After lunch Arwen cleaned up the remains of the meal and put it on the tray
and then cleaned herself. It wouldn't do to come to lessons with Mama with
jam on her face!
When she came out of the bathroom, she saw Enedeth was half asleep, still holding the wooden cow.
"I am going to go to Mama now Enedeth. Father says you need to rest while I have my lessons." Arwen came up to her friend and with a serious expression, gently placed a hand on her brow, willing her friend to sleep. Enedeth smiled tiredly at her and yawned. "Okay, I would like to sleep."
Arwen lifted her hand off her friend's face and frowned slightly as she turned away from an obviously wide-awake Enedeth. Hm. That always worked for Ada! Arwen turned just before she left the room and waved to Enedeth who yawned as she waved back.
Her arm thankfully numb, Enedeth rolled on her side and yawned again watching the breeze sway the tree visible beyond the window seat. Her eyelids dropped slowly as she sank back into slumber.
Three hours later, she awoke, her mouth dry and her arm aching again.
Sitting up slowly, she saw she was alone. Arwen must still be at her lessons. Feeling weak as she got up, she went and used the bathroom and washed her face as well as she was able to with one hand. She spilled some of the water from the ewer on her nightgown as she filled the basin. But dipping the wash cloth into the cool water and holding it to her face felt so good.
Drinking two goblets of water, she wandered out to the balcony and sat in the wicker chair. Sighing, she looked at her arm and wondered how long it needed to be wrapped up.
Hearing singing from beneath, Enedeth got up and went to peer over the edge. A foursome of Elves blending their voices in exquisite harmony sang a song about Earendil and Elwing and a sailing ship and a jewel. Enedeth was not sure what else as she was not quite used to hearing Elvish sung.
But it was very beautiful. Wondering if she and Arwen could sing well enough to compare, she began humming the song Arwen had taught her.
She got up as the elves started laughing and moved off and went back into the room. Cimbelin sat with Polly looking a bit forlorn, so she picked up both dollies and started singing "The Moon Sails over the Sea" in a tentative manner. The dollies did not seem to mind, so she made her voice a little stronger, hoping she was remembering the words correctly.
Unaware the door behind her had opened she didn't hear Celebrian come in. The elf stood a moment, smiling at the sweet voice of the unaware singer, but knowing her business could not wait too long, she called out softly, "Enedeth? I've come to fetch you to your grandmother."
Enedeth whirled around clutching the dollies, embarrassed.
"Yes, yes ma'am, I mean my lady."
Celebrian came over to her and picked her up. "Come along little one."
Enedeth squirmed a bit in Celebrian's arms. "I can walk my lady."
"I am sure you can, but my husband's study is on the other side of the house and it is a long walk for a little girl who broke her arm yesterday."
Enedeth held the dollies closer, a little bit afraid. Oh, what would grandmother do? Would Enedeth be forbidden to play with Arwen ever again? She lay her head tiredly against Celebrian, wishing she were anywhere else.
Celebrian nudged open the study door with her hip and then set Enedeth down.
The elusive Mallinfar stood up from the chair she sat in, which faced Elrond.
Mallinfar was a tall elf her deep brown hair with auburn highlights hung halfway down her back and was tied back with a black ribbon. Her eyes were very light grey in a slightly round face. Her smile, when she saw Enedeth was tentative but sincere. She walked quickly to the girl and picked her up carefully, mindful of her arm. She smiled her thanks to Celebrian and hugged Enedeth. Turning to Elrond she sat back in the chair still holding the girl.
Enedeth sat stiffly on her grandmother's lap waiting for her to chastise her.
Elrond missed none of their interplay and was disturbed by the child's reaction. Mallinfar had remained mostly silent with the elf lord, and only offered short replies to his gently probing questions. Perhaps she would be more talkative now that Enedeth was here.
"Again, my thanks my lord for your aid. She looks fine." Mallinfar said glancing at Enedeth, who stared down at the dolls she cuddled.
"Grandmamma!" Enedeth said finally, looking up wide-eyed. "Don't be mad! I am sorry I broke my arm and, and.........but I am not sorry Arwen is my friend! Don't make me go home and leave her!"
