The Price of Pride

59: The celebration of Autumn

ActVI

The Shadows

Chapter 59: The celebration of Autumn

Hall of Fire - Imladris, September 19th 3018 T.A

The Hall of Fire was beginning to glow with life as the evening shadows lengthened outside. The large room, carved from the very bones of Rivendell, stood illuminated by the great hearth that dominated the center of the hall. Flames leaped and flickered, casting a warm and inviting light that played upon the carved pillars and the rich tapestries adorning the walls. Unlike other nights, when the hall lay in quiet repose or echoed with the soft sounds of harp strings and gentle songs, tonight it was transforming into the heart of a rare celebration.

Large tables, arranged along the sides of the hall, were being laden with an array of fruits—pomegranates, figs, and golden apples gleamed beside piles of plump grapes and bowls of berries. Freshly baked bread and delicate pastries dusted with sugar sparkled under the warm light, while dishes of roasted vegetables, seasoned with herbs of the valley, added color and aroma to the feast. On a smaller table, vessels of carved wood and polished silver held wine, fragrant teas, and clear water, the drinks for the evening.

The elves of Rivendell, as well as a few from other realms who were guests in Elrond's house, began to arrive, moving gracefully through the hall. Their garments caught the light like the stars themselves, gowns woven from the finest Elven fabrics, each with its unique weave and hue. Elegant gowns in rich blues, deep greens, and soft silvers flowed like water, and tunics of fine linen and silk, adorned with intricate embroidery in gold and silver thread, shimmered as the guests moved.

In the center of the hall, Lord Elrond sat with Glorfindel and Erestor, who were both notable figures in Rivendell's council. Glorfindel, golden-haired and noble, wore a long robe of deep sapphire blue, embroidered with threads of gold, which matched the brightness of his hair. Erestor, ever the advisor, was dressed more somberly in robes of charcoal grey, but they, too, bore subtle patterns of silver leaves that glinted as he moved. They conversed in low tones with several visiting lords, their expressions a mix of formality and genuine interest. The atmosphere around them was calm, but there was an undercurrent of anticipation—an excitement for the evening ahead.

To one side, Arwen stood with her twin brothers, Elladan and Elrohir. She was clad in a gown of ethereal beauty—a delicate fabric of misty silver, overlaid with a sheer layer of pale blue that caught the light with every movement. The bodice was adorned with tiny white gems, reminiscent of stars against a twilight sky, and the sleeves flowed down her arms like wisps of fog. Her raven hair, braided with small silver flowers, framed her radiant face. She was in deep conversation with her brothers, who wore matching robes of dark green, subtly embroidered with golden leaves, symbolic of the House of Elrond. The three of them were engaged in a discussion about the rare assembly of guests, exchanging amused glances at some of the more notable figures who had not been seen in Rivendell for centuries.

A short distance away, Elros, Thalion, and Mírdan were mingling with the other guests. The three elves, loyal companions of Prince Legolas, were dressed in the formal attire of the Woodland Realm. Elros wore a deep forest green robe, lined with gold, while Thalion's robe was a rich brown, fastened with a silver leaf clasp, symbolizing his affinity with the trees of Mirkwood. Mírdan wore a softer green, with a high collar and subtle patterns of leaves woven into the fabric. Though they appeared at ease, they exchanged glances, quietly wondering when their prince would arrive. They spoke to a few guests about the current affairs of Mirkwood and other elven realms, but there was a sense of expectancy in their demeanor, a hope that the evening would soon begin in earnest.