She slowly raised her arms, then clung to Markus, the tears coming now. She buried her face in his chest, sobbing. "They...mother...burned...father...suicide.." she gasped out for an explanation.

Markus puzzled over her broken explanation. Bit by bit he pieced it together. His eyes widened with sorrow. "Luna...I am so sorry. I had no idea...I never thought..." He grimaced unable to find words of comfort. He moved tentatively with her and sat down with her in his lap, cradled close to him. His hand stroked through her hair in an attempt to soothe her. He figured where words failed him, actions would be better.

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She still clung to him, but tried to choke back the tears. "Sorry." she said as her sobs started to subside a bit. She knew he hadn't needed to hear that. But she was thankful for his comfort.

He gently raised her chin, all the better to look her in the eye. "You have nothing to be sorry for Luna. You have learned some awful news, you are well within your rights to be upset." His brow furrowed. "I know it will not mean much right now and you probably won't believe me, but it gets better, I promise." He offered her a small smile as he continued to hold her close, rocking her gently to calm her down.

Marylyn had envoked a deep conversation with Haldir and Sirel to give Markus and Luna some privacy. Her heart ached at the sorrow the eminated from Luna. She knew the pain of losing her parents all too well, as did Markus. Marylyn was glad Markus could comfort Luna in this time of pain. She knew Luna would need her friends about her now.

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She nodded, but couldn't smile. She gladly stayed there, needing the comfort he offered her. She finally stopped crying, and only hiccuped softly now. She knew he was right about it getting better. But right now she didn't know how long it would take.

Markus sat with her gently rubbing her back. He was happy to comfort her in her need of support. It was the least he could do for her. "Perhaps after some sleep you will feel better," he mused, knowing full well she would not rest this night. He felt foolish for offering, but he could not think of anything else that could possibly help her.

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She nodded against him, thank you. She suddenly felt bad about being in his lap still, and figured he would have grown tired of it. She slowly stood, her swollen eyes focused on the ground.

"Come," he said softly. "I will walk you to your room." Markus stood swiftly and patiently held his hand out to Luna. He was not sure what solace he could offer Luna, but he would do anything to see her smile again. Nothing could erase what she saw, but there had to be something would help her accept what happened and move on. This would have to be a comfort that she found on her own, but he vowed to be there for her every step of the way. It was the very least he could do for his friend.

Marylyn watched the pair silently, her mind buzzing with thought. Perhaps, when Luna was rested and ready she would take her to her favourite spot and let her view the moon like it was meant to be seen. Let her gaze into the stars until her pain slipped away into the night. It was the least she could do for her brothers friend.

Haldir cleared his throat, glancing up at the sky. His eyes sad. "Marylyn I need to get back to work, but why don't you show Sirel around? I bet she is dying to explore the trees." He hated leaving his wife, but he also had his duties. Marylyn had been released from her duties temporarily to spend time with her brother, which she gladly appreciated. However, Haldir knew she had been itching for something to do and this would be the perfect activity for her.

Marylyn grinned brightly. "That sounds like a great idea. What do you think Sirel? Fancy accompanying me on a journey through the trees and rivers?" Her eyes danced with excitement at the opportunity to explore her great home. That was the beauty of Lothlorien for her, there was always something new waiting to be discovered.

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She hesitated before taking his hand and walking with him. "I'm sorry." she felt as though she needed to apologize. She didn't like making a scene, didn't like being a burden or inconvenience to anyone. She then spoke her thoughts as they entered her mind. "I never knew them, or remember them. I feel as though my mother's ending was honorable, but...my father..." she let that sentence slip into the wind, unfinished. To commit suicide...she felt betrayed, and hurt. She didn't know why he had done that. Her mother died saving her, and her father had simply rejected her, betrayed her by leaving her alone.

"Do not feel badly about your father. No one can know what was going through his mind." Markus fought not to feel badly about Luna's father and yet he could not understand how he could leave his daughter alone in this world. "Your father must have loved your mother very much. " When you fall in love, it is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake, and then it subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots are become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement. Love is what is left when all of that has burned away." Markus frowned. "That is not to say your father did not love you though Luna."

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"Then I doubt I shall ever fall in love. It's dangerous." she whispered. To her it was clear her father did not love her enough to stay with her. To her it just seemed wrong.

"I wouldn't swear love off like that. We need it to survive in this world. When your father's love was gone he clearly felt like he couldn't survive this world. It was wrong of him to leave you, but like I said we do not know what was going through your father's mind. You cannot judge what you do not know Luna." They slowly came to her room. "Is there anything I can do for you?" Markus asked quietly.

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"I...I don't know." she wanted company, but she didn't want to keep him from his family. "I guess maybe I shall sleep a while." she looked up at him finally. "Thank you."

Markus's mouth pressed into a tight line. He could sense that she did not want to be alone. "Tell you what, for my own peace of mind I will sit with you until you fall asleep? How does that sound?" His head tilted and a sweet smile spread across his face.

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She blinked, then nodded her head gratefully. "I would like that, thank you. She went inside and waited for him, her thoughts still swirlin in her head. Hopefully she could get some sleep.

Marylyn walked up to Sirel. "Would you like me to show you around?"
Sirel shrugged. "I've been here before, so I pretty much know where everything is." She paused, then continued. "Where are Markus and Luna?"