Enedeth's lip trembled as she realized the truth of her words. She DID like being here! She got hugs and stories and attention. Tears gathered in her eyes as she bowed her head hugging the dolls close to her face.
"Oh no, no child, I am not mad! You had an accident! I am relieved you are on the mend and I am glad, very glad you have made a friend." She looked up at her lord who sat expressionless. "You may stay as long as the Lord and Lady wish it."
Just then, Arwen burst in, her older brother Elladan making a futile grab for the running she-elf. Elrond just shook his head at his apologetic son and Elladan closed the door softly.
Arwen stopped, eyes blazing at Mallinfar, who had turned at the intrusion. "Enedeth is my friend and she will always be and---"
Enedeth squirmed out of her grandmother's lap and ran to Arwen, quickly giving her Cimbelin. The two girls stood together and Arwen put her arm around Enedeth's shoulders. "Ada, tell Enedeth's grandmother I can have Enedeth as my friend!"
Elrond, trying to keep his decorum, rested his elbows before him, holding his smile behind his folded hands.
Enedeth stared at her grandmother trying to read her feelings, not sure of what she saw in the older elf's face.
Mallinfar rose from her chair and went to Enedeth, kneeling before her.
She looked into the eyes of her granddaughter and saw the fear and uncertainty.
"My poor pigeon. My poor little pigeon!" Mallinfar wrapped her arms around the now trembling form of Enedeth. "Are you frightened of me?"
Enedeth nodded slowly and Mallinfar felt tears gather in her eyes.
Elrond rose and silently indicated his family was to leave. Arwen was about to protest, but seeing the look in her father's eyes went out quietly and in a few moments, Mallinfar and Enedeth were alone.
Mallinfar sat on the floor and pulled Enedeth into her lap. Enedeth clutched Polly and blurted out, her head bowed. "You-you never kiss me or hug me and -and sometimes I am so lonely, even when you are sitting there across from me!!"
Malllinfar's tears rolled down her cheeks as she realized her grief for her daughter had overwhelmed and overshadowed Enedeth. Her one link to her beloved Lanarien. Rocking Enedeth in her lap Mallinfarr looked back on their two weeks together and her heart clenched when she saw how cold, how so wrapped in her own pain she had been that she had given almost no thought to her only grandchild! She looked down into Enedeth's worried face and kissed her hard. "Oh my little bumble bee. How could I have done this to you? You are everything to me! You are all I have of Lanarien and Tallas!" She clutched her harder and buried her face in her hair.
Enedeth squirmed in her grandmother's arms, smiling tremulously. Grandmamma was not mad! She was hurting her arm.....but she was not mad!!
Pulling away she smiled and clutched her broken arm. "I am sorry Grandmamma, your hugging makes my arm sore!"
Mallinfar released her instantly contrite. "Oh sweet pea, I am so sorry! Does it hurt a lot? It must have been terrifying for you!"
"No, no, I didn't tear any thing. Lord Elrond has been very nice and Lady Celebrian and Arwen says her Ada is a healer and he says it is just broken and I have to drink...... flubids and rest and maybe I can sing with Arwen at the festival!!"
She said all of this in a rush worried her grandmother would change her mind and not listen anymore. But Mallinfar hugged her again carefully and said in her hair. "Yes, well you need to do as he says, as he is a very skilled healer." She pushed her granddaughter away to look at her, brushing her tears away quickly. "And as for the festival, well we shall see."
At that moment, there was a discrete knock on the door, and Elrond stuck his head around and then entered slowly seeing the two on the floor. "Is everything all right Mallinfar?"
The she-elf rose gracefully from the floor and blinking quickly she said, "Ye-yes my lord, all is well." Enedeth suddenly feeling tired again, stayed seated on the floor and brushed Polly's tangled hair off her face.
With a rustle of fabric, the tall elf lord knelt in front of Enedeth who looked up, yawning. He smiled and put a hand to her head. "And how are you doing?"
Enedeth smiled. "Grandmamma is not mad at me! And-and may I stay one more night. Just one more?" She looked up the elf lord anxiously. "I am pretty sure Polly would like to spend one more night with Cimbelin, so they can be really good friends..."
