"Why are you planting your vines here and not in the valley below, Tauriel?" Queen Yavanna asked, her appearances something the Wood-elf was getting accustomed to and welcomed. She was the most friendly and helpful of the Valar, always full of observations and good advice.
Tauriel looked up from her plant, smiling as she sighed, "I only brought six with me, my Lady. It is not enough to start a proper vineyard, so I thought I'd plant them here and we could snack on the grapes."
Eryniel loved to eat the apples from their magic tree, while her twin was more partial to the wine grapes.
"Would your Council approve of a vineyard?"
The mention of the Council was a surprise, as it was only permanently established a few months ago by Tauriel and Lindir during the group's deliberations on settling this land long term. The five people, including Lindir, who made up the Council came from vastly different backgrounds, but they all had the common goal of feeding everyone, allocating resources, settling disputes and planning for the future of their community.
It worked well in the absence of their King and disagreements were relatively few. In fact, the only real heated debate had come from most everyone's desire to make Tauriel a permanent member of the Council, but also according more weight to her vote than other members, because she was the leader appointed by King Thranduil.
This didn't sit well with Tauriel, and she railed against it at every opportunity, because she didn't think it fair to hold more sway than any other Council member. They should all to be treated as equals, each with their own valuable contributions to make.
Lindir wanted Tauriel to hold off from any sort of Council position, at the time of its inception, because of the impending birth of the baby, but the other Wood-elf ellith wouldn't hear of it. They gave him an earful about their motherhood beliefs versus the 'softer' traditions of High Elven mothers. Tauriel rescued him from their wrath, and between the two of them, they came up with a compromise which suited them both. She would listen to the deliberations on important matters and offer her opinions, but the day to day managing of the settlement was left to the Council, so she could concentrate on nursing and caring for the newborn Prince.
"There have been discussions about planting some crops for possible sale and trade, and a future vineyard was something we added to our wish list. The sandy soil at the far end of the mountains is perfect for vines, but we would need hundreds of plants to make enough wine to be worth the effort, far more than I have. One of the cooks is experimenting with fermenting the juice from the apple orchard's first harvest, but I don't know if we will come to prefer his creation over the wine we are accustomed to. Having our own vineyard would reduce the need for purchasing wine from others."
Yavanna picked up one of the vines and stroked a leaf. "Your vines are of excellent quality," she remarked, studying the plant from leaves to roots. "What region did they come from in Middle Earth?"
"A valley near Dorwinion. It was gifted to me by the King of Dale. I, in turn, deeded the land to the Princess of Dale and her family, in preparation for coming here."
"My husband tells me you were given a title and lands in Erebor by the King Under the Mountain, as well. An unheard of thing for an Elf." The Queen of the Valar nodded at the other things in Tauriel's garden, "Did you take these other plants from your farms as well?"
"I did," Tauriel told her. "I encouraged everyone to take seeds and a few seedlings with us to plant in our new home."
"The familiar flavors of home to help your transition."
"Something like that, yes. We are fortunate to have such a large number of our people familiar with working on the land, and more importantly, farming and raising animals. And I'm surprised by how many Woodland elves have shown an interest in fishing with nets and collecting tasty creatures from the ocean as Lord Ulmo showed us. The gifts of clothing and tools and furniture are blessings, and we are grateful for them, but our goal is to be completely self-sufficient in as few years as possible."
Yavanna stopped her with an upraised hand, "More thanks are not necessary. We will continue to help in any way you require for as long as you want our involvement. You need only ask. It really is a pleasure to be able to assist you."
Lord Ulmo appeared one morning to Tauriel and the Council and informed them a ship was coming; the Ringbearers were sailing from the Grey Havens that morning and would arrive at the port in Alqualondë in less than a week.
It was under two years since her own trip, so Tauriel wasn't overly disappointed when the last person walked down the narrow wooden ramp and it wasn't her handsome Woodland Prince. She didn't expect Legolas this soon, there was much he needed to do.
Mithrandir was the first person Tauriel encountered on the docks, as he was the closest to her and the twins. With his considerable height, the embrace she gave him put the now white haired Wizard nose to nose with the toddler riding in a sling on her back, and Tharanden wasted no time in getting handfuls of white hair and tugging hard.
"Oh, I say. I do believe you are the young Prince I've heard so much about," Mithrandir told the little one as he extricated his locks from the small hands. "You do have the look of your father about you, but I think I spy the keen eyes of your lovely mother as well."
The silver haired boy's forehead creased and his bright green eyes shifted to look at the empty ship half hidden behind Gandalf's shoulder, "Ada?" the boy asked him.
"Not today, my boy. I'm afraid your Ada wasn't able to come with us this trip," Mithrandir told the toddler, solemnly.
Tauriel bit her lip as Tharanden's expression fell. "Legolas is well?"
Gandalf offered Tauriel a wan smile. "Yes, my dear, your husband is well. King Elessar asked Legolas to remain in Middle Earth to help him bring Gondor and Arnor back under one rule. As you can imagine, there is much rebuilding to be done. Legolas came near to turning him down, but Aragorn can be very stubborn and persuasive when he sets his mind on something."
