Chapter Nineteen
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SUMMARY: Dior's and Meriel's wedding day has come, and Tilda finally gets to be the Flower Girl! The family planned a fun outing and a picnic, but then a Raven arrived with a message from Dale...
"I believe that if I should die, and you were to walk near my grave,
From the very depths of the earth I would hear your footsteps"
Benito Perez Galdos
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The Woodland Realm, 24th of August 2942 T.A.
"Are you ready, My Lady?" Meriel, in her wedding finery, bent down and smiled at Tilda. She looked beautiful in her blue gown, the traditional color for brides in the Woodland Realm, and her father was standing next to her, looking both proud and sentimental at the same time.
Tilda's dress mirrored hers in color and style, and as Auntie Hil promised, she wore a colorful crown of small flowers, along with green leaves. Her little white basket was also decorated, and filled with fragrant petals, ready to spread before the bride.
"Uh huh!" she looked down at Esta. "Are you ready?"
Esta, also wearing a matching crown of flowers, wagged her tail and picked up the basket in her teeth (a new trick which she and Ruvyn taught her), and the doors of the Main Dining Hall opened as the music started.
~o0o~
From the day Bard and Percy spied Thranduil helping their youngest with her role as Flower Girl, the Elvenking threw himself into the task with enthusiasm, and was constantly seen marching up and down the corridor with their youngest.
"Step, step, toss. Step, step, toss…"
Tilda practiced her march every day, until the phrase "Step, step, toss" became annoying earworms that ran through everyone's heads. Some were murmuring it to themselves without even realizing it.
"Please, make it stop!" Bain complained one evening, "I'm dreaming of giant, talking baskets, that hit me over the head with flowers!"
"Bain!" Sigrid snapped as she jabbed her brother in the ribs. "This is important to her!"
"Orc-face!" Tilda made a face at him and stuck out her tongue.
"Children!" Though Bard silently sympathized with his son, he had to intervene. "That's enough."
"Well, I'm still dreaming it." The boy mumbled.
"You're not the only one," Percy admitted, then said "OW!" when Hilda kicked him under the table with a severe look, "but our Little Bean will be a wonderful flower girl, won't she?"
"Thanks Uncle Percy."
"You're welcome, Little Bean. Just let the bride and groom have a little attention, yeah?"
When Tilda rolled her eyes, sighed dramatically and said "I'll try," Tauriel had to quickly hold her napkin over her mouth, to stifle her laughter.
Ruvyn, who had become Tilda's favorite Guard, was especially supportive, and continued to raid the wastepaper baskets to make "petals." On days Thranduil was busy, the Guard helped her practice too. In fact, it was his idea to teach Esta to carry the basket for her.
The little Princess loved tossing the little pretend 'petals,' but they were causing the staff some headaches, and finally the Head Housekeeper finally went to Hilda.
"I hate to complain, My Lady, I really do," Greta told her, "but we're finding these bits of paper everywhere - even outside in the courtyard! Lady Tilda is so sweet, and always tries to help sweep them up, bless her, but she just makes more of a mess, and we have to redo the floor after her! That's bad enough, but when it's damp, those bits of paper paste themselves to the floor, or the cobblestones outside, and we're forever on our hands and knees scraping them up. She's a darling, and I hate to ruin her fun, but we can't keep up our work and all that, too."
So, to Tilda's (and Ruvyn's) disappointment, the law was laid down, and paper petals were banned, except for one more occasion…
The day Glélindë finished Tilda's Flower Girl dress, she ran in to Ada's study, to show it off. "Lookee! Isn't it pretty?"
"It's very beautiful, Tithen Pen. Did you show your Da?"
"Not yet!" she turned and scurried to Da's office.
"Look at you, Beanie! You'll be prettier than the bride, I think." Bard made to pick her up, but she jumped back.
"No, Da! You'll squish my dress and get it all wrinkly!"
"Oops, you're right." Bard kissed the top of her head. "It's all about the dress, isn't it?"
"Da?" She asked in her charming, wheedling voice. "Auntie Hill and Uncle Percy and Tauriel won't be at the wedding..."
"That is a tragedy, indeed," said Thranduil, who appeared in the doorway.
"But don't they want to see me be a Flower Girl?"
