Elluin's mother, Linalda, and her father, Soronume, were just as surprised as Elluin had been when she told them they were invited to dine with the king. They were eager to speak with the ellon who had been their sovereign for the decades since they had come to Greenwood.
Thranduil accepted them gracefully, slipping into their native Sindarin tongue. As they were seated, he questioned Elluin's parents about how they, as Sindar Elves, had come to Greenwood so far behind the others, and unannounced.
"You could have served as advisors in my court, like the other Sindar families," the king said.
"The king would forgive a tired Elf for wanting a respite from such responsibilities after a thousand years serving with Lord Cirdan," Soronume said. "We saw so many of our people come through the Havens in search of ships, overwhelmed with grief and wasting away after years of resisting the Enemy. Their stories nearly convinced us to follow them across the water ourselves."
"But our Elluin kept us here," Linalda continued. "We know that peace in Middle Earth is still not a guarantee, but we feel there is still hope for her to find a life of joy on the hither shores before the call of the sea overtakes us."
"We heard of you, sire, from the Greenwood Elves that fought in the War of the Last Alliance and their families who came with them to the Havens," Soronume said. "It seemed to us at the time that Greenwood, under your new rule, would grow to be a place of peace and safety."
A sad smile came to Thranduil's lips. "I lament to have disappointed you."
"Not at all, sire," Linalda consoled. "These Orc attacks I believe to be only the desperate remnants of the vanquished forces. As you know, without a leader, the Orcs will naturally seek to destroy any good thing they find. But they are so cowardly that they attack only the most vulnerable areas."
"My dear," Soronume interrupted, "let us not trouble the king with talk of such unpleasantness." He smiled at Thranduil. "He has things well in hand, anyway."
"I am honored by your confidence in me," Thranduil said. "I owe much of the realm's well-being to my advisors, and the resilience and loyalty of the Silvans."
"They are a remarkable people," Linalda said. "We very quickly grew to love them and adopt their customs, just like the other Sindar here."
"You have met the other Sindar? Most of them are my kinsmen."
"A few, sire," Soronume confirmed. "We've enjoyed many conversations with your advisor Lord Berenil and his wife. We learned a great deal about his life in Doriath."
"I wonder that he did not tell me there was another Sindar family in the realm."
"We asked him not to reveal us," Linalda admitted. "We wanted to be accepted into the Silvan community unconditionally, as much for our peace as for Elluin's happiness."
"And yet, if you were to join my court, Elluin would not be working as a servant in the palace."
"If I were a member of the court," Elluin said, "I would serve you just as eagerly, sire. But my position as a palace worker brings me great joy. I have the opportunity to learn from a great variety of Elves, in all manner of employment. And in my small capacity, I assist them all in some way, for the good of the realm."
"I am pleased you are happy with your post, Elluin," the king said warmly. "If that should change in the future, you are free to select any alternative you desire."
Elluin thanked him and the conversation shifted again to Lindon.
"I spent some time with Cirdan during our time in the war," Thranduil said. "I would often visit him where he was camped at the northern edge of the Dagorlad during respites from battle. He is a very wise leader."
"Gifted by the Valar," Linalda agreed. "You know, sire, he is primarily the reason why we chose the Greenwood for our next home instead of another Elven stronghold."
Soronume explained, "Cirdan sent us off with this prophecy:
When Elves from Mithlond sail away
To Greenwood go, to live and stay
Where berries bright and branches brown
On Elf king's head make royal crown
The sapphire bright will sweetly sing
And heal the heart of Elvenking
Though shadows deepen in the Wood
Prepared are Men to waken good
When pilgrim's quarry flees the dell
And green leaf stands where grandsire fell
Cast down will be old enemy
And Greenwood evermore be free
Thranduil sat contemplating the prophecy for a while, slowly swirling the wine around in his goblet while his guests quietly finished their meal.
"Cirdan's gift of foresight is not to be ignored," the king concluded. "Thank you for sharing these words with me. I am certain that in time their mystery will be revealed."
"Of course, sire," Soronume said. "In any case, considering the final piece, it may be a source of hope for the realm should dark days come again."
"Indeed," Thranduil agreed half-heartedly. He knew Elluin's parents meant to encourage. However, their message seemed to confirm the uneasiness he felt in his heart since leaving the Black Land—that matters were not entirely concluded.
They remained a little while longer as the king distracted himself from thoughts of foreboding by asking his guests about their pastimes. They chatted about Soronume's skill as a woodworker, learned through years of helping to build ships in the Havens.
"Actually, sire, these very chairs come from my workshop," he said. "Galion commissioned them in the spring."
"Indeed?" Thranduil looked with new eyes at the room's furnishings. "Admirable work, Soronume. Have any Silvans taken interest in your craft?"
"Honestly, sire, I find them more interested in function than art. I am sure you've noticed that when they are merrymaking in the woods, they just use sections of tree trunks as seats and tables."
Linalda elaborated, "They select trees that have either died or whose thoughts have started turning dark. I have joined some of them in trying to convince those trees to turn back to the light."
Thranduil smiled briefly. "Surely an important task. I fear what would become of Greenwood if such shadows were permitted to spread."
Soronume, deliberately changing the conversation to a less ominous topic, proudly mentioned Linalda's skill with embroidery, and Elluin's small vegetable garden she kept by the house. "I grow some flowers there, also. Daisies are my favorite," she said with a smile.
"I am also fond of daisies," Thranduil said. "It must be well known, for I often find one by my morning meal."
Elluin remained silent, but the king's perceptiveness prevailed. "Ah, you put them there." He smiled at her, noting the color spring to her cheeks again.
"I shall continue to do so, my king," she said softly, "if it pleases you."
"It does." Their meal now finished, Thranduil motioned for the servants waiting on them to clear the table, and Elluin and her family followed the cue to take their leave with the due formalities.
The family made their way along the paths through the forest back to their small house.
"Elluin," Linalda said distractedly, "you had not told me how much you care for the king."
The young elleth suddenly became very interested in the stones along the path. "He is a very good king," she finally answered.
Linalda hummed her agreement and shifted her knowing gaze up to the sky. She took her husband's hand. "I wish to be with the stars tonight," she said.
"I will join you."
Elluin passed her small flower garden as she came alone to the house. "Two daisies for the king tomorrow," she decided. She was lulled to sleep by the sound of the Silvans, and her Sindar parents, singing a welcome to the stars.