Reconciliation [Faeldor]

[Gilwen]

“Do you feel quite awake and lively now, Starlight?” Gilwen nodded, and smiled. "I certainly should, after sleeping away my morning." Gilwen's words were light, though inwardly she was quite upset she had wasted the day. It was always something that had bothered her, even when she was a small child; to sleep in meant that part of her day was gone, and there were fewer things she would be able to get done. Though, to gain such rest had helped her mind, and she was certainly thankful for that.

And so it seemed that Faeldor was ready to go. He spoke of lunch, and though Gilwen had not eaten well the past few days, she was not entirely hungry. Still, she would not be able to convince the stable master of this, and he himself had to be hungry. Still, she did not even have time to speak in reply, for Faeldor had grabbed her hand and began to sing to her.

It eased Gilwen's heart, for it seemed that the Faeldor she had known finally returned fully. She smiled at him as he began, just listening to the sound of his voice. Still, the smile faded and turned to a deep blush as he stopped singing, offering the words, "Why not fix your hair, dear. Let us not look compromised coming out of my quarters.” Her hands flew to her braid, or perhaps what was left of it and quickly undid its tie, letting her hair fall loose before she once more had it neatly in place. It was best to avoid further rumors---Gilwen did not think she could mentally handle any more wretched things being spoken of her.

By the time she had finished, the note Faeldor had taken to writing seemed to be done, and he abandoned it on his desk. Gilwen looked to him expectantly and waited for him to finish with what he needed to do so they could leave. She was, the closer she got to being free from the city with him, growing ever more excited.

[Faeldor]

“Indeed, you slept quite a time this morning, but do not fash over it. You would not have had enough energy for today’s adventure if you had not rested well. And neither will I have the energy if I do not eat soon,” he grinned. And it was the truth! The grown man was ravenous, and was sure to eat a large lunch, as well as make sure that Gilwen ate well enough for the energy that she would expend, and to make up for that which she had the past days of heavy work.

The man took Gilwen’s little hand as she had finished with her hair, first kissing it, and then tucked it into his elbow. He led her out the door into the stable hall, and walked slowly with her to the stalls where both horses were readied. He went into Lumiel’s stall first, bringing her lead and handing her right to Gilwen. The horse immediately nuzzled the woman, looking for treats and affection.

At the back of Lumiel’s stall, Faeldor made a point of taking down his sword, which was barely used lately, unless his presence was requested at a training session. But it would be best to have something with him, should the need arise, and he carried it along into Thissel’s stall where he attached it to the mare’s side, and stuffed his cloak into a saddle bag. The bags were already packed quite nicely on the horses; with blankets and all they would need for the evening, and all that was left to take was the food which he would pick up from from Beleth and sneak upon the saddle bags.

“Ah Thissel… are you ready, lady?” he cooed to the horse and hummed to her before bringing her out of the stall. She behaved quite nicely, and walked eagerly into the hall near Lumiel, wondering at the interest Lumiel took in that other human, and nuzzling Gilwen as well. Perhaps she had treats for them.

Faeldor grinned; Gilwen seemed quite the horsewoman. “We’ll walk them to my home,” he told her. It was only some minutes walk to Faeldor’s household, and it would be good for Gilwen to awake fully before climbing on a horse either way. Not to mention, he did not wish to excite the horses yet, when they still had one more stop to make.

[Gilwen]

He swept up her hand, then and kissed it, letting it rest in his elbow; a place where the young woman felt it fit nicely. They made their way into the hallway and it seemed Faeldor had picked his pace to take them at Gilwen's own speed, and lead her directly to Lumiel's stall, handing the lead to her, and the horse came toward her with a great show of affection.

"Lumiel..." she murmured quietly, smiling and taking her hand to stroke the horse's neck. It had been far too long, that was certain. Gilwen turned to watch as Faeldor grabbed something from the back of Lumiel's stall, her smile slowly fading as she realized what it was. Gilwen did hold the utmost respect for those who could wield a sword; something she had learned from her father. Still, as she had grown older, it was also something that brought a quiet fear. War was ever on the brink of Gondor in this day. There would come a time when every able bodied man would be called to arms.

