35 – Departure

Even this early in the morning, the Elves working in the palace of the Elvenking could tell the early fall day would become unusually warm by the afternoon. The kitchens were therefore bustling more than usual when Elluin came in for the usual morning conference, everyone eager to complete their tasks before the sun's warmth discouraged them.

Despite their rush, the staff in the kitchens dutifully slowed, quieted, or halted their activities to allow the housekeeper to take account from the various representatives present. The healer in the corner reported they were fully supplied. Dinen presented an idea of what the day's menu would be, then accepted a suggestion from Elluin to incorporate the last of the spring harvest before it spoiled. A weaver happily announced that flax stooking was successfully completed a day prior in preparation for making linen. A council scribe reported that no meetings or village envoys were scheduled.

Although the forest was ripe with nuts to forage, Elluin had decided to spare the young runners this duty for the day. Instead, she announced that they would be working under the head laundress, Leithril, to take advantage of the warm sunshine by washing blankets and table linens that had not been recently changed. While the Elven youths quietly cheered at the prospect of spending the warm day by the river, Sulros rushed in with the king's breakfast tray. He tried his best to maintain his typical smile as he set it down on the large table, with dishes still full of food.

"The king was eager to see the newly recruited soldiers," Sulros explained. "He left for the training grounds before he could eat."

Dinen remained silent but put a disappointed fist on her hip as she turned to the body servant with questioning eyes, having known him long enough to see he was not revealing all but not wishing to ask in front of the rest of the staff. Concern sparked in Elluin's gaze as well, though she hid it well as she dismissed the rest of the staff to continue their tasks. Stepping closer to Sulros, she was pleased to notice that the king had not sent back the daisy she had placed on his tray before she started her duties.

"Is there anything we should know?" Elluin asked Sulros quietly, keeping a neutral expression.

Sulros looked at her somewhat dejectedly. "I do not know," he said with a sigh. "There is no cause for trouble that I can see."

From beside them, Dinen frowned as she started tearing husks from ears of corn brought in the previous day by one of Greenwood's few farmers. The task provided a convenient outlet for her frustration. "I had so hoped these episodes of melancholy were now behind us," she mumbled just as quietly.

"Perhaps he is disheartened at losing the Elves that are departing soon for the Havens," Elluin suggested. "They leave in two days."

Sulros shook his head pensively, looking between the cook and housekeeper and knowing he could confide safely in the two ellith. "It is not melancholy this time," he murmured. "It seems more like the king is trying to decide on something. He will not speak to me of it. I have asked as much as I dare."

"Do you think the king worries over incorporating the new soldiers?" Elluin asked. She had an inkling of how much Thranduil personally invested in his new warriors. It was made even more obvious to her the previous night, when he used the technique usually used with his soldiers to release her from her lingering fears from the Orc attack.

"He had never been concerned over it in the past," Sulros answered. "He usually receives new recruits with joy, since they mean the kingdom can be more easily protected."

The ellith nodded in understanding.

"Did he not rest enough?" Dinen ventured. "I hear the king was gallivanting in the woods all afternoon and evening yesterday, then had some trouble with the Dwarves well after suppertime." The cook shot a mischievous glance at Elluin, who gave her a sheepish smile in return. Dinen, of course, would have been well aware that the king had skipped dinner, then had shouldered the burden of preparing the meal Elluin requested for the blacksmiths and their apprentices.

Sulros mirrored the smile as well. He could not help lightly teasing. "Although our household mistress certainly has a knack for tiring us with her constant orders, Dinen, I admit I do not believe this is the case with the king. He seems rested."

Elluin shook her head disapprovingly at Sulros, though she was unable to prevent a grin. "Well, let the constant orders continue," she said. "Please take a few apples with you to the training grounds in case the king recovers his appetite before lunch."

Sulros threw his hands up with an exaggerated sigh as he stepped away to do her bidding. "As you wish, Lady Elluin," he said in a defeated tone, a smirk betraying his amusement.

~.~.~

The group of Elves that had decided to leave the Greenwood in the aftermath of the Attack of the Unseen Army stood in the courtyard of the palace. The day dawned gray, reflecting the somber mood of those present. A larger crowd stood at the edges of the space — the loved ones who would be staying behind. Private farewells had already been said and no one now spoke, listening instead to the mournful swish of the autumn leaves falling to the forest floor.

Elluin had a clear view of the Elves who would depart from her place in the outer ring. She stood with her parents to one side of her, holding Turiel's hand at her other. Her friend had lost her mother, and was about to watch her father leave the forest forever. At Turiel's other side was her uncle, Hebrion, who had settled a comforting hand on her shoulder while he fought his own grief. Turiel's father looked back at them and the other remaining members of his family gathered there with a strange optimism in his eyes — he was finally traveling toward a place of peace. Much the same could be seen in most of the faces of the departing Elves, Berenil among them: the feeble light of impending relief shrouding the wells of sorrow that would never be remedied on the hither shores.

There was no announcement as the palace doors opened and Thranduil walked steadily to the platform before the assembly, leading a solemn trail of his court members. The Elvenking's brow was slightly furrowed and his expression stern as he stepped up and turned toward his gathered people. His crystal blue gaze swept leisurely over them, meeting their looks with a determined one of his own. He spared a glance at the onlookers, and Elluin shivered when at last his eyes met hers for the briefest moment. Had she imagined it, or had his forehead smoothed a fraction?

