[Lhunardawen]

"Don't worry, I've got my way once tonight. It's your turn to choose."

Much as she wanted to, Tilionwen couldn't hold the glare long enough to make Astilwen feel slightly guilty. After all, her aching muscles notwithstanding, she had fun. She was not really much into dancing; as a matter of fact, she used to try and avoid the act as best she could. The only time she would completely lose herself in it was whenever she and her sister were alone. Then they would dance like crazy, as if they did not have a care in the world. She recalled one time when they were both having a bad day and wanted to feel better, and they had the house to themselves since their father had supposedly gone to some place. She clearly remembered the indescribable expression of confusion in her father's face when he got back home earlier than he - and her daughters - expected, and found them lying on the lawn outside their house. They were rubbing their tired legs and groaning in pain, yet at the same time laughing and trying to catch their breath.

"What are you two doing, lying down there?" There was a tinge of concern in his voice; he obviously noticed that his beloved daughters were feeling some discomfort. Tilionwen and her sister responded with even louder guffaws and a mischievous "Nothing, father," and exchanged winks. Their father threw up his hands and conceded, then sat down to join the two young ladies.

"Tilionwen, are you okay?" Astilwen's concerned voice suddenly cut into her reverie, which she did notice she was already quite lost in. "I'm sorry if I forced you to dance. You didn't have to-"

"No, no, it's not that." Tilionwen quickly held the hobbit's little hands, looked into her eyes and smiled sincerely. "I had a wonderful time dancing, don't you worry." She took a quick glance at her feet, feeling suddenly ashamed. "Do your feet still hurt?"

"A bit, but I'll be just fine," Astilwen replied reassuringly. "But what was it? You looked a bit...glum for a moment. Do tell me."

Tilionwen knew better now than to keep things to herself, after having discovered the hobbit's power to convince. "It's nothing," she said, letting go of Astilwen's hands and slowly looking away. "I - I just remembered my sister. We used to dance quite a lot together back then. Apparently ever since she died I've lost practice, since I can't recall stepping on her feet too much before." Tilionwen chuckled awkwardly.

"How about you?" she jumped in after a moment's silence, not wanting to give Astilwen the chance to feel sad for her. "Do you dance a lot? And," she smiled half coyly, half teasingly, "have you been stepped on too much ever in your life?"