Gweneth, Melethron, and Bethphel

December 11, 1999

The clear sky is ablaze with stars on this cold winter night as not a single cloud mars the dark backdrop. A cold breeze whistles through the Court of the Fountain, blowing an errant leaf or two that missed the gardeners attention. The soft gurgle of the fountain a peaceful lulling sound in the still of the late night. Resting on one of the benches in front of the fountain is an unknown woman. Her dark cloak is pulled up over her hair and close around her face, offering no view to reveal her identity. Both hands are tucked into a fur muff that rests on her lap, one booted shoe peeps out from under her skirt as she crosses her legs and swings her foot. Tipping her head back to gaze at the sky, the dim light finally allows one to see the countenance of Lady Aearwen.

[Gweneth(#17847)] A tune breaks the silence of the brisk night, a soft hum of a song sung to children and barmaids alike of love. It is sometime before the sound of soft slippers mixes with the humming, and soon after, a woman wrapped in a regal gown with fur lining its edges and hems, glides into the court. She pauses at once, her voice stopping its song as another is spied, sitting near the fountain. Lady Gweneth\'s voice chimes, \"Who sits on my fountain at this late hour? Give your name or I will call the guards,\" she states calmly.

The swinging of Aearwen\'s foot pauses as the sound of humming reaches her ears, recognizing the voice immediately she resumes her movement. Watching as her kin enters the court. Laughing softly as Gweneth demands her identity, Aearwen calls out in a teasing voice, \"Go ahead, call the guards.\" Pushing her hands further into the fur muff to ward off the chill, she tilts her head back a bit, allowing the hood to reveal more of her face as she rests on the bench. Gweneth frowns deeply, in a mocking hurt expression, \"I should for playing such a cruel trick.\" She shakes her head, a grin forming, but only briefly. She moves quickly to the woman, \"What is this of Borgilas being poisoned?\"

Aearwen protests, \"Playing such a cruel trick? Here I am, minding my own business, enjoying the still of the night and the gurgling fountain, such serene quiet and you invade the stillness barking out an order? Come now dear cousin, let us not fuss, no trick was being played on you, I was simply trying to ward off the chill.\" Sighing deeply as her voice takes on an odd strained sound, head nodding, \"He was poisoned during the family meeting last night. Before anyone knew what was happening, he collapsed and was carried off by a healer.\"

[Gweneth(#17847)] A wrinkle creases Gweneth\'s brow, \"This... this is not right. Our family may be filled with pompus fools, but not murders. Does he still live? Do you know his chances?\" She moves quickly during her words to sit at the woman\'s side, lowering her voice, \"Who do you think,\" she pauses looking around, \"Did it?\"

Shaking her head Aearwen responds negatively, \"I know not of his condition Gweneth, no news has reached my ears since the meeting in Linhir.\" Her eyes grave with concern, \"There were many strangers to my eyes there at that meeting, many harsh words were spoken and one darkly clothed stranger burst in, almost tearing the door from its hinges.\" Shivering as she recalls the hawkish face of the man, \"He was chilling in his anger....almost an evil pervaded his very presence.\" Her head shakes back and forth repetively, \"As to who poisoned him, I would offer no guess, there were too many there with access to his wine.\"

Aearwen frowns as she tries to recall the man\'s name, \"Hmm, what was that man\'s name....hmmmm....something like Nazarum. Drat! I was so intent on watching him and listening to his words, I have completely forgotten his name.\" The shoe of Aearwen\'s once again resumes its swinging back and forth as she bites her bottom lip, trying to remember the man\'s name, \"Ah! I remember it now, it was Naruazrun! Of the Anfallachs.\"

[Gweneth(#17847)] A frown also forms on Gweneth\'s lips, \"And his stance on the Lordship, was he against our cousin?\" She pauses, pressing a finger to her lips, \"And his manner, you say he made himself noticed?\"

Aearwen snorts with derision, \"Made himself noticed? He burst into the room, practically tearing the door off the hinges and announced that he had a list of grievances from the Lady Gweneth, since she was unable to attend the meeting.\" Frowning as she looks at her cousin, \"How do you know this man cousin?\"

