(Archive) Gweneth Bragollach comes of Age

Elendor - Saturday, February 26, 2000, 5:18 PM

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Weather: Clear

Time: Late Morning

Season: Autumn

Date: Highday - September 2, 3019

Real Time: Sat Feb 26 15:40:27 2000

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Garden

Truly you are amazed at the sight which greets you here. The beautiful lush gardens of the Houses of healing are without compare in the city, including the Citadel itself. The ground is carpeted with tiny golden flowers fenced in along the paths by small, ankle-high bushes of pink, red and blue. Here and there small benches crouch beside the path beneath overhanging willow trees. Banks of rose bushes line the walls, the scent from their flowers wafting through the air gently, out of sync with the rush of the city outside these tranquil bounds. Tall irises and foxgloves sway slightly in the breeze, their purple and blue flowers just brushing the ends of the drooping trees above them. Along the low wall at the edge of the garden, purple and pink phlox creep, winding their way across the top of the stones, slowly working their way towards the ground. Beyond the wall, the entire plain beneath Minas Tirith is visible, stretching onwards towards the river to the east and the far city of Pelargir to the south. Directly beneath you, the hustle and bustle of city life continues, oblivious to the calm serenity immediately above it.

Contents:

Gweneth

Weed garden(#28126hn)

Obvious exits:

Entryway

The drone of bees working the flowers in the garden are not noticed by the woman sitting on a silken pillow upon the ground before what appears to be a garden of weeds. Viciously stabbing at the plot of ground with a small hand shovel, Lady Aearwen attacks the weeds with a furor. The pile of discarded weeds by her side ever grows as she places another bunch on the top and then turns to tenderly move the soft soil around a precious medicinial plant

The sun continues to move across the sky, nearing noon as the woman works for hours. Pausing for a moment when an assistance brings a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade, she dabs at the perspiration dotting her face, unaware of the smear of mud across one cheek. Pulling the gardening gloves from her hands she rises gracefully and accepts the lemonade. Lifting the back of her long auburn curls as a breeze blows across the stone wall overlooking the city, Aearwen pauses for a few moments on the bench as she thoughtfully sips her cool drink, lost in reverie

[Gweneth(#17847)] Stepping quietly into the garden, the breeze itself nearly hiding the sound of Gweneth steps, she strides slowly through the relaxing room. The train of her gown accents her arrival with a soft brushing, to any that would be taking notice of it, while she glances around and sees Aearwen, but does not head towards her. Instead she walks past the woman and looks at the pile of weeds that has gathered next to the herb garden. She drops something from her arms and kneels next to the pile. She gathers handfuls of the weeds and begins to place them into a burlap sack, the item in her arms. The sight in itself is rather comical and quite the paradox as Gweneth works quietly wearing and dirtying a gown worth twice what a man would be paid to do the job for a year.

Taking another sip of the cool beverage, Aearwen again lifts the heavy weight of her hair from upon her neck and allows the teasing breeze to bring relief to the heat of the sun beaming down on her. Sleepily, her eyes close as she relaxes there, until something catches her attention and cerulean eyes fly open quickly. Surprise plays across her features as her cousin Gweneth enters the garden without saying a word, in fact, walks past her. Turning on the bench Aearwen watches the progress of her kinswoman and her mouth drops open in shock as the woman drops to her knees and proceeds to rid the garden of the pile of unsightly weeds. Puzzled by this turn of events, nary a word does she speak as her amazement of this scene is too great, noting the dirty state of Gweneth\'s gown, her head shakes in wonderment.

Gweneth begins to hum a soft tune as she works and several minutes later all but scrapes of the weeds have been placed into the sack. She brushes her hands off gently then rises, brushing other large spots of dirt. She sniffs in comtemplation then turns and looks over to Aearwen, only offering her a smile and a quick wave.

Very amused by this unusual turn of events, Aearwen finishes the last of her lemonade, still focused on the actions of her cousin. A soft laugh bubbles from her lips as the woman begins to hum a soft tune as she works. Crossing her legs under the heavy petticoats of her gown, she rests one elbow on her knee and continues to watch as very last weed is placed into the sack. Grinning wildly as Gweneth mulls over the spots of dirt, the smile and wave from the woman is quickly return as Aearwen says, \"What ever has come over you my dear? My amusement at seeing you as such has been the light of my day.\" Patting the bench beside her she says, \"Come join me in a refreshing glass of lemonade.\" Motioning to the tray with the pitcher and another glass on the other end of the bench.

