Chapter 6-
Later that day, after the great council, I found myself in the gardens with Erualarion. He still seemed somewhat shocked at the revealing form of my clothes, but he did not mind at all. Pushing the stray hair out of my face again, he wrapped his arms around me, and he sang an gentle song, so quiet almost none but the wind itself could hear it. His voice contained a magic in it, and as it flowed, getting louder and louder around us, butterflies flocked to it. One landed on my hand and I laughed, his gentle smile was all that I could see. At least until my vision was broken, in the corner of my eye I caught sight of Arwen Evenstar, and Gliren not too far ahead of her.
A horrible knot dredged up in my stomach and I had the most horrible feeling that something was going to happen. I hurried to Gliren's side, and Erualarion followed, obviously sensing my distress. His Raven locks flickered blue in the sunlight. As I grew nearer Gliren, a protective sensation welled up inside me, she was my family, if not by blood, she was still my sister.
Arwen's face held a sinister glare, and jealousy burned in her eyes like fire, and as she turned toward me, the jealous burned at me too. "Lord Erualarion," she said somewhat sweetly, trying to hide the burning inside of her, "how good it is to see you."
He gave a curt nod, as if not to say anything, for fear of saying something he would later regret.
Arwen turned to me, "Lady Oriavnim, A good afternoon, is it not?" she said to me, envy oozing from her voice.
Erualarion put his arm around me protectively, he knew what was going to happen, and he dreaded that he knew what was to come. More-so he dreaded knowing that he could do nothing to stop it.
"So what they have said is true," Arwen sneered at me, "You truly are they lady of the Isle," he gaze grew almost demonic, "cursed with the mark of violet."
Those words went through me like a warm knife through butter, and I daresay she knew it too. Gliren glared as if she could not believe what she had heard.
"ARWEN! That is ENOUGH!" Erualarion roared, "You have no right to speak to Oriavanim with such disrespect and distain! Your father taught you better than this!"
"My father taught me to speak what I believe, and you know that is the truth." Arwen snapped.
"Your jealously eats at you sister. I can see it in your eyes. Oriavanim has everything that you will never possess. A heart, understanding and kind friends, a crown, AND Erualarion." Gliren said bluntly. "You have nothing compared to that." she continued.
"As you wish, Gliren the fatherless, I shall see you at dinner, if you decide to lower yourself to a meal with us." Arwen sneered.
Gliren had taken enough, not only had Arwen insulted me, but she had publicly announced Gliren as a family outcast. I never even saw Gliren move, I only saw Arwen crash to the ground, and then a series of lightning fast blows to Arwen's face. In an instant, both Erualarion and Silinde were pulling Gliren off of Arwen. Gliren was kicking and screaming in rage, her eyes burning with an anger that seemed to have built up inside her for ages.
Arwen forced herself up and quickly made her exit. I sank to the ground, shocked and hurt, feeling as if I were back in my own lands. The last great sanctuary of Rivendell was not sanctuary at all, only a hell which I had willingly walked into.
None of us knew at the time that Lord Elrond had been watching. He had seen the whole ordeal unfold, and he watched with hatred for his daughter, the Starweaver. The Starweaver had no place with the Evenstar, and he definitely was not going to let this go unpunished. That night would be a great feast, and he had every intention of humiliating her.
But on the way back to my quarters I was a jumbled mess. Still in shock, and gutted by the words Arwen had sent running through my head, I rushed Past Lord Elrond. Apparently he saw the ordeal unfold, but he did not hear what had been said. He grabbed my arm gently and stopped me, "What troubles you Lady Oriavanim?"
"My lord, you have shown me such great kindness, but please forgive my rudeness, I need some time alone." I replied, and Arwen came up the steps, with Lord Aragorn at her side, and I quickly slipped out of his grip and made my leave before he could ask anymore questions.
I felt Lord Elrond's piercing gaze rest on me, and as turned down a rounded hallway, I gazed back. Elrond stared at me sympathetically as he realized what I had been so shaken up about, but quickly his gaze grew cold and unfaltering. Aragorn's gaze caught my attention, he stared, an expression almost of relief that I was there, especially after he had seen Erualarion racing up the staircase to catch up with me.
Lord Elrond said something to Erualarion, but he did not care to answer it. He quickly brushed past the one who he had thought of as a father all these years, and struggles to catch up to me as raced forward with all the speed that I possessed.
As I closed the doors to my quarters, Erualarion Burst through, shutting the doors himself. "Do not listen to the Lady Arwen, she knows only what she speaks from the whisperings of her jealousy." he said as he enfolded me into his arms.
