Envandiel paused before the door. Night had fallen and the stars were alight above, and a golden glow poured from the entrance ahead. The Grand Elven Ball of Imladris. She took a deep breath to steady herself.
There had been other balls she had gone to, long ago. She closed her eyes, remembering…
Metime grabbed her hand and nearly dragged her along. “You must not hide in the forges all the time! This will be fun!”
Trapped between her two best friends, Metime and Tundion, Envandiel reluctantly entered the hall, leaving the white streets of Gondolin behind her. The ball was a flurry of color and music and despite her preference of quiet she found herself swept up into the dancing as Metime dragged her along…
Envandiel shook her head and was again in Imladris. Her new-met cousin stood in uniform and greeted her with a warm smile as she entered the hall.
The night was long, and the dancing was beautiful to see, but she did not dance in the hall. Rather, she found a quiet corner and spent the time in the company of a few others as they talked and watched. It was peaceful, and once again she found herself enjoying the party in spite of herself.
At least, until the proposal. The kinslayer of the cruel words was to wed her cousin! Everyone cheered and celebrated, but she could only watch in shock and some dismay. Yet even so, he seemed more mellowed this eve and did not direct any barbs her way... for once. She would have to keep an eye on this, she supposed, though the temptation to leave and return to her solitude was growing.
But she had made a promise to her cousin to join in one dance. And so as the party ended and the guests went outside, she and the three other ellith performed a dance and song. And for a few moments she felt like she was flying, light and without a care.
