(Archive) Those Imrazor Women...

Elendor - Friday, June 23, 2000, 9:22 PM

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Weather: Cloudy

Time: Before Dawn

Season: Summer

Date: Sunday - August 19, 3020

Real Time: Fri Jun 23 19:02:16 2000

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Ivriniel\'s Quarters(#23125R)

This room radiates the very aura of warmth and friendliness, almost a direct extension of the Princess herself. The burning fire behind the hearth provides an emotional and visual centerpiece, the dancing flames casting rays of warmth and light about the walls. Above this burning soul of the room, an ancient cherry mantle frames the fire, the deep red wood accentuating the shifting flames and the flitting shadows. The walls are adorned with two giant tapestries which perfectly accent each other. One is a large scene of a massive battle, the chaos of the encounter reflected in the blurred faces, the other a detailed scene of a departing ship, the emotion on the subject\'s faces clearly expressing their pain and loss of departure. Both are heavy on shades of blue, perhaps portraying the emotional and physical pain in both scenes.

The rest of the room is decorated for a scholar, though a royal one with a taste of style. A large, plush blue couch provides the centerpiece for the other tables and chairs about it, all in the same deep cherry color of the mantle, seeming to absorb the very light of the room. A sideboard is flush against the white stone wall, and upon it lies a silver decanter with a number of crystal goblets, reflecting the light toward the fine silver, and back upon itself, creating a myriad display of dancing colors. A silver vase mirrors the decanter and fresh flowers seem to literally grow from within the container, their scent afloat within the room.

Upon the North wall, overlooking the teeming city of Dol Amroth and the shimmering Bay of Belfalas a window provides a peek into another world. On sunny days the very sounds of the city drift into the room, upon the whirling winds of Gondor, like a soft secret in the visitor\'s ear. A deep cherry window seat holds a number of weathered tomes, their worn covers proof of their deep wisdom. And upon the far wall, a carven door hints at the Princesses sleeping chambers, the tiny figures cut into the dark wood like small voices singing songs of serenity to the visitors of this room, and hinting that the real beauty lies beyond the portal.

Contents:

Lothiriel

Obvious exits:

Out

[Lothiriel(#4309)]

Dark, heavy clouds blot out any sign of heavenly light this evening -- or rather, this morning, for the hour has grown late without care towards the occupants of the land. Most of the household is already abed and long asleep, and so only an occasional noise echoes through the citadel. Yet regardless of the heaviness and the silence of the hour, light footsteps grace the hall outside Ivriniel\'s chambers, and a soft knocking comes upon her door.

The flickering flames of the fire in the hearth illuminate the room as it is the only light in the sitting room of the Princess. Seated upon the large plush couch her silvery eyes watch the flames as they dance back and forth, mesmerized as her thoughts do the same. A knock upon the door while the moon is still high in the sky startles Ivriniel and a gasp is heard issue forth as she rises gracefully and calls out softly, \"Who is there?\" Reaching to the table beside the couch she picks up a candle and walks to the fire to light the wick and then cups her hand around the feeble flame until it catches hold and burns brightly.

[Lothiriel(#4309)]

Taking the request for identification as an invitation to enter, the knocker slowly opens the door. Barely a sliver is it opened, not enough for any but the smallest man to enter, when the young Princess Lothiriel steps through and closes it firmly behind her. Her feet are bared to the warm summer night, and she wears her dressing gown over her night gown. In one hand is a candle, its wick burnt low. In the other, a book.

Having not been seen regularly at meals, around the citadel and her father\'s lands, or in the hallways for many weeks now, having kept odd hours and mostly to herself, the Princess\'s appearance at her aunt\'s door so late in the night seems almost proper. For any other, and for this same young woman a few months ago, such actions would seem out of place.

Already dressed in a gown of soft rose with embroidery upon the bodice, Ivriniel smiles as her niece slips into the room. \"Lothiriel! What a surprise!\" Looking down at the young woman\'s bare feet her expression changes to one of question as she inquires, \"Are your feet not cold on this stone floor dear? Come. Come sit before the fire and tuck your feet up under you.\"

Bustling back to the couch Ivriniel pushes aside her embroidery, tucking loose threads in carefully as the delicate piece is laid aside. A smile turns up the corners of her lips as she gazes upon her brother\'s youngest child with paternal love, \"It has been a long time since last we spoke. Time has a way of keeping us both occupied with duties, does it not?\" Keen eyes gaze upon the face of Lothiriel as if trying to determine her state of mind.

