The breakfast hall, when Parvon and Triw found their way there next morning, looked to have been designed with fewer people, or more sittings, in mind. Walkers and colonists mingled, if not freely, then at least where lack of space necessitated someone moving up, or moving down, or moving aside.

Thindorion was already at one of the tables populated mostly with Legolas' elves, and beckoned enthusiastically until Parvon joined him, Triwathon going to the servers to bespeak food.

'You're here in good time,' Parvon said. 'Are you well?'

'Yes, and I got here early because, alas, Mago had to go back to the barracks for early muster. So I was awake, and alone, but as early as I got here, some of Legolas' people were earlier still. They tell me this hall is just the first stage of construction, and that once we've sailed, there will be more digging taking place.' He gestured around himself to the elegantly soaring walls, carved with elaborately detailed trees on three sides; the extended work would, presumably, continue beyond the one unfinished rockface. 'When Triw joins us, I'll make introductions, but meanwhile, everyone, this is Parvon, formerly Elf-in-Charge of the New Palace.'

'And once of the Old, I think?' an elf at the far end of the table said. 'I remember you, Master Parvon, for, of course, you at one time presided for the king in the Feasting Hall. No, do not trouble to search for a name, for I was one amongst many, while you were noted by all.'

'But I do remember you! Carasson, is it not?'

The elf went so far as to rise and bow. 'The same. Welcome to Ithilien, Master Parvon!'

Triwathon arrived back, followed by attendants with trays.

'Our friends would not let me carry anything!' he said in laughing protest. 'I do not know if it is from courtesy, or because they fear I will drop the dishes!'

Laughter, the servants laying out the fare and retreating, and Thindorion made his introductions.

One amongst them made so bold as to start a conversation.

'So, you must have been at the New Palace when…'

'We both were,' Triwathon said shortly. 'And now we are here.'

'Indeed, of course, I beg your pardon! It must have been… terrible. Forgive me.'

'I think an account of events was sent amongst the missives to our prince,' Parvon said. 'It would be better, perhaps, to wait for that than to hear our tales. We have, I feel, told them once or twice too often for comfort.'

The silence that followed could have been respectful, or it might have become awkward, but Thindorion stepped in.

'There are other tales, however. Your own – Ithilien is beautiful, but it is not Eryn Lasgalen. How did you find it, what of these Men that are so close, do you like them? Do they like you, our prince? You've been here, how long? Is it two years, or three, or…?'

'Thindo missed his calling,' Triwathon murmured to Parvon as the elves considered, and answered. 'He could be an asset to any King's Office! We can speak up for him, in Valinor. That's if you think good King Oropher will have a King's Office, and want advisors…'

'One thing all the histories tell,' Parvon replied, equally quietly. 'He was certainly in need of them.'

More elves came in to eat while Parvon and Triw were still breakfasting. Around them, many others had finished, returned their dishes and were simply sitting as if waiting, although they obligingly crowded themselves together to make space for newcomers. Carasson noticed Parvon looking at the crowded tables and offered an explanation.

'The prince joins us to share any news or instructions after we break our fast, for more of us gather for the first meal together than at other times. The commander makes similar announcements in the garrison, so we hear, and thus everyone is ready for the day ahead and cannot forget overnight, as we might if announcements were made over supper. So we wait until Legolas has spoken before we disperse.'

Presently Legolas entered the hall and stood at the top of the room, calling a loud greeting to bring everyone to order.

'Good day to you all, mellyn-nin!' he began. 'I hope the morning finds you well. Today we welcome old friends from Eryn Lasgalen, who intend taking our latest ship across the seas to Valinor…'

He paused for a little murmur of interest and acknowledgement to run around the tables.

'But just to say to you, travellers, that if any or all of you wish to stay and cast your lot in with us, rather than sailing irrevocably west, then you would be welcome indeed.' He was careful not to look in Parvon's direction when he said this, and continued on. 'For those of you taking ship, you will be escorted to Osgiliath presently. There you will stay until your departure; it should not be more than a few days, so I am informed. There is a market, and you will have the opportunity to acquire any small last-minute items you have missed on the road, or which you feel would enhance your voyage.'

Now the murmur was louder and the Walkers looked to Parvon with questions in their eyes. Legolas laughed, and drew their attention back to himself.

'No, no, my friends, eyes on me, please! It is no good looking at Master Parvon, for he knows no more of these plans than do your good selves. So. Present yourselves, in good order for travelling, back here in an hour, unless you have decided to stay, in which case, present yourselves anyway but without your baggage, so that the housekeeper can welcome you. Moving on to my own colonists, last night Govon and I took charge of a package of documents relevant to the sad events which took place lately at the New Palace. Our hearts were full when we heard the news, but now we may read the full tale and see the list of names we will not speak until the proper ritual days. Also we have taken charge of the Starlight Gemstone belonging to our former friend, the Seneschal of Imladris, who was accorded full Silvan rites in honour of his sacrifice for our friends. This gemstone is allotted to the garrison for today, through the evening and overnight so that those with duty may all have a chance to remember the fallen lord, but from the middle of tomorrow, any of you who wish will be able to add to the memories in the stone. The location of the stone's resting place will be made known at tomorrow's breakfast announcements. And that's all at present, thank you.'

