Chapter 10: Complicated friendships
Arnaya was standing outside the huge wooden doors of the dinning hall; her hand was hovering indecisively over the doorknob. After the mind numbing boredom of the process of being pampered by a handmaiden for an entire hour, during which she had often toyed with the idea of turning the other woman into a frog, she was now clad in a lavender dress made of a shimmering silky fabric that had little birds and floral patterns woven into it and felt cool and smooth against her skin. Her ebony black hair that had been brushed by skilled hands shone like a dark flame in the soft light.
She felt like she wore a disguise and from time to time she nervously straightened her clothes or ran her fingers through her hair. Her old dress had been taken away by the handmaiden with a disgusted face. It was highly doubtable whether she would see it again. Judging from the other woman's reaction she had probably burned it right away, instead of washing it as Arnaya had asked her to.
Arnaya felt very foolish standing outside the hall frightened like a little girl. If she could only turn back now then she wouldn't have to deal with the disgusted faces and the deceitful whispering that would surely await her. She had been a fool to agree to this. What had she been thinking? What if all this was nothing but a cruel farce? Had the queen's friendliness only been a trick to humiliate her even farther?
"Even if it was," she thought to herself grimly," I will proof them that I am nobody to mess with. I don't have to fear anything," Arnaya repeated what had been told to her all her life; "I can do anything I want to. I am strong; I will never cry or show weakness."
Her hand reached for the doorknob and tightened around its cool metal surface. "I can do this," the young woman repeated again and finally opened the door. A thousand different sensations assaulted her mind at once. The dinning hall was lit by the flickering flames of uncountable candles. The atmosphere was truly magical and the soft music, provided by the court musicians was complementing it perfectly. There were guests from all parts of Middle-Earth: tall blond men and women from Rohan, elves, dwarves and a small group of hobbits - presumably the former ring bearer was among them - followed yet again by more humans. Unfortunately she did not spot any familiar faces right away and the prospect of having to search them in the crowded dinning-hall was rather discouraging. A few guests looked her way when she entered the hall with hesitant steps, but returned shortly after to their conversation.
She noticed the royal pair sitting at the head of the table. They clearly shone out among the other people, Arwen in her elegant white dress and King Elessar looking handsome and majestic, clad in a dark blue tunic. The queen acknowledged Arnaya's arrival with a nod and a friendly smile flitted briefly over her face, which the young witch returned, slightly bowing her head.
"Arnaya? Is it really you?" she suddenly heard a male voice ask behind her she knew all to well.
She turned around and came face to face with a very handsome elvish prince that was dressed in a silvery blue tunic that shimmered slightly in the light of the candles. His entire appearance was wholly overshadowed by his foreign, other-worldish beauty that captured her eye every time she looked at him. What fascinated her about him were not per se his fair features or the grace with which he moved, but the fact that the sum of those qualities clearly reflected his personality. He was not only beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside. There was no falsity in him, no need for pretence. If Gandalf would have cast his truth spell on her again and asked her who she trusted the most among them she would have immediately answered "Legolas" without hesitation.
"You have gone through the most wondrous transformation - from a beautiful wild flower to an exquisite lavender blossom," he smiled at her and offered her is arm to accompany her to her seat at the table.
"This is just a mask," she said, shrugging her shoulders. She stepped up to him and took his arm.
"Every flower has its beauty."
"I only agreed to wear this because the Queen Arwen asked me to," Arrnaya added in an afterthought.
"So she found you," the elf stated simply.
"You knew of this?" she said and her eyebrows shot up in a questioning and extremely stunned expression.
"Of course," he answered simply, not noticing that he was entering dangerous territory.
Arnaya stopped walking and hastily extricated her arm from under his. Fire was sparkling in her eyes when she echoed his previous words, "Of course!? What is all this about?"
"Arwen and I have known each other for quite some time. When she arrived yesterday I had the pleasure of her company on a walk through the garden and I took the liberty of informing her about your situation," the elf explained to her calmly.
"At first she was infuriated that someone should try to attack Estel. I have never seen her quite like this. But when I told her about you, how you feel, who you really are, she began to calm herself and became very pensive. I decided to ask her if she would contemplate allowing you to come to the festivities tonight and she said yes."
