[Maegaladiel]

Nahai suddenly felt more confident, happy to have such an interested audience. Taking another sip of her tea, she continued.

"Celecu and I spent many joyful months together. The day he asked me to be his wife was the happiest day of my life. I felt as though I was getting a place where I belonged in life. That love really could conquer all."

She reached to her neck, and tugged on a mithril chain halfway tucked inside her shirt. Hanging on the chain was a silver ring, decorated with silver leaves and vines. In the exact center, nestled among the sparkling foliage, was a single green stone, the same vibrant hue as her eyes.

"The day he gave me this was exactly one week before we were to be wed. He and several other elves were being called away to defend the forest from an orc attack. He promised me he would return within a fortnight, and that we would be married apon the moment of his arrival."

She was silent for a moment, fingering the ring.

"He never returned," she said softly. "I waited three years for him to come back." She turned her attention to the ring momentarily, running her fingertip across the delicate leaves. When she looked back at Morwyn, her eyes were sparkling with tears that were barely held back.

"He never returned," she repeated. "And I am once again alone. Even if he survived, he has probably forgotten me and crossed over to the Gray Havens by now." She tucked the ring back inside her shirt.

"I wear this ring here, because it and the elf who gave it to me are always close to my heart." She said, as though she had never mentioned the possibility of him forgetting her, and the greater chance of his death.

"Well, there you have it, the story of Nahai and her stupid belief that love conquers all." She gave a sad smile. "Even death."