I was able to finish another chapter last night. I have to confess I'm not plotting very far in advance! This project is turning out to be very soothing and cathartic for me, a safe place to retreat when my own life feels out of control. I should give a gentle warning here—this section contains naked ellith in the public baths! Nothing too graphic. Enjoy, and let me know what you'd like to see happen next!
The next day, I was shown into the utter mayhem that comprised the royal musicians' library.
I had heard much of it, but the room and its contents were obviously confidential and remained hidden from the public at all times. It turned out to be located down an inner hall close to the throne room, halfway to his Majesty Thranduil King's apartments. I had only been past it once and had assumed it was a broom closet.
"Here we are…" Ayduin intoned cheerfully, unlocking the door for me. Then he added a disappointed "Oh," when the door didn't open.
I waited while the ellon shoved his leg awkwardly through the gap, attempting to kick at whatever was in our way. A spectacular crash! followed, accompanied by a tiny gust that might have been a formidable stack of papers toppling to the ground. When Ayduin was finally able to push the door inward, I was surprised. And disgusted.
A set of wooden stairs led immediately down into some recessed chamber I couldn't see very clearly, and the large stack of papers—left unwisely just at the top stoop—had been scattered all over the place. It would take weeks of work to set them right. And that wasn't all. Several of the steps were littered with papers and sheets of music, some with actual footprints on them, suggesting someone had seen the pieces of parchment out of place and not only left them that way, but trod upon them as well.
Ayduin helpfully lit the flameless torches along the wall and we carefully descended down into the library proper. The room was hexagonally-shaped with a modestly tiled floor—filthy, of course. The shelves spanned two stories. I was about to ask my tour guide how on middle earth I was to reach the less accessible storage areas when I spied a rolling ladder fashioned of wood leaning up against one shelf wall.
There were diverse cubbies and cavities where tomes might be stacked, stuffed, and stored. And it was all mightily out of hand.
"Well," he said desperately.
"Well," I said with a marked air of judgement.
The ellon shifted uncomfortably. "As I have said, we haven't engaged an actual bard in quite a while now. Anyone with access to this room has had neither the training nor inclination to keep it well-organized. You're the first in a very long time."
I nodded slowly, taking in a deep, dusty breath and gazing at the chaos around me. I felt out of place at court anyway, and now I was garbed in a floor-length, figure-hugging royal gown encrusted with tiny crystal beads. And I was expected to put this monstrosity in order dressed this way.
"We're really very grateful to have you, you know," Ayduin continued. "The King is very particular about vocal tone, and, uh… has been critical of past applicants. You should know that he was very taken with your voice."
I spared the ellon a furtive glance. That's interesting, I thought.
"Will you be requiring anything else from me this morning, my lady?" he asked me.
I looked down at my hands. "I'm concerned about ruining my gown. It's very dusty down here."
"Oh, that," he said absently. "Just do your best. The King wishes for you to be dressed this way if he happens to encounter you. And don't worry; if the dress is damaged, we'll simply have a new one made for you."
I felt my eyebrows rise in protest but I mastered them. "As you wish," I said concedingly.
"Oh, good." Ayduin seemed relieved. "I'll just leave you to it then."
And he did.
The flameless torches guttered a bit, and so did I. They really were very striking—the little sconces fitted with glowing, jewel-like stones. It was an old, carefully guarded elven secret. My brethren used conventional torches wherever needed, but if books, maps, music or papers were involved, we lit the rooms with these unusual stones. Servants charged them by moonlight once or twice a month, and they lasted beautifully.
I knelt and picked up the first sheaf of parchment that my hand touched. It was textured with grit that came away on my hands. I shook it off impatiently and began looking for any accompanying pages.
There was one very interesting piece of music I noticed while cleaning. The whole thing was contained in only one page titled Heart's Path. It looked to be a tricky sort of melody, very old indeed. I set it aside for later.
Within a few hours, I had part of the floor cleared away. I had organized some of the music by name and stacked the pieces neatly under the staircase where they would be out of the way. I'd worry about shelving them later. Ostensibly, each and every shelf would need to be purged and reorganized.
My stomach was just beginning to gurgle when I heard a noise at the top of the stairs.
"It's me," Ayduin said companionably. "I've brought you some food and water… my goodness! Look at what you've managed to do already!"