Gweneth\'s presence diminishes a great deal, \"Oh..Naruazrun.\" She purses her lips slightly, \"Yes, well, I have had other deeling with him and he was more discreet then you describe.\" She pauses once more, \"I doubt he had much to with the dealings\"

Not content with the answer from the woman, Aearwen pushes for more information, \"What kind of dealings? Discreet? You must be joking, there is not a discreet bone in the man\'s body.\" Turning to more clearly face Gweneth she inquires, \"What exactly were the grievances that he presented on that scroll to Borgilas?\"

[Gweneth(#17847)] \"The same that any should have against an aging man trying to usurp control of our house,\" Gweneth returns defensivly, \"If you really want to have this conversation, perhaps it would serve us better to be someplace warm?\"

Suddenly aware of the biting chill, Aearwen agrees wholeheartedly, \"Someplace warm would be nice, the chill has overtaken me quite without warning.\" Shivering as she stands up, stomping her cold feet on the walkway, \"My poor toes, I can scarely feel them!\" Walking around and around stiffly as the blood flows back into her cold limbs.

[Melethron(#29496)] A smile finds it\'s way unto the lips of this tall man, \"Lectures are easily ignored my Lady, if one is trained to do so, as much as advice, simple or not, can be ignored.\" Again silence fills the space about the two walking figures, thier path heading through the frosty streets of Dol Amroth to the harbour.

[Bethphel(#18016)] The Lady Bethphel and Melethron are walking, arm-in-arm, towards the harbour. The hour is late, and it is very cold, and both are dressed accordingly. The Lady has a long, warm cloak about her accustomed gown. The cowl is down, so that she may look upon the stars unfettered. She bears a lantern aloft with her right hand, carrying it before them and lighting their way. An Umbrella is also upon that arm, though it is not extended. From the appearance of it, their conversation is at least animated on the Ladies\' part.

Bethphel stops, abruptly, at his words, and smiles: \"...why that is a fourth crime, my Lord. If you will not remark upon a Lady\'s beauty- you may do just as well to listen to her lectures. Alas! You shall make a very poor husband- but not, I think, for the reasons which you have noted. But come- I have already promised to be fair and pleasant this evening- you must do the same, and strain yourself for flatteries, or it will not do.\"

[Melethron(#29496)] That smile lingers upon his lips even as he turns to look upon the lady resting upon his arm as they walk, \"I am guilty of many crimes lady, more than you could care to count, but none so great as those I have committed here and now against a fey creature such as you, for the blood of old is strong within your veins, and your face is the fairest I have looked upon in all my life, and nary has there been one who has brought a spark of light into my otherwise dreary life with so few words as those you have spoken this evening.\" Then, for perhaps the first time in a long time a true laugh escapes his lips, \"It is ever the Ladies duty to bring the ignorace of her Lord to light lest he forget and think himself more than he truly is.

Bethphel laughs, at that, gently. \"...now, my Lord, you impress me- though doubtlessly you meant so to do. You have shown yourself very wise this evening, or very black-hearted- I am not quite certain yet which. Though,\" she considers, quietly, to herself: \"...your are at least incorrect in one things: it is a hobby of mine to count the crimes of men only they are so many at times I despair of ever having the full accounting of it.\"

[Melethron(#29496)] \"Full accountings are hard things to come by my Lady,\" the Man says honestly, as his laughter subsides, and again they begin to walk \"Many a times men are too full of themselves to give the account in full truth, or some seek to hide from them, some seek to forget.\"

Strolling from the Court of the Fountain are Lady Aearwen and Lady Gweneth, arm in arm the two noble women have their heads together in the cool night air, obviously discussing something of great importance as their footsteps slow on the cobblestoned walkway. Glancing up at the sound of laughter, Aearwen spies the familiar form of Melethron, walking and laughing with a strange woman.

Pulling at Gweneth\'s arm she hisses out, \"Wait! \" Putting a finger to her lips she listens to the words of flattery spill from the Knight Captain\'s lips with ease, his laughter, free and easy, flows through the night air like a knife into her heart.

