As the party died down, Lumiel ended her dancing, as happy as it made her. A slight flush was in her cheeks and she got herself a light ale. She sat near the fire, watching all the guests and making small-talk with a few. She laughed at the antics of Sam's children and watched the guests leave. There were only a few people left downstairs, and she was tired, but felt almost like she could never fall asleep.
She walked up the stairs to her rented room and un-did the plaits in her hair. She carefully combed her long brown hair and spoke quietly to herself.
"I've never been to a party before. What a wonderful time I had! And elves, there were other elves there!"
*She sighed and changed into a light nightgown. She folded her dress with care and laid it beside her cloak, shirt, and leggings from earlier. Her hand fell to the sword that was beside them, and she caressed the hilt, remembering the hand who had held it with confidence and courage before her. She whispered into the night.
"Oh Farin, I wish you were still here...they all seem like wonderful folk, but...they're not the same. It's not the same without you."
She took her hand away from the hilt and hugged it to her breast, tears brimming in her eyes. She closed her eyes tight to stem the tears, but failed and one tear streamed down. She took a deep breath and wiped the tear away, silently chiding herself. Farin would not want her to grieve for him, but she just couldn't help it.
She pulled down the sheets to her bed and went to the window, gazing up at the night stars, whose silent watch seemed to draw her own loneliness out. She sighed and blew out a nightstand candle, then crawled into bed and closed her eyes, upon which she almost instantly fell asleep. Her dreams were of dancing and singing, with Farin smiling and encouraging her.
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