Clad in her lily of the valley gown, with the maple brooch pinned above her heart, Isilya went down to dinner. It was early spring, just past Legolas's birthday. Tomorrow they would be leaving, Legolas for Greenwood the Great, and Isilya to Imladris. Lady Galadriel had ordered a farewell feast, and Linduin had warned Isilya that this was to be a happy occasion.

Much earlier, there had been a very tearful farewell from the children of Lothlórien. Though Isilya tried not to cry, she had to give in at length to peer pressure. Nenglin was the only one who remained sunny, for she and Isilya had already promised to be forever friends and nothing could dent armor of that kind. Little Aurfin had to be taken to his mother, for he bawled loudly when he discovered Isilya was leaving. The information had simply not processed until that moment, but Isilya still felt guilty over his heart-rending sobs.

What she did not yet cry over was leaving Legolas again. In truth, this parting did not seem as hard as the first. Though her heart would yearn for Legolas, Isilya was beginning to understand that their love held them close despite the distance. Just as her mother could touch her from the Halls of Mandos, Legolas would send her his love from Greenwood the Great, and she would return it.

It was also easier to be happy in Lothlórien, since she was always seated next to the prince. The Galadhrim wore her emblem still; indeed, they liked to tease her with it. Someday, they assured her, she would be a hero of great renown, and they would be the first bearers of her standard. Something about their laughter always lightened Isilya's heart. She may never be a true hero, but she would be welcomed and loved here always.

Legolas had some interesting news. To Falasglin's amazement and partial dismay, Glóredhel was seriously considering Rúmil as a suitor. This was no surprise to everyone else, of course. Legolas was most pleased, for he had advised Rúmil to propose regardless of the opinion in Greenwood the Great. After all, Legolas had pointed out, Rúmil and Glóredhel would not have to wait as long as Legolas and Isilya.

Isilya had no news, but she happily listened to those around her. There was some discussion of Haldir accompanying his brother to the Greenwood to present his case before Thranduil. Glóredhel's father had died, so Thranduil was her male guardian. In any case, Linduin said coolly, her mother was not the one to approach about such affairs.

Elrond was quietly discussing the victory of King Hyarmendacil II over the Men of Harad with Galadriel and Celeborn, for word had come to Imladris and was passed on to him by messenger. Pleasant conversation was flowing between Celebrían, Arwen and Glóredhel about dressmaking and color choices. None of these things interested Isilya in the slightest. She did wonder what the twins had at the table, for though they were stealthy, she could hear them giggling over something.

At length, when bellies were full and laughter had faded to smiles and yawns, Galadriel rose. She raised her cup and everyone raised their own from the table. Ever serene, she said to the gathering,

"Tomorrow, many of our friends leave us to journey to their homes. Yet, we hope that all of them will know that we carry them in our hearts, and they are ever welcome here in Lothlórien. Though they live far away, may they always find their feet upon the right path."

With smiles, the elves drank to this blessing. Then Celeborn took his lady's arm, and they left the company to lead the singing. Isilya was swiftly snatched up by Haldir, who teasingly claimed her for the evening.

"Until bedtime," Celebrían ordered firmly.

"As my lady orders," Haldir assured her.

This time, they gathered by the fountain below the throne room. Haldir sat upon the grass, and was shortly flanked by Linduin and Falasglin. Legolas found a seat in front of them, and Isilya amused herself by braiding his hair, for he had left it undone after bathing. The elf Orophin sat with the twins, apparently interested in whatever they had. A little way from the main company, Rúmil and Glóredhel sat together, talking softly.

Tonight Elrond brought out a harp of silver, and Celebrían one of gold. Together they played a piece of music without words. Enchanted, Isilya listened to the crystal clear tones. Even without words, she could feel the happy mood of the song. When they finished, the whole company sighed in delight.

Another elf rose and sang a song of the stars. While he sang of the paths they traced in the heavens, Linduin leaned against Haldir. She stroked Isilya's hair, reminding the girl to finish Legolas's braids. To keep them from falling out, she braided the pair together. He smiled back at her when she ceased and he knew she was done.

Liniel took a turn, singing a sweet melody about birds in the trees. She was followed by the grooms, who performed a teasing ditty about lovers to the embarrassment of Rúmil. On the other hand, Glóredhel only smiled calmly.

Together, Falasglin, Linduin and Haldir sang a ballad of Lúthien and Beren, in honor of their descendant, Elrond. The lord of Imladris smiled in appreciation. Legolas grinned at the reminder of his poor retelling of the tale in Mithlond. In contrast, Isilya listened with fascination to the actual story. It seemed a bit more complicated than the prince of the Greenwood had told her.

By the time they had finished, it was nearly bedtime. Lord Celeborn rose and he led his people in singing a fond farewell. Haldir sang along too, petting Isilya's hair tenderly.

"Though our paths diverge here, we will always be together in heart. Though I do not see you, I feel you with me. Though tomorrow will find us apart, some sunrise will find us close once more.

"No shadow, nor dark night can hold us from finding one another again. My heart is your heart, and I feel its beat: here or over Sea.

"When you come again, I will know it is you. When we touch hands, we will smile in joy. When we embrace, time will fall away.

"No shadow, nor dark of night can hold us from finding one another again. My heart is your heart, and I feel its beat: here, or over Sea."

