Raewyn rode into Yomenïampa. The streets were bustling with people just like the last time she had been there. She watched as she got a few glances from the people on the streets but seeing she was an elf went back to their own bisiuness. She found a good spot near a little waterand rode up to it. She swung her leg off of Menatia's back and jumped lightly to the ground. Taking her rangers cloak and sword off Melantia's back she patted her nose.

"Good girl Melantia. Stay here and I'll be back in a little bit." She spoke softly in sindarin. Raewyn turned and began walking up the street.

As the sun slowly climbed to its zenith, and the light filtered through the canopy of leaves that covered Yomenïampa Gil-Estel decided that it was time to finish his walk through the forest city and return to his flet in the trees for some food. As he walked past the large trees of his home city, he couldn't help but admire the beauty of the place he had been born. The white trunks and golden leaves of the mallorn trees in winter was a sight not many people soon forgot. "My Lord." came a voice from behind him, "My Lord! A ranger has arrived from the misty forest, and the King asks that you accompany her to her accomodation. She's over at the Great Lawn my Lord"

As the young elf said "she" Gil-Estel's heart skipped a beat. Could it be her? The one who had banished all others from his mind and his heart and the one whom he had thought about every day since he had met her? He ran through the trees, bumping into many an unfortunate elf on his way. When he finally reached the Great Lawn he quickly scanned the square for any sign of Her. And there she was. It really was her. She was standing there looking somewhat bewildered at the immense height of the trees of Yomenïampa (they were at least three or four times taller than those of the misty forest).

He walked up behind her and placed his hand lightly on her shoulder. "Raewyn..." he said softly.

Raewyn looked around at the trees. They were huge. The misty forest had it's ups in beauty with the mist that settled but this place had its ups by size a plain simpleness.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and heard a voice that made her breath catch in her throat. She turned and looked into the gray eyes of him. He was in her memories from their meeeting to their parting. His face shot through her mind as everyday passed.

"Gil-Estel..." She smiled. It was him.

He had waited everyday since their encounter in the Misty Forest for this moment, but now that it had finally happened he didn't know what to say. "You look... what I mean is... you've..." at about this point, he decided that the safest (and least embarassing) option was to pull her into a warm embrace. As he hugged her, memories of the Misty Forest came flooding back to him. Aha! he thought, that's what I can say!

"How's your shoulder?" he asked hopefully.

She raised her eyebrows as he began to stutter. It was funny as he did. When he pulled her into him and hugged her all of the memories came flooding back to her but one memory came back clearly. The kiss. It had just been a peck on the cheek but it was something.

"It's fine. A little stiff now and then but other than that as good as new." She said as they broke away from the hug.

"I was sent here to show you to your accomodation," said Gil-Estel, "but would you like me to show you around Yomenïampa first?" He offered his arm to her in a very gentleman like manner. They walked for hours, talking, laughing and all the while, Gil-Estel's feelings for Raewyn came rushing back to him.

"So, Raewyn, what have you been doing since we met in the Misty Forest?" he asked when they sat down against a tree with a small crystal bottle of ice cold water.

Raewyn nodded as Gil-Estel offered her his arm. "I would love that." As the walked around Raewyn's heart felt like it was going to jump out of her chest. As they sat down against the tree Raewyn looked at Gil-Estel as he spoke.

"Just traveling like normal except without orcs, wriathes..." She pondered for a moment." ... Oh! and arrows." She smiled. "What about you what have you been up to in this glorious place?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary. I've only just returned from a long journey to Angband on which I met a most fascinating man..." Gil-Estel continued to tell her the story of his journey to Angband until the sun was halfway down the sky. "Come," he said taking Raewyn by the hand. He led her through the forest for many hours until they came to a place where there was a small hill. On top of the hill there was a small circle of white trunked trees with gloden leaves. "Here is Calas Malthen (the Golden Hill)". They climbed the hill and stood in the middle of the trees looking at the slowly setting Sun. Then Gil-Estel took Raewyn's hands in his and looked deep into her eyes. "I love you." he whispered and, leaning forwards, he kissed her softly on the lips.