I smiled wearily up at him. Some of my hair had come loose from my plaits and fallen about my face, and I smoothed the strands away from my cheeks to receive him.
The ellon had brought a tray of cold meats, cheeses, bread, and fruit. I sank down gratefully on the tiled floor and tucked in, downing the cold goblet of water first. "Thank you," I breathed. "That tastes wonderful."
He smiled. I beckoned for him to join me, but he declined. "Take your time, of course," he said kindly. "You may decide this is enough organization for one day. Supper will be in a few hours, and I expect his Majesty will want some entertainment. After a project like this, I wouldn't think the less of you for taking a well-deserved nap!"
I frowned. "So I don't need to finish tonight?"
Ayduin laughed heartily. "Of course not! This will take weeks to put right, if not months. Really, do not overexert yourself. Above all, you must be in peak physical condition. You're a performer first."
I nodded, chewing. That was good to know. I felt a little less like a prisoner down in this forgotten chamber and a little more like a young ellith doing her grandfather a favor by deep-cleaning his study. Not important by any means, but not quite a slave.
In the end, I decided to stay an hour or so longer and tidy up before leaving for my chambers.
He had left the throne room to dress for the evening, and though it was still light out, Thranduil felt chilled and a little numb.
For the millionth time, his mind wandered back to her.
He had to journey across time and space to do it, but he finally encountered her sitting on the edge of their shared bed, fiddling with some bit of jewelry about her neck and smiling up at him. Oh, but he ached for her. He loved the little stolen moments just before the evening meal at court. The two of them would unwind together, allaying the stress of the day. Then they'd dress to please each other alone, and go out arm in arm to preside over the rest of Mirkwood…
He was startled suddenly by a noise on his right.
Thranduil was annoyed at first rather than alarmed. The King of the Mirkwood Realm simply did not startle. Ever. He was capable enough of defending himself against even the most venerable of foes. He suspected it was the surprise of the intrusion. This was a private hallway, and so close to his own chamber… it had better be Ayduin or Kendel, he thought ferociously, poised to round on whoever it was, whoever dared to be there at that particular time.
Then his eyes adjusted.
It was only the door to the music library, and the new bard was just emerging wearily from downstairs.
He'd forgotten all about her. That new, awkward little thing with the brown doe eyes.
She lifted those eyes to his at almost the same moment he noticed her.
She was wearing light green today, the little crystals on her gown glinting in what was left of the evening sunset leaking in through the skylights. He would probably have been smugly satisfied with the superb fit and fine quality of the dress if she were not in such absolute disarray.
Amused, he studied her. She must have been down in the library for most of the day. He remembered then that he'd asked her to organize all of the court music. She was covered in dust, and a few errant streaks of dirt marred her petite face, lending a striking contrast to her soft, brown eyes.
Say something, he told himself. The silence seemed to stretch longer and longer between them. She would think him odd. A manic peal of laughter rose in his throat out of nowhere and he swallowed it down. Ostensibly, she already thought him odd, as did the rest of the kingdom.
The sight of her was so unexpected, so very casual—a deep and hidden part of him found it… domestic, in a way. Perhaps even comforting.
And her eyes! She kept staring at him, and Valar, he couldn't seem to look away… she was altogether arresting, which was ridiculous considering her state of dress.
Something about the encounter impressed upon him the reality of her, the immediacy of her. He'd treated her like the lowest of servants. She was the lowest of servants, when it came to that. But she was also an elleth grown, with all of the features and presence that came with it. Without the pomp of courtiers and chaperones around to witness, it was blindingly apparent.
The King was just upbraiding himself for failing to speak when the young elleth dropped her eyes and murmured, "Excuse me, your Highness. I was just going to dress for dinner. Is there any particular color you would like to see me wear this evening?"
His response was a sharp intake of breath.
Thranduil looked away from her then. It was so like something he had been accustomed to hearing at that time of day that his eyes filled briefly. He shook his head and cleared them instantly, hoping she hadn't seen.
"Not at all," he replied softly. "And yes. The—the gold. Please."
She curtsied deeply and was gone.
Before moving on toward his apartments, he stared at nothing for a few moments, his heart breaking all over again.
It felt lovely to be out of that cavernous pit. There was just enough fading sunlight left to warm my chilled skin, and I looked eagerly forward to bathing the grime from my body.
