Preparation:
She waited until the sounds of the pony's hooves were a soft padding in the distance before Lúthien turned around grabbing the hems of her dress and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Night fall was fast approaching and she knew her father would be beyond furious with her. Perhaps a ride on the pony would not have been such a bad thing after all. She cursed under her breath as she huffed and puffed down the lane. Head pressed down and forward as she cut across the field heading straight into the gates of the city Dale. She ran through the streets bending and twisting around people and corners. Suddenly- she rounded the edge of a building and ran smack into the stone hard stomach of her "guardian" Peregrin. Peregrin was tall, nearly six foot six, his biceps were the size of most women's thighs and his chest gave a wide birth, with long sandy brown hair and deep grey eyes. She could not remember a time when she saw him smile. Lúthien stared at his armor for a few moments before slowly allowing her eyes to make their way up his torso. His arms crossed over a board chest. Her breath hitched at the massive size of his biceps. She bit her lower lip as her dark green pools of emerald landed on his unforgiving features and his stern furrowed brows and nostrils that were flaring like a stallion's.
"Good eve to you Peregrin," she said with a defiant gulp as the large man leaned down.
"Will naught be so good an eve for you…. little mouse." He growled heavily as he took her firmly by the arm jerking her along as she protested with futile results. "This time y'll nay escape my watchful eyes." His hiss nearly sent a shiver up her spin.
"I demand that you release me at once!" She shouted but her protest seemed to fell on uncaring ears as he only tightened his grip while he continued to drag her down the path and into the keep of the manner, all the while cursing under his breath that he was far too a valuable a warrior to be the minder of such an impudent and disrespectful spoilt child. "You are hurting me Peregrin and father will hear of this from me!"
He stopped suddenly spinning her around as though she was nothing more than a rag doll, as the thick fingers from his free hand grabbed her by the other arm, lifting her effortlessly off the ground until she was brought nose to nose with him while her feet dangled beneath her. He hissed heavily "Listen to me carefully little mouse. You bring me nothing but pain and misery and if you were my daughter ….. I'd…" he pulled her so close she could feel the heat from his flared nostrils like fire against her cheek.
"Well lucky for her…. she is not your daughter Peregrin - and may the blessed goddess protect the day when you sire a child of your own." Varada snapped and she punch the man in the arm. "Now -you release that child at once 'fore I tell the master what you are up to." Her stern tone heightened in volume. "I said put-her-down- at once da'hear me Peregrin!" And with that his brow cocked, he snorted and did as he was bid-he released from his grip and Lúthien fell hard on the stone flooring yelping as her bottom hit. "You're a beast you are!" Varada hissed as she ran to Lúthien aide. "Poor wee lamb. Are you alright child?" Varada helped Lúthien up examining her to ensure that there were no injuries. "You're a beast." She hissed again as she looked up at the stone cold expression of the man who posed as a statue with his arms once again crossed over the expanse of his chest looking down smugly at the pair. "I've a good mind to tell the master to have you flogged!"
Peregrin leaned down as the woman bent backward, nearly bending in half- to avoid his snarl and snap. "Mind you- that one" he pointed at Lúthien "tis the one who needs a right good flogging." He pointed the thick digit of his index finger at the pair before raising to full height. "Now move it -the pair of you- my charge is to see this little mouse returns to her chambers- and yours….old hag, is to see she is readied for feast."
Varada huffed heavily taking Lúthien gently by the waist as she guided her to her chambers followed close behind by the giant titan of a man.
They reached her chamber stopping in front of the huge thick wooden door which Peregrin reached around the two women to open. The door swung open and he extend his long thick arm pointing his finger as an indicator that they were to enter. Once the pair had crossed the threshold Peregrin reached in grabbing the metal ring and shut the door with a heavy loud thud. He took his sentinel in front of the entry as though he were one of the stone statues that stood protector outside the city's gates.
Lúthien lifted her hems as her eyes rolled muttering tersely at the man who stood guard outside her chambers. "I am but a prisoner in my own home." She made her way into the room toward the large round bath tub that had been placed in its center.
Varada came up behind her and began to unfasten her bodice. "Goodness sakes lamb- but you are a mess. You look as thou you had a roll with the pigs!" She made a tisk tisk sound with her tongue. "Come now… you must bath."
Lúthien's dress fell to a pool around her feet. She lifted her leg and slipped it in the water. "Burrrrr, tis freezing!" Varada gently pushed her in further.
"Well twas warm when it was drawn for you. Had you been where you were supposed to be you would not have to endure." She placed her small but firm hands upon Lúthien's shoulders pushing her down chuckling lowly as the girl shivered and goose bumps appeared on her skin. Then she reached for a pitcher, dunked it in the waters lifted it and poured its contents over the girl who yelped loudly. Again the older woman chuckled.
"I do believe you are enjoying this a little too much." She stuttered out through chatting teeth.
"I do believe I am my sweet lamb." She chatted a laugh then pour scented oils of lavender and began to wash Lúthien's hair. She massaged the crown of Lúthien's head before moving slowly down until she hit upon the bump on the back her head.
"OW!" she hissed.
Varada jumped back then moved forward to cradle Lúthien's head. "You poor wee lamb. You've a bump the size of a goose's egg. What ever happened to you?"
Lúthien placed her hand gently on the knot and sighed then pursed her lips together hard. "I was nearly run down by a mad beast and the pony he rode upon!" She snapped and rubbed her head gently recalling the near death experience and the rude conversation between the dwarf prince and herself.
