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A/N: I sincerely thank you for waiting so patiently. Recently I have been so busy with schedules and a few family gatherings that I couldn't take time to write the whole chapter. I apologise for being a sucky updater.
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Chapter 15: The Festival.
"...take care to properly cover the pastry," Brilon shouted across the kitchen and turned towards me to continue our talk before he saw the small stable boy leaning over the boiling pot. He whirled back. "You Lad! run along. I don't want to see you here without being properly washed." The startled boy looked down at his mud-caked shoes in embarrassment.
"I said run along boy!" and in a moment the boy vanished from sight. Brilon twisted back with a frown and wiped the beads of sweat rolling from his forehead, quite an amazing feat in such cold weather. He looked over just as I finished the last of my tea in a large gulp, the hot fluid scorching my insides.
"You come down to the kitchens too often for a lady. People will think that your lavish room is somehow lacking" he said with a click of his tongue.
"I mean it does lack comfort" I commented as I leaned back from the counter, "it's too posh for my lonely self... but Enough of that! Oh so benevolent! You were explaining about the festival." His gaze swept through the working of the kitchens. Satisfied with the order, he frowned back at me.
"You were the one who said a few days ago Lass 'Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit' have you forgotten it already as you seem to be using it a lot these days." I snorted into the water I was drinking. A passing maid, hearing the undignified snort, looked at me with startled eyes. "But it is a great form of amusement." I smirked at Brilon. He muttered something under his breath but continued his previous explanation.
"It is to celebrate the coming of winter," he explained, "A prayer to hope that the winter passes peacefully without any tormenting nights or storms." I wanted to differ from his opinion and the opinion of all those who prepared me by saying that the winter in Gondor wasn't cold enough. Even the fireplaces weren't that effective against the biting cold. I was already beginning to miss internal heating systems of houses. Here the stone walls rarely acted as insulators. I was pitiful of the people that lived in the dungeons without any proper means to keep warm.
Shaking away the thoughts, I listened back into the conversation. "It's full of laughter and happiness and romance," he paused to scoff at the thought, "too pitiful seeing all the unwed ladies being chased after and the many fitting men being ogled at." I listened with amusement, instinctively making hilarious scenarios in my head. "The people have become too thick, immersed in their luxuriant lives." He finished speaking to pop a small tart into his mouth.
"It is but for a day!" I interjected, "and I have not seen people being as care free as you like to make out." He seemed to ponder over his words.
"It is the cause of War Lass!" His voice was a low murmur when he finally commented as if he didn't want anyone to over hear his words.
"The war?" I whispered back and leaned forward on the counter to listen well.
"The battles with Mordor has caused all this distress." He said and then stopped as he motioned me over to the back of the large room beside the fire. In contrast to the bustle on the other end this one was surprisingly empty, maybe because it was a relaxing place and in the presence of the hawkish eyes of Brilon, no one wanted to take the lash so early in the morning.
"Why are we on a war with Mordor? Can't we have something like a truce with their people?" I asked just as I sat down and adjusted my skirt. As I looked up I noticed his incredulous expression. Nothing could have prepared me for his harsh tone. "Lass! It is Mordor! Why would we make truce with Orcs?" I gasped startled. "What do you mean? Are there only orcs in Mordor?" I asked. He leaned back as if to gauge whether I was joking or not. For a moment his expression turned sour and contemplating as if he wasn't sure what to make of my self. I cleared my throat in an effort to get back attention, my heart drowning a bit when I realized that if I kept this up even Brilon wouldn't accept my made up story. He turned his eyes away, looking over the counters to the other edge of the room. It could've been taken as alertness towards the kitchen but the non moving blacks of his eyes suggested something else. I spared another look at his tense shoulders.
"I am sorry Brilon," He raised a brow at my meek sound, still looking forward, "I'm not sure if I was being insensitive..." My voice trailed off after a moment. He gave a scoff, which by his look was directed at some of his own thoughts. "Nah Lass!" he said as turned to face me, all the signs of the previous anguish masked from his face. "Me was telling you, ah yes- Mordor," he continued, "it is governed by orcs. Their armies have intensified in the past years and now Gondor is at constant war with them. They say a past Lord has roused again." He looked back at the front wall, "It is why the people are gloomy. Never is it easy to say goodbye to the ones you love and for the sake of war... it becomes even harder." A moment of silence stretched between us. I stared at my wrung hands.
A while later just as I got up to leave, a reaching hand of Brilon stopped me, "Lass," he murmured, high enough for me to hear, "I hope that a day comes when you trust someone here enough to tell them the truth about your past. No matter how hard trust seems to you this day." I looked at him startled and he met my eyes with such a knowing look that it made my heart squeeze in my chest. With nothing better to do, I gave a laugh in disbelief and turned to walk away, all the while ignoring Anaria's concern about my gradually paling complexion and a pair of burning eyes on my rear.
"M'Lady," Bnaŕia's voice snapped me out of the increasingly depressing tale of "Thee a flower that wilts; among the petals, thy fell."
"Lady Lanette asks you to inform her of the dress you will wear to the festival, she says that it needs to be stitched and sewn in just a few days." I placed the edge of my little finger inside the book and closed it to give her my attention.
