Next morning, Parvon stood with the rest of the King's Office elves at the outer doors, attending on the king who had come to formally witness the departure of the Imladris deputation.

It was a cold, grey day with the promise of snow in its skies, and he was rather glad not to be part of the company – the prospect of two or three days' journey with the threat of bad weather overhead was hardly appealing.

Master Melion was seated in almost regal splendour in the wagon, supplies for the New Palace around his feet and a small casket containing the Starlight Gemstone perched primly on his lap. The Imladris elves, on horseback, rode behind, and Master Lindir turned back to wave.

Parvon, hands solemnly folded, bowed a reply. Having endured hugs and barely-suppressed weeping from the minstrel and an only slightly less emotional embrace from Melpomaen, he had no wish to seem encouraging, lest the elves at some point return and he had to endure the hugging again. At his side, Healer Nestoril nudged him with her elbow and waved back.

'You could forget your station a little, Master Parvon! I am sure Lindir would like you to wave!'

'But Master Melion is seated facing us; he would most assuredly not like it if I did so!'

'Ah, but he is going away! You need not worry about Master Melion!'

'He will return, and things will settle back into their natural course.'

'Well, it is to be hoped so, although poor Master Melion would perhaps wish it otherwise! I understand Mistress Gilraen is still staying with her kin on the far side of the palace?'

'Is that so?' Parvon answered politely. 'One could wish it had been known sooner how long a stay she was making, then the family rooms could have been cleared and made over to Lord Celeborn and Lord Elladan; Lindir and Melpomaen were not entirely comfortable with being separated by a corridor from their friends…'

'I'm not sure Melion would have liked that, though. Still, it was so good of you and Master Baudh to surrender your chambers to the visitors! Lindir was very moved, you know, that you found them their friend's former rooms… now, come, if we hurry, there will be time for tea and honey cakes before archery practice!'

'Much though the promise of tea and honey cakes is enticing, Healer, unfortunately, I have to decline; with Master Melion gone, the King's Office must meet to decide where his responsibilities will lie until his return.'

'I shall see you at practice, then – if you can hurry through your meeting.'

The advisors and scribes met in the main area of the King's Office, dragging chairs away from desks into a loose semi-circle; although Parvon tried not to be in the top place, the chairs were rearranged so that he had space either side of him and the gathered elves looked to him as if expecting him to lead.

Parvon took a breath, squared his shoulders.

'Thank you for sparing the time for this meeting,' he began. 'With Master Melion away, his workload devolves to us, so I know you are busier than you would like. Mostly, I wish to talk through responsibilities for those duties. Someone must undertake the breakfast meetings with the king, although I rather feel he might try to suggest there is no need for them at present…'

This drew smiles and soft laughter; Thranduil was notorious for trying to avoid the formal meetings so necessary for the smooth running of the settlement.

'…we must also look to the King's Audiences, and care of his majesty at feast. Master Melion has left no guidelines of his own for us to follow, so do any of you have any suggestions, or preferences?'

'Merlinith and I could sort out the audience,' Araspen said. 'As we understand it, mostly it is about making sure the king's time is not wasted by elves who cannot be bothered to read the notices…'

'That is true, Mistress Araspen, and a good suggestion. His majesty, of course, will need to agree to all our decisions today, but I think he could not object to that.'

'Someone other than me must do the breakfast meetings,' Baudh said. 'I'm too loud and cheery early in the day. The king himself has said so, on those mornings Melion tried to get out of them himself.'

'Very well; I rather expected it to fall to me… as for the Feasting Hall, there must be a top table tonight, the people will expect it, but there will be few persons there, so, Master Oldor, if we were to preside together tonight, do you think you could look after the king at subsequent dinners, perhaps?'

'Yes, I think so… especially if someone is there to help if I get things wrong…'

'There is not much to go awry, particularly when we have no visiting dignitaries. I could attempt to persuade his majesty to dine privately more often,' Parvon said. 'He may prefer that in any case. Good, so I think that is the most important matters dealt with. I will be in my workroom, if you need me.'

'Master Parvon?' one of the underscribes said from the back of the circle. 'May I just say… and with respect to good Master Melion… it is good to have you back in charge, sir.'

Nodding and murmurs from everyone else. Parvon tried not to sigh; it seemed everyone thought this was a deserved placement, that this was what he wanted, to be in charge, to be running things here again, but it was not.

