Seas: Chapter 4
Chapter 4 time! This one is long because it has the feast scene! And...THRANDUIL! *dun dun dunnnn* I hope I'm going to portray him alright; there's very little about him in Tolkien's works and The Battle of Five Armies hasn't come out yet..so I don't really know :P (I'm not sure I like how he's illustrated in the movies completely anyway). Okay! On to the dinner!
I stood in front of my opened wardrobe, trying to decide which of my very few formal dresses would be alright for a grand feast. I only had four options, of which I eventually narrowed down to two. I laid them on my bed so I could see them fully.
On the left I had placed a light blue gown with long flowing sleeves that draped down to the knees. It had two layers, both of which had a subtle pattern that faintly glistened. On the right was a green gown of the same design, but with simple translucent long sleeves and an intricate pattern on the outer layer. Both dresses were beautiful and my two favorites. But...the light blue gown contrasted my hair and my eyes reasonably. I decided to choose the blue. I carefully put the green dress away; hanging it back up neatly with my few other gowns. I then slipped off the white dress I was wearing, and pulled on the new one. I adjusted it so it flowed and draped over my body, giving its full effect. I then walked to my vanity and opened one of the drawers. Within it sat my most prized possession: metal belt that was crafted in twining designs. It was my mother's. I had never worn it in public; only in the mirror when I wanted to be reminded of what it looks like. I unclasped it and hooked it around my waist, closing it again.
Knock knock knock. I jumped at the sound, then turned and walked to the door. Another visitor? I had never had three in one day before today. I opened the door to see a royal servant standing there. She bowed, then said, "The feast will be beginning momentarily. I shall escort you to the dining hall." I smiled. "Just a moment, I need to put on my shoes," I said, the left the door and walked quickly to my wardrobe. I opened it and picked up a pair of gray shoes, slipping them on. I stopped in the mirror one last time to make sure that my hair was reasonable, then followed the servant out into the hall.
We walked swiftly down the hall that mine and my father's rooms were in, then made multiple turns and entered the royal passages. Almost immediately we found the massive doors leading into the dining hall, standing open and guarded. We entered, and I hardly had time to look at the massive room before my father stood in front of me.
" Olórëdes!" he said, hugging me. When he pulled back I could see that he was ecstatic to be at a true feast. He looked me up and down, then smiled. "You look beautiful. And you are wearing your mother's belt..," he continued, his voice giving the slightest hint of grief. I smiled at him. "Yes. You look very nice as well, Ada," I responded. "Come, I have our seats waiting," my father said, then turned to lead me to the table. I thought that we would be sitting at the end of the table, the farthest from King Thranduil. I became more and more anxious the closer we got to the head of the table. Finally my father stopped, at precisely the second empty seat to the left of the King. He pulled it out, and I slowly sat in it. My father sat in the chair directly to the left of King Thranduil. I was aghast. Any other noble of a higher class belongs in the seats that my father and I were in. This must be some mistake...but I did not point it out. Maybe it was intentional...
After I had been seated, I began looking around. I was certainly the most simply dressed maiden there, though of course I was the lowest in class. I was about to turn and ask my father where King Thranduil was, when the entire room hushed. The King had entered. I heard the quiet tapping of royal boots, and allowed my ears to tell me where he was. When I located him, I was taken aback by his clothing. The King was wearing a deep, royal purple outfit with long flowing sleeves, and a soft silver pattern glistening from within the fabric. On his head he bore his fall crown, donned with red leaves and berries. They contrasted sharply with the rest of his outfit. His long, smooth, blond hair was brought back from his face, then flowed over his shoulders and some down his back. He had no braids. His thick, dark eyebrows shadowed his eyes, making his white-blue irises almost glow. Then my breath caught as I saw who walked behind him.
Legolas. He wore a shining deep green tunic that came down to his knees, dark gray leggings, and almost black boots. His hair had been intricately braided, and his head was crowned by a simple golden circlet.
The pair moved swiftly to their seats, Legolas sitting down in the empty chair directly to the right of King Thranduil, across from my father. I did not meet his eyes for fear of blushing. I instead looked to the King, who had stopped and was now standing in front of his rather grand chair, looking out at the table. "Welcome, my friends!" His booming voice announced, echoing through the silent room. "It is truly glorious to see you all again! I do hope you will enjoy the feast that has been prepared for you!" he finished, clapping his hands together and smiling as everyone applauded him. He sat down in his chair and began to chat with my father, so I looked away and down at the rest of the table, my eyes passing Legolas. His eyes were locked on my face. I did not hold his gaze, and continued on to look at the nobles seated at the table.
Again, I was clearly out of place. Every single one of them wore beautiful clothing much like King Thranduil's, but not as...extravagant: gown and cloaks with patterns of silver, gold, and white, with immeasurable shades and hues of colors. Even my father was more finely dressed than I, looking bright in his deep red clothing.
I sighed and looked down, then realized that a plate of salad had been placed in front of me. It looked exquisite: fresh green lettuce precisely cut with chopped tomatoes, diced pieces of bread, and a dressing or sauce of sorts that I had never seen before. I began to slowly eat it, savoring every bite until I had finished. I dabbed the corners of my mouth with the cloth napkin that laid at my fingertips. I had tried to eat as neatly as possible, using the best manners I had learned, but I was still questionable. I set down my napkin and reached for my wine glass, picking it up. That is when it happened.
I had just brought my hand and the glass to my plate when I realized I was holding it too low. But it was too late. The bottom of the glass caught under the plate and slid out of my hand. It seemed like time had slowed as the wine landed on the table, sideways, with the red liquid spilling out onto and over the edge of the table. Into my lap. Then, to my utter horror, the glass rolled, fell off the table, and shattered as it hit the floor. The room went dead silent. I stared into my lap as more wine continued to run off of the table and seep into my light blue gown, staining it as red as blood. My hand sat suspended in the air, fingers shaped around a glass that was now gone. My mouth opened to speak, but no sound came out.
I shoved my chair back from the table, feeling tears welling in my eyes, and stumbled towards the open doors. I lurched forward, a sob coming, and clasped my hand over my mouth. The tears spilled over and dripped onto the floor as I ran out of the dining hall to my room.
OH NOOOO! MASSIVE FAUX PAS! She totally didn't deserve that and I feel so evil...but IT CAUSES OTHER STUFF SO JUST WAIT! *evil grin* Anyway, again, I hope I did Thranduil okay...I'm not sure :p ALSO anyone (and I meant to put this with freakin chapter 1) who can draw or is on Doll Divine and knows how to make art on there (I can't) PLEASE make Their Clearing if you can! I NEED a picture because I can't draw and I really want a picture for it! Review please! I love you guys!