116: The New Year’s Ball

They returned to the antechamber where Glorfindel was still sleeping. Finrod went directly to Glorfindel’s couch and gently caressed his forehead, calling to him softly. Slowly, almost reluctantly, Glorfindel’s eyes focused and he looked up at Finrod with a slight smile which Finrod returned.

"Time to get up now, hanno," he said. "The Ball will be starting soon."

Glorfindel nodded and rose, never noticing the two Maiar fading from sight at that point. Arafinwë came over and gave the ellon a brief hug.

"Are you feeling better, child?" he asked quietly.

Glorfindel nodded. "A little, Atar."

Then Ingwë came over and brushed a hand through the ellon’s braided hair. "I’m sorry for distressing you, Glorfindel. It was not my intent and indeed, until the very last moment I did not know myself if I would do... what I did."

Glorfindel ducked his head, looking sheepish. "I’m sorry I... I made it necessary for you to demean your..."

Ingwë put a finger to Glorfindel’s lips. "Hush now. Is that what upset you so, child, thinking you were the cause of my humiliation?" At Glorfindel’s nod, Ingwë took him in his arms and hugged him. "Child, acts of true humility are never demeaning, not to the one who expresses them nor to the recipients of such acts. I did what I did, not for you, but for myself. It was something I needed to do in order to be able to live with myself. Do you understand?"

Glorfindel frowned slightly then shrugged. "I guess," he said shyly.

Finrod decided to intervene then. "Come, hanno, let’s go and refresh ourselves before we attend the Ball. I wish to speak with Amarië first, anyway," he gave both Glorfindel and Sador significant looks which the two ellyn returned with smirks. "If my lords will excuse us," Finrod then said as he turned to Ingwë and Arafinwë with a bow. Glorfindel and Sador followed suit. The two kings gave their consent with nods. Ingwion gave his atar a knowing smile and, after his own bow, followed the other ellyn out.

When they were alone, Ingwë turned to Arafinwë with a thoughtful look. "Do you wish to lay bets on who disrupts the Ball first, Glorfindel or Findaráto?"

Arafinwë merely smiled.

****

The New Year’s Ball always began two hours after midnight. Normally, there would be a special ceremony at midnight welcoming in the new coranar, but that ceremony had been put aside for the one involving Ingwë and Glorfindel. The Ball, itself, would continue into the early morning hours, ending with a breakfast feast. The rest of the day would be devoted to concerts and picnics, if the weather held. This year, there was the added bonus of the tournament, which would start the following day.

The Ball was held in the main ballroom overlooking the High King’s gardens with a view of the Pelóri range in the distance. Oiolossë itself rose to the east, majestic and daunting in all its granitic glory. The room was about two hundred paces long and only about eighty paces wide. Along the south wall were panels of floor-to-ceiling mirrors reflecting the light from the mithril-wrought candelabra that stood elf-high before each mirror. Between the mirrors were frescoes detailing Elves dancing in woodland glades or otherwise making merriment. Opposite were a series of open arches leading to a balcony. Stairs at either end of the balcony led to the gardens below. On the east wall hung a large tapestry, a gift from Lady Vairë, depicting the Wedding of Lord Tulkas and Lady Nessa when the Valar resided in Almaren. Before this was a dais where stood Ingwë and Elindis’ thrones. The main entrance was at the west end with a musician’s gallery above it. Side doors beneath the frescoes led to smaller antechambers where those not interested in dancing could congregate and talk or take refreshments. The ceiling was painted the dark blue of a midnight sky and small diamonds studded it, imitating the heavens. The floor was a mosaic map of Arda showing all the lands with Aman at the center.

When Finrod entered the ballroom, flanked by Glorfindel and Sador, most of those attending the ball were already there. For all the glitter and opulence of the elves’ garb, this was a strictly informal affair. Only Ingwë and Elindis would be formally announced upon their arrival. Others, whatever their rank, were free to mingle as they pleased. The three ellyn made their way along the southern wall to where Finrod had spied Amarië standing with her parents. Along the way, several elves greeted the Reborn prince and Glorfindel, though none bothered greeting Sador, unsure who the strange ellon was with his single front braid. Sador didn’t mind, finding the attitude of the Vanyarin nobles amusing rather than insulting. Both Finrod and Glorfindel, however, were not amused and took pains to introduce Sador to the others. Even then, he was still looked upon with some degree of surprise and even suspicion on the part of some elves.

