121: The Winter Solstice Ball

Olwë and the Telerin delegation arrived early the next morning as planned. Along with the delegates and guards, the entire royal family came. Lindarion would head the delegation, of course, but his sister, Olwen, had agreed to act as his assistant, along with Beleg. His younger brother, Salmar, and Salmar’s wife, Faniel, Arafinwë’s sister, had agreed to act as joint hosts for the Telerin and Noldorin delegations while Olwë and Arafinwë and their respective wives tended to Council business. The three monarchs, along with Sador, Amarië, Beleg, Lindarion and Olwen, spent much of the day closeted in Arafinwë’s study reviewing protocol and procedures.

"I have received word from Lord Manwë that all is in readiness at Valmar," Arafinwë said once they were all settled. "The first session of the Council will be held in the Elder King’s mansion but the Winter Solstice Ball will be held in Lord Ulmo’s mansion. As agreed among us, the three royal families will stay at the royal townhouse for the duration along with our respective delegates. The Tol Eressëans will be housed in Valmar though I am unsure what arrangements the Valar have made for accommodations."

Lindarion gave a sigh. "Do we have to stay in that drafty old monstrosity?"

The others laughed. "Old it may be, but where did you get the idea that it was drafty?" Arafinwë asked. "That sounds like something a Mortal would complain about. Eru knows I heard it often enough when I was in Beleriand."

Lindarion grinned sheepishly and stole a glance at Beleg who was blushing. "Túrin used to complain about it all the time, too, when he was growing up in Menegroth," he said with an impish look in his eyes and everyone laughed again, now understanding where Lindarion had gotten the expression.

"At any rate, yonya," Olwë said, "we kings decided it would be best to keep our delegates separate from the Tol Eressëans when the Council is not in session. There will be much after-hours discussion among them and we do not want them to feel inhibited by our presence. If they need to speak with us they can come to us."

"Oh, I know, Atar," Lindarion said. "I just wish we didn’t have to stay in that old townhouse. For some reason it always gives me an unsettled feeling. I much prefer staying at one of the inns instead."

"Well, that is your choice, of course," Olwë said with a shrug.

"No. Mistake me not, Sire," Lindarion said somewhat formally. "I will abide by thy decision in this, but when all this is over, could we not have the place torn down? None of the royal families ever really use it."

"That does not mean that it is never used," Eärwen countered, giving her brother a puzzled look. "Why this reluctance to stay there, hanno?"

Lindarion shrugged and looked uncomfortable. "I just don’t like the place," he muttered, not looking at anyone.

"Well, we’re getting sidetracked here," Lirillë said, giving her son a sympathetic look. "Let’s concentrate on the Council and worry about the townhouse later. So Lord Ulmo is hosting the Winter Solstice Ball, is he? That should prove interesting."

There were nods all around. "And the first session of the Council will begin when?" Amarië asked. "Certainly not the next day. Most, if not all, of the delegates will probably not be sober."

"Probably not," Arafinwë replied with a chuckle. "My understanding of the schedule is that the opening session will begin later in the afternoon. There are only two items on the agenda for that first session: introducing the head of each delegation and laying down some procedural ground rules. The actual Council will commence on Valanya. That will give everyone another whole day to recover from the Ball and to acquaint themselves with Valmar and Eldamas."

"Will there be any surprises?" Olwen asked.

"As to that, there is no way to say," her atar said with a rueful look. "Let us just hope that any surprises are few and far between and easily dealt with."

"Násië!" came the fervent reply from more than one voice.

****

They left the next day for the city of the Powers. It was planned that they would arrive in Valmar on the day of the winter solstice. There would be several hours before the Ball began, which would give everyone a chance to rest and freshen up. As the cavalcade reached the eastern gate of Valmar they were met by a host of Maiar wearing surcoats with the emblems of Lord Manwë and Lady Varda. The Amanians greeted the Maiar with grave familiarity, but the Tol Eressëans hung back, awed by the sight of these beings who were only rumors to most of them. Many were unable to accept the looks of genuine love and compassion that they saw in the Maiar’s eyes and had to look away. The lead Maia introduced himself as Fionwë of the People of Manwë.

"Lord Manwë and Lady Varda send their compliments," Fionwë said with a bow to the elves, "and bid you all welcome to Valmar. My fellow Maiar and I have been directed to escort you to where ye will stay for the duration of the Council." He turned to the Amanians. "I assume you know your own way around, my children?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with humor.