Her voice rings out clear in the night, \"The fairest face you have ever looked upon into all of your life Melethron?\" Scoffing with derision, her cold stormy eyes gaze at the face of Melethron with a snarl curling her normally sweet smiling lips, \"For this whore you left Rohan with no word? You silver tongued devil of a man! I cannot believe that I ever opened my heart to you. Enjoy! Enjoy your new whore!\" And with those words she storms back into the court, auburn tresses flowing as she runs like the wind.

Gweneth remains standing where she was when the Lady Aearwen told her to wait. She tilts her head slightly and says to the pair still remaining, \"Ooops.\" She then turns as well and follows Aearwen.

[Melethron(#29496)] The voice of another carries through the air like the crack of a whip, catching the man\'s ears and his attention. Drawing to a halt, Melethron turns to behold the last glimpse of Aearwen as she dives headlong once more into the Court of the Fountain, then his eyes find the Lady Gweneth as she speaks softly to herself then turns, \"Pardon me my Lady,\" The man says to the woman upon his arm, then slides away from her as he makes his way to the Court of the Fountain, his coming like that of a thunderstorm eyes blazing in fury.

Melethron pages: your not getting off that easily.

Long distance to Melethron: Aearwen chuckles, \"You think so darlin?\"

Melethron pages: I know so. :)

\"To watch you woo a woman, a southerner at that,\" Gweneth pauses with a wicked smile, \"Oh, yes, I am familar with Lady Bethphel. But yes, Aearwen\'s rights to watch you flirt and make your way into the arms of another woman are well in reason.\" She shrugs, \"Perhaps she was a bit upset, but then,\" her head lowers a bit, \"I think she has that right as well.\"

\"I do nothing of the sort,\" Melethron growls, \"I mearly found myself talking to her, not trying to woo her to my bed.\" With that spat out as if a curse, the man flips his should, casting the sable cloak about his shoulders over one arm revealing the sword at his hip, \"By the Valar who does she think she is, when last I spoke in truth with her she was with that fool of a guardsmen, that was nearly four months past if not more.\" Then he turns from his cousin, \"Besides, I did not even know the lady\'s name, nor that much about her save for her accent is not that of this land.\"

\"Four months of doubt and pain for the two of them because of your advances. Do not think me blind or unlearned, Melethron, and regardless of how well the woman on your arm and you were aquainted matters little when your words were so filled with honey.\" She places her hands on her hips, \"I will have you hurting my cousin no more with your lies and pledges of love when you apparently have little weight behind them.\"

Saying nothing more Melethron starts his advance towards the castle once more, leaving the Lady Gweneth to herself lest she follow him and try to steer him from his path, all the while he is walking the man glares at those before him, the servants at the doors of the castle spread before him as if he had his sword drawn, many quickly finding reasons to be in other parts of the keep.

Gweneth follows after Melethron, shouting, only a few steps behind the Knight, \"Has she not been through enough to give you her attention so far? Can you not just leave her be? She and I, and soon the city, will know the falseness of your intentions.\" She is silent for a time, slowly catching up to the man, \"What? Is the Knight-Captain going to beat her into submission? Draw his blade and force her to pretend to care about him as much as he pretends to care of her?\"

Stopping then, Melethron turns upon Gweneth, eyes glaring at her, \"What care you in all this,\" he growls at her, \"You spend half your time plotting and scheming to stab others in the back, and never once have I seen you take a hand in anything that does not benefit you.\" He stops for a minute, then continues, \"I mean to talk with her, nothing more, I will tell her the truth of what she saw if she is willing to listen to my words.\" With that, he turns to leave once more, walking hurriedly through the gates of the keep.

Gweneth continues to follow the man through the halls and courtyards, replying mockingly to the man, \"Ooooh, throwing petty insults on my character now? How noble and knightly of you. An excellent example for the rest of the Knights in the land.\" Gweneth continues, her breath becoming deeper as she tires, \"Tell me, do you talk of how many mistresses you have to each other? Or is it just you? You speak of the truth, yet, it is lies you speak, either to Aearwen or to the Lady Bethphel.\" Gweneth follows on his heels, \"And you are a fool to go and talk to her now.\" She offers no explaination as she continues to move in the Knight\'s wake.

