[Sirithheruwen]

As Marin finished his story, the table fell silent for a moment. Marin took a swig of ale, so he didn't see the medley of looks flash across his face. Twylight realized that she now felt a feeling she had never felt for Marcho before: pity. He pointedly avoided her gaze, but she continued to stare at him.

Her thoughts were interrupted but Marin's voice. "We should get going tonight if we are to reach my house by tomorrow morning," he said for the whole table to hear. "I think it's time to say our good-byes," he said more quietly in Twylight's ear. She nodded sorrowfully.

She stood up and went over to where Posco, Lily, and Iadarion were sitting. Picking up the now forgotten piece of parchment, she wrote, Well, I have to leave now. I’m very sorry to have to say good-bye, yet I must. She pushed the parchment into the middle of the table, and everyone craned their necks to see what was written. Everyone stood up with much grating of chairs, and started saying good-bye. Iadarion was first. With a little hesitation at first, she reached over and gave him a peck on the cheek. He seemed surprised, but pleased. Next came Posco, eyes still lowered shyly. She too gave him a small kiss on the cheek. He blushed slightly, but chanced a look up. She smiled kindly at him and moved on. Lily was last, and she wrapped her arms around her in a hug. True, she hardly knew these people, but she already felt like she had spent years getting to know them.

Finishing at that table, she went back to where Marcho and Marin were shaking hands. Twylight hesitated slightly when she saw Marcho. He cast down his eyes, and the feelings of pity came back to her strongly. Taking his chin in her hand, she lifted it up, and placed a light kiss on his cheek, the same she had done for Iadarion and Posco. His face broke, and it took her a moment to realize he was smiling – and at her, no less. She smiled joyfully back, and turned to Marin. He put an arm about her shoulder, and he steered her gently towards the exit.

Once outside, they both breathed the fresh air deeply. Both of them did not realize how warm the room had been. They walked slowly up the garden path. Abruptly, Marin turned toward Twylight, and she was troubled to see he wasn’t smiling anymore. “Twylight,” he said softly. “Twylight, can I ask you something?” Of course, she signed. You know you can ask me anything. Her smile had now disappeared too, and she was gazing at him with concern in her light blue eyes. “We’ve grown up together. Known each other for so long. Our long absence made this more clear to me: we need to see each other more often. Well…I mean…I’ve missed you so much…and…well…” As his voice faltered, Twylight’s spine tingled. “How would you feel like never having to be separated again? What…what I’m trying to say is…would you…like to…to marry me?”

Twylight glanced up at the sky. A lone star was shining right above them, and her face broke out in a wide smile. When Marin saw that smile, he knew what her answer was. When he saw that smile he felt like nothing could be more right in the world. Slipping her soft hand into his, Twylight and Marin strolled back along the path towards the moon wobbling over the horizon. To the two lovers, the new stars had never seemed brighter, nor the moon lovelier. As they past out of sight of the Green Dragon Inn, Marin’s strong voice rose up in song. The song had not previously been heard in these parts of the Shire, for it was in the rich, rolling language of the Rohirrim. As the last strains of his voice faded, several new stars sprang into light in the sky and the wind sighed happily. Never had Middle-earth seemed like such a wonderful place.