Wandering [Gilwen]

[Princess Miroesa]

It had been a whole day since they had arrived to Minas Tirith and Miroesa had locked herself into her room all morning and all afternoon. She wasn’t in the mood and things didn’t seem to be better either.

She sighed and looked through the window of her bedroom, seeing that it was rather of a pretty day outside. Maybe she should show up around the castle. She knew that people were worrying about her but she just didn’t feel like so…

Maybe she could go see her horse at the stable and maybe they would allow her to do so before it would get dark outside. It seemed to be a rather good idea to the young princess and she sat up for she had been laying onto her bed all day and fixed her hair a little, although it still looked bad, she didn’t care much.

She slowly opened the door of her bedroom, and looked around to see that no one was there and began walking through the corridors of the castle, debating on where she should go before heading to the stable. She ran a hand through her hands and heard voices into a room. Curious, she couldn’t help but look through the door to see that it was servants who were doing their work, cleaning the room in question.

They all became silent for a few moments and soon enough, all bowed at her greeting her by telling her that if she needed anything, they would be glad to serve her and all the other crap that went along with that. She let out an inaudible sigh before nodding and turning around, only to bump into someone, she gasped wanting to say that she was sorry, but her voice just couldn’t come out of her mouth, just like for the few other days.

[Gilwen]

Gilwen had been at the palace since early that morning; and had been carrying the same bucket of lye water and the same brush in her hands all day. Her duties were rote, the weariness and ache that came from her newly added hours did not seem to bother the woman anymore.

What use would it do to be upset over such things anyway? Her family needed the money, there was no mistake about it. While she did long for, perhaps, less working hours, or even just a small break between the endless scrubbing she was bound to do; perhaps not so much for the rest but so that she could sneak away to the stables for some moments, she knew it was impossible. Her pay could not be cut again. Nor could she risk truly losing her position.

Those rumors had done enough damage to her already; becoming a slack worker would not help her in the least. And so, Gilwen was moving silently down the palace halls, tired brown eyes downcast to the stone floor in respect to the lords, ladies and indeed now the other servants of the palace. A supposed harlot, Gilwen did not have the right anymore to make gaze with even those she used to work with. She was below them.

She was about to take over the scrubbing for some ladies that had been working hard all afternoon; so that they might take their leave and she could pick up the extra hours. It would seem cruel to some, for the supervisor had sent her to complete the task on her own. Still, to Gilwen it was the sweet sign of grace and mercy; the way she knew the supervisor did not truly believe the wretched lies that had begun to spread.

For the room was small, a somewhat reclusive study. It was by no means as grand as the library of the palace, for that room had floor to ceiling shelves of countless books and charts. This, Gilwen presumed, was for when one had the need for just a bit of alone time—more recently having been used by the Captains Faramir and Boromir to pour over charts and plan for the threat of Mordor. Still, there was not a lot to scrub. This meant that it would be an easy task; and by sending her to do it alone, the supervisor had gifted her with pay for the extra hours it would take her to finish. It was such a blessing!

She had been so caught up in her thoughts, that unknowingly she had walked right into another. For a moment her eyes flashed upward, though instantly regretted what she saw. Blonde hair, lovely green eyes…it must have been the new princess that had come from Belfalas.

And Gilwen had just made eye contact.

She had not meant to, of course. The princess seemed to be quite a bit shorter than she had expected. Still, she stepped back immediately, and dropped her gaze and curtsied extra low to show courtesy and repentance for what she had done. Oh, she would be in ever so much trouble if her supervisor found out! “I am terribly sorry, your majesty.” She whispered, her cheeks hot with embarrassment. At least she had kept a firm hold on the lye water! However dreadful that would have been if it had splashed onto the her lovely dress.

[Princess Miroesa]

Miroesa blinked, seeing that she had bumped into one of the castle’s servants. She studied the girl who was working hard; unlike her and almost smile at the other woman as she made eye contact with her; usually, people always avoided her and didn’t even dare to look at her fearing to receive some wrath because she was a princess. It was mood changing for her to see that Gilwen, had just looked up so she could have a good look of her and same way for her.

For sure, the dark haired girl was one of the prettiest servants she had seen around. Maybe some other days, she could try to sneak around to find her and eventually help her to do some stuff. She never liked being a princess because the most you could do, was chat with others and dance and play the piano to entertain others.

“I am terribly sorry, your majesty.” The words, made the girl frown and twitch a little. Oh god, she disliked being called either princess or your magesty. It just…was so annoying and sounded too ‘high class snob’ for her taste. If only she was in the mood to talk, she would be telling her not to call her so and just mention her real name. After all, it wouldn’t be that much of a big deal, right?