Gweneth moves over to sit near Aearwen, a queer, pert grin on her lips. She waves off the glass of Lemonade, \"The drink it too tart for me, thank you though.\" She lowers herself down onto the bench, \"As to what has come over me, I do not think I quite understand.\" She bites her lower lip as she looks at Aearwen\'s face, holding back a snicker. She reaches into a pocket within the folds of her dress and pulls from it a soft, cotton cloth. She reaches forward and wipes the dirt from Aearwen\'s cheek, \"We cannot have such a beautiful face hidden by dirt, can we now, child?\" she questions in quite a mock patronizing tone.

Laughter rings from Aearwen as her cousin wipes the dirt from her face, treating her much like a naughty child. Teasing eyes twinkle with the beauty of her good spirits as she replies, \"Oh heavens forbid that dirt should mar such delicate beauty.\", winking in mockery as she reaches for the pitcher of lemonade and refills her glass. Smacking her lips as the tartness of the drink makes her eyes water a bit she finally says, \"As to my earlier statement, I just found it most out of character for you to be on your knees playing in dirt my dear.\" Shrugging her shoulders as she looks over at the forlorn herb patch she says, \"Tis a shame that such a beautiful spot with such a variety of plants has fallen into such disrepair.\" Sighing as her mood obviously shifts, \"Of course, I have no choice to be here as the Lord Steward himself ordered my presence here.\" The tightening of her jaw is noticeable as she says those last words.

[Gweneth(#17847)] \"The Steward is a great man and it would help you in your dealing with him that despite his,\" Gweneth smirks slightly, \"Shortness with people, he often is wiser than those that disapprove in his actions. Of course on the other hand, you have little choice in the matter so one might as well take it in stride since nothing can be done of it.\" Her brow furrows slightly as if just figuring out Aearwen\'s words, \"And what is then my character that I play that is so high and mighty as not to \"play\" in dirt, even to help a dear cousin of mine? Hmmm?\"

Slightly irritated by the words from her cousin, Aearwen snorts, very unladylike and says,\"I do not need you to tell me of the greatness of the Lord Steward, I have found him to be a just, fair man, albeit, short at times.\" Her eyes skim over the horizon as she looks in the direction of Dol Amroth, just seeing a ribbon of the Anduin from this spot her words are soft, \"It would seem that there are little choices left to be made, someone is all to ready to jump forth and assume they know what is best for my life.\", bitterness mars the tone of her voice as she goes on to say, almost wearily, \'Nay, I didnt mean to imply that you were to high and mighty to -play- in the dirt, but let us be honest, tis not oft that I see you raise your hand in manual labor.\"

Gweneth chuckles slightly, \"Many families live off making sure I do not do just that. And while that in itself makes me very high and mighty, as you say, it keeps things in order. But, I did not come her to lecture you, or,\" she winks, \"Even help you with your gardening. A much sadder thing has brought me here, yet it is bittersweet in its motives.\" She pauses, taking a quick breath, \"Galdorim is well, he stands and walks with his peers so in turn, it is time for me to leave.\"

Gweneth looks at Aearwen, lowering her head a bit, \"Wen, love, what is wrong?\" She motions back to the seat next to her, \"Come, sit down with me.\"

Backing up a few more steps Aearwen shakes her head, \"Thank you, but no. There are many things that require my attention Gweneth.\" Again her laughter cackles out, \"Nothing is wrong, nothing at all.\"

Gweneth nods, looking around blankly, \"Oh, all right,\" she says cheerfully. She takes the pitcher of lemonaid and Aearwen\'s cup and fills it, \"Some more?\" she questions, holding out the glass.

Knocking the glass of lemonade from the offered hand of her cousin, Aearwen hisses out in a gutteral sound, half sobbing, \"Some more? No! No, no no...\" as her hands rise to her face, deep sobs ripping through her as the emotion wracks her entire body.

Gweneth hesitantly rises from her seat. A few healer in the building peak into the garden, watching the scene unfold, but none dare to enter deeper. Gweneth reaches out hesitatantly, one hand towards her neck, the other towards her back, beginning to pull her into an embrace very slowly, soft soothing words coming from her lips, trying to calm the sobbing woman.

