The welcome party gathered together at the gates to greet the arrival of the Imladris elves. Faerveren had managed to assemble himself and his grandfathers, Healer Maereth, Commander Triwathon and sundry other elves of the New Palace, enough for a respectable honour-party. He had practised his formal greetings, and now watched as the visitors took turns to dismount and their horses be led to comfort and shelter.

Once that was done it would be exactly the right moment to begin his formal speech of welcome.

But as the stable hands reached for the second pair of horses and the elves dismounted, Melion disembarked from the wagon before Faerveren could speak and, seeing Melion move, Merenor hurried forward to swamp his son in an embrace before Faerveren could begin his carefully prepared speech.

'Hello, ion-nin! It was a surprise to hear you were coming, but how lovely! Come give your old father a hug, then!'

'I am on duty, Adar!' Melion hissed, scowling and fussing his robes straight as he freed himself from the hug. 'Now, if you will let me…'

Faerveren stepped forward and bowed to the visitors, smiling at his father's discomfiture. He knew what had prompted his Daerada to rush forward – simple, loving concern had propelled him towards Melion – and although he could wish that Daerada had waited, at least it showed that they were an affectionate family.

'Be welcome, Lords and Masters,' he said, trying to recover the moment. 'I am Faerveren, currently Elf-in Charge on behalf of Thranduil, Elvenking. If you will come with us, Healer Maereth and I will see you to your quarters. With me are Commander Triwathon of the Garrison, and Master Merenor, a senior assistant in the Palace Office, is just there with my A… with Master Melion. Between us, we should be able to answer any questions or concerns you might have.'

'Commander Triwathon?' Lindir dismounted, handed over his horse to the waiting groom, and bowed to the Commander. 'I remember you from your visit to Imladris; I am sorry we meet so.'

'As am I, Master Lindir. And Master Melpomaen; we did not know each other well, but I remember you. I grieve for you, for all who grieve the one who died aiding us.'

'We are friends in our loss, Commander. Thank you.'

Melion disentangled himself fully from his father's arms and shook his head across at Faerveren.

'Faerveren, really, it is a breach of protocol for Triwathon to have started chatting when Lord Celeborn and Lord Elladan are waiting…'

'Adar, do not worry, I am sure Lords Celeborn and Elladan understand…!'

'Lord Elladan would quite like to give Commander Triwathon a friendly hug,' Elladan said, grinning. 'It is because of him my brother found happiness.'

'Ah,' Triwathon bowed, found himself smiling. 'I had rather thought it was because of Captain Rusdir that Lord Elrohir found happiness.'

'But come,' Faerveren put in, trying to regain control of the introductions, 'you must all be cold and ready for refreshments; if you will all follow, Maereth and I will take you to shelter. Master Melion, Master Merenor will see you to your room. If you have the gemstone in your care, he will escort it to its place of honour from there. And then, Master Merenor, I need to speak to you in my office. It is quite urgent, but take half an hour first to refresh yourself; you are out of sorts after the journey, I think.'

Melion opened and closed his mouth several times, not expecting his son to give so many orders with such certainty. Merenor gave him a little nudge.

'He is Elf-in-Charge here, you know. Think of it as a chance to take a little rest.'

'Ada – Master Merenor… I do not want a rest!'

'No, but you need it. Come, lad. You need to shake your mother out of your head for a bit, I can see something's haunting you. Let Faerveren do his job; he's been doing it wonderfully well, you know…'

Faerveren watched in admiring gratitude as his grandfather led his father away before turning back to his other guests.

'Forgive us, please! We are a small community here, and so are not as formal as perhaps we should be. I hope your journey was not too uncomfortable?'

This was addressed mostly to Lord Celeborn who, as the highest ranking of the group, was the one on whom all the formal exchanges ought to devolve. But instead, Lord Elladan replied.

'If a person decides to cross the mountains at this time of year, they should expect discomfort!' he said. 'But, indeed, we were made very welcome at the Old Palace and are glad to be here at the New. Again, I should say, at least on my part, for I was here for Rusdir and Elrohir's vowing.'

Faerveren nodded, mentally realigning his protocols.

'Of course, I was still serving in the Old Palace then, but welcome back, in that case! Sadly, you will find us a little changed… but come now.'

He led them to their corridor and bowed.

'At the end of the passage is the servant's room; as in the Old Palace, you request all you need there. If there is anything about the rooms you do not like, please say so. They are all in a row here, so we have not taken the liberty of pre-assigning them, so make free as you wish. If you need me, send word, or the Palace Office is back down this corridor to the junction, and then to the left and down again; it is waymarked and has notice boards outside. And so, there is mulled wine on its way to you, and we will meet at dinner, the servant will knock before it is time. Your luggage will be delivered also to the servant's room.'

