The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Lonely Star -- Chapter 4

piosenniel · 11-24-2002, 04:28 PM

The sun rose bright and promising on the day of the celebration. It was now midmorning, and gentle breezes played through the decorations gracing the trees which stood on the hillock to the back of the beach, and ruffled the bright cloths on the tables set in the opening among them. The young Hobbits and Hobbrim had outdone themselves. Colorful streamers beckoned one and all, inviting them in among the greenery and banks of flowers which threw out their sweet and subtle fragrances to the air.

Musicians were practicing their instruments amid the general bustle of Hobbit and Hobbrim who hurried here and there setting up food, drink, and all the plates, utensils, and cups they had scavenged from the ships. Idril smiled, recalling how they had swarmed over the unsuspecting Elves like hummerhorns, intent on securing a prize. It was motley gathering of eating ware which now graced the tables, but somehow appropriate to a quest pieced and patched together during its long course by the ingenious crew of the Lonely Star.

Piecing and patching brought to mind the request she had received from Cami concerning the quilt. She hoped she had gotten her idea in in time to be placed on it. ‘Just like a Hobbit,’ she thought to herself, ‘to make so grand a theme bend to practicality.’

Idril walked to the small rise where Mithadan and Piosenniel would make their public exchange of vows. A small sigh of relief escaped her, recalling how amenable the Elf had been to her plans. And when she had remarked on this, Pio only laughed and said, ‘I have caused you too much grief already, have I not. Let me do this for you, as you for me.’ She had hugged Idril tightly, surprising her, and whispered in her ear. ‘I am glad to have you stand in for my amah, Idril.’ She held Idril at arms’ length, saying, ‘In all probability, I will not see you again once this all is finished. I would have our last time together bring pleasant memories to both of us.’

Earlier that morning, Idril and Tuor had come to the Lonely Star seeking Pio and Mithadan. They were dressed in their Elven finery, as if to punctuate the fact that this was a formal visit on their part. Mithadan had welcomed them aboard graciously, and stood with his arms around Pio as Idril explained that they had come as part of the wedding ceremony.

‘It is our custom,’ she explained, ‘to give the bride and groom gifts before the ceremony. The bride’s mother gives one to the groom, and the groom’s father one to the bride.’

Idril stepped up to Mithadan, who had come to stand at Pio’s side. In her fair hands she held a small, bright green stone, set in silver and hung on a silver chain. ‘An Elfstone.’ she told him, as she placed it round his neck. ‘Elf-friend, I name you, as were the Faithful of old named.’ She smiled at him, her lashes shiny with joyful tears. ‘Take care of our fair Piosenniel, Mithadan. You are more than worthy of her.’ He bowed courteously to her, and thanked her for her gift.

Tuor stepped up to Pio, and smiled at her gently. ‘I know the gift that should be given is one not so dire as this. But it is the one I wished you to have.’ He brought forth a small, silver sheathed dagger on a belt of fine worked silver links and fastened it about her waist. He drew the blade and placed it in her out held palms.

She gasped when she saw it, holding it by the hilt up to the sun. A silvered dagger, set with traceries of white and gold along its blade, patterns of the rising sun and moon interwoven in a repeating motif, and on its pommel was set a deep scarlet, heart shaped stone. White, gold and red – the Moon, Sun and Scarlet Heart of Gondolin.

She resheathed the dagger, and hugged him fiercely for this gracious gift.

Then Idril and Tuor bade them farewell until they saw them later in the day. ‘Do not be late!’ admonished Idril. ‘I will come fetch you myself and take you in hand.’ she warned Pio, seeing an impish gleam dart through her eyes.

Mithadan smiled, and placed his arm round Pio’s shoulders, drawing her close. ‘Have no fear, Idril. We will be there – both of us!’

Amid another chorus of thank-yous and good-byes, Idril and Tuor left the Star to see to last minute preparations. Soon it would be time, the guests would arrive, the speeches and ceremonies given, the grand celebration begun.

