In Dreams

Suspicion

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     Urumiriel glanced around her, suddenly feeling awkward as every elf and dwarf in the room stared at her, waiting for a response. She didn't feel the same about Lord Thalion, but how could she say no in front of so many others? She looked back down at Lord Thalion, who was patiently waiting for a reply.

     "I'm sorry, but I must decline." Urumiriel said. "I consider you a good friend, my lord, but I am afraid I do not share any stronger feelings."

     Lord Thalion's eyes saddened as he stood back up. "I understand, my lady."

     Urumiriel breathed a silent sigh of relief and glanced around again. The other elves and dwarves still watched, some whispering to each other, some smiling, many seeming disappointed she hadn't said yes.

     After a few awkward moments the dancing had once again begun. Lady Urumiriel and Lord Thalion walked back to the table Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn were seated at and took a seat, though in different locations this time. Urumiriel sat next to her sister and Lord Thalion sat across from Lady Galadriel; on the left-hand side of Lord Celeborn.

     The whole evening it was awkward between the two. Thankfully Urumiriel was needed in some other places. The dwarves and elves occasionally needed a translator, so she would help out as much as she could. She only knew a little dwarvish, so she was glad to learn that Haldir spoke it better than she did.

     Later that evening, both Haldir and Urumiriel stood against a wall by the table with the drinks and watched the dancing; Durin was also there.

     "That was quite something earlier, lass." He chuckled. "You looked quite embarrassed."

     "That would be because I was." Urumiriel answered. "I think of Lord Thalion as a friend, not as a lover. And being proposed to in front of everyone made it even harder to say no."

     "Ah, nothing worse than peer pressure." Durin said before taking a swig of ale.

     Urumiriel lifted her glass to her lips and took a sip of apple cider. She watched her sister as Lord Celeborn led her to the dance floor and the two began slow dancing. She smiled as she thought about how cute they were; acting like a newly married couple when they had really been married for quite some time.

     "Why do you not go and dance, my lady?" Haldir asked.

     Urumiriel shrugged. "I would love to, but no one else has asked me to; other than Lord Thalion, that is."

     Haldir set his glass of wine down and extended his arm to Urumiriel. "In that case, my lady, would you care to dance?"

     Urumiriel set her glass of cider down and smiled as she curtsied. "I would be honoured."

     She hooked her arm through his and walked out onto the dance floor. While they were dancing Haldir held her close, but not uncomfortably close the way Lord Thalion had.

     "Are you assigned to any specific duty here; or are you just there for when you are needed?" Urumiriel asked.

     "Both." Haldir answered. "I will do what I am needed to, and my lord and lady have suggested that I patrol the borders of Lorien."

     "Ah, patrol. Yes, someone will be needed for that. Especially if things keep going the way they are."

     Haldir cocked his head slightly. "What do you mean by that, my lady?"

     "A few goblins have been recently spotted in some areas of Middle-Earth; The Misty Mountains especially. And I have this feeling that things will only get worse."

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     The next day the Dwarves of Erebor began their trading with the Elves of Lorien. After they traded here they would most likely leave for Rivendell, as their fruit was the most delicious fruit in all of Middle-Earth.

     Urumiriel walked around with Haldir, admiring the Dwarven crafts. She looked up when she saw someone walking towards her. It was Lady Galadriel.

     "Miriel, I was wondering if you would keep an eye on things here." She said.

     "Of course." Urumiriel answered. "Where are you going?"

     "Mairon wishes to speak to Elrond, Gil-Galad and myself. For what reason I do not yet know."

     "It is odd that he just appears one day and decides to help the elves, men and dwarves with forging beautiful things. I do not know if I trust him."

     "I have my doubts about him as well, but I cannot be certain as to whether or not he is good or bad." Galadriel turned around. "I should be back this afternoon. Celeborn is coming with me, so if there is any trouble here Haldir can help you."

     Once Galadriel was gone Haldir walked over to Urumiriel's side. "Who is this Mairon?" He asked.

     "No one really knows. After the defeat of Morgoth he just... appeared and offered his help to those who needed it. He may not seem to be a threat, but I just have a feeling that he's not one to be trusted."

     "A typical reaction to someone so mysterious, my lady. Perhaps it is nothing." Haldir said.

     "Yes, perhaps." Urumiriel said, though that didn't change how she felt about this mysterious man.

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     That afternoon at about three Galadriel and Celeborn returned. Urumiriel and Haldir were the first to greet them.

     "What did he want?" Urumiriel asked.

     "He wanted to forge us rings." Galadriel said as she raised her hand and showed them a beautiful glittering ring.

     "That's all he wanted?" Urumiriel asked. She was even more suspicious of Mairon now than ever before.

     "Yes." Galadriel answered. "What these rings are for, I'm not sure. We helped him forge them to make sure he wouldn't do anything unusual, and he didn't, though something does indeed seem suspicious."

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     Urumiriel kneeled by her bedside as she prayed. "Dear Eru, if it be Your will, please show me whether or not Mairon can be trusted." Then she climbed into bed; she was asleep within minutes.

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     Urumiriel stood at the base of a volcano. Everything around her was dead. There wasn't a tree or stream to be seen. Bubbling lava crawled down the volcano. Urumiriel's skin burned. She began making her way to the top of the volcano. For what reason, she wasn't sure. Soon she was at the top. A man stood in front of her, a man with straight and black shoulder length hair. It was Mairon.

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