[ Were she not so weary from the healing, not so confused by being compelled to come in the first place, by Compassion's sudden protective twist about Galadriel in the first place, Adelaide might have had the tension in her left to lock up at the unexpected contact. No one had reached out to her like that since well before the spire. The affection offered, the tenderness something that left her stymied. Frozen for want of a response.

How did one respond to such a gesture from someone so dazzling?

Blush, apparently. At least that involuntary reaction continued to work as well as ever. Merde.

Her voice came gradually- still stunned by everything since they were called. How were they called? It shouldn't have been possible in the first place, not by Galadriel. Worrying after that, after whatever it was that Galadriel said in a language she couldn't understand. Somehow she felt oddly chastised. ]

I- we. Have no need of gifts. We only wish you well. [ Wanting more wasn't ever something that was on the table. Do good works, use the power she had to help- that was all she ever needed. ] And we are glad to have helped.

[ But this. This contact, this affection- this was enough. Saying that felt like a flimsy excuse at best. ]

Whatever you did before to leave you like this? Please do not do it again. I do not have so many I would call friend that I would lose one gladly.