'Our thanks,' Elladan said, stepping forward. 'You've been very helpful, Master Faerveren. I remember where the office is, and the dining hall… can I ask, where is the gemstone going to be set up?'

'From tomorrow, Healer Maereth's Quiet Room will become the Memory Room. Tonight the stone will go to the barracks, for the warriors there to remember your friend. If any of you would like to attend, I am sure Commander Triwathon will be glad to see you there.'

'We would like some private time with the gem, if that's possible,' Elladan said. 'Could it be brought? Master Melion was very punctilious about its safekeeping…'

'I will make sure it is brought to you before dinner, then, if that will suit.' Faerveren bowed. 'Until later, my lords, masters.'

'Before you go…' Lindir stepped forward. 'If I could have just a moment of your time, Master Faerveren, in private…?'

'Shall we step into this room? It is one of those set aside for your company, of course…'

'Thank you, Master Faerveren. I have something for you,' Lindir said, the door being closed behind him. 'It comes with kindest wishes from Master Parvon, who very quickly became our friend.'

Faerveren bowed and smiled as he took the letter.

'I am most grateful! Yes, Master Parvon trained me, and was almost like a father to me, when I was posted away from my own Adar. It will be nice to properly have news from him, we only usually have official business to discuss. I hope this room is to your liking?'

'It is very nice,' Lindir looked around, properly. The chamber seemed to function as both sitting and sleeping room, smaller than the rooms at the Old Palace but somehow pleasanter. 'There are two doors, is there a second chamber?'

'Ah. One leads to the washing cascade, the other is actually shared with the next room; I hope that will not be inconvenient?'

'No, in fact, it is perfect! Well, thank you again, Master Faerveren.'

'And you, Master Lindir. Until later.'

Seeing the elves settled, he took a moment to greet the servant at the end of the corridor and thank him for his services to the visitors, and then headed back to the Palace Office, his letter tight in his hand.

In the Palace Office, Merenor was behind the duty desk.

'Hanben went to fuss with Healer Mae for a bit, get the room ready for the gemstone. I have it here.' Merenor tapped the lid of the small casket. 'Melion didn't seem to want to let it go.'

'Good, I'm glad you have it; the Imladris elves were asking for it. I said it would be brought them before dinner, for after, of course, it goes to the garrison. Do you mind staying a moment, Daerada? I will be meeting with Ada soon, and giving him his letter, but I want a moment of my own first…'

'Of course. And if you'd like me to stay while he reads his letter…?'

'It would make things easier, I think, but he might prefer a private moment… oh. He could use my office; he'll need to get used to it. Probably. Well. Thank you, Daerada. Master Merenor, that is.'

'You are welcome, Master Faerveren.'

With a smile, the Elf-in-Charge came closer and folded his grandfather into a quick hug before retiring to his office to read his letter.

Merenor sighed, grinning happily as the door closed behind his grandson. He didn't have favourites, they were all his favourites, his grandchildren, but if he were to have favourites, Faerveren would be at the top of the list. He tried so hard to be properly formal, but he couldn't always manage it, and there was something appealing, in Merenor's eyes, that King's Chief Elf though he be, Faerveren was still not too stiff to give his old Daerada a hug at every opportunity.

Unlike Melion who had almost pushed him away earlier… there was definitely something wrong with wrong with the lad…

The door to Faerveren's office burst open and his grandson stood there, wild-eyed as he'd used to on waking from bad dreams.

'Daerada!' he exclaimed, waving what looked like a letter at him. 'There is news, Parvon writes, and… oh, you might know already, but… it is… if you don't and…'

'Come, calm down.' Merenor put his arm around his grandson's shoulders. 'I can see you've had a shock on top of the surprises today, is Parvon well? But you had a letter already from our friend?'

'Yes, he said in that, that this letter was coming with Master Lindir, and… but I didn't know! He is well, and… but he says Daernaneth…'

'Cullasbes?' Merenor frowned. There was little love lost between him and his former consort, but she was the mother of his wonderful sons and for that at least he owed her a duty of courtesy… 'Is she well?'

'I think so, Ada, but… but she is sailing. To Valinor. On the next ship, she is leaving the Old Palace in a few weeks with the other elves who are going…'

'Sailing? She is actually sailing…?'

Merenor dropped down into a chair and stared at Faerveren…

"Death or ships," their vows had said, all those centuries ago, short vows, intended to finish when either of them died, or left for Valinor, an arrangement of convenience that had, for them, not been a success. A review of all such arranged partnerships had been made when it had come to light that not everyone had chosen freely, or for their own reasons, but often just to please their families and in the hope of elflings to come, so it had been decided that for those who were unhappy, the arrangements could be annulled. They had been the first couple so to do, and while he had been the first to marry, she had found someone else long before they had parted…

Still.