"What of King Thranduil and the Woodland realm?"
"They were attacked by Orcs on more than one occasion, with some casualties, but they beat the enemy back each time."
A hiss escaped Tauriel, but she nodded, "I am relieved to hear it."
"Lothlorien experienced similar attacks from Orcs, and they were able to defend their territories, too. Before she left Middle Earth, Lady Galadriel helped King Thranduil to purge the sickness and dark magic from the forests of Mirkwood and return them to their former glory. Thranduil calls the woodlands Eryn Lasgalen, now. He traded the lands around Dul Guldur to Lord Celeborn, and they are now calling it East Lorien."
"Lord Celeborn did not sail with Lady Galadriel?" Tauriel's eyes flicked to the High Elven lady.
"No, it was decided Celeborn would remain in Middle Earth to watch over King Elessar and their grandchildren, so Lord Elrond could have a much needed reunion with his wife."
Tauriel looked over to where she'd glimpsed Lord Elrond's dark head above the crowd of well wishers, and she smiled as she spied him passionately kissing his wife. Someday that would be Tauriel, lost in her reunion with her soulmate and oblivious to all else. It made her happy to see two good people reunited after such a long, painful separation; their triumph over adversity gave Tauriel hope for her own future with Legolas.
Lady Galadriel stepped back to give the couple some privacy, and when she looked up and noticed Tauriel, a delighted smile spread across Galadriel's beautiful face. She came to them, "Lady Tauriel, it is good to see you are well. Your children grow more beautiful each time we meet."
Galadriel did the last thing Tauriel expected when she plucked Tharanden out of his sling as easily as Tauriel would slide an arrow from her quiver. "Ai! Look at you, sweet vinë," the Lady breathed, inspecting the toddler. "It is a good thing time moves differently here in Aman, or Legolas will miss seeing you grow up entirely..."
Tauriel's eyes widened at the pronouncement, "I had no idea time moved differently here."
"The magic of the Valar makes many things different in Aman since it was set apart from the rest of Arda," Galadriel told her.
They both looked at Mithrandir, and he nodded a confirmation, "For every one year that passes in these lands, more than four pass in Middle Earth."
"Four years have passed?" Tauriel gasped, then winced.
"Closer to five, my dear."
"Longer than Legolas and I were separated during my exile from the Elvenking's Halls," Tauriel whispered, in shock.
"Legolas has much to keep him busy, as do you," Galadriel assured her.
To this, Tauriel agreed, forcing a smile. "When I start missing Legolas, the twins get Tharanden into some sort of trouble and then I am too busy to dwell on how much I miss my husband. Lord Glorfindel has been patiently teaching Legoliôn, and some of the other youngsters, the art of the sword. Eryniel and Lindir are waiting for me to drop from exhaustion, so they can gloat of how they told me I need to rest and relax more."
"Who is this you've found?" Lord Elrond asked Galadriel, appearing at her side and smirking at the silver haired boy in her arms.
"This is Thranduil's newest grandson. Isn't he precious?"
"Well met, young Prince," Elrond told him. Tharanden allowed himself to be held by the Elf-lord, and they studied each other intently for several minutes. Lord Elrond sighed, "Thranduil is going to be sorry he's missing this one." The creases at corners of his eyes deepened as he smiled. "Just look at how much he resembles his grandfather."
To Tauriel, he directed a question, "Where do your Wood-elves dwell in Aman? It must be close if you've carried the boy on your back all the way."
"We are not far, an hour down the coast by ship. Tharanden loves to ride on the ocean's waves, even just the short trip to the city."
"We are in the process of building a direct road through the forest, so we don't have to ferry all supplies," Lindir told his former mentor, and his expression mirrored the sense of accomplishment in Tauriel's.
"I have often wondered how many you took with you," Lord Elrond confessed. "It caused quite a stir in Middle Earth to see a group of Wood-elves unexpectedly depart."
Tauriel grinned. "Just over two hundred and eighty families, nearly five hundred Wood-elves in total. Add to that tally the six babies born here."
"Six babies? Mercy, Tauriel, you have been busy," Galadriel breathed.
"Tauriel's Wood-elves are gaining quite a reputation for fertility. Give it another year and every couple in Aman who wants a baby is going to be visiting Eryn Essë and asking for blessings from Lady Tauriel." He was teasing her, and she narrowed her eyes at him, but the look didn't deter him. "I know the real secret of how Silvan elves make so many babies," he added, lowering his voice. "I suspect it is something in the wine."
"Eryn Essë? Forest of Beginning," Lord Elrond translated. "I like it."
"The name seemed... appropriate. It is where we are beginning our lives here," Tauriel explained. "Our city is small, though we are already looking to expand the number of homes. We will be forced to explore other areas for settlement when the King brings all the Woodland elves."
