Parvon found that the proper goodbye upon which Araspen had been so insistent had actually turned into a pleasant hour spent eating oatcakes, sipping mulled wine, and guarding his tongue, for every conversation with the good ladies of Matters Matrimonial inevitably ran the risk of finding its way into the general knowledge of the palace population.

It had been hard, though, not to confide in the ladies that he was going further than just to Ithilien, but that was a conversation for tomorrow…

…and now tomorrow was here, and the first trial of the day was the stilted awkwardness of the king's breakfast meeting. Every morning since Parvon's request to sail it had been the same, as soon as business was over, the king would ask whether or not Parvon was still determined on his plan, and Parvon would reply that indeed he was…

'…and so, my king, we discussed the appointment of Master Hanben to Joint-Elf-in-Charge, and I have drafted a document to that end; I will present it for signature later so that Master Hanben may be given the good news on his arrival.'

'Along with the bad news too, no doubt.'

'That he is also required to attend your majesty at breakfast? I am sure he will cope, my lord king, and if all else fails, I shall tell him to threaten you with porridge…'

'Ha! You know very well that is not what I meant, Parvon! I meant this ridiculous…' The king broke off. 'How did it come to this, Parvon?'

'A combination of factors, sire. My job being taken from me, then myself being taken from my home… an enforced separation from my friends with no hope of reunion or being reinstated to the work I loved in the place I made my own…'

'Yes, yes, there is no need to dwell on it, Parvon. Very well. I will see you later in my study with the finished document for signing.'

Not expecting company but hoping anyway, Parvon took his day meal in the Feasting Hall, delighted when Thindorion hailed him and came over with a tray.

'I'm glad I found you here,' the dyer said. 'I dragged Naru to practice, but you weren't there, of course.'

'Unfortunately I had business with his majesty, and then to ensure the rooms for the returning elves had been properly prepared. Am I to take it that all is now well for you and Naru?'

'Better, it's much better, my thanks. He almost suggested coming to Ithilien, but then remembered that someone needs to mind the business… I think I'm glad, I'd rather walk away from him tomorrow than have to linger on the road where there'll be no privacy.'

Parvon decided not to mention he had initially made the suggestion to Narudorion. Instead he turned the subject slightly.

'Did you try out the new pack yet? Is it helpful?'

'Very helpful, yes. I now only need that, and my original bag, rather than the three I originally thought I'd need…' Thindo grinned, shrugged. 'No, I just need to take out a few more things. Naru suggested Mistress Merlinith might be able to help if I get really stuck… how many shirts are you bringing? Let me guess, both of them…?'

'In fact, I have…'

The number of shirts Parvon had been about to admit to owning lay unspoken as a messenger came to a halt near the table, bowed, and passed him a folded note.

'Thank you… no reply, I am grateful… Thindo, I can't stay, I'm afraid! The King's Office Elves have passed within the inner perimeter and will be here soon. Excuse me; I will hope to catch up with you later?'

'Go,' Thindorion said, wafting his hands in Parvon's direction. 'I'm aiming to be at first serving tonight, maybe then?'

'Hopefully. Until then, enjoy your day.'

Parvon nodded and hurried from the Feasting Hall towards the King's Office. The main door was open, and he could see Baudh emerging from a hug with his father; obviously the elves had only just arrived. Before he even reached the doorway, Faerveren had spotted him and hurried out to fling his arms around his former mentor.

'Master Parvon, it is lovely to see you! Oh, you have been so much missed!'

'Why, thank you, Master Faerveren, I am very pleased to see you, also. Now, if you will excuse me, I had better offer hugs to your grandfathers, or else I may be in trouble…'

'There is no need for that!' Master Hanben called, although from Master Merenor's ready, twinkling smile, it would appear he, at least, would not have been unwilling. 'Master Parvon, well met!'

Finally disentangled, and therefore free to enter the King's Office, Parvon bowed.

