Chapter 45
Dol Amroth, June the 13th, 3020
Trying to move as little as possible, Ealith grasped one corner of the light cotton blanket that was tangled around her legs and pulled it up to cover their bodies. Nights were cool in Dol Amroth and she didn't want Amrothos to awake shivering, especially not when he looked like he needed the rest, desperately: dark circles under his eyes, filthy clothes and even filthier hair that still carried the stench of smoke. Above all, the more blatant sign of his exhaustion was the fact he hadn't realized she had been conscious for a couple of hours already: Amrothos was normally a light sleeper and even the smallest sound would cause him to startle awake; and yet none of her movements - and not even the few whispered words she had exchanged with the master healer, had disturbed him.
The window inside his room was wide open. The air smelled of salt and the rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the cliff was like a lullaby. The melodious singing of the blackbirds announced the impending rise of the sun and, just as the first rays of light flooded the room, Amrothos stirred, his eyes slowly opening. His body jolted, like he had suddenly realized he had fallen asleep and wasn't too happy about it, but instantly stilled when he saw she was awake, a long string of raw emotions passing in his eyes.
Surprise. Relief. But also, all the pain and the angst that must have tormented him in the past few days. Overwhelmed, he curled next to her and buried his face against her chest, his shoulders shaking, his hands only barely touching her. She could feel him trying to choke the sobs and wrapped her arms around him, held him tight as she wept with him.
It drained them both –emotionally and physically, to the point they fell asleep again.
When hours later she awoke, they were still wrapped around each other but she could tell Amrothos was awake this time. None of them spoke and for a while, they were simply content with the closeness of their bodies, like they needed to be reassured of the other person's wellbeing and the only way to do so, was by means of gliding caresses and tender kisses. Eventually, Ealith broke the silence by speaking those three little words that, as she had felt herself slipping into unconsciousness days earlier, she regretted having never told him before.
"I love you, Swan Prince".
A little smile tugged at his lips but when he made for speaking, she pressed a finger to them and shook her head. She already knew he loved her. He had told her as much many times when caught in the throes of passion, when his guard had been done and he had forgotten for once to tiptoe around her. Because regardless of all that had happened between them, he was still mindful to avoid saying anything that might make her feel like he expected her to commit to something.
Such fools, both of them.
"I love you", she said again, liking the sound of it, "I should have told you the day I returned from the Eastemnet, when you gave me those letters, for I knew there and then that my heart was yours. But in the past, I spoke those words so freely in response to Alling's love confessions without even realizing I did not mean them at all, that this time I kept them for myself. Thank you, Amrothos. For being you. For never trying to clip my wings, even when it meant watching me go away with no assurance whether I'd ever be back. For never treating me like I was naught but a wounded, scarred woman, but also for never pretending I wasn't one. For embracing my slow pace even when you'd have liked nothing better than running past the finish line as fast as possible. I…", she hesitated and shook her head, smiling at her own silliness, "There's something I want to show you, Amrothos. Not here, but in Rohan. Will you travel back with me at the end of the summer?".
He cupped her face and pressed a tender kiss on her forehead. "We'll ride as soon as you have recovered", he spoke in a soft voice that contradicted the way his brow furrowed.
"We haven't even done half of the things we had planned for our stay in Dol Amroth. Why the rush all of a sudden?".
"I think you've had your fill of this place - I know I have. Let's just return to Rohan", he growled, his voice bitter.
Ealith sighed but said nothing.
She should have anticipated he'd be angry about what had happened to her. As if it was anyone's fault but of the men who had orchestrated the abduction! As if, because of it, she'd think ill of his beloved home. She could argue with him, but she knew it'd be pointless to do so now, while the pain was still too raw.
"When we found you, I was sure I had come too late, that I had lost you", he confessed, a tortured expression marring the bright gray of his irises, "I'd have been lost too then, because without you my life w...".
"No, Amrothos", she stopped him before he could spew more nonsense, "don't you ever dare giving me any of that supposedly romantic rubbish. We have been through too much, you and I. We have survived against all odds two of the greatest battles of our time and it took us months to put back together the shattered pieces of ourselves. If something is ever going to happen to me, you'll mourn me and then, in time, you'll to find a way to go on without me. Because it would be a waste of life not to do so. And also, because if you don't, I will chase and terrorize your soul in the afterlife for bloody eternity!".
He had such a stunned expression on his face that she almost regretted the harshness of her words. Almost. "What if it is you, Amrothos? What if something happens to you? Would you want me to wither away?", she asked, a little sob escaping the tightness in her chest.
"No!", he exclaimed, both defensively and accusingly at the same time. Like he realized he hadn't fully considered the weight of his words, and was also appalled she'd say such awful thing about him. "I'm sorry, Ealith, I did not mean to upset you. I just… when I saw you hanging from that window, unconscious, I felt like I was losing my sanity".
"That's all right. I'd have felt the same way too. Just please, don't you ever say such follies again".
He nodded, but the anguish and the anger were still there, simmering just beneath the surface. She knew it would take time to chase them away but luckily, they had all the time in the world.
"Tell me what happened, Amrothos. Last thing I remember is passing out while I waited for Alphros to escape the burning lodges. The healer who came by earlier today told me he and Míririen are unharmed, and that you and your bothers saved us. How did you manage to reach us in time? We were sure you were still hours away".
"Do you want the short version or the long one?".
"The long one, please".
Amrothos settled on his back and pulled her closer, until she was half-lying on him, her head resting on his shoulder. "Comfortable? You wound doesn't hurt, does it?".
"It does not. Now get on with it!".
He coiled a strand of her golden hair around his finger, seemingly lost in thought for a moment. Just as she was about to ask again, he spoke: "We did not realize you were missing until the late afternoon. The collision between those two ships caused such a commotion and between that, the fire and the fact that in the aftermath of the shipwreck, someone sailed to the docks a skiff very similar to Míririen's, we were all convinced you had made it safely back to the palace. When Gliril sounded the alarm, it was too late already: you were gone and the men we had rescued at sea – the only ones who might have known something, had managed to melt away. We had no idea where to look. Elphir coordinated search parties across the land, Erchirion sailed away in the hope of finding some clues of your whereabouts. As for me, I spent the night tracking down the missing crew until I managed to locate them. I took five enforcers with me and at dawn, we captured them. You had been missing for almost a day by then and I wanted answers, I wanted to find you, I wanted to be sure you were safe. And there wasn't one thing, no matter how dark and brutal, that I wasn't willing to do in order to get me that, Ealith".
