Epilogue:
Lindir sat back from his writing and let out a shaky sigh, wiping a small tear from his cheek. He looked around him at Mélanyë's room where he had sat writing for the past three weeks. Everything was as it had been, he realized, exactly. It had only been a few months since Ancalimë had taken that ship, and Mélanyë hadn't even been home since then. It would be difficult for her when she returned, and he would be there for her.
He stood and walked over to a shelf by the window. It was a low shelf, and he smiled as he imagined her stretching to reach what was on it. He picked up the only item that had been placed on it and fingered it thoughtfully- the small silver ring. He looked down and saw its mate still on his finger.
'You really had no idea,' he thought. 'How could I ever hold you to it? It's what your mother wanted, but I could never ask this of you.' He put the ring back on the shelf and sighed. 'Besides, you're far too young. I am even older than your mother…was. No, It can never be, no matter how much I might want it.'
Just as he was finishing his thought he heard a commotion in the courtyard below. Many were gathering as the halfling and his niece arrived. Lindir looked through the window at Mélanyë and saw a smile on her face. She watched as the others greeted the halfling with excitement, but as she turned away he caught the frown that passed quickly over her features. He nodded and understood- she was still grieving. He watched as Elrohir greeted her and he turned to leave, concealing the old leather book on a high shelf that Mélanyë had never been able to reach.
He walked down the stairs and entered the courtyard looking for her. He had just begun his search when he felt himself hugged by the very person he was looking for. He smiled and knelt down, hugging Mélanyë tight. She never knew in all her years after, why it was that he began to weep as he held her. He thought he'd concealed his sadness well but she knew. She'd heard him and wondered forever afterwards what could have made her friend cry as he saw her. When at last he let her go and looked on her she saw no tears to betray him, but that didn't mean they weren't there. He kissed her cheek and hugged her again, whispering into her ear, "Welcome home."
*** End of part two*** Mélanyë II will be posted soon…***