As I left my room, I could hear Tuor's booming laughter and a tinkling laugh that followed. As I approached the end of the hall I saw Tuor standing with Idril talking to her in elvish and gesturing with his hands. He was wearing a dark tunic and breeches. The clothing suited him well and his blonde hair was clean and combed. He left his armor and shield, which were probably for the best.

Idril had changed into a white dress with a beaded bodice. Her long golden hair was braided back and hanging in waves. She was so entranced with Tuor's tale that they didn't notice me approaching. I looked over to Voronwë and smiled.

His dark brown hair was clean and brushed out. His hair had a few braids as it fell straight down his back. He wore a silver tunic adorned with silver jewels with dark breeches and boots. He was a very handsome elf.

When he finally noticed me, his eyes showed in surprise. "Lady Kiera, you look beautiful tonight, I hope you would allow me the honor of escorting you to dinner?"

"Of course," I say as he reaches over and gives me a kiss on the cheek. "You are always beautiful to me no matter what you wear, but you are truly stunning tonight," he whispers in my ear.

I blush as he offers me his arm. We walk over to Tuor and Idril who are lost in their own little world. Voronwë clears his throat to get their attention.

"My apologies, my friends. I did not hear you approach. Lady Kiera, you look lovely tonight." He looks to Idril and asks "My lady, will you allow me to escort you to dinner."

"You may," she answers. "Although I shall be the one escorting you, as you do not know the way," she teases.

Tuor laughs jovially and offers his arm. "lead on my lady."

We give them a little space ahead of us and I smirk at Voronwë. "I think someone is in love," I whisper.

"I think they both are. I have never seen the princess so taken with anyone in Gondolin," Voronwë whispers back.

"I'm glad everything turned out well for us. I am happy that we get to stay. Will you show me around the city tomorrow or the next day? I'm curious to see it all and you promised you would," I asked.

"I will, it would be my pleasure to show you around my fair city. I hope to introduce you to my uncle soon," he chuckled happily.

As we walk Voronwë points out some of the features of the palace. It takes a short walk before we arrive in front of a large room. The double doors are open and I can hear talking and laughter coming from inside.

I start to tense up with nerves and Voronwë stops us before the entrance. "It will be alright Lady Kiera. We are dining with the king and the lords of the houses tonight. I promise I will not leave your side, but you have nothing to fear from them."

I nod and thank him. He leads me past the doors into a large round room. In the center is a semi-circle table with a break in the front. All around are chairs and in the back is a larger throne chair. It was a glorious dining table, fit for a king.

Around the room are tapestries and banners with symbols on them. The lords are all mingling around the room with glasses. There are a few elves carrying trays. Most of the lords are in groups chatting. Tuor is talking to Idril and the king.

Voronwë gives me a moment to take it all in. Across the room, Ecthelion waves us over. We walk over to him and the blonde elf Glorfindel. I'm a little in awe of him, as he was my favorite hero from the stories. He was tall and muscular like Ecthelion and both radiated a soft glow. His golden blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes complimented his beautiful face. He was dressed in a white tunic and dark breeches and boots.

"Well met Lady Kiera. I am Lord Glorfindel of the house of the golden flower. You look very beautiful tonight and I am honored to make your acquaintance. Ecthelion has told me a little about you. I am also happy to see you again, Voronwë," he said.

"I am honored to meet you as well. It's good to see you as well, Ecthelion." He was wearing a dark blue tunic adorned with silver gems and crystals. He seemed to really like them. His dark hair was hanging straight and his black hair matched his breeches and boots.

Both of them were stunning and even Voronwë looked a little washed out in front of them. I suppose he doesn't have the light of the trees from being in Valinor. They were both incredibly nice, so I hope the rest of the lords are the same.

"It is good to see you again as well my lords. My journey was long and full of sorrow, but I am glad to have met lord Tuor and lady Kiera. I am saddened to say that I did not find the blessed realm, but I know I will see it someday," says Voronwë.