"Of course. We want the dollies to be just as good friends as you and Arwen." Rising smoothly, he looked at Mallinfar, "If it is all right with you, it is all right with us if Enedeth stays another night and as she has had an uneven day with her arm, I would feel better having her here."
"Of course my lord. Of course she may stay." Mallinfar bent over and smiled into her granddaughter's eyes. "Mind you are a good girl for Lord Elrond and do as he and Lady Celebrian say. And take your medicine too!"
Enedeth nodded and got up and then threw herself into Mallinfar's arms hugging her with both arms, heedless of her splint. "I love you Grandmamma. Do not forget to feed Carach!"
"I love you too sweetheart and I shall take good care of Carach too." Hugging her fiercely back, Mallinfar turned to go, Elrond taking her out of the study to see her on her way.
Enedeth stood weaving a bit, feeling light-headed and yawned again.
The minute the elf lord left with her grandmother, Arwen came into the study and stood next to Enedeth. Even she could see her friend needed to rest again. It must be terrible to be a human and prone to sickness! Arwen looked at her still bandaged hand. Well maybe it wasn't just human to have injuries!
"Come Enedeth, let us go back to my room. I think you are tired."
Enedeth nodded and followed her friend out into the corridor complete heedless that it was late afternoon and she was walking the halls in her nightgown.
They had only gotten about half way to Arwen's room when Arwen's brothers scooped the children up from behind. They had spied the youngsters as they crossed a corridor behind them. Arwen giggled in Elrohir's arms as he tried to tickle her. Elladan immediately perceived the little Edain child was not feeling well and so carried her quietly without any tickling.
In short order the two girls were back in Arwen's room. Elrohir tickled Arwen some more and she dashed around the room squealing as Elladan carefully put Enedeth back in bed. Enedeth yawned as she said thank you to Elladan who signaling to his brother to follow, left.
Arwen hopped on the bed and Enedeth turned to smile at her friend. "I am glad I may stay on more night Arwen. I am having so much fun, except for my broken arm of course."
"Me too! And I think the dollies are really enjoying their time together, they both got to be princesses today!"
"Yes, I think the dollies are being really good friends." Enedeth reached out with her good hand, "Just like we are!"
Arwen grinned and hopped back off the bed and went rummaging in the back of her wardrobe for some more toys. There was a puzzle back there of a big dragon they could make, if she could just find all the pieces.
While she looked, her father knocked and entered the room, carrying a small mug for Enedeth. He smiled warmly at the obviously exhausted child. "Come Enedeth, a little more medicine and then you can rest some more." He lifted her head and helped her drink it down.
As he was doing so, Arwen backed out of her wardrobe with a thump, and Elrond turned to see what she was doing.
Grinning she held out the wooden frame of the puzzle and said "Look Ada! I found the dragon puzzle and me and Enedeth---"
"'Enedeth and I" Arwen."
"Enedeth and I" Arwen corrected herself, "can make it."
Elrond brushed back his patient's hair and smiled, setting the now empty mug aside. "Arwen, I think you and I have time for a walk to the duck pond, if you want. Enedeth will sleep now."
Arwen nodded, delighted to be with her usually busy father and set the puzzle on her table. "You know Ada, I tried to get her to sleep earlier by putting my hand on her forehead like you do, but I guess my hand is still broken!"
Elrond swallowed his smile and picked up his daughter's bandaged hand. "Oh your hand is not broken princess. Come, I will show you."
Taking Arwen to Enedeth who smiled at their approach, Elrond lay Arwen's hand gently on Enedeth's forehead and lay his hand briefly on top of hers. Enedeth looked up at the two elves and then her head dropped to the side with a sigh as she fell asleep.
"See, your hand is not broken, sweetheart. You just needed a little help!"
Arwen hugged Elrond suddenly and said into the warm silk on his hip
"Someday I will be a healer just like you Ada!"
Elrond put a hand on his daughter's dark hair, his heart full. "Perhaps Arwen. And perhaps another fate awaits you."