She took his hand and kissed his knuckles. She knew what thoughts he had entertained, knew the black pit of malice he had drawn them from. The good and the ugly. She loved them both. "What happened then?".
"Less than you fear, fortunately. A couple of crude threats and a well-played show of cold insanity did the trick. They did not know the name of the man who had hired them, but remembered watching him poring over a map of Lamedon".
"Where's that?".
"North of Dol Amroth. The main city of the region is called Calembel and –".
"That's where that Radon scum had his estate!".
"Yes. When he mentioned the place, I immediately thought of him and rushed to inform by brothers, leaving it to my enforcers to bring the crew to the dungeons. Actually, I promised I'd deal with them personally once this was over…", he mused, his voice dimming to a low hiss, his fists clenched. As abruptly as it had come, the anger passed and he relaxed again, "We made plans to ride to Lamedon - that means travelling north until the Ringló estuary, trailing its banks inland until Glanhir and then head further north. The first part of the journey overlaps with that to the Malartham Stockade and it was just out of pure luck that as we rode by, we came by Togron. He told us what had happened and we made haste for the outpost, reaching it just in time. Alphros was located almost immediately: after you had passed out, Míririen climbed back inside the lodgings; she ordered him to stay put, but the moment he heard his father's horn, he darted away. He gave Míririen a scare but, truth is, you'd be dead if they hadn't both acted the way they did: holding you by the window with a wet cloth on your mouth, Míririen kept you from suffocating, while Alphros ensured help would come your way as swiftly as possible. Why didn't you tell them you were hurt?".
"Honestly, I didn't think it was a life-threatening wound. Only when the blood loss started affecting me, did I realize I had misjudged the situation. Those corsairs were sloppy, but their leader was the toughest warrior I have ever faced".
"Did he start the fire inside the lodgings?".
"No, that was an accident. One of his men had one of those flasks filled with the incendiary blend on him. It must have ruptured when I killed him and a dropped candle did the rest. I feared we'd be trapped inside the building but when I went upstairs, I found Míririen had already fixed a way out".
"Yes. Like all sailors, she knows how to make a knot".
"Did you have to climb into the lodgings too?".
He scoffed. "The moment I saw you, I was already half-way to the upper floor. I didn't even check whether the blankets would hold me. With Erchirion's help we got you down, but you were unresponsive and there was so much blood. Since we realized you were missing and up until that moment, I had managed to pull myself together, to stay sharp in spite of the gnawing fear of what you might be suffering at the hands of your captors. But in that moment, I broke down, my mind was not functioning anymore. I was terrified and it's like I had to choose what to do with that fear. Let it become despair or anger instead. In my life, I always chose anger, let it carry me to a place where the wounds of the soul would not hurt, even if only for a short while. You know that, you've seen it yourself that day at the Hornburg when I went on an idiotic rampage".
"I have. And I have also seen you changing, Amrothos, which is how I know you chose none and endured the fear instead".
He looked away, like one would do when bestowed an undeserved praise.
"Go on. What happened then?", she encouraged him.
"Elphir killed Radon, his Swan Knights got rid of the rest of his crew".
"What of Carvion and his men? Did they make it?".
"One was killed at the beginning of the assault. All the others – Carvion among them, were wounded but will make a full recovery".
"They were all so brave, so determined to protect us", she sighed sadly, "The family of the fallen one, will they be looked after?".
"Of course", Amrothos reassured her, holding her a little tighter.
"How long has it been since the rescue, how many days have passed?", she asked, feeling her sense of time had been turned upside down and then inside out.
"Three days. We rushed you back to Dol Amroth via sea. The healers were optimist, they kept telling me I shouldn't worry for your wound was not so grievous and your lungs already showed signs of recovery. But I did not trust them, could not trust them".
"Of course you couldn't", she teased him, "that's why you never left my side, not even to change clothes!".
Amrothos gazed down at her, then at his filthy tunic. He inhaled deeply and scrunched his nose. "I only smell roses and sunshine here".
"Sure. If the roses were rotten and the sunshine was that of Mordor in its darkest hour".
"You say I need a bath?".
"And a change of clothes. But only if you make it quick".
"Your every wish is my command, lady. Anything else?".
Ealith grinned. "Food? Oh, and I want you to give me your word that you'll take me swimming with dolphins".
He frowned as he stood, his eyes narrowing. "Excuse me?".
"Yes! I mean how could you even forget to mention one can do such thing in the first place! I had to find it out from Míririen".
"Ealith", he spoke with the tone he'd use when explaining Alphros that no, he could not let him ride his stallion on his own – especially not bareback, "I'm not sure what my sister-in-law told you, but it's not like every morning in Dol Amroth people wake up and join a pod of dolphins for a casual swim".
"But it is possible".
"Well, if you spot them and the conditions are right, I suppose one c-".
"You've never done it?".
"No".
She groaned and sprawled her body across the bed. "Honestly, Amrothos, what a waste. Twenty-six years you've spent in Dol Amroth, and not once you've been swimming with dolphins!".
"Again: it is not s-".
"We will not leave Dol Amroth until we have at least tried to remedy this lack of yours!", she exclaimed, fully aware that she sounded like a petulant child but not caring one bit because, for one thing, she refused to let him part with his home on terms that were anything but joyful and, in order to ensure that, they'd need to stay in Dol Amroth for while longer; additionally, she did want to swim with dolphins which meant that, as far as she was concerned, this was a prime example of killing two birds with one stone. "Bath, clothes, food, dolphins. Go!", she urged him.
Muttering under his breath about her despotic attitude, Amrothos resigned to do as bid and walked slowly to the door.
"One more thing!", she called.
"What forsaken animal do you want to swim with now?".
"The crew that caused the accident, you said they are still in the dungeons".
"What of them", he growled, his stance changing instantly from easy to aggressive.
"Leave the judgment of their crimes to your brothers, Amrothos".
His eyes bore into hers, sparks of anger and something far deeper and more visceral spilling over.
"Please", she pleaded, not wanting him to unearth the side of him he struggled to live with, especially not on her account.
He turned, his back to her, his shoulders rising and then dropping like he was forcing himself to breathe deeply. "They must pay for what they have done".
"And they will. Just not at your hand".
His hand reached for the doorknob and rested there for a moment, until the tension seemed to seep out of his body, one tiny drop at a time. "What would you like to eat?".
