S.A 2035 Summertime
So it was the day of Marilo and Simawen's wedding, and Orneth couldn't help but feel a tinge of melancholy. She, being an elleth herself, knew the significance of marriage--a bond made by two lovers that lasts for eternity. But at the same time, she was glad. This marked the end of her chapter with Marilo, and her focus had slowly shifted towards other things. Marilo had been busy with his work in Gil-Galad's army and had his hands full with wedding preparations. Orneth had met him only once when he visited his Lord Mannamo, but the embrace he gave her was just as warm and soft as she remembered. It was strange to think that he would soon be starting a new life and family with the beautiful Simawen. Orneth was grateful to Simawen for working hard to build their friendship. She knew she had made some mistakes in the past, but she no longer held her accountable for hiding the diary from them. The contents were too dreadful to read, and Orneth wasn't sure if Lady Lanyarë could handle the truth. As Orneth walked through the city, she couldn't help but notice the females adorned with flowers in their hair. It was a reminder of the time when Orneth, Manyamë, and Naerchanar ran in the fields, pretending to be noblewomen with braided flower-wreaths and circlets. It was a painful reminder of how life once was, and how it had changed. With a heavy heart, Orneth trudged through her melancholic thoughts, unable to shake off the looming sense of sadness that seemed to have settled within her. Despite her attempts at finding happiness, she couldn't seem to escape the feeling of emptiness that had consumed her. It was as if joy had abandoned her, leaving behind a void that was impossible to fill.
Meanwhile, Falchon had been preoccupied with his duties as a soldier in Gil-Galad's army, serving on the front line with unwavering courage and resilience. In contrast, Orneth's friends, Haldanáre, Marilo, and Carvedir, had spent the past few years training and refining their skills as archers in various parts of Eriador. As Orneth caught a glimpse of Falchon before heading towards Giril's home, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for the soldier's impeccable appearance. Dressed in his casual army clothing, adorned with a deep blue hauberk intricately embroidered with gold, Falchon looked nothing short of exceptional. But with every passing moment, Orneth's heart twisted with emotional turmoil. Why did she have to be hopelessly enamored with someone so remarkably incredible? It had become more of a torment than a pleasure.
On this particular day, Orneth sought Giril's assistance. For years, she had shied away from social events and celebrations, leaving her with nothing extraordinary to wear. The dress she had brought with her was decent enough, and she had paired it with a favorite pair of flat shoes. But despite her efforts, Orneth couldn't help but feel inadequate. She couldn't compare to the beauty of the Noldorian females with their dramatic, dark colors. Her stature was shorter, and she lacked the desired tall, slender figure. Her hair was often a mess, and she didn't have the energy to fuss over it. Orneth knew how the evening would play out, with everyone caught up in their own affairs, and Simawen captivating everyone's attention. She would once again feel like an outsider. Despite this, she decided to let Giril try to help her, recognizing the joy and pleasure her friend derived from fashion and beauty.
When Giril arrived at Orneth's room, Orneth was left speechless by her stunning appearance. Giril's luscious red hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and her emerald green dress made her eyes sparkle. Her complexion was so radiant that her lips and eyes stood out even more. Giril was truly one of a kind. She greeted Orneth and gestured for her to take a seat, while she examined the dress and flat shoes that Orneth had brought with her. "This won't do for a wedding, my dearest Orneth," Giril declared, her eyes scanning the outfit disapprovingly. "Why do you always wear flat shoes?" Orneth had no answer to this, and simply watched as Giril rummaged through her wardrobe, pulling out a stunning light blue dress and a pair of golden high-heeled shoes. Orneth gazed at the shoes in awe - they looked so delicate and small, yet the heels were sky-high. The dress was a bright blue, as vivid as the daytime sky, with golden and copper threads intricately woven throughout. The upper part of the dress was especially beautiful, with the shimmering threads interlaced in a captivating design. The rest of the dress was made of the softest silk and tulle, exquisitely delicate to the touch. It was the most beautiful dress that Orneth had ever seen. Orneth looked at Giril, bewildered and said, "I could never wear a dress like that. It just feels wrong. I don't feel beautiful enough to wear such things." Giril's expression turned serious. "What nonsense is this? I'm saddened that you can't see what everyone else sees, Orneth. You are more than enough, and you deserve to wear the most beautiful things in the world. Trust me. Tonight is your turn to shine, and you are just as lovely as the rest of them." Orneth couldn't help but laugh at Giril's passionate speech. "Alright, I'll do it for you. Give me a moment."
Orneth emerged from the room in her undergarments, and Giril chuckled as she took in her appearance. "We'll have to upgrade your undergarments soon, but that's a task for another time." Giril handed Orneth a beige corset. "This is my old corset. Try it on. It shouldn't be uncomfortable - it will just enhance and flatter the parts you want to show, and hide the parts you don't." Giril laughed at the look of confusion on Orneth's face. The two maidens finally succeeded in lacing up the corset. The dress was barely fitting Orneth, snug and slightly constricting, but when she slipped on the shoes, the dress looked impeccable. Giril beamed with pride and confidence as she exclaimed, "I knew it! I knew this dress would be perfect for you." Orneth felt slightly uneasy in the high heel shoes and tight corset, murmuring, "I have never had such assets before. It feels strange." Giril chuckled, "With beauty comes pain, my dear. Trust me, you will grow accustomed to it as the hours pass. You will feel elegant." However, Orneth noticed that all the mirrors seemed to be deliberately kept out of sight.
Giril meticulously parted Orneth's hair into sections, giving it a good long brush before twisting each section and swirling them upwards into neat buns on her scalp. "I need to hurry, we only have one hour left," she remarked as she looked in admiration at her dress, blushing as she looked down at herself. She touched the neatly embroidered golden threads delicately with her fingers, somehow trusting her friend's fashion sense. Giril then requested that Orneth remain still while she began to apply colors to her face. She started by dusting a white powder on Orneth's cheeks and forehead. Next, she deftly applied drops of liquid from small flasks with elegant emblems onto her eyes and lips. "One final touch," Giril said as she placed a delicate golden necklace around Orneth's neck. Giril's satisfaction was palpable, and Orneth could have sworn she saw a glistening tear in her friend's eye, though she said nothing. Giril then undid the hair buns and sprayed her loose hair with a strong, perfumed substance. "Now! Are you ready?" She took Orneth's hand and led her into another room where there was a long mirror in the corner. Orneth felt a twinge of terror.
Orneth's gaze remained fixed as she beheld the image before her. Standing in front of her was a tall, slender figure with delicate, feminine features. The golden tresses of hair that cascaded down her back were lustrous and shimmering, much like the hair of her friend Giril. The striking contrast of her deep, alluring eyes and full, luscious lips against her tanned, powdered skin was captivating. Orneth's dress was equally stunning, transforming from shades of light purple to pink in the warm sunbeams that streamed in through the window. In this moment, she felt as if she were a princess, beautiful, youthful, and elegantly feminine. She was neither silly nor crude in appearance, but simply different. Overcome with emotion, a single tear trickled down Orneth's cheek. "Oh, Giril, I feel like royalty," she whispered. In response, Giril smiled and said, "It's about time."
All picture are AI-generated from Microsoft Bing DALL·E
