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Old 08-17-2002, 11:35 PM   #559
Child of the 7th Age
Spirit of the Lonely Star
 
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Sting

Maura went over to the children's room to greet his daughter, inviting her to walk along with them.

Zira responded with a yawn, "I'm so tired, and Ban has promised to come by later. He was on the timber range, and isn't even back. I'd better wait for him here. Maybe tomorrow for that walk."

Maura turned to Nitir and smiled. "It looks as if it's just you and me. But we do need to talk."

As they made their way along the path, their feet made crunching noises on its glossy surface. The snow itself had not fallen for several days, and much of it was melted. A thin sheet of ice now covered the ground. The hobbits walked in silence for a long while, their arms linked together. Every now and again, in between the crunching sounds, Nitir thought she heard the gentle flitting of a bird's wings as if it darted in and out among the trees.

"He's come back again. Ancalimon has come back." Maura said in quiet wonder. "And he wishes to speak with us tomorrow--you, Nitir, as well as myself and Lindo."

"He told me a little about you and the Star, those secrets from the Music that Nitir shared with him before he left Aman. Only a few things here and there, but enough that I understand how important your path may be."

"Analimon says the time has almost come. The hobbits will find freedom from Morgoth and the Orcs. The Lonely Star will depart, and my people and I must continue on our own."

The moon shone down on the icy paths like a thousand glittering lights, as bittersweet joy swelled in Nitir's heart.

"And what did he say of me?" She was almost afraid to ask.

Nitir stood silent on the path and tried to hold back the tears that were welling up in her eyes. But she could not stop them. She looked at the icy ground and said, "I do not want to leave. There is too much here that I care for. I would be happy making my life with you and your people."

Maura looked at her intently. "And I would be happy to have you here with me, but, whether or not that is possible, I do not know."

They walked quietly back towards the Workhouse. Maura leaned down to whisper goodbye, and placed a kiss on her brow, two heads with brown and grey curls mingled together for one instant within a lonely landscape. Overhead, a black and white bird circled, singing its mournful tune.

[ August 18, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]
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