"I don't need anybody's pity," she hissed.
"No, but you need sincerity and understanding, which she both offered to you kindly," the elf answered her calmly, looking her straight in the eye.
She opened her mouth to say something, but found no response to what he said to her for he had spoken the truth. Arnaya dejectedly hung her head. "I'm sorry," she said briefly. Her voice was hushed and low, but nevertheless Legolas's had managed to pick up her apology.
"Never mind, I know that this is difficult for you," he said friendlily and they continued their way to their seats.
Here and there stood a couple of conversing guests who were blocking their way from time to time. They had to round those obstacles which prolonged the distance between them and their destination and consequently also their walk. Sometimes people threw them curious gazes, asking themselves who that strange, yet beautiful woman was, walking at the prince's side. Somehow she seemed familiar, but they couldn't quite place her.
"Look, I'm just feeling a bit out of place her. I feel like a dressed up ten year old who tried mummy's clothes on," Arnaya tugged at her dress unenthusiastically, while they walked.
"You. do. look. fine," he punctuated every word clearly and looked at her with a warm smile on his face that left absolutely no room for argument.
"Thank you," she briefly hesitated before she spoke her next words, because she usually didn't pay any compliments, "So do you, I guess." It had been a clumsy try, but it was appreciated nonetheless as his friendly gaze proofed undoubtedly.
They finally arrived at their destination and Legolas courtly pulled back her seat for her. She sat down and quickly let her eyes scan the table. At the far end, near Arwen and Aragorn she discovered a pair of regal looking high elves that immediately caught her eye. They had flaxen golden hair and piercing blue eyes. Their features were perfect, symmetrical, and almost statuesque.
Arnaya could even make out faintly the she-elf's soft, yet powerful and enchanting voice as she talked to Gandalf far across the room. It was clearly audible over the noise of the celebrating guests. A slight shiver ran over Arnaya's skin when she sensed the power radiating from those two elves in powerful and huge waves. Legolas took his seat next to her and whispered in the ear, "Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn of Loth Lorien."
At the mention of those names a tingling sensation ran through her entire body and made the little hairs at the back of her neck raise. Her mother had often told her that Galadriel was probably the most powerful witch in Middle-Earth. Being so close to a person you had only heard about in stories, whispered in your ear on a cold winter's night, was pleasantly exciting - she could potentially walk up to her and talk to her any minute if she wished to - but at the same time it was overwhelmingly frightening. She was suddenly ripped out of her thoughts when a booming voice from very close by announced its presence.
"My friend, who is this young lady you brought with you?" Gimli asked, not recognizing Arnaya due to her changed appearance and also because of the fact that he had only been able to look at her shortly each time he had seen her.
Obviously Legolas had no intention of clearing up this misunderstanding. He knew Gimli all too well and though he esteemed his friend greatly, open- mindedness and forgivingness were not his strong sides.
"She is a friend," he stated simply as if that was enough explanation in itself.
Arnaya looked at the elf in astonishment, firstly because she asked herself why he made a secret of her identity and secondly and more importantly he had just called her his friend. She would have never expected him to label their relationship as a friendship. After what she had done, who she was, how could he still like her? Yet another question that ran through her head was: Did she want to be friends with him? It had, not under any circumstances, been her intention in the first place, but know she acknowledge to her own surprise that they shared a certain bond. It was tender and slowly blossoming, its nature yet to be explored, but there was certainly something.
"Tell me, friend of Legolas," the dwarf said with a snort, pulling back his massive wooden chair nosily and sitting down on it across the table from them," how do you like the festivities so far?"
"I already knew that this was a historic moment before I arrived here, but now I have proof. This is simply..." she struggled with her words.
"Breathtaking?" Gimli tried to help her out.
"Yes, this is something this world has never seen and will never see again. I try to remember everything exactly as it is, every detail, but I already know that I won't succeed," Arnaya said truthfully.
"I see, lass, you need to lighten up a bit. Enjoy this moment, drink some wine, laugh and dance. Do not be so serious!" the dwarf grinned at her good- naturedly and shoved a goblet of wine in her direction that one of the waiters that were busily scurrying around everywhere had just brought for him. She took it and greedily gulped it down with a few huge draughts; the delicious liquid running down her throat felt soothing and calmed her a little bit.