He smiled and nodded and left the room while the colonists began to rise and prepare in turn to depart. Despite Legolas' exhortation to the travellers, Parvon found a gaggle of question-eyed elves headed his way and braced himself for the onslaught.

'Master Parvon, what do you…?'

But the elf who had begun did not finish his question, for an attendant inserted himself between Parvon and his would-be questioner, bowed, and addressed him.

'Master Parvon, Commander Triwathon, if you please, our prince would like to speak with you. Would you follow me?'

And so, they followed.

Legolas was stalking across a chamber close to the common room where Parvon and Triw had sat last evening, drinking with Thindo. This space was smaller, but bright with light from a deep-set window to one side.

'We'll put the gemstone here tomorrow, I think,' he said, nodding to them. 'A few benches for people to gather and talk him over… what do you think?'

'He'd like that,' Triwathon ventured.

'Indeed,' Parvon added. 'Our own observances for him, at the New Palace, were formal. But that was really because there had been so much loss, and it was still so near…'

'I am sorry you had to go through such events, mellyn-nin.' The prince's voice was full of sympathy. 'I was up betimes, and looked over the reports… so many elves affected! Such loss of elf and tree and life! But there, you have suffered and survived, and sometimes that's all we can do, is it not? Be grateful to be alive, even if at times it feels wrong…?'

'That is so, ernilen.'

'And yet, Parvon, those who are sailing, they were not much touched by events?'

Parvon shook his head. 'Some were, of course. But for the most part, these are elves of the Old Palace, who were made anxious or who had other reasons to sail and were but waiting for a chance…'

'Not you two, though. You were in the thick of it, at the heart of the danger. There's more than just reports from survivors here – there's tales of perfidy and treason and personal attacks and through it all, you have both continued to serve. They say there is healing for all ills in Valinor but if that is why any of your company are sailing, including…'

'I have not enquired too closely as to the personal reasons of any amongst us,' Parvon said, his voice formal and clipped at the prince's allusions. 'But for myself, I would say that is not why.'

'Nor I,' Triwathon said. 'I simply wish to be where my husband is.'

Legolas nodded. 'I thought as much. But pardon me, please! I am so in need of help here, even if it is not for long…'

Parvon sighed and glanced a question at Triwathon, who shrugged.

'While we're here, Parvon,' he said. 'If you wanted to see what you could do… and Commander Govon did say something about how I might be helpful… I suppose I could give a hand in the garrison…'

'Parvon…?' Legolas asked, hope in his voice.

'Very well. While we are here, I will spare you an hour or two each day while Triw attends weapons practice, or spars with your husband, or such…'

'Excellent! That is most generous of you! And… I happen to have a meeting coming up, there is a thorny issue and I really need someone to back me up…'

'If I am still here, ernilen, of course I will help. And if I am likely to have sailed before that, perhaps we can discuss it and I can make suggestions ahead of the meeting itself. In the interim, you'd better set me up in your colony office...'

'That's one of the problems; I don't have one.'

'You do not…?'

'I have two scribes who put my papers tidy for me and make notes. Then they're stored in a trunk somewhere.' Legolas waved a vague hand. 'The notes, not the scribes… I told you I need help!'

'That is becoming more apparent by the second, my prince!' Parvon said, a touch of acid in his tone. 'Almost I wish to demand introduction to these two brave souls, and apologise on your behalf! But if we are riding to Osgiliath, and if we need to pack before we leave, Triw and I had better be busy…'

'No, Parvon, please – I'd thought you could stay here with us, you and Triw. Until it's time; until the night before the ship leaves, at least. That way, I can make use of your talents while I have you and… yes, your husband is right, Govon does want his help with something…'

'We haven't yet arranged our berths,' Parvon pointed out, interrupting. 'Although there should be plenty of room for us, the berths I'm thinking of are allocated still, to elves who are not now sailing. So we will need to visit the ship to make all good with the captain, and perhaps now is as good a time as any…'

'Or the worst possible thing you could do,' Legolas said, laughing. 'If you go with the company, then every little thing your friends can possibly find fault with, you will be told and expected to attend to.'

'And if they learn now that you will be on the ship with them,' put in, horrified, 'can you imagine…?'

'Ai, it would be terrible! Everything will be my fault, and I will not have a moment free to be simply married in until we land in Valinor! No, you are right – time enough when they realise we're taking passage with them…'

He thought for a moment, gave a decisive nod.

'Very well. I will write a letter for Thindo to carry, and ask him to arrange things on our behalf, is that something that is likely to be possible, Legolas?'

'Yes, I can have someone escort him to the captain, at least.'

'Very good.'

'That's perfect,' Triw added. 'We will want to see Thindo off, anyway. Then, ernilen, if you want to borrow my husband, I can spend my morning with yours, to see if I may be of help.'

'Excellent!' Legolas gave a warm smile. 'They will be leaving from the hythe where you all arrived last night. I'll come to wave your friends off myself. And then, Parvon, if you're free, I'll introduce you to my poor, long-suffering scribes.'