Secrets [Arien]

[Narbeleth]

“Come Mari, let us go, so we can be back in time to prepare dinner for Fael and Grandfather,” the young woman laughed, grasping the twelve-year-old’s hand and lighting out the door. The two girls jumped down the front step, and almost skipped down the cobbled path to the roadway, but once they were off their own land, they composed themselves much better.

“Oh, it will be utterly lovely,” Marileth laughed. “I hope Lady Arien should finish it shortly, and in time.”

“She surely will,” Narbeleth answered. “Faeldor said she did work of fine quality, and she is even Gilwen’s friend. She will certainly do the finest job for her own friend.” She mused on the topic. Faeldor was certainly asking it of Arien, for if she were friends with Gilwen it would be easy enough to make such a surprise. And also, she thought, for she had heard of Miriel’s encounter with the poor woman, and Faeldor surely wanted to cover over the offence.

“How did he ask it to look again?” Marileth asked, trying to imagine the pretty dress in her mind.

“Well, he said that ladies are best left to pick the design for such things. A dancing dress, and he requested it dark blue, with silver trim at the waist and neck, and silk embroidery. I think he has his own design in his mind though, for he certainly knows what he wants,” she laughed.

Marileth nodded in agreement, trying to keep up with her sister’s quick steps. “And did he not say, to hem the embroidery with designs of starflowers, and forget-me-nots. Oh, our brother has learned enough from having so many sisters, I presume. To be so skilled in designing dresses.” The young girl laughed at the thought.

“And my favorite part is this; their initials embroidered on the hems, among the flowers,” she lowered her voice as she said it, as if it were a secret. “He is such the charmer.” Truly, her brother seemed to know exactly the way in which he wished little Gilwen to look, and such colors would certainly suit her. Oh, she was quite proud of her gentle brother, for simply being who he was.

“Someday I will marry a man that designs such pretty dresses,” Marileth laughed, still on the former subject.

They made their way quickly down to the fifth tier, where they approached the dressmaker’s shop. They had each been here some times before, though their mother usually sought a different seamstress. But this shop was thought highly of among the city, and many of the rich residents of the sixth tier saw to doing their business here. They entered the dressmaker’s shop, quite gladly with smiling faces. There was the Lady Arien, as usual, sitting in her chair doing her stitching. Her fine hands seemed to fly as she worked.

“Hello, my Lady,” Narbeleth said cheerily, walking to the back of the shop. Marileth smiled and gave a small curtsey.

[Arien]

Busy as usual, Arien had been working on an other masterpiece of a dress. She loved so much to do those, you could think about almost any kind of possibly designs depending on what the customers preferred, any colors would fit and different patterns of shapes were to collaborate with her art. Yes, many people around considered her work as being a form of art. Not everyone was able to do what she was capable of doing and she was proud of it, proud of her shop and of herself. Not even that Miriel could put her moral down about her shop; she had faith and hopes about anything she was doing in her shop.

She was working on a new piece of art, the one she had been working for Faeldor; he had been ordering such a lovely pattern of a dress for her friend, that she jumped on the occasion to make the most perfect dress she could ever do for her friend.

Besides, what Faeldor had thought about was so lovely, that it made her smile to simply be thinking about it and she would gladly do his order, with all the patience she could give to a dress. She smiled to herself, thinking about how Gilwen would react seeing the dress. It wasn’t done yet, but soon to be. She would even not sleep for days if that was meant to happen. She was ready to do anything for her dearest friends.

She heard the door opening, but didn’t raise her gaze from her work just yet, wanting to finish that up, until one of the two ladies spoke.

“Hello, my Lady,”

She smiled, raising her head and stopped her work for a few moments. Ah, they might be Faeldor’s sisters. She knew that they would be coming to her shop, so she would be able to show them what she had done so far and if there was something that Faeldor had wanted to add more to that dress. She stood up and walked over to the sisters.

“Good afternoon, you two are Lord Faeldor’s sisters, am I right?” she asked, only to be sure. The good thing in the presentation was that there wasn’t Miriel-she wasn’t in the mood to pick up an other fight with the girl, her fiery temper was cool for once in a lifetime.

[Narbeleth]

It seemed the lady Arien was a good judge of image, yes, for she guessed their brother right away before they even introduced themselves. True though, the family did all look somewhat alike; the same tall, slim figures, of dark hair and grey eyes. In truth, the one feature that any person would group them by would be their smiles. Bright and radiant they always were, and perfectly charming. At least when their tempers were not in the way. A high temper was also a trait well passed on in the sons and daughters of Faelon. However, most of the siblings were quite well at managing themselves, at least in public. These two girls would be nothing but sweet honey to Arien, as compared to their older sister.

