Light. She could feel the flickers of sun descending on her face. Somehow they had found their way through the pane of glass and the branches of the tree standing outside it. The window had been left open the previous evening. Even though the vale was in a perpetual state of fall, the winds of last night had been fairly warm. This morrow, however, they had chilled somewhat. The only sounds she noticed were some bluebirds celebrating the morning with their songs.
Her eyes were still closed, as she was enjoying the stillness of the dawn. Slowly awakening to another cycle of life. Life shared with her kin, her friends, and most importantly, her beloved. As he moved next to her, still wrapped in the veils of dreams, she remembered a time when they were forced apart. A time of horror and despair. It still bore marks on her fea. The fact that he had ordered her to run and she had, when she could have stayed behind to fight with him... A wrinkle appeared on her forehead. The train of thoughts was plaguing her once again, forcing her to remember that time in Eregion and the months that had followed. It had seemed like years, centuries even.
She had broken her promise. To always watch over him and to keep him safe. He was reassuring her that she did the right thing leaving at that moment; there was nothing she could have done. The enemy had arrived in too great numbers for them to handle on their own and help was needed. Tindir had shouted for the standardbearer Celephindir to forcibly remove her from his side if needed.
At first she hated Celephindir. He had pryed her away from her love, leaving him to surely perish at the hands of something vile. He heeded Tindirs orders and brought Himwen back to camp, to their kinsmen. As the realisation that he was missing came over her, apathy had struck down like an eagle hunting its pray. She began to transfer the feelings of contempt to other parts of daily life, until it almost consumed her. The bliss when they found him was mixed with the fear of losing him again and even though he was back with her, saved by his kinsmen, she could not fully forget the nightmare it had proved to be.
She doubted he understood. To him, she had done his bidding and he had most assuredly saved her life. The truth was that she had gladly done everything, even perish herself, to save him. The fact that she was not allowed was haunting her still. It had brought shadows into their lives. Shadows she was doing her best to avoid at all costs. But by trying to avoid the shadows, she had disconnected from him and the world.
A cold breeze swept in through the halfopen window. Himwen quickly wrapped herself with a corner of the blanket Tindir had neglected. The gown was thick and longsleeved, yet it did not warm her enough from the winds of autumn. Then one day in the gardens of Rivendell, on the rock she first met him in private, he had started a conversation of her bearing a child. Still reeling from the fear of burying him in Eregion, she had lashed out at him for being a fool. To ask her to bear his child in times like these! Raising his son or daughter was something that she wished for with all her heart, but she could not bear to see their child grieve over the loss of him. She was not sure she would be able to raise herself up from such an event, let alone care for another. The conversation had ended in tears and resignment for the fact that as long as there was evil, they would not concieve. They agreed that the most important fact was that they had eachother and their friends. After some time, she started to relax again. The days moved on and she even forgave Celephindir.
She turned on her side, opened her eyes and glanced at the dancing specks of light on the floor. The tree outside was waving its cheery good morning. Somehow it pleased her to see life and growth continue. Even though the trees bore a veil of orange and red, they were still living. Still giving them shelter in the vale. Suddenly her glance fell on a brown bundle nestled on a chair fighting with the travel packs from the mission to the Misty Mountains. A piece of delicate white cloth embroidered with silver thread peeked out from the leather wrappings. She still was not sure who the sender of the gift was, but it was perfect for that special day.
As the light slowly moved across the floor, it tickled a note spread open on the wooden planks. The letter was written with delicate fingers and the writing was exquisite, as always. Himwen had opened it the previous evening upon returning from her walk in the vale and found herself looking forward to the event it told of. Vanimars Annual Ball was coming up. As the corners of her mouth began to curve upwards, her thoughts trailed to her friends. The hope that she would see Aelaer, Master Bofrid and Rainith under the same roof again was scattering the shadows in her heart. More of her house was welcome to the festivities and she hoped that as many of them as possible would join the celebrations. Fondly she remembered the previous ball she and Tindir had attended. She was even worse at dancing then, but oh, the enjoyment was great! Just to get a chance to be merry and frolic in the company of her kin.
Another memory started to form in her mind when noticing her breeches sloppily hung over the back of the chair. Halvfdan had surprised herthe day before by placing a frog in her pocket. A trick she would play on others from time to time. It was quite a successful one too! Who could be wrought with wrath by an innocent little amphibian peeking out from their clothes? A chuckle broke the silence as the memory of the meeting became vivid. Halvfdan the perian was good at raising people's spirits and one who would enjoy playing pranks on others as much as herself. Something else... there was a perfect fishing spot nearby, he had informed. One that was sprawling with catch. Another glance at the dress, then at Tindir fast asleep next to her. If she was quick enough, she would have time to catch a few fishes before breakfast...