While perhaps in the back of her mind she had always been aware that Faeldor would be an able bodied man, to see him with a sword confirmed it, and for a fleeting moment she feared for his life. This thought was dispelled quickly though, with another firm nuzzle from Thissel. Gilwen's smile returned and pet her for a moment before leading Lumiel from her stall to join Faeldor in the hall.

“We’ll walk them to my home.” Gilwen smiled in response and nodded. "Then we are ready." And with that, the two humans and two horses began to make their way out of the stables.

[Faeldor]

Even as Faeldor approached the house, his little brother was there to greet him, jumping out the door way. “Fael!” he called, waving and grinning. The little boy was always glad to see his brother, and especially glad that he had the horses with him, for it meant that he could pet them for some moments before they left again.

Faelon was dressed in his little brown breeches, but wore no shoes or stockings, nor a shirt. Faeldor raised an eyebrow at him, to be outside as such, but the little boy took no notice whatsoever. “Where are your clothes?” his brother asked, laughingly as he approached. “Beleth said my shirt was too dirty, she put it aside to wash this afternoon.” He said this absently as he ran up to pet the soft noses of the mares.

“Well put another on,” Faeldor said to the little boy. But the boy only responded, “They are all dirty! Besides, the sun is so warm.” “Well, it must be so,” Faeldor replied, believing his brother to be saying the truth, and laughing at his answer. The boy was usually a mess anyhow, so it was quite believable. “Then young sir, I would ask that you look after our horses for a few minutes.”

The boy’s eyes lit, to be in charge of the horses for some minutes was a privilege. But he knew quite well how to care for horses. “Will you take me riding soon?” the boy asked, looking up to his brother. “Of course, Faelon,” the man answered, then grinned to Gilwen, taking both Lumiel’s and Thissel’s leads, and handing them to the boy. The horses would be no trouble out here, and would likely not move even in Faelon released the rope. “Fael, is that your sword?” The boy now asked, seeing the long black sheath strapped to the side of Thissel. “Yes it is,” he answered his brother.

“Might I see it? I would like to hold it.” Faelon asked, and commented. Faeldor laughed slightly, “No you may not, at least not right now. A sword is not a toy, and we must not treat them as such.” The boy seemed to pout for a moment, but then remembered that he was in charge of the horses, and again returned to his work of seeing to them, as he thought his brother might do.

Faeldor took Gilwen’s hand, to lead her up the stairs and into the house, grasping her lightly around the waist as they entered. “Mother says that Faelon is quite the same as I was at his age,” he smiled to her, thinking she would enjoy to hear such.

No sooner had they but stepped into the doorway, than Beleth was in the greeting room, clasping her hands together and grinning at Faeldor. “I received your message,” she said, looking to her brother, and then to Gilwen. Her eyes were sparkling, and she came to greet them both. The man released his lady to allow his sister to greet her, and Beleth gave the woman the greatest hug and a kiss upon the cheek. “It is good to see you again, Gilwen,” she said, a coy smile upon her face.

Then she turned to her brother, to give him much the same greeting of hug and kiss, and whispered in his ear, though purposely loud enough that Gilwen might hear as well. “See, I told you not to worry. How could you even think she did not love you; look at her eyes!” Both tall grey eyed figures looked to Gilwen for a moment, and Faeldor laughed slightly, joyously grasping his lady again about the waist.

“Now I have your lunch all prepared, it’s set in the kitchen,” Beleth laughed cheerily, whisking herself out of the room to fetch them some water.

[Gilwen]

As they came toward Faeldor's house, a small and shirtless figure raced out of the doorway, calling to Faeldor all the while. Gilwen smiled slightly, having never really seen too much of Faeldor's younger brother's sheer energy. In fact, the only time she had really seen him at all he had been mostly quiet, and dancing with his elder sister.

The small conversation Faeldor shared with the boy brought Gilwen's smile to widen, and for her to laugh slightly. It seemed that their family utterly enjoyed each other's company---and it was refreshing to see, after her father had been so distant recently. Aside from that, Faelon seemed quite a little ball of energy, and instantly Gilwen adored him, and as Faeldor took Lumiel's lead she was quite certain the little boy would take great care of her.

Though her face did fall as the sword Faeldor carried was mentioned again. She threw her gaze to the cobbled street and just stayed silent. She did not wish to think of such things; not now. Not when she had just gotten him back. The conversation, much to Gilwen's great pleasure, ended quickly, and Faeldor grasped her hand to lead her inside.

