Chapter twenty
After spending many hours in wet and dirty clothes with a few tears threatening to spill, Elemiriel decided she had to go back inside. Walking slowly back into the halls she was spotted by Celebrían as she neared her rooms. Elemiriel had hoped no one would see her in such a state but was extremely grateful when Celebrían put her arms around her comfortingly and helped her to her rooms. Setting out fresh clothes for her friend Celebrían looked sympathetically at Elemiriel, "I will go find Tinwë and will return shortly," seeing Elemiriel nod dumbly in reply, Celebrían left her friend to clean up.
Later, Elemiriel sat on a cushion beside her fire, her clothes changed and herself cleaner, yet she felt no happier. Hearing a slight knock upon the door she looked up to see Celebrían and Tinwë entering her room. She felt better to see her friends concerned and sympathetic faces, they found themselves cushions and sat beside her.
"I apologise for whatever my cousin has done – I saw you both leave this morning, I hope this is a repairable situation," Tinwë said, Elemiriel knew the first part had been said in jest yet she couldn't help feeling dejected.
"Tell us all that happened," Celebrían said gently. And so Elemiriel did and they listened patiently and both were shocked at Celeglin's behaviour.
"I am sure he is just unsure of what he is feeling…whether he offended you by his actions, instead of you offending him with your own." Celebrían said surely, looking to Tinwë for agreement. Tinwë nodded, yet inside she had her suspicions about Celeglin's behaviour…though she said naught. Celeglin would be the only one she would speak to about that.
"Do not let his behaviour spoil your time, do not let your thoughts rest upon today's events. I am sure he will see sense," Tinwë said warmly – he would see sense, she would make him.
Elemiriel had listened to her friends, and desperately tried to forget about that kiss in the rain but she kept remembering his touch, and especially his company. She had seen nothing of him since then, Tinwë had also said that he hadn't sat with the family or given them more than a greeting. Would he never stop making her miserable…the other times had been minimal compared to his, for the first time she thought he had loved her in return, only to have him reject her.
She had been invited to dine with the Lord and Lady, and Celeglin's family …without Celeglin. It had been organised, no doubt, to cheer her as her mood had been dismal of late, and she hoped it would work.
After the meal everyone sat talking by the fire, Elemiriel looked across at Celebrían and her husband comfortably sitting together and felt a twinge of jealousy. Hurriedly rising and excusing herself she left the room, not wanting to let her current mood make her feel bitter towards her friend.
There was a light touch upon her arm and Elemiriel turned to see Celebrían,
"Do not apologise, I understand," her friend said gently
"I do not think I can stay much longer Celebrían. I think maybe…I shall return home soon…" Elemiriel said heavily, "I shall miss my friends here but every moment I know he is nearby and ignoring me – I cannot live with that thought at this moment in time. Maybe I shall return again when I feel ready too." Celebrían looked sadly at her friend and embraced her quickly
"Go back to your husband and enjoy the evening," Elemiriel said, making sure her words did not come coldly "You must write and tell me when your sons are born."
Standing at the large window in her room, Elemiriel let the cool air of the night refresh her; this would be the last time she would do this. Below her, where her eyes were directed, an elf practised his swordsmanship in the secluded area. The silver of his sword flickered in the moonlight, and his unbound sable hair swirled about him. A sequence made him turn to face the buildings, and the window where Elemiriel stood. Hurriedly withdrawing behind the pillar at the side of her window, Elemiriel felt tears come to her eyes.
