Gil-Estel let Rilgilad run free for a while. The beautiful white horse had no saddle (as was the elven way), and his pristine coat reflected the light of the stars in the night sky above. Gil-Estel sat down with his back against a tree and took out his small flagon of Miruvor Cordial. It was good stuff for warming you up on a cold night. However, he didn't want to be out here forever. He just hoped that Melusine would arrive soon.

Melusine smiled as she saw Gil-Estel sitting against a tree and saw the horse he had brought running nearby. The horse was an absolutely gorgeous animal. She wanted to pet it and wondered if it would be tame.

"Sorry I took so long. One can only travel so far and so fast on delicate feet. I just had my five hundredth birthday last month, but sometimes I feel like I'm thousands of years old," she said, sitting near him. She gasped. "That horse is much bigger than Xelus was. I don't see a lot of horses around Lake Aelin." Or much of anything else, either, she thought, a lump suddenly forming in her throat. "Is it tame?" she squeaked.

"He is tame yes. As long as you treat him right at least. His name's Rilgilad." He took Melusine's hand and led across to the horse. He placed her hand on the horse's nose. The horse sniffed and whinnied, apparently pleased. "The most important thing - other than treating him properly - is to make sure that you don't panic him. Rilgilad is a fairly calm horse, and it would take a lot to panic him. But it's not like that with all horses. Would you like to ride him now?"

She petted the horse's nose. "Yes, I think I would. But how do I get on?" Melusine tried not to think of how high up it was and instead concentrated on how lovely the horse looked in the moonlight. She looked up at the sky, the stars twinkling at her as if they knew it would be all right, and smiled.

OOC: I actually have no idea how to ride a horse :S but I'm using the internet to find out to add authenticity.


"It's traditional for elves to ride horses bareback, but as you're only a beginner, I will teach you how to ride with a saddle." said Gil-Estel. "Go round to the left side of the horse and then turn to face the rear of the horse, take the stirrup in your right hand, turn it clockwise to allow you to gently place your left foot in it so that the ball of your foot rests on the bottom of the stirrup. And make sure you don't kick him, as that tells him to walk forwards!"

Gil-Estel moved around to the left of the horse so that he could help Melusine onto the horse.

(OOC: don't worry, I don't know either)
She managed to get on, though she found the feel of the saddle a bit odd. "I've never used a saddle before. The only ones I've seen use it are the humans who..." She stopped and let her voice trail off, doubting he would want to hear what had happened to her homeland. "I'm sorry, do go on. What do we do now?"

Noticing Melusine's broken sentence, Gil-Estel wondered whether he should pursue the issue. He decided that he should bring it up later, when they had finished their lesson.

"Don't worry," he said "I mostly ride without a saddle, so if you want we can take it off next time." Gil-Estel told Melusine how to control the horse, and off they went.

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An hour later, after their lesson had finished, they were sitting with their backs against a tree. "Melusine? Can I ask you a question? What were you going to say about humans earlier?"

She sighed heavily, and tried not to cry. "Some humans think elves are pests. It's as if we're some... some disease or something. Just because we're taller than most humans and smaller than some of them too. About a year ago, some humans came into the land between the Misty Forest and Lake Aelin, where I live. They set fire to my village and chased away most of my friends, but a few died from being burned to death. One of those was my best friend, Ailindra. She was only 200 years old. I don't know where they chased them too, because I scrambled into a tree where a woodpecker had made a hole and hid there. By some miracle, Xelus and I survived. I don't even know if my parents are still alive. After Xelus died, I went to Isiltelpe because they were having some kind of festival in hopes of making friends, but for the most part, everyone ignored me even though I was polite. I like it here much better..I could live here, Gil-Estel.It's beautiful and lush and undisturbed by people who don't like elves." She had tears running down her cheeks when she finished. "Between the humans who chased pretty much everyone in my area away and burned our village and Xelus being killed by them... I have a fear of humans so terrible it nearly paralyzes me."

