Laerwen's POV

I walked down the stairs the next morning hoping to find the Dwarves somewhere below, but I soon got lost in the maze of houses and shops. I wandered a while and then looked into one of the shops and saw a silver haired Elf working at a small table. I knocked on the door frame and blushed when the Elf said, "hello, you must be the human traveling with the dwarves." The Elf rose from his seat and walked over to me, "welcome to my shop! Are you looking for anything in particular?"

I shook my head, "I'm sorry, but I don't even know what it is you're selling."

The Elf chuckled, "I make masks for festivals and celebrations, Lady- uh..."

I stuttered, "L-Laerwen, m-my name is Laerwen."

The Elf grinned, "maiden singer, that's what your name means, if you were wondering." He took my hand and bowed low as he kissed it, "I am whom they call Celephinnor, man with silver hair, but most call me Cel." I giggled; he was aptly named. Cel smiled again, "would you like to see my work?"

I nodded eagerly and followed him to his worktable. On it was a beautiful blue feathered mask with a green and blue plume on the left side. Silver ribbons hung down from two small holes, most likely used to tie the mask in place. Small pearls lined the top of the mask and silver paint swirled around the edges. "It's beautiful," I sighed, restraining from touching it.

Cel laughed, "thank you! This one is almost done, it needs a few last touches and then it's finished, but here are some that I have finished." He gestured to a shelf lining the wall that I'd seemingly missed when I walked in.

On it were masks of every shape and color, some were half masks and some covered the whole face. Some were feathered, some were scaly, some had jewels and some had ribbons. As I admired the masks on the shelf, Cel went into the back of the shop. He returned with another mask and this was the most beautiful one I'd seen yet. It was a light lavender, with white and gold braids lining the edges. White and light gold feathers made up the plumes on either side of the mask, and silver jewels lined the eye-holes.

Cel handed it to me saying, "I think that this would look wonderful on you.. shall we see?" He then placed a handheld mirror in my hand and tied the strings of the mask behind my head. I held up the mirror and gasped at the exotic beauty staring back.

My green eyes were brightened and accentuated by the purple and my hair was darkened by the white feathers. I touched the mask gently, "it's wonderful!"

Cel grinned, "it looks amazing! would you like it?"

I gasped, "really?! Oh, I would love it! But, I have no way to pay you..."

He laughed, "we don't always use currency to pay for things, Lady Laerwen. Sometimes we trade our work and other times, we use a different payment."

I looked at the handsome sliver haired Elf, "what kind of payment?"

Smiling he sat on his stool, "can you sing like your name suggests?"

I gave him a shy smile, feeling my cheeks grow hot, "I-I suppose so."

"Then you can pay me with a song!"

"If you're sure-"

"But of course!"

"What should I sing?"

"Anything you'd like."

I took a deep breath, thinking for a moment. A song a Hobbit midwife taught me came to mind, "it's been a while since I've sung this, but I hope it's alright." I slowly filled my lungs with air and began to sing:

"Darkness hangs over the trees,

drowning all light underneath.

Shadows slink over the leaves,

thick and as quiet as thieves."

"Smoke swirls up through the air,

the fire below unaware.

I sing to her, the great Luna,

My voice carries up to her face."

"The stars all shine their bright light

while I sing away the night dark.

The moon watches from up above,

while I wait and I sing for my love."

I sat silently as the last notes died away, and looked over at Cel. The silver haired Elf's eyes were misty, the ribbon he'd been holding lying on the floor. I blushed and realized I was still wearing the mask. Taking it away from my face I walked over to Cel, holding out the mask. He pushed it back into my hands, "that was payment enough for all of my masks. Take it."

Grinning, Cel kissed my hand, "if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask!"

I smiled, feeling a tiny bubbling sensation in the pit of my stomach. I let the thoughts stream past and got an inkling to inquire after a seamstress. I looked up at Cel, "I am so sorry to be asking a favor so soon, Cel, but I must know. Are there any seamstresses nearby? I have only one dress and it's the one I'm wearing. I'd like to have another just in case."

Cel laughed, "but of course! There is a seamstress just two shops down, a friend of mine named Elwel. Just tell her Cel sent you!" I walked out the door after promising to return and danced down the lane with my new mask in hand.

I knocked on the door to the shop, hearing slow footsteps moving behind it. The door creaked open and I saw a tall, white- haired female Elf with tiny laugh lines around her eyes standing in the doorway. In a soft voice she asked, "may I help you?"

I smiled shyly and replied, "Cel told me to come and see you."

"Cel? The mask maker? He's a very dear friend of mine. I watched the young thing grow up!"

I marveled at her statement; that would make her one of the oldest Elves in the city. Elwel spoke again, "So Cel told you to come and see me, did he? Are you looking for something specific?" She turned to let the door open wider so I could join her inside.

I sat on the stool she offered me, "I came to buy a dress."

"A dress, hm? Is it for anything special, or would you like just an everyday dress?"

"Well, I'm traveling with the Dwarves, so I'd assume it'd have to be somewhat durable." I blushed. "I'm not looking for anything too fancy, I just need something to wear besides my two pairs of trousers."

"Trousers?! Elwel gave me a comically scandalized face. "A lady should never wear trousers!" She laughed and then pulled out a bit of parchment and a piece of charcoal. "Alright," she said, turning to face me. "Now to get to work! Have you any ideas about how it should look?"

I thought for a moment, "I would like it to be floor length, but short enough so it doesn't drag... I'd like the fabric to be light and airy, but durable..."

"And the bodice?"

"Just tight enough to keep everything inside, but it has to allow movement in case I need to defend myself." I thought for a moment, my thoughts returning to the mask. I smiled, "and it has to be the color of lilacs!"

We talked and talked until the sun was high in the sky. I stood up quickly and apologized, "I'm so sorry! I had no idea it was getting so late! My friends are probably looking all over for me!"

Elwel laughed, "it's quite alright! You go find your friends! I'll have your dress finished by tomorrow morning!"

"That early?!"

"Making dresses is all I do, and, since I have no other orders, I can work on yours all evening."

I gave the elderly Elf a quick squeeze, surprising her, "thank you so much! How much will I owe you?"

Elwel thought a moment, "what did you pay Cel?"

I gulped, "a song..."

Elwel smiled, "I look forward to hearing it then!" I grinned and thanked her again as I ran out the door.