Chapter 8
Nienna smoothed the rich red dress over her flat stomach, before gazing at herself in the mirror. The burgundy enriched her pale cheeks with a gentle stain of blush, while her jet-black hair gleamed like the dark wings of a crow. She heard the cough and turned. Glorfindel just raised his eyebrows.
" I see you decided to wear it."
She nodded.
" I tried to give it back to Ereinion."
Glorfindel took her hands.
" I know." He shook his head. " And I have another gift; but it is from Celebrimbor."
Nienna's face fell with a slight horror.
" I hate being an Elf." She plopped down in a chair, her head falling into her hands. " What do they see that they find likeable?"
Glorfindel knelt before her, placing his hands on her knees.
" You are very beautiful and different than any other maiden. There would be many other suitors, had not the two highest Elves decided to woo you."
Nienna covered her face. She then rose.
" Put the necklace on my stand."
Glorfindel paused, his face screwing up in near horror.
" Why?"
*Surely she does not mean to reject Ereinion for…
Nienna drew her head up.
" I will not have them fighting over me. I will wear neither gift."
Glorfindel's face fell in relief.
" I was afraid you would refuse Ereinion's." He revealed Celebrimbor's.
A beautiful silver necklace rested in his hands. Nienna lifted it, before putting it on a table beside the chair.
" If you will give me a moment, I will change."
Glorfindel nodded, stepping outside. Ereinion and Elrond were coming down the hall towards him; and Celebrimbor from the other side. Glorfindel groaned, sagging against the door.
*I never knew being the escort of a Valië would require this many problems.
Nienna exited, dressed in a simple gown of pure white. No jewel adorned her neck, nor her hair. She turned to Glorfindel with a smile, before it faded, seeing the three approaching Elves.
" Did you not receive my gift?" Celebrimbor asked worriedly, shooting Glorfindel a look full of daggers.
" I did, my lord, and it is indeed beautiful. Thank you, but I must decline to wear it."
" Why?"
Nienna glanced up in surprise. It was Ereinion who had worded the question. She glanced between the two Elves.
" Because I will not cause strife between Elves." She then turned to Glorfindel. " Shall we?"
Glorfindel took her arm with a smile, leaning down to whisper something in her ear. Celebhiril appropriately blushed, looking over her shoulder with a smile. The three Elves had no choice, but to follow; and silently.
~*~
The feast was well underway with laughter, music and dancing. Glorfindel was instantly in the mix, never short of a dancing partner. Nienna found herself alone and wandered to the side of the festival, content to watch. Suddenly someone was beside her, nudging something into her hand. She glanced up in surprise, taking the thin flute of wine from Ereinion. He stood there silently, watching his people over the rim of his glass. He finally spoke.
" Thank you for being so just in your decision."
Nienna looked up at him with a small smile, taking the time to fully gaze at him. He wore his usual dark blue, but a beautiful mithril circlet crowned his dark hair. It took her a second to realize he was looking right back at her. She blushed, turning her head away.
" My lord, will you dance?"
Ereinion stared at the maiden for a moment before replying.
" I am afraid I am sitting this one out, my lady. Perhaps another time?"
The maiden moved away with a sad pout. Nienna raised a brow.
" Well, you are the most sought after Elf tonight. Do not let me be a hindrance."
Ereinion rolled his eyes, eliciting a light laughter from Nienna. He pulled at the neck of his robes.
" If I were not the king and this not required of me, I would not be here."
Nienna put her now empty glass down.
" And what would you be doing?"
Ereinion shrugged, glancing up fleetingly at the ceiling.
" I would be outside, looking up at the stars."
Nienna looked down, a twinge of jealousy flaring up.
" So Varda is your patron Valar?"
Ereinion shook his head.
" Nay, tis the Lady Nienna."
Nienna blinked in surprise lost for any words.
" But you love the stars." She pointed out.
Ereinion shook his head.
" It is told far and wide I love stars, but none, save those close to me, know which kind of stars I cherish."
Nienna tilted her head, suddenly curious as to why she was the Valië he admired.
" Would you tell me?"
Ereinion held out his hand, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
" Shall we head outdoors, my lady? I believe I am suffocating in here."
Nienna took his hand with a smile.
" Lead on, Ereinion."
~*~
They sat out on a balcony, staring up at the stars. Ereinion searched the skies avidly. He then smiled.
" There it is."
Nienna tried to follow his finger, but she could not see it. Ereinion leaned over, his breath near her ear as he pointed over her shoulder.
" There."
Nienna then saw it. The slow falling star, a comet to be called in later years, flew across the skies. She smiled slightly, turning to look at him.
" Falling stars?"
He nodded.
" They remind me of tears."
Nienna was speechless as she gazed at him. She put a hand to her throat, trying not to let a tear fall.
" My, you do have a silver tongue."
Ereinion turned his eyes back up to the skies. A golden haired shadow dissipated from the darkness.
" Celebhiril?"
The couple turned as Glorfindel strode towards them. He paused, a few feet away.
" I just could not find you. I was worried."
Nienna rose, reading more into his words.
" What is it?" She asked.
Glorfindel took her hands.
" Elros just rode in. A plague has struck the village nearby. He has asked for Celeborn and Galadriel to assist him."
Nienna heart fell as she found herself thrust back into grief. She covered her face.
" Do not ask this of me." She whispered.
Glorfindel engulfed her in a hug, glancing over at Ereinion, before back down at her.
" They ask that you come also."
Nienna finally nodded, wiping her tears.
" I will try to heal them."
Ereinion rose.
" Surely Galadriel and Celeborn can handle this with Elrond, or another of the healers?"
Nienna turned, placing a hand on his chest.
" I have been requested to go, so I shall. I will not let them down."
Ereinion finally nodded. Nienna disappeared inside. Ereinion looked at Glorfindel.
" Why do you let her torture herself like that?" Ereinion demanded.
Glorfindel glanced at him strangely.
" She has always been like this." Glorfindel countered.
Ereinion shook his head.
" Were I her escort, I would not allow her to have her heart broken by death."
Glorfindel turned.
" She is under my care. She is also an adult that can see as is fit herself." Glorfindel moved in closer. " Celebhiril is not a woman to be coddled. She is well in charge of herself. She can take care of herself. The faster you learn that, the better off you will be."