gwendethAccounts Admin, Sindarin Mod & Head Stargazer of VardaPosts: 5808 Send Message |
|
Dolenaglar |
|
Nifredil |
|
gwendethAccounts Admin, Sindarin Mod & Head Stargazer of VardaPosts: 5808 Send Message |
|
Faenauliel |
|
gwendethAccounts Admin, Sindarin Mod & Head Stargazer of VardaPosts: 5808 Send Message |
|
Nifredil |
|
Rudhwethiel |
|
Faenauliel |
|
gwendethAccounts Admin, Sindarin Mod & Head Stargazer of VardaPosts: 5808 Send Message |
|
Faenauliel |
|
Nifredil |
|
gwendethAccounts Admin, Sindarin Mod & Head Stargazer of VardaPosts: 5808 Send Message |
|
Nifredil |
|
Rudhwethiel |
|
Faenauliel |
|
gwendethAccounts Admin, Sindarin Mod & Head Stargazer of VardaPosts: 5808 Send Message |
|
maeghin |
|
gwendethAccounts Admin, Sindarin Mod & Head Stargazer of VardaPosts: 5808 Send Message |
|
Nifredil |
|
moonletters |
|
Rudhwethiel |
|
Faenauliel |
|
gwendethAccounts Admin, Sindarin Mod & Head Stargazer of VardaPosts: 5808 Send Message |
|
Nifredil |
RE: Dartho Annin An-uir: Be With Me Always on: November 20, 2003 05:20
|
|
As soon as Ohtar entered the brightly lit room, he felt as if being surrounded by laughter and smiles, and music. He got confused, at first, with so many beautiful ellith around him. He went to the large table for a drink, when his eye caught a lovely couple: two ellith with grey eyes and dark hair, obviously sisters. Both of them were clad in shining grey that mached their mysterious eyes, and made it impossible to tell them apart.
Ohtar took an exquisite crystal glass filled with a deep red liquid. It smelled like wine. And it was wine, the best he had ever tried. He looked around for Isildur or anybody else from Men, but his sight was brought back to the ellith. One of them had disappeared, but the other one didn't lower her eyes when meeting Ohtar's. He arched his eyebrow, questioningly, and she smiled.
"Will you dance with me?" he turned to see the other sister standing in front of him.
"But of course, fair lady!" he answered a little bewildered. He wasn't used to be the one invited for a dance.
"My apologies. I should have asked you first. But I'm afraid I have forgotten how to dance..."
The elleth just laughed. And Ohtar found that his memory was better than he had thought. The dace lessons from his childhood came back to him, and there were only a few parts when he had the steps mixed. When the dance was over, he brought her to her sister and extended his palm to her:
"May I ask you for the next dance, My Lady?"
Now, that was far more easy and pleasant than he had thought before. After half an hour or more he noticed Elendil staring darkly at him, and the real purpose of his coming to the gala came back to him. He excused himself from the sisters and their equally beautiful friends that had been keeping him company and strode over the whole large Hall to stand before his King. Now he saw clearly that not only joy was present in the ball. Sorrow and dark expectations were almost palpable, barely hidden behind smiles and music.
"My Lord," he saluted.
"While you've been having fun here," Elendil spoke seriously, "we here have been thinking about war. Come, you have to meet Captain Ivorcheneb. And later King Gil-Galad will be wanting to talk to you both, but only after the ball," King Elendil turned knowing that Ohtar would follow. Ohtar couldn't figure out whether the King had indeed meant to insult him. Was anything wrong with his ability to have fun? He had no intention to be grim all the time just because there was a war close at hand. Or maybe it was because of the ellith? Isildur joined them.
"Care for another glass of wine?" he asked Ohtar.
"No, thanks," he answered. "I'm in no mood for that."
"Oh, but you were just a minute ago, what has changed?"
"A lot," Ohtar growled. "You know, if I compare the company of your father and that of several beautiful ellith..." he paused meaningfully, throwing a quick glance at the King in front of him.