Varada looked suspiciously, shaking her head as she reached for a rag and poured oils on it. Lúthien slipped under the water that by now she had adjusted to its temperature. Slowly her head rose above the water, her hands rubbed the excess water from her eyes. Her back arched as Varada began rubbing it gently with the scented rag. She closed her eyes loosely and sighed. It felt good to be rid of the dirt and dust.
"Lamb, where is it you go when you sneak off?" Varada inquired quietly.
Lúthien, thought for a moment about telling her the truth, but decided against it. "To my secret place.
"Ohhhhhh, a secret place?"
"Aye, the place that I go where …..," her voiced drifted off as she gazed at the fire.
Varada bent down and kissed her head gently. "Well, lamb…. ..every girl has to have a secret." She smiled softly as Lúthien looked up at her and smiled mouthing thank you. "But mind you stay within the city's walls. Lúthien there is danger beyond the borders."
"I can take care of myself."
"Oh I can see that." She gently touched the bump.
"That was not my fault. It was him… his fault… not watching where he was going. Boorish oaf that he is." She stood up and stepped out of the bathing tub grabbing a soft drying cloth around her body as she headed to the fire. She took a spot on the small stool next to the hearth while Varada began to dry her hair with a smaller thicker drying cloth.
"So you never said who this 'mad beast' was who nearly ran you over is?"
"Nay, I did not."
"Lúthien….. you toy with me." She scolded. "Who was it?"
There came a knock on the door just as she was about to say. Lúthien smiled. "Come in." Green eyes looked up at the older woman shining brightly.
Mirabella entered quickly, placing her hands on her hips. "Well there you are daughter." She uttered sternly as she made her way to the bed lifting a light blue dress from the furs. "Your father is not pleased with you young lady. Not at all. And nor am I for that matter." She placed the dress over the back of a chair. "Come now you have to prepare. Our guests will be arriving shortly. And you my dearest." Mirabella lifted her daughter's chin with the tip of her finger. "Are nowhere near ready." Lúthien rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. "Do not take that tone with my child."
"I did not have a tone mother, as I did not utter a word."
"Much can be said by a woman with the mere look of her eyes." She said as she took the dress from the chair. "You cannot be late for your brother's ceremony into manhood." She walked over to the hearth and smiled. "Tis an important day for him." She looked down and smiled. "I cannot wait until spring- for your coming of age feast." She said proudly as she placed a soft kiss upon Lúthien's forehead. "You will be ready to be presented to suitors for marriage,"
"Marriage?!" She groaned.
Merabella laughed. "Aye, marriage."
"But why must I marry mother?"
Merabella chuckled and shook her head as she gazed between the two standing before her. "Lúthien, you've finally had your bleed….therefore you must marry."
"I do not wish to marry mother." She folded her arms across her chest.
"Do not speak such nonsense daughter. Of course you will marry…. ..and you will bare your husband children." She looked deep into her daughter's eyes. "Come now." She held out the blue dress pressing her lips tightly as Lúthien snatched it from her.
Lúthien stepped into the dress with the help of Varada, turning so she could be laced up.
Merabella turned and walked toward the door. "Do not terry daughter the king will be arriving shortly and we must all be present to receive him."
"The king?" She choked. "You mean King Thror?
Her mother looked over her shoulder. "Of course King Thror…and his son and grandson are coming as well. They are the special guests at tonight's feast to pay honor to your brother." She turned her head forward and exited the chambers.
As the heavy thud of the door was heard Lúthien muttered. "That boorish oaf prince."
With the last tug Varada tied the lacings in a double bow chuckling loudly. "So…. the identity of the 'mad beast' is revealed."
Lúthien stepped away heading back to the stool in front of the fire. She sat down heavily scowling. Varada went to the dressing table retrieving a brush and some ribbons before heading to Lúthien. The older woman began to gently brush the nearly dried hair.
"I was under the impression you thought him handsome." She said after a few minutes. A small smirk crossing her lips.
"Who?
"Why the 'mad beast' himself…..," she leaned down whispering in Lúthien's ear, "…. Prince Throin."
Her back stiffened as she sat full height, folding her arms once again. "Handsome he may be… but a mad beast…boorish oaf he is as well."
Varada could not help but chuckle and shake her head as she began to pull sections of Lúthien's hair to braid with ribbons. "Ohhhhh indeed…. A handsome boorish oaf… and a mad beast…. A lovely combination indeed." She could not see but knew the young girl well enough to know her eyes were rolling.
As Varada finished the last braiding Lúthien spoke quietly.
"Why does father treat me like a child? Why does everyone treat me that way?"
"Hhhmmmm well….. my sweet lamb…. Perhaps if you did not behave like one…. Others would not treat so."
She looked over her shoulders furrowing her brows. "I do n-" She stopped and faced the fire contemplating what she had just been told.
"Lamb, you are but in the betwinx of your life. Tis natural to feel so town inside.
"Betwinx?"
"Aye…tis what my mother called the time in your life when you are half child but not fully grown. Confusing times people treat you differently … expect one thing then the next….. it will pass….I promise…" She placed her hands on either side of Lúthien's head and placed a soft kiss. "There now all done and ready to go meet that handsome 'mad beast'"
"Honestly Varada….. I haven't the slightest interest in that dreadful dwarf." Lúthien stood up pressed the creasing of her dress rolling her eyes at her governess. "Father awaits."
"Nay, of course you do not my sweet wee lamb…..none at all." She chuckled.
TBC