Zimzi put her arms about the Uien, startling her a bit as she gave her a hug. "They’re lovely gifts . . . the both of you . . . thank you," Zimzi said letting go of Uien and taking Falowik’s hand to give it a squeeze.
Derufin reached out his hand to clasp Falowik’s, intending to say thanks when a gleam against the man’s shirt caught his eye. "Aah! You have one, too . . ."
"Aye," Falowik smiled. "I-" he paused, blushing "-hope we did not overreach-" he glanced at Uien. "My Lady insisted that you would not mind."
Derufin's eyebrows rose at the strange response from Falowik. "Mind? Hardly!"
Falowik smiled. "That is because you do not yet know the virtues of the gifts. My part was merely to braid the five strands of leather for each necklace. Five strands give greater strength than three, you see, while not over large."
"Virtues?" Zimzi asked, holding the clear gleaming stone in her hand.
Uien smiled. "Look in the orb. The light within has formed the
runes of your name, Zimzi. See you the
áze nuquerna?"
"Oh! I see!"
"Now think upon your mate." Zimzi's eyes widened as the runes changed their shape. "The
ando, for Derufin," Uien said.
"It warms in my hand as it changes!" Zimzi cried.
"And Derufin," Uien said, "look upon yours."
"I see it, the ...
áze nu-" he paused in confusion.
"The
áze nuquerna, for Zimzi. She thinks of you, and so her rune appears in your orb. Now look upon mine, Derufin. What do you see?"
"The ando."
"Now look upon yours again," Uien grinned.
"Why, it is different! What rune is this?"
"The
úre, after my name," Uien said, "for you are thinking of me. When you think of Falowik, the
formen will appear."
"Yes! I see it!" cried Zimzi. "These are wonderful! But ... how?"
"'Tis the art of my kindred," Uien said, "helped by the gift of your hair. 'Twas needed to aid the linkage between us. One hair from my head, and one from Falowik's are in your necklaces, and four each from your own heads. You wear twins, as do Falowik and I. But all four are sisters."
"What do you call the gem?" asked Zimzi with eyes alight.
"They are called
Tinumir in my speech, the Sindarin of the Elves, which in the Common tongue means 'star jewel'."
"The orbs," said Falowik, "hold starlight that Uien has caught in them by the art of her folk, and she embedded the strands of hair in the leather. I watched her do it, and still do not know how it was done!"
"These are rare gifts!" Zimzi said.
"Let them become heirlooms among your many children," Uien smiled. When you are far from us and we think of you, you will know that we think of you, and when it warms against your heart, you will know that you are thought of. As will we."