[piosenniel]

The Elf worked with single minded purpose. Andril, Cami, and Rose had been recruited, along with Kali, Daisy, and Phura to organize teams to count noses and divide the Hobbits into groups to get tents and small campsites set up. Bird had been sent to oversee the stacking of the supply cartons in several secure places, and she had delegated the physical part of this task to several teams of burly lads. By late afternoon, all was set up, and the smoke from numerous small cooking fires drifted up among the tree leaves as the Hobbits prepared the evening meal.

Pio had gone to where the Elves were setting up their camp, a little apart from the others. She shook her head at its location, and drew Thranduil’s son to one side, speaking low to him. ‘Tell me, Legolas – why have you and your companions come here?’

‘It was Mithrandir who bade my Father send the Elves of Greenwood to escort the Periannath to the northern forest of our realm. The Istar holds them in some special affection and would see the hand of friendship extended between our two peoples and not the hand of strife. We would honor his wishes in this matter. And so, we have come.’

‘The hand of friendship would be better extended if you were closer to them. Do you not agree?’ she asked. He looked at her coolly. ‘Perhaps. But it has always been our way to keep apart as we could.’ She smiled pleasantly at him, and continued on. ‘That way will not work here, Legolas. And so you must choose a different course if you are to meet the expectations of Mithrandir. The Periannath are a friendly, close people, it would not behoove you to be stand-offish. If you will but keep your mind open, you will find you have as much to learn from them as they from you.’

She arched her brows, saying, ‘Come, then, and extend the graciousness of the Elves to your new guests. Share supper, if you will, with us, and delight us with your songs and music. She smiled to herself, her eyes staring far into time and distance. ‘Long has it been since I heard Elven voices raised in harmony. It would be pleasing to hear them once again.’

He laughed, a soft sound like a silvered stream as it rushes over rocks, clear and refreshing to the ears. ‘We will come, Piosenniel. And we will sing the old songs for our new friends, and for you.’

**

They came late, after the meal, when most were sitting round their burned down fires, pipe in hand. Silent they were, as they passed among the trees and appeared at the edge of the camp. The moon shone down on their fair faces, and the glint of stars was in their eyes. Their voices were raised in an ancient song that echoed in the rustling of the leaves above them, and though the words were unknown to most, yet the beauty of them and the music which held them in its flow was understood in full by the inner spirit of each one who listened.

They stayed late into the night, telling stories of the Green Wood and of their people, until at last the Hobbits had dropped into sweet dreamings, lulled by the murmurings of their voices.