Note: Lately i've been hugely disillusioned with fanfiction due to lack of feedback the amount of stuff thats starting to infiltrate the silmy section but i got a review for this yesterday and its inspired me to put something up again.
Please review.
Sinking down into the warm cinnamon scented water Ariende was glad to be back inside the warm halls. She smiled fondly thinking of the day she had spent. When they had finally reached the halls Beleg had escorted her to her room, lit a fire and sat her in front of it with a warm blanket. Before she could protest and argue she could manage by herself he had left to arrange a bath for her. She had been delighted when she caught the scent of cinnamon that Beleg had surely arranged himself knowing her love for the smell and besides that the warming and stimulating qualities of the spice (1).
I am quite lucky she thought to herself as again she thought back on the day. The way he had touched her face, the simple gestures that suddenly seemed so much. Doubt however, still niggled at the back of her mind like a splinter; was it still just friendship? Often she had considered Celebros' words to her after Beleg had left the previous time and often she had thoughts that prompted her to think otherwise. The splinter was becoming more aggravating and painful as Ariende examined it, sighing she decided it was best to leave it to come out of its own accord.
The water was beginning to chill and not wishing to experience any further cold that day, Ariende found a nightdress and slipped the soft and comforting material over her head. Sitting upon the end of her bed Ariende took a fine metal comb to her long tresses and began to slowly remove the small knots. Satisfied, her slender fingers twisted the tresses into long braids. Moving to her wooden table, small vines carved down the legs, a trademark of the simple elegance of Doriath, she searched for ribbons or clasps to secure the braids. Her hand brushed over something dry and crinkled like old parchment. Looking down, Ariende observed a tiny, beautifully preserved and pressed orchid beneath her fingers. It had not been there that morning yet before she could contemplate it there was a light knock upon her door. Grasping a robe from a chair on her way to the door, Ariende drew it around her and opened the door a fraction to peer outside.
Beleg's strong and striking profile came into view, the high set cheekbones framed by partly braided drying hair and his eyes that at that moment caught in the firelight from her room and glinted pleasantly in the dark hallway outside. Seeing her state of clothing Beleg hastily drew away from the door and began to murmur out an apology "I am sorry I did not think that you would not be in full attire… I just came to check you were recovered from our adventure in the snow," he gave a slight smile. "I shall see you in the morning," he continued and then turned to go. Seeing him turn away Ariende suddenly laid her hand upon his arm and stopped him. Almost surprised at her own actions she looked at where her hand rested and then back to Beleg's face "Do not go yet". How strange a simple touch could seem so much. She wished to look at his face, to see what he was feeling, to look into his eyes; did she dare? One quick glance – she could not resist. The warm smile Ariende saw was enough to let her slowly bring her hand away and smile back at him, relieved.
"I have a task worth of the greatest of marchwardens," Ariende said with a light laugh as they entered the room. Raising his eyebrows slightly in interest and returning her jest Beleg waited for her to explain. "It is more of a quest if you would care," she continued lightly and beckoned for him to follow her to the table. Pointing to the orchid she continued her light hearted jesting: "I chanced across this earlier and have no thoughts as to how it came to be in my room. Surely Beleg Cúthalion the mightiest of Doriath can fathom this mystery? If he cannot then maybe cleaning the halls would be a better suited job than marchwarden." Unable to suppress her laughter at the expression on Beleg's face she could barely finish speaking.
"Or maybe Ariende should learn her place and not speak out of turn to those far more powerful than her?" Beleg said in mock threat. Before she could even begin to turn and run from her advancing companion, Ariende found Beleg had both her hands tightly gripped behind her back. From where Beleg stood behind her, his breath ticked the back of Ariende's neck as he spoke "I believe, my lady, that you need to apologise for certain comments if you wish for my aid". Barely stopping his own laughter Beleg, released his hold upon Ariende and swiftly apologised in fear that he had unintentionally gripped too hard.
"Let me examine this flower then," Beleg stated and held out his hand for the orchid once they were both seated in front of the fire. His eyes narrowed as he examined it and held it up to the light "You are sure you did not press this yourself? Mayhap you have forgotten and it has merely been caught upon something else and moved from where you first put it" Beleg suggested returning the orchid to her. Ariende cradled the orchid in her palm lest she drop it into the fire, it was truly beautiful despite its size. The small petals were a beautiful purple hue that deepened towards the edges. Surely she would remember finding such a flower; the memories of elves are endless with their age and yet Ariende had no memory of the orchid. Shrugging slightly she took the orchid and placed it in a small carved wooden box that had been a gift to her from the Lady Melian for her services in the halls.
"I should leave you now," Beleg said as he stood "You are surely wishing for peace after the interesting day we have shared". Standing in front of Ariende by the open door he smiled tenderly and gently put his hand to the side of her face "Goodnight Ariende." The whispered words still echoed in her head as he swiftly disappeared down the corridor. Closing the door and leaning back against it Ariende could not stop her smile and the growing feeling of joy within her that seemed to bubble and spring. Lying down contented on her bed Ariende turned her head upon the pillow and lying next to her head was a small yet beautiful pink orchid.
(1) true fact! It's warming stimulating aaand comforting.
comment foos.