She was not sure what fate was, but she hugged her father harder and his hand slipped down to cup her cheek.
When she came out of the bathroom, she saw Enedeth was half asleep, still holding the wooden cow.
"I am going to go to Mama now Enedeth. Father says you need to rest while I have my lessons." Arwen came up to her friend and with a serious expression, gently placed a hand on her brow, willing her friend to sleep. Enedeth smiled tiredly at her and yawned. "Okay, I would like to sleep."
Arwen lifted her hand off her friend's face and frowned slightly as she turned away from an obviously wide-awake Enedeth. Hm. That always worked for Ada! Arwen turned just before she left the room and waved to Enedeth who yawned as she waved back.
Her arm thankfully numb, Enedeth rolled on her side and yawned again watching the breeze sway the tree visible beyond the window seat. Her eyelids dropped slowly as she sank back into slumber.
Three hours later, she awoke, her mouth dry and her arm aching again.
Sitting up slowly, she saw she was alone. Arwen must still be at her lessons. Feeling weak as she got up, she went and used the bathroom and washed her face as well as she was able to with one hand. She spilled some of the water from the ewer on her nightgown as she filled the basin. But dipping the wash cloth into the cool water and holding it to her face felt so good.
Drinking two goblets of water, she wandered out to the balcony and sat in the wicker chair. Sighing, she looked at her arm and wondered how long it needed to be wrapped up.
Hearing singing from beneath, Enedeth got up and went to peer over the edge. A foursome of Elves blending their voices in exquisite harmony sang a song about Earendil and Elwing and a sailing ship and a jewel. Enedeth was not sure what else as she was not quite used to hearing Elvish sung.
But it was very beautiful. Wondering if she and Arwen could sing well enough to compare, she began humming the song Arwen had taught her.
She got up as the elves started laughing and moved off and went back into the room. Cimbelin sat with Polly looking a bit forlorn, so she picked up both dollies and started singing "The Moon Sails over the Sea" in a tentative manner. The dollies did not seem to mind, so she made her voice a little stronger, hoping she was remembering the words correctly.
Unaware the door behind her had opened she didn't hear Celebrian come in. The elf stood a moment, smiling at the sweet voice of the unaware singer, but knowing her business could not wait too long, she called out softly, "Enedeth? I've come to fetch you to your grandmother."
Enedeth whirled around clutching the dollies, embarrassed.
"Yes, yes ma'am, I mean my lady."
Celebrian came over to her and picked her up. "Come along little one."
Enedeth squirmed a bit in Celebrian's arms. "I can walk my lady."
"I am sure you can, but my husband's study is on the other side of the house and it is a long walk for a little girl who broke her arm yesterday."
Enedeth held the dollies closer, a little bit afraid. Oh, what would grandmother do? Would Enedeth be forbidden to play with Arwen ever again? She lay her head tiredly against Celebrian, wishing she were anywhere else.
Celebrian nudged open the study door with her hip and then set Enedeth down.
The elusive Mallinfar stood up from the chair she sat in, which faced Elrond.
Mallinfar was a tall elf her deep brown hair with auburn highlights hung halfway down her back and was tied back with a black ribbon. Her eyes were very light grey in a slightly round face. Her smile, when she saw Enedeth was tentative but sincere. She walked quickly to the girl and picked her up carefully, mindful of her arm. She smiled her thanks to Celebrian and hugged Enedeth. Turning to Elrond she sat back in the chair still holding the girl.
Enedeth sat stiffly on her grandmother's lap waiting for her to chastise her.
Elrond missed none of their interplay and was disturbed by the child's reaction. Mallinfar had remained mostly silent with the elf lord, and only offered short replies to his gently probing questions. Perhaps she would be more talkative now that Enedeth was here.
"Again, my thanks my lord for your aid. She looks fine." Mallinfar said glancing at Enedeth, who stared down at the dolls she cuddled.
"Grandmamma!" Enedeth said finally, looking up wide-eyed. "Don't be mad! I am sorry I broke my arm and, and.........but I am not sorry Arwen is my friend! Don't make me go home and leave her!"
