Of Pranks and Punishments CH 3:
My Dear Aearion,
I am happy to hear that you and Mirë have arrived safely in Lothlorien. I miss the two of you dearly. I am pleased that you are on speaking terms with each other again. Before you left, I tried to convince Mirë that your judgment had been clouded by Galangal’s fondness for creating trouble. Really, Aearion, one would think that after all this time you would not fall for the schemes of that sly elleth. Did you not learn how to read your enemies while training under the March Warden of Lothlorien?
Speaking of the March Warden, I am willing to bet that I will be hearing more about him from both you and Mirë. Her letter (or should I say journal?) went into some detail concerning her meeting with Haldir and Galangal’s reaction to it. Apparently, Nólemíre is trying to avoid thinking about Haldir, Arwen sensed an ‘energy’ between the two after she embarrassed herself, and Galangal presumes to think that Haldir will fall for her so called ‘charms’.
Galangal also seems to think that I should learn to be more feminine in anticipation of when the time comes for me to ‘manage your affairs’. Am I such a heathen that I would be a disgrace to you or any ellon I might choose to bind myself to? And since when has it been decided that you and I were life mates? It must surely be sour grapes on Galangal’s part since she was not able to lure you into her trap. I fear that I agree with you in that you shall pay dearly for taking her word over Nólemíre’s. I am not sure if it would be worse to be slighted by Mirë or to be the victim of some fantastic prank. Do you think perhaps she has had her fill of pranks lately? I believe that I have.
I am quite interested in hearing more about Haldir. Especially since the ‘Orc Spawn’ sees Mirë as a threat. I still giggle each time I think of what Mirë said to him. I would love to have been a witness to the look on his face. I must thank Elladan. Whether he planned it or no, the result was priceless. Perhaps Galangal is right in thinking our dear Mirë is a threat to her future with Haldir. Mirë devoted an entire paragraph to his eyes, and she made mention that his gaze ‘un-nerved’ her while declaring her disinterest. Do me a favor, and keep an eye on them when you can. I am willing to wager that perhaps there is something more than a mild interest on both of their parts.
You must tell me all about the feast! I want to know every detail that you can remember, no matter how trivial you may think it. I fear that it may very well be centuries by the time I am able to enjoy another gathering. Lord Erestor manages to find tasks to occupy my time and I have been assigned the task of documenting the upcoming Summer Solstice. I am not even to enjoy the festival, as I must engage a few of the quiet elves in ‘interesting and enjoyable’ conversation.
You know how much I would much rather keep to myself and observe the festivities Aearion! It absolutely pains me that I must now take the initiative and draw others into a conversation. I must now spend my time making sure that everyone else is enjoying himself (or herself as the case may be), and I must document the entire thing in the process! By the Valar, I hope that I shall not have to do any dancing. Everyone I feel comfortable with is with you in Lothlorien. Perhaps I shall fall behind on my tasks that day so that I may be excused from the festival entirely.
Since you and Mire have left with Arwen and The Twins, my days have been nothing more than deliver messages, organize, study, document, transcribe, translate, and any other task that comes to Lord Erestor’s mind. Even The Hall of Fire does little to raise my spirits. I try to enjoy myself as much as I can, knowing that I shall not be able to do so at the festivals. Lord Erestor is determined that I shall learn from this ‘experience’ as he calls my punishment.
I blame Lord Glorfindel. He devised our punishments based upon the areas in our lives that he believes needs balance. I overheard him say as much during a visit with Lord Erestor.
Now, before you say a word, it was not my intention to eavesdrop. I could hardly avoid hearing the entire conversation as I was sitting at a desk nearby. I was determined not to pay attention to what they were saying, so I began humming a tune in an effort to distract myself. Unfortunately, the tune I chose was one whose lyrics had been ‘improved upon’ recently by a certain young Elf Lord. You wouldn’t happen to know who this might be now, would you? After I hummed the first few bars, their conversation ground to a screeching halt. I immediately stopped humming and inquired if there was something amiss. (OK, OK. What I really did was shrug my shoulders and ask ‘What?’) Their responses were amusing to say the least.
Suffice it to say that I was able to watch two Elf Lords squirm as they tried to think of a way to discreetly inquire if I actually knew what they were talking about. I was humming ‘Moonlit Paths[1]’. Apparently, the song now speaks of drunken revelry, fair maids and intoxicating elixirs instead of moonlight, stars and the sea.
