(Archive) A Night at the Opera

September 6, 1999

Aranthol Theatre

The old theatre of Minas Anor sticks defiantly out of place, its red sandstone an obvious contrast to the grey stone of Minas Tirith\'s cobbled streets and inlaid rock walls. Yet it is the interior which offers the greater constrast and inspires the most praise and involuntary gasp of wonder. Exquisite marble columns shadow the entryway of the elegant theatre, spiraling upwards to the dizzying heights of the ceiling to tower above carved statues crafted with delicate detail and enduring realism. Silk tapestries hang from the walls and a stunning mural decorates the ceiling, painted deliberately to decieve the eye with its complex patterns and overlapping colors. Pale light fills the hall warmly, filtering in from the crafted archway leading down marble steps out to the square, and through stained windows inlaid with dancing golden figures. The wonders end with a magnificent crystal chandelier that hangs in the center of the hall, catching the stray light from the outside and splaying it into brilliant colors which can be faintly seen on the marble floor. Seemingly carved from a mountain of white marble, the theatre stands as the most enduring symbol of Gondor\'s past eminence with its extravagance and artistry, a timeless momento of a happier, lighter time.

Obvious exits:

Balcony leads to Balcony.

Stage leads to Stage.

Out leads to End of Stonewright\'s Street - The Theatre.

Balcony(#19126RV) Reserved for important Gondorian officials and visiting dignitaries, the balcony offers a splendid view of the stage below. Several large, comfortable seats rest on the polished marble floor. Curtains lead towards the steps that slope down to the massive entryway of the theatre. Obvious exits: Out

[Lothiriel(#4309)] Bright rays of spring sunlight fall upon the City of Stone this day, bringing light to a city plagued by the shadows of stormclouds one day too many. Outside can be heard the jubilant voices of young children as they run about, tagging one another, shouting, \"You\'re the goat!\", and breaking out into a torrent of giggles. Inside the theatre is a different scene. The seats are empty, the show far from beginning. On stage are the props, trees and roads painted on stone, gathering dust between showings. Yet two men stand in stoic silence at the bottom of the stairwell, occasionally trading glances, then casting their eyes up the stone steps to where only breathing and foosteps come from the balcony above.

[Elowyn(#1325)] Walking gracefully up the stairs is a raven-haired petite woman. Half her face is shielded by her long hair as she walks up the stairs effortlessly. She stops at where the two men are standing blocking her way. \"Excuse me. I need to get by gentlemen.\" She gives the a sweet smile as she waits for them to move.

Aearwen settles into one of the plush chairs on the balcony, arranging her voluminous skirts as she does. Looking down at the stage, she smiles to herself as she awaits the arrival of the cast for dress rehearsal, idly glancing over the many props that she has seen used in recent days. She is wearing her long auburn curls upswept and held into place with golden pins. Those glittering gold pins a perfect accent for the flaming richness of her hair, unconsciously she reaches up to check the hold of the pins as small tendrils framing her face and neck sway gently with her motion. Leaning forward in her chair as one cast member comes walking down the center of the stage, her eyes alight as the rehearsal gets closer to starting.

[Lothiriel(#4309)] The two fellows, clad in the livery of Dol Amroth, the Swan and Ship upon their tabards, exchange glances once more. Golden cables of rank and greying temples identify the ranking man, who gives the younger a nod. They both step to the side, giving access to the stairwell, yet resuming their former position afterwards. Footsteps still plague the back of the balcony, for though they are neither heavy nor loud, the sound is incessant. The pacing figure is but a shadow seen from the stairwell, and not nearly as obvious to anyone seated, but the sound gives away her existance. Soon it is not only footsteps, but the occasional mutter, and once a curse loud enough to be heard, but chopped off quickly.

Elowyn climbs the stairwell and looks at the shadowed figure that who is muttering. She smiles as she thinks she knows who it is. He calls up towards the figure. \"Hello there, are you the wine vendor that is serving the patrons of this theater?\" She continues to walk up towards the figure at the top of the balcony.

