When Elrond left for Gondor with Arwen, Rivendell lay bathed in a golden light that promised a fine summer.

When he returns with others months later, the valley is still as fair and calm.

To the others it appears summer still lingers in the leaves that stay on the trees and the trailing scent of late blooms. But Elrond knows it will pass soon. The mists have started rolling in and stray clouds hide the stars in the evenings and the voices in the Hall of Fire are softer now, even as they sing of the glorious summer that was.

***