There was a soft rap on the wooden frame of the doorway that stole Eliriael’s attention from the glass jars on the table in front of her. She had been eyeing the consistency of a particular red jar when she looked up.
“I was told by the healers that I would be able to find you here,” a small timid voice presented its owner wearing a sheepish smile.
“Miruial, you came!” Eliriael stepped across the room to embrace her old friend, all jars forgotten. She leaned back after a moment to inspect that Miruial looked well. Her frame was as small as ever, but the blush of life touched her usual pale cheeks and spoke of an inner vibrancy hidden beneath.
“Come, I will make you some tea.” Eliriael guided her friend by the hand and sat her by the fire as she put a kettle over the hearth.
Miruial cleared her throat. “I believe this is yours.” She turned between her fingers a ring, beset with a pale violet gem that caught the light of the fire.
Turning around, Eliriael saw the ring first, then the growing color on Miruial’s cheeks. The red from the heat of the flame gave way to the heat of Miruial’s mood. She put on her most conciliatory smile.
“I cannot believe you would send this in the hands of a stranger!” Miruial stood now, visibly shaking.
“Parnard is no stranger, he is an ambassador to our House,” Eliriael replied endearingly. “He has the trust of our lords and he has mine as well.”
Miruial sat down again, looking sullen. “You can trust his appetite for food and wine,” she muttered.
Eliriael sat beside her friend’s chair and lay her hand on Miruial’s lap. “Come, do not be bitter, and certainly not with Parnard for my actions.” Her friend turned wordlessly and began to place the ring back on her left hand. She knew that both of them were relieved to set it back in place. Had her desire not been so great, she would have never taken the chance. The jewel was not only a token of their friendship but a sacred relic of Doriath for Miruial. It was all she had of her family and home, set into the metal band around her finger.
Miruial had long kept herself by the sea, unwilling to sail across and unwilling to meddle too closely in the affairs of this world. It was this cursory life that Eliriael wanted to release her from, at least in some way, by bringing her to her side. Perhaps if Miruial could devote herself to a purpose and bide her time under Lord Elrond’s household…
For this hope, did Eliriael gamble the ring away from her hand. Even then, she could not have guaranteed that Miruial would not have kept the ring herself and remained by the sea. But she was content, for her small game of chance and fate had brought both ring and friend back to her.
