Here's another chapter, just to get things going :)

Chapter I

A week had passed since the arrival of Eriathwen into his life, but to say that she had had any real impact on Mairon would've been a lie. He had barely seen her, for everyday he would leave for his workshop before she had risen, and when he returned she would've left him a plate of food and retired to bed. He had noticed little things changing around his home, though. The occasional book was left open and unattended, or there would be the sound of faint singing coming from parts of the large house. But all in all the two people rarely saw each other.

This, however, greatly bothered Eriathwen. She had been told that Mairon would educate her in the different realms of the world, but all he had said to her was merely a "Good Morning." or a "Good Night."

The woman was lonely, there was no one else, except the large horse in the stable; Hallion. He was a fair beast, dark bay with gorgeous, gentle eyes. Most of the time, Eriathwen found herself sitting in his stable talking to him. Yavanna, the Lady of the Wood, had taught her how to talk to all the beasts of Arda. So Hallion's company was much appreciated by the she-elf.

This particular afternoon, saw Mairon to be out of work in his forge, so he walked to see where Eriathwen had vanished too. He found her sitting in his small library, reading about Dwarven culture.

"You know, dwarves are not all that interesting?"

She raised her green eyes and stared over the pages; surprised that he had actually spoke to her, even if his tone was mocking her choice of book.

"Well, as much as I appreciate your comment, Lord Mairon, I hope you don't mind if I choose to ignore it ."

He did, nobody usually ignored his advice. Mairon folded his arms and took a step towards her.
"I beg your pardon?"

Eriathwen looked up, lowering the book.

"It's just, well, you haven't been here to really influence your expert opinion on me so I'm not sure whether or not to take your advice. Not to mention Lady Nienna wants me to learn about every race, dwarves included."

"You're not sure if you should take my advice? Do you not remember what Oromë said to you, about me?"

She nodded and smiled sweetly.

"I do, but I would've expected the great Lord Mairon to have taken at least some interest in the Ward he's been charged with. Not ignore her for a week."

Her voice was icy even though she was smiling. Mairon looked down, but then thought to himself that he shouldn't allow himself to be belittled by a female. He pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down, rolling up the sleeves of his tunic.

"Let be see the book you're reading."

Eriathwen handed it over delicately. Their fingers brushed as he took it from her hand. Mairon studied the cover and then flipped into a few pages. It was about a few of the mountains that held dwarf residents. At that current time, she had just started a chapter on the Iron Hills. Mairon handed it back to her.

"Very informative, although there are a few details missing from this book. I was very unfortunate to miss out some details from my first visit to the Iron Hills."

She stared into his orange eyes.

"Wait, you wrote this book, Lord Mairon?"

He nodded.

"I wrote all the books in this library, apart from the fairytales. Those I've gradually collected over the years. Every time I have visited a new place, with some of my people, I have made it my business to write about every detail. However, with that particular book, I have forgotten to write about the relationship between the Iron Hills and Erebor in the Misty Mountains. Within both of those reside dwarvish descendants of Durin."

"Oh, and so a royal from wither of those mountains could rule from either throne?"
"Exactly."

Eriathwen nodded and then lowered her gaze onto the book. She pushed her dark hair from her face and studied the words written. Mairon watched her, thoughtful, perhaps it wouldn't be so terrible for him to teach her some of what he knew.

"So, Eriathwen, what else do you know of the dwarves?"

"Not much. I know that they're a secretive people and rarely give away anything to anyone. Also they're reknown for their beards and great skill in forgery, and by that I mean the dwarves are great smiths. I know a little about their creation, Aüle himself taught me a little, but he too is very secretive with what he gives away about his people."

Mairon nodded, he had realised the same when he had gone to the Great Smith in search of answers.

"Indeed, he keeps a lot to himself. However that is still a lot of knowledge that you possess on such a dull race."

She wasn't sure to take this as a compliment or not, as he did boost her confidence, but he said that her topic choice was dull. Eriathwen did not see dwarves as being dull, nor any race for that matter. All of them had their own unique qualities, the mortality of men greatly interested her, just as much as the immortality of her people. However she didn't want to argue back with Mairon as this was the most interaction she had ever had with him.

A little while later, Mairon left as he was bored of sitting in silence with her. By then, she had trooped through the book and was now reading about the land of Rohavannion where the people of the horses lived. It was nightfall by the time she put the book down and her stomach growled hungrily.

Eriathwen left the books, abandoned and opened, and went off in the direction of the large kitchen. Something delicious filled her senses as she neared and when she pressed open the door, she was totally amazed by what she saw. Mairon was cooking. Well of course she knew he had to cook at some point, but even she had not expected to see him cook. He spoke to her with his back facing her.

"I would stop gawking now and close the door."

"Sorry, Lord Mairon."

He nodded stiffly, still not facing her, stirring whatever was cooking in the large copper pot. Unsure of where to go or what to do, Eriathwen decided to return to the library to retrieve her book. Clutching it to her chest, she wasn't surprised to see Mairon waking from the kitchen, a bowl of soup clutched in his hand.

"I am off to review some very important papers, I'll be in my room. I will see you tomorrow."

"Of course, my lord."

She bowed her head, respectively, and carried on to the kitchen. A small sigh escaped her as she closed the door of the dark room. She lit a candle and filled a goblet with water, before serving herself some of the soup. Sitting at the table, the woman ate and read. A short time later, she washed the bowl and made her way up to her room.

"A Elbereth Gilthoniel, silivren penna miriel o menel aglar elenath, na-chaered palan diriel o galadhremmin ennorath nef aear, sí aearon, Fanuilos, le linnathon Nef aear, sí aearon!"

Eriathwen sung quietly to herself as she walked along the outside balcony. It was a song that she had heard long ago, from a voice she could barely recall. Walking the last few steps, she entered her room. In the last week, she hadn't done much with it apart from the fact that the dresser was full of clothes and several books lay on her bed, not to mention the journal Nienna had given her before she left. It was to record everything she learned, but so far it held very little. Sitting, cross-legged, on her bed, Eriathwen dipped her quill into the ink oot on her bedside and wrote all that had happened that day. It included things such as...

Mairon and I conversed for about half an hour today. He told me that he wrote near enough all the books in his library and that he's visited the Iron Hills. I might have to ask him about them the next time I see him.

She sighed and cleaned the quill. Then she blew on the wet ink gently, and closed the book. Placing it on her side table, Eriathwen stood and changed into her nightdress. Then she slid under the soft covers of her bed and sighed. She spoke to herself after she blew out the candle.

"Is this really worth it? Who knows? Perhaps it will lighten up...perhaps."

She gazed out the window and watched the thin curtains sway, as they were caught by the wind. Eriathwen yawned and then closed her eyes, hoping that things would change.

TTFN x(SONG TRANSLATION WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO ASK)