Isildur boomed a laughter and received an angry look from his father, but it didn't bother him at all.
"So, where are you two heading, so friendly?"
They were approaching a group of three tall elves. One of them, the dark one, Ohtar had noted before, then there were two blond ellyn. One he definitely hadn't met before, but the other... Ohtar's eyes narrowed as he noted his long braid. Could it be the one he had met the first day when he arrived...?
Before he could answer to Isildur's question, Elendil stopped at the group. Ohtar frowned. One of them? His eyes fell on the elf he didn't know.
"Captain Ivorcheneb?" Elendil spoke.
To Ohtar's surprise and great anticipation the ellon with the long braid swung around to face the King:
"Yes, Hîr nin?" he answered with deepest respect in his voice.
"I'd like to introduce you to the Captain Ohtar who will be commanding the group of Numenorian warriors accompanying you on your quest. Ohtar? This is Captain Ivorcheneb."
The man and the elf exchanged icy glances. Ohtar didn't even try to hide his dislike. The further the better, he thought, feeling his blood rising to his face. In the elf's crystal blue eyes he read the recognition and disrespect, and he wandered, if this indeed was the best man Gil-Galad had. With delay he remembered that hands were to be shaken, and this fact also didn't slip unnoticed by those strange blue eyes.
"Captain Ohtar is informed that you will be leaving tomorrow early, only the exact timing is to be agreed..." Elendil spoke on, not even noticing that this was offending Ohtar greatly. Informed that you will be leaving! As if he were a mere servant who has to prepare for the maters' departure! Ohtar squeezed the elf's hand stronger than he should have, before he realized what he was doing.
"We will leave at dawn," Ivorcheneb stated, his face completely emotionless.
"Captain Ohtar, I believe you have informed your men about the mission?" Elendil asked. Ohtar stared at him in disbelief. Couldn't he really see that he was humiliating Ohtar in the eyes of the elf?! The King was treating him like a first-year soldier who had no idea at all bout his duties and obligations!
"Yes, sir. Of course I have," Ohtar slowly said, his dark eyes dangerously ablaze. If the King won't stop...
"Well then, it is settled. Have a nice evening, sirs!" he went away, and Isildur followed, smirking.
Ohtar turned his gaze towards Ivorcheneb.
"I believe the King Gil-Galad wished to speak to us both at the end of the ball. I shall meet you then. Until that time, enjoy the ball," he said as politely as he could. He needed to get out, he felt like choking, he needed fresh air... And certainly nobody around!
Ohtar hurried out of the hall into the garden.
As soon as the bustle of the party was left behind, Ohtar felt he could breathe more free. But he was still too close, so he walked further and deeper in the garden. The tender darknes surrounded him, and he plunged into thought.
He hated when King Elendil did things like this last one, but the King just seemed not to notice. He was always like that. He was a very wize person and indeed learned in lore and such... But he was so unbearably blind when it came to peopleš feelings! He started running. The look in that elf's eyes, it made him want to hit somebody, to...
There was a sound of falling water nearby. Ohtar turned there. He reached a small meadow beside a little pool, and in the middle of the pool there was a fountain, representing a young woman surrounded by a circle of fish spewing water. Ohtar sped up and dived in the pool with a great splash, delighted to feel the fresh cool liquid wrapping him...
Suddenly his head hit something hard. The pool had been too shallow. Blue lights dashed in front of his eyes, the world was spinning around, he twitched, not sure where the "upside" was, water filled his mouth, he started choking...
Two strong arms grabbed him and pulled him out. It turned out that the water was exactly as deep to reach a man's throat when he was sitting in it. Ohtar sat down, coughing, then looked up. In front of him stood an elf that seemed slightly shaky. Then he suddenly slipped and fell in the water just across Ohtar. Both of them sat there for a while, looking at each other. Ohtar recognized him, it was... Faevathor... or something like that...