There was much shuffling of feet and clearing of throats. Finally, Lord Glorfindel wormed his way out of the room with the intent to interrogate the guards and any ellon he could find at the bathhouse. He muttered something about a ‘Young Elf Lord’ I am associated with and his penchant for inappropriate lyrics that no elleth should ever hear. Since he only mentioned one ‘Young Elf Lord’, I am assuming that he is referring to you, as Elladan and Elrohir are usually always mentioned together. (By the way, I am still bitter that I am the only one to miss their welcome feast, even if you must speak with the Lord and Lady the very next morning. I long to visit the Golden Wood one day, and Mirë’s letter does little to alleviate that yearning.)
I suffered several uncomfortable moments of questioning by Lord Erestor before Lord Glorfindel returned from the hallway with the announcement that unless I was in the habit of hanging around the male bathing pools while they were occupied, I could not have known the new lyrics, as you had left for Lothlorien before your writing was discovered and passed around among the guards.
They began to debate whether or not I would actually have a hand in such a bawdy tune. I was then treated to a discussion listing the pros and cons of bathing if there happened to be ellith wandering around the male bathing pools. When their discussion turned to wondering how I spent my evenings and whether or not I would frequent the bathing pools, I had heard enough. I actually exploded and shouted at the two most powerful elves in Imladris (aside from Lord Elrond). It appeared to me that they had completely forgot that I was still there, so I merely reminded them of the fact. I believe what I said was: “ENOUGH! Have you completely forgotten that I am still here in the room with you? Stop talking about me as if I were not here.” I managed to knock several scrolls and inkpots off of my desk in the process.
I excused myself from my work (without opposition from Lord Erestor I might add) and let the door slam shut behind me after I left, earning curious glances from those who were passing by. I hurried back to my chambers before they could think to chase me down and try to talk about what just happened. I was mortified that I actually shouted at them. I was so busy with my thoughts that I did not see the ellon standing in front of my door, and promptly ran right into him. I dropped my scrolls and ink at his feet while he managed to catch me before I fell to the floor in an ignominious heap.
I was embarrassed to say the least. He made sure that I had my balance before he helped me to gather up my things. I sputtered my apologies while silently cursing my clumsiness. He had silently handed me my belongings (after I declined his assistance in carrying them) when it finally occurred to me to ask him why he was standing in front of my door.
He was silent for so long, I had begun to think that he did not hear me. After a few moments he asked if I was indeed the Lady Atanone. I assured him that I was and was rewarded with a disarming smile. He bowed formally and handed me a letter and a rather thick packet of parchment, which he had hidden among the folds of his cloak. I immediately recognized your writing and Mire’s elegant thin lines. I was so pleased that I believe I squealed and wrapped my arms around his neck in a tight embrace.
He chuckled softly and said that he ‘would be happy to deliver any messages I might have if it meant that he would be thanked in the same manner.’ I replied that he would not have the opportunity if he did not remove his arms from around my waist. I cannot believe that I could be so bold! I regretted my words immediately and attempted to change the subject by asking him his name. After all, it was only fair considering that he knew mine and I had hugged him before a proper introduction.
He is called Draughir[2], once a ranger and now a bard and warrior, in service to the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien. He never said if that was his actual name or merely what he was known as, but he shall be here until after the Summer Solstice celebrations so I shall have time to find out. I have found that he is not native to The Golden Wood and is the cousin to this Aurë that you and Mirë wrote about. He was not aware that the letter he bore was from you and sends his greetings. He shall look for you upon his return to Lothlorien. I wonder if he could tell me a few interesting tales from when you trained with the Rangers?
Either way, I must end this letter to you if I am to write Mire’s before the evening meal. A party is leaving for Lothlorien in the morning, and Draughir will be by shortly. Before he politely excused himself so that I could devour your letters, I promised to attend the banquet with him this evening.
Until next we meet, please behave and keep an eye on Nólemíre, Lordling. I anticipate your next letter as I miss you very much and am eager to hear of the drama I am positive has taken place with Galangal and Haldir. I am sure Mirë will tell me, but will hold back items of interest you are sure to observe.
Always,
Atanoné
[1] There is no actual tune called “Moonlit Paths”. Should there be? *Thinks- perhaps there should even be the ‘altered’ version?
[2] Draughir – (Wolf-lord)
