After leaving the fountains, I decided to swing by the house in case they were there. The walk was short and when I arrived in the courtyard I could see some lights flickering in the windows.

When I walked in, I saw Tuor and Idril sitting in the living room on the couch. Idril looks like a mess with red puffy eyes and a few scraps of fabric bunched in her hands. They both looked up at my entrance and Tuor gave me a sad smile.

He coughed, "I think it would be best that you two talk privately. I shall be in my study upstairs. Once you are finished maybe we can all get some dinner together if that is what you want."

He gave Idril's hands one last squeeze and then left the room in a hurry. Bit of a coward, I thought.

I sigh and take Tuor's vacant seat on the couch. I set my phone and charger next to me and looked at Idril. I don't know what to say to her and she doesn't look like she knows either. I swallow my pride and begin, "I am sorry for my harsh words to you earlier. You did not deserve to be yelled at but I was mad at the way you spoke to Ecthelion. It is very hard for me to listen to my friends talk down to others or treat people differently for things they cannot control. While you deserve to be called out for your words, I shouldn't have yelled at you. We should have talked about it when we had both calmed down and for that I am sorry."

She sniffles but doesn't say anything. I expected something but looks like I am getting nothing in return. I wait for a little longer in silence before I grab my things and leave. What a spoiled little brat, I think as I walk out of the courtyard. Crying her eyes out because someone dared call her out for her words. I sigh and think about what Ecthelion had said to me earlier. I'm not sure if Idril will ever change and that makes me sad. I'm not sure if I even want to be friends with her if that is how she is going to treat people.

I walk to the palace and into the main hall. I check the main table and I am surprised to see Voronwë sitting at the table eating a small dinner. He looks up as I enter and gives me a large smile.

"I am so glad you have returned. I was worried I would be alone for dinner and I considered eating with my uncle but the cooks had already prepared the meal. Please sit as we need to talk."

I drop into my seat and start to take some food. Voronwë clears his throat and I look up again at him. "I'm not sure if you have seen Idril yet this evening but she had told us what you had said to her earlier."

I stared at him wondering what his thoughts were on the situation. He hesitates and I brace myself for whatever comes next. "Idril has made arrangements for you to stay with Celebrimbor and the craftsmen until Tuor's house is finished. They have a few spare rooms in their house and she has had all of your belongings brought over this afternoon. I will be staying with my uncle until the house is finished."

I'm stunned beyond belief. Is that why she didn't say anything earlier? I probably wouldn't have believed it if he had told me a few days ago but now I can definitely see her doing something like this. At least I will be with Cele and the craftsmen but I am at a loss for words. Looks like our friendship is over and I'm a bit numb, to be honest.

Voronwë is watching me and I don't say anything as I eat my food. Might as well savor the palace food while I have it. He starts talking again but it is tense, "Idril has still arranged for your lessons in the morning but they will take place in the city library now. I will show you the way tomorrow morning. The money that was being paid towards the king and palace will now be given to Celebrimbor and the craftsmen to pay for food and expenses. Tuor will still be staying here in the palace until the house is done."

He coughs awkwardly, "Tuor has also offered to let you stay with the craftsmen if that is what you desire. You do not have to make a decision now as the house will not be done for a few more months. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this but Idril thought it would be best that you heard it all from me."

"Have all of my things been moved out? There is nothing left in the room?"

He shakes his head. "Narriel has been moving everything this afternoon. The room has been cleaned and is now empty. The room at the craftsmen's house is a little smaller but each room has its own bathroom. You will have to heat your own water for baths and prepare your own meals but the craftsmen are looking forward to having you join their house."

I nod and finish up the food on my plate. I wait for Voronwë to finish and then we leave the palace for good. I'm not really too upset about moving out but it is a sharp stab in the chest to have Idril pretty much throw me out because I disagreed with her. I'm not sure if I even want to move into Tuor's household if he eventually marries Idril. That would be awkward for sure and I don't know if we can even salvage this friendship. I need to take some time to think about the future and what is best for this world even if that means I am not friends with Idril and by extension Tuor.

