Chapter 8
/Everything is so beautiful here,/ she thought, /I've never seen such pretty carvings or furniture. Not even in Ethan Allan catalogues./
Her door opened, and a pretty elf-girl stepped into her room. She was smiling, her eyes a sparkling blue, and her dark brown hair was braided back, showing off the points of her ears. Smiling broadly at the girl in the bed, the maid dumped the pile of clothes she carried at her feet. The human jumped slightly at the thump on her legs.
"Good evening, hirilen. I am Sílanor; Lord Elrond asked me to help you with a dress for dinner. What colors suit you best? Blue? Green? Purple…lavender…white…red? No, not red, for you have red hair. That would not do at all, you know; your hair and outfit should not quarrel with each other, but flatter each other. Hmmm, I believe a dark green would suit your eyes. Oh you have such lovely eyes…may I comb your hair?"
Effectively confusing the girl past nervousness, Sílanor helped her from the bed, being gentle around her belly, and tsking at her apparel.
"Hirilen, you mustn't wear men's clothing to dinner. At least, if you wish to wear trousers, you must wear women's trousers. They are so much more comfortable. Ah, this is a shirt of Lord Elrond himself!"
She slipped the shirt from the girl's shoulders, laying it lightly on a chair, and cast a critical eye upon its patterns.
"I never thought he preferred designs to Nature's creations, but, oh well, what am I to do? Here we are, hirilen,"
Chattering to the silent girl, she helped her into the undergarments, noticing how she ran her fingers over the fine cloth.
"It's like silk," the human whispered, surprised. Sílanor smiled at her: no wonder her Lord had adopted this child, she brought out the most protective feelings in an Elf.
Speaking softly to her, she tossed the dress over the girl's shoulders, stepping in front of her to straighten the fabric, and bending down on her knees to flick the skirt to its appropriate place. Standing up, she appraised the girl in front of her.
"You will make him proud, hirilen."
"What is 'hirilen', ma'am?" asked the girl in a quiet voice, her eyes on the dress.
Sílanor put a finger to her chin and tilted it upward.
"My name is Sílanor, not 'ma'am'. And 'hirilen' is 'my lady'."
"I'm not a lady."
"Yes, you are," said Sílanor firmly, "You are Lord Elrond's daughter, and a lady."
The girl took her head from her grasp, then looked at her eyes.
"I'm-I was called Briana, but, I think Ada named me Elenia. If I call you Sílanor, can you call me Elenia?"
Sílanor saw the girl's lip tremble.
"Of course I will; now, time for your hair. Sit."
Elenia seated her self on a chair, and allowed her new friend to toss her hair over its back. Remaining still, she listened to Sílanor hum a tune, pleasant to the ear, as she worked at her hair.
"I've never seen such a color, Lady Elenia. It appears like fire made gentle; do you object to its being kept loose?"
She shook her head.
"Ah, well, may I braid it back as well? It will bring attention to your eyes, they are so exquisite."
"No one's ever told me that before," said Elenia quietly.
"No one?" asked Sílanor, disbelief evident in her voice as she brushed her hair.
"Only my mother and sister; they're dead now."
"Ah."
Silence fell as the two females relaxed in each other's company. Finally, after a time, Sílanor was finished, and led her charge to a mirror. The human stared at herself, unbelieving at what her eyes told her.
Her dress was a dark green, made of velvet and laced with gold embroidery. Along the edges were golden leaves and vines, it was cinched at the waist with a sash of the same green velvet, tying in the back. Long flowing sleeves encased her arms and the neckline was square. She had never worn such a pretty dress; it reminded her somewhat of the pictures of gowns the Renaissance women had worn, though she doubted they had been as comfortable.
Raising shaking fingers to her head, she allowed them to skim down the length of her hair, taking in its soft, loose curls, noticing how its color was deepened by that of her dress.
"I-I look pretty. Oh, thank you Sílanor!"
She turned around and hugged her friend fiercely, ignoring the pain from her wound.
"Thank you," she whispered ardently.
Sílanor returned her embrace.
"Of course, Elenia. Now," she pulled from the hug and eyed her critically, "I daresay you look as beautiful as Lady Arwen when she wore that dress."
Wiping tears from her eyes, Elenia ask:
"Who's Arwen?"
"Oh, she's Lord Elrond's other daughter. She married little Estel, King Aragorn, you know, and lives in Minas Tirith as his Queen. She is the most beautiful Elf I have ever seen, by the stars."
"Does-Does Ada have any other children?" asked the girl hesitantly.
"Well, as far as I know, his only Elven children are the Lords Elladan and Elrohir, and the Lady Arwen, by their mother, his wife, Lady Celebrían. It was a sad day when she sailed from the Havens; my Lord was devastated by her loss."
Elenia was quiet for a moment, then asked:
"And his human children?"
"Well," said the maid, laying aside the brush in her hand, "There are those who are adopted to the House, and then there are those who are adopted into the Family. I believe Lord Aragorn was adopted into the House, not the family, for, of course, Family is not allowed to marry each other.
"And then there was another Man who was adopted in to the Family, like you. I think his name is Galadhen; he's a Ranger, as well. I believe he lives in Gondor with Aragorn, an advisor of some sort to him or the Steward Faramir."
"Am I supposed to replace his daughter?"
Sílanor looked at the turmoil in the girl's eyes, and laid her hands on her shoulders.
"No, Lady Elenia, you are to be yourself. There is none who could replace the Lady Arwen; you have your own place in my Lord's heart."
Elenia sighed, then glanced up at Sílanor's reflection.
"I think I'm ready, Sílanor."
The maid nodded, and took her arm. Together they left the room, the Elf whispering helpful directions to and from the dining room. Elenia clutched her arm tightly, desperate to hold on to something, listening intently to her friend's voice. At last, however, they reached the doors to the Hall.
"Here is where I am to leave to, Elenia. Do not be afraid, my Lord will not allow you to come to harm. I will see you again after dinner, perhaps later, before you go to bed. Calm your flutterings, my friend, I promise nothing terrible will happen to you."
Elenia nodded again to her, which she took as her cue to leave. Watching her friend turn the corner, the human girl turned once more to the doors, and placed a trembling hand on the handle. Squaring her shoulders, she breathed deeply, and softly opened the door.
A.N.:
Translation:
Hirilen My lady
Sílanor means "sun shine"
Galadhen means "Tree-eye"
Sources: Navaer Lalaith, and DragonFlame