Ealith smiled at her little victory. "Any grilled fish will do".
"With or without garlic butter?".
"What a futile question. With, of course".
It wasn't until the late afternoon of the next day that someone other than the healers managed to get past Amrothos' unbending guard.
"Ealith?".
She looked up to see a familiar face peeking around the door. "Míririen, come in! I tried to explain Amrothos I could take visits, but he refused listening".
"Well, let's just say we may have orchestrated a fake commotion at the stables - one that just so happened to involve both your stallions, so to lure him out for a short while. I'm not alone. Is that a problem?".
"Not at all – as long as you don't mind my bedridden look, that is".
Elphir and Gliril followed her inside the room, Erchirion coming in last and bolting the door behind him with a resolute look on his face.
"How are you feeling?".
"Much better. And look", she said lifting the heavy tome from her lap, "I asked Amrothos to get me that book you mentioned with illustrations of marine animals. It's beautiful – and very informative as well. Why, I didn't even know half of these creatures existed!".
Míririen paid her words no heed. She snatched the book from her hands, tossed it to the far side of the bed and hugged her. Twice she made for speaking, and twice her breaking voice betrayed her. "I'm so glad you are well, Ealith", she managed to say eventually.
It didn't seem like she was planning to release her any time soon, but behind her Gliril was just as keen and gently but firmly, she nudged her aside. Her fierce embrace took Ealith by surprise, for they were not well acquainted and, also, because in previous occasions she had always been very formal in her manners. "I owe you my son's life, Lady Ealith, and I find that there are no adequate words to express what that means to me, to us", she corrected herself, looking over her shoulder at her husband.
Suddenly it became all too emotional and overwhelming, and Ealith knew why Amrothos had insisted they kept for themselves. "You have Míririen to thank as well, and every single man at the Malartham Stockade too".
"Oh, we know. Míririen says she did nothing, but we know better. As for the men, they don't have overbearing partners guarding their doors and foaming at their mouth whenever someone approaches, so we were able to visit them regularly. It is you we were kept away from".
Ealith tried to put a smile on her face, not quite knowing what to do with the four people staring down at her like she was some sort of great hero.
Sensing her discomfort, Míririen tried steering the conversation to more harmless paths: "Alphros will be so upset when he finds out that while he was being tutored on the history of Gondor, we were able to meet you. He might just come and lay siege to your room, I warn you!".
"I'll be more than happy to lower the drawbridge for him", she laughed, "Actually, coming to think about it, I should have mentioned him too, Lady Gliril: Alphros played a role just as pivotal as the rest of us in ensuring we wouldn't be captured. He is such a remarkable young man: sweet, brave, never a single complaint. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have even known about the outpost. I know he disobeyed you when he chose to go look for help, Míririen, but I think that, unconsciously perhaps, he just knew he had to take a calculated risk if he wanted us all to be rescued. You should all be very proud of him".
Elphir stepped closer. She feared she was about to be pulled into yet another awkward embrace, but he seemed to know she wouldn't like that and simply bowed, Erchirion swiftly mirroring his actions. "I have a feeling you are far too modest to appreciate our gratitude, hence I shall I make it quick: thank you, Lady Ealith; for putting your life on the line to protect my son; for looking after Míririen; for loving my brother". He paused to let the words sink, to let her know he meant each single one of them. And then, there was a strange glint in his eyes, an unexpected grin crooking up one corner of his mouth, "Amongst all these great feats, I think we can all agree the last one does you the most credit".
She stared at him, her mind scrambling to figure out what he was referring to. As each person in the room but her started laughing, her protectiveness rose to the surface. "It is strange indeed that you would say so, for loving Amrothos has been by far the easiest of all".
"Peace, Lady Ealith. It was but a jest", Erchirion tried to appease her, "We all love Amrothos, and it's been good to see him returning home looking so…".
"Wiser? Happier? Dependable in the moment of need?", Elphir suggested.
"We may have nudged each other on the right path, but Amrothos achieved that wisdom and happiness on his own strength. Lothíriel Queen would tell you as much", she declared solemnly.
"Oh, I have no doubt she would. Going by her letters, I fear I no longer am her favourite brother!", Erchirion sighed with just a hint of drama colouring his voice.
Beside him, Elphir snorted loudly, dropping once and for all his poised manners.
Their playful banter and easy camaraderie was infectious and Ealith knew very well what was so precious about it: it was their way of welcoming her in the family's inner circle, of telling her she was one of them.
"What are your plans now?", asked Míririen, "Amrothos says as soon as you are fit to ride, you will both return to Rohan. Is that true?".
"We will journey back eventually, yes. But it won't be that soon".
"I'm glad. Will you also come to Lady Éowyn and Faramir's wedding?".
Ealith grimaced.
She and Amrothos had talked about it and discovered they shared the same opinion: none of them wanted to go; none of them wanted to sit with their lieges and the rest of their families to tell once again what had happened and go through the endless discussions that would follow; none of them wanted to deal with Lord Harnon yet. And, Ealith had told no one, she no longer wanted to face court – whether it was in Minas Tirith or in Edoras, until she had had a chance to be completely honest with Amrothos about her plans. And, in order to do that, they needed to travel back to Rohan first.
"I am afraid we won't. We just… don't feel comfortable with it", she tried to explain their choice without giving too much away.
"It's perfectly understandable. Once in Minas Tirith, you wouldn't have a moment for yourselves", Lady Gliril promptly assured her. "We will leave in a fortnight and plan to journey back right after the weeding. Will you still be here when we return?".
"I'll make sure of it", she promised.
"Splendid. I think we have taken enough of your time already, and we don't want to exert you and incur in Amrothos' ire. If there's anything you need, send for us. And I don't just mean these days, Lady Ealith. We will always be there for you, and you'll always have a place here in Dol Amroth".
Ealith felt tears prickling at the corner of her eyes. "Thank you, Lady Gliril. There's one thing I actually wanted to ask your help with", she said shifting her gaze to Prince Elphir.
"Like my wife said: anything".
"My uncle will be worried when he hears news of what happened here. He'll be at the wedding and I'd like to give you a letter for him, and one for Lady Éowyn to apologize for our absence. And then, I'd also need a messenger to ride to Rohan. Soon and… discreetly".
"Two letters and one messenger. That is definitely more than one thing", Elphir scratched the stubble on his chin and smiled, "Excellent! I sense Amrothos shall not know about it? The messenger, I mean, and whatever letter you will give him".
"That is correct".
