The Ventris Ball

Lieve was nervous as she approached the large house. It was the new home to the Ventris family and they were holding a housewarming party. Or rather a mansion-warming party. She had not officially been invited, but when her father had heard about it, he had insisted she attend, to 'show herself off' to the local gentry. She was wearing a new dress in dwarven style, made of blue silk with yellow panels and very fine embroidery. As she nervously walked up the driveway, she encountered Lady Ventris welcoming guests and who very kindly waved her through the entrance. There was a butler at the door, holding a tray with drinks, one of which he offered to her. No one seemed to realise she had no invitation. She began to relax a little, entering the main hall with slightly more confidence. Inside was crowded with all manner of people, the air was filled with music and laughter. Several couples were dancing. People were chatting politely together. She had brought a gift with her, her father had insisted and it would have been the height of rudeness to show up empty handed. It was an ugly thing in her eyes, her father had been trying to get rid of it for years and had finally found the perfect opportunity. It would suit these people perfectly and he might gain a new customer. She stood near the door she had entered, unsure of what to do. A man, who had been sitting in a chair near the door took pity on her plight and came to her assistance. He introduced himself as Eormensig. She smiled at him gratefully as he went off in search of Lord Ventris for her. It took several minutes for him to arrive back and say the lord was receiving guests further along. As she timidly made her way through the crowd, following Mr. Eormensig, she could not help but recognise a few faces, but only a few. She doubted any of the guests would recognise her. They arrived at where Lord Ventris was waiting, greeting a line of guests each in turn with a gracious smile and a few kind words. When it was her turn, he made her feel quite at home and received her gift with a few well-spoken words, setting it aside before asking about her family. They spoke briefly for a few moments, then Lady Ventris arrived, wishing to dance with her husband since the guests had all been taken care of. Mr. Eormensig was kind in the extreme to Lieve, asking her to dance and giving her all the attention she could desire. She barely spoke to anyone else the entire evening, hardly regretting it though she knew her father would be displeased. At last it grew late and Mr. Eormensig hinted that it was time to go home. He walked to the doorway and she found Lady Ventris, thanked her for her hospitality and took her leave of her. Then she went in search of Lord Ventris to do the same. She found him in the garden, sitting and talking with a girl not much younger than Lieve herself. She was crying. Not knowing what else to do and unwilling to intrude on such a private moment, Lieve retreated quietly. At the gate of the mansion she met Mr. Eormensig again and he insisted on walking her home. He spoke a little more about himself, saying he was trying to settle down in Bree. She smiled and listened politely as he talked, asking a question here and there. He offered to teach her how to fight. She smiled a little at that, not willing to refuse downright, but unable to see herself wielding a sword. He asked if he might see her again and she said he surely might, she was often at the Pony. He nodded at that, saying he had reason to be at the Pony himself on occasion. At that they wished each other good night and parted ways. All in all her father seemed pleased with her account of the ball and how she had behaved, so it was with relief that she slipped into bed that night, smiling and now able to enjoy the memory of the past evening.