"I'm not sure whether I'll go or not," I replied. Bnaŕia looked surprised at the answer.
"You need to M'Lady." She said and moved forward a few steps. Her voice, for the first time, conveyed a hint of furry, a sign that she wanted to validate her point. I raised a brow at that and settled more snugly into my chair in front of the fire place.
"Would it be thought inappropriate for me to bunk it up?" I asked her. At her confused expression, I rectified, silently making a point to drop out any figures of speech that seem to be inappropriate in these times, although at most times differentiation between such speech seemed impossible to me. What I thought was cool was not so much. "I mean, to not go?"
She slouched in front of my chair, "Of course m'lady, people will talk against both m'lady and Lady Cathiel if you don't!" she whined. I rolled my eyes. So this was the real problem.
"That doesn't matter," I said, moving to open my book, "I don't think that they exactly love any of us even now." Bnaŕia's pale hand softly closed the book again, forcing me to look up at her.
"M'lady pardon me for being rude but it is the early days of Lady Cathiel marking her lost place again in the society.", she inhaled sharply, "You will need to be there with her."
"I don't know-" I started.
"You shall love it m'lady." Bnaŕia cut in. Her voice was trembling a little and her face flushed red. The sparkle in her eyes showed off her excitement, "It is one of the days when you can see the beauty of the grey skies against the grand marble of Minas Tirith.", she sighed softly, a smile quirked at her lips and she looked beyond as if imagining it all playing in front of her. It was a good change to see her talk so passionately about something. I placed the book at the side and listened to her tirade, "They say m'lady that if you look right enough you can see the top of the city merging into the heavenly skies."
"Have you ever seen it? The way you describe it?" I asked. My mind trailed back to all the skyscrapers back home. How would Bnaŕia feel if she ever saw such huge buildings rising even above the clouds? I smiled in nostalgia.
A little of the light seemed to fade from her face, "I haven't been so lucky yet m'lady but maybe this year!" Her voice was filled with thick emotion as she finished. She seemed to love this festival a lot, for whatever reason, and I hoped that whatever thought it was that made her come out of her timid self for even a small while stuck with her forever or even solidified into something even better.
"I hope you do.", I said with a smile, "I'll go with Lady Cathiel but only for a while, not exactly feeling social these days." It seemed to satisfy her and she got up to straighten her dress and stand in a more respectful pose.
"M'lady what shall I answer to Lady Cathiel about your dress?" She asked a moment later.
"What am I supposed to say. Please ask her to keep it simple and warm. Dark colours will be awesome." I replied opening the page and finding the lost line.
"Maybe amethyst in colour?" she supplied. I looked up and squinted my eyes in thought.
"The dark purple one?", I asked, "Yes m'lady."
"If you say so..." I was unsure of the colour as I didn't frequent it.
"I'm sure that it'll suit you m'lady!" She said smiling as if reading my uncertainty from expressions.
"What ever you say." I replied and shook my head in amusement before returning to the love of the lady painter of the first age and the tragedies that followed her throughout the course.
"It has come to my notice that you are quite an avid reader, Lanette," Cathiel said as we paced across the gardens of the houses of healing late into the night. The sparkle of the full moon illuminated the path enough for us to walk comfortably. I turned my head to face her,
"I do love a good book," I answered after a bit.
"Then you shall love the great library," she replied with a smile, "it has the greatest collection of lore and books in all of Middle-Earth!" she stopped and turned towards me. I could feel the love that she had for her city from many of her talks. A pity is that she had to fore sake it for many years.
"So I've heard.", I said, but then my face turned sour as I remembered the complications due to which I haven't been able to start my hunt yet. "But I can't exactly enter it, you need to belong to a great station if you want to.", my tone was complaining and I tried to wrap the anguish in a quick laugh.
"Ah. I had forgotten. It's been a long while since I last frequented it." Cathiel said nodding. She started to walk down the path back towards the home and I followed beside her.
"I do miss it though.", she sighed as we reached the gate adjoining the sixth and seventh levels. She clapped her hands once and turned to me in excitement, "How about we go there tomorrow eve, it shall serve for the pleasure of us both." I couldn't have hidden the smile that came along with those words even if I wanted to. Finally! I felt a spark of hope warming my insides. Maybe, just maybe...
"Truly! can we?" I asked, my voice loud with pleasure.
"Of course. There never has been a problem before, there won't be now.", she seemed to portray the same excitement that I was feeling, just for different reasons.
"Wow, that's awesome! Truly thank you." I said and squeezed her hands in mine once before entering the path that led to the back door of the mansion. She gave a small laugh, "and now you are making me wonder why you want to see it so passionately."
I chose not to answer. Giving a light laugh I exchanged greetings with her and departed towards my room.
