Geliriel did not expect a major production to occur in getting ready for Lord Amrod. After Glinneth brought Berior, it was all Geliriel could do to keep up. Apparently, it was already late in the day, and dinner was to be served in two hours. They had that much time to get Geliriel walking without falling over, and dressed appropriately for Lord Amrod.
Berior was the one to help her with her walking. At first, she would cling to him to keep herself from toppling over. She was a fast learner, though, and soon only held on to his arm for support. Once this was accomplished, she would practice on her own while he paced just a few steps back, ready to catch her if she fell. She continued to practice, and soon Berior was standing by the bed, watching as she walked around the room by herself. Geliriel felt so happy at being able to walk that she wanted to run around and jump. She thought better of it, and went over to the vanity where Glinneth stood waiting for her.
Geliriel walked over to the vanity and was about to seat herself when Glinneth stopped her. She was given a washcloth and towel and Glinneth went to the fireplace to fetch a kettle of water. Bringing it back, she poured some of the hot water into the basin. She took the pitcher of water and poured some of it into the basin to cool it down. Glinneth then poured a bit of rose scented liquid into the water. When all was satisfactory to her, she shooed Berior out of the room and closed the door. She helped Geliriel out of the nightgown she had been wearing, then pulled a screen around for privacy, and went to go wait else where in the room. Taking up the cue, Geliriel cleaned up.
Once she was done and had put on a robe, Glinneth came back and helped wash her hair. After they were finished with that, she was made to sit down, facing the armoire. Glinneth opened the doors to reveal elegant gowns of almost every color imaginable. She looked at Geliriel, then chose three gowns.
The first gown was a deep red color, with lace sewn around the bodice. The sleeves were long, and around the cuffs were little seed pearls. The second was dark green, also with lace, but no seed pearls. The third was royal blue, half-sleeved with no lace or pearls, and rather plain compared to the first two. Glinneth recommended the dark red gown, but Geliriel chose the royal blue.
Setting the gown aside, Glinneth set about getting her dressed in the under-things, including a corset. Geliriel flatly refused to wear it, even through Glinneth's insistence. Then, she relented to Glinneth's compromise. If she wouldn't wear the corset, then she'd have to wear makeup. That done, Glinneth dried Geliriel's hair as much as she could, then set to fixing it up. Once satisfied with the styling, she went and got the gown and helped Geliriel into it. They didn't bother with shoes since Geliriel wouldn't be leaving her quarters.
By the time Glinneth was fully satisfied with Geliriel, there was a knock on the door. Glinneth went over and opened it just enough to see what it was about. After a brief exchange, Glinneth opened the door to admit Berior. He walked in and stopped. Geliriel wasn't sure, but he looked pleased at the sight of her all dressed up. He smiled and then snapped to attention to deliver his message.
"My Lady," he said in formal tones, but he didn't lose his smile. "Lord Amrod is waiting in the adjoining room. He eagerly awaits your presence." She nodded her acknowledgement, and smiled in return. With Berior's assistance to steady her walking, Geliriel went forth to meet Lord Amrod.
He was standing to the side of the grand fireplace. His red hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, held with a thin strip of leather. He turned to face her as she entered the room. For a few moments, they stood still, looking at each other. 'By the Valar, she's beautiful,' he thought as his heart skipped a beat. He had thought so when she was first brought to him here, but now he could see her eyes and he fell for her in that instant. Mentally shaking himself, he moved first, bowing respectfully. She curtsied, and then both smiled at each other. Then she asked him to sit down, and waited for him to sit before she did the same.
"Thank you for seeing me, my Lord," Geliriel said.
"Please, no need to be formal, my lady. My name is Amrod."
A shiver ran up her back as he spoke. His voice was a rich baritone and it made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. He seemed to have noticed the effect he had on her, and smiled once again. His grey eyes danced with mirth and sent another shiver through her.
"M-my name is Geliriel," she stuttered. She wrung her hands nervously. 'This isn't how it was meant to go,' she thought.
"Well met, Geliriel. Are you feeling well? How do you like your rooms? I've made sure that Glinneth and Berior will see to your needs." He spoke in somewhat of a rush, and Geliriel realized he must be as nervous as she, but without outwardly showing it.
