now: Note: I realized that I have forgotten to include a disclaimer, so I'll say it now: I do not own the Lord of the Rings, or any of the places or characters you will recognize.

Edoras is the most impressive, noble and majestic place. It took three days of riding, but the first view was worth it.

It sits high on a rocky hill, enthroned by a great bowl of mountains to all sides. I should say that the golden hall looks as if it were thatched with gold had I ever seen the substance, but as I have not, I will describe it as best I may: like the late summer sun gleaming on the surface of the stream, but also like the tiny fireflies that flit about on Autumn evenings, and the color of a ripe yellow apple still hanging on the tree.

Like my hair, when it is clean and brushed out and lies in curling waves across my shoulders.

But inside the walls, it looks and sounds and smells like people, too many people, and not like ripe apples or Autumn evenings at all.

And inside the hall? Inside would be pretty, if it did not so much carry the odor of men and beer and sweat and burning meat. The carvings, though foggy with smoke from the central fire, are made of gold. It gleams dully from above, great phantom horses and warriors, and the throne is magnificent and polished and shines through the dust and smoke ridden air.

The Queen, too, is magnificent. She is dark haired and clean and pretty and is wearing more embroidery on her gown than I have ever stitched in my life. She smiles, laughing like little bells, and embraces me. She is small as a fairy child beside the King, who is tall and broad shouldered with hair like corn silk.

And then there is Eolasse.

She is twenty-five now, though she looks no older than eighteen, and she walks into the room and everyone stands. She glows. She radiates ferocity and laughter and beauty, as slender and youthful as an elven maiden. Her eyes are a silvery tempest that flash blue and grey from between extravagant dark lashes, her face perfectly sharp angled and alive with vivid expression and agile thought, her hair floating around her face and slender neck and shoulders like a golden veil of summer. The word beautiful was created to describe her fierce perfection.

It is easy to see how an elf could give up everything for her, come back from the dead, bargain away his very soul for one last moment beside her. I am surprised the stars from the sky don't fall to the ground at the feet of this woman who can bring the sun into this darkened hall.

It is said that all the men of Middle Earth loved her, and hope was kindled in the hearts of women, and now I can see why. The bards do not exagerate her. They fight for words fit to describe her.

I am, of course, rendered speechless, if I wasn't already by my grand surroundings.

She smiles at me, and it is like the sun blooming in my heart.

Eolasse walks farther into the room, and comes over and embraces me. Her touch is like starlight on my skin, cool and soft and radiant all at once. It is as if some of her brilliance has rubbed off on me, and I find myself softly glowing with her borrowed luminescence.

Or maybe I just feel that way.

She is so much more vivid than my memories of her.

"Hilde." she says, grinning, "It is good to see you again."

"And you, m'lady." I murmer, curtseying, first to her and then turning towards the king and his queen.

She laughs, quick and lovely.

"Welcome to Edoras." Lothiriel says in her little-bells voice, "We are honored to have another member of Grainne's family with us."

Another member of Grainne's family is honored to be with you, I think but don't say.

"Thank you, Majesty." I reply. I feel awkward, still in my riding clothes and before them.

It is only now that I notice that Eolasse is wearing a simple blouse over breeches and soft leather boots, with no jewelery besides the simply elegant moonstone she wears at her throat.

I didn't before realize what she was wearing. It doesn't matter what Eolasse wears.

"Come." Eolasse wraps a sisterly arm around my shoulders. "Let me show you around."

And so the Royal Summons has been answered.