S.A 2035 Summertime
On this exquisite day, the sky held a mesmerizing shade of blue and the sun was gradually descending towards the horizon. The harbor bells were ringing in honor of Marilo, their echoes traveling across the distance. The picturesque view of the ships sailing in the tranquil ocean made for an idyllic setting for the ceremony. The master of the ceremony was none other than Mannamo's brother, Elarion, who stood tall and poised on a dais adorned with delicate white roses. A small platform was placed at the front for the couple to exchange their vows. A graceful arrangement of white chairs formed a bow around the area, while the pavilion's roof had sheer, light curtains swaying gently in the breeze. Attendees had started arriving, and Orneth was seated next to Giril and her brother Carvedir, who looked dashing in his Gil-Galad light armor with their family's heirloom emblem. Orneth noticed that he was smiling at her and complimented her, "Lady Orneth, I almost didn't recognize you. You look stunning." She blushed and smiled, feeling a rush of warmth on her cheeks.
Simawen's family had taken their seats, filling up the left-wing row of chairs. Each of them was as stunning as Simawen herself, dressed in dramatic colors that caught the attention of many of the attendees. Orneth couldn't help but study them, admiring the way their dresses complemented their natural beauty. She leaned over towards Giril, who pointed out the tallest lady in the group. "That's the eldest sister of Simawen," Giril whispered. "Her name is Siryawen, and she's known to be a very skilled healer from Eregion. They say she's even worked for the King himself." Orneth widened her eyes, impressed by Siryawen's reputation. A few minutes later, Mannamo's family made their grand entrance. Lady Lanyarë, Alcarinien, and Mistamë wore dresses in different shades of purple, each looking more regal than the last. Lord Mannamo and Mantaro wore their light armor, with Mannamo donning his old hauberk from Gondolin and Mantaro wearing his Gil-Galad armor. Even Falchon, Mannamo's grandson, looked striking in his blue and gold hauberk. But it was Haldanáre who caught Giril's attention. He wore the same armor as Mantaro, and Giril couldn't help but smile as he entered. Orneth looked puzzled at Giril's reaction and whispered, "Haldanáre?" Giril laughed and whispered back, "Oh no... is it that obvious?"
Orneth surveyed the area, her keen eyes taking in the sight of the gathered eldar, some of whom were old friends while others seemed to be curious onlookers. As she scanned the crowd, she thought she caught a glimpse of a lady in a white dress in the distance, could it be Feawing? The urge to stand up and have a closer look was strong, but the tones and sounds of the harps filling the air signaled the start of the ceremony. As the ceremony began, some of Simawen's friends arrived first, their steps sprinkling the pathway with a cascade of leaves and petals of roses. The music was solemn and melodic, and a faint choir of elleth voices filled the air, adding a touch of enchantment to the already magical moment. Orneth felt goosebumps all over her arms, as she witnessed Marilo and Simawen hand in hand, the stunning bride adorned in a white dress embellished with golden leaves and crystals, her hair artfully curled and adorned with pearls. Simawen was out of this world beautiful, leaving Orneth feeling uneasy, as she couldn't help but compare herself to the stunning bride. Though Orneth felt beautiful in her own right, she knew she would never be able to compare to Simawen's ethereal beauty. Marilo, too, looked dashing in his wedding hauberk of deep black, embroidered with silver and white, the elegant ensemble perfectly complementing his infectious smile and twinkling eyes. Orneth felt a little sting in her stomach as she realized she was finally losing him. Giril, ever so perceptive, took Orneth's hand, offering comfort to her dear friend who was struggling with her emotions.
As Orneth listened to the solemn vows being exchanged between Marilo and Simawen, she was lost in thought, thousands of emotions and memories rushing through her mind. She wondered why she had once loved Marilo so much, when he had never shown her any affection or given her any kind of romance. Despite this, Marilo had always treated her like a sister, and they had been the best of friends for many years. Falchon served as a poignant reminder that Orneth's dreams and desires would, once again, go unanswered. He was vastly dissimilar from her, with his own personal demons to confront. Having pledged allegiance to Gil-Galad's army, his focus lay elsewhere, and the prospect of settling down seemed impossible for him. The ceremony was nothing short of exceptional. Against the backdrop of a picturesque sunset, two beautiful lovers sealed their union with a tender kiss, much to the delight of those present. As the hush settled over the gathering, wedding servants directed everyone to another pavilion where the celebratory feast awaited them. Orneth's gaze drifted towards Simawen's sister, a sense of unease settling within her.
