Somehow things had changed. Friends were bidding farewell, for different reasons. As she watched some of them leave the valley through the open window, all she could hope for them was that their journey would bring them someplace safe.
She took a short step forward towards the vacant desk below the window. Her dress forbade any wider movements. The grey and gold silk robe she had worn for such a long time felt heavy like armour. Would she have need of it? She smirked, thinking she should stop wearing mouse-like raiment and perhaps clothe herself in more vivid colours.
A glance at the marble surfaced table at a pile of opened letters, written in haste. "I regret to inform..." and "I am sorry, but...". She sighed and looked up at the high ceiling in the ambassadors chamber. The cherry wooden beams made its way from the four corners of the floor, winded upwards similar to branches of trees. At the very top, the beams all met in the middle of the ceiling. It had been painted in resemblance to the starry night sky. It reminded her of the tales of the first elves at Cuivienen.
She looked down from the ceiling towards the other desks. The lady Danel had briefly taken a break from replying to the correspondence and her seat was in all likelyhood still warm. The desk next to her was gathering dust. Danel had asked Tingruviel to fill the lord Parnards role as ambassador for the kinship. She was not familiar with the former ambassador save for in rumour and perhaps a chance meeting, but what she had heard was positive. She had high hopes that she would be able to help the house on this matter. That she would serve its members fairly.
A sudden movement drew her gaze to the window sill. A dark little figure was buzzing and bumping against the window, making futile attempts to penetrate the thick glass. Tingruviel, who felt compassion for all beings, unhooked the hatch and the window swung open. As the fly scrambled towards freedom, the act of releasing it had let fresh air enter the room. A loud swat noise suddenly alarmed her and she gracefully leaned out of the window to locate the origin of the sound. A busy Sorontar clad in an apron turned to her, shrugging. In his hand was the origin of the noise. The fly swatter had caught a new victim.
"Something has to be done to the state of that room, lady Tingruviel. Empty wine bottles, papers strewn everywhere... and dust!" Tingruviel smiled, one side of her mouth curved downward ever so slightly as she suddenly felt the urge to retreat. The former ambassador surely did not have time to clean, what with having so many responsibilities. While she grabbed the last pile of letters to send, Danel returned. Tingruviel mentioned that perhaps Sorontar would be willing to remedy the state of the room in the near future. So much had to be done. After a quick exchange of words she hurried out of the door to the fresh air.
