Chapter 11
Rivendell
September, 3016
Lothíriel stared down at the letter and read and reread it again until she believed the words that were clearly written on it. She could go home! While she had truly grown to love Rivendell as a second home, but she missed the sea and her family. With a squeal of delight, she folded up the yellow paper and jumped up from her writing desk. Before exiting the room, she quickly studied herself in the full length mirror that stood against the wall. In the years since she had first arrived in Rivendell, she had grown quite a bit. Not only had she grown quite a bit taller and was only slightly shorter than Erchirion, but she now sported the common curves of a fully-grown woman. No one could ever mistake her for a boy again, even if she were to wear trousers.
Her long hair fell down her back like a single stroke of black ink. She had taken fairly well to the elvish hairstyles of leaving it unbound except for a few simple braids to keep it out of her face on windier days. The dress she wore now was one of the three dresses Arvellon and Arwen had stitched for her birthday one week past. It was a solid deep blue that brought out her gray eyes. Along the bottom of the skirt was a silver design embroidered to look waves. Hanging from a thin silver chain was the pearl pendant that Meira had sent her. Satisfied that she looked her best, she stood straight and walked out of the chamber hurriedly, the letter still firmly gripped in her hand. She was hardly ten feet down the hallway when she heard someone calling out to her.
"Lothíriel! When I saw that you were not present this morning for the breakfast meal, I began to worry you were in poor health." Lothíriel turned to face Glorfindel as he strode towards her, the easy smile sitting on his face. As soon as he arrived before her, he gracefully pulled her arm into the crease of his and began to lead her towards the kitchens. "The dining hall has already been emptied, but perhaps we can convince cook to part with a few leftovers?" His eyes caught sight of the letter Lothíriel was carrying. "Unless, of course, you have other matters to attend to." He stopped, turning his gaze forward. "Is it word from your father? I know that you've been anxious that he had not written for such a long time."
Lothíriel's smile widened. "It seems all my anxiety was for nothing. He was simply away on business and word did not reach him that I had written until he had returned." She stopped and held the letter out to the one who she counted among her closest friends. "You can read it if you'd like, I don't mind." Glorfindel dipped his head in acknowledgment before carefully taking the letter from her. Opening it up carefully, it only took him a few moments to read the contents and fold it up just as carefully. He looked back at her with a gleeful expression on his face.
"It seems that you will be able to return home very soon. I am very happy for you, Lothíriel." With that he handed back the letter before taking her arm once again and guiding her down the hall at a leisurely pace. "So what would you prefer to do first? Tell Lord Elrond or your brother?"
"Has Erchirion been down for breakfast already?" Her eyebrows rose slightly. It was fairly common knowledge that because Erchirion tended to read his books until well after midnight and as such he wouldn't normally awaken until the afternoon. Within the first few months of starting this schedule he had begun to lose quite a bit of weight. Cook, being the mother hen that he was, had made it his personal mission to make sure Erchirion ate. He would send up a tray shortly after it was dark with bread, cheese and fruit. Whenever the tray was returned with food left over, cook would march himself up the long winding staircase to the library and scold Erchirion. Eventually he began to gain weight again was returned to his normal size.
"I suppose not. We shall go to Lord Elrond first then, and then see to finding me some breakfast before Cook decides I need a stern talking to on the damage skipping meals could have on me." Both laughed together.
"Well then, we are in luck, for I just passed Lord Elrond. He and the Lady Arwen were taking a morning walk through the gardens." Glorfindel turned Lothíriel on her path towards the gardens she had come to know so intimately. They were not walking long before the figures of Lord Elrond and Lady Arwen were in sight and moving closer to them. She stepped away from Glorfindel and embraced Arwen as they greeted each other.
"Good morning, my dear." Elrond spoke, his voice as deep as ever. She dipped her head before smiling up at him. "I see you have brought a letter with the Swan insignia on it. Your father penned a reply at long last?" She nodded and held out the letter just as she had to Glorfindel. Elrond took it from her gently and read it swiftly. After some time, he nodded and handed back the unfolded letter. "I see. No doubt you would like to start preparing for your journey as soon as possible. As I promised before, I will have a river vessel readied for you within the month."
Lothíriel struggled to maintain her composure in front of Elrond. "I want to say now, that I appreciate both your training and the hospitality that you have shown both my brother and myself while we have been your guests." Elrond took her hands and gave her the smile he usually saved for Arwen.
"It has been a pleasure to be a part of your life, Lothíriel. You have grown from a child into a fine young woman. You are as intelligent and clever as you are beautiful and I am sad to see you go though I know without a doubt that I will see you again in the future." Elrond's words brought unexpected tears to Lothíriel's eyes. Arwen stepped forward and held out her handkerchief. After drying her eyes she faced Elrond again.
