Chapter 21:
Morié sat in front of her mirror and sighed as she placed the gauze veil on her hair and fastened it to her head soundly. It had undergone some changes over the years, with gems studded throughout the veil now, diamonds of purest quality. She had curled her hair into ringlets late that afternoon and the thick hair was smooth and elegant. Spraying the ringlets with elderberry extract, she finger-combed them until each was frozen in place. Moving the stool to her jewellery box, she opened it and took out her circlet, the silver shining in the lunar light and the star sapphires twinkling. Placing it on her head, she adjusted it to cover the join between the veil and her scalp and clicked it in place. Taking the two necklaces from her box, she held them up and sighed as she selected the one from the proclamation ceremony and fastened it around her neck, adjusting it until it was right.
Rising, she twirled carefully and watched the material moved. Looking over to her cupboard, she opened it and selected her newest dress. It was ethereal white, the sleeves gracefully embroidered with diamonds and styled in the usual manner. The bodice was low cut, the dress exposing her breastbone and starting at the tip of her shoulders. The dress was brought in at the middle with a girdle of silver leaves, emphasising her delicate waistline and the skirts flowed out and belled around her hips. As she turned to the mirror, she stared as she saw herself. Truly tonight she was the most beautiful elleth on Arda, she mused as she stared at her silhouette in the glass.
Starting with a knock, she opened the door to see her Uncle standing there with a look on his face. Smiling softly and playing the part of a gracious lady, Morié took the offered hand and they swept into the Hall of Feasting as the heralds proclaimed the Lady Morié Losille and the Lord Elrond. All bowed as they walked by, Morié's bejewelled slippers making no sound as they glided to the table. Placing her on a chair opposite Arwen, Elrond bowed and sat in his place at the head of the table, girded in his ceremonial robes and sitting between Gandalf and Glorfindel. As the others entered, each stared in wonder at both the elves and the Istari seated in their thrones. Frodo was especially dumbstruck by the two ladies as Morié rose and escorted him to his seat, conveniently raised up to be at equal with the elves. Then, she sat just as Boromir entered and bowed to the company.
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As he stared at Morié, she looked directly at him with her piercing eyes and inclined her head gracefully at him as he sat down in his place. Looking behind him as Legolas entered, he saw Morié incline her head gracefully at him and offer the seat next to her. As Legolas sat down, Boromir perceived the slightest glint of love between them before he was engaged in conversation with the person sitting next to him, a small hobbit by the name of Peregrin Took.
As the feast went on, he drank in the beauty of the elleths and stuttered as he addressed them for fear of incriminating himself. Smiling, the eyes of Morié seemed to look deep into his soul and judge his heart, so he was relieved when the feast ended and the Elves rose and walked gracefully down the hall to the Hall of Fire where they sat. Entranced, Boromir listened as they recited verse after verse. Then Morié stood and with her graceful form wreathed by the firelight, she began to sing a tale of a lady far ago. Finishing, she stood in a trance and stared out the window towards the west.
Bowing gracefully to Elrond, she sat as Bilbo began to chant a tale of Eärendil and Aragorn entered to stand behind Arwen. Soon, Boromir felt ever so sleepy, so he bowed farewell to the company and headed to his chamber. Lying on the bed, he slept as the chants for Elbereth echoed through the Chambers and blessing each occupant. As Boromir slept, he dreamt of the face of the elleth he had seen in the banqueting hall, the face of Elrond's peerless niece...