At around the same time that Commander Triwathon was addressing the tired guards in the garrison common room far away in the New Palace, Master Parvon found himself attempting to sidle towards the door of Mistresses Merlinith and Araspen's Friendly Room.

The farewell party for the sailing elves had been underway for some time, although Parvon, having first attended the king in the Feasting Hall, was but lately arrived. A new face half-way through the evening had enticed many of the guests over to greet him before he even had chance to find a drink for himself, and after a succession of greetings and questions about the forthcoming journey, he was currently pinned against the wall by Mistress Cullasbes and desperate for escape. It didn't help that Baudh was also present, and could see Parvon's discomfort, but had as yet made no attempt at rescue.

'So,' Cullasbes was saying, 'I hear you are going with us after all! It will be useful, I must say, to have you on hand if anything should go amiss…'

'While I will gladly help, if help is needed,' Parvon replied, edging sideways an inch or two, 'I should point out that on the journey through the forest I will be rather lacking in resources with which to provide assistance.'

'But at least we will be able to tell you what's wrong…'

'I see. I will hope all goes well, though, and that you are not required to complain.'

'Well, it is good that you are accompanying us.'

'In fact, it is more accurate to say I am really accompanying the Starlight Gemstone of the Lord of Gondolin,' Parvon said, letting his voice be a little louder and clearer than he otherwise might, for people had stopped to listen to Cullasbes' interesting comment and he had already heard someone ask the person nearest them if that meant Master Parvon was actually going to sail…? 'It is the king's command, so that the King's Office may pay our respects, even as the Garrison provides an honour guard of their own.' He took a sideways step, gesturing with his wine cup as he did so. 'It was not my intention to imply anything other than that I am honoured to bring the stone to Ithilien as my king commands.'

A nod and smile, another step, and he was free, pretending someone across the room had tried to hail him. Heading generally towards the doorway, he found himself intercepted by a much less threatening person than Mistress Cullasbes.

'Master Parvon! You are not leaving so soon, I hope?'

Parvon hid a sigh. It would appear not.

'Good evening, Nestoril.'

'I must say I did admire how you handled the conversation with Mistress Cullasbes! One would not wish people to get the wrong idea of your trip, would one?'

'No indeed, it is very easy for a chance word or phrase to be misconstrued, so I thought it best to make things clear immediately.'

'Although you didn't actually say you were not going all the way with the elves who will sail…' Nestoril drew him away to a quiet corner. 'My dear friend, I hope you will permit me to take one or two liberties…'

'You alarm me, Healer! But of course, we are friends and can speak freely to each other, if that is your wish.'

'I am simply concerned, Parvon, that you may be acting a little rashly, which is not like you at all. I speak out of affection for you, from having seen your struggles… I know it may seem like an impertinence, but are you sure you're doing the right thing?'

'I am following my king's orders and taking the Starlight…'

Nestoril tipped her head, and Parvon faltered. The healer raised an eyebrow and nodded.

'I meant after you reach Ithilien with the stone. Parvon, I do know what is going on, you know.'

'Someone has been gossiping, then. I should not be surprised, I suppose; I have only spoken of this to two people, and one of them, I know, is not given to sharing stories not his to share; although he may accidentally let things slip if he does not realise… the other… well, nobody is ever surprised at how much Thranduil seems to know. Yet I would hardly have had him down as a gossip…'

Nestoril laughed and patted Parvon's arm.

'Ah, you really don't know your king well at all, do you? It was not shared with me as a morsel of gossip, my friend, but out of genuine concern for a much-respected and greatly-liked advisor. And I have been in a similar position, if you remember; when the two princes had to sail for their health, I would have gone with them. I thought I was sailing for love, for the love of one that was in my care. But it did not happen, and when I got home, I realised the one I loved was here all along. Parvon, I do not want you to be unhappy, and Thindo is a lovely elf, but…'

'Is that what you think?' Parvon took half a step back in surprise. 'Nestoril – Ness, please, it is not that at all, it is nowhere near the same case! I am not sailing to be with Thindo, but to be reunited with my family. My friend being on the ship will be pleasant, but… he is not the one I love, and… I cannot ever have that now, so it will be easier to bear if I am out of reach.'

'I see.' Nestoril tilted her head to look into Parvon's eyes. 'Yes, I do see… I really didn't think it could be more for you and Thindorion; it is not in your nature. But I have been wrong before… do remember, though, Parvon, you can always wait for another ship, if you are really not certain.'

