Once Parvon had written his letter of instructions and sealed it, he and Triwathon walked over to the landing stage where the Walkers and their baggage were about to be loaded, once more, into the boats. Thindorion saw them and waved.

'No packs?' he asked. 'Are you not slumming it with us poor souls? For he has never talked you into staying and joining the colony…?'

It was said with laughing defiance, and Parvon hastened to explain.

'No, rather, we will be living in the glorious squalor of the unfinished caverns until the ship leaves.' Parvon smiled as this drew a further laugh from Thindorion. 'In fact, our prince sees it as an opportunity for me to help his scribes get him into order, and for Triw to assist Commander Govon; I would say I wonder why such a competent leader should want Triw's input, but I happen to know my husband is admirable under the pressures of war and attack, and there is nobody I would rather trust my safety to.'

He smiled warmly at Triwathon, who laughed, shaking his head. 'But, Thindo,' he said. 'What of Magorion? Surely, if you asked, you could be billeted here, with him?'

'I suppose I could, but before Master Parvon joined our company, I was put in charge of keeping a journal, of sorts. This I shall continue to do until we sail, and best done at the lodging house, I think. Also, things aren't quite settled yet with Mago's duties… and, for all that I love him – nay, because I love him, I don't want to make him sail for my sake.' Thindorion was careful not to look at Parvon as he said this. 'So giving him a little time here to decide what is best for his fëa, it seems the least I can do for him.'

'Yet if he loves you, Thindo, he will follow you wherever you go,' Triw said quietly. 'It is not where we are, but who is there with us, that matters. He will miss you, though, while you are in lodgings.'

'Oh, I will come back once or twice, they say it's but an hour's ride, so not too far for walking, either. Don't worry, Little Elkling, you will see me soon!'

Triwathon managed a smile, and nodded.

'Do not you be falling victim to any of these Men who would see us as an easy touch in the markets,' he said. 'And, Parvon, you have your request to make…?'

'Yes, Triw. Thindorion, will you do a favour for me? For us, really? I need to formally arrange our passage. Now, this should be easy, since – as you know – several elves turned back, so their berths are still available. Will you arrange for us to take them over? I have a letter written, explaining, and with something for out-of-pocket expenses for whomever needs their palm greasing… Obviously, Triw and I would prefer married quarters, as we are vowed, and you and Mago have not made things binding between you… You do seem to have a knack for dealing with such things as arranging rooms, if good Mistress Gathrodes' concern for you is anything to go by…'

Thindorion laughed.

'Yes, I suppose, I did steal the best chamber from under your nose, did I not? Very well, I will do my best to be winning and helpful and friendly. Where is this letter?'

Thindorion pocketed the missive handed to him.

'When you come back, I would be glad to hear how you got on,' Parvon said. 'Or it may be that we will ride down to look the ship over; I do not know, yet.'

'I think she's berthed some way from our destination, at the place where they take on provisions and water and such.' Thindo said. 'I don't think she's quite ready for boarding, yet.'

'How in the name of all the Valar do you manage to find out these things?' Parvon asked, frankly astonished. 'I thought it was my duty, as part of the King's Office, to pick up all the needful information, but Legolas did not mention that detail…!'

'Just by listening and talking.' Thindorion shrugged. 'No, to be fair, in this case we were all briefed when we gathered with our baggage in the breakfasting hall. Someone told us we wouldn't be seeing the ship yet, and why. She's called the Swan of Ithilien, which sounds nice, and fitting.' He heard his name called out, looked over his shoulder to see Magorion striding down the track from the barracks. His expression brightened. 'Looks like Mago's come to see me off as well,' he said, smiling and waving.

'Then we will bid you farewell, for the moment.'

Parvon bowed, but Thindo pulled him in for a back-thumping hug which stunned him, even as he was released and Triwathon bore the same treatment with slightly better grace.

'My friends, yes, I'll see you soon. Do my best to get you good quarters.' Thindo winked and turned to run off to meet his sweetheart. 'Mago! Well met!'

'It's good to see him content,' Parvon said. 'Triw – you know warriors better than I, and Thindo also… should he worry that there's no talk of vows yet?'

Triwathon shook his head.

'No, I don't think so. I think, it's been quicker for them even that it was for us…. Sorry, for me, at least, that is. I did have the time I hurried though the forest after you to get used to the idea that I could not bear to be without you. I should think it's probably within Command Govon's powers to refuse to release Mago from the hunters until he's served his duty tour, but it would be unkind, and, I think, unlike him. When I first came under his command, I was heart-broken and grieving, and he was very good to me; I cannot imagine that he would insist on Mago's staying, not now, when we are not on a war-footing. But perhaps Thindo is right, to be away from the colony for a little will help both of them see the rightness of themselves without pressure.'

'I can see Legolas on his way over,' Parvon said.

'Oh, good. Shall we wait nearer the hythe, or will that encourage people to ask questions of you?'

'It might, but at the same time, Thindo and his friend are on their way to the boats…'

'Do you know, though, I have noticed that when you and I are touching, the naneths don't look at you anything like as much.' Triw extended his hand to his husband. 'Would this help?'

Parvon laughed.

'Yes, love, it would help vastly. Thank you.'

They arrived at the hythe just as Thindorion and his beloved got there, too, themselves linked at the hand. Mago was wearing simple leggings and tunic, cloak over.

'Not on duty, Captain?' Parvon said with a smile and a bow. 'Unless your uniform has changed significantly…?'

