Elfling

Quest for the Kitchens

 I finally made it after a hard and diligent search, accompanied by much wandering. I poked my head around the door frame and peeked into the kitchen. I don't normally indulge in my everlasting desire to spy on people, but I felt that the extreme circumstances merited an exception. Besides, meeting new people can be trying, and it could be said that I was really assessing the situation and summoning my courage. It was the biggest kitchen I had ever seen, but that's not saying much as I don't really make a habit of examining kitchens. A continuous counter ran along the wall overhung by cabinets, and interjected with stoves and sinks. The wide open room was dotted with tables and islands at which several people were diligently working. Their long silky hair hung freely and I wondered if they were breaking some sort of health regulation. In all, they looked very graceful even though they were doing tiresome servile work like washing pots and pans.

"Big industrial sized kitchen maybe it's a hotel?" I thought to myself.

Taking a deep breath I prepared to initiate contact. "Hi," I said as I timidly stepped into the door way. The people in the kitchen looked up in surprise. One of them, I think he's in charge, walked over. Surprisingly he bowed. His face seemed kind and his eyes pooled with untold wisdom. His dark brown hair slid over his shoulders and his plum tunic brought out the brown in his eyes. "How may I help you little one?" he said tenderly, looking at me as if I was extremely precious and small.

"Little one?" I thought to myself. "Doesn't he realize I'm fifteen?"

Aloud I answered, "I was looking for some breakfast." He smiled pleasantly in a manner that put me completely at ease. "This way," he said as he led me over to some stools at the side of an Island. "What would you like?" the man asked me. "What do you have?" I questioned. For some reason the others chuckled quietly. "Anything you'd like" the man answered with an even bigger smile. "So, what shall it be?" I got the feeling that he liked feeding people.

"I need to remember this guy in the future, he could prove to be an able ally," I told myself.

"Two pieced of buttered toast and a cup of coffee," I told him. He got right on it. "Anyway I can help?" I asked looking after him as he crossed the kitchen and began to slice some bread. "No," one of the other people said as they whisked by the island. "We have it handled."

"My name's Marilla what are your names?" I asked, trying to appear polite. They introduced themselves as Fingwin, Lathaldir, Gaildwinion, and Latalie. During the whole time they never stopped moving, bustling first to one thing then to another. They danced around each other and appeared to be one unit; moving constantly yet never bumping into each other or getting in the way. Soon, Lathaldir handed me my food. I ate in silence as I observed them. They almost didn't seem human- like twirling angels that never even touched the floor. Their footsteps were light and soundless. And I watched to see if they really stepped on the ground. Their silence seemed like music, their work a flawless dance.

"Where should I put my dishes?" I asked when I was through. "In the sink would be fine," said Gaildwinion calling back over his shoulder with an amused look on his face. I placed my dishes in the large sink and went back to sit on my stool.

I needed to decide what to do from here. I had some questions and wanted answers. Also, it would be rude to not meet the host. So, I decided I would have to find whoever was in charge.

"Who is in charge of everything around here?" I asked. "In charge of the kitchens?" Gaildwinion questioned. "No, I mean in charge of everything." I clarified. "That would be King Thranduil," he answered with a respectful nod of his head.