Lord Elrond of Rivendell had hoped only for a peaceful morning, but this was not to be, in any respect. He had been awakened by the dawn's first light shining in his eyes from a hurriedly patched hole in his glass ceiling. If being blinded wasn't enough, the two young pups responsible for the bad repair job then had to argue rather loudly over whose fault it was, eventually settling on blaming the glass blower who had been teaching them how to fix it.

Elrond had a slight headache from overindulgence in wine -- Gandalf always managed to drink him under the table -- and he wished heartily that he had never taken Rúmil and Orophin to bed. As it was, he could barely remember the bedroom activities of the night before and had a sneaking suspicion that he had hardly participated. Rather than simply sending the boys on their way, Elrond had decided a stroll alone in the garden might help clear his head, and at dawn it was likely to be empty and silent.

Again, he was wrong. A Hobbit was busily ransacking his chrysanthemums. Elrond cringed, not having forgotten the six and two -- Elves who had fallen prey to Hobbit charms. Thank the stars they had all been sent into the west. Meriadoc seemed to be more interested in female Hobbits than Elves at this time, however, so aside from the hole in the flower bed, he did not irritate Elrond too greatly.

As he sent the love-struck Hobbit on his way, Elrond took a deep breath, inhaling the dewy scent of morning in Rivendell. Insects buzzed softly around the flowers and herbs, who various scents were crisp and clear in the air, soothing Elrond's nerves. His new statue stood at the very center, and he admired it for a moment, silhouetted against the rising run.

"That, my dear friend, is an obscene piece of trash," Gandalf said in a pleasant tone. "I find I rather like it."

Elrond turned slowly to face the old wizard, glad he had not jumped at the sound of his voice. He hated being sneaked up on this way. There were very few who could do it, too, but Gandalf was one of them. Normally he would have been glad to spend some quiet time with Gandalf, but at the moment Elrond simply wanted to be alone enjoying his garden without anyone commenting on his taste in art.

"It is the lost Elf maiden Nimrodel," Elrond said, hearing the irritation in his own voice. "It was crafted by the finest of my remaining artisans on my special request."

"Yes, there are so few Elves left here in Rivendell, aren't there?" said Gandalf. He took out his pipe and began to light it. Elrond wished he wouldn't. He despised smoking, but he had far too much respect for Gandalf to say anything about it. "I don't remember Nimrodel being quite so well-endowed."

"Poetic license," Elrond muttered.

Gandalf chuckled. "If you say so." He took a puff of his pipe. "How many Elves now remain in Rivendell, Elrond?"

"Nearly a hundred. We are making preparations to depart soon. The ship is being built for us as we speak. It will not be long. Are you eager to leave?"

"Not so eager as one might think."

"Nor I. It will sadden me to depart this place. I have ruled over it these many hundreds of years."

"I know you have, and ruled wisely and well."

"Thank you, Gandalf."

"I have one more task that I must complete before we go. Will you grant me the time to do that?" Gandalf asked.

"Of course," Elrond replied without hesitation.

"Thank you. I will return as quickly as I may. Until then, I ask that you look after Frodo. He is ill again, though he will speak of it to no one."

"I will do what I can for him," Elrond promised.

"Again, I thank you."

"I need no thanks. You know I would do this whether you asked or not."

"Yes, I know that." Gandalf let out a long puff of smoke. "And, Elrond, there is one more thing."

"What is it?" Elrond asked, frowning. He detected the hint of warning in the old wizard's tone before the words came, and already he felt ice forming in his blood.

"I fear for the party of travelers who would reach Gondor."

"Legolas."

"Yes, and Ciendriel, Gimli, and the four young Hobbits."

"They have all proved themselves capable of defending their own," Elrond said. "Have you some vision of danger?"

"Yes."

"How shall I see them protected?"

"This I cannot tell you, Lord Elrond. I trust you will discover that on your own."

Elrond thought about it for a long time, and at last came to him the solution of one of his problems. He turned to ask Gandalf another question, but the venerable wizard was gone. Elrond took a deep breath. Before he could either continue his stroll or turn back to set his plan into motion, he saw Erestor hurrying down the path towards him.

"My lord Elrond, I would have a word with you."

Elrond sighed inwardly. He liked Erestor, and trusted him utterly, but he was so serious sometimes. After Gandalf's dark warnings, Elrond did not want another situation to handle. As it was, he was going to have to speak to Legolas as soon as he could.

"Yes, Erestor. What is it? Not another complaint against the Lorien Elves, is it?"

Erestor fell silent, but only for a moment. "I do not like how they treat my sister."

"Has she complained of them to you?"

"No. She calls them friend."

"Then let it lie. If Isilwen would complain of them, send her to me and I will speak to Haldir myself."

"My sister needs a husband," Erestor said. "She runs too wild, and is an embarrassment to me."

"I do not see it as so," Elrond said, smiling. Isilwen was a free spirit, but Elrond knew that she was a good girl. In some ways, she reminded him of his own daughter, Arwen, to whom she was close in age. He liked having her around. "Let her simply be, and she will choose a husband in her own time. It is not the way of Elves to force such decisions."

Elrond thought about Ciendriel, who had nearly been forced to wed Haldir, and what a disaster that would have been. The Princess of Ingra probably would have killed him by now. Her mother had been wise to free them of the obligation in the end. Elrond had loved Morgone of Ingra dearly, but she too had gone into the west. He was eager to reach those lands himself so he might see her again.