I was unbuckling the warm cloak and was about to situate myself in front of the fireplace with a warm blanket when Bnaŕia came into the room. I looked up surprised at her knock and soft voice as it was way past midnight at that point. "M'lady," she greeted, dropping into a swift curtsy. I placed the cloak around the chair and moved forward to grab the blanket. "What is it Bnaŕia?" I asked from across the room, "why come here so late? Could you not sleep well?". She came forward and took the blanket from my hands. "Not at all, m'lady," she replied, "when you were out walking with Lady Lanette, Lord Dervorin requested your presence." I raised a brow at that. "Why would Lord Dervorin want to see me so late at night?" I wondered out loud, looking at her curiously, "I don't know m'lady but he is waiting for you yet, in his study. It would not favour you to be so late!" I groaned and squeezed my hands over my shoulders in order to release the tender tiredness. "But I don't want to meet him," I said making a face. I looked at Bnaŕia when she made a sound of protest. "Don't you remember what he did to Cathiel at the party?" I countered. Then made a scoffing sound, "I might just lose my temper if I meet him! He is just so fake." Bnaŕia's expression turned troubled and she whined lightly, "No no milady you must not say something like that about him! He is still a Lord of high station. Besides it would not be good for you to behave with him in this way.". She spoke the truth and it made me vexed. I murmured incoherently and went to don a shawl on top of the dress. It was too cold to walk out and about without proper cover. "Come on." I told Bnaŕia and exited my room.
I walked through the hallways slowly enough that it took us almost ten minutes to reach the study on the lower level. Inhaling sharply I took time to collect myself before knocking on the wooden oak. A crisp 'come in!' served as cue. Bnaŕia stopped at the entrance and I opened the door and stepped into the room. It was still as vast and furnished as I remembered. Lord Dervorin sat on the chair with even more grace than previously. I gave a curtsy and moved forward to stand before the table at his motion. "Sit Lady Lanette." his voice was polite yet commanding. With a single distasteful glance at his face I sat on the plush seat at the right. Straightening my shoulders I glanced up to meet his eyes. His face was adorned with a mix of amusement and happiness, or so it seemed.
"Not even one week with my daughter and you did enough to make her visit a royal ball. It seems that I was right about you Lady Lanette.", he said. I couldn't help but cut in.
"A visit that caused her much embarrassment, you mean, and a look into the face of a father who- once again, refused to help her.", my tone was cutting as I replied. His face turned hard in just a moment. Sitting up straighter, he clasped his hands in front of him on the table.
"Do you even realize what you are saying, Lady Lanette? In front of whom?", he said, his voice which previously seemed friendly now was masked with a hint of hardness.
"Yes, of course I do!", I said, my voice rising in contempt "How can you even face me after that? God forbid how will you ever face Cathiel. All the week I told her again and again that she had a misunderstanding with you and that you still cared for her and then she needs you and you don't help her!" I slammed my hands on the table, half standing up. He recoiled back clearly startled.
"That's enough-", he started but I wasn't finished.
"No, it is not enough! You sat with such pessimism in front of me and asked me to help her and the next day you turn away from her. Are they not double standards?", my voice dropped incredulously as I remembered his plead made weeks ago.
"Lady Lanette!", this time his voice was hard and loud enough to reverberate across the study. The barely concealed fury in his face made me flinch back to reality. I was yelling at a man who is a Lord here, a leader of the battle victories and one of the few top lords of the court. I snapped back to present, no matter what I still had no power above him whereas he could make sure that I never wear or eat something again. I gulped, silently cursing myself and sat again slowly, making sure to face him.
"You should not speak of the matter you know nothing of! Just because I gave you enough lease to be a Lady companion does not mean that I shall overlook all of what you do or say. Such insolence!" he said, considerably more collected now. He inhaled for a moment and the got up. His seat made a sharp sound. Going to the front he pulled open the window that overlooked the garden. Cold biting air, smelling of fresh flowers invaded the room in just a few gusts. I drew the shawl around me tightly in an effort to block the cold. I looked up as he spoke, his back towards me.
"Years ago, Lady Cathiel had angered the oldest daughter of Lord Malvelig, the Lady Estaria, look at what it made of her now. She has the power to destroy a person's standing in society.", he said.
"Are you not a top-notch Lord too?", I asked now growing confused. He turned to face me and clasped his hands at the back. He inclined his head.
"It is the benevolence of Lord Stewart. Still, Lord Malvelig is the right hand of Lord Stewart, if I go against him I destroy the fates of my whole family. As much as it breaks my heart, that is why I did not say anything.", he replied.
"But I thought that Lady Brinielel was the one who staged this.", I stood slowly, now even my voice was a great sign of my confusion.
"What is even much torturous is that my second daughter follows all that Lady Estaria does. I wasn't heeding of it when this started but now my daughter has committed enough sins to destroy her own life if they get revealed.", he said, dragging a hand through his hair in frustration. His actions were disconcerting to see even for me. For a moment he was the calm collected lord, the next he is commanding man worth of all the battle titles and he next he is a tired man who is stranded without a choice.
"Who'll-", I started. He raised a hand to effectively cut me off.
"Even if my daughter believes that Lady Estaria favours her, she does not. If I speak out of line she shall not wait to end her the way she did to Cathiel.", he said, his voice showing that he wasn't backing away from his decision. I stared at him incredulously. So to save Brinielel he can throw away everything? He seemed to read my mind.
"Lady Lanette, how can I possibly see both of my daughters being victim to the same situation.", he asked.