Melethron continues to walk and look, moving now to the next set of stairs, \"Perhaps.\" he mutters to her as he begins to climb the next flight of stairs.

Standing at the railing on the Third Floor Gallery, Aearwen makes no move to turn as Gweneth and Melethron join her there. Wearily is the voice that speaks to the pair, \"Leave me be.\", her hand waves in dismissal as she gazes out at the Bay of Belfalas.

[Melethron(#29496)] Melethron says, \"I am no common attendant like that of your lady in waiting,\" Melethron notes as he stops midway in his path towards Aearwen, stopping so abruptly it would not surprise him if the Lady Gweneth ran into him given her close distance to him.\"

[Gweneth(#17847)] Panting, Gweneth is in no danger as she slowly climbs the last of the steps. She curses at the designer of the castle before pausing to catch her breath.

Shaking her head softly, Aearwen makes no move to look at the Knight Captain as her voice once again speaks to him, \"Nothing more is there to say to you -M\'Lord-\", her hands gather the material of her skirts as she dips into a mocking curtsey, there at the railing. A bitter laugh springs from her lips and screams across the emptiness, a hollow, empty sound.

[Melethron(#29496)] \"Fine,\" he says solemnly, ignoring her laugh \"If you have nothing more to say to me, then I have some things to say to you. I do not know what has brought this change in you, but I know that the woman I fell in love with must still reside within that body of yours, yes, I gave compliment to another, a lady I hardly know for that is what she ask of me. And truth be told I meant what I said, she has the fairest face I have looked upon in all my life, but as I told the Lady Gweneth a fair face will not win my heart, not when it has already been given to another. Long have been the days since last we talked Lady Aearwen, and heavy have the resposibilities been since that day. When last I truly spoke to you we were upon the soil of the Mark, in the tent of healing, but I have no doubt that you remember that day very well, for I shall always. When last I looked upon you, I saw the very ring that Galdorim gave to you upon your finger and nearly had my heart broken into. I ask no forgiveness of you for I see nothing that I have done wrong, nor will I apologize for speaking the truth about another. But if you think me so petty to take a woman to my bed for her face alone then perhaps you are not the woman I thought I knew.\" With that he grows silent, then turns to leave, casting one look to Gweneth as he but there is little emotion in that look, then he is gone from her sight, upon the stairs once more and decending.

Gweneth let\'s Melethron go, walking slowly to the frantic Aearwen. She wraps her arms around her lovingly, kissing her forehead softly, time and time again, \"Shhh, it will be all right, dear, it will be okay Wen.\" She eases the woman to sit on the ground, hugging her tightly, petting the hair from her face.

Silently listening to the words of the Knight Captain, nothing does Aearwen says as his words lash out in the air, sharp words of anger, hissing from his lips. Cold fingers grip the railing, her body stiff and unbending as he finishes and leaves the balcony, the sound of his footsteps plainly heard on the steps. Growling low in her throat, a sound rips from her lips, denial, curses a jumble of words rushing as she whirls to the opening and descends the steps, \"Nay!! You shall not have the last word here Melethron! Blast me with such accusations and then disappear from view.\", her words carrying as her voice grows louder with each word.

Gweneth pauses before she gets the chance to comfort Aearwen and watches the woman go down the stairs. She blinks and shakes her head, taking a seat on the top step of the stairs.

[Melethron(#29496)] Calmly as if going about some business of his own comes the Knight-Captain, though if one were to stop and look at his face they would see a thunderstorm of emotions, mainly the anger that resides within his silvery grey eyes, yet he moves from one set of stairs to another, nearly cresting the top stair of the next flight as the Lady Aearwen descends from above.

Practically stomping down the steps, Aearwen lifts her many layers of skirts as her footsteps ring out on each step sharply. The expression on her face is unreadable as the emotions flicker over her face, her lips move as she mutters to herself.

