Parvon had travelled along two corridors and was approaching the turn which led to the Healers' Hall when Baudh and Oldor stepped out of a side passage and came to stand in front of him. They bowed before moving to fall neatly into step half a stride behind him. From somewhere, Oldor had found a formal King's Office robe which was a trifle too long; Parvon suspected perhaps one of Lord Arveldir's spares had been pressed into use.

'Would you care to explain, Master Baudh?' Parvon asked crisply.

'The arrival of the convoy is the perfect opportunity for you to introduce Master Oldor as your new assistant, and to inform the elves that, should you be overtaken with work for the sailing company, I am an adequate alternative senior member of the King's Office. Arriving together, we present a unified picture, a sense of the entire Divisions of Matters Transitional and Matters Material.'

'I see. Very good. Master Oldor, I take it you now understand the intricacies of the double-entry filing cabinets?'

'To the last degree, I hope, Master Parvon.'

'Excellent.' Parvon nodded once, keeping his eyes on the way ahead. 'What word, Master Baudh?'

'The perimeter watch sent notice just under an hour ago. Master Melion expressed the thought that perhaps you had stayed with the Healers to help them prepare, which is why the news did not come from you. However, as I explained to Master Oldor, there is no need for you, the Elf-in-Charge of the Department of Transitions, to inform the King's Office generally of matters which you are dealing with.'

In other words, Baudh had covered for him and, worryingly, the convoy would be arriving before the Healers had more than a few minutes warning, and that was most definitely Parvon's fault. He glanced around to ensure they were the sole occupants of the corridor, and paused to incline his head to Baudh.

'I am grateful. Perhaps the demarcation of the dissemination of information needs addressing in the King's Office.'

'Possibly.' Baudh stifled a grin. 'Something else for the procedures manual. We can talk later, maybe. Meanwhile, what do you think of Oldor and I taking the meeting, and you overseeing it?'

'I think it would be a huge imposition on my part to expect it…'

'But very good practice for Master Oldor ahead of tomorrow when he will be going with you to settle everyone in their accommodations, do you not think?'

'Indeed. In fact, perhaps, once I have made the introductions, I should just leave you to it?'

Baudh laughed. 'What would happen then to our impressive representation of our divisions? No, I think we need you tagging along, at least for a little while.'

'Very good of you,' Parvon said. 'I shall step back, then, and let you lead instead.'

'Ah, now, I wouldn't want to overstep my authority…'

Parvon smiled, as was expected, and when they reached the Healers' Hall, preceded his two companions into the wide entrance chamber. Thus it was that the figure holding Healer Nestoril in conversation saw him before he noticed Baudh and Oldor behind him.

'Master Parvon, there you are! I had just come to see Healer Nestoril to ensure she had been told of the early arrival of the convoy…'

'And Master Melion has found the Healers Hall prepared and ready, of course, Master Parvon!' Nestoril gestured to a large room off the entrance where tables held a selection of refreshments and chairs were placed as for a large assembly. 'Although it really was not necessary for Master Melion to come all this way to ensure we were coping! But hello and well met once again!'

'Healer Nestoril, good day to you.'

'And I see you have the rest of your team with you ready to meet the convoy! I am glad you returned, there is a matter I would like to lay before you prior to the arrivals' arrival.'

'Of course, Healer. I am entirely at your disposal.'

Melion cleared his throat and lifted an eyebrow, a decidedly less-than-approving expression flashing across his face, and Parvon bit back an exasperated sigh.

'…once I have consulted with my colleague, if you will, Healer?'

'Come to my study once your business is done, Master Parvon.'

Melion looked over to his brother, waiting with Oldor near the doorway.

'Baudh, take your friend and do something useful somewhere else, will you? I want to talk to Parvon in private.'

Parvon shook his head. 'But, Master Melion, it is you and I who should find somewhere private, if it is necessary; Masters Baudh and Oldor are working.'

