Kiera
Voronwë woke her up in the early morning and was quite distraught. "Lady Kiera, we must move now. There is a pack of orcs in the forest headed our way. We must make for the fords of Brithiach and hope that Lord Ulmo will protect us."
His words startled her out of her slumber, and she scrambled to pick up her sleeping bag, eyes wild with fear. Tuor was already up, silently covering their tracks with his feet. Her heart raced as Voronwë spread the ground over where she had been sleeping, and together they erased all evidence of their presence.
They tore through the woods, their feet pounding the earth with a quiet force. They didn't run but kept low to the ground as they jogged through the tall grasslands. Tuor led the way, his eyes burning with a fire and determination, as Voronwë followed close behind. His gaze never left the tree line behind them as he watched for any sign of movement. The moon watched on, a silent witness to their escape.
None of them dared to utter a sound as they ran, fearful of alerting the orcs that were still out there. Voronwë warned them that the orcs seemed to still be lurking in the trees, but they had moved along the forest's edge. Her heart hammered in her chest, each beat sending a fresh wave of adrenaline through her body, despite her exhaustion from lack of sleep and food.
An hour or so passed before they saw any change in the scenery. The forest became smaller and smaller in the distance as a rocky outcrop rose out in front of them. As they approached, large rocky boulders littered the landscape next to a wide, winding river.
As they neared the river's edge, the jagged rocks made it difficult to maintain a sprint, so they slowed down to avoid slipping or falling in. Voronwë steered them north along the river, towards the mountain range, as the moon vanished beneath the horizon and dawn quickly approached. She felt her feet grow heavier as her eyelids began to droop, and her body longed for rest. She didn't want to stop, though, as she didn't want to slow them up.
The sun peeking over the horizon revealed that the river was steadily getting smaller and smaller. Before long, the roaring rapids had transitioned into a shallow stream. Taking this as a cue, Voronwë called for a break, and she collapsed onto the grass in exhaustion.
"We are close to the fords," Voronwë told them. "Once we cross, if we hurry and jog, we should be able to reach the edge of the mountain by nightfall. We can rest the night, and hopefully, we can find the entrance to Gondolin tomorrow. I don't want us to run, but we are so close now. With the orc pack behind us, I don't want to stay here longer than we need to."
"Let us keep moving if we are as close as you say. I would rather run and jog for the day if that means tomorrow we might have a chance at a safe place and warm bed. I, too, would like to put some distance between the orc pack and us. Many travelers and enemies use the ford crossing. Let us leave this area quickly," stated Tuor.
They both look to her for her thoughts on the matter, and she can't help but feel a sense of happiness that they value her opinion. A small smile appeared on her face as she replied, "I can keep up with a jog or a run, should it mean a quicker route. I'll tell you when I need a break; my feet are already starting to ache from all the running, but I think I'll be alright."
Tuor offered his hand and pulled her up. Moving quickly, they arrive at the fords within less than an hour. The area was covered with smooth small stones, and the water was barely trickling. Voronwë helped Tuor and her step over the rocks to ensure they didn't slip and fall in. Once they reached the other side, they turned north and continued following along the side of the river bank.
Before midday, they stopped for a break to fill the water packs and eat. Running made her famished, but the meat helped. Their break was short, and when they started their journey again, they turned away from the river completely and headed toward the mountain range.
They were far off in the distance and seemed to stretch forever. After jogging for a few hours at an average pace, she noticed that Voronwë appeared to be just as tired today. Unfortunately for them, Tuor had a determined look on his face as they got to the base of the mountain.
She needed to rest a few times in the afternoon, but they didn't stop for long. It had been years since she ran this much. She was more accustomed to long hikes and lifting weights. The thought of seeing the city and having a place to rest and be safe helped her push through the pain and exhaustion.
Toward the evening, the large hills and uphill slopes signaled that they were approaching the very foot of the mountains. Voronwë said there was a small stream nearby where they could bathe and make a camp. It took a while to find, as the area was rocky, and they had to climb up and over large rocks to pass between the cliff's walls.
When they arrived, however, they discovered that the area was secluded. A narrow stream trickled between two tall cliffs, and a small waterfall cascaded in the back. The ground was littered with rocks and bits of grass, but a level area had been marked out next to the stream's bank. Voronwë checked the surrounding area and behind the waterfall for any lurking creatures. The only way in or out of the spot was guarded by the towering cliff walls, which also shielded them from the wind.
