The five Elven-tree seeds, once assigned among those present, each found their destined home.
The Blue Tree, Lúna Olonta, took root in Lothlórien, its radiance destined also to shine across the Anduin.
The Golden Tree, Auricálen, would be carried back to Western Eowenría by Gandalf and planted at the heart of the capital Elarothiell, in the rear gardens of Kaen's seat, to shelter and bless all Western Eowenría.
The Silver Tree, Eleneldo, would be set atop the pass at the Misty Mountains' gate,its light purifying the mountain darkness and guarding both Rivendell and Tusgar below.
The White Tree, Galarenþir, would be personally escorted by Elrond to the Lindon region in the West, entrusted to the shipwright Círdan and his people, to tell them that Middle-earth would now possess a holy bulwark and they need no longer sail west to Aman in despair.
The Green Tree, Calencair, would be planted by Thranduil deep in the Forest's high ranges within the Mirkwood, to bless the entire darkwood with life.
Those who took part in creating the Elven divine trees were granted the highest honors and titles among the Elves. Arwen's epithet "Evenstar" was changed to "Dawnglow," symbolizing the start of a new Elven era. Kaen was crowned with the reverent title "King Kallarán" — "the king ever-lit by light." For Elves light is sacral; the name implied the human king's rule was as pure and clear as a star, and that the Elves bestowed upon him a reverence of the highest order. Whether elf-kings or the common folk, all honored Kaen as they would a holy thing; their devotion was comparable to the veneration the Eldar of Aman hold for the Valar,though, of course, Elves are not Valar's subjects; the Valar do not rule the children of Eru.
The remaining four sacred seeds were secreted and escorted to far corners of the continent. In Lothlórien, Kaen and his companions enjoyed a beautiful season. In that time Kaen and Arwen developed a bond,something special, born from the fusion of souls; a singular, indivisible affection. Kaen worried. He knew his mentor's rational caution, and even as a student-turned-sovereign he couldn't be sure how the others would react.
Arwen seemed to read his worry and often comforted him in a gentle tone: "I have resolved to renounce immortality. Are you not equally resolute?"
"No." Kaen shook his head. "I cannot ask that of you. If I love you, I will not make you pay such a price."
Arwen countered gently: "From my side, I love you truly…" and the matter was not settled in words alone.
When spring waned it was time to part. Kaen sent three hundred of his King's Guard to escort Tifa, Ameliah, Joanna, Tauriel, Yenistriel and others back to Elarothiel; Kaen himself kept only two hundred guards at his side. The North had peace now; traveling with too many would slow his progress.
Gandalf stayed to escort the Golden and Silver Trees along with Elrond, so he did not follow Kaen. Saruman, however, volunteered to accompany Kaen;he wanted to witness what marvels Kaen would create next.
Most surprisingly, Arwen asked to travel with Kaen. Everyone was astonished and Elrond was deeply uneasy. The night before their departure, Elrond sought Kaen alone.
"Kaen Eowenríel," he said, "I see you as a son, my proudest pupil. I must warn you: your bond with Arwen has deepened. From any measure I can accept you are noble and worthy, but as a father I feel dread. You, being what you are, are hardly one to bind strictly to a single spouse; elves practice exclusive pairing. I cannot easily entrust my daughter to you. Remember: if Arwen renounces immortality to be with you, I will one day watch my daughter age and die. Can you fathom my grief?"
Kaen had known this day might come. He dropped to one knee and, in humility and sincerity, addressed his mentor:
"No matter how high I rise, you remain the father I honor. Your teaching has shaped me. But love is not something one casts off at command. I promise you — for the daughter you hold as a treasure, I will guard her with my life. She shall not be forced to give up the Elven immortality, and I will,by my own means,attain a kind of immortality."
Elrond's heart wrestled with those words. Throughout his long life he had parted with loved ones time and again,parents, brothers, friends lost to war. He knew better than most that each choice has a cost, and that some costs are eternal. Yet when he glanced toward his daughter, Arwen moving moonlight-like at his side, he saw calm resolve. Arwen and Kaen knelt together, and she took Kaen's hand. Her face was composed, serene; she walked forward and addressed her father:
"If the price of immortality is to be parted forever from the one I love, Father, then what is immortality worth?"
Elrond's eyes filled with tears equal parts pride and sorrow. He could not stop them; nor did he wish to be the cruel barrier. He rose, helped his pupil to his feet, then his daughter. He said, quietly, "Your greatest obstacle is not me but crossing the bridge of fate itself. I will not forbid what your hearts have chosen, though I have seen such choices cause endless grief. If you are certain, then I cannot stand in your way. Be as Tuor and Idril were , seek a union without sorrow."
He placed their joined hands together and kissed their brows, father to daughter, master to pupil and gave them the most heartfelt blessing a guardian and teacher can offer.