Suddenly Ohtar became aware of the absurdity of the situation. Here they both were, sitting up to their necks in a fountain, and a squirt of water falling on their heads. Unwillingly his lips twitched, the corners of his mouth slipped up, and then he burst out in an uncontrollable laughter. He was laughing as he imagined himself running and diving beautifully, and then butting against the bottom of the fountain, and almost drowning in a kiddie-pool... He rolled with laughter, and saw the elf giving him a puzzled look. Ohtar tried to tell him that it was not him he was laughing about, but just wasn't able to. Then Fae's face lost its uptight expression and softened, then a faint smile appeared. Ohtar extended his hand to help the elf up, but both of them slipped and fell back in the water again. Ohtar's roaring laughter was joined by Fae's softer one, letting out all the tension that had been laying hard on each of them, until they finally fell silent, exhausted.
Ohtar extended his hand again.
"No, we'll fall in again," Fae said, still giggling.
"I promise," Ohtar said with an accent, "that I won't let you fall, the corners of his lips twitching. Carefully, holding together, they stood up.
"O-ops!" Ohtar grabbed the elf, as his feet dreaded to choose each it's own direction.
"The floor here is slippery," Fae announced as if discovering a new land.
"Yeah, I noticed."
Inch by inch, holding each other in a tight embrace, they finally reaced the dry land and stepped out of the water. Ohtar shaked his head. Now this was an adventure least expected by him this night!
[Edited on 20/11/2003 by Nifredil]
[Edited on 20/11/2003 by CarolP]
We still remember, we who dwell
In this far land, beneath the trees
The starlight on the Western seas...
In the Realm of Ulmo
|
|
maeghin |
|
gwendethAccounts Admin, Sindarin Mod & Head Stargazer of VardaPosts: 5808 Send Message |
|
Faenauliel |
|
Rudhwethiel |
|
Nifredil |
|
gwendethAccounts Admin, Sindarin Mod & Head Stargazer of VardaPosts: 5808 Send Message |
|
Faenauliel |
|
moonletters |
|
gwendethAccounts Admin, Sindarin Mod & Head Stargazer of VardaPosts: 5808 Send Message |
|
Nifredil |
RE: Dartho Annin An-uir: Be With Me Always on: November 24, 2003 02:19
|
|
As Fae departed leaving Ohtar alone, the man went back to the garden. It was an interesting evening, indeed. He hadn't talked in private to an elf before, although there had been a few near King Elendil all the time. This Fae... had an interesting way of thinking. He saw things in a different light, from another point of view. Ohtar couldn't say he understood perfectly what the elf meant, or that he would accept his way of thinking, no. But it was refreshing to have somebody around with a different opinion (moreover: one he didn't have to obey!).
After a short walk Ohtar decided to return to the ball. He wasn't used to contemplation all alone for several hours when there was a party nearby! Ohtar decided to think about the meeting with the King Gil-Galad ad the elves later, when the time comes. Until then he was going to enjoy himself.
As he entered the hall, he eyed the crowd suspiciously, but Ivrcheneb and his company was nowhere to be found. Whether he was glad about it or didn't care, he couldn't answer even to himself. He headed to the bar for a glass of wine. That was one thing he had to admit: those elves were excellent at making wines.
"Ohtar! Where have you been?! I've been searching for you several hours!"
He turned to face Prince Isildur.
"I was outside... Thinking," he added. He didn't feel like opening his heart to Isildur. Not now. The Prince wouldn't understand. To speak frankly, Ohtar didn't understand himself. But he would later, at least he hoped so.
"Thinking! When you have a chance to spend your time in a company of beautiful girls, you choose to wander alone and think! No, I can't believe that. This is the last gala you have the opportunity to attend, after only war will come, no dance, no music, no wine, no girls..."
Ohtar looked at the Prince suspiciously.
"Haven't you been drinking too much of the wine? It's not as strong as ours, but still, it is wine."
"The last ball, Ohtar, think about it! And don't bother your mind with worries, there will be plenty of them later!"
The Prince was right, Ohtar had to admit it. Both Numenorians clinked their glasses and entered the well-dressed crowd.
