The Forgotten Princess - Updated to Chapter 2

[Lady Elianna Tar-Minyatur]

Hey all! Yes, although surprising as it may seem, Eli can write! (Or at least I think I can lolol...). Here's my life story, starting with when I was a young girl in Numenor... I want to thank Ara, Lil, and Nienna for their support and advice for this story! Love ya'll !

Chapter One:

Warm sunshine spilled over my face as I relaxed in the water. This felt soooo nice. I was finally out of everyone's reach; no more do's and don'ts, at least for a while anyways. I mean, gracious Valar, I was not even really considered a princess by law (although I certainly was one by birth), and yet I was expected to act like one! “You must never do this”, and “You should know never to do that!” were the favorite phrases around here anytime someone spoke to me. I figured if I had to act (and dress) like a princess, I should be able to live like one, doing whatever I wanted. Firie and amme didn't quite see eye-to-eye with me there. I sighed, leaning back to douse my hair. I felt some of the small fish nibbling my bare toes, and one of the bigger ones brushed my hand. I shut my eyes, letting the warm sunshine make me sleepy. I could stay here forever...

"Elianna?! Elianna!" Uh-oh. I was in big trouble now. "Elianna, where are you?" The voice was nearing. Climbing out of the fishpond (which was not exactly intended for use as a bathtub), I ran over to the rosebush and grabbed my overdress. Trying to wring my hair out as I went, I quickly pulled it over my head. My underdress would soak it, but I had no choice. I had to get back to the house before Firie caught me. Firiel was my nurse-turned-lady-in-waiting, and she would not be happy. "Elianna, young lady! Where in Arda are you?!". Oh dear... this was not good. Firie never mentioned Arda, unless she was good and mad, and Valar did she sound mad...

Ducking under the bush, I raced down the almost hidden walkway. This was my escape route. It was overgrown, and one had to squeeze between the rosebushes just to get through. Firie would never think to look for me here, so I was safe - for the moment. But if she caught me in these wet clothes...

I had to hurry. Pushing my way through the bushes, I cursed them for the thorns which always found their way to my arms and legs. I finally neared the back door, only to stop short in dismay. Amme was sitting on the back terrace with a beautifully dressed man whom I had not seen before. Looking closer, I saw that this was no man - it was an elf! They looked almost exactly alike... could this be her brother?? A string of curses left my lips. I had forgot he was coming! "Gracious Valar." I muttered. "His first time to finally come here - and I forget and look like this!". I was supposed to have been at the house already, waiting to meet him. No wonder Firie was mad. The thought of my nurse finding me spurred me back into action. Creeping around the deck was not an easy job, and, once again, I was grateful for the bushes that thickly surrounded our house. Or at least I was grateful...

Passing right next to where the two sat, I heard my amme's sweet voice. "I'm sure she'll be here soon... her lady-in-waiting has gone to fetch her." Great. Now they were waiting on me! Hurrying on, my dress got caught on a branch. I was pitched forward, and the bush I was hiding in violently shook. "What was that?" asked an unfamiliar voice, presumably my uncle's. "Oh, I'm sure it was nothing." said my mother sweetly. (I had the feeling she knew her daughter often crawled around in here). But, despite this, I saw a pair of boots (which were obviously elven, and very costly at that) approaching my hiding place, and the bushes above me began to part as they were pushed aside by the unfamiliar hand. I was caught for sure... I leaned back, holding my breath, waiting to be discovered.

With an indignant screech in my ear, a bird shot past my head and out of the bush. I just about died then and there, but managed not to screech too - at least not as loud as the bird.

The elf jumped back as the bird exploded out of the bush. Apparently it hit him in the face, for some un-lordlike words came out. I almost laughed, but it's hard to do that and not breathe at the same time. I nearly choked. I could even hear a slight laugh out of my amme as he jumped back, more than startled. I loved to hear her laugh... it was such a light, silvery sound. "Was just a bird." he muttered, returning to his seat with a slightly unsettled look on his face. But once look at my mother trying to hide her smile, and he burst out laughing as well. He was certainly elf, for no mortal sounded like that. I let out a slight sigh of relief as they went back to talking. I cautiously unhooked my dress from the branch, wanting to kick the bush but afraid to send anything else scurrying out. I crawled on with determination, cursing the fact that I as born a girl and had to dress like one.