Eyes alight with laughter as she watches the cast members come onto the stage, Aearwen takes in every item of clothing and prop as they move into place and begin. A frown suddenly marring her forehead as the noise from the back of the balcony becomes a nuisance to her enjoyment of the rehearsal. Turning to see the source of the noise, she is unable to determine who is causing such a disturbance. Leaning over in her seat her voice softly whispers to her ever present guard standing at the end of the row, \"Be so kind as to determine who is making such a ruckus back there Baeden and escort them out of the theatre if need be.\" Dismissing him with a wave of her hand, her eyes go back to the stage.

[Lothiriel(#4309)] A ray of light from a high window falls upon the shadow\'s face, revealing it to be that of a woman of noble lineage. \"The wine vendor shan\'t be here until the show begins.\" Yet a man approaches, a Guardsman of the city by his looks, offering to escort the noisemaker from the theatre. Instead of going along, she only inclines her head, \"Perhaps this nice young fellow will fetch you wine if you so wish it.\" Her voice is clear, and her words elicit a laugh from the men at the bottom of the stairs, but the only humor in her tone is dark.

Turning in her seat once more to shush the noise maker, Aearwen suddenly laughs as she recognizes the face of the Princess. Shaking her head as Lady Elowyn suddenly appears and asks for wine, she speaks to the two women. \"Good day, your highness..Lady Elowyn....do not tell me the both of you are here to witness the cast rehearsal of this new comedy.\", her voice cheery and gay.

Elowyn shakes her head and giggles softly. \"I am not in need of wine. I was just checking to see if the vendor was properly stocked.\" She peers at the guard and smiles at him. \"You may do back to your wife or mistress.\" She then climbs the stair to the top to get a better look and gasps softly when she recognizes the pricess from Dol Amroth. She curtsies gracefully towards her.

[Lothiriel(#4309)] The Princess inclines her head ever so slightly at the lady\'s curtsey, yet says nothing for many moments. \"I had not known there was a cast rehersal today, Lady Aearwen, else I would have been somewhere else. As it is, I do not wish to interrupt your enjoyment of the show.\" Her words are clipped, almost angry, and in a very unlady-like manner, she mutters something in a foreign tongue beneath her breath.

Elowyn smiles and looks at the two noble ladies. \"I was just here on business and not for the dress rehersal.\" She looks at the princess with concern. \"Is something the matter, your highness? You look angered or troubled.\"

The laughter from the stage captures Aearwen\'s attention for a split second, before she rises from her chair, picking up the long train on her dress and walks to where the Princess stands. Dropping to curtsey, her head bowed low, \"Pardon me your Highness for not properly greeting you, my attention was on the players.\" Nodding her head at Elowyn, she glances back at Lothiriel, concern clearly written on her face, \"Forgive my boldness Princess, you are more than welcome to join me in watching the rehearsal, perhaps it will take your mind from your many noble duties and worries.\" A sweet smile curves her soft pink lips as she looks at the Princess. A bond of friendship forged at a tea party they had in Dol Amroth before they made the long trek to Minas Tirith, in response to the Lord Steward\'s summons and strengthed by the words of the envoy.

[Lothiriel(#4309)] The softest of sighs escapes the Princess, her thin shoulders rising and dropping. Yet she aknowledges the Lady of Ethring-Bragollach\'s greeting with another nod of her head, one more dismissive than the first. \"My mind is best where it is now, Lady Aearwen, for if I move it to something else, I may forget the cause of my displeasure only to realize once more it was more real than a sleeping nightmare.\" A wan, humorless smile touches on her features as she adds, \"You are very perceptive...\" she trails off, tilting her head and fishing for a name.

Elowyn looks at Lady Aearwen and back at the princess. She sees that there is some type of friendship there and the princess is in good hands. She curtsies to the princess again and smiles. \"I hope what ever has been displeasing your, your highness. I hope it is remedied soon. I must tract down this vendor, so if you will excuse me.\" She backs away slightly and turns to walk away downt he stairs.