"I am hopeful that one day we shall all return. But let us speak of happier tidings. I know the lady Kiera spoke of possibly joining the builders but what will you do now that you have returned," asked Ecthelion.

"I do not know. Perhaps I will join my uncle in jewelry crafting. I have not decided yet, as I was focused so long on my travels and learning sailing and shipbuilding," replied Voronwë.

"You are welcome to join my house and the guards. We could always use more soldiers in these dark times. Ecthelion told me of your desire to learn lady Kiera, so the offer extends to you and I would be glad to teach you" offered Glorfindel.

"Thank you, that means a lot. I would like to get settled first and get accustomed to this city before I make any decisions. I'd also like to learn elvish, then I probably will train to defend myself at least," I answer.

"I would be honored to train you or help you learn. Tell me though, do all humans have hair like yours? I admit I haven't met many humans but your hair is strange with strands of gold mixed into your brown," asked Glorfindel.

Voronwë laughs and I chuckle as well. "I guess I'm going to be questioned about my eyes and hair a lot, but my hair is normal where I am from. Many women have similar hair to mine. We have places called salons where specialists can change and alter our hair. I don't know how it all works, but these are called highlights. When my hair grows out, they will disappear."

"That is sad my lady, as your hair is very beautiful and interesting. Alas, we have taken up enough of your time. You should probably go meet the other lords. We will speak again," Ecthelion smiled at me.

"He's right, let us go over to Elgamouth's group. You can meet my lord and a few others," replied Voronwë.

We walked over to a larger group of five elves. A large red-haired elf was speaking in a booming voice as we approached. His fiery red hair was beautiful and stood out around the crowds of brown and black. He was muscular as well and very tall. His dark red tunic was simple but he wore many pieces of jewelry and rings.

He introduced himself first "well met my lady. I am called Rog of the house of hammer and wrath. I am the lead blacksmith of this city and many of my followers are craftsmen and warriors. I am honored to meet you and must say I am shocked by your bold nature. Not many women would stand up to an elf lord and a prince at that," he said with a smirk on his face.

I blushed as all the elves laughed. "I guess where I am from, I was taught to stand up for myself. I'm sorry if that makes anyone uncomfortable, but I won't be talked about in that manner or allow someone to talk about my friends like that."

Rog clapped me on the back hard and said "that is a good trait to have and teach. I admire your courage, and I think it was about time someone stood up to Maeglin. A woman at that, but I'll let the other lords introduce themselves."

The lord next to Rog was dressed in blue and resembled Ecthelion a bit. He had dark black hair but brown eyes. His tunic was heavily adorned with gems and he wore many pieces of fine jewelry. He was smirking at me as he said "well met Lady Kiera. I am lord Elgalmoth of the house of the heavenly arch. We are great craftsmen and jewelers of the city."

"I am happy to see you again Voronwë. I welcome you back into my house should you wish. Your uncle is most anxious to see you."

Voronwë nodded. Another black-haired elf introduced himself. He had gray eyes and was smiling at me. "Well met lady Kiera, it is an honor to meet a fellow builder from a distant world. I am called Penlod of the house of the pillar and snow. Lord Ecthelion spoke a little to me of your craft, but alas we have little work in the ways of building. My followers only maintain the buildings now and also help prepare for winter. I would be honored if you join us, but I fear there is no extra work to be done around the city."

I frowned but replied "I understand. My world was always changing and we were constantly building new things. But I understand that this city is already established so maybe I will learn something else while I am here. I still wouldn't mind talking to some of the builders and learning how you built this city."

The other elves all groaned and Voronwë chuckled. Penlod brightened up and said "I would be happy to tell you all about this city. My builders and I are curious about your world, but we shall leave it for another time."

A brown hair and green-eyed Lord elf spoke next "well met lady Kiera. I am called Galdor of the house of the tree. My people grow the crops and manage the plants and trees around the city. Due to the king's restrictions, I can not offer my house for a craft. I hope you understand but still seek our friendships in my followers."

I smiled at him and said "no worries I understand. I was never much of a gardener even though my mother and grandmother were."