"Oh, I imagine we won’t be getting ourselves lost and needing thy help, my lord," Olwë replied nonchalantly and the Maiar all laughed.

"In that case, we will leave you to find your own way while we attend to the comfort of our other guests. There will be a brief ceremony on the Landamallë an hour after sunset and then the Ball will begin after that. One of us will come and escort you."

Olwë and Arafinwë bowed, as did the others in their party. "Thank you, my lord," Olwë said. "We look forward to tonight’s festivities."

"Has my son arrived yet?" Arafinwë asked.

Fionwë nodded. "He and his party arrived last night and are at the townhouse, Arafinwë. Ingwë and the Vanyar are also here."

"Thank you."

With that the Amanians bid the Tol Eressëans farewell, a prospect that did not set too well with most of them, and made their way across the Landamallë to the northern gate. The Maiar gave the Tol Eressëans another bow and Fionwë spoke.

"If ye will follow us, my children, we will show you to your apartments."

There was an uneasy hesitation among the elves and then one group of people stirred, making their way forward from where they’d been riding in the middle of the procession. One of the ellyn in the group bowed to Fionwë. "I am Brethorn, head of the Council of the Reborn. My friends and I are honored to meet thee, my lord, thee and thy brethren."

"Welcome to Valmar, Brethorn," Fionwë said with an approving smile. "I see the Reborn have no fear of us, as is right, for there is naught to fear. The Valar’s Peace be with you."

"And also with thee, my lord," the Reborn replied almost as one.

That seemed to break the tension among the other elves and they allowed themselves to be led into Valmar, the Maiar escorting the various delegations to one mansion or another, for all the Valar were playing hosts to them. Fionwë assured them that they would be welcome to visit one another if they so desired.

"Ye are free to wander as ye will," he told them before escorting those delegates belonging to the Guild of Bards and the Guild of Hostelers to Lord Manwë and Lady Varda’s mansion while the rest went with the other Maiar.

Everyone’s eyes were wide with wonder at the beauty and majesty of the edifices, awed into silence by their hugeness and grandeur on a scale none had ever conceived of before. It did not take long, though, before all were settled in comfortable suites and they began preparing for the evening’s festivities.

****

The Noldor and Teleri reached the royal townhouse to find Ingwë and his family waiting for them, along with Findaráto. Herendil and Vandacalimë were also on hand to greet them, having come from Lórien with Findaráto. There were glad greetings all around. Arafinwë gave his son a fierce hug.

"And all is well with you, and the little ones?" he asked Finrod.

"Yes, Atto, all is well. The little ones are actually here, as are Vorondil and Aldundil."

Arafinwë gave him a look of surprise and Finrod smiled. "Oh, they won’t be attending the Council sessions or anything. Vandacalimë has agreed to act as Mistress of Pages. They will be attending us here as well as continuing their lessons while we are in council." He gave Arafinwë a shy look. "I was going to leave them behind, but I just didn’t have the heart."

Arafinwë smiled knowingly at his son and gave him another hug. "I would have been rather disappointed if you had, yonya. Now come. I see your ammë is impatient to greet you and we need to get settled and prepare for tonight’s festivities." With that he released Finrod from his embrace and turned to greet Ingwë while the others began unloading baggage and making their way inside where Mistress Luhtana and her staff greeted the new arrivals.

****

The royal parties reached the Landamallë to find it ablaze with candlelight. Even as they were passing through the northern gate, Maiar were there handing out small white candles already lit to each of them while others directed them to stand before the Elder King’s mansion. It was a magnificent sight: the elves holding their candles while all around them the mansions of the Valar were lit up in a blaze of glorious illumination as if in defiance of the dark. Then the Valar appeared in a cascade of multi-hued lights too bright for any of the elves to look upon and there were gasps of surprise and even pain as they were forced to look away. When the glow had dimmed to more acceptable levels they all looked to see the Valar standing before the gate leading into Lord Ulmo’s estate, their finery far outshining even that of the High King and Queen, perhaps the most beautifully and opulently dressed of all the elves present, making them appear dull and ordinary in comparison.