"Erchirion: go to the stables and ensure our dear brother is delayed for a little longer. Míririen, wife: please have someone fetch paper and quill. In the meanwhile, I will warn our fastest rider that he shall be at Lady Ealith's disposal".
As she observed the group leaving her room in great haste, Ealith thought the Amrothian family really was one well-oiled machine.
A couple of days after the family had left to attend the wedding in Minas Tirith, at dawn, Amrothos barged in his room and all but dragged her out of bed: "Get dressed!".
"Why are waking me at this ungodly hour?", she groused, rubbing her eyes and trying to remember whether they had some commitment she had forgotten about.
Nothing came to mind.
"Clothes, woman!", he ordered, and put her head through the neck hole of one of her tunics. Next, he shoved a pastry in her mouth.
"What on earth has gotten into you?", she demanded to know, the food muffling her words.
Amrothos towered above her, his forefinger tapping her chest: "Remember when you hauled me out of bed so we could go to that lake on the mountains? Well, it's my turn now. Five minutes at the docks!".
And with that, he left.
Ealith stood unmoving. When she caught sight her reflection in the mirror, she didn't know if laughing or crying: her hair were an unruly mass sticking in all the wrong directions; the tunic Amrothos had put on her was backwards and, just to add insult to injury, it was actually one of his and a dirty one at that, sporting a large stain of… mud - hopefully?, where his rear had been; there were smears of confiture on her chin and she must have slept facedown, for the pillow had left wrinkles printed all over her cheeks.
Good thing love was blind!
With a resigned sigh, she removed the tunic. If Amrothos wanted her to meet him at the docks, chances were they were going sailing. In the past week temperatures had become stifling hot and she dearly hoped there would be a nice breeze, else she was going to melt in a puddle of smelly water! She picked the lightest among her tunics and matched it with simple cotton pants. She brushed her hair and because five minutes had passed already, she braided them on her way downstairs.
"You are late", Amrothos informed her.
"And you are grumpy. Whose skiff is this?".
"Mine".
"I thought Erchirion sunk your skiff years ago".
"I bought myself a new one".
"It's quite bigger than Míririen's. Can you sail it on your own?".
"I can. But thanks for offering help anyway".
"If you are willing to teach me, I can help. If not, I'll just sleep, thank you".
Amrothos swept her off her feet and slanted his mouth over hers in one of those soul-shattering kisses of his. "Then hop onboard and do just that, shieldmaiden".
He had that grin on his face. That grin that promised troubles and a whole lot of other interesting things, and that she hadn't seen since before the attempted abduction. It the past two weeks it had been replaced by a near constant scowl and she was all too happy to welcome it back!
As they left the docks, Ealith made herself comfortable and was fast asleep. Amrothos awoke her several hours later, more gently this time, soft kisses tracing her jaw from her ear down to her mouth: "We are almost there. I suggest you strip off".
"Where exactly is there?".
"Just do as I say, or else I know for a fact you'll jump in the water with your clothes on and then you won't have anything dry to wear for the rest of the day".
She followed his orders, all the while taking the opportunity to look around. The mainland was no longer visible and there were no ships around them, only endless blue waters; in the distance - a couple of miles away perhaps, was a small island, rocky, but dotted with green shrubs.
Amrothos' eyes roamed over her naked curves, his breeches doing a poor job at hiding the response of his body. "Don't get any closer", he warned, "or else I won't hear the end of this. You will blame me till the end of my days, I just know you will!".
She arched an eyebrow, confused. They hadn't been intimate in well over two weeks and she missed him dreadfully. "I will blame you for making love to me? Have you lost your senses?".
"Just sit down and trust me. It will only be a few minutes now".
At long last, Ealith connected the dots and jumped up, "Are we going to see the dolphins?". She could tell from the minuscule roll of his eyes that she had guessed right and stared excitedly ahead, "How do you know they are here?".
"Are you insane? The past two weeks you've been talking my ear off about swimming with them! I've been visiting the harbour every day at dawn to check whether the fishermen had spotted any pod and this morning, they finally told me they had – for several days in a row even!".
"You have? But you were always in bed with me when I awoke…".
"Yes, because I was mindful to get back before sleeping beauty decided to get up!".
Ealith turned, fully determined to smother him in kisses whether he liked it or not, but then she spotted the first dolphin and that was it: one moment she was marching towards him, the next she was diving from the skiff, her excited squeak swallowed by the cool waters.
She opened her eyes and there it was, twenty or maybe thirty feet ahead of her and slowly approaching. As the distance between them narrowed, she experienced a moment of uncertainty, of trepidation – fear almost, for it was larger than expected and she had seen how fast and powerful its kind could be. It halted just out of reach of her arm, its inquisitive eyes fixed on her, like it was trying to read her thoughts, to determine whether she was friend or foe. Ealith had to resurface to take a breath and it followed her, its demeanour changing to a playful one as it started swimming around her and then back and forth. She hadn't even noticed Amrothos joining her, but when she felt his hand brushing her side, she turned, smiling like she was having the best day of her life and Bema, she really was!
"Don't exert your lungs. I don't care what the healers says: just don't".
"I won't, I promise".
She kissed his cheek and dove under the skiff to re-emerge on the other side. There were four dolphins now and her actions seemed to amuse them, as they mirrored her actions and filled the waters with their whistles and clicks. At first Amrothos seemed too taken with watching over her to enjoy it, but slowly he loosened up and after a while, the grin on his face was just as wide as hers.
After maybe an hour of antics, the dolphins decided to move on. They could still track them for a while, their dorsal fins slipping out of the water, the occasional leaps making her gasp in wonderment every single time. She thought they were like the snow: no matter how many times you have seen the landscape around you being transformed into a soft white realm, you'll always respond with the same amazement to the sight of the first snowflakes falling from the sky!
"Happy now?".
"Indescribably so. Thank you, Amrothos, this was wonderful".
"It really was", he conceded, "May I now interest you in a small refreshment?".
"Ah, just when I thought I couldn't possibly love you any more than I already do!".
Amrothos gave her rear a playful squeeze and helped her getting onboard. Not bothering with getting dressed, he hoisted the sails and set them on a course towards the island. It was larger than it looked from afar and after a short walk, they reached the top of a low overhanging cliff, short pine trees providing shelter from the scorching sun.
Once she had finished her meal, Ealith crawled towards Amrothos. He was sitting on a log and she straddled him, their foreheads touching: "Your home is beautiful. You do know that what happened with Radon will never taint the love I have grown for these shores, yes? That nor shall it taint yours".