"I'm impressed," the dwarf laughed happily and slammed his fist on the table which caused a few of the guests sitting next to him to look in their direction.
"What he is trying to tell you in his own charming way is that you are on his good side now. Obviously he is good-humored tonight," Legolas told her with a smile on his lips.
"How can I not be? Tonight is the wedding of Arwen and Elessar and the radiant Lady Galadriel graces us with her presence," Gimli answered and raised his own goblet for a toast. "To the newly wed, may their happiness last eternally," he exclaimed and drank from his wine. The other guest followed his example.
Arnaya suddenly felt a pair of eyes burn into her. There was a presence that wanted to enter her mind. At first she perceived it as a choir of faint whispers that softly but insistently claimed her attention. She allowed the voices to reach her and lowered her mental barrier, listening curiously. The whispers finally united to a melodic female voice that resounded powerfully inside her entire body. "I know what is in your heart," it said simply.
Her eyes nervously searched for the source of the voice, darted quickly from the face of one person to the next, but then they finally focused on Galadriel. She said there with her back turned to her, but when Arnaya's gaze fixed on her she turned around and looked her straight in the eye. Her eyes were intensely piercing and burned right into hers. The young witch tried to mask her feeling of uneasiness by a confident grin, though shivers were running through her body, as she felt the she-elf's incredible power scan her.
"Don't you ever ask for permission before you enter other people's minds?" Arnaya asked directly.
She heard a bright and beautiful laughter resound in her head. "You were calling for me, young one. I do not enter where I am not allowed."
"So you know what is in my heart. Care to enlighten me, will you?" she responded mentally, cocking her head and staring at Galadriel challengingly.
"Love and goodness," was the simple response.
"Of course," Arnaya said sarcastically with a snort.
Legolas head whipped around immediately at the sound of Arnaya's voice, which caused him to interrupt his vivid discussion with Gimli. He watched the young women sitting beside him interestedly. Her forehead was wrinkled in a concentrated frown and she was staring in the direction of Galadriel with narrowed eyes and a hostile expression on her face. The elf raised an eyebrow in astonishment wondered silently what was going on between those two, but decided not to intervene for the time being.
"Useless information, nothing more. Stop wasting my time and get out of my head!" the young witch hissed between clenched teeth.
In response to her insolent order she heard only beautiful laughter resound in her head, then her eyes widened in shock as the high elf rose to her feet and calmly walk up to her. She still had a smile on her face. Arnaya's rude behavior seemed to amuse her immensely.
"I respect your wishes, child," she said aloud and her voice seemed to enter through every pore of Arnaya's body, "nevertheless I would like to continue our conversation, misguided one."
"I think there is nothing left to say," Arnaya crossed her arms over her chest stubbornly and glared at the she-elf.
Galadriel's voice was as thunderous as an earthquake, "Dare not insult me another time!"
The young witch was now for the first time able to see what immense power the other woman possessed. Her body was surrounded by an eerie blue light, only Arnaya could perceive due to her magical training. It was painfully bright and impossible to endure. She flinched and squirmed on her seat. Sweat was forming on her forehead and her breath accelerated. Then suddenly the light was gone, it receded inside the she-elf's slender body and Galadriel stood in front looking as harmless as if nothing would have happened. Both women stared at each other waiting motionlessly for the other's next move.
In the silent tension of the moment Gimli suddenly shot to his feet. His seat clattered to the ground noisily and made the rest of the guest turn their heads in curiosity, if their attention hadn't been already attracted by the exchange between Lady Galadriel and the unknown woman sitting besides Prince Legolas. A comical expression of astonishment was clearly visible on the dwarf's face.
"Now I recognize you. You are the witch that attacked Aragorn!" he exclaimed and menacing anger was swinging in his voice. "Get out or feel the wrath of my ax!" he screamed and his voice resounded in the silent dining hall like thunder. The dwarf's threat was accompanied by murmuring whispers from the crowd that died down again when they curiously waited for the young witch's reaction.
