[Arien]

The Morning of the Luncheon

The sun streamed through Alethea’s window, bathing the grand room in the fresh morning sunlight. She rolled over on the bed, to face the fire place which was now extinguished except for a few last dying embers which refused to give up on glowing. She sat there for a few minuets listening to the early morning maids going out on their duties. As she got up from her bed a knock came on the door.

“Yes? She said clearly speaking towards the door, “ Who is it?” a pause came as Alethea slowly walked to the door her hair falling perfectly to her side. She always wondered why it did this, other women, when the rose from a nights sleep their hair was not much top desire but hers was strange, it was perfect. She walked to the door and asked again.

“Its Meirelle,” Alethea smiled and opened the door with her key. It was always locked whether she was in it or out of her room, safety procedure is what she always told herself, but in truth she liked to escape the world. She never liked maids coming in and out of her room, doing things she was perfectly capable of her self. She placed the key into the lock and opened the door to reveal Meirelle.

“Hello…” said Alethea wearily, sleep still lingering.

“Good morning Miss Morthaniawen,” she beamed at her, a tray in hand no doubt full of breakfast. Alethea let her in shutting and locking the door behind them.

“How many times Meirelle?” Alethea laughed, lazily slumping down into the closest chair to her.

“How many times what Miss Morthaniawen?” replied the maid innocently.

“You know very well…..my name is Alethea, it may be Miss Morthaniawen, but I prefer Alethea. I am not my sister nor my mother……Do you find me calling you by your second name?” Meirelle placed her hands on her hips and shook her head. “well don’t do it to me, I have known you long enough!” Alethea really hated being called Miss Morthaniawen. It was so, so fake. Why not call people by the real names instead of giving them some glorified stature by calling them Miss or Lady or Lord. She knew well that if they were not to be suspected I Minas Tirith then they had to adorn themselves with that false pretence. But she didn’t see the point. Alethea now watched as Meirelle opened her wardrobe pulling out the more disgusting of her dresses, it was a pale blue dress, with thousands of frills and lacy bits. To far over the top for any occasion. Alethea preferred the more simple dresses

“Are you serious?” Alethea laughed. Skipping over the wardrobe and placing the dress back in. Instead she pulled a plain cream dress out. It fell to the floor simply and the corset was tied at the back with a thick cream ribbon. “This is what I want to wear.”

Meirelle helped her dress, doing up the corset and then the two sat down before the fire place and Alethea started to eat. She picked up a slice of toast and ate it as Meirelle told her of the previous nights events. She liked Meirelle, she seemed to be a genuine person unlike those she was surrounded by, including herself. They laughed together for a while and Alethea shared out her breakfast with her, the breakfast she received down in the kitchen was not exactly the best ever. But Meirelle didn’t complain.

When the had finished Mierelle left and Alethea brushed her hair and sprayed herself with lavender. As she walked out she caught a last glimpse of herself in the mirror and thought back to what Meirelle had said. The rumours have started, we will be ok Alethea. So everything was going to plan. She left her room and headed out.