Ch. 5
It was Arwen. Of course it was Arwen. There could not possibly be a lovelier woman before or after, she was the epitome of beauty. And royal, thought Rian-Celine suddenly. The only glimpse of royalty she had ever been granted were quick camera shots of England's queen and princes, none of whom matched this. For Rian-Celine royalty had been an abstract word, something she could manipulate to mean anything she liked. But suddenly she saw it in the concrete. Arwen was royalty incarnate.
Gandalf bowed slightly; Rian-Celine bowed as well as she could. She would have preferred to curtsey, but that was hardly possible in her ugly brown pants and short hooded cape. The Lady Arwen curtseied respectfully to the wizard in return, and greeted him aloud so that Rian-Celine had no idea what she said. However, she figured that Gandalf was now thanking Arwen profusely, and perhaps explaining about herself. Arwen looked at Rian- Celine with pity. Rian-Celine nearly fainted to be the object of attention of the legendary Elf, but she managed to thank her as best she could. Arwen smiled.
After a few more words with Gandalf, Arwen gave instructions to several Elves and departed. One Elf bowed respectfully to Gandalf and led him away. Two other Elves dashed out the Door. Rian-Celine found herself surrounded by no less than four Elf-maids, laughing and smiling encouragingly. One of them told her to follow. Rian-Celine guessed they were going to put her through the hospitality ritual: own bedroom, new clothes, do your hair, necklace belonging to Mrs. Elrond.....alright maybe not the necklace. She already had a necklace on anyway. It was just a simple 14c carat gold chain with a princess cut amethyst in her birthstone color, but Rian-Celine loved it for its simplicity.
In fact, the four Elf-maids put her in a bath. They asked her if she needed help. Rian-Celine chuckled uncomfortably and declined. The bath was lovely, and it must have had some special quality to it, because after a couple minutes Celine felt fresh as a new rose. Finally she finished washing, wrapped herself in the soft robe provided and opened the door to the bedroom.
She found her four attendants busily engaged in making over a dress. The one who seemed to be in charge introduced them all. Her name was Raliwen. The dark-haired one hemming the gown was Genna, the blonde next to her was Isiloth, and the shy one who was laying out tools that were apparently to negotiate with Rian-Celine's wet hair was named Raehd. Rian-Celine smiled gratefully.
For the next two hours Rian-Celine was given the Rivendell makeover. Her new dress was purple and green, her favorite colors, and fit perfectly, at the same time being easy to move in. Raliwen mentioned lightly that Arwen's gown had not needed much adjustment to fit the newcomer. For the first time in her life Celine put on a girdle, though at first she felt a little silly. When Raehd, assisted by Raliwen, began arranging Rian-Celine's hair, Raehd declared she had never seen such beautiful red hair. Indeed, the five girls chatted and laughed with each other quite easily, as the more Rian- Celine practiced the easier it became. They told her they were all married to Elves of the Rivendell household (at this Rian-Celine fought off a curious twinge of jealousy and sadness) and their duties were especially to care for any female travellers. There were few of those nowadays, much to their sorrow. Raliwen already had a son to mind when she had no duties, but the others were as yet childless.
'Well, I am but 16. I can be your child for as long as you wish!' Celine told them. The girls laughed with her, and told her they would remember her offer.
Two hours were too soon over. Raliwen said the Lady Arwen had given instructions that Rian-Celine and Gandalf would meet her—and hopefully Lord Elrond if the runners found him in time— in the library when they had been refreshed. Celine thanked Raehd, Isiloth and Genna, and said she hoped to see much more of them soon. Raehd kissed her.
Raliwen led Rian-Celine through the halls of Rivendell. Rian-Celine was certain she should get lost without a guide, and told Raliwen so.
'It may take a few weeks, but soon you will know your way around as well as anybody who has lived here all their lives.'
When they reached the library Raliwen told her to go on inside with an encouraging smile. Rian-Celine thanked her, and the Elf slipped away to meet her son, who was playing in the garden not far off. Trembling with excitment or fear or both, Rian-Celine stood in the doorway.
