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For a moment Tilionwen forgot about the world outside her: the kind hobbit-lady's comforting voice and touch, Ariane, the party at the Inn, even the reason she was there in the first place. She just focused on her sobbing and how wonderful it felt. Not only was her dusty face being washed clean, but she also felt the long-held grief in her heart drowning in her tears.
After a long while she could cry no longer, and so came back to her senses. The first thing she noticed was the hobbit's arms around her. In shock, she pulled away from her a little. She did not want to offend her, especially after what she just did, but she felt terribly ashamed. This woman barely even knew her. She had no idea what Tilionwen had done. Yet in that sense it seemed to Tilionwen that her breaking down actually did her good. Her companion had already seen her tears; what difference will telling her its accompanying tale make?
As if sensing an uneasiness in Tilionwen, the hobbit pressed a handkerchief into her hand then smiled. "Feeling better?" she asked.
Oh, how I do, Tilionwen thought, but she settled for a gentle nod. Her mind now made up, she looked up and took a deep breath, then sighed heavily. "You asked previously if my name is Elvish. Well, it is. But it's not my real name...some people just gave it to me."
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