"This place has become an unexpected home to me. I think, much like how I have missed Dol Amroth these past years and have longed to return, so shall I miss Rivendell." She had to dry her eyes once again as Elrond gave her a soft pat on the shoulder before deciding to give orders for preparations to be made. As he walked away Arwen embraced her again.
"I can't believe how fast the time has gone by since you first arrived. You've grown so much, in mind and body. I am sad to see that you are leaving us after we have grown so close to each other, though I'm sure your family misses you greatly and I cannot be selfish and ask you to stay any longer than you already have." She squeezed Lothíriel's hand and kissed her cheek. I will go and send word to Estel and my brothers so that you may be able to say farewell to them too." She bid goodbye to Lothíriel and hurried down the path towards her chamber. Lothíriel and Glorfindel both continued down the path as it eventually circled close to the kitchens. For a few moments, they kept a friendly silence until Glorfindel spoke.
"I hope you will not forget to continue practicing on your harp while you are away from us. It would be a shame for you to lose such a gift. I'm sure you'll have many occasions to perform for your family and perhaps even the odd suitor or two." His voice was quiet.
"Suitors? Oh no, I don't think I need to worry about that." She felt her cheeks redden slightly.
"Well consider this, a mysterious, beautiful Gondorian princess will be returning to her homeland. The idea has a romantic notion at the very least. Once tales spread of how you are not only beautiful but intelligent and graceful as well, I have no doubt the streets will be lined with men more than ready to take your hand in marriage." He stopped walking and faced her directly. "Does the idea of being married not suit you?" His voice was somber and serious rather than the jovial tone he usually carried.
"I wouldn't say that it suits me, but I am only just going home. I want to spend time with my family while I can without having to think of the future." This gained a strange look from Glorfindel.
"Considering your lot in this life, you must always think of the future, whether you like it or not." With that he smiled and squeezed her shoulder lightly before beginning to walk down the path again. "Perhaps I will visit you after you have been with your family for some time." Lothíriel smiled widely at the thought.
"Would you really? I know you would love Dol Amroth. The sea is very beautiful and the lands surrounding the castle are filled with luscious and green forests. I'm sure you will love my Father and brothers. Even though it's been so long, I remember it as if I hadn't ever left." As she spoke the solemn expression returned to Glorfindel's face. "What is it?"
He shook his head lightly,"It's nothing very serious. I just don't want you to be disappointed if it's not all you imagined. Please remember that you remember things as a child, and children have a tendency to romanticize their memories." Lothíriel thought quietly for a few moments before finally responding.
"Even if everything isn't the same as I remember, I'm sure I will be quite glad to see my family again, and they me." They turned a corner and Lothíriel saw the herb garden sitting outside the kitchens. "I will see to it that I have some food. Perhaps tonight I can sing to some of your music?"
Glorfindel bowed slightly, allowing a small smile to return, "It would be my pleasure." He straightened and turned away from Lothíriel while she in made her way into the bustling kitchen.
Dol Amroth
September, 3016
Imrahil stood in his solar and stared out towards the sea. Each day since he had sent the ship to Lond Daer he had kept a weathered eye on the horizon for any sign of its return. On his desk behind him lay a messy pile of papers. Some of them were wage papers he needed to sign each month so that the treasury of Gondor could pay the company of extra soldiers Lord Denethor had sent for Dol Amroth's safety; others were wishes or complaints from the townspeople to their lord. He turned away from the window and the sea and began to sort through the papers, making sure to find the ones of more importance so they would be taken care of first. A knock on the door interrupted him and he placed the papers back down, this time in a somewhat neater pile, before beckoning for the person to come in.
As the door opened, Imrahil saw the face of his eldest son, Elphir. He stood and walked towards him, grabbing his shoulders affectionately. "Elphir, it is good to see you! How is your wife?"
"She has had better days. She longs to stand and walk, but she knows that it will not do her any good to do so at present. Master Hëmond reassures us that the child within her is well and growing properly. He says she will most likely have it around Yule." He looked away, his mind clearly months in the future. Something called him back to the present as he brought forward an envelope with the seal belonging to the Steward of Gondor. "This came for you. A servant was going to drop it off, but I told them I was on my way here and relieved them of that duty." Imrahil took the envelope and broke the seal. The lettering was flourished, as was normal for Denethor.
Minas Tirith, September 1st, 3016
Prince Imrahil,
Greetings to you and your family. Gondor is truly a blessed nation to count Dol Amroth among it's people. I hope that all is well within your borders. I have heard that your daughter in law is expecting a child. I can only pray to all the Valar that it is a healthy boy who will be able to take on the responsibilities of Prince of Dol Amroth for many years after you and his father, Prince Elphir. I also would like to extend an invitation to Minas Tirith after the birth so that he may be presented to court.
