+++++++++++++++++++Interlude+++++++++++++++++++
Taking Place Between and During the Recovery of the Nameless Child
Gwynaeth & Deorwine
"What are you doing?"
The Lady Gwynaeth, Healer and Mistress of Herb Lore at Deorwang and Meduseld, stared at her husband with wide, hurt eyes. He looked from her to the tiny, forest green gown he held half-folded in his hands, then at the golden wood chest half-full of child's clothes and a few dolls and toys.
"What are you doing with my daughter's things?"
"Gwynaeth-"
"You cannot be seriously considering… the burial chest? For those whose bodies have been lost? Why would you do that? She's not dead. Why would you do that?!"
"Gwynaeth, Deorwyn isn't coming back! She's been missing for over a month. There's not way she could've survived in the wilds on her own, and if she'd managed to find someone who could take care of her she would've come back by now!"
The Lord Deorwine felt his heart crack inside his chest when a single tear slipped from his wife's silvery blue eye. The crack grew wider as he saw her bottom lip quiver ever so slightly. He took a single step toward her, reaching out to comfort her.
"Gwynaeth-"
"I will not let you bury our child. We buried Eowine, our first son, already. I won't bury another of my babes if I don't have to! Put those clothes back."
"Gwynaeth-"
"She could come back to us, Deor! Our daughter could come back to us and what would you say to her? How could you explain that you gave up on her ever coming back to us?" The Lady Healer gazed at her husband beseechingly. "She's my daughter. I know she's alive, husband, I know it."
"Gwynaeth…." Deorwine took his wife into his arms, and stroked her sunlight hair. "Very well, Gwynaeth. We shall wait, my wife. We shall wait." After a time, Deorwine loosened his embrace and stepped back. Caressing her cheek with the back of his hand, he whispered, "I must speak to Prince Theodred, my love. I must leave you now. But I'll be back. If you wish to put our wild one's clothes and toys back, then I shall not stop you." And with that, he walked out of their room. Gwynaeth watched him walk out, and then she fell to her knees, folded her arms across her chest, and prayed to the Valar for her children, all of them.
"Bless my son Eowine, who has gone into the loving arms of Eru. Bless my son Eothain, that he is once more my sweet, strong, brave boy. Bless my daughter, Deorwyn, that wherever she may be, she is safe. Bless my daughter Delwyn, and protect her from the encroaching shadows of our Enemies. Bless my son Gleowine, that he..." She trailed off for a moment, and suddenly she realized what her deepest fear for her son was. "Bless my son, Gleowine, that he may be protected from the curse of my family, and that he may know the darkness without fear. I will do anything, if you will bless and protect my children."
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