The still quiet of the night, Novia slept peacefully, a soft breeze wafting through her open window. But her tranquility was interrupted by a loud pounding on her door. She sat up and quickly threw off her blanket, pulling on her shoes as she ran to answer the door.
"Get moving. We are leaving at dawn," a gruff man said, giving her a nasty look before turning and stalking away. Novia hurried over to her closet, which was little more than a broom cupboard. It still had several old brooms in amongst the clothes.
She pulled off her nightgown and slipped into a working gown of light brown and purple. Novia tied a dirty white apron around her waist, and changed into her work boots. It would be much easier to ride wearing boots as opposed to the light shoes she wore around the palace. Lastly, she braided her long brown hair and let it fall down to the middle of her back
She hurried out of the room and headed down to the kitchens.
"Good morning Mandring."
"It won't be good once you get up to the mistress's quarters. You are late."
"I know, I know," Novia said with a sigh, picking up a tray and shuffling out of the kitchens towards Lady Vanamiriel's bedroom.
"You are late, girl," the Lady said, frowning at her servant.
"My apologies my Lady. It won't happen again."
"Your right it won't. Once we get to Eryn Lasgallen, I will have servants who actually do their work on time. Now fetch my velvet gown."
"Yes my Lady," Novia said, bowing as she backed towards Vanamiriel's closet. This closet was much more suitable than Novia's and was well over twenty times larger. Novia found the deep red velvet gown and carried it delicately out to the waiting elf lady.
"Hurry girl. We have to leave soon."
"My apologizes."
Novia helped Lady Vanamiriel dress in the velvet gown, brushed her thick black hair, and strung a necklace of flawless rubies around the Lady's neck.
"My Lady, are you ready?" The elf who had forced Novia to wake up earlier that morning stood in the doorway.
"Yes, Angthol. Come Novia."
Novia obediently followed her mistress down to the main gate. Lady Vanamiriel was helped onto her white horse, where she sat sidesaddle as the rest of her party mounted. Novia climbed up on her tan mare without assistance, and sat with her legs on either side of the horse.
"Barbaric," Vanamiriel said softly in disgust, but still loud enough for her servant to hear. Novia was used to these little insults, and chose to ignore it. She shifted in the saddle until she was comfortable, and waited for the guards to start off.
"Novia, we are almost there. Do you want to embarrass me? Sit sidesaddle!" Lady Vanamiriel hissed. With a sigh, Novia swung her leg over onto the other side of her horse, and shifted her weight to sit sidesaddle. Just as she became comfortable, a group of fair-haired elves stepped out of the trees before them.
"Greetings, Lady Vanamiriel. We are here to escort you to the halls of King Thranduil."
"Thank you. Please, lead the way."
The small party followed the fair-haired elves through the woods, until there appeared before them a bridge with large double doors facing them.
Lady Vanamiriel rode boldly up to them as the doors opened. Her escort followed several lengths behind.
"Welcome Lady Vanamiriel. Long have we waited for you to arrive."
"Thank you, King Thranduil," Lady Vanamiriel said, accepting one of the elves assistance in dismounting. Another offered his hand to Novia, but she just slid off by herself and smiled warmly at him. He returned it, bowing low.
"If you would follow me," the King said, holding out his hand and helping Lady Vanamiriel up the stairs. She followed him down a side corridor, and Novia followed dutifully.
"As you know, I am desperately trying to find a wife for my son Legolas. He needs to settle down and have children."
"I assure you my king, I would like nothing more than to have my own family. It would be an honor to become a part of yours."
Before Lady Vanamiriel could continue her sappy speech to the king, a side door opened, and a tall, blonde elf entered. He was wearing a dark green tunic, and his pale face was smudged with dirt. Novia could visibly see Vanamiriel cringe at the sight of him. She despised filth more than belatedness.
"Father, there is a host of orcs passing along our southern border. Aradae requests your permission to pursue them."
"Legolas, my son. I would like you to meet Lady Vanamiriel. She is from the Rhun."
"A pleasure to meet you," Vanamiriel said, bowing low, hiding her look of disgust at his appearance. Novia looked down to hide her smile. Her mistress's unhappiness with the situation only made it better for Novia.
"Pleasure," Legolas said, glancing at Vanamiriel, before looking at his father. "Do we have your permission to hunt them down?"
"You have my permission," King Thranduil said with a sigh, as his son ran back down the hall away from him.
"You must forgive him. He is most reluctant to cooperate in my search for someone for him to marry."
"Do not fret your Majesty. I am sure he just needs time."
"Yes, yes. You are right."
Novia followed her down the hall, relishing the challenge that her mistress would face in trying to get Prince Legolas to love her. She knew Vanamiriel cared nothing for the Prince himself. She only wanted to have the power she would get as his wife. She certainly had her work cut out for her.
Novia wandered the cavernous hallways of King Thranduil's palace, wondering what she should do with her new found freedom. Lady Vanamiriel had dismissed her, instead choosing to have Thranduil's servants assist her. Novia wasn't complaining. She hated Vanamiriel always looking down at her. But now, she didn't really have anything to do.
In her wandering, she found herself outside, beside a flat area void of trees. In the middle of the field there were a couple of elves, each holding a bow and quiver. She noticed a target set at the other end of the field. Apparently, this was an archery practice range. She sat down at the edge of the field, deciding to watch them practice. One of them noticed her sitting there, and came over to her. She recognized him as the elf who had tried to assist her off her horse.
"Good afternoon, my Lady," he said, smiling down at you. "Why are you not with Lady Vanamiriel?"
"I have been dismissed. My serving skills do not meet the Lady's requirements."
"I am sorry."
"Do not be. I would much rather sit here than wash her clothes." The elf laughed lightly.
"I am Ornlith."
"Novia."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, my Lady. But, if you don't mind me asking, why do you wish to sit here and watch us practice? Surely you would rather be in the gardens."
Novia laughed lightly, standing up and facing him at eye level. He was only two inches taller than her.
"To be honest, I have always wanted to learn to use a bow. Lady Vanamiriel, however, found that idea preposterous, so I never learned."
"Would you like me to teach you?" Ornlith asked, smiling at her.
"I would very much like that," Novia said, grinning broadly.
"Keep your elbow up. Now don't flinch this time."
Novia bit her lip, and let go, watching the arrow fly towards the target. She missed by about a foot.
"Well, you're doing a little better," Ornlith said, his companion, Tirfen, falling over backward he was laughing so hard. Novia glared at Tirfen.
"So I can't hit the target. You go over and stand in front of it, then I won't miss."
"I'm sorry Novia. I'll stop," he said, rubbing the tears of laughter out of his eyes.
"Okay. One more," Ornlith said, handing her another arrow.
"She'll need more than that Ornlith!"
"Don't worry about him," Ornlith said, shaking his head as Novia glared at him again.
"Okay, elbow up, arm bent slightly. Don't grip the bow so tightly. Just relax."
Novia glared at the target, concentrating hard on everything Ornlith had told her. Then she released the arrow, and it made contact with the target. It didn't matter she was a good 16 inches from the center. She was so excited she'd hit the target at all.
"Oh my gosh! I hit it!"
"Good job," Ornlith said, laughing as she hugged him, bouncing up and down. "I told you you could do it."
"What say you now, Tirfen of the Doubtful?"
"I say you got lucky, Novia of the Archery-Challenged," he said, standing up and stretching. Novia stuck her tongue out childishly, but she didn't care. She had more fun in the past few hours than she'd had in centuries.