A sigh, and Melion staked out of the entrance hall and into the corridors beyond.

'I must confess I really cannot be doing with your inconsistencies, Master Parvon, not knowing where you will be… I was surprised to find you had even been here!'

'Was it in doubt, Master Melion? And I must confess I do not quite understand why you feel the need to map out my every moment! I have been working for his majesty all my adult life, I take my responsibilities, and my duties, most seriously and would not offer my king anything less than all my service. In truth, I find your excessive interest in my work a little intrusive…'

'I was simply concerned for you, Master Parvon, after your disappointment this morning…'

'Disappointment? Ah, yes, that there has been no word yet about Elder Gomben's choice, whether to join the convoy or remain under lock and key… I am sure I will adjust, whatever the news.'

Melion tensed, as if this was almost like a slap across the cheek.

'I see. I was trying to be kind, but… Well, in that case, I will leave you to your duty and return to the King's Office; it is currently in the care of the Matrimonial ellith.'

'And very good guardians they are. Now, I have already kept Healer Nestoril waiting…'

'For how long, I wonder?' Melion muttered.

Parvon chose to ignore the remark.

'If I do not return to my desk today, I will send word with Baudh or Oldor.'

'I shall give orders to the servants to dust the chair in your workroom, then, in anticipation.' Melion said formally. 'Now, I must go, for I do have work waiting.' Turning on his heel, he headed off down the corridor, leaving Parvon to return to the Healers Hall, silently seething. This was becoming intolerable…

In fact, why ought he to tolerate it?

The thought startled him, but he chased it away to answer Baudh's concerned enquiry with as natural a smile as he could manage.

'Perhaps, while I speak to Healer Nestoril, you would like to wait in the reception room?' he suggested. 'I think Healer Gaelbes is there, and if the convoy arrives while I am busy, you can welcome them on behalf of the King's Office?'

'Good idea, Master Parvon. And, if you need to talk later, about… work, I can make time.'

'I am grateful. But all is under control.'

Parvon's smile became too tight on his face, uncomfortable, and he was glad to tip his head and move past, heading towards Nestoril's study.

Her door was open and she herself smiling a warm welcome.

'Do join me, Master Parvon, near the window; I have arranged for tea, as you will notice. Forgive me, but you look as if you are in need of a restorative of a stronger nature, however. There is firewine, if you wish, instead.'

'Tea is more than adequate, my thanks.' Assuming an oblique reference to his state of composure, perhaps to the less-than-cordial exchange with Melion that Healer Nestoril had witnessed, Parvon felt obliged to make some sort of explanation. 'It is a busy time with arrangements for sailing as well as new arrivals. We have very lately admitted Master Oldor to our ranks, which will make matters run more smoothly presently.'

'…but, of course, any new member of staff needs settling in and at first the workload increases as a result.' Nestoril smiled and poured the tea, gesturing Parvon to sit. 'Of course, it will be good for the whole King's Office if Master Oldor settles in swiftly, as it appears to me that Master Melion is about to have one of his little turns again.'

'In fact, Master Oldor is already proving very helpful and… I beg your pardon? Do you suggest Master Melion is… unwell?'

'Not as such, no. It is more that there are times when he is not quite his usual, cheerful, helpful self. If he is anxious, or worried, for example, but it passes swiftly off. For a few days, a week or so, however, he is obsessed with making sure every detail of each task is performed with exactitude. I think he fears that the geniality of his father may make him seem unsuitable for so formal a position as he holds, and so he has to remind himself he can be formal and precise.' She looked down and arched an eyebrow. 'It does not suit him, unfortunately, and he over-compensates at times. And so when he asked whether I had received notice of the early arrival of the convoy, I was able to assure him that of course I had. Not that it is any of his business how I run my Halls, and I am always ready for the convoy several hours before they are due. However, today…' Now she glanced up, twinkling a smile that was almost mischievous. 'Today Master Thindorion rode on ahead with the dispatch riders, and called in to let me know how things stood.'

