DISCLAIMER: Most characters (Prince Imrahil, Éowyn, Théoden, Faramir) are from the book Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein (including the elvish) and I give full credit of them to Mr. J.R.R. Tolkein, but the rest are sincerely created by me.
By the time we reached the sea, many moons after leaving the fields of Rohan, I had come to respect Nemdalithe. We had become friends and our friendship only grew stronger as we fought our battles together and ate from the same fire. My old strength returned and I had a renewed vigour from being free of closed walls. We practiced using our staffs every day and I learnt new tactics from him that were invaluable against evil whilst we were travelling. When I asked him why he had lied to me about searching for his mother he replied with mirth,
"Ah, but I didn't lie, as I have been searching for my mother whilst looking for someone like you. She was of Lothlorien, the Golden Wood, yet when I ventured there I was not permitted to enter and so I never met her. I did persuade my guard to send her a message, wherever she is, and it is my hope that she has received it and knows I am well."
We had grown so accustomed to each other that I began to call Nemdalithe, Nem for short and he would often try to get me to smile. He always said that my smile was fairer than the sea itself.
Days passed and finally I mounted a small rise and there, before me, spread Dol Amroth. It stood with white beauty and on the towers the wind fluttered the high banners with the insignia; the ship of the silver swan on a blue sea. The ocean was as turquoise as the sky and birds wheeled and swooped out on the waves. Ships, laden with produce, came in and left the harbour at a steady pace and I listened to the distant roar of waves on the shore.
"The majesty of this city is high above all others I have heard of," I whispered.
I smelt the sea in the air and tasted the salt on my tongue. I felt honoured that my journey had come to such a place. I followed Nem into the city and saw the people; dark haired and grey eyed, tall and lordly and dressed in fine robes of a glistening cloth. I walked my horse through the streets and I heard singing form alleys and squares. People sat around a person with a lyre and sang together in perfect harmony. Nem led me into the stables of the Prince where I unsaddled Calafire and went in to the Princes inner house.
Everything was in white marble and crystal adorned windows. Corridors were open and sea breezes drifted in from open balconies. It felt pristine and wholesome, like a waterfall stilled in the cold of winter.
We came through a small walkway to a room where a soft garment of a pale green was laid out and a bowl of water was in the washstand.
"I will come for you soon, for today you shall be presented to the Prince and go into service of his sister. In this room is all you will need to clean yourself of our journey's dust. Farewell for a while."
With a smile he turned and went out of the room closing the door behind him. I did not immediately do as he asked, but walked to the open balcony and looked out on the jewelled sea. The sun was setting and the light fading. This place was perfect and even though I was expected to guard the Prince's sister, there would still be more freedom, less sadness, new beginnings.
I took off my clothes and washed myself before slipping into the gown. It was light and smooth and it slid over my body like a second skin. Carefully, I pulled on the small slippers left at the foot of the bed. I bound a small girdle of silver about my waist and found a sheer cloak of silver, that was thin and opaque, to tie about my shoulders. I brushed my hair and found two mother-of-pearl shell combs to tuck away my curls.
When Nem came to get me he was astounded at my appearance as I was of his. He wore a deep dark blue garment with silver stones and white opals encrusted over its length and he wore a thin silver circlet about his brow. A cloak the cover of midnight was draped from his shoulders.
"Tiro, êl síla nîn a aníron,*" Nem whispered and kissed my forehead.
"What did you say?" I asked.
"Never mind. Come, you have yet to be formally presented," he took my hand and walked out of the small chamber.
We ascended a great staircase and at last came to a great room full of magnificently dressed people. On one side the wall was open to the sea winds and view. I could hear melodious piping and when I looked for the source I noticed that there were pipes hung so that when the wind blew over them they would sound a delicate note, which floated on the wind. Nem took me behind a curtain and quickly whispered all I had to say and do. I began to feel a slight nervousness.
"Will I ever see you again?" I asked.
He smiled,
"Of course, I will come and see you when I can. I promise," he searched my eyes and then walked out to meet with the Prince.
"Nemdalithe, I am overjoyed to see you come safely back to Dol Amroth. Here in Melody Cavern we hold our court. I have heard you have brought me the maiden I requested, if so, present her before us," he commanded.
"My Lord, I have found such a maiden. My Lady?"
This was my cue and draping the hood of the sheer cloak over my face I entered and knelt before the Prince.
"Rise now and reveal thy face," the Prince said kindly.
I stood and drew back the silvery hood from my face and looked at Prince Imrahil, Lord of Dol Amroth, full in the face. He seemed ageless, almost like Nem's. They were direct descendants of those elves that did not choose to cross to the undying land from the haven at Amroth and still had some of that keen blood in their veins. Grey eyes and dark haired he was clothed in blue silver, with a long sword girded at his belt. His eyes were kind and I could tell that he was a great leader of men. I spoke up.
"My name is Maylan, daughter of Nevan, Lord. I come from the House of Meduseld in the fair country of Rohan, where King Théoden rules. I am skilled in the use of the staff and I feel I could serve and guard your sister well."
From the side of the small dais walked forward a woman, younger than the Prince by maybe a year. Her face clearly showed that she was akin to Prince Imrahil. Tall and queenly she stood and I could almost see a likeness to Lady Éowyn; lonely yet not sad.
"I am the woman to which, if you would, swear fealty too. All I ask before you take the oath is to show us your skill with the staff against a man of my choice," her voice was sweet and kindness showed in her eyes.
"I assent to this contest," and walking to Nem I retrieved my staff from him.
He had told me that this might happen and so we had come prepared. It was only just that they should test me first as I would protect their ruler's sister.
I decided to leave on even the sheer cloak as if I was an attendant I would not have time to take off the cloak if I was fighting for my lady's life. By doing this I had passed my first test.
The lady picked a young man from the crowd and a staff was brought to him. Immediately I stood in front of the lady and in doing so I passed my second test, as I was protecting her, not myself. To pass the third and final test I would have to defeat the man.
He began to attack and I at once noticed his weak spot was coming with a blow from the left side. When I had twisted him into the position I wanted I drew a crescent in the air with my tip and knocked the staff from his hands. I then hit him behind the knees so he fell to the ground and pressed the tip to his neck.
"It is decided," cried the Prince.
Turning to the lady I knelt again and swore that I would protect her as one of her attendants, wherever she went, until I could no longer perform my duty or until my death. At once there was great applause and the Prince stepped forward to grasp Nem's hand in gratitude and camaraderie. I saw at once the great friendship that was between them.
There was a large feast prepared and I sat at the table beside Nemdalithe and we talked about our journey and the future. At last it was time for me to depart to a chamber near my lady's, but just before I was about to go Nem drew me aside and out onto a hidden moonlit balcony.
"Maylan, you know I have promised to see you when I can," he said, as I looked out over the water, the cool wind caressing my cheeks.
"I do, yet I think I shall be lonely without you by my side," I replied softly, blinking away my foolish tears.
He turned me around and slipped his hands about my waist in much the same way as he had done when we first met. This time I did not recoil, nor did I stop him as his lips closed on mine. I threw my arms around his neck and we stood together, kissing passionatly in the moonlight, aware of how little time we had. I welcomed the heat that flew through my body and the feel of his hands on my back. After a moment I drew away with a last lingering, tender kiss and softly farewelled Nem before finding my Lady. She led me down a torch lit hall and I only turned back once to see Nem raise his arm in farewell.
Just a quick note: * the elvish "Tiro, él síla nîn a aníron," is Quenya (I think!?) and means "Look, my star shines and I desire."
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