Ch 48-Celebration(Part 2)
As there are with all such events of greatness and wonder, there was a splendiferous after party. There were many in attendance- yet with association to the planners, more than once I had heard the guest list called 'short.' We had dared not say a word of the preparations, hardly dared to think of them: if any radicalist's still against the light and crown happened to gain word, it would be the perfect situation for a little mass murder. Yet by no means did I think the party was discreet. With so many prepared to spring into life at the second of the Hobbit's waking, I doubted that there was a soul in Minas-Tirith whom knew not of it.
It was an evening event, with a few hours of preparation ready after the great muster. This gave time for both guests and facilitators to prepare so as the event could take place in the feasting hall. It was one of the only places where many of the distinguished guests combined with numbers came to find reasonable. And as Aragorn had tactfully and sarcastically put it the previous afternoon with some spare minutes: 'An amazingly discreet location.' Or so those in favour put it: 'Hiding in plain sight.'
Of course among 'gentility', some degree of decorum was required. More so than the original celebration, where brushed hair and neat clothing scraped a pass. Nay, this required formal clothing and a good scrub-down. The latter I was fine with: the former however, drew issues. Hence it was with great reluctance the Pippin and Merry dragged me clothes shopping of all things.
As naïve to normal life as I have always been, a tailor was where I thought we had to head. With no time, I was about to relenquish myself once again to the world of poncho's. But apparently there were shops that simply sold clothing- finding an item that fitted was where the troubles began. Not to mention I had little trust in the Hobbit's sense of style: and as for money, the presumption for where money came from left me faint headed. Yet after an excruciating search(implied: finding something I could fit my wings around without destroying when trying on), we managed to purchase what I assumed was an ornate tunic, trouser and shirt combination styled like a hunters garb. The price almost made me choke, yet Merry reassured me that the price was actually very cheap for clothing. The shirt and tunic we promptly cut when just out the door, leaving the tell-tale slit's through the back.
Or in short, I knew far too little about living normally.
With mixtures of relief and social anxiety, the 'private' feast began.
Unto surprise, we were all sat at the King's table. Frodo and Sam were obvious choices: Mithrandir, was simply Mithrandir. Legolas certainly commanded respect as the heir to the Woodland realm. Yet it was a surprise unto Gimli, Pippin Merry and myself that we too were seated amongst lords and greats. Prince Imrahil, King Eomer and to my great delight, Eowyn, the new Commander of the Dunedain(for Halbarad, as we were saddened, had passed) along with Lord Faramir. Alongside this entourage were all the captains that had played their parts: whilst given only little of the praise that they deserved, their roles were instrumental to the toppling of armies and the annihilation of Sauron. Spouses could be found attached to their arms, unwilling to ever let them go again. Any older children were also present. It was a celebration of the sundry whom without, none would be here.
It began with a rather solemn standing silence, yet almost instantly the heavy smell of wine and food sprung forth. Soon there was laughter and celebration galore, and many a person came upon Frodo with praise (and Sam too, on the occasion). Conversation flowed and throbbed, seating was changed. Eventually when the chain of worshippers lessened, Frodo and Sam came to join Gimli and I. Merry and Pippin too, joined us shortly after being dismissed by their separate masters.
"Why, Misters Merry, Pippin!" Sam exclaimed upon sight. "I did not notice before, but you seem to have grown!"
Sounds of confusion resonated from both Frodo and myself.
"Why, just look here Mr Frodo- see, Mr Pipp-sorry, Peregrin's almost as tall as yourself now!"
"I see you're right Sam!" He exclaimed upon gazing with new eyes. "I see our tale is not the only one to tell."
I simply shrugged. "I never noticed any difference." Attempts to try and get me to notice the difference fell flat- although I had observed their extra mass, I had always assumed it was simply due to the fact that they had started wearing chain mail. Measuring their height on my body- "Observe, they use to be here" Gimli tapped my elbow "but now they are here." He tapped about an inch above. "I didn't know their heights before Gimli." All other attempts were also doomed for annihilation.
"Anyway, we must be going." The two youngest bade eventually. "We are busy. We are knights of the City and of Mark now, as I hope you observe." With mock arrogance they left.
We remaining four continued to make small talk and jokes. The topics were minor- anecdotes of an uncle that had lost his ear-trumpet, a poem once started but never finished, and such. It took me a few minutes to notice, but Frodo and Sam seemed almost…afraid? Confused? I could not reminisce the correct word, but there was an off feeling about their actions toward me that led me to contemplate on it.
It was only after several minutes that I realised that their feelings were incredibly well founded. It was also then, it struck me that I had next to no people skills. If it had taken so long to figure out something as simple as this… what was I? A seashell- with all the right things showing, but nothing inside? All these months, during all this effort- I had ever hardly spoken more than a few sentences to them. We had known each other for just over a month at best, before the Fellowship split. During that time I had started out as a legend, to a suspicious evil-seeming figure, morphed into a dead person with a strange history, and then again to a random bird-women who let them leave without a hint of qualm. Now I was simply a somewhat polite blind person. They were expecting another switch.