"We are hidden but also trapped if any orcs or goblins come by," Voronwë stated. "I think we will be alright here for one night. This area is not well known, and a small amount of magic hides it. When I left Gondolin, I found it on my travels, and there were no signs of any orcs or goblins. We should bathe here and rest. I will need a few hours of sleep, but then I can take watch the rest of the night."
Kiera offered to keep watch, but Tuor shut her down and bid her to bathe first. There was a small pool behind the waterfall for privacy, and she took her pack over. She brought out all of her clothes and smelled them to find the best ones. After stripping off quickly and stepping into the pool, the water was quite warm. Finally able to take a decent bath, she spent extra time washing. Hopefully, it would help, so she wouldn't smell bad in front of the elves and the king. Seeing as the journey was almost over, and she never planned on being there, her products were almost gone. After drying off, she pulled on leggings and a warm sweater.
She brushed out her hair and then let it hang dry. The air was warmer in the canyon as they were out of the wind. When she was back at the camp, Tuor left to bathe. Voronwë laid out one of her blankets and was sitting on it as he went through his pack. She set her things next to him and rolled out her sleeping bag.
As she sat on her sleeping bag, he handed her dinner of bread and meat. There was a question that had been on her mind, and now that Tuor was gone, she could ask him. "Do you have any friends or other family waiting for you in Gondolin? I kissed you on the cheek the other day, and I didn't even ask if you have a wife or lover waiting for you at home. It had been bothering me all day, but we were too busy for me to ask. I apologize if I made you uncomfortable, as that wasn't my intention."
He laughed a tinkling laugh and said, "no lover or wife, but I didn't mind the kiss. It was quite nice. I am young for my kind and haven't met anyone to marry yet, but there is still time. I have many friends in the city, and my father's brother is still living. He is part of the house of the heavenly arch as a jeweler. He and my father were great craftsmen, and people often came to them to make jewelry and adorn their armor. I'm sure he will be delighted to see me, and I will introduce you to him. I know you spoke of no husband, but did you have a lover in your world, or were you courting anyone?"
Kiera beamed at him and replied, "I would love to meet him. I hope I have the chance to see the city. No, I had no lover, and I'm not courting anyone. My last relationship ended rocky, and I needed time to myself. I was almost done with school and didn't want to start something with someone if I moved away to take a job."
Voronwë looked at her with a perplexed expression and asked curiously, "what do you mean by a rocky relationship? Were you courting, and it ended, or were you engaged to be married? We elves marry for life, and if we court someone, then we can walk away after a year if we are not compatible. Are humans similar to that?"
"Kind of, I guess," she replied with a slight shrug. "My world is a little different. I think here; relationships mean more. I was dating someone, which I guess is like courting here. He cheated on me or wasn't faithful to me, so I left him. We were never married."
"That man lacks all honor," Voronwë seethed with rage. He looked at her with sadness and added sorrowfully, "I have heard of some human men being unfaithful, but I'm sad to hear that it extends to other worlds as well." He reached over and patted her leg softly. "I am glad you left him, as you deserve better. We elves are faithful for life and beyond. That is why we only court our true hearts' desires. We court for a year minimum, but sometimes longer. If the connection isn't strong enough, the courtship ends, and each goes their separate ways. We break off the courtship because to be bonded means to be together until the unmaking of this world."
Before she could reply, Tuor responded first. He had come back to camp while Voronwë was talking. Her back was to the waterfall, so she didn't see him arrive.
"I am saddened to hear about how that man treated you. I am glad you left him, as you do deserve better. I am sad to say that I have heard of men here that have also strayed and a handful of women. I hope you find someone that will treat you well."
Voronwë gave her shoulder a squeeze as he got up and left to bathe. He took his pack with him as Tuor sat next to her and ate his dinner. Curiously, she looked over to Tuor and asked, "so, are there any lovers or a wife for you?"
He barked a laugh and guffed, "no. I did not have the chance to meet many women in my years as a slave and then as an outlaw by myself."
Kiera chuckled with him and told him, "maybe we will meet people in Gondolin. You never know. I am looking forward to seeing the city and meeting all the elves. I just hope Turgon accepts us."
Tuor continued to eat and said, "I wish for that, but tell me, what about our guide? You both seemed cozy the other morning. Is there something between you two? Is that why I came back to questions about lovers and wives?" He smirked at her then and offered her a wink.
A tinge of color crossed her cheeks as Tuor's smirk widened. She hesitated before speaking but eventually replied, "I'm not sure. Right now, I want to make sure we all get to Gondolin in one piece. Maybe once we get there, we can hang out more. For the moment, I'm content with just being friends. This all started when I kissed him on the cheek and then realized I didn't know anything about elves. I didn't mean to make him uncomfortable, so I apologized."
