Hedregon was a little nervous, for he had never brought anyone where he planned to bring Rathien, and he hoped that it would work.

"Stop," he said, listening carefully to see if anyone was about. Then, cautiously, he took Rathien's hands in his. "I want to show you someplace, but no one spare I have ever been there. You must trust me, Rathien."

"Rathien?" She asked curiously.

"Well, yes, I -"

"Thank you. What may I call you?"

"Pardon, maiden, I apologize. My name is Hedregon son of Denethor."

"Hedregon . . ." Rathien tasted the word. By the blissful look on her face it tasted delicious and rich; it melted like sugar on her tongue. Hedregon looked at the starlight reflect upon her face, and kissed her, first timidly then passionately, and she let him.

Then, placing his hand down over her eyes, Hedregon held Rathien's hands and entered his Dreamworld. Behind the glistening silver gates, he could see that it was a beautiful day, filled with pure daylight flirtatiously mingling with moon dust. There were sparrows, lilies, tall grasses, and a cool air with a strong warm breeze. It swept across the hills and lakes, smelling of light but thick mace and jasmine. After he took all of this in, Hedregon realized that Rathien was beside him. He bent over to her ear and whispered,

"Open your eyes."

Hedregon could not begin to imagine what it was like for Rathien to see this world for the first time; he had built it from scratch and saw it as an escape path in progress. He wished that he could have something fantastical and unseen in his Dreamworld, but didn't know how to create what he did not know.

Rathien stepped through the gates in awe. She touched them as she went past, then touched the grass and the earth. She ran her fingers along the tips of the glass-like blades of grass and wondered at how they melted at her touch.

"I am in a dream," she said sadly, "Soon I will open my eyes to what is true, and feel heavier because I'll know what I have lost."

"No, no," Hedregon assured her, "It is not real, that I give you. But I come here often, and it cannot be destroyed. This is my Dreamworld, my haven. I welcome you, and invite you to stay as long as you will."

Rathien smiled unsurely, and Hedregon's feet began to move. He didn't know where he was going, but his mind was set loose and free and his feet kept urging him onward. He shrugged at Rathien and took her hand; she followed.

Whatever forces were on hand led them to river, where a boat sat waiting patiently.

"I have never been here," he admitted.

"Neither I," she said as he helped her into the boat. They sailed across the river to what seemed to be an island, and followed a glittering path to a gazebo in the middle of the woods, forged entirely out of intertwining silver-tinted vines. The moonlight shone through the top of it, and the sight of it briefly took away Hedregon's breath. They didn't go in, but stood gazing first at it, then at each other.

"You are so beautiful," Hedregon said, "I am so in love."

"As am I," Rathien responded, "Why did you do that to me?"

"Do what?"

"Made me fall in love with you. It is not fair."

"I apologize, I could not help it, I guess. If it is your desire, I cannot take back my love but I will leave. I do not wish to, though. I want to be here with you."

"It is too late for any changes. I, also, am madly in love with you." She paused, "My father told me once to restrict my use of the word 'love.' What do you believe?"

"I believe that restricting love puts a harness on your life. But, Rathien?"

"Yes?"

"I want to kiss you again. Not just now, but forever until I die, and even then with you in me, I never really will."

"Please, then, kiss me. It takes away the pain."

So he kissed her. He kissed her until neither one of them could breathe and then they danced. Through the trees and under the gleaming moon, into another wide open meadow of the liquid grass. They lay down and looked at the stars. The thousands of stars seemed to be telling Hedregon one thing: that his life had taken a turn for the better. He could stay in Caras Galathon with Rathien; he would never have to answer to early call or even touch his sword.

Then it hit him. Elves were immortal. Rathien would live on as Lisiael for hundreds of lifetimes after he died. He would be there for some time, then forsaken and forgotten forever.

"Rathien?" He asked, turning his head to look at her, but she was already asleep. He put his arm around her and pressed himself next to her so that the lengths of their bodies were together. Then Hedregon fell asleep himself.