Her hand was dropped almost as soon as they were inside though, for Beleth approached them both. Gilwen welcomed the tight hug and small kiss from Beleth, wrapping her own arms about the woman and returning the small show of affection. “It is good to see you again, Gilwen." She smiled. "It is good to see you again, too, Beleth."

Beleth moved onward to her brother, and lingered with him long enough to say, “See, I told you not to worry. How could you even think she did not love you; look at her eyes!” Gilwen smiled, and blushed lightly. Her brown eyes were surely full of such emotion as she was with him. It was ever so hard to mask it! He just made her so happy. Faeldor's arm wrapped about her waist and she glanced up at him through her eyelashes with a small laugh.

“Now I have your lunch all prepared, it’s set in the kitchen.” She turned to look at Faeldor once more. She adored Beleth; and really wished to have had a moment to speak with her privately to thank her for her thoughtful prodding. All she could do there was laugh lightly, though. For such happiness had welled up inside of her by being so warmly welcomed. "I do need to find your youngest sisters," Gilwen finally said, lifting her free hand to hold up the small flowers she had picked for them both on the way here. While originally she had only set out to pick them for Haliel, Gilwen had thought of Marileth. She had had very little interaction with the girl, and decided it would be a good gesture to bring her a few flowers as well.

[Faeldor]

Gilwen held up the flowers that she had collected outside, and Faeldor wrapped his arm all the way around her, and wrapped his hand about hers which held the flowers. The man pressed his cheek against the lady’s temple, and then turned his face to kiss her upon her hair, causing her braid to once more lose itself in places, and some dark strands to fall down against her face. “I am certain that they will find you first,” he said, as he heard Narbeleth march through the hall and call out the door that led to the gardens. “Come, let us follow Beleth to the kitchen, so that she will not think we are ignoring her generosity, and the little ones will find us there, I am certain.”

The man took Gilwen, and led her into the hall, and toward the kitchen, a door that was one past the dining room that they had sat in previously. The door was open wide, and light streamed in upon a tall counter that stood in the middle. Half a dozen stools surrounded the countertop, and in the center of it was a wooden bowl with different fruits, and a vase with the flowers the children had picked the night before. One end of the counter was floured, where Narbeleth had been kneading a bread dough. Upon the wall hung varieties of pots and pans, and a rack of spices, with some vegetables drying hung from twine, and the ropes.

Faeldor took Gilwen right to a stool on the far end of the table, in the sunlight. He pulled a grape from bowl and popped it into his mouth as he went, and pulled a second one, for his lady, but before he gave it to her, leaned down to press a quick and chaste kiss to her lips. Beleth walked right in the kitchen behind them at the opportune moment to witness the event, and grinned to herself, covering her mouth slightly to hold in her laughter. Faeldor smiled, saying nothing, and handed the grape to Gilwen.

Beleth opened her mouth as if to say something in jest, Faeldor was certain, but instead changed her mind, composing herself for a moment. “There is some fresh wheat bread, and cheese, and the fruit of course to eat.” She turned away from them to the counter to take a pitcher and pour two cups of milk. As she turned, she near broke down in laughter again, but she held it in quite well. Her eyes were dancing as she turned again to sit the cups upon the counter, and Faeldor pulled out a stool next to Gilwen’s, but still stood behind her, not sitting down just yet.

At this time Marileth entered the room, though her face was not ever so bright as Narbeleth’s. Her cheeks were warm and rosy from the sun, but there was a bit of a frown set on her little lips. She looked to see her brother and Gilwen, and managed to smile slightly, but her thoughts returned to the matter at hand before she spoke to Faeldor.

“Fael, will you go for Hali?” the young girl asked. “Her leg is hurting her today, and she is complaining a right amount about walking up the steps. She said she would crawl up them if she wanted to, and I told her that she would ruin her dress if she did crawl through the gardens. So now she is pouting out there because I have come in without her.” Marileth seemed to be a bit frustrated with her sister at the moment, as she spoke. The little girl often asked for help in things that she could have easily done on her own.

