Mission Matchup

[Lúthien Elanessë]

Miro was beyond excited when they were doing the last preparations for their outfits. Her maids were doing a lovely job as she looked at herself in the mirror and looked at Luthien brightly. She also approved her friend’s outfit (of course she would, she was the one who made her join her in dress shopping and got one for the woman as well). The celebration had already started in the palace but since she was important she was going to make an entrance later. When she’d be ready.

It didn’t take long before it happened and when they were prepared for their entranced, she dragged the woman out of the room they were at and lead the way towards the reception room.

Luthien didn’t know what to think of this but it still felt natural for her to wear such a gown. Sure, it wasn’t a royal gown like Miroesa’s and she wasn’t bothered by it but it wasn’t the first time she had worn any. Lately she had been having dreams of her past, of what happened. She didn’t say anything to anyone as most of the time it confused her more than anything else. She was fine with the humans, they were kind and honest, yet, her people never seemed to care for them. She also cared for Boromir, the man she finally remembered the name of.

She felt Miroesa dragging her as she talked about how exciting it would be to go to the celebrations but she stopped the moment they were announced and the little girl walked in as a princess should, Luthien wasn’t far from her and they went towards the Steward of Gondor. He complimented Miroesa and complimented her as well, which she bowed to. She was aware she was drawing attention towards her, and she felt uneasy about it but before she could think of anything Miroesa had plans she wasn’t aware of. “We should go see my cousins, I’m sure they’re expecting us.”

Luthien stared at Miroesa for a few seconds then nodded. “Sure, Princess.” They were important people and she was willing to respect their ranks.

Luthien's dress
Miroesa's dress

[Boromir]

Boromir didn’t understand why they had to host a ball. He considered they had way too much to do to bother with that kind of celebration. They already had enough festivities to keep the people happy and hopeful. Boromir was not the kind to be happy and hopeful easily. He grew up in a land constantly attacked by orcs, he grew to fight them and to care for his people to protect them all. He didn't have time for celebrations when there were so many battles to plan and armies to coordinate. Still, his father and his brother Faramir seemed to think it was a good idea and who was he to question the Steward’s judgement?

No need to say that Boromir was not the most comfortable in that kind of event. He was too somber, just like his father. He did enjoy balls, once, when he didn’t have to think too much about strategy and fights. Now, he could smile at seeing other dancing and laughing but he didn’t feel like he quite fit in. He left the dances to others. He knew he should probably do it, just like he should find a bride. It was one of the things expected out of him. But Boromir thought more in terms of battle than romance. He was in his element on a battlefield, a sword in hand, not so much in the great hall with so many people gathered around to drink, eat, dance and have fun. Why did they have to do this again?

The answer came as Miroesa made her entrance, followed closely by Luthien. The elf was a guest. The kind of guest who technically couldn’t leave, even though she was free of pretty much anything else. Miroesa seemed to have grown quite fond of her. Boromir actually liked it. The capital was not a place for such a young and innocent girl and they didn’t have enough people to be with her, not people of her class, that is. He believed Luthien was doing the girl a lot of good.

Boromir was not dancing. He had a cup of wine, the same he had ever since he arrived and he had not refilled it since. He intended to stand there in a corner for most of the night before leaving the moment he might be excused. He noticed Miroesa coming towards him however and he forced a smile on his face, not wanting to show how little he cared about tonight. “My sweet cousin, how do you like those festivities? I heard we have you to thank for them. Any particular reason?” he asked as she approached, giving one brief look towards Luthien and bowing his head in silence to show he acknowledged her presence.

[Lúthien Elanessë]

Unlike Boromir, this kind of celebration was rather familiar for the elf. She remembered they would have a few of them, wherever she came from but she had never been the kind of person who enjoyed socializing with others. She remembered being awkward most of the time while listening to some of her pairs chatting and even flirting with each other. Luthien had a much more practical sense. While she seemed more at ease than Boromir, she wasn’t any less awkward than he was. She followed Miroesa without complaining much and listened to the girl as she spoke. It occurred to Luthien that she was probably lonely seeing how happy she was to have another woman around and Luthien became more patient around her and less on her guard.