The walk to the craftsmen's house is quiet and I am lost in my thoughts. I might be getting ahead of myself but I wonder what I will have to give up in exchange for making sure some things come to pass. To be honest, I would have rather found out now as it gives me the most time to plan. I'm not sure what this is all going to affect but I suppose I will find out in the coming days.

I'm so lost in thought that I don't notice that we have arrived. Voronwë walks up to a large front door and knocks. The house is only a few down from the workshop and across the road from Voronwë's uncle's house. This house is larger though and I see it has two stories.

The door opens and Cele is standing in the doorway giving me a large smile. "Come in, come in. I'm so happy to have you stay with us. We can talk more about that in a moment but I want to show you your new room."

He is so excited that some of my anger falls away. At least I will be among friends and people who like me. Voronwë and I walk into a small entryway with three archways and a staircase in front. Seems like all of the houses are built similarly. We follow Cele into a large living room and I see Echadron and Harmon sitting in chairs by the fire.

"Kiera, we are so glad to have you join us. Celebrimbor has spent the afternoon getting your room ready. We are happy to have you stay with us and I hope you will let us know if there is anything that we can do to make you more comfortable," said Echadron.

Harmon just smiles and nods. He doesn't speak much as I am beginning to find out. "Thank you for having me. I am glad to be staying with friends."

"I will give you the grand tour now," said Cele.

I nodded and Voronwë took a seat on the couch and started chatting with the brothers. I followed Cele back into the entryway and into a long dining room. There was a large wooden table with eight chairs. Three on each side and one on each end. There was a doorway in the back leading to a nice kitchen. There were plenty of cupboards on the bottom with shelves on the walls to hold plates and cups. There was a sink and an open fireplace for cooking.

On the other side of the kitchen were a work table and two doors. One led outside to a very tiny patio. There was a raised flower bed but all the flowers were dead and a small table and chair set. The other archway led into the hall with a small bathroom tucked under the staircase. There was no tub, just a toilet, and sink.

We walked up the staircase and there is a U-shaped hallway. Cele showed me his room at the end and the brothers next to him on one side. All the rooms were smaller but had a closet, dresser, bed, nightstand, and bathroom. He led me to the other side of the second floor and he pointed out a study for them to use as well as an empty room for guests and my new bedroom. It was the same size as theirs but it was smaller than the palace room and my room at Tuor's house. I didn't mind as it was mine now and all of my possessions are here.

I was curious about the plumbing on the second floor but I was too tired to care. Cele was waiting for my response as he leaned against the doorway.

"I love it. Thank you for having me but could you please tell me what all happened today. I came back from spending the afternoon with Ecthelion to being kicked out of the palace and living here. Not that I mind but it just seems so abrupt."

Cele's eyes are sparkling but he also has a small frown. "Let's go downstairs and we can talk about it. I'd like to hear what you said to her in full and I will tell you what happened today."

We leave my room and get down to the living room with the others. I see Voronwë's uncle has joined us and I offer him a warm hello. He smiles in return and I take a seat next to Voronwë on the couch. This won't be so bad if the nights are like this here.

Cele sits in a chair close to the fire and says, "why don't you tell us what happened today. Include everything so we can piece together the story."

I frown but start to tell them all about the morning, lunch, and afternoon. I breeze over the afternoon with Ecthelion as it would be difficult to explain the story but then I tell them about seeing her at Tuor's house. I told them I mostly apologized and they all glanced around at each other. I finish up my story with me arriving here and then I look at them all expectantly.

The brothers chuckle to themselves and Rhuidhen shares a glance with Cele. He takes the lead and starts their story. "Well that fills in some of the holes for us so I will catch you up. Idril arrived here just after our mid-day meal and demanded that we take you into our household. We would have taken you in regardless but she said that you are no longer welcome in the palace and she was going to talk to her father on what your punishment was going to be."

Cele stares at me with a fire in his eyes and says, "I asked her to tell me what happened and she told me almost the same thing you did. She painted herself in a better light and I wonder if she was hoping I would agree with her, which I don't. One of the only good things my grandfather did was make sure his sons knew that they were no better or different than any of the working class. They never grew up with servants, cooks, or people to run their house. They all chipped in daily to do chores and took turns cooking. My father taught me the same and I am often disgusted with how the rest of my family treats everyone who isn't a noble-born."

