When Will the Sun Shine Again?
Chapter 7- Dance
Sheelala was almost upon them, and the preparations had already begun in Rivendell. Guests would start arriving on Elenya morning, to begin the festival at the setting of the sun.
Arwen already saw the decorative banners and wreaths being hoisted into their positions around the homely house, she scarcely saw her father so busy he was with preparing the feast and entertainment for the week long celebrations.
Arwen wondered if she had the ability to be sociable anymore without Legolas' help. Ever since her lord had passed, she had not been in a celebratory mood, but she found it rather pitiable if she could not learn to enjoy herself once more.
"Yes, I will enjoy myself, as Legolas told me to. Estel would not wish me to spend my whole life unhappy on his account. I owe it to him and to those I love to make the most out of my life now." She looked into her wardrobe but found nothing befitting to this particular occasion, then a thought struck her.
She made her way into what had been her beloved mothers spare room -where she had prepared for occasions such as this in days gone by- to search for fitting attire.
Arwen swung open the large wardrobe, and gazed longingly at the beautiful craftsmanship on each of Celebríans gowns. She had avoided wearing her mothers dresses before now, she had not a reason, but now it seemed strangely fitting, the question was now which gown?
Taking out the dresses and admiring them one by one, Arwen caught the lingering scent of her mothers subtle perfume. Taking out a fine emerald green dress, with delicate golden embroidery upon the sleeves and bodice and a subtle gold lace trim, Arwen sat back on the stool by the vanity table, a rush of emotions swelling inside her. She clutched the dress to her, closing her eyes and remembering when as a little girl she used to sit on the soft seat in the corner and watch her mother dress in her finery, and twist her hair so elegantly upon her fair head. Her mother always looked like an angel, and Arwen always marvelled at her astounding looks when she got dressed up. She remembered this very dress was her mothers favourite, and was one of the last she wore before she left for the Undying Lands. She said it reminded her of Lorien, with its delicate gold and striking green.
"Yes, this is the dress." Arwen whispered to herself, wiping away the moistness at the corners of her eyes.
She emerged quietly from the room, clutching the dress tightly. Somehow she did not want anyone to see it until tonight, she wanted it to be a surprise.
Arwen almost encountered Elledan and Elrohir on her way through the halls, but managed to take a different route back to her chambers.
"Now I must begin my own preparations." She smiled to herself as she shut the door to her room.
*
Elrond smiled to himself, as he surveyed the melee before him. Hundreds of elves of all lines mingled together in the great banquet hall. It was a fine gathering, most noticeable was the absence of the Mirkwood elves who he knew could not attend, but there were still many others to make up for this.
Elledan and Elrohir stood at either side of their father on the slightly raised stage area, ready to welcome the assembled guests. Celeborn and Galadriel were still in preparations, ready to make their way to the opening banquet fashionably late.
But Arwen was nowhere to be seen, Elrond was considering sending a search party when there was an audible gasp and the crowd parted, and Arwen stood at the doorway.
She looked exquisite, a beautiful green and gold dress adorned her slender form, and a golden circlet graced her head, set with beads of emerald and diamond. She looked as stunning as her mother did at the height of her grace, and in fact, Elrond recognised the fabulous dress that he knew had been his dear Celebrían's favourite.
Both Elledan and Elrohir rushed to accompany their sister up to the stage and with a small smile she linked arms with both her brothers, and Elrond almost wept with pride, all his children, so graceful and striking, he felt like Celebrían was with him as he looked upon them.
Arwen coloured slightly as she stepped onto the stage, she knew that all eyes had been upon her, and although the attention was not completely unwanted, it was slightly embarrassing for the bashful maiden.
At Galadriel and Celeborn's graceful arrival, the festival was allowed to begin, with fine music and a substantial array of fine foods to put all into a celebratory mood.
After the meal came the dancing, as hundreds of fair elvish couples took to the floor, Galadriel and Celeborn leading the dance with their effortless grace and presence.
Arwen watched her kin enjoy themselves, but she did not much feel like dancing, having no set partner to accompany her. Estel had never prided himself on being much of a dancer -the habits of a ranger die hard- but in her brief experience, Legolas was quite a fine dancer, and Estel had been learning, over years of gentle coaxing.
The night was slowly ebbing away, and Arwen had taken three dances out of many, and those had been accompanied by her father and her brothers, but she sat out the rest. As the final dance was announced, Arwen prepared to get herself another drink but as she went to rise she found a hand was offered in front of her.
