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Thranduil and Galadriel niggle each other - I suspect that Thranduil admired his older cousin as an elfling and wasn't too keen on this elleth who always seemed to be in the way. But Galadriel is fond enough of Legolas to ignore it all here - and anyway, weddings are (mainly) female business! Thranduil copes much better with Celebrian, I think - despite her mother - as she's a) Celeborn's daughter and b) more feminine - keeping to a more female role than Galadriel. (Galadriel would never have married informally in the BR - she would have had the whole works. But without her parent and with three of her brothers dead - and with the endless inter-kindred suspicions, I reckon that, in the end, she would have defied them all to bond with Celeborn. The twins took him on the equivalent of a stag weekend. Except they didn't return with a stag! The elves of the BR have long memories - and they live in a place where change is very slow. That applies to forgiveness, too. Feanor did not return while Arda endured - but to keep all his sons from being rehoused seems excessive. They were not all equally bad or equally responsible and, short of them all deciding to stand by their father and refusing forgiveness, surely some of them were able to find redemption. But I don't think it would be soon. The elves of the BR do need to grow and mature a bit, I think. Aule needed to appear to round the earlier meeting with Yavanna - but I really understood what Taryatur felt about too much favour. It's rarely good to attract too much attention from the Powers. And it would be like having the Queen coming to tea - or the Pope offering to do your wedding. A bit too much. The glade took the story right back to the beginning - with a chaffinch singing. Only this time Legolas is not alone and is looking forward rather than back. Thank you for reading - I'm glad you enjoyed it. More soon!

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In a way - although he would never have wanted anything bad to happen to Surion - this is almost a relief to Taryatur. It breaks through the impasse. It must have become obvious to him that he would have to give way, but he's still sure he's right and the more everyone else is pushing at him, the more obstinate he becomes. It's why Linevende hasn't put her foot down, really. She knows how badly it would hurt him - and it hadn't quite got to the point where she had to insist for Elerrina's sake. Thank you! I'm flattered. There's so much good stuff to read out there that I'm just blushing at the compliment.

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There tends to be a time - around three-quarters of the way through - when I wonder if I'm actually going to be able to wind a story up ... but then I get to the end and I hate it! I really don't want to say goodbye to the characters. But you're right - there is always more to be explored. Some of it might make longer stories and there are some definite one chapter fictions there. I feel for Taryatur, really. He's going to feel the separation - probably more than Thranduil will. And it's typical that he would want to ensure that Elerrina's wedding was the best he could make it. I'm sure there will be more soon - Legolas and Elerrina might want a bit of time to enjoy their honeymoon, but I'm sure the others are wanting to tell a story or two. Thank you for reading. I'm glad you enjoy reading what happens among this group of elves, because I certainly enjoy writing it!

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There will be more stories. It's an addiction - I can't stop. I don't really have anything longer in mind at the moment, though, but I'm sure I won't be able to bear the gap for long. Yes, Elrohir felt the change in their bond very strongly when Elladan married. Elrond, though, would have had far less problem with it than he did with Arwen. This division was not absolute - his son would still be there and remain there - but, more importantly, he had Celebrian beside him and sharing the experience. Thranduil is alone at the moment. But L&E will be living with him - and Thranduil will enjoy having a daughter in his house. Elerrina likes him, too. He accepted her so openly and with no reluctance at all - that is bound to have affected her feelings towards him - and he has no need to be anything but loving towards her. It's an outwardly very uncomplicated relationship that will be good for both of them. Poor L&E ended up with a terribly long courtship. I think they did spend at least a century denying to themselves that it was a courtship at all, and then another century of suspicious rapprochement before they acknowledged there was more to it than just friendship - but even so, it's been a long haul. And Taryatur's disapproval made it very hard on Elerrina. But finding themselves together in the woods on the first day of their lives together has put all that out of their minds now - they are outside the everyday world for a while until their emotions begin to settle down a little. I'm sorry to finish this - but L&E had waited long enough! Thank you, Jay. I'm glad you enjoyed it. More will be along soon.

