She was leaning on the railing of the boat - the wait was long, but he would come. The fleet of Noldoran boats was traveling close enough for such crazy feats - and so at night, when all were asleep, Ireth waited for Turkafinwë to come.
The rope would be easy swung from the mast of his boat. He would come down it with agility, and she would watch in amazement, as she did every night.
"Oh." She paused, came a step closer. "You came."
"I will always come back for you, Irisse," he replied, almost pained to hear her voice a doubt. He comes a step closer, and so does she.
"Forgive me, Melindo. It always seems so miraculous..." she bites her upper lip. He opens his arms, and in a short flutter of skirts she nestles in his warmth with a sigh. "Oh, love, I missed you. I wish we didn't have to hide this way."
He strokes her hair, tenderly, eyes resting on the quiet horizon, on the midnight waters. "Soon. When we get the Silmarils back from Morgoth, then I will have leave. I will ask your Ata for your hand."
She sighs, a little, heart beating in her chest, too fast, but she is too timid to explain. "We touch land, tomorrow."
It's said absently. He caresses her hair, and one lone tear crawls on his face.
"I know." He knows more, but he cannot tell - his loyalty to his father prevents him from telling his love what Fëanor has in mind. "Irisse..."
She looks up, at him, finds the tear gleaming in the moonlight, and smoothes it. "Aye?"
"Will you love me, no matter what happens?" He's asking with a tremor - he already feels that he doesn't deserve the answer.
"I will love you, now and until the Doom of Mandos is lifted, as I loved you then. Nothing you can do can make you lose my love," she replies with quiet faith.
His hand moves, to caress her cheek, reverently. "Irisse...." There is wind in his hair and in hers, but they don't feel the cold between the two of them. "I love you now, and I will love you until I die, and beyond. Please... never forget... I will come back for you, always."
She nods, worriedly. "I love you. I trust you. Why so sad, Melindo?"
He says nothing and holds her in his arms, tightly, burying his face in her hair. Begging for forgiveness is on his lips, and he cannot utter any of it.
The next day, they would touch Araman. The perils of Helcaraxë awaited.
None of them knew, but this was their last parting.