Early the next morning Zandrianna awoke to the gentle rising of the sun. She sat up with a groan, stretching her arms above her head as she looked out the window of the small elven chamber that had been their sleeping quarters. Although Althessia had slept peacefully through the night, she herself had not; tossing and turning, she'd kept waking from dreams and nightmares that had both left her shaking and sweaty. Shaking her head to clear it, she got up and began preparing herself and her daughter for the trip out to Celondim.
Since the caravan was staying in Duillond to unload goods and pick up more for the return trip, Zandrianna rented a stable horse for herself and her daughter for the short ride to the next town. As it was the day before, several elves stopped her, looking down at the tiny girl with smiles and soft voices - some offering Zandrianna small tokens for the baby. One such piece, a tiny bracelet made of fine silver with stones of deep blue seemed to fit the baby perfectly, so Zandrianna clasped it to her wrist as the elf who had given it to her smiled down.
Since she intended to return to Duillond that evening, Zandrianna left their bags in the room with every assurance that they would not be disturbed while she was gone. Nodding, and confident in the elves honesty, she settled Althessia into her riding sling and mounted the steed to head south towards Celondim.
The ride was short and pleasant, so Zandrianna kept the steed at a slow pace as she looked around the area. She couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and peace as she gazed over the hills and waters, for the land seemed to be enchantingly beautiful no matter where she set her eyes. It was not long though, before the pair of ladies reached the stables in Celondim. The stablemaster there smiled up at them, his face exquisitely lovely even by elven standards, and gently helped the mother and child down from the steed. After exchanging greetings and watching as him briefly fingered the baby's dark red curls in wonderment, she asked him where she could find an elf by the name of Mibrethil. "Ah yes," he replied, looking over his shoulder, "you'll find him if you walk down the path and take the curve around to the left. He always stays near the work tables, should his assistance be required."
Zandrianna thanked the stablemaster, whose name she had found out was Roherdir, and headed in the direction he had indicated. Her steps slowed as she approached the docks, looking over the clear blue waters with a grin as she watched the fisherman tending to their morning routines. Wistfully, she wished she had brought her own pole, for the waters looked inviting and it had been some time since she had done even such a simple activity as fish. But business came first so, with a final glance out onto the river, she headed to seek the elf she'd come to speak with.
She found Mibrethil exactly where Roherdir said he would be and, approaching him with a smile, greeted him. "Suilad Mellon, he responded, glancing down at the baby with a look of surprise. He spoke briefly in elvish, before looking at Zandrianna and smiling ruefully at her baffled expression. "My apologies hiril, I only said that your daughter was as lovely as many of our elven maidens. Though, seeing her mother, it is no surprise."
At his words, Zandrianna blushed and shook her head. "Oh, I am quite sure I am not near so lovely as an elf, but I thank you for the thought." Mibrethil merely smiled at her and then asked if she needed help finding anything in the town.
"Well," Zandrianna replied, "I was looking for you actually, Sir Mibrethil. You are the trade contact in Celondim for the BAA, correct?"
"Indeed I am, and you have the pleasure of my name already, so I ask the pleasure of yours in return."
"I am Zandrianna, and this is my daughter Althessia." she replied with a smile. "I am currently in charge of the association, as Anadryt is on an extended journey. I thought, since I am here, I would come and see how things fared."
"It is certainly a pleasure to meet you then Hiril Zandrianna, and young Hiril Althessia," he added, smiling down at the baby. "It would be an honor if you would let me show you around the facilities, that way you can see for yourself how things fare and even have a look at some of the incoming supplies we have managed to procure."
"I would love that, and thank you most kindly for the assistance." Zandrianna replied, nodding at Mibrethil. "It will be much easier than trying to figure everything out on my own."
Mibrethil smiled at Zandrianna, and steered her towards the stairs leading up to the workbenches. "I believe we should start with a quick tour of the facilities, then move on to some of the sights of the region." As the climbed the stairs, he turned to her asking, "How are you finding your trip to Ered Luin thus far Hiril?"
