[Nurumaiel]

Here, and to the bitter end... I mean, the happy end... we are going to have a happy ending, aren't we?

I think we have quite a few things that we can use to struggle (skip easily!) onward.

There's Ædegard and Leafa... the way I understood it he was going to have some doubts about marrying her with the loss of his hand... and she's just the type to submit meekly after saying once that it doesn't matter to her.

There's the possibility of a romance between Bellyn and Nethwador, whether happy or sad.

Liornung is, as ever, willing to step in and help the poor little lads and lassies.

And the Gondorian and Rohirric folk still need to get better acquainted with each other. Liornung will have a wonderful time pressing them for their own native songs, and he wouldn't mind in the least counseling them in their little troubles and doubts.

Yes, Ædegard's oath... and, if I may say so, Leafa's worry over and disapproval of it.

As far as the mirroring and revealing goes, I think Ædegard and Leafa are a very interesting pair. They're in love with each other... and it's rather crazy that they are! Ædegard is bold (that is, he isn't shy) and brave; Leafa is very shy and quite timid. Ædegard is very traditional; Leafa is from (gasp) a wayfarer band. Ædegard is the type to make an oath like the rather worrying one he did; Leafa wouldn't even consider doing anything of the sort. Ædegard, being traditional, is slightly prejudiced against outsiders; Leafa welcomes all with open arms.

(By the way, lmp, forgive me if I've misinterpreted Ædegard)

Reflecting over their differences, it seems rather crazy that they could be in love with each other, and it seems impossible that they could ever be happily married. But, on second thoughts, it doesn't seem so crazy. For my part, I know many happy couples that are just like that (for example, one is pessimistic and panics easily and the other one is very optimistic and always keep cool). They counter-act each others' faults in a manner that helps them solve difficult problems and come out as a very strong pair. Ædegard and Leafa have this potential too.

Ahem!

Must cease in my rambling observations.