"Stay here then. Stay in Yomenïampa. We can find you a house and you can settle down, and learn to ride a horse and you'd never have to fear to lose your home again. You will hardly ever meet humas here, other races generally don't mingle with the elves of Yomenïampa. And then one day, we can go and search for your family and friends." He looked questioningly at Melusine, waiting for her answer.

"You'd really help me?" She sniffled and wiped her eyes. "If it wouldn't be any trouble then I'd like to stay here very much. Perhaps you could take me to meet some of your friends, if they'd accept me. I'd really like to get to know you better as well," she added, and a faint blush colored her cheeks.

Gil-Estel smiled at Melusine's answer. "Come on," he said, "Let's take Rilgilad back to the stables and then I can introduce you to some people." He stood up and walked over to the white horse, stroking the horse's nose, he led it over to
Melusine. "Would you like to try to ride him back to the stables?" he asked.

"Certainly," she said. She managed to mount the horse. "How do I get him started?" She had forgotten already, being so enraptured by Gil-Estel himself. It was embarrassing, really. She wondered if he'd seen her blush when she had said she'd like to get to know him better. And she really wanted to know what he thought about it.

"Just lightly kick his sides, then he should move." said Gil-Estel smiling. He started to walk, Rilgilad followed, carrying Melusine on his back. "I'd like it if you lived here." said Gil-Estel. "I'd like to get to know you too."

Melusine lightly kicked Rigilad's sides and petted his mane as if she were afraid that even such light kicking would have hurt him. Her response to Gil-Estel was a huge grin. "I can't wait... for any of it. I don't really have a home in Lake Aelin. It's more like a camp, not something permanent. Having friends and my own horse will be nice as well. But most of all, I can't wait to get to know you. I already feel like I've known you forever, Gil-Estel."

Gil-Estel smiled at Melusine's words. He wasn't sure yet how he felt about her, but he certainly knew that he was glad he had met her. He led her and the horse through the forest, pointing out various sights. Suddenly, he knew the perfect place to show her. "Come," he said, "But close your eyes!"

She closed her eyes and held on to Rigilad for security. She trusted Gil-Estel implicitly. Melusine was sure there were many beautiful spots around Yomeniampa and could not wait to explore any of it. "Rigilad will know the way, right?" she asked just to be certain. If the horse didn't know where he was going it would not be safe to continue in her opinion.

"Don't worry," he smiled, "Rilgilad knows his way. He comes from a very ancient and noble line of steeds. His family and mine have maintained a close bond through many ages, some even say since time began!"

As they got further away from the centre of the elven city, the numbers if elves around them got fewer and fewer, until eventually there was no one but Gil-Estel and Melusine. Birds in the trees were singing, and the sun was shining through small gaps in the tree canopy above.

Presently, they came to a place where there stood a small hill. Cut into the side of the hill there seemed to be a large hollow, the size of a great hall in a castle of Men. There stood a lone tree on either side of the entrance to the hollow forming what appeared to be natural gate posts. The trees' branches reached across the gap and became interwoven, forming a natural gate.

Gil-Estel approached the gate. "Edro." (Open) he whispered softly. It appeared that the trees heard his words, theor branches slowly lifted slightly so that instead of a gate, they now made a great arch to admit the two elves and their horse. Gil-Estel led Rilgilad and Melusine through and the arch closed bhind them. Inside the hollow there was a small spring in the middle and a cave at the back with what appeared to be an oversized table made of two pieces of grey rock.

"Welcome," he said grandly "to the ancient ent house of Yomenïampa."

Melusine gasped. "I've never seen anything like it. It's so...quiet and undisturbed. It's beautiful. Do you come here a lot?" she wanted to know. She hoped so, for it was very private and seemed like the perfect place to get to know someone without interruptions. A soft smile crossed her face at that thought.

"I used to," he said, "when there was still ents in Yomenïampa. But about four hundred years ago they left without trace, and so I hardly come back now, only when I need time and space to think." He walked over to the spring and, cupping his hands, scooped up some water. He used the water to splash his face. He turned back to Melusine and helped her off of Rilgilad. "Come," he said "Let us sit upon the floor." He sat down, feeling the soft grass underneath him.