"I know".
"Good".
Her kiss was not tender, for it had been too long and she needed to feel him. Stoked by the bold touch of her hands upon him, his desire flared up, wild and tumultuous just like the sea. He conceded her control but for mere moments, before sliding to his knees and taking over, his sharp thrusts consuming her every sense.
Everywhere he touched her skin burned, everywhere he kissed she trembled in pleasure.
Amrothos laid her on the rocky soil and lifted her legs over his shoulders. The gravel was digging into her back, fragments of woods were breaking her skin.
She didn't care.
She could feel her peak approaching - like a towering wave racing for the shore, it pulled her towards it, unrelenting, any attempt to resists it utterly vain; and once it had her in its foamy grasp, the entire world exploded. Time and space lost all meaning as between breathy gasps, she tumbled within the wave. And then she tumbled some more, until ever so gently, it laid her back on white, sandy shores.
When she opened her eyes, her breath still coming in short pants, Amrothos was staring at her with that intensity of his that always erased everything else around them. "So beautiful", he murmured, one hand caressing her face, reverently almost.
"When you look at me this way, I feel like I really am".
"Then look at me and only at me. Always".
She giggled. "I may consider it. You're too bad on the eyes either".
"Am I now?", he chuckled and nuzzled her neck.
Their bodies were still joined and she never wanted to leave. "Can we stay here a little longer?".
"I brought blankets and extra provisions. We can spend the night here, if you want, and sail back tomorrow morning".
"Yes, I'd like that".
By mid-July, Amrothos' family returned to Dol Amroth with stories of a grand romantic wedding and over a dozen letters for her alone. There was one from her uncle, one from Lothíriel Queen, one from King Elessar, one from Prince Imrahil, one from Lady Aldwyn, one from Lady Éowyn – now Princess of Ithilien, and many, many more.
The worried tone of her dear uncle, the ever reassuring one of the Queen and the bold, dry one of Lady Aldwyn, made her feel homesick for the first time since she and Amrothos had left Edoras.
That was all right though, for they'd soon be back anyway.
On one of their last evenings in Dol Amroth, she had dinner with Míririen and Alphros. They let the young Prince choose their menu, which lead to an awful amount of fried meat and not one tiny green in sight. Afterwards, they lounged in the solar, playing a round of every card and board game they could get their hands on. Some she knew, but other were new to her and, more often than not, she ended up losing to her companions. Amrothos joined them at some point and seeing they were letting Alphros have his way most of the times, he just decided he was going to win everything, which, as to be expected, didn't sit well with his nephew.
After five minutes of bickering, during which she could not say who was the most childish between the two of them, Míririen lost it: "Amrothos, don't you have somewhere to be? We were having so much fun before you joined!".
Ealith laughed and grabbed him from behind: "I say we should teach him a lesson about crushing parties!". She poked his sides, which she knew would have no effect whatsoever on him, "Too bad he isn't ticklish".
"But he is, aunt Ealith!", Alphros corrected her, a devilish grin stretching his face from ear to ear.
"He is?". How interesting!
"Yes, on his feet!".
Amrothos stiffened and she just knew it to be true. Glancing at her comrades, she sounded the charge: "I will hold him for as long as I can. Míririen: get his boots off. Alphros: no mercy!".
As she said that, Ealith started pushing Amrothos with all her strength, the move coming unexpected and leaving his feet scrambling for leverage. She kept at it, then swiftly crossed one of her legs in front of his knees. There was no avoiding the fall now and she went it, landing firmly on his back. She straddled him and crouched down over him, holding his arms with all her strength and her weight.
"Now!", she cried.
She knew he'd try to break free, but the way he exploded into a struggle almost took her by surprise. Miraculously, she managed to keep a hold of him. "Ealith!", he yelled, "I won't answer for my actions if you do it! I'm serious, I can't help it, I might hurt you all!".
The first boot flew off and just then, Erchirion and Elphir made their entrance. There was a long tense moment of silence in which everyone froze and all you could hear was Amrothos panting. "Get your wife and your son off of me", he tried.
A grin much alike that of his son appeared on Elphir's face: "Erchirion, do you remember when Amrothos threatened to kill Elendil? Or when he pushed you into a latrine?".
"I do. What about that time when he found dead mice in the cellars and put them in your riding boots?".
"Ah, I had forgotten about that one! It's such a beautiful night, what do you say about going for a stroll in the gardens to reminisce about all these fond memories?".
"A delightful idea brother. Lead the way".
"Hey! I was being serious! This is dangerous!", Amrothos pleaded, but was met with the sight of their receding backs as they left the room and closed the door behind them.
Ealith tightened her hold again. She knew he could break free if he wanted to, but counted on the fact he wouldn't want to use brute force to do so.
The moment Alphros grabbed one of his bare feet, she stood corrected: first there was a high pitched scream that, if she hadn't been right there to witness it, she would have never guessed could be produced by Amrothos' throat. Then the struggle resumed, tenfold more desperate, and she lasted all but a few seconds before she was sent flying across the rug.
Amrothos crawled backwards, until his back was pressed against the wall, and glared at them, his expression swinging between enraged and horrified.
That was it.
Ealith started laughing hysterically, so much she didn't know whether she was going to chock and die or wet herself instead. She hoped the former – definitely less embarrassing. Míririen was in the exact same condition, while Alphros pulled a perfectly straight face and stood, head held high and hands on his hips, the portrait of royal haughtiness: "I am father's eldest son and you cannot exact revenge on me", he informed him.
Míririen recovered enough to jump on the wagon: "And I am your brother's wife, it would be improper if you were to touch me – whatever the reason!". Then, seeing she was still in no condition to speak, she added: "Ealith was recently injured, what kind of man would raise his hand against her?".
Amrothos' eyes shifted between the three of them, his mouth gaping like he couldn't believe their temerity. His lips curled in a grimace and an instant later, he had clambered on his feet and sprinted out of the room. Ealith and Míririen look at each other in surprise, whereas Alphros run after him, laughing excitedly like he knew with certainty what was going on.
"What did just happen?", she asked.
A loud scream had them scurrying to the window, just in time to see Amrothos hurling himself at his brothers who, just like they had said, had gone for a walk outside. He took them both by surprise and managed to send them flying into a bush of… she didn't know what it was, only that it was obviously awfully thorny! Elphir and Erchirion screeched, tried to pull themselves up but wherever they touched, they found more spikes piercing them. Amrothos on the other hand had used their bodies to cushion his fall and was already retreating at full speed.
