Xanderian sat before the mirror, the delicate silver polished to a perfect, reflective sheen. She studied herself quietly, trying different slight changes to her hair, finally leaving it to hang straight as she always did, with a slight braiding behind her ears. She never did know what to do with her hair.
From the chambers below, the sound of laughter echoed up, clear and strong. Daedre had set herself the goal of teaching Eduwiges, Nimlindir and Calidis a dance from her childhood, that she said was called The Cuckold’s Reel. Dee’s voice rang out between bursts of laughter. “My god girl, put a sword in your hands you are so limber that elf princess up there calls you her lynx, but try to get you to dance and you have three feet, all of em left!”
Eduwiges' typically defensive whine followed, “ BY BEMA I am doing my best, I….” then perhaps she herself heard how absurd she was being, or perhaps Calidis had tickled her. Difficult to tell. Either way she dissolved back into laughter and Rian smiled, relieved.
Dee clapped her hands. “OK, just make your best not so lousy...you two try it again…remember Edu, LEAD Calidis through the turn, don’t toss her like a bag of oatmeal…OK Nimly, play!”.
With a happy sound, Nimlindir began to play again and the two friends struggled with the steps until Xanderian heard them both fall to the ground, amid gales of laughter. Dee sounded frustrated, but laughed as well. “By the hills, I have seen Cave Claws dance better then you two...and I thought elves were supposed to be so damn graceful?”
Xanderian held up two silver earrings and considered them for a moment before setting them aside. It was good to hear the slow fellowship forming between Eduwiges and Daedre, her estranged mother. The two had much to discover, much to forgive and understand still, but they were both willing to face the struggles that would be required. Edu had come so far from where she had been when first they had met, a woman with no home save her armor, no family save for that which she had left behind. As for Daedre, Xan could not even imagine many of the roads she had walked…thief, assassin, servant of shadow...now seeking some kind of redemption in the daughter she had sent away for her own good, perhaps seeing her own reflection in her eyes. Seeking purpose again as a mother, now that her previous purposes had come to nothing.
Mothers.
So many of Calidis’ memories of her mother were loving, but bittersweet, visions of watching the noble woman fade from sheer loneliness and unavoidable grief. Perhaps if her mother had been a help and support to the young Calidis, she may not have shut herself away in Rivendell for centuries following her mother’s departure. Xanderian shook her head. No, there was no use in such wondering. What was…was.
Mothers…the thought led her to recall Morwen, her own mother…if mother she could be called. Disdainful, vaguely disappointed, utterly disinterested in her offspring. Looking in the mirror, Xanderian tried to recall an expression on her mother’s face that had not somber at best, bored at worst. She failed.
Of course, it was hard to know if that was simply a trick of memory, since she had not seen her since she was a very little girl save for in dreams. Xandilif had known her better, being older…but then, Xandilif despised her. The Champion of the Azure Faithful had despised most of all that she could get no reactions, fair or foul, from the woman who was her mother. Perhaps that was why she now strove always to cause people to react to her, by any means necessary.
Xanderian held up a simple silver necklace, a gleaming purple gem set in silver hanging from it’s strands. A gift from Calidis of her own artistry. She smiled and draped it around her throat, noting for a moment that the necklace suited well the small tattoo of Calidis’ family crest, lovingly drawn into her pale shoulder and barely visible through her sheer dressing gown. The gem settled warm between her breasts as she smoothed the gown over it.
She drew a bracelet out of the cask, and paused, noting the tiny green horseheads etched into her muscular wrist. Cyndwin’s mark.
That evening in Rohan came unbidden into her mind, as they were fleeing the Riders after breaking out of jail…when she and Cyndwin and Calidis had spoken of the blue crystal HaStaina and the past and the future. Such a beautiful night it had been, the three in gentle fellowship and wise counsel. She had been very nervous concerning how Cyndwin and Calidis would interact, and was not then sure why she was so concerned. The fact that the two seemed fast friends was a great relief.
After Calidis had retired leaving the two alone, Cyndwin had smiled at Xanderian and gone down to the nearby steam to skip stones across the shallows. She always did such things when she wished to think something through.
“She suits you….she is brilliant and beautiful and just a little strange..ok, maybe a lot strange.” the Shieldmaiden chuckled as she watched the moonlight reflected on the water….”But so are you…And you like her…in that special way you have of liking some people…maybe more.”
Xanderian had tilted her head. “Does that suddenly bother you, my love?”
Cyndwin had laughed. “No…no…quite the contrary. And she is in love with you..but she doesn’t know it yet. And no Rian, that does not bother me either. How could it, you are lovable…ask anyone.” She laughed again and cast another stone. “It…well…it comforts me I suppose...and perhaps…makes something easier. I love you, my elven queen….and I always will. It makes me happy for you to be loved.”
After that Cyndwin fell silent. Xanderian wanted to question her more, but events made it impossible to speak on the subject until the meaning of her cryptic statements had already became obvious. Just half a year later, Cyndwin said her good byes, returning alone to face the trials awaiting her in the Westfold. In her time in Gondor, she had matured to realize Xanderian’s intention of standing with her against her kin was doomed to fail, and that she would have to face whatever came alone…and so one morning, the two parted.
Xanderian sighed for a moment, and admired the necklace and gown in the silver mirror.
From below, Eduwiges’ voice rose through the laughter. “Leetthhhyyyyyyy…come and dance with us.”
The elleth smiled and rose, calling down. “Well, if I must, then I have no choice.”
Calidis answered. “Indeed my love, you have no choice whatsoever….now come and we will teach you the Cuckoo’s Reel since Edu and I have both mastered it!”
Dee roared with pretend rage as the other women laughed, Nim’s voice trilling high above the others as Daedre shouted. “CUCKOLD…CUCKOLD..by the Isen do I have to draw you a bloody picture...and MASTERED? Truly your head is in the stars, elf.”
Filled with a sense of contentment, Xanderian turned from the glass and started down the stairs to the Hall of Trophies. "And who is this Cuckold you speak of...I had not heard that Rathvald has married?"
Behind her, her own reflection watched her depart from the mirror. “Yes…you have no choice. No choice at all” The Xanderian in the mirror laughed without mirth, her sightless, empty eyes hidden by a silver mask.
