NB: The disclaimer still applies.
Chapter 3 - Welcome Home
"Ziéta?" replied Celeborn with a bewildered expression. "Are we speaking of the same Ziéta, who departed Lorien over a thousand years ago?" "The very same" said Haldir. "Then" began Celeborn "All that remains is that we decide on where she is to stay for the time being" "I would be more than happy to-" began Haldir, but fell silent when he saw that Galadriel and Celeborn were now deep in a telepathetic conference.
After a protracted discussion between Galadriel and Celeborn, on Ziéta's arrival they decided that it would be best all round if she stayed with Haldir, after all, he did know her best.
"Thank You my Lord and Lady" said Haldir with a bow. He took Ziéta by the hand and led her back down the staircase.
When they reached solid ground again, Haldir let rip. "I'd already told her you could stay with me, so why she had to go and keep us there for even longer, I just don't know" he said, fuming.
"It rarely makes much difference, Haldir" replied Ziéta, "Besides at least they did choose you and not an elf I've never met before in my life."
At this, Haldir seemed to simmer down. "I suppose you are right, Ziéta" he said as they ascended a different staircase.
They reached Haldir's quarters a few minutes later for as one of the Marchwardens, Haldir was required to leave nearest to the Lord and Lady, so should trouble arise, he would be able to get there the most quickly. "Welcome to my home, Ziéta" Haldir said as he opened the door.
Ziéta stepped inside and immediately felt warmth surrounding her; from the lit candles that were dotted around the room. She gazed into the end of the main room where a wooden table and three chairs were set. At the other end was a small bookcase, desk and two more chairs, which both looked decidedly more comfortable to be seated at than the ones at the table. Along the walls were smaller versions of the lights that had adorned the staircases, except these were a deep red, and gave off a comforting glow. There were a few adjoining rooms that you could enter from the main room which Ziéta assumed were the bedroom and bathroom or such like.
Ziéta suddenly became very aware of the tense silence that was enveloping the room when Haldir spoke from behind her as her closed the door.
"It's not much" he said "Many of the other Elves have much grander quarters than I"
Ziéta turned to face him.
"It's perfect Haldir." She said "Simply perfect"
A small grin began to play on Haldir's lips. "Why, Thank you" Haldir replied.
"Would you like a drink?" he asked
"Oh. . .OK, Only if you're having one" she replied.
"Of course I am having one" he laughed "I do not think I would be doing my duty if I did not. It can hardly be right for me to turn up somewhere, especially a feast dehydrated now can it?"
At this, Ziéta laughed and Haldir joined in. "I suggest, Ziéta while I am making our drinks you should go and dress into something more . . .formal for the feast later on. Oh do not worry" he added seeing the startled expression on Ziéta's face, "There is already something on your bed in your room on the left that I hope you shall find quite comfortable."
"Thank You Haldir" said Ziéta gratefully, though she wondered how clothing for her could have arrived so swiftly. But she pushed that thought aside, after all, Elves were Elves and the magic they possess is not to be sniffed at. Ziéta crossed the room to the door that Haldir had indicated and entered it. The room inside was quite exquisite. Ziéta couldn't believe how Haldir had thought so little of his quarters. The walls were decorated with Elven carvings made of the finest oak and beech. The bed in the centre of the room was a single and had a silver bedspread on it with pale green silk entwined within it. There was also a small vanity table and writing desk against the far wall and next to that there was a fairly decent sized window that looked out over Lorien, again there was carved décor round it and a pale white curtain was swaying slightly in the evening breeze. Ziéta breathed in the cool air and felt at peace with life, for the first time in a long while.
If it hadn't been for Haldir assuring her beforehand that he had an extra room for guests or travellers, Ziéta may have thought that Haldir had just given her his room!
She tuned back to the bed and then noticed what Hadir had mentioned. A pale azure silken dress and silver shoes were lain out on her bed. Even though she was Elven in part, Ziéta couldn't believe that these clothes were really for her. She knew she wasn't exactly the most beautiful of women, and so these would surely look so much more fitting on an Elven princess or someone of such like. Not her.
Nevertheless, Ziéta changed into the dress and shoes, washed herself and then walked over to where the vanity table stood. She caught sight of herself in the mirror and gaped. For some unapparent reason, the clothes actually suited her. They fitted her as though they were made especially for her. Ziéta picked up a small silver comb from the table and ran it a few times through her hair until she was happy with the way it looked .
Then, still wondering how on earth the clothes could have been so impeccable for her, she re-entered the main room where Haldir was just setting the steaming drinks on the table. "Ziéta, Lle maa vanima "You look beautiful exclaimed Haldir as she entered. "Diola lle, Haldir" Thank You she replied. Haldir and Ziéta sat down opposite each other and Haldir handed Ziéta her cup.