Celebrían beckoned then, and Isilya reluctantly rose. Haldir gave her a little kiss and promised to see her off in the morning. Teasingly, he said even her wild filly could not keep him from her side. Linduin and Falasglin also rose, for they wanted to put Isilya to bed on her last night with them.

As a final special treat, Legolas was allowed to join Isilya in her hammock. They were not, Linduin emphasized, to talk until dawn. Hammocks were for sleeping, not gossiping. Then she tenderly kissed Isilya and Legolas goodnight and left them to hopefully fall asleep at once.

Naturally, they did not. But their whispers were quiet and they lingered on the edge of sleep for some time. After a long silence, Legolas whispered,

"I love you, my moon."

"I love you too, my sun," Isilya replied, warm and content. Then they finally drifted into slumber.

The morning was full of bustle. Various artifacts belonging to the twins were unearthed at last, including a pair of boots thought to be lost in the river. They turned up in the pig trough, and that even the twins could not explain. Already packed, Isilya and Arwen were sent down to the stables to wait for the twins.

Haldir found them there. He gave Arwen a kiss first, for she was the elder. Then he lovingly lifted Isilya up and kissed her quite soundly. While she giggled, he told her very seriously that he was going to miss his first little girl. She had been much better behaved, on the whole, than his rascal brothers.

"Well, we have not left yet," Isilya teased. Laughing, Haldir agreed that she might come close to their naughtiness in that short time, but she would never try.

"You are far too good, Lily Maiden." He kissed her cheek again. "And that is just the way we like you."

"Too true!" agreed Rúmil and Orophin, who converged on their brother to give Isilya hugs and kisses of their own.

While she chatted with the Silvan elves, telling them how to tend the one lily of the valley patch she had left behind, Linduin, Falasglin and Legolas all appeared. Glóredhel was a bit behind them, for she had paused for some last words with Lady Galadriel. Once everyone who was leaving was gathered, including the tardy sons of Elrond, the parties gave one another embraces.

Living up to an earlier threat, the twins caught and kissed Legolas soundly, much to that boy's embarrassment. Arwen gave him a much more decorous peck on the cheek while Glóredhel commanded the twins to treat her as her cousin's equal, to their delight. Laughing at Rúmil's forlorn face, Orophin gave him a nudge and the elf went over to treat her to a polite embrace. To his wonder, and Falasglin's dismay, she kissed him lightly on the lips and gave him a sweet smile.

To distract her husband, Linduin scooped up Isilya from Haldir's arms and gave her to the hunter. Falasglin smiled lovingly at the little girl and she grinned back. Just as he had told her long ago, partings were supposed to be happy times. This was certainly more fun than her first parting from him. Giving him a hug and kiss, she received his joyfully.

Linduin claimed her then, holding her tightly. "You are my little girl, too, you know."

"What about when you have babies?" Isilya asked, making Haldir laugh heartily.

"You will still be my little girl," Linduin promised, giving Haldir an amused look. "Just not my littlest girl."

This sounded sensible to Isilya. She hugged Linduin strongly in return. With a big smile, she received and gave several kisses. At last, Linduin set her down and sent her to say goodbye to Glóredhel.

"I am not quite old enough to call you my little girl," Glóredhel said when she had picked Isilya up. Then she whispered, "But someday I will call you cousin just like Legolas and my heart will be content."

Pleased by the compliment, Isilya gave Glóredhel a sound kiss on the cheek. "I will call you cousin too," she whispered back. "But I love you already."

"I love you too, little shadow," Glóredhel said happily. Then she let the child down to go and say farewell to Legolas.

While Isilya was walking over to her friend, she noticed Linduin holding very tightly to Haldir. When she let go, Falasglin took her place. To Isilya that was very sweet, for she remembered how Haldir had annoyed Falasglin on their first journey. She was glad to see they loved one another now.

Legolas was waited for her, with a sad smile. Strangely, Isilya did not dread this moment as she had the first time. Tears did prick at her eyes, for she did not know how long they would be apart. He knew how she felt and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

"My heart goes with you, so you will not be alone," Legolas promised in her Quenya, much to Celebrían's wondering dismay. Later, she would tell Elrond that speeches like that were much too mature for the pair. Elrond would only smile in return, for he was certain these things would pass in time.

"I am never alone when I think of you," Isilya agreed. "And your willow will tell me when you are lonely, and I will send you my love then."

Then, once again smiling like the sun breaking through clouds, she added, "I love you as the moon loves the sun."

Grinning, Legolas said, "And I love you as Manwë loves Varda."

This time Glóredhel and both of Haldir's brothers raised eyebrows. None of them had been present the last time these endearments were exchanged. Celebrían merely sighed, and wondered how the pair thought up these things. Hopefully when they were grown, they would leave such words behind them.

Isilya kissed Legolas's cheek and he kissed hers again. They would not exchange any physical things this time, for they had no need of them. Waiting for Isilya in Imladris was the oak he had given to her, and the willow she had given him grew serenely in Greenwood the Great. He wore his oak leaf and her ring, and she bore his sunlit cord and her willow leaf. As the brooch given to her by Rúmil, Haldir and Orophin would remind her that she had a family (large and strange as it was), these tokens would forever bind them together in her minds.

They mounted up, Isilya riding with Elrond because the filly was still untrained. When they rode out of the gates, singing followed them out of Caras Galadhon. Elrond turned his steed so that Isilya could wave back to the Galadhrim, and she did so happily. No matter where she went, Lothlórien would always be in her heart.