Miroesa had dragged her to Boromir, which really, she was happy of because he was one of the very few familiar faces that were around. She had no ideas what she was supposed to do in these celebrations. She didn’t even know what kind of dancing they did and let’s face it, she was more concerned about her flash backs than about dancing. Miroesa smiled slightly at Boromir as he greeted her. “They are fantastic, we used to have these kinds of celebrations often back home.” She said. She looked down for a few moments at the thought of her desceased family but paid attention back to Boromir with a brighter smile. “This evening is great, have you seen Faramir?” It would be a good pretext to leave these two alone. Luthien didn’t speak much when the two were talking and she nodded back when he did but she remained in her thoughts, which seemed to be a much better, less awkward place than where she was at the moment.

[Boromir]

Boromir would not say he was chaste or had no desire for women. He did. Just like any of his men, he was sensitive to the charms of a beautiful woman. He simply never brought his mind to think he should marry and have children when so many more pressing matters had to be dealt with first. He realised how it must worry his father sometimes, knowing their line was not assured through an heir or two but he could not help it. He left it to his brother, although he knew the man to be almost as busy as he was.

When he saw Luthien in that noble’s dress, it seemed impossible to associate this image with the scout he once met and saved down by the Anduin River. She could easily fit here at the court looking like this. If it was not for her ears and grace that didn’t seem very human-like.

He had a brief nod as Miroesa explained how they often had celebrations like this one when she was a child. The south wasn’t in as much danger, even though it was often plagued with pirates. Men were still easier to defeat than orcs. “Then I hope you enjoy this one and it brings you nice memories of home,” he told his cousin. He knew she might also have a lot of unpleasant ones but these, he didn’t want to talk about. She questioned him about his brother. “I’ve seen him not long ago by the tables. You might still find him there,” he answered with a little smirk. Poor Faramir, the girl will certainly request a dance from him. And he knew that, just like his older brother, he could not refuse her.

[Lúthien Elanessë]

Miroesa was beyond happy to see that Boromir wasn’t too moody at the party. She remembered back then how he was in the past and she could tell they weren’t his things but hopefully the company of Luthien would change his mind! Oh, she had so many devilish ideas to match him up and she knew that Faramir would support her. (At least, he wouldn’t be against it). Luthien restrained herself from saying it also brought memories of her home since it was a conversation between Miroesa and Boromir and, she also preferred to keep that thought to herself.

Miroesa smiled brightly when Boromir indicated the location of his brother. “Great, I’ll go to him, do you mind to keep company to Luthien when I go to Faramir?” She asked giving him the sweet eyes. She knew they couldn’t say no to her but she always liked to believe it was because of her charms and not because of her ranks. Before he could answer however she left the two alone and immediately went to see Faramir. She wanted to dance so badly!

Luthien was a bit taken off guard however at Miroesa’s bluntness and even though she did expect that kind of gesture from the young girl she always end up being slightly uneasy. The elf gave a polite smile to Boromir as they were finally given some peace. She took the opportunity to look at the crowd. “Celebrations of men aren’t so different from the ones we have at home.” She commented as she looked at everyone who was enjoying themselves.

[Boromir]

Although it was barely noticeable, Boromir flinched when his cousin asked him to stay with Luthien while she went on and talk to his brother. He didn’t think he would be the most pleasant company for the beautiful woman. Surely she could wander around the crowd and find someone far more suiting for that task. He looked at the elf as Miroesa seemed to have decided for them what they should do. “If it pleases her to stay in my company,” he replied, looking at the woman in the turquoise dress as opposed to his young relative. Obviously, she was not leaving them much choice as she was already gone. Boromir followed her briefly, only to make sure she did get to the tables without anyone stopping her that she might not want to see. She was safe in here and he did not worry for her but he also knew how Miroesa could be quite naive when it came to men and courting. On many things, she was still a child.