Beleth frowned, “Well she can come in on her own. The child needs to learn that she is quite independent. She is seven years old afterall, we do not need to carry her about everywhere she goes. We will wait for her, Mari, and she will eventually come.” But by the time Narbeleth had said this, Faeldor had already squeezed Gilwen’s waist and released her, and was beginning to hum as he walked out of the kitchen to fetch his littlest sister from the gardens, with a smile on his face.

“Faeldor, you will spoil her!” Beleth called after her brother. Faeldor made no motion to answer her though, and began to sing aloud as he went, his voice fading down the stone hallway.

“He favors, Haliel,” Marileth said after the man had left, a bit stubbornly, and with frustrated grey eyes. She climbed upon the stool at the counter, across from Gilwen, looking at the lady for a moment, remembering the pretty green dress that she had worn the week past. Now she was clad in colors that were quite dull, but Marileth was still fond of her from all Faeldor’s talk, and thought she was quite pretty.

Beleth turned for a moment to look at her sister, before going back to fixing two plates of food. “No, he simply favors all of us,” she answered calmly. “At different times. Did he not sit and play flute with you for near an hour yesterday? He dotes on us all.” The young woman glanced to Gilwen for a moment, smiling slightly. “He is happy now, let him be, Mari.”

“That is true…” the girl started, pulling a bit from her mood. “I know why he is happy,” Marileth’s frown turned a bit, and she glanced up at Gilwen shortly, a bit of a grin returning to her own eyes. The girl then reached to the center of the table to pull an apple off the bowl. The children had already eaten their lunch, but Faeldor’s energetic family were always ones to have an appetite. Even the youngest of the girls.

“Gilwen, I am glad you came back again,” Marileth said, a bit shyly, glancing at her. “Haliel thought you would not for your ruined dress, but I told her you would.”

“So the morning went well, after all?” Narbeleth questioned, quite interested, she looked to Gilwen for a moment, before turning back lightly to her work, having finished buttering the bread, and putting the plates on the table, one in front of Gilwen, and a plate that was quite a bit more full in front of the empty stool for when Faeldor would return. Beleth leaned on her elbows upon the counter. “The poor dear had worked himself into such a fit; I thought I would have to tie him up on the back of a horse to get him down to the third tier for you. He thought you hated him; though I told him that I doubted you would ever say or think a hateful thing about him.”

[Gilwen]

Faeldor’s fondness of Gilwen in those few moments that they stood in the entryway seemed to take over him as he kissed her hair and grasped her, though Gilwen would never have protested in the least. “Come, let us follow Beleth to the kitchen, so that she will not think we are ignoring her generosity, and the little ones will find us there, I am certain.” Well, Gilwen did not wish to insult anyone in this household, so she smiled up at him and let him lead her to the kitchen. My it was a large one, and seemed to dwarf the little room that her family cooked in. And it was kept so lovely, too! Her eyes immediately caught the bouquet of flowers. It seemed the entire family had a fondness for them. And the fruit bowl! Gilwen would never have dared touch something so exquisitely colored and lovely---though Faeldor did reach into it quickly before sitting her down onto a stool at the very end of the counter.

With her back turned to the doorway, the way she was, she could not see Beleth enter to see Faeldor’s quick kiss, or the way he handed her a grape afterward. She blushed slightly, looking up at him from under her eyelashes. He smiled, though Gilwen was not quite sure if it was because he was pleased with himself, or a different reason she was unaware of. “There is some fresh wheat bread, and cheese, and the fruit of course to eat.” Immediately Gilwen’s blush deepened, and for a moment the young woman worried over how long Beleth had been standing there. She turned, still holding the grape, to look at her and smiled slightly. “Thank you, Beleth.”

She turned back to the counter, and finally ate the small purple fruit and looked over to Faeldor, inquiring with her eyes as to Beleth’s sudden light in eye. She saw, didn’t she? Gilwen thought to herself, finally looking away. She did not have too long to pry, for Marileth entered looking a slight bit frazzled.

She was without Haliel, and it soon was explained as to why. For a moment, Gilwen felt for the little girl. Though, it did not last long, for Faeldor did leave to fetch her. Inwardly Gilwen smiled. If a man came to sweep you up into his arms when you felt poorly, it could not be all terrible.