He pauses and then asks, "has anyone told you how they started the ranking system?"

I shake my head and he tells me, "when the elves first left Middle Earth, the three elves who went to Valinor the first time became the leaders. Everyone was happy about that and then when they arrived in Valinor things were fine in the beginning. The leaders created their cities and the elves started working and building. The Valar had offered all of the elves chances to train under the Valar to learn crafts but they could only teach a few at a time. The first few from every Valar came back to the city and then offered to teach the others. Some still went to the Valar to train but the cities needed crops, buildings, craftsmen to function. Most just opted to train under the few who came back."

"Those few began to be greatly sought after and once the cities were at a functioning level, they started charging for their teachings. You could still learn from the Valar but it would often take years for a spot to open up. These few elves became the lesser lords of the court and once the city grew it was hard to strip them of that title. There was nothing special about them in the beginning. It was just that they got to learn from the Valar first. Generations later, these families of the lords of the court often think they are somehow better than others. Part of it stems from the other side of my family as they often held exclusive parties and made it seem like royalty was something to covet."

I have a blank expression on my face and I gasp out, "that's it? They are only considered lords and ladies of the court because their families way back when, were the first to train with the Valar?"

They all nod and I think how fucking stupid. Although, my world bases it on families so I guess I can see how that lasted for generations. I look back to Cele and wait for him to finish the story.

Cele looks at me with a sad face and the others tense up at the look. "I need to tell you the rest of what happened between Idril and me. It is going to be hard to hear but you need to hear it all."

I brace myself for whatever he is about to say and nod. "Idril was very upset that I didn't agree with her either. She doesn't believe you should have spoken to her like that and she wanted you to face punishment. She was planning on speaking to her father after she left here but I asked her what she wanted to happen to you."

He pauses and the room tenses, "She told me she planned on telling her father about the argument between you two. She knows her father doesn't like you and she was hoping he would give you a harsh punishment. She was thinking of having you thrown into the prison cells for a few months but her main plan was to make you be a handmaiden in Lord Salgant's house for his daughters and Amara."

He pauses to let the information sink in. She was going to literally throw me to the wolves after Amara had already threatened me with physical harm. I get sick at the thought and I want to puke. Lord Salgant won't protect me and they could make my life very difficult if not dangerous. I am at a loss for words and I am a bit stunned beyond belief. Voronwë reaches over and puts a warm hand on my back.

He says, "you have to know what she was willing to do. I do not want you to forgive her as what she was planning on doing is unforgivable. She knows everything that happened between you all and it wouldn't end well for you if you are forced into Lord Salgant's household."

I feel my throat close up with tightness and I ask, "what changed?"

Cele smiles a large smile. "Me of course. Do you think I would let anything happen to you? Of course not. I threatened Idril and I must say she was in over her head. I yelled at her and said she is a disgusting elf who doesn't deserve to have any friends. I told her you were too good to be her friend and she deserves to be alone. I threatened that if she tried to harm you in any way or punish you by putting you in prison or in Lord Salgant's house that I would write to my family. I would write to them and tell them that King Turgon is keeping me, prisoner, here and that they are threatening my life and the life of my beloved. I would tell them how to get into the city and to bring as many elves as possible. I told her that if they come to this city, we would leave with them and no one would be able to stop us. If I came down to killing, well my family is good at that. I warned her that my father and uncle Celegorm are deranged and they hate Turgon with a passion. They would be more than happy to come here to destroy this city and watch it burn."

I'm speechless at his words and I don't say anything. Instead, I get up and go over to give him a large hug. He wraps me in a tight hug and I say, "thank you. I know you don't wish to see your family and it means a lot that you are willing to for me."

He snuggles up to me and the rest of the room chuckles. "I would do anything for my friends to keep them safe. I dislike this side of my family but it was either coming here or going back home to my father. You won't have to worry about my uncle or Idril as long as I am around."

