'Well, you heard our king,' Parvon said with weary bitterness once they had left the Royal Presence. 'We have things to do.'

'Yes, I have to pack, and… oh. You did not mean that, did you, Master Parvon? I am sorry, it is just…'

Parvon shook his head, settling his temper.

'It's all right, Faerveren. And you have worked hard, and taken on duties that never should have been expected of you, and you deserve a little time with your people. But no, I meant, those of us who need to implement his majesty's plans for the New Palace. I suggest a planning session of our own, garrison and office…'

'Good idea,' Triwathon said. 'And I suggest we hold it in my rooms in the garrison. That way, Parvon, you won't be interrupted by elves knocking on your door to say, yes, they know it's on the information boards, but what does it really mean…?'

'That would be helpful, certainly.'

'Should I go back to the office, Master Parvon?' Faerveren asked, keen to be helpful after his slip. 'If people come, I can explain what the boards say, at least.'

'If you would, thank you. Do keep to what the boards already say, though; if anything else comes up, deflect them until later.'

'Yes, Master Parvon. Besides, I do not think the king will leave at once, will he?'

Parvon sighed. 'One can hope… but no, I think he will want to see his instructions beginning to be followed at least. So. I will see you later, Faerveren. Commander Triwathon – lead on.'

Once settled in Triwathon's large sitting room, Parvon began to unclench his knotted shoulders. Narunir had questions, but he directed them at Triwathon, and listening to the commander deconstructing what the king's orders meant for the garrison somehow gave Parvon a breathing space; so often, lately, it had been him talking to his people, with Triwathon listening in and it was reassuring to hear someone else have ideas and issue orders.

'Yes, so his majesty thinks I have nothing better to do than dance around the Galadhrim helpers,' Triwathon was saying. 'We all know this is not so, his royal self included. But today I need to stay close to home, I think. Narunir, I want you to lead an advance party to retrieve the obviously intrusive things; disassemble the water storage systems – you may need to consult Master Hanben, they are his design – and bring them away. If any elves were to try to forget their king's orders, the lack of stored water will make it a little more difficult. Tomorrow we will begin to clear the talain, making sure records are kept of which items come from where, in case anyone wishes to claim their belongings… I know, we should not get attached to material things, but, well, we all know how there's nothing quite like one's own bedroll, for example… Were Master Hanben to suggest going with you, that will be acceptable, probably quite useful, in fact, but only him… the area is still generally out of bounds.'

'Shall I take from my own company, sir, or ask for volunteers across the garrison?'

'Make it just your people, Narunir, and make sure you go out as soon as you can today. Once you've done your first pass, then I'll get involved with my company and the Galadhrim… we don't know how long they'll be here, so we should assume they'll want to get started… that's a point, actually; Master Parvon, have you heard anything about when Lord Arveldir and his spouse intend returning to Imladris?'

'It all depends on the health of Master Erestor, I think. Certainly, Lord Arveldir is keen to be home, and I think that others of the party are also eager to leave. Of course, the Galadhrim may not feel the need to return at the same time, but…' He paused as Triwathon tried to disguise a sigh. 'Yes, I know, how are we to follow the king's orders when we are dependent on others before we can fulfil them? Still, we must do what we can. Commander, if I set aside a room for any salvaged items, will that help?'

'It will. And while you still have his services, could you ask Master Faerveren to itemise everything brought in?'

'Of course. It's the sort of nice, quiet work he likes.'

'Thank you. Is there anything you might need the garrison's help with, Master Parvon?'

'Once personal belongings start to come in, one of your people to help Master Faerveren would be useful, I think. Otherwise, well, I am tempted to ask for a couple of fully armed warriors to guard the doors of the Palace Office…'

Triwathon grinned. 'I don't blame you, mellon-nin! Well, if that's all…?'

'For the moment, yes. And my thanks; it's been useful to talk away from my office for a change. I'll pay a visit to Healer Maereth, I think, see how she's getting on.'

'Good idea. Give her my greetings, will you?'

Parvon smiled to himself as he made his way to Maereth's healing rooms; it had been good to see Triwathon giving orders again, and he wondered how much some of the commander's recent uncertainties had been from simply having no firm instructions to follow, no specific orders to give. Certainly his air had been more decisive, his tone firmer, more commanding. Perhaps, too, the prospect of being busy with the king's wishes would help Triwathon's grief, keeping him busy and giving him less time to dwell on both his personal loss and the wider losses of the settlements… of course, such things took their own time, Parvon knew, but for his friend's wellbeing, at least, he felt a little more hopeful.