Besides, she was never a snobby one, heck, she even used to sneak out of the palace to hang out with the ones from the ‘lower classes’ once in a while, it was just so much fun to do that, maybe she would try to do so as well here. Though, not at the time being; she was hungry and was too depressed to even think of doing anything.

She sighed, and nodded murmuring a small sorry herself and stepped aside, to let the girl pass. Heh, she knew she didn’t have to excuse herself to bump into someone as ‘low’ as a servant but she was polite, to anyone. Wasn’t what they thought her anyways? She was only obeying to her teachers…a small smirk appeared across her lips at the thought.

Now where were the kitchens already? She looked around, wondering about where they would be and mentally cursing herself for forgetting about such an important place…well, she had only sneaked out there once or twice, for it wasn’t a place for people of high society like she was, but she didn’t care. She was too hungry and wanted to eat now.

Maybe she could ask to the servant about where it was, she must know better than her…then again, it would disturb the girl from her work. Gah, she didn’t know what to do and just stood there stupidly in the middle of the corridor, wondering about what she should do.

[Gilwen]

After Gilwen had made her apology, the woman chanced a glance up to the lips of the woman. She would dare not raise her eyes to the woman's crystalline eyes, for such actions were deemed too bold for a servant. Much to Gilwen's horror, the princess had frowned. Instantly, the woman began to panic, and her heart began to beat faster and her hands began to tremble. To offend someone of such standing would surely cost the little woman to lose her position for good! And her family was counting on her to provide!

She dropped her head once more, chin tucked against her chest and she waited. For chastising words, a raised voice. Any form of acknowledgment that told the brunette precisely how much trouble she would be in. Her mind was reeling, and she felt slightly ill. First the rumors, now this! How much more muddled could her work in the palace become? Truly, she had worked in this very palace for ten years, and never before had Gilwen found herself in such a predicament!

Surely the Valar was trying to accomplish something. But at this moment in time, the young woman could not even begin to fathom what that would be. She was brought back to her senses, and drawn out of her franticly pensive state by some mumbled words, and a swish of skirts.

From the direct gaze the young woman was holding on the floor, she could see the princess step aside to let her, a lowly servant, pass. She assumed the mumbled words had belonged to the lovely young girl as well. Had she apologized? Her brown eyes were widened with wonder, and confusion, but still Gilwen made no move to raise her eyes from the stone floor, or move about the princess. If anything, Gilwen should move for her.

For a moment, she was unsure what to do; though with the few moments she had lingered in her spot, Gilwen knew she was being rude. What does one do in such situations? When a member of royal blood has crossed your path, and you have caused her a wrong, yet she is the one to move aside?

There was no teaching on etiquette for such a situation, and as such, the scrubbing maid was determined to make her own. She stepped to the side herself, curtsying respectably low at the princess. She would not raise herself until she was dismissed, she decided. That way, if the young lady wished to scold her for her boldness, she would not offend her further by moving off without her.

She chanced a look at the woman's feet. She was standing quite still! Had the princess been so upset as to freeze? Oh! If only it was proper to glance at the face of a superior. There was no easier way to tell someone's mood. And as a servant in the palace she was banned from such readings of expressions.

Still with downcast eyes, Gilwen chewed her bottom lip.

[Princess Miroesa]

Miroesa studied the servant’s expression after she had apologized to her and didn’t exactly understand why she seemed to be surprised. Why was she after something as simple as that? Wouldn’t other servants apologize too if they bumped into one and an other just like she did with Gilwen. She tilted her head to the side. Okay, sure she was royalty and such but still, they were all humans and every humans should be respected equally.

Maybe there was something that Miroesa didn’t get into the royalty blood and processes but she could careless about those. Ever since she was young, she didn’t bother herself with all those snobs things. She wanted to play with other kids, just as a normal kid would do. At a certain age, she began sneaking out during daytime just to do so.

The thought made the princess smile a little but she quickly found back her previous expression. Uh? Why was she stepping aside as well? She didn’t need to do that…she figured out she was an obedient one. She sighed softly at the thought.

Wait, the kitchen! That’s what she wanted to know where they were. Maybe this one knew where they were, even if she was doing something like carrying water or whatever it was. She stared at the other girl some more, biting her lips once, hoping that she would answer and not just run away because she was royalty. That would be really sad if it would’ve happen.

“Do you know by any chances where the kitchens are?” she asked softly, cautiously studying the servant’s actions to her request. She smiled, hoping it would invite the girl to answer her.

[Gilwen]

She could feel the very eyes of the young princess on her; and the presence of such a gaze was enough to cause Gilwen's heart to hammer a bit more. She was being studied, of that the young woman was sure of. Still, the dark-haired servant made no move to right herself, or move off without the Dol Amroth princess doing so first. What in the name of the Valar was she to do?