Thranduil did his best to keep a straight face. "Perhaps we should have a 'dress rehearsal," do you not think, Da?"
"Mmmm…" Bard rubbed his chin. "I think we could arrange something."
And of course, Thranduil put himself in charge and turned it into a real production. Chairs were lined up in the Great Hall for everyone who lived and worked at the Castle, and their little Princess and Esta performed their role to perfection, and was met with affectionate applause.
~o0o~
Now that the moment has finally come, Tilda began to have butterflies in her stomach, so she looked up the aisle up on the dais and sure enough, there was Ada. He gave her an encouraging smile and nodded to her and she began to march, whispering the steps.
Everyone in the seats smiled and said "Aww," and she saw her friend Ruvyn, smile wave as she continued, grinning from ear to ear. She reached into the basket and spread the fragrant flower petals all the way down the long aisle, and took her place in the first row next to her Da, and Esta lay at her feet and put her head between her paws.
"I did it!" She whispered loudly, and her voice reverberated throughout the huge Dining Hall, making everyone smile.
"You sure did, Little Bean, and I'm proud of you." Bard kissed her temple, and put his arm around her. From up on the dais, Ada grinned down at her and winked, just as everyone rose to their feet at the bride's entrance.
Dior was standing next to Feren, and he gasped openly at his bride, as she floated down the long aisle of the Hall. Her hair was piled on her head in elaborate swirls and braids, with small flowers and gems sparkling against her shiny black hair. She was stunning and her intended clearly thought he was the most fortunate Elf on Middle Earth.
Bard noticed a formal Elvish wedding was longer and much more complex than the ceremonies in Dale, and certainly more involved than their own short, simple ceremony in Thranduil's tent last December.
Tilda leaned her head against Bard's side, so he lifted her into his lap. "I hope you'll save a dance for me later," he whispered.
She just smiled and nodded, never taking her eyes off the bride and groom. "It's so pretty," she whispered in awe. "It's all so pretty..."
The Wedding was done entirely in Sindarin, but it was easy to follow and really lovely. Gold Rings were exchanged, Feren wrapped his cord around their joined hands, and Meriel's mother did the same with the white cord that was used when she wed Meriel's father.
Bard smiled as Dior and Meriel were looking at each other the same way he and Thranduil did when they were wed, and, if he were to be honest, the same way he and Mattie did. He looked at his Elf up on the dais who was resplendent in his golden robes and his tall, wooden crown, decorated with small summer flowers and greenery.
This crown never left the Palace, for it was only worn when the Elvenking was making official proclamations, such as settling legal matters up on his tall throne, declaring the names of new citizens of his realm, and in this case, pronouncing Dior and Meriel as husband and wife.
The music filled the Hall once more as they kissed, and everyone stood and applauded. Thranduil met Bard's eyes and smiled. His Elf was remembering their wedding, too.
The festivities lasted well into the night. Bard and Thranduil danced together several times, as well as with their daughters. Tilda was having a wonderful time and she and received many compliments on her stellar performance.
"I liked being a flower girl, Da," she told him, as he balanced her on her hip and danced with her.
"I think the Elves will be having little girls in their weddings from now on." He told her with a smile. "You did a good job, Beanie."
"Well, Ada helped me. So did Ruvyn."
"Oh, they did?" Bard pretended to be surprised.
"Aye." She told him seriously. "Ada told me how to do it, so I wouldn't get mixed up and forget."
"I see. Did it work?"
"Uh huh." She smiled. "Da?"
"What Little Bean?"
She looked at him seriously. "Ada's my best friend and I love him a lot..."
"I know that." He smiled down at her. "He adores you, too."
She looked worried. "But, I don't want to you feel bad."
"Why would I feel bad?"
"Because I love him, but you're still my Da, and I love you too!"
Bard held her to him and kissed her forehead. "Oh, I'm not worried. I like seeing you and Ada spend time with each other, and since you came back to Dale, I've been so busy." He booped her nose. "I've been worried you think I don't want to make time for you."
"I know. But… Sigrid and Bain remember Mam a lot and I don't. Auntie Hil and Uncle Percy were always there, and that's good, but it's not the same, is it?"
