We left not long afterwards, since it was clear that it was long past time for Thiri to be in bed. She rose a little unsteadily to her feet, anchored herself to mine and our cousin's arms, and we made our way - rather slowly - back inside.
The house was half-lit, half in shadow. As we bade our farewells, and Faramir surrendered Thiri to my brother's care, I wondered for a moment if I should ask him to come back with us, to our own home on the circle below, but I did not. Much as he loved us all, and particularly father, I knew he had felt torn in the past, disloyal even, because he found us so much easier to love. This was his home and, as he had said earlier, he was now master of it, ghosts and all.
Still, as we left him limned in the doorway, waving a slightly unsteady farewell, I worried for him, and was moved to make a silent prayer to the beautiful mystery woman, whoever she was.
Come soon, lady. Don't keep him waiting too long.
A/N: This coda was co-written with Isabeau of Greenlea, despite it being intended as a birthday fiction for her. I'm sure it's not in the spirit of such for her to end up writing a satisfactory conclusion for her own birthday present, but that's what happened!