I laid my head on his chest and allowed myself to weep, feeling completely alone. He stroked my hair and embraced me tighter, lifting my chin up and kissing me lightly on the lips. Slowly my tears began to fade, and it seemed that in his arms, everything was okay. I had someone to love, and someone to love me, it created a feeling of being whole. "With you, I am whole. I can feel it in my very bones. It feels somewhat strange, to be alone for so many years, and now I have someone for myself, but I also feel that if leave your presence that I am nothing." I whispered, not wanting him to let go of me, wanting this moment to last forever.
"I have waited for you for ages, where you go, I will go. I wish not to lose you again. I feel the same as you, believe me. Amin mele le. I love you. I love you with everything in my being." he said, compassion flowing through his voice.
"But we must prepare ourselves for the feast, may I ask what you intend to wear?" he asked, a wolfish grin smeared across his face.
It made me laugh, "Seek not to please me with lavish clothes and jewels." I said jokingly.
I reached in my trunk and carefully pulled out a silk bag, containing my clothes for the night. I knew I would want to bring it, but I had no idea what for. Slipping through another pair of doors, I led my way into the bath chamber. I slipped behind the changing curtain and let my clothes fall to the floor, I laid the sack of silk and garments sit on the mantle- piece , and to the far edge of the room, a bath had been prepared, and I thankfully climbed into it.
Between relaxing and washing, I had found that I had been very tense the last few days. The warm water was melting away the aches and pains throughout my body. It had truly been a long day. Breakfast had been the worst, not only had Arwen been there to criticize Gliren, but Elrond stared at her as if she had been an insect, with no right to be in a great king's palace.
She had already been labled as a family outcast, but her brothers, Elladan and Elrohir, who were most kind, loved Gliren deeply from the moment they saw her. They never doubted that she was family and vowed to be there always for her. I did not know them well, but I knew that they tried to spend as much time with their beloved sister Gliren.
"Oriavanim! You're still in the bath?!" Erualarion shrieked sometime later.
I jerked up, realizing that by now, the water had turned cold. "How long have I been in here?" I said, almost frightened that I could let time slip from me so easily.
"Nearly two hours!" he replied, a grin growing across his face slowly as he saw my shock.
"Oh dear Manwe!" I gasped, "I must get ready." I stumbled out of the tub, and hurriedly wrapped a towel around myself. Erualarion could do nothing but laugh. I grew frantic and shut the doors, scurrying around frantically, knowing I only had a few minutes before we had to be there. I knew I was going to be late.
I cursed as I dried myself off and began to brush my long curly hair. I pulled up my hair the same as I had the last time, using the same silver clasp, Only this time, I wove my headpiece Into my hair along with it, the thin pieces of silver showing on my forehead. I straightened my cirquelette and pulled a few strands of hair down to frame my face.
Then I gently grabbed the silk bag, and pulled outs its contents: a gorgeous deep ocean blue skirt, sewn into a silver waist clasp, made to fit incredibly low as to show all of my marque, ending at the base of my spine. I slipped on the top, which was of the same material, all of it a delicious-feeling velvet. The straps in the back were nearly invisible, and could barely be seen unless you looked quite closely. It fitted my chest with a style that looked as if it has been merely painted on. Long gorgeous sleeves, almost touching my shoulders, trailed down my arms, enveloping them into a sea of ocean blue, silver thread weaving designs through the ends of the sleeves, and through the very low cut lining of my top, trailing a 'V' down into the top of my chest. The bottom of the shirt also making a 'V' down, halfway between my belly button and my chest.
Hurriedly I slipped on some jewelry, not even caring anymore to adjust it all to a right fitting. I slipped on light shoes and opened the doors. Erualarion had been waiting, and he gasped in shock ad he saw what I was wearing, "My love! You look a fair Queen!" he said, and took me in his arms.
"Well I should be..." my voice trailed off, "but never-the-less I need to look my best. This is no mere dinner with Lord Elrond, he has invited us to a great banquet, with many a realms-men invited."
Erualarion knew I was frantic, and he knew I was nervous, "My love," he said quietly, leaning down to kiss me, "you would dazzle them in your bedclothes." he grinned and then kissed me with a fiery passion. Nunilwen entered the room, gasped at my appearance, "Oriavanim! You look absolutely wonderful! But on another note, you and Lord Erualarion are wanted in the ballroom." she smiled
"Thank you Nunilwen, we shall be there momentarily." I said to her, then turning to Erualarion, "Shall we?" I asked.
He took my arm, "We shall, my love, you will most certanly dazzle them and make them blink twice." he said, still smiling as if he had trapped himself in a wonderful dream. He led me down the hallways, and down the steps. When we reached the ballroom, a messenger opened the door for us, and Erualarion led me in.