Tuor accepted her answer with a nod. "I know a little about elves as they raised me. I believe our friend Voronwë likes you and cherishes your friendship. I certainly am glad to have met you both. Perhaps there can be more between you, too; only time will tell."
"I am glad to have met you both," she smiled warmly at him. As she spoke, the words were true. Being in a strange world had terrified her, but having Tuor and Voronwë with her made her feel safe. Whatever happens in the future, she was glad to have them as friends. "I hope that we can all be friends for years to come. I haven't thought about the future much or a relationship, but maybe I can figure it out when we get to Gondolin. I hope we all find someone to love and marry. Only time will tell."
Voronwë returned shortly after but quickly laid down to rest. She sat up with Tuor for a bit longer. They whispered about the difference between humans in her world and this one. Tuor said he didn't have a lot of good experiences with his fellow men so far in his life. Many have turned towards serving the enemy, and he was fostered by the elves. He told stories about his youth with the elves and his years as an outlaw.
Kiera shared a few stories about her family, childhood, and siblings. They continued talking into the night until she started to get drowsy. She crawled into her bag and rested her head against her pack. The ground was hard, so it was difficult to fall asleep. After tossing and turning for a while, she couldn't remember when she passed out.
Tuor shook her awake in the morning, and she opened her eyes to the soft light of dawn. Her back was stiff and aching as she rolled out of her sleeping bag and onto her feet. She stood, and the pain in her feet reminded her of the difficult day ahead. Hoping for anything that would help, she spent a long time stretching and tying her boots tight.
Voronwë was missing, but Tuor explained that he was scouting the nearby area, so they could leave safely. The climb out of the cavern would be more challenging compared to when they came in. It didn't take her long to pack up the rest of her stuff, and then she and Tuor walked toward the narrow pass.
To her surprise, Voronwë was waiting for them at the other end. He offered a hand to them both as he pulled them up the rocky ledges. Once at the top, the mountain loomed overhead as the sun began to shine over the horizon. It was a later start than previous days, so it looked like they let her sleep in.
Voronwë led and spoke as he helped them over the rocks. "The hidden pass should be less than half of a day's journey. However, the magic will make it difficult to find; we might miss it and have to double back. I hope that we will find it the first time. I will let you know when we get close, so we can keep an eye out."
The terrain made the walk the worst hike by far. There were small patches of open plains and jagged rocks along the hills that moved under her feet, causing her to lose her balance. Voronwë helped them up over the rocks and back down, but they all kept an eye open for the hidden pass and any creatures. It was slow-going for most of the morning, which she was thankful for.
Before midday, they took a break for some food. Afterward, Voronwë mentioned that the only way they'd find the passage through the mountain would be to pay close attention. He said it would be obvious, but only if they could see through any magical barriers. It would be covered in vines, but they could spot it with sharp eyes. That ruled her out completely.
They walked at a slower pace then, but all of them were eager to find the pass. It was close to another hour before Voronwë shouted, "alas, I see a passageway up ahead. There is a great break from the top of the cliffside to the ground. I did not see it before, but my eyes do not deceive me now."
Kiera wanted to cry and jump out with joy, but she settled with a loud sigh of relief. Their journey had finally ended; they were here. As they walked closer to the wall, she didn't see any opening, just a vine-covered rocky wall. Voronwë took Tuor and her by the hand and led them through the wall. She was convinced she was about to walk into a solid wall, and when she opened her eyes, all she could see was pitch-black darkness. When she looked behind them, she saw a wide passageway with vines showering down like curtains. It had to have been some kind of magic. Voronwë kept a tight hold of her hand as Tuor seemed ready to keep going, but they then heard large footsteps coming from behind them.
Voronwë shouted desperately, "Run! I hear the footsteps of the enemy in the passageway. We must outrun them and make it through. Hurry, Tuor, and lead us. I will protect Kiera and follow."
Tuor didn't need to be told twice and took off down the passageway, nearly stumbling over his own feet in his haste. Kiera could just make out Tuor's faint outline as they flew by. The footsteps of the orcs were too close, ringing out like thunder in the cramped tunnels. Tuor seemed to be taking random turns, desperate to evade their pursuers. In a moment, they exploded into a vast cavern and came to an abrupt halt. But there was no time to rest. Voronwë shouted, "Run! They are right behind us!" Taking one last look back into the darkness, they sprinted into the unknown.