'Master Hanben, Master Merenor, Master Faerveren, welcome back. Forgive that I was not here when you arrived, but I had hardly expected you so early…'

'Well, we thought about it,' Merenor said, 'and decided to let the rest of the company break for their day meal and come ahead. That way we thought you might have chance to breathe today, penneth!'

Parvon raised an eyebrow at the appellation.

'Ah, you're not going to get all formal and stuffy on me during my first hour back, are you?' Merenor said with his winning smile. 'Forgive me! And we've only just arrived.'

'You've not eaten? Would you like to go to the Feasting Hall, they're still serving? Or shall I send for food for you here?'

'Well, if we can hand over the Starlight Gemstone formally to you, Master Parvon, then a good meal won't come amiss,' Merenor admitted. 'Faerveren has it, of course.'

'Yes, Master Parvon.' Faerveren reached into his robes, drew out a small wooden casket, and handed it over with a bow of his head. 'There was much interest in the stone and gratitude expressed for the one it commemorates. We will remember him.'

'We will indeed,' Parvon said, smiling. 'And Masters Melpomaen and Lindir, were they well when you left them? And…'

'Oh, yes. Lindir was very sad when they arrived, but he seemed to recover his spirits. Although there was a little incident – and we had to leave before the outcome was known, unfortunately. Lord Celeborn managed to lose himself in the forest…'

'Lose…?'

'…but we had word he was found, they sent word to the village where we stopped with the stone overnight. Commander Triwathon seems well, too. I did have trouble, getting him to meetings, but in the finish we understood each other,' Faerveren added. 'I hope he and my father will manage to get along well, I am not quite sure Ada will understand the demands on Commander Triwathon's time…'

'Try not to worry too much about the commander,' Parvon said. 'One thing you and I both know is that he is perfectly capable of expressing himself in the face of authority. Very well. There is one more thing, before you go; I have a missive for Master Hanben, under the King's Seal. Hanben, shall we go into your workroom? I have left it as I found it, but, of course, I do not know what other alterations may have been made before I arrived…'

'Shall we see, then? I must confess, I am curious, for there have lately been several missives under seal and the contents have been rather surprising…'

Parvon held wide the door for Hanben to precede him. The elf nodded.

'Yes, it is all very bare, and tidy. Well, I can soon move things back in… thank you.' He took the sealed document and broke it open to read. 'Oh. But this surely cannot be…? How many elves-in-charge does the King need, for Eru's sake?'

'There have been changes to the planned organisation of the King's Office,' Parvon said. 'In fact, I will be away for a time and so it was felt that Master Faerveren, while more than capable of taking charge on his own, might find his confidence more easily if there were another elf assisting. After discussion with his majesty, it was decided that you would be the ideal choice. Congratulations, Master Hanben.'

'Hm,' Hanben mused. 'I am the only one left, you mean, that his majesty can place in such a position of authority without shuddering?'

'No, indeed!' Parvon said swiftly. 'Although I will admit that his majesty did express a wish not to be troubled with Master Merenor at the breakfast meetings… now, I am sorry, you will be wanting your meal. Do feel free to discuss this with your family; it is not secret, although of course Faerveren and Merenor do not yet know about my trip…'

'Well, you had better tell them before we go to eat!' Hanben said. 'Is now not a good time?' He went to the door and opened it. 'Merenor, Faerveren, would you come in for a moment? Master Parvon has something to tell you…'

'This is not exactly how I had envisaged breaking the news,' Parvon began when Faerveren and Merenor had joined them. 'Could someone fetch Merlinith and Araspen, and then Ordoer? There is more to this than a simple explanation; and they only have part of the tale; I would prefer to tell everyone at once the full story…'

'This is sounding very ominous!' Hanben said as Merenor went back out and began summoning the others. 'I am not sure, but I think I would rather have taken my day meal first!'