[Melethron(#29496)] The sounds of the ladies stomping finds it\'s way to the Knight-Captain\'s ears even as he begins to make his way down the next set of stairs, but he stops short upon that third step, cursing silently under his breathe then turning to head back up stopping in the path of the hurricane that is Aearwen, \"I take it you finally have something to say to me,\" the words come flatly, anger still in his eyes, but something more now, perhaps a sense of sorrow at his apparent loss, but his face remains stony, emotionless.

Busy with her skirts as she navigates the stairs, Aearwen pulls up sharply as Melethron heads back up the steps, right in her path. Drawing in a ragged breath, her bosom heaving with anger, exertion and emotion, her cold blue eyes rake over the face of the tall handsome Knight Captain. \"Have I something to say? Have I something to SAY!!\", her voice raises to a frantic pitch as her flaming locks of auburn dance across her shoulders.

Clenching her fingers tightly into fists, she holds her arms stiffly at her sides, opening and closing those fingers, obviously trying to find some measure of calm as she searches the face of this man. Memories of times spent together, flashing through her mind in bright visions, distant do her eyes grow as those thoughts weigh heavy upon her heart. With each flicker of emotion upon the woman\'s face, the slow unclenching of her hands can be seen, until they rest against the bright satin of her dress. Silence looms between the two as they stand there on the stairway, so many things left unsaid upon the plains of Rohan.

[Melethron(#29496)] Silence yes, but only on the outside, for within the storm of emotions grows in both size and strength. The stone of the man\'s face does not break however, and he does not shrink back from the ladies near yelling voice, \"If you have something to say then speak now,\" his voice flat, emotionless like that of his face. A fool is he, perhaps, for what man would ever offer a the wrath of a woman upon himself willingly, but that is what this one seems to be doing. His voice does not raise though, for he will not lower himself to the level of shouting, \"Speak Lady Aearwen, I would know your mind in all this, for I can certain read your face which speaks of your restrained anger.\"

Incredulous is the expression in the woman\'s eyes as they raise to look with those of Melethron, \"You would know my mind? Pray tell, what were the words spoken in Rohan Melethron? Did I not speak my mind to you then, kneeling in the healers tent, tears streaming from both of our faces? \" Waving her hands in the air in utter disbelief, \"Do you not recall that time?\" Silent for a second her voice drops and resignation fills the sound of her voice, \"Anger? Nay, no more anger Melethron. I refuse to belittle my existance with anger over your actions. No longer shall I wonder the reasons for your sudden departure from Rohan with no word. Nary again will the thought enter my mind in inquiry of why there has been no contact since my return to Dol Amroth, my eyes saw tonight all that needs to be said. \" A smile, bittersweet though it may be, strains her lips as she goes on to say, \"My wish is that you be happy.\"

From afar, Gweneth hmms, \"You are doing well, good guilt trip, though you haven\'t taken a \"stand\" yet on what he is to you.\"

[Melethron(#29496)] \"No, you shall not wonder about my sudden departure from the Mark, but the reason in your mind is not the truth of the matter. For it was that very next morning when I was awakened by others of the Swan-Knights and given orders to return to Dol Amroth with word of the North for the Prince to hear.\" With that he grows silent, his face relaxing somewhat but not his eyes. \"You make assumptions of thinks that are not true, Aearwen,\" He says flatly, trying his best to round off the edge in his tone, but men unlike women have difficulty in this. \"The lady you saw me speaking with me earlier is someone I have only met once, and she is just important enough for me to remember that last time I looked upon her she was as bare of feet as she was this night. Save for Gweneth speaking her name, before I could not have even told you that.\"

Erinhaim pages: It\'s a good show

Ice drips from the question in the woman\'s voice, \"And when you were awakened, I do suppose there was no one there to leave a message with before your quick departure?\" Tapping one soft foot on the landing, \"If memory serves me correct, the combined camp was filled with many from both Gondorian and Rohirrim loyalties, and yet, there was no one around to leave a message with?\"

Eyes narrow as her words inquire of this man, \"Can you imagine how it must have felt to awaken after that emotional night in the healers tent to find you gone? Gone with no word? Not out searching for another warg lair to destroy or scouting the area for the orcs from Mordor and Moira....gone.\"