I began to hope myself that I would stay more stable: my days of absolute secrecy were over, but old habits still remained.
However, as the night grew longer we all began to feel comfortable in each other's company again. By now a few of the less-steady attendees were drunk (or so I assumed from some of the singing), but there was one person whom I still had a great longing to speak to. I bid my goodbye's to the men, and ventured off to find a friend whom I had not spoken to for too long.
It took little time to find her, as her voice was familiar compared to those of other women. She had been engaged in slow conversation with one-as I was terrified when I recognised her breathing- of the women from the dormitory. She must be one of the commanders daughters… I could not tell whether she recognised me or not, but thankfully no words were exchanged between us. Eowyn made polite excuses to leave, until we found ourselves in the cool breeze on the front steps.
"So how have things been?" I broached first. I had approached her first after all: and apparently that was how being polite worked.
"Interesting, I suppose. What about you?"
"Interesting seems a popular word at the moment." There was a short silence, but it was Eowyn this time, who broke it.
"I wish no longer to be a Shieldmaiden. I wish no longer to be amongst riders, nor take joy in songs of slaying."
"Oh." I was somewhat surprised, and yet at the same time, not at all. "And?" I felt there was more to it.
"Instead I wish to be a healer. The shadow is gone, but it has not left us unscathed. I wish to bring health to all things, and will love all things that grow." Something told me that she had come to a great peace with herself. Maybe it was how she seemed more relaxed as she stood by my side, or possibly her tone of voice. I did not quite know. "What do you think?"
"I think it's an excellent idea. It brings you peace."
"It does." She agreed. And then with some guilt, yet at the same time none at all: "I'm sorry that your lesson's came in little use."
At this I laughed, yet only shortly- for strains of breath continued to pain me. "Eowyn, do not feel guilty! I am proud to have taught you, and have fought by your side: even if it were only for a short while. Did you not slay the Witch King of Angmar?"
"Indeed I did."
"Then you have surpassed your teacher, in every way shape and form. I was always aweful with a sword anyway." The mood remained pensive, but I got the feeling that neither of us wished for any more solemnity. "Is that a sling on your arm?" Her movements around the upper body had seemed somewhat more restricted.
"Yes. I broke it, but it no longer pains me. The biggest difficulty is not being able to hold a knife and fork at the same time."
"Huh. Good to know. When are you going to get it off?"
"In a day or so, unless something out of the ordinary happens."
"You never know."
And with that, we flung upon ourselves altogether lighter topics.
"I must say Darke, that blue suits you very well. It compliments your hair nicely."
"Thank-you. I must say, you smell quite nice." We burst out laughing at the comment. "Pfft….why did I say that? I sound like some twisted pervert."
"If it had been anyone else it certainly would have, but due to your…situation, I thank you for the compliment."
"A good thing to know. Has anything even remotely interesting happened in your personal life lately?"
"Nothing in particular… well, I did meet this man." I wasn't quite certain on what she was implying, but think I got the general idea. However, I decided to play the absolutely clueless card all the same.
"What kind of man? An old man? A young man? A warrior or a poet?"
"A kind man. A man who I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life with." Ah, so suspicions had been proven correct. It was indeed romance which she was talking of. Although her words also let slip a small shard of melancholy into my heart: nothing was certain, but I now realised that it was quite possibly that I would outlive the lady of Rohan. I had never had a mortal friend before, but now the sorrow so much talked of in the elves was starting to become understood by me. But yet tonight was not the night for those thoughts.
"A kind man you say? I hope he is worthy of your hand: if not, remind him that there's me to deal with. Please stop with the mystery: what be his name?"
Eowyn laughed brightly at the remark. "I will make sure he knows! He is Faramir, the second and only remaining son in the line of the Stewards of Gondor."
I nodded my head, at the same time trying to recall all the information I had learnt previously: be it from rumour, observation or other means- about him. "He is a good man, from what I know." I agreed. When I had been called for council he had treated me with respect and civility. I could divine no glaring mar's or harmfulness from him.
I physically shrugged in resignation, having been pulled into the kind of conversation which I had always long thought silly, of surface value and pointless. Now though, the meaning finally came through to me- not all conversation required meaning. Sometimes, in situations such as this, it was simply for entertainment purposes. I searched deep recesses of memoir's, patrolling for a suitable question that would suit the situation. "Is he good looking?"
"Well yes. I mean, he's not exactly the man girls gossip about at every corner… but yes, he definitely has the looks. But this is a silly conversation, have you rea- heard any good stories lately? It seems I have heard them all."
I launched into a newly-learnt tale from the book Legolas had been helping me painstakingly read. And so the night progressed on in such a fashion until the patrons began to leave in pairs or small groups, and we felt the need to socialise with others. But considerably lighter were our hearts, and gladdened that we had such friends in the world.
