Faenwë nodded to Seregrian, but stared into his wine glass, speaking slowly. "The strange winds of life brought me here... Ivorina brought me here. I will trust in that, trust in a face I recognize, and a heart I once knew; one I still gratefully know even after so many years. There is a greater purpose in everything. Perhaps that purpose seeks to give me rest, after so long.”
Seregrían’s eyes passed from Faenwë, over to Ivorina, then back to Faenwë - a tiny nod of understanding with a light in her eye. “Faenwë, your coming here this evening is not mere chance, if chance we can call it. What is your heart struggling so valiantly to say?”
Faenwë let her question fall over him. "That... I have a secret hope..." he said, looking up at Ivorina, "that maybe here in this valley, I’ll find that treasure, that love, which will give me rest once and for all."
Ivorina swirled her drink, saying nothing; but her eyes kept flicking back and forth, following Seregrían’s skilled questions and Faenwë’s equally skilled dodges.
Seregrían laughed softly, “You are making your tongue dance, my friend! The lips may lie, but the eyes and heart can speak only the truth. Do you think I cannot see where your eyes land - and your heart dragged along for the ride?”
Ivorina raised an eyebrow as she spoke, "Well it’s not exactly a secret, Faenwë."
Faenwë looked at both women, then smiled. “You’ve just been trying to get the right words out of me then, haven’t you?”
“Who, me? Or her?” Seregrían said, “or has it taken the two of us to wrestle your heart into the open?”
“Both of you...” Faenwë laughed, feeling more at ease.
“Well, Ivorina,” Seregrían said, “you have heard this tale? Perhaps it is time to know your thoughts.”
“It seems that way... wait- me?” Ivorina stammered. Faenwë smiled as he sat back, a teasing gleam in his eye and wondering what words Seregrían might pull out of Ivorina.
“If there is another Ivorina in my halls, then let her be known,” Seregrían said. “Faenwë has - albeit, slowly and with much toil - revealed his heart. Shall I now apply my extraction to you as well?”
“I... I wasn’t expecting questions at my expense -”
“Say not at your expense; rather, to your profit?”
“Well... I was the one who summoned him to the valley… but yes, I invited him so he may share in company.”
“In whose? The Household’s? Or yours?”
“Well, a bit of both really.”
“You felt the power and the refuge of the Enclave,” Seregrían said, “and you would share it with others; and you brought the one spirit who you might share it with.” Faenwë liked Seregrían’s words, his eyes flicking back and forth in his turn, as if watching a game in play.
"Well, he could stand to have a break,” Ivorina shrugged.
“As could you...” Seregrían pointed out. “And your heart spoke to you saying, ‘Shall we not share this with one who would share it with me?’ Now, let me share this with both of you, for your wisdoms.
“When I was adopted after the fall of the Falas, I was surprised to hear my foster-parents were married - for it was the law that no weddings would occur in time of war. And my father answered, we did NOT wed in time of war - but in the peace that was wedged between wars. We seized the chance, he said to me, and live in bliss for it.”
Seregrían looked hard at Ivorina saying, “You, elleth, are seeking a respite from your charge to guard the passes - a time of peace is upon you. You, ellon,” she then turned to Faenwë, “are laying aside your oaths of endless houseless strife - and enjoying a time of peace that is upon you. Do you honestly think that mere “chance” brought you both here, to this place, at this precise time in both your lives?”
“I believe there is more than chance at work in all things,” Faenwë said, “and certainly in something like this...”
“And you had best pay heed to it,” Seregrían said, now looking to Ivorina with an expectant eye.
Ivorina was tracing the rim of her wine glass with one finger, finally looking up to meet Faenwë’s eye. “It is a rather simple matter - if you would but ask me.”
“Simple?” he said, raising an eyebrow.
“If the flame-bearer can prove himself, I could think of few better to end a long road. Few could dare even suggest standing by my side. If he would desire that, perhaps we can deal with our foes together instead of in passing.”
“Hm... yes, she seeks to send me on another grave quest,” Faenwë said, but looking at Seregrían grinning at the two of them at banter.
“Oh, I’m afraid it’s more complicated than that, in fact,” Ivorina grinned, about to spring her trap. “You see, I name Seregrían my proxy, in lieu of my long-gone family. I assume you still remember the customs, Your Ladyship?” Faenwë’s face froze in a comical loose-jawed gape, met by Seregrían’s laugh.
“Faenwë, you sweet fool! Ivorina guessed your heart already - and like any good maethoriel, has planned her campaign well. So! As she who stands in the place of the House, I recognize Faenwë’s petition (Party of the First Part) for leave to court Ivorina (Party of the Second Part). Do both parties agree that formal council shall commence?”
"I agree," Faenwë nodded.
“Indeed...” Ivorina said.
