The guest were arriving in full gala costume and even the plainest man was splendid in the sparkle and snap of the bright lanterns. Each guest was announced as they came up the shallow steps which lead to the dancing floor.
" Lord Finrod Felagrund and Lady Artanis!"
Every eye flew to the fabled pair, their beauty being known over the land. The children of Finarfin a golden pair. And beautiful they were, he was lean and his face was poetic, soulful, but his bearing was noble and majestic. The fairest of the Princes of the Nolder.
His sister, Lady Artanis was by far the most beautiful woman Aeroniel had ever seen. Watching her from the shadows behind the lamps, Aeroniel noted the petal soft tread and the way her gold and silver hair hung to the floor in a cascade of waves. The couple were embraced warmly by the King and seated near him at the high table.
" Lord Maedhros of Himring and Lord Maglor of the Gap." was the next of the heralds pronouncements. And an unsettled hush fell upon the crowd. A ripple of whispers filled the area as they brothers stood there framed in a trellis of white flowers.
Standing well over seven feet the older of the two was a giant even among his peers. His crown of coppery red hair flow in unbound waves around his shoulders, and his green and gold cloak concealed his right arm. His intense gaze swept the room and many looked away as if in fear. A whisper came from a couple near Aeroniel.
" They say he lives like one come back from the dead."
An elf of great renown and mystery.
Maglor stood as pale and dark as before but also wearing the regal green and gold of his house his black hair falling glossy braids down his back. In his white hand a harp of exquisite design winkled back at the lamp light.
" Welcome my friends come in and be comfortable!" this came from Fingon as he embraced the too. This eased the crowd and Aeroniel released a breath she had been holding. The Feanorian brothers were taken to the opposite end of the high table from the children of Finarfin: although the healing of forgiveness had brought some of the cousins together, other hurts could not be healed so.
" Lord Cirdan of the Havens and company."
Standing in sharp relief against the archway was in the strange Shipwright. His robes of almost black indigo silk were the darkest in the company as the other elves with him worn the dove grey of the Havens. His white hair fell in sheets of pearl light far below his shoulders and accented the pearly script that ran along the cuffs of his robes. His eyes were kind and voice hushed as he greeted the King in a language unfamiliar to Aeroniel.
As the Shipwright crossed his heart with his right hand and inclined his head slightly to the King Aeroniel was impressed with the air with which he performed each action. It implied respect, but also the air of one who bows only to Eru.
" My friend I am glad you came. I was afraid we wouldn't be able to pull you away from you boats long enough." laughed the King speaking now in Quendi.
" I hope you realize that I am here only for the food. An old bachelor like me would miss the chance to enjoy the delicacies your cooks prepare." Laughing he was lead to the table and seated with the children of Finarfin, inclining his head again and kissing Artanis's hand gently.
The table was set and every guest settled, so the dancing would begin and not long after Aeroniel knew she and Maehsos would perform. A hand on her shoulder caused her to turn and see Maehsos striking a pose in his splendid amber tunic and mask.
" You look wonderful Maehsos and your hairs all down and quite beautiful!"
Faining boredom he examined his fingers saying " Oh like I haven't heard that one before. You not so bad yourself, I suppose. Here turn 'round and let me fix you mask it'll fall off tied like that."
She did so and while he worked she gave voice to her worries.
"Do you think we should do this? Everyone is so splendid and lovely. I am afraid to go out and make a fool of myself."
Sighing he faced her and said " How many months have we been working on this?"
" Twelve, but.."
He held up a slender finger. " I have not finished yet. Yes, twelve months and three days, seven minutes and nine second. And how many time did we practice when we were too wear to even stand?"
" Many."
" Correct, and how many mistakes have we made in the last..say six months?"
She smiled at him, she knew what he was doing. " None at all."
" Then my dear we are as ready to perform this dance as we will ever be. Now no more worries, if you have nervous simply focus on me and you'll not misstep."
" Thank you, I needed that."
