As Far As The Heart Can See

Chapter 13
“Father and Daughter”

Ósle stood in front of the Golden Hall letting the warm breeze wipe at her hair and dress. Her mind was once again on the incident of the night before, in the bathroom.
She could still feel the way he held her and her lips seemed to tingle whenever she thought about his kisses.
Dinner last night had been quite awkward. She had been seated between her father and Amrothos. And although she had acted as if nothing had happened, she could not help shooting several cautious looks at the King. Not only once had their gazes met and every time they did, she had felt a tingling sensation in her stomach. She did not know what it meant. Or maybe she just didn’t want to find out what it meant; at least not at the moment.
She sighed and turned toward the door just as Prince Imrahil stepped out. He smiled and approached her.
“There you are,” he said. “I have been looking for you.”
“I have taken a few minutes to look at the scenery.”
“Will you take a short walk with me?”

When she nodded, Imrahil offered his arm which she at once took. In companionable silence they walked toward and down the steps.
“I am still amazed at how much you look like your mother,” he eventually started and Ósle blushed but smiled.
“Truly, there is not an ounce of me in your features…well, maybe the nose a little bit.”
Both laughed at that before Imrahil continued: “You even have her beautiful gray eyes. I noticed especially last night. In the dimmed light they seemed almost silver.”

Falling silent for a short while, Ósle thought and noticed that this was about all she knew of her mother: that she had looked like her. She looked sideways at her father and took a deep breath.
“Can…can you tell me about mother?” she asked timidly. “What was she like?”
Imrahil did not meet her eyes at once. Ósle quickly averted her gaze, unsure if she had done the right thing. Maybe he did not want to speak of her. Yet, her worry was unfounded when he started to talk:
“Lindóriel, your mother, came not even close to what I had envisioned my wife to be. She was so much more and I loved her even more for it. She was well brought up and educated. A daughter of an advisor of the Steward of Gondor. And full of life and joy.
“I met her in the year 2976 when my older sister, Finduilas was married to Denethor, the Steward’s son. And I knew the first time I saw her that I wanted to marry no other woman.
“I will never forget the day I asked her to become my wife. We had spoken on very few occasions, so we did not know each other at all. And that day, only three months after I had first seen her, I gathered all of my courage and asked her to become my wife.
“When she said yes almost at once, I was the happiest man in all of Middle Earth.”
Òsle smiled at the words Imrahil spoke. He had truly loved her, seemed to still love her with all of his heart.
“She was the loveliest, gentlest and yet most stubborn woman I have ever met. She made my life complete and bore me four wonderful children. The only thing I regret is not having met her sooner.”

The smile was still on her face when she felt her father stop walking. She had not even noticed passing the gate. They stood in front of the city overlooking the sweeping green grass land.
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
Imrahil took her hands in his, a warm smile softening his features.
“It is. I am quite certain though that you will come to like Dol Amroth as well. – It truly is a sight to behold. The castle, it stands right upon a cliff overlooking the sea. The white stone glistens in the bright sunlight, almost as majestic as the Tower of Ecthelion.
“You can hear the wind blowing and down below the churning of the water splashing against rock.”

Ósle smiled and squeezed her father’s hands.
“It sounds lovely. I am looking forward to see it.”
“You may sooner than you think, daughter. We will be leaving in two days,” Imrahil told her and she gasped.
“So soon?”
Of course, she had known that she would have to leave with her new found family. But that it would be so soon? Only two more days.
She swallowed hard, trying to repress the lump in her throat and keep the tears from falling.
“Loti, you are very pale. Is everything alright?”
Heaving a deep sigh, Ósle nodded.
“Yes, it is just…I mean this has been my home for as long as I can remember. And to think about leaving it for I don’t know how long…,” she trailed off as Imrahil nodded sympathetically. He approached her, drew her close and hugged her for the very first time.
“I cannot imagine how this must feel, Lothíriel. But please believe me, I as well as your brother’s will always be there for you.”
She lifted her head from his shoulder and smiled at him before kissing his cheek.
“Thank you,” she said quietly. “I…may I call you Papa?”
“Of course you may,” he replied delightedly and drew her into his arms once again.
“Thank you, Papa for telling me about mother. I feel nearer to her now,” she mumbled against his shoulder.

TBC