[Lothiriel(#4309)]

Lothiriel\'s state if mind is certainly more firm than it once was, for she smiles softly at her aunt\'s greeting, and thanks her for the welcome. \"The stones are cold, yet more effort is required to find my slippers than to bear the cold.\" She seats herself before the fire, setting the book on the floor beside her chair, and stretches bare feet towards the flames with a smile and a twinkle to her eyes. \"Time is an evil sort, Aunt... It runs away when you want it and won\'t leave you alone when you have no desire for it. Yet it seems to have been running more of late, for the both of us perhaps. How have you been?\"

Taking a seat on the couch beside her niece, Ivriniel gently reaches out her left hand to take that of Lothiriel. Settling back into the plushness of the couch she rests her own feet, covered in dainty golden slippers on a stool, wiggling them back and forth as the warmth of the fire is quickly felt upon the thin soles. Sighing deeply she squeezes her nieces hand with affection, \"I quite agree. Time is an evil sort and we should not allow it to mar our family.\" A stern harshness fills her voice for a moment before the tinkling of laughter slips past soft lips.\"Oh Lothiriel. As I sat here before you knocked upon the door, my mind was running rampant of images of the past. Nostalgia can be such a cold mistress, things long thought to be buried in the recessess of your mind oft come out to visit when you least expect it.\"

[Lothiriel(#4309)]

A frowm touches the face of the younger woman, and she regards her relation. \"Nostalgia is a horrid thing and can ruin a wondeful evening. What brings such to your mind, Aunt?\" She is alive this morning, far more awake than anyone, save perhaps those who bake bread, has a right to be at an hour such as this.

A shrug of one delicate shoulder rustles the fabric of the rose gown as Ivriniel says, \"Perhaps it is the full of the moon or just the heaviness of rumours I hear from those in our fief. Either way, when I am alone with my thoughts they oft wander to places I dare not visit often.\"

A shake of her head sends raven locks of hair spilling over her shoulder as she says, \"Mercy sakes. Forgive me child, you caught me in a rare mood this morning.\" Changing the subject quickly she again squeezes the hand of her niece and says, \"And what has my favorite niece been up too as of late?\"

[Lothiriel(#4309)]

A soft chuckle escapes the younger woman, and she motions to the book on the floor. \"My mind has been working overmuch as well, I suppose. A thought has plagued me for weeks, and the library called, and so I have been sequestered inside much of that time.\" She pauses and glances towards the window without regard to the darkness that covers the moon and its heavenly companions. \"Yet the late summer calls me, and I long to go riding -- at this hour at night, if you believe that!\"

Ivriniel grins with devilment in her eyes, \"I say we slip out just as the sun is appearing over the Bay and take our stallions for a ride on the beach.\" The laughter and enjoyment of her niece evident as all worry leaves the expression of the elder Imrazor as she then asks, \"I am curious though, what thought has plagued you for weeks? And what book have you been sequested with?\"

[Lothiriel(#4309)]

\"Books of the tongues of our fathers,\" Lothiriel states dramatically before collapsing into something resembling a giggle. \"A man has shown me a note written in an ancient form of Adunaic, and the words were beyond my strength in that tongue. It required, and does require still, study, for those are old and fascinating and... I simply cannot leave them alone.\" She smiles. \"I think I would fancy such a ride... Have you anything to drink? The library is dusty, and I am parched.\"

A laugh bordering on loud escapes the lips of the elder woman as she leans against the shoulder of her niece in wicked delight, \"The tongues of our fathers\", her voice lowers to a deep, husky dramatic sound as she makes light of the tome. But suddenly her eyes narrow as she inquires, \"From whence did this note come? How much have you been able to translate?\" Her own curiosity compels Ivriniel to question Lothiriel.