Mistamë and Alcarinien approached Giril and Carvedir, engaging them in conversation while Orneth stood nearby, feeling somewhat ignored. Despite always having been Mistamë's favorite, she found herself bewildered by the unfamiliar sense of neglect. Then, suddenly, Mistamë's jaw dropped, and she exclaimed, "Lady Orneth! Is it truly you?!" Orneth blushed, realizing that her appearance had undergone a transformation. "Yes, I had some assistance," she replied. Alcarinien took her hands, whispering, "You look positively radiant." Mistamë interjected, "I was admiring beautiful Giril and pondering the identity of her mysterious friend!" Lady Lanyarë joined the group, praising the ladies for their stunning appearances. Orneth's heart swelled with the attention she was receiving, and she felt a warm sense of approval from Mannamo and Mantaro, who nodded approvingly. Giril chuckled, "I shall take the credit." Mistamë smiled, "Lady Giril, you too look resplendent. It is lovely to see some golden tresses amidst all these dark-haired guests." Orneth felt like a princess, overjoyed by the compliments she was receiving.
Turning her head, Orneth caught sight of Falchon observing her. As he noticed her gaze, he made his way towards Lord Mannamo, Mantaro, and Haldanáre, who were conversing in a group. Orneth felt puzzled by Falchon's behavior, as he seemed to switch between being amiable and cold towards her.
The air was filled with the sweet melody of music, and the night was alive with joyous energy. Everyone was invited to join the dance and the feast, and beneath the pavilion on the east side, a spacious deck was provided for the purpose. Wine tables and fruit platters were placed around the area, and a group of musicians was playing in the corner. Inside the pavilions, chairs and tables were set up for those who wished to converse and dine. Warm light from lanterns and small oil lamps illuminated the space, creating an inviting ambiance that matched the balmy summer night. Orneth and Giril were about to serve themselves some wine when they heard Haldanáre's deep voice. "Wait a moment. Such rare golden-haired beauties should not serve themselves. Let me do it for you." Giril giggled, and Orneth couldn't help but chuckle at his chivalrous behavior. Haldanáre gazed at Orneth with wonder in his eyes. "Orneth, I am delighted to see your smile again." Orneth looked at him and appreciated his kindness. "I could say the same for you." He then turned to Giril and handed her a white rose. "May I have this dance, Lady Giril?" Giril nodded with a smile. "Of course, Lord Haldanáre."
Observing the dancers, Orneth noticed that Giril's brother Carvedir was dancing with Mistamë, who wore a white rose in her hair - a lovely gesture from the ellons to invite someone to dance. Orneth looked around and felt a sense of contentment. She was happy for Marilo, happy to see Mantaro lifting Alcarinien in the air and twirling her around. Their lighthearted approach to life was infectious, and they seemed to have so much fun together. She then saw Lady Lanyarë holding Mannamo's hand, and they were gazing at the beautiful view together. On a hill further away, Orneth saw a couple in the same posture as she had once seen in Ered Luin. A reunion was happening, and it was Elarion and Feawing.
The summer evening, with its gentle breeze that made her dress and hair sway, carried a sense of nostalgia and a kind of love she could never fully understand. They stood there in silence, as if the quiet between them spoke louder than any words. Inside one of the pavilions, a group of men were deep in conversation, and Orneth noticed Falchon among them. Yet, he wasn’t speaking with the group—he was talking to Simawen's sister. Orneth watched them and was suddenly overcome by a memory from the past. A pang of sadness filled her heart. She had kept her own emotions guarded for so long, and Falchon had become a welcome distraction for a heart still wounded from Marilo. What she hadn’t expected, though, was that she was slowly falling for Falchon. What were the odds that Falchon would be speaking to Simawen’s sister, a woman who shared not only a similar name but nearly the same beauty? It almost felt like it was destined to happen.
After taking a leisurely stroll around, savoring the entrancing melodies and the graceful movements of the dancers, she could feel an aura of love and enchantment lingering in the air. The once plentiful bowls of white roses were now almost empty, indicating that the revelry had been going on for a while. She couldn't help but notice the exquisite beauty of several maidens who wore white roses in their hair and had a certain twinkle in their eyes. As she made her way towards the cliff behind the pavilion, Orneth flashed a warm smile at the hardworking servants who ensured that the event ran smoothly. Settling down on a comfortable spot, she took a deep breath and savored the moment of bliss. A sense of contentment washed over her as she gazed out to the vast ocean, observing a distant ship cutting through the crystal-clear waters. Despite the late hour, the sky retained a serene blue hue, allowing the stars to twinkle faintly. The salty ocean breeze blew gently, tousling her hair, and Orneth deftly fixed it. Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching her.
Picture AI-generated from Microsoft Bing DALL·E
