He fixed his scarf meticulously. His anxious expression reflected back at him in the ornate mirror in his room, specially set up by the kings and queens themselves. It was only at their insistence that he had stayed at Cair Parvel for so long. He checked and double-checked his har, taking time to briefly mourn his sawed horns, fingering the newly-fitted gold tips. Alas, somethings could never be replaced.
Taking one last deep breath, he opeded his door, stepped out, and sighed a quiet "I can do this."
The time it took to walk the length of the hallways leading to his destination seemed far too short for his liking, and all too soon he was standing before the door. He raised a fist to knock, when the door suddenly popped open. A dryad, carrying a pile of linens, stopped short in the doorway.
"Oh! Hello, Tumnus. You gave me such a fright."
"So sorry to have frightened you, Alanya."
"And what, may I ask, are you doing standing outside the doorway like that?"
"I was just--that--that is to say--I was merely--"
"Oh, Tumnus. No need to explain yourself, no need at all," she laughed and stepped around him. As she passed, he could have sworn she winked at him, if indeed a dryad could wink at all. Funny creatures, dryads. "Oh, and Tumnus?" she called as she walked. "Good luck."
'Good luck, indeed,' he thought to himself as he, once again, prepared to knock. 'Does the whole castle know of it?'
Taking one last deep breath, he steeled himself and let his hand fall upon the door. Once, twice, three times.
The sound echoed in the deserted corridor, and the few moments it took its occupant to answer seemed to stretch on for years. His heart hammered loudly in his ears as he waited, wondering.
Faint footsteps, slow and hesitant, graced his ears moments before the door swung open.
"Hello, Tumnus. Would you like to come in?"
"No, thank you. I merely require a moment of your time." He was proud of himself. He was speaking much more confidently than he felt.
She stepped outside her doorway, shutting the door behind her. She smiled.
"Whatever do you need?"
'Here it comes,' he thought.
"I was w-wondering if you would...uhhmm..i-if you would like to accompany me to this evenings coronation feast?" He cringed inside at the way his voice squeaked.
"I'd be delighted, Tumnus. I'll meet you by the entryway, shall I?"
"That would be wonderful!" He sincerely hoped his voice didn't totally betray his bliss.
"So, tonight, then?" she asked, reaching begind her to open her door.
"Tonight." She had backed into her rooms.
"Until then, Tumnus," she pushed the door half-closed.
"Until then, Shona."
The door closed.
He walked the corridors back to his own chambers in a state of bliss, barely noticing that he had passed his door until he was halfway to the kitchens. Somehow, he couldn't quite bring himself to care.
The entry way was teeming with people. Excited tones rose and fell about him. He stood, watching, waiting, torn between excitement and nerves.
She was exceptional at blending with a crowd. losing herself within it. If he hadn't been looking for her, he may not have seen her. He understood her desire to stay hidden, at least for the time being. Life was greatly changed since she had been locked away. Her phrases, her manners, her style of dress, all of these only served to remind both herself and everyone around her that she truly was from a different time. He could only imagine the things she had seen.
She made her way down the staris, along the edge, towards the shadows, and to the entryway. Her eyes lit up when she saw him, turning a pleasant green color.
"Hello, Tumnus," she said, reaching for his hand. He felt a jolt run through him as she took it. "You look absolutely fetching. Your scarf is lovely."
"Thank you," he beamed. "You look..beautiful." A sigh escaped him before he quickly cleared his throat.
"You don't think it's too old-fashioned, do you? Style has changed so much, but I do so love the dresses." She had forgone the traditional slim-lined style and instead opted for a more flowing dress line, hugging at the top before flaring out dramatically at the bottom with long, flowing sleeves. The bright color of the dress set her apart more than anything. While most had dressed in forest colors or soft pastels, she had chosen bright sapphire blue. Water-folk did love bright things, after all, even if they did serve to remind everyone just how pale she was.
In his eyes, she coulnd't have been more lovely.
"Shall we?" He gestured with his free hand towards the entryway.
She smiled brightly at him and nodded.
Her hand clasped in his, he led them into the throne-room.