He releases me and I sit back down on the couch. "I don't think you should forgive her. She needs to be alone for a while and unless she makes a change she doesn't deserve your friendship. I hope that with time she will see the error of her ways but you have done all you can. Everyone in this room agrees with you and I think she will find that Tuor will also. She's too old to be acting like a spoiled princess and I told her that people will never want to be friends with her if they find out what she was trying to do. People will be too scared to approach her and they will never befriend her."

We sit in silence now and I am grateful for the break. I am so disappointed and disgusted at Idril. Tuor seems to be the only one who is speaking with her and I understand now why she wouldn't talk to me earlier. I must have made her feel worse after I apologized to her. I don't feel sorry for her and I hope she feels extremely guilty.

"I promise I won't forgive her until she changes her ways and apologizes. I'm not sure if that is going to cause problems later but I don't care. I am just happy to be surrounded by people who agree with me. Thank you again for taking me in. Voronwë said that the money is coming here now to pay for expenses and food but I would like to help out in any way that I can."

They all nod at me and Cele claps his hands happily, "excellent. We usually keep the house pretty clean but if you wouldn't mind cleaning up as well we would appreciate it. I'm not sure how good of a cook you are but Harmon usually cooks all of our meals. Echadron and I usually do all the dishes but if you would like to help out we can all take turns. None of us are good at washing clothes but if you could do the laundry once a week we can make that your main task."

Laundry doesn't sound so bad but I have no idea how to wash clothes here. I will have to wash my clothes anyways. It is a fair trade if they cook the meals and do the dishes. "I will clean and do the laundry. I am an alright cook, but I have no idea how to make a meal here. I used to clean the house twice a week and do laundry once a week. If you can show me how to do laundry here, I have no problem washing clothes. Can it all be done in one day or does it need to be split up?"

Cele and the other craftsmen share a glance and they all shrug. "Maybe two days with how dirty our tunics get. I don't mind cleaning the house if you wish to focus on the laundry. Harmon will cook the meals and Echadron will do the dishes. We can all chip in when we need to. Honestly, we would all just like clean clothes so we will beg you to do that."

I laughed and nodded. I can experiment with washing clothes here and it will keep me busy for a while. I don't want to cook every day or wash dishes after every meal.

Rhuidhen coughs and looks at me. "I would pay you weekly if you want to wash our laundry as well. I despise washing clothes and I always forget that I left them to soak. If you are interested I will pay you."

"Sure, why not. I honestly don't mind washing clothes even if it is by hand. I just need an area to work and be shown how you wash them here."

He looks at me excitedly and I wonder how bad they must hate washing clothes. I shrug but I will worry about it later. Rhuidhen and Voronwë leave us shortly after and I start to yawn from the long day.

Cele says, "I am usually the first one up in the mornings so I heat the water for baths. We use the fire in the study to heat the water so we don't have to carry it up the stairs. I will wake you up in the mornings if that is alright."

I nod and I say goodnight to them all and head to bed. Once in my room, I sigh out a deep breath. I lost one friend today and it still stings. I need to focus on the next few days and get familiar with the house. This might be where I will be living for a long time so I need to make the best of it. I'm honestly not sure if I will move into Tuor's household, only time will tell. I strip off my clothes and find my nightclothes in the dresser. I change and power off my phone and slide into bed. It is just as soft as the palace bed but I toss and turn from the new environment but eventually, I fall asleep.

True to his word, Cele knocks on my door to wake me up. I call him in and he walks in carrying the hot water. "The water will take a little bit to cool down even with the water from the faucet. I have arranged for you to speak with Ecthelion's handmaiden later about washing clothes. I knew you were going to go over there in the afternoon and they said they would be happy to show you."

I nod and he smiles at me as he leaves. It takes me a moment to wake up and before I take a bath, I plug in my phone with the charger and set it on the window sill. When I get into the bath, the water is hot but manageable. I take my bath and relax in the hot water for a moment. I get dressed for the day in a tunic and leggings and head down to the dining room.

The three are already eating and I can see they made me a large plate already. I take my seat and eat my breakfast happily. The food is delicious and I say, "Harmon, you are a wonderful cook."