For a moment Marileth seemed a bit jealous, though before Gilwen had a chance to register such a thing, Beleth stepped in a corrected her statement. Faeldor plays flute? She thought curiously. It excited her, to find out such new things about him. The way it had pleased her to be able to look at Faelon and see by Meleth’s description a young Faeldor.

It seemed even Marileth understood Faeldor’s change in mood. Such a little girl! Gilwen blushed ever so lightly, though beamed at her when she spoke of how glad she was she had returned. “Oh, no, dear. It was not the dress in the least. I…” She trailed off a moment, unsure of what she should tell the girl, so she opted for a different approach. “I have been working quite a bit---but I am glad to have a chance to see you again, as well.” It was best to offer Marileth the flowers now, Gilwen reasoned. She did not wish either of the girls to think that she had bundled the two sister together. She extended a lovely bundle of white and blue flowers to her and grinned. “These are for you,” she said happily.

Then, the direction of the conversation changed immensely, and Beleth inquired as to the morning. Though, before she had had a chance to respond, the young woman had continued speaking. “The poor dear had worked himself into such a fit; I thought I would have to tie him up on the back of a horse to get him down to the third tier for you. He thought you hated him; though I told him that I doubted you would ever say or think a hateful thing about him.” She was only half surprised by such a statement; that morning’s bout of miscommunication had effectively explained it. “Yes, it went well. And you were right,” she blushed slightly here, “he had no need of worry. I could not hate him.”

She looked down at the bread. It smelt and looked lovely. And now, she was awake enough to know her hunger. Still, she did want to wait for Faeldor to return. It would be entirely rude to begin without him. "This looks wonderful, Beleth." She murmured quietly aside.

[Faeldor]

When presented with such pretty flowers, Marileth beamed widely. “Thank you,” she murmured. She had seen the woman carrying them, but thought for certain that they were to be for Haliel, for the last time Gilwen had come she had spent ever so much time sitting with Haliel, and told her she would bring her some. “They are very lovely,” she looked to Gilwen longer, but then quickly to Beleth. “Might I put a vase in my room?” she asked her older sister.

“Of course,” Beleth smiled, turning about to find an empty glass jar atop the counter. “You might use this, but do be careful with it. Put it somewhere where Hali won’t accidentally break it,” Marileth nodded. She would put it away later, but then Beleth continued. “Go on now, and get them some water, and you might put them in the sunlight as well.” She wished Marileth to leave the room, so that she might talk more privately with Gilwen for a moment.

Marileth decided it was best to listen to Narbeleth, and poured some water from a pitcher before setting off carefully with the full jar, and a handful of flowers.

“Now Gilwen, that we are alone…” Beleth started, looking to the doorway and smiling slightly. “I must ask it of you; when did you fall into such beautiful love with our Faeldor?” Her voice was drastically whimsical as she leaned over the counter as she leaned across to speak quietly. “I know he was quite taken with you from the very first day, after taking you to that cave. A lovely place is it not?” But Beleth did continue talking before Gilwen could get a word in edgewise.

“Oh, our family does love you here though, we do wish you to know. Mother, and the children. And Grandfather does love you so! Did you know, every day since he met you, he has asked Fael after you. He thinks you have the right prettiest smile he’s ever seen! He has been waiting for you to come over again; he thought you were the loveliest dancer. I am entirely sorry for Miriel’s behavior, but if she would give herself a change she would know that you are perfect for our Faeldor…”

“And you are so… oh, Gilwen, what are your intentions with him? You must let me know… he is my dear brother after all. There are such horrible rumors… but I do know they are not true. Tell me though, that you will care for him, and not hurt him, and just love him…” Her voice was still a slight bit dreamy. She looked at the woman intently, finally giving rest to her words so that Gilwen might speak.

[Gilwen]

Gilwen smiled warmly as the young girl accepted her gift so graciously. Yes, it was quite refreshing to know that Marileth thought of her well, and to see her smile in such a happy way made the young woman exceedingly thankful and content.

The girl left to place the flowers in her room, and immediately it seemed that Beleth changed from light questions to ones that were quite heavy. Gilwen found herself longing for the young Marileth to return, or for perhaps Faeldor to return with Haliel. Anything to save her from such questions! It was not even that she minded Beleth; for Gilwen positively adored her.