"I'm feeling better, thank you. I absolutely love these rooms, but that's part of the reason why I asked you to come." The question appeared in his eyes and she continued. "Where is the lady of the house? I don't wish to intrude on her space any longer than I already have. I'd be perfectly content with a guest room."
"There is no lady of the house. Not any longer. She left for her home and mother half a year ago." He spoke shortly, not wishing to remember her parting. It still pained him, even if he wasn't as in love with her as he had once thought. Changing the subject, he continued, "These are to be your rooms for as long as you like. Everything in them is yours to do with as you see fit."
"Thank you... Amrod." Geliriel looked away and remained silent for a moment, noting the slight change in his manner, but plucking up enough courage to ask the rest of her questions. Finally, she looked at him once more and began.
"Please, Amrod, I have so many questions that I'm hoping you can answer."
"I shall do my best."
"Thank you. Can you tell me how I came to be here?"
"You were brought here by Berior and his men. I had sent them out hunting, and as I understood it, they went further than they should have. As Berior told it, he wanted to see more of the land and felt the need to see the Sirion as it emerged from the Gates. That's where you were found. You were alone and unconscious, and Berior gave the order to bring you back. You've been here a little more than two weeks now."
"Berior was there?"
"Yes. He was leading the hunting party."
"Thank you, again, Amrod. I hope I am not being to presumptuous, but I wish to know my situation here. May I know how long I am to stay?"
"Be assured that you may stay as long as you wish, Geliriel. I am not holding you captive, and I will not force you to stay should you wish to leave. Your situation here is as an honored guest. You shall be treated with the utmost respect." He said all of this with the faintest of smiles. He rose from his seat and went to stand by the fireplace once more. "If you wish, once you are fully recovered, I can take you around my manor and the gardens."
"I would like that, and I appreciate your honesty. I have one more question, and I beg you forgive me if I, again, seem too presumptuous. Before I went to sleep yesterday, I overheard Glinneth say something about a child..."
"Did you not know you were with child?" he asked curiously.
Her child! It was as if he unlocked her memories with that one simple question.
She remembered her dark days at Angband. The pain and humiliation at the hands of the man who would become her lover. She remembered the flight they made from Angband and the revelation of his love for her. She also remembered how happy he looked when she told him of their baby, and the last night they spent in each other's arms. Lastly, she remembered their frenzied run into the fens from the hunters sent from Angband to re-capture or kill them. Melannen died saving her. She had been willing to die, and to sacrifice the life of her child, to join him in the Halls of Mandos. Grief suddenly engulfed her. She slid out of the chair and onto her knees, tears falling down her face as she cried, nearly in hysterics.
After a moment's confusion, Amrod was beside her in an instant, his arms enfolding her against him and held her as she cried. The door to the bedroom opened and Glinneth, with Berior just behind her, came hurrying out. All that could be done was to wait for orders, and Lord Amrod seemed to have everything under control.
Noticing the two standing by, Amrod gave them something to do.
"Glinneth, could you please make the lady something warm to drink? Also, go to the kitchen and see about getting her a plate of food. Bread and cheese, or fruit. Whatever you think best. Berior, I need you to see that the bed is warm and that the sheets are turned down. I think the lady will need to rest after this." He gave these orders as he remained on the floor with Geliriel still sobbing in his arms.
Both Glinneth and Berior set about getting things done, and Amrod began to rock Geliriel, as if she were a child, and murmured soothing words to her. 'How could this beautiful woman be in so much grief?' He asked himself, returning to his confusion from earlier.
Soon, her grief eased and she cried softly. Glinneth returned with the food and drink and a tray to place it on. Berior came from the bedroom and informed Amrod that the bed was ready. Gently, he picked Geliriel up and carried her into the bedroom. He placed her in the bed and covered her up. Glinneth set the tray on the table. Amrod thanked them and sent them on their way, telling them he would watch over her. They left as he sat down in the chair by the table. He was unaware of the knowing smiles on the faces of Berior and Glinneth.