Disclaimer: I own none of Professor Tolkien's characters. All original characters are created with the spirit of Professor Tolkien in mind.
"Gin suilon, muinthel," called Eruwaedhen, approaching her sister at the well.
"Suilad," greeted Cirdoliel. "Ci maer?"
"Ni maer." Eruwaedhen pointed up into the branches of a spreading tree, where a slender songster poured forth a melody. "Look, did you see this? 'Tis a nightingale, the bird whose ancestors Melian taught to sing."
"But perhaps you have forgotten, my elder sister, that we ought to be fetching water from the well! Now is not the time for admiring Yavanna's creatures! Come, your mistress will awake soon and will wish to wash."
"Perhaps you have forgotten," Eruwaedhen replied with a smile playing on her face, "that you are not the keeper of the house in Imladris."
"True," Cirdoliel agreed. "But I am only repeating what Branwen would say if you were new here and she was giving you orders." For Branwen was indeed the keeper of the house.
"You are new to your task." Eruwaedhen dipped her bucket into the water.
"True. But I am not unacquainted with your task. I too was once a handmaiden of the Lady Celebrían's. Now I am the handmaiden of the Lady Arwen, and this is the first day of my dealings with that task. The Lady Arwen's manner of ordering her servants is not like that of her mother."
Eruwaedhen drew the bucket out of the well and poured half of it into the Lady Celebrían's pitcher, and the other half into the Lady Arwen's. She gave the Lady Arwen's pitcher to Cirdoliel.
"I thank you," Cirdoliel said. "'Tis a good thing that Branwen taught me how to serve the Lady Arwen. She is fit for her position, being three thousand years old and knowing all things here in Imladris."
"And the days of your years are yet thirty and three," Eruwaedhen laughed. "Branwen's years are far beyond."
"Thand. Boe i 'waen. Novaer."
"Novaer." The sisters parted.
The twins were dark-haired and bare the image of their father. So alike were they in appearance and manner, the sons of Elrond, that few outside their acquaintance could tell them apart.
From the various ground walks came Lindir, Erestor, Glorfindel, and Gildor. They seated themselves at the table. Eruwaedhen and Cirdoliel stood behind their respective mistresses.
Lord Elrond scanned the table, taking in all those present. He cleared his throat. "I must inform you all of news concerning the Lady Celebrían. She is to go on a journey to the land of Lórien for to visit her kin. She will tarry there for a time, and some months may pass ere she returns. Lindir, I have appointed a list of those who are to accompany the Lady on her journey. Following our present meal, you are to instruct them to begin the necessary preparations as soon as may be. The company will depart two days hence."
"Yes, my lord," Lindir replied. The Elves ate in silence for some minutes. As the servants, including Cirdurwen, gathered up the dishes and utensils, Elrond stood. The others followed.
Lindir strode away to attend to his duties. The Lady Celebrían glided away to her chambers. Eruwaedhen did not follow, and neither did Cirdoliel, though Arwen also went to her chamber. Branwen had told them both that they need not follow their mistresses to their bedrooms after the meals unless they were specifically called to do so.
The evening before the company's departure, Eruwaedhen was bade by her mistress to come to the Lady Celebrían's chambers and pack her clothes. Eruwaedhen folded Celebrían's garments into the chest. When her servant had done, the Lady Celebrían smiled warmly and thanked her. Then Eruwaedhen and Cirdoliel passed to Eruwaedhen's bedchamber.
"A Eruwaedhen, guren níniatha n'i lû n'i a-govenitham. How long will you be gone?"
"Ú-iston. It may be for a few months, maybe even a full year's span. Who knows?"
"What is it like in Lothlórien?"
"I know it is a beautiful forest, inhabited by the Lady Galadriel, mother to the Lady Celebrian. I have heard that it is like unto the Blessed Realm."
"I am sure it is true."
"I suppose we shall not know at all until I go there. I will tell you of it as soon as I return."
The sisters resumed packing. One by one Eruwaedhen's dresses got folded into the trunk, then her stockings, mantles, coats, and extra shoes.
"You shall leave before dawn before to-morrow," Lord Elrond said during the evening meal. "If you wish to say farewell, then you must do it ere the morrow be upon us."
The same day after the rising of the moon, Eruwaedhen said to Cirdoliel and Cirdurwen, "A, Cirdoliel, muinthel nîn, novaer!"
"No veren, Eruwaedhen," said Cirdoliel The sisters embraced. "Novaer, Eruwaedhen," said Cirdurwen.
A/N: Yeah, I know I'm only supposed to write one story at a time. But I already wrote this one, and two of my friends helped a great deal. Shoutouts to you guys! You made this awesome!
And in case you didn't notice, the style of this story is quite different than the style of my other story. This is because it's meant to read like something straight out of LOTR. My friends helped a whole lot with that part. Thanks again y'all!
Sindarin translations:
Gin suilon, muinthel = I greet you, dear sister
Suilad = Greetings
Ci maer? = Are you well?
Ni maer = I am well
Thand = True
Boe i 'waen = I must go
NovaerFarewell
Hannon le = I thank you
A Eruwaedhen, guren níniatha n'i lû n'i a-govenitham = O Eruwaedhen, my heart shall weep until I see you again
Ú-iston = I do not know
Muinthel nîn = My dear sister
No verenEnjoy yourself
A/N: Reviews are appreciated and often responded to.