Note: In this, the second chapter of "To Warm A Winter's Night," I write from Glorfindel's point of view. Be aware the "I" in this story is Glorfindel rather than the maiden. Glorfindel begins his side of the story much earlier than the maiden and reveals a little of his soul to his squire and companion.
She walked unaware that we shared the garden. At once I kept still and from sight so she would not be disturbed. She was otherwise alone. The season's colors befit her, the richest jewel of Autumn set in ivory, with unbound auburn hair. She was dressed in a gown of forest green. The twilight of evening had come with a breeze that pressed the gown to her. It struck me in that moment that she was unlike other maidens with intricate braids and ornaments. She had no need of further adornment. In the gold of sunset she was radiant and a natural creature, in form and grace a rival to Varda. She was fascinated by the dying roses, looking long at them, and cupped a blossom in her hand as if to shelter it from the winter to come. I wondered if the beauty of her mind matched her outward perfection and what she mused upon. If I approached, if I asked, the spell of Varda might vanish, but if it remained I might join her there.
The choice was made for me. The lady looked up from the roses and stepped a pace or two in my direction. She met my gaze and offered a smile. It would have been invitation enough for her contemporary suitors. Though I willed it so, no word would pass my lips. I felt ill, knowing myself a craven of the highest order. I managed a mute bow to her before leaving.
I wanted no company but for Asfaloth, so went to him berating my cowardice. Unhappily, I found no solitude, rather Tathar was busy at spoiling my beauty, brushing down his mane. The stables were clean, with the scent of fresh hay and well kept horses. Night had fallen and the lanterns were lit. It was a comfortable setting.
My squire gave me a greeting. I returned it then gave him order to bring Asfaloth from the stall. I decided it was no bad thing that my squire met me. He was young, light hearted, and had a way of dispelling a heavy mood.
"Shall I saddle him, my lord," he asked.
"In time. I'll polish his hooves. Go on with what you were doing."
Tathar fetched a stool and rasp without being asked. I praised him but rarely, still he was one of the quickest squires I'd ever trained. I neglected polishing any hooves and watched as he began braiding a section of Asfaloth's mane. When he was done he affixed a bell to the end, winding it with a gold ribbon.
"Is that a custom of the Woodland folk," I inquired with a gesture to his work.
"It would frighten game or alert an enemy, so not an ordinary custom, but It's done on feast days." He stroked the horses shoulder heartily and spoke into his ear, "yes, this is as vain an horse as ever I've seen. The more tack and garb I dress Asfaloth in, the higher he steps." Turning to me he asked "What do you think, my lord?"
The stallion look back at his groom and gave his own approving snort and nod.
"It seems Asfaloth likes the idea. I fancy it myself."
Tathar returned to his task. A few moments passed without conversation. There were only the nocturne sounds of Autumn and the ever present murmur of the falls.
"My lord, If I may be so bold, it is not difficult to see you are troubled."
"You're going to be bold if I object or not. You never keep your place. Why should it be different this evening?"
Tathar grinned wryly without missing a step of plaiting.
I spoke a few endearments to Asfaloth, picked up a hoof and began to file. He seemed in no mood for such attention, pulling away, so I did not insist. That my difficulty was noticed was not unwelcome. I wasn't sure how to broach the subject of courting. My squire was hardly modest, swore creatively and readily, and had probably danced with every willing maiden in the valley. It didn't matter what I discussed or how, it was a fairly sure wager that if either of us where discomforted, it would be me.
"I'm interested in a maiden I chanced upon at twilight in a garden," I began and was interrupted.
"And she isn't interested in you? Ha! Just pick another. There couldn't be two who'd spurn you."
"She hasn't spurned me."
"Then what's the trouble?" Tathar peered at me around Asfaloth's gilt neck.
"There are two troubling details. First, I don't know who she is. Second, I don't know how to approach her."
Tathar swore the name Elbereth and various aspects of her anatomy. By this time he was done with braiding and belling. My vain lad shook his head and whinnied proudly. Tathar led him to his stall while making no attempt at abating his laughter. It wasn't mockery. I let it pass. He returned and made himself comfortable sitting on a hay bale near by. He offered me a flask. I took it with thanks and drank more than my share to venge his impertinence.
"Then let's first find out who she is." He tipped the flask bottom up. "Describe her."