Arnaya tried to put on a brave face, but inside she felt the shame and the pain devour her like famished wolves. Just when she thought that she would be at least tolerated - she hadn't even dared to hope for forgiveness - everything came crashing down in her face. She gulped down the anger she felt and the tears that once released on that fateful afternoon when Legolas had comforted her, seemed to return like greedy scavengers ready to devour her every time she let her weakness overpower her.
"Fine! I will leave," she said, her voice was low, but nevertheless clearly audible in the large hall.
Arnaya got herself together one last time. If she had to leave she would at least try to do it with dignity. She would not grant the dwarf the undeserved triumph of making her loose her composure.
She bowed in the direction of the royal pair, "Forgive me I didn't want to interrupt the celebrations. In fact I wish you well, though you might probably not believe me, but I do. I bid you goodnight!" She turned to leave hastily. Her fast steps resounded loudly in the quite dinning hall.
"Stay!" she heard Galadriel's imploring voice inside her head, but she just shook her head and accelerated her steps. Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes and a few hundred eyes were resting on her. Arnaya managed to escape through the large doors just in time. She quickly stepped out and then ran off as fast as she could.
Inside the dinning room conversation had started again. People were vividly gossiping about what had just happened while Gimli had a self-satisfied smirk on his face. "Ha! It was high time somebody taught that evil witch a lesson. How could she think she was wanted here? She even had the insolence of insulting the gracious Lady Galadriel!"
Legolas was fuming; in fact he had never been that angry in all his life. Gimli could well have ripped within seconds all tender threads of net of trust the elf had woven under extreme difficulties in the last days and weeks between the young witch and him. It also pained him immensely that Arnaya had been hurt so badly in the process, because, even if it was hard to admit, he had come to enjoy her presence very much, perhaps more than he knew himself.
"Master Gimli, you did nothing you can be proud of," he said with an icy voice and his blue eyes sparkled like ice crystals. "You should take care that you do not destroy yet another friendship tonight," he turned on his heels abruptly and ran off to look for Arnaya, leaving the baffled dwarf standing there with his mouth agape and a helpless expression on his face.
Arnaya was standing outside the huge wooden doors of the dinning hall; her hand was hovering indecisively over the doorknob. After the mind numbing boredom of the process of being pampered by a handmaiden for an entire hour, during which she had often toyed with the idea of turning the other woman into a frog, she was now clad in a lavender dress made of a shimmering silky fabric that had little birds and floral patterns woven into it and felt cool and smooth against her skin. Her ebony black hair that had been brushed by skilled hands shone like a dark flame in the soft light.
She felt like she wore a disguise and from time to time she nervously straightened her clothes or ran her fingers through her hair. Her old dress had been taken away by the handmaiden with a disgusted face. It was highly doubtable whether she would see it again. Judging from the other woman's reaction she had probably burned it right away, instead of washing it as Arnaya had asked her to.
Arnaya felt very foolish standing outside the hall frightened like a little girl. If she could only turn back now then she wouldn't have to deal with the disgusted faces and the deceitful whispering that would surely await her. She had been a fool to agree to this. What had she been thinking? What if all this was nothing but a cruel farce? Had the queen's friendliness only been a trick to humiliate her even farther?
"Even if it was," she thought to herself grimly," I will proof them that I am nobody to mess with. I don't have to fear anything," Arnaya repeated what had been told to her all her life; "I can do anything I want to. I am strong; I will never cry or show weakness."
Her hand reached for the doorknob and tightened around its cool metal surface. "I can do this," the young woman repeated again and finally opened the door. A thousand different sensations assaulted her mind at once. The dinning hall was lit by the flickering flames of uncountable candles. The atmosphere was truly magical and the soft music, provided by the court musicians was complementing it perfectly. There were guests from all parts of Middle-Earth: tall blond men and women from Rohan, elves, dwarves and a small group of hobbits - presumably the former ring bearer was among them - followed yet again by more humans. Unfortunately she did not spot any familiar faces right away and the prospect of having to search them in the crowded dinning-hall was rather discouraging. A few guests looked her way when she entered the hall with hesitant steps, but returned shortly after to their conversation.
