Chapter 36
"Elrond's house was perfect, whether you liked food or sleep or story-telling or singing (or reading), or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all. Merely to be there was a cure for weariness. ... Evil things did not come into the secret valley of Rivendell." -JRR Tolkien
A slender, handsome elf greeted them. His long dark hair was straight, and his skin pale and fair. His eyes were wide and brown, and Elei felt a pang when she realized they reminded her of her husband's eyes. He spoke in a melodious voice, and Elei was speechless, hit with a dizzying wave of longing, it so much resembled the voice in her dreams. "Welcome, my lady." He turned to the leader of their elven escort. "Have we guests?"
"Yes, Lindir." said their guide. They consulted briefly, and Elei, feeling dazed, overheard "Dunedain" and "Gaeleryn Erydrhis". Lindir flashed an enchanting smile at Elei. "This way, my lady, 'tis time for feasting and music." As they headed to the arched door, a clatter of hooves arose. Elei turned around and saw a company of elven warriors dismounting. Lindir hurried toward them. She heard him say "Lord Elrond" and recognized the tall, high-browed half-elf in shining armor. His face and hands were streaked with black. Her elven escorts led Dan and Rob inside, but Elei lingered at the threshold. She heard Lord Elrond mention "Taur-e-Ndaedelos" and "fires" but also "victory". She felt a surge of hope. A tall elf with his back to her dismounted, and taking of his helmet, shook out a mass of dark red hair. Her heart fluttered, but his hair was straight, and he turned to reveal a face that was strange to her. As the warriors led their horses away, Lindir came toward her. He looked concerned to find her still there. "My lady, have you been abandoned by your escort?" She nodded, still mute in fascination. 'I have not been around very many elves' she thought, 'he is so very perfect-looking.'
"This way, you must be weary and hungry." He looked around them. "I will show you to guest quarters." He ushered her graciously through the halls. He pointed out a high-ceilinged chamber. "Come back here for the feast, when you are ready." He steered her to a side passage. Several female elves were coming out of it. "Here is a guest, show her to a room, please, and lend her any assistance she needs." A young-looking blonde elf bowed to Lindir and smiled at Elei. She showed her to a pleasant small chamber. Elei gasped at the beautiful carved eaves that overhung a balcony.
The elf looked her up and down, and said kindly, "There will be gowns and clothing suited for tonight's feast in the wardrobe." She gestured to the carved wooden wardrobe in the corner. "The court is here from Mirkwood, and they are holding a celebratory feast. We realize travellers may not have court-worthy attire in their travel bags." She smiled apologetically.
Elei's heart fluttered. "Whose court?" she asked. "Thranduil's?" Her eyes were wide.
"Yes... well," the elf said, "he is still away; this is part of his court, and his queen is here." She patted Elei on the shoulder. "She is quite approachable. Some of them...well, watch out for the preening courtiers. They will be easy to spot." She rolled her eyes. "You will know them by the way they look down their noses at everyone."
"Thank you." said Elei warmly. Her escort smiled, curtseyed, and left her, closing her door. Elei stepped to the balcony, admiring the glimpse she caught of a spectacular view. Then she noticed a steaming bathtub, waiting in the corner by the window. She sighed in happy delight, and undressed. She sank into the tub and soaked clean. Dried and wrapped in a wonderful soft robe, she opened the wardrobe.
There were several beautiful gowns, a lighter and a heavier cloak, elegant soft shoes, and finespun undergarments. On hooks at one end were a circlet, necklace, and belt. She held up a gown, and its length seemed perfect for her. Her amazement was tempered when she saw another door in the back of the wardrobe. 'Aha!' she thought, 'That is how they brought in things of my size.' She smiled at the smooth feel of the undertunic of shimmering white. The gown of a deep, rich burgundy tone appealed most, so she slipped it on. Looking in the oval mirror on the wardrobe door, she studied the color. An image flashed into her memory of dark red curly hair. 'His hair!' she gasped, "'Tis like the color of his hair!" Tears sprang to her eyes as a wave of longing hit her. She brushed out her hair, staring pensively at the dark-haired girl in the mirror. Her skin was pale overall, her eyes shadowed and melancholy, yet a healthy blush tinged her cheeks and lips. She donned the metal belt and the delicate necklace, then she opened the door and peeped out into the hallway. Several female elves walked past her, shining circlets on their heads. Elei ducked back inside and arranged the circlet over her hair. In front of the mirror, she pinned a velvety cloak in place with her elven leaf brooch. "There, now wouldn't Meril be proud of me." said Elei to herself. The red and gold leaf brooch stood out beautifully, complementing her gown. She took a deep breath, and headed out of the room.
She followed a couple of elves to the large chamber. An elfling came to usher her to a seat at a long table. At the far end, Elei saw a glittering group of elves. From the buzz of activity around them, she guessed they must be courtiers. The smells of delicious food called her attention to her dinner. As she ate her fill, she realized Dan and Rob sat across from her. Like herself, both were fascinated by watching the elves around them, and neither had said anything to her. She watched them; both men looked bedazzled.
