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A tear slid down Tilionwen's face as she allowed the hobbit to pull her away from where she was standing, and she quickly wiped it away before the two women could see it. It felt cleansing, inside and out, and she wondered if she could keep the rest of them in any longer. She decided to hold them back for the time being, not wanting to dampen her new companions' spirits with her tears.
The hobbit excused herself to get the three of them something to drink, and only then did she realize how thirsty she was. Her gladness finally manifested itself in a shy smile which she gave the hobbit as she sped off. Left alone with the other woman, she remained silent. She did not really know what to say; her overwhelming joy stole away all the words her mind came up with.
As if seeing through Tilionwen's thoughts, the woman spoke up. "Would you mind if I ask you your name?"
With that innocent question, her mind suddenly flashed through her past, and all emotions concerning it jumbled up her joy. Disoriented for a moment, she fumbled for the right words to say, settling with, "Uh . . . Tilionwen."
"Another pretty name! Is it Elvish?" the hobbit suddenly chimed in, arriving with three glasses. Tilionwen gladly accepted one of them and took a sip.
"It is a pretty name," the other woman replied. "And I'm Ariane Calthye, and really hate to do this, but I can't stay right now." She gave what seemed like a grimace, then continued. "I hate to walk out on this conversation, but I do have to return to my room." She bowed slightly and finished her drink, and caught by surprise, all Tilionwen was able to say was a silent "Farewell." And then Ariane left.
Once again Tilionwen felt a feeling of paranoia settle in. Perhaps she knew. Perhaps my name gave it away. Perhaps...
The dam broke, and the tears she managed to hold inside for the longest time finally flowed freely.
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