Her hand reaches out to touch the wall, trailing one finger down in distraction, \"Many weeks of turmoil and uncertainly followed that night Melethron, recalling the words spoken...remembering the warg attack and the subsequent events.\" Chuckling softly as her eyes once again meet the cool silver in the Knights, \"Our dear cousin Gweneth heard the truth from my lips, as ironic as that is.\"

[Melethron(#29496)] Silences follows her words, for there is really nothing to say to them, but then he clears his throat and preceeds to make an attempt at answering her questions, \"I should have left a message,\" he notes plainly, \"But I thought you were to be with Galdorim over me, so I deemed it best to leave without a trace. Even now you still wear his ring.\" As he speaks these words, his eyes go unto that ring, then back to hers, with a questioning glance, \"I know the words I spoke to you that night, I know and remember well that night for I dream of it often. But that life is not for us, for I will not take a wife, not you or any woman in this lifetime. My life is to serve, to serve the Prince and Gondor, and if I were to take a wife then I would surely make her a widow, something that I will not do.\" He then turns from her, \"However much it pains me, I will not make you a widow Aearwen.\"

Nodding her head in agreement to his words, Aearwen says just as simply, \"A message would have been the honourable thing to do Melethron.\" Cocking her head to one side, curiosity blazing from her eyes, \"It would seem to me, that leaving without a trace ....I hesitate to say these words, but none other can I bring to mind. Do you not think leaving in such a manner is...no, I cannot say cowardly.\" Frowning as she fails to come up with another word to use in its place, her eyes search the face of the Knight Captain.

\"Perhaps it would be best if I stated it thusly. Do you not think it better for both of us to have resolution ....a resolution of some sorts...any kind, would be far kinder than this turmoil you have created?\" Tossing her hair off her shoulders as the air in the hallway suddenly seems stifiling, Aearwen waves her hand across the back of her neck in an effort to feel some measure of coolness.

The flash of the ring on her finger, bringing recall to the words spoken by Melethron, she holds out her hand for his inspection. \"This ring on my finger was given to me by my father, it is a family heirloom. Do you not see the azure flame crafted on the field of argent?\" Reaching out one hand to touch the man on the arm her words are softly whispered, \"Both of our positions require...no, demand our first loyalty and service, that goes without saying. How many of Gondor\'s noble women do you find behind the battlelines? For you to say that you will not make me a widow, is highly presumptous on your part. Do you not take into account my own position as envoy and the travels I make?\"

[Melethron(#29496)] \"A resolution,\" Melethron speaks the word, \"If that is what you seek, then that is what you shall have. Seek the love of another Aearwen, for I will not give mine to you.\" His words are hollow though, something that someone is loathe to speak but they do out of necessity, \"Seek another.\" The rest of her words are ignored as the man takes a step towards the stairs.

The colour completely leaves the complexion of Aearwen as Melethron utters his final words, a quick rush of air as she gasps in surprise. One hand reaches for the wall, this time in support as she visably sways, long dark lashes frame her pale cheeks as she swallows with great difficulty. Her shoulders shrug in resignation, \"So be it Melethron....so be it.\", spoken so softly, only audible to her own ears. Turning on the stairs she wearily lifts the many layers of her skirts and ascends to the balcony.

Gweneth sits still on the top stair, watching Aearwen slowly ascend, \"Hello, how are you?\" is all she says as she leans back, supporting herself on her elbows.

[Melethron(#29496)] For a moment Melethron stops upon the stairs, turns only to see her ascending that climb once more, watching a possibly happy future forever escape him, then he turns back, pushing the pain away and slowly begins to descend to ground level once more.

Dol Amroth: Prince\'s Castle - Third Floor Gallery Wide and carpeted in midnight blue, the highest of the galleries leaves most guests thankful for its wrought-iron railing: To fall from this height would surely kill a man. The floor below is distant, distant... details are difficult to discern, and figures seem no larger than insects. Beyond the gallery itself, the dome of the rotunda is close, above and beyond the circular hall. Its clear, wide windows show the sky above perfectly, and the light from without catches and sparkles in the unlit but ever-present crystal stars.