He thanks me and says, "the money coming from the palace has helped us buy decent food. We were not starving before but we didn't have the luxuries as we do now. Let us know if you want anything specific and I can cook it for you. Maybe you can show me some food from your world."

I nod and say I will. I'm happy that the money is going to good use. If it gets me a good meal every day I am not complaining. Once the meal is over I see Echadron take all the plates and begin washing them in the sink. I feel a little guilty but I will make sure they always have clean clothes.

I leave the house and knock on Rhuidhen's door. Voronwë answers and he leaves the house with a goodbye to his uncle. "The main library is close to the square of the king. You have probably seen it but did not know that it was a library."

We walk under the arches and I can see his face has a pink tinge on his cheeks. How I wish our relationship could have worked out but I don't linger on the thought long. We arrive in the square and he leads me to a large building off of the main walkway leading to the front gate. What I had thought was just a large house turned out to be the library. It was a little larger than the palace one but not by much. Voronwë left me and I went in to find Cadweth.

She was sitting at a desk similar to the one in the palace and she was waiting for me to take a seat. Once I was sitting she said, "I do not care what happened between you and the princess. My job is to teach you Elvish as that is what I am being paid to do. My personal opinions do not matter and I will not treat you differently due to your falling out with Idril. Let us begin the lesson."

The morning progresses as usual and treats me the same as usual. After the lesson was done she said one final thing to me. "I will only tell you this once and I will not speak of it again. I agree with what you said to Idril and there are many in the cities that do. We are not so lucky in our friends that we can speak our mind, but we thank you nonetheless."

She gives me one last pointed look and returns to her work on the desk. I turn and flee the library and head home. I am a bit shocked but my heart swelled with a bit of pride that I couldn't hide. It feels nice to know that I am not as alone as I thought and that many people agree with me. I might not have open support but some support is nice.

When I get back to the house, the mid-day meal is already on the table but the only one there is Cele. I eat quickly as Cele is sketching some designs as he eats and I run-up to my room to grab my phone. It is at 100% and when I get to the entryway Cele says goodbye but doesn't look up from his sketches. I start to enjoy my pleasant walk toward Ecthelion's house until I see Maeglin fall into step beside me.

"May I join you on your walk?" he asks.

I gulp but he has a smile on his face. "Sure." He must have been waiting for me as I am not even at the row of arches yet. I have no idea what he wants.

"I heard what happened between you and my cousin. I came to see if you are alright."

I trip over my feet at his words and he catches me easily and steadies me. He doesn't let go and I stare at him in shock. "You truly do love to stare at me, but that is alright. I understand my words probably surprised you." His arms leave my forearms and he slides them down my waist and pulls me close. "I know what she was planning on doing to you and I wanted to make sure you were alright. I also wanted to see if there was anything I could help you with."

I shake my head at him and pull away. He chuckles but I can see the determination in his eyes. I say softly, "I'm fine. Thank you for asking."

I turn to keep walking and he falls in step with me again. I can feel his glances on me as we walk but he doesn't say anything else. We approach his house and I expect him to leave but he doesn't. I glance up at him and he smirks, "I enjoy walking with a beautiful woman and I will keep walking with you until we reach your destination."

Smug bastard is really laying it on thick. I have no idea why he thinks he needs to walk me anywhere or to check up on me. Maybe he was hoping I would jump into his bed over this but I have no idea what he is thinking. He walks me all the way past the fountains and into Ecthelion's courtyard.

"Thank you for walking with me, Prince Maeglin."

He tilts his head down and gives me a quick soft kiss on the cheek. He says softly, "I hope you have a pleasant afternoon. With my cousin out of the picture, you do not have to feel bad about joining me in my bed."

I turn my head to face him now and he grins at me. "I look forward to the day that you change your mind. I hope it will be soon but thank you for allowing me to walk with you." His eyes dance with mirth as he walks away from me.

He is an extremely hard person to read and I have no idea if he really wants a night together or he is looking for information. I sigh out loud and add that to my list of things to worry about at a later date. At least he is not outright cruel to me now. I turn and walk into Ecthelion's house.