Ela turned her horse back towards the bridge. Smiling to herself, she turned the last bend that brought her in sight of the guards. Now, the difficult part: she had three months to settle affairs here, and then she was off to Lórien to get things ready there. The last week had been hard; the last ten minutes had been harder.

She glanced down at the silver ring circling her finger. It was slightly wider than usual to accommodate the butterflies circling it. She knew by the craftsmanship who had made it. Dorga would merit a visit as soon as she had a chance.

Dinner last night had been much more boisterous than usual. No one was surprised by the announcement. Even Dalgren knew. There were special dishes and favourite deserts. An old bottle of wine from the back of the wine cellar had supplied the toast. Elrond would not say where the wine came from, but the quality was above even the average served at special feasts. Only Erestor knew how long those particular bottles had been stored down there. And he only suspected their origin.

After the meal, Elrond had stood and announced that there would be a wedding. Dalgren had wanted to start listing the things needed, right away. Elrond had laughed had told her a year was plenty of time; that is what you think, she had replied, huffily.

The wedding was set for summer, the following year. Ela remembered little of what went on after dinner. There were congratulations given and accepted. The evening went on for hours. Long after midnight, most of the guest had gone. Ela stood on the terrace, looking up at the stars. Such a beautiful night! She hoped it was a portent of the future. A presence behind her brought her back to the present. Without turning, she sighed and spoke. "I am not sorry I made the promise, but I am glad I was able to keep it." The hand on her shoulder was reassuring.
"I wish there had never been a reason for the promise."

"Well, the need is long gone. I am well able to handle the problem, should it arise again. You would think after thirty years they would cease their attempts." She shook her head. "They are a most headstrong people."

"And you are not?" Elrond asked, chuckling. "You have made your mind clear since the day my sons found you. My relief was that you were not heavy handed about it."

"If I had been, Lord Erestor would have just piled on more studies. I did not have time to be heavy handed."

"Indeed, you were kept quite busy." He paused. "Are you sure this is the right path for you? Have you really thought on what you abandon?"

She turned to look at him. "I do not feel I am abandoning anything. Those people are weak if they think only I can save them. They are strong and healthy. They could just find another to rule. I am not interested. I have all I desire where I am and no desire to sit beside a husband who only wants me for what I gain him. Theirs is a way that will not long last. I do not see them staying long in this land. It allows too much freedom for their women. Cabel told me that he has heard rumours that they may withdraw, try to re-establish their lands east of Harad.

"Cabel tells me that we are not the only ones to escape. He knows of a handful spread throughout Eriador. It seems that my mother's people feel more of an affinity with the Elves than any other race in this land. My mother wed an Elf; his settled with the Dunedain and is another that I know of in the north. And, although Cabel has not the ability to heal or the gift to control animals, he does work wonders with the land."

"Cabel is an able man. He does not show this disregard for women that your uncle and his men show." Elrond looked out over the dark valley. "How is his family?"

"Well," she laughed, "he is about to find out if he can deliver a baby. Lutheliel is now at four months. He has asked me to come up and guide him, but I do not think that will be possible, now. Which brings me to another topic—with the drought in the north and lack of rain even here, he is having trouble with his crops. Even with his hand at growing, he is not sure of harvesting enough to get through the winter. I am thinking of giving him leave to use my house, with your permission, of course."

"Cabel and his family are welcome in Imladris. I told him that before. But if he has your house, where will you stay?" There was a coyness to his words. Ela knew the answer to her question before she asked it.

"Well, I was hoping maybe my room would still be available. That is, if you do not mind me underfoot."

"Iell, you never cease your games. You well know that your room is always available. And how long will you be inconveniencing me?"

"I believe three months should suffice. That will settle Cabel and Lutheliel into the house. And I will need to settle with Melkor. He will have to find a new assistant. And, of course, I will need a good stock of Dorga's tea."

"And when will you return?"

"I think that a month before the ceremony will be soon enough. I think we will need two ceremonies. I would not like to exclude my friends here, but it is unfair to hold the wedding in Lórien when so many cannot attend. And I also do not want to keep those who live there from attending. So, it only makes sense to do it twice. I will, of course, need to confer with Haldir. But, I think, for once, he will see the need."

Nothing was said for several minutes. Then Ela said, tentatively, "I do wish I had some family to attend. If only I knew where my mother was."

"But, Ela," he said softly. "She drowned long ago."

"No," she replied. "My father said that she did not. She is still alive. He told me so, himself."

"What are you saying? Your father died before your mother." Elrond was beginning to worry that Ela was confused. What would do that?

"I talked to him. I asked him if my mother was in the care of Namo. He said no, she was not dead."

"When did you talk to him?" She was not lessening his concern.

"After the attack on the eastern marches. Del and I stood outside the great hall. Dorlandad met us. He told me to let Del go, but I could not. I asked if my mother was with him and he said no, she is still here. Is it not normal for me to want her here?"

Elrond sat down, speechless. This was true, and no one had told him? He wondered if Galadriel knew. Surely, she would have said something. Why was it that when one problem with the girl had been solved, did another come up?

Thinking back over the conversation the next morning, Ela knew she had left Elrond with more questions than answers. But, how was she expected to give those answers when she did not know them herself. She had hoped age would make everything clear, but her blocked mind was not cooperating. Maybe a fall from her horse would jar some thoughts loose; she contemplated, only half-jesting. Sighing, she rode into the village. Well, maybe Melkin would take her mind from her problems.