"By the gods, what have we done?", Míririen muttered.
"You bloody idiot! We won't let you get away with this!", Erchirion roared. He helped his brother up, both wincing as they removed the thorns from their rears. Once clean, they chased after Amrothos, their expressions thunderous.
"Do we need to call the guards? Or the healers perhaps?".
"No, but we will have to patch them up later tonight. Siblings' quarrels can be brutal, especially when those three are involved".
"This happens often?".
"I've seen Erchirion and Amrothos bickering before, but Elphir normally stays out of it, so that's a first. Neat trick by the way, the one you used to bring Amrothos down".
"You'd be surprised how many neat tricks I know".
"Oh, I don't think I would. Not after that heart attack you almost gave me at the Malartham Stockade".
Ealith scowled. "Had I known there might be a chance I'd have to resort to playing the lady in distress act, I'd have warned you beforehand. I am a Shieldmaiden of Rohan, Míririen, and I don't take pleasure, nor pride, in employing such tactics".
"I wasn't trying to censor you, Ealith. What you did was… extraordinary. I will miss terribly when you leave, you know?".
"I will miss you too. But worry not: we will be back often enough".
Míririen smiled wickedly. "You sound like someone with a plan".
"That's because I am, though Amrothos doesn't know it yet", she winked.
They stayed by the window for a while and enjoyed the cool breeze blowing from the sea, until Ealith felt her eyelids grew heavy and decided to call it a night: "I think it's time I go check whether Amrothos needs rescue".
"Yes, I should probably do the same with Erchirion. Besides, I shouldn't be up until late, for I need to be well-rested tomorrow. I am to accompany Elphir to the harbour to meet with the Guild".
Ealith's head snapped around. "You will?".
"Yes. I figured after making it through a pursuit at sea, a siege and a fire, I can handle some pompous lords".
"And if sometimes you can't…".
"If sometimes I can't, I will think of a certain merchant of glass goblets from Pelargir and try harder".
Ealith startled her with a sudden hug. She was a little thing, but with the strength of a bear, and she had no doubt one day soon, she'd become the ace up the Amrothian family's sleeve: "You'll do great, I'm sure".
"Are you sure you don't want to cross the pass today? Sunset is still hours away, we have all the time to get to the other side before nightfall".
"Yes, I'm sure. We are in no rush and I like it her".
Amrothos looked around carefully. Erech - which, if he was not mistaken, was Dunael for place of terror, wasn't exactly a merry place. It was no longer hunted by the Dead, true, but the common folks still shunned it and even animals seemed wary to return to the hill where Isildur had cast his curse.
In all fairness, this was just the last of a long string of strange choices Ealith had made in the past weeks, the strangest of all being the decision they were to return to Rohan via the Dimholt. It was the shortest route, sure, but there were places he had meant to show her in Gondor and in Ithilien and, also, he had wanted to visit at least some of the inns that had opened along the Great West Road. He had tried to argue, but to no avail whatsoever.
They set out at dawn the next day and he was surprised to see they were not the only travellers venturing the underground paths: they met some merchants headed the opposite way, and even an elderly couple whose daughter had wed a Rohir and now lived at the Hornburg. The caverns still held an eerie vibe, but they were far from terrifying and, Amrothos mused, it was probably only a matter of time until the Erech too lost its cursed fame and became populated once more, so the better serve the people travelling to and fro. It opened the door to a lot of new interesting opportunities and he made a mental note to discuss it with his sister.
They resurfaced at the other end of the path around midday and entered the Dimholt, a forest so dark, very little sunlight made it through the tick canopy of pine and fir trees. They couldn't even catch a glimpse of the Dwimorberg towering over them, not until they made it to Dunharrow and took the Stairs of the Hold to descend into the Harrowdale. The path was lined with odd statues of gnarled men that, Ealith explained, were known as Púkel-men, the wards of Dunharrow.
The valley below was beautiful, enclosed between peaks that remained capped in snow all year round, a cascade of little streams descending the wooded slopes to feed into the fledgling Snowbourn.
A couple of hours before sunset, Ealith decided they should stop and, Amrothos had to admit, she chose the most stunning place of all to set camp, on an outcrop at the feet of the Northern slopes that offered an excellent vantage point over the green valley below. There was also a small lake nearby that he definitely planned on visiting the next day!
He approached her horse to unload her saddlebags, but she stopped him: "There's something I need to do, and I must do it alone. I shall be back in an hour or so. Is that all right?".
"Where are you going?".
"Close by. Don't worry, it's perfectly safe here".
"All right then. I will wait, start a fire, maybe see if I can shoot something for dinner".
"I've got dinner covered. Just stay here".
"You're not giving me much of a choice, are you? Go, I'll sit tight".
Ealith smiled and spurred her horse to a brisk gallop, deeper into the valley and then around the lake, after which she disappeared into the woods. While she was away, Amrothos tended to his horse and gathered some firewood, mindful to remain on the outcrop she had chosen for the night and chuckling at how, whenever Ealith was concerned, he could be such an obedient little boy. In Dol Amroth she had mentioned there was something she wanted to show him, and he wondered whether they had reached the destination she had in mind. It could explain why she suddenly left but, on the other hand, there was very little to be shown around there.
The hour passed quickly. Then another. Just when he was starting to get worried, he spotted her riding back. The sun had set behind the mountain peaks and it was only when she approached that he realized she had changed outfit and braided her hair.
He recognized the dress she was wearing and raised an eyebrow: it was the one she was supposed to wear at the wedding, the one that had belonged to his sister. She must have squeezed it inside one of her bags, which explained why the silk was so terribly creased.
Remembering how reluctant she had been about altering one of the Queen's gowns, he was glad she had decided to take it with her, but just couldn't fathom why she chose to wear it now. There was no fancy banquet in program. They were in the middle of nowhere. And in order to ride with the dress on, she had had no choice but going side-saddle – he was actually surprised she knew how to do it, and even more that nothing catastrophic had happened. Like the ground opening under the hooves of her horse to punish the audacity of a Shieldmaiden of Rohan committing such distasteful act.
"It's such a beautiful dress, that I thought it would be a waste if I didn't wear it for at least one special occasion", Ealith explained, looking oddly shy.
"Whatever this occasion is, you look gorgeous".