Manwë and Varda stepped forward. "Well met, my children," the Elder King said with a smile. "On this, the longest night of the year, we are reminded that the dark has its rightful place in creation but it can never fully conquer the light. The candles you are holding are a dim reminder of this. A single candle is weak and fitful in its illumination and cannot fully drive away the dark, but a multitude of candles may. Remember, alone you have little chance of conquering the darkness which lies within all of us: the darkness of jealousy, hatred and suspicion which is the legacy of our Fallen Brother who taught you to fear the Dark. Yet when you each contribute your one little light to the whole, welcoming the light of others, then you are strong and the Dark cannot conquer you. Remember this as you go about the business of the Council in the days to come. Do not dismiss the light of your fellow elves, whoever they are. It may be that the one light that you disdain is the one most needed to keep the Dark at bay."

He stopped and Varda then spoke. "So, my children, lift up your candles and your voices and join us in song."

From nowhere and everywhere musical instruments began playing and then the Valar and Maiar began singing. The Tol Eressëans gasped in shock as they recognized the hymn Tôl i dhû though it was being sung in Quenya. Then, as the end of the first verse was reached, Sador suddenly began singing the next verse, but in Sindarin. Soon a multitude of voices joined him and the hymn was sung in both languages, alternating from verse to verse with the final verse in Sindarin. Even those among the Amanians who were unfamiliar with the hymn quickly caught on and at least sang the chorus, which was always in Quenya. As the last note of the hymn died away, many of the elves among the Tol Eressëans were seen to be weeping quietly. Manwë nodded to one of the Maiar standing near Ingwë and she bent down and whispered something in his ear. He nodded and spoke quietly to those around him and in chorus they blew out their candles. Others, recognizing that the ceremony was over, blew their candles out until only the lights from the mansions and the stars overhead provided them with illumination.

"Come, my children," Manwë then said. "Be welcome to the Winter Solstice Ball." As one, the Valar turned and made their way across the lake that surrounded Ulmo’s mansion with the Lord of Waters leading the way. It escaped no one’s notice that as Lord Ulmo crossed the stepping stones they began to glow with an inner light of their own, thus making it easier for the elves to find them. Ingwë and Elindis, as High King and Queen, led the way, followed by the other royals. It took a little time but eventually all were across and stepping into the mansion, gazing in wonder as they were led to a ballroom with crystal pillars that softly glowed in a multitude of alternating colors — emerald, sapphire, citrine and a pale rose — in no discernable pattern. The pillars held up a roof that was crystalline, allowing the light of the stars to shine through. The floor was a semi-translucent green quartz and people saw with some surprise that gold and scarlet and bright orange fish swam beneath them. It was somewhat disconcerting at first but eventually they ceased to notice as they danced away the night.

The ballroom was longer than it was wide, with one of the short ends reserved for the Valar who sat on a dais in chairs that were not ornate enough to be called thrones but could not be mistaken for anything else. Manwë and Varda sat in the middle with Aulë and Yavanna on either side of them. The others were ranged in a semicircle behind these four. Eönwë and his sister, Ilmarë, attended to the Valar while other Maiar stood about to see to the needs of the elves. Somewhere, musicians played, but they were never seen. At the other end of the ballroom were tables laden with food and drink, food and drink that never seemed to diminish no matter how much was eaten or drunk. And though there were well over three hundred elves present there was no sense of crowding, in spite of the fact that the chamber appeared to be only large enough to accommodate half the number comfortably.

At first the elves, even the Amanians, milled uneasily about, not entirely sure what they should do and feeling intimidated by the presence of the Valar. With a nod from Ingwë, the three royal couples approached the dais, giving the Valar their obeisance. Then Ingwë stepped up and spoke quietly to the Elder King.

"My lord, no one will dance until you and Lady Varda lead the first pavane," Ingwë whispered, looking pained, obviously uncomfortable at having to reprimand the Elder King, however mildly.

Manwë’s expression was unreadable. "You are the High King, Ingwë," he said quietly. "Should you and Elindis not be leading the pavane?"

"But we are not the hosts, lord," Ingwë pointed out, his expression now more puzzled, as if surprised that the Elder King was unaware of proper protocol.

Before Manwë could respond, Námo, who was seated directly behind the Elder King, stood up and leaned over Manwë’s shoulder. "If you don’t know how to dance, Manwë, Vairë and I can lead the first pavane while Ingwë gives you a quick lesson." He glanced up at the High King and gave him a wink. Ingwë’s jaw dropped in shock.