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It's the same glade!! Not, I'm afraid the same chaffinch. I'm fairly sure chaffinches didn't share immortality, not even in the Undying Lands. Legolas has completed a circle and come back to the same place - but now he is not alone and despairing. It took a while, but he is now able to move forward properly, embracing the possibilities of the Blessed Realm. Thank you.

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Celebrian is wise. She is happy, most of the time, to seem light-hearted and mischievous and leave the more serious stuff to her mother, but she has a deep understanding of loss and duty and forgiveness. And a faith in the improvement of elves and a future when all will be reunited. Thank you. I'm glad you liked this ending - and I'm fairly sure it will soon lead into another tale.

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I think, if they look round, they might find robes. Or sheets or something. Just so they don't get caught in the raw. But what could be more natural than a Wood elf and his bride strengthening their newly formed bond in the woods in the golden light of dawn? It's a beautiful picture - and thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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The explosion of feeling and sensation after bonding must be quite mind-blowing! L&E aren't quite sure how they ended up in the forest, but it is a very suitable place for them to wake up on their first day as ... elf and wife. Celeborn is strong, strong, strong. Far too strong to give a monkey's what other people think about him - and strong enough to shrug off the general theory that he's Galadriel's pussycat. Those who know them know different - and that's enough for him. Thranduil will be lonely - emotionally bereft - for a while, but he will have Legolas and Elerrina living with him and I think he will rapidly learn to enjoy having a daughter. And let her appear to manage him. And then it's not that many years - certainly far fewer than have passed during Legolas's courtship - before his Lady and he are reunited. I'm glad you were happy to find it - although I was quite sorry for this to come to an end. Now I shall have to ponder other ideas and look for a new story to write.

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It's being Nerdanel's sons that interests me about those seven! And, although I suppose I can see why they followed their father, what this says about elven society and their relationship with their mother and her family. And how their decision impacted on the family they left behind. Having Aule and Yavanna at the wedding - it's one of those moments like having the Queen or Brangelina turn up. Part of Taryatur possibly thinks, 'top that', as he looks down his nose as various Noldor courtiers - while a far bigger part screams 'no!!' While a little worm deep in his brain thinks of the fate of others who have proved themselves of greater than average interest to the Valar. Celeborn and Galadriel are great - they manage each other superbly. Everyone else is easy meat to them ... although Thranduil puts up a sustained resistance. And it won't be long before he is reunited with his Lady. But it wouldn't be in either of them to be strictly conventional about it. Most cast members who were more than names appeared or were mentioned, I think - except Espalas. He is just too strong a character not to try to take over. And women will do what they want... I just like a female perspective, I think. All those wives and mothers and sisters and daughters who barely get a mention. I like to think of them quietly managing the whole shebang ... while letting the menfolk think they're in charge.

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They did have to wait a long time, poor things, but I'm sure they feel it was worth it! They're not entirely sure how they ended up abandoning their candle-filled, rose-scented room for a grassy bank in the woods - but they are both very happy to be there. I enjoyed writing the Surion scene ... (much easier to do than - er - lurve) ... and you still get themes of honour and duty and family love. And noblesse oblige. All of which goes over Surion's head, because he just accepts all that as the way people are. Poor Thranduil will feel this, I think. Although the house thing means he gains a daughter, his relationship with Legolas is bound to change. Still it's not too many years now before he finds his Lady. I think, if her parents and Finrod* had been there, Galadriel might have held out for the full works - but they weren't and, as far as she knew, she would never see them again. Consequently she and Celeborn would defy convention and do as they chose. And, somehow, the idea of this cool, apparently aloof Noldor daughter of kings going off and bonding informally ... well, she would, that's all I can say! (*I can't take to Orodreth much and, Tolkien's 'A' elves, both Finarfin's sons and Feanor's just haven't developed any personality for me.)

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Thank you. I am delighted you enjoyed it. I'm sure there will be more soon!

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While I would never say that my stories fit together like the pieces of jigsaw puzzles, they do sort of mix together to make a cake! This story kind of leads into Far Horizons - although it's nearly two years since I wrote that. (I can't believe I've been doing this that long!) And Reflections often stimulates ideas that later become stories - and that is quite a lot ahead of what is happening here. But yes - it was always going to take something dramatic, I think, to make Taryatur break. He was resisting as stubbornly as he could ... (he must have been driving Linevende insane!) ... but this left him without a word to say. Except 'yes', I suppose. Not much more now ... I tend not to want the stories to end once I get to this point, but this is definitely winding up.

