Dawnstar and Friend

Eleanor POV
On the first morning out of our rooms I couldn’t help give both Adindel and Ginny strange looks.
Apart from finding the whole idea of Adindel fancying Ginny bloody hilarious, I also could not think of a less likely match.
If you were wondering Adindel seems to be particularly pissy today, probably because of all the romance everyone else was getting, not to mention the fact that the second girl he has actually fancied in any way will soon be leaving to become totally off limits.
While we are talking I find out that Legolas and I actually spent a week and a half in our rooms, much to the teasing of all around us.
When Ginny and her family go out on their morning ride I join them, partly because I have not been round my friends for so long, partly because I am trying to get away from Adindel who if I stay round any longer then I will crack up laughing or something.
I try to act normally throughout the ride but I really can’t.
Ginny obviously notices and demands answers.
Well I was going to try and find a more subtle way of telling her or something, I am not really as evil as my friend seems to think.
Since she asked though, I take her aside and tell her.
When I take her aside she seems rather worried about what I have to tell her.
Then when I do tell her she cannot believe me and just gapes at me incoherently.
So I repeat myself adding that Legolas told me on our wedding night.
I think she has gone into denial as she homes in on the fact that we were talking about her on our wedding night rather than doing more interesting thing.
So, since she feel so shocked and is a bit slow on the uptake, I explain slowly – little bits so she has time to take it in.
I hesitate over reminding her that she was topless but decide that since I have already started that I might as well go for the full bit, she would probably work it out anyway.
When she finally comprehends that he was basically staring at her topless she goes into apoplexy.
I have to admit that I enjoy her reaction just a little more than a truly good friend should but I never said I didn’t have an evil sense of humour, did I?
Once she stops having apoplexy long enough to ask if I am sure of this I decide to be a little more evil than I probably should be.
I can’t resist the temptation to put on one of those innocent little expressions and comment about how Adindel must feel, fancying a human, yet burdened with all those anti-human prejudices that sindars are so fond of.
I think she twigs that I am enjoying this at that point.
She then goes back to having apoplexy, which has not yet lost its amusement value.
When she comments that she is betrothed and will never reciprocate his feelings I have to agree with her.
Though if my little plan that is slowly forming in that evil little mind of mine works out then there is more chance than she thinks...
Ooo
I think I just had an evil idea.
Yes, another one.
Anyway.
She then decides to ask why I told her this.
Back to those innocent little expressions.
“I thought it would give you a little something to think about... the next time you see Adindel...”
She accuses me of being evil!
I mean, me – evil?
Honestly
And I though she knew me so well.
When we get back to her family she very quickly clears off again.
This results in Erestor doing his inquisition impression again.
“Why is she upset?”
“What did you tell her to upset her so much?”
And variations on that theme.
After a while I get fed up of this and turn to him, since I am not going to answer those questions I take a different route to getting him to shut up.
“Erestor, may I remind you who I am? May I also remind you that it is not your place to interrogate me and I am not telling what I said to Ginny because it is her business not yours. I you want to find out then ask her.”
He looks at me, rather shocked. I do not remind people of my position or behave like that very often. This results in it being a very effective way of dealing with people.
‘Princess’ works do much better when it is not wall paper.
***
I have to admit that I enjoy the way she cannot look at Adindel and the way she starts behaving strangely whenever he is anywhere near her.
Her look of relief when we finally leave Mirkwood is quite comical really.
They journey to Dol Amroth is very sedate, partly because Elrohir is too busy with Miriel to get up to anything with his twin brother.
Elladan still tries but it doesn’t really work with one person only.
When we get near to the city we see the bay of Belfalas and I see Ginny’s nerve level shoot sky high. That is something I know about.
Then we go into the city and go up flower strewn streets, it looks like the people are happy about the marriage.
When we get to the palace, Ginny greets Imrahil enthusiastically but then notices the lack of a certain highly important prince.
Judging by the way Imrahil skirts round answering her, I don’t think she will like the reason why Amrothos is not there.
Those that are not her personal attendants are lead away in one direction while the rest of us follow Imrahil.
When he finally gets there and then explains what is with the almost annexed off location and stuff I have to feel sorry for my best friend.
Then she explodes.
It looks like the years have not dampened down her temper all that much.
Imrahil flares back of course and the argument ends up how most arguments do.
Once Ginny has stormed into her room, half read to kill the ruler of Dol Amroth, I hold my nose and cover my mouth with one hand and hold my stomach with the other to stop me from collapsing laughing.
Unfortunately for me, Imrahil notices my amusement and rounds on me.
“you think this is funny! You think her total disrespect for both traditions and me, as her father in law, ruler of this city and host is amusing?” His little outburst gives me time to recover from my mirth.
“May I remind you, Prince Imrahil, that I am a rather higher ranking elf than you or any of your humans could ever hope to achieve and if you want to be treated with the respect you demand then you should treat those around you, especially your betters, with the respect they deserve.”
He gapes at me incoherent with amazement, but I do not stop there.