It was Arwen. Of course it was Arwen. There could not possibly be a lovelier woman before or after, she was the epitome of beauty. And royal, thought Rian-Celine suddenly. The only glimpse of royalty she had ever been granted were quick camera shots of England's queen and princes, none of whom matched this. For Rian-Celine royalty had been an abstract word, something she could manipulate to mean anything she liked. But suddenly she saw it in the concrete. Arwen was royalty incarnate.
Gandalf bowed slightly; Rian-Celine bowed as well as she could. She would have preferred to curtsey, but that was hardly possible in her ugly brown pants and short hooded cape. The Lady Arwen curtseied respectfully to the wizard in return, and greeted him aloud so that Rian-Celine had no idea what she said. However, she figured that Gandalf was now thanking Arwen profusely, and perhaps explaining about herself. Arwen looked at Rian- Celine with pity. Rian-Celine nearly fainted to be the object of attention of the legendary Elf, but she managed to thank her as best she could. Arwen smiled.
After a few more words with Gandalf, Arwen gave instructions to several Elves and departed. One Elf bowed respectfully to Gandalf and led him away. Two other Elves dashed out the Door. Rian-Celine found herself surrounded by no less than four Elf-maids, laughing and smiling encouragingly. One of them told her to follow. Rian-Celine guessed they were going to put her through the hospitality ritual: own bedroom, new clothes, do your hair, necklace belonging to Mrs. Elrond.....alright maybe not the necklace. She already had a necklace on anyway. It was just a simple 14c carat gold chain with a princess cut amethyst in her birthstone color, but Rian-Celine loved it for its simplicity.
In fact, the four Elf-maids put her in a bath. They asked her if she needed help. Rian-Celine chuckled uncomfortably and declined. The bath was lovely, and it must have had some special quality to it, because after a couple minutes Celine felt fresh as a new rose. Finally she finished washing, wrapped herself in the soft robe provided and opened the door to the bedroom.
She found her four attendants busily engaged in making over a dress. The one who seemed to be in charge introduced them all. Her name was Raliwen. The dark-haired one hemming the gown was Genna, the blonde next to her was Isiloth, and the shy one who was laying out tools that were apparently to negotiate with Rian-Celine's wet hair was named Raehd. Rian-Celine smiled gratefully.
For the next two hours Rian-Celine was given the Rivendell makeover. Her new dress was purple and green, her favorite colors, and fit perfectly, at the same time being easy to move in. Raliwen mentioned lightly that Arwen's gown had not needed much adjustment to fit the newcomer. For the first time in her life Celine put on a girdle, though at first she felt a little silly. When Raehd, assisted by Raliwen, began arranging Rian-Celine's hair, Raehd declared she had never seen such beautiful red hair. Indeed, the five girls chatted and laughed with each other quite easily, as the more Rian- Celine practiced the easier it became. They told her they were all married to Elves of the Rivendell household (at this Rian-Celine fought off a curious twinge of jealousy and sadness) and their duties were especially to care for any female travellers. There were few of those nowadays, much to their sorrow. Raliwen already had a son to mind when she had no duties, but the others were as yet childless.
'Well, I am but 16. I can be your child for as long as you wish!' Celine told them. The girls laughed with her, and told her they would remember her offer.
Two hours were too soon over. Raliwen said the Lady Arwen had given instructions that Rian-Celine and Gandalf would meet her—and hopefully Lord Elrond if the runners found him in time— in the library when they had been refreshed. Celine thanked Raehd, Isiloth and Genna, and said she hoped to see much more of them soon. Raehd kissed her.
Raliwen led Rian-Celine through the halls of Rivendell. Rian-Celine was certain she should get lost without a guide, and told Raliwen so.
'It may take a few weeks, but soon you will know your way around as well as anybody who has lived here all their lives.'
When they reached the library Raliwen told her to go on inside with an encouraging smile. Rian-Celine thanked her, and the Elf slipped away to meet her son, who was playing in the garden not far off. Trembling with excitment or fear or both, Rian-Celine stood in the doorway.