Almost a week after the "Swan of Ithilien" sailed, a messenger hawk arrived in Ithilien from Eryn Lasgalen; this response from the Old Palace, while prompt, was addressed, not to the prince, but to 'Parvon, Chief Elf'.

Saelchanorion, in charge of logging incoming missives for the day, brought the small roll of parchment bearing the news. He knocked on the private entrance to Parvon's office – the new doorway had been made between the general office and the largest room as a priority – and the scribes had insisted Parvon take it over. He looked up as Saelchi entered the room.

'This came, Master Parvon… Is that the king's own hand?'

'It is indeed from the Elvenking himself; it would seem that the fate of the starlight gemstone was a matter on which Legolas has not required prompting… he must have attended to the matter with some immediacy…'

'And without letting us know, either!'

'Well, he is not obliged to keep us apprised of all his actions… although it might be a good idea if I can lead him to think that, in future.'

'Is that missive private, Master Parvon? That is, I know it's addressed to you, but…'

'If you mean you are interested and would like to stay, by all means…' Parvon unrolled the missive with care, and read it to himself before reading it aloud; it was terse and to the point.

'To: Parvon, Chief Elf, Ithilien

'Starlight gemstone to King of Gondor? NO! If my son MUST be an idiot, let him come home and do so where I can see him! Perform Completion Ritual immediately. Formal letter following. Parvon, congratulations on new posting. Thranduil, Elvenking.'

'Thank the Valar for that!' Saelchi said. 'The repercussions could have been dreadful! Do you think, perhaps, our prince is a little blinkered where some of these Men are concerned?'

'I think he has had time to build friendships where we have not, and so may perhaps have a different understanding of Men than do we,' Parvon said, a tempered defence. 'But I, too, am glad the king shares our opinion.'

'Ooh!' Daehel appeared in the doorway, her keen hearing having made her party to all that had passed. 'Are you going to tell the prince? Or can I? Can I? Can I?'

Parvon swallowed a laugh and looked as stern as he could.

'Your morning hours are almost done, Daehel…'

'I can take it on my way out? Oh, Parvon, please…! It has troubled me ever since he first started muttering about 'bringing our rich traditions to a wider world…'

'Perhaps we should reflect a little, first… after all, is it not reasonable to assume that the king has also messaged our prince? No, perhaps it is best to wait. I will raise the topic with our prince at his breakfast meeting; that will give both the prince, and we, his advisors, time to consider the matter… but what you could do instead, Daehel, is think about whom amongst the Silvans here might be the proper person to assist in or even to oversee the closing ritual.'

'Wouldn't you and your husband do it? What other family did the fallen lord have, other than Captain Triwathon? After all, they were… um… sorry, sorry…' Daehel trailed off, blushing.

'Well, in our capacities as Elf-in-Charge and Garrison Commander, and having both been present at his death, Triw and I are quite qualified to stand in for any family the fallen lord may have… and my husband, as you tried not to say, was particularly close to the fallen.' He paused to smile at Daehel. 'If the lineage records are anything to go by, the Lord of Gondolin is probably related to most of the elves of Middle Earth! So yes, if my husband agrees, we will preside. But there should be another present, ideally one with a strong sense of tradition. See what you can come up with and bring me names before the breakfast meeting tomorrow. And make sure to order breakfast for eight…'

'Eight! Master Parvon, I know Commander Govon has a healthy appetite, but…'

'I intend it to be a large breakfast meeting; I know Govon is traditionalist enough to approve the king's decision, even if he may not show it openly, but if there are others present who share his opinion, he may well offer support. Very well. If you have finished your work, you may depart for the day.'

Once his scribes had left, Parvon made sure all was tidy in the outer office and the filing room, making sure information on the boards was current. He paused for a moment, looking at the pinned announcement proclaiming there was a new Elf-in-Charge… was it too soon to remove that, and replace it with another, simpler note, listing instead the names and titles of the three of them?

Possibly; elves, even these adventurous Ithilien elves, did not generally take to change, and it might be better to leave the note in place for a little while yet.

It had been surprisingly easy to settle in, all told. He found he rather liked working at the large table beneath the lightwell, that he enjoyed the polite friendliness of the elves both in the woods and in the caverns. Triw, of course, was in his element amongst the hunters, coming home at the end of the day tired and dirty and laughing and ready to splash in the communal pool and tumble with his husband before dinner, and after dinner, an hour spent in the barracks' common room was a good way for the pair of them to meet new people and consolidate friendships.