'I know. But, in fact, I have not been so certain of anything for a very long time.'

Nestoril sighed.

'You will be greatly missed,' she said. 'And although I cannot directly speak plainly, if I were to hint that perhaps there is one person in the palace who thought that an unexpected absence might, perchance, make Commander Triwathon aware of how very much he missed you, and that this might lead to more…'

'Then perhaps you could intimate to that individual that they would have done far better not to interfere!' Parvon heard his voice growing hard and made himself speak more pleasantly. 'That is to say, while undoubtedly that kind of approach might work for some individuals, it is not relevant for anyone as busy as the commander; he has so much to do, presently, that he has no time to think of anything that happens outside of his duty, or even his line of sight. And, might I remind you, lately a very lovely, very kind and sympathetic elf has been placed right under his nose, an elf with whom he has much in common, especially a shared grief…'

'Oh, Parvon! You surely do not think…?'

'It does not matter what I think, Ness. It is what I… what I feel. I have sensed around Triwathon a form of love which manifests as… I can only say as selfless, abiding, true. I… I do not mind, how could I mind? It is not my business to have an opinion, even. But… and anything that relieves his distress and helps him recover from so much loss can only be a good thing. No, I am willing to be happy for him, that he has found happiness at last.' Parvon swallowed, shaking his head as he tried to keep control over emotions suddenly much too close to the surface. 'Only… I cannot bear to be near enough to witness it.'

'I understand, of course. But… what if you are wrong? What if Triwathon and Melpomaen are not as close as you think?'

'Then I am wrong. But Triwathon is an elf who makes friends easily, who needs people. If it is not Melpomaen, then it will be someone else; it is Triwathon's nature to be affectionate and loving. Better for him, better for me if I am not here when he finally finds someone he can build his life around.'

'But, Parvon, are you sure…?'

'It has already been pointed out to me, more than once, that it is a long road to Ithilien, and I will have plenty of time to consider, and reconsider my position on the way. But I am as certain as I can be, at present, that this is the best – no, the only course of action open to me.'

'I do understand. And, if what you think is correct, then at least once Triwathon knows of your decision, he will have someone to support him in what will be, after all, another loss. I am sure you have tried to break the news kindly to him, of course, but…'

Parvon's brows drew together in a frown, and he shook his head.

'I don't see… I was not going to… in fact, I have not been in touch with the commander for some time now, and since I will have left the Old Palace by the time any such communication could reach now him, it seems unnecessary…'

'Unnecessary…! But, Parvon, you have been such good friends to each other, no matter what else may have fallen between you! He would be devastated to learn you have gone without saying goodbye…'

'Yet how can I, Ness? In what possible way can I phrase it so that it does not seem like either an accusation or a veiled plea for his notice? Even if I state my reasons as they are, he would misunderstand and possibly be more hurt. No, it is best left unsaid. He will discover my plans in time, and perhaps the very fact that time will have passed will make it easier for him to hear.'

'I see your reasoning, but I do feel he ought to know…'

'Yet consider this. At present, I am under royal command to reconsider my decision until the last moment of the journey. That being the case, would it not be harder still for him, if I were to write, and then change my mind? I would have potentially distressed him for no reason at all. Conversely, what if I did write, and then repented, but having committed my first decision to writing, might it make me feel it too late to retract?' Parvon took a breath and gave the conversation a new direction. 'While we are almost on the topic, I feel I should point out that the matter of where my journey will ultimately take me after I deliver the gemstone to Ithilien is currently better not publicised, since those whom it will concern most greatly – the returning King's Office elves – are not here yet, and it is better for them to be apprised first, so that the enquiries which would undoubtedly follow, were all my plans known, will not be a surprise to them.'

'Would you reconsider?' Nestoril asked. 'That is, once you arrive at Ithilien, and are ready to board, could you not write then to your friend?'

'I… I do understand, and much of what you say resonates with me; yes, it would be hard to go without a farewell of some sort. Were I to agree to do so, to write to Triwathon from Ithilien, will you be content?'

'I would indeed.' Nestoril smiled. 'And, Parvon, I truly hope you find all you seek.'

'Thank you, Nestoril. My ambitions are modest, I think. And towards the top of the list is avoiding Mistress Cullasbes as much as possible…'

Nestoril laughed.

