Golden Thrones and Moonlight Veils (HOBBIT FANFICTION)

Elven Friends

"What's going on?" asked Talessa nervously, turning to Nídhiel. She was a young elf living in Imladris—Eline and Talessa had met her on their first night and they had become quick friends. She was witty and lively, taking it upon herself to show the two women around, escorting them everywhere and gossiping about all of the Hidden Valley's happenings.

Today, the three of them were walking together in one of the lush gardens, Nídhiel telling them stories about the fabled Valar, when a trumpet blast shattered the silence. They all looked in the direction of the sound and saw a group of elven riders, led by Elrond and his sons, hurrying out of the courtyard.

"It might be the orcs again," said Nídhiel, glancing toward the gates. "There are more and more sightings. Not a good sign if you ask me, but Elrond says it's nothing to worry about."

"I've never seen an orc," shuddered Eline. "I heard they are hideous."

"Oh, they are" replied Nídhiel, her nose scrunched. "Trust me, you never want to see one."

Talessa wholeheartedly agreed. She had only seen illustrations of them in her books, and she hoped to never face any.

"Could they ever get in here?" she asked, tugging at the edge of her veil.

"Oh, no," laughed Nídhiel. "This is one of the most well-hidden and well-protected places in Middle-earth. We will always be safe and sound in Imladris."

Both Talessa and Eline breathed a sigh of relief. The place did seem impenetrable. Nothing bad could happen here.

Nídhiel linked arms with the two women and began leading them back toward the buildings.

"Let's go, I have some dresses you two need to try on before dinner," she said with a bright smile, guiding them to her room.

✧

"Absolutely not," exclaimed Talessa, looking at the dress. It was pale blue, just like her eyes, the bodice embroidered with silver flowers that clung tightly to her upper body. The skirt flared out from the waist down, ending in a short train at the back. That wouldn't have been a problem, but the gown left her entire shoulders bare, with loose sleeves attached only at the upper arms, and the décolletage was cut so low that with one wrong move, everything it covered could become visible. Talessa didn't want to try it on, but eventually, persuaded by the other two women, she relented.

"Darling, it looks amazing on you! And it comes with a veil that you can style to cover your face," said Nídhiel excitedly, lifting a translucent fabric in a matching color, also embroidered on the trims.

"It is way too revealing; I can't wear it," protested Talessa.

"Oh Tessie, come on, it's time you stop dressing like a grandmother," Eline said with raised eyebrows, daring her to disagree. "You're young—you can absolutely show some skin."

In Eline's opinion, Talessa's wardrobe was pretty but boring, consisting of shades of white, ivory, and cream, all in the same long-sleeved, high-necked style. On the other hand, Tessie's tailor-made Eline the most colorful, magnificent dresses, perhaps to compensate for the lack of variety in her mistress's wardrobe. Eline decided it was time for a change. She also noticed the looks Elladan gave her mistress every time they met and was sure this was the dress to finally move things along. What a great matchmaker I am, she thought contentedly. She suspected Nídhiel thought the same about herself, as she always, very conveniently, led them somewhere where the young elven lord could be found.

"You're wearing it," Eline declared, not letting her mistress protest anymore. She moved on to tighten the bodice and arrange the skirt.

Talessa sighed but let her do it. She slipped off her veil while Eline took the other from Nídhiel. The elf woman never asked why she wore the veils, but when a few days ago Talessa decided to remove it while it was just the three of them, she seemed to understand the significance of the act. She didn't say anything, only embraced her friend with an understanding smile, and to Talessa's great relief, that was it.

Now Eline placed the blue veil on her head, arranging it to leave her mouth uncovered so she could eat and drink. Then the two of them left Nídhiel to prepare and retreated to their suite.

✧

Bertra was sitting in the living room, embroidery in hand. She had indeed recovered from the journey, and the next day, she decided that lounging around wasn't for her. So, she joined the cooks in the kitchen and began learning their recipes. The elves treated her with respect, always speaking in the common tongue when she was around, providing her with anything she desired, and even giving her a small corner next to the oven where she could knit peacefully whenever she wished. She missed home and her old friends at the manor, but she didn't regret coming. Her conscience wouldn't have been clear if she had left her mistress to undertake the journey alone. Eline was a reliable girl, but she was still young and inexperienced. They needed someone to protect them in case anyone directed unwanted attention their way. Besides, she wasn't that old. Those fifty years had only made her harder. She was in good shape—well, her joints ached sometimes, but all the resting here had helped with that.

She refused to join the celebratory dinners, though, so Talessa and Eline made sure to have their lunches with her instead, in the privacy of the suite. They were sometimes joined by the bubbly young lass Nídhiel or one of the Lord's sons, Elladan or Elrohir—she couldn't tell them apart. She also noticed the attention one of the young men gave her mistress and decided this would certainly be a match worthy of her little Talessa.

"You will never guess what I heard in the kitchen just now," she greeted the two girls as they entered the room.

"Tell us then," urged Eline, hopping onto the couch next to her.

"There are new guests joining us, very special guests I was told," Bertra said, enjoying the suspense she was causing.

"Who?" asked Talessa, her curiosity awakened.

Bertra decided to take pity on them. "A group of dwarves," she said. "Apparently, they've been chased all the way here by some vile orcs."

"We heard about the orcs," said Talessa. "But what business did the dwarves have with them? Why would they be attacked?"

"I do not know, girl. You can ask your questions at dinner. I'm sure that Elrohir boy will be glad to answer them," said the old woman with a wink.

"Elladan," corrected Eline giggling.

Talessa gave them an exasperated look. Elladan was truly handsome, she could admit that, and also very polite, making sure they felt welcome, but everything else was only in Eline's and Bertra's imagination.

"Be careful with the new guests," said the maid now in a serious tone. "I heard dwarves can be crude and boorish. I say it's best to keep your distance."

"It's okay, Bert," shrugged Eline. "They will probably have better things to do than talk to us anyway."

✧

"Our new guest is a king," whispered Nídhiel as soon as the two women joined her in the dining hall. "King Thorin. He and his company are travelling to the Lonely Mountain on some secret mission. They also have a wizard with them. Isn't that exciting?"

"First time I will see a king," grinned Eline. "Or a wizard."

"Technically, Elrond could be considered a king," said Talessa with a mischievous smile. "So I'd say it's the second time now, Eline."

"Now, do not let Elrond hear that—he is already way too confident about himself," laughed Nídhiel, patting her friend on the shoulder.

"I can't wait to see them," Eline said with a dreamy expression, excited about the prospect of a new experience.

"I wouldn't be so cheerful," Elladan joined them with a frown. "Dwarves are known to be ungracious and ill-mannered. They will probably make a big mess, and my father will be forced to throw them out."

"He would never do that," snorted Nídhiel.

"I've heard dwarves are rather merry, entertaining folk," countered Talessa. Elladan didn't acknowledge that, instead his eyes seemed to have lingered on the woman's dress. He cleared his throat.

"You look very beautiful today, Lady Talessa." Then, as if to correct himself, he added, "You too, Miss Eline."

Nídhiel suppressed a snort, trying to stifle her laugh. Before Elladan could say anything more, the doors opened, and a dozen dwarves filled the room.