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I'm very fond of Galadriel. She might be a bit scary to know - but she would have your best interests at heart! And she and Thranduil together amuse me. Elerrina and Legolas have been given the time to come to know each other as well as properly-brought-up unmarried elves can - in itself enough to let Taryatur glad for an excuse to break the stalemate. Even he can see they suit each other. Surion is just the age where a child is perfectly safe and happy until the two seconds you take your eyes off him - whereupon he suddenly moves at light speed right into the centre of the biggest available danger. Like tortoises. Which move at full maggot gallop until your attention is diverted and then have to be chased down the road. And, as a toddler (yep, same meaning) Nisimalote hasn't quite grasped the need to be on red alert all the time. Thank you - I'm glad you liked the action part! I could imagine that! (Fights are harder. I don't get into many fights. Well. Any fights.) Taryatur is defending an indefensible position now, I think. That is what is going to irritate him and everyone else so much. He's not going to find it easy to admit that the Wood Elf is a perfectly acceptable son-in-law. Not for a long while. But he's consented - and that's the main thing. Now he'll only be making himself miserable instead of everyone! One year will be hard, because I reckon they are closer than they have ever been - the bonding must begin as they make their first commitment to each other. But it's taken them about three centuries to get this far. The last year will pass quickly. Probably. Thank you, elliska. I'm glad you're enjoying this!

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I find it absolutely fascinating to think that - for all the elves of Valinor look on themselves as somewhat better than elves from over the sea - the elves of Ennor have always been looked up to by the second-born. Elves were immortal and beautiful and wise... Elves in Valinor, however, are less immortal, less beautiful and less wise than the Maiar - and the Maiar are ditto compared to the Valar - who aren't around much, but can, if they feel like it, turn round to the elves and be authoritative in their role as the Powers. I wonder how the elves of the marred lands reacted to that twist of fate...

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Sorry to be so long in replying! I wonder if Taryatur is beginning to doubt the attitudes he has held for so long... Thranduil is clearly - for all his exhaustion - a very noble elf. Taryatur doesn't want to change, and will fight it for all he is worth, but you can't help feeling that his own honesty will, in the end, help him to see that he is wrong. Legolas is not a show-off type - he will listen and learn - and he doesn't feel he needs to turn Elerrina into a typical Wood elleth. He admires her skills - and that is, I think, one of the reasons that she feels comfortable to love and marry outside her comfort zone. Her father might not trust him, but she does. And he's hot, of course. That probably helps! Taryatur will have to accept soon that he isn't going to change anyone's mind!

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Thank you - I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm rather fond of Finrod - and Galadriel, of course. And I am increasingly convinced that there must have been homelands for the elves who have sailed west. It might just take some time for them all to sort themselves out! Surion ended up being a little younger than in my first ideas of the scene - but I think toddler Surion worked better. And is less likely to be traumatised by the event. The healer was fairly useless - good at doing one thing at a time, perhaps, but swamped by the situation. Elrond was highly necessary - and Legolas had two skilled combat healers looking after him. And how could Taryatur refuse the Wood Elf after this! In some ways, I expect he was glad of way to give in - although, of course, he would much prefer Legolas to have just given up. ... Although I suppose he would then have been furious with the Wood Elf for upsetting Elerrina! Thranduil is, I think, finding that the Blessed Realm is rather more interesting than he feared - and might even be starting to feel it sing in his fea. Little though he would want to admit it. His perspective on the whole thing would be very interesting. And I'm pleased you liked the ending.