"She's beautiful."
"You just described every woman in Imladris, " Tathar interrupted again.
"If you'd allow me to finish speaking?"
"Go on then."
"She has a rare beauty, a strange and attractive color to her hair. It is dark red, auburn I think it would be called. Her face is lovely, with full lips. Her eyes are so green and bright I could see their color even in fading light. She dressed plainly, but not commonly. Her manner is regal." The brief encounter came vividly to mind. "She has a modest smile, not silly or coy."
Tathar was pensive, then reiterated what I'd said. "So we must find a serious and majestic maiden with an unusual shade of red hair."
"Do you know who she may be?"
"Possibly," he returned, "but we must visit the greater problem of how to woo her, if indeed you are at a loss."
"No, if you think you may know her then I must see her again," I argued, "as quickly as possible."
"A brilliant thought, my lord. Let us ride now and begin to search from door to door for a beautiful maiden whose name we don't know, one you've seen only once in fading light."
"I thought you said you knew her." I was so accustomed to his dry wit I no longer showed ire, and I believe it bothered him. If so, it was a delight.
"I said it was a possibility. Now tell me the difficulty in approaching her, as you say."
"First, what is customary in courting in the realm of the Great Wood," I asked. Tathar seemed pleased for the chance to elaborate his home and people. I watched his expression brighten immediately upon the mention.
"The forest is vast," he began, "but the people are few. We are closer in number to a town than a city."
I knew it to be so. Thranduil's folk were constantly beset by the enemy, driven deeper into the woodland with the King's keep underground. To be so near so many threats cost them dearly.
He went on saying, "We know each other well. There are no strangers. It is as if we are all a kindred. It's done so naturally. You start out as playmates and grow to majority together. One day she's no longer just one among your companions, she's that yet more."
"You speak as if you have an intended," I said, for he was seldom wistful as now.
"Well, I do, but as yet she is not promised to me. There's an unspoken understanding, so I hope. Being away from her and here at Imladris has set my resolve to wed her before another can win her in my stead."
"Then you must soon travel home to settle the matter and return before the snows cover the mountain passes," I found myself truly eager that he might do so and bring news of the outcome.
"You are in earnest, my lord?"
I answered that I was in indeed in earnest. "Tell me, how will it be done? Will you ask her father?"
"To be certain, my lord," he answered, "but I'll ask her first. Should she refuse me there is no use asking for her hand."
"So your maiden has a choice," I wondered.
"She has the only choice in the end. She would have her family's approval and her father's blessing, but she's of age and will do as she pleases." He regarded me thoughtfully. "This is not your custom, then? Is it quite different for the folk of Imladis?"
"As for Imladris, it seems your way may be closer the mark. I can tell you, it was nothing at all as casual in Gondolin. I was considered young when the city fell. I had been groomed for a noble's high calling and rigorously trained for battle. There was no courting."
I explained that Gondolin was a Noldor kingdom. We staunchly adhered to The Laws and Customs. So that they might not be transgressed in any way the sexes were separated in youth, especially among nobles. Boys and girls were schooled separately. We might meet on high social occasions but were strictly chaperoned. We did not so much as touch palms when we danced. There was no chance that one might have a private word with a maiden. As a prince of a great house my eventual marriage was arranged for politics and convenience. It was considered unnecessary, even scandalous, that an engaged couple keep company before the wedding.
"So, as you might see, I am at a loss as to know when to offer my hand to a maiden in courtship."
"I do see," my squire was as solemn as one in mourning. "How joyless must have been your youth."
I laughed aloud for his dismay. "One does not feel the loss of something never possessed. My youth had its own joys, the love of friendship, and the pride of achievement."
"But no merriment, that is an ill that can be remedied. There is more to life than duty, yet duty need not be neglected."
"How would you remedy a stodgy, burdened soul?" In asking I was careful to lighten my countenance for his sake, but in truth my heart was lighter as well. In the telling I began to understand that my upbringing was very strict and Mandos only bleakness.
"A small beginning," he offered as he got to his feet. Tathar brought Asfaloth's saddle to me then began to tack his own mount. "The weather is warm with a full flame gold moon. There's not likely to be another evening the same before Winter."
"I'll wager there are maidens dipping their feet in the pools under the falls on such a rare night," I added. "Mayhap there is a lady with Autumn bright tresses among them."