"No, love, it really isn't. Maybe you feel like Ada is giving you what your Mam couldn't."
She nodded her head. "But I really really love you and Auntie Hil and Uncle Percy, though. I just don't want you to forget."
She put her arms around him and hugged him tight, "Oops!" she quickly pulled back patted her head, making sure her flowered crown wasn't smushed.
"It doesn't look too bad, love." Bard said gruffly, and kissed her again. "I love you, Beanie."
"May I cut in? I have not had a chance to dance with the prettiest girl in the room, yet." Thranduil smiled and held out his arms.
"Of course, you may," Bard smiled as she held out her arms. From over the Elvenking's shoulder, Tilda smiled and winked at him. (Or tried to wink, anyway. Ruvyn had been trying to teach her how to do that, as well as how to whistle, and other important things a child needs to know.)
The King of Dale walked over to where Daeron was sitting with his parents. His Aunt Indis and Uncle Ómar were dancing. And just as Bard reached them, Adamar and Idril got up to join them.
"How are you, son?" Bard asked him, quietly.
"I… will be all right, I think." Daeron said, with a determined smile.
"I'm glad Rhian came to see you off." Bard told him. "I hope it helped."
"It did, My Lord. Whatever happens, I want no animosity between us. I thought at first it might make things easier if she remained angry, but now I realize I could not bear it if she hated me."
"I think you're right." Then Bard changed the subject. "I know I've thanked you time and time again for what you've done for me and my family," he looked over at Tilda, who was giggling in her Ada's arms. "I could tell you for the next two hundred years, and it wouldn't be enough." He turned back to the Elf. "And don't tell me you were just doing your duty. You're a special Elf and I'm honored to be your friend." Bard stood up and held out his hand, which Daeron took. "Safe journey, and come back to us next year, Daeron. Dale needs you."
"I'll… do my best, My Lord."
"No titles. Today we are good friends."
"Thank you, Bard. I appreciate your friendship."
"But I will give you a command: Go and enjoy yourself! It's a party, after all."
Just then Tilda came over to them. Daeron bent down and smiled at her. "May I have this dance, Princess?"
She gleefully hugged him around the knees, then he scooped her up to take her back out onto the dance floor.
Bard laughed at the two of them, then as he looked around, his eyes widened. There was Sigrid, dancing with… Bain? She was wearing the same dress she wore in Erebor and she was just as beautiful. Bain seemed to be enjoying himself, although he had complained about the tight, high collar of his tunic earlier. And Rhys was over by the food table, talking with Ruvyn and Ivran.
Alun was dancing with a lovely dark-haired Elf, who was teaching him the steps. He'd been working so hard lately – it was good to see him relax, now that he had Evan to look after things until he returned to Dale.
Alun had another reason for being here, but Bard would let the Treasure-keeper talk to him about it in his own time.
"Meleth nîn? You look deep in thought." Thranduil's voice was smooth and deep, as he came up behind him, and discreetly put his hands upon Bard's waist.
"Hello, love; are you having a good time?"
"I am. I am happy there will be weddings in the Palace once more." Thranduil grinned. "And babies to name!"
"Hmmm…" Bard agreed. "As beautiful as this was, I loved our private little wedding in the camp. I wouldn't trade it for anything."
"As Kings, much of our lives belong to our people, but I am glad that belonged to just us." Thranduil rested his chin on Bard's shoulder, as they watched their family. "I am so happy, Bard. I really am."
"Me, too."
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The Woodland Realm, 25th of August 2942 T.A.
"Are we ready, Sea Monsters? Tilda, did you get your riding gloves?"
The Royal Family was getting ready for the day's outing. They had planned a long ride into the forest (the safe sections, of course) and a picnic had been planned. Ruvyn, Ivran and Daeron were part of their escort, and were at the barns getting their horses ready.
"Nuh-uh. They're in my room - wait for me!" She trotted through the door of the Kings' bedroom to her nursery.
"Why does she need them?" Bain said, irritably. "Blossom isn't even here!"
"Because she will be helping me with Naurmôr," Thranduil explained, "and I would appreciate a little more consideration from you, Ion nîn." He gave the boy a pointed look. "Her left hand still shows weakness."
"Sorry, Ada." Bain was sheepish.