'Well, Master Parvon, if you look, our friend Master Thindorion has just arrived. We can take refuge in his company, what do you say?'

'I would say that, perhaps I have things I need to attend to in my… ah.'

Even as Parvon was speaking, Nestoril had waved at Thindo and the elf had spotted her, picked up a bottle of wine and three cups from a table, and was already heading across to them.

'Well met, my friends,' he said as he passed them the wine cups and began to fill them with rich red wine. 'Parvon, I had not expected you here tonight, but it's good to see you.'

'In fact, I caught our friend in the act of fleeing the room!' Nestoril said, raising her wine in salute. 'But to be fair, he had just escaped good Mistress Cullasbes…'

'Then I can't say I blame you, Parvon! Did she want anything in particular, or was she being sociable?'

'Merely to let me know she is glad I am accompanying the travellers, for should anything go amiss, she will have me to complain to about it.'

Thindorion laughed.

'Ah, it's going to be a fun trip, I can see! What will you do?'

'Try to establish my credentials as honour escort for the Starlight Gemstone, and deny any responsibility for the concerns of the travellers…'

'I wish you well with that!' Thindo said, laughing.

'…and by observing strict office hours, so to speak, outside of which I will only make social conversation and refer anything else to the escort captain.'

'Which will make you very popular with the good captain,' Nestoril said. 'Well, I will excuse myself from the conversation. I actually have someone to care for in my halls tonight; nothing major, a training injury only, but I did say I would drop in and see how he is feeling. Goodnight, Parvon, Thindorion – I will look for you both at practice tomorrow. And, Parvon – do not forget your promise; I shall ask Thindorion to remind you before you leave!'

'Remind you of what promise?' Thindo asked, taking a gulp of wine. 'It sounds very much like Nestoril is keen for you to keep it, whatever it is?'

'Ah, she was giving me a gentle scold because I have not written to Triwathon of my plans – of my plan in full.'

'Have you not? Did you not intend to?'

'No.' Parvon made a gesture of hopelessness. 'If he cares for me, it will only upset him, if he cares for another, he will feel I am pressuring him in some way… in either case, it seems kinder not to bother him. Ness made me agree to write from Ithilien.'

'I suppose you will find it difficult?' Thindorion said. 'A letter will, after all, still be a way of saying farewell. I was going to write to him myself, also from Ithilien. Perhaps we can oversee each other, when we get there?'

'Yes, if it must be done.' Parvon sighed. 'I would not have him mistake my intention and think himself neglected, or that I did not care enough to write, after all. But to write is still to demand his attention, even if it is just for a moment or two.'

'Well, it's some way ahead yet. So…' Thindorion took another drink. 'Are you ready for the trip?'

'Almost. The truth is that I've very little to arrange on my own behalf; bear in mind how lately I returned from the New Palace, I have not had time to accumulate much more than the items I packed in haste to bring with me. As you should know, since you helped me relocate to my current quarters.'

'Well, that's true, but I thought… I don't know, I suppose I thought at the time that you were only taking exactly what you need.'

'I was.' Parvon sipped at his wine. 'I had nothing extraneous to leave behind. In fact, the only thing I possess which I cannot justify taking with me on the journey is a decorative throw, made for me by Merlinith and Araspen. And even then, it would not take up much space and an extra covering might be useful on the road. But what of your preparations?'

'Well… at the moment I could easily fill three backpacks rather than the one I know is all I can take. So I must take another look, I suppose. It's not easy, though, is it?'

'Well, it is a different case for me. Mostly, I wear robes of office over my day clothes, so I need fewer garments to begin with. If you really find you're struggling, why not consult with your friend Naru as to what you should take?'

'That's a good idea. But when you think about it, there's only so much a person can carry, really, isn't there?'

'You're not the first to have mentioned that. In fact, I've had several conversations along the same lines this evening already,' Parvon replied, not admitting that, as far as his own packing was concerned, it looked as if he would have room to spare in his pack. 'I'm planning on asking the Over-captain to send one of our escort guards to demonstrate the art of packing for a long journey.'

'Of course, you already have a huge advantage over me,' Thindorion said. 'You're such a neat, compact sort of elf; a big, rangy fellow like me, my clothes take up twice the room yours do before I get started…'

Parvon laughed and shook his head.

'Then I shall ask for a demonstration from a big, rangy guard, just to be on the safe side,' he said.