[ November 26, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

11-24-2002, 04:28 PM	#429
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	The sun rose bright and promising on the day of the celebration. It was now midmorning, and gentle breezes played through the decorations gracing the trees which stood on the hillock to the back of the beach, and ruffled the bright cloths on the tables set in the opening among them. The young Hobbits and Hobbrim had outdone themselves. Colorful streamers beckoned one and all, inviting them in among the greenery and banks of flowers which threw out their sweet and subtle fragrances to the air. Musicians were practicing their instruments amid the general bustle of Hobbit and Hobbrim who hurried here and there setting up food, drink, and all the plates, utensils, and cups they had scavenged from the ships. Idril smiled, recalling how they had swarmed over the unsuspecting Elves like hummerhorns, intent on securing a prize. It was motley gathering of eating ware which now graced the tables, but somehow appropriate to a quest pieced and patched together during its long course by the ingenious crew of the Lonely Star. Piecing and patching brought to mind the request she had received from Cami concerning the quilt. She hoped she had gotten her idea in in time to be placed on it. ‘Just like a Hobbit,’ she thought to herself, ‘to make so grand a theme bend to practicality.’ Idril walked to the small rise where Mithadan and Piosenniel would make their public exchange of vows. A small sigh of relief escaped her, recalling how amenable the Elf had been to her plans. And when she had remarked on this, Pio only laughed and said, ‘I have caused you too much grief already, have I not. Let me do this for you, as you for me.’ She had hugged Idril tightly, surprising her, and whispered in her ear. ‘I am glad to have you stand in for my amah, Idril.’ She held Idril at arms’ length, saying, ‘In all probability, I will not see you again once this all is finished. I would have our last time together bring pleasant memories to both of us.’ Earlier that morning, Idril and Tuor had come to the Lonely Star seeking Pio and Mithadan. They were dressed in their Elven finery, as if to punctuate the fact that this was a formal visit on their part. Mithadan had welcomed them aboard graciously, and stood with his arms around Pio as Idril explained that they had come as part of the wedding ceremony. ‘It is our custom,’ she explained, ‘to give the bride and groom gifts before the ceremony. The bride’s mother gives one to the groom, and the groom’s father one to the bride.’ Idril stepped up to Mithadan, who had come to stand at Pio’s side. In her fair hands she held a small, bright green stone, set in silver and hung on a silver chain. ‘An Elfstone.’ she told him, as she placed it round his neck. ‘Elf-friend, I name you, as were the Faithful of old named.’ She smiled at him, her lashes shiny with joyful tears. ‘Take care of our fair Piosenniel, Mithadan. You are more than worthy of her.’ He bowed courteously to her, and thanked her for her gift. Tuor stepped up to Pio, and smiled at her gently. ‘I know the gift that should be given is one not so dire as this. But it is the one I wished you to have.’ He brought forth a small, silver sheathed dagger on a belt of fine worked silver links and fastened it about her waist. He drew the blade and placed it in her out held palms. She gasped when she saw it, holding it by the hilt up to the sun. A silvered dagger, set with traceries of white and gold along its blade, patterns of the rising sun and moon interwoven in a repeating motif, and on its pommel was set a deep scarlet, heart shaped stone. White, gold and red – the Moon, Sun and Scarlet Heart of Gondolin. She resheathed the dagger, and hugged him fiercely for this gracious gift. Then Idril and Tuor bade them farewell until they saw them later in the day. ‘Do not be late!’ admonished Idril. ‘I will come fetch you myself and take you in hand.’ she warned Pio, seeing an impish gleam dart through her eyes. Mithadan smiled, and placed his arm round Pio’s shoulders, drawing her close. ‘Have no fear, Idril. We will be there – both of us!’ Amid another chorus of thank-yous and good-byes, Idril and Tuor left the Star to see to last minute preparations. Soon it would be time, the guests would arrive, the speeches and ceremonies given, the grand celebration begun. [ November 26, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.