(Archive) The Parlour

Dol Amroth: Prince\'s Castle - Parlour

The dominating feature of the parlour is the large bay window set into the northern wall--in actuality three panes of flawless glass set into stone frames, looking out onto the Bay of Edhellond and the harbor of Dol Amroth below. The decor is muted--the omnipresent white stone, here hewn into an ovoid room, the long axis running east-west, with the same midnight blue carpet as the gallery beyond. Several sets of chairs, sofas, and small tables are placed about the room, each of dark wood with upholstered cushions that match the carpet. The walls hold maps by way of decoration--of Anorien, Ithilien of old, Belfalas, Lebennin, and even Calenardhon-that-was. Two are larger, upon the south wall flanking the doorway--illuminated maps of the city of Dol Amroth and of Old Umbar, ere it fell again into foul southron hands. A small cabinet set into the curve at the east end of the room contains various multicolored bottles and glasses to ease the tongues of those who converse here.

At night, light pools in this room around the small tables, glowing warmly from the silvered lamps that rest there and provide a steady light. The maps are hard to see in this light, but the window provides some illumination from the stars and moon, their glow echoed in the distance on the swells of the bay.

Obvious exits:

Moonlight and the sparkling of stars shine brightly through the great bay windows that grace the wall of the parlour, and more, brighter light pools about the small tables from silvered lamps. Despite the hour, the parlour has yet to empty of those seeking peace and refreshment, and while a few women chat in a corner, an older knight pours over a large tome on a table, and a single young woman, seperated this night from the rest, long raven locks tied back in a simple braid that hangs over her shoulder, sits alone in a plush chair, book on lap, mouthing words strange to this hall.

Standing by the big bay window overlooking the Bay of Edhellond is Lady Ivriniel. Although dark, the twinkling of stars illuminates the waves as they crash against the shore, silently the elder Imrazor gazes out the window, alone with her thoughts in the late hours of the night. The sound of the women chatting in the corner breaks her reverie and she retreats to a chair across from the map of Belfalas. Her silvery grey orbs glance over the map and then rest upon the form of her niece, mouthing words strange to this hall. Smiling gently she retrieves her embroidery and pulls a long skein of thread from her bag and threads the needle. The twang of the thread pulling through the stiff white material sounds loud in the quiet of the room, yet soothing as stitch after stitch is drawn.

The hall falls suddenly silent as as a loud \" Ah!\" and a snapping of fingers emerge from the young woman\'s lighted corner. Eyes, grey, blue, brown, black, all turn upon the black-haired woman. Feeling the gaze upon her, the results of her outburst, she laughs softly and a gentle smile crosses her excited face as she responds to them, \" I have found it.\"

Startled by the voice of her niece breaking the silence of the parlour, Ivriniel raises sea grey eyes and inquires \" What did you find my dear niece? Your voice startled the wits out of me, I was so engrossed in my sewing.\" A touch of censure marks the words of the woman as she awaits an answer, but before one can be had, a loud thud can be heard and her head swivels around to see the commotion.\"

Shuddering with surprise at the sound of the large man\'s fall, the young Princess looks away from her book and down at the fallen soldier with a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. \" You really ought to watch...\" Pausing, a touch of red creeping into her cheeks, she clears her throat and speaks again, \'Are you injured, sir? I really had not intended to cause such a... disruption...\' Eyes more grey than blue this night flash across the room at her Aunt, a rather sheepish smile superimposing itself on the other one, and she motions at the book, \'A conjugation I had been missing, Lady... It has eluded me for days now.\'

Raising one eyebrow as she looks at the form of Valgrimm on the floor, the soft words of Lady Ivriniel are heard only by her niece, \" Whatever shall I do with the poor boy? He is here to be an apprentice healer, but alas, it appears as if he shall do more harm than good.\" Placing her embroidery on the cushion beside her, Ivriniel rises gracefully from her seat and takes a few steps to where Valgrimm lies. Silent for a moment she finally questions, \'Are you able to get up on your own or do you require the help of the guards?\' Her sea grey eyes glance to the door and the guards stationed there and then back to Valgrimm.

