Chapter Twenty-Five
Water, Wind, and Fire
Paloda was happy to be returning to Melaquenya. For once, Hilgur was accompanying her. He had returned from his wanderings a few nights ago and suggested the trip himself, much to her surprise. The ancient trees of the Light Elves’ wood loomed just ahead of them on the southern horizon, glimmering in the light of the sunset beneath the faint outline of a magical shield.
For a moment, she allowed herself to believe she was going to see Malgkir again. She imagined the tingle of the Quenya against her skin, the play of the rainbow lights against her son’s golden curls as he smiled at her. If she tried hard enough, she could almost hear him speak.
A bitter taste filled her mouth as the daydream fled. Her son was gone.
She was not one to moon over