OOC: I imagine this scene to be the start of the romance, then they can decided to end it a few days later.

"Wow It seems you have had quite a journey yourself." Raewyn said as the climbed a small hill. As they got up there she found it was the most bueatiful sight she had ever seen. The sun set below the horizon and Gil-Estel took her hands. He spoke those three words and then kissed her she felt herself floating on clouds they pulled back and she smiled. "I love you too."

OCC: Works for me.

They remained on Calas Malthen for many hours, happy to simply be in each others' prescence. As the Elendil began to wane in the sky and the first rays of sunlight began to creep slowly up the horizon, Gil-Estel stood up. "Come," he said softly, "We shall find some food and then we can spend the day together." He smiled, reflecting on how lucky he had been to be chased by wraiths with this elf maiden. He reached over and kissed her again. "Come, let us go."

They walked hand in hand back to the main city as morning slowly set in around them. When they arrived, they let go of each others' hands, deciding that it would be best if no one else found out about them just yet. Presently they came to a place where fodd was being prepared, Gil-Estel bought some bread and fruit and handed half to Raewyn. They sat down and ate their breakfast together.

Raewyn was happy. She couldn't believe how lucky she was Gil-Estel was a very good guy. She stood as Gil-Estel as they walked hand in hand down the hill. They still walked side by side down in the town. Raewyn watched all of the people as they sat down for some breakfast.

"Everyone here seems so... calm. As if there are no cares in the world."

"We have nothing to fear here in Yomenïampa. We are safe, and secure and happy. There is to be a Christmas feast in a few days. Will you join me?" He hoped that Raewyn would consent to go with him, he had never gone with anyone but his sisters...

"That must be nice... not having to look over your shoulder every minute." Raewyn said with a bit of sadness. It was definatly a lovely place here. A perfect place. She looked at Gil-Estel keeping a good face for him.

"I would love to join you." she said smiling at him.

OOC: has Raewyn already decided that they can't be together forever?

IC: Gil-Estel smiled. "Thank you" he said. It was all he could do to stop himself from taking her into his arms and kissing her. "Shall we go to somewhere a little quieter?" he asked standing.

(OCC: No but she is leaning towards it)

IC: "Your welcome." She said smiling as he got up. She nodded as she arose with him. "Yes it is a little loud." She smiled at him but behind her smile were doubts. How could this work between them? He was part fo the eroyal family she was a ranger. She looked away for a second. It couldn't happen could it?

Gil-Estel noticed Raewyn look away. He touched her cheek lightly and brought her face up to look at his. "Raewyn.. what is wrong?" He feared that she was beginning to have the same doubts as he was about how successful their relationship could really be... Nevertheless, he loved her and he didn't want to give her away. He would wait until after Christmas to address their issues..

Raewyn looked into his eyes. "Nothing.... I am fine. Don't worry" As she did this the doubts grew more but she didn't dwell on them at the moment. She would however discuss them with him after the christmas party. Raewyn knew she loved him. He had her heart in the palm of his hands but it again came back to the ranger and the royalty.

OOC: as soon as I get the purchase filled on your present we can do the Christmas party post.

They spent the rest of the day together, happy to be in each others' company. As the day drew on Gil-Estel's fear of loosing Raewyn grew deeper and deeper. "Tomorrow is the party." He said turning to her trying to keep a smile on his face.

Raewyn's doubts started to get worse and worse as the day progressed. She didn't want to leave this place... Leave Gil-Estel but this wasn't her world and she knew it now. She would have to leave.

"Yes... It is. " She looked at him. "Gil-Estel... you look as if something is troubling you." She didn't want to lose him. Everytime she thought about it she felt like crying but she had to keep strong.

OCC: Okay.