"You will apologize to your sister," Bard said. "Is that clear?"
"Yes, Da. I'm just impatient to go!"
The family, along with their dogs, left the Royal Chambers and made their way down the wide hallway of the Royal Wing to find Alun and Rhys exiting their suite to join them.
"Good morning!" Alun said, as he patted Thangon's head. "Ready for some fun, boy?"
"WOOF!" was his answer.
"Ready?" Rhys asked the other children.
"Aye!" Bain said. Still feeling badly about his earlier comment, he turned to Tilda. "Do you need help with your gloves, Til?"
"Please. I can't get the one on right, cause my fingers get all fumbly."
Bain stopped and helped her get her fingers in, then buttoned them at her wrist. Once done, he looked up and smiled at Ada's nod of approval.
They were halfway through the Palace when a messenger came up to them and saluted. "This just arrived for you, Lord Bard. It came via Raven."
"Thank you," Bard opened the message, and after reading, sighed and shook his head.
"I'm afraid we can't go on a picnic today, kids. We need to cut our trip short, and get back to Dale as soon as possible."
A groan of disappointment went up. "But why?" Tilda asked.
"I'm afraid Mistress Ellyn died last night."
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City of Dale, 24th of August 2942 T.A.
Ellyn's condition had been deteriorating over the past several days, and there was nothing more to be done.
~o0o~
Ever since she had been diagnosed last month, her Healers had been doing their best to stop the many growths in her body, and to keep her pain to a minimum, but the damage to her organs had already been done.
Her children came to see her every day, and she did her best to rally for them, and to keep a smile on her face, as she held Owena (with Anna's help lately) and cuddled with Maddox. Bowen was taking it badly, but he tried to keep a brave face with her.
They tried to be brave for each other.
Bowen had moved back in with Anna and Daffyd almost two weeks ago, but still spent time with Turamarth as often as he could. Beriel helped him more than he ever expected, and Anna and Daffyd enjoyed having the big dog around. Owena loved to crawl all over her, as she babbled in baby talk, which Beriel pretended to understand. She treated the infant with great care, and if Owena crawled over to her and went to sleep against her, the big dog curled around her protectively, as if she was her pup.
She treated all the children like her pups, in fact. Maddox was hesitant at first, but soon he joined in the fun and played with her when they went to the park. Beriel was good around the big horses in the livery, and Daffyd and Powell enjoyed her company.
But she was Bowen's dog, make no mistake. She slept with the boy every night, and if he had a bad dream or woke with anxiety, she was there to lick his face to awareness. When he cried, she snuggled even closer and let him use her fur to wipe his tears. And he was crying almost every night. He was still suffering from a deep depression, and she made it her personal mission to keep her boy from falling into despair. She whined and butted at his hand, when she sensed his worry and sadness, and when they were outdoors, tried to make him smile by bringing him sticks to throw.
Every day, if the weather was good, Anna would put Owena in her pram and take all the children to the park to play. Turamarth would accompany them as often as he could, but Beriel always there, always on the job.
The other children loved her, especially at the big slide. There she would be, patiently taking her place in line with the other kids, and when it was her turn, she'd climb up the ladder, slide down with as much dignity as she could muster, amidst the giggles and laughter of the others, then take her place in line once again.
It made Bowen smile, and anything that would make her boy smile, she would do.
~o0o~
On this particular day, Ermon had given permission for Bowen to bring Beriel, so she could meet his mother. The first time the dog entered the room, she went over to the bed and put her big head in Ellyn's lap, and whined.
"Oh, look at you… So, this my boy's new friend." The woman said, with a grin. Then she sighed and leaned down to whisper softly in the Beriel's ear. "Please, look after my Bowen, would you? Look after all my babies, and keep them safe? Please?"
Beriel put her front paws on the bed, held her face close to Ellyn's and became very still, as she looked into Ellyn's eyes for several minutes. Beriel knew what the woman was asking, and when she gently licked Ellyn's hand, the dying mother knew she would protect them with her life, if need be.
Though no one else in the room heard what the woman whispered in the dog's ear, everyone knew a serious promise had been made, and they could see Ellyn relax a little bit.
"So, you like her, Mam?" Bowen asked.