Triw had wondered aloud whether they might perhaps enjoy living in a talan amongst the wood elves, and Parvon had conceded that, yes, they might indeed, but that they would perhaps enjoy it more once someone installed washing cascades and hygiene facilities, and if the colony really was going to move south of Osgiliath in the New Year, hadn't they better wait until then…?

So it had been something of a relief when the lure of the bathing pool had finally been too much for Triw's adventurous notions, particularly once Parvon had found a way round the inconvenience of sharing with more than just his husband… he spent a moment or two in happy memories as he finished tidying and neatening the rooms.

Finally, satisfied that all was in order, he removed his sleeveless over-robe and hung it on the hook at the back of the door before locking up and leaving for the day; he really ought to see if there were some suitable way to keep the office open for at least a few extra hours…

Well, that was a thought for later. For now, time to go back to the room he shared with Triw and shed his crow-robes for something less formal; they were taking the daymeal together, and afterwards he was practising at the archery butts with Ash and Rowan, Triw overseeing the session.

He was looking forward to it. In fact, since the decision not to sail, he found he was looking forward to everything…

Even tomorrow's breakfast meeting…

If Legolas was surprised to find the entire scribal contingent, plus Triwathon, at his door next morning, he hid it well, and even forbore from commenting until Parvon had taken charge of the double-capacity breakfast trolley and began unloading it onto the prince's substantial dining table.

'It's very good of so many of you to join us this morning,' he said. 'Commander Triwathon, I don't often see you before supper, and there has been little chance for conversation; are you settling in to your new position?'

'This is true, my prince, but I am glad of a chance to remedy that. Thank you, the work suits me very well; one might not think that one who had been commander of an entire garrison could ever rejoice in the rank of captain again, but, indeed, even as Acting Captain of the hunters, I am very glad to serve.'

'Govon has said you're invaluable already, and that the hunters are in better heart than they have been ever since we arrived.' A flash of amusement lit the prince's eyes. 'He tries not to sound aggrieved about it.'

'Defaming me?' Govon entered the room from the inner chambers and gave his husband a kiss that was almost suitable for company. 'Not aggrieved at all, Triwathon – can't work out why they didn't take to me, but what matters is they have someone they can work with happily. We're all the better for it.'

He slid into a seat and purloined an entire rack of toast in one easy motion.

'Pass the butter, anyone?'

This request being ignored while everyone else took seats, Govon shrugged and reached for it himself.

Parvon allowed everyone time to serve themselves, saw himself and Triw supplied with food and hot drinks, and opened the meeting with an easy general comment intended to provoke discussion.

'I have been thinking whether or not we might need an extra scribe or two to train up, for the afternoon hours. From the notes we find pushed under the door each morning when we open the offices, it seems that many elves do not find time in the mornings to come to see us… I don't suppose any names spring to mind?'

Govon pointed at Parvon with cutlery.

'You should start a formal training establishment,' he said. 'Let it be known back home, apprentices wanted. Learn the craft in Ithilien, get to know how to deal with the Men that are crawling all over the south of Eryn Lasgalen…'

'I wouldn't phrase it like that to my father,' Legolas said, helping himself to Govon's toast for a change. 'But consider; the opportunity to learn proper, traditional King's Elf techniques, modified for recent events; Father would love it, especially if he got back advisors who understand the shape of the new Age and its people…'

'A good thought,' Parvon said. 'But any such apprentices would be at least six weeks away, and I would like to address the matter sooner.'

'I could ask around the talain,' Daehel said. 'Otherwise, we might need to think about… taking different hours?'

'We all of us have matters demanding our time outside of the hours we put in, of course,' Parvon said. 'And while I would be willing to take an hour or two in the office later in the day, it is unfair to expect it of you and Saelchi…'

'We could manage to move things around a little,' Daehel said. 'It was mostly that we didn't want to be alone in the offices.'

'It is good always to have a colleague to hand to help with difficult issues and to properly annotate meetings,' Parvon agreed. 'Yes, do ask around. As for alternative hours, we can discuss that during our working day. Thank you. Now, to the day's business… Legolas, is there anything in particular you wish to say in the hall this morning, besides sharing the news that the "Swan of Ithilien" reached the Mouths of Anduin two days since and is expected to sail West on the next tide, which will be just after noon, locally…?'

'Yes, I… Did she? Is she? Did I know of this?'