She should have told him she was sailing. Melion should have told him, and…

Oh.

'Can I have a look at that letter, penneth?' Merenor asked. 'If it isn't too private…?'

'Of course. See, Parvon says, by now you will have heard… I think perhaps Ada forgot to say? It is odd, though, some weeks since he sent a list of those elves who planned on taking ship, so that any of their friends here could be informed, so why did he not mention Daernaneth?'

'Good question. But it's probably why he's a bit out of sorts, anyway. Well.' Merenor cuddled Faerveren against him, this time needing the comfort as much as giving it. 'This is a surprise! I… isn't it fortunate that our new postings came through today? We'll all be back at the Old Palace in time to say goodbye, if we want.'

'Yes,' Faerveren said, recovering and easing out of his Daerada's comforting embrace. 'It is very lucky indeed. I would like to say goodbye. If… I hope it won't hurt your feelings, Daerada?'

'No, no, penneth.' Merenor glanced over the letter again, made himself smile as he passed it back. 'It was many years ago, before you were born. Before your Ada was born, for that matter…!' No, the attempt at humour was lost on the lad. Well, it really was a shock… 'I never wanted the way things were between Cullasbes and me to cause any problems for any of you. So. Melion will be here soon, what are we going to do?'

Faerveren took a breath.

'First, the gemstone to the Imladris elves, so they may have a little time with it. Then we can stop worrying about them until dinner. Ada must have his letter in private, but if you or Daerada Hanben could arrange to be in the outer office after all… Oh, and Uncle Canadion…! He will be distressed, I am sure…'

'Can I help with some of that…? I could take the gemstone along, so if Melion arrives, you can give him his letter. I'll get Hanben first, though, so you're not on your own, and then I'll trot along and see if I can have a word with Canadion… then I'll come back to you here, is that all right?'

'Yes. I think we should let him have his news first before we ask about Daernaneth… it would be best if you were here for that, I think; after all, I am his son and do not want to seem disrespectful… Oh, and let me take the gemstone while you seek Daerada Hanben, then if Ada arrives, he will have to wait for me and it will remind him who is Elf-in-Charge.' Faerveren gave a little shrug. 'It will remind me, too.'

Commander Triwathon heard the knock at his door and hastily shoved the spirits bottle away in his drawer. It was not his usual pattern to drink on duty, but today was not a usual day; normally he would have escaped into the forest, to work at restoring the trees he loved until the rhythm of activity anaesthetised him; today, he had perforce to stay close to home with the expectation of guests, and his mood had been swaying and dipping and clawing itself back up throughout the day. The earlier, brief thought that Parvon might be the elf accompanying the visitors had been dashed even before he had worked out whether he wanted to see him or dreaded it, but he would never know, now, which it would have been. The spirits had numbed him into not minding quite so much, at least…

The knock came again.

He sighed. 'Come in.'

'Commander, my apologies, I have a request to make of you…'

'Master Merenor. What do you want?'

It was only as he said it that he noticed a stiffness to Merenor's stance, a tension in his shoulders, the tightness around his eyes.

'I am sorry, Master Merenor, I did not mean to sound abrupt. I mean, of course, how can I help?'

'Thank you, Commander. It wasn't you, I've just had some unexpected news… and it is something that affects all the family, so I wanted to beg a moment or two with Commander Canadion, if that's all right with you…? And where might I find him?'

'I hope nobody is hurt?' Triwathon asked, waving Merenor to a seat; it was common knowledge that Merenor doted on his sons and grandchildren, and was not averse to treating Triwathon himself as an honorary Merenorion. 'Your family, are they well?'

'Thank you, yes, it is not a disaster, just… a shock.'

'Wait here, I will have someone bring your son. There is wine, if you need it.'

He returned to his office to find the wine untouched on its table, and saw Merenor's shoulders drooping. The elf straightened as he heard the door close behind Triwathon.

'Commander, I know you're busy…'

'I've sent someone to seek Canadion, and Thiriston, too. If the news is as distressing as you seem to find it, he will be glad of his husband's support.'

'Thank you. Yes, would be glad of mine just now, but he's closeted up with Healer Mae for a few minutes… well.'

'They'll come to the tactics room, two doors up. If talking would help, while you're waiting…?'

'Ah, it's kind, but nothing you can do, Commander. I'll talk to my son about it. Both my sons, in fact.'

Triwathon nodded.

'And now you'll take a drink?'

'I've not long had one, in fact… but perhaps another, I am grateful. It seems to be that sort of a day…'

The commander poured the drinks, reflecting privately that, yes, it did indeed seem to be that sort of a day.