'Master Parvon! You are well, I hope?' Mae said, coming out from behind her desk with a smile that wasn't completely easy.

'Yes, I am well. I wanted to see how you are, and how your charges are now?'

'That's kind. Well, as for me, and Othwen, we are busy, but it is not as bad as it was. We have perhaps a dozen elves here now, and several coming in daily for treatment. The fact is, some could leave, but they not had rooms assigned yet, and…'

'And that is one of my jobs, and I am afraid I have given it no thought…! I am sorry, Maereth!'

'Don't worry,' she said, smiling softly. 'Really, they are content to be here… once they leave, they will have to face the fact that their lives have changed forever.'

'I'll see to it. If you can give me a list of how many elves are ready, whether they have kin, or…' he broke off, for Maereth was shaking her head and her eyes had grown sad. 'Of course, if they had kin, they would also have somewhere to go, would they not?'

'Apart from one vowed couple, and he is more injured than she, so wants to stay anyway until her fëa-mate is recovered… So, single quarters for three when you can, and two more in a day or so.'

'Of course. And… I do not know if anyone has brought you news from this morning's audience with the king, yet?'

'No, indeed, they have not. If there is anything that concerns my halls, or my charges, we had better discuss it privately. Over tea, perhaps.'

'Before we start,' Parvon began, 'I want to ask how Erestor is…'

'You could ask Erestor,' Maereth suggested.

'I could – if I could get past Arveldir… who is my friend, and who is acting only in the best interests of his husband, I know, but…'

But Parvon had begun to wonder if Arveldir was perhaps using his husband's health as an excuse to steer clear of the Palace Office now the king was here… he couldn't blame him, of course. Arveldir had been Thranduil's Chief Advisor for so long that it would be all too easy for him to find himself embroiled in the affairs of Eryn Lasgalen almost without realising it…

'Well. If you ask me, formally, as advisor to the king, how long before our guest from Imladris is well enough to leave, then I can answer, officially, that in my opinion, while he is recovered enough to walk short distances without undue discomfort, it would be unadvisable for him to begin a long journey on horseback for at least another two weeks. Does that help?'

'Yes, Healer, that is very useful information.'

'No doubt, being a stubborn and determined person, Master Erestor will swear he is fit to ride already, if asked. But the fact is that it would not do him any good at all and it would be a good idea to talk him out of leaving, if he should suggest it.'

'Noted, Mae. I happen to know Arveldir is keen to leave; if you mention your concerns to him…'

'Ah, I see, you are actually hoping they will stay!' Maereth said. 'Do I wish to know why?'

'I was trying to get an unbiased opinion, that's all. And it really has nothing to do with Erestor, I suppose; assuming that all our guests from Imladris will want to leave together, and that the Galadhrim have offered to help restore the forest, I wanted some idea of how long we will have their services…'

'Now I understand… I think. Well, that is kind of them… I am not quite sure about Galadhrim, somehow… we are all wood-elves, but they are so different from us…'

'That's true. But that may sometimes be a good thing, perhaps. Anyway, moving on…'

'There is more?'

'Quite a lot more, Mae, and… and it is not good news, not for me, at least. I do not know how you will feel… but… his majesty is no longer considering the New Palace as his permanent court…'

'Oh… that is… not what I thought you were going to say. You see, Nestoril spent a little time with us – me and Othwen, and she told me, privately, that this was the king's wish. So I am forewarned… and it is sad, especially for you, and dear Commander Triwathon, who have made this place your own… as for me, I think I will like going back to being just one healer amongst many; I do not like to put myself forward, you know.'

'I… good, I'm glad not to have given terrible news to you. It does mean we have to begin moving people out… I think you are to have a proper, formal letter outlining the immediate plans… but… the garrison also is going to diminish, and so we will no longer be able to offer aid to the villages between here and the Old Palace. The king was quite insistent, and I am sure he has no idea how difficult it is going to be… but he has said, if there are any in extreme need of healing, you may attend them. But that is to be the extent of our help. Of course, I would make sure you had an escort if such were to happen…'

'This is news! I am not sure I like this plan…'

'Well, if you want to tell the king, Mae, I won't stop you, but…'

'Oh, dear, no! I shall just have to keep my opinions to myself!'

'That sounds like a very good idea,' Parvon said, remembering the king's response when he'd spoken his mind to his majesty. 'I think I'll probably do the same, in future.'