The Elvenking drew a deep breath, but when he spoke, his words were soft, carrying easily over the silent crowd. "*Healing by final Hope is a law which one can give to oneself only; of others, justice alone can be demanded," he began. "It is my dearest wish that you would count as blameless those who you leave behind, as we begrudge you not your journey to what will be home to us all, when the time comes. Trust that we will continue to meet with resolute force every threat of evil that marches on our home, so that someday when we meet again across the sea, you may see that the lives of our people were not lost in a battle abandoned. You go now to where such battles need never again be fought – rejoice justly in the freedom you find there. As it is the will of Iluvatar, those of us who linger here will endeavor to leave the mark of the Eldar on this Middle Earth before we join you at last in the Blessed Realm."

The silence continued as the weight of the Elvenking's promise settled over them. The war leader in him emerged as Thranduil commanded, "Lostor. Nauthon." Two Elves stepped from the center crowd in soldiers' uniforms to stand before the king and duly saluted. "Your resignation will not be accepted until you have escorted this group of our people safely to the ships."

"Yes, sire," they said in chorus, and withdrew at his nod.

"If any conflicts should arise on the road," Thranduil continued, "I would advise that you ask the counsel of Berenil, royal advisor, and Istuil, leader of the Silvans in the southern villages. Their wisdom has always been of benefit to the realm."

A brown-haired elleth bowed, and Berenil gave Thranduil a fond smile before following suit.

An answering smile tugged at Thranduil's lips and he cast his eyes again over the assembly. "It has been my greatest honor to lead you as prince and king these many years. Each of you will remain etched in my memory until the end of days." Eyes brightened, recognizing this additional vow. "May the stars shine brightly on your path."

As one, the Elves bowed.

Thranduil finally turned toward Lady Ninniach, standing beside the platform. At his nod, she lifted her voice, rich as the earthen color of her hair. The words and the melody reflected the same shifts between hope and lamentation that warred within all their spirits.

**Cold are the eastern winds

In these autumn mornings

Cold is the cry that rings

From this far distant shore

~.~

Winter will come too late

Too close beside me

How can I chase away

All this grief deep inside?

~.~

I'll wait, the call will come

I'll find a way

I will wait, the call will come

I'll find a way home

~.~

My light shall be the moon

And my path, the ocean.

My guide, the morning star

As I sail home to you

~.~

Naught now can heal my soul

Naught can rouse my passion

My hope is now a boat

I will sail home to you

Other Elves took up the song and soon the melody was echoing through the forest. The departing Elves turned south and began their journey. A wagon accompanied them, bearing supplies that Elluin had prepared for them. The song continued until they disappeared into the trees and silence fell again among those who remained.

Elluin's eyes drifted back to the Elvenking, who stood just as motionless as the rest. Elluin's heart fluttered as she saw his strength beneath the weight of what had just occurred. He had just blessed and farewelled a group of Elves that had deemed it necessary to abandon his realm. He had just lost his mentor. He now faced his people as they adjusted to life without those who had departed. Yet, though his sadness was apparent, she saw no despair. She was satisfied with the hope she could see in his determined features.

She glanced at her parents, gratitude blooming in her chest that they were still by her side. Then she squeezed Turiel's hand to express the same. Her friend met her gaze with watery eyes, then a small smile of thanks. Turiel knew that though her parents were no longer with her, she would have Elluin's support along with that of her remaining family. As for Elluin's own heart, it had not withered in fear despite her first encounter with the brutality and death. She had afterward held the sword of the Elvenking up against the monsters in her memory that threatened to steal her peace, rendering them powerless over her. Thinking of the way Thranduil had helped heal her spirit made her heart clench as she fell even more in love with him.

Thranduil's footfalls as he descended the platform called Elluin's attention back to her duties. She released her friend and moved swiftly to where she had trays ready, motioning for a few waiting kitchen servants to assist as she poured cups of hot, soothing tea for them to pass out to the Elves who now began to move about the courtyard, some starting muted conversations.

Elluin took the final tray to where the court members stood to one side, receiving a nod of thanks from most of them. They must have thought it odd, she knew, to be having tea now. But Elluin had reasoned that they could all benefit from sharing something. It was a way to recognize both the sadness of their losses, and the unity of those who remained.

Lady Ninniach's eyes reflected mostly the former when Elluin reached her. She was still staring into the trees.

"My lady," Elluin said quietly, breaking her from her thoughts. "Please have some tea."

Ninniach finally met Elluin's eyes and stared at her, looking lost. Before she could speak, the king's voice floated softly from behind her.

"Lady Ninniach, you will find that Elluin is most persistent when it comes to tea," he said, coming to stand beside his housekeeper. His eyes twinkled as he briefly met Elluin's eyes, and she knew he recalled when she had pressed a cup of it into his hand when she was first invited to his chambers.

Elluin curtsied automatically to acknowledge his presence, unsuccessfully repressing a smile as he took a cup from the tray himself. She turned back to Ninniach. The elleth seemed to have acknowledged that neither the servant nor the king were heartbroken despite the morning's event. She wondered at it as she obediently sipped the tea that Elluin handed her, but finally reasoned that these two people, who she knew cared deeply about the realm, had hope for the future of Greenwood; and therefore, so could she.

* This sentence taken almost verbatim from volume 10 of Tolkien's History of Middle Earth. They are Mandos' words as the Valar discuss Finwe and Miriel.

** Adapted from the song "Exile" sung by Enya.