'I am temporarily Elf-in-Charge, yes, but only until such time as Master Melion returns, then we will share the responsibility again. Of course, since Master Melion has been running the King's Office for the last two decades, his procedures will still need to be followed. As far as I am concerned, he and I are still sharing the duty, just as if he were taking a family day rather than being on duty elsewhere. Very good, thank you, everyone. For the next half hour, I am at my desk, then I will be overseeing the archery practice for those elves who are sailing; I will try to make up a duty schedule for myself and leave it where you can all consult it, so there is no doubt where I can be found. Thank you again.'

Archery practice gave Parvon chance to speak to Thindo and to arrange to meet for the day meal.

'After that, I am not sure when I will be free today,' he said. 'I have to preside over the king's board tonight.'

'As if he isn't capable of eating his dinner without all the fuss!' Thindorion said.

'True, but we do not make a fuss for him; we do it for the people, so they are reminded he is our king and we are his elves. I have to oversee Master Oldor too, so he may take over another night; it is a small top table today, though so the duty is hardly onerous.'

'Well, I think I will be dining privately myself, so don't look for me to wave. Not that you would wave back…' Thindo paused and grinned at his friend. 'Not while you're on duty; I saw you at the gates this morning!'

It was indeed a thinly populated top table; the king, Healer Nestoril, and Daerdorion, the current Over-captain made up the full complement, so that it felt almost absurd to be waiting in the shadows with Oldor beside him, while the king settled himself.

'First point of order,' Parvon murmured, 'is to have a quick glance around before the doors open to make sure all looks well, the servers all know their duty so there is rarely a problem. Then we let everyone in for first serving, and once the top table guests are in place, we take our stations, watching for the king. We see him seated, sign the wine round, and usually read out the notices. Then if the king has anything to say, he will do so then, lift his glass to drink, and that signals everyone else to sit and begin eating. But you know this; it is just the same as when you eat, you have seen it yourself. Second serving usually doesn't begin until the king's left the hall, so you can stand down then. Sometimes he'll address the hall again before he leaves…' Parvon shrugged. 'It seems at times as if he disregards the set protocols and just makes it up as he goes along.'

'It all looks ready,' Oldor said. 'Should we signal the doors?'

'Yes, then prepare to greet the king.'

Thranduil swept in, was announced, seated himself. The meal passed off well; Oldor, while nervous, made no mistakes and the king beckoned to Parvon at the end of the evening.

'Your new assistant worries too much. Reassure him, Parvon.'

'Of course, Sire.'

'I note a very dearth of dining partners tonight. While that may have made matters simpler for Master Oldor, we need more dining companions for the top table in future.'

'If my king would be so good as to furnish names,' Parvon said, 'the King's Office will endeavour to populate the top table more suitably, sire.'

'See to it. We will have the King's Office and the Healers' Hall when next we dine publicly,' Thranduil said. 'After that, commence bringing those on your Valinor list and the escort guards. We will feast them before they sail. Perhaps eight at a time, no more.'

'As my king wishes.'

'And, Parvon? On the evening that Master Thindorion attends, that night you will also be seated at the top table.'

'As my king desires.'

'Yes. We can discuss the matter further at the breakfast meeting; I presume you will still wish to inflict such upon me?'

'It is for the good of the kingdom, sire, not for the sake of our own enjoyment.'

'Indeed. At least make sure the fare is good; Melion had a tendency towards porridge, which is rather disconcerting early in the day.'

Thus prepared, Parvon made sure there was nothing remotely disconcerting about the selection of foods he ordered from the servers next morning; knowing the king's tastes of old, he made sure there was plenty of cold meat, sharp cheese and good bread and butter, plus toasting fork and other sundries on the laden trolley that met him outside the door of the king's chambers. Also remembering the usual run of the meetings, he had taken the precaution of eating lightly first, just in case he didn't have chance to get to the cheese before Thranduil took it all.

What he was not quite prepared for, however, when he knocked and wheeled in the trolley, was to find the king not alone. To Parvon's surprise, and even a little to his embarrassment, Nestoril was perched on the edge of the table dangerously close to the king's cutlery. She was quite properly attired in long and demure dressing robes, but her hair was unconfined and for a moment, Parvon was unsure how to react. He settled for a grave greeting and good manners.

'Good morning, Healer. Would you like me to send for another setting?'

Nestoril smiled, sliding off the table.

'No, do not mind me, Parvon! I am heading back to my own quarters, by way of the private corridors.' She paused to gently pat Thranduil's arm. 'Do remember, my dear, that breakfast meetings are not only for meeting, they are for breakfast, for all concerned. Master Parvon is looking a little lean of late, and you would not wish him to faint from hunger, I am sure.'

