Bellona steps forward, takes her hands -

Bellona's Truth goes up on her tiptoes, to kiss Bellona's cheek -

And the world goes white.

It resolves, and they're back in Arda -

And Bellona's a lot smaller and squishier. Still with El in her lap, though.

She laughs, flailing, and wraps her arms tightly around El - she can feel!!! - and buries her face in El's neck.

(She's naked and hungry and exhausted but she doesn't care she can touch her sister again - )

"Lion!" El's exclamation is punctuated by the clatter of her erstwhile prosthetics hitting the ground as she wraps both her (flesh) arms around her sister.

"El!"

She kisses her sister's cheek and nuzzles her and wiggles and - she can feel things it's all so much -

She's laughing, helplessly, pressing herself into El like she can meld them together if she tries hard enough.

(In the background, the three visitors make themselves scarce)

"You're back!" She laughs. "You're back."

She tightens her grip on El's arms.

"I have my body - "

(She tears up, then starts crying.)

She deserves it.

She kisses El's cheek again, still sobbing, body shaking.

And - seems to be crying herself to sleep, actually.

She's so exhausted.

El gently shifts them around so Bellona can lay down in bed.

Snugs.

She yawns, nuzzles her sister, and falls asleep.

Sleepy Lion.

It's been a long time since she's seen her sister make that face.

Her face smooths out, at first, as she sleeps.

Then she starts having nightmares.

Shake. "Lion?"

Groggy - almost scared - "El?"

"Shh. I'm right here. You're okay."

More crying.

She sleeps in fits and starts a lot, that night.

El tries to keep her out of the nightmares. It's the least she can do.

Bellona loves her sister so much.

She's - concerned, that El's not getting enough sleep, though.

She's made it through worse. If it's for her sister, she'll manage.

"You're a good sister."

She nuzzles El again.

Hugs.

"I'm trying."

She presses her face harder into her sister.

Muffled: "Thanks..."

Pet pet.

The two girls are, by and large, left to themselves. Still, the army must eventually move - and Estel eventually has a tearful reunion with Bellona. He updates them both on everything that's going on, speaking quickly - Steward Turgon of Gondor wants to reward them (and, he suspects, so does everyone else). He can run interference, though, if they want more time left alone...