Magorion laughed.

'No, indeed, I start at the next watch-change, so plenty of time to see my dear friend on his way!' He gave Thindorion a look which was little short of adoring. 'But the naneths are clucking, so perhaps I had better behave more appropriately.'

With a sigh, he kissed his friend on the cheek, relinquished his hand.

'Go safe, Thindo, and make sure you keep us a good berth!'

'Ah, indeed,' Thindorion said, taking a half-step away. 'You are not the first to charge me with such. Master Parvon, you know, if you were to order me to take charge of arranging all the accommodations, I could make unbiased choices for everyone…'

Noting how the elf's eyes lingered on Mistress Cullasbes, Parvon suppressed a smile.

'As long as you refrain from putting good, respectable trading naneths down in the bilges….'

'What? Oh, no, that's not why I was staring there. Just her… associate, Ravomen, she has been claiming he should have oversight of the billets.' Thindorion lifted his head, and his voice. 'But here is our prince, perhaps he can make things clear…?'

'Make what clear, Master Thindorion?'

'There is discussion as to whether Master Ravomen, because he has been here longest, should be responsible for organising our places on the ship, but I have here a document from the erstwhile Elf-in-Charge of the Old Palace, authorising me to select billets for himself and for Captain Magorion. Now, I would have thought that, as I have been on the road with the elves, I would know their number and friendships best… so would it not be better, if it were I…? It would keep me busy, my prince…'

'Parvon…?'

'If you would authorise it, your highness, I think it would be an excellent idea. Perhaps a note on the back of the papers Master Thindorion carries, and then a formal document, to go to the Ship's Master or Captain, properly worded and to the same end…?'

'Yes, very well, where is thisletter, then? And a writing stick…? Master Parvon, you are always prepared, are you not…?'

Legolas took the sealed envelope and wrote hastily on the back.

…I hereby authorise the bearer of this document, Master Thindorion, to arrange the proper allocation of berths for passengers aboard the "Swan of Ithilien". To follow. Legolas, Prince of the Elves in Ithilien…

He allowed Parvon the sight of it, passed it across to Thindo who took it with a bow.

'Your highness, I am grateful.'

'Let us hope it proves not too frustrating for you,' he said with a smile. 'Now… Everyone! I am come to bid you farewell for now! I shall ride down to see you board your ship, and watch you on your way. Until then, be well!'

He lifted an arm to wave, and walked away, calling to Parvon and Triwathon to follow. With a shrug and a grimace to Thindo, Triw turned and took Parvon's hand, followed in Legolas' wake.

'You will need to change, Captain, into your uniform, or something like one… Govon wants to take you off to watch practice bouts today. Parvon, when we get back, you can draft out a proper document for Captain Gwaelchanar…'

'I beg your pardon?' Parvon asked, his tone holding a hint of incredulity, causing Triw to grin. 'To whom would this duty normally fall, my prince?'

'Oh, to one or other of my scr…' Legolas gave an overly-emphatic sigh. 'Master Parvon. When we get back, would you be so good as to remind me to ask my scribes to draft me a proper document…or, if it is not too much trouble, and I introduce you to them, could you ask them yourself and perhaps show them the right way to go about it?'

Parvon smiled to himself.

'I think I may be able to manage that, my prince.'

Once they had changed, Triwathon into his least-formal uniform, one more modelled on hunter's garb than formal parade wear, and Parvon into what he confessed even he was starting to think of as his crow robes, they headed to Legolas' rooms where their prince had said Govon and he would await them.

'I am curious,' Triwathon said, pausing outside the prince's door. 'Your help I can understand, Parvon, but mine? I am not going to be here long enough to make any sort of contribution to the hunters and warriors of Ithilien – I wonder what possible use I can be?'

Footsteps along the corridor, and Govon came up.

'Triwathon, well met! To answer you, I just want a few opinions, to start with. Then to have you oversee a practice session or two, it's nothing difficult, or even long-term… yet.'

The last word was almost breath rather than word. Triwathon shook his head.

'Given that Parvon and I will be sailing, and within the limits of the time we will be here, yes, I will help, as I can. Opinions, then, on what?'

'Rather, on whom.'

With a nod to Parvon, Govon turned away, beckoning Triwathon to follow him. Triw shrugged, touch hands briefly with Parvon, and followed.

'To start. The company that came in with you, who amongst them are the best?'

'Thiriston and Canadion, Commander and Second…'

'No, after them. Who else? I'd heard Tawon was come to service, after a long time on a flet; I know what that's like, and there's a lot of experience to be gained there. I was thinking he might be put to use? I could ask Thiriston myself, but Tawon didn't seem amongst the company…'

'Tawon is rather a sore point, Commander. Thiriston thought he would benefit from a refresher in basic training, I suggest you ask him directly about it. I would rather not speak out of turn.'

'Oh-ho! What might he have done to upset you, mellon-nin…?'

'I would prefer not to say, lest I lower him in your opinion.'

'Oh, very well. And Magorion, who I really wanted as a captain, do you think he will turn from his course? He does seem set on staying within arm's reach of his new friend…'

'I think it would be unkind to try to persuade him otherwise. Unkind to them both.'

Triwathon heard Govon sigh.

'Very well. Yes, love's like that, Triwathon. Or it should be. Well, that's that. At least I have several hopefuls amongst the archers; you could take a look for me, fresh pair of eyes? We'll go out this way, there's a shortcut across to the barracks trails…'