"So you'll just forsake Cathiel? To save Brinielel! How is that just?", I spluttered over my words. He seemed to consider it for a moment.
"If I would have wanted to forsake her I would not have chosen a Lady companion, as there hasn't been one in past many summers.", he finally said sitting back and leaning in the chair. I laughed in disbelief, not knowing what to make of that.
"What can I possibly do?", I asked. I truly didn't know how could I make their problems go away when I had my own to worry about.
"Just what you have been doing Lady Lanette.", he replied. "You have done in little more than a week what no one's been able to do in years."
"I didn't exactly do anything.", I told him slightly irate. It felt these days as everyone was making up something that I didn't even do. It was the choice of Cathiel to move on herself, all I did was listen to her tirade.
"Sometimes all a person needs is an excuse to let go.", he replied with a smile as if he knew how frustrated I was with the situation. I scoffed and looked away.
"So glad to be that excuse." I murmured sarcastically. We sat in silence for a while. I looked at his shelf, trying to read the titles of books in hopes to find something that might help me. It had become more of a habit by then, to stare at things in hopes they give me the clues to go back.
"It makes me glad to think of that Lady Lanette. I hope that the future brings better days for my daughters and yourself. I long to see my family joined again.", he finally said getting up. I got up from my seat and inclined my head in respect. After listening to him I once again couldn't think of him in a bad light. He had his reasons. I nearly laughed out loud at my own line of thought. Just a few days back I had agreed whole heartily to everything Naimĺa and Cathiel said about him and now...
"Aren't you one sweet talker...", I couldn't help but murmur as I dropped into a curtsy.
"Lady Lanette?", he asked. I didn't realize that maybe he still was paying me attention and looked at him startled.
"I said, that's sweet.", I said in a pathetic attempt to cover up, which he thankfully accepted as he beamed at me.
"I heard about my daughter's will to go to the festival, and I hope that you plan to accompany her.", he added just as I was about to leave. I made a 180 and stared at him.
"How can you know?"
"Lady Lanette, I am the master of the mansion. No one enters or leaves the house without my knowledge, be it be the first light of morning or deep darkness of the night. In the light of this, I shall just inform you that no one here plans a thing I do not know of.", he replied in amusement at my spooked expression. I made a strangled sound.
"Well, that's hella creepy.", I replied. His brow furrowed in question at my language.
"Lady Lanette?"
"I mean- wow what a hobby.", I couldn't help the sarcasm that seeped into my voice and then proceeded to look at him wondering if I had again talked inappropriately.
"I need to m'lady.", he said giving a bark of laughter.
"I'm sure you do.", I said, nodding my head. I took my leave, leaving behind an amused Lord Dervorin and wondering how to tackle the situation when Cathiel would inevitably wonder why I wasn't against her father anymore, and over one night that is. I sighed tiredly as I got back to my room. My stay in Gondor was getting more tangled and complex by the day.
The next morning I got up later than usual, due to the late night business yesterday. I swiftly dressed and with a quick sip of morning tea, skipping the breakfast I went to join Cathiel for our escapade to the library. She greeted me with a smile just as I reached the hallway outside her room. From the dark flowy dress and the embroider cloak she seemed ready to leave. "Lanette," she greeted with a nod, "and here I was thinking that you had changed your mind." she said. We started walking to the lower levels, pointedly ignoring the looks of all the servants. After the incident she hadn't been out of her quarters except for the nightly walks. People were still not used to her presence in open air. Naimĺa and Bnaŕia trailed a few feet behind us. "Of course not!" I replied laughingly. "The excitement of yesterday haven't quite worn off yet." I waved my hand dismissively. She turned her face towards me, "What excitement?". Had I not had all the years of dealing with surprising ordeals of the patients I would've choked on my own spit. In sudden panic, I looked towards the houses. A moment later I stared back at her. "What else? The walk last night." She nodded slightly but didn't get a chance to reply as we reached the gates of the seventh level. The guards, used to Lady Cathiel's night adventures weren't lucky enough to hide their surprised expressions at her arrival so early in the morning. They bowed at the waist and straightened at her motion. "MiLady, what purpose brings you 'ere at this light?", one of them asked politely. Cathiel gave a little smile and told them of her will to go to the library. They couldn't refuse and without hesitation drew away their spears and opened the heavy iron bars. We walked in silence. I was seeing this part of the seventh level for the first time, so kept quiet, taking in all the finely crafted details of the pillars. The great tapestries adorning the grand hallway. My eyes swept across the area to see many servants stopping to whisper behind their hands. Meeting our eyes they hastily bowed before moving away. My eyes went to Cathiel. Her head was slightly sagged, but still she kept her shoulders straight with grace. Her eyes were taking in the view with a barely masked longing which made my heart reach out to her. In that moment I realized that maybe my affinity with her was because I believed that she had also lost her way and didn't know how to get it back, just as I visualised myself these days.