"It is nothing... honestly." He smiled a reassuring smile. "Have you thought about what you are going to wear?" he asked, "if you have no clothes suitable for the occaission I can borrow something from my sister. You shall look like a princess." He smiled at her. If only she really was a princess, that would make things so much easier...

"Are you sure?" She asked. She had a feeling that he was having the same doubts.
"No I haven't thought about it. Uhhhhh I don't really have anything." Somthing caught her breath. If only she was a princess. That would be eaiser but a ranger and a princess are to way different things.

"Yes, I'm certain Raewyn." He smiled. "Now, we must sleep. If we are to attend the party tomorrow, we must be well rested! Let us sleep here tonight, together." He knew that this was probably to be his last night with Raewyn and he wanted it to be in her arms. He embraced her and brought her down to the floor where they lay on the soft grass, sleeping, with angelic smiles on their faces.

Raewynnodded and they layed on the floor. IT would be her last night with Gil-Estel. She looked at his face as he slept. He was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Her heart was breaking as she lay there beside him. She kissed his lips softly and closed her eyes glad to be in his arms one last time.

As the next morning came around Gil-Estel woke up. He stood and wandered amongst the trees as he always did while in Yomenïampa, listening to the birds singing and smelling the fresh morning air. After five or ten minutes he returned to find Raewyn awake. He took her in his arms, "Good Morning." he smiled. "Happy Christmas."

Raewyn awoke to find Gil-Estel gone. She stood and looked around. It was Christmas Day. Tonight she would leave. She bit her lip. Why did it have to be so complecated. She finds a guy who is perfect for her and he's a prince. A tear slipped out of her eye. as she quickly wiped it away. She turned around as she heard his footsteps.

"Good morning." She said as he took her in his arms. "Happy Christmas to you also."

OOC: this is really quite sad :( lol

IC: "What's wrong Raewyn?" asked Gil-Estel, although in his heart he already knew the answer. "Come, let us spend the day together before... before..." he felt a lump forming in his throat. "Before the party..." he finished.

(OCC: I agree it is.)

IC: "It....It's... nothing." she felt her eyes water but luckily he was looking away at the time. Raewyn nodded as they walked outside. They decided to go riding for the day.... their last day. Her heaert told her to stay but then it told her to leave. Maybe it was her mind telling her but her thoughts were so jumbled at the moment she couldn't tell. They headed to the stables to get their horses.

At the stables they found Rilgilad and Melantia standing close together. Seeing that even their horses were happy being here together brought tears to Gil-Estel's eyes, he fought to keep them back. They mounted their horses and rode through the beautiful forest past stream and glade, past hill and valley. The day was perfect. Gil-Estel turned and smiled at Raewyn. Suddenly he urged Rilgilad forwards. Turning he called to Raewyn "Come! See if Melantia can match the speed of Rilgilad!"

Raewyn bit her lip as she saw the horses. They liked the company of each other aalso. She swung up on Malantia and they rode. Gil-Estel showed her somethings they hadn't seen in the past days together. She smiled as Gil-Estel challenged her to the speed.
"Onward Melantia. Catch our love." She whispered in Sindarin to her horse. Melantia shot forward faster than she had ever seen before.

They raced through for hours, neither horse taking the lead for long. Eventually it was time for the party and they rode slowly back to the city. When they arrived Gil-Estel hurried off to change into a finer robe and sent Raewyn to his sister to fetch a dress. Soon they were both dressed for the party and they walked arm in arm towards the beautifully decorated glade in which it was taking place.

OOC: I'm going to start a new post for the party tomorrow, by then Raewyn should have recieved her present. Gil-Estel can give it to her at the end though (even though technically she should already have it)

Raewyn had fun as they raced and talked laughed but the feeling of dread didn't stop coming. She wanted time to just freeze. She she changed fo rthe party tears were running down her face. Why did it have to end. Becuase he was a prince and she a ranger. She kept telling herself it would be fine, but she knew it wouldn't. She quickly made sure that there were no signs that she had been crying as they made their way to the party.

(IC: That's fine. This is getting sad. :xmassad: )