“Virginia Nestawen, ward of Lord Erestor the chief councillor and lady of the Court of Gondolin is a rather better catch than your son to be totally honest and both you and he should be glad that you have her marrying into your family. I would not advise you irritate her any further.”
He is still gaping at me, eyes wide – I don’t think he ever considered that point.
“As a final point to you, human child” Relative to me, all humans are children “Do you think she has not got many more years of tradition behind her than you? Unfortunately for you, she does and you who are obviously too narrow minded to realise the providence of a women who has not just the traditions of the elves behind her but those of her own world. I know this is your house but the sign of a good ruler is to compromise where the situation calls for it. Traditions were not made to be followed blindly, they were made because the second and the third time a situation came round then what had been done at the first one was appropriate to that situation. None of those previous weddings had a lady of both another world and the elfin tradition as the bride, and so compromise is necessary.”
I don’t think the man has ever been spoken to like that before in his life.
I ask him in the same ice cold tone I used for my little speech where I am accommodated.
He shows me, still in a daze over what has been said.
Once I am settled in, well not very much but enough time afterwards for Imrahil to be gone, I go outside and join Miriel in going in to see Ginny, who I am sure is distraught.
She is.
Later that night I go and check on Ginny again, really quite worried for my friend.
She is not there and her cloak is gone.
Peculiar.
When morning comes I tell Silva about it and at breakfast she asks Ginny about it.
Well, well, well, It looks like the prince is more worthy of his bride than I thought.
He’s got back bone, I’ll give him that.
Ginny’s POV
Miriel and Elrohir didn’t emerge from their room for about a week afterwards; Ellie and Legolas appeared about three days after that.
There were kisses and hugs all round and I couldn’t help noticing that the demeanour of all four was slightly changed – I can’t really describe how; maybe I’ll have to wait for my own wedding night to find out.
I also notice that Ellie keeps shooting both Adindel and I very strange looks all through breakfast. I can’t think why, Adindel is being just as unpleasant towards me as he always is, more so in fact. Actually, ever since I’ve been in Mirkwood for the bindings, he’s been even more unpleasant than he was before.
Ellie accompanies Ada, Naneth, Vanlanthiriel, and I on our morning ride – she’s acting very oddly, almost like she’s bursting to tell us something, but is trying to hold it in.
Eventually, being unable to stand it anymore, I stop my horse and say,
“Come on, Ellie, out with it. I can tell you’ve got something important to say.”
Ellie pauses, her eyes flickering between me and my family,
“Yes I have actually, but it’s rather delicate, not to mention rather embarrassing, for the people involved. Ginny, could we go somewhere private?”
Uh-oh.
We leave my family and ride deeper into the trees, eventually finding a small clearing where we both dismount.
Ellie doesn’t beat about the bush,
“Adindel fancies you.”
I stop dead, staring at her, my mouth slightly open.
“Excuse me?”
“Adindel fancies you; Legolas told me so on our wedding night.”
“Wait a minute, Legolas told you that Adindel fancies me on your wedding night?” I bring my hands up in front of me, my face awash with incomprehension.
“Yup; we were actually talking about how we first met, do you remember?”
“Vaguely...”
“Legolas was saying how he was enjoying the view of me asleep and then he mentioned how Adindel was enjoying the view of you asleep... topless.”
The memory of that day suddenly comes flooding back... me frantically drawing up my sleeping bag and... Adindel watching...
“What?!” my voice is high with incredulity, “You’re saying that Adindel ogled me whilst I was asleep?”
Ellie nods,
“Apparently he’s desired you ever since.”
“Oh my god...” I start pacing up and down, hands on my head. Eventually, I stop and look back at Ellie,
“You’re sure; you’re absolutely certain?”
“It does explain why he’s always so pissed off around you; I guess he can’t quite believe that he, a Sindar, would actually fancy a human.”
I gape at her and then I notice her slight smirk,
“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?”
Ellie gives a little shrug of her shoulders.
“But why me... why?”
“Well, they do say that love conquers all.”
“That’s really not helping, Ellie. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m betrothed.” I hold up my hand, gesticulating at my ring. “It’s not like I’m ever going to reciprocate his feelings.”
“True...”
“So why did you tell me?”
“I thought it would give you a little something to think about... the next time you see Adindel...”
“You are truly evil at times, Ellie, I hope you realise that.”
“I know.” Ellie answers proudly.
We then mount our horses and rejoin Ada, Naneth, and Vanlanthiriel.
I think only Ellie is unsurprised when I claim tiredness and make my way back to the palace – I really need to think about this. I don’t even know why I want to think about it, it’s not like it’s going to change anything... but Adindel ogling me...?
In the most clichéd way possible, I almost collide with Adindel as I walk to my room. I feel myself going red. I don’t look into his eyes and say hurriedly,
“Good morning.”
I then walk very quickly to my room, shutting the door firmly behind me... Adindel ogled me...?
I find the rest of our stay very awkward and try to avoid any kind of contact with Adindel and always sit between others at meal times.