"I do, love. And I can tell she loves you, almost as much as I do." She held out her arm for Bowen to sit on the bed with her. She kissed his temple, and said, "You're going to be all right, son. Just remember to think of all the friends you have, and all those who love you. Do you still talk to the stars at night?"
Bowen stilled. "I… No. I just can't, Mam. I just can't do it."
"That's all right, love. But one day, you'll be ready to do it again, and your Da and I will be there to listen." She smiled at him. "But I don't want you to think we're so far away as those stars, my boy." She put her hand over his heart. "I'm inside you, too, and I always will be. I know it will be hard to think about your memories at first, but one day, they won't pain you so much, and I want you to think of everything your Mam and Da taught you. Most important, our love is inside you, and it won't leave just because our bodies do.
"You may not see me, or even feel me, but I'll be looking over your shoulder all your life. Da and I will always be there, whether you talk to the stars or not." She pressed her hand into his heart again, and smiled. "I'll live on in you, my sweet boy."
Bowen started to cry. "Oh, Mam…"
"It's all right, love. It's all right to cry." She kissed his head, as he leaned against her bosom. "Feel however you feel, but promise me something."
"What?" he wiped his eyes.
"Tell someone how you feel. Tell Beriel, tell Anna and Daffyd, or Tur. Just tell somebody. Do you promise me? Promise?"
"I will. I love you."
"I love you too, and I won't stop loving you, just because my body gave out, do you understand? I'll still be here."
She motioned for Bowen to step back, then Maddox approached her with wide eyes, and she patted the place beside her.
"What do you mean?" the little boy asked, as he snuggled under his mother's arm. "How will you still be here?"
"Well, do you know how your hand looks when you put a mitten on it?"
"Uh huh. I like my red ones."
"I like them too. Pretend the mitten is my body, but it got full of rips and holes. If you take off the mitten, what's underneath?"
"My hands."
"That's right. So just because you don't have your mittens on anymore, doesn't mean your hands go away, right? Do they disappear?"
Maddox shook his head.
"So now you know I won't disappear, just my body will. But my spirit and my love live on."
Maddox began to cry. "I don't wanna say goodbye, Mam. I really really really don't."
"I know. Sometimes things just happen. But I don't want you to think on that. You'll have lots of people to help you when you're sad and Anna and Daffyd love you very much. Most important, Maddie, you'll have your brother and sister. I want you all to stick together, do you understand?"
"I will."
"And I want to tell you something else, too. If you ever want to start calling Anna your 'Mam' and Daffyd your 'Da,' that's fine by me and we won't be upset. I want you all to love them as much as you love me and Da, because I know they'll love you the same. Okay?"
"O-Okay," Maddox sniffed.
"You don't have to do anything you're not ready for, sweetie. And if you never do, that's fine, too. Just do what you're comfortable with, boys. Just know we love you so much."
When Anna stepped forward to put Owena into Ellyn's arms, she said, "Now I want Owena to be your daughter, Ann. I want her to have a Mam and Da like my boys did."
"Oh, Ellyn," Anna started to cry. She carefully sat on the edge of the bed and gently hugged her best friend. "Don't you worry; I'll make sure these kids never forget you and Owen. But oh!" She wiped her eyes. "I'm going to miss you! We've been friends since we were little girls. What am I going to do without you?"
Ellyn smiled through her tears. "We'll see each other again, one day."
Then she kissed Owena. "Oh, my little girl. I'm going tell your Da all about you, when I see him…" Tears were flowing down her face and she kissed the baby's blonde head. "I love you so much…"
Finally, it was Daffyd's turn. He bent down and kissed the woman's hollow cheek. "I'll do right by those kids, and you know Lord Bard will be looking after them, too. They'll have a good life, I promise you. Make sure you tell Owen that." Daffyd wiped his eyes. "We'll make sure these kids do you both proud."
"Thank you," Ellyn whispered. "Thank you so much."
Anna took the baby back and the small crowd in her room gathered at the foot of her bed. Maddox was crying, Bowen was still holding his hand, but resting his other one on Beriel's back. Anna was holding the baby with Daffyd's arm around his wife.
Ellyn did her best to straighten her shoulders, though the pain was terrible, she gave her children a beautiful, hopeful smile.