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Thank you! This chapter has been the one set piece that was going to happen from the start - although it has developed a bit. Surion is rather younger than he was going to be, for one thing! I think, in some ways, even Taryatur is relieved that the stalemate is broken. Not that he is too thrilled by the outcome, but I think even he had come to realise it was inevitable. Nisimalote froze - Surion is just at the stage where the second you take your eyes off him, he is out of sight and armpit deep in whatever you least want him to do. She thought he was safe and sleeping and .... One of the most terrifying things that can happen to a mother. Promptly followed by the next most terrifying thing - your kid in real danger. And of course Legolas could do nothing else - he is a warrior and a protector. He would defend an elfling in the face of any danger at whatever cost to himself - and trying to hold off rocks is no different. Who would send Camentur for Elrond? He might have thought of it himself, but I think he would be panicking too much... Linevende, I think, is the most likely candidate. Or Elerrina, who has spent enough time with Galadriel to have a better grasp of Elrond's talents, but her brother might not have listened to her. I reckon Thranduil will be deeply pleased that life in the BR isn't endless bliss. He will be much happier with work to do. Not, of course, that happiness would involve his son being injured! Things are still going on, despite the romantic interludes - Litheredh and Haldir can manage things while the other members of the team are busy. And distracted. E&L are likely to be quite distracted until after the bonding - and even then they probably won't be thinking of politics for a while. Poor Taryatur will have to get used to that Wood Elf. And he will - in a millennium or two. Just as long as Elerrina is happy.

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I think the forests are apart from the elves' Blessed Realm - at the moment. Finrod is observant and he has wandered far and wide, both here and east of the sea. He can see further into a brick wall than most! That Taryatur gave his consent after Legolas had risked his life to save Surion was set as part of the history in one of the early Reflections - and this chapter has always had that element. Surion ended up being rather younger than I originally envisaged, but he would have had to be developed too much as a character to leave this any longer - and Legolas and Elerrina deserve their happiness! He managed to slip away when Nisimalote thought he was sleeping - little kids, like tortoises, are very good at moving at 16x speed as soon as you take your eye off them! Legolas has had his dealings with healers - and prefers to remain alert, at least if other dangers might be around. But too many parts of him hurt here - and Miriwen is used to dealing with the warriors of Mirkwood. She knows how to hold a nose and tip a dose down a reluctant throat. The healer was a bit out of his depth - not accustomed to so many things needing his attention all at the same time. It's a good thing Elrond was prepared to rush to the rescue. In a way, Taryatur might have a smidgeon of relief that something has broken the impasse and forced his hand. Elerrina clearly wasn't going to change her mind - and he doesn't want to be estranged from her. The idiots will get what is coming to them - eventually. Before Elrohir's daughters are born, anyway. Galadriel will be the least of their problems. Betrothal must bring elven relationships closer to the union of two fea - and I can see the parents being careful to ensure that both parties managed to keep hold of themselves until the formal period of betrothal was complete. I think L&E might find themselves being chaperoned - for their own benefit - over the next months! Taryatur is having difficulty naming the Wood Elf. Calling him by his name is just a bit too welcoming! But you never know - one day he might even come to look on him as a son. Maybe.

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Thank you! I love Finrod. He is such a charmer - but strong, too, and wise. I'm glad you liked it.

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I do think elves must have been very good at being wiley. They had so long to learn to apply themselves to the subtleties of politics! I've known from the beginning exactly what had to happen in this chapter - I must say it made it much easier to write! Surion is a little younger than I originally pictured during this event - but it seemed to work better this way. And - what else could Legolas do? He is a warrior and an adult elf - how could he not risk himself to save a child? And he probably had a good deal more notion just how likely he was to end up badly hurt than many elves of the Blessed Realm. The healer was a little out of his depth - I don't think he has had to deal simultaneously with a half-drowned child and a badly injured adult before. Somehow I picture the BR being rather more stately and ordered even in injury! I suppose stopping any bleeding was a good idea - but I suspect he might have been quite relieved when Elrond arrived. I don't think Legolas would generally have been very keen on taking potions - especially not ones that reduced his awareness of danger and readiness to meet it. But, on the other hand, you can't get much safer than in a bed in the BR - and he has multiple broken bones to deal with. I don't think the first healer had much idea, really - whereas Miriwen has centuries of experience of dealing with injured warriors. And getting them to co-operate! Taryatur had got himself stuck in his 'never!' mind-set - and it took this to jerk him out of it and change his behaviour. He's probably not going to like Legolas any more for having to give in, though. Although when he remembers how the Wood-elf came to Surion's rescue so unhesitatingly, he will waver again! Linevende is mostly relieved, I think. She would have hated having to take a stand against Taryatur. He relies on her support very much and it would have hurt him badly. And of course the very formal and public betrothal had to be at once! Before anyone could say 'yes, but...' (And I love Thranduil. He deserves his own reunion - although he will have to wait a few more years.) Yes - these are the Far Horizons brats testing the water. I think we're only 25-40 years before that now. Ish. They will be dealt with ... in time. Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it. The end is nigh, now. Unfortunately.

