Sorry about not updating!

Chapter 3

Later that same day the trio could be seen in a small carriage going east towards the Calacirya and Tirion. Amárië gazed at the beautiful, green countryside that passed before them, while her friend and mother gossiped about all the latest things. She deeply resented her mother’s presence on this trip, so she faced the window on the door so as to avoid seeing her. She also dreaded the expected ball that she was expected to attend, not only because her friend had persuaded her, but because her mother would make her. And she always listened to her mother.

While the carriage rolled on, her thoughts drifted to the last time she had seen that eldest son of King Arafinwë. She remembered that day too well. It was the last time she had ever seen him. When the First Age ended, she heard that he had been a king. A great and gracious king in that faraway land. Ever since she had told him to leave her, her thoughts had always drifted to ‘what if…’ If I have to see him, I will try to be civil, at least, I promise.

Her parents, though poor by the standards of their day, were proud. So proud that they believed one of their daughters could be a queen. The pride ran strong in her family because it was her mother’s father who had led, with High King Ingwë, the Vanyar to Valinor. Her grandfather had held the highest rank next to the king. But one day he had quarreled with three lords who had been envious of him and he had badly wounded one of the men. For that, her grandfather had been banished from the King’s court. He and his family had been stripped of their wealth and titles. She never knew him, for she was not yet born, but she did know that his new situation had caused him to feel much humiliation and resentment. This eventually led to his disappearance.

Her father had long ago given up on the idea that she would marry a wealthy man, when he opened his eyes and finally saw what type of person she was, and said that as long as she was married, one day, he would be satisfied. Her mother, unfortunately, still felt that only the son of a king, who was in line to inherit a throne, could deserve her, the younger, daughter. The pride only increased when her only sibling, a sister, married a wealthy Vanyarin nobleman, and when it was discovered that she was friends with the wife of a Noldorin lord. Since then, her mother was convinced, so she swore she would do anything to make sure her last daughter would marry a Prince, who had prospects and many a title.

Ever since she had refused him, she had never loved another man. What would he think of me now? I am older, single, and still living with my parents.

The carriage came to a sudden stop; she fell forward and hit her head.

“Are you hurt?” she heard Rilya ask as she rubbed her forehead.

“No,” lied Amárië. She was in a miserable state with her aching forehead combined with a constantly rolling carriage, but did not want her friend to worry. Not to mention she would soon have to confront the Noldorin Prince, after so many years of separation.

Rilya did not look completely convinced, but said no more.

“Are we there yet?” Sáralosse asked impatiently, completely ignoring her daughter.

“No!” Rilya answered. “We have just gone through the Calacirya. It is only a few miles till we reach Tirion. It will only take us about half an hour.” Sáralosse looked assured and quickly went back to her gossip and rumors.

At noon, a silver carriage slowly rolled up the hill of Túna and through a tall, gleaming, white gate, up the paved streets of shining Tirion. Sáralosse and Amárië stared out the carriage windows in wonder, and to greet the city breeze that flew past them, quickly forgetting the sickness they had been feeling for the past two days. There were other carriages and people doing their everyday chores. Also to be seen, at the very top of the hill, was the imposing Mindon Eldaliéva with its smooth white marble walls. Beside it, and equally imposing, was the royal palace. When the carriage finally stopped in front of an inn, the two Vanyar elves were relieved. The carriage ride had been sore and uncomfortable with all the bouncing and stops, for two days straight, but they were sure they would be finished with carriage rides like that one.

“Farewell Rilya!” said Amárië.

“Farewell my friend! The carriage will pick you up early tomorrow, so I may introduce you to society.”

Amárië and her mother strode up the dark, narrow stairway to their room. It was plain, gloomy, and sparse. There were two tiny beds, a small vanity, and a very small chamber pot in a corner. The closet to place their clothes was opposite of the chamber pot and next to a small window. “Well, this looks cozy,” Amárië commented. Her Ammë, she knew, was disappointed in the room.

Sáralosse sighed. “Amárië, my dear, when you look around Tirion, you will realize this is cheap and worth nothing.”

Author’s Note: Real life is getting really hectic so this story isn’t going to be updated for awhile.