Music drifted in over the hum of the crowd. Elei, sated with food, rose to follow elves into the adjacent room. Dan appeared at her elbow, and Rob on the opposite side. They gave her brief glances, but their eyes snapped back to the elves. "Shall we go, gentlemen?" she prompted them wryly. Both drifted away when they came into the music-filled room. Elei stood to one side in a dimly lit spot, and let the beauty of the music wash over her. She could make out the gist of the elvish lyrics. A glimmer at the arched doorway heralded the arrival of the courtiers. 'Perhaps I can ask one of them for news.' Elei thought. Then Lindir and a beautiful elf maiden sang a haunting, tragic love ballad. Elei found tears welling up in her eyes. Seeing elven women around the room wiping their eyes with the sleeves of their undertunics, she did the same with hers.
A lilting voice at her shoulder spoke, startling her. "I always weep at this ballad, too; and 'twas worse when I was with child." Elei turned to see a tall elven woman in a glimmering gown. She wore an elaborate mesh necklace and gold-toned arm bracelets winked at her wrists. She had a shimmering veil wrapped around some sort of headdress that sat high above her head. The veil covered her hair completely. 'Courtier' thought Elei. She studied her, but she did not seem haughty. "Come sit with me over here." The elf gestured to some benches along one side of the room. "'Tis said you seek news? Mayhap I can oblige." She smiled again, and Elei was thoroughly charmed. They sat opposite each other, far enough away from the music to speak and be heard. "Do you mind me singling you out?" the elf asked. "You looked lonely." Elei shook her head. "'Tis pleasant to remember my own time being pregnant." said the elf. She met Elei's gaze with wide brown eyes.
"You knew?" asked Elei. "Does it show already?" She blushed with embarassment. She had felt sure the loose gown she wore would hide her barely swollen belly.
"No! Rest easy, you look slender! 'Tis a glow, and I can always tell... 'Tis a gift or a curse, but I can." She studied Elei and asked "May I hold your hand?" Elei nodded. The elf took her hand between both of hers, and sat quietly for a moment. Then she said "Yes, I can tell... if you wish to know about your babe." She smiled mysteriously.
"Yes, tell me." said Elei nervously.
"You bear a son." said the elf with a joyful smile. "Are you elven? You have the look about you..."
"No, Dunedain, but my mother was half elven." said Elei.
"Ah, I see." said the elf with a sad smile. "'We could use more elf children. The grey elves are going into the West, and we have fewer children in recent years." Elei nodded sympathetically.
The light was brighter where they sat, and Elei found herself fascinated by the bracelets the elf wore. The metal bore an intricate, finely tooled design. Gems winked from settings throughout the pattern. 'It looks familiar...' she thought. They were closer to the fire, and the elf fanned herself, then reached up to unwrap her veil. On her dark hair was a crown of light, airy filigree, with bright leaves around it in elaborate decoration. Elei, awed, instinctively rose and curtseyed low. The elf laughed in a musical voice. "Nay, rise, I do not like the formalities of being Queen."
"Queen..." Elei stammered, wide-eyed.
"Thranduil's wife, yes." She smiled again. Her hair, elaborately braided and coiled under the crown, gleamed a deep red. Elei gasped involuntarily, then covered her mouth, embarrassed. The queen smiled wryly. "Do I have a bird or a squirrel in my hair?" She laughed at Elei's mortified look. "Please, be at ease. I dislike it so when my status makes everyone suddenly mute! Now, please, tell me?..." Her charm reassured Elei.
Elei sat up. "I knew someone with hair the same color..." she said faintly.
"'Tis rare, but known more among the wood elves." smiled the queen. "Now, tell me your name? Mine is Gaeleryn. I am a silvan elf, born in Mirkwood."
"Mine is Eleirien. I was born in Fornost." Gaeleryn raised her eyebrows.
"Fornost? Ah, yes, a lonely place, but still a hidden Ranger fortress."
"Aye. My mother had insisted on accompanying my father to the outpost there. I remember only growing up in Dale."
"Ah, yes... Dale." Gaeleryn smiled her merry smile again. "We had news that the battle there is ended. Have you kin there?"
"Now, only my stepmother. My father and brothers rode south."
"With Aragorn." nodded Gaeleryn. "Well, your mother should be in Erebor, the dwarves gave everyone shelter during the battle." Elei blinked, trying to imagine elegant Brethil there, in underground halls with dwarves, and failing utterly. "They will be returning to Dale, or perhaps she will be journeying to rejoin your father." said Gaeleryn. "Are you close to your stepmother? Forgive me for asking."
"No, 'tis fine." said Elei. "I do not miss her much...My father wed her only two years ago. 'Tis my father and brothers I miss." She blinked back tears.
"Know you whether they are staying in Gondor with Aragorn?" asked Gaeleryn gently. Elei shook her head. "Well, then, if you ride on with us on the morrow, you may find out. We are heading south."
Elei looked surprised, and disappointed. "Then... not to Mirkwood?"
The queen looked at her ruefully. "No, not yet. 'Twill be a pain I wish to postpone. Many parts of the forest were burned." She hung her head. "We will replant, but there will still be huge expanses of burnt trees."
"That is sad." said Elei.