Enedeth's lip trembled as she realized the truth of her words. She DID like being here! She got hugs and stories and attention. Tears gathered in her eyes as she bowed her head hugging the dolls close to her face.
"Oh no, no child, I am not mad! You had an accident! I am relieved you are on the mend and I am glad, very glad you have made a friend." She looked up at her lord who sat expressionless. "You may stay as long as the Lord and Lady wish it."
Just then, Arwen burst in, her older brother Elladan making a futile grab for the running she-elf. Elrond just shook his head at his apologetic son and Elladan closed the door softly.
Arwen stopped, eyes blazing at Mallinfar, who had turned at the intrusion. "Enedeth is my friend and she will always be and---"
Enedeth squirmed out of her grandmother's lap and ran to Arwen, quickly giving her Cimbelin. The two girls stood together and Arwen put her arm around Enedeth's shoulders. "Ada, tell Enedeth's grandmother I can have Enedeth as my friend!"
Elrond, trying to keep his decorum, rested his elbows before him, holding his smile behind his folded hands.
Enedeth stared at her grandmother trying to read her feelings, not sure of what she saw in the older elf's face.
Mallinfar rose from her chair and went to Enedeth, kneeling before her.
She looked into the eyes of her granddaughter and saw the fear and uncertainty.
"My poor pigeon. My poor little pigeon!" Mallinfar wrapped her arms around the now trembling form of Enedeth. "Are you frightened of me?"
Enedeth nodded slowly and Mallinfar felt tears gather in her eyes.
Elrond rose and silently indicated his family was to leave. Arwen was about to protest, but seeing the look in her father's eyes went out quietly and in a few moments, Mallinfar and Enedeth were alone.
Mallinfar sat on the floor and pulled Enedeth into her lap. Enedeth clutched Polly and blurted out, her head bowed. "You-you never kiss me or hug me and -and sometimes I am so lonely, even when you are sitting there across from me!!"
Malllinfar's tears rolled down her cheeks as she realized her grief for her daughter had overwhelmed and overshadowed Enedeth. Her one link to her beloved Lanarien. Rocking Enedeth in her lap Mallinfarr looked back on their two weeks together and her heart clenched when she saw how cold, how so wrapped in her own pain she had been that she had given almost no thought to her only grandchild! She looked down into Enedeth's worried face and kissed her hard. "Oh my little bumble bee. How could I have done this to you? You are everything to me! You are all I have of Lanarien and Tallas!" She clutched her harder and buried her face in her hair.
Enedeth squirmed in her grandmother's arms, smiling tremulously. Grandmamma was not mad! She was hurting her arm.....but she was not mad!!
Pulling away she smiled and clutched her broken arm. "I am sorry Grandmamma, your hugging makes my arm sore!"
Mallinfar released her instantly contrite. "Oh sweet pea, I am so sorry! Does it hurt a lot? It must have been terrifying for you!"
"No, no, I didn't tear any thing. Lord Elrond has been very nice and Lady Celebrian and Arwen says her Ada is a healer and he says it is just broken and I have to drink...... flubids and rest and maybe I can sing with Arwen at the festival!!"
She said all of this in a rush worried her grandmother would change her mind and not listen anymore. But Mallinfar hugged her again carefully and said in her hair. "Yes, well you need to do as he says, as he is a very skilled healer." She pushed her granddaughter away to look at her, brushing her tears away quickly. "And as for the festival, well we shall see."
At that moment, there was a discrete knock on the door, and Elrond stuck his head around and then entered slowly seeing the two on the floor. "Is everything all right Mallinfar?"
The she-elf rose gracefully from the floor and blinking quickly she said, "Ye-yes my lord, all is well." Enedeth suddenly feeling tired again, stayed seated on the floor and brushed Polly's tangled hair off her face.
With a rustle of fabric, the tall elf lord knelt in front of Enedeth who looked up, yawning. He smiled and put a hand to her head. "And how are you doing?"
Enedeth smiled. "Grandmamma is not mad at me! And-and may I stay one more night. Just one more?" She looked up the elf lord anxiously. "I am pretty sure Polly would like to spend one more night with Cimbelin, so they can be really good friends..."
