[Ealasaid]

“Finduilas! Tessa!” exclaimed Averyll, looking up at the two women that now stood at their table. Both were dressed beautifully, one in ivory, the other in a frock of pale yellow. “Where have you been all morning? And these two ladies - “ she indicated Vieana and Elen with a nod and an impish smile “ - were heckling me that I might have hopped a ship back to Dol Amroth…”

Tessa laughed, and Finduilas gave them a serene smile. “Now, why would I do that?” Finduilas asked, taking her seat opposite the other ladies. “When there is so much to do here to get ready for the wedding.” She helped herself to a plate of grapes and melon slices. “Did you have a good time at the party last night? Wasn’t everyone charming?”

Averyll and Elen exchanged a glance.

“Oh, the party was lovely!” answered Elen quickly. “Everyone was so friendly and charming. And I’ve never seen so many beautiful dresses. The seamstresses here can’t begin to compete with your Diorwyn, but they did turn out some beautiful gowns.”

Tessa rolled her eyes. “All everyone did all night was jostle around to get a peek at us. It was like being in a display case for the evening.”

Finduilas gave her a reproachful look. “Don’t be wicked, Tessa. You can’t blame them for being curious.”

“What I want to know,” interjected Vieana. “Is what you think of your new home. How does Minas Tirith suit you?”

Finduilas paused a moment to think, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. “I can’t say as I have seen enough of it yet to know, but I will look to like, if that makes any difference.” She paused again, this time to take a bite of fruit. “The people have certainly gone out of their way to make me feel welcome. I wouldn’t have been surprised to encounter just a little jealousy even, but, so far, everyone has been very kind.”

Remembering the young Minas Tirith woman who had left the party the night before in tears, Averyll bit her tongue. When she gasped and raised her hand to her mouth, Vieana gave her a sharp look, reminding Averyll with her eyes that they had already agreed not to share what they had heard with Tessa or Finduilas just yet. With tears of pain in her own eyes, Averyll nodded. “I’m sorry,” she said once she could speak again. “I just bit my tongue. I know it’s not on the menu, but there it was! I couldn‘t resist.”

The other ladies laughed and, although Averyll wanted to crawl under the table, it was too late. Attention was already on her.

“So, Averyll,” said Finduilas lightly. “How do you like Minas Tirith?”

“It’s an interesting place,” she answered carefully. “I met a baker this morning who swears he has the best sticky buns in the world. I thought it was a bit cocky of him, but, not being an authority on sticky buns, I couldn’t call him to task for it. For all I know, he might!”

The other ladies laughed again, but Tessa was not willing to let her duck the question so easily. “That’s fascinating, Averyll,” she said. “But I think what Finduilas really wants to know is what you thought of Denethor!” Her brown eyes sparkled mischievously.

“Tessa!” exclaimed Finduilas, a slight flush rising in her cheeks.

As the other ladies burst into laughter again, Averyll made her escape. “Oh, my goodness!” she exclaimed, raising an empty pitcher. “We’re out of drinks! I’ll just pop round to the kitchen and ask the cook for more.”

Vieana pointed to a bell on the side board. “We can ring for more!” she called after Averyll, but it was too late. Averyll had already slipped out the door, pitcher in hand.

As she made her way down the hall toward the kitchen, Averyll silently berated herself for being such a ninny, biting her tongue and then rushing out like a thief with a guilty conscience. All Finduilas had wanted to know was how Averyll liked Minas Tirith, but Averyll was afraid that once she got talking, she would let something slip, something that might color Finduilas’ view of the city that was to be her new home in a negative light. Averyll did not want to do that. In her opinion, Finduilas needed to think Minas Tirith was wonderful. She and Elen and Vieana would have to protect her as best they could and as long as they could from the jealousy and evil rumors. Thinking of which, Averyll suddenly smiled to herself. Maybe she could use this opportunity to see what the servants in the kitchen were talking about. She quickened her step. Whatever was being said among the nobility, the servants were usually the first to hear it.