Tidings from Afar
Next day Narya kept to her rooms; so unsettled was she by her dreams. Even now, upon her balcony she could close her eyes and see her mother's tormented face before she was taken from her.
"Naneth," she whispered into the wind and felt anew the grief that still burdened her. The hourglass of time passed by endlessly but the grief still remained, a tearless grief that dulled her heart.
Narya looked far across the land of Gondor towards the west, towards the sea, and wished for its comfort. "It won't be long now," she thought. But another voice inside her inquired, "Not long for what?" She was not sure and the thought gave her a chill, as if presaging some ill fate. These unwholesome thoughts kept her in solitude this day.
"Lady Narya!" cried an excited voice. Lyneth, her favorite lady in waiting had arrived. "Lady Narya!"
Narya drew a deep breath and, with the strength of her will, hid the unpleasant thoughts behind a smile, "I'm out here Lyneth, enjoying the sunset."
"Oh, such a day we have had! Pity you did not come, it would have been that much better with you to share the delights!"
Narya smiled at the young eleth's enthusiasm. "Then you must tell me everything."
Lyneth's eyes sparkled with joy. "Everywhere I looked there was something pleasing to the eye and to the palate. This country is so magnificent! I rode Arod to my heart's content and I played polo with some very pleasant ladies."
"Glad to hear it, my dear," laughed Narya.
"Although…," Lyneth hesitated slightly, as if debating whether or not to say the next piece of information. She decided yes and continued, "Some of the ladies were ungracious towards you." She closed her mouth as if suddenly afraid of having chosen poorly.
"Oh, they were, were they?" laughed Narya. "And what did these ladies have to say. Speak freely, my dear."
"They called you impertinent and proud. They said that nothing in the world could have made them leave the Choosing. But I think a few were glad that you did. They feared you would be the favorite, since you were given lodging at the palace. They were quite dreadful!"
"I'm sure they were!" said Narya.
"Oh, and Gimli the Dwarf arrived. Now that I think of it, the news of his arrival was the only time I saw Prince Legolas smile. He bounded off to the palace like a young elf dismissed from his studies. One would think he is not enjoying the Choosing."
Narya smiled inwardly and changed the subject. "Where are you off to now?"
"To the banquet, of course! Are you not coming?"
Narya was about to answer when she spotted a black dot in the distant horizon. Her keen elf eyes knew it was coming in fast, against the wind. At last, understanding dawned on her and she cried, "Gwaihir! Gwaihir! He will bear tidings from my father!"
Narya quickly descended her tower and ran to the balcony of the Eagles. Lady Arwen, Legolas, and Gimli were already there. They greeted her politely, but her eyes were focused on King Aragorn, who was engaged in thought with Gwaihir. The Lord of Eagles handed Aragorn two letters. Aragorn broke the seal of the first and read it with furrowed brow. Even from several yards away Narya could see the seal of Cirdan the Shipwright and she smiled.
"Ada," she said merrily. But her smile faded when Aragorn glanced back at her with a troubled expression. He turned back to Gwaihir and bowed before him. With a great beating of his wings, Gwaihir took to flight.
"My lady, Narya," called Aragorn. "I'm afraid these tidings will not please you."
She took the sealed letter addressed to herself and said, "Then I will retire to my rooms, that I may grieve in privacy, if I must."
"As you wish," sighed Aragorn. They bowed to each other and she left.
Arwen went to his side, a question in her eyes.
"Her father refused her. He will not come. She must remain the fortnight."
"But why, Aragorn? She doesn't want to be here anymore than I do," said Legolas.
"And I wonder why she doesn't want to be here," replied Aragorn angrily. In light of the contents of Master Cirdan's letter he would have liked to spar a few rounds with his thoughtless friend.
"Whoa, laddy, what have I missed?" asked Gimli sensing the tension in the air. Only once had he seen Aragorn grow impatient with Legolas. It was just before the battle at Helm's Deep when he had despaired.
"You don't want to know, Gimli," replied Arwen.
"One day late," lamented the Dwarf. "One day late, and I miss something important."
"Please forgive my tone," said Aragorn placing a hand on Legolas' shoulder in their brotherly salute.
Legolas placed his hand on Aragorn's shoulder and said, "I am sorry to have offended your guest. Truly."
"Please, talk to her. Perhaps tomorrow. She will be cross and unforgiving, but perhaps she has reason to be. I cannot reveal to you the nature of her discomfort, but I will say this: she is a pure and noble lady. She deserves more from all of us."
Legolas was surprised at the comment. His eyes wandered to Master Cirdan's letter, but Aragorn put it away in his pocket.
"Come, the banquet will begin shortly." They filed out of the Balcony of the Eagles and made their way to the banquet hall.