We turned a right to come still in front of one of the largest doors I had seen in Gondor. Extending up to the roof of the palace, the great polished wood was carved with the finest craftsmanship one could ever imagine. I would have stood there to gawk for a long while had Cathiel not moved forward and inside, the guards opening the door for her. I followed closely behind her. The inside of the library was even grander, if that was even possible. Rows upon rows of huge shelves arranged in orderly fashion across the hall. It wasn't as big as some of the modern libraries in Earth but still, according to the standard of education I was coming to see here, this was a damn large achievement. The centre of the hall was lined with round tables and chairs. On the very front was a huge desk with an old man sitting at the middle. His long white beard was extending below the desk and his back was hunched over scattered pieces of parchment. At the sound of the door he looked up slowly. I could see the shakiness of his self as we got closer. He squinted his eyes at us, "Children, how can I help you both?", His voice was kindly in fashion. "Just as you've always done us favours Master Forlong, I hope you can continue to do so in the future.", Cathiel replied. at the sound of her voice he gasped and leaned forward. "By my beard! My child Cathiel is it you?", he asked tenderly. "It has been long, Master Forlong.", she smiled.
"Too long, my child, too long." His attention turned towards me and I gave him a polite nod, feeling a bit uncomfortable under his squinting eyes. "This, Master Forlong," Cathiel said, putting a hand on my arm, "is my lady companion and a good friend Lady Lanette."
"Good to meet you."
"I don't believe I have seen you before m'lady."
"Yes, uh," I cleared my throat before continuing, "I'm new in town." He gave me a thoughtful look and turned to Cathiel. "Are you here for a book or just to meet this poor old man?" he asked with a twinkle in his eyes. "A little bit of both, maybe, but Lady Lanette was quite impatient to visit the library hence I decided to visit." He turned towards me, "Like to read my lady?"
I nodded, "It is nice to read a good book once in a while." I replied. He smiled at the words. "Then go along my ladies, see what you want and read what you may. Ask me for help if you can't find what you need."
"Thank you, Master Forlong," Cathiel made to move away before stopping again, "Oh! master Forlong, I might not be able to come here as frequent but if Lady Lanette comes could you please allow her to read the books she pleases." I stared at him expectantly. "If you my child asks for a favour how can I refuse." Cathiel gave a laugh and moved along motioning to me over her shoulder.
'The tales of the great Tarannon', 'The bard of Anduin', 'The siege of North men' 'The might of Hyarmendacil', 'Invasions of Wainriders'. My fingers drifted upon the many titles.
"Anything worthwhile yet?", Cathiel who was calmly reading a novel at the nearest table asked, closing her book. "Not yet." I murmured before stretching my back and starting the hunt again. In the past two days I had found about twenty huge volumes that might have any clues. My search had now became a great source of curiosity for Cathiel, as anyone with a working mind can look at me and tell that I wasn't just searching through thousands of titles just for fun. 'It has turned dark Lanette," Cathiel said, getting up to leave. "You should come back early, tomorrow we need to be ready for the festival." She came to stand beside me. I turned over the book in my hands, 'The war with the horse lords.'
"I'll come back later," I told her, smiling lightly, "you should go to rest. Tomorrow is your second grand entry remember? You need to calm your nerves."
"What is the most surprising is that I feel at peace. The festival shall be in the presence of the public hence they can't pull anything petty. The people might be superstitious but they are fair.", she said and gathered her belongings. "Naimĺa!" she called softly and the said woman appeared a moment later. Just before taking her leave she turned towards me, "I shall not ask you to forsake whatever you are doing so passionately, but I do hope you take enough rest to be yourself the coming morn'." I laughed lightly and shooed them both away with a promise to take the designated rest.
I turned the last pages of the eighth book and slammed it shut with a slam. Four hours of constant flipping through these volumes and nothing worth enough for me to stop and read. I looked out of the window,. The dark had grown deeper, without the moonlight the gardens outside appeared to be almost haunted. I buried my head in my arms in disappointment. Two days in and I had not even searched enough. If I kept going like this it shall take me no less than a few years before I search this whole library well enough. The thought itself was quite depressing. Remembering the promise with Cathiel I took hold of three next volumes and placed all the others back in the shelf. I ticked off the names I had already looked into from the list and tucked it into the top most book. With a fleeting glance at the table and satisfaction with the order, I walked towards the front of the library. Master Forlong looked up at my approaching figure and shook his head incredulously at seeing the thick bindings in my arms. "Child, you have been taxing yourself too much for it to be a light read.", I shook my head lightly and placed the books in front of him. "You do realize that it could lead you into trouble if one of the Lords find a mere Lady companion looking into the great lore of battle?" he asked with a furrow in his brow.
"This is precisely why I trust you to not say anything," I said and sighed softly at his exasperated expression. "I need to Master Forlong."
"I hope that it is of the utmost importance child." He quietly reprimanded. I nodded in confirmation and waited patiently as he wrote the book numbers in his thick register. "Where are the quills?", he said looking from above his glasses. I groaned in annoyance. "Oh shoot! I'll get them at once." I said before leaving for the table I had previously occupied. Finding the quills lying on the floor, I picked them up and slowly moved back, trying to stifle the ever emerging yawns. I had just reached the last shelves before the doors of the library clicked open. "My Lord Boromir! Such a pleasant surprise." Came the voice of Master Forlong. I halted in my steps and hid behind the nearest shelf. I had been warned by Cathiel the very first day that studies for the ladies was only thought well until the cheap romantic thrills. A woman searching about the ancient wars and battle strategies would not be taken well. Especially someone who wasn't even allowed here alone in the first place. I had been lucky enough to avoid any of the Lords that came into the library in the past two days as they waited for Master Forlong to bring them the books. Just my luck that I had to come across the most respected Lord when I was breaking at least four of their moral codes. I cursed lightly and bent quietly. With just one shelf separating me and the two men I could hear all their words quite well. "It has come to my notice that you have been retiring from the library later than usual." Came the voice of who could only be Lord Boromir.