"Arwen en amin. (My lady)" Arwen looked up and saw an Elf with long ash blonde hair and striking green eyes was the source of the voice. She regarded him questioningly.
"And who might you be?" She asked, trying not to sound too wary.
"I am Astalder milady, I wish for your company. Lle merna salk? (Do you want to dance?)"
"Mankoi? (Why?)" Arwen was confused, surely she did not look like one who was in the mood to be sociable, or at least that is how she had tried to appear.
"Why?! Milady, look at you! You are perfect, what man would not wish to have the pleasure of a dance with you?"
Arwen smiled slightly, it would take more than eloquent words to impress her at this stage, but she found no reason to refuse the bold elf, so nodding, took his hand and allowed herself to be led to the floor.
"I will assume that you are Arwen Undomiel, for no other on Middle Earth is so exquisite, you surpass even the beauty of Luthien."
"You flatter me needlessly sir." She smiled at his attempts nonetheless.
"I see much need. I assume that you dance as well as you look."
"Aye sir indeed I do, I was taught well by my father."
"Of that I have no doubt." Astalder grinned as he swept Arwen around him, her path ending in a graceful twirl.
"And I see you can handle yourself well in a dance too."
"Aye, I practice."
"Tell me then Astalder, from whence do you hail?"
"From Eryn Vorn on the coast of Eriador milady."
"Truly? I thought the Elves may have deserted Eryn Vorn by now, does your heart not stir so close to the sea?"
"Nay milady, so many generations have passed now that the sea longing has all but passed with us, we may look upon the sea safely now."
"Interesting indeed." Arwen nodded, as the two moved in closer for a section of the dance.
"Excuse my impertinence for asking milady, but is there someone special in your life this moment? Though I would hope if there was that he would be here to accompany you, rather than leave you in the amicable company of strangers."
Arwen thought hard on this for a moment, then after a pause she replied. "Nay, no-one special. And yourself?"
"Before tonight no, but now…" He smiled and Arwen allowed a small smile herself. This Astalder didn't seem too bad.
The music drifted to a close and the couples left the dance floor, parted, or lingered on talking.
Arwen nodded politely to her partner. "Diola lle. (Thank you.)" She said.
"Ta nae amin saesa (it was my pleasure)" Her partner smiled, his green eyes twinkling.
"Perhaps I will see you again during the festival." Arwen said, almost as an afterthought.
"I look forward to it. Tenna' telwan san' (Until later then.)" There was a certain cockiness that came with that last statement, but Arwen did not pursue it.
"Quel esta (Rest well.)" She said as means of farewell, then turned and retreated to her quarters. She met with Elledan in the hallway.
"I observed you with that elf, who is he?" He inquired innocently.
"Astalder of Eryn Vorn, it would seem."
"And do you like him?"
"He is bearable I suppose, handsome enough."
"Oh dear, Legolas will not be pleased." Elledan tutted.
"What?" Arwen asked in confusion.
"Nothing dear sister, I am glad you enjoyed yourself. Quel du. (Good night)" and with that her brother rushed off to his chambers. Arwen looked after him in confusion and after shaking her head, made her way inside her own.
Arwen slipped off her dress and hung it neatly in her own wardrobe, she felt like keeping it for a while, it made her mother seem not so distant.
I wonder if Legolas was telling me the whole truth about his journey, I do not know why, but I do not think he was completely honest with me. I wish he would stop treating me as if I am so fragile. Her hand strayed to her slightly rounded stomach. We will get by, wont we little one? She dressed in her night garments, and slid into bed, hand still over her belly, and her mind wandering to the nights festivities, the week ahead, and even as far away as Mirkwood.
*
Oh my, I didn't put any Legolas in that chapter did I?! Well it seemed wrong to interrupt the flow of the Sheelala festivities, but there will definitely be more of him in the next few chapters, promise. It is a most uncivilised hour now, and I think I may be starting to fall asleep… zzz… ahem, so I will see you all next chapter, please review and tell me what you thought, oh and in case you couldn't guess Astalder is an original character, if you want to use him (though god knows why you would) please ask permission first, or I could sue you! Bwahaha! But I wouldn't *angel face* oh and in case you care, Astalder is elvish for Valiant One, you will see more about this in later chapters. Review please, give me a damage report! Thanks for reading!
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