[Lady Elianna Tar-Minyatur]

I got around to my window without much more difficulty. Getting up the lattice though, was a different matter. I had never done it, much less even tried, while being this wet... a less-than-pleasant experience. I slipped quite a bit and nearly fell once or twice…was sure by that point that I wouldn’t get out with any less than a broken neck. I had to scale three stories worth, and I hated heights - at least one like this. But I slowly managed to drag myself up it. I neared the top. It was almost over, and I had survived! But then I got to contend with the windowsill...

Thank the Valar that no one was standing under me... I would have never lived it down. Scrambling up something in a dress is one thing… throwing yourself over something is an entirely different matter. I lifted myself up even with the window using only my arms, because by this time I had lost my foothold. With a last little bit of effort, I hoisted myself through the window and landed on my face with a very un-ladylike thud. Trying to stand up without doing further damage to my clothes (or my pride), I saw a cloaked figure rise from the seat in the corner near my door. I gasped, but not in fear, for I knew this figure. "Ada??" I inquired softly, eyes wide.
The figure threw back its hood and laughed. "My little princess!" he said, opening his arms. I ran to him, and he picked me up, wet as I was, and swung me around, laughing all the more. "That certainly was a lovely entrance." he remarked, with a twinkle in his eyes.
I laughed, a bit embarrassed, but was too happy for that to last long. “Ada!” I cried again, “I thought you couldn’t come!”.
“Ah,” he said, smiling “how could I miss my princess’s birthday? Becoming 15 is quite a big accomplishment you know.” he said with a laugh, setting me back down. He shook his head in mock amazement as he said, “I don’t know what we’re going to do with you… practically grown up!”.
I gave a wry laugh. “Tell that to amme… she still thinks I need Firie trailing me everywhere.”<br>He shook his head in amusement. “You know, sell-nîn, you’re not quite as big as you think you are”.
“But ada,” I protested, “ I can take care of myself just fine!”.
“No, sell-nîn,” he said softly, “there are many people out there who would seek to harm you. Always listen to your amme; she really does know more than you. Promise me?” he said, turning a questioning look on me.
“Aye, I promise.” I said quietly.
“Ah, now there’s my girl.” He said, with a smile and another hug. “Speaking of your amme; I believe she’s waiting on you. You’d better straighten up a bit.” He tried to hide a laugh, but it didn’t work very well. Valar only knew what I looked like after all that, and I certainly didn’t want to know. Turning on his heel, he smiled at me, shook his head once more, and stepped out into the hall, closing the door.

I moved over towards my bureau, trying to think of something to wear. I found a dry underdress and threw it over the back of the chair that sat next to where my towels lay. Finally remembering one of my fancier dresses that I liked, I diligently went looking for it. I found it in the bottom of one of my chests, and pulled it out, trying to shake out the wrinkles. It was a light blue satiny fabric, with shimmery fabric embroidered with silver stars layered over it. The sleeves were tight down to my elbows, where they flared out quite dramatically and nearly touched the floor. It has a fitted waist, and was so long I had to pick it up just to walk. Crossing over to where my towels lay, I quickly shed my wet clothes and dried off as fast as I could. Throwing on my dry ones, I then took a brush to my hair. Now that was fun - I never knew it was so easy to give yourself a splitting headache. Having very thick, long, and straight hair, brushing had never been an easy task. There was usually more than a little discomfort involved, and today was no exception. I hoped it would be at least less-than-dripping before I got downstairs…<br>
Looking in the mirror, I reflected on my apperance. As both my parents were elf, I got the fair elven face from them, but rather than my mother's blonde hair I had my father's raven-dark hair. My eyes came from them both; they were my father's brown eyes, but I knew when I got angry or was startled they would flash green like my mother's. I was tall like my father, almost hitting six feet. My hair (which I was still having more than slight difficulty getting brushed out) went down to my waist. Finishing with my hair, I turned back to my dressing...