"We will head to the western borders of Mirkwood, then south, as Dol Guldur should be cleansed by then." said Gaeleryn.
"That is good news!" said Elei.
"Along the way, we should receive news. We may divert to Ivorcalarond; it will depend where Thranduil goes." Gaeleryn said. She studied Elei. "And what of the father of your babe?" she asked. Elei hung her head, blushing. "Do you seek him?" asked Gaeleryn gently. "We count it as no shame to discuss such matters."
"'Tis embarrassing to me." said Elei. "'Twould be less so, were I properly wed." Her cheeks flamed.
"What took him away?" asked Gaeleryn quietly. "Was it the war?"
Elei looked her in the eye. "Probably, given the times... but I do not know. I lost my memory."
"Have you found it again?"
"'Tis beginning to come back, but in woefully small bits."
"I see; and has your family told you about him?"
"No...they do not know I lost my memory." admitted Elei.
"Why?" asked Gaeleryn, clearly astonished. "They could help you."
"They do not know I am with child... and I feared my aunt and uncle would send me to my stepmother. 'Twas willful of me not to tell them, and to leave."
"What brought you here?" asked Gaeleryn.
"My cousin made me promise... if they had not returned, I was to seek Thranduil's kin."
Gaeleryn looked thoughtful, but smiled. "I think I qualify. But, where did you come here from?" she asked, eyes twinkling.
"Combe, in Breeland." said Elei. Gaeleryn's eyes widened, and she sat up straight.
"Ah, yes... Thranduil sent a company to Breeland." She peered at Elei. "They were there until January, I heard."
"Yes," said Elei, "They headed off to the war, my cousins said. I do not remember."
"And when did you lose your memory? Did anyone tell you?"
"'Twas early January." said Elei.
"Ah, yes...Gormaethil and Luinur returned after glilith." said Gaeleryn pensively. She locked Elei's gaze to hers. "What do you remember about him?"
Elei lowered her eyes, blushing. "I can never quite see his face... I hear his voice in my dreams; that is how I knew he was an elf, and, well...My dreams were of things we had experienced together. Thus, I was less surprised when I found out I was with child." She looked up at Gaeleryn, who nodded sympathetically. "And...we shared our feelings or thoughts, through touch."
Gaeleryn's eyes flew wide open. "The milinant." she breathed, in a whisper.
"My father and mother had such a bond." said Elei.
"You are Dunedain and part Elven...Yes, 'tis a rare gift!" Gaeleryn smiled her impish smile again. "If 'tis so, then you must find him, and he, you, or both will diminish. He must be a Silvan elf! Though, the diminishing is not as severe for Silvan elves as for Sindar... My poor lord is tied to me."
"I pray mine survived the War." said Elei, teary-eyed.
"You would feel it, if he had not." Gaeleryn reassured her. "But I will help you, in any case. It is wonderful finding your life-mate. My husband's first wife was not his, yet I am fortunate he stayed after she was gone. Their bond of love was still strong, and he is still solemn; and at the time, he held riotous parties to distract himself. But he is better, and much cheerier, when he is with me. As for your mate, he must be one of the party that were sent to Breeland. We shall find him!" She sounded so confident Elei believed her.
"Then… you do not worry about an immortal elf marrying a mortal?" asked Elei.
Gaeleryn smiled. "No, not if you have the milinant, especially. It is well worth it, to love well, even if it be for fewer years. Dunedain are long-lived." Gaeleryn studied her. "What else do you remember about him?" she asked. "Red hair, you say?"
"Not the usual red, but darker, and curly like yours." said Elei.
"Well, that narrows it down, but there are a lot of silvan elves with red hair... would I knew exactly who Thranduil sent west! He kept me from the details, when he sent our sons abroad."
The music mellowed to a soothing lilt, and Elei found herself yawning. "Ah!" said Gaeleryn, "Since you see him in your dreams, perhaps you need to dream more. Let us retire, we leave in the morning." She smiled her mischievous smile again. As she rose, applauding the end of the tune, several courtiers rose and swarmed in her direction. Elei saw one or two with dark red hair, but one was female, and the other's face she did not recognize. Gaeleryn tapped an elf maiden on the shoulder before they could reach her. "Show this guest to her room, please."
Elei followed the elf across the room. Along the way, she spotted Dan Smith flirting with two curvaceous female courtiers. Rob Wycombe sat near the musicians, absorbed in the music. She looked over the elves she passed. 'They all look so perfect.' she thought, 'No wonder the men are entranced.' She noticed the silvan elves were feasting and drinking more lustily than the rest of the crowd. Their attire was more flamboyant, as if to go with their curly hair. Yet, even they looked super human, with beautiful, even features. They moved with catlike grace, and Elei began to feel plain and clumsy. She was relieved when they passed into the quiet corridor to her room.
In her chamber, she reverently placed the shimmering gown and all the borrowed finery back into the wardrobe. The silence of the room had her thoughts racing, and self-doubt crept in. 'How can I compare to elves?' she mused. 'When I find him, he will see me next to them, and then he may not want me anymore.' A little voice in her mind said 'he will want you, you are his life-mate!', but she had trouble believing it as she lay alone in the dark and tried to sleep.