~ Valanya, Yávië 31~
Today was an exceptional day that needs recording. Who knows, perhaps one day my journal will be left in the libraries and elves will read it to learn of how life was in this age. When was has left Arda, there may be elf children studying my journal the way I had to study from old tomes left by our kin in the Second Age before they sailed West. Or if all our kin have sailed and the time of elves has ended, perhaps there may be dwarves and men who will read my journal to discern the wisdom of the Eldar. Thus, it is my responsibility to record every important passing detail for the benefit of those who may dwell here in the days to come.
Let me begin again: today was an exceptional day, for it was the summer dance in Celondim. Elves from all over Ered Luin, and even from as far as Imladris, came. Everyone was arrayed in beautiful dresses and fine tunics. I wore the same dress as the one I wore to our Nost-na-Lothion spring celebration. It was the one Mother made me awhile ago and I do not see why I could not wear it again. It is quite serviceable and by far the prettiest dress I have. Paired with my seashell earrings from Aeriaeth, my outfit for the dance was ready with little effort on my part.
There were many elves who attended; some I knew – Aeriaeth, Glorendir, Lacarwen, Gwinglaer, some I had met before – Cirdamir, Serongil, and some I had never seen before. I even saw a dwarf among us. I wish I had noticed him sooner for I would have spent more time speaking with him. I am afraid I had little time to converse, for I was busy bringing my plans to fruition.
I had convinced my brother, Calaeros to finally come. He never leaves Father or his work. But as his younger sister, I can sometimes guilt him into listening to me. With the first step completed, I only had to introduce him to Aeriaeth and then convince them to dance together. They smiled quite enthusiastically at each other upon sight. I could see they were quite taken with each other, for I had been telling Aeriaeth much about Calaeros and telling Calaeros much about Aeriaeth. Of course, Calaeros brushed off his interest for Aeriaeth as having to do with the fact that she was my friend, but I know it was a polite excuse. And Aeriaeth can tell everyone that she agreed to dance with Calaeros only because he is my brother, but I am sure she did not mind one bit that he was excessively handsome, too. Once they knew each other’s faces and names, there was little need for anything else. I ushered them onto the platform where the music and dancing had already begun. Dancing is the language of romance and love after all, and it is sure to bring them together faster than idle conversation. They were paired quite well together, both in blue, if I say so myself.
Of course, I stood on the side looking out for Serongil to make sure he didn’t interfere with my plans. But I found him happily dancing with an elleth in silver. I was going to distract him if he ever abandoned her for an attempt to dance with Aeriaeth, but the moment never arose; I think he might have danced with the same elleth all night! I was too busy watching out for Serongil that I did not notice Glorendir intervening and taking up Aeriaeth as his own partner. Fortunately for him, I know that he is only friends with Aeriaeth…I think…or else I would have to have a stern word or two with him.
But all’s well that ends well. Aeriaeth spent more dances in the evening with Calaeros and I think they both stayed until the very end. I decided to leave early, for my feet tired me. And I hoped that if I made my exit early in the evening, Calaeros would have time to walk Aeriaeth home instead of me.
I do not know how all the elves played their instruments, song after song. I only played a few because Calaeros encouraged me to and practiced with me for the entire evening before the dance. I did not want to let him down so I performed three or four songs. But I had to play slowly and Calaeros was very patient to follow me. I know he can play much better and faster than I. Though, I grew ashamed when some of the dancers began to remark that our tunes were…”interesting.” They must have been laughing to themselves about how poorly I played. I do not mind so much for my own sake, but I hate to think that they might laugh at Calaeros, too, when he is actually very skilled. I had to go sit down and collect myself after hearing those remarks for I was quite embarrassed.
But I couldn’t let myself and Calaeros be remembered that way, so I later struck up the courage to play the last song we had practiced. It was a fast-tempo one, so I was nervous that I would mess up the entire thing, but Calaeros played loudly enough that no one heard any of the notes I missed. The quick, jovial steps everyone broke out into encouraged me to play until the very end. I think the dancers all enjoyed the fast song; elves always play sad and solemn ballads, I think.
If the dancing had not already tired me out, piping out that song on the flute certainly took my breath away. As the stars were already peeping out above, I decided it was the right time to retire. As I was leaving, I noticed that some elves had sat and watched the dancing from the edges of the grass the entire time. I suppose dancing is not for everyone, but I can never understand why. Letting your feet pick you up on the rhythm of music helps you forget about all the cares in the world. But some elves will always stubbornly refuse, like hir Gwinglaer. I think he is too shy. Perhaps he is very bad at dancing. But if an unskilled musician such as I can get in front of a crowd and play a few songs, anyone can come up and dance.
