She slept for hours. Often, he'd hear a quiet gasp or cry, as if she were calling out for someone or something. She also moved quite a bit, as if she were running. He didn't understand any of this. In his mind, questions needed answering, but he wasn't sure if he would ever ask her. Her grief still seemed too close and he was unwilling to add any more. She didn't deserve that. He liked the way her face lit up when she smiled earlier and he was determined to see her smiling more often.

He lit the candle on the table as the room grew darker. It was a small amount of light, but he could still see her face and the way the light caught at her hair. It was a darker red than his, auburn in color. He hadn't seen anyone else with hair even close to the color of his, except his twin brother Amras. It immediately set her apart from any of the other women he had favored in his life. He had also noticed the color of her eyes, dark blue, when they were talking before her grief overcame her.

He kept his silent vigil at her bedside. He wanted to be there for her when she woke up. It didn't seem likely that she would anytime soon, though, and he decided to drink the now cool drink Glinneth had brought. 'It's a good thing Glinneth only brought fruits,' he thought as he picked up a piece. 'Geliriel may sleep for a long while yet, and anything else would have gone cold.'

He was startled from his thoughts by a loud cry. Looking over at Geliriel, he saw she was thrashing around in her sheets. He went quickly to her and grasped her hands, trying to keep her from hurting herself. It was soon over, and she was still once again. He let go of her and stood by the bed. He reached down and gently moved the hair covering her face. Assured that she would be still for another while, he went back to the chair. The questions about her past burned in his mind, but he resolved not to ask her. If she wished to speak of it, then it should be of her own free will, no matter how much he yearned to know.

Another hour passed, and Amrod thought back to what triggered her grief. She didn't seem to remember anything prior to her coming here. Not even her being with child. As soon as he had asked her if she was aware that she was pregnant, she collapsed into tears. It was as if the mention of her child was the key to unlock whatever memories she had forgotten. The more he thought of this, the more questions needed answering. He sighed with weary frustration. He hoped that she'd tell him, and soon.

He was staring at the fruit, lost in thought, and did not see Geliriel stir and open her eyes. She lay there, watching him. She saw the mix of emotions cross his face. 'He wants to know,' she thought. 'I'm not sure if I can tell him now, but he does need to know.' She blinked back the tears threatening to fall and continued to watch him.

As if he felt her eyes upon him, he turned to face her. The faintest of smiles graced his handsome face. She pushed herself up to a sitting position and returned the smile.

"Are you alright, my lady?" he asked, the concern shown clearly in his eyes.

"No, but I will be."

They didn't speak again for a few minutes, but looked into each other's eyes. She was the first to look away.

"I'm sorry, I made you uncomfortable." He said as he began to get up out of the chair.

"No, don't go," she said quietly. She looked at him again as he slowly sat back down and waited. "You want to know about my past, and why I am grieving, do you not?"

"Yes, but I'll wait until you're ready to tell me."

"Thank you."

"Glinneth brought some fruit. I didn't know how long you would sleep."

"I am a little hungry," she admitted. He surprised her by picking up the tray and bringing it to her, and more by sitting on the edge of the bed. She recovered and picked up a piece of fruit to eat it. She hadn't realized just how hungry she was, and nearly ate the whole plate of fruit. He simply watched her as she ate, a smile on his face.

They talked long into the night, and soon the light from the sunrise came through the windows. He answered her questions about the manor, the gardens, and Estolad. He told her of his twin brother, Amras, who had his own manor a half-day's ride away. She, in turn, told him everything she could remember of her childhood and of her mother. She didn't remember much, but she'd sing the songs she remembered her mother singing to her, and she'd tell him about playing with other children. She didn't tell him of her flight to Gondolin during the destruction of Doriath.

She had just finished singing another remembered song when Glinneth knocked and entered the room. She looked pleased and relieved that Geliriel was awake and feeling better. The maid wished them both a good morning and then set about tidying up the rooms. Sighing, Amrod slid off the bed and stood, looking at Geliriel.

"I suppose that Glinneth's arrival is my cue to leave."

"Maybe so. You don't have to, you know. I don't think anyone would mind."

He was about to answer when there was another knock on the door. This time, Berior entered. He bowed to both Amrod and Geliriel and then handed Amrod a letter. He broke the seal and then opened the letter, reading silently. The smile decreased a little as he finished.

"I must go meet with my brother. He has need to discuss an important matter with me that could not be trusted in a letter."

"I understand," she said, her smile also fading. She had hoped he would take her offer and stay.

"I promise to make every effort to return as soon as possible, my lady Geliriel." He took her hand and kissed it, then bowed grandly and went from the room. Berior followed, offering to help Amrod prepare for the journey.

Glinneth came back in the room with a pot of water, warmed and slightly steaming. She was smiling and humming and even winked at Geliriel. She filled up the basin on the vanity, set out a couple towels, and put up the screen. Taking the hint, Geliriel got out of the bed and got undressed with the help of Glinneth. She was then left to wash up. From the next room, she heard Glinneth singing. Something had made the woman incredibly happy and Geliriel wanted to know what it was.

"Glinneth!" She called out from behind her screen. "Why are you so happy this morning? You sound just like the early bird, happy to get his worm!"

"I'm happy to see you well again, my lady." Glinneth called back. Her tone was such that she would say more, but wanted Geliriel to ask. Smiling to herself, Geliriel finished washing and then dried herself with the towels. She quickly put on the robe and went to the next room to find Glinneth waiting patiently by the fire, smiling.

"And what else, Glinneth? What else is making you so happy?"

"Nothing at all, ma'am. Nothing more than seeing you well and happy, as well as Lord Amrod."

"Lord Amrod?"

"Yes, ma'am. He hasn't been this happy for a long time. And what's more, I've seen the way he looks at you, ma'am. I think he's fallen in love with you!"

"In love? With me?"

"Yes, ma'am, with you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll see about getting you something warm to drink and a bit of breakfast." Glinneth curtsied and left the room.

Geliriel sat down on one of the chairs by the window. She saw Amrod on his horse and watched him as he rode away. 'Is he really in love with me? But it can't be. I haven't been awake all that long, and he says I've been here for just over two weeks!' In an unconscious move, her hand went to her belly, caressing her child. Looking down, she said quietly, to herself and the baby, "It's too soon to love another and I cannot simply forget your father. Amrod is a nice man, but it's too soon. Too soon."

She stood up and went back into the bedroom to await Glinneth there, thinking of what she might do to honor Melannen's memory properly, and how she would find the courage to tell Amrod about that part of her past.