Epilogue
These words Amrundil spoke to Gorling of the daughter of Nanqueto some days after his return:
"My heart is sorely grieved at the passing of Nestaloth; all is dark and joyless to me at the death of so worthy a lady. And she by her death preserved me and maybe all our people from a fatal blow at the hand of her wicked brother; yet poorly was she welcomed by our people, and poorly have I acknowledged her service to me."
Gorling spoke gently and said, "If she was estranged, it was self-chosen, for she would have rather have shunned the joys of the company of Men if by doing so she could spare them the evil of her line and keep that same joy unblemished. Ever did her thought turn to the well-being of others, and seeing a need she would not tarry to answer it."
A sad silence lingered as both men fell into the halls of brooding remembrance, where even the sweetest memories cannot be drunk unmixed with the gall of the past. Of this gall Amrundil had filled his cup and now drank as one executing his own sentence.
At length Gorling said, "The lady Nestaloth loved you well, and dearly did she cherish your kindness to her. I do not think she would for a moment have regretted her choice, nor would she have counted it a sacrifice. Do not dwell overlong in sadness, for I guess she would not have desired it of you."
"How, Gorling," cried the young king at this, "when these words drive deeper the thorn of grief into my side! For it was in my heart to seek her hand, that her song might be woven into my tale, and if her affections were mine even then, I am now a man doubly deprived."
"Such a love she would never have sought from you," replied Gorling, "and even as she felt her heart warm towards you she turned to you an increasingly cold face, that she might not lure you into her curse. Nay, my Lord, be not bitter and sad! Time flows ever onward and we are powerless to turn our prows against its current. Shadow now reigns in your heart, but it will turn to light, and you will again laugh as she so loved to hear you. She has bought peace for us all, and for herself as well; now is the hour when we may rejoice in it."
In time the words of Gorling came to pass, and the following spring Amrundil took to wife a fair maiden of Calmarun, a bright spirit with a ready smile. Great joy there was at the wedding, and light was in the eyes and heart of the King as he danced with his new bride; their laughter mingled with the wedding songs of his people. And upon the grave of Nestaloth tender white flowers unfurled their chaste petals and smiled back at the jubilant sun.