"Just a little work my lord," Forlong replied. It was quiet for a moment and I suddenly wanted to see what was happening. Quenching my desire, I reprimanded myself. It seemed that I wanted to dig my own grave as early as possible.
" 'The might of Hyarmendacil', 'Battle won: The first age', 'To win the leagues'... Has some battle commander been here?"
"No my lord."
"Then why the books?" the Lord's voice had an edge to it.
"Just for leisure reading, my lord." Forlong's voice was becoming strained.
"For leisure reading?" Lord Boromir repeated incredulously, "for whom did they serve as pleasure?" A moment of thick silence hung across the library. I chewed my bottom lip in anxiousness. "Master Forlong, according to my guards only two ladies have been frequenting this area for the past few days. I do not want to hear the Lords complaining about your lack of care for customs and traditions." he said, his commanding voice reverberating across the hall. "I shall take care to not displease my lord. Can I ask what you really are here for, milord?". For a moment I thought that maybe Lord Boromir would laugh it off, what else could he visit the library for except for information. But when he spoke his voice was lower than before but with much steel. I strained myself to hear his next words. "I hear much darkness these days, Master Forlong, people whispering in the halls, in the court, in the balls... The times are dark and hopeless enough to conspire in desperation."
"My lord!" Master cried, "That would be treason. In all the eighty years of my life I had only lived to serve this country! It is the worst strike to see my lord's suspicion upon myself." his voice broke at the end. Another silence. Then a deep chuckle. "Of course Master, the day is not soon to come when I shall have my suspicions set upon you. I trust your decisions and know that whatever you do is for our service alone. I come here to inform you Master Forlong what my most trusted men should know." A relieved sigh. Another laugh. The beating of my heart. I inhaled once in an effort to cool down. Indirectly it seemed to me as if Lord Boromir was ay first warning Master Forlong against providing us with literature. They talked for a few more moments. The Lord did not say anything more to strain Master Forlong and before long he left asking Master to close the library and go to rest sooner, in heed of his declining health.
A few minutes after the sharp clang of the door I emerged from behind the shelf, trying in vain to smooth out the wrinkles from the skirt. Master Forlong gave me an ironic look from beneath the glasses. "Child-", he started, looking once at the books and then towards my face. "Please this once!", I pleaded. He sighed and with another un sure look extended two of the three volumes towards me. I gave him a grateful smile and with a few words of farewell went out of the library.
I had just turned onto the last parallel hallway leading to the outside gardens when I met with the back of Lady Brinielel. Making a quick turn I swiftly moved back to the right hallway and pressed my back against the cold stone wall. 'What great luck!' I thought exasperatedly, 'First Lord Boromir and now her!'. I looked down at the two thick volumes held in my arms and shook my head with a quiet curse. If Lady Brinielel sees me right now, she'll not even spare a moment to tear me down right here in the hallway, especially when I had the books signing my own fate. The sound of footsteps moved closer to the turn and I pressed myself as back as possible could, with the speed of a snail I started moving parallel to the front wall in an effort to get away. I gave up as I looked to right, my plan didn't exactly seem probable as this hallway extended far beyond the opening door and getting deeper into the seventh level could mean me getting lost in this huge area along with the books a good Lady doesn't read, which shall potentially get not only me but my partners in crime, Cathiel and Master Forlong into trouble.
"My lady it is too dark now, the midnight had passed a few minutes ago, we should go back. It is not proper.", came the whining voice of Èhara. "Quiet!", Brinielel hissed, "Lord Boromir shall turn this hallway at any moment. It is a great chance for lifting myself up in his eyes."
"But-", quietened abruptly.
"Oh my Lord Boromir! What a coincidence!" cried, someone. It took me a moment to realise that this voice was of none other than Brinielel just overly sweet. "Lady Brinielel, the pleasure is all mine." Lord Boromir greeted in a polite voice.
My poor self pressed up against the wall started shaking. I stuffed my fingers into my mouth in an effort to keep quiet.
"What is a Lady like you doing so late here in the hallway, without a companion?", Lord Boromir extended the conversation.
