Disclaimer: I don't own DL, Silvanesti, any of the castes, and most of the last names mentioned. I also don't own the title for this chapter (or that of the next eight) as they belong to Lord Byron's poem, She Walks in Beauty.
A/N: I mentioned that I own almost none of the last names. Bonus points to the reviewer who can identify the most of them, as well as the first name that I warped. Hint: All are from one of the DL books, and only the one first name was changed in any manner. Actually, I lie. Two first names were used. Also, I know that proper protocol for continuing someone's speech into more than one paragraph is to put quotations at the beginning of each paragraph, but as the whole story is being narrated by the matriarch of the Dante line, it would just get confusing if I put in eight chapters of quotation marks where they technically should be. I hope you'll forgive this breech in proper English.
She Walks In Beauty Like the Night"I had said that the tale began nearly one hundred years ago – that is not quite true. It really starts closer to one hundred fifty, mayhaps two hundred, I care no longer for time. This is when the aforementioned elf was born. She was born to House Cleric in Silvanesti. The Silvanesti, you see, children, have a very rigid caste system that is maintained meticulously. Some of the Houses aren't even allowed to intermarry.
This elf, however, was the product of just such a marriage. As House Mystic and House Cleric were of approximately equal rank, relationships, though not quite encouraged, were permissible.
So it was, in the middle of the night, when both the dark Nuitari, invisible to all Light Elves, and bright Solinari, patron of their good magic, were full, that a girl was born to Lady Ansalath Savath of House Mystic, and Lord Arlean Windglimmer of House Cleric. They called their daughter Evelynn, meaning life. And she was their life, loved – as much as any child ever was.
For, you see, Elves frequently have trouble conceiving, and for that, love their children so much more.
As Evelynn grew, she was much loved by both of the Houses of her parents. As of yet, she didn't show any signs of magic, but it was still early. After only thirty years, Evelynn was already a proper young lady. Not very attractive, for an elf at her young age though. For an elf, she was a bit overweight and her face lacked the beautiful bone structure of her people. Her eyes, though they were usually sparkling with intelligence and laughter, were naturally the dull green of light seaweed. Naturally, when compared to a human, she'd be considered quite attractive, but among her people was not a great beauty. Her parents were confident, however, that it was just a phase she'd soon grow out of.
You see, my children, Elves age much more slowly than humans, and have much longer lives. Both a blessing and a curse. At her thirty years, Evelynn was still considered a child, but what a child she was! She was everything an elf her age was supposed to be. Modest, dutiful, faithful to the gods of good, well mannered, and obedient to her elders. It was then, in her thirtieth year, that she changed.
This was the year when her parents gained more favor with the Speaker of the Stars, and became greater nobles, in the Speaker's inner circle. With this Royal favor came a gift to ensure continued loyalty and love. The gift, if the exchange of sentient beings could be called that, was three servants. There was a strong young man (Eflinthsa Wingborne) to help Lord Arlean in the Temples, a subtle young woman with a slight talent for magic (Darlana Sunbeam) to crush spell components and the like for Ansalath, and best of all (for Evelynn) a young adult of about 50 to be a nurse, playmate, and slave of the younger girl.
The whole of Evelynn's household was called together for when the new servants arrived. They were introduced one at a time, both Eflinthsa and Darlana bowing and scraping as was proper. When the young woman who would be assigned to Evelynn was introduced, she had to be nearly pushed over to bow, and if Evelynn had been old enough to understand, she'd have seen the hate and resentment burning in the servant's eyes. However, she did not, and was as bouncy as a human of eight when introduced to her new servant.
"Hi! What's your name? My name is Evelynn Windglimmer, but you already knew that I bet. How come you don't have a pretty dress? My parents like giving me pretty dresses. Maybe you can borrow some of mine sometime. You're awfully thin, you should fit. Why are you so thin? Am I talking too much?"
The rebellious servant had to smile despite herself. Laugh lines showed faintly around her eyes and she shook her head. "A bit more than I expected from a proper lady." Though her tone was teasing, an older ear would have caught the biting cynicism that shot from the words 'proper lady.' "As to your other questions: My name is Ramalad Argent of House Servitor. The reason for my gaunt appearance and lack of 'pretty dresses' is the same – I'm a servant. Now, why don't you just go sew or whatever little nobles do during the day? I guess I'll start by cleaning your room."
Ramalad sounded cranky about the room, at least, for a good reason. You see, the girl had never had her own servants, so her room was constantly cluttered. Currently, it seemed as though she and a few dolls had been having a tea party with real food. Consequently, both the food and the animals were strewn around the room. With a sigh, Ramalad went about tidying the room. Though she'd normally have made the younger girl clean the room herself, it wouldn't do to act out on her first day in her new home.
Another twenty years went by, so Evelynn was fifty and Ramalad seventy. To a human, they'd look to be in their teens. Subtly, so her parents barely realized it, Evelynn had become more and more outspoken and opinionated since Ramalad entered her service. Or, maybe they just didn't want to notice.
Now, Evelynn still hadn't outgrown her homeliness. However, her parents were quite proud of her. With the knowledge that she possessed no talent for magic, Evelynn thrust herself whole-heartedly into the worship of the Gods of Good, following in her father's footsteps.
