Galadriel
All eyes were drawn to the front of the chamber, for there stood Feanor arrayed in blazing scarlet calling to us to look, and we obeyed. In his hand he held what looked like a lantern. It had no opening but a fire burnt inside. A flame trapped forever in a crystal shell. I was too far away to ask to touch it, but I could see it well. He called it a lamp. When asked how he had made, how it worked, he merely smiled, a soft, enigmatic smile. I stood a long while just looking at it, feeling a strange sort of pity for the flame. It was trapped, trapped like me, never able to become more than it was, ever but a marvel to stare at and perform a task set forth by others.
Now Feanor put down the lamp upon a nearby end table and graciously told us that we were all to receive one, one of these Feanorian lamps. He stood aside then and let his father embrace each of his seven sons. Tall and lordly were the sons of Feanor, and Maedhros, his eldest, especially so. His face had the mark of majesty and his body was shapely and of great stature. Yet, as I look over the heads of my kin I see that Turgon surpasses him in height, and for some reason that makes me smile. I suppose it must be because he is Finrod's closest friend and Finrod is my closest brother.
Ah, Finrod, he was unhappy. I could sense it. I could hear him thinking. He was just waiting to leave. He would stay through the ceremony, and then leave quietly sometime after. Perhaps, I mused he will find Amarie and they will walk together far from here, walk all night or settle somewhere quiet were they can talk and, or kiss. I wondered if I would ever fall in love. If then I would go on and on for hours about how my lover is the perfect, most beautiful creature that walks the earth and drive Finrod to utter boredom like he did me. I smiled and thought back to when we were both young, and how we had planned our lives out. How we would raise our families together like our parents had done before us.
Finwe had finished lavishing praise on the children of his firstborn and had know turned his eyes on Fingolfin, his second.
"My king," said Fingolfin bowing his head.
Finwe gave some small acknowledgement, as Feanor stared straight at the two of them, watching their every move, and suddenly I feel my heart grow heavy as an unbidden memory leaps into my mind.
I am a child, standing behind rows of brothers and cousins, when suddenly growing impatient eager to set eyes on my grandfather I run past them and fling myself into his arms. I stay there one glorious moment, my eyes closed, and then I open them, and there is Feanor at his side staring darkly at me. I tremble, and Finwe puts me down. I do not understand. Olwe, my other grandfather, had always been so open, so warm to me. I felt the tears come to my eyes but I did not cry. Even then I was too proud to cry. Finrod came forward and led me back, his hand on my shoulder his head bent in submission or shame.
I felt my cheeks burn, but I held my head high. I walked with determination and with pride, one foot before the other slowly making my way through the chamber. Fingon now stood before the king. He bowed and passed to the side, as did his brother Turgon after him, but Indis lifted Idril upon her lap and held her to her. Aredhel walked by Finwe with a slight inclination of her head, and so it came at last to our family.
My father bowed low in greeting. I cringed at it. I knew that he did not care that he held no high position, that rank meant nothing to him, and yet since he did not feel it I felt it even stronger for him, as I believe did Finrod, and for this in mock humility he knelt.
I could feel a silent gasp hang over the air. It past as Orodreth came forward and did the same, in utmost sincerity. Angrod and Aegnor also knelt so they would not break the chain but with some indignation. And I was left. I stood there a moment uncertain. I did not wish to kneel before Feanor who stood there by Finwe side though he had glanced away when Aegnor had come forth as if he was bored of the whole thing. If I had to kneel, it would be an act, and so it was. With full drama I stepped forward and then fell to my knees, and threw my head upon the ground before Finwe's feet. There was a silence in the room, and for an instant I thought that they had all left or that they had all fallen dead about me, but I sensed them still. I did not dare raise my head. I felt suddenly very foolish and childish and wanted to drag myself away.
"Rise, lady," said a voice above me.
I lifted my head; my thick hair fell across my face hiding by madly blushing cheeks. A hand was offered to me and I took it. Feanor gently brushed the hair from my face and smiled. I forced a smile and tried to calm myself. I took a step back, but his fingers had awkwardly caught in my hair. He slowly and carefully untwisted them. We each inclined our heads in a parting gesture, and I walked delicately back over to my father.