'In your briefing notes, ernilen, the ones I had sent to you after dinner last night requesting you look them over…?'

'Oh, those. No, there was something going on at the bathing pools, they were closed for inspection, so we – I had to go later and must have missed your notes arriving…'

'It seems to be happening a lot lately,' Govon said, pausing to crunch toast. 'Several nights in a row, now.'

'That Legolas has not found time to read his briefing notes? It has not gone unnoticed…'

'No, Parvon – the communal bathing pool…' Legolas put in.

'Ah, yes.' Parvon sipped at his tea. 'You remember there have been incidents when the pool was out of order? Rather than waiting for the system to fail again, it seemed best to instigate regular inspections, hopefully preventing any serious interruptions to access. There are official notices, both on the boards and outside the entrance to the bathing pool, informing everyone that each evening, between the chimings for end-of-hours and for supper, the pool is closed for inspection and cleaning, by order of the Office of the Prince in Ithilien.'

'And is it working?'

'So far, it seems to be,' Parvon said with a dismissive shrug. The new system had certainly served very well to ensure his and Triw's privacy without disrupting the ablutions of the entire colony too much (the details of what was being inspected, and who was cleaning what on whom, Parvon did not make clear…) 'We did, of course, canvas opinion to ensure inspections did not interfere with popular bathing times…'

'…"We", Parvon?'

'The Office of the Prince in Ithilien, ernilen.' Parvon said this with a hint of surprise in his voice, mixed in with a touch of patience; it was the same tone he'd formerly used during his time as Legolas' personal advisor and had needed to convey something very obvious which the prince really should have known about. It worked equally well here, preventing further enquiries to the identity of those performing surveys and inspections. 'It seems this two-hour period is one when most of your colony are ending their day's labour, and preparing for supper.'

'I see. It coincides with the times when Govon and I… or I are wont to visit the pool. Would not the inspections be best done later? Or very early?'

'I do not think early hours would suit, my prince. And later hours, were there to be an issue with the pool which required action, would disturb the entire caverns. These were the preferred hours, I assure you…'

'Hmm… I am not quite sure that daily inspections are needed…'

'We will review every few weeks, my prince, and adjust the timings if possible. Now, moving on, have you had any word from our king yet, concerning the starlight gemstone?'

'No.' The prince drew his brows together in a frown. 'I sent the hawk, as I said I would…'

'So I understand, my prince, although I note you did not ask us to draft the message for you…'

'Oh, but it was quite straightforward!' Legolas waved a dismissive hand. 'All I said was I wanted my friend Aragorn to have the chance to remember his friend to the gemstone…'

'I see. That might, perhaps, explain this…' Parvon brought forth the small roll of parchment and passed it across to the prince.

'But all I said was…' Legolas broke off as he read the contents of the message. 'What does he…? Idiot? Idiot? Parvon…'

'What does it say?' Govon asked, leaning over Legolas' shoulder. 'Oh, 'Las! I did say perhaps Parvon might help, but…'

'Perhaps a more judicious wording might have won a small concession; had you explained to the king that Aragorn had known the fallen well, that you personally knew the new King of Gondor to have the greatest respect for Silvan tradition… no, that would not have done.' Parvon gave a small lift of his eyebrows. 'Your father met Aragorn; that unfortunate business with the creature Smeagol… it did not endear them to each other…'

'I suppose not. But, Parvon, I didn't think you would help me, you were so set against my wishes…'

'I still am, my prince. And I am, of course, now bound by my king's orders. But my personal opinion does not mean I would not have perhaps phrased your request in such a way that his majesty would have taken it in better part.'

When Legolas stared at this, Parvon gestured with a conciliating hand.

'When you have the services of an experienced advisor, you should make use of them, my prince. True, I could not, in all conscience, permit the heart of our Silvan traditions to be laid open to Men, not even to a Man who is your friend, and who has worked for the good of so many of the peoples of Middle-Earth. You know how it is for Silvans who will not sail, Legolas; the stone sits with family, and friends, for they have no real hope of reunion unless they themselves should die. To admit one who would be seen as a stranger, an intruder…'

'You forget, Aragorn grew up in the same household as Glorfindel…' Legolas broke off as Govon flinched at use of the name, and he sighed an apology. 'Well, he taught Aragorn many of his sword skills, other things besides… Aragorn will miss him…'

'But he is not bound by the same restrictions we Silvans are,' Parvon said. 'And Men, from what I know… they prefer other means of remembering. Would it not be more appropriate, for the King of Gondor to visit the Elvenking, and journey to the Hero of Gondolin's resting place in the forest? A warrior himself, he will appreciate the site of the battle, to have described to him the bravery and courage and importance of his friend's sacrifice.'

