Author's note: Well how can I ever apologize to all of you? Actually I probably won't have to as most have probably given up on me and aren't going to review anymore... But anyway, sorry! The AP tests are done, school's almost done, and debate/forensics is almost done, so back to the fan fiction... Also in case you're wondering this is the 4th rewrite of this chapter due to two computer crashes, the last one leading to the death of my poor old computer, but enough of that and on to what all of you have been waiting for!

Inara sat beside Gimli her hands clenched tightly. She could no more speak the tongue of the dwarves than any other, but she suspected the meaning behind those whispered words. It was something that could not be, something that could never be.

Life never seemed more cruel. To have brought her to such a meeting only to make it one which could never come to pass. The road became ever harder, it was now no longer lonely but that only made it the more painful.

As the sun crossed over the sky, fading into darkness Inara sat, never moving. The small part of her mind that was not captured by the emotions pouring through her was thankful that Legolas had taken Nodin with him. Somehow she doubted the child would be understanding of her turmoil. Nodin's world was far simpler than that. The sun wheeled above as such thoughts swept through her mind. Never once did she move or take her hand from the dwarf's, yet as the sun sank beneath the horizon stretching shadows she could not see across the room a single tear slipped from her eyes, down her face, and falling onto their joined hands.

The touch woke Gimli. He twisted looking to see what had awakened him. The pain in his leg was sharp but less than it had been. The light had faded from the sky leaving the room in almost absolute darkness. His eyes searched for Inara.

Inara heard his intake of breath, and drew her hand away to wipe at the track the tear had left down her face, not realizing that in the darkness he could see no more than she could.

"Inara?" Gimli's rough voice was softer, quieter that most would have believed possible.

"I am here." Inara felt a swell of pride at how steady her voice was.

"I knew, though I cannot see you." He touched the wetness on his hand, "For what do you cry?"

Inara did not answer him as more tears spilled over her eyes, she wrapped her arms around herself rocking slightly. The grief she had held so long fighting with what she had so recently found again.

Gimli levered himself up, wincing as he shifted his wounded leg. His hands reached out, seeking her. He held her carefully, her head buried against his shoulder. Neither spoke only held one another, Inara holding tightly to the dwarf. Made equal by the darkness they understood what neither dared speak aloud.

Across the hall, Legolas stood at the window, gently rocking Nodin, watching as the sun sank bellow the horizon, turning his mind from his friends. He was still watching as shadows covered the plains and hills beyond. He stood watching as thousands of tiny lights sprang into existence, not in the sky, but on the fields bellow, thousands of campfires.

Well, that's the start of the return... enjoy!