[alaklondewen]

Can the man not leave well enough alone? Pelien was getting irritated with Sador. She’d told him several times that her luncheon was nice, but he just wasn’t having it, and she wasn’t about to tell him about the rumors concerning Finduilas. Relief struck when Adrama’s voice called from the front of the house.

“Excuse me. My daughter needs me.” Pelien straightened her back and lifted her chin as she passed her husband without meeting his eyes.

Pelien was surprised to find Adrama beautifully dressed with a shawl around her shoulders as though she was ready to leave. Suspicion grew in her mind, and she hoped she wasn’t going to meet with Addruran. That boy wasn’t good enough for her, but maybe another young man had asked to see Adrama.

When Pelien inquired about where she was going, Adrama admitted she was meeting someone. Before Pelien could stop them, her eyes widened. Maybe there is a new beau…he’d best be from noble blood, or I’ll never let… Her thoughts were interrupted when Adrama assured her mother she was meeting with a woman. Pelien opened her mouth to reply, but Adrama was out and the door was closed securely behind her. Pelien reached out and softly touched the door with her finger tips. “A woman…ah, what a pity.”

Turning, Pelien entered the dining room where the ladies had eaten early that afternoon. The table was cleared and things appeared to be in proper order. Pelien ran her finger along the edge of the frame of a portrait of her mother’s sister, Prumiel, and then frowned at the dust that was stirred.

“Rummel! Rummel!” That girl had some more work to do, and Pelien was not at all pleased. Rummel appeared within moments and stood before Pelien with her head slightly lowered. “Can you tell me what this is?” Pelien held out her dust covered fingers for the servant to see.

“It’s dust, Madame.” The girl swallowed hard as she answered.

“Do you know where this…dust…came from?” Pelien stood at least three inches taller than Rummel, and she used her height for intimidation purposes.

Rummel was obviously nervous and she shook her head slowly not wanting to look up and meet Pelien’s expression. “You don’t know. I would hope you’d know every inch of these apartments by now and would know where you clean and where you don’t.” Pelien spoke condescendingly without raising her voice. “I’ll tell you where this…this…grime was found. It was here.” She pointed one long finger toward the portrait. “What if one of my guests had rubbed against it? Her dress might have been ruined!”

As Rummel nodded, a soft knock was heard at the door. The girl looked up, over to the entrance with relief and then back at Pelien waiting for permission to answer the door. Pelien waved at her to go, and Rummel returned a minute later saying that a messenger was here to see the Lady Pelien.

A messenger? Pelien wondered who would be sending a message…maybe the Steward’s daughters had had such a lovely time they sent a messenger to invite Pelien to the palace to tea. That must be it, she smiled inwardly thinking about tea at the palace with the Steward.

A thin girl, an obvious maid of some sort, waited patiently by the door. She curtsied when Pelien entered the room. “Lady Pelien, the Lady Averyll sends a message.” The girl stepped forward and handed Pelien a folded piece of parchment. “She asked me to wait for a response…” She might have gone on, but Pelien’s glare put an end to her talk.

Pelien unfolded the paper and held it out almost to arm’s length to read it. The note read as follows:

Dear Lady Pelien,

I was pleased to make your acquaintance at the welcoming ball, and the Ladies Vieana, Eleniel, and I would like to get to know the influential women in Minas Tirith. I, of course, thought of you immediately and would like to pay you a visit. Please give all the information to our messenger.

I am sincerely looking forward to our visit.

Yours truly,

Averyll

Pelien’s eyes looked back over the words ‘influential women in Minas Tirith’ and thought, of course she thought of me. So, the Ladies from Dol Amroth wanted to come to Pelien’s home. This might prove to be an interesting meeting.

“Tell Lady Averyll that they may come here to my home, tomorrow, two hours after the noon bell rings for tea and refreshments.” Pelien was intrigued at the idea of talking with women from Dol Amroth, and she wondered whether they had heard any of the rumors flying about. The messenger curtsied once more and left.

Pelien turned around to find Rummel still standing behind her. “What are you doing here? Get that dirt and grime out of my house. I want my home spotless before those women arrive tomorrow. Go!” Rummel nodded her head and hurried toward the kitchen.

[ August 08, 2003: Message edited by: alaklondewen ]