[Mithalwen]

Elfride stood stock still. Thoughts and emotions swept over her as waves crashing onto a beach. First astonishment, then amusement which had to be surpressed for the brown eyes that searched her face were earnest . Earnest enough to dispel her next thought that the only interest the young man could have in a woman seven years his senior was her property. Earnest enough to demand kindness and honesty, she thought as she examined what she could recall of her behaviour to see if there was anything she had done to encourage him. Heavy of heart she began to speak:

"Léoflic, I believe youare sincere in what you say but I also believe that you are mistaken" , she quelled his protest with a gesture, "listen to me, you have lost much and so have I but shared experience is the basis of friendship not love. While I glady offer you my friendship I can give you nothing more. I cannot replace those who you have lost ...and for myself, I have not thought to ... perhaps some day I shall .... but now all I know is that I must go to my son, to Gondor - that is the only desire of my heart - look not so downcast, you told me that you were an adventurer, a wanderer - and I am by nature a stay at home. I am sure that you will find someone who can give you their whole heart, which is what you deserve, but that someone cannot be me for part of my heart lies forever buried in a far land. I am sorry". She turned sadly and led her horse back towards the group.