"That's good. Someday we'll all move and then maybe they'll even consent to live within the same walls as the rest of us."

"Yeah, if I hadn't already convinced my parents that leaving Valinor was for the best I bet that would have done it."

"If only the Valar were so easy to persuade."

"Yeah, no kidding."

"Someday."

"Yeah. We'll figure it out."

He nods. "It's looking like I am not going to make the recitation for my father's apprentices - Olwë is in town and assented to stay a few more days to talk trade with me - which is a shame because I had a present made for you." He pulls it out. It's a color copy of a book.

"It's beautiful," she says, accepting it carefully.

"Just don't obviate it in a few Years with all your new discoveries!"

"Even if I do I shall treasure it always."

"Take care."

"You too."

She goes home and drops the book off.

She goes to Vorondie's.

"Guess what?"

"Your sister punched someone defending her new husband's honor?"

"No. Not yet at least."

"I give up, tell me."

"Maitimo's doing politics the day of the recitation and can't come. Which means you can."

Sigh. "The thing where I have to avoid him is really annoying."

"It's not that you can't be in a room with him ever! Just. Not him and me both."

"Yeah.

I'd love to come, regardless."

"I love you."

"I know you do. I love you too. It'll be nice to meet the others, anyway."

"Yeah."

They are both there, day of.

So's he! "Marillë! Congratulations! Olwë invited me down to Alqualondë to get the agreement straightened out, so I was able to slip away after all."

Ohh crap.

"I am almost tempted to accuse you of setting the whole thing up just so you could pleasantly surprise me," she says, because it would be a pleasant surprise under other circumstances. "...This is my friend Vorondie," because she's standing right there and it's way too late for her to sneak away, "I'm sure you already know her, you know everyone."

"I do! How do you two know each other?"