Chapter 11
Author: Cel
Rushing towards him she called out, "Roryn! There you are, my sweet and wonderful brother!" She fell into his arms and they exchanged a warm embrace. The tears fell on Lorin's cheeks once more and she smiled up at Roryn, joy exuding from her. He clasped her face in his strong hands and a smile spread across his face.
"There is a joy in you I have not seen in all my years. You are happy then?" His smile broadened and he laughed.
"Of course, Roryn! How could I not be? You have granted me a wish that I have long had in my heart, but have never dared to utter! How did you know I would love it here? How did you know that I yearned to be in these woods surrounded by beauty, not only in the land, but also in the people? How are you so wise in all things?" Lorin's tears continued to fall, but her smile seemed to grow as she spoke.
Laughing at the compliment, Roryn let go of his sister and turned again to look out over the balcony. He paused for a moment, lost in thought. When he turned once more to meet his sister's eyes, Lorin noticed tears. She had never seen her brother cry. Her heart nearly stopped. Was he upset to see her so happy to leave him?
"Roryn, I - " Lorin began, but she was interrupted.
"No, my fair and gentle sister. I do not shed tears of pain. Of course I will miss your companionship. You have grown to be not only my sister, but also my dearest friend. I do not know that words can express what is in my heart this day. Looking at you here, it is like seeing Mother again. You, who bear such a deep resemblance to her, belong here." He turned away again and Lorin knew he was still crying.
She laid a hand on his shoulder. "You have never spoken of Mother before, Roryn," she whispered.
"I know," he whispered in return. "I was young, but my memory is strong. It hurt Father, I knew, when I spoke of her as a boy. I could see it in his eyes. So I stopped." His hands gripped the balcony rail tightly. As he turned to look into Lorin's eyes, tears spilled down his cheeks. "This is the first time I have mentioned her since that time, so many years ago."
Lorin put her arms around her brother and they cried in each others arms, letting out the built up grief and pain they both had been holding within for far too long. Roryn pulled back and held Lorin at arms length. "Thank you, Sister, for sharing this moment with me. For allowing me to speak of our mother."
"Will you speak more of her, Brother? I know so little, and yet I yearn to know more."
"Which is why I am leaving you here. You will find so much of Mother here. And in doing so, you will also find yourself. For, you see, this is where Mother was born."
"What do you mean, Roryn?" Lorin gasped. Was her mother an elf? How had she overheard Meneatarion?
"You shall find out, Lorin," He smiled at her as he finished wiping his tears away. "I will come back and see you again. I plan to visit you as often as I am able. You will be happy here," Roryn sighed deeply, "But I must go away. There is much to be done and I have spent longer here than planned." Again, Roryn took Lorin in his arms and hugged her tightly. "When I return, we shall have much to talk about." Smiling, he gave her a wink and then turned away.