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Bringing it to night...
As the group reveled in the sudden promise of two lives intertwining, some unknown anxiety also called them to drift onward. Something unsettling, and unspoken, moved them ever forward even as they all basked in the sweetness that had struck between Ædegard and Argeleafa. Bella found it especially wondrous and even confusing, for she had known little of such love and such affection. First thoughts brought hope for the future of the two Rohirrim, who had known each other for such a short time and yet knew one thing for certain – that they were meant to be together. Second thoughts did not come until Amroth’s cheery words rang through the air –
“Yes, Nethador, it was sudden! Two days? Four? But they are both Rohirrim and their minds and bodies are much alike. You are not so lucky. Give it more time.”
Bella could feel the heat and the blood rush to her cheeks in an unstoppable manner as she felt Nethwador’s eyes upon her. Turning her horse in a different direction even as the group trotted onward, Bella gazed into the distance and thought deeply about the strange thing called love. How could love have come so quickly and deeply between Ædegard and Leafa? It seemed as if some spell had overcome them, and Bella wondered if it would let go only after they had wed. If something could come so easily, could it not leave just as swiftly? And what meaning had such a thing, to come and go in such a fleeting manner? Bella could hear all these questions crossing through her mind. Ædegard and Leafa hardly knew each other! Nethwador knew nothing of Bella!
The group rode on, and the late afternoon sun soon began to fall beneath the horizon. Bella lost track of the length they had traveled, and when the last rays of the sun streaked the ground that they treaded Bella urged her horse to catch up with Liornung’s.
“Liornung,” Bella prodded, her voice toned in a way so that only the two of them would hear their conversation. She did not want anyone else to know her contemplations on love. “Liornung, it is all so confusing! Can you make sense of what has happened this day? Love seems to drive this whole journey, the love between Amroth and his Lady…and now love ties Ædegard and Leafa. Amroth’s love is long and tightly woven into a tangled web, but for our friends the line is clearly drawn, and they make it seem simple again. I am lost upon the meaning.”
“I might not be the best person to ask. Maybe you should ask the lovers themselves?” came Liornung’s suggestion, which made Bella frown and knit her brows. Liornung laughed and pointed to Ædegard and Leafa, riding before them with hands interlocked. “However, perhaps you should not look for the meaning of it, because if you asked hundreds of people what love is, you may very well receive hundreds of different answers. But I know this…that love knows not what time is.”
“I shall keep this in mind, and thank you, Liornung!” Bella smiled faintly, still confused but considering Liornung’s last words. Amroth halted before them, dismounting his horse as the Elves and Nethwador followed his lead in quick succession. The sun had long since settled beneath the hills. Amroth and the Elves seemed prepared to allow the more Mannish members of their company get rest.
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