The laughter from the stage wafts up to the balcony as the three women stand there conversing. Smiling at Elowyn as she curties, Aearwen wishes her a goodnight. Tilting her head to one side, her blue intuitive eyes fall back on the form of the Princess. Quietly assessing the expression on her face and the dark words she spoke replaying in her mind. Sighing softly, her hand waves to the plush chairs, \"Shall we have a seat Princess and perhaps talk about.....talk about whatever you wish to talk about. My ears and shoulders are yours for pleasant and not so pleasant discussion.\"

[Lothiriel(#4309)] The Princess watches Elowyn depart with such haste, yet pays it little mind, turning her eyes once more to Aearwen. \"Sitting would be quite agreeable about now, yes.\" Soft feet make little noise on the marble floor as she steps to the front row of chairs and, spreading her dress properly, sits. \"You came simply to watch the rehersal?\"

Quietly stepping across the cool marble, Aearwen once again settles into a plush seat, settling the train of her dress to keep it from wrinkling. The laughter from the stage captures her attention for a second before she turns to the Princess, \"Granted, we have not had many chances to sit quietly and talk....woman to woman, I suppose is how it is best stated. But I cannot help but feel the discontentment raging through you.\" Her voice softly soothing as she continues to speak, \"We have talked of many personal things and as before, my loyalty is offered to you, not only as your faithful servant but as your friend.\" Reaching over, her soft danity hand, gently squeezes Lothiriel\'s arm before she withdraws it and folds her hands in her lap.

[Lothiriel(#4309)] Eyes more grey than blue in the light of the balcony remain intent upon the figures on the stage as Aearwen speaks, yet after a moment, they turn softly and regard the Lady. \"And again I thank you for it. Yet I know not if this is a burden that can be shared.\" Her words are soft, quiet, and less dark now. Sorrowful.

[Thorondur(#13821)] There is a mild clamour from below, and behind, in the direction of the stair. A pair of men appear in the entryway, divulged from the staircase and the floors below, young and attired in simple yet well-engendered raiment. Not boys, either of them, yet not old as such things are accounted in Gondor.... One bears the crest and coat of House Sulrohir prominent on his emerald tabard, and that would be Sir Dirhavel, well-known among the nobility of Imrahil\'s Court. The other, too, might well be recognized, though he yet wears no symbol of family or House: youthful and fey, could he truly be Thorondur Girithlin? Whomever it is, he speaks with Dirhavel, and they laugh together.

Silent for a moment as the depth of Lothiriel\'s words hit her, Aearwen takes a deep breath and obviously gathers her thoughts. Quietly watching the players on stage, laughter rings up to the balcony, but no smile is drawn from her lips. Turning slightly in her seat she whispers softly, \"There are some burdens that are too heavy to be beared alone, the mere sorrow of such a burden can weight us down unmercifully. Give a care to sharing it and having the freedom of knowing someone else in the world is aware of your woe.\" Hearing the male voices coming from the direction of the stairs she laughs softly, \"Who would believe the empty theatre would be such a popular place the day of the first full dress rehearsal?\"

[Lothiriel(#4309)] The Princess opens her mouth to make reply to the other woman\'s words, even beginning a sentence when the sound of laughter from a place other than the stage reaches her ears. Yet it only causes her to pause, and she continues, \"And if another in the world is aware of my woe, this will cause it to leave?\" She shakes her head softly, then falls still, and wrinkles of thought appear on her forehead. \"I had not supposed that the rehersal was so well publicized.\"

[Thorondur(#13821)] \"You hadn\'t told me there\'d be anyone on the stage!\" The first voice, fraught with understated laughter, is clear and musical. Its answering voice is deeper, more solid and less melodic: Dirhavel\'s. \"Had I known, I\'d not have recommended we play the old follies, my friend,\" the knight says. \"As it is, we can only wait. Look...\" Dirhavel\'s voice drops as the two move into the viewing area. \"Fair Ladies.\"

Thorondur\'s answer is underwritten with mild annoyance: \"Is there aught you can think of save wine, women, and song?\" His friend makes no audible reply.

Her blue eyes sadden as Aearwen shakes her head, \"No Princess, the telling of our woe does not make it leave our thoughts, it only allows a lessening of the pain for perhaps a second or two in time. Do you believe....\", her words cut short as two men enter the balcony. Nodding her head in response to the greeting of the one, she makes no response as she looks their way.

[Lothiriel(#4309)] Lothiriel casually casts her eyes to where the young men enter the balcony, yet does not dismiss them as the other woman does, instead raising her chin ever so slightly. Bright eyes flash, though whether it be from the lighting, the move of her head, or a combination of those and others it cannot be told. She only regards the men cooly.

