Gondolin, First Age: 450
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A small, silver haired elf, sits quietly in one corner of a great hall. His back against a marble column and his legs folded in a comfortable manner. A curious thing, for this scene opposed the tone of the festivities that were occurring around him.
The great hall of the House of the Heavenly Arch was decorated in a fancier fashion than the child had seen in a long time. The great hall glittered in the light of the fires and the banners of the house were proudly displayed up above. The floor was filled with dancing couples and tables were laden with the most delicious of morsels and crystal goblets of the finest wines.
It was a scene that many were honored to be able to take part in. It seemed almost as if a dream, with the beauty of it. For the young elf though, he was much more interested in the book in his hands.
"What ever do you think you are doing with that foolish book, little cousin?" A sarcastic voice breaches the music and chattering that can be heard in the background.
One glance up from the mentioned book would allow a look at two tall and handsome elves, both greatly on their way to reaching adulthood. They both wore tunics and trousers of the finest silks and satins. The dark, midnight blues of their garb standing out against the silver gems and jewelry that rested upon their ears and fingers. The boys' long, black hair was intricately braided, not a hair out of place.
Though they may have seemed at first glance like princes or lords, the smirks upon their fair faces led one to the assumption of perhaps a less courteous attitude.
"Arvellas, Fileg. Don't you have some young maidens to be annoying or something?" The third elf, much younger and smaller in appearance rolls his eyes at the other two before looking back down at his book.
"Do not worry, little cousin. We shall dance with the finest and most dignified of ladies in due time. But for now, we wish to pester our dear cousin." The one on the left speaks as the one on the right reaches down and snatches the book out of the silver haired elf's hands.
"Fileg! Give that back!" Ithilwe stands up in a flash, tripping over his new boots in the process.
"Aw, how cute. Doesn't he look adorable Fileg? He almost looks like he could pass as a civilized member of the House of the Heavenly Arch!" Arvellas speaks in an insulting tone.
The young Ithilwe pouts as Arvellas pats him harshly on the top of his head and looks down at his own outfit.
His mother had ordered the tunic, trousers, and even the circlet specially made for the occasion. He picks at his clothing, all while trying to grab for his book that Fileg held out of reach. His own silver hair was done simply, only two small braids pulled back with a blue ribbon to leave his face clear. Upon his forehead sat a silver circlet, small bands of metal intertwining and meeting in the front, where a sapphire gem sat at the center of attention.
His tunic was short, and the azure colored fabric was stitched with silver and gold threads, creating designs of birds and flowers. This was complimented dark trousers and black, leather boots that reached his knees. He too was adorned with gems upon his fingers and neck.
"Give me my book Fileg!" Ithilwe stomps his foot childishly and pouts further when his attempts to reach his book fail.
Fileg flips through the book, smirk still firmly set upon his face. Arvellas joins his brother in their inspection of the tome, but his hand rests firmly upon Ithilwe's shoulder. This further prevents the younger elf from retrieving his prized possession.
"And why would we give it back to you, Little Moon?" Fileg sneers. "Why would you want to read a stupid book when you could be out there enjoying the party?"
Arvellas grabs the book from his brothers hand and holds it high above Ithilwe's head mockingly.
"Because it is more interesting than the party....and you."
The child sticks his tongue out at his two older cousins.
"Is that so, little cousin? What could be so fascintating about this thing that you would turn from the excitement of the dancing and good food to read it?" Arvellas opens the book again and takes a moment to read before scoffing. "A book on the lineages of the families of the Houses of Gondolin? You find this nonsense joyous to read? I knew you were odd, cousin, but this is just ridiculous."
Ithilwe digs his foot into the marbled floor of the corner he had been sitting in. His small fists clench and he rolls his eyes. "It may be ridiculous, but at least I'm not a daft idiot who has no use except for wielding a sword!"
The two dark haired elves pause, before leering down at him in tandem. The smaller elf shrinks back in fear.
"You think you are so smart, don't you Little Moon?" The nickname is said in a mocking manner.
"I....I...." Ithilwe stutters, not knowing what to say to get them to stop their cruel teasing.
"Well if you are so smart, my dear, sweet cousin. Then come get your stupid book!"
Arvellas darts off without another word, his brother following in tandem. Their loud laughs are heard as they rush off into the center of the hall.
Ithilwe, shocked and confused, barely has time to realize what had happened before his cousins have disappeared into the crowd. Now fully roused from his peaceful evening he stomps after them in annoyance.
"Arvellas! Fileg! Come back!" He yells out, though the sound is drowned out by the crowd and lively music.