'Please disregard the healer,' Thranduil said. 'She would have you think that I have no consideration for my staff.' Thranduil kept his face stern, but there was a hint of humour in his eyes. 'Nestoril? Are you not needed at the Healers' Hall for something?'

'Probably.' Nestoril grinned, and made for the doorway. 'Now, do be nice to good Master Parvon, will you not? Bear in mind he is not Melion.'

'Of that one could never be in doubt!' the king said. 'Master Parvon, sit. Let us commence.'

'Thank you, my king. Ah… I am not certain of the running order Melion implemented during these meetings…?'

'Then let us return to the patterns used when you were in charge, shall we? I shall eat while you tell me of my day's events, and then we shall pause while you take a morsel, in case Healer Nestoril should quiz you afterwards concerning your breakfast…'

'Very good, my king. There are no audiences, neither formal nor public today, but there will be papers to peruse and sign; I will bring them to you the hour before the day meal, as was our usual pattern and collect them after it.'

'Good. Then I have an hour or two? I would prefer two, and I shall require the elk.'

'Word shall be sent to the stables, my king. There is nothing more for the morning at present, and, of course, the afternoon hours are still free for your private correspondence and suchlike?'

'Yes; that was one reform I would not let Melion thrust upon me. We mentioned we would not dine formally tonight; last evening, the people expected it, with our visitors having left, but Master Melion neglected to send invitations, presumably due to the excitement of his journey taking his mind off his duty.'

'He is one who would take all upon himself and neglect to delegate.'

'That is one way of looking at it. For myself, of later I thought it was rather that he was loathe to share, not only the work, but the glory of it.'

'Be that as it may, sire, you were talking of making up your top table from King's Office elves and the Healers' Hall?'

'Yes; you can preside on that night. Sit Oldor and Baudh together, it will drop a hint to the populace that they are to be considered a couple. Bring half the Healers and half the scribes, then we will dine privately, and the next night, feast the other half.'

Thranduil made a lazy gesture with his hand, reached for the cheese. Ahead of him, Parvon reached with cutlery and sliced off a good wedge.

'Allow me, sire,' he said, serving the king and taking a more modest slice for himself. 'And, indeed, it is a kind attention. Mistresses Merlinith and Araspen, they have been assisting, but it strikes me there is room for them in the King's Office, and not just in the Department of Matters Matrimonial… they would be excellent adjuncts to Master Baudh's housing projects; they know their way around furnishings and fabrics and suchlike, and have connections to Stores and the sewing rooms which would facilitate matters. And for the Public Audiences, too, preselecting your majesty's visitors; nobody can quite send a timewaster about their business like Mistress Merlinith…'

'Yes, a redoubtable lady. Master Melion seemed to be of the opinion that she and her wife would not wish to serve in a formal capacity?'

'I do not think Master Melion consulted them, however.' Parvon paused for long enough to signify a small change of topic before continuing. 'While we are discussing administration, sire, there is a matter I wish to broach concerning the New Palace…'

'You are too busy here to have been sent with the gemstone, Master Parvon.'

'Indeed, my king, I am very busy with other matters. In fact, it is not about myself, but in regard of Master Faerveren that I wished to speak. Master Merenor, too, for that matter…'

Thranduil ate as he listened to Parvon's account of how Faerveren's grandmother, Merenor's former consort Cullasbes taking ship, of how it was only proper that the kin have time to say their farewells.

'…but I am sure Master Melion would not presume to take advantage of his station by offering to take charge at the Palace Office in order to allow his son and his father the opportunity to visit the lady here before she leaves. However if, for example, my king were to issue an order recalling Faerveren to duty here and requesting Merenor to return with him, and at the same time formally ordering Master Melion to take charge of all administrative duties in the New Palace…'

'Melion could not refuse the posting,' Thranduil said. 'Although he might rather wish he could talk himself out of it. And yet, perhaps extending his absence from the Old Palace might be beneficial… One could ask why it is that this was not suggested before the despatches left since there will now be need for an urgent courier…?'

'The matter had to be brought to you first, sire, of course.'

'Without Melion being in a position to object to it? Of course, the courier would have to leave today if Faerveren is to return with the wagons…'

'I have a draft version of the order ready for my king's perusal and comment, if you have time, sire; it also suggests Commanders Thiriston and Canadion should be included in the escort for the wagons, so that Commander Canadion may also see his mother before her departure.'

'Remind me again how long you have been back in charge, Master Parvon…? Leave it with me. I will look it over before I go riding and let you have comments back on it before the day meal.'

'Thank you, my king.'

'It really is an excellent solution to the awkwardness surrounding Master Melion's temperament at present, Master Parvon, although I do hope you have not made me suggest that Master Merenor stay here indefinitely too…?'

