%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&
Astal visited Veamarthien that night. "Vea, what does love feel like?", she asked her older friend.
"It's different for everyone. Why do you ask? Because of Elladan?"
Astal was surprised. "How...who...?"
"Astal," Vea said, half laughing, "Elladan and I are friends. He came to me before the feast...but even if he had not, I would have known. The two of you paid no heed to anyone but each other during the entire feast, and you both had a radiance about you. When you walked off together, I was completely without doubt."
Astal laughed. "Well, if I had known it was that obvious..." She thought about her outlook of late, and noticed that she had been worrisome and not very happy until Elladan arrived. "He is quite handsome, isn't he, Vea?"
"Yes, he is. Indeed, the Valar have blessed you."
"Well, I must be getting home, Vea. Thank you!"
"You're welcome, Astal. Good luck with Elladan!"
"Namaarië, Vea!"
Astal walked to her home, lay on her bed, and looked up at what stars she could see. She softly sang herself to sleep.
Elladan was still awake in his room, waiting for tindomë (which he felt was taking much too long to arrive) and thinking about Astal. Vea had told him that Astal would make a good wife...He hadn't known that one could fall in love so quickly. Thinking of her, he fell into sleep, and his dreams were filled with beauty.