The young Princess hides a chuckle behind one dainty hand, replying softy, still in that same tongue despite many stares from those about the room, \" You do seem to have a good deal of work left with him ere he heals the patients rather than hurts them.\" Setting her book on the table beside her chair, the young woman stands and steps around the fallen chair, glancing down with much amusement at the man on the floor. \'You certainly shan\'t be doing much healing from there, I think.\"

Upon righting the chair, he bows at his waist and speaks again, his voice louder than necessary as it booms across the room. \"No Lady. ..umm.. I am fine. ..Ahh.. Thanks.\" Taking numerous deep breathes, the air entering and exiting his lungs with giant gasps, he backs away from her, still bowed.

The elder Imrazor shows a flash of amusement, momentarily, as the sound of her niece\'s chuckle stifled behind one dainty hand reaches her ears .Silvery grey eyes cut sharply in warning to Lothiriel and she says, \" My child, please do not give me more reason for amusement. He doth provide enough as it is. Can you not imagine how hard it is for me to stifle my own laughter? And besides, how very rude of -both- of us to be speaking where others cannot understand.\" The sound of her voice strains at the end of that sentence and her attention is once again given to her apprentice healer.

Pursing her lips tightly as she watches the antics of the blushing young man, the expressions of the Princess alternate between pity and amusement. A few steps back are quickly taken to avoid the danger of the teetering chair and finally, a noble nod of her head is given to Valgrimm as he has once again assumed a still and safe stance.

Chuckling softly, placing a steady hand on the now righted chair, the young woman inclines her head. \"I should not like it if any injury was caused by the simple discovery of a vagrant conjugation...\" Yet with that she takes a step back, bright smile twinkling in the light cast on her stone eyes by the silver lamps, and lowers her head just so at her aunt\'s admonition in the old tongue.

A deep sigh sounds from Lady Ivriniel as she moves closer to Valgrimm.Her hand reaches for his arm and she whispers, \"What of our talk earlier, about controlling your nervousness and creating less havoc? I cannot deny that I am highly disappointed in your actions here tonight.\" Her eyes raise skyward to peer into those of the man as she says, \"You are but yet a youth and will mature, given time. Concern for my patients rests heavily on my mind when I see you creating such mayhem at every opportunity. How can I possibly entrust the well-being of others into your hands when you cannot maintain your own well being?\"

Folding her arms across her chest, the young Lothiriel adds little pressure to the older woman\'s words, yet she watches with eyes intent. \"A man who falls over the beds of the injured aids the healer as much as the blades that caused the injury,\" she comments softly, as if to the air, as most eyes in the room have already returned to their own business.

Shaking her head ever so softly, the young Lothiriel bestows a gentle smile on the young man and, with a quiet, \"By your leave,\" hardly waiting for anyone\'s leave, she picks up the tome on the table and glides from the room.

The gentle voice of Ivriniel speaks to the young man, hurt etched in the lines of his face as his eyes hide the pain. \"Valgrimm, my words are not meant to bring you harm. Never, would I seek to cause a moment of pain to anyone, but I must see that those in the halls of healing are protected at all costs.\" Thoughtfully she adds,\"Perhaps I could have you tend to the herb garden, run errands and do miscellaneous jobs until I am reassured that you have your nervous condition in control and that you are most satisfied to be here in Dol Amroth.\"

Valgrimm nods his head, the movement barely visible as he opens his eyes slowly, his cheeks now a bleach white color. His voice is low, and does not shout across the room as expected. \"I am sorry Lady. Whatever you think is best. Might I leave now. I still have business to attend to at the Lady Aearwen\'s home.\" The glow from the reading lamp seems to throw its harsh light upon the young man, accentuating his large features, and flaws.

Shaking her head, soft wisps of raven tresses curling around her face as Ivriniel responds, \"Nay. Your leave may not be taken just yet.\" The gentle sincerity of the elder Imrazor speaks to the heart of Valgrimm, \"Come, let us sit beneath the bay window and speak of this dilemma.\" Her hand again reaches for the massive arm of this gentle giant and squeezes, \'This is what I think best for right now. My eyes could not close in slumber without seeing the pained expression on your face. Now come, let us sit quietly and speak of options that will allow us both to obtain our goals.\"

Valgrimm lets loose a quiet sigh from his lungs, the air whistling faintly across his lips. Followed closely are quiet words, like a gentle breeze across the bay, \"Yes Lady.\" He takes a measured step forward, actually staring down at the ground, and the specific placement of his foot. He allows the lady to grab his muscled arm, actually flexing in response to her touch, and directs them toward the window, the water in the bay reflecting the starlight, like tiny jewels thrown into the sea.