She noticed the royal pair sitting at the head of the table. They clearly shone out among the other people, Arwen in her elegant white dress and King Elessar looking handsome and majestic, clad in a dark blue tunic. The queen acknowledged Arnaya's arrival with a nod and a friendly smile flitted briefly over her face, which the young witch returned, slightly bowing her head.
"Arnaya? Is it really you?" she suddenly heard a male voice ask behind her she knew all to well.
She turned around and came face to face with a very handsome elvish prince that was dressed in a silvery blue tunic that shimmered slightly in the light of the candles. His entire appearance was wholly overshadowed by his foreign, other-worldish beauty that captured her eye every time she looked at him. What fascinated her about him were not per se his fair features or the grace with which he moved, but the fact that the sum of those qualities clearly reflected his personality. He was not only beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside. There was no falsity in him, no need for pretence. If Gandalf would have cast his truth spell on her again and asked her who she trusted the most among them she would have immediately answered "Legolas" without hesitation.
"You have gone through the most wondrous transformation - from a beautiful wild flower to an exquisite lavender blossom," he smiled at her and offered her is arm to accompany her to her seat at the table.
"This is just a mask," she said, shrugging her shoulders. She stepped up to him and took his arm.
"Every flower has its beauty."
"I only agreed to wear this because the Queen Arwen asked me to," Arrnaya added in an afterthought.
"So she found you," the elf stated simply.
"You knew of this?" she said and her eyebrows shot up in a questioning and extremely stunned expression.
"Of course," he answered simply, not noticing that he was entering dangerous territory.
Arnaya stopped walking and hastily extricated her arm from under his. Fire was sparkling in her eyes when she echoed his previous words, "Of course!? What is all this about?"
"Arwen and I have known each other for quite some time. When she arrived yesterday I had the pleasure of her company on a walk through the garden and I took the liberty of informing her about your situation," the elf explained to her calmly.
"At first she was infuriated that someone should try to attack Estel. I have never seen her quite like this. But when I told her about you, how you feel, who you really are, she began to calm herself and became very pensive. I decided to ask her if she would contemplate allowing you to come to the festivities tonight and she said yes."
"I don't need anybody's pity," she hissed.
"No, but you need sincerity and understanding, which she both offered to you kindly," the elf answered her calmly, looking her straight in the eye.
She opened her mouth to say something, but found no response to what he said to her for he had spoken the truth. Arnaya dejectedly hung her head. "I'm sorry," she said briefly. Her voice was hushed and low, but nevertheless Legolas's had managed to pick up her apology.
"Never mind, I know that this is difficult for you," he said friendlily and they continued their way to their seats.
Here and there stood a couple of conversing guests who were blocking their way from time to time. They had to round those obstacles which prolonged the distance between them and their destination and consequently also their walk. Sometimes people threw them curious gazes, asking themselves who that strange, yet beautiful woman was, walking at the prince's side. Somehow she seemed familiar, but they couldn't quite place her.
"Look, I'm just feeling a bit out of place her. I feel like a dressed up ten year old who tried mummy's clothes on," Arnaya tugged at her dress unenthusiastically, while they walked.
"You. do. look. fine," he punctuated every word clearly and looked at her with a warm smile on his face that left absolutely no room for argument.
"Thank you," she briefly hesitated before she spoke her next words, because she usually didn't pay any compliments, "So do you, I guess." It had been a clumsy try, but it was appreciated nonetheless as his friendly gaze proofed undoubtedly.
They finally arrived at their destination and Legolas courtly pulled back her seat for her. She sat down and quickly let her eyes scan the table. At the far end, near Arwen and Aragorn she discovered a pair of regal looking high elves that immediately caught her eye. They had flaxen golden hair and piercing blue eyes. Their features were perfect, symmetrical, and almost statuesque.
Arnaya could even make out faintly the she-elf's soft, yet powerful and enchanting voice as she talked to Gandalf far across the room. It was clearly audible over the noise of the celebrating guests. A slight shiver ran over Arnaya's skin when she sensed the power radiating from those two elves in powerful and huge waves. Legolas took his seat next to her and whispered in the ear, "Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn of Loth Lorien."