[Thorondur(#13821)] \"My lord,\" begins Sir Dirhavel, a frown swiftly overtaking his fair face. \"Forgive me, Dirhavel,\" replies the other, his own azure glance calm and careful as he sweeps the balcony\'s seating with his eyes. \"I cannot blame you for--\" His gaze alighting upon Lothiriel and Aearwen, Thorondur stiffens. \"Come,\" he says sharply yet softly, and begins stalking toward the two. Visibly confused, his friend falls in to follow.

Drawing back slightly as she notices the one man visibly stiffen, Aearwen turns puzzled eyes to Lothiriel and whispers under her breath, \"Is this not the man from the lists, the one doing the sword play with Sirion?\" Pasting a smile on her face, she says, \"Good day gentlemen. What brings you to the theatre on such a lovely day?\"

[Lothiriel(#4309)] The Princess nods very slowly at Aearwen\'s question, yet makes no verbal reply. \"Yes, gentlemen,\" she echoes the question, her tone patient and not a little cold, \"What brings you to the theatre at such a time as this?\"

[Thorondur(#13821)] Dirhavel makes to speak, going so far as to open his mouth, but is cut-off by his taller, more slender companion. The former presses his lips tightly shut as Thorondur answers the Princess with a certain impeccable courtliness neither warm nor cold, his tone is unfailingly polite. \"We had come, Highness,\" says the fair young man, \"To play upon the stage at an old folly of our youth. Finding it occupied, we despaired, yet repaired here for its observation.\"

[Lothiriel(#4309)] Lothiriel makes no move to stand, or even to adjust her posture, as she leans back almost comfortably into the large, plush chair she inhabits. \"I can hardly imagine you as a man wishing to play out follies, sir,\" she speaks slowly, eyes intent upon the young man, expression frozen, \"Or to be able to choose a favorite to act on the stage from your large collection.\"

[Thorondur(#13821)] \"We all have our favourites,\" comes the young man\'s rejoinder, even as Dirhavel--his companion, less tall and more stout--looks on, eyes wide, \"Though we are not always allowed their keeping, or even their knowing.\" A slight, sad smile finds its way across Thorondur\'s face as he gazes down upon the Princess. \"This you know as well as , Highness I at least am yet thankful for the briefness of Knowing, if not for the eternal lack of Having.\"

[Lothiriel(#4309)] Silence is all the Princess\'s reply for many long moments as she regards the young man and looks intently upon his face. Yet her lips are soon pressed into a line ere she opens them to respond, \"Have you and your friend nowhere better to discuss your plethora of mistakes rather than disturbing those who wish to watch a show in peace?\"

[Thorondur(#13821)] \"In all honesty,\" replies the young knight, that sorrowful smile yet perfectly wrought upon his face, \"We had no intention of discussing our mistakes. I\'m afraid,\" Thorondur notes, \"That it was quite your idea, Highness. But I\'m certain we can beat a hasty retreat--can\'t we, Dirhavel?\"

[Thorondur(#13821)] Dirhavel of House Sulrohir nods, clearly confused.

A guard walks to beside her and speaks softly in Lady Aearwen\'s ear. Rising from her seat, she picks up her skirts and turns to the Princess, a quick curtsey, \"Good day Princess, duty calls me away.\" Nodding her head at the two gentlemen, \"Pardon me for not getting your names, have a good day and come back to see the show when it opens, its marvelous.\" Walking quietly to the back she disappears through the curtains.

[Lothiriel(#4309)] \"Perhaps, sir, it would be best if you did,\" the Princess responds cooly. \"There is certainly another stage somewhere on which you boys can have your fun.\" She gives the departing Aearwen a slight nod, yet continues, \"I, however, wish to watch the show without disturbance.\"

[Thorondur(#13821)] \"Then the show, as they say, must go on,\" Thorondur answers, that sad smile never leaving his lips. \"Fare you well... Lothiriel.\" That name, used instead of \'Highness\', linger sin the air even as he turns and departs, Dirhavel in tow.

\"Then the show, as they say, must go on,\" Thorondur answers, that sad smile never leaving his lips. \"Fare you well... Lothiriel.\" That name, used instead of \'Highness\', linger sin the air even as he turns and departs, Dirhavel in tow.