It may just be paranoia, but I swear all my friends look at me strangely now... Ellie had better not have told anyone what she told me... over-protective husband and cat or no, she may just have to die very slowly if I ever find out that she has.
All in all I’m very glad when the time comes for all visitors to leave Mirkwood. Elrond returns to Rivendell and Galadriel and Celeborn return to Lorien, but everyone else (along with other Mirkwood elves) sets out for Dol Amroth.
The journey takes quite a while as we move at a sedate and stately pace.
I don’t really think about the reasons for our going to Dol Amroth until we come to a hill over-looking the city with the Bay of Belfalas beyond.
OK, nerves have started to appear.
I take deep breaths to steady myself, trying not to remember the last time I was here.
We make quite a scene as we ride up to Imrahil’s palace – I doubt the people here have ever seen so many elves all at once before, if they’ve seen them at all.
Imrahil is waiting on the steps leading up to his palace; he holds out his arms as I dismount and run over to him. Amrothos, however, isn’t here. Imrahil must have noticed me look for him for he says,
“All will be explained later. Now, you look very tired, I shall show you all to your rooms.”
Imrahil leads us far into his palace; up many stairs and down endless corridors, until we eventually reach a small wing right at the back of the palace.
“Here is where Ginny and her attendants at the wedding will sleep; everyone else will be housed in the main guest quarters or at inns in the city.”
“Why aren’t we also sleeping in the guest quarters and why are we in a wing so far removed from the main palace?”
Imrahil doesn’t look me in the eye.
“It’s tradition for the couple to not see anything of each other for a month before their wedding...”
“You mean, I’m not allowed to speak to or even see Amrothos until our wedding day? ... Why couldn’t you have told me this before so I could stay somewhere else and not in such close proximity to my fiancé? And how the hell am I supposed to avoid him?”
“Well, you will sleep here, eat here, there’s a separate way outside...” Imrahil trails off. Then, catching sight of my mutinous face, he continues, “I’m sorry, Ginny, but it’s tradition...”
“Oh, tradition, well that makes it all better then doesn’t it? Why don’t we all join in and make it a family affair? Do you always follow the traditions quite so minutely?”
Imrahil’s face has darkened slightly, I don’t he’s ever had anyone talk to him in such a way before.
“Yes, as a matter of fact I do, and while you are still a guest in my palace, Ginny, you will respect my wishes and do the same.”
We stare at each other.
“Tell me, Prince Imrahil; is it always so quiet in your palace?”
He nods.
“Good.” I then sweep over to the door to my bedroom, open it and enter, and, with all my strength, slam it behind me.
I’m angry, very angry. I hardly ever act like this, so that’s probably why no one disturbs me for quite a while.
When they do, it’s only Ellie and Miriel with their cats, Murrlin timidly bringing up the rear. She lays her head in my lap, her big, green eyes staring up at me forlornly. As I stroke her ears, Ellie and Miriel sit down beside me, each putting a comforting arm around my back.
“I’m sorry,” I falter, “I just haven’t seen Amrothos in weeks and now I have to wait even longer until I see him again...” I close my eyes, trying not to let the tears spill. “Of course, it doesn’t help that I’m a towering wreck of nerves anyway.”
At this, I feel the arms about me tighten slightly and Ellie says gently,
“Don’t worry, Ginny, we’ll find a way around this.”...
That night, as I pull the covers away from the large, fluffy pillows, an envelope flutters to my feet. Puzzled, I sit on my bed and slit it open. The note inside is very short:
Meet me tonight outside the palace walls.
Amrothos
My face breaks into its first true smile of the day. Hurriedly, I don a dress and cloak and steal out of my room.
I tip-toe down the back stairs and out into the cold night. I raise my hood and keep my cloak tucked about me as I make my way to one of the gates.
A hand folds about my waist and another covers my mouth, I relax as I recognise my fiancé. Turning around in his arms, I kiss him passionately and hug him as he trails kisses all over my neck.
He eventually stops and, taking me by the hand, leads me through the sleeping city down to the shoreline.
Here we wander, kissing often, talking not a lot.
It’s very late (or very early, depending on how you look at it) when I eventually snuggle down under my pillows; I go to sleep smiling.
***
“Ginny, where were you last night?”
I’m sitting with Ellie, Miriel, Naneth, and Vanlanthiriel in our private dining room, eating breakfast and trying not to look too guilty. Naneth continues,
“Ellie came to me saying she had knocked on your door, but having received no answer, she went inside to find you and your cloak gone.”
There’s no point in lying, my face has probably told them everything anyway.
“I met Amrothos and he took me on a moonlit stroll by the bay.”
“Do anything else?” asks Ellie cheekily. I find myself straightening my back and looking haughty, before answering composedly,
“We talked a little and kissed a lot and then he walked me back.”
Looking round, I see everyone is wearing identical soppy smiles and Vanlanthiriel looks excited. Miriel, in her most innocent and romantic voice says,
“He really must love you to go against his father’s express command...”
I open my mouth to answer, but then see the twinkle in everyone’s eye. I smile before saying faintly,
“Thank you.”