Then shall we off? I see Maglor getting prepared with the flute."
" Yes, just don't drop me." she said.
Looking wounded he offered his left saying " Oh fair and benevolent Lady consent to dance with your crippled servant, do pray!"
" Silly, lead on."
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With a groan Ronald rolled off the couch and hit the carpet with a dull thump. He didn't want to be awake, but the sound of Bill in the shower singing "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" in Quendi was really too much.
He had slept like the dead, and now he was in search of something to bring him back to the land of the living. After mooching around in the cupboards he found a canister with a green tea, at least that's what he thought it was.
"Good morning Ron! It's a beautiful day isn't it?" Bill proclaimed briskly. Winching Ron went about boiling water. He turned and found Bill in a horrendous orange robe embroidered with bright gold flowers.
" Where'd you pick something like that up Bill? The local rejects sale?"
Bill looked a little hurt. " My daughter made it for me last year, she was just learning the art of embroidery and she made this. So what if it's not the best? I wasn't going to smash her hopes of living up to her name."
" What is her name?" asked Ron setting two coffee cups on the counter.
"Miriel." was the answer. Ron rolled his eyes and said " You seriously named your daughter "broideress"?"
"We named all the children after elves. You should remember that, your Celegorm's godfather." Bill said reproachfully. Choking a little on his tea Ron said " You named him Celegorm? I thought you said it was Kelly?"
" Well, it is sort of. We simply spell it C-e-l-l-e-y." said Bill as he put cereal and bowls on the table.
" Those poor kids! They have got to have trouble at school over that kind of thing. I mean for mercy sake I did, and my names Ronald!"
Bill shook his head and said " No they have never had any problems, but that's because they don't go to school. Don't you remember that Mary's a teacher? Well she teaches them and they have all kinds of classes you can't find in public school, like Quendi and archery and sword fighting. The kids love it!"
" Sword fighting? do all of them have it?"
" Sure, even Miriel, you should she her go! I thought it would be good for her to know how to handle one. I never could understand the elves not training their girls how to fight." Bill said as he pulled some strange colored cereal into his bowl.
Ron picked up the box and read and asked " Blue cornflakes?"
" Blue, whole grain, all natural cornflakes." interjected Bill. He motioned for Ron to have some and said " They do great things for your heart."
Ron made a face as he chewed the first mouthful. Swallowing he gasped " I think they're doing strange things to my heart instead."
They finished eating and Ron headed for the shower, he passed down the main hallway and saw all the children's pictures along the wall. It was in order of birth, Turgon the oldest had his first bow held up in the camera's view. His two front teeth were missing and he sported a cowlick on the back of his head.
Next was a picture of Finrod as a baby, his mother was smiling up as she supported the red faced bundle. He would have been about fifteen now, but no current picture hung there because he had died a few weeks after birth.
Celegorm was the second living son and he had the perfect wheat blond of his mother and freckles sparkled across his nose. He was wearing his fencing gear and pointed his foil at the camera's lens. He was pretty tall and would be a really looker once he filled out his rather skinny frame.
Then came the only girl and pride of the family, Miriel was the prettiest little girl he had ever seen. She was 10 in this picture and holding open a brand new sewing chest over flowing with embroidery floss, hoops and needles. She beaming out at you, her bright blue eyes sparkling in her excitement.
And last but not least was the baby of the family, his carrot red hair stuck straight up in an odd soapy point on his head. He was sitting in the bath with his mother beside him. His name was Maedhros after the oldest Feanorian brother. His birth, Ron did remember because Bill had phoned in a ridiculous state of happiness. Bill and Mary had desperately wanted one of the children to inherit the fiery tint from Bill's father.
So when Maedhros was born Bill had called everyone who he thought would care and probably some people who didn't care at all; to tell them about it. By now the children were 6, 11, 13 and 17. Ron went on to the shower and thought that he should have kept up with Bill more, but after Ron's wife had died he had pulled away from a lot of people. At least the one's who reminded him of her, she had been best friends with Mary Macintosh and he couldn't see her with thinking about his own Laura.