Often, Evelynn would be seen with her father, stylizing scrolls of prayers, or rehearsing with the Temple choir. She was a firm believer in the theory that the elves were the best beloved of the gods, for why else would they be granted immensely long lives, natural beauty, and a love of all things good and living? Her servant, however, had no such optimism.
Frequently, Evelynn and Ramalad would debate Elven society, worship, and anything and everything else under the sun, or not. One particular day, they were on their way to the market to buy some new material for Evelynn's dresses, as she'd grown a lot in the last few years, and become of a more womanly shape, though still a bit on the pudgy side. Her childlike dresses were no longer suitable.
As she and Ramalad walked to the market, admiring the gardens, Evelynn thought about how much Ramalad had changed since she'd first come into the Windglimmers' service. The once furious, rebellious servant was now an outwardly obedient, but outspoken young woman. Her less gaunt body filled out some of Lady Ansalath's old dresses quite nicely. Suddenly, Ramalad's sarcastic voice broke through Evelynn's thoughts.
"Look at these! Do these elf-lords do nothing but tend their gardens all day? There are problems out there in the world that these fools' steel can be put to use solving! Who do they think they are?" In her vehemence, Ramalad was nearly shouting.
Evelynn put a comforting hand on her friend's arm. "Quietly. They'd flay you if they heard." Her tone was warning, but her eyes betrayed her amusement. "I agree in part – there are better things to be done with steel. However, is not making the world beautiful important as well? At least most tend to their gardens themselves!" Evelynn grinned.
"Oh, don't get me started on that!" The servant class of Silvanesti was a long-standing debate of theirs. "I've asked you before, and you couldn't answer me then, nor could you answer me now I'd wager: what, other than being born to the right family makes you better than me? Why do I have to carry out your every whim while you do whatever pleases you?"
Evelynn smiled mischievously. "As to what makes me better than you, hmm, let me think. Maybe I have control over my temper?"
Ramalad grinned back. "Only while in front of your parents, or other officials. Still," A thoughtful expression came onto her face. "That is still more than I could do." She frowned, as though in deep though. Her mouth twitched in an effort not to laugh. "I've been good lately, though. You must admit."
Evelynn's beautiful face crinkled in merriment. "Perfectly behaved. Like two nights ago, when my parents were hosting the head of House Mystic and his wife. If I remember correctly, it was you who put a frog in the poor lady's salad after she made a comment about the silverware not being fit for even servants to eat from. And before that, soup ended up in the lap of that nice young man from House Cleric who was talking to my father about marrying me in a few decades. Truly, your conduct was superb." She rolled her eyes.
Ramalad shook her dark head of hair. "I thought the frog was a nice touch to the salad. It sure was prettier than the recipient of the salad. Besides, wasn't it worth it to hear that stuck-up old bat scream?" Evelynn was forced to agree, though she'd never admit it to her friend. "And the soup? An honest mistake." At Evelynn's expression of mistrust, Ramalad rephrased. "All right, so it was on purpose, but he was truly horrid! Talking about you as though you weren't sitting right there, or worse, as though you were a piece of property! He deserved that." Then, Ramalad quieted, as they reached the shop where fabric was sold.
An hour or two later, the young women left the shop, Ramalad carrying several bolts of fabric – a light green one that accented Evelynn's eyes in a way that made them look a bit less dull colored, and a white one with gold flecks that Evelynn was to wear on special occasions when she sang with the Choir of Paladine. Normally, Ramalad would make Evelynn carry at least half of her load, but when in public, such a rebellious display would not do.
Ramalad looked at Evelynn slyly. "Resuming our earlier discussion: Who are you to criticize for unladylike behavior? You were the one who rigged a bucket of water to tip over when the head of House Cleric's daughter came out of her room!"
Evelynn batted her eyes in an 'innocent' expression. "That wasn't my fault! Darlana refused to help me magic it to sit there! Besides which, I hadn't meant it to tip on to Galatia. She's nice enough. It's her daughter Andreana who is the horror! How was I supposed to know that her mother would leave the room before Andreana? I was sure she would be up at the crack of dawn to ogle that young man from House Royal who enjoys going on early-morning rides! It was pretty funny seeing Galatia so wet, though. I swear, there was steam coming off of her because she was so mad!"
The young elves bickered in such a way until they got back to the house, at which point Evelynn had to stand around being measured for her new dresses for the rest of the day. Little did she know that her carefree way of life would be destroyed in but a few short decades.
A/N: Thanks for reviewing, everyone! Please remember to do so again. It wasn't terribly hard before, was it?
Jade: Thanks, and sorry it took so long, and is so short. Hopefully, the next chapter will be more interesting. This was really just a filler/intro before the true plot.
Evergreener: Glad you gave this a try. I usually don't read or write either romances or tragedies, but was inspired after I used an abbreviated version of Evelynn's story in one of my other fics. I agree, Shakespeare is great, and I hope you're not disappointed by this. (The whole cast will not die )
ChildlikeEmpress: Sorry, but ... I just can't disclose it yet. You should be able to guess by the next chapter, though. By the way, don't jump to conclusions, with the exception of one, possibly two tiny details (or lack there of) that give a clue, who the mage is has very little to do with this chapter's setting.
Kenderling: You should understand more after the next chapter, if this didn't clear things up.
Evenstar02: Glad you're enjoying.