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I think he knew he had to give in - but was having problems breaking the impasse. And after this, he just didn't have any excuse to keep them waiting any longer. Battle must be a bit about having trained and trained and acquired knowledge and experience - and then just acting and having it all kick in. I reckon painkillers were warranted! Again, probably experience would make warriors not want to get too woozy - but in bed in the Blessed Realm is probably as safe as you can get. The young healer was a bit out of his depth - too much at once - just as well super-Elrond arrived. There's a healer with plenty of experience of prioritising injuries! I don't think Finarfin will learn of this bunch just yet. But they will get their comeuppance - in a few years...

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Legolas sailed when Aragorn died, then he didn't do much while Gimli was alive (50 years or so) and then took some time to recover from that - and (in my world) the twins and their grandfather, Glorfindel and Thranduil didn't sail for another 300-400 years. Elladan was guessing - but I worked it roughly that they lived to about 200 and the heir was born when they were 50-80 - and they were around 100 when they became king. So around 500 years into the Fourth Age, Eldarion's great-grandson would have died and his grandson's grandson would have become king. But it's all pretty random! I suppose some of them might have handed the crown over - if they were ill or something. Legolas is probably the best person to encourage the twins - his experience is closer to theirs in a way. And he understands without wanting to mother them, too. He can mention the kind of things likely to spark their interest - and worry them out of their lethargy. Thranduil doesn't see the point in waiting. It's not as if anything is going to change. Taryatur, on the other hand, was rather hoping that this king of the green elves was going to throw a hissy fit at the thought of his son marrying a Noldo. You do treasure the oddest things - but Legolas's attempt at glass-blowing was special. One of the first things he did, really, once their courtship was reluctantly condoned. I'm not surprised she treasured it. She doesn't want to over-ride her father - that would put a tremendous dent in their relationship and she does love the old grouch - but I think now she would - if she has to. Nisi is a typical first time mother - quite scared herself of damaging her precious little bundle and quite, quite sure that no clumsy male can possible know what to do with him! But she did - if reluctantly - release her grip on Surion to let Legolas have a cuddle. I'm sure she noticed he was clearly practised in holding babies.

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It took a while to get here ... This chapter was quite easy to write, because I've always known more or less what happened here. Taryatur has known for a while that he would have to consent - and how can you deny that someone who risked his life to save your grandson will make a worthy son-in-law? C&N will always be staunch Legolas supporters, I should think. I can't think of many betrothals that might have happened suspended from eagles ... but there's always a first! Poor Legolas - in the Reflection, the twins tell him to take advantage of the situation, but it's a pretty drastic way to win your bride. Surion was young enough not to remember the horror of this, I think - although I suppose he might be a bit wary of fast-flowing water. It'll be a story to him. And Legolas knows that sometimes an elf's gotta do what an elf's gotta do - and he's done it. Thank you, Jay. Now it's work out how to finish it time!

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Taryatur has grown - and developed all sorts of complications, and I have to say I'm now very fond of him! And the rest of the family too. It was a relief to get L&E safely betrothed. Now all they have to do is survive to the wedding... And all I've got to do is think of some way of finishing this before it bumps into another story. Elrond is the person to have around when you're badly damaged - and Miriwen is pretty useful, too. And, of course, she's actually married to Elladan by this point, as well - I have had to go back and check a few things to keep the timeline roughly right. It's not perfect, but I'm hoping no-one will spot any contradictions! Thanks, daw. This chapter was easy to do - I've always known what happened at this point. Deciding what comes next - back to tricky!

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Thank you very much! I am glad you are enjoying the stories - writing them is such fun and I'm loving every moment. I am in no danger of giving up yet - as soon as I finish one, something else seems to demand my time. I hope you continue to enjoy. Good to hear from you!