He did not hide his surprise as Luthien talked. He had approached her now that they were alone and would have offered her a beverage or something to eat should she want anything but she talked of her home. “You remember of it?” he asked. He knew how her memory liked to come and go. She seemed to have remembered certain things, such as her natural talent for sword fighting and archery. He had no idea however that something so specific as the festivities where she came from came back to her and he found himself wondering what else she remembered from home. “Do you remember where you are from exactly? We hear many tales about the elves in the north but that is all they are, tales.”

[Lúthien Elanessë]

Even though Luthien could probably be able to find someone who had more conversation than Boromir she preferred to stay with him, at least for now. She didn’t know many people around here even though Miroesa introduced her to a few of them, mostly women. She seemed not to like the idea whenever men paid attention to her unless it was Boromir. Luthien wasn’t blind, she had noticed the little girl’s gesture. She nodded simply at what Boromir said to his cousin but she didn’t seem to have listened and had wandered off to find her cousin.

She noticed that it surprised Boromir when she talked of her home. “A little.” She admitted. Whenever she recovered her memories, they were mostly flashbacks. Nothing stable. She paused as he questioned her. “I remember a little of the environment, lots of trees, but whenever I remember of things, they mostly come to me in flashbacks, at least, my memory seems to recover which is a good step.” She told him. It was better than nothing for now. She also remembered what elves were supposed to think of humans but being with them since a while, she didn’t believe them. They weren’t weak, they were actually stronger in will and spirit than any other elves because since they were immortals, they took life for granted. She would value Boromir much more as a human than another elf.

[Boromir]

Just like Luthien, Boromir noticed how Miroesa was often trying to get the three of them, and sometimes the two of them, together. He thought it was her romantic side that believed the fact Boromir happened to command the group of men who saved her made him her knight in shining armour. He could object many arguments to this way of thinking but Miroesa seemed deaf to them. Boromir played along, to a certain limit, but he never tried to force Luthien into doing anything with him. He could indulge his cousin but he would not force feelings when they only seem to have respect for each other. Not to add that, until recently, the woman had the bad habit of never remembering his name. He couldn’t see how that fit in the girl’s idea of a perfect romance. To him, it seemed to be a proof this was meant to never happen.

As a tactician, Boromir wished to know more about her homeland. Why they sent scouts so far south, if they meant to send more, send help perhaps? But he knew her memory loss was not faked and he couldn’t question her as much as he’d like to. He nodded as she explained how some little details were coming back to her. “You remember where you are from? The Golden Woods perhaps, or Mirwood? Unless you are further west, from Rivendell?”[/color] The Golden Woods had a bad reputation around these parts. Talk of trees that could make you lose your way, of a witch ruling over them had most men on edge whenever they had to wander near. As for the other elf lands, Boromir knew their name and could tell about their approximate location but that was about it. Elves long stopped helping them and Boromir knew better than to expect anything from them. In his mind, they were the ones dying to protect the north, not the other way around.

[Lúthien Elanessë]

Even though faith decided to throw her into a world of men, Luthien couldn’t complain about life, she was living with kind people who took care of her despite the fact that she was an elf. Sure, elves weren’t despised creatures but they still didn’t get along with a lot of people, mostly because of their superiority complex. Living amongst men made Luthien realize that they weren’t that different species. She considered Boromir, Faramir, Miroesa and anyone she was talking with as an equal.

She looked at Boromir when he questioned her and she gave him a light shrug. Mirkwood did sound like a familiar name but she didn’t remember if she only had heard of it before or if it truly was where she came from. “The names sound familiar but I can’t tell much about these.” She admitted. She felt sorry for Boromir who was making efforts to help her gain her memory back. She observed him a little, it was a changed to see him dressed like he was now compared to the armor she was used to see on him. Not that he didn’t look good in it but it still was different.

