Elrond couldn't leave Imladris, it was his home, but the responsibility felt so much more without Celebrían by his side. But when he looked he found a single strand of silver hair on the pillow and he knew that Celebrían would always be beside him.

But once he'd done all that what would he do? Teach others, he supposed, as Elrond did, but it sounded boring. As much as he wanted to be an Elf, Estel thought that it would be more fun to do everything in a the span of a Man's life. Estel smiled, finally at peace with his race.

While he waited at her door, hope and nervousness made him impatient. In the end he didn't need words. The single rose was enough to make her smile. She said, "Yes," before he could even ask. Falling in love with Celebrían had been the death of him and he was glad.

He'd almost thought twice about leaving, but once he was on the road he knew he was doing the right thing. The sea was calling for him. When at last he reached the Grey Havens and saw Círdan and the blue-green sea he smiled. He made the right choice.

Finally, he reached his destination and stammered out his message with a dry throat. He'd been forced to abandon his water when he was nearly discovered and had forgotten he was mortal, unlike the Elves he was headed for. The water he was given spilt when he collapsed and died from its lack.

But she couldn't show Aragorn what she felt: she didn't want him to stay just for her. So she smiled and reassured him that the end to his weariness was what they both wanted. She was sure they would see each other again after.

"How do you know?" Elanor asked.

"The Elves told me."

"Were the Elves there, then?"

Sam chuckled. "Not even the Elves were around that long ago, whatever they might say." He sat down and pulled his daughter into his lap. "I will tell you the whole story." He regretted not paying attention when he'd been told it, but he'd had other things on his mind in Rivendell and fortunately Elanor wouldn't notice which parts he made up.

Aragorn looked up at the grey clouds that threatened rain.

Halbarad followed his gaze and sighed. "As blue as the sky is when it is cloudless."

Aragorn laughed and, after a moment, Halbarad joined in.

None who were with them that day would let him forget it. Anything grey they saw was said to be a particularly pleasing shade of sky blue. Halbarad would sigh good-naturedly or not, depending on the number of times it had happened that day. Since it relieved the tension Aragorn never bade anyone to stop and often joined in himself.

Delighting in the sounds, Elrond was careful not to let him see them, lest his presence remind his sons of their adult status. They had grown to be dependable Elves that he relied on a great deal, yet they could often be too serious, much like him. Arwen was good for all the family.

His thoughts were of his sons, out hunting orcs to avenge their mother's death. In time they would learn it was a vain hope, which would not bring her back. In the meantime he worried whenever they left and wondered each time, if both sons would return.

When at last they were in sight, unhurt, he felt the weight of the air lift around him.

Inside it was calm, the scent of lavender helping to relax the occupants of the small room, save for Arwen as she protested her entry into the cold world, her cries barely louder than the wind. Elrond smiled at his new daughter, knowing that although the conditions were far from perfect, she was and that was all he needed.

Elrond, alerted by no Man, rode out to meet the group. By the time he reached them the weather had cleared and the land was drying beneath the sun. However, it was too late and Elrond found that not one of them were alive. The exhaustion from their long trip had taken its toll.

Brandor shook his head and Arador saw the snow turning red beneath him. "I know you will be a great chieftain, with or without my help."

"But you've always been here by my side. We have achieved so much together."

His words were in vain for Brandor had lost too much blood and the weather made their rescuers too late.

Once Elrond had tidied and prepared the body for its journey home he allowed himself to sit and shed a tear for the Man he had lost. He had come to love Aravir during his fostering at Imladris and though he was used to losing his mortal brethren, he grieved at the untimely loss.

"But their skin is see-through." He does say it quietly, so the aliens won't hear.

"Are an alien's insides really that interesting?" Sarah asks in his ear.

Harry nods. "You see, they're up-side down. Their lungs and heart are towards the bottom of their torso and their intestines are at the top."

"Are you saying what I think you are?" She looks worried.

"If it's that we shouldn't go to their feast in our honour, then yes."

Even the Doctor looks horrified now and it's not long before they're safely inside the TARDIS again.

The Doctor sighed as Jo leaned over and blocked his light.

"Can I help?" she asked, before he can answer her first question.

He put down his instruments and looked up at her. "I'm attempting to calibrate the friction contrafibulator." He knew she wouldn't understand.

"It's just that I ordered some benzoquinone. I thought it might help." She placed a bag of something on the bench.

The Doctor stared at her in amazement. "Jo, that's the very thing."

She grinned.

This time, when he went back to work, he explained it as he went along.

"We'll be safe in here." Sarah Jane put her arms around Jo.

Jo buried her face against Sarah Jane's shoulder as they heard the explosion around them. When she realised they were safe, she smiled. It was an impulse she didn't think about when she kissed Sarah Jane in relief.

There was a scary moment when Sarah Jane didn't move, but then she started laughing and Jo, laughing along with her, knew that everything was going to be alright.