It had been embarrassing to run into the King on my way, but I shrugged, supposing I had better get used to it. We were sure to cross paths with more frequency the longer I remained in his employ. If it was the state of my clothes that made me uneasy—well, he had ordered that. If the King desired for me to dress as a princess of Mirkwood but fulfill the duties of the lowliest chamber maid while doing so… well, then—this was the result. He could just deal with the sight of me.
It had been a strange interaction. I was still a little frightened of him. He was so tall, so imposing and stern. I'd expected a jibe or a disapproving glare at the very least, but he'd been silent. He looked tired this evening, a bit dazed.
Not for the first time that week, I wondered just what it was that kings actually do. I'd find out soon enough.
My chambers had been tidied and swept, and a new set of tailored gowns bloomed from my closet. They must have been delivered while I was working. I glanced about, briefly considering calling for servants to bring boiled water and salts for a bath in my copper tub. Then I decided against in. It was too much work, somehow. I pulled a sleek dressing robe from among my things and set off for the baths.
Our enclave was comparably small, but the public baths were always in use. I relished coming here. I made sure to take the entrance on the right side—the one meant for my sex.
The water was naturally heated by hot springs in the ground, and the asymmetrical pools were all edged with carved marble and slate. Throughout the week, bath attendants tenderly saw to the ferns and broad-leafed hostas that studded the area. In the damper corners of the walls and carved steps, soft piles of moss grew, floating in the gentle waves generated by bathers.
It was quiet. A few ellith lounged about, enjoying the heat and steam that rose lazily from the surface of the water. I disrobed, leaving my gown carefully spread across an ancient stone bench that stood obligingly by. Then, completely nude, I walked slowly down the rough stone steps and into the heated water.
It was delicious. I paddled at the surface of the water with my hand as I went, enjoying the weight of it as it nobbled through my fingers. Then I allowed my knees to buckle, submerging myself entirely and breathing out heavily through my nose as I did so. I reemerged slowly, smoothing my long brown hair away from my forehead. Oh, lovely!
"Filauria!" someone cried softly.
I turned, smiling to see my friend Chalia Ravaxalim swimming her way toward me. The water came up to my chest here, and I could see her breasts as she moved below the rippling water.
"Good evening," I said warmly to her. She reached me and we embraced, the feel of our naked bodies a pleasant sensation as we pressed up against one another. Then she affectionately moved the heavy wetness of my hair back over one shoulder for me.
Chalia was older than I was. She'd had her coming out ceremony one rotation before mine, and we'd spent time together practicing at music, dancing, even gardening. Her hair was a muddy brown, her eyes a brilliant green.
"I heard things went well the other day," she was saying.
I laughed softly. "Good," I said. "Because that wasn't my impression at all." I told her briefly about the selections I had picked and the court's reaction. I decided on impulse to leave the King out of it.
"Those are all good pieces," she reassured me. "And I know your voice. I'm sure it was stunning. Your talent is peerless."
I hugged her again. "Valar bless you for the compliment! But how are you? How is the garden?" Chalia had a magical little terrace garden just outside her quarters, full of herbs and lush shade plants. We'd spent many a leisurely afternoon there together.
"Growing well," she replied, idly splashing at a bug that had chanced to fall into the water. Then she frowned slightly, distracted by something.
"Chalia?" I asked appraisingly. "What was that thought?"
She sighed. "You always know, don't you?"
I smoothed the soft skin on her forearms and pressed her further. "Is this about the King's guard again?"
We had talked a season before about Chalia joining up. She'd agonized over the decision and then ultimately decided against it. "I'm wondering now if I made a mistake," she said quietly. "Others don't feel safe in the forest anymore. Thranduil will not take the fight to the dangerous creatures roaming our lands, which makes me feel that the only way to protect our people is to bolster defences."
I worried at my lower lip. Chalia took a long time weighing the consequences of any decision she needed to make, but once she acted, she was implacable.
Plenty of ellith served in the Mirkwood patrol; they were just as strong and capable as the ellyn.
"I want to talk about this more, really," I told her. "But now I need to dress and go back to court. Can we sup tomorrow morning together?"
She nodded, shaking the feeling off. "Of course. I wouldn't wish to keep you tonight."
I hugged her once more, then moved to leave the water. As I reached shallower ground, the shining drops began to rush from my naked body. "Tomorrow," I called back over my shoulder.
"Tomorrow," she echoed in answer.