That evening, after a good deal of eating and wine drinking, Legolas pushed his chair back and surveyed the company. Earasse' sat on the floor, playing with the figure of an oliphaunt that he had carved for her; Goerfindel lay in Almarea's arms, while she and Alasse talked; and Glorfindel was looking pensive. Legolas waited for a lull in his wife's conversation, then spoke.
"Glorfindel, my friend, it is time."
Immediately, the conversation ceased. Glorfindel looked intensely at him, while Almarea seemed unhappy, and Alasse appeared startled and apprehensive.
Glorfindel sighed. "I felt it earlier," he agreed. "The Sea calls."
"The Sea…" Alasse whispered. "And I cannot go."
"No." Glorfindel sensed the storm about to strike, as did Legolas and Almarea, who gave excuses about the time and left in search of a guestchamber. Almarea returned Goerfindel to Alasse, while Legolas bore Earass away to her own bed.
Alasse stared at the baby now lying in her lap, his red curls glinting in the warm firelight, his thumb not quite reaching his mouth, and willed herself not to cry. It took her several minutes to calm herself, then: "This does not come as a complete surprise to me." She looked up and continued. "I knew when we wed that one day you would not be able to stay, that the Sea would call."
"But that knowledge eases not the pain," Glorfindel finished quietly.
"You know how to end my sentence, you know that I feel this way, and yet you do nothing about it?" she cried. "I pour out my pain on you, then! I pray that you, with your accursed immortality and wisdom, will one day realize what you do to me now!" She stood up with the baby, went upstairs, and returned a few minutes later, sitting in a chair closer to him. "What of your children, my lord?" she asked after a moment's silence. "Earasse has lived half her life without her father. And your son does not know you. You saw his face today, when you sang to him." Alasse turned toward Glorfindel pleadingly, but he continued to gaze resolutely into the fire. "I know it hurts you, for I heard the lay that you sang. It speaks to your longing for home. How can you feel thus while at war, and set sail for the Forever Lands a week after returning home?"
"I vowed to Legolas that we would go together," Glorfindel said disconsolately.
"And so you would break your marriage vows to me?"
Suddenly angry, he turned on her. "Damn it, Alasse, I cannot go back on this. You talk of my breaking your heart; what of my own? It is my right to leave this Middle-Earth, and my own bad judgement to marry a mortal. Leave me in peace!"
"Very well," said Alasse, her voice quiet and hurt. "Go then, my lord, if it your will. But I will not give you my blessing. I ask you only to think of your children, if you will ignore my pleas on my own behalf. Good night."