Chapter 7-
I inhaled sharply as we entered. Everyone in the room turned towards up, and I heard numerous murmurs and gasps. Erualarion gave me a comforting glance and a smile, and then turned toward the crowd again as he led me down the steps. I heard the herald call out "Lord Erualarion of Rivendell," and he hesitated, making sure he was reading the name-list correctly, "and the Lady Orivanim of Tol Eressëa." This time I heard even more murmurs and obvious shock flow throughout the crowd.
As we reached the ballroom floor the crowd parted as we passed through, and the noise grew loudly as they saw my marque, many expressions of wonder and bewilderment rising. We walked up to Lord Elrond who curtly nodded his head, and we made our way towards Gliren and Silinde.
Gliren spotted me and her mouth opened in pure awe, she lightly tapped Silinde and he snapped to attention, when he noticed me, he too looked shocked.
"You look splendid!" they both said together.
"Thank you." I said, beginning to blush.
Erualarion stood behind me and wrapped his arms around me, "Doesn't she look dazzling?" he said, his voice beaming with pride, and his lips nuzzling the crook of my neck and shoulder. "Did I not tell you that you would make them all blink twice?" he whispered into my ear. I felt hundreds of eyes resting on me and my love, Erualarion.
Gliren shimmered in a pearlescent white gown, her hair pulled up and pearls strung through it. I daresay she looked absolutely stunning, and Silinde looked equally brilliant. He wore light green robes that gave off a glowing sheen, and a silver sash tied around his waist.
I turned to finally notice that Erualarion was wearing blue robes, with a lighter translucent shirt under it, and tan breeches. I nearly melted as I looked at him. He stepped closer to me and moves the uncontrollable strand of hair from my face again, tucking it under my cirquelette.
We all turned as Lord Elrond called for attention, "Silence! Lord Erualarion has an announcement for you all!" he said, grinning triumphantly. He thought he would win if he put Erualarion on the spot in front of everyone, with only himself to make a fool of.
Erualarion neared the platform, glaring at Lord Elrond. He turned toward the crowd, "My friends and all, we thank Lord Elrond for this wonderful feast." he looked around the room, "If it is so her desire, then I shall take the Lady Oriavanim as my lover and wife!" he finished.
The crowd roared with commotion and then expressions of joy, Elrond's face turned cold and frosty, is piercing gaze growing nigh unbearable as they rested on me. Lord Aragorn grinned with absolute relief and joy. Elrond could not force him to marry Arwen after all.
I came to realize with a horrible feeling as I looked around, that Elrond was but waiting for Gliren to make one wrong move. Elrond was in a rage now, and he did not intend to wait to show his intentions anymore. He slowly made his way down from the platform, walking towards us, glaring at Gliren as if he wished her to catch flames.
She stood turned away from him and he lightly tapped her shoulder, she turned with a smile, and then her face drained of color as she saw his face and the expression on it. Now was the time. "You are no longer welcome here Starweaver! I Take you not as my daughter, and not as my family. Now leave!" His gaze was cold, and his intensions, now fulfilled, were heartless.
Nunilwen looked over at him with disgust, as well as Erualarion. I stood there in shock, as he turned to face me also, but a mist shrouded over my eyes and he too realized that I was having a vision. As my eyes recovered from the hollowness that had been in them a moment earlier, Elrond stepped back. "I have see your fate hollow king, Elrond the heartless. He who fond of making those around him miserable. You shall forever be miserable until you see the error of your ways." I said calmly, although my voice was strong, "You must become more open, and learn to love, or you shall never experience happiness."
I turned away, a look of total and utter disgust etched visably over my face, I turned away just in time to see Gliren run out of the ballroom. A horrible feeling welled up inside me, and I made a mad dash after her. Erualarion followed, only stopping for a moment to gaze at Elrond, a look of pity spread across his face, "He's such a fool." he thought.
We both raced around the palace, desperately trying to find Gliren, but she had quickly gone, and as we found our way up to her quarters, we found her clothes had been taken, and she had gone. "Go prepare horses, I'll pack our things!" I shouted, the knot tightening in my stomach. Erualarion ran off quickly and within minutes Silinde found me, his eyes asking one question: Where was Gliren?
Quickly he realized that she had left, and he grabbed the first few bags and raced down to the stables, with me trailing quickly behind him. When we reached the stables, Erualaruion and Nunilwen were already waiting, fresh horses ready. Erualarion and Silinde immediately got to work strapping the bags to the horses. Erualarion went to help me climb onto the horse, only finding that I quickly and without trouble, mounted it myself.
As we all mounted our hoses we were off, driving in a fury towards the fords, I had a feeling that she would be found there. As we neared, I could hear the water running, and I saw a glimmer, "Over there!" I shouted as I saw a horse. As we got closer we saw the pale figure of Gliren, lying on the ground. I shrieked in horror as I realized that she was covered in blood.
Jumping off out horses Erualarion took her in his arms, and stripped pieces of cloth off of his robe, fastening them tight on the wounds, deep slits across her wrists. Silinde came over and gently removed the cloth from the wounds, Erualarion nigh shrieking out in his worry. Silinde placed Gliren in his arms and gently ran his hands over the cuts. I watched as they miraculously disapeared, awe etched on my face.
"How did you.." I began to ask, but Silinde cut me off.
"Until a few weeks ago, I did not know I could do that." he said quietly.
"Where will we all go?" I asked, worry building up inside me.
"Do not fear, I shall take you to Mirkwood, to my father." Silinde said comfortingly.
Erualarion began to prepare a fire, and spread a few blankets, while Silinde laid Gliren down on them. Erualarion quickly took a cloak out of our pack, it was a deep shade of blue, "The air is chill tonight and you must be freezing." he said as he wrapped it around me.
I let myself fall into his arms and I began to weep, I became very afraid for Gliren.
"She shall be alright, but she will be weak for a few days." Silinde said quietly, as not to wake Gliren up.
Erualarion led me over to a blanket, closer to the fire, "You come from a warm land, and its cold here in the autumn." he said, desperately trying to distract me from Silinde and Nunilwen caring for Gliren, and trying to calm me. I laid down in his arms, and let myself continue weeping, I could have lost my dearest friend that day.
Eventually I cried myself to sleep, feeling Erualarion stroke my hair and remove my cirquelette, so I would be comfortable. The last thing I remember hearing that night was the Sound of Gliren's voice, just beginning to wake up.