“I must ask it of you; when did you fall into such beautiful love with our Faeldor?” Gilwen’s eyes widened slightly, unsure of how precisely she should answer such a question. But even if she had had the words immediately, Beleth had moved off without her. Taken the first night he had returned? Gilwen mused excitedly. She was blushing furiously, but felt her heart race and soar with such light information.

Then Narbeleth asked Gilwen opinion of the cave. “Oh, it is love---“ she did not have time to finish, for Faeldor’s younger sister seemed completely intent on continuing without a break in conversation. Though, it pleased Gilwen that the wonderful Melanir had inquired as to her whereabouts and had thought so well of her. She had taken a strong liking to him as well. It brought a smile to her face, and even covered the color of her cheeks for a moment.

Though, that moment was short lived, though. For Beleth branched off yet again in a question that made Gilwen’s face ever redder. “And you are so… oh, Gilwen, what are your intentions with him? You must let me know… he is my dear brother after all. There are such horrible rumors… but I do know they are not true. Tell me though, that you will care for him, and not hurt him, and just love him…”

My intentions? She dropped her jaw a little and then blinked to recover herself. “I have no intention of doing your brother any wrong at all.” She finally whispered, still shocked out of her voice. She faltered a moment, and looked to the counter quickly before continuing. “I knew I loved him when…” She felt the color darken in her cheeks. Still, Gilwen was excited to have a girl to speak to! She was without sisters of her own, and as such found it hard to share such stories. It felt like she was normal. She laughed slightly and warmed at the thought. “I knew I loved him the first day we missed each other at breaks, a good few weeks ago. I thought my world was to end.” She laughed a bit more, and bashfully covered her cheeks with her hands. “I promise, Beleth. I will not defame your brother, you, or the rest of your family. I apologize for the rumors. Truly.” As the conversation switched tones, her blush eased itself, and was only a slight rosy pink by the end. She felt that Beleth deserved such assurance. As did the rest of them.

[Faeldor]

“Do not fret over it,” Beleth answered quickly, to see her falter at the question of her intentions. She moved around the counter to take Faeldor’s seat upon the stool by the woman. “I know you would do him no wrong. I can tell. Grandfather has always been a good judge of people, and he tells me that I am as well. I just liked to hear it from your own lips,” she smiled.

The young woman clutched Gilwen’s arm gently. “I knew I loved him the first day we missed each other at breaks, a good few weeks ago. I thought my world was to end.” Narbeleth covered her own smile at the words that Gilwen spoke, though she was glad she would tell her such a story.

“I do know which day you speak of, for Faeldor came home and was ever so morose about it. Oh… this is all so adorable…” Beleth got away with herself for a moment, sighing, and placing her hand over her heart. “He was ever so upset. So Mama suggested that he might think about having you over for supper. I think the whole family had caught onto him by then. Haliel was just dying to meet you; she loved you so before you two even met. Oh, and he calls you by the loveliest of names, you should hear it! Well, I am sure that you do. His Starlight. That is ever so lovely. I would wish for a man to give me such a lovely name someday,” Beleth mused.

“Do not worry so about the rumors. They are so ridiculous, I don’t even know how they spread in such a way. Perhaps many speak of them, but I doubt any actually believe they are true. I mean, just look at you, you are such a gentle thing. Miriel is a right fool to say things about you, if she thinks people will believe her. I am so sorry to hear about your position in the palace though. I should say my sister had something to do with it, but I do not know for certain. She is awfully smug though. And that man she has been with, Durion, he has a right awful attitude. They seem suited for each other, though perhaps he will just encourage her more…” Narbeleth frowned for a moment and was quiet.

“Let us not speak on that now though. It is ever so good to have someone to talk with! Miriel does not speak to me much anymore, and Marileth is so young… We should get together sometime for an afternoon. Oh, but do you know what you will be doing this afternoon? Faeldor did not tell me; he just asked me to pack up some food to take…”

[Gilwen]

Gilwen almost giggled girlishly at Beleth's story of Faeldor's distress. To hear that it had not simply been her, falling victim to girlish behaviors pleased her immensely. To know he had felt the same for her at that time had her positively brimming with such warmth and joy. "Oh, and he calls you by the loveliest of names, you should hear it! Well, I am sure that you do. His Starlight. That is ever so lovely. I would wish for a man to give me such a lovely name someday.” Gilwen blushed once more. He did give her the most wonderful nicknames. It made her feel a little guilty, though. That he could come up with many things to call her, and she still spoke his name. It wasn't entirely her fault; she had been searching. "Dear", "sweetheart", and "my love" sounded foreign on her tongue, and it was sure to sound ever so false if she ever dared uttered them alone.