Some of the Valier, including Varda, actually snickered, much to the bemusement of the elves looking on but unable to hear what was being said. The other Valar were grinning in amusement. Tulkas laughed out loud, his voice booming through the ballroom, causing the crystal goblets to chime though thankfully none shattered. Manwë gave Námo an amused look.

"Thank you, but I think I can fake it well enough."

Námo patted him on the shoulder. "That’s the spirit," he said facetiously and resumed his seat. Vairë rolled her eyes when he gave her a smug smirk.

Ingwë and the other royals were hard-pressed to keep their composure. Ingwë had to swallow several times before he thought he could speak without breaking into laughter. "Perhaps all the Valar could lead the first pavane," he suggested, "since you are all acting as our hosts."

"An excellent idea," Manwë said and he rose with Varda beside him. Ingwë stepped down to join Elindis and the other royals while all the rest of the Valar joined Manwë and Varda on the floor. Tulkas and Nessa were the last. Ingwë made a hasty consultation with the other royals and there were nods of agreement. Instead of joining the Valar, they remained where they were, thus effectively preventing any of the other elves from joining in the dance. It was apparent to the onlookers that this first dance was strictly for the Valar. The music shifted into a well-known pavane and the Valar reverenced their partners. The elves standing around the perimeter of the ballroom watched in awe and wonder as the Valar stepped out in stately procession. As simple as the steps were, the Valar seemed to imbue them with a grace and majesty that could not be rivaled by even the best dancers among the elves. Indeed, some, like Finrod, who knew himself to be a very good dancer, and even those less astute, had an inchoate sense that they were seeing not so much a dance but Dance made manifest in the physical forms of the Valar.

"Do you think they danced liked this through Eä as Lady Varda brought forth the stars?" Amarië whispered to Finrod in awe, never taking her eyes off the spectacle. Finrod could only nod, too engrossed in what he was witnessing to articulate his thoughts.

As the pavane came to the end the Valar reverenced their partners a final time before making their way back to the dais, with Manwë and Varda leading. As the Elder King passed by Ingwë, he gave the High King a wicked grin. "I guess I won’t be needing those lessons after all," he said just loud enough for the elves standing close by to hear, causing many of them to raise their eyebrows in shock, staring in disbelief at Ingwë and coming to wrong conclusions as to just what the High King had been saying to Lord Manwë. Ingwë, well aware of what Manwë was doing, threw his head back in laughter, knowing he’d been bested.

When he calmed down, he silently offered his hand to Elindis who took it and together they stepped out onto the dance floor with the other royal couples behind them. Then, other elves joined them and soon the dancing began in earnest.

Everyone remained on their best behavior, even Morcocáno, for Nelluin rarely left his side and it was clear to all who was truly in charge there. The Nandor did not seem too terribly ill at ease, though none of them bothered to dance. At some point some of the Valar left the dais and began mingling with the elves. Oromë and Vána were seen conversing with Laeglîr, Dairuin, Celebriel and the rest of the Nandorin delegation while Ulmo held court with Olwë and Lindarion and what turned out to be some of the masters of the maritime guilds. Beleg and Sador invited Brethorn, Glóremmir, Faramir, Alphedis and the other Reborn delegates to pay their respects to Lord Námo and Lady Vairë. Those elves who noticed them standing around the dread Lord of Mandos could only wonder at the laughter that came from that quarter.

Finrod and Arafinwë spent some time speaking with Lord Irmo while Amarië and Eärwen conversed with Lady Estë. Ingwë and his family, including Lirulin and her daughter Alassiel, were seen in the company of Lord Manwë and Lady Varda, which only made sense as far as the other elves were concerned, since even the Sindar and Nandor had heard how devoted the High King was to the Elder King and the Queen of Stars. The other Valar were also seen engaged in conversations with one group of delegates or another and the atmosphere was relaxed and cordial throughout.

But these islands of conversation amidst the dancers were not exclusive nor did they remain intact, for people drifted in and out of the various groups as the whim took them. At one point Sador and Alassiel, who had danced every dance together, refusing to take other partners, left the ballroom together to stroll through one of the gardens out of sight of their elders, though they were not unchaperoned; one of the Maiar followed them at a discreet distance. Neither elf actually noticed this, however, for they were too enamored of one another to pay much attention to anything or anyone else. And the Maia was there not so much to make sure they didn’t do anything precipitous as to keep others away and give them some privacy. Only when Finrod came looking for them did she leave, giving the prince a knowing smile, which he returned.