I slipped my thin bracelets on, made out of beautifully twisted silver wire. They were older than I was, and had been my amme’s. I then reached for my matching necklace, but changed my mind and reached for the necklace that my ada had given me instead. It was silver as well, but was not quite as delicate as my elven jewelry. It had been made right here in Númenor, by our own smiths, and was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. It was braided silver, and on it hung the outline of a little braided silver heart. Inside the heart was a small, pale rose that was a dusty pink. It had tiny petals that were almost a blue color, and they changed to green in certain light. It had always been a wonder to me; but I had no time to play around with it now. I would be locked inside for a month if I wasn’t back before Firie was…<br>
Coming out of my room, I turned to descend the stairs. My ada was standing there at the head of the staircase, and offered me his arm. I smiled happily as he escorted me down the stairs. Even though he was my father, as a King that was a great honor to someone. I felt more grown-up than ever. We reached the bottom, and were in sight of the back door when Firie entered through it. “Elianna Túrelie, you are in trouble now chi-“ she began, stopping as she saw my father. She bowed low, murmuring her deepest apologies. “Would you like me to take the lady” - at this word I half snorted, and my father turned an amused look on me - “out to the porch? Her mother and uncle are waiting…”.
“No, Firiel, I have not seen her in a year - it is my turn. She is in my care for today. That will be all.”<br>My lady-in-waiting bowed again, her apologies continuing, and turned towards the kitchen. I had the strong suspicion that she was about to berate the cooking maids who were - as I knew for a fact - probably sitting around embroidering or gossiping. I took a deep breath and smoothed out my skirt with my free hand as we descended the small flight of steps to the terrace.

Coming out into the bright sunshine (inside it was rather dark) temporarily blinded me. When I could see, I saw my mother standing in front of us. Both she and the stranger had risen to their feet. “The honorable Elros, King of Númenor, and our daughter, Lady Elianna.” My mother then introduced the elf as Aerandir, her brother. I had heard (mostly from gossip, but some from believable sources) that my father and my uncle were not the best of friends. My mother’s brother had been angry when he heard of her marriage to my father because he knew that, even though they were both Elven, since she was of no royal standing that it made their marriage illegal, both by law and by custom. He did not wish his sister (the only girl child of their family and also the youngest) to have to live a secluded and secret life. But, contrary to the rumors, my father and he did not seem to dislike eachother. My father bowed his head slightly, as did I (although I bowed from the waist), a gesture which the elf returned. My mother motioned for us all to be seated, giving my father a small, sweet smile which reflected off his face as well as he looked at her indulgently. As my mother re-seated herself, my uncle made the general inquiries as to my health, that of my father, ect. My mother, taking the opportunity, decided to make a few inquiries of her own.
"Where were you child??" she 'whispered' (mentally) to me.
"I was... uh...". I gulped. 'Should I tell her?' I wondered to myself. "I
was... um....". I looked at her with pleading eyes.
"Well??" she demanded.
"I was um... swimming, yes, swimming... in the, uh, fish pond...".
A sound like I have never heard out of my mother escaped her at the moment. (Were we not discussing such an important and dignified lady, I might have called it a snort). My father and uncle looked up with nothing short of surprise on their faces as, after half-covering her face in a rather unsuccessful attempt to stifle it, my mother burst out in peals of mirthful laughter. I giggled slightly at the whole situation, also trying to hide it, but one look at my mother's face and I was in as bad a shape as she was. We sat there, the two of us laughing till we nearly fell out of our chairs, as the men (or should I say man and elf)sat there staring at us as though we had lost our minds. The afternoon certainly held the promise of being enjoyable, to say the least....

[Lady Elianna Tar-Minyatur]

Chapter 2

The next few days passed as enjoyably as the first, if not more so. There were boat rides, horseback expeditions, walks through the garden (and, inevitably, a walk past the said fish pond, at which my mother and I took one look at and doubled over again) - we were well entertained. Then my guests began arriving for their stay a few days before my birthday. Talk about entertainment (and excitement)...

I had poor Eilinel (the cook) on her feet for days with the fanciest recipes she or I could imagine. My mother had ordered a feast for me and anyone I chose to invite, so the rest of the servants were busy preparing the grand dining hall and central sitting room for visitors. There were the garlands of elanor (made by entertwining the delicate flowers with silver boughs from the brethil tree), fine dishes (which had not been used in many a month) to be restored to a state of usefulness, and many other small but equally important touches to finish. The end result, though it took much effort and work, was rather pleasing. The table and benches in the hall were made of black marble, inlaid with precious stones through which that light from the torches along the wall danced and shimmered. The cushions lining the benches were edged with the same stones, creating quite a dazzling effect. The large fireplace at one end of the great hall was lit with a roaring fire to chase away the drafts, which blew through the hall despite the gaps under and around the doors being plugged repeatedly and much to the annoyance of all. There were several lounges arranged in a semi-circle near the fire, one of which I was presently curled up on with a book. It was still early on in the morning, not midday yet. But the book had been forgotten long ago, as I sat, staring subconsciously yet intently at the flickering, leaping flames. As they danced and sparked, my mind ran over many things.

