The arrival of the convoy took place amidst the usual bustle of people and luggage reaching the end of their journey. There were no injured elves to need particular help, and after Nestoril's welcome-home refreshments had been consumed, everyone was ready to sit and gossip as if they'd not had several days on the trail in which to chat already. Parvon moved easily amongst them, keeping a weather eye on Thindorion to make sure he wasn't being plagued with questions he couldn't answer, but the dyer seemed willing to talk to everyone who wanted to chat to him. The main topic, as far as Parvon could make out, was the notion of sailing, and he wondered whether he the following days would see him besieged with requests to join the party heading for the ship…

'You know, Parvon, if you keep looking at Thindo like that, people will start to talk,' Baudh said, appearing beside Parvon and standing in formal King's Office posture, hands behind his back. 'He is very easy on the eye, but you, of all people…?'

'I know you're teasing, Baudh. Or I hope so, at least. Your brother suggested Thindorion and I take the day meal together, and it so happened I was heading here after and my friend joined me, that is all.'

'Hm… and he helped you move out of your rooms last night?'

'Yestereve he did, it's true. He is can be quite determined at times, but he understands I am not interested in anything more than an ordinary friendship.'

'You know I said people will start to talk…' Baudh took Parvon's elbow and steered him to a quiet part of the room. 'In fact, they already are…'

'Oh, how silly! Elves do love to gossip, but I am sure there are better things to talk about…' He sighed. 'And Master Melion has only just ceased treating me as if I am the spawn of Mordor and begun to be pleasant once more…'

Baudh muttered something which had the word 'Melion' within the jumble, but Parvon could not make it out.

'I am sorry, you are not clear… what was that again?'

'I don't know how it's happened, but my idiot brother has got hold of the idea that you're lodging with Thindo until after the Imladris visitation…'

'That is ridiculous!'

'Yes, that's what I thought. Once I stopped laughing. But he did help you last night?'

'It was mid-evening, hardly late. Not that I need to explain to you… he brought a bottle of wine with him, we took my belongings to my old rooms – not to Thindorion's chambers – and after a drink, he went away. I cannot see what, or how, or… oh.' Parvon remembered a conversation, an opening door, Thindo's voice carrying… 'We had just left the formal quarters, we were outside Melion's quarters, I heard the door open and hurried lest he seek to detain me… I think Thindorion was extolling the virtues of his lodgings at that precise moment, I wonder if…?'

Baudh was nodding, and grinning as if there were a huge joke which only he knew about.

'Oh, I wonder…' Parvon went on. 'Melion was talking in riddles, too. Perhaps it was a good thing there was no letter for me, "given the circumstances…" he said, and hoped I would like my new rooms,
although he was "surprised" and noted my living arrangements would not be for long… and then when Thindorion arrived, he told him to escort me for the day meal… Master Baudh, it is not amusing!'

But Baudh, doubled over with silent laughter, did not agree.

'This is preposterous!' Parvon shook his head. 'Ah, and if Thindo gets wind of it, and thinks Melion must know more than he actually does, my poor friend may disbelieve my protestations and be misled by your brother into thinking I am encouraging more than friendship! I simply am not the sort of elf with the happy knack of finding myself physically attracted to one not my fëa-mate, I had hoped I had made that clear, to your brother as well as to those elves who mistakenly think I am in need of such companionship…'

'I'll try to deflect Melion, never fear!' Baudh said, recovering. 'But really? "Happy knack"?'

'To me it seems so. For if I were not bound by my nature and felt able to seek a different sort of affection in my life I would perhaps not miss my family as much as I do. However, I am as I am. Forgive me, Baudh, I am supposed to be on duty… I should not have burdened you with so personal a confidence.'

'Do not worry, nobody needs our official assistance at the moment, Oldor and Thindo are in command of the room…' Baudh broke off to stifle another laugh. 'I had a thought,' he explained. 'When you're in your rooms, and Melion needs you in a hurry, he's going to march straight to Thindorion's quarters and knock on his door…'

'Which will prove to him how mistaken he is and be a valuable lesson in the danger of making assumptions,' Parvon said. 'Well, I suppose I had better address the room and then discover whether they wish to stay here tonight or see their new homes.'

'You will be able to manage them? Oldor has the final list of who goes where, he's offered to help.'

'That's good of him. I hope your visit to Gilrin will proceed well.'

'As do I.' Baudh grimaced. 'She's going to assume I'm there to speak up for Melion; I'm not, of course…'

'It seems to me that by arranging matters so that he may escort the Imladris elves, and the gemstone, to the New Palace, your brother is taking himself out of the way rather neatly while Mistress Cullasbes and Mistress Gilrin strive for the right to his time. It is an admirable plan, but not one to earn him the respect of either lady, one feels.'

'True… what's this, though? When was it decided that Melion should go?'