Lindir nodded at her assessment, "The forests along the coast would never do for adding thousands of elves in the future. Erestor took the people of Rivendell inland to Valmar, but ten have come back to the coast because city life did not suit them."
The Elf-lord considered that, and nodded, "There is much for us to discuss. I am very interested in all the insights you have gathered."
"The people of Alqualondë have a feast prepared for the Ringbearers and their kin," Lindir told them. "They have rooms prepared for everyone tonight, as well."
"We plan to return home with the children in the morning," Tauriel told them. "You are welcome to make the trip with us and take a tour of our progress so far. The ship can take you back up the coast whenever you like."
Lady Galadriel smiled at them, nodding, "Sounds like an excellent idea."
Lindir took Tharanden from Lord Elrond and put him back in the web of leather straps on Tauriel's back.
At their curious expressions, he rolled his eyes in mock annoyance, "We have learned not to put Tharanden's feet on the sand, unless we are prepared to give chase." He pressed an affectionate kiss to the boy's bare foot. "You are far too fleet of foot for your own good, little Prince."
His affection for the child was obvious, and the boy returned it with a sly smile. "Noro!" Tharanden told Lindir with a solemn nod, making everyone laugh.
"Oh no, little brother," Eryniel told him. "We are going to have to teach you 'run' is not the answer to give if you wish to be granted your freedom. You must at least pretend you aren't going to bolt at the first opportunity."
Lindir winced, "Please, my Lady, for our sakes... Leave off on that lesson for a while longer yet." He smiled at Tauriel's daughter and the Wood-elf realized she was going to need to have a talk with him about Eryniel. Soon.
Tharanden rode on his brother's back as their group boarded the ship to take them home, his little legs kicking in a vain attempt to make his sibling walk faster. From Legoliôn's considerable height, the boy had the best view of the world as they walked the deck and chatted about sea birds and puffy, white clouds and anything else that caught their attention.
Under the deep blue of the sky the ocean's waves at high tide had white caps from the strong breeze coming off the ocean. Tauriel sat on the bench at the bow of the ship with Lord Elrond, his wife, and Lindir. Lady Galadriel and Eryniel took the bench at the stern and had their heads bowed together in deep conversation. The pair of Hobbits, Mithrandir and a few other Wood-elves stood on the docks still chatting. The sailors busied themselves around the decks making last minute preparations as they readied the ship to sail.
"Sometimes, it is nice to be a guest," Tauriel confided with a small nod toward the city they were departing. "I miss the hospitality of Rivendell more than you can know," she told the Elf-lord.
Lord Elrond nodded, glancing at Lady Celebrian and giving a slight smile as he pressed a tender kiss to the back of his wife's hand. "It is going to take time for me to adjust to my new lack of responsibility, but I find myself relieved to be free of managing Rivendell. At least for a time..."
Tauriel smiled at Lindir. "If it were not for finding your assistant in the Grey Havens, I'm not sure how we would have managed to do anything in the last year and a half, least of all feed ourselves for longer than a fortnight. Lindir knew so much about the day to day management of a city, all the details my people and I took for granted back home. We never had to concern ourselves with where the food we were served came from or what became of the refuse when the meal was over. You will find Lindir is the leader of our Council, though he tries to deny it."
"You are your people's chosen leader, my Lady, not I. And I am keeping your seat on the Council warm until your little one no longer depends completely on you."
Her eyes widened. "Don't you dare think of leaving us, mellon. I can think of several hearts which will break if you attempt to depart." It was a good natured jest, but he did have more than a few admirers among the Wood-elf females because of his patient, cheerful manner and handsome face.
"It is my own heart which would break upon leaving, Lady Tauriel, I've grown rather fond of your family and the kin you brought here." Under his breath, he added, "Though, I fear someday you may indeed be eager to see the back of me."
At this, Tauriel smiled sympathetically and patted his arm, "You forget, I know better than most the unexpected directions our hearts can lead us, Lindir. You have more patience than any Elda I have ever known, and if someday your heart leads you to join our family in earnest, I would welcome you."
His dark eyes darted to steal a glance at Eryniel, and Tauriel noted the startled blink of Lord Elrond's eyes when he realized they were discussing Lindir's feelings for Tauriel's daughter.
"Thranduil's granddaughter is a very beautiful young Lady," Lady Celebrian remarked casually, but the warning to Lindir behind the words was far from casual. "Her brother willl be a swordsman to rival his King by the time Legoliôn reaches his majority." The majority he shared with his twin sister, and the time when Lindir might legitimately ask to court Eryniel.
"From my wife's tone, am I to infer Legoliôn is very protective of his twin sister?"
Lindir winced, "He is. And he is right to be so, but not on my account."
As a mother, and as his friend, Tauriel knew this. His heart was still in pieces over Lady Arwen choosing to remain in Middle Earth and marrying King Elessar. Lindir would not be ready to offer up his whole heart to anyone else for quite some time. "There is no reason to rush. Aman is not so large you can hope to escape my daughter when Eryniel is ready to claim you," Tauriel teased him.