➵ flower boat

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They play pebbletoss in the mornings, when they have run out of stories and songs to recite. Their ship is fast and light, and when Legolas dips his fingers into the water, he can feel the speed rising as the wind pushes gently at their backs.

Gimli has kept another flower from the lands of Shfashara, and though it is by now wilting, he gives it to Ulvinowyn, who takes it between her fingers and listens intently as Gimli stutters out a declaration of love, telling her that he likes her indeed very much, especially when she is in the form of a woman as she is in this moment.

She returns his affection, of course, and Legolas watches with a strange feeling in his bones as they decide to spend their lives together. He is happy for them. Yet part of him has always wanted the dwarf to himself. Nevertheless, he feels pride as he watches them hold the dying flower between their interlaced palms.

Elu says he envies them and the simplicity of their affection. As he puts it in Elvish quiet and quick enough for neither of the lovebirds to take the time nor effort to translate themselves, feeling for someone is not always so easy.

They collect seaweed, listen to the sea, and talk to spirits as the night grows dark. Legolas teaches Elu to measure the stars with his bow, and watches the moonlight spill over his rich skin while wondering what it is that he really means to say.

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