There were some benefits to staying in the North until the King’s return, not the least of which had a laughing smile and dancing eyes and the promise of a kiss left upon his lips as he hung between life and death in the House of Healing.

-- from All That Glisters, Chapter 71. Of Endings and Beginnings

Love’s First Kiss

Merileth had never been there before. This place was for rich, nobles, those living in the grand houses of new-built Annuminas, and not for the likes of her family, sensible common folk who knew that bed and home, surrounded by loved ones, was the best place to recover from illness or injury.

An errand lad had told her the way to where the hobbits’ bodyguard lay, having laid down his own life for theirs.

A sob caught in her throat. She’d laughed him away. And now… now he might really go, and forever.

Pinning on a determined smile, she entered.