She eagerly followed him, and only then did she realize that her bottom was a bit sore. She chalked it up to riding too long and for now ignored it. "It's peaceful here," Melusine said. It really was, with the sound of the water nearby and a soft breeze blowing.

"It is." agreed Gil-Estel with a smile. He looked at Melusine for a moment. "Tell me Melusine, have you ever been in love?" He knew it was a personal question and that it was impertinent of him to ask but he didn't mind, they had known eachother for long enough for that kind of thing to be acceptable.

Her heart beat faster. Was that what this was then? This peacefulness she felt with him, this security? That was love?

"Yes..."

She found she couldn't go on. What she wanted to ask was if he thought he was in love with her, but her mouth wouldn't move anymore and her throat was constricting and becoming dry.

"I was too.. once.." he said, looking down at the space between his legs. "A ranger, called.. no her names not important. But we both decided that it was best if... if.. well if we didn't continue the relationship.. We both parted ways.. and I haven't seen her since then.. but that was then and this is now. And anyway... I think I've found someone else." He turned and smiled at Melusine, looking deeply into her eyes.

"Oh, Gil Estel..." she gasped. "When I said I've been in love, I meant I've never been in love until just now...with you."

Melusine hoped with all her heart that her confession had not been a mistake as her face flushed again. She felt so stupid. What if the "someone else" wasn't her? He hadn't exactly made that part clear. Then again, he might just say, "You just loved me because I'm a prince," or alternatively, "You just love me because I helped you." But neither of those things would be true. Well, maybe the second one, a bit... but how could one not fall in love with Gil-Estel after seeing how kind and considerate he was? She suspected that he held the affections of many women for that very reason.

(OOC: sorry, I don't know what went wrong with my post.)



















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Gil-Estel smiled. He leaned forward and kissed Melusine lightly on the lips. "I love you too Melusine. Please. Say you'll stay in Yomenïampa. Say that you won't leave to be a ranger. We can spend many ages riding and talking and singing. And who knows, maybe one day we shall settle down and have children." He looked hopefully at Melusine, hoping, praying that he had not gone too far. He took her hand and waited for her answer.

"Of course I'll stay. Now that Xelus is gone, what have I got to go back to? All those things...those are what I want, too. I love you so much...." Melusine put her arms around him and felt her entire being relax. Being loved felt so wonderful.

"I don't know how to tell you this, but remember when I fainted and you helped me and I came to and I was crying? It wasn't only because of Xelus. I- I also cried because you were holding me, and it had been so long since I'd been shown that kind of affection and it felt so wonderful after thinking I was never going to be shown affection again. "

As Gil-Estel watched Melusine and listened to her words he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming affection towards her. Once again, he leant over and kissed her lips. "Come," he said standing, "I am hungry, there is food in the cave at the back. Do not worry! It is not the food left by the ents, it's fresh food." He walked over to the cave and opening a large earthenware pot took out some fresh fruit. "Here," he said, handing Melusine the small yellow fruit, "eat this, it's widely considered to be one of the finest fruits Arda has to offer."

"It's wonderful," she said, taking a bite. "What is it, exactly?" The flavor of the sweet fruit filled her mouth, and she felt as if she could eat it for the rest of her life. "Mmmm... I could live on it. There isn't anything so wonderful in Lake Aelin. The berries are delicious there, but because of my feet I've gone hungry more than once," she admitted, looking down at her feet.

"The fruit is Edhelloth (elven flower). Tell me Melusine, what is wrong with your feet? And is there no way to help them?" He hoped that he had not been too bold with such a personal question, but he wanted to know if there was any way he could relieve Melusine of her suffering.

"If I were human, it would be what they call plantar fascia. I'm not sure what the word for it is in Elven. It's very painful. I cannot stand for more than five minutes without pain. I've tried some stretching, but that doesn't help and only makes the condition worse. Even my minor heal can't diminish the pain. I don't know if anything can be done to help them, but I hope so, someday."