Contents:

Melethron

Chrysalis

Imrahil

Borgilas

Gweneth

Erinhaim

Mardamir

Calimacil

Obvious exits: Curtained Archway ,

Gilt Doors ,

and Carpeted Stairs

*note- The above list of names are those gathered in the gallery to watch this RP, save the three actually RPing. Some of us did not realize the stairway emits to that area. *chuckles* *

Imrahil does something LA-like..ok, no more OOC chatter guys, or go the floor below and watch the RP from there :)

Aearwen raises her head and looks at Gweneth in confusion, blinking her eyes rapidly she finally says \"How am I?\", bitter laughter bubbles from her lips, turning quickly to a sob.\" I am fine Gwen, never better, matter of fact.\" The laughter ripping from the chest of the woman in hard, sharp bursts, her throat all but screaming the sound as they continue. \"Fine. Oh yes, I am fine.\", wiping the tears from her eyes with both hands she asks, \"Is that offer of a drink still open?\"

Unaware that her entire body is shaking until Gweneth takes her hands, looking at her in confusion, \"Where are we going? I don\'t recognize this place.\" Pulling away from the woman her eyes widen, \"Where are you taking me?\"

Dol Amroth: Prince\'s Castle - Harpers\' Hall Unlike the relatively subdued style of the rest of the Citadel, here opulence is abundant. The room itself is vast, thirty feet high and twice that long and wide, carpeted in blue--save a circular space at the Hall\'s center for dancing, where instead gleaming wooden planks nestle together. The walls are supported with stone columns and buttresses accented with precious metals and many-colored woods, while high up near the roof a series of bas-relief stone kings look down benignly. The colors of the Great Houses are placed prominently--drapes of Girithlin burgundy and Imrazor blue, stars and swans picked out in gold and silver thread are arranged upon the walls, while black-upholstered setees and chairs emblazoned with the scarlet Bragollach flame or covered in azure with the white moon and stars of Isilrim are scattered about the room\'s edges. High upon the eastern wall runs a long tapestry telling the tale of Amroth and Nimrodel, from their first meeting to the elf-lord\'s tragic leap into the Bay of Belfalas. Light pours into the room from windows set high in the northern and southern walls, falling upon the multicolored drapes and carpet, picking out their vibrancy as only the light of day can, while bringing glowing depth to the polished wood accents on pillar, chair, and floor.

Contents: Gweneth

Obvious exits:

Glass Doors

and Gilt Doors

[Gweneth(#17847)] As they enter, Gweneth calls to all in the room, \"Out. Now.\" Many begin a protest, but a quick glance from the Chamberlain puts most in their place and they leave in quick succession. She pauses a maid as she leaves and asks her to bring up some dried fruit and honey cakes. She nods and quickly runs to get the order. Gweneth leads Aearwen to a seat, wiping her brow with the back of her hand, \"How are you doing, Wen?\"

Her bottom lip quivers as she looks at Gwen, blue eyes dazed with the confusion written upon her face. \"Did you not hear Melethron speak of the woman he fell in love with?\" Shaking her head as if to clear her clouded mind, \"The man that spoke on the stairs....\", her voice trails off as a stream of tears blaze down her cheeks. \"I am a fool Gwen, the biggest fool that resides in Gondor. Do you know that? \" Pulling a hankie from the deep pocket of her gown, she wipes at the tears on her face, lashes sodden as the tears continue to flow. \"Yes, a fool, to believe the words spoken by Melethron. My lips and heart know what they felt. Not just that night in Rohan, but on the docks of Pelargir, in Edoras, by the Anduin.....but what does it matter now?\" Smiling through the tears she looks at Gwen with warmth, gently touching the side of her face with tenderness, \"Thank you, my cousin and friend.\"

Gweneth smiles and kisses Aearwen on the forehead. Just then the door opens and a pair of servants walk in both carrying trays. They set them down near the two woman. Gweneth stops one of the servants once more, fishing a key out of her gown, she says to one, handing them the key, \"Go into my chambers and retrive a chest in the northeast corner of the room and bring it here.\" She turns back to Aearwen, \"Do not think of it now. Here,\" she tears off a piece of honey cake and holds it out for Aearwen, \"Have something to eat.\" On the other tray, a row of bottles and a kettle, filled with steaming water, lie. She pours two glasses of the water and sprinkles some tea leaves into both.