'It will not take long. Ah, here we are. Everyone, my apologies for interrupting your work. Most of you know how this begins…' Parvon took a deep breath and let out his secret, feeling almost ashamed to admit it. 'As some of you already know, I have been commanded to escort the Starlight Gemstone to Ithilien. This means I will be away for some time and so, Faerveren, you will need…'

'But this is awful!' Faerveren protested. 'Master Parvon, I had been looking forward so much to working with you again…!'

'I know, I understand. My main regret is that this will not be possible. So. While I am away, Master Hanben will be your Joint-Elf-in-Charge, but you have the precedence, Faerveren. I say while I am away, but… I need to tell you, all of you, that it is unlikely I will return….' He paused for the exclamations and murmurs to die down. 'Yes, yes, this is not what you expected to hear, and I am sorry if this is inconvenient for you! I have been inconvenienced myself of late and so I am planning on taking ship to Valinor where I hope I may start afresh. That is it, that is the last of the news about my affairs, there is no more to be said about me, the rest of the discussions we have will be about how to support Faerveren and Hanben in their new posts. Now, if you will excuse me, I must take the gemstone across to the Healer's Halls…'

'But, Master Parvon!' Araspen said. 'Why? Surely you have a reason?'

Parvon stopped halfway to the door and made a helpless gesture.

'Araspen, my dear friend. I am sorry. You have been nothing but kind and friendly. But… you, all of you, have family here, people who love you. I have no-one now, not since my brother… Please, excuse me.'

He hastened from the room and out of the King's Office. Once in the corridors beyond, he took a breath and slowed his pace; it had been so much more difficult than he had anticipated, and he could not even begin to process the expressions on his friends' faces, the shock in Faerveren's eyes, the sense of disappointment he had felt in the room…

Well.

He was still going to sail.

Arriving at the Healers' Hall, he was relieved that Nestoril was busy elsewhere and that it was Healer Gaelbes who showed him to the Quiet Room to set up the Starlight Gemstone.

'I understand the Over-captain is sending someone to stand watch?' she said. 'Until they arrive, the door shall be locked.'

'Thank you, Healer. The party of resettling elves have paused on the road; it will be an hour at least until they get here. I… think that Master Oldor will be officiating today.'

'Of course, you're taking the gemstone south? You must have so much to do!'

'Indeed, I am a little busy. I will try to drop in, and if I am needed, do let someone send to me.'

'Well, if I do not see you before, Master Parvon, safe travels, and I shall come and wave everyone off tomorrow, of course.'

'Thank you.'

He returned to the King's Office to find the place empty, but for Araspen and Merlinith who almost pulled him into their office.

'For we do not want to bother you,' Araspen said, 'and I hope my words did not distress you, Master Parvon. We saw you were much alone, but, of course, the companionship of two people is not always what a person alone wishes.'

'You have both been very kind and attentive,' Parvon said, finding a glass of restorative blackcurrant cordial somehow in his hand. 'Believe me, this is not a decision I have come to lightly. But so many happy families here in the Old Palace reminds me that… well. No matter. Was Faerveren very upset after I left?'

'A little. But his grandfather consoled him. They have gone to eat, as you might surmise,' Merlinith said. 'It has been decided that for the moment, Master Hanben's workroom will be the Elves-in-Charge office, and we will move into Master Melion's space, so that Master Merenor can take over in here again. There will be room for us and for Masters Oldor and Baudh, so we will be the Materials Division, they sorting out the reconstructions of the rooms, and we attending to the important things such as furnishings.'

'They want you to have a desk with them,' Araspen said. 'Faerveren and Hanben. And I must say, for all it seemed an odd thought at first, I do believe Master Hanben will be very good as a Chief Elf. After all, he can keep dear Master Merenor within bounds, so I am sure he will be able to handle the king and his little whims.'

This made Parvon smile. 'I wish his majesty could hear himself being compared to Master Merenor; I am sure it would do him good. Well, in that case, I will take this very good cordial with me, find a corner, and begin working.'

He rose, sipped his cordial (to show willing) and tucked himself away in the smallest corner of Master Hanben's workroom and began writing, creating a document of the most important points that had not found their way into the Procedures book. He had been working for about half an hour when voices were heard outside, the door opened, and Faerveren walked in.

