[littlemanpoet]

"-my love." He was glad they had left the stables and that no one had heard her declaration. He was not ashamed of her love, but Falowik had never let any of his mind or heart be known to anyone until a day ago, and then only to this one Elven lady, her beauty resplendent so that it seemed she could be blown into the air with the breeze - yet solid to the touch and with a will like mithril. He did not want the treasure of what they shared to be flashed before the world.

"I am coarse and ill fit to hold what you give, d - dearest, fairest one." She made to speak protesting words, but he shook his head, and she forbore. "I will return as quickly as Master Doderic and Flithaf allow. I fear I shall weaken the minute I am gone from you, and fail of all the good you have nursed in me, for away from you, I am less than nothing." Again she opened her mouth to gainsay him. He put his finger to her lips. "Fair one, fair my Uien, love, my heart of hearts, the stars are your food and drink, for their fire lights you in the night." Falowik took his finger from her lips and took hold of her right hand. "But you are my star, so I pray you, shine from afar. When I look to the west, I will seek the light that comes from you, for it is all the light I know. Fairest Uien, heart of my heart, my love, my star." He raised her hand to his lips and held it there, closing his eyes, drinking in the tenderness of her skin, and its fragrance; he raised his eyes to hers, which shone with a brilliance he had not yet seen, and an ardor that was too much for him.

"I am lucked beyond measure, dearest Uien, and all evil that has touched me before is as nothing, for I have known and loved you, and have received yours. It is more than any man can ask from his days." He wanted to release the reins and take her in his arms, and love her in deed as well as word, but it would be unseemly, and he was needed elsewhere this very night. He let slip her hand with a final kiss, and stepped into the stirrup - and missed; stumbling, his face collided with the horse's side, which stood unmoving.

"Here, let me help," Uien offered.

Falowik rubbed his face and chuckled. "See what good you do me? Any other day I would have fallen into a rage at the shame of such clumsiness. Listen to how I talk when I'm with you. Is this Falowik?" " He expected some words in reply, but they did not come. He looked at her face, and saw such light and a mixture of joy with regret at their parting, that she had no need of words. The stirrup in her hands held firm as Falowik placed his foot in it, and in another moment was sitting in the saddle, looking down at Uien. Her eyes shone still.

"Elbereth, my Laurëatan."

"Eárendil, my Lodestone."

Doderic was waiting. Falowik shook the rains once, and Flithaf was off, trotting toward Doderic and his pony. Uien watched Falowik's back as it dwindled into the distance.