But now all he was worried about was the fact that a relatively helpless woman was missing and he had to get through a freaky mad man to find her.
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In perfect timing and without a waver or misstep, Maehsos lifted Aeroniel high above his head and she extended her hands in the slow unfurling of opening petals. As she was lowered she spun as before and warded away the cool touch of Autumn, but as he danced before her she was won over. They waltzed and swung together and the practice of all those months was coming in perfect caress of movement. And as they danced in the cascade of flute and harp Aeroniel's dress slowly faded from the green to the delicate shade of amber that matched that of Maehsos.
They held one another and whirled their hair mingling like the late leaves of fall and in a sudden and power movement they stopped hands raised and stretched up to the sky. A quiet moment followed and then thunderous applause echoed over the still pools of water. Stilling breathing hard from the dance thy bowed and beamed to their audience. Then rushed off the stage into the shadows.
" We did it! We did it and didn't make any mistakes!" crowed Aeroniel as she whipped off the her mask. Laughing Maehsos picked her up and swung her around again for good measure.
" Well done Ronnie! You were beautiful! I think I'll marry you myself before someone else whisks you away like Autumn!" He laughed and hearing them called back they went back and bowed again.
" Come here and receive the honors of the King!" called the pale Shipwright. They came up and bowed low all the while smiling broadly to King Fingolgin. He pulled Aeroniel to him and said " I cannot believe the way you performed my dear it was magnificent! I am so proud of you!"
" Thank you Sire I hoped you would like it. Here you may have my flowers." and she held out the charming nosegay. He took it and turned to his son.
" You see Findekáno I have completely won her over to my side. You can never have her back now!"
" I see that I will be hard put to it indeed." answered Fingon as he gazed with shock at the young woman before him. It really was Aeroniel, the little scrubby girl he had found in the water grown into the lovely woman he had mistaken for….Oh Eru! He had kissed her!
Aeroniel was standing in front of him now holding out her crown of yellow poppies, her face was study of hope and shyness. What would he think of her?
Suddenly she was enveloped in his embrace: held a slightly off her feet and supported in his strong muscular arms. He smelled good, a mixture of herbs and wind.
" Aeroniel my dear, I am so glad to see you." he said the words muffled against her hair. She wrapped her arms around his neck and said " I missed you so much!" His hold tightened a bit before he released her.
"Now let me look and see again that this lovely young woman is truly my little sea sprite."
Smoothing her hair she stood straight and tall being now a whole 6'0 in height. She watched his gaze until he looked into her eyes. But he looked away in a second and she wondered what was wrong.
" You have freckles!" he finally stated.
" Yes, my Lord." she answered a trifle amused. He continued.
" You didn't have freckles when I saw you last! Indeed there are many changes about you that I do not remember giving you permission for!"
She smiled impishly replying " I'm afraid that I took it into my own hands. You cannot stop time."
His eyes darkened at this, a shadow seemed to veil the starry light in in them for the briefest of moments.
" Aeroniel I would like you to meet my dearest friend, Lord Maedhros of Himring. Maedhros this is my father's ward Aeroniel."
The giant elf bowed his head and greeted her in his deep voice." I am pleased to meet you my Lady, I had heard of you, but never thought to have the pleasure of meeting you. My brother Caranthir is more of a social elf them I am. I hope your stay with my friend has always been pleasant?"
" Always very much so, I am honored to meet you my Lord. I have much good of you and it is thrilling to meet you in person."
Suddenly the equally tall Shipwright came forward and propelled Aeroniel away saying " I'll not have you monopolizing this young woman all evening." Surprised and a little disappointed Aeroniel found herself seated next to the Shipwright and deep in conversation about the proper way to construct a fishing boat.
She was not really listening, instead she was trying to read the white script that ran along his robe. The clearest part read …." Call my name and draw my heart, for from this day I cannot…. And then the fold of clothe hide the words.
