The Lady of Rohan
Chapter 14
A Glimmer of Hope
Authors Note: Sorry this has taken so long to write. I have been involved in a couple plays and have has no time do anything let alone write. Thank you for your patience.
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Siraviel:
I danced and twirled around the room, while the sunlight gleamed and shimmered through my open windows. My long brown hair was down for the first time in days and I was so happy I thought I would burst. A sorrow was tucked away for now, and I refused to let it come to the surface. For now, it was just me, alone in my room, dancing with the sun.
It had been a week since Seleth had proposed. The wedding was planned, my dress was made and everything was in order. The wedding would take place tomorrow evening. The only problem was it was not the wedding for Seleth and myself. I was to be married to Aronyth, the cruel and spoiled son of Aragorn and Arwen. My parents were arriving today but I could not confide in them. So much had changed. Over the short period of a few weeks, my dear brother Filith had become friends with Aronyth. Aronyth offered Filth everything he had ever wanted and had slowly changed the way Filith saw things, they way he thought. Filith was no longer my sweet older brother, he was a tool for Aronyth. Filith was constantly sent to spy on me, to see what I was doing. I avoided him to the best of my ability.
I pushed it all away and continued to dance, around and around the room, as if, as long as I kept dancing, as long as I could keep twirling, none of my troubles would be real. Tonight there was a ball in honor of the wedding and I feared what would happen. The last ball had not gone well, to say the least. A dress had been sent over to my room, no doubt from Aronyth, since the cut was way to low. I put it away and chose I different gown instead. I left my room and made my way over to the kitchens to get something to eat. I evaded eating with everyone in the main dining hall for the only people I knew there were Aronyth and Filith.
I walked into the kitchen and found Ayleni, my maid there. Ayleni was a kind old woman, we had become friends over the last few weeks. She gave me a smile and slipped me a basket full of delicious food. This would last me all day. I squeezed her hand and left. Aronyth had given an order that I was not to be fed unless I ate with everyone else. Clearly I was breaking this rule since I had not been to the dining hall in a week and a half.
I decided to eat out in the gardens, it was a beautiful day and the gardens were lovely. I sat under a tree and picked up a chicken leg. I tried to pick at it, but decided that was impossible. I instead, started to tear at it with my mouth, the juices dribbling down my chin, heaven. I knew it was extremely unladylike but, frankly, I did not care. At that moment, Aronyth came out into the gardens, accompanied by my parents. My father looked at me with disdain, my mother was shocked, and Aronyth smirked. I quickly tried to wipe away the chicken grease but it was no use. I stood up and curtsied, rather embarrassed. My father shook his head and made his way back to the castle with Aronyth. My mother remained and took out a handkerchief to wipe my face. She chuckled and said, "Oh Sira, no matter how much your father hopes to you will mature, you will always be the same." Then she whispered in my ear, "Never ever change." Suddenly I could not hold it in any longer. All of the emotions I had been keeping to myself came spilling out against my will. When I finished I was crying and my mother looked furious, but unlike Filith, her rage was directed at Aronyth not me.
"Sira! Why did you not tell me sooner? Why didn't you say something before we left? Now it will be impossible to leave!"
"So there is no hope? I must marry him? I can not do that mother! I won't!"
"I do not recall saying that. I said it would be impossible to just get up and say we are leaving. Aronyth would not allow that. Go to the ball tonight. Afterwards, when everyone is asleep, you and Seleth can escape. I will remain and stall for you as long as possible. I will make the arrangements this afternoon." She kissed me on the cheek. "We are being watched, his eyes are everywhere. Be careful Sira. Do not lose hope," she whispered, "I will come for you when the time is right tonight. At the ball, you must be a fantastic actress. Aronyth must not suspect a thing." She kissed me on the cheek once more then stood up. She winked at me, looked up to the castle then began to yell.
"HOW DARE YOU UTTER SUCH LIES TO ME!! I WILL NOT TAKE IT. YOU STUPID GIRL, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING. YOU WILL GO TO THE BALL TONIGHT AND TOMORROW YOU SHALL MARRY THE KING. NOW GO AND GET DRESSED. FILITH WAS RIGHT!!" She winked at me again then turned around and made her way back to the castle whistling.
Thanks QuietOne for your help!!!