The feast laid out was grand. All the great Lords and Ladies sat together along the table and course after course was brought out. The food was a mix of meats and vegetables, fruits and desserts. Evidently the kitchens of Minas Tirith had been hard at work all day preparing for this meal.

Gandalf sat at the head of the table, with Aragorn to his right and Míril to his left. Elrohir sat beside Míril and Arwen beside her husband. Galadriel and then Celeborn went beside Elrohir, with Elladan following after. For Aragorn's side, Elrond and Legolas and Gimli. Beside Gimli went Éomer while opposite him was Prince Imrahil. The four hobbits filled in the remaining seats, with Faramir and Eowyn at the very end in another place of honor.

The feast lasted several hours, the majority of which was spent talking between patrons. The joy in the room was palpable. The two newly wedded couples were chatting happily together with Gandalf. Galadriel noticed and smiled softly that Gimli and Éomer were discussing who was the more beautiful: Galadriel or Arwen. The elven leader shook her head and turned back to her conversation with her son in law.

"When do you plan to depart for Rivendell," Celeborn asked Elrond.

He paused and thought for a moment. "Tomorrow. I sense the hobbits must return soon to their land."

"I have sensed it as well," Galadriel agreed. "Something is amiss in the Shire."

Miril and Elladan and Elrohir were laughing together at something the latter twin had said. Aragorn and Arwen smiled at them and chuckled along.

Soon it was late and the feast ended. The two couples retreated to their rooms. Elrohir smiled at Miril and pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear as he looked down at her.

"Your father would be very happy," Elrohir told her. "He would be so proud of you, melda."

She nodded. She knew that. She knew, deep down in her heart, that Halbarad was rejoicing this day too. With that, they went to bed. That night, the union between the Great Houses of the elves and Men was consummated, and would bear fruit in the coming year. Life, embodying the union, had taken root.

In the morning, they woke to the sun shining upon them. Miril snuggled closer to the barely awake Elrohir as she searched for more warmth. He smiled and embraced her.

"We should get up," he whispered to her after awhile. "Look how high the sun is."

"No."

"Do not forget, my father and grandparents, the hobbits, everyone is leaving today. We must be presentable in our finest to say farewell."

Miril shot up and rubbed her eyes. She knew in her heart that this would be the last time she laid eyes on the ring bearers. Her heart sunk. She knew Galadriel wasn't ready to depart over the sea just yet, nor Gandalf, but they were leaving. Her place was here in Gondor with her foster uncle. The Ring-bearers were to reside in Rivendell for the foreseeable future until taking a swan ship over the sea.

Miril walked over to the closet and fished out her new Raiment of House Fëanoriel. She slipped into the black and red tunic, clasped the cloak with the heraldic device of her house around her neck, and slipped on her black boots. She strapped on Galmegil. On her chest she placed the brooch of Elrohir and on her head, her circlet.

Meanwhile Elrohir was putting on his finest, a grey and black and blue tunic with the crest of Elrond on it. He attached his grey cloak together with his star clasp. He placed is own circlet on last and together they walked out the door and down the stairs. As they left their room, Elumeril was walking up the stairs.

"My Lord, my Lady," Elumeril bowed, "The King wants you downstairs immediately for the farewell."

They nodded and Elumeril got out of their way so the couple could walk down the stairs. They passed her and came to the throne room after a few moments. There they found everyone dressed in their finest. They were the last to arrive, and most farewells had already been said.

Míril approached Galadriel and the tall, radiant elven woman looked down at her with a soft smile. She beckoned Míril to follow her and she took her aside.

"I have looked in the Mirror, Miril Fëanoriel," Galadriel whispered to her. "I have seen many hardships that may befall you, but I have also seen much joy."

Miril nodded with anticipation.

"I can sense in you new life," Galadriel smiled. "Treasure that life, for it is precious. Care for it. It is a new hope for the House of Fëanor. It will be the Reuniter."

Míril was stunned silent. She felt her body above where her uterus was and prayed thanksgiving to Eru. She was carrying new life within her, according to Galadriel. And Galadriel was rarely wrong, especially with the Mirror's help.

"But," Galadriel warned, "first you must face many trials. For I fear that your quest is only just beginning. You've had a respite, but more is to come. Take care of yourself and the unborn child within you."

Míril nodded and bowed. "Thank you, my lady. Thank you for everything you have done for me, I who do not deserve it."

Galadriel took her hands. "We are family, little one. I wish to see you flourish and Middle Earth be blessed because you live. I wish to see the House of Fëanor redeemed. For while I was never a fan of him, he was driven insane by grief to the demise of many. His sons, bound by a terrible Oath taken in haste and anger, were not all always evil. They were good once."

Míril nodded. The two women returned to the group and Míril said farewell to the others.

"My Lord," she bowed to Elrond.

Elrond smiled softly and shook his head. "You are family, Míril. You need not bow."

She smiled in surprise and nodded.

Elrond continued, "You are truly special, young one. I did not always approve of your presence in Rivendell, this is true, but now I am proud to call you my daughter in union. Elrohir is lucky to have you."

She replied quickly, "My Lord, you have always been an inspiration in my life. You took me in in my darkest hours as a child. And you gave me your son in marriage. I can never thank you enough."

Elrond leaned in, "Find Maglor. For he raised me from childhood and is dear to me. Redeem him, if you can. Take this and show it to him."

Miril was handed a stone with a carving of a star. It fit in the palm of her hand. She looked at it before nodding to Elrond.

"I shall. Thank you, again." She embraced Elrond and then moved on to the hobbits.

Pippin and Merry frowned when they saw her come over. They had grown close to her the short time they had traveled together.

She knelt down and hugged them both. "Do not keep growing taller, or someday you'll be as tall as me!"

The hobbits laughed. Pippin wiped his eyes.

"I do not like goodbye," he said.

Míril nodded. "Neither do I. Aragorn has forbidden all citizens of the Reunited Kingdom from entering the Shire, but perhaps someday we shall meet again. After all, you cannot separate friends forever."

She hugged them once more. Then she moved to Gandalf.

She openly began to cry when she came to him. "Why must you leave, Mithrandir."

He smiled softly at her and embraced her. "Do not fear, little one. You will be fine without me. My time in Middle Earth is over. I have seen the defeat of the Lieutenant of Morgoth. That was my task. I must now return home to Valinor."

Míril cried but nodded. She was still concerned; who was to be her confidant, who was to guide her if Elrond, Galadriel, and Gandalf all left her?

"I shall do my best," Míril sniffled. "I will protect this peace with my life."

"Never forget," Gandalf whispered to her. "The Silmaril belongs in Valinor. It is not yours. Send it over the sea if you find it. Do not claim it as your own."

She nodded. Of course she wouldn't claim it. But she didn't realize the real danger posed by that gem.

By the time she had said her farewells to everyone, she was the last. Finally Aragorn nodded to the door wardens and the throne room doors swung open.

"Farewell, my friends.". Aragorn waved to them as they left, tears on his face. "Farewell. Stay safe on your journey home."

Legolas and Gimli were leaving temporarily. They were to journey home together by way of Glittering Caves at Helm's Deep and Fangorn Forest before parting and gathering hosts of their people to return to Gondor. The dwarves of the Lonely Mountain were needed to fix the gates and Osgiliath while the elves were to help restore Ithilien to good health. But at least they would be back someday. The others probably would not.