She blushed and took his hand, her horse trailing behind them as she led him to the edge of the outcrop: "This spot right here lies in a perfect position. If you ride at dawn, by dusk you can be either in Edoras", she said nodding to the East, "or at the Hornburg", she faced northward, "or in Erech and from there, in Dol Amroth in less than a week", she pointed at the direction they had come from. "Green pastures, plenty of fresh water, close by forests to source timber, easy to defend if needed. It has everything, wouldn't you agree?".
"I do", he just said, not quite willing to comment more, not while he still had no idea where this was going.
"You know that my uncle has been in talks with King Elessar and your father since last autumn. Gondor – which means Dol Amroth really, needs to restore its chivalry and strengthen the bloodlines of its horses, and Rohan is key to do that. My uncle knows we need to expand. Our stables at the Hornburg were never large to start with, but we made do because with the enemy roaming our lands, they offered protection few other places in Rohan could boast. Things have changed now, and my uncle proposed we build a manor, somewhere not far from the Hornburg, maybe one or two days to the East. His argument was that this way, the herdsmen from whom we purchase most of our mounts would have a shorter journey from the Eastemnet. But I've spent a whole winter with them and I can tell you it wouldn't help them one bit: there are many goods which are hard to come by when you live on the plains, and for them every delivery is an opportunity to visit the local markets and stock up on everything they need to survive their nomadic way of life".
"How does this place suit them any better?".
"It doesn't, but they wouldn't have to ride until here anyway. They could keep bringing their horses to the Hornburg, and we'd see them to here, where we would have plenty of space for breeding and training, and would also be closer to Dol Amroth. I have invested almost everything I inherited at my father's death to purchase from the Crown the rights to these lands, from the Dimholt until further down the valley for another five miles. And I acquired the property of this parcel of land we are standing on right now. My uncle offered to contribute, but I wanted it to be mine".
Amrothos was at loss for words. "Is this the new venture you were so secretive about? When did you get it done?".
"It all started while I was in the Eastemnet. That's when I realized my uncle's plan was flawed and started thinking of a better one. I knew this place already, and visited it again before returning to Edoras to be sure it suited our needs. My uncle had already discussed the matter with the King and before we left the city, I asked him to finalize the deal on my behalf. While we were in Minas Tirith, I received confirmation the papers had been signed".
"Why didn't you tell me?".
"You were at the forefront of my mind when I came up with this idea, but because of the way we parted last autumn, I didn't know whether you'd want to be a part of it, whether maybe I was rushing things. I was very insecure about it, Amrothos, often thought about Alling and the way I hurt him without intending to, and it made me want to thread carefully this time. But you always seem to know what to do - or say, to wipe away all my doubts. When I returned to Edoras, you asked me to leave with you, and I knew it was just what I needed to gather the courage to take this last little step towards you. This place here", she said opening her arms, "I have plans for it. It won't be just a manor, but a bridge between Rohan and Dol Amroth. You have seen those merchants today. There will be more in the coming years and I know that what will start as a manor today, has the potential to grow into a thriving market town. One with a soul that is equal parts Rohirric and Amrothian - just like its lady and her lord".
Amrothos sucked his breath. His heart picked up its pace.
Ealith turned to retrieve something from her horse, but was mindful to keep it hidden behind her back. "There's a tradition in the Eastemnet. When a couple is to wed, the bride presents the groom with an ancestral sword to symbolise the transfer of her father's protection to her future husband. My family does not come from the Eastemnet and so, we don't have an ancestral sword that has been passed down through generations. I have this though: my father's sword", she said unsheathing the blade.
"We've always done things backwards, you and I, and so I figured it was only right that I'd be the one to do this". Gracefully, she dropped down on one knee and held the blade high in front of her. "Amrothos of Dol Amroth, will you marry me?".
He could only stare at her, arms hanging by his sides, a mild dizziness making his head spin. It seemed only a few seconds to him, but perhaps it was longer.
"This is when you're supposed to say something, Amrothos".
Ealith's voice startled him and his brain slowly reconnected with the various parts of his body, of which he had completely lost control the moment he had understood what she was up to. Wife! She wanted to be his wife! Suddenly, he felt like his body could not contain the joy and it spilled over in a whirlwind of contradictory reactions! He was boiling hot but shivering, laughing while having tears in his eyes, feeling like he could climb the steep rock walls of the Dwimorberg on his fingernails even though his knees had just turned to jelly. His senses went into overload but, in the midst of it all, he remembered he ought to say something: "Yes!".
"Yes?".
"A thousand times yes!".
"You will leave Dol Amroth and relocate here with me?", she asked and he could see the concern in her eyes that she might be asking too much of him.
"I'd follow you to the end of the world, if you asked me to, Ealith". Gently, he accepted her father's sword and run his fingers over the engraved hilt, reverently almost, before placing it back into its scabbard. "Together, we will build a beautiful home here in this vale, and fill it with so much laughter and love, that our hearts and souls will be forever bound to these green slopes".
Ealith buried her face in the crook of his neck, her body shaking with little shudders that were sobs and laughter at once. Raking his finger through her hair, he tilted her head back and kissed her, his hands searching for the laces of her dress because there was no way he wasn't going to make love to her for the whole night. And every night after that.
"Don't, Amrothos", she warned, and while she sounded enticingly breathless and aroused by his touch, her voice carried an edge that had him pausing. "You know I did not come to Gondor with my father's sword. And, I can assure you, it didn't bounce all the way from Edoras until here on its own".
His eyes narrowed. He was about to ask what she meant by that, when a shrill cry ricocheted across the valley, scaring a flock of birds resting in the nearby woods. His head snapped around and sure enough, an exceedingly excited Aldwyn was galloping at full speed towards them, followed by a second rider who, judging by the hulking figure and dark cloak, could only be Elfda.
"They brought me the sword and it's too late now for them to ride back to Edoras", Ealith barely had the time to say before the full strength of Aldwyn's enthusiasm fell upon them in the form of a crushing double hug.
"I'm so happy for you both!", she cried, and kissed Ealith's cheeks and then his too, "You'll never hear the end of this, you know that, right? I mean, she proposed to you!".
"What can I say. I'm a lucky man".
"On that we can all agree", Elffa noted drily, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement, "I believe congratulations are in order. When's the happy event?".
He looked at Ealith, unsure what to say. Did she want a big ceremony? A small one? Many guests? Few guests? No guests?
"Soon, very soon", Ealith just said, her smile brightening up the entire darkening valley.
