Lothelian swung the door open and slid into her seat at the dinner table, smiling delightedly as delicious smells wafted out of the kitchen. She could see Ada arranging some food on a platter, and Nana slicing bread in the adjourning room. Folding her napkin neatly upon her plate, she looked around for any sign of her older sister, fiddling absently with the pale pink quartz crystal in her pocket.
Luthelian bit down on the piece of bread she had in her hand as she followed Ada and Nana to the dinner table in the other room. The family of four sat down and began to share their evening meal. Everyone seemed at ease and only the sound of cutlery upon the plates filled the tranquil atmosphere.
"How were your days, my dears?" Ada asked in his even voice. Luthelian glanced up under her lashes and shared a brief look with her father. He gave her an almost imperceptible wink that only she caught.
"It was wonderful," she gave as a non-committal answer. The less she talked, the better her plan would go.
Nudging her younger sister's arm with her elbow, she continued to look at her plate and concentrate her efforts upon evenly cutting her meal into digestible pieces.
Lothelian looked up from her dinner and smiled at her mother.
"I learned much from your lessons in the forge this morning, Nana. And I have found a new project, see?" She held up the pink quartz crystal. "This I found in a vein of quartz on a large boulder, and I am going to polish it and set it in a necklace."
Their mother smiled briefly, before nodding. "That is well. You have always been a quick learner. But I think it would be good for you to seek the advice of a more experienced master, if you are truly to master the metal-craft of the Noldor."
Lothelian nodded enthusiastically. "That is exactly what I was thinking, Nana. You mentioned that there were several experienced metalsmiths in Bar-en-Vanimar, did you not? Perhaps it might be good for me to learn from one of them?"
Naneth looked sharply at Lothelian, as if trying to figure out what had caused this sudden remark. She cleared her throat to speak, but her eyes softened as she saw the excitement and enthusiasm sparkling in Lotheilan's eyes.
"Well, I am glad that you are thinking toward advancing your craft now, instead of dallying in the forge with all those silly soldier boys. I have a few acquaintances who know some of the smiths within Vanimar. Perhaps I shall speak with them and see if I can find a tutor for you."
Lothelian smiled, and clasped her hands together. "Thank you ever so much, Nana," she beamed. "I will be sure to be a model student."
She glanced at Luthelian, who was still eating silently. "Go on, faerind," she whispered to her sister. "I am sure Ada will be much easier to convince."
"Already done," Luthelian whispered back with a triumphant smile. She had taken the opportunity that afternoon to patrol the high moor with Ada and freely express her desire to join Bar-en-Vanimar. His eyes had been kind and understanding as he listened to her dreams and ambitions. Those same grey eyes looked at her firmly now from across the table, encouraging her to speak her mind, but carefully.
"That is such a clever idea, sister," she began as if the thought of seeking out the members of Vanimar had not been first her own, which she planted within her twin sister. "I'm sure you would learn much and grow only greater in skill."
She paused a moment to make it convincing that a new idea was being born in her mind at that moment. "Nana, what do you think if I joined their order of archers and scouts to further my training as well?" she asked, keeping her voice as calm as possible. In reality, her heart beat loudly in her ears, hoping that she made her case as appealingly as possible to Naneth. Ultimately, her response was the most important and the family waited, a pregnant tension in the air.
Naneth said nothing for a moment, her steely grey gaze sharp as the swords she crafted. Her eyes flicked over her two daughters seated side by side at the table, hopeful and bright-eyed. Finally she inclined her head ever so slightly, and a feline smile broke out on her face.
"I see that your father and I have taught you well, daughters. You must never forget that you are of the Noldor, and that your duty lies with your people above all. I know not what prompted you two to consider joining Bar-en-Vanimar, but I will not dissuade you, if that be your wish." She fixed Luthelian with a sharp glance.
"As for you, Ranorniel, be careful what you ask. Though I give you leave to seek entry to the Arrow, think not that they admit every half-learned recruit to their ranks. You and your father ought to go out and practice more, if you wish to be accepted within the seasoned warriors of such an honored Order."
She turned for a moment and placed a hand on her husband's arm. "I am proud of you, my love. You have taught her well."
Ada only smiled and nodded mildly, content to see his wife and daughters happy.
Lothelian flashed her sister a triumphant smile, and gave her hand a squeeze under the table. "See? That was not so bad," she whispered.
Though Naneth's voice remained firm, her eyes twinkled slightly. "I am glad that my daughters are growing up, and wish to join themselves to an honorable house of Noldor. Angreniel, you must be a good student and not displease your tutors, for I will not have you waste their time."
Lothelian nodded vigorously. "May we begin soon, then?" She smiled as her mother inclined her head once more.
"I will see about finding you a tutor, Angreniel, and I am sure your father can secure a recommendation for your sister. But do not sit there gaping at me, daughters. I have not made all this food for it to go cold and uneaten."
Luthelian beamed at her mother. "Yes, Nana. Now could you pass me some of that stew, please? It smells delicious."
faerind - from Sindarin faer 'spirit' and ind 'inner thought, heart'. Used as a term of endearment between the sisters, meaning 'kindred spirit'
Naneth, Nana - S. 'Mother, Mama'
Ada - S. 'Father'