Eventually, they found themselves joining Amarië and her parents. The ellyn gave them all bows of greeting. Almáriel frowned slightly but her daughter welcomed them with a tremulous smile while Castamir greeted them with an open expression of delight and amusement.

"I understand, young Findaráto," he said, giving the ellon a wink, "that you and my daughter will be making an important announcement tonight."

"Yes, my lord," Finrod said smoothly, "and for that reason I wish to have speech with Lady Amarië to discuss how we might best present the announcement."

Almáriel spoke then. "And these two are needed to complete the discussion?" She nodded imperiously at Glorfindel and Sador.

Glorfindel merely grinned, all evidence of the shock he had experienced earlier gone. "Sador and I are here to assure them their privacy, my lady. We don’t want any... er... interruptions."

Before Almáriel could comment, Castamir nodded, making slight shooing motions. "Go then, my children, and discuss what you will. We look forward to the announcement."

The three ellyn bowed again and Finrod offered Amarië his arm, which she accepted gratefully, though there was a slightly puzzled look in her eyes as she tried to fathom what her betrothed and his brothers were finding so amusing. Finrod led them, not into one of the antechambers, but out onto the balcony and down the eastern stairs into the garden. He seemed to know just where he was going and indeed in a matter of minutes they found themselves in a cul-de-sac where a small gazebo was surrounded by poplars offering shade during the day. At night, with Isil shining down upon them, it was gently bathed in moonlight... and very private.

Both Sador and Glorfindel stood before the entrance to the cul-de-sac while Finrod led Amarië to the gazebo. Neither of the two ellyn could hear what was said, but at some point they heard Amarië give a shriek of surprise, quickly suppressed, followed by soft giggling. Then there was silence that spoke volumes to the two standing guard. They exchanged knowing grins, immensely pleased with themselves.

****

By the time they returned to the ballroom, the dancing was just about to begin. They entered from the balcony in time to see Ingwë and Elindis heading the line for the first pavane. Finrod gave Amarië a grin and the two of them joined the end of the line just as the music began. Glorfindel and Sador watched with amusement as their brother effortlessly escorted Amarië through the stately steps, their demeanor less sober than propriety perhaps allowed, but neither noticed the slightly disapproving glances of the other couples or even Almáriel’s haughty glare as they swept past her. Castamir was too busy comparing Amanian and Beleriandic poetic forms with Haldir and Gwilwileth, who were there at Arafinwë’s invitation, to pay any attention.

The dance eventually ended and Finrod and Amarië began to mingle, making their obeisance to Ingwë and Elindis, apologizing to the royal couple for not being present at their arrival.

"We had... um... something to discuss," Finrod said diffidently. Amarië tried to maintain a neutral air, but her excitement was palpable, though neither Ingwë nor Elindis suspected the real reason for it. Both royals gave the young couple knowing smiles and graciously accepted their apologies.

"When will we be given the pleasure of hearing your announcement?" Ingwë asked, trying not to leer, and was pleased to see the two children blush.

"Later, Uncle, when most of the guests are... er... less sober."

Ingwë laughed merrily at that. "But do not delay overlong, my son," he said. "We still want them sober enough to remember you even made the announcement. It wouldn’t do to have to repeat it later on."

The couple bowed at that point and Ingwë released them to join the rest of the crowd. Eventually they made their way to where Glorfindel and Sador still stood by one of the arches leading to the balcony, each sipping some wine.

"Well?" Glorfindel asked.

"As dawn is breaking," Finrod said. Glorfindel and Sador nodded.

"What do you think Lady Almáriel’s reaction will be?" Sador asked.