Aldwyn clapped her hands, brimming with barely contained excitement, "I can't wait!".
She made for walking back towards her horse, but he stopped her and it was his turn now to surprise her with a bear hug. "Thank you, Aldwyn. For everything", he whispered in her ear.
She slapped his shoulder playfully, her eyes misty. "Oh stop it, you'll make me cry, you will! Here", she said as she retrieved their saddlebags, "We've brought food for the occasion. There's meat, pot pies, cheese and bread. While Ealith and I get the fire going, why don't you two see to the horses and go down to the river to fetch us some fresh water?".
"Consider it done".
He led her horse to where his and Ealith's were grazing, Elfda in tow.
"What I would have given to be able to see your face when she kneeled in front of you", he smirked.
"Mock away all you want. In fifty years, it will still be the best proposal story of all times".
"How close were you to pass out?".
"Close. And it's called swoon".
Elfda burst into a roaring laughter. "I like you, Prince. I really do".
With the horses taken care of, they collected their flasks and headed down towards the river. Once they were far enough from the ladies, Amrothos spoke in a solemn tone, "I owe you a big one, Elfda".
"You do?".
"Yes. How much do you know about what happened in Dol Amroth?".
"Not much, only that there were troubles".
"A disgruntled noble tried to abduct my sister-in-law and my nephew. Ealith was with them that day. They managed to avoid being captured but eventually, they were cornered in a small outpost, with only six men to protect them against a crew of twenty-seven. While the fight at the walls raged, three corsairs managed to enter the building where they were hiding. My nephew is but a child. My sister-in-law, as brave as she is, has never been taught how to fight. Ealith knew the chances of her killing all three men before they could get their hands on the others and take them hostage, thus forcing her to lay down her sword, were practically null. So, she feigned fear, acted as if she had no idea what she was doing, like she had never held a sword before. The corsairs deemed her to be of no danger and lowered their guard. None of them survived the night". Amrothos rubbed his eyes. Talking of what had happened still made his guts churn
"Bloody cowards!", Elfda muttered angrily, "I'm tempted to say they got what they deserved, but it's likely Ealith gave them a far too swift death".
"She's alive. And so are my nephew and my sister-in-law. That's all that matters", he sighed, letting go of the anger because it was a far too beautiful night to be anything but happy. "You taught my sister something along the lines of the more scared you look, the better. It saved her and Beyrith's life when the Dunlendings abducted them and, I suspect, you must be the one who taught Ealith the same trick".
"I have trained all of Lady Aldwyn's children and grand-children, and Ealith – who was part of the tribe because she and Aldwyn are like sisters, is by far the best student I've ever had", Elfda confessed, "She always had this gift, this calmness. Even when I tried to push her, to make her angry, she'd never lose her head, she'd stay calm and think about her next move. Already when she was a little girl, all bones and limbs, every little lesson, every little notion, you could see her taking it, studying it, then stowing it away in a drawer inside her head. And when the time came – months or even years later, she'd remember and use it to take her opponent down. Aldwyn is physically stronger than her and they are matched in speed. And yet, she has never – not even once!, managed to defeat Ealith. Bema, I've seen her besting scores of lads too!".
"You sound very proud".
"Damn right I am! And look: I was glad when she dumped that Alling chump, but I wasn't too convinced about you either. Aldwyn was royally pissed when you returned from the hut on the mountains without Ealith, for she had hoped you'd take her back to Edoras with you and instead, she was gone. But to me, that's when I started changing my mind about you. You'll make her a good husband, Prince".
Amrothos grasped the man's arm and smiled grateful. Still, he couldn't help a little teasing, "That's it? You are not going to threaten me with what you'll do to me, should I not treat her right? Elfda, you're growing soft!".
"Hardly. I just know you will. And if I am wrong, Ealith will kick your arse to Gondor, no doubt about that", he muttered and headed back towards the ladies.
That night, after Elfda and Aldwyn had fallen asleep, he and Ealith laid awake for many hours, just staring into the fading flames, their hearts full and their thoughts happy.
Quietly, Amrothos slid a hand into his pocket.
"What's this?", Ealith asked, looking down at the shiny object he was pressing into her palm.
"In the Eastemnet, a bride gifts her groom a sword. In Dol Amroth, a groom gifts his bride a ring".
"You had this on you? How?".
"Even if I wasn't sure whether you'd ever want to marry me, I wanted to give you one. As a token of love, if nothing else. It belonged to my mother".
She turned around to face him, her hand slightly trembling as he slid the ring on her finger. "It's beautiful".
"You can see nothing in this darkness", he chuckled.
"I don't need to".
He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. In the pale silvery light of the night, the mountain's snowy peaks were like veiled giants curled protectively around the valley. "I love this place already", he whispered in her ear. But she was sleeping, hands clutched above his heart, a content little smile on her face.
He kissed her brow - quietly, mindful not to awake her. Not long afterwards, lulled by the sound of the chirping crickets, Amrothos dozed off.
Author's notes: so here comes the end of the first part of the story. This was meant to be a light, happy chapter, and I hope you enjoyed it! Starting from the next chapter, the focus will shift back on Lothíriel and Éomer. I think it will probably be another ten chapters or so, possibly less because with the main characters already flashed out in the first part of the story, I'm planning for a much faster pace.
Rho67: come now, don't make me blush! :) I know I'm not nearly at the level of an acclaimed author and that my English is not perfect, but I like sharing stories and it always made my day to know someone enjoyed them. So, as usual: a big thank you for your sweet reviews!
anahvolf: I appreciate you pointing out that you could follow through so much! I always spend a lot of time checking maps of Middle Earth to be sure the geography matches and sometimes, it's easy to get lost and forget readers don't have a map with them to track where's what!
Catspector: and thank you for always leaving insightful reviews! :)
xXMizz Alec Volturi: thank you!
ValkSkadi: this story is like a chocolate? Ah, now that's a compliment! :) I understand what you mean with filler chapters feeling sort of slow. Whenever I follow a new story, I'm so eager for updates that I always wish a lot will happen in the next one, even when, in hindsight, it wouldn't make much sense for things to move too fast. I'm glad the pace feels right when reading the whole story at once! I was also often thinking of Aldburg too and I figured Lothíriel would miss her friend and that they deserved a little cameo! I guess having recently re-read the story, you caught easily the similarities in Lothíriel and Ealith's behaviour and probably guessed who the common coach is! Thank you for your reviews, loved them all!