"Oh my Lord!", Brinielel cried sweetly. From her tone I could just imagine her batting her eyes in front of the Lord, which was infinitely disgusting as she was ten years younger than me and even more so from the Lord. "We had a company of Ladies in the eve', yet coming here I saw a poor boy and couldn't help but drag him to the houses of healing." Yeah as if! I nearly snorted at the far-fetched tale, "I was just tucking him to bed and lost track of time." A Lady who can't even tuck her socks in her fancy shoes tucking a poor boy into the bed, I suppressed the urge to jump out and own her up to her petty doings. "A lady of your station shouldn't walk this late alone," came the voice of Lord Boromir. Honestly what was the big deal? Her house was legitimately just ten minutes of leisure walking away. "I shall accompany you my lady." he finished and I nearly protested out loud. How was I supposed to get home escaping both of them if they were going in the same direction. I stood there groaning at my fate as Lord Boromir and Lady Brinielel left leaving behind a flurry of giggles and sloppy flattery (from the lady). I peeked slightly from behind the wall to see Lady Brinielel clinging at the Lord's arm and batting her lashes up at him prettily, just as they went out into the dark gardens.
I waited for ten minutes exactly before moving out into the gardens myself. Walking briskly I weaved my way up to the gate of the seventh level and waited patiently for Lord Boromir to return, so I could leave unnoticed. My arms ached badly because constant holding of the books. After a long while the Lord returned, walking back into the courtyard. I walked half in the shadows so I could pass unnoticed in the clear yard. Lord Boromir with the warrior's instinct took in his surroundings in a heartbeat. As I passed him he halted and I could hear him turning but before he could call to stop me a guard came up to inform him of something. Taking my chance I didn't stop and soon was out of the gates and half jogging down the path to mansion.
The next day dawned bright, for a winter day that is. The sun was out in all it's glory, not that warm but still taming the biting winds a bit. I was shaken awake by Bnaŕia who, for all the love of the festival insisted that I had to get ready at nine in the morning even if the festival really was going to begin at about four in the afternoon. I got into the dark purple velvet dress and groaned softly as the warm fabric settled against my skin. Bnaŕia insisted on making a better style as compared to my previously simple buns and knots. She weaved a braid into the back and tied such a smooth bun that I had to wow over it for a while. I put in the jewel fitted earrings and necklace borrowed from Cathiel. They were little droplets of Amethyst lined with softly shining silver. Not flashy but graceful enough to make a statement. The makeup in Middle-Earth, was the all organic face powders and blushes and liquid lipsticks. After much hassle with Bnaŕia I put on the pale lip colour. She didn't understand why I didn't want to powder my face and I wasted ten times in vain telling her about foundation before I realised that I was speaking out of my turn. Hastily covering up the conversation I got up from the dresser. Maybe it was the all organic diet or the infinitely fresh air and water, this one year in Middle-Earth had changed my skin. Pimples were now an old talk and I hadn't had such clear skin in a long while. "You look beautiful, m'lady", said Bnaŕia, done with fluffing out my skirt and looking quite pleased with her choice of colour. I looked once more into my reflection in the mirror. One thing that I had to give to Middle-Earth was all the pretty parties and balls that to me seemed straight out of the fairy tales. I silently vowed to let all the worries go for at least today, and enjoy myself to the fullest. After all every one needed a Good Friday night after a long week especially if the week was as long as mine.
I went to meet Cathiel in her quarters a little before four. She stood facing the mirror and squeezing her hands in anticipation. Her royal blue gown trailed a few inches behind her. Her hair was tied in golden wires and her self was adorned with graceful jewellery.
We left for the festival a few minutes after four. The walk was pretty peaceful as most of the city was already down to celebrate. Many people on our way stopped to stare at Cathiel and I was proud to see her handling it all smoothly. Particularly it was awesome to see her smile when one particular group of passing ladies gushed about her gorgeous appearance behind their hands. We could hear the rowdiness of the last three levels at even the start of the fourth one.
From the edge of the third floor to the start of the first the whole area was filled with colourful stalls and people. The rambunctious crowds laughing and chatting over the pints of drinks. The women gushing about the stalls. The children running about the crowded streets. It was all so beautiful that for a while I managed to forget every one of my worries. Me and Cathiel went about the stalls like silly little girls, cracking up at our own jokes and buying all the many shiny trinkets which we, most probably would regret buying tomorrow. We enjoyed ourselves to the fullest and in such open environment people didn't even pay that much heed to the second grand entry of Cathiel. By the time we had managed to tour all the three levels and found a suitable eating place on the second one night had already grown dark. Naimĺa stared exasperatedly at the many bags we were armed with and Bnaŕia in her uplifted mood laughed and patted her back. We all ate a hearty meal of roasted chicken and kebabs with the traditional rice dishes. And then washed it all down with a good warm mug of tea.
"M'lady we should go back now.", Naimĺa said a while later and we all agreed, now tired after all the excitement. The crowds had dwindled considerably in the past hour and now most of the rowdiness was from the small bunks and houses on the lowest level. I got up and gathered my bags. Then I remembered that elaborate leather map of Gondor I had seen in a vendor a little ways back, "Oh! I'll catch up with you guys. I have to buy something a little way. Move on I'll get to you."
"Shall I come with you, my lady?" Bnaŕia asked.
