When I awoke, I heard nothing. To the average mortal, this would be only a little strange. To one of the dunedain, odder, but to me, who had lived through sound, it was almost isolating. Not even Troy's heavy, even breath. Where was my dog? I didn't know where anything was- I had been too tired to work out where tables stood in relation to bed when I had been put to bed last night.
Cautiously, I sat up, and felt around the edge of the bed. Nada- nothing. Ok… I carefully swung my legs over the side of the bed, braced for a crash as I knocked something over. Silence. Bit by bit, I managed to find my way about my tent. It seemed relatively large- the bed stood in the center, then, opposite the foot of the bed was the entrance flap.
Behind the low headboard stood a small chest, for clothing, I imagined. To it's right (about four paces) was a small dressing table. I sat down and played with the small presents that had been left for me. A hairbrush, which felt cool to the touch and engraved sat to my right. To my left, a dish of water and a bar of soap (for my face and hands, I thought, remembering the larger baths in Nasilie's apartments). In front of me were three jars, a toothbrush and a small pot.
I dimly recalled Nasilie telling me about them as she used them on me last night. The small pot was a soothing balm, ideally for sore skin, lips, eyes and (for elves) ears. The smallest jar was a sort of tooth scrub (not minty- very strange), the next a face wash, and the largest a sort of general cleansing and moisturizing cream.
I tried them all out, remembering to brush my teeth last, and left the dirty water, unsure of what to do with it. Next, I found the towel, by tripping over it. It was folded neatly on the floor, next to the table. Able to dry my face more thoroughly (I had used my nightie, feeling rather guilty), I then began to look for clothes.
My clothes. Which weren't there. All I could find was a rather thin- seeming dress. My mind began to run with embarrassing situations- what if it was only an under-dress type thing, like a shift, and I walked out there and everybody laughed? What if it was supposed to be worn over something, and I walked out, and was arrested for gross indecency? What if it was only another nightie?
I found my way to the bed and sat down. There was some water on my bedside shelf-thing, and I reached for it gently. My hand brushed a small metal object as I picked it up, something I hadn't noticed before. I drank, and then picked the new object up. It was a tiny bell. Hesitantly, I tried it. It was quiet, and melodious, and, to my surprise, produced a youngish voice that called questioningly from the tent flap.
"Can I help you, Minarwen?"
"Who are you?" I asked in return, and then realized how impolite this was, and assessing myself, that I was a little afraid without Troy by my side.
"I mean, yes, probably, but only if you have the time…what I'm trying to say, is yes please." I recovered my dignity, if a little too late. I heard footsteps, very light, and the slight swish of a dress. Both were very welcome- I had started feeling rather alone.
"My name is Yevanna, Minarwen. I volunteered to help you and be your special guide about Lothlorien, it is an honour to be able to meet you, and I hope we will be friends. The Lady of the Light instructed me to assist you in every way I could." Ok, so I had a PA/nurse. That was cool.
"Thank you, Yevanna- please call me Mina? I am sure we'll get along very well. It is good of you to offer to help me. Do sit with me?" She seemed really nice- rather soft and gentle, but that was only a benefit in a carer.
We talked for a few minutes, and I discovered that she was young for an elf, only about 17 in human terms (about 1689, I think) and from a good family. She had offered to do this to help earn brownie points with Galadriel- she wanted to train as a border guard when she could, and the more she persevered at easier jobs, the more likely Galadriel would be to acquiesce to her request when she made it.
I wondered if this gentle elf maid was really fit for the rigors of fighting, myself, but decided that Galadriel would know best. I told her about my travels with the Fellowship and Troy in a rather sketchy manner, and of my parent's death. She seemed saddened, and then brightened, her voice becoming brisk.
"Well, we should finish dressing you, Mina- you'll catch cold! Come, here is your shift, and here, your overdress, and here…" She bustled around, gathering clothes, and helping me into them.
At first I had been reluctant to take off my nightie in front of Nasilie, but then she had reassured me that she had treated worse- I do not know how she knew, Galadriel I guess. However, Yevanna was younger, which I hadn't anticipated. So when she removed my nightie, she let out a soft gasp, which made me tense. Please don't make a scene. I prayed. Please. Please.
