Gems from the 'Lesser Works' of JRRT

[alaklondewen]

This passage is also from Smith of Wooten Major. It is when Smith has been summoned to the Queen and he realizes she is the maiden he danced with in the Green Vale.

She smiled seeing his memory, and drew towards him; and they spoke long together, for the most part without words, and he learned many things in her thought, some of which gave him joy, and others filled him with grief. Then his mind turned back retracing his life, until he came to the day of the Children's Feast and the coming of the star, and suddenly he saw again the little dancing figure with its wand, and in shame he lowered his eyes from the Queen's beauty.

Absolutely beautiful.