"...at the great feast of Celeborn and Thranduil!..." These words rang through Araréiel's head. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. Quickly she closed her mouth, at a loss for words. Memories flooded her mind of that feast. And what a feast it was. She had worn the same gown she wore now, only it was new at the time, not old and dirty. Her hair had been laced with ribbon in the same color as the gown, magnificantly displaying the pale lilac of her eyes and creamy color of her pale skin. Splendor and beauty filled everything around her that night, but she had spent most of it talking to suitors. She had not yet known that she would soon be told she must start deciding on her mate. Ignorant that her life would soon change, she enjoyed herself, laughing at the jokes and attempted jokes, at foolish displays for attention. She had her eye on but one, and he had only greeted her, kissing her hand, and welcoming her to the feast, before he had moved on to greet the next guest. Throughout the evening she had watched him, and he had watched her, but no more words had they the chance to speak....
She drank the last of her wine, but held on still the glass, oblivious to what was around her, the inn quieting for the evening. She smiled to herself at the memory, her eyes soft from what she saw in her mind, and spoke, confusion and question clear in her voice as she quetly said to him, "Yes, Eryndil, I was there that night, but how did you know? And...why do you ask?"
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