After Haldir and Ziéta had finished their second cranberry cordials, Haldir stood up from the table they were seated at and gazed out of the window. The sun was now almost completely gone and far below, Ziéta could hear the faint yet distinct chatter of Elven voices. Haldir helped Ziéta up from the table and said, "Ta coiasira, Ziéta" It is time
Chapter 3 - Welcome Home
"Ziéta?" replied Celeborn with a bewildered expression. "Are we speaking of the same Ziéta, who departed Lorien over a thousand years ago?" "The very same" said Haldir. "Then" began Celeborn "All that remains is that we decide on where she is to stay for the time being" "I would be more than happy to-" began Haldir, but fell silent when he saw that Galadriel and Celeborn were now deep in a telepathetic conference.
After a protracted discussion between Galadriel and Celeborn, on Ziéta's arrival they decided that it would be best all round if she stayed with Haldir, after all, he did know her best.
"Thank You my Lord and Lady" said Haldir with a bow. He took Ziéta by the hand and led her back down the staircase.
When they reached solid ground again, Haldir let rip. "I'd already told her you could stay with me, so why she had to go and keep us there for even longer, I just don't know" he said, fuming.
"It rarely makes much difference, Haldir" replied Ziéta, "Besides at least they did choose you and not an elf I've never met before in my life."
At this, Haldir seemed to simmer down. "I suppose you are right, Ziéta" he said as they ascended a different staircase.
They reached Haldir's quarters a few minutes later for as one of the Marchwardens, Haldir was required to leave nearest to the Lord and Lady, so should trouble arise, he would be able to get there the most quickly. "Welcome to my home, Ziéta" Haldir said as he opened the door.
Ziéta stepped inside and immediately felt warmth surrounding her; from the lit candles that were dotted around the room. She gazed into the end of the main room where a wooden table and three chairs were set. At the other end was a small bookcase, desk and two more chairs, which both looked decidedly more comfortable to be seated at than the ones at the table. Along the walls were smaller versions of the lights that had adorned the staircases, except these were a deep red, and gave off a comforting glow. There were a few adjoining rooms that you could enter from the main room which Ziéta assumed were the bedroom and bathroom or such like.
Ziéta suddenly became very aware of the tense silence that was enveloping the room when Haldir spoke from behind her as her closed the door.
"It's not much" he said "Many of the other Elves have much grander quarters than I"
Ziéta turned to face him.
"It's perfect Haldir." She said "Simply perfect"
A small grin began to play on Haldir's lips. "Why, Thank you" Haldir replied.
"Would you like a drink?" he asked
"Oh. . .OK, Only if you're having one" she replied.
"Of course I am having one" he laughed "I do not think I would be doing my duty if I did not. It can hardly be right for me to turn up somewhere, especially a feast dehydrated now can it?"
At this, Ziéta laughed and Haldir joined in. "I suggest, Ziéta while I am making our drinks you should go and dress into something more . . .formal for the feast later on. Oh do not worry" he added seeing the startled expression on Ziéta's face, "There is already something on your bed in your room on the left that I hope you shall find quite comfortable."
"Thank You Haldir" said Ziéta gratefully, though she wondered how clothing for her could have arrived so swiftly. But she pushed that thought aside, after all, Elves were Elves and the magic they possess is not to be sniffed at. Ziéta crossed the room to the door that Haldir had indicated and entered it. The room inside was quite exquisite. Ziéta couldn't believe how Haldir had thought so little of his quarters. The walls were decorated with Elven carvings made of the finest oak and beech. The bed in the centre of the room was a single and had a silver bedspread on it with pale green silk entwined within it. There was also a small vanity table and writing desk against the far wall and next to that there was a fairly decent sized window that looked out over Lorien, again there was carved décor round it and a pale white curtain was swaying slightly in the evening breeze. Ziéta breathed in the cool air and felt at peace with life, for the first time in a long while.
If it hadn't been for Haldir assuring her beforehand that he had an extra room for guests or travellers, Ziéta may have thought that Haldir had just given her his room!
She tuned back to the bed and then noticed what Hadir had mentioned. A pale azure silken dress and silver shoes were lain out on her bed. Even though she was Elven in part, Ziéta couldn't believe that these clothes were really for her. She knew she wasn't exactly the most beautiful of women, and so these would surely look so much more fitting on an Elven princess or someone of such like. Not her.
Nevertheless, Ziéta changed into the dress and shoes, washed herself and then walked over to where the vanity table stood. She caught sight of herself in the mirror and gaped. For some unapparent reason, the clothes actually suited her. They fitted her as though they were made especially for her. Ziéta picked up a small silver comb from the table and ran it a few times through her hair until she was happy with the way it looked .
Then, still wondering how on earth the clothes could have been so impeccable for her, she re-entered the main room where Haldir was just setting the steaming drinks on the table. "Ziéta, Lle maa vanima "You look beautiful exclaimed Haldir as she entered. "Diola lle, Haldir" Thank You she replied. Haldir and Ziéta sat down opposite each other and Haldir handed Ziéta her cup.
After Haldir and Ziéta had finished their second cranberry cordials, Haldir stood up from the table they were seated at and gazed out of the window. The sun was now almost completely gone and far below, Ziéta could hear the faint yet distinct chatter of Elven voices. Haldir helped Ziéta up from the table and said, "Ta coiasira, Ziéta" It is time
