Day's End [Eleniel]

[Gilwen]

It had been a long day for Gilwen. One of the other servants had misbehaved, exactly how she did not know, and the whole lot of them had been punished with extra chores. She had had no time to steal away and visit the stables today, and no time to even think about relaxing. Though, the throne room was absolutely sparkling as a result.

She let out a weary sigh as she finally placed the now empty bucket and scrub brush back into the supply closet and closed the door to it, happily ridding herself of the objects for the time being. All to well she knew that come the dawn, she would be standing precisely where she was now, retrieving the brush and bucket from the closet and setting to work once more.

The sun was already sinking, and by the time she would make it back to her home on the third tier, it would surely be dark. The girl frowned lightly. She had greatly wished to steal away to Pelennor Fields today and lay in the grasses to relax. Now, it seemed, she would have to wait. Or venture outside the city walls at night alone, which seemed too risky.

The ladies were slowly leaving the cold little servant quarter to head home, though Gilwen lingered a moment. She wished to make sure everything was put back properly to avoid punishment tomorrow for unkempt supplies.

Everything seemed in order, and the brunette turned to head to the doorway and begin her walk home. Though, as she reached for the doorknob, it twisted on its own. Gilwen sidestepped, to allow the one entering room to pass.

[Eleniel]

Eleniel was finally done for the day. No more beds to be made. Until tomorrow. And the day after. Such is the circle of life. She sighed as she headed towards the servant quarter to put away the feather duster, along with some other cleaning supplies, in the closet. Soon she would be on the way home. Her cold, empty home.

She had reached for the door, and opened. Another servant was there, preparing to leave. Eleniel smiled. After all, this other servant was a close friend of hers. Without her she would've probably shied away from the rest of the world when her mother passed away and her father left. "Hello Gilwen! I heard one of the other servants misbehaved and you had to suffer for it. Are you allright?" she asked as she walked towards the closet to drop of her things. Seeing her friend there made her quite happy and energetic. 'So, now that we're both done, do you want hang out and do something? It's been a little while since we've been able to. We've both been so busy. I would love to catch up!" she gleefully said as she turned around and wrapped her arms around Gilwen's.

[Gilwen]

The door opened, and Gilwen smiled to see a pretty redhead enter the room and toss her a smile. Eleniel. She knew the housekeeper well. They were very close friends, and sometimes when they were younger Gilwen fancied that she was close enough to be a sister. If there was one thing about Eleniel that had been a blessing to her, it was her smile: one that could instantly light up anyroom, or kindle warmth in any heart.

Sometimes Gilwen wondered why the girl had not married. For surely many a man thought of her beauty the way she did. She sighed, and stopped her trek to the door. She would wait for Eleniel before heading home. Eleniel inquired about the servant's day, asking if she had in fact survived wholly. "I will be fine," she replied with a small laugh, and holding up her hands in front of her. "Though, my hands would beg to differ!" The last part was a light joke cleverly disguising her own sadness of the matter.

Her small hands were extra chapped and raw today, after spending all day using them roughly, and with soap that irritated her skin. She wrung them together quickly before returning Eleniel's hug. As tired as she was, Eleniel was correct: they had done very little speaking as of late. Gilwen had regrettably been neglecting her to spend more time with Faeldor, or simply rest after long days of work had completed.

"Yes, I had the mind to leave the city walls for a while. We can watch the moonrise and the stars come out, if you wish to come of course!" She smiled. While it would be slightly dangerous, if they simply hugged the wall and did not stray to far, she mused no harm would come by it. They would not venture far from the gate. And she really wished to go lay in the golden grasses.

She had no doubt in her mind that Eleniel would readily accept. She began to move to the doorway. She was at least in a rush to rid herself of the palace walls for the day.

[Eleniel]

Eleniel smiled. "Wonderful! Pelennor Fields! Just like old times, huh? I say we hurry on out for I do not wish to be in the palace much longer. After all, both of us will be back, in this very same room, before we know it." Eleniel sighed still smiling. After all, work was now done with the day and she'll be spending some time with Gilwen, in one of her favorite places! For a short while she won't have to be home tonight, surrounded by those cold, empty walls. And that was reason enough to put a smile on her face.

Eleniel rushed out the palace, dragging Gilwen with her. "I say we should skip! Or run! Or race each other and see who gets to the gates first!"Eleniel said as she laughs and giggles. "Oooh! And sing! Remember the songs we used to sing as children, Gilwen? Oh I miss those times. We didn't have to work! And we run around and play in Pelennor Fields almost every day! Making up songs as we went along! Oh Gilly! I miss spending time with you so much!"

Suddenly she stopped. Eleniel had forgotten to eat either lunch of dinner today. She needed to eat but didn't want Gilwen to know she hadn't. After all, she used to forget to eat all the time as children and Gilwen always scolded her for it. Just as a sister would. She looked at Gilwen and suddenly she had an idea! "Gilwen...how about we stop at my house real quick? We could make a late picnic. Now wouldn't that be splendid? Oh, just think about it! Eating underneath the stars!"as she spoke you could see the sparkle in her eyes. She was hoping, though, that Gilwen wouldn't see through her like she usually does. "And while we eat we could catch up! You must tell me if you've made any new friends! And, oooh, have you met any guys? You're so beautiful! You must have a couple of suitors by now!" She twirled as she spoke with a big smile.

[Gilwen]

Yes. It would be just like old times. Gilwen nodded with a smile. She and Eleniel had been rule-breakers as children, if only in the way that did not to Gilwen seem so terrible: they both had been forbidden to roam outside the city walls when they were young. And one day, Gilwen had decided to defy her father's wishes and ventured out anyway--and fell in love with the pureness.

That afternoon, when she had snuck back into the the city walls, she had played with Eleniel and told her about her excursion. From that moment on, the two would sneak out and play amongst the golden fields, though Gilwen did make trips alone, too. "Race? Eleniel---" Gilwen softly protested. Running through six tiers of busy streets was not precisely what a woman should be doing this close to nightfall. Pelennor was going to be there when they arrive, no matter what the pace was they took to get there.

Singing. If Gilwen remembered correctly, Eleniel had always been the one singing. Gilwen, even as a child, barely sang. It was nice to hear, but not comfortable to do for her. To many people listened. Though, if Eleniel prodded enough as a child, she would always join her. To make her smile, and keep a friend.

A picnic? Gilwen narrowed her eyes slightly at her, though agreed it would a splendid idea. "That sounds nice. I will stop in and tell my parents I will be out, too." Eleniel was ever the forgetful one. She had probably forgotten to eat again. Inwardly, Gilwen sighed. Still, Eleniel was an adult, and would now have to answer for her own mistakes. Gilwen tried not get involved much anymore---at least in the role of "older sister".

Or at least that is what Eleniel had called her at times in jest. Both were only children. It seemed only right to think of one another as sisters. Though, it had always made Gilwen wonder why she was the "older one", when both were the same age. Clearly it was her responsibility that had warranted that, she understood now that she was older.

The mention of suitors came up, and as they stepped out of the palace, Gilwen blushed lightly. "We will save that for over dinner, yes?" Evaded.

For the time being.