All known settings and characters belong to Tolkien the rest are my OC's.
This a more intimate look at the life and surroundings of the royal family from an outsiders POV.
Ginela helped unload the last box from the cart and smoothed out her skirt, the move had been a long one but it had been worth it. Her father had been given a job at the royal palace- of all places- as head cook and the family had been delighted by the promotion even though it had meant that they had to move from their small settlement.
They had desperately needed this promotion, the family had never had much money and a cooking position in a small settlement had never helped that. Her mother- who was now pregnant with twin girls- had taken a job as a maid and so had Ginela so she could keep an eye on her mother, while earning more for her soon to grow family. Today the three of them would be taking a tour of the palace and be given a run through of their day to day duties.
Ginela was not a great beauty but people had always told her she made up for it in her smile. She tied her massive curly hair in a quick bun and made her to where her mother and father were waiting. Upon seeing her they walked towards her. "Ready?" Her mother asked gently caressing her cheek. Ginela nodded and they set of down the shaded path towards the palace, their new home.
The walk was a pleasant one, the trees around the elven kings palace where rich and healthy. Her father had said it was because the king and his family lived among them and the trees where a part of the royal family. Ginela wondered what it would be like to meet a member of the royal family, and what she would say. She knew that servants were never supposed to talk to the royal family but Ginela was never one for rules and was known by friends and family for her fiery temper.
The family suddenly broke through the trees and gasped at the sight before them. A large area of green stood before them, which was a mere backdrop for the magnificent doors of the King's Palace. In the early morning light, the giant doors stood open in welcome to any visitors wishing to have an audience with the King. Many people were scurrying across the green looking very busy but professional. The day was a hot one, and even though sweat creased their brows they continued to work diligently.
They –now nervously- walked up the grand steps of the palace and stopped in front of the two striking guards. One stepped forward and spoke to her father "State your business." Her father stepped forward also.
"We are here to start our first day of work at the palace." The guard relaxed and smiled.
"Then the house of Oropher welcomes you. Please sign this." The guard said holding out a book. Ginela looked over her father's shoulder and saw many signatures sketched in the book; she guessed it was some sort of tracking list. Her father took the offered charcoal stick and signed the book, then her mother and lastly Ginela.
It was then that they were permitted into the front chamber and Ginela was taken aback but the sheer beauty of the place. Stone carvings of branches seemed to spread out from the door and all along the walls and ceiling. The Ceiling arched high above their heads and beautiful painted carvings of birds soared overhead along with paintings depicting ancient Sindar and Silvian Noldor.
A young woman approached them, she was wearing an apron over her simple dress and had her hair pulled back in a braid and was smiling broadly. "Hello!" She said in a too enthusiastic high voice. "You must be the new cook and maids!" My father nodded looking at my mother a little sceptically. "I'll go get the palace manager then." With that she skipped off into a hallway. She was gone no more than five minutes when a woman walked into the room.
She had sharp features with her hair pulled back in the tightest bun Ginela had ever seen and was wearing a fine green dress- clearly she was never the one cleaning. She stopped directly in front of them and ran eyes up and down the three of them. Her eyes rested on my mother's large belly and her thin lips turned down in a grimace. "I am Hypolitania," She said. "the chief Manager of the palace. Nothing here happens without my authorization and you are now under my command." We all looked at each other and simply nodded.
Hypolitania turned and marched off to the far corner of the anti chamber and we followed obediently. We were led through a corridor and down a grand marble staircase. As we descended lower and lower, crystal lights filled in for the place of the sun and the rich smell of spices and cooking reached our noses. Hypolitania stopped in front of two wooden doors. "This is the main kitchen and to the left is the store room."
She then threw the doors open and my father stood speechless; it was the grandest kitchen he had ever seen. Several wood burning ovens rested on the eastern wall which illuminated a golden glow throughout the large room. There were two large tables centered in the room to be used for cutting and other cooking preparations. On the opposite wall from the stoves countless numbers of pots and pans hung shining dully in the fire light.
All the cooks had stopped at Hypolitania's entrance and were staring curiously at the three new faces. "This is the palace's new head cook he starts tomorrow." With that she turned and led them back up the stairs. She spoke to my father without turning to face him. "You duties will include preparing morning meal, mid day meal and evening meal for all that live and work at the palace and preparing any additional food the royal family requires." My father nodded. "Additionally there will be a feast tomorrow to welcome back the crowned prince from the south and I expect it to be more than satisfactory. As you can see I run a tight ship here and dedicate all my time and energy to pleasing the King and his family. I expect you to do the same."
We were back in the chamber leading outside and this time Hypolitania led us in the opposite direction to the massive cream coloured marble stairs this time going up. She stopped at the bottom and turned to us taking a deep breath and gesturing grandly. "The house of Oropher." She announced.
Ginela turned and gasped at the sight.
Please Review!
Question: Would you like to work and the palace?