I was thinking back to a few days before, when I had been sitting out on the lawn next to one of the many fountains, talking with my ada. He had laughed when I told him that, besides Serindë, Rivil, and Almaren, I had few people to invite to the feast. My friends, I told him, were my horse, Gilgond (Starstone), the fish in the pond (at which thought I started laughing again), and the dogs (which Firie and amme, I explained sheepishly, did not know about). I kept the dogs in the old, walled-in garden, where I snuck them food every day. I played with them all the time, and I loved them to death, but it’s kind of hard, I told him, to explain on rainy days when you come in smelling like wet puppy ‘what in Arda you’ve been doing’. At this he threw back his head and laughed.
“Leave it to my daughter to come up with a good excuse though…’. He raised an eyebrow at me, and I blushed sheepishly.
“Well, I’ve never got caught… yet…’.
He shook his head and laughed. “What are we going to do with you child?’ he asked.
“Well at least you don’t have to be surrounded by silly, twittering girls!’ I retorted.
“Of course not.” he replied, a twinkle in his eyes. “I don’t need them… I have you.”
“Ada!” I cried, in mock consternation, splashing him with some of the water from the fountain without thinking. Uh-oh. My ‘not thinking’ almost never turned out well…<br>
But, rather than giving me the look I know Firie would’ve given me, he gave me a sideways glance. “You want to play like that, do you?”. I shrieked as he drenched me in one swift motion. I had splashed him back, and soon we had a regular water fight going. I had seen me amme, smiling in her sweet way, looking out the window at my ada and me as we played.
“I think your ada enjoys your games as much as you do.” she laughingly told me later. “I’m sure he enjoys the break from his ‘kingly’ behavior”. I laughed.
“You certainly wouldn’t think you’d see a king playing about so.” I agreed.
“Aye, but you are his little princess. A spoiled one, maybe, but still his princess nonetheless.” she said with a wink.
“Me? Spoiled?? Never…” I said. We both looked at each other and laughed.

Coming out of my thoughts, I took up my book again and began to read. This book was one of my favorites. It was about Valinor, and the great tales in it; about the Valar, Beren and Lúthien, Túrin Turumbar, Beleg Strongbow, and many others. It had beautiful illustrations in it. My favorites were the ones of the dwellings of each of the Valar. I would never see them, of course, unless I chose the life and immortality of the elves, but my ada had, and so had my amme. They would tell me tales of the beauty and splendor of Valinor, as I sat, entranced, for hours at a time.

But even more than the stories, I loved to watch them together. When it was just the three of us, they were just like two young elves in love. They adored eachother – that was plain enough. I had always hoped I would turn out to be as happy as them…<br>
Suddenly, I heard (so it seemed) the sound of hoofbeats outside. Getting up from the lounge, I laid my book down on it. I walked down the great hall, turned into the entrance hall, and descended the steps. Indeed I had heard hoofbeats, for a rider was fast approaching. As he came to a halt, he stopped and swung down in one motion. Striding towards me, he embraced me heartily with a deep laugh.
“It’s wonderful to see you darling!” he exclaimed, as I laughed and embraced him back.
“So glad you cold make it.” I said, giving him a warm smile.
“How I’ve missed you and your crazy ideas.” he said, rolling his eyes.
“Well, as long as you’ve come to spend the week with me I promise you’ll have no lack of them.” I said, with a mischievous grin. He shook his head in mock fear.
“Gracious Valar, we’re all going to die…”.

