tears streamed down her face as she looked at herself in the glass and at her raised right hand, which attracted stares wherever she went.

Glorohtar came back in with the last of their packs to find Farothwen standing in exactly the same position. Tears were running down her face fast. Her scarred hand was shaking, as was her whole body. He silently cursed himself for being so selfish. He did not even think of Farothwen going back to the place where he nearly lost her. He did not think of her fear and her memories. After all this time, he still did not know the full extent of what she suffered. What little he did know still burned his heart.

She was so upset she did not even notice his strong arms snake around her. It was only as he held her to him that she sobbed.

'I'm so sorry, my sweet one,' he said softly. 'I would not have you go back to a place so evil. I would not have you relive that pain. Forgive me for making you do it in your memories. I would not have you hurt again.'

He held her close as she calmed down, not wanting her to leave his arms. He could not imagine how she felt at the moment. She finally let go, ready to speak.

'I made a promise to follow you,' Farothwen said. 'And I will hold to it. You need not fear for me. We will still go.'

'Do not go for me,' Glorohtar replied. 'Only go if you wish it.'

'I do wish it,' Farothwen replied, wiping her eyes.

Glorohtar gently kissed her brow. 'Be iest lin. Everything is ready. Do you want to go now?'

Farothwen took a deep breath and nodded. 'I don't want to leave it too late.'

Glorohtar went out to the courtyard to retrieve their already packed horses. Farothwen followed and found a crowd of well-wishers there, waiting to farewell them.

Elrohir and Elladan practically raced each other to be the first one to embrace Farothwen. Elladan won, and enveloped Farothwen in a bear hug.

'Be careful, you. I want to be an uncle someday,' he said with a grin.

'Don't say that, I'll be tempted not to come back.'

Elrohir was a little more civilised, but still held Farothwen tight.

'Stay safe. The first rescue is free, the second one will cost you.'

Farothwen laughed. 'Don't get up to any mischief while I'm away.'

'We'll try,' Elrohir grinned.

She turned to see Elenion, who also embraced her.

'Bring me back a gift? And I want to see you come back with a full pack.'

Farothwen laughed. 'What gift would you like?'

Elenion grinned. 'A tall, beautiful blonde Woodland maiden.'

'I'll see what I can do!'

Glorfindel also hugged Farothwen, and whispered a message unheard in her ear. Erestor was a little more formal – a traditional farewell would have to do. Lindir also hugged her and wished her well, as he did with Glorohtar.

Arwen embraced her warmly and kissed her cheek.

'May the light of the Evenstar never wane on your path.'

'Not while she shines bright in Imladris yet,' Farothwen smiled.

As she wandered through the crowd, she found who she was looking for, Beleglor. He swept her off her feet in a tight embrace, his hand on her dark head.

'Promise me you'll be safe, sweetard. I could not bear almost losing you again,' he whispered.

'I promise, Ada. I will always come back to you.' She had tears in her eyes and she saw that Beleglor did as well. He kissed her brow.

'I love you, my daughter.'

'I love you too, Ada.'

They shared one last embrace before he and Faerien, who was by his side, went to Glorohtar. Beleglor spoke soft words to him, which Farothwen assumed was some humorous idle threat. Glorohtar was grinning.

Farothwen and Glorohtar turned around to see Elrond and Celebrían. They did not expect them to see them off. Elrond smiled.

'May your path never falter and may the stars guide you back to us. May the Valar bless you both and keep you safe. We will miss you until you come home,' he said with almost a tinge of worry in his voice.

He and Celebrían bowed and extended their hands in the traditional farewell. Farothwen and Glorohtar did the same.

'The blessings of all free folk, Elven and mortal, will go with you. May you go, and return, with all due speed. There is always someone waiting for you,' Celebrían said with a smile.

She and Elrond embraced both of them. As Glorohtar helped Farothwen mount her horse, Elrohir came up to her, holding a white daisy in his hand and gave it to her.

'Come back soon. I mean it.' He kissed her scarred hand.

'We will, I promise.' She threaded the stem of the daisy into her braided hair. She looked back at her father. He stood with tears in his eyes, with Faerien by his side, her arm holding onto his. She smiled at him.

Glorohtar mounted his own horse and looked at Farothwen. 'Are you ready?'

Farothwen smiled. 'Yes.'

She turned and waved at everyone, all whom she loved, then she and Glorohtar kicked off, riding into the unknown.

The rest of the day passed slowly for Beleglor. Even though Faerien was with him, he could not stop thinking about how quiet it was in Rivendell without his daughter. Her and Glorohtar's absence was glaring at him everywhere he went, although Faerien was doing her best to distract him. In the afternoon, Lindir came and took Beleglor off her hands. Lindir knew that Beleglor could not resist music.

It was a beautiful evening, cool and clear. After the rest of the Elves left the dining hall, Faerien took Beleglor to the courtyard near his part of the House. He was in much better spirits after many reassurances.

'Are you all right, my love?' she asked him.

'Yes. I worry needlessly, I know. But I cannot help it.'

'I do not blame you. You love them both as if they were your own. It is natural to be worried. But they are grown now, seeking their own lives together. You have raised her to be a beautiful woman. You must let her go. Your task is done. You need to care for yourself now.'

Beleglor smiled. 'You are partly right. But now my task is to be a husband, and a husband must care for his wife.'

'That is true, too.' Faerien stood and walked to the middle of the leaf-covered courtyard, her dress sweeping behind her. She held her hand out.

'What are you doing?' Beleglor asked, amused.

'Dance with me.'

'What?'

'Dance with me,' Faerien repeated, albeit a little more forcefully. Beleglor was bemused this time, but he stood and took her hand. Faerien whirled with him under the moonlight, the air filled with their laughter as he let all his worries melt away. For once he thought of himself, and of his beloved. As he kissed Faerien, he realised that his time as Farothwen's father was over. His time as Beleglor of Mirkwood was only just beginning.