(OOC: I have this condition IRL and NOTHING has helped it, including the stretching. It is a side effect of my cerebral palsy and of my tendons being naturally tight. Last time I heard, there was a medicine to help, but the medicine caused seizures as its side effect and I'm already epileptic anyway.)

"One day I shall find a cure for you," he smiled, "even if it means travelling to the ends of the Earth." He pulled Melusine into an embrace and just sat there, happy to be with her. All was well with the world. He realised that he really did love her. Since being with her he had not thought about Raewyn once, nor had he longed to be reunited with her. No, he was happy with Melusine. And that was how it was going to stay.

OOC: My cousin has cerebral palsy (I think...) and she can't walk at all. She's only eleven or twelve though, so she's learning. I really truly hope that something does help your feet eventually :)

Melusine let herself be embraced and found comfort there. She was sure she had never been happier in her entire life. She lay her head on Gil-Estel's chest and felt warmth and love flow through her. "I love you," she whispered happily. It was all that needed to be said for now.

They lay there for many hours until the sun had completely sunk beneath the furthest tress and the stars had begun to appear like diamonds in the sky. Gil-Estel looked down and realised Melusine had fallen asleep. He lightly woke her with a kiss and sat her up. "Come," he said smiling, "I'll show you to somewhere you can sleep." He led her back to the main city and found her an empty flet, instead of a ladder, this one had a flowing white staircase curving round the trunk of the tree. "It is near to mine," he said, "and as this one has a staircase instead of a ladder, it should be easier on your feet."

"How near is it to yours?" She doubted she would care at this point. The fact that she was so happy and content that she had fallen asleep in his arms both surprised and pleased her; to her it meant that this was where she truly belonged.She began to ascend the stairs and did find it much easier to climb than a ladder. She quickly found a room with a bed. "Someone has been here," she noticed even in her sleepy state. "It's unmade. What if they come back?"

"Do not worry Melusine, in Yomenïampa many of the flets do not belong to any single person, you may stay in this flet for as long or short a time as you wish. It is done that way so that no one has to sleep in the same place forever. That would be very boring! The only place that is restricted is the royal palace. Only the King and Queen and their Lords and Ladies may sleep there."

"Oh...I just thought someone lived here. It's a nice way to run things, though. I never dreamed a big city like this would be so hospitable." Melusine yawned, but then remembered. "The next thing I need is a horse. And also food. Where can I get those things?" She remembered Lake Aelin, where if she didn't have Xelus she often would not have had food either.

"I can fetch you some food. And I know exactly how you can get a horse." He smiled at Melusine. "As you know Eruionmereth (festival of the son of God) is approaching, and as you know it is customary to recieve gifts on this day. You could just ask for a horse as your gift. I will just go and fetch you some food." He ran down he staircase, narrowly missing several elves on the way down. Several minutes later, he returned with some elven cake and two glasses of heated wine. "Here," he said handing her one of each, "take these."

OOC: Just follow this link and follow the instructions, then you can ask for a free horse for Christmas :D http://therealmofarda.com/index.php?showto...dpost&p=3213903

She took the food and set it on a nearby table. "I love you Gil-Estel." She kissed him softly on the lips, hoping she was as good a kisser as he was. "How can I ever thank you for all you've done for me? What would you like for Eruionmereth?" Melusine asked him. "I think I have enough money to get you something nice. The elves used to pay me when I would use my minor heal spell for them."

"I don't know really," he smiled, "surprise me. Will you come to the Eruionmereth party this year? Many of my friends have been invited. It is a grand occaision, but a light hearted one. There will be much feasting and drinking and exchanging of gifts." He hoped that Melusine would be able to come, as it had been at the Eruionmereth party five seven years ago that he and Raewyn had parted and he had not been with anyone since then..

"Certainly. What time can you pick me up to take me there?" She couldn't wait. If she were to meet Gil-Estel's friends, she was sure she would feel more at home here. "I am sure your friends are most interesting. And the food... it must be wonderful! I have been treated to a few good feasts since I came here," she said. "It seems that the ones who live here like to have parties an awful lot."