"I do not know the way," Tuor shouted desperately, panting heavily as they ran."I cannot see the passageways, and we are running blind. Which way is the right way?"
"I know not. We must outrun the orcs before we worry about the way," Voronwë cried.
Tuor's face hardened with determination as he barreled on ahead through the passageway. He increased his speed, pushing them all to their limits as he led the way through the passageways in the cavern. They ran and ran, desperately weaving through the narrow tunnels, turning off in random twists and turns. Kiera felt a constant chill down her spine as the sound of relentless footsteps echoed across the walls. It seemed like they were right on their heels, but none of them could see any sign of their pursuers.
She stumbled down the dark and winding tunnel, her breaths coming in short and sharp gasps as she struggled to stay on her feet. Every step felt like an eternity as her body fought against her, desperately trying to force her to the ground, but she kept pushing onwards until finally, she came to the main cavern. Her legs trembling, she slumped against the wall, spent from exertion and exhaustion.
"We cannot keep running blindly. I say we wait and attack our pursuers. I have seen no way out, and all passages look the same," Tuor offered as he hunched over, trying to catch his breath.
Voronwë proposed, "We have only got a couple of knives and one sword. Lady Kiera is not skilled with a blade. We would be ambushed. We must keep going. I will take the lead, with lady Kiera behind me. You shall bring up the rear. Perhaps my elf eyes will see something you missed."
Exhausted, the two of them simply nodded. Voronwë tightened his grip on her hand as they took off running. Tuor's hot breath was right behind her against her back as they raced down each passageway and intersection. Voronwë would pause at each intersection, but still, the footsteps seemed to get louder and closer each time they stopped. After what felt like days of sprinting, they finally came back to the same cavern.
Voronwë slumped near the wall in defeat. "I am sorry, my friends, but I cannot see anything. I have found nothing on the walls or in the passageways. We are surely lost, and the enemy is creeping in all around us."
Keira pondered for a bit. Considering that magic was real in this world, perhaps there was an enchantment driving them in circles. No matter which way they ventured, they ended up in the same cavern. That made her think of something outrageous. "Perhaps it's the enchantment of this place," she began. "It's trying to get us lost and drive us back out. Whenever we come to a passageway or intersection, which direction do we head in? Towards the sound of footsteps or away?"
"Away, we should not run towards the enemy," replied Voronwë.
"That is what we should do," Kiera huffed as she finally caught her breath. "Think about it. This place is surrounded by magic protecting it. This place was designed to trap and make people lost. People run away from the enemy. Not towards. We should try it and see, but I think it will work."
Voronwë looked skeptical, but Tuor just shrugged. Tuor replied, "I cannot run for much longer. The enemy will find us either way. We should try her way and see if it works. If not, we will be facing orcs one way or another."
Voronwë relented, and then they were off again down the long dark caverns. At every intersection and open passage, Voronwë paused and listened, quickly pulling her towards the footsteps. As they ran in the opposite direction towards the footsteps, the noises grew fainter. It was only when they reached more intersections that the footsteps increased. Voronwë muttered in amazement in elvish as their plan took shape. After a few bends and turns, they eventually caught sight of the light at the end of the tunnel.
They burst through the exit as if their lives depended on it, desperate to reach the clearing beyond. Joyous cries echoed through the hallway as the sun beamed down upon them. Voronwë didn't hesitate; he scooped her up and spun her around in elation, planting a passionate kiss on her cheek. His strong arms tightened around her as they both breathed in the sweet freedom of safety.
"I never thought that it would work. Bless you for being with us. We would have been lost forever," he exclaimed happily.
"It worked!" she exclaimed excitedly as she embraced him tightly. They stayed locked in a hug for some time until a voice called out from the distance.
Kiera blinked, and then the elves surrounded them suddenly. She had no idea where they came from, and she couldn't see how they had gotten there so quickly. Voronwë released her and stepped forward to greet them. Tuor did the same, and the three of them began arguing in rapid elvish. The air took on a sharp note as the elves around her began to talk rapidly. While the three of them were arguing, she took a moment to get a good look at the elves.
The elves were all finely dressed in armor and shields. Some carried swords, while others had longbows almost as tall as them. Most had brown or black hair, but two had blonde hair, almost white. She counted 15 elves standing around them. All of them were incredibly attractive, and a few gave her long glances, just as she gave them. Silver sparkled from the armor, and the sunlight glittered against their hair and skin, making them seem otherworldly.
