As they walked through the glade arm in arm, greeting people as they went, Gil-Estel was finding hard to smile. They found their places at the High Table, near to the King and Queen and settled into their seats. Before they knew it the feast had begun and the minstrels had started to play. Everyone around them was singing and laughing and Gil-Estel found it hard not to become absorbed in the festivities and soon he had almost completely forgotten his troubles. There was so much food and drink to choose from! There usually was at banquets like this. But today it seemed that the cooks had really surpassed themselves! Gil-Estel had soon joined in with the many joyous conversations being had all around. He turned to Raewyn and smiled, hoping that she was having fun.

Raewyn greeted everyone the same as Gil-Estel as they walked to the party. Smiling was not something she could do at the moment but she managed to fake one everytime someone greeted them. As they got there imeadatly the singing began. Raewyn laughed as she saw everyone having so much fun. As they sat down she was pulled into the conversation of the people beside them. Raewyn turned and saw Gil-Estel smiling at her and their eyes locked. Moments like these made her heart fly.

Soon after the tables had been cleared away, Gil-Estel stood up and led Raewyn over to dance. They danced for a long while in the formal style generally used at these banquets. Soon though Gil-Estel led Raewyn away from the main party and back through the forest. They found the Golden Hill, the hill that they had stood on just yesterday and danced there together to the faint sound of the music from the party. They did not dance formally though, they danced in an embrace, their heads on each others' shoulders. They remained like this for hours. When the last star had appeared in the sky they sat down and Gil-Estel presented Raewyn with a small parcel.

OOC: wait until you get the present before you post again lol.

Raewyn smiled shyly as Gil-Estel led her to the dance floor. They danced fomally much to Raewyn disappointment but she didn't show it. As he led her off the dance floor and up the hill she smiled. He pulled her into his arms and the danced close up on the hill. It was moments like these she wished time would stop. When they finally sat and she took the parcel from him she smilied.

"You didn't have to get me anything." She said as she opened it slowly.

Gil-Estel smiled sadly, "Of course I had to get you something, my love." A single tear rolled down his cheek. "It has come to the time when you must leave, Silimel. I shall accompany you to the borders of my lands but then..." he swallowed, "then I must turn back."

Raewyn pulled the locket out and smiled. "It's beautiful." She saw the tear roll down his cheek and knew ti was time. Trying not to cry but failing miserably she looked in his eyes. "This isn't my life Gil-Estel. It's your's. I would never fit in here even if I tired." She felt her heart breaking as she clutched the locket in her hand. She stood strongly though she felt as if she was going to fall. "Don't accompany me for it will only be harder to say goodbye."

"Be iest lîn." (by your wish) he said sadly. He pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her passionately. When they released each other he had a tear in his eye. As Raewyn left his life, born by the winds of change, Gil-Estel let the tears fall freely from his eyes. He wept. Wept for many hours. Until at last, the sun rose into the sky and the birds sung as though trying to console him. He stayed in that place for the next day, until at last the time came for him to rise and to leave. Never was he to return to this hill until the time that Raewyn reentered his life.

Raewyn nodded as he pulled her into the embrace. As he kissed her she found her heart whole for the last time. She pinned the locket around her neck and walked away from her one true love. She found Melantia and rode off into the night not knowing that on this night seven years later she would return.