We looked at eachother and fell over laughing. “Come, I’ll lead you and Elen around to the stables and you can leave him there.” We went around the side of the house opposite my window and down the long, winding path to the stables, which were a few hundred yards away from the back terrace. It took us several minutes to get there. Reaching the door, I lifted the bar that held it shut. Stepping inside, I took Elen from Almaren and led him by the bridle to the end stall. Taking out his bit and removing his saddle, I patted his neck. “There’s a good boy.” I said to him, brushing him and rubbing him down quickly and easily. I left him munching on oats as I shut the door. Coming back out into the sunshine, Almaren laughingly offered me his arm.

“Come, my lady, shall we go up to the house??”. I laughed, and almost took his arm, but there was still a sliver of childishness in me and it won out. “Race you instead!” I said, with a wink and a glint in my eye. I took off in a mad dash towards the house. “No fair!” I hear him yell, as I looked over my shoulder and he took off after me. “Didn’t say it was!” I laughed, throwing my full effort into it. I had never won, as his legs were always longer than mine, but this year I was almost as tall as he and it certainly kept him from having the edge advantage-wise. I could hear him close behind me, but I was not about to let him win. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to run the whole way though – it was a looong way back to the house. Walking was one thing; running was another. About halfway there, my determination (a.k.a. strength and air) began failing fast. The wind whipped my hair in my eyes, and my heart was pounding. I threw myself forward, willing my body to move forward when it wanted to drop then and there. But the porch was nearing rapidly. With one last burst of speed and energy, up the steps I went. I dropped to the ground a few feet short of the door, panting. About three seconds after I hit the stone floor, Almaren came and landed next to me. We both looked at eachother, unable to say anything for lack of air. “I… beat you.” I finally managed to gasp. He looked at me and smiled. “This is the first time you’ve won, isn’t it??” he panted. “You noticed too?” I rolled my eyes.

We sat (more like laid) there for several minutes, trying to catch our breaths. “Whew.” I said, when I had found the much-needed air. “If Firie finds us like this, she’s going to wonder what in Arda we’ve been doing.”
“Eli!” he exclaimed in mock consternation, hitting my arm playfully. We both laughed, and I gave him one of my winning smiles (which were well-known for making any given male ride into trees, fences, walls, ect.), and he shook his head and smiled back.
“Darling,” he said, “you are far too confident with that smile of yours”. He rolled his eyes.
“It always works though doesn’t it?” I asked laughingly. He gave a little snort.
“You’ve made so many men ride into things it’s sad. You’d think you were trying to rid Númenor of them”.
“Maybe I am.” I said, with a mischievous twinkle in my eye. He gave a hearty laugh and jumped to his feet, offering me his hand.
“Now shall we go inside, m’lady?”. I giggled at his formality but took the offered hand. He pulled me to my feet, took my arm, and led me through the back door.

[Lady Elianna Tar-Minyatur]

As we came in, my amme and my ada were coming down the stairs, also arm-in-arm. My ada turned a surprised eye on both of us, and we looked at him, and then at eachother, and laughed.
“Ada, amme, my best friend Almaren.” I said, nodding towards him.
“My lord.” he said with a gasp, recognizing my father. He dropped to one knee and bowed his head. My father nodded and Almaren rose to his feet.
“Darling, my father and mother.” I said with a smile. They both smiled at him, but his eyes got wide.
“They’re your… you’re a… but… but… you?? A prin-.” I clamped my hand over his mouth.
“Don’t you say it”. He looked at me funny, and my parents laughed.
“Say what? Princ-“. Here I covered his mouth again.
“Yes. That word”. He shook his head.
“You’re an odd duck, you know that?”.
“Of course. I’m special”.
My amme shook her head and laughed. You didn’t know I was a queen now, did you?”. Almaren shook his head. He went down on one knee again and took her hand a kissed it. “Forgive me, m’lady”. I nearly fell over laughing, and both my parents had amused looks on their faces. “Get up you goose.” I whispered (rather loudly), still giggling. “Anyways,” I panted, trying to stop laughing, “he’s come to stay the week with me. Serindë and Rivil are coming too”. Almaren shot me a look.
“What?! Eli! Don’t tell me you invited those two!” he said, with an exasperated sigh.
“And why not?” I challenged him.
“Because they’re as different as night and day! How do you expect to be able to do anything??”. He had a point. Serindë, on one hand, was an inside person. She loved to sit and read, sew, play her harp, ect. Her name even meant ‘the Broideress’. Rivil, on the other hand, was just as much a tomboy as me, if not more. You would almost always find her outside, riding, hunting, swimming, swordfighting, practicing her archery – he saying was ‘If a man, mortal or otherwise, can do it, so can I’. And she lived up to it too. The town’s boys had given up challenging her whenever she came to visit me, as she always beat them. Even Almaren was hardly a match for her, and they would end up neck-to-neck every time they raced. “I think you’re just afraid of being beaten by Rivil again.” I retorted. “Or be turned into a girly guy by Serindë.” he muttered. I laughed and turned to my parents. “If you’ll excuse us, hír and híril nîn,” I said laughingly, “we are going to find something to occupy ourselves until the aforementioned two arrive”. My parents nodded very formally, sharing the jest. They turned and walked out the door, from which we had just come, towards the gardens. “So,” I said, “shall we ride, go swimming, talk, sit, find some kind of trouble to get into… or did you have something else in mind??”. He rolled his eyes. “I opt for the safest choice – sitting”. “Come now, darling, don’t you want to help me wreak havoc? We always have fun…”

