Chapter 6. Return to Dorwinion.
The ship was ready to return to Dorwinion. The Elves of Mirkwood lined the bridge, which led to the stone halls, ready to salute its passing. Galion was among them. Rílaisseth had decided to let him stay; she was not sure why. As she looked back at the scene, an unexpected pang struck her heart, a sadness on leaving she had not expected to feel.
Thranduil had issued a formal farewell to his visitors. He now came to take his leave of Rílaisseth.
"Alas, the Elves of Dorwinion are more cruel than are the Dwarves," he said. "They walked away with treasure unbidden, but you flaunt treasure before my eyes, only to return it to the hand of another."
The burning intensity of his blue-grey eyes was more than she could bear. Her gaze fell. She placed her hand over his heart in token of farewell and she could feel it throbbing passionately beneath her touch. Seldom are Elves at a loss for words, but Rílaisseth could find nothing to say. She boarded the ship silently, and looked back as it sailed away downriver. The King continued to watch her until each faded from even Elven sight.
The light of a thousand stars found its mirror image in the water as the ship came home to haven on the shores of Rhûn. Ríon was standing on the beach, the stars a crown on the dark outline of his head. Rílaisseth held him close and kissed his cheek, but the reunion did not lift her heart as she had hoped. As they walked back to their feast hall, arm-in-arm, the Elves sang and danced beside them, but no song came to Rílaisseth's tongue.
"You do not rejoice in your success," said Ríon, worriedly, as they sat once more side-by-side under the green arches.
"I do brother," she said. She forced a smile to her lips but it did not reach her eyes. "Our borders are protected and we have made alliance with noble kindred."
"All is not well," Ríon persisted. "My foreboding remains."
She laid her head against his breast.
"It is passed, guren nîn. You feared I would not return from Mirkwood, but I have."
He raised her face gently towards his and looked into her starlit eyes.
"No, my sister," he said, sadly. "I am afraid you have not."
Rílaisseth was fading. Ríon could see it. The natural pallor of her complexion had dimmed to a watery thinness, through which the fire of her spirit glowed unnervingly. She was often on the seashore now, but not to dance. He made no effort to dissuade her, and she seemed not to notice the company of archers so often trailing her. Her keen eyes looked ever northwards, following the ships with their new cargo of wine, bound for Esgaroth.
"Why not go with them, my Lady?" said Lothiel, as Rílaisseth sighed and leaned her head upon the maiden's shoulder. "You yearn to travel where they are bound, I know."
"And if I should not return, what then?" Ríliasseth said. "It would break Ríon's heart."
"It breaks his heart now," Lothiel replied.
The two sat silently together with their arms around each other's backs. Suddenly, there was a great clapping of wings above them, and a flock of doves few swiftly out of the forest and up the course of the river.
"We are under attack!" cried Rílaisseth, leaping up. "Run to the city! Run!"
guren nin my heart