After Part 2 1/2
(Three weeks before the Dragon)
The clear night was illuminated by the waxing crescent moon, as we rode over the snow covered plains to Nen Turyande. Of all our seasonal rides, this one could present the most trouble, as one could never quite know what the weather would do. It was, nonetheless, my second favourite. The Fort celebrated Mid winter and all that went with it. There would be decorations on the streets, though not in the actual fort tower, and merchants selling winter delights in the town square. The smell of more unusual foods was a temptation that had us all wanting to make trial, every year, the same treats. The fragrance of the pines was all about. Folk hung cuttings of greenery, particularly that with red berries, from their homes, and some made thanks to Yavanna.
My family tended not to adhere to any Vala save Tintalie, with respect still held for Aule. I knew of Yavanna, and sometimes bowed my head in ‘thanks’ for some aspect or another of her creation. But that was it. Hirinde’s family still held Orome in regard. They were archers and scouts and hunters. It made sense. Like us, Rilye’s family held to Tintalie, and her then husband Caro to Aule. It made little difference. Many still held regard for some of the Valar, some others had no time for any of those they saw as betraying us. We did not usually make it a matter of disagreement between ourselves. We were all loyal to the same Prince, the same family.
There was little sign of animal life. Unlike other seasons very rare birdsong blessed our ears. We saw a few winter coated foxes springing into the snow to catch a prey buried within. A couple of larger owls graced the night sky with soundless flight. We three made little noise as we passed on our horses. Even our conversation, at other seasons so forthcoming, was a touch abated. We, all wrapped in our best furs, and with thick, layered woolen gowns, suffered little from the chill.
Yet we were more cautious than most times. Rilye was three months with child. She could easily tire. Caro had been apprehensive. He was working late on a new house for them both, a more spacious dwelling in a Citadel that had little remaining space. We all said he could ride with us. It would be like our younger days, but he knew the time we nissi spent together was special to us.
“Call, and I will come running,” he had said.
We all laughed. “Oh yes, and we carry horns that can be heard over that distance,” Rilye had replied.
He knew Hirinde and I would guard her with our lives.
He also knew such a need would be extremely unlikely.
As we rode, we marveled at the night sky. (It was still early, though at almost mid-winter it was dark very early.) Cold and clear, I could almost hear the great music of the stars, tinkling in the ice cold distance.
“So Carnifinde, when are you going to do something about the situation?” Hirinde broke the silence.
“What situation?”
Both nissi rolled their eyes at me. Rilye laughed merrily.
“I am wed these past forty years. Hirinde is to be betrothed to Nortaro before the year ends. You are still playing some cat and mouse game. It is way past time one of you pounced?”
I smiled. I couldn’t help it when their words turned in that direction.
“You think me foolish for wasting years?”
They both said ‘no’, but they both nodded.
“You never get any closer. We see you watching, and we see him watching. Nothing ever happens,” said Hirinde. “I remember that time, one hundred years part now, when you tried to give him a gift and he ran away.”
I blushed a little as I remembered. “He smiled at me.”
Both my friends made sign of mock astonishment.
“Oh come on. You both know what he is like. Something, I suspect his parents, holds him back. He did not want to ‘run off’. He wanted to talk. But he was looking around the hall to see if he was being watched.”
Thoughtful Hirinde rode close to me, and gave me a hug. “We do not wish to annoy you, dearest friend. We wish to see you happy.”
I sighed. I had my plans. “When he returns from Barad Eithel I shall do all I can to win his notice. May it be that Prince Caranthir looks favourably upon me, and has a word with him?”
Both the others made faces at that. “You will play your trump card?” said Rilye.
We all laughed. It was no secret our Prince would aid me if he thought it right. My task was to utterly convince him.
And we rode on, into the deepening dark, as heavy clouds temporarily masked the moonlight.
Three young nissi, with the world before them. Or so we thought.
