Sixty of the King's finest archers escorted Tauriel, Eryniel and Legoliôn along with nearly five hundred Silvan, and even a few young families of Sindarin Elves with children, to the Grey Havens days after Tauriel's address. Half that number of guards returned, the others choosing to leave his service for a new liege, Lady Tauriel, and sail with their spouses.

Thranduil allowed himself to weep and mourn his family's absence from his Halls in the privacy of his rooms. It was easier than mourning their deaths, because he knew the parting would not be so long, but the silence of his Halls echoed the void in his heart.

With the return of his guards, Thranduil received a letter from Círdan, Lord of the Grey Havens.

Thranduil

King of the Woodland Realm

Never have I been offered a greater compliment than you paid me by entrusting your precious Eldar into my care. You have my word I have seen to it they want for nothing while they await the ships, welcoming each as if they were my own kin. It will not be a long wait, scant weeks at most, until they are on their way.

How did you manage to be favored with so many youngsters in a time when our kind are in decline? I do not believe any of my guests to be over a thousand years old, and merciful Valar my friend, you have five ellith heavy with child as I write this message. I am sure you must know this, since one carries your own grandchild, but I had no idea Silvan elves were blessed with so many children.

I can only imagine how painful this separation must be for you and the Elves who remain in your Halls, but it was the correct decision to put the families with children, the life and hope for the future of your people, into the care of the Valar. They cannot know much of the Valar, being so young, and it must feel to them like diving off a cliff and hoping to land safely in water and not dash upon jagged, rocky shore.

Your Silvan Lady Tauriel has already attracted the attention of Ulmo, though she knows it not. The Seas will be kind for the journey, for her sake.

Many of the Valar, including the High King and Queen, have come to me since the arrival of our Woodland cousins to secretly observe the young ones while they await their passage. Much discussion has been going on, and it is at times quite heated, as to where the wood-elves will be the most happy and feel at home. If you have any opinions on where you would like your people to be settled, by all means, make reply by messenger or bird, and I will pass your suggestions on to the Valar. They will be merciful to those who are leaving the only homes they have ever known. They want your people to be comfortable in their new homeland.

And by all means, Lord Thranduil, do send us more.

Tauriel tells me this group is but a modest fraction of those who reside within the Woodland Realm. I had no idea your lands could support so many. I am not so old that I cannot be surprised, it seems.

Their innocent excitement has spread to all who live here, and we will be sorry when your people are carried away from us by the sea.

Círdan, Lord of the Grey Havens

*Tauriel's Letter*

Legolas,

I know you believe all hope is lost, but I refuse to believe you will not survive. You are an excellent archer and our fiercest warrior. I trust Aragorn to watch your back for me.

Do not worry for us. The ships are due to arrive any day now.

I am keeping my promise, though it hurts so much to do it.

Our baby will be born in a strange place, very far from our home in the Woodlands, but he will be with me, and his brother and sister. I am not the only one expecting a child, I have seen a few others of our company waddling around the docks. I should speak to them and make sure they have everything they need, they are bound to have as many questions as I do for Lord Círdan.

The King is certain I will be the leader our small group will needs in an unfamiliar land. It would be easier in some ways if it was only the twins and the baby I shall have to worry about feeding and clothing and building a home for, instead of a company of nearly five hundred. I think we are a bit much for Lord Círdan. I have seen him and others watching us while looking both perplexed and pitying.

I wish I knew more of what awaits us, but whatever we find, I have my experiences helping Bard rebuild Dale to draw on. I have been without a home before and survived. Perhaps, I worry for nothing and we will find legions of Silvan kin in Valinor with homes built for us and food waiting in the larders.

Perhaps, I should go make a few last minute offerings to the Valar on our behalf. I've already made an offering to the Lord of the Waters in the hopes Ulmo will make our sea travel more bearable.

The twins are fairing far better here in this retched smelling harbor city than I. Eryniel is a golden haired Queen holding court, with Legoliôn at her shoulder glaring icy blue daggers at any ellon who even looks at his sister. He is too busy with his self-appointed guard duty to see the adoring ellith batting their eyes at him and trying to capture his attentions with shy smiles.

Gi melin. An ngell nîn. Áva sorya. Guren *níniatha n'i lû n'i a-govenitham

This is going to sound so very strange and hard to hear, but I want you to do everything you can to persuade our King to sail with you. If it takes a hundred years or more, convince our stubborn, beautiful Thranduil to bring everyone here.

You and I were given the gift of fifty-six blissful, perfect years as husband and wife, but that is but a small time compared to what lies ahead for us.

I will speak of you often to Tharanden as he grows, so he comes to love his father as we do.

We miss you so much and the voyage has not even begun, yet.

Tauriel

Legolas read the letter, and then placed the folded paper over his heart. Tauriel's faith in him warmed his soul. He had indeed survived Helm's Deep, but more battles lay ahead of him.

"Are you all right?" Aragorn asked him.

"No."

"What has happened?"

Legolas felt a tear slip from the corner of his eye and run down his cheek. "Tauriel has sailed with the twins."

Aragorn nodded, patting his shoulder as he said, "It is for the best, mellon."

"I know."

"You could go, too. There are still ships leaving from the Grey Havens."

"I will," Legolas agreed. "But first we have to finish this."

"We will," Aragorn promised him.

Legolas believed him.

Gi melin. An ngell nîn. Áva sorya. - I love you. Please, do not worry.

Guren *níniatha n'i lû n'i a-govenitham- My heart shall weep until I see you again