When all their eyes suddenly shifted to her, she became aware that they were talking about her. Not a fan of the attention, she gave an uneasy wave and a timid greeting of "hello." The head of the group glanced at her before continuing his conversation with Voronwë. Then Tuor butted in, his voice getting progressively louder. At this, the leader flicked his eyes between her and Tuor.
Once they got to the city, the first thing she promised to do was learn elvish. She hated that she couldn't understand them. Finally, after a very long and heated conversation, the leader nodded to the surrounding elves, and they disappeared just as fast as they came.
The remaining elf looked at her and said, "forgive me, my lady. We usually do not allow humans in our realm. I have not spoken the common tongue in many years, but Voronwë and your companion Tuor claim you have the blessing of Lord Ulmo. I shall permit you leave to see the king. I am called Elemmakil, well met, my lady."
"I'm Kiera. It's nice to meet you," she said as she extended her arm. He grabbed it and gave it a firm shake. "Unfortunately, I don't speak elvish."
"Come, I will lead you through the doors."
Voronwë exhaled a sigh of relief as they followed Elemmakil. He wore a broad smile as he leaned into her and murmured, "I'm glad we are allowed to enter. It brings my heart joy that you and Tuor will be able to see the city and hopefully stay. Elemmakil is my friend, but he has orders from the king to kill any humans. However, Tuor has convinced him of his errand and that you both have the blessing of Lord Ulmo."
Kiera's expression changed to one of sheer terror as she focused her gaze on Elemmakil. He was going to murder them for being human? When Voronwë had said they didn't accept humans in Gondolin, she had assumed they were told to leave. But now, her stomach was churning at the realization that they probably ended up killing them instead. She couldn't help but blurt out, "you would have killed us just because we're human?"
Elemmakil looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "You are trespassers in our realm. Our king has decreed no humans are allowed. Would your people not kill trespassers or take them prisoner?"
"No," she said meekly. "Not in my world; we don't. Have you killed humans that have come here? Why not just send them away?"
"No trespassers can leave and risk the dark lord finding out the location of Gondolin," he informed her. "Luckily, I haven't had to kill anyone since I've been stationed at the gates. Most of the travelers stumble upon the secret doorway only to find themselves lost in the tunnels. They either make it out or not. You are the first humans I've seen since the war. I have encountered many men, but never a human woman before."
She gave him a half-smile, anxiety rising. Elemmakil reassured her: "Fear not, I will not harm you. You have the blessing of Lord Ulmo, and the king will decide your fate."
Kiera gazed at Voronwë, who had a frown on his face. It dawned on her that he wasn't sure what the king's reaction would be. Perhaps he had blocked it from his mind until they arrived here. She whispered, "will the king kill us? Even with the blessing of Lord Ulmo."
Voronwë smiled sadly, "I truly do not know. I hope that my testimony and Tuor's errand will spare his hand. I promise that I will not allow anything to happen to you."
Elemmakil grinned slyly at the two of them before offering a suggestion. "You can always tell the king that she is your betrothed. You two were certainly close when you came out of the tunnels. He might spare her for you. I don't know about your friend, but perhaps he is her older brother and escort."
Voronwë shot him a sharp look; his cheeks flushed with a tinge of pink. Elemmakil bellowed out a hearty laugh that melted away the atmosphere of tension. Kiera forced herself to laugh along, letting go of all her worries about what was to come. There was no use fretting over it.
Tuor laughed and added, "I would be honored to be considered your brother. We shall use that if he does not believe my errand. I have faith in Lord Ulmo, but I'm sure you could pass as two people in love." He ended his words with a knowing grin at her.
Elemmakil responded to Tuor's comment, "you must tell me what has happened on your journey. I must know what has transpired between your companions," he clapped Tuor on the back and moved him towards the path. "Come, tell me all about it while we walk to the gates." He flashed a quick smile at Voronwë.
Voronwë rolled his eyes at him but smiled at her while they trailed Tuor and Elemmakil, who were whispering secrets between them. Even though she couldn't make out their words, she knew that Voronwë must have been able to as his cheeks continued to burn scarlet as they walked.
Offering him a smile, they walked down the small dirt path between the two cliffs. The road was bordered by small clumps of colorful flowers and strips of grass. Despite the lack of sunlight, these plants flourished, and she was pleasantly surprised. She thought it was a nice touch and wasn't going to complain about it.
Kiera was deeply immersed in the beauty of the path's wildflowers when she suddenly heard a tinkling laughter similar to Voronwë's. Elemmakil was standing in front of them and said something in elvish. She noticed Voronwë's face started to turn a deep red, and soon Tuor's face had also turned pink. Unable to contain his joy, Elemmakil pranced around them in the path, still laughing, while Voronwë batted at him with his hands.