"No need," I replied hurriedly. Bnaŕia took hold of the bags with a promise to leave them at my bed and I departed in the search of the stall I had seen. The map was extremely elaborate but old and murky. It's age didn't really matter to me if it was exact enough. I twisted and turned to pass through the blebs of crowd still occupying the first level. To my great disappointment the man had already cleared the stall and had left. I looked around the area to see if he was here somewhere but to no avail. Sighing lightly I leaned against the marble wall. Just as I was about to leave for the mansion a man stopped me, "Lady, Is there something that is bothering you?". I looked at the side to see a middle-aged man standing there in his old tattered clothing. Despite his shabby appearance he smiled brightly at me. "I was just wondering where the man who sold the antiques here a while ago..." I trailed off looking at him expectantly. "Ah that man! In fact my lady he was not the owner of the stall, was just commissioning to sale those goods. If you're looking for the real salesman you can find him through this alley," he gestured to a thin, dark alleyway at the side. "But m'lady," his expression turned troubled, "they say that he is a man you want to avoid. People who meet him live their lives holed up in despair." The man stepped forward and murmured lowly, so that only I could hear, "they say he can tell the future accurately." I stared at him incredulously and then broke into a laugh. I could believe many things but what I truly couldn't believe was the ability of telling future accurately. I have always believed that fate is always full of twists and turns and my current experience had just validated the point. "Tis' is not a laughing matter My lady." I nodded, trying to keep the amusement from my face. "Down this alleyway? Straight ahead?" I finally asked. The man looked as if I had spouted a few additional heads when I overlooked his spooks, and told me the location with an exasperated shake of his head.
I walked down the lonely alley, weaving my way deeper into the city until I reached an old tavern with the sign of 'Famous Antiquity'. Sparing a single look at the cobweb covered stand I knocked at the door. I waited for a while before a muffled sound gave the permission for entrance. I opened the creaking door and moved in quietly. The door shut behind me with a crisp clang and I gasped whirling around and coming face to face with a gypsy. His burly stature easily towered over me and instinctively I moved back a few steps. He clicked his tongue once and moved forward towards the scattered desk. My eyes had a hard time following him in the scarcely illuminated room. The whole room was covered in dark and rusty objects, with not even enough space to walk properly. I stepped back just to stumble into a rusty trunk. The man pulled at the chair and sat down, successfully drawing my eyes back to himself. I gulped at seeing his heavy shadowed figure slouched over the table. Maybe coming here wasn't such a great idea. I shivering lightly. 'Should leave here as soon as possible', I thought remembering that none of the people except for that Shabby man knew where I actually was. "I am here to buy a map," I started after clearing my throat. "What is the hurry Lady Lanette? Sit! aren't you curious about what I can tell you?" 'Sit down my as-', My line of sarcastic thoughts ended abruptly. I could literally feel my heart sinking in my chest. A chill ran down my spine. My name...How could he possibly know my name? I gulped and stepped back. My instincts were telling me to turn and run but I stayed rooted inside the room. My legs felt glued on their own accord. Before I could function any proper thoughts, the crystal ball at his side erupted into light. Had you told me two years ago that in a year or so I shall be standing in the tavern of a man with such an aura about him that seemed to depress my very thoughts and will look at a crystal ball erupting into white magic, I would've laughed right at your face and would've probably dropped you off at the nearest mental institution but now here in Middle-Earth, a world that believed and somehow also thrived on magic, while feeling, sensing it all, watching this witch-craft, playing out right in front of me felt like I was seeing orcs all over again. That desperation, anger, anxiety and dark raw fear that felt as if about to claw out my very insides was all real. I wasn't living a fairy tale, I was living my own real life, a life that was possible of getting killed and lost and it was the reality that scared me the most , in forest in front of orcs and in this very room in front of this powerful man, that I could die right here right now without anyone knowing and no one will know what to do with me becauseI just didn't belong here. The next scene was possibly one of the most horrific I had ever seen and a scene that I would not soon forget. The man touched the ball and spasms moved through his body, his blacks had already rolled to the back of his eyes. He should've been unconscious or something but what truly terrified me was his maniac laugh that reverberated across the tavern. My back collided with the door and I desperately tried at it but it seemed jammed. With my heart in my throat and helplessness seeping through my muscles I choked on my spit, trying to delete the horrific image. Suddenly his deep voice vibrated across the room:
O' wondrous lady with a lost purpose!
The heir of passers of the forbidden barrier,
Thee roam'd far and wide to find the healer's touch,
The success of thyself was written among trials.
Passing through the frost and the land of Eorl,
Reaching the majestic bearing of men, in search of long lost lore,
Defeated by the purpose engraved in thy's fate,
Thee shall travel west to the night of despair,
Only to find the cause, thee shall return to this lair.
Through water, fire, darkness and storm,
In the company of those who shall forever be known,
Thee shall fight for what will become scarce in this land,
Fulfilling the prophecy that was once recited by the grand!
A gust of air passed through the room and the door opened with a bang. I fell down the few steps and hurried to scramble onto my feet. My legs were wobbling, whole body wrecking with shivers. I turned towards the alley, in my desperation not knowing whether I was going right or wrong, I sprinted with all the strength I had left with me. Sprinted until I had weaved and turned into the city deep enough for the little moonlight to stop illuminating the alleys. Sprinted until my shivering and tearful self couldn't stand any more. I ran until I collapsed against a cold wall in a dark unknown alley but sadly that prophecy that man had recited stayed rooted in my mind, vibrating clearly in my ears the whole night.
To be continued...