She didn't. After a moment, she continued, and I began to breath again. Soon I was clothed, and she sat me by my dressing table and began to do my hair. It felt so strange- having someone brush my curls for me, arrange them until they made me look their idea of attractive. I had let no one touch my hair since before the accident. Sure, they could dress me, they could choose jewellery, but I was not a doll. Thank god there was no makeup. I felt almost shy as she stood back and told me I was done. What would my friends think? Would they think I looked nice? I sighed heavily, and allowed her to lead me to the tent flap.
Stepping out of the tent, I felt grass under my feet, warm and soft, long, and the scent of flowers on the air. I breathed in deeply, and Yevanna whispered in my ear,
"The Fellowship sleep- deeply, Mina. We don't want to wake them. Shall I show you about the area Lady Galadriel has set aside for you?" I agreed, and we were about to move away, when Legolas' voice stopped us.
"May I join you? I find I have no more need for sleep, and a need for distraction from grief. Valar, Mina, you are lovely this morning." I heard both the sadness and surprised joy in his voice.
Of course. How selfish could I get? I had lost sight of the fact that my friends had not my foreknowledge- to them, Gandalf was dead. Permanently. To me, he was in my mind, but only as a cloud of sorrow at the back of my thoughts. I mentally kicked myself- hard- and nodded.
"Thank you. Of course you may join us, Legolas. If it's ok with Yevanna? Oh, let me introduce you. Legolas, this is Yevanna Althiriel, of Laurelindorenan. Yevanna, this is Prince Legolas of Mirkwood." I hoped that would do- I was no expert. I heard Yevanna curtsey and Legolas bow. Unfortunately, I also heard her blushing.
"Yes, it would be an honour, although you hardly need a guide my lord…" She trailed off, and Legolas courteously contradicted her. "It is many years since I visited your beautiful city, and Mina and yourself will only make the remembering more pleasant. May I offer you my arm, Mina?" I smiled at him, and he tucked my arm in his own.
"Yevanna- will you stand on my other side?" He asked her, and I felt her blush as she took his other arm. I had forgotten how charming he could be, what with all the teasing! I grinned, and murmured softly, "Elves have terribly teasing ways…"
He squeezed my arm slightly, letting me know he recalled our conversation with Aragorn after the river crossing too, and I inhaled his woody scent. Thank the lord he was clean! That meant the others would be too. I asked him anxiously about Troy, and he replied that he had gone, hunting, Legolas believed, about half an hour before I had arisen. I must've just missed him.
Yevanna seemed quiet; she introduced certain places to us ("…and this is the oldest tree in Lorien…and this is my favorite flower-meadow…and here the archery fields…") but said little more about them, seemingly shy in Legolas' presence. I couldn't imagine why- he was only tall, handsome (I imagined him so anyway), courteous, amusing, brave, loyal, famous, charming and a royal- most women's dream! (Not that I'd evertell him that; his head was bg enough as it was...Nope, didn't understand that at all.
However, she seemed to be resisting all his efforts to stop her shyness. Which was weird. She wasn't being rude at all- the contrary, she was polite, friendly, but she kept apart from him. As soon as she could, without being rude, she moved to my other side 'to help me'. With an elf either side, one already an experienced guide, I was in no fear of stray branches, but I had not tripped before either.
There was something interesting in all of this, and I resolved to find it out. But unfortunately, someone got in the way.
"Haldir!" Called Legolas suddenly, making me jump. I listened intently. I could hear the marchwarden's approach to my right. Legolas released me for a moment, and Yevanna tightened her grip. I drew her away to the side slightly, determined to ask why she was so damned nervous.
"Yevanna- you seem a little shy? Don't be afraid." I tried to calm her as I whispered. She drew me further away from the two males, who were talking, unconcernedly about weapons.
"Minarwen, you do not understand- you travel with a prince of elves! Legolas Thranduilon has much status here. Haldir, Marchwarden of Lorien is one of Lothlorien's foremost warriors! I wish to join his battalion –eventually- in the border guards, if I am worthy enough! It is an honor to be in their presence, of course, but I wish to join my Lord Marchwarden's guards- I cannot get ideas above my station!"
I got her- it must be like being introduced to Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp and told to go and take a stroll with them. I laughed at the idea, and then thought about how to go about the rest of our day.
"Well Yevanna, I think Legolas would like you to be a little warmer. Do not fear- I shall make sure he doesn't think you are currying favor or anything. Perhaps see this as an opportunity to show Haldir how competent you are?" I suggested warily. She seemed quite excited by the whole thing. Just at that moment, Legolas called to me.
"Mina! Haldir has some throwing knives! We can begin your lessons- Haldir will join us as we walk to the practice fields!"