Raising her eyebrow in Tuor's direction, she questioned, "what did he say?"
"I shall not repeat it, my lady. Perhaps it would be best if Voronwë told you later in private."
She narrowed her eyes at Elemmakil, who still had Voronwë dancing around him, trying to catch him. He saw her glance and told her, "I shall tell you later, my lady. For now, let us continue to the gate. We are almost there."
Voronwë's words trailed off into the wind as he stomped off down the path. Elemmakil chased after him, still cackling and laughing. She shrugged her shoulders at Tuor as she trailed after the two elves, inviting him to follow. They meandered along the path until a slight bend in the cliffside. Following as the landscape bent around a corner, the first gate loomed ahead.
The beautifully crafted wooden columns on either side of the open doors had two elves standing atop, like sentries. Kiera wanted to pause and admire the craftsmanship, but her companions moved swiftly. Elemmakil spoke to them, and they nodded back in response before passing through the doorway. As the dirt path gave way to cobblestone beneath their feet, a stone archway appeared up ahead. A few elves dressed in gray patrolled the top of the wall. Elemmakil called out once again, and they waved them passed. Kiera noticed as they walked that Voronwë couldn't look at her without blushing, so she let him walk in front of her.
They had to walk a bit longer to get to the next gate. This one was much bigger, and the entire area was lit in a deep red hue. At the core was a doorway, and the walls surrounding it were crafted from copper or bronze. On top were three square towers evenly spaced, each with several elves standing within. Elemmakil shouted out to them, and they opened the gate. As she stepped through, she stole a glance back and noticed all the elves had on red clothing and carried sharp axes. They reminded her of dwarves from the hobbit tale, but she figured it would be best to keep that to herself for now.
The path they took became darker and darker as the towering cliffs blocked out the light. It made sense that the gate was nearly invisible as it blended right into the walls. These walls were even higher than the others, and they appeared to be constructed out of iron or steel. Elemmakil stopped at the large doors and spoke with the elves at the top before, finally, they opened. There was a second wall just past the first, with three doors instead of one. On the sides, there were stairwells carved into the cliff walls. Above this was a fortified walkway in a square shape made of steel.
Elemmakil ushered them to the center and declared, "we shall rest here tonight. I will send word to the king, so someone will meet us tomorrow at the end of the gates to lead you into the city. There are a few beds inside the tower wall and along with some food."
They followed him to the second wall, and he opened one of the doorways into a long room. Inside, there were a few elves seated at a round wooden table, eating. Over on the far side of the room, several beds were arranged in neat rows.
Kiera trailed behind Tuor and Voronwë to the beds, plopping her pack onto the closest one. Taking a few moments to rest, she noticed the elves that had been seated at the table had left through a side door. When they came back in, their hands were laden with a tray of dried meat, berries, and bread. Without hesitation, Kiera rushed to the table, her stomach growling at the sight of the food. She quickly took her place and loaded the food onto her plate.
She savored the sweetness of the berries as she ate them, a nice change from the meat and bread that were their daily meals. Tuor was gorging himself on the dried meat while Voronwë and Elemmakil chatted in elvish. They appeared to be good friends, even before his departure.
As she ate, she noticed all the other elves had left. They must be soldiers stationed here, so she was sure they had a job to do. All the beds were empty, which was odd, but she wouldn't question it. Perhaps, there were more sleeping areas around the walled fortress. After she had her fill and drank some water, she asked if there was a bathroom of any sort.
Elemmakil pointed to the door on the far end, so she excused herself and walked to it. Inside was a room with wooden partitions, each one leading to a seemingly medieval toilet. Upon opening one of the doors, she saw a round wooden seat with a lid and a woven basket filled with large soft leaves attached to the wall. She felt relieved at the presence of a suitable bathroom, grateful that she wouldn't have to shit in the open fields anymore. Hopefully, the rest of the city had plumbing and perhaps even running water.
Once she finished in the stall, she noticed a stone basin with a pitcher near it. She washed her hands, cleaning up as best she could. There wasn't a bathtub, so she'd have to wait for that. When she left the bathroom, the others were still at the table, but she was so exhausted. Sitting at the bedside, she pulled off her boots quickly and then pushed back the blankets. Crawling in, she had to stop herself from crying out of how comfortable the bed was—like sleeping on a cloud. Her eyes closed, and within moments, she was asleep.