"All right you two, let’s see some daylight between you," he said in feigned disapproval when he found them sitting in an arbor holding hands and staring into one another’s eyes. They startled and gave him guilty looks.

"It’s still dark out," Sador protested. "There can be no daylight between us even if we wished it."

"Nevertheless, it’s time to come back inside and join the festivities," Finrod said. "It’s a good thing you had a chaperone or there might be trouble for you both."

They gave him surprised looks. "Chaperone? What chaperone?" Alassiel demanded. "We’ve been alone all this time... I mean... we didn’t notice...." It was obvious that she was blushing even in the dark as she stumbled to a halt.

Finrod laughed. "Believe me, you were not as alone as you thought or hoped. One of Lady Varda’s Maiar kept an eye on you at her request."

"Lady Varda?" Sador repeated, sounding faint.

"She apparently saw you sneaking away and realized what you were about and sent Ilmarë to keep an eye on you," Finrod answered. "But come. People were asking after you both so let us not give them more grist for their mills. Alassiel, at the next dance you will partner with me and Sador will find some other elleth with whom he will dance. I suggest you each partner with others for a time. That will dispel some of the rumors."

"What rumors?" Sador asked, sounding confused.

"The rumors that you two are in love," Finrod answered.

"But we are!" Sador protested.

"Patently," Finrod retorted, "but Sador, you are too young to be thinking seriously of a relationship."

"I’m older than Alassiel," Sador exclaimed, looking affronted. Then he became less confrontational. "Or I would be if I hadn’t died," he amended ruefully.

"And that’s the point," Finrod said sympathetically. "Biologically, you are barely out of elflinghood, and that especially holds true for your emotional state. I have no objections to you two falling in love. Indeed, I rejoice for you both, but others are going to look askance at this. There will come a time when you may declare your love for one another openly, but that time is not yet."

Both Sador and Alassiel sighed. "It’s unfair," Alassiel protested, clinging to Sador’s arm. "Why should Sador be penalized just because he died?"

"Unfortunately, that’s just the way it is," Finrod said, spreading his hands out and giving them a shrug. "But my children, do not despair. You have all the ages of Arda before you. If your love is true, it will not matter how long the wait before you may consummate it. Take it from one who knows." He gave them a conspiratorial wink and Alassiel giggled; Sador looked less rebellious.

"Maybe we can have a double wedding," he suggested with a short laugh.

Alassiel giggled again. "That would be a neat trick for me, being both bride and bride’s witness at the same time."

"I’m sure we can work something out," Finrod said with a smile. "Shall we go in?" He gestured for Alassiel to take his arm, leaving Sador to fend for himself.

Inside, the festivities were in full swing. One dance had just ended and another was beginning. Finrod led Alassiel out onto the floor while Sador made his way along the perimeter to where he saw Beleg speaking with Ingwion. The two ellyn greeted him with smiles.

"There you are!" Ingwion said. "We wondered if you and Alassiel had run off together."

"We were just sitting in one of the gardens," Sador protested. "We weren’t doing anything bad. Honest!"

"Pity," Beleg said with a feigned sniff of disgust and Ingwion laughed, clasping Sador's shoulder and giving it a friendly squeeze. The three continued to trade insults with one another while they watched Finrod and Alassiel dance. Eventually, Sador took Finrod’s advice and partnered with several other ellith for a number of dances. Finrod, meanwhile, and with Amarië’s connivance, took it upon himself to see to it that Sador and Alassiel never had the chance to dance together or to sneak away again. More than one of their elders nodded in approval when they saw what he was doing.

Then the longest night of the year began to cede its sovereignty to the dawn and most of the elves gladly sought their beds. Only Ingwë, Olwë and Arafinwë, along with their wives, remained awake with the Valar. They were seated on the dais at the Valar’s feet, quietly reminiscing about the past and the hopes of the future as they sipped on yellow wine and watched the sunrise.

****

Tôl i dhû: (Sindarin) ‘Comes the night’. The Quenya version (or at least the first verse), Utúlië i lómë, can be found with a translation in chapter 89 of Elf, Interrupted: Book One.