Before any of you blow up on me, I'll just say that The Festival of the Moon is something I made up in tribute to Ithila who uses the power of the moon.

AND

I know there's a real Blue Moon which appears like every month or year wateva.

This Blue Moon in my story is different ;D The moon actually turns blue!

Chapter 21

Ithilia bathed herself in scented water, gently cleansing herself of the dirt and grime that had accumulated in her hair and on her body. This is what she had always done before the moon had risen to the highest point, when the first Blue Moon in centuries appeared. Mourning that Haldir was not to celebrate this festival at her side, she slowly climbed out of the tub and dried herself with a cloth.

"Yaaraer, Berituin im míl hi dú." She prayed silently before adorning an elaborate gown.

A simple shimmering silver gown with sleeves that gradually opened up to touch the floor gently was the under layer of the complicated style. Then a pale blue intricate-designed, open vest-like selection with the upper arms decorated with stars and the sleeves and top mid-to-bottom portion of the under layer still visible. Finally, Ithilia wore a sleeve-less, plain light grey cloak which had a hood.

Draping the hood half-way over her head, she placed a silver circlet adorned with crystals and sapphires over the hood so it wouldn't let the hood fly away while the wind blew. Under the bosom, where the over layer's low "v" neck was traced with stars, a simple belt-like item accentuated her lithe form. Ithilia glanced out of the open balcony where the stairs leading to the ground started, hearing the festival music starting.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

"Ithilia. Wow." Orophin gaped at her as she made her way to the clearing filled with gentle music and laughing elves. "I can see why Haldir—"

"Close your mouth, brother." Ithilia winked with a smile as she stopped next to him, looking over the festivities while she stood upon the elevated land. "I do not think Haldir will take kind to you using your flattering words."

Orophin rolled his eyes and sighed, twirling the cup filled with Miruvor in his hand. "It is a shame. The world is so cruel..." He said almost pitifully. His eyes remained locked upon Úriel in the small ensemble.

The music reached their ears after the two went silent, they sang of Elbereth Gilthoniel, the Queen of the Stars.

"Snow-white! Snow-white! O Lady clear!

O Queen beyond the Western Seas!

O Light to us that wander here
Amid the world of woven trees!

Gilthoniel! Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!
Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath!
Snow-white! Snow-white! We sing to thee
In a far land beyond the Sea."

"Tell me, Orophin." Ithilia murmured as she followed his gaze to her friend.

The said elf hummed in questioning manner. "Anything, Ithilia." Ithilia opened her mouth to speak but her eyes caught Galadriel, Celeborn and their little newborn child—swaddled in a white blanket— wandering into the clearing with serene looks upon their faces. "Ithilia?"

"We shall speak of this in another time." The elleth responded quickly before stepping down from the platform.

"Ah, sister." Galadriel hummed as she saw Ithilia approaching. "How do you fare this evening?"

"Perhaps I should be asking you that." The older elf jested with a smirk, coming closer so she could see the new child's face.

Celeborn was glowing with absolute pride as he introduced his son. "We have named him Celebrimor, after Celebrimbor, The Prince of the Ñoldor."

"A very good name." Ithilia muttered before instinct told her to look up. So she did.

The moon was at its peak, and now its hue was slowly turning blue. "It is time, sister." Galadriel stated with a small smile, adjusting the bundle in her arms gently as the elfling cried out gently in its sleep.

According to the protocols of The Asar Eno Ithil, Ithilia was to hold an extravagant banquet and depending on the Moon's judgement, Caras Galadhon would either have a full month of guaranteed prosperity concerning crops and lives or several unfortunate events taking place. One time in which it shed blood in the city.

A very long table sat at the edge of the clearing, already set and ready for the elves to start. Ithilia mounted the platform once again and stared up at the moon, her moonlight-colored eyes becoming more prominent as she used the Moon's light to illuminate the clearing, lighting it up to the point that even the shadows were long and ominous.

Having been to The Festival of the Moon before, the elves immediately quieted—except for the occasional giggles of elflings—and turned to look at Ithilia. "Come, my friends." She announced loudly with a smile. "Let us all enjoy this night by celebrating the Asar Eno Ithil. Of course, we cannot forget the delicious meal that every one of you lovely ellith have contributed to."

The said elves flushed and looked away, pretending to stare at something in particular in which Ithilia's smile grew wider. "Let us dine in the company of our friends and in the presence of the moon." With that said, Ithilia lightly stepped down from the raised dais and joined her sister.

"Lady Úriel." Orophin smiled as he took a seat next to her, making himself comfortable.

Úriel flushed pink and glanced at him from under her lashes. "Orophin." She acknowledged quietly as she waited for the rest of the elves attending the festival to sit.

"You sang a song about Elbereth, correct?" He inquired, clasping his hands in his lap with a small smile. At her nod, he continued. "I thought your voice was very beautiful."

At the compliment, Úriel nearly swooned but she held herself upright. Barely. "My voice is ordinary compared to Lady Galadriel and Lady Ithilia."

"Nonsense." Ithilia gasped in a teasing manner as she passed by her seat to reach hers. "You have an amazing trait, my friend. One that even I am jealous of. Do not doubt yourself." She smirked, gently poking her friend in the shoulder before continuing towards her destination with a slight bounce in her step.

"See?" Orophin grinned. "Even Ithilia thinks you have a wonderful singing talent." Úriel's face heated up and she turned away. "Úriel, look at me." He sighed in an almost exasperated tone. Reluctantly, her eyes met his before she ducked her head down again. She was surprised when his thumb and finger gently pulled her face upward to look at him. "Are you afraid of me?" He repeated his question from their previous meeting in the woods.

"Of course not, Orophin." Úriel sighed.

"Then why do you look away?"

Not knowing how to explain how she felt, she took his fingers away from her chin and grasped his strong hand tightly. "I cannot explain. I apologize. . ." Orophin opened his mouth to say more, but Ithilia had started the banquet and food was being passed around.

Deciding to find out what was bothering her later, Orophin left the conversation alone.

Two things.

One, I will be gone completely next week because my school is going up to Arrowhead for camp so I can't exactly write a chapter to put up next week on Sunday.

Two, I have no more ideas after this... Dang. Most of these chapters will be from 900-1400 words so... until TH:BotFA comes out, it'll be like that so... cya all! :3