The girls in the room, not but yards away, were waiting for their relief. While, in truth, Gilwen believed they would all leave on their own accord soon anyway, she really did not wish to jeopardize her position anymore than she had already allowed it to become. And her supervisor would understand her caution with the princess. In fact, she mused that ever servant in the entire palace would feel and act the same way as she. This brought a solace to her, if only for a few moments.

The young girl was still not moving, or indeed, saying anything to give Gilwen the idea it was alright for her to move off. So, in her state she stayed; complete downcast eyes, a low curtsy of respect and a quiet and submissive demeanor. She was trying her hardest not to let her emotions run away with her. What trouble she would be in if her nerves caused a true fluster and panic before the royal guest!

The princess took a breath, and Gilwen braced herself for any form of criticism, expression of distaste or otherwise. What she was not prepared for was the soft and sweet words that came from Miroesa's mouth. “Do you know by any chances where the kitchens are?”

Dumbfounded for a moment, Gilwen floundered, though finally did let herself stand. Was it acceptable to answer a member of the royal court with words when one was deemed no greater than a harlot? Still, it would be equally as rude to not answer her at all. And the little serving woman hardly wished for any more enemies, or stigmas against her name. She nodded slowly, offering a nonverbal response at first. She thought she saw a flash of smile cross the pretty lips of the princess, and it spurred her to respond with words.

"Shall I show them to you, my Lady?" She murmured quietly. Instantly, she realized how terrible that sounded. Oh! To insult the princess and begin to mother her! As if she were incapable of doing such a thing on her own! Gilwen let a long, silent sigh escape her and grasped her hands roughly together, as if by doing so she could clamp her own tongue.

[Princess Miroesa]

All of this scene was awkward, that’s for sure but Miroesa wouldn’t give up much on that servant, anyways, she seemed to be nice, even if she knew they all had to be nice. She didn’t appreciate much that fact, perfectly knowing that some hated her but in the end turned to be hypocrites. She blinked at the thought, while waiting patiently for the servant to answer to her question.

Maybe the woman was too busy with her chore to lead her the way to the kitchen, she hoped her request wouldn’t have a bad impact on her job. She had the feeling that she and this older lady could get along pretty well whenever she’d have to find ways to talk to the girl in other situations than when she was working here.

"Shall I show them to you, my Lady?" She heard the servant asking her quietly, Miroesa smiled a little and gave a nod to Gilwen. “I would like to, if you don’t mind, I don’t want to interrupt you in whatever you are doing, you maybe have a family to take care of after this job…” she said softly.

She grabbed a lock of her gold hair and began playing with them, as she waited for the servant to react to her request. If she didn’t want she would simply find an other one, or she could have fun trying to find where they were, all though, it would’ve been less troublesome for her if she wasn’t as hungry as she was at the moment.

[Gilwen]

“I would like to, if you don’t mind, I don’t want to interrupt you in whatever you are doing, you maybe have a family to take care of after this job…”

Gilwen wondered for a moment at such a thing coming from a noble's lips. Interrupt me? The petite woman could not understand such a show of care from anyone of her stature. There was, by no means, anyone that should worry on interrupting a servant. After all, that was what she worked to do. She cared for her family by tending to the palace halls and loyally and diligently performing tasks that were given her, no matter what they may be, or what she was doing at the time.

"It shall not be any trouble at all, my lady." Gilwen finally replied, switching the hold she had on her bucket and brush and turning slowly. She would not, she assumed, need to speak to the Princess in such a way as to tell her to follow. Not only would it be entirely out of place to order a noble lady, but Gilwen was a woman of very few words.

She led them down the winding hallway, eyes very much lowered and her tongue quite still; nonetheless, her little ears were quite intent on listening for anything the Princess of Dol Amroth might wish for, or any sign that perhaps the little woman was walking too fast for her, or any other sign to a foul turn in mood.

At that particular moment, a great discontent welled up inside of her chest. It was rare that Gilwen would venture near the kitchens now that she had been demoted. She no longer had duties that gave her reason to enter the door; nor did she wish to insight any foul words from Miriel, one of the palace cooks. And her sheer presence seemed quite a catalyst to hateful and hurtful words from the lovely young woman.

She chewed her bottom lip and faltered in her step a moment, before realizing that showing such hesitancy in front of the Princess was certainly unacceptable. She ghosted through the remainder of the corridor before veering off into another. It would be quite a few more hallways before they reached the kitchen door. And the silence, even for Gilwen, was a bit uneasy. But to spark a conversation with royalty would be brash, and punishable. Instead, she set her mind to bring the the guest swiftly to her desired destination.

The cooks were probably not expecting such royal blood to enter their workplace, and Gilwen fleetingly hoped that all were in pleasant moods; especially Miriel. Perhaps the presence of royalty would still her sharp tongue if she chanced a run in with her while showing the lovely young Princess to the door.