"Of course. We want the dollies to be just as good friends as you and Arwen." Rising smoothly, he looked at Mallinfar, "If it is all right with you, it is all right with us if Enedeth stays another night and as she has had an uneven day with her arm, I would feel better having her here."
"Of course my lord. Of course she may stay." Mallinfar bent over and smiled into her granddaughter's eyes. "Mind you are a good girl for Lord Elrond and do as he and Lady Celebrian say. And take your medicine too!"
Enedeth nodded and got up and then threw herself into Mallinfar's arms hugging her with both arms, heedless of her splint. "I love you Grandmamma. Do not forget to feed Carach!"
"I love you too sweetheart and I shall take good care of Carach too." Hugging her fiercely back, Mallinfar turned to go, Elrond taking her out of the study to see her on her way.
Enedeth stood weaving a bit, feeling light-headed and yawned again.
The minute the elf lord left with her grandmother, Arwen came into the study and stood next to Enedeth. Even she could see her friend needed to rest again. It must be terrible to be a human and prone to sickness! Arwen looked at her still bandaged hand. Well maybe it wasn't just human to have injuries!
"Come Enedeth, let us go back to my room. I think you are tired."
Enedeth nodded and followed her friend out into the corridor complete heedless that it was late afternoon and she was walking the halls in her nightgown.
They had only gotten about half way to Arwen's room when Arwen's brothers scooped the children up from behind. They had spied the youngsters as they crossed a corridor behind them. Arwen giggled in Elrohir's arms as he tried to tickle her. Elladan immediately perceived the little Edain child was not feeling well and so carried her quietly without any tickling.
In short order the two girls were back in Arwen's room. Elrohir tickled Arwen some more and she dashed around the room squealing as Elladan carefully put Enedeth back in bed. Enedeth yawned as she said thank you to Elladan who signaling to his brother to follow, left.
Arwen hopped on the bed and Enedeth turned to smile at her friend. "I am glad I may stay on more night Arwen. I am having so much fun, except for my broken arm of course."
"Me too! And I think the dollies are really enjoying their time together, they both got to be princesses today!"
"Yes, I think the dollies are being really good friends." Enedeth reached out with her good hand, "Just like we are!"
Arwen grinned and hopped back off the bed and went rummaging in the back of her wardrobe for some more toys. There was a puzzle back there of a big dragon they could make, if she could just find all the pieces.
While she looked, her father knocked and entered the room, carrying a small mug for Enedeth. He smiled warmly at the obviously exhausted child. "Come Enedeth, a little more medicine and then you can rest some more." He lifted her head and helped her drink it down.
As he was doing so, Arwen backed out of her wardrobe with a thump, and Elrond turned to see what she was doing.
Grinning she held out the wooden frame of the puzzle and said "Look Ada! I found the dragon puzzle and me and Enedeth---"
"'Enedeth and I" Arwen."
"Enedeth and I" Arwen corrected herself, "can make it."
Elrond brushed back his patient's hair and smiled, setting the now empty mug aside. "Arwen, I think you and I have time for a walk to the duck pond, if you want. Enedeth will sleep now."
Arwen nodded, delighted to be with her usually busy father and set the puzzle on her table. "You know Ada, I tried to get her to sleep earlier by putting my hand on her forehead like you do, but I guess my hand is still broken!"
Elrond swallowed his smile and picked up his daughter's bandaged hand. "Oh your hand is not broken princess. Come, I will show you."
Taking Arwen to Enedeth who smiled at their approach, Elrond lay Arwen's hand gently on Enedeth's forehead and lay his hand briefly on top of hers. Enedeth looked up at the two elves and then her head dropped to the side with a sigh as she fell asleep.
"See, your hand is not broken, sweetheart. You just needed a little help!"
Arwen hugged Elrond suddenly and said into the warm silk on his hip
"Someday I will be a healer just like you Ada!"
Elrond put a hand on his daughter's dark hair, his heart full. "Perhaps Arwen. And perhaps another fate awaits you."
She was not sure what fate was, but she hugged her father harder and his hand slipped down to cup her cheek.