"I must admit, I find everything here beautiful and peaceful. I've rarely seen such lovely lands as these, even in my homelands of Rohan, and the elves have all been most gracious and kind to me and my daughter." Zandrianna pauses, to look out over the terrace at the waters below, the sunlight sparkling off the surface like spots of fire. "I can only imagine what it would be like to live in such a place."
"It is quite tranquil here, hiril, for the most part. Though of late we have had troubles with wolves and flies becoming more aggressive. So, there are places it is not safe to wander alone." He looked over at her and the baby. "Just as well that you will both be with me. I would not have you going off by yourselves."
The work facilities bustled with activity, and everyone called to Mibrethel as he passed, looking curiously at the young woman and her baby. He introduced Zandrianna to several of them, who were equally pleased to show her the supplies and wares, as they were to gaze down at the baby and touch her small head. A couple even asked to hold her, and Zandrianna allowed this to their surprise and pleasure. After some time, the tour of the facilities were completed and Mibrethel was leading Zandrianna and Althessia to a small circular garden where a picnic lunch had been prepared for them.
Looking around at the lovely setting and the large statues lining the garden, Zandrianna turned to Mibrethel with a smile of delight. "This is perfect," she declared, "A gem to be sure. I thank you for showing it to me."
"It is a place for meditation and peace, Hiril Zandrianna. Both which I thought you would appreciate. And," he added, as he helped her sit down to the picnic, "It is even more lovely with your presence."
Blushing once more, Zandrianna settled her daughter in the small basket set aside just for her to rest and began eating. Together they chatted idly as they partook of the sweet breads and honey, and the ripe berries. At the end of the meal, he brought forth a small bottle of wine and two glasses. Upon seeing Zandrianna's look, he smiled. "I believe a small glass will not hurt you Hiril, and it is certainly a fine vintage." Nodding, and not wishing to be impolite, Zandrianna accepted the glass of deep red wine and took a sip. Indeed the wine was well aged, but retained a delicate flavor, and she smiled up at Mibrethel. "It is indeed, a fine vintage, sir." she said, as she continued to sip.
Rising, Zandrianna looked down upon her daughter who was now sleeping peacefully in the basket. Mibrethel looked down as well, smiling at the sight of the sleeping baby, before turning to Zandrianna. "If you wish it, hiril, I can call upon two of the maidens to keep an eye on her ... if there is aught else you wish to do while you are in Celondim?"
"Well," she said, looking in the directions of the docks. "I would love to do a little fishing, however I do not have my pole, so ..." she shrugged her shoulders, smiling at him.
"That is no trouble, indeed hiril. I am sure the fishermen at the dock will be more than happy to loan you a pole if you wish to try your hand at fishing." He guided her back down the path, towards the dock, as two young hirils followed behind with Althessia in their arms, giggling to each other in apparent delight at this new task.
Soon, Zandrianna found herself outfitted with a delicate looking pole and a basket for her fish as she happily cast into the clear blue waters. Nearby she could hear the sounds of elves talking in low tones as they passed the baby sleeping in the basket, and the voices of the fishermen as they called back and forth to each other, sometimes coming to see what she had caught and murmuring approvingly at her skill with a pole. And, between it all, she chatted merrily with Mibrethel, who seemed content to sit and watch her fish as he answered various questions about the history of Ered Luin and the elves there. In that way, the afternoon passed by quickly and soon it was evening and time for her to depart back to Duillond.
Mibrethel walked Zandrianna and her daughter back to the stables, where he greeted Roherdir and told him that the hiril would need a steed to return to Duillond for the night. The stablemaster smiled, and set about preparing a steed for the travel, as Mibrethel looked at Zandrianna. "It has been a pleasure, hiril, to meet someone as gracious and intelligent as yourself. And do not discount yourself, for your beauty does not lie only in what the eye can see, but what it doesn't see. You are kind and loving, a rare mixture in the world today, and these things are a great strength to you. Do not forget that, and do not close yourself off to all you have to give."
Opening her mouth in surprise, Zandrianna could do nothing but shake her head as she stared back at Mibrethel. He merely smiled at her, bowing low over her hand before helping her onto the steed. "Fare thee well, hiril, and heed my words." he said, before turning to return to his post.
Still shaking her head, she urged the steed on as she headed back to Duillond for the night.
