Sunlight peered into the young princess's room and her tired eyes opened. "Good morning, Lady Zerameth," her attendant said to her. "Breakfast is served in half of an hour. The elves are here, and your mother wishes you to meet them before then, so you must dress yourself quickly."
Zerameth rubbed her eyes and yawned. She had not gotten to sleep until very late last night, and in turn received two hours of rest, as opposed to her usual nine or ten. "I am very tired, Geaven," she returned. "Would you tell my mother that I will not be attending breakfast this morning?"
Geaven looked at her master apologetically. "I am sorry, my lady, but there are guests here and your mother wishes you to be acquainted with them, and then dine with them. You must get up."
Zerameth sighed and placed all of her energy into sitting up in her bed. She succeeded, and once that was done, she was able to stand without much trouble. Geaven left after wishing her good day, and then she changed out of her nightgown and into one of her many dresses. She had always hated almost all of her dresses, because they were heavy and hot, and they made her feel as if she was nothing but a woman on display. They were too bright and intricate for her tastes; she would much rather go to dine in the pants that she used to ware when she was younger… the brown ones, made of skin from an animal that she had never learned the name of, and carried dirt with them and easily torn. Those pants did not demand attention like many of the dresses she owned, and nor did they make her sweat from the waist-down. Arwen had focused intently on making Zerameth a pure lady since after the Salerna Laut, and had at least succeeded in getting her daughter used to dresses, though she still detested them.
After she was changed, Zerameth came out of her room for Geaven to wash her face and place the smallest bit of touch-ups on it, do her hair, and other such grooming things that the princess had to go through each morning. Once finished, Geaven sent her off to the table where Zerameth took her place between her sister and her betrothed, and somewhat across from Ohtar.
"So pleased you decided to join us," Arwen stated to her daughter.
Did I have a choice? Zerameth wanted to ask. Instead, she replied with a tight smile and said nothing. She had learned long ago that she could not be herself at a table filled with people… especially not a table filled with people that they did not know.
"I do apologize," Legolas said to Arwen and Aragorn. "It seems as if I brought all of Mirkwood with me, though I did not mean to."
"Do not be absurd," Arwen replied. "We are glad to have them. 'Tis not often that we have such a company join us, and the more the merrier."
"Ohtar, would you introduce us to the beautiful maiden sitting next to you?" Aragorn asked. Ohtar smiled, and his assumed betrothed blushed slightly, though it was hard to see, as her skin was dark.
"Excuse me," Ohtar said. "This is my betrothed, Elaviel of Mirkwood." Zerameth, and the rest of the humans, noted that he did not say that she was a princess, and that she was from Mirkwood as he was. Though each of them was curious, it would be impolite to ask for an explanation at so formal of an event if the explanation was not plainly offered. Zerameth, however, vowed to herself that she would ask him of it at a later time.
Elaviel was very beautiful, indeed. She had bronze skin to match her bronze hair and narrow, bronze eyes. She never spoke at all during the entire breakfast, but she assured anyone that looked at her that she had a soft, humble voice. This was obvious because of her shy appearance and her lack of expression, though somehow she managed not to seem apathetic. It was near impossible to tell what she was thinking, because her face was neither happy nor sad, neither unprovoked nor irritated. She was simply neutral, which was why it was so fitting that she was bronze all over.
Zerameth was fascinated with this girl, for reasons not entirely known to her. Maybe it was because she was not a princess and from Ohtar's own kingdom, and that there was a bit of mystery to her story. Maybe it was because of her auburn skin… for Zerameth had never seen anyone so dark before. Most of royalty was a pale white, but even the servants and attendants who worked in the sun were not nearly as tan as she was. Or maybe… maybe there was another reason why this woman was so hypnotizing, at least to the mortal princess. For whatever reason, Zerameth had a hard time peeling her eyes away from Elaviel during the entire meal.
Addrynnyn took Zerameth's hand, which at first startled her. She looked at him to see him smile, and she returned it. Inside she wondered if he was competing with Ohtar, sort of claiming her as his own so that the elven prince would know. Then, she assured herself that she was only being paranoid, for Addrynnyn knew nothing of Ohtar. Even if he had, he now knew that Ohtar was betrothed in any case.
Soon, the food was brought out by as many servants, maybe more, as there were guests. There were fourteen elven visitors in all, and in addition to them were the mortals: Arwen and Aragorn, Addrynnyn, both of his parents, Tellyn, Zerameth, and Laesien. As Arwen had said: the more, the merrier.
Merry they were. The elves were good company, as they were wise, kind, and yet comical, and therefore made marvelous company. The conversation was kept light, and the meal lasted for a long time, though they did not overly eat. The majority of the meal was simply talk, though food did enter mouths during the change of subjects. Nearly everything that one could think of was at least mentioned. They spoke of music and art, politics, wedding arrangements, sports, and shared stories along the way.
When at last the meal came to a close, Aragorn and Arwen were the first to leave, being the King and Queen of the hosting home, and then Addrynnyn's parents followed. After they were gone, the rest of them were free to leave as they wished. Zerameth led Addrynnyn to Elaviel and Ohtar, insisting that they speak with them, so he consented.
"Ohtar," Zerameth said. "I have not officially introduced you to my betrothed. This is Prince Addrynnyn of Eriador, soon to be Lord Addrynnyn of Gondor."
"I have heard wonderful things of you, Prince Addrynnyn," Ohtar said politely. "You are said to be one of the best mortal archers. I look forward to competing with you."
Though Addrynnyn was polite, Zerameth could see that he didn't seem to take to Ohtar. He responded, "Yes, and your father is the renowned Lord Legolas. I suspect he has taught you a few tricks?"
Ohtar smiled and nodded. "Yes, a few, but I do not receive most of my training from him, but my trainer, Nónd. How did you fair against Prince Legil-Galad?"
Though a bit embarrassed at his loss, Addrynnyn could not lie, so he replied, "He had defeated me by two points."
"I wish I could have seen it, or I would never believe it."
"Thank you."
Ohtar noticed Zerameth's curious gaze at his betrothed, and said, "She does not speak much, and cannot understand the Common Tongue well."
Zerameth looked at him in surprise. She had always thought that everyone in Middle-Earth spoke the Common Tongue fluently, and if not then at least close to fluently. "She does not?"
Ohtar shook his head. "No, but if you wish to speak with her you can do so slowly, and she will respond if you tell her that you wish her to."
"Hello," Zerameth said to Elaviel. She continued slowly as Ohtar had instructed. "I am Lady Zerameth of Gondor. I am friends with Ohtar, and it is a pleasure to meet his betrothed."
"Thank you," Elaviel replied, equally slow. Her voice was like that of a dove: quiet, gentle, and soothing. Ohtar smiled at Zerameth.
"Ask her a question," he told her.
"Do you like sports?" Zerameth continued to speak little by little.
"N-no," Elaviel replied. "Ohtar forced me to come."
Ohtar laughed. " 'Tis true. She is not very fond of archery or swordsplay or any of that sort. She would have nothing to do with it if not for me."
"I hope to see you often," Zerameth told Elaviel. Then she smiled and turned back to Ohtar. "You be kind to her," she said, in almost a scolding manner. "I shall see you as well."
Ohtar nodded. "Goodbye, Zerameth. Addrynnyn, it was an honor to meet you."
"As you," Addrynnyn replied. Then he escorted Zerameth away.