At the mention of those names a tingling sensation ran through her entire body and made the little hairs at the back of her neck raise. Her mother had often told her that Galadriel was probably the most powerful witch in Middle-Earth. Being so close to a person you had only heard about in stories, whispered in your ear on a cold winter's night, was pleasantly exciting - she could potentially walk up to her and talk to her any minute if she wished to - but at the same time it was overwhelmingly frightening. She was suddenly ripped out of her thoughts when a booming voice from very close by announced its presence.
"My friend, who is this young lady you brought with you?" Gimli asked, not recognizing Arnaya due to her changed appearance and also because of the fact that he had only been able to look at her shortly each time he had seen her.
Obviously Legolas had no intention of clearing up this misunderstanding. He knew Gimli all too well and though he esteemed his friend greatly, open- mindedness and forgivingness were not his strong sides.
"She is a friend," he stated simply as if that was enough explanation in itself.
Arnaya looked at the elf in astonishment, firstly because she asked herself why he made a secret of her identity and secondly and more importantly he had just called her his friend. She would have never expected him to label their relationship as a friendship. After what she had done, who she was, how could he still like her? Yet another question that ran through her head was: Did she want to be friends with him? It had, not under any circumstances, been her intention in the first place, but know she acknowledge to her own surprise that they shared a certain bond. It was tender and slowly blossoming, its nature yet to be explored, but there was certainly something.
"Tell me, friend of Legolas," the dwarf said with a snort, pulling back his massive wooden chair nosily and sitting down on it across the table from them," how do you like the festivities so far?"
"I already knew that this was a historic moment before I arrived here, but now I have proof. This is simply..." she struggled with her words.
"Breathtaking?" Gimli tried to help her out.
"Yes, this is something this world has never seen and will never see again. I try to remember everything exactly as it is, every detail, but I already know that I won't succeed," Arnaya said truthfully.
"I see, lass, you need to lighten up a bit. Enjoy this moment, drink some wine, laugh and dance. Do not be so serious!" the dwarf grinned at her good- naturedly and shoved a goblet of wine in her direction that one of the waiters that were busily scurrying around everywhere had just brought for him. She took it and greedily gulped it down with a few huge draughts; the delicious liquid running down her throat felt soothing and calmed her a little bit.
"I'm impressed," the dwarf laughed happily and slammed his fist on the table which caused a few of the guests sitting next to him to look in their direction.
"What he is trying to tell you in his own charming way is that you are on his good side now. Obviously he is good-humored tonight," Legolas told her with a smile on his lips.
"How can I not be? Tonight is the wedding of Arwen and Elessar and the radiant Lady Galadriel graces us with her presence," Gimli answered and raised his own goblet for a toast. "To the newly wed, may their happiness last eternally," he exclaimed and drank from his wine. The other guest followed his example.
Arnaya suddenly felt a pair of eyes burn into her. There was a presence that wanted to enter her mind. At first she perceived it as a choir of faint whispers that softly but insistently claimed her attention. She allowed the voices to reach her and lowered her mental barrier, listening curiously. The whispers finally united to a melodic female voice that resounded powerfully inside her entire body. "I know what is in your heart," it said simply.
Her eyes nervously searched for the source of the voice, darted quickly from the face of one person to the next, but then they finally focused on Galadriel. She said there with her back turned to her, but when Arnaya's gaze fixed on her she turned around and looked her straight in the eye. Her eyes were intensely piercing and burned right into hers. The young witch tried to mask her feeling of uneasiness by a confident grin, though shivers were running through her body, as she felt the she-elf's incredible power scan her.
"Don't you ever ask for permission before you enter other people's minds?" Arnaya asked directly.
She heard a bright and beautiful laughter resound in her head. "You were calling for me, young one. I do not enter where I am not allowed."
"So you know what is in my heart. Care to enlighten me, will you?" she responded mentally, cocking her head and staring at Galadriel challengingly.
"Love and goodness," was the simple response.
"Of course," Arnaya said sarcastically with a snort.