'You were not aware? I am not certain myself, but Master Melion said it was all arranged, and that the meeting took place while I was somewhere else…'

'So was I, in fact! Ah, well, strategically, it does work in the short-term. Well, it all seems to be going perfectly well; I'll abandon you now, Master Parvon, I have one or two things to do in the new guest quarters before I go across to see Gilrin. But Oldor will help, if you need it. And, of course, you've always got Thindorion for support.'

No help or support was needed, however. After the welcome speech, the elves were happy to be escorted to their new accommodations and mostly pleased with the allotted rooms, although there was some hinting here and there that perhaps these were just temporary lodgings.

'Only if you wish to sail to Valinor,' Parvon said, 'although berths on the current ship are fully allocated. However, if you wish to discuss sailing, I am the elf to speak to about that, too.'

It was an answer that not only silenced the hints but effectively gave the new arrivals something to reflect on, and Parvon bowed and left them to their reflections, returning to his desk a full hour before the hour of the evening meal and in time to arrange for a table to be set aside for the newly-returned elves. Oldor had offered to be present for questions, which left Parvon with the evening free.

He had work to do, of course, but found himself worrying. After delivering his welcome speech, it was his wont to thank the elves who had assisted in the welcome, and he'd looked for Thindorion in order to express his gratitude. The dyer, however, had been heavily in conversation with an elleth from the convoy, and when Parvon was next free to seek him, the dyer was nowhere to be seen.

Not that it was any of Parvon's business, of course.

Nor did he know where Thindorion lived… somewhere with a window, that was all. Of course, it did not matter if one did not know a thing, as long as one knew how to discover the information. Parvon tidied his worktable, hung his robes-of-office on their hook and left his workroom, closing the door and going to the filing area adjacent to the Division of Matters Matrimonial, where he began an exploration of the ledgers on the shelves.

'Oh, Master Parvon!' Araspen's little voice interrupted him just as he was about to drop to his knees to investigate the lower drawers of the cabinet. 'We wondered who might be at the files, nobody ever looks in them; it seems that once things are put away, they are no longer needed!'

'Mistress Araspen. Yes, usually I know what I am seeking without needing to rummage… but I am looking for the registered location of the owner of the fine dyers' rooms and I cannot quite…'

'South Wing, east corridor, outer region. Master Thindorion has living quarters on the Corridor of the Glorious Sunrise… there is a many-hued fabric panel on the door, advertising his colour palette. It is very pretty. Merlinith and I have our crochet yarn specially dyed by him.'

'Thank you, Mistress Araspen. Although in fact…'

'No, you are welcome, Master Parvon. Now, of you go, while I tidy those files away before Master Melion comes back and grumbles at you just because he can. Really, I hope his mood changes soon, it makes me more than usually glad I am married to an elleth.'

Stopping off briefly at the kitchens to beg a few items from the cook, Parvon made his way through the Old Palace towards the outer corridors of the South Wing. The cave system had seen waves of occupation and recession as people moved from the shelter of stone to the freedom of talain, then back under cover as the forest grew darker. The population had fallen dramatically after battles such as Dagorlad, Five Armies and the War of the Ring and recovered slowly, if at all. Sporadic periods of exodus to the Undying Lands had not helped matters, nor had the establishment of the Ithilien colony, while the influx of people from the New Palace was really an insignificant rise in numbers. The plummeting levels of occupancy were reflected in the state of the accommodation wings; some entirely empty, others with just one or two rooms occupied. Here, in the South Wing, there was still a relatively high habitation level, and the corridors well-lit and clean.

Parvon made his way along the Corridor of the Glorious Sunrise, feeling slightly foolish and annoyingly nervous; he was, after all, just worried about his friend.

The right door was easy to find; he spotted the bright banner of bright colours and knocked, taking in the rich colours while he waited, admiring the range of hues which ran from the richly intense to the delicately pale, testament to Thindorion's skill.

There seemed to be plenty of time to look at the banner, though; however spacious the rooms, surely it ought not take this long to get to the door…? Of course, the dyer might be busy with something, or just did not want company.

It was a foolish idea, anyway, to arrive thus, uninvited, unexpected. He could write a note, slip it under the door, but then Thindo might expect him to come back and really this was just a spur of the moment thing, best not really, and…

The door opened and Thindorion's voice preceded him.

'If that's you, Narudorion, I told you, I am not… Oh.' The dyer blinked as he saw who was there. 'Parvon, I… forgive me, I thought one of my apprentices was come to ask me about the dye batch… What are you doing here?'

'Are you busy? I decided I would accept your open invitation to call on you to see the infamous window…'

Expecting a swift response as was fitting the banter of the dyer's usual conversational style, Thindorion's sigh was a surprise.

'I am sorry,' Parvon said hastily. 'This is an intrusion, forgive me.'

'No, no… I sounded rude, I'm sorry. I'm just feeling somewhat… ah, it doesn't matter. Please, come in.' The dyer stepped back to admit his guest. 'I was really not expecting… and did I say? The window is in the bedroom?'