Perhaps sometime soon she would grow to learn of the appropriate term for him; it seemed such a task, though. For the only word she could possibly think of that fit him was his own name. "Faeldor" seemed to fit him perfectly, for with that name she had associated so many wonderful things!

Beleth had changed course in her ramblings once more, and was now on the subject of Durion and Miriel. Gilwen's eyes widened slightly, and her blush vanished altogether. Both had seemed to take pleasure in her plight. Miriel had made it a game, seemingly, to spread such rumors and attack her. And Durion, that day at the stables.

Her skin burned a bit in anger as she recalled his touching of her cheek, and the way he had kissed her hand. It was sickening. The only man that should ever have such a privilege from her was Faeldor. "They seem suited for each other, though perhaps he will just encourage her more…” Encourage her? That was hardly what Miriel needed. Or Gilwen, for that matter. She frowned lightly. If that man had worked himself into Miriel's life, he would be no friend to her.

Luckily, Beleth changed the subject once more, and instantly Gilwen's smile returned. "I have not the slightest idea what he has planned." She paused a moment. "He asked you to prepare food? We will be gone that long?" Gilwen's voice was excited, though she was still confused. Faeldor and she both had work tomorrow, though she would never deny him time with her. She mused he had some sort of well-mannered frivolity planned, and she would be returned home at a respectable time. He had not even told Beleth where they were going!

Still, he hadn't known himself until this morning. He had not even known they would be seeing each other today, until this morning. She chewed her bottom lip. "Where ever he does take me, I am sure it will be wonderful."

[Faeldor]

Before Beleth even had a chance to speak, which was quite good for she may have given away Faeldor's secret, for she had packed them both a supper and a breakfast, the man's footsteps were again heard, and Faeldor came to enter the room.

“Starlight, I’ve brought a little flower here to see you,” the man said as he entered the room, as if he had known of their conversation before hand on his names for her. Just at the word Beleth almost giggled girlishly. She held herself in; Faeldor should not know what they had been speaking of, for he would surely be embarrassed that she had told Gilwen such things. The sister stood to allow the man his seat back, but Faeldor came to it and sat Haliel right down upon it next to Gilwen.

She seemed a bit morose as well, and had been cuddling into Faeldor’s shoulder as they entered, but now she sat well enough on her stool. “Well there, Sunshine, where is your smile today?” Beleth asked her little sister sweetly.

“My leg does hurt,” Haliel mumbled. “And Marileth left me outside without her.”

“Well, little flower, I think I just rubbed that leg of yours for quite a time, and you said it did feel better,” Faeldor said, looking at the girl. “Cheer up, look, your Gilwen is still here to see you.” The man smiled, and moved to stand behind Gilwen, placing his hands upon her shoulders, and after having massaged the tightness from his sister’s legs, having the idea to do the same to Gilwen’s overworked shoulders and neck.

He started in on them, kneading the muscles lightly with a grin on his face. Haliel started to perk up. “We picked you some flowers…” she smiled shyly, hoping the woman would not be upset at her from the dress that she had ruined last week. She held them up, a pretty pink one, a purple, and a white. The thin stems had been braided together by Faeldor as he sat with the little girl upon his lap outside.

“Fael, put them in her hair,” the little girl said, handing the flowers to his brother. The man stopped his ministrations on Gilwen’s shoulders and reached down to take the little bundle again, first holding it down for Gilwen to see.

[Gilwen]

“Starlight, I’ve brought a little flower here to see you.” Gilwen turned to see as Faeldor entered with Haliel, and she smiled at them both, even though little Haliel seemed to be quite upset still. She was sat down beside her, though, and the girl at least seemed to sit up with her own strength. Her smile did not falter, even when the girl spoke of her leg hurting, though that did twinge her heart in the slightest.