'Oh, Master Parvon! I am sorry, I should have knocked…'

Parvon shook his head, smiling.

'This is your office,' he said. 'Yours and Hanben's. Why should you knock? But I am glad you are here – I have been making a list for you. Do you have a moment?'

'Yes, of course…'

Parvon waved Faerveren to the chair opposite.

'So. Dealing with his majesty… you will get the habit of him very quickly. To begin, we expect Master Hanben to do the breakfast meetings. If the king should decide not to have these meetings, do not let him avoid more than two… on the third day, you should find a matter of importance and then take it to him in his private rooms in the hours after the day meal – these hours are his special time, and he will not be happy – but hold your courage and point out that you have tried to bring these matters to the breakfast meeting, and…'

'…and so, if he wants his afternoons free, he will see the point of breakfast meetings? That is good. I did find Commander Triwathon difficult, 'leave it with the Duty Captain' he kept saying. I almost had to break into his rooms to corner him, but I bribed him with good Dorwinion and it was all right.'

'Well done! If you struggle, you can always go to Healer Nestoril and look wan. When she asks what's up, tell her the king is being complicated; she will gladly help. If all else fails, send him a breakfast tray with compliments of the King's Office; make sure there is nothing but porridge on it…'

Parvon continued on, relating the various strategies to which he, and Arveldir before him, had resorted in order to keep the king to some sort of routine. By the end of it, as Parvon had hoped, Faerveren was laughing and smiling and joining in with suggestions of his own, completely forgetting his former sorrow at the thought that Parvon would soon be leaving.

'So, I am trying to see if there is anything else… now, Master Oldor, whom you will remember from the New Palace, has started as an assistant. Originally, he was meant to be helping with enquiries about sailing, but he helps Master Baudh as well and is very good with elves resettling here from the New Palace. You travelled down with two families, I think?'

'Yes, we did. They seemed anxious that the rooms they wished for would not be made available to them; they have heard of it happening…'

'It's true, there have been many changes. But the rooms offered are all of a good standard. I did not think to ask, but do you have somewhere to stay? That is, the family rooms… ah… your mother…'

'Naneth is staying with her naneth,' Faerveren said. 'I will be fine in the family rooms alone. I was wondering, though, would it be all right if I took some time this afternoon? That is, I know there is little time left for you to show me the ways of the King's Office, but I wanted to see my Ada's mother… Uncle Canadion said he would meet me at a certain time, and it is nearly come?'

'Yes, of course, Faerveren. You do not officially start work until tomorrow. Please, go and enjoy your family time. We will speak again before I leave.'

No sooner had Faerveren left than Hanben came in, Merenor with him.

'I'm sorry,' Parvon said. 'You'd no need to wait…'

'No, no. We were talking to Merlinith,' Hanben said. 'It was a good idea to have them take over Merenor's Matters Matrimonial, they seem to have enjoyed the experience.'

'But I am sure Master Merenor will be glad to have his office back…?'

'I think I will,' Merenor said. 'As the ladies have somewhere else to work, and another task to busy themselves with… I wonder why nobody thought of employing ellith in the King's Office before? I suppose in Arveldir's day nobody in the King's Office was allowed a life outside of work, and there was concern about the birth-rate…?'

'Indeed. I think the idea of bringing in Merlinith and Araspen was still quite shocking to Master Melion, but it has worked well, in my opinion. They are excellent, too, at managing the elves at Public Audience. So, where do you want me to work? Really, I can go anywhere, and I will not be here after tomorrow in any case…'

'About that,' Merenor said gently. 'You do know you will be missed?'

'I… yes, several persons have been at pains to say so. I can only be grateful, and it is humbling to have so many kind words said. But… well, I have had to promise not to completely decide until I reach Ithilien, but in my heart, I am sure that Valinor is the best choice for me now. It has been an honour to work for the king, and with such fine King's Office elves.'