I gave him one of my most sad, pleading eyes (which also tended to work well on males), and he gave in. “Ok, fine… just promise me we’re not doing anything drastic like burning half of Númenor down…”. I smiled happily.
“Of course not! Why settle for half when you can have the whole?”. I winked at him.
“Valar, we’re all going to die… going to find somewhere to hide really fast.” he said.
“Oh no you’re not!” I exclaimed, catching hold of his arm. “If I have to drag you kicking and screaming the whole way I will… make it easy on me darling”. I laughed as he pretended to struggle.
“Oh fine.” he said, giving in easily. “You’re bound to get me killed or kicked out of the country soon enough anyways”.
“Sure, sure, say what you want – half the time it’s your fault.” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Eh, ok, so I admit, I’ve done my share. But it’s your brilliant little mind that does the plotting”. “That’s because I’m the brighter of the two.” I shot back playfully as he threw me a teasing glare.
“So, where has your ‘brightness’ decided to take us this time?”.
“Not sure, but I’ll know when I see it”. He gave an exaggerated sigh.
“Lovely. That’s comforting…”. I laughed.
“Well, the best way to find trouble is to go looking for it. Come, I’ll let you ride Aranel so Elen can rest. Gilgond needs to be run too, so I’ll ride him”. I stopped and thought for a moment. “Unless you want to go up to your room and change. I know you’ve been riding for a while…”.
“That would be nice.” he agreed.
“Alright, well you run on up and change and I will too. I need to find something more suitable”. He nodded, and we both took off up the stairs, taking them two at a time, as was our usual way. We parted at the top landing, as he went left and I went right. He hadn’t had to bring any clothes, as he had his own room and wardrobe at my house. He practically lived with me several months out of the year, so we kept everything he needed in one of the several hundred spare rooms we had. Serindë and Rivil, who lived little more than a day’s ride away, also had their own rooms and practically half their wardrobes stored in them. Coming to my room and opening the door, I stepped inside and shut it behind me. Turning towards my smaller bureau, I put the key from around my neck in the hole and unlocked it. I pulled out my brown split skirt and a loose, flowing green shirt. Slipping out of my fancy red dress, I dressed quickly and then took a brush to my hair. I braided it back out of the way and put one of my less fancy silver circlets on to hold it in place.

[Lady Elianna Tar-Minyatur]

Knowing we would probably be gone most of the day, I made my way down to the kitchen to have Eilinel pack something for us. I wasn’t expecting Serindë and Rivil till tomorrow or day after, so they wouldn’t miss us. Almaren was slower than I was at dressing, so I knew he wouldn’t come looking for me for a while. Skipping down the stairs, I navigated the twists and turns of the hall with ease. I had the route down as well as the back of my hand, and could even run it in the dark (and often had). It happened to be my favorite around here. I came to the kitchen door and pushed it open. It creaked, and the sleeping, gossiping maids jumped to their feet. They saw it was only me, and the looks of relief on their faces were evident. I laughed. “Here, Tanamir, Nethalia, run and fetch me Eilinel. Tell her ‘her lady daughter’ sends for her”.

