[Orual]

He couldn't sleep. Talômi went downstairs and took a seat in the common room, tracing the rim of his glass of water with a finger. His dark hair was tousled, and light rings were around his eyes from his lack of sleep. He just couldn't relax enough. Maybe a few songs would help him.

He saw several new faces in the Inn, new even since he had gone upstairs. Two young Elven maidens, one talking with Aman, the new innkeeper. People moved like a river through this place. It was altogether possible that Rie had left.

He leaned back and ran a hand through his hair. Somehow he didn't think that that was the case. From what the young hobbit lass and Nurumaiel had said, he strongly suspected that his sister was still here. It was only a matter of time before he found her, and they could settle things.

A few minutes passed, and the low hum of talk continued in the room. The lights were a little dimmer than they were during the day, giving it a comforting atmosphere. Talômi looked up at the staircase, and smiled.

"Hello," he said in a soft voice. "It's been a long time."

***

Rie smoothed her green skirts, though she didn't need to. She returned her brother's smile, though hers was more shy. "I know," she said, taking a hesitant step forwards. She rubbed her neck again, and her eyes drifted to the floor. She couldn't face Talômi yet. Why had she done this now? It was such a mistake.

"Care to take a seat?" Talômi asked, pushing a chair out for her. She smiled again and went over to sit.

He was just like she remembered. His gentle voice, his sparkling eyes, his strong features, just like her father's. His messy hair that would never sit right no matter what their mother did to it. His large, calloused hands, and the little scar right below his elbow from that time he had fallen off an old wall that she had decided to climb on. "I missed you," she said quietly.

"Did you?" She looked up, and saw Talômi's eyes sparkling in an altogether different way. He was angry, and hurt. "You didn't seem too eager to see me."

"I was afraid it would be like this," Rie said tensely. "I don't want you to be angry at me. I didn't leave because of you. I didn't--"

"You didn't even tell me," Talômi said, his voice tight. "You didn't give me any hints. I didn't know where you'd gone. Mother thinks you're dead."

"I didn't think I was going to go through with it until I left," Rie protested. "I'm sorry, Talômi. I never meant to hurt you," she added, in a whisper.

Talômi's face relaxed, and he smiled. It was the smile that she remembered. He put his left hand over Rie's right. "And I don't mean to hurt you, Rie. I didn't come here to take you away. I came here so that you could take me back. I want to stay here with you, if that's what you want to do. Stay, I mean."

Rie's green eyes widened. "I thought you wanted to bring me back home, just when I'd found somewhere I belonged."

Talômi laughed, but he sounded offended. "You really thought that? How could you think that? Rie, I'd never do that without your consent. Not that I could. Honestly, I thought you knew me...both of us...better than that."

Rie laughed with him, though hers was held no more mirth. She was ashamed at having misjudged her brother like that. A tear slid down her cheek, and Talômi reached over the table to catch it with his finger. "Don't cry," he said. "Forgive and forget. I told Mother and Father that if I found you, I'd send them a letter. I'm going to stay with you, Rie. I think I'll like it here."

Rie rubbed her face with her hands. "Forgive and forget," she echoed. She looked up, and Talômi was smiling--really smiling, like he was happy--and she leaned over the table to embrace him, not noticing the water that she spilled. "I missed you," she whispered into his shoulder.

He did not respond, but let her cry for a little while. The whole fiasco was finally over.

[ April 30, 2003: Message edited by: Orual ]