Turning her head at the offer of food, Aearwen almost gags as the smell of the cakes wafts up to her nose, \"No! Not a single bite can I partake right now, my stomach is turning to and fro, food would not stay inside of me for long.\" Leaning her head against the back of the chair, not recalling even sitting in said chair, Aearwen\'s eyes close as her hands rake through her long auburn hair. Drawing a long breath, weary is the expression on her face and heavy in her voice, \"Suddenly, I am so tired, I do not feel as if I can move a single muscle\" Eyes alight on the tea as she licks her lips, \"But, a sip of tea does sound tempting\"

Gweneth smiles, taking the piece of cake for herself. \"Good, just let it seep for a bit longer.\" The servants return with a large trunk which they lay at Gweneth\'s side. She smiles to each of the servants and nods for them to go. She stirs the tea and hands a cup to Aearwen, \"Careful, it\'s very hot.\"

Taking the hot cup of tea, Aearwen blows across the surface of the steaming brew before she takes a tiny sip. Her eyes alight on the chest with some curiosity, but nothing does she say as she enjoys the cup of tea. Gweneth tilts her head slightly, \"Feel any better with the tea?\"

Aearwen\'s eyes brighten as she continues to sip her tea, seemingly rejuvenated by the flow of hot liquid into her body, \"Yes. Thank you. I am feeling much better.\" Sighing softly, \"This has been an eventful night, has it not?\"

Gweneth shrugs, \"More for some, less for others,\" she winks as she sips as her own tea. Changing the subject she questions, \"Do you know what Wallace does, or maybe did, for his livelihood?\"

Blushing suddenly Aearwen blurts out, \"Wallace! I had totally forgotten about him? Where is he now? And no, I am not really aware of what he does for a livelihood.\"

Gweneth shrugs, \"Could be dead as far as I know. I have not heard from him for over six months. I was,\" she pauses slightly, covering the hesitation with a sip of tea, \"I was going to speak to the Prince on anulling the marriage. But,\" she waves her hand dismissing the topic, \"He was a merchant, and for some anniversary of ours he brought me this chest, explaining it was very expensive and none of the contents of it could be bought in Gondor or anywhere near here. I later learned you can aquire it only by illegal channels,\" she nods, with a smirk, expecting Aearwen\'s reaction. She opens the chest slowly, revealing several other boxes and a half dozen, dusty bottles. She takes one of and takes another glass, filling it with the clear liquid. She holds it out to Aearwen, \"Here, try this, tell me what you think.\"

Hesitantly taking the glass Aearwen swirls the liquid around a bit and then sniffs it, before she takes a tiny little sip

[Gweneth(#17847)] The liquid is obviously alcoholic in its taste, but has not the bite or burn of brandy or any other drink. It\'s smell is sweet as is its taste, very smooth and easy to drink. As Aearwen sips on her drink, Gweneth reaches into the chest and pulls out one of the small boxes. She opens it to revel a brown brick of something that looks quite disguest, though its smell is heavenly. \"These things come from far far in the south, makes me almost envious.\" She breaks off a piece and hands it too to Aearwen, a wide grin on her face... And so, the pair drink their rum and eat their chocolate, discussing the joys and sorrows of men till the wee hours of the night. Enjoying each others company.

y to drink. As Aearwen sips on her drink, Gweneth reaches into the chest and pulls out one of the small boxes. She opens it to revel a brown brick of something that looks quite disguest, though its smell is heavenly. \"These things come from far far in the south, makes me almost envious.\" She breaks off a piece and hands it too to Aearwen, a wide grin on her face... And so, the pair drink their rum and eat their chocolate, discussing the joys and sorrows of men till the wee hours of the night. Enjoying each others company.