"As you wish, my lord. Forgive me for bothering you with such trifles."

"It is no bother, Erestor. You know that you are free always to come to me with such matters."

"Thank you." Erestor turned to go.

"Grant me one favor."

"Of course," Erestor said, turning back around expectantly.

"Find Legolas Greenleaf and Haldir of Lorien, and send them to me. I will await them in the library. Legolas may bring his traveling party if he so desires, for this concerns them all."

"They should be easy enough to find. If I am correct, they shared a bed last night."

Elrond arched his eyebrows. "I find that difficult to believe."

"I found Legolas waiting in Haldir's room."

"What were you doing in Haldir's room?"

"Looking for my sister. She was not there."

"Where was she?" Elrond asked idly, his mind still turning over the thought that Legolas had gone willingly to Haldir's bed. He realized that he felt slightly jealous, never having been able to get Legolas into his own bed.

"In her own room."

"Should you not have checked there first?"

"I did. I know not where she was, and she would not tell me."

Erestor sounded frustrated. Elrond simply nodded. "Very well. Come to the library when you have found them, then."

He turned and left the garden, making his own way back into the palace, not waiting for his Chief Advisor to join him. Elrond had his breakfast sent to the library and took it there while he waited for those whom he had sent for to arrive. He picked up a volume of the history of Middle-earth which he had written himself and dusted it off. Nobody looked at these books any more, Elrond thought. It was a shame. He would leave them here in Rivendell when they left for the Undying lands. Perhaps King Elessar, to whom he intended to leave the remains of the once-proud Elf city, would know what to make of them.

Elrond heard a small sound and turned, expecting to see Legolas, but instead he looked upon the nervous face of Isilwen. She still had that gash upon her cheek from falling through his ceiling, Elrond noticed. It was dry and tough now. He frowned. Why had she not applied a poultice? Her pretty face would likely be scarred for life, now.

"Good morning, Isilwen," he said gently. "May I help you?"

"Forgive me, lord Elrond, I did not mean to disturb you."

She turned to run out of the library, but Haldir was coming through the door at the same time and she smashed right into his chest. The Marchwarden of Lothlorien caught her shoulders and gently stopped her from falling over. He looked down at her with a seeming concern in his eyes, which amazed Elrond.

"You should not have run off last night," Haldir said. "I could have helped you. Now I fear it is too late."

Isilwen hissed at him. "You insulted me, in many ways."

"When I said it was ugly, I meant the scar, not your face," Haldir said, chuckling.

"Please, let go of her, Haldir," Elrond said tiredly. Immediately the Marchwarden let go of Isilwen's shoulders and looked at Elrond with surprise.

"I meant simply to help her. Erestor refused to let her treat her wound, so I offered to apply the herbs myself," he said.

"When did you do that?" asked Elrond, saddened by this revelation about the character of his Chief Advisor.

"Last night at midnight," Isilwen said. She sounded less angry and more subdued. "I… am sorry I refused your offer, Haldir."

"So am I."

Elrond could only guess what else was included in Haldir's offer. "Very well. Where is Legolas Greenleaf?"

"How should I know that?" Haldir asked.

"I understand he was in your chamber last night." Elrond noticed Isilwen's posture stiffen at this revelation. Interesting.

"True enough, " Haldir said. "However, Legolas--"

"I am here," said Legolas, coming into the library behind Haldir. He was followed by Ciendriel, Gimli, Meriadoc, Peregrin, Angelica, and Estella. Erestor followed them in silently.

"What are you doing here, Isilwen?" the Chief Advisor hissed when he saw his sister. "Be on your way. I will deal with you later."

"Let her stay," Elrond said protectively. Erestor had no choice but to comply, inclining his head. "Thank you all for joining me."

"We mean to leave Rivendell tomorrow at dawn," Legolas said determinedly. "The journey to Gondor can wait no longer. Will you not forgive our hasty departure, Lord Elrond?"

"It is not for me to forgive," Elrond said. "The path you choose to follow has always been your own, Legolas Greenleaf. However, Gandalf would give you a warning not to travel alone."

"With respect, sir, I do not travel alone," said Legolas.

"Do not think that I mean to insult your capable comrades. However, I do not take the words of Gandalf lightly. Do you?"

"Of course not," Legolas replied quietly.

"Then you will not object to being accompanied by Haldir of Lothlorien and his brothers in your travels."

Stunned silence filled the room. This pleased Elrond. It was so rare that he ever got such a reaction with his words. It was the perfect solution to all of his problems. He looked around the room. Erestor looked distinctly impressed. This certainly would keep Haldir, Rúmil and Orophin away from Isilwen. Isilwen herself looked deeply saddened. Elrond knew he would have to think of some way to assist her. Haldir was harder to read. Whether he minded being sent away was difficult to tell. This made no difference to Elrond, however. Haldir needed the adventure more than he realized.

"I have no objection to this," Legolas said finally.

No, you would not, if you are sleeping with him again, Elrond thought, but that was also not his problem. He was surprised, as he had thought that Legolas and Ciendriel had some private vow to each other, but it did not matter.

"Nor do I," Ciendriel added.

"I am glad. Haldir, can you be ready to leave by dawn tomorrow?" Elrond asked.

"That will depend upon whether I can find my brothers and enlighten them to this sudden development."

"I can show you where to find them," Erestor said.

"Very well. It is settled," said Elrond. "You may go."

He hoped his afternoon would be more pleasant than his morning had been.