They returned three hours later.  After making plans to see each other the next day, Legolas returned to the palace, and Nori went in to a late supper.

After she had eaten a little, she went out into the garden and sat under the willow to think.  She had told Legolas much of what had been troubling her the past year, skirting only the issue of The Vision, of which she still wasn't ready to speak.  Still, she had been able to vent most of her pain and worry, and she was much relieved.

She had also asked many questions, for she longed to hear of her friends in Ithilien and Minas Tirith.  Gimli had visited Emyn Arnen, bringing Grond and Rond with him, and Nori laughed to hear of their meeting with the Elves of Mirkwood.  Elunell had made her brother promise to do all in his power to convince Nori to visit them again, which Legolas was glad to do.  Nori needed little convincing, and promised to speak to Calenmir about it at the first opportunity.

Nori leaned back against the tree and closed her eyes.  In her mind's eye she saw Legolas' face as they sat on the seawall, facing the ocean.  Where Nori had taken them there was no beach, and the water crashed against the rock of the high wall.  Looking southeast, one could just see the Mouths of the Anduin, hazy in the distance; everywhere else was Sea. Nori had caught the gleam in his eyes as Legolas gazed at the western horizon, as if it brought him both great joy and great pain.

When he had finally turned his eyes to her, the gleam had been gone.  He said nothing of his feelings about the Sea, and Nori did not ask.  She had almost been afraid of his answer.



Three days passed.  Calenmir watched his cousin carefully, and thought she seemed better.  He was sure she ate more and appeared more rested, and Legolas expressed a strong belief that she was becoming more like her old self everyday.

Finally, Nori went alone to Calenmir, and told him how much happier she was.  She also confessed some of the reasons for her unhappiness, primarily her grief and guilt at Thalion's death.  Cal was angry with himself for allowing such feelings to fester, but Nori assured him that she placed no blame on him.  She did not say so, but she felt she had been wrong in refusing to confide in anyone but Legolas, for she and Cal had always been close.  Before she left, she kissed him lightly on the cheek, and enthusiastically agreed with his comment on their luck in having Legolas for a friend.

The morning after this conversation, Nori sat alone in the garden.  Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned to see Celedir approaching.

"Good morning, Nori.  May I speak to you a moment?"

"Good morning.  Of course, you may speak to me.  Let us sit down," said Nori quietly, suddenly apprehensive.  She thought she knew what he wanted to say.



Legolas sat with Nori behind him, guiding the horse slowly to the place they had gone on his first day in Dol Amroth.  Nori seemed quiet and thoughtful, but Legolas was not worried, for she was still more at peace than she had been that first day.  Whatever was on her mind was not overwhelming her, and would probably be confided to him soon enough.

He brought the horse to a halt, and they dismounted and sat on the wall.  Legolas soon found himself lost in his own thoughts, gazing west with full concentration.  It was always so when he came here.  Though Nori did not know it, every night, after the moon rose, he came here alone.  He wasn't sure why he had never told Nori of this.  He only knew that, gazing at the Sea, he was always filled with wonder and excitement, mixed with a sadness too deep for tears.

Nori sat beside him, watching him closely, and was sure she understood his thoughts.  Something that had confused her for months had become very clear since the previous evening.

She had had The Vision again.

This time, it had been so powerful she had felt as if she were inside it, flying along beside the ship.  The creak of the masts had been perfectly distinguishable; she had felt the spray of the water, and tasted the salt in the air.

She had awoken knowing that it was not merely a dream, that is was real.  Now, she looked at the person she loved most, and knew what she had to do.

"Legolas," she said softly.

He turned to her and smiled.

"Yes, my love?"

"Celedir came to see me this morning, to tell me that he must return to Anfalas.  He's asked me to marry him."

Legolas blinked, then shook his head as if to clear it.

"This is a bit sudden, but not wholly surprising.  We both knew he cared for you."

"Yes.  I hated hurting him, but what else could I do?"

She sighed and looked away, blinking back tears.

"I do not love him, and never wished to marry him."

She saw Legolas move to take her hand, and purposely moved it away.  With an effort to appear calm, she swallowed the lump in her throat, looked into his eyes, and lied.

"I do not wish to marry anyone."

Legolas felt his mouth drop open in surprise.  He looked at her closely, trying to understand what she had said.  Though they had not yet discussed marriage, she loved him as much as he loved her, of that he was sure.

His hands shot out and grasped her arms firmly.  Turning her fully toward him, he gazed at her with burning intensity.  He heard her gasp and saw her mouth tighten, but her eyes did not drop from his.  It felt as if icy fingers were wrapped around his heart, squeezing it so he could barely breathe.  He could make no sense of any of it; he only knew that it hurt.

Nori saw the pain in his face, felt his hands loose their grip on her arms, and had to fight to keep the words I didn't mean it from escaping her lips.  She tried to tell herself that she was doing the right thing, but the concept seemed hollow and ridiculous.  She did not want to give him up.

She knew if she stayed a moment longer, she would simply give in to her weakness.  With an effort, she stood and walked quickly to her horse.  She struggled to hold in her tears as she mounted and rode away, without looking back.