'Ah…' Parvon took a moment to assimilate this and, after deciding Nestoril's explanation of Melion's mood was an attempt at kindness rather than anything else, found his attention caught by the latter part of her speech. 'You know Master Thindorion? That is, of course, you must know most of the elves in the palace…'

'Yes, true, but we are old friends. Our blue Healers' robes are dyed by his team to his specific instructions for us. If I may, it was a kindness of you to arrange for him to pay this visit to the New Palace. I know he badly wished to see Commander Triwathon to say goodbye before taking ship.'

'Tr…' Parvon broke off. Hearing Triwathon's name when he least expected it startled him almost out of his already-fragile composure. 'That is to say, I had been unaware of any friendship between the commander and Master Thindorion; it was just that he had assumed the way to the ship was through the Havens and therefore the New Palace was on his way…. That is, I…'

'You were being helpful because it is your nature, then, not because you knew Commander Triwathon would be glad of the opportunity to see his friend once more… that is even kinder, I think, than had you known! But Master Thindorion is very grateful, and it seems the reunion was exactly what he had hoped. Now… I really do have a matter to put to you, Master Parvon… the elves who are arriving today, they are all willing travellers, I understand?'

Glad to be distracted from the unexpectedly alarming news that Triwathon and Thindorion were old friends, Parvin answered quickly.

'Yes, that is so. My information says there are no recovering injured amongst them, nor any who are grieving particular friends or family.'

'That is well, then, they will need less reorienting, I think… Master Melion said he thought their rooms must be ready, for you and Master Baudh have spent a lot of time on them lately?'

'Indeed, Master Baudh and I made our final checks this morning.' Parvon nodded. 'All have basic furnishings, which may look sparse, but the will suffice. People may choose what they want once they are settled.'

'Which leads on to my next thought… Could the elves go to their new quarters today? It is not that I do not have room, for I do, and I am glad to host them. But it being early in the day, they will be milling about here until supper time… while if they went to their new homes, they could look about them, perhaps eat there, or in the Feasting Hall, and not feel rushed… and it ought to free up more time for the King's Office tomorrow…'

'Ah… yes, yes I think… if the elves themselves are happy with the arrangement, why not? That is to say, enough gossip has filtered backwards and forwards that they will not be expecting their former homes to be made free for them, which has always been the main sticking-point.'

'That's settled then. You will pardon me, but are you quite well, Master Parvon? My tea usually has a restorative effect, even if it is not as potent as firewine, but you look a little wan…'

A knock at the door and an underhealer with news that the elves were at the doors meant Parvon was not forced into lying to the Healer.

'Thank you, Aeglosdes, I am on my way,' Nestoril told the elleth who had brought the news. 'Well, Master Parvon, there will be more refreshments in the welcome room, should you wish for some.'

'Indeed, you are most kind.'

He stepped aside for her to precede him, needing to be out of sight while he rearranged his features and his ideas… Triwathon and Thindorion were friends…? How had he not known? Triw had talked about most aspects of his life during their friendship at the New Palace; the only real exception had been tales from his youth, possibly because his lover the poacher was now dead, and to remember the days would be to remember him… although Triw always said it was because he had been so young, and so silly, that he bore no resemblance to his current self… if Thindorion had been a friend from that time, it would explain his reticence…

…Ah, of course. Triwathon had once ordered a kilt dyed an impossible shade of blue as a gift for Glorfindel, it had dazzled and startled the entire palace, there had been no avoiding it, or the golden elf it adorned… and Thindorion was the Healers' dyer, and knew the knack of blue, so that might have been how they knew each other, if not from earlier…

…but he could not understand why he was so worried. Thindorion had struck him as a pleasant, genial fellow, hard-working and kind. There were few elves that Parvon liked almost at first sight, but the dyer had been one such, and if Triw needed a friend…

…that was it, though; Parvon knew what sort of friendship Triwathon thought he needed, and… and… and, oh, the emotions of Triwathon's fëa had been so…

No. He would not torment himself, he would not allow his personal feelings to impinge upon his functional abilities, he had work to do, a room full of elves to address… Later, he could deal with all this later, when he had time and privacy and, oh, Triwathon, was it this Thindorion? Was it? Did I bring you back together, did you think I had done it deliberately, to be kind to you both…? Did you… with him… because you thought I had sent him for your sake…?