Stiffening as the soft arms of her cousin pull her into an embrace, Aearwen relaxes as the soft soothing words sink into the depth of her mind. Her own arms encirle the taller woman and the tears flow from her eyes as she sobs, \"I am so miserable here. I hate it. Melethron is gone, I broke Galdorim\'s heart, nothing matters anymore...nothing\"

Gweneth pets Aearwen\'s hair softly, \"Oh Wen, I am so sorry you hurt so much.\" She squeezes the young woman reassuringly pulling her even tighter against the soft fabric of Gweneth\'s gown. The Lady Chamberlain sniffs too, beginning to cry softly between her own words, \"If it make you feel any better, Wen, I love you a great deal.\" She pauses to take a deep breath, \"When you said you were going back to your family\'s home, I felt as if something was trying to be ripped out of me.\" She laughs softly, \"I impress myself with my words of cliche.\" She lowers her head and brushes her cheek against Aearwen\'s, \"Please come to Dol Amroth with me, Wen. I will wait till Maeghan returns if you cannot leave sooner.\" Ever so quietly she whispers, \"Please?\"

Shaking her head in denial, soft auburn curls brush across her face as she says, \"The Lord Steward has ordered me to see to the House of Healing. If it were up to me, I would return to Dol Amroth tonight.\" Emotions more in check as she pulls away from Gweneth and reaches into the pocket of her gown for a white hankerchief and wipes the tears from her face. One hand reaches up to gently touch Gweneth on the face, affectionately she says, \"I care a great deal for you too, my dear cousin. Forgive this display of emotion today, everything has been bottled up inside of me since the death of Melethron and it refused to remain there.\"

Laughing as she looks at the broken glass strewn along the pathway, she calls for an assistant to clean up the mess, voice still a bit shaken with emotion. Retaking a seat on the bench she delicately blows her nose and has the grace to blush, \"What a day this has been\", her hand reaches over to squeeze Gwen\'s arm softly.

Gweneth places her hand on Aearwen\'s, her features becoming stern, \"I was not joking Wen. I do not wish to leave without you.\" Her face softens a bit, \"I do understand your words of frustration though, and empathize.\" She chuckles a bit, \"I have had a quite few strange last few days myself.\" Her hand leaves Aearwen\'s and brushes a few of curls from her face, \"But you worry me now,\" her brow tightens once again into a mock paternal scold, \"And we cannot have any of that.\"

Aearwen squeeze\'s the soft hand of the other woman and says, \"That is a very kind offer Gweneth, but I cannot allow you to stay on my behalf. You have your duties as Chamberlain in Dol Amroth and cannot let those slide to pacify me, I will be fine.\" Laughing as her assistant brings out another glass and timidly hands it to her and disappears quickly into the house of healing. Giggling she says, \"I can hear the rumours floating throughout the stone city now, Lady Aearwen goes insane in the garden and throws glass at Gweneth.\", making light of the entire situation, she reaches for the pitcher of lemonade and downs a half a glass quickly.

[Gweneth(#17847)] Despite Aearwen\'s joking and making light, Gweneth remains standing over the woman, \"Do not think I am staying on your behalf, Wen,\" she continues seriously, \"I am staying for mine. You have become an integral part of my life that I do not wish to have seperated from me. I will step down from my position if need be.\" She sniffs, a slightly grin coming to her face, \"What a bizarre paradox is a woman\'s heart.\" She shakes her head and lowers herself to the ground, her gown spilling out around her, \"I think it is my turn to go mad,\" she smiles weakly, looking up at Aearwen.

The glass of lemonade pauses mid-air as Aearwen looks to Gweneth in confusion, very slowly the glass returns to rest on her lap. Hesitantly she questions her, \"Staying for your own behalf? Step down from your position?\" Gasping at that, the head of the envoy shakes vehemently, \"You cannot do such a thing. We shall both prevail through the traumatic events of our life.\" Cocking her head to one side she inquires, \'What events have marred your own tranquility these past few days?\"

Gweneth giggles, falling back onto her back, \"I lost control I think,\" she answer, looking up towards the sky, \"Control of my adultness, for I have not been in such an emotional situation since I was a young,\" she repeats and reemphasizes the word, \"Young girl.\"

Giggles fill the air in the garden as the two women laugh together. The sight of Gweneth on her back in her muddied gown sends Aearwen into peals of laughter. Several of the assistant healers step to the entryway and glancing up to see their faces sends the woman into even louder laughter as she waves them away with one hand, \"Go back to work and pay no attention\", somehow she gets those words out in between laughter.

Gweneth looks up and over at Aearwen, after her laughter has been brought under her control once more, \"I shall give you a florin if you can guess my current problem,\" a mischievous grin following her words.