“Yes, my Lady Arien. Faeldor is our brother. I am Narbeleth, and this is Marileth,” she motioned to the young girl beside her. “What lovely shop you keep.” The young woman was smiling and looking about at the dresses. Not only were the garments pure artwork, but the room was cheery. She felt a slight breeze wafting from somewhere; there must be a window open somewhere to let the fresh air in; and the lighting was well enough to show off her creations..

“Oh look at this one!” the younger girl squealed suddenly, leaving her sister’s side to inspect a violet colored dress that had caught her eye near the side wall. At twelve-years-old though, she knew her manners and did well not to touch the velvety soft looking fabric of the creation. This one though, was her favorite color, and she anticipated the day when she could go to her first ball. There was still some years, she knew, before her mother would allow it. But this! This is what her dress would look like, she decided then and there.

Narbeleth smiled, watching her sister for a moment, to make sure she would not touch the fabrics. “Our brother sent us along to see on the dress he has ordered. I should think that it would not be finished yet, but he was quite insistent on the fact that we return home and tell him how beautiful it is. I am sure the work is lovely. Oh, and he had little Marileth here draw a pattern, of which he would like embroidered upon the hems and sleeves.” The young woman drew a slip of parchment from a pouch that hung by her waist.


“Faeldor is quite the brother for secrets, he did say this morning that he does not even wish for Gilwen to know of it until the day of the ball when he gifts it to her. And he does not even wish to see it until it is upon her!” Marileth was the one who spoke this in amusement, as she stepped around the violet dress to look at the

Narbeleth grinned, looking to Arien. “Indeed, I do not know if he is more excited about Gilwen’s surprise, or his own at seeing her dressed as such. He was so glad to find that you are her friend, and will keep his little secret for him.”

[Arien]

“Yes, my Lady Arien. Faeldor is our brother. I am Narbeleth, and this is Marileth,” Arien smiled as the two presented themselves, well more like as Naralbeth presented herself and that cute young girl who was with her. They seemed rather nice too, she wouldn’t want to have an other encounter with someone like Miriel again. “What lovely shop you keep.” Arien’s face only lightened up as the girl complimented her, whenever someone told her one, it made her feel proud of what she was doing since after all, it wasn’t usual to see a lady take care of a shop by herself, mostly men were doing that kind of thing. “Thank you. ”

“Oh look at this one!” Arien chuckled seeing the girl spotting a girl. She loved it when they were amazed by her dresses thinking that one day they could wear their own. Although, it depended on their status, of course the noble ones didn’t have to wish, they had it right away. “It is pretty isn’t it? I like the color.” Arien mused with a smile before turning her attention back to Naralbeth.

“Our brother sent us along to see on the dress he has ordered. I should think that it would not be finished yet, but he was quite insistent on the fact that we return home and tell him how beautiful it is. I am sure the work is lovely. Oh, and he had little Marileth here draw a pattern, of which he would like embroidered upon the hems and sleeves.” The little girl draw a pattern? How cute, she would gladly take it and reproduce it onto the dress. It wouldn’t be that much trouble for her since she hadn’t started on with it yet. It would be all fine with her. She nodded once at the older sister. “Sure you can see it, come with me, it’s in the back. I’ll gladly draw that pattern for Lord Faeldor. He seems to know everything about ladies.” she mused with a light laugh. It was the first time she had had such an order.

“Faeldor is quite the brother for secrets, he did say this morning that he does not even wish for Gilwen to know of it until the day of the ball when he gifts it to her. And he does not even wish to see it until it is upon her!” Aw! She Gilwen was so lucky to have found someone who was such a gentleman! She was happy for her friend. “I’ll keep it secret.”

“Indeed, I do not know if he is more excited about Gilwen’s surprise, or his own at seeing her dressed as such. He was so glad to find that you are her friend, and will keep his little secret for him.” She let out a light laugh once again as she lead the two girls back store to see the famous dress and stopped taking the dress and showing what she had already done yet to the two girls. “How is this?” Asked Arien with a smile.

[Narbeleth]

Marileth listened while Arien answered. “It is pretty isn’t it? I like the color.” "Oh, it's very beautiful," the young girl agreed. "But no doubt Gilwen's dress will be prettier yet," she smiled. Marileth was a sweet girl and much more concerned for the pleasure of her brother's good 'friend' than her own dress fancies. She knew very well that when she turned 16, she would be allowed such a pretty dress, and to go to the balls, but for now she was content to watch her older sisters get dressed up and help them with their hair.

“Sure you can see it, come with me, it’s in the back. I’ll gladly draw that pattern for Lord Faeldor. He seems to know everything about ladies.”