A soft expulsion of air sounds as Lady Ivriniel releases the breath she had been holding. A faint smile curves her soft pink lips as takes two small steps for every one of those giant steps taken by Valgrimm. Glancing out the three panes of the bay window, her gaze again falls upon the waves illuminated by the lights of the night. \"This is one of my favorite places to be late at night. When one of the windows is open the smell of the sea air rushes in and the gentle crash of the wave meeting the shore can be heard in the distance.\"

Settling into one end of the couch, Ivriniel half turns so she will be facing Valgrimm, her soothing words continue as she works to ease the pain from the face of this sensitive young man. A soft laugh sounds as she admits, \"Although I have to say, riding my stallion along the beach at the break of morn is like nothing else on earth.\"

\"I would not know of such luxuries Lady. I am but a simple man.\" His voice seems cold, and unemotional, like an gift of an empty box. Valgrimm pauses shortly, his words surprisingly clear, and quickly expels another breath, this time his voice more full of energy. \"Though the sea is pretty.\"

Well aware of the pain still residing in Valgrimm as he flashes a smile, unlike those formerly seen upon his face, Ivriniel holds his gaze with her own troubled eyes, the colour of the sea after a storm. Drawing in a long breath, her chest rising sharply with the effort to reach inside of this man, she speaks again, \"Now that we are seated, calm and albeit panged by the words spoken earlier, can we speak of what is to become of you here in Dol Amroth?\"

\"A simple man, with a good heart is worth his weight in gold florins Valgrimm. Too many speak untruths and seek only to profit themselves. What do you seek? And yes, I know you seek healing knowledge, but beyond that. What do you seek?\"

Still staring at the floor, and the way the bright colors of the carpet mesh with the sun faded threads, Valgrimm speaks, his voice still empty of emotion. Yet, the coldness seems not directed at the healer. \"I know not what I seek anymore. Nor does it matter. What I once sought after was taken from me.\" Though he seems ready to speak more, his breath held for a moment in preparation of his words, he expels the breath. The sigh drops to the floor, fluttering the few motes of dust there, like a mini wind storm in the Hall.

Weariness begins to take a toll on Ivriniel, lines etch on either side of her mouth and a tinge of red colours her eyes. Blinking rapidly with an obvious attempt to stay alert she finally shakes her head softly in denial. The newly shorn raven tresses partly cover one porcelain cheek as her eyes close for for a second and then snap open quickly. Her voice, saddened now by the state of affairs between herself and Valgrimm, says softly, \"Perhaps this conversation needs to be continued when the sun is shining and we have both slept upon the words said tonight. I know not what else to say to you, save that I must see to the care of my patients in the halls of healing, first and foremost. Let us talk of an arrangement when next we meet. The hour is late and I must seek the comfort of my bed.\"

Valgrimm nods, his dark hair falling into his eyes, like vines partially shrouding a cave mouth. He rises from the couch, trying carefully not to overturn it as he stands. Pushing against the arm of the couch with his strong arm, he stands upon his firm legs, like two tree trunks holding up the man.

A quiet, but firm voice pierces the night air, his breath shaped into gentle words. \"Of course Lady. May I escort you to your room.\" As if growing nervous by these very words, Valgrimm takes another deep breath, his rising chest betraying the insecurity that creeps into his being.

Sea grey eyes flash with surprise as Ivriniel raises her head quickly to stare at Valgrimm. Doubt fills those eyes but her words are in direct contrast as she gracefully rises from the couch and smiles, \"Yes. You may escort me to my room.\" Bending to retrieve the forgotten embroidery from much earlier, she slides it into her ever present tapesty bag and says warmly, \"Things will work out for you Valgrimm. Do not ask me how I know, its just a sense passed down from generation to generation.\" With that she places her hand upon his arm.