A twinkle lights up Aearwen\'s eyes as she responds with gaiety, \"A florin for a correct guess...hmmmmmm\", her finger taps against her lips as she ponders the question and the woman before her, \"I would guess it has something to do with that Azrubel, if I were to guess.\"

Gweneth laughs, \"Oh no no. I am not //that// bad. No. I will give you one more chance to guess, but,\" she smirks, \"You will only get a dime of silver this time.\"

Laughing softly Aearwen says, \"Let me see....you yearn to tend to the wounded.\" Snickering as she says that, full well knowing how Gwen despises the infirmary. \"I would have no earthly idea what your current problem is Gweneth, truly, my mind is blank\"

[Gweneth(#17847)] \"Actually, I stumbled onto the most interesting book on healing and history. It sparked some interest in the topic in me and I could loan it to you, but I fear it is written in Adunaic and do not remember if you were taught it as a young girl,\" Gweneth says, \"So, for that I say, I will owe you a penny of silver. So, remember now, you said a long time ago I could come and speak to you about anything and it would remain between the two of us?\"

\"I was taught several languages during my training at the White Tower and of course, my work as envoy has also given me an added bonus of using those languages. I would be interested in seeing this book.\" Greatly surprised by this turn of events Aearwen says, \"When I was in Rohan, I was presented an ancient tome of herb lore by the healers there, tis most interesting to see what has been passed down through the ages.\" Nodding her head she says, \"Yes. My word is as good as gold. What do you wish to speak of?\"

Gweneth sniffs, amused, and falls back onto the ground. She speaks in quite a matter of fact tone, \"Well, it seems I have fallen in love with not one, but two people.\" She giggles and adds, \"With a possible infatuation with a third. Quite tragic, no?\" She shakes her head, rolling it on the ground, \"It is quite a problem weighing on my mind.\"

Chuckling softly Aearwen inquires, \"You have fallen in love with two people and infatuated with a third?\", her voice rises to a high pitch of disbelief. \"How could such a think occur? When and how do you have time? Not to mention the inclination?\" Amused sea blue eyes peer at her cousin, playfully rolling on the ground, \"Would that the Prince see the two of us at the moment, he would have us locked in the tower as quite mad.\"

Gweneth smiles, \"They say it is always better to want then to have. I suppose that is my inclination. But, as you know I am sure, things of the heart are rarely ones own choice. And so, here I am. I am not sure what to do with it. Despite my history of things involving love, I cannot remember ever being \"in\" love, much less with a trio.\" She chuckles once more, \"I warned you. All foolish things a young girl would have happen to her.\"

Smiling indulgently at Gweneth, the healer says softly, \"My heart is pleased to hear that your heart has been touched by love, tis such a wonderful thing to behold. Twice in my life now have I experienced that warmth and its not something easily duplicated.\" Her eyes cloud over as she says, \"It is funny, though I loved both Galdorim and Melethron, twas in such different ways, it is hard to explain. And my heart shall always have a very special place for Galdorim....always.\"

Gweneth grins, \"So, my experienced little cousin, any ideas on how to deal with this particular problem?\"

Chuckling loudly Aearwen makes an odd squeaking noise just before she says, \"Me? Experienced? You must be joking Gweneth. Two call having loved two men as have vast experience is like saying the Bay of Belfalas has a bit of water in it.\"

Gweneth laughs in return, \"Well, I can give you pointers on how to make a man beg for you love, but I know little on actually loving one.\" She sighs, \"The biggest problem I think is that in all the cases, save for the last as its the most dangerous and I have not ventured to check, it is not reciprocated. Life can be a cruel joke sometimes I think.\"

An expression of complete seriousness slips over the countenance of Lady Aearwen as she softly says, \"To love and not have it reciprocated is such a sad state of affairs, but yet, to hold the love for that person in your heart, as your own is still a blessing.\" Her smile is nostalgic as she continues, \"When Melethron declared his love for me on the plains of Rohan, I could not have been more surprised, actually horrified by his words as my heart was given to Galdorim. And yet, there was something in Melethron that answered a need in my being, a depth of feeling...understanding, it tis almost impossible for me to explain, save that I am happy for having loved him, albeit the time was short.\"

Gweneth smiles, still on the ground, up at Aearwen but says nothing. Her gaze floats away from Aearwen as she examines the sky for several minutes. Eventually, she breaks the silence with, \"I think I will go to the baths today. Then I will make my arrangments so that I may stay in Minas Tirith till you can leave.\"

One of the other healers enters the garden and says, \"Pardon the intrusion Lady Aearwen, but we have an arrival of dried herbs from Rohan that need to be paid for.\", dipping into a curtsy as she then turns to go back into the house. Aearwen rises from the bench and walks to beside her lounging cousin and smiles down at her, \"Well my dear, duty does call my name. Seriously, I would ask that you think twice about giving up your position as Chamberlain, you command a lot of respect there and it would not be wise to throw it away in haste. Now, I must see to this shipment of plants only found in Rohan.\"

Gweneth nods, grinning up from the ground, \"I will. Have fun. I think I shall relax for a bit here before going off.\"