It was some time later when he first noticed her. An elleth, not as stunningly beautiful as others, perhaps, but she was no doubt lovely. She looked like the gala was the last place she would wish to be. She wore a beautiful silk dress, clear blue at the top that turned dark at the hem, but she moved as if it were a thing invened for torture, and that made him smile. And her struggle to remain polite with a young elf that obviously had been assigned to accompany her, there was something so charming about it! He couldn't help turning his gaze towards her again and again, and the two of them always brought a wide grin to his face. At last even Isildur noticed. They were seated by a small table, the two of them and Anarion, talking about nonesence, such as women, swords, horses...
As the gala was slowly approaching it's end, the girl got that desperate look in her eyes, that reflected even in her smile turning it distracted and tense. Ohtar felt really sorry for her and decided to do something about it. After all, this was the last ball he was going to attend for months, perhaps years, why shouldn't he spend some part of it dancing?
He excused himself and got up, feeling slightly dizzy. That wine... Eh, nothing, it'll pass soon. As he walked closer, he saw more clearly that the girl had the looks of a hunted roe.
"Excuse me, sir! May I, my Lady...?" he extended his arm towards the girl. He almost burst out laughting, so eagerly she grabbed his hand, turning her back to the confused young man: "But of course!"
As he led her out into the dance, he saw her confusion, as she took a closer look at him. Hadn't she seen he's not an elf when he asked her for a dance? Then, maybe not. He winked at her, palyfully.
"I thought you needed to escape for a minute."
She stared at him, her eyes wide with amazement, then smiled: "Thank you." This time her smile was unfabled.
"I must warn you, dear Lady, that I haven't been dancing for years, and might mix something..."
"Oh, that's nothing! It happens to me time after time. I'm not a skilled dancer myself," she added shyly, bowing low as the dance begun.
"Well, that makes me feel a lot better," Ohtar said taking her hand and leading her forward. For some time they danced without dropping a word, she deep in her thoughts, he watching her with a smile playing on his lips. Then he decided to break the silence. As she turned left and right under his arm, he said quietly:
"Are you angry at me, fair lady?"
She almost failed to take his right hand as she had to switch the sides.
"Why? No. Not at all. Why do you assume I am, Hîr nin?"
He had to wait with an answer until she danced another tour with the elf in front of him.
"Well, I rushed in, interferring your conversation, grabbed you and took you to dance not even asking you if you wanted to dance at all, and the young man you were talking to must feel quite offended..." he turned around and walked three steps away from her, as she did the same, then both of them returned and too each other's hands. "I thought I saw you wanting to escape his protective hands at least only for a while. My apologies if I have been mistaken. So, I decided to ask you for a dance. I was being a little selfish, I must confess, wanting to improve my skills as a dancer..." Ohtar kept talking with the most serious expression he could manage on his face, while the girl's smile grew wider. She turned her back to him, their right hands joined and his left around her thin waist. "I want to assure you - I'm not going to propose you, although I might, if that helped you escaping unwanted attention..." he sighed, mischievous lights playing in his eyes.
The girl laughed turning her face to him again.
"I doubt that!" she shaked her head.
"You do?" Ohtar knitted his brows. "You know, I doubt that, too!" he grinned. "But it is not impossible. Only a very reason for that would be needed."
She laughed again, making him smile warmly. With a bow, the dance was over.
"Well, I suppose I have reached my goal, now that I see you laughing." He leaned closer to her. "If you wish to escape him further, too, just tell me, and I will escort you to the table. There you could spend some time choosing a special delicacy, or I could ask you to another dance. I'm at your service, my Lady," he bowed gracefuly.
"I believe I will go for the second option, Hîr nin," she answered. "After all, this is the last time in many weeks I will get the chance to dance."
Why would she say that? Ohtar wandered as he led her to another dance. I'm sure she'll have enough balls here, when we are away on our scout-mission. But he never said it out loud.
[Edited on 11/24/2003 by Tasar_Took_Nualda]
We still remember, we who dwell
In this far land, beneath the trees
The starlight on the Western seas...
In the Realm of Ulmo
|
|