“Cheer up, look, your Gilwen is still here to see you.” The woman beamed. "Haliel, it is ever so good to see you!" She exclaimed happily, for a moment intent on going to embrace the child and kiss her cheek. Though she was stilled by two strong hands upon her shoulders. Instantly, she felt a warmth in her cheeks, as he began to knead and massage her tight muscles. It felt lovely; he had such strong hands. Still, her muscles were in quite a state, and he was sure to think she did not care for herself.

Haliel had picked her flowers, again! Gilwen smiled all the more and held up her own bouquet. "Well, I did the same!" She replied. “Fael, put them in her hair." Gilwen felt his hands stop their movements, and she almost longed for them to begin again; though the flowers were sweet enough to draw her attentions away. "They are absolutely lovely, thank you." She said sweetly.

"Now, you have to wear these in your hair, too." Gilwen grinned. As soon as Faeldor had put the flowers in her hair, she would lean over and tend to the little one herself and dress her hair in lovely flowers, too. Then they would match!

[Faeldor]

The tenseness of the pretty lady’s shoulders was quite extreme, Faeldor thought, and he was amazed that such a little thing could be that way. He felt in his hands that the woman enjoyed such attentions though, even in front of Beleth, for she seemed to lean slightly into his hands. He was quite disappointed that he must relinquish his attention to the flowers, but he did tell himself that he would return to such later, and help soothe her muscles. He left a hand upon Gilwen’s shoulder as he showed her the flowers, his thumb curved gently around the back of her neck. Then he held them up to look at himself.

“Well… where shall I place them, Hali?” Faeldor asked, holding the flowers in one hand and seemingly looking confused, trying to make his sister laugh. At the same time, Faeldor’s free hand found it’s way into Gilwen’s hair, trying to make his lady sigh, and he tickled the back of her neck lightly, waiting for Haliel to answer.

“Right up behind her ear, Fael. You know where to put flowers…” Haliel said sternly, though she was smiling now. “Right here?” he asked, holding the flowers near Gilwen’s hair. Haliel frowned, “No, up a bit higher.” The man moved his hand upward slowly. “There!” Haliel exclaimed when he had reached the perfect location, just a bit behind and above her ear. He carefully put the flowers within her hair. Then he bent to kiss her, his lips brushing the tip of the woman’s ear.

Finally, Faeldor moved completely, to the other side of the counter, taking a different bench and reaching for his plate. “Do eat up, sweet one,” he said. “Of course, after you are done with Hali’s hair. But we must leave soon. I believe Master Faelon has watched our horses quite long enough.” The man picked up his bread, and thankfully began to eat his long awaited lunch.

[Gilwen]

The minute Faeldor's gentle hand had found its way into her hair, Gilwen did sigh, though blushed something terrible afterward. In front of Beleth and Haliel, no less! Though, it did seem that the only person that would have taken any notice to it at all was Beleth, and now it seemed the woman had a friend with whom she could laze an afternoon with---and Beleth would make no comment about it here.

The flowers were slid into place, and a kiss brushed the tip of her ear. “Do eat up, sweet one. Of course, after you are done with Hali’s hair. But we must leave soon. I believe Master Faelon has watched our horses quite long enough.” Gilwen smiled and nodded happily, standing quickly to slide the white and blue flowers into Haliel's own lovely hair.

"There now," Gilwen murmured, smiling. "They suit you well." She quickly wrapped her arms about the little girl and kissed her cheek, before returning to her seat for her lunch. This was turning out to be a lovely day! She finished as quickly as she possibly could. Faelon was left outside with the horses an awful long time by that point.

She stood and looked to Beleth with a smile, "It was lovely. Thank you." Instinctively, she reached for her plate to clear it from the table; servant habits hardly leave when one is off duty. Finally she also said, "It would be nice to spend some time with you." She paused a moment and looked back to the dark-haired woman. "The next time I am free from work..." Gilwen trailed off, and for a moment abandoned her plate on the table. Oh, it would be ever such a long time before she could afford to take the afternoon and simply sit in Beleth's company.

And she so wished to do that! Arien and she were always so busy, and they barely caught each other anymore to simply talk about girl things. For a moment, Gilwen frowned; though she quickly remembered where she was and covered it. "Yes. My next day off I shall spend time with you." She repeated. Now, she would simply have to find time to take off.