At the Court of Earthsone
The elven city of Earthstone is very fine in its own way. Its residents live in halls of light stone, carved smooth by time, and humans dwell within its walls. Humankind helps keep Earthstone elves young and happy, and both races celebrate each other, though lately there have been altercations.
Their king, Earthstone the Forth, ruled his people with a light touch. His court was not overly decadent, and his people willing to travel and help outsiders. But it was not a paradise. Sometimes rivalries in the neighborhoods where humans and elves dwelt together sprang up, many times culminating in the death of a man. Some humans resented this, and although Earthstone was pleasant place apart from this, sometimes it was unsafe. Some humans openly resented elves for their fair form, long life, and their seemingly-permanent youth.
Few felt this tension more acutely in the household of Earthstone than those who came into contact with his only daughter, Salindre. She resented the boys who threw rocks at her father's soldiers. She found it hard to feel empathy for most humans. Once, a human male blinded one of their horses, for whom Salindre had great affection. Her temper, though seldom displayed in any measure since she was an elfling, brewed behind her eyes with violence when the incident was mentioned. Because of this, some humans feared and avoided her, and everyone knew that when she was angry, she grew very still and pale.
Salindre was otherwise beautiful by all accounts. Her black hair and sparkling eyes were the topic of many flowery poems, and her golden-brown skin the delight of many eyes. Her arms, often bare, and her shoulders, when revealed, were the subject of some disapproval from her mother for modesty's sake, but Salindre took no notice. No one commanded her.
She was not all bad. She loved her horses and cared for her maidens. She created work to be done around the house for female servants, and occasionally employed a female human servant to confide in, though in truth, she treated much like a talking doll. Salindre took pleasure in appearance, though she would not hear of being courted.
When her brothers returned from Lorién, Salindre was the first to greet them. She ran from her room to the stables, and bowed to Salle, then Sullë.
"Greetings, brothers! Surely you must tell me all that you have seen and heard." Salle laughed at her childish enthusiasm, which surprised him.
"It was well enough," he told her. "We met Galadriel of Lorién, and her people." Salindre swallowed hard. "What is it, sister?"
"I have a great desire to see that lady. The thought of her has been growing in my mind. I dearly long to meet her, I believe I shall die if I do not!"
Salle grew slightly alarmed. If his sister's anger was roused for any reason at the house of Elrond, it should be a poor reflection of the calm, temperate representation of Earthstone's kingdom to which he and Sullë had carefully endeavored. He knew better than to ask further at this point. The truth would come out one way or another, but knowing better the strength of Galadriel's influence, he would not be surprised if herein lay the purpose of the invitation in the first place. How he longed to know what would happen!
Sullë chuckled nervously. "Truly, sister, I believe you should have met some of the ladies of Galadriel's court. How they laughed! I believe you should not be so serious if you spent time among them. We visited Rivendell briefly, the house of the son of that great lady. Her granddaughter, Arwen, is a very fair elf. She expressed a desire to meet you when we spoke of you."
Salindre allowed a small smile, and walked away. She did not appear at supper, and was not seen until the next morning.
"Only last night, you returned from Lorién, and now we are to journey to Rivendell within the month! Surely it will take many weeks to reach it. It only took you six, lightly packed and riding swiftly! We should be traveling for a year!" Salindre was confused to learn this upon entering Earthstone's sitting-room.
"Sit, Salindre," Earthstone intoned. Salidre sat. She held great respect for her father, and would do as he told her.
"You and your brothers will stay at the house of Elrond for this summer and part of next year. With you will ride some half of the court, and later we will join you with the rest. You will do well to venture outside our walls, and we think that some traveling should do you good, in any case. Stay with your brothers."
"We know that you have a sword and have learned to use it," her mother Salome stated. Salindre flinched. "Surely you knew it was never hidden from us!"
"This is the first I've heard of it," Salle said. "I should congratulate you. We encountered some opposition on our way back, and a contingent of your soldiers will serve us well, father."
"It shall be done." Earthstone stood. "Do me proud, children. I do not sorrow to part with you, for it is only for a little while."
Salindre also stood. "I shall, father. I do not apologize for learning swordcraft; in fact, you never spoke against it. Even the humans among us have ranks of female soldiers, something I do not find vulgar. I also know how to use a bow, and a spear. I am glad to know that you knew of this. I was not overly fond of hiding it from you."
Earthstone departed, his wife after him. Salle and Sullë gave exchanged a momentary glance, while Salindre still stood. At once, they left the room.
The last parcel was in place, and Salindre was on the back of her trusty mount, a spritely mare of white and black, with auburn patches in her coat.
Theherald sounded the horn, and the caravan departed.