But these are not the matters to which I have decided to write to you of. As this is the 18th birthday for your daughter, the lovely Princess Lothíriel, she must take her place as a true lady of the court and begin to look at suitors to be married. I have arranged that shortly after she arrives home from Rivendell, she should come and visit me in Minas Tirith. While she is here, she will be treated as befits her station of course whilst meeting and determining if she cares for any Gondorian suitors. Truly though, this is only a formality, for I doubt my mind will be changed on the match I have struck for her.
I have kept from you the fact that I have been corresponding with King Théoden of Rohan so as not to raise your expectations until I was sure the King and I were in agreement. It seems that your daughter made quite the impression – as one from Gondor ought to – during her travels through Rohan when she was still a child. I also remember when we spoke last that you remarked that Lothíriel has taken an interest in the country of Rohan. All of this adds up to the conclusion that she will be well suited for the position of Queen of Rohan. King Théoden has agreed that Théodred has made no attempt to find a wife and as such, this is a wonderful opportunity for our two countries to strengthen our positions as allies through the marriage of Prince Théodred of Rohan and Princess Lothíriel of Dol Amroth.
After she has turned down her suitors in Minas Tirith, I will send for Prince Théodred to arrive and they will be able to meet. The wedding most likely will not take place until at least a proper engagement of a year so as to remain in the light of propriety. I thank you for your current and future cooperation.
My deepest regards,
Denethor, Son of Ecthelion, Lord and Steward of Gondor
Imrahil stared at the letter in shock and rage. He gripped the paper so tightly that it began to wrinkle under his fingers. He could feel his face grow hot. He stood abruptly and threw down the paper with as much force as he could muster. He stood silent for a few moments before falling back into his chair and placing his head into his hands. Elphir sat in front of him with a puzzled frown etched onto his face and picked up the letter carefully. After reading it, he stared at the writing much in the same way that his father had before standing and pacing back and forth through the solar.
"What gives him the right? It should fall to you, Lothíriel's father, to determine a marriage between her and another man, let alone a foreigner! This is not right!" He tossed the paper onto the desk as if it were trash. "We cannot allow this to go unchecked! He might as well have signed it 'King of all Gondor' for all the authority he seems to think he has!" Elphir's voice was so loud it resonated throughout the whole room. There was a swift knock at the door and as it opened, Amrothos stood with a concerned look on his face.
"What is the matter?" He shut the door behind him quietly before reaching out to try and comfort his brother. "I'm sure whatever has happened can be resolved if we speak of it calmly."
Elphir shoved Amrothos' hand away and snarled, "Our Lord and Steward has outright commanded that we ship off Lothíriel at his earliest convenience! He does not have the right to do such a thing!"
Amrothos turned to Imrahil and spoke quietly, "Surely it is a misunderstanding. Perhaps he is proposing that you think about it and give your consent to such an arrangement. Surely this is not the first you are hearing about it if plans have already been made."
"He does have the right. As the current highest authority in all of Gondor, he is able to negotiate terms of marriage without needing the consent of the parents. The fact that someone in his position would ask for permission before setting up a marriage is a respect and formality." Imrahil's voice was quiet as he spoke, the rage drained out of him. "Unless I am able to convince him to keep from fully consenting to the marriage, there is nothing I can do."
"Uncle is a reasonable person." Amrothos took a seat and looked towards Elphir. "I'm sure we can sort this out so that Lothíriel will be happy." Elphir took a seat, but his face was less resigned than that of Imrahil. "Perhaps before she is sent to Minas Tirith we can attempt to find someone to her liking here in Dol Amroth where we hold the advantage."
"We are just getting our sister back, and immediately we have to begin thinking of shipping her off to Minas Tirith and possibly Rohan?" Elphir growled under his breath.
"I think Amrothos has a point." Imrahil's back straightened slightly. "We can most likely hold her here for an indefinite period of time and do our best to find someone she likes without having to go to Minas Tirith. If she feels strongly enough for a young man of noble birth, we can perhaps persuade your uncle to forget the possibility of marriage between Lothíriel and the Rohirric prince." The others nodded in agreement. "We can set up a series of banquets as celebrations without actually calling to attention that we are seeking suitors for Lothíriel."
"The first can be a way to welcome Lothíriel home as well as celebrate Yule." The three men continued speaking quietly, planning ahead in an attempt to give Lothíriel more than the formality of meeting other men just so she can turn them down and be left with no choice but Prince Théodred.