"….so what do you think Lady Aeroniel?" asked the Shipwright.
" Oh about what? I'm afraid wasn't paying attention."
He smiled not at all offended. " I asked how you liked the sea?"
" Very much but the last time that I was there I almost drown so I haven't been too keen to see it again."
He nodded sympathetically and offered her an apple. " I hope you will come and visit us someday and I will see if I cannot change your mind about it. The sea is truly the most beautiful thing and should not be feared."
" Thank you." she said absently. Her eyes were drawn to the floor where Fingon was dancing with Nessima. They made a striking pair, her golden coloring and his dark hair was a lovely sight, and they seemed wrapped in one another's company. Nessima laughed at something he said and her eyes shot from him to Aeroniel and she blushed a furious pink as she laughed. It was her one faults she blushed when she laughed and it wasn't exactly becoming, she bemoaned it all the time.
A polite cough brought her back to the present and she said " Oh forgive me, my Lord! I am not being a very good dinner partner!"
He smiled his pale blue eyes sparkling a little as he said " I can see that you want to be on the dance floor. I warn you I haven't danced in the last fifty years but I think I can still manage this one." He pulled her chair out and they joined the couples on the floor.
The night passed in a whirl of merriment, Maehsos and Maedhros seemed to be holding a kind of contest to see who could dance with the most eflleths. They were going at it long after Aeroniel pleading exhaustion had retired to bed. She had stayed long enough to see Lord Finrod and his sister dance their proud forms moving in exquisite precision as Daeron and Maglor played a duet on their flutes. It was a sight never to be forgotten in her life time. And when the King had swept Lady Bethriel into the dance as well it was something to see. Her face a flushed and pleased as they met intricate step for intricate step.
But finally sleep was calling and she found her way back to her tent which was silent in the cool night. No one was retiring now and she found the area calming, frogs singing their funny night song and fireflies beaming their lights in the foggy fields.
" No doubt you are quite pleased with yourself this evening Aeroniel?" said a cold voice. Turning Aeroniel saw that even now the Lady Bethriel was going to try and ruin her night.
" Yes I had a marvelous time and there is nothing you say can change that."
A dry chuckle came from the Lady and she said " I suppose you enjoyed making a public spectacle of yourself? In front of the Prince no less, I was surprised."
" Lady Bethriel!"
Shocked to discover they were not alone they both turned and saw the Prince standing there a torch causing a shadow on his face. His expression was hard and very displeased, he stood the very essence of a Prince, his shoulders squared and chin held high. He came forward and put a hand on Aeroniel's shoulder.
" Do not foul the night air with your bitter words Bethriel, leave my presence at once. And I would thank you never to speak to my father's ward again." He voice was harsh and she flinched under his gaze. She bowed frozenly and drew away.
Sighing he faced the girl. " Allow me to apologize for her discourteous words. It grieves me to see that her holds to her old prejudice so strongly.
Aeroniel shrugged " She always finds something, I have come to expect nothing else. It's alright"
" No it is not right, I will speak to my father about it tomorrow. Meanwhile do not believe a word she said my dear. You were quite…beautiful tonight and I was never so proud of you." He touched her face a little and brushed leaf out of her hair. It brought back the afternoon , but then a little wind blew her hair over her bare shoulders making her shiver. He noticed and bide her goodnight. She didn't want him to go, he had been gone for so long. And secretly he didn't wish to leave, but neither spoke their thoughts aloud.
As she lifted the tent flap he called back " Aeroniel? Would you care to go riding tomorrow?
A thrill of something went through her and she said " Oh yes, I would like that very much. Thank you….and Fingon? I..I am glad your home."
He searched her eyes a moment and said quietly." So am I."
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Dear Reviewers and Readers
I have never written such a bad chapter before! I would have put a lot more into it if my parents weren't around. Like I said they hate LOTR and I have to do this in secret. I will try and make it up to you in the next chapter. I am sorry.
Jaffee Leeds