'That is… Aragorn cannot just drop everything and…'

'If remembering his friend publicly, amongst Silvans, means so much to him, he would find a way,' Parvon said. 'But perhaps his own traditions will be enough; after all, he can talk freely of the fallen, and he will have grown up knowing that Men and Elves do not usually meet in the Undying Lands.'

'It's a good notion that, though,' Govon said. 'Parvon's right, it wouldn't be fitting for your Aragorn to use our traditions, but to visit the earth-cave… that's how Men show respect for the dead, isn't it? By visiting graves and tombs and such? At least, from what you told me of Rohan, and that Rath Dinen place in Gondor, that's how it seems…'

'But, Govon…!'

'A formal invitation from the Elvenking to the King and Queen of Gondor would be seen as a mark of courtesy and even respect on our king's part,' Parvon continued. 'And would be seen as a strong warning to Chief Counsellor Vanathir, and other Men of his ilk, that between the two kings there is accord and a reminder that you are, after all, the son of the Elvenking.'

'I suppose…'

'That's settled then. I propose we await the promised letter from Eryn Lasgalen, and then suggest a state invitation to your friend the king. In the interim, the final ritual for the gemstone must take place promptly.'

'Yes, about that; it's usually family members who…'

'Given Triwathon's close associations with the fallen, he has offered to assist.'

'Well, I was going to suggest someone related to …him. If you'll hear me out?'

'Of course, ernilen.' Parvon shared a glance with Daehel, remembering their conversation on the topic and wondering who, out of all the many potentially possible elves, Legolas had decided was suitable.

'Bear in mind,' Legolas hastened on, 'the genealogies get a little confused along the way… but there's no doubt that Galadriel and Glorf… he… were cousins…'

'So some records suggest, yes. She, of course, is no longer upon these shores…'

'But her husband is.'

'True. However, Lord Celeborn has been having… episodes. It seems stressful situations, emotional subjects make him worse.'

'Yes, I heard that. It's a pity. It might be kinder not to ask such a thing of him, in such case. Well, I have another name…' Legolas shifted slightly in his seat, a swift look of triumph crossing behind his eyes. 'Celeborn and Galadriel's granddaughter, then…'

'Arwen?' Internally Parvon applauded the prince's attempt to circumvent his father's command; he was learning, it seemed... 'Yes, I suppose she is family to the fallen… and she was made party to some of our rituals when she stayed at the Old Palace… however, although that is well over a century ago now, I do not think your father has ever forgiven her for the crocheted antler covers she made for his riding elk…'

'Oh.' Legolas deflated a little. 'Perhaps you're right, Parvon. And if Triwathon is willing to help…'

'Of course I am.' Triwathon said this with head high and if there was a trace of colour to his cheeks, he pretended there wasn't. 'Parvon with me, and one other, from amongst the Silvans, if we can.'

He turned towards Parvon.

'I was thinking, if there is nobody you would prefer, that Captain Hind, Abonnessel, that is, she would be a good choice; she is older than you might think, and has the traditions of the forest very close to her heart.'

Parvon nodded. 'Unless, Daehel, Saechi, you have names for me?'

'In fact, I would have suggested Captain Hind myself,' Saelchanorion said. 'We were in the same settlement, in the Great Wood, before the dragon Smaug arrived the first time.'

'Excellent. Daehel?'

'Yes, I would second my friend; Abonnessel would be perfect! She descends from a branch of the Elk-Tamers, and there are shamans in her past.'

'Thank you, then. Triw, is it part of your remit to speak to her of this? Or should I do so?'

'Come this afternoon, we can ask her together, then.'

'That's settled, then. Ernilen, we will let you know when the ritual will take place, although it your presence will not be expected… Returning to what we were saying earlier, you might like to add the information about the evening closure of the bathing pool to your announcements; it will save a lot of trouble when elves arrive to find the doors locked…'

The main doors, at least; there was a separate access doorway, to which Parvon had acquired all the keys…

He selected a final piece of toast, spread it neatly with butter and honey, and took a precise bite.

'Was there anything else you intended to speak of, my prince? It is always useful to know ahead of time, so we can present a united front, if necessary…'