No! He could not do this now, he could not let his mind drift now, he must work…

Swallowing hard and trying to put his Palace Office mask in place on his face, Parvon emerged from the corridor into the entrance hall in Nestoril's wake, where the first elf he saw hailed him with a friendly, delighted smile.

'Master Parvon! The very person I was hoping to see!'

The very last person Parvon wanted to meet just then…

But Thindorin stood before him smiling in his friendly way, fully expecting an answer, utterly unaware of the confusion he had cast Parvon into. Making an effort, Parvon ignored his personal feelings and tried to be welcoming and gracious.

'Master Thindorion. Well met, and, welcome back to the Old Palace.'

'My thanks. And, for arranging matters for me, I am truly grateful; it would have hurt my fëa to leave without bidding my friend the best goodbye I could, but he is well, and settled, and he has a good friend to support him, so I learn… I mean your good self, of course, Master Parvon, for I heard how much Commander Triwathon values you.'

'Indeed?' It was all Parvon could do to answer calmly, and he was terribly anxious lest he be blushing, not at the compliment, but at the thought of what that 'best goodbye' may have been, and trying so hard not to... 'I am sorry if I intruded on your time, even in conversation. I… I hope you found the commander well?'

'Yes, he seemed very well to me. Sad, of course, because of his friend. Oh, and, yes, not at all. We were at supper in the main hall, and I mentioned you, and two warriors with us laughed, not understanding that an elf with ink-stained fingers may also bear the callouses of using a bow. I should have known better myself, of course. Triwathon spoke out for your importance and claimed you as a friend.'

'Indeed, I am honoured to be such. That is good news, I… sometimes, there is word from him, but not this time. He is busy, of course, but I am glad to hear he is well.'

'That would be my fault; all his spare time, I think, he gave to me. The second night, we were up talking to the early hours, and then he insisted on seeing me off after breaking fast with me and around garrison matters. It was a kindness.'

Parvon nodded, desperate to turn away from the implications of Triwathon spending all his time with Thindorion; personal feelings aside, he had a room full of elves to greet – but the dyer seemed loath to move off. Hoping to gain at least a breathing-space to assimilate the conversation, Parvon latched on to the topic that had brought Thindorion to his attention in the first place.

'Do you still intend to take ship, Master Thindorion? Or has your visit perhaps stayed your plan?'

'Ai, now there is a thing…! My dear friend will not sail, not even for my sake, but nor will I stay, not even for his! What is there to say to that, except just as I thought I had grown in importance to him, perhaps, I find that we do not quite like each other well enough to be anything other than selfish! Yes, I still will sail, and take my memories of him away with me.'

'Ah… yes, the commander, once he makes up his mind, is frequently unshakeable. I mention it merely because there was a major orientation session for those planning to make the trip while you were away; at some point, you will need the same information, as the journey to Ithilien will be a long one and must therefore begin soon. At present, I am a little busy with your travelling companions, but my new assistant Master Oldor would be free tomorrow to…'

'Perhaps we could meet later today, then?' Thindorion suggested. 'If the leaving date is soon, well, I am all settled in again and ready for the next adventure. I'm free before supper, or we could share the meal, perhaps?'

'I am sure you are always ready for the next venture, Master Thindorion. Yes, very well, if it is easier for you, we can meet later. The hour before first serving, will that suit? I will be free by then. You know where my workroom is, I have all the documentation there.'