"Now, go on and get your dinner, kids. I'll see you sooner than you think!" She waved them off. "I love you all!"
After her family left, Elénaril came over and gently helped her lie flat. By this time, Ellyn's bones were riddled with the disease, and only her healers knew the amount of pain she was in, yet she would never deny her children (or herself) the goodbye hugs, and the smile they all deserved.
She couldn't keep from crying out in agony, as her body was shifted. "I'm sorry," she groaned sheepishly.
"No, Mistress. Please do not apologize. I only wish I could be gentler." Elénaril stroked her brow with concern. "I am glad you could keep up the pretense for your children, today."
"But I can't do it anymore," Ellyn began to weep. "It hurts so bad now; I just can't take it." She took the Healer's hand. "You'll stay with me?"
"Of course." She went to the door and called out for her husband, who entered the room with a small bottle.
Ermon smiled at her with compassion. "I must ask you once again: are you sure about this, Ellyn?"
Ellyn nodded. "Aye. I want my children to remember me with a smile on my face. I can't let them see me get any worse and wither away to something they don't even recognize. I won't do that to them, and" she sobbed, "it hurts so bad…"
"You are very brave, Mistress Ellyn," Ermon sat on the chair beside her bed. "This will help you fall into a deep peaceful sleep, and it will be our honor to sing you into the arms of your beloved husband."
He carefully held the bottle to her lips, and helped her drink it down in small sips. "I am sorry it is so bitter." He told her.
"No; it's fine. Leaving this world before your natural time should be a bitter thing, don't you think?" She continued to take the concoction, until it was gone, then Elénaril gave her some wine to remove the taste.
Elénaril helped her lay back down, and took her other hand. "Do not be afraid, Mellon nîn."
"You all have been so kind to me." Ellyn told them with a weak smile.
"It was our privilege to care for you." Ermon answered for his wife, who was unable to speak from emotion. "We will also miss you in these Halls." He gently stroked her brow. "Go now, and meet your Creator. Close your eyes, and try to relax…"
Then the couple began to sing together, and though it wasn't in Westron, Ellyn understood it, nonetheless.
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A beautiful, dark-haired Elf Maiden appeared in her mind, and a tall, handsome Man was watching her dance and fell in love with her. They shared many adventures, they died, and were reborn again, to live out their lives as Mortals. She somehow knew they lived together happily and peacefully, until they lay down together and gave their spirits up to Eru Ilúvatar...
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Ellyn found herself waking up in a beautiful meadow filled with cheerful yellow buttercups. She inhaled deeply and sat up to look around. The sky was a bright blue, the sun was warm on her face. There was also a stunningly beautiful Maiden with dark hair and pointed ears, standing beside her, looking down upon her with a smile.
"You were in the song…" Ellyn said in wonder.
"I am Lúthien, and it is my task to welcome you here." She held out her hand and helped Ellyn to stand up. "How do you feel?"
"I feel… wonderful; peaceful." She moved her arms and legs a little. "Oh! Nothing hurts, now! Nothing hurts at all!" She laughed with joy.
"I am glad. Come with me, child." She still had hold of Ellyn's hand and they started walking toward a thick grove of trees in the distance.
"I know you; they sang of you as I was…"
"Elves often do, Ellyn, for they know of my duties here."
"Duties?"
"I am sure you have learned my story through their song, so you know Beren and I were granted a second birth, in which I forsook the fate of my people. I miss my family, of course," she smiled serenely, "but I made the right choice. I am grateful to Eru for allowing Beren and I to be together, so I asked to help greet those who first come here."
"Where is… here?"
Lúthien looked around her with her hands held outward. "'Here' is the place you always knew you would go. Here is… here." The Elf smiled enigmatically. "Does it have to have a name?"
"No… I suppose not." Ellyn said, thoughtfully. "Where are we going?"
Lúthien pointed towards the trees. "To them."
Ellyn followed her finger then gasped.
"Ellyn! Ellyn!"
Someone was running towards her, shouting her name, and he was followed by a small crowd of people.
People she had known.
People she had missed.
People she still loved.
She began to run with her arms open wide, and soon was caught up in Owen's arms.
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