'Ah. In that case, perhaps you had better describe it to me?'

Thindorion smiled, an echo of his usual grin. 'In fact, you can see from the doorway…'

Parvon advanced towards the entrance of what appeared to be Thindorion's sleeping chambers. He tried not to look at the furnishings, instead allowing his eyes to rest on the deep-set window to the south side of the room.

'Indeed, a very fine example.' He backed away and looked around the living space. 'And this room is as spacious and airy as you said. Although there is no evidence here of your undoubted skill as a dyer, unless one counts the banner on the main door outside.' Parvon tilted his head to look closely at his friend. 'Thindorion? Is all quite well with you?'

'It is nothing.' Thindo dropped down onto a settle near the hearth. 'I will be fine in the morning, perhaps it is just unfortunate timing, tomorrow, if you wished, we could…'

'I take it you'd rather I leave you in peace?' Parvon gentled his voice and sat next to the dyer. 'I am loath, however, to do so; there is something wrong, whatever you say. Since you have all but hounded me into friendship with you, you will have to endure my company, since I do not leave my friends when they are in need of support.'

This made the dyer look up, frowning as he met Parvon's neutral gaze.

'Really?'

'Not willingly, at least.'

'I meant, really, you admit we're friends?'

Parvon nodded. 'Friends do confide in one another, on occasion, you know. Is it concerning Triwathon?'

'I… thank you, I am grateful, but… Yes, it is. Or, rather, someone who came on the convoy somehow knew I'd written to him, and she… well, she gave me a scold. She said Triw was unhappy after I left, and then seemed to catch himself, but then when the letters arrived, he grew sad again…'

'Sweet Lord Eru, whatever did you write? No, I beg pardon, I did not mean that…'

But the interjection did, at least, make Thindo smile.

'All I said was that I would be sailing soon, that you and I were becoming friends and you were helping with my archery skills. And that I was grateful for the time he spared me… however, this elleth told me, quite soundly, that to visit for just two days and leave again had been unkind. In vain did I try to explain that I had been ordered back on the next convoy.'

'Of course, it is nobody's concern except your own and the commander's. I really doubt that this interfering elleth is in any way correct, nor is there any excuse for her to take you to task. From what you have said, the commander knew that your visit could only be a short one; for that matter, the formal dispatches stated you had permission to stay only until the return convoy. Your writing to him was, in my opinion, a kindness, a mark of attention that shows how important the reunion had been for you.'

'Thank you. Yes, I know that, but… but feeling it… that is different.' Thindorion shook his head. 'I had hoped, just a line from him… but if he is still sad… I could write again and say I will wait for the next ship, if that will help him, but… but there is a part of me that knows it would not help.'

'Consider. This is the elf who wasted scores of years which he could have spent with his Balrog-slayer because he would not enquire of Imladris whether he had survived the War of the Ring. Not because he feared him dead, but that he was afraid his former lover would no longer want him. Triwathon lacks, not courage, but confidence, still, where his own self is concerned. He cannot accept that he is admired, and… and loved, because he does not feel he deserves it. And so he holds to a course of action, such as refusing to sail, because it is safer for him. I know from experience, Thindorion, that there is no point waiting for Triwathon.'

The dyer exhaled heavily. 'Ai, and you would know that, of course! How do you do it, Parvon?'

A shrug. 'I have told you, I began my career in the King's Office in the days when those elves who served were expected to devote themselves entirely to the service if they wanted to succeed. Therefore, I remind myself that I had never expected to marry, and since there seems to be an unfortunate taint of Noldor blood in my ancestry which means I am not tender-hearted enough to seek intimacy without love, I am as I am. It is all I can be, after all.'

Silence, a thinking pause. Aware of a certain awkwardness, Parvon rose to his feet.

'Well, thank you for sight of your window; it is a very fine example, but I fear I am keeping you…'

'Parvon, you're not going so soon?'

'Well, I have, after all, seen your lovely window. To stay longer might engender unwanted discussion, and Master Melion is already behaving as if he believes we are more than friends…'

'I know we shan't be, Parvon,' Thindorion said, his voice matter-of-fact. 'But I am grateful for the tact you've shown in making sure I understand. It's nice, to be frank, that you came to my door; it shows you trust me.'

'And value your friendship. Thindo, I brought a few things… I want to avoid the formal dining hall tonight, else I'll be caught up in convoy business, but I thought if you know of a common room where we might be fairly welcome, there is the makings of a meal here…'

'I can do better than that, I think. You may even be able to advise me, there is a matter in dispute between myself and my first assistant, who is taking over when I leave.'

'Oh? And would that be one Narudorion, perchance?'

Thindo grinned. 'Yes, the same! He has been hounding me for a decision for days! Well, if you would come to the display hall, we can eat there, if you like, and I can show you the matter in question so that you can see the problem.'

'I would like that, Thindorion. After all, you have seen my workrooms often enough. Lead on!'