'Indeed, no, my king, I thought of a strong objection to that, and so it is indeterminately phrased.'

'I am glad you had the foresight to realised Master Merenor is perhaps too cheerful in the mornings…'

'In fact, my lord king, I rather thought Master Hanben would dislike it.' Parvon allowed himself a moment to take a small bite of the toast that had been congealing on his plate. 'To separate so devoted a couple for more than a few weeks would be unkind.'

'Why do you not invite Hanben as well, and have done with it?' Thranduil's tone held a hint of sarcasm to begin, but he continued more thoughtfully. 'In fact, yes… why not invite Hanben, too? He is not at all cheery in the mornings, and on those days when you are busy, will be a far better alternative to the other scribes currently available for the breakfast meetings…'

'Very good, my king, although, of course, once Mistresses Araspen and Merlinith are formalised…'

'No,' Thranduil said. 'No ellith at breakfast meetings! There are limits, Parvon; Nestoril would not like it. Very well. If you have not already done so, prepare the following; formal recall for Faerveren, who will be joint Elf-in-Charge with you, Parvon. Recall also for Merenor and Hanben, to take over some of Master Melion's duties as you will become increasingly busy with the departure of elves for Ithilien.' The king waited for Parvon to note down his commands. 'Of course, that will leave Melion alone in charge of the New Palace, but he has been heard to say that it is hardly an onerous position and he never quite understood the resources we put into the place. So I am sure he will have no problems whatsoever.'

Parvon struggled to hide a smile.

'As you say, my king, I am certain he will be fine, particularly as fewer elves are in residence.'

'Good. Send word separately to the Over-captain to make his swiftest courier available and once I have looked over and signed the documents, seal them under my seal and make plain to the courier that he is to avoid contact with the Imladris elves and Master Melion if at all possible, and if he has to speak to them, he should insist that his messages are for the hands of the recipients only, and not to be entrusted elsewhere. I am sure it will not happen, but if Master Melion were to find himself in charge of a package of missives, in his role as former Joint-Elf-in-Charge here, he might think it his duty to peruse the messages himself.'

Thranduil paused, cleared his throat, and sipped his breakfast wine to hide a smile.

'And we would not wish him to worry, would we?'

'It would be most unfair, in fact. As my king desires, I will commence my redrafting immediately and I will go in person to the Over-captain so a courier is ready for the missives.'

'My elk to be ready in an hour, and the message to the barracks as a priority. And, Master Parvon…?

'Yes, my king?'

'Welcome back. Authority suits you.'

Almost light of heart, Parvon left the king's rooms and went about his duties. A messenger to the stables, then himself to Over-captain Daerdorion with his politest manner, since he had no real idea of how the relationship between King's Office and guard commanders currently stood. He was relieved to be welcomed by the duty captain and taken to the Over-captain with perfect friendliness.

'I didn't notice the wind change direction,' Daerdorion said. 'But it's good to see an Elf-in-Charge who will come here rather than sending for me to come to the palace.'

'In fact, I was glad of the walk; I was reminded lately that I do not get out under the sky often enough. So, Over-captain, I have orders from the king to request one of your fastest couriers to take urgent missives to the New Palace, ahead of the arrival of the elves currently on the way there. Is that something you can help his majesty with, do you think?'

'Oh, I'm sure we can sort something out for our king, Master Parvon.'

'Excellent, my thanks. I will bring the documents in person, and the formal request, by the hour after the day-meal, if that is convenient.'

The morning flew by in drafts and redrafts; Parvon kept his door open and found he was humming as he worked, absurdly satisfied in the mundane activity of translating the king's wishes into written directives. Once the formal documents were ready for signing, he turned his attention to suitable lists of guests for the top table, and was so involved in the minutiae of keeping families together, seating friends close to one another and deciding who didn't quite know whom and using the top table as an excuse to sit them near enough to begin to socialise that when there came a knock at the open door, he looked up in surprise.

'It is but ten minutes to the day meal,' Baudh said. 'And you were expected at the practice range today. Healer Nestoril made your excuses, so I hear, and Master Thindorion is waiting outside for you.'

'Oh… I am grateful, Baudh… yes, I am just done.' Parvon tidied his desk and followed Baudh into the main area. 'Thindo, forgive me! I was working…'

'And enjoying it for once; I heard you singing.'

'We all heard you singing,' Baudh said with a grin. 'And it made for a pleasant change. Well, we will take care of things until you return. Enjoy your meal; I'm sure you got precious little breakfast.'