Although my mother had bought her, I had chosen Eilinel from the slave market down at the docks. My mother had insisted that we buy someone older, as she figured Eilinel would not fill the spot we needed for a cook, but I insisted that we give her a try. I had liked her from first sight. It turned out that we had to wage a bidding war with the brothel woman, who also had her eye on Eilinel, but in the end we won out, and I was allowed to lead my new charge home. It turned out that my mother was not sorry, and she turned out to be a better cook than the last three we had combined. She never seemed to grow weary of thanking me for saving her, and she held a special place for me in her heart, she often told me. I loved her like a second mother, and she had ‘adopted’ me and treated me like her own child, which she had never had.

I watched the two girls hurry off, stumbling rather funnily, as I had apparently awoken them from sleep (which I was not at all sure was not the result of a few too many trips to the bottle). My mother’s kitchen maids had their faults, but for the most part they were good, dependable girls. Besides, I couldn’t say but that I hadn’t done the same thing myself a few times… or more…<br>
Eilinel came out from the back room in a flurry, pushing the staggering, slow-walking girls out of the way. She stopped and bowed, then smiled and hugged me, “You called for me?” she asked.
“Aye, I did. Could you possibly whip up something in say, oh, the next fifteen minutes for myself and a friend?”<br>“Of course sweetie – but you and who?”. I gave a merry laugh.
“If you’re wondering how much to pack, all I need say – Almaren”. She rolled her eyes and gave an exaggerated sigh.
“You may as well have told me to pack the entire kitchen”. She rolled her eyes again and we both laughed. “But, darling, I’ll see what I can come up with”.
“Many thanks!” I said, with another hug, then added “I’ll be in the stables, so whenever you get ready just send out one of the girls”.
“Aye, that I will. And you’re very welcome child – anytime”. I bestowed a warm smile on her and skipped out of the kitchen, away towards the back door. I skipped merrily out it also, singing as I went, and turned to the path that veered off towards the gardens. I caught sight of my parents, and they turned around at the sound of my voice. “That was beautiful, my little tinúviel.” I blushed and smiled happily.
“Hannon lle, ada.” I said, as he tilted my face to him with his hand.
“Now, you’ve surely come to tell me something… what is it, sell-nîn?”<br>“Well, I just wanted to tell you that Almaren and I have decided on our entertainment – riding – so we won’t be back till probably late. I just didn’t want you two to worry”. He raised an eyebrow at me.
“Why do I get the feeling that you’re going to find trouble somewhere along the way…”.
“Ada!” I exclaimed as I shot him a glance. “Do you honestly think that two young people as old as we are would be prone to trouble?”. He and my mother looked at eachother, and then back at me.
“Yes.” they both chimed in unanimously, laughing.
“Eh.” I said, shaking my head. “Well, maybe so, but we’ve never done anything serious… ok, well, except that time we, eh, burned all 11 lower fields and half that village down on the river…”. They looked at me sidewise.
“Except??”.
“Ok, ada, I promise – no more fire.”
“Ever?”. I gulped.
“Um, well… not while my friends are here?”.
“Híni, híni, what are we going to do with you?”<br>“Um… hide any flammable objects??”. They looked at me, at eachother and back again, then fell over laughing.
“Well, we’ll see. But yes, you may go riding. Good luck darling, and be careful.”<br>I hugged him, and then my amme, and turned back towards the stables, waving at them as I went. I unbarred the door, opening it quickly. I almost ran into our stable boy, who was sweeping up in the stall nearest the door. “Oh, Calmar, there you are. I need you to saddle Aranel and Gilgond for me please”. He was always very quiet, and now he simply nodded. “Can you have them ready in the next five minutes?”. Here he nodded again. “Thanks so much”. I smiled at him, and he managed to return it. I had always felt bad for him. I tried as often as I could to talk to him, and bit-by-bit I had been getting a better response. Turning around to go back out the door, I then almost ran into Nethalia.
“M’lady, Eilinel says to come and get your basket. It’s ready now”.
“Thank you, Nethalia. That will be all”. She bowed and left back towards the house. “Please bring the horses to the back door when you’re finished”.
“Yes, m’lady”.
I looked at him in amazement. That was probably the most he’d ever said in his life, much less to me. I laughed merrily. “Thank you very much”. He just nodded (again), and turned towards the horses. I skipped out the door and down the path, my heart very light as I sang and danced my way to the house. Today was a good day.