Both the woman and the girl laughed. “Indeed he does seem to know everything! But he has had a great multitude of sister’s to teach him,” Narbeleth beamed. Certainly they had held some influence on their brother, despite him being older. He had at least heard all of their prattling on which style dresses were in fashion, it was certain. Though Narbeleth was quite pleased with his choice here, for it would suit Gilwen perfectly; reserved, yet elegant and perfect for dancing. She would adore it.

And… “oh!” Narbeleth’s thoughts even were cut off when Arien presented the dress to the two talkative girls. “That is utterly lovely,” Narbeleth said stepping forward to look more closely and touch the fabric of the sleeve. “And what fine cloth. Soft and smooth, and it will move so nicely for dancing. Oh, she will be just beautiful in this. Faeldor will be very pleased; I doubt he will allow her to dance with another all evening.”

“Oh, I wish I would see her in it!” Marileth exclaimed, knowing that she would not be present at the ball. “Do you think I will have a chance to see her in it?” she asked.

“Well, we will see, not at the ball at least, but perhaps after she will come over,” Narbeleth answered her sister, but then turned back to Arien. “You are quite the seamstress, and you have done this much in so little time. My brother will be entirely pleased. Gilwen will be so proud to wear this dress, I just know it.

“And tell her, Beleth, about the jeweler’s shop…” Marileth was beaming and almost whispering now.

“Well it does not have much to do with this work here…”

“Oh but they are friends,” Marileth encouraged.

That was enough to prompt Narbeleth to continue. “My brother Faeldor, he said you have a friend; a Lord Keann, a fine jeweler.” She glanced at her younger sister for a moment, grinning, then back to Arien. Arien would appreciate the news, she was certain. “And I know you are a busy woman here with all your orders, but soon I would expect an order for another dress, for Faeldor says he will be having a ring made for her. But she has no idea! You must keep it a secret, but do keep it in mind.” Narbeleth was entirely pleased with the information she had just shared with Arien.

[Arien]

"Oh, it's very beautiful, but no doubt Gilwen's dress will be prettier yet,"

Arien chuckled at the little girl’s comment; she was such a sweetheart, unlike her sister Miriel. It was a wonder to see that they were siblings. She guessed she would never understand such a thing, ah well, not like it was of her business anyways, she had other things to worry about, like Gilwen’s dress. She stared at the little girl for a few seconds and smiled at her. “When you’re in age, come to me, we could have an arrangement to get you a dress.” She replied playfully and gave the little girl a wink.

“Indeed he does seem to know everything! But he has had a great multitude of sister’s to teach him,” She turned to Narbeleth and grinned. “Oh that must be a plus.” She said with a light laugh. Lord Faeldor knew hot to treat a woman, she could tell it and Gilwen was the lucky one he would care deeply about. Now that she thought about it they looked like a cute couple, she would have to do something to pair them up….hummm, they needed a little help but maybe the dress will develop the ‘magic’ between them two. Who knows.

“oh! That is utterly lovely,”

Arien smiled as she showed her dress she had made for Gilwen, she was putting all efforts in it. She wanted it to be more than perfect and she would do anything for that to happen! Even if that meant not sleeping for days. (Even though Keann might not agree..)

“And what fine cloth. Soft and smooth, and it will move so nicely for dancing. Oh, she will be just beautiful in this. Faeldor will be very pleased; I doubt he will allow her to dance with another all evening.”

Arien gave an other nod at the girl’s comment. “She surely will! Dear Gilwen will break many hearts at the dance.” She added playfully with a smile.

“You are quite the seamstress, and you have done this much in so little time. My brother will be entirely pleased. Gilwen will be so proud to wear this dress, I just know it” Aw, so many compliment, it almost made her blush.

“And I am glad you like my work, I’ll make sure to put even more effort on it. Gilwen deserves such a nice dress.”

“And tell her, Beleth, about the jeweler’s shop…” Arien arched an eyebrow, were they talking about Keann? Probably, she didn’t know many jewellers…

“Oh but they are friends,” She stared at Narbeleth curiously. “We are, what is it?” she asked.

“My brother Faeldor, he said you have a friend; a Lord Keann, a fine jeweler. And I know you are a busy woman here with all your orders, but soon I would expect an order for another dress, for Faeldor says he will be having a ring made for her. But she has no idea! You must keep it a secret, but do keep it in mind.”

Arien’s face light up at this…wait, did that mean wedding?! Gilwen was better to make her maid of honor! She clasped her handed excitedly at the idea. “Oh I sure will keep the secret! I’ll be glad to make an other dress to my dear friend! I always have time to do so!” she chimed with happiness.