He offered me a nod and the last elf spoke. He had black hair and grey eyes. His tunic was brown with no embellishments. He wore minimal jewelry and brown boots. "Well met lady Kiera, I am called Dulin of the house of the swallow. My people are the archers of the city. We would be honored to teach and train you, as we have many female archers."

"Thank you, Lord Glorfindel has offered to train me as well, so I guess we will see. I have time yet, and I just want to get to know everyone and see the city before I decide," I stated.

"Now that introductions are over, tell me lady Kiera have you met prince Maeglin yet. He is still sulking from earlier," laughed Rog.

"No, I probably should introduce myself though. I'm honestly not sure how that conversation will go." I looked around the room, but I didn't see him.

Elgalmoth snorted "you won't find him here. He hates these types of gatherings. He and his craven lord Salgant are probably sulking in a corner somewhere. He will show up when the dinner bell rings."

Rog laughed, "Lord Salgant will show up if only for the food and the wine. Don't be surprised if they and their houses don't offer you a welcome."

I shrug my shoulders "not everyone is going to like you. I will be nice to him if he is nice to me. What does his house do?"

Rog replied first, "I would not hold your breath. He is not known for being nice and he does not like humans. He is a blacksmith along with most of his followers. Many of his followers of the house of the mole mine metals in the mountains. You would not be allowed to join them, but I don't think you would be welcome anyways. Besides, if you wish to be a blacksmith I can teach you all you need to know." He smirked and winked at me.

I blushed again and all the elves laughed. At least everyone seemed nice and playful.

Penlod rolled his eyes and told me "don't listen to him. He is a notorious flirt, he hardly crafts anything these days. He would much rather train with his axe and show off to pretty ladies."

They traded insults back and forth and it was nice to see them teasing each other. I suppose they have been lords together for centuries and were all friends. I found myself laughing along with them. After a while, Voronwë led me away so I could talk to the king.

Tuor, Idril, and the king were all still talking together. Tuor was animated as he talked and both the king and Idril seemed happy to listen to him. As we walked over Voronwë whispered to me "you are doing really well. All of the lords so far seem to like you, and that is good. Eventually, they will come to love you as I have. Hopefully, the king will lift the restrictions surrounding the city as I want to show you the lake and the flowers."

I whisper back "you love me hmm."

Voronwë's cheeks began to color and I teased him further. "I like it when you blush, it makes you look so cute." His cheeks got even redder and I laughed a tinkling laugh myself.

As we approached the king, Voronwë's face became red again and I was laughing hard. Tuor asked, "lady Kiera are you teasing poor Voronwë again?"

The three of them looked over to me in amusement as I replied "only because he teased me first."

"I did no such thing. Here I am being a helpful and wonderful friend and you tease me mercilessly for it," he teased back. We bantered for a moment as the king and princess watched us.

Finally, the king interjected "it brings my heart joy that Voronwë has found such wonderful companions. I admit that the task I had given him was a heavy burden. While I am sad that you could not find the shores of Valinor, I am happy to see you safe in my kingdom again. You have done well and I am sad for the losses of your friends and our kin. We will speak more in the coming days."

The five of us had a nice conversation. Idril was enamored with Tuor and I think even the king noticed. She was constantly asking him questions and eager to hear his answers. They both looked happy in each other's company and I hoped they would get the chance to know each other better.

Sometime during our conversations, a loud bell rang and the king bid everyone to their chairs. The lords seemed to have the same assigned seats and sat down in their places. The only open seats were at the front near the king.

"Tuor you will sit next to my daughter and next to lord Galdor. Lady Kiera, your seat is next to lord Ecthelion. Voronwë will be next to lord Elgalmoth and lord Rog," the king said as he took his seat.

I saw the sad look Voronwë was giving me, but he turned towards his seat. Ecthelion had pulled out my chair and I sat down. I noticed the chair next to me was empty and just as I realized who was missing a voice called out behind my chair.

"I am honored to spend this dinner getting to know the lady Kiera."