Finrod looked at Amarië who smiled wanly, knowing full well how her amillë would react. Finrod turned back to his brothers and shrugged, giving them a wry grin. "I’m wondering what everyone else’s reaction is going to be. I get the feeling that others beside Amarië’s amillë are manipulating us into making this announcement."

"Well, if so, they’re not going to be pleased when you tell them," Glorfindel said shrewdly. Then he shrugged and gave them his own grin. "It should be fun, nonetheless, to watch."

They all laughed, even Amarië.

Watching them from a distance, the three High Kings of Eldamar and their wives looked on with fond indulgence, little suspecting that things were not as they imagined.

****

The Ball continued without incident over the next few hours. Glorfindel and Sador both took turns dancing with Amarië, as well as with some of the other ellith. All three ellyn danced with Eärwen, as was only proper and Finrod also danced with Elindis, since she was his great-aunt, and with Lirillë, his anamillë. Wine flowed, as did the speculations, when many began to notice that Finrod danced mostly with Amarië, and outside of Glorfindel and Sador, she refused to dance with any of the other unattached ellyn.

As the sky outside was lightening, Ingwë signalled for the musicians to cease playing and people began to quiet, knowing that something was about to happen. Ingwë and Elindis stood before their thrones, with Arafinwë and Eärwen on Ingwë’s right and Castamir and Almáriel on Elindis’ left. Finrod and Amarië stood off to one side with Glorfindel and Sador flanking them. The couple looked nervous and there were many knowing smiles among the spectators.

Ingwë was just about to address the crowd when a stir in the air alerted everyone to the presence of more than one of the Valar. All made their obeisance when, not only Manwë and Varda, but all the other Valar appeared, clothed in brilliant finery that outshone even the most exquisite garb worn by any elf.

Manwë smiled benignly at Ingwë. "Pray excuse our rather sudden appearance, my children, but we have been awaiting this announcement for as long as you and wish to be here to witness it."

Ingwë bowed to the Elder King. "We are honored that you would wish to be here, my lords, my ladies. I was just about to address the court."

"Then please do," Manwë said and the Valar all seemed to step back to give everyone room without seeming to have moved at all.

Ingwë cleared his throat and motioned for Finrod and Amarië to approach, which they did. Amarië suddenly looked shy and uncertain. Finrod merely gave Manwë a skeptical look which the Elder King returned with a wide grin. Ingwë began to speak.

"It is my great pleasure to tell you that my beloved Great-nephew, Prince Findaráto, and the Lady Amarië have an important announcement to make."

Finrod and Amarië gave Ingwë their obeisance before turning back to the crowd. Finrod took Amarië’s hand and kissed it gently, giving her an encouraging smile, before turning his gaze on the court.

"Many have looked to this day with great anticipation," he began, taking care not to look towards where Amarië’s parents stood. "After... um... due consideration, Lady Amarië and I would like to formally announce our betrothal."

Murmurs of surprise ran through the crowd, which quieted when Finrod raised his hand. "It has been suggested that a Midsummer wedding would be appropriate." Here he stole a quick glance at Glorfindel and Sador, both of whom gave him a brief nod. He took a deep breath and continued. "Amarië and I agree..."

"Finally!" Almáriel uttered loud enough for all to hear. There were titters of amusement at that.

"...agree," Finrod repeated, "that Midsummer twelve years from now..."

"WHAT!?" Almáriel shouted in furious disbelief.

"... twelve years from now, will be most appropriate," Finrod finished quickly.

Almáriel continued to fume, making her displeasure known to all, while her husband attempted to calm her. Ingwë exchanged rueful glances with Arafinwë, shrugged and reached into a pouch to draw out a single silver coin, handing it over to the Noldóran, who did his best not to smirk. Glorfindel and Sador laughed, doing an impromptu jig. At that moment, there was another stir of air and Eönwë appeared, looking harrassed, and carrying the Book of Oaths. He shook his head at Almáriel in disbelief even as the Book opened and he began to write while the Valar all smiled benignly as chaos erupted throughout the ballroom.

****

Coranar: Sun-round.