Legolas head whipped around immediately at the sound of Arnaya's voice, which caused him to interrupt his vivid discussion with Gimli. He watched the young women sitting beside him interestedly. Her forehead was wrinkled in a concentrated frown and she was staring in the direction of Galadriel with narrowed eyes and a hostile expression on her face. The elf raised an eyebrow in astonishment wondered silently what was going on between those two, but decided not to intervene for the time being.
"Useless information, nothing more. Stop wasting my time and get out of my head!" the young witch hissed between clenched teeth.
In response to her insolent order she heard only beautiful laughter resound in her head, then her eyes widened in shock as the high elf rose to her feet and calmly walk up to her. She still had a smile on her face. Arnaya's rude behavior seemed to amuse her immensely.
"I respect your wishes, child," she said aloud and her voice seemed to enter through every pore of Arnaya's body, "nevertheless I would like to continue our conversation, misguided one."
"I think there is nothing left to say," Arnaya crossed her arms over her chest stubbornly and glared at the she-elf.
Galadriel's voice was as thunderous as an earthquake, "Dare not insult me another time!"
The young witch was now for the first time able to see what immense power the other woman possessed. Her body was surrounded by an eerie blue light, only Arnaya could perceive due to her magical training. It was painfully bright and impossible to endure. She flinched and squirmed on her seat. Sweat was forming on her forehead and her breath accelerated. Then suddenly the light was gone, it receded inside the she-elf's slender body and Galadriel stood in front looking as harmless as if nothing would have happened. Both women stared at each other waiting motionlessly for the other's next move.
In the silent tension of the moment Gimli suddenly shot to his feet. His seat clattered to the ground noisily and made the rest of the guest turn their heads in curiosity, if their attention hadn't been already attracted by the exchange between Lady Galadriel and the unknown woman sitting besides Prince Legolas. A comical expression of astonishment was clearly visible on the dwarf's face.
"Now I recognize you. You are the witch that attacked Aragorn!" he exclaimed and menacing anger was swinging in his voice. "Get out or feel the wrath of my ax!" he screamed and his voice resounded in the silent dining hall like thunder. The dwarf's threat was accompanied by murmuring whispers from the crowd that died down again when they curiously waited for the young witch's reaction.
Arnaya tried to put on a brave face, but inside she felt the shame and the pain devour her like famished wolves. Just when she thought that she would be at least tolerated - she hadn't even dared to hope for forgiveness - everything came crashing down in her face. She gulped down the anger she felt and the tears that once released on that fateful afternoon when Legolas had comforted her, seemed to return like greedy scavengers ready to devour her every time she let her weakness overpower her.
"Fine! I will leave," she said, her voice was low, but nevertheless clearly audible in the large hall.
Arnaya got herself together one last time. If she had to leave she would at least try to do it with dignity. She would not grant the dwarf the undeserved triumph of making her loose her composure.
She bowed in the direction of the royal pair, "Forgive me I didn't want to interrupt the celebrations. In fact I wish you well, though you might probably not believe me, but I do. I bid you goodnight!" She turned to leave hastily. Her fast steps resounded loudly in the quite dinning hall.
"Stay!" she heard Galadriel's imploring voice inside her head, but she just shook her head and accelerated her steps. Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes and a few hundred eyes were resting on her. Arnaya managed to escape through the large doors just in time. She quickly stepped out and then ran off as fast as she could.
Inside the dinning room conversation had started again. People were vividly gossiping about what had just happened while Gimli had a self-satisfied smirk on his face. "Ha! It was high time somebody taught that evil witch a lesson. How could she think she was wanted here? She even had the insolence of insulting the gracious Lady Galadriel!"
Legolas was fuming; in fact he had never been that angry in all his life. Gimli could well have ripped within seconds all tender threads of net of trust the elf had woven under extreme difficulties in the last days and weeks between the young witch and him. It also pained him immensely that Arnaya had been hurt so badly in the process, because, even if it was hard to admit, he had come to enjoy her presence very much, perhaps more than he knew himself.
"Master Gimli, you did nothing you can be proud of," he said with an icy voice and his blue eyes sparkled like ice crystals. "You should take care that you do not destroy yet another friendship tonight," he turned on his heels abruptly and ran off to look for Arnaya, leaving the baffled dwarf standing there with his mouth agape and a helpless expression on his face.