Rising gracefully she goes to the sideboard and pulls two crystal goblets forth and then turns to her niece with question, \"Would you care for the sweet juice of the apple or cool fresh water? I keep both on hand to quench my own thirst.\"

[Lothiriel(#4309)]

Oh, the apple sounds so perfect right now,\" Lothiriel replies cheerily, more intent on the drink than on her most recent object of fascination and study when asked. \"Oh, some sailor found it in the cabin of a deserted ship -- a ship of ancient model, he claimed. It accompanied certain charts, which I have yet to lay my hands upon, but which I think I can find in the library, given more time. I have covered the first three sentences thoroughly, I think, yet there are aveues I haven\'t explored.\" She sighs and leans back. \"A fancy perhaps, and I believe my father thinks it such, but so fascinating!\"

The slow trickle of apple juice pouring into the goblet is the only sound in the room save the cheerful crackling of the fire as Ivriniel concentrates on their refreshments. Carrying the glasses back to where her niece sits she hands her one before she retakes her own seat. Partaking of a long sip of the cool beverage she sighs deeply before she says, \"A deserted ship. How very interesting. Where did he say this ship was found?\" Tapping one slender finger along the rim of the goblet she says softly, \"That brings to mind that sailor that came before me some months ago. He was anxious to rebuild one of the fleet and needed my backing. *humpf* I have not seen him since I agree to lend him the money needed.\" Taking another sip of her juice she inquires, \"Have you had any of the sailors take a look at those charts? That crusty old one....what is his name? The one with the peg leg?\"

[Lothiriel(#4309)]

Sipping at the drink, Lothiriel remains silent for many moments, intently listening to her kinswoman\'s words. \"It was the peg-legged sailor who brought me the note, yet left the charts behind. You recall his name as well as I do, I fear, but he is one of my father\'s captains, no? Well, he found the ship near Harad, on an isle apparently deserted for quite some time..\"

Coughing a bit at the words of her niece, Ivriniel sits up quickly and coughs again, politely covering her mouth as she clears the apple juice from her throat. \"Rorgomir! Thats his name. What else did he say to you?\" Looking into the flames of the fire she says almost absentmindedly, \"I had quite forgotten that your father gave him a vessel again.\" Softly she says, \"Harad you say? How very interesting.\"

[Lothiriel(#4309)]

The young woman smiles at her aunt\'s absentminded words, and her gaze into the fire. Drinking deeply of the juice, she quenches quickly her thirst, and remains silent a moment. \"He said little else, simply asked for my aid in translating the words.\" Her own speech is quiet, pensive a moment, yet she breaks from it. \"Perhaps I ought allow you to sleep, Aunt... Meet me at the stables when the sun breaks over the Prince\'s pasture?\"

Frowning at her niece\'s words Ivriniel asks softly, an undertone of concern clearly heard as she says, \"And has he brought any other -articles- to you since that time?\" Again her voice speaks, filled with concern, \"I am curious about this man. There is....something about him. I suppose I should not fill your head with the suspicions of an old woman, but something I saw on the beach has me worried about his loyalty to your father.\"

Suddenly laughing again, the glass of apple juice is placed upon the table and she says \"Sleep? My child, I am up for the day. Long has my fast been broken, a ride on the beach would be marvelous.\"

[Lothiriel(#4309)]

The young woman begins a yawn, and covers it quickly, startled at Ivriniel\'s schedule. \"Up for the day, Aunt? I have yet to take my night\'s rest!\" The other questions are ignored as she tried to fathom this.

Bussing her niece with a quick kiss on her soft velvety cheek Ivriniel laughs softly, \"My dear young woman, there are many that call for my hands during the day. The halls of healing are forever filled with those in need of care.\" Tipping the chin of Lothiriel up with one slender finger she looks into eyes much like her own and smiles softly, \'Shall we speak of this Rorgomir on another day when you have had rest? I would be interested in finding out more about this sailor and his actions.\" Brushing back the soft raven hair from her niece\'s cheek Ivriniel asks, \"Now my dear, how about a brisk ride along the beach as the sun rises over the Bay? That exercise will make you sleep like a baby.\"

[Lothiriel(#4309)]

Lothiriel smiles, \"Aye, another day for the sailor. I have had enough of numbers and maps for one night, and need no more talk of related subjects.\" Finishing off the last drop from her goblet, the young woman stands, bends down to pick up her volume, and starts for the door. \"Let me change into something more presentable,\" she motions at her current garb, the night gown she has yet to sleep in. \"And I will meet you at the stables.\" With that, she slips out the door, hurrying to her own chamber to prepare for the ride.