The child darts first through a crowd of nobles gathered at a table sipping their wine, his movements so quick that the silks of their robes flutter in the wind as he passes. All of them turn in sync with their perfect raised eyebrows as the boy rushes past.
Ithilwe weaves in and out of many dancing couples, their garb creating a rainbow of fluttering silks and satins as he passes. These elves barely spare him a glance as he slides past them, dancing in his own way. He is sure footed and swift, though the occasional bump into a party goer or two forces him to pause and perform a bow and apology. He moves on, eyes still darting around the hall trying to find his cousins.
The silver haired child is unlucky enough to not be looking ahead of him when he runs smack into somebody's silk covered back. Ithilwe falls to the ground with a thump. His ungraceful movements causing the larger elf to turn around. The young one gulps as he looks up, only to find his finely dressed father glaring down at him.
"Ithilwe! What do you think you are doing?"
The older elf chastises him as he scrambles up from the floor, readjusting his tunic and dusting off his trousers as he goes.
"I was just... Arvellas and Fileg stole my book!" He pouts at his father and then his mother as she appears from behind.
"Little Moon. You know better than to let your cousins bother you, do you not?"
The woman dressed in her fashionable gown smiles gently at Ithilwe, alerting to him that no harm was done and they were not truly angry.
"Aye, Nana. But they were...." He trails off as he notices Fileg waving his book in the air from across the hall. A rude gesture from Arvellas makes him snarl and move to run off without any further explanation.
The last thing he sees of his parents are them laughing at his antics and his father taking his mother's hand and leading her to greet a stranger. A tall, red haired elf with a nervous smile. Ithilwe stares for a moment, but then shrugs in indifference. He returns his attention to finding his cousins.
He winds in and out of the dancers and party goers for what seems like ages but must have been no more than twenty minutes. The boy pauses, trying to catch his breath. It seemed as if his cousins had disappeared. Every so often he would catch sight of one of them pointing at him and laughing, or waving his book. No matter how fast he chased or how many turns he took, he was no more successful than he had been before.
Being young, and easily distracted, Ithilwe catches sight of the musicians and gives pause to the chase once more. The music luring him in with its sweet melodies.
"Oh!" He exclaims as he watches the musicians play their instruments masterfully.
A grin forms on his face as he shifts back and forth, almost dancing to the tune.
Among the musicians was the copper haired elf he had seen his parents greet at the front of the hall. His eyes linger on the handsome elf for a moment, before he jumps high in the air with a small help.
The person who had tapped him on his shoulder laughs, joined in by a second elf but moments later.
"Give up already, little cousin?"
Ithilwe turns around to give his most ferocious glare to his cousins.
"Never!" He says sternly, running after as the two skip through the crowd, laughing cruelly.
"Valar help me..." The young elf whispers as he dashes across the ballroom floor. This time, he makes sure to not lose sight of Arvellas and Fileg. He focuses in on them, his short stature making it difficult, but his feet guiding him where he needed to go. He grins, knowing that now he was on to them.
His thin legs take him around the dancers in the center of the hall, his speed an odd sight when compared to the slow waltz that was now being played. His cousins continue to yell taunts at him as he is still unable to catch up to them.
Ithilwe is so fixated on the following the forms of his cousins that he pays little attention to the ground and his feet. A mistake, for he does not notice the book on the shining, marble floor and he trips over it. For a second time that night, he falls to the ground with a shout.
"Well, what a spectacular sight, brother, don't you think?" Arvellas' voice comes first.
"Ah, to see the Little Moon fall in such a grand fashion. A joy to behold!" And there is Fileg, kind as ever.
"Aye, how graceful he is!"
The silver haired boy scrambles up from the ground, grabbing his precious book as he goes, and holding it to his chest.
"Why can't you go pick on somebody else, huh?" The child asks, voice shaking and his lip wobbling dangerously.
"Oh come now cousin. Don't cry now. We are just teasing you. Learn to take a joke, hmmm?" Fileg rolls his eyes, patting Ithilwe harshly on his little head once more.
"Why can't you just let me read my book in peace?" Ithilwe steels his gaze and glares at the two.
It seems though that the two older elves had lost interest in their little game, for their gaze now rested upon two dazzling elleths on the dance floor, one in a gown of deep purple and the other in one of pale blue. The small child rolls his eyes, knowing that they will not give him a verbal answer. Arvellas waves him away dismissively and Ithilwe runs off, leaving his cousins to their disgusting ogling.
Eventually, he finds himself in the same corner he had started in, curled up comfortably with the large book held open in his hands. For all the bustling and events happening around him, there was nothing more that could rouse him from his reading.
