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Alli spoke hurriedly to Aimè, filling him in on everything that had been going through her head before her epiphany and everything that she was now certain of. She was very relieved that Sai hadn't stuck around... while Illamatar had mentioned her innocence, Alli wasn't yet certain just what her place in the side-plot was. Nevertheless, Alli had hugged her tight before she left, whispering "Thank you." in her ear.
Now she looked at Aimè who seemed a little shell-shocked at the suddenness of everything.
"Does it all make sense now?" she asked.
He looked at her oddly. "No."
She explained it all once more, using smaller words. He looked at her oddly again, using narrower eyes.
"And you're certain of all of this?"
"Yes."
"How do I know that this isn't a joke meant to play me as a fool?"
"You must trust me. No... I would never accept that as proof. Here... a token, to show that I mean what I say."
They chatted for a bit longer, making clear to the general audience that the writer was going to hang on to the suspense as long as possible by keeping details under lock and key.
Aimè held the small object up to the light, keeping it tucked into his palm and out of sight of all others. Finally he smiled and threw his arm around Alli who grinned happily.
"So we'll need a way to let each other know when it happens. Something that people won't expect..."
Aimè pondered for a moment before speaking.
"I love you."
"Pardon?"
"I love you, Alli, I love you. It's a good way of putting it, don't you think?"
"Aimè, it's perfect... especially when you say it in that accent of yours. I don't think I can mimic the accent, but the phrase works quite excellently. And when either of us says it, we'll know for certain, correct? No saying it except unless we really mean it?"
"But you'll know before I will."
"That's true, maybe, but I trust your intuition. You understood the importance of the little fat Italian hobbit before I understood aything. You might just realize other such important things before I do. Shall we practice?"
"I love you, Alli."
"I love you, Aimè."
And so they walked back to the group, their plans still secret, with confident grins and the words "I love you" still floating mysteriously between them.
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