[Boromir]

Her memory was coming back but obviously not as fast as anyone here at the court would wish it. She couldn’t even tell for sure where she was from. If Boromir heard of the many different lands of the elves, surely she knew them all as well. The fact one name sounded a little more familiar than another didn’t mean anything. He knew about the Rohan despite never going there of his life. “I’m certain it will come back, with time,” he said in an attempt to comfort her. It was only annoying to him to see that she could not share with him why elves came this far south but this was nothing compared to what she must feel for not knowing this and so many other things of her past. “Or you can decide to make new memories here,” he suggested. From what he heard by the man down the Healing Houses, her memory might also never come back. He considered this a sad thought and if he had a lot on his shoulders, he didn’t want others to suffer the same way. He nodded towards the young blonde tornado that left them only a moment ago. “I’m sure she would love to have you around.”

[Lúthien Elanessë]

Luthien wished her memory would come back sooner, her past was a mystery as well as her present was but being there amongst the men had something comforting. She trusted Boromir and his family, she knew they wouldn’t kick her out or anything but not knowing about herself was a downer. She gave him a small smile to show him that she acknowledged his words. It was true that if it was to come back, it would in time, hopefully. She wanted to be able to help him instead of being one of his worries. She was aware she could occupy his mind because of that. She also wanted to know why she ended up there.

She looked at him as he suggested her to make new memories. She nodded at his words. “I’ve already started doing so.” She said as she followed his gaze and looked at his cousin who was enjoying herself with the people. She found out she could play the harp and sew and she was learning a few other things along with the young princess. She couldn’t say she wasn’t having a good time here even though she seemed lost half of the time.

[Boromir]

It was typical of Miroesa. She came here with Luthien and left her as soon as something else turned up. In this case, it was coercing Faramir into dancing with her. He supposed he could have told her to stay with Luthien. The woman was not used to the ways of men, being an elf. And it was not like they had many reasons to feast ever since he brought her with him. She must feel terribly out of place. Boromir wouldn’t mind feasting, but not now. Not when there was so much to do. They had to defend their borders and it occupied all of his thoughts. When the Rohan and other regions of Middle Earth will choose to come and help them and they’ll push back the enemy, then he shall feast. Until then, he was here merely because he had to battle to fight instead.

Perhaps it was because they were both tossed here without really having a sense of fitting in that he preferred to stay by Luthien’s side. Some men, his father too, wondered exactly why she and the other elves came so far south. They wanted answers and he knew her memory loss might look, to them, as convenient should she not want to answer. But Boromir didn’t think she was faking her state. He had to deal with too many times having to tell her his name to think she was doing it on purpose.

He looked at her as she assured him she was making new memories here. “At least our ways don’t seem too strange to you. Stranger than any other, that is,” he let out. Men didn’t trust elves too well. All sorts of rumours were out on their account. Luthien was the first elf he ever met. She didn’t seem as scary as the rumours said however.

[Lúthien Elanessë]

Luthien sure was slightly awkward to be in the middle of a humans’ celebration but she was fine by just giving company to Boromir. She felt like they were awake in terms of socializing. She was slowly starting to remember of a few things but not enough to know why she came here. She also saw how some men were looking at her and she didn’t understand why they were being cautious around her while she didn’t mean to harm them in any way. She mostly came to the conclusion that humans and elves never spent enough time together to truly appreciate the other race. Luthien on the other end, did enjoy their company they were nice if you forgot about how hyper the young Princess could be.

She glanced at him when he spoke of his ways. “Indeed, I vaguely remember that our celebrations aren’t too different from others.” She just wished she could remember of more but for now, she would gladly just appreciate the present and not try to focus too much on the past.

“People may say